The following day, news spread through the palace that Emperor Jing had punished Noble Consort Duan and stripped her of the Empress’s seal. The affairs of the six palaces were temporarily turned over to Noble Consort Hui. When the imperial decree was delivered, Noble Consort Hui appeared quite surprised, as if she had been completely unaware of the matter. Mei Gongxue, observing from the side, dared not guess whether the surprise was genuine or feigned. Having been in the palace for only two days, she already felt that Noble Consort Hui was a master of performance. Once she obtained the seal, Noble Consort Hui became quite busy, and the task of looking after Liu Ye was temporarily passed to Mei Gongxue.
For several days, Mei Gongxue prepared the medicine herself, terrified of any mishap. As it happened, court affairs had grown hectic during these days, and Emperor Jing, unable to step away, sent various tonics daily. Upon hearing that Mei Gongxue was tending to the patient with such care, he even specifically praised her.
On the fifth day, Yuwen Shu entered the palace. Naturally, he went to visit Noble Consort Hui first. Noble Consort Hui teased him, "Xiaoxue has only been in the palace a few days, and you're already missing her, aren't you?"
Chapter 268