When Cheng Yi returned to the palace, Li Yun was no longer in Taiji Palace.
After learning the Emperor was in Kunning Palace, Cheng Yi hesitated for a moment but decided to send word anyway.
The imperial harem now existed in name only. The former favored concubines had all become prisoners, to say nothing of the others.
But Cheng Yi knew that the rules of the harem were now even stricter than before.
It wasn't because the Emperor worried someone might offend the concubines, but because he detested anyone disturbing the late Empress.
As for the concubines, their lives within the harem were likely worse than those of the palace eunuchs.
At least the eunuchs and palace maids had something to look forward to. Provided they made no mistakes, they could wait until they reached a certain age and be released from the palace. But these concubines might go a whole year without seeing the Emperor, destined only to grow old and die alone within the palace walls.
