An Fangyi slept restlessly all night, lying awake with her eyes open until dawn.
In the main hall, Han Jinyi also slept poorly. Although events were unfolding more or less as expected, the fierce conflict between Consort Shu and Princess Consort Zhuang had planted the seeds of future trouble.
The welcome banquet and gifts had been completely disrupted. Once the Empress Dowager returned to the palace, if Princess Consort Zhuang were to say something to her, it would be impossible to predict what the Empress Dowager might do.
The atmosphere in the palace was somber the next day. Consort Shu seemed completely oblivious, and Song Yunzhao carried on as usual. Only the others were fraught with anxiety.
On the third day, Consort Shu suddenly hosted a tea banquet, inviting many people, but Song Yunzhao was not on the list.
Song Yunzhao had no particular reaction.
'It's not like I wanted to go, anyway.'
