As everyone knows, the Emperor had previously stated in front of the court officials that in the harem, only one empress is necessary.

Zui Yiming looked at Madam Zui’s speechless appearance, feeling immensely satisfied, and couldn’t help but curl the corner of her lips.

"However, mother has gotten her wish. See, Fifth Younger Sister can finally enter the palace." She said.

"You—"

Madam Zui felt a surge of old blood stuck in her throat.

Is this called entering the palace? That’s Quan Palace, it’s the Cold Palace. Women who enter there can never catch the Emperor’s favor again and won’t think of coming out for the rest of their lives.

Even in death, they can only become funeral offerings, perhaps not even that, and be discarded in mass graves.

If a woman in the Cold Palace dies first, that’s not so bad; but if the Emperor dies first, they are directly executed, buried alongside the Emperor.

However, such burial doesn’t even allow entry into the imperial mausoleum, at best they’re buried in the consorts’ tomb, without a coffin, just discarded there.

How could her daughter end up such a fate?

"Empress, the message has been delivered, so this servant will take leave; the Emperor is still waiting for a report." After a while, a guard spoke.

"Alright, you may leave."

Zui Yiming waved her hand at him.

"Ming’er, Chun’er is your own younger sister, you can’t ignore her plight. She can’t live in Quan Palace; at most... at most make Chun’er endure a bit, let her live in your palace."

Seeing the guard had left, Madam Zui knew that opposing Zui Yiming was impossible, so she softened her stance.

"Live in my palace?"

Zui Yiming was amused by Madam Zui’s words, she actually said such a thing?

This is the Central Palace, aside from the Empress, no consort dares to live here. Her Zui Yichun has not even met the Emperor and was sent to the Cold Palace, not even a named mistress, nor even a maid, yet wants to live in her palace.

And Madam Zui actually thinks letting Zui Yichun live in her Central Palace is an injustice to her?!

"Mother, are you suggesting I relinquish the Empress position to Fifth Younger Sister?"

"I..."

Madam Zui opened her mouth.

She wanted to say that would be ideal, but she knew she shouldn’t say such a thing, lest Zui Yiming devours her.

"The Empress misunderstood, I didn’t mean that. It’s just that Chun’er has been pampered since childhood, unused to hardship, to let her live in Quan Palace is truly—"

"You need not worry about this," Zui Yiming interrupted her.

"Since Fifth Younger Sister wants to enter the palace, she must be prepared for hardship. Quan Palace is suitable, let her reside there."

"Empress!"

Madam Zui raised her head, looking at Zui Yiming with shock.

Yesterday, she conversed well with Zui Yiming, although Zui Yiming’s words were evasive, she hadn’t torn the relationship this way.

But what happened today? She spoke so ruthlessly.

She glanced sideways at the calm Yin Baiqing sitting by; was it because today the Crown Prince returned, thus emboldening her?

If that’s truly the case, then Yin Baiqing must not remain; if he lives, then what hope does Chun’er have?