Whether Concubine Li was still the apple of the Emperor's eye was not something the palace maids could discern simply by observing her outward appearance.
It was more evident that the mistress of the Xihuo Palace could now share some of the Emperor’s favor once heaped solely upon Concubine Li.
The Emperor was currently enamored with her, treating her with a certain degree of affection.
Just last night, he had stayed in the Xihuo Palace. By early morning, a stream of gifts had made their way into the bedchamber of Consort Zhen.
This morning, when she paid her respects at the Yikun Palace, she harvested another wave of resentment. But now, the Empress considered her one of her own, and Consort Liang, with her sharp tongue, spared no one. All she had to do was well up a little, and others would charge into battle for her.
"You're perfect in every way, except you're too timid," said Consort Liang in the Imperial Garden.
Jiang Xinyue, half a step behind Consort Liang, responded to her evaluation with a shy smile, "With the Empress and Sister Consort Liang protecting me, it doesn't matter if I'm a little timid."
Consort Liang wanted to say more, but seeing Jiang Xinyue's eyes welling up again and facing her innocent gaze, she said, "I was born to a concubine in my family and was alienated by my legitimate sister and half-sisters because of my good looks. I've always envied the sisterly love others have. Just now, when Sister Consort Liang stood up for me... I was truly touched."
She even used a handkerchief to dab at her eyes, as if to prevent tears from falling.
"Oh, isn't this Consort Zhen?"
A group of beautifully dressed women walked towards them, led by Consort Jiang, who had just "bullied" Jiang Xinyue in the Yikun Palace. "Look at those red eyes. Even I feel sorry for you, let alone the Emperor!"
She accused Jiang Xinyue of playing the victim, trying to win the Emperor's sympathy and seduce him.
Jiang Xinyue retorted, "Actions speak louder than words. The Emperor indeed cares for me, as evidenced by the many jewels and accessories he has bestowed upon me. Consort Jiang, are your expressions of concern just lip service?"
If Consort Jiang called her fake, she'd call her insincere, and see who'd get angrier.
Consort Liang was very pleased with her response and despised the minions of Concubine Li. With a snort of laughter, she said, "The sun is about to rise. You should go back. The Emperor might have more rewards for you. Remember, you are now the Emperor's favorite."
Unlike Concubine Chu and Consort Jiang, who were not in favor and had to rely on Concubine Li to get by.
Jiang Xinyue, happy to avoid a verbal spat with them, held Hong Xi's hand and headed back to the Xihuo Palace.
"Stop right there!"
Concubine Chu, who was heading back to the palace in the same direction, followed her out of sight from Consort Liang before daring to stop her. "Jiang Xinyue, didn't you hear what I said?"
Hong Xi was terrified. Her mistress had been in a foul mood the night before, waiting for the Emperor who never came. Her resentment towards Consort Zhen had probably peaked.
"Slap!"
As soon as she approached Jiang Xinyue, she was slapped. "I am Consort Zhen, personally appointed by the Emperor. Concubine Chu, not only did you not bow to me, but you also spoke rudely and referred to yourself as 'I'. Are you dissatisfied with the title the Emperor bestowed upon me?"
The rank of Consort Zhen was naturally higher than that of Concubine Chu.
Concubine Chu was left dazed by a slap. Regaining her senses, she glared fiercely at Jiang Xinyue, "My father is the Vice Minister of Revenue. How dare you, a mere Secretary of Ministry of Rites' daughter, strike me?"
"I hit you, not your father," Jiang Xinyue retorted, her demeanor haughty and willful. "Besides, once we enter the palace, we all become the Emperor's women. What does your past have to do with me? Are you going to tell your father every time we have a quarrel? Where does that leave the Emperor's dignity?"
Contacting the previous dynasty was a grave taboo for the imperial concubines.
Yet, every word from Concubine Chu was laced with a sense of superiority, as if Jiang Xinyue's audacity to hit her would surely lead to her demise.
"The Emperor arrives—"
The Emperor, who had been watching the drama from behind the artificial hill by the lotus pond, finally emerged. With a single glance, Concubine Chu burst into tears, "Your Majesty, you must stand up for me! Consort Zhen... she hit me without reason. It hurts so much."
She deliberately exposed the half of her face marked with a red handprint for the Emperor to see.
The Xuanwu Emperor remained silent, his face stern as he looked at Jiang Xinyue, creating a tense atmosphere.
Concubine Chu stole glances at the Emperor's expression, then lowered her eyes, a cold smirk playing on her lips.
Hmph!
The Emperor still cared for her.
After all, she had been in the palace for six years. The time she spent with the Emperor was not short. Consort Zhen, this vile woman, was so arrogant and domineering upon her arrival. How could the Emperor tolerate her?
As she was contemplating how to make the Emperor despise that vile woman, she heard the Xuanwu Emperor say, "Wang Dequan told me today that Concubine Chu was unwell last night and came to Xihuo Palace to find me?"
The Emperor must be planning to punish Consort Zhen for the incident last night when someone at Xihuo Palace stopped Hong Xi from entering.
Concubine Chu's eyes lit up with joy, her tone carrying a hint of coquettish pride, "I thank Your Majesty for your concern. I was indeed unwell last night, unable to sleep. Seeing me ill, Hong Xi, who could sleep peacefully by your side, took it upon herself to come to Xihuo Palace. But who knew..."
She quickly glanced at Jiang Xinyue, as if afraid of her, then quickly lowered her head again, "Perhaps Consort Zhen didn't hear it!"
You know what... you really wouldn't know...
Last night, the Xuanwu Emperor had tormented her to the point of death and back. Moreover, in the Emperor's eyes, she was so drunk that she was completely out of it, of course she wouldn't hear the quarrel outside the palace.
The Emperor apparently thought the same as her.
Because after Concubine Chu finished speaking, the Emperor raised an eyebrow, his gaze falling on Jiang Xinyue's tender red lips.
She timely showed a mix of embarrassment and annoyance, her face flushing red, successfully turning the tense atmosphere into one of ambiguity.
"I intended to visit Concubine Chu at Changchun Palace today..."
Concubine Chu looked up, a smile appearing on her face. She was about to speak, looking triumphantly at Jiang Xinyue...
"But just now, I saw you berating Consort Zhen. You didn't greet her when you saw her, and you kept referring to yourself as 'this palace'. You certainly don't seem ill, it seems you've recovered."
The Xuanwu Emperor's gaze turned icy as he looked at her, "Since you're not unwell, for your disrespect, I'll punish you to kneel here for two hours. Next time you see Consort Zhen, remember to bow to her."
After speaking, he extended his hand and wrapped it around Jiang Xinyue's shoulder: "My beloved, your face is so red, could it be that you've been sunburned?"
He was intentionally teasing her.
Jiang Xinyue pouted, her face filled with embarrassment. She broke free from the emperor and, in her panic, ran back to the Xihuo Palace.
When she reached the door, she ran into the door frame, the pain making her grimace as she rubbed her forehead.
After rubbing it for a while and realizing that the emperor was still watching her, she became even more embarrassed and wished she could disappear into a hole in the ground. She covered her face and vanished behind the vermilion doors of the Xihuo Palace.
Concubine Chu was left dumbfounded by her series of frantic actions.
Consort Zhen... how could Consort Zhen be so bold?
How dare she let go of the emperor's hand? How dare she run away in front of the emperor, and it appears that the emperor isn't even angry?
