The implication was that Consort Xian had no authority over the Eastern Palace.
Consort Xian looked at the Emperor, "Emperor, you must say something!"
The Emperor opened his mouth, about to speak when he heard Ye Yiheng say, "Father Emperor is the Lord of Tiancheng and should set an example for all his subjects."
Those words choked the Emperor for a good while.
He took a sip of wine before saying, "The Crown Prince speaks the truth. We in the palace must prioritize rank and etiquette above all. Palace maids and eunuchs, from now on, do not casually address any Prince or Princess as 'Your Highness.' Do you all understand?"
All the palace maids and eunuchs present voiced their affirmation in unison.
The latter statement, ostensibly for the palace maids and eunuchs, was in fact directed at the Princes and Princesses.
Because outside the palace, the Princes and Princesses welcomed such titles of respect, knowing it wrong yet never correcting it.
