Upon hearing the complaints of Lady Mu Bai and Lady Li, Empress Mo was so enraged that she slammed her hand on the table and pointed at Fei'er and Lady Du saying, "You unfilial, heartless wretches, to commit such shocking acts against your elders – such people are unworthy of marrying into the Imperial Manor as official wives. In my view, even being a concubine would be elevating your status!"
On hearing this, Lady Du felt as if she had been struck by thunder, staring at the Empress with a buzzing head, clearly so frightened that her soul had almost fled her body.
Seeing that Lady Du's face had turned pale and her body couldn't stop shaking, Mo Ziqi said, "Aunt, Madam Mu is pregnant and shouldn't be kneeling for long. Please allow her to get up and speak." Without waiting for Empress Mo to respond, he went straight over, helped the dispirited Lady Du up, and settled her into a chair nearby.