Lin Wanyi, resting in the inner chamber, heard the commotion outside clearly. Her expression darkened.
Concubine Chu had always been at odds with her. Their enmity traced back to the very day she entered the palace. And now, the woman had the audacity to storm into her side hall—clearly, this was not a casual visit, but a deliberate attempt to assert dominance and deepen the rift between them.
Without hesitation, Lin Wanyi rose, changed quickly, and stepped out with gritted teeth, doing her utmost not to lose face before her rival.
"Sister Chu, such a distinguished guest—you've graced my humble quarters. I apologize for failing to greet you properly. Please, don't take offense."
She then turned to Chunqi and Xia An, who were kneeling on the floor, playing her part.
"What are you two doing down there? Go prepare some tea for Lady Chu."
Chunqi was quick to follow her cue. "This servant was at fault. I'll make amends by bringing tea right away."
Just as she began to rise, Concubine Chu signaled with a glance. Yue Jian immediately stepped forward, seizing Chunqi and forcing her back to the ground.
Chunqi struggled, but Yue Jian and Yue Pei twisted her arms behind her with vicious precision. Her face turned pale from the pain—so intense she couldn't speak.
Born from a family of military officials, Yue Jian's methods were naturally brutal. Punishment was not a tool, but a statement.
Lin Wanyi's gaze burned with fury. Her voice grew cold.
"Lady Chu, what exactly has my maid done to offend you?"
Chu sneered. "As the most senior among us in Yihua Palace, I naturally have the authority to discipline the younger concubines and their maids. Your people had the audacity to lock the moon door. I simply wanted to speak to my sister, yet I was blocked—shouldn't such defiance be punished?"
She cast a cold glance toward Xia An. Yue Jian instantly understood, dragged her forward, and struck her—hard, four or five times.
Each slap resounded through the hall.
Xia An's face swelled instantly, blood trailing from the corner of her lips.
"Stop!"
Lin Wanyi's voice rang out, trembling with fury.
But she knew—if she lost control now, she'd not only fail to protect them, but would likely be accused of defying a noble.
Suppressing her rage, she stepped forward and stood squarely before Concubine Chu.
"The moon door was never locked. We can summon the inner court to investigate. And if Lady Chu truly wished to speak with me, a single word through a maid would have sufficed. My rank is too low to withstand such a grand display of force."
She paused, then added sharply, "The Imperial Concubine has granted the palace reprieve from morning greetings in order to prepare for the Dragon Boat Festival. Should word of this spread... well, I doubt the Imperial Concubine would be pleased."
Then she turned coldly to Yue Jian. Her voice was low but cutting.
"I wouldn't presume to speak for others, but when the Imperial Concubine was still at home, she hated nothing more than overreaching servants who bullied others in her name. If she wished to reassert discipline in the harem... she might start by making an example of one or two particularly outstanding ones."
She never named Yue Jian, but the message was clear.
Fear gripped the maid instantly. She hadn't seen Imperial Concubine Lin act before—but she had survived in this palace long enough to recognize that a woman without power did not rise without cunning. If the tide turned and someone had to take the fall, it would certainly be her. Her mistress, Concubine Chu, would never shield a mere servant.
Yue Jian stepped back instinctively. Yue Pei, still holding Chunqi, released her at once.
Just one sentence had shattered their arrogance. The servants who had entered with bluster now stood silent and shaken.
Concubine Chu's expression darkened.
"Well, well. I didn't know Lady Lin was so eloquent. Even the Imperial Concubine must heed your words? How bold you are, to accuse me so brazenly!"
Lin Wanyi no longer bothered with pretense. Her face was cold, her voice sharp.
"Your ability to twist words and reverse blame is impressive, Lady Chu. No wonder the Imperial Concubine had you praying at Yonghua Palace. Pity the time was too short. The demons in your heart clearly haven't been exorcised. You lash out at anyone in your path. Like a mad dog."
"What—how dare you call me a dog!"
Concubine Chu shrieked, her voice shrill with rage.
"I don't waste words with women like you. If you're so eager for a fight, I'll happily oblige."
With that, she pulled a satin belt from her waist. With a flick, it stiffened into a whip-like weapon, the silk laced with sharp threads and pointed needles.
Lin Wanyi's expression froze. "You dare bring a weapon into the palace?!"
But Chu didn't stop. She raised the belt and swung it.
Lin Wanyi tried to retreat, but a sharp pain in her previously injured knee made her stumble.
The belt came down fast.
"Watch out!" Chunqi lunged forward and took the blow across her back. Blood instantly seeped through her robes. She gasped, teeth clenched, tears streaming down her face.
"Chunqi!"
"I'm fine, mistress....Are you okay?" she said through gritted teeth.
Xia An rushed forward and knelt before Concubine Chu, arms spread wide.
"If Lady Chu wants someone to punish, take me. I won't resist. But if you leave a mark on my mistress, His Majesty will hear of it. And I doubt even you can bear the consequences."
Her voice was calm, but her words struck true.
Concubine Chu hesitated.
She glared at Lin Wanyi, then slowly coiled the satin whip.
"If my sister is unwell, I'll come visit another day. But remember—if the moon door is locked again, don't expect mercy."
She bent down and whispered coldly to Lin Wanyi.
"You only have three servants. It won't take me long to break all of them. Next time, think twice before showing me those claws."
Lin Wanyi's hands balled into fists, but she said nothing. She looked her in the eye and replied calmly.
"I will remember your words, my lady."
Seeing Lin Wanyi seemingly subdued, Concubine Chu lifted her chin and dusted her sleeves.
"It's stifling in here. I've broken a sweat. Let's return—I need a bath."
With that, she turned and left, her attendants scrambling after her.
They had arrived in force and departed in triumph, leaving behind nothing but pain, bloodstains, and silence in Lin Wanyi's side hall.