What a pity. With such a perfect opportunity, Noble Princess Consort Rong had actually fallen ill.
The only question was whether she was truly sick or just pretending.
The Pure Consort was excused from paying her daily respects while in postpartum confinement, and the Noble Consort was absent as well. With the two main players off the stage, the crowd discussed the matter for a while. Everyone felt something was lacking, so they tried to make up for the disappointment with a few more words of gossip.
But the Empress gave them no such opportunity to kick someone while they were down. Collecting herself, she said coolly, "The Noble Consort is of noble birth. How can she be subject to your idle gossip? I have already sent the Imperial Physician to attend to her. If anyone else forgets their place and runs their mouth again, I will not be lenient!"
The crowd fell into an embarrassed silence.
