Why ask for an audience?
She wasn't the Empress, so coming to pay respects to her would only put her in the spotlight unnecessarily.
This Consort De was up to no good with her quiet scheming.
But since everyone had already arrived at Hexi Palace, Jiang Xinyue couldn't refuse to see them. After all, she was currently the highest-ranking consort holding the imperial seal.
Shuang Jiang wanted to do her hair and makeup to ensure she outshone everyone.
However, Jiang Xinyue stopped her hand from applying makeup. She took the eyebrow pencil and, instead of drawing the usual gentle downward slope to create an innocent look, she drew sharp upward-angled brows.
She also abandoned the bare, pure look for her eyes. The ancients loved beauty as part of their nature, referring to eyes as "slanted red."
Shuang Jiang watched as her mistress meticulously drew her eyebrows and applied vibrant red eye makeup to match the tail of her brows, revealing a majestic yet alluring, breathtaking beauty.
She lightly brushed blush on her cheeks, leaving only a faint, natural color. Instead of applying bright red lipstick, she used her finger to dab on lip balm, evenly spreading it on her lips for a pink and moisturized look.
The light color of her lips drew even more attention to her dazzling eyes and brows.
Shuang Jiang's eyes widened. She had never seen Noble Consort Xian (Jiang Xinyue) look so bewitching, charming, sensual, majestic, gorgeous, and awe-inspiring all at once.
Her beauty seemed to surpass mortal limits.
Usually, Jiang Xinyue wore natural makeup, making people think she had a naturally good complexion and was beautiful without needing much adornment, already a peerless beauty.
But today, with what was considered heavy makeup compared to her usual style, she not only looked exceptionally beautiful but also exuded an inviolable noble aura.
"Noble Consort Zhen (Jiang Xinyue) is truly the first lady of the harem! We sisters came early to wait, but she still hasn't shown up at this hour. Even the Empress didn't have such airs in the past!"
"That's because I'm not the Empress," Jiang Xinyue replied.
The consort who spoke had only intended to make a sour comment before Jiang Xinyue arrived, not expecting to be caught red-handed by the woman herself.
As Jiang Xinyue's intimidating gaze swept over her, she was so frightened that she immediately knelt on the ground, not even daring to make eye contact.
Just as Consort De was about to plead for the palace lady, Jiang Xinyue had already seated herself on the soft couch and said coldly, "I'm not the Empress, so don't expect me to have the Empress's magnanimity. If I hear anyone speaking ill of me behind my back again, I won't be lenient."
She looked around the room, and everyone who met her gaze lowered their heads, saying, "This concubine wouldn't dare."
Only Consort De not only didn't lower her head but even smiled at her.
Just yesterday, Jiang Xinyue had gone to see the Empress, stirring up trouble between Consort De and the Empress while also setting up Consort Rong. Today, Consort De was putting on this act, clearly intending to overturn Jiang Xinyue's words and show the Empress that it was Jiang Xinyue who had always harbored wild ambitions.
Unfortunately, Consort De had miscalculated. Jiang Xinyue truly wasn't interested in that position.
"You'd better not dare," she said.
Her sharp, upward-angled brows and eyes naturally exuded an air of charm, yet made people tremble at the sight. "I have a habit of sleeping in, which the Emperor is aware of. In the future, if you want to pay respects to Consort De, go to her palace. I won't be getting up early because of you. If you have any matters to discuss, find Consort De. I've been in the palace for far too short a time compared to all of you, and I'm not skilled at handling palace affairs. Unless it's urgent, don't come to Hexi Palace."
From all she said, everyone understood one thing: Sister has a bad temper, so don't come bothering her.
Consort De shook her head. "Noble Consort Xian is too modest. In the palace, rank has always been determined by status, not length of time served. The Emperor himself said for me to assist you well. How can you say you're not skilled? Besides, you still hold the imperial seal. Palace affairs can't be handled without you."
"Are you suggesting I hand the imperial seal over to you?" Jiang Xinyue immediately waved her hand. "Xi Que, go fetch the imperial seal for Consort De."
The consorts in attendance looked at each other, unsure of what game Jiang Xinyue was playing.
Even Consort De was momentarily stunned, her eyes filled with shock and confusion.
Xi Que quickly brought out the box containing the imperial seal. It looked exactly the same as when it was first delivered; Jiang Xinyue hadn't even opened it to look.
Consort De's breathing gradually quickened as Xi Que approached her, presenting the imperial seal.
Jiang Xinyue showed no attachment as she said, "Since Consort De wants it, you can have it."
Consort De was jolted awake by the phrase "Consort De wants it" just as her hand touched the box containing the seal. She withdrew her hand as if burned. "Noble Consort Xian, I didn't mean that."
Jiang Xinyue didn't seem to care whether she believed her or not, letting out a light chuckle. "You don't want it? Then I'll entrust all palace affairs to you. I believe that with Consort De's abilities, you'll certainly be able to present the Empress with a well-ordered harem once Her Majesty recovers her health."
The implication was that no matter how well Consort De performed, she would always be paving the way for the Empress.
As long as the Zhu family didn't fall, the harem would always be the Empress's domain.
Discord between the Emperor and Empress was taboo, so the Emperor only said publicly that the Empress was suffering from migraines and lacked the energy to manage palace affairs, which was why he had Noble Consort Xian and Consort De jointly manage things.
As long as the Empress hadn't fallen from power, whoever took over palace affairs would be holding a hot potato.
But last night, Consort De had received news that the Emperor had already appointed Jiang Xinyue's cousin, Jiang Yanxi, as an imperial envoy to secretly investigate in Guangdong and Guangxi provinces. The official reason was to investigate corrupt officials, but the real purpose was to secretly investigate Consort Yu's father.
Governor-General Yu of the two Guangs was the right-hand man of the Zhu family in the capital. He was one of their most capable generals. If Lord Yu fell from power, it would mark the beginning of the Zhu family's decline.
Because this news had come so promptly, even Jiang Xinyue might not know about it yet. Consort De really wanted to see if she would regret handing over palace authority to her out of fear of the Empress's retaliation once she learned of the Emperor's plans.
Jiang Xinyue could tell what she was thinking with just a glance, but she put on a weary expression. "Alright, if there's nothing else, you may all leave. I stayed up too late serving the Emperor yesterday and didn't get enough sleep. I'm going to take a nap. Remember, if anything comes up, find Consort De."
She yawned, leaning on Xi Que's arm, completely ignoring the looks from everyone as she sashayed back to her bedchamber.
Several consorts gathered around Consort De. "Consort De, did you see how arrogant she was? She really doesn't take us sisters seriously at all."
"That's right! She's pregnant but still monopolizing the Emperor's attention, acting like a vixen. We've all become mere decorations."
Consort De smiled gently. "Didn't the Emperor favor Miss Pei last night? Perhaps you could ask Miss Pei for some advice on how to win His Majesty's favor."
The mention of this only angered the consorts further...
At least Noble Consort Xian had an official title in the harem. What was Miss Pei?
She had no name or title, yet she was already with the Emperor. Today, after the Emperor finished his morning court session, there was no imperial decree from Chengqian Palace to bestow a title on her. It was laughable.
What respectable lady would learn those low-class, seductive methods from her?
