After the winter clothing incident, Yun Wan's prestige within the imperial harem grew significantly.

Everyone witnessed both her decisive actions and her benevolent nature.

Palace servants were human too, and naturally hoped their superiors would treat them as such. No matter how fiercely the mistresses schemed against each other, they didn’t want to become collateral damage.

Yun Wan’s decision to distribute winter clothing early was undoubtedly a kindness in their eyes.

Where their loyalties lay was obvious.

In contrast, the Noble Consort of Yaohua Palace—while Consort Yun had decided to spare Director Sun’s life after a beating—had, with just a few words, "turned the tide," transforming a chance at life into certain death.

Upon deeper reflection, one couldn’t help but suspect whether the Noble Consort had done this deliberately to silence a witness.

The thought sent chills down their spines.

Almost overnight, those who had been hesitant quickly changed their stance, no longer daring to make underhanded moves. Yun Wan clearly noticed fewer invisible obstacles when handling palace affairs, and even Qiyun Palace became livelier.

Concubines who had previously maintained a distant relationship with her now arrived hand-in-hand with Concubine Hui, their attitudes noticeably warmer, as if eager to curry favor.

Qiyun Palace soon hosted a tea gathering. The ladies huddled around the stove, sipping hot tea, nibbling on dried fruits and pastries, admiring the snowscape outside the window, and chatting idly.

Noble Consort Kang, who was close to Concubine Hui, couldn’t resist speaking up after popping a peanut into her mouth: "Does Your Ladyship know about the recent scandal involving the Earl of Wenchang’s household? It’s been the talk of the capital."

She glanced at Yun Wan, her tone cautious and probing.

"The Earl of Wenchang’s household?" Another concubine blurted out, "Isn’t the eldest son’s wife Your Ladyship’s younger sister—"

Then, as if realizing something, her voice trailed off, and she shot Yun Wan an uneasy look.

Rumors said Consort Yun and her half-sister Yun Shiyue did not get along.

She feared she might have touched a nerve, inviting misfortune—perhaps even ending up in the cold palace like Consort Hu.

The Emperor’s favoritism toward Consort Yun was plain for all to see.

Yun Wan observed their reactions. She picked up bamboo tongs to flip a roasting tangerine, her expression serene. "It’s fine. Speak freely. What happened in their household?"

Only then did the others relax.

Concubine Hui rolled her eyes—Yun Wan wasn’t the petty, vindictive type.

She peeled a tangerine and handed half to Yun Wan.

Noble Consort Kang: "Funny enough, my mother is childhood friends with the younger sister of the Earl’s mother’s sister’s sister-in-law’s cousin’s daughter."

She rubbed her nose and chuckled inexplicably.

Facing the others’ bewildered looks, she cleared her throat and continued, "Anyway, our families are distantly related, so I know the inside story. And—this matter actually involves the Yun family."

Yun Wan looked up.

Noble Consort Kang: "Apparently, Madam Yun committed some offense and was demoted from wife to concubine by Lord Yun. The shock drove her mad, and she’s been sent to a rural estate!"

The ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‍others gasped in surprise.

Noble Consort Kang hesitated, unsure whether to go on.

Yun Wan: "Continue. I’ve had little contact with my family since my marriage. There’s no need to hold back on my account."

In fact, she wanted to hear the details. Just yesterday, she’d received silver notes, land deeds, and shop titles from the Yun family—surely not out of her father’s sudden generosity?

Impossible.

Noble Consort Kang: "The exact reason isn’t clear. The Yun household has kept it tightly under wraps—anyone caught gossiping was sold off."

Here, she instinctively lowered her voice, her expression secretive, though her eyes sparkled with excitement.

The others leaned in, not wanting to miss a word.

The eldest son’s wife at the Earl of Wenchang’s mansion—your sister—stormed back to her family home in a rage, despite her pregnancy. She nearly miscarried and is now bedridden. No one knows how she’s faring.

Noble Consort Kang sighed. "I’d love to know how this plays out."

Concubine Hui’s gaze shifted to Yun Wan.

"Don’t look at me. I don’t know either. If I hear anything, I’ll let you know," Yun Wan replied frankly.

She truly no longer cared about Yun Shiyue or the rest of the Yun family—they posed no threat to her now.

Noble Consort Kang and the others hastily waved their hands. "Your Ladyship flatters us. We’re not the type to pry into idle gossip."

Yun Wan didn’t believe that for a second.

---

Earl Wenchang’s Mansion

Yun Shiyue lay on her bed, gaunt and pallid. The air was thick with the lingering stench of medicine and blood.

The Countess of Wenchang stood nearby, her face dark with displeasure as she muttered curses under her breath.

A married woman causing a scene at her family home—what nonsense! Has our household starved you or left you in rags? If anything happens to my grandson, I’ll have my eldest son divorce you!

She barked orders at the servants while shooting Yun Shiyue a venomous glare. "Such ill luck. You’ve got a favored imperial consort for a sister, yet you don’t even visit her. My son marrying you was the worst misfortune—"

Though weak and miserable, Yun Shiyue couldn’t resist retorting: "Mother-in-law, have you forgotten? When your family came to propose, your tune was very different. Admit it—you’re just opportunistic, wanting me to fawn over her now that she’s risen."

Once, they’d scorned Yun Wan. Now that Yun Shiyue had fallen from grace and Yun Wan thrived, they expected her to grovel.

Bitterness filled Yun Shiyue’s mouth and heart. She despised their fickle hypocrisy.

"You—!" The Countess trembled with rage.

Confronted by Yun Shiyue’s mocking gaze, her face flushed crimson. "Fine! If you’re so clever, handle your own affairs from now on. See if I care!"

Humiliated, she stormed out.

The eldest son entered and scolded his wife. "How could you speak to Mother like that? Is this how a daughter-in-law should behave?"

"She only wants what’s best for us. Must you always oppose her?"

If their father favored his second son and passed the heirship to him, all his efforts would be for nothing!

Soon, chaos erupted once more in the Earl’s mansion. Meanwhile, a few streets away, the Lu family’s estate was no better—shrouded in gloom.

Old Madam Lu, after her stay at Qingyu Temple, frequently complained of headaches and illness. The Lu family could only send physicians and order the servants to tend to her.

Lu Yuanduo noticed the Emperor no longer favored him as before. Members of the Lu family in court also felt increasingly stifled, facing overt and covert pressure from political rivals—especially the recently returned Cui Family.

Their actions conveyed one message: they had the advantage of blood ties to the Third Prince.

Lu Yuanduo realized with grim clarity—unless the Lu family adapted swiftly, their decline was inevitable.