His gaze shifted to Yin Xiuyi.
"Why don't Yin Xiuyi tell us what just happened? I could hear your voice from the back just now," the Consort asked.
"Please don't mind, Sister Consort. I haven't seen Consort Nan in a long time, so I was just exchanging some pleasantries," Yin Xiuyi replied with a smile, covering her face.
"You always enjoy joking with people, but you still need to maintain some decorum and not lose face," the Consort stated, her expression unchanged, neither joyful nor angry, but her tone carried a warning.
"Yes, I understand, Consort. You don't need to worry about these matters," Yin Xiuyi responded indifferently. She had always been an arrogant individual and didn't truly hold the Consort in high regard. After all, the Consort was merely temporarily in charge of palace affairs, not the Empress. Moreover, despite being a Consort, she hadn't seemed to receive much favor.
The Consort didn't bother with her attitude. In this palace, she only needed to do what she was supposed to and say what she had to say. Whether others listened or not was of no concern to her.
"Beauty Shu, Consort Nan's rank is above yours. You must still respect the hierarchy," the Consort then turned her attention to Beauty Shu beside her.
"Yes," Beauty Shu, lacking Yin Xiuyi's audacity, replied. The Consort might not be favored, but she wielded authority and had a powerful family background backing her. Beauty Shu couldn't afford to offend her.
The Consort wasn't particularly concerned with the attitudes of those below her. She didn't care what they thought, whether it was respect, fear, or disdain – none of it affected her.
After issuing warnings to most of them, the Consort finally looked at Nan Zhiyun, who had remained silent throughout.
"How have Consort Nan's health been these past few days?" the Consort asked, her tone as business-like as if she were fulfilling a duty.
"Thank you for your concern, Consort. This concubine is much better," Nan Zhiyun replied with a slight nod.
"That's good. Your health hasn't been very good recently, which was quite worrying. You must take good care of yourself from now on," the Consort said.
"Please rest assured, Consort. The imperial physicians have examined me, and there is nothing serious," Nan Zhiyun replied.
"The Empress Dowager will be returning in two days. Consort Nan, you are usually the most favored by the Empress Dowager, and no one in the palace understands her preferences better than you. I was thinking of asking for your help in overseeing things this time," the Consort said.
Everyone knew that Yu Jingchen had entrusted the matter of the Empress Dowager's return entirely to the Consort. However, based on the current situation, it seemed the Consort wished for Nan Zhiyun to handle it.
"Since His Majesty has entrusted this matter to you, Consort, this concubine naturally would not dare overstep. However, if you require this concubine's assistance in any way, this concubine would, of course, be happy to help," Nan Zhiyun replied.
"Indeed, thank you for your trouble, Consort Nan," the Consort said. She showed no pretense, and after the exchange of pleasantries, the atmosphere became quite harmonious. Even those who were restless had been promptly reined in by the Consort.
After the morning greetings concluded, Nan Zhiyun returned directly to Yanjing Residence. Upon her arrival, she found her courtyard bustling with people, and items being moved out.
"What is going on?" Nan Zhiyun asked.
Seeing Nan Zhiyun return, everyone stopped their actions and began to greet her.