Gao Wuyong's smile remained fixed as he bowed. "Your Highness, this servant is here by the decree of Her Majesty the Empress to review the expenditures of all palaces. As the imperial treasury has not been particularly abundant in recent years, Her Majesty, wishing to share His Majesty's burdens, intends to reduce certain allowances, leading by example."

"The review of the Changchun Palace and the residences of the other principal consorts is complete. Today, I have come specifically to the Chang Le Palace to record its details, so that future allocations may follow the new standards." A junior eunuch behind him stepped forward, holding a ledger, brush, and ink.

Here comes Empress Su's move, Li Qinghuan thought. And so ostensibly righteous, using the banner of 'frugality' to legitimize cutting her provisions!

The original host would have had no choice but to swallow the insult. But now...

Li Qinghuan sneered inwardly, but her expression betrayed nothing. "Oh? The Empress, a model for the realm, is practicing frugality for the household. A true example for the inner court. Pray tell, what are these new allowance standards? And how much is to be cut from this Chang Le Palace?"

Gao Wuyong produced a list from his sleeve and presented it with both hands. "Your Highness, please look. This is the proposed new standard. The Chang Le Palace, ranked with the allowances of a Prince, was originally allotted five pecks of rice, three pecks of flour, twenty jin of fresh vegetables, ten jin of meat, one hundred jin of silver-thread coal, five bolts of silk, and fifty taels of silver per month."

"The new standard proposes: three pecks of rice, two pecks of flour, ten jin of vegetables, five jin of meat, fifty jin of black coal, two bolts of silk, and twenty taels of silver."

It was nearly halved, and then halved again! A direct reduction back to the levels before she had asserted her authority, perhaps even worse, as the coal was downgraded from silver-thread to inferior black coal!

Tian Xiang, standing to the side, paled, clutching the hem of her garment tightly.

Li Qinghuan glanced at the list but did not take it. Instead, she picked up her teacup, gently blowing on the steam. "Chief Eunuch Gao, this list—was it personally drafted by Her Majesty the Empress, or was it the Internal Affairs Bureau... presuming to interpret her wishes and acting on its own initiative?"

Gao Wuyong's heart sank. This Princess was indeed not to be trifled with. He hurriedly replied, "Your Highness is most discerning. This was drafted through mutual discussion between Her Majesty the Empress and the Internal Affairs Bureau. There was no independent action whatsoever."

"Mutual discussion?" Li Qinghuan set her cup down with a sharp click. Her gaze shot towards Gao Wuyong like a bolt of lightning. "Then I must ask, if frugality is to be universal across the inner court, why was Consort Liu's palace procuring large quantities of Western incense just yesterday? Why was the Second Princess's palace acquiring the newly arrived Yun brocade from Jiangnan?"

"Yet when it comes to my palace, the allowances are slashed by more than half? Chief Eunuch Gao, is this 'mutual discussion' of yours merely a matter of picking on who you think is the weakest?!"

Her voice rose sharply, carrying an undeniable authority.

Gao Wuyong began to sweat under her questioning. "Your Highness, please calm your anger. The circumstances of each palace differ, the allowances are considered accordingly... Consort Liu enjoys His Majesty's favor, the Second Princess is the Empress's own daughter..."

"So you mean to say that because I lack our father's favor, and my mother is long deceased, I deserve to be treated harshly?!" Li Qinghuan slammed her hand on the table and stood up. "A fine 'difference in circumstances'! A fine 'considered accordingly'! Gao Wuyong, your Internal Affairs Bureau has some nerve! You dare use the Empress's name to engage in such favoritism, to drive a wedge within the Imperial Family! What is your crime?!"

This accusation was far heavier than the one she had levied against Zhao De the day before.

Gao Wuyong's legs gave way, and he dropped to his knees. "Your Highness! This servant is wronged! I wouldn't dare! This... this list was indeed seen and approved by Her Majesty the Empress..."

"Approved?" Li Qinghuan pressed her advantage, stepping closer. "So you are saying the Empress tacitly permitted this? Tacitly permitted the mistreatment of the legitimate First Princess? Tacitly permitted you to disregard the rules of the inner court? Excellent!"

"Then today, I shall go with you to the Changchun Palace. We will ask the Empress to her face if the Great Tang's inner court no longer distinguishes between legitimate and secondary, between noble and base, and cares only for who has the most favor to act lawlessly!"

She made a move as if to stride out of the hall.

Gao Wuyong was terrified out of his wits!

He wouldn't dare actually confront the Empress. How could Empress Su ever admit to tacit approval? All the blame would fall squarely on him! His position as Deputy Chief Eunuch would be finished!

"Your Highness, please wait! Your Highness, please calm your anger!"

Gao Wuyong kowtowed repeatedly, his mind racing. He knew that unless he offered something concrete today, he would not get past this.

This Princess had nothing left to lose. If she caused a real scene, the Empress would undoubtedly sacrifice him to quell the disturbance!