Bright Pearls, upon sensing the undercurrents among the future Concubines, couldn’t help but look towards Murong Liuzun, wondering which side he might favor.

Unexpectedly, the Emperor turned his eyes and said to Wanyan Chao, "What does Your Highness The Prince think of this idea?"

Wanyan Chao wouldn’t interfere in his family affairs, so he kicked Murong Liuzun’s leather ball back, saying, "It’s up to the host; His Majesty is the host, we are the guests, we will follow His Majesty’s orders."

Murong Liuzun laughed twice, then kicked the leather ball over to Empress Dowager Wanyan: "Mother is the most authoritative here, let Mother take charge!"

Empress Dowager Wanyan was very protective of her own; she had never looked upon Li Defei’s arrogant and flamboyant demeanor favorably, especially since Li Defei had been relying on her prestigious family background and favor to challenge the Empress’s majesty lately, which made the Empress Dowager detest her even more, having long wanted to teach her a lesson.

Therefore, as soon as the Emperor spoke, the Empress Dowager, with a stern face, reprimanded, "Song and dance are lowly skills that opera actors and singing girls learn to please men. Let it not be said that our Royal women will ever engage in such things, even the daughters from small families wouldn’t touch them; Li Defei should not bring up these abilities in the future as it’s only asking for ridicule."

With her words, Li Defei was left with no place for herself, nearly wishing she could find a crevice to crawl into. She stood trembling, embarrassed and humiliated, lowered her body in salute, and said: "Yes, thank you for the Imperial Mother’s teachings!" Before she could finish speaking, tears began to flow profusely.

The Empress Dowager didn’t even glance at her, and said to Bright Pearls, "Child, please don’t laugh. As they say, as the forest grows, all sorts of birds appear; even among Concubines elected from Prestigious Families, there are those who are unruly and immature."

Bright Pearls laughed and said, "The Empress Dowager is wise; fortunately, we have you overseeing the Imperial Harem. I reckon that those who carry impure airs on their body among the Concubines will definitely correct themselves under your guidance and inspiration."

The two spoke in harmony, not naming names, but everyone knew who they were talking about. Li Defei was so incensed by Empress Dowager Wanyan and Bright Pearls that she went back to her palace after the banquet and shattered several pieces of official kiln porcelain.

Her personal Palace Maid Dai Man, seeing her losing her temper and fearing being implicated, stepped forward to comfort her and said, "Don’t be angry, My Lady. Be careful with your body!"

Li Defei resentfully said, "How can I not be angry? I am the biological niece of the former emperor, the biological daughter of the Princess Gao Yang of Long, the biological granddaughter of the current prime minister. What is Empress Wanyan, but the aged daughter of a mere cheap merchant, born of a concubine! If her father hadn’t fostered the Emperor of Qing Luo Kingdom, who knows where she would be counting Abacus in a shop. How dare she compare her family background with mine, even trying to boast over me, saying stringent family rules prevent her from learning songs and dances. Humph! Clearly, she is jealous of my singing and dancing talents and her favor by His Majesty. She is just saying the grapes are sour because she can’t get them."

Dai Man cautiously looked around, lowered her voice further: "Please calm down, My Lady, these words you must not speak further; should they reach the ears of the Empress Dowager, she would be angry."

"Empress Dowager?"

As soon as the Empress Dowager was mentioned, Li Defei’s teeth clenched straight. That old wretch, using this opportunist Empress Wanyan to block her path to the Empress position, not to mention constantly tripping her up.

The wicked old maid, His Majesty showed her respect only because he received her support, and gave her some face, she really thinks of herself as his biological mother, daring to humiliate me publicly without considering her background.

Fine, since she won’t make things easier for me in the Palace, I don’t mind making some move to sever the Emperor’s relationship with her; our Li Family’s influence in both the court and the harem is not to be underestimated. Separating the Emperor from the Empress Dowager is not a difficult task!

Having made up her mind, Li Defei was in much better spirits; she stood up, evened her face again, smoothed her hair with a comb, and ordered the Palace Maid Bright Pearls to go to Yaoguang Hall to check if the Emperor and Qing Luo Kingdom Prince had finished drinking. If so, invite the Emperor to come to Zhao He Palace; telling him she has urgent matters to discuss with Him.