Tang Shiliang placed the freshly brewed Green Snow Bud Mother Tree tea on a tray and presented it to Wang Dequan: "Father, although there are thousands of varieties of white tea cultivated by later generations, only the Mother Tree tea is fit to be presented to the emperor. No matter what I do, it is to emulate your grandeur. But I will always remember that it was you who pulled me out of the mire. You will always be the person I respect the most."
Wang Dequan looked at him for a moment, then let out a relieved laugh: "Everyone has their own aspirations. It's good that you have lofty ambitions. Remember, as long as you don't become an ungrateful wretch, your path in the future will be smoother."
"I will keep your teachings in mind, father."
His aspirations were different from his father's. Different paths do not mean they cannot respect each other, but his father was his benefactor and noble person in this life. He would not do anything detrimental to his father.
Even if his father grew old in the future, he was willing to take care of him until the end.
Wang Dequan understood his intentions as well. As long as his adopted son did not harm the emperor or himself, he would let the child spread his wings and fly on his own.
As for the outcome, he would have to bear it himself.
The Hundred Flower Garden of the imperial palace lived up to its name, filled with all sorts of precious flowers.
Thousands of varieties of flowers were arranged neatly by the gardeners, creating a dazzling and breathtaking beauty that left people in awe.
The palace was cool, and there was no sun in the afternoon. The temperature difference between morning and evening was significant, so one had to wear an extra layer to avoid catching a cold.
In the fragrant Hundred Flower Garden, where butterflies fluttered around, Jiang Xinyue had not yet arrived. Consort Zhang took the lead: "I heard that Concubine Cheng could attract butterflies with her playing. It's a pity that her hands were ruined by Noble Lady Liu. Otherwise, I could have witnessed this wondrous sight."
There were not many high-ranking concubines present, so everyone spoke in the first person.
The emperor had not visited the imperial noble consort for several consecutive days. Now, the new favorite was Concubine Cheng, so naturally, everyone spoke in her favor.
"Noble Lady Liu! Isn't she getting her comeuppance? She broke her waist for no reason. It's hard enough to come to the imperial palace once, and she has to lie in bed for three months. Who knows if she'll ever fully recover?"
"By the time she recovers, we'll all be heading back to the palace. Isn't her trip in vain?"
Even the afternoon tea set up by the imperial noble consort, she couldn't attend, let alone change the environment to reignite the emperor's interest in her.
Last time she broke her waist, she even invited the emperor, but he turned around and went to Concubine Cheng, losing all face.
Consort Zhang didn't intentionally arrive last with the imperial noble consort and Noble Lady Jiang. It was just that a small accident occurred on the way.
As she was about to reach the Hundred Flower Garden, she suddenly saw the imperial noble consort and Noble Lady Jiang, so she had to stop and pay her respects. At that moment, the imperial noble consort's sleeve was wet, and she was angry. Noble Lady Jiang was apologizing and trying to wipe it with her handkerchief.
But the imperial noble consort was very angry and refused Noble Lady Jiang's handkerchief, pointing directly at her: "You! Give me your handkerchief."
Her command was so straightforward and natural that Consort Zhang didn't think twice and took out her handkerchief from her sleeve, presenting it to Jiang Xinyue with both hands.
Jiang Xinyue took the handkerchief, shook it a few times, rubbed it on her clothes, and then casually threw it to Noble Lady Jiang.
Then, with a smile, she grabbed Consort Zhang's hand: "I find Consort Zhang quite charming. I like her."
At a time when Concubine Cheng was favored, why did the imperial noble consort suddenly extend an olive branch?
Wasn't it obvious?
She was afraid of losing favor and wanted to promote someone to compete with Concubine Cheng.
Consort Zhang believed her appearance was not ordinary, and it was normal for the imperial noble consort to want to promote her. After all, Noble Lady Jiang's looks were not pleasing to the emperor's eye.
She took the opportunity to squeeze past Noble Lady Jiang and hold Jiang Xinyue's hand: "I have admired Your Highness for a long time."
"Oh!"
Jiang Xinyue seemed to step on something, her body sliding forward, pulling Consort Zhang with her.
The surrounding palace attendants were startled and hurriedly tried to catch Jiang Xinyue. Consort Zhang was pushed and pulled by countless hands, feeling like she was being groped all over but couldn't tell who it was.
Fortunately, only palace maids dared to catch the imperial noble consort. If it were eunuchs, their heads might not be safe.
"Huh?"
Jiang Xinyue, who had finally "stabilized," pointed at the ground: "Where did this dried fish come from?"
"Meow—"
A black cat jumped out from behind a rock, quickly snatching the dried fish and disappearing without a trace.
Consort Zhang's expression was momentarily flustered, but she quickly regained her composure: "It's a stray cat! It often appears around Cool Breeze Pavilion. Consort Zhang and Court Lady Zheng usually carry dried fish to feed it. This dried fish was given to me by Consort Zhang!"
It was clever of her to know that Jiang Xinyue and Consort Zhang were not on good terms, so she shifted the blame to make her suspect Consort Zhang.
But if Consort Zhang had that ability, she wouldn't be reduced to having to curry favor with Concubine Cheng.
However, she had to have substantial evidence to present to the emperor if she suspected Consort Zhang.
Jiang Xinyue patted her chest: "I was scared. Xiao Xiangzi, quickly find someone to drive that black cat away."
Xiao Xiangzi quickly complied.
Was it to capture and take Concubine Ye, who had been confined, to identify if it was this cat that scared her?
When Jiang Xinyue arrived at the Hundred Flower Garden with Consort Zhang and Noble Lady Jiang, everyone had already been waiting for some time.
Although there were complaints, no one dared to voice them and had to stand up respectfully to greet her.
Jiang Xinyue didn't hurry to let them rise but walked to the main seat and sat down before allowing the concubines to stand.
Consort Zhang followed behind her, enjoying the pleasure of being worshipped.
Consort Zhang was about to sit down next to Jiang Xinyue when Shuang Jiang stepped forward: "Consort Zhang, our lady invites you to sit below Concubine Cheng. This seat is specially reserved for Consort Zhang."
Consort Zhang's face turned red and white. Although she wanted to attach herself to Concubine Cheng, after all, she was a sixth-grade consort, higher in rank than the seventh-grade concubine. How could she lower herself to sit below Concubine Cheng?
"Imperial Noble Consort, this is against the rules."
Concubine Cheng came to her rescue: "I wonder if Your Highness misunderstood? Consort Zhang and I just hit it off and had a good chat. There's no..."
"What is there not?"
Jiang Xinyue calmly looked at her: "I also feel a late affinity with Consort Zhang. Just asking Consort Zhang to give up her seat, what's the problem? Are you implying something?"
Such as hinting at her retaliating against Consort Zhang for siding with Concubine Cheng?
Even if that were the case, Concubine Cheng wouldn't dare to say it openly, would she?
A single sentence silenced Concubine Cheng. Seeing this, Consort Zhang could only reluctantly stand up and sit behind Concubine Cheng.
Noble Lady Jiang and Consort Zhang sat on either side of Jiang Xinyue, smirking softly.
Their eyes, filled with disdain, fell on Concubine Cheng.
A spineless mouse who only talks behind people's backs, not daring to speak up in front of the lady.
