Noble Lady Jiang, unable to stand Concubine Cheng's smug attitude after gaining favor, rolled her eyes and said, "Some people get the Emperor's favor for a few days and their heads get so big they reach the sky. Why pretend to be so pure?"
The target of these words was crystal clear - even the dullest person could tell she was insulting Concubine Cheng.
Though she hadn't personally harmed the Imperial Noble Consort, what Concubine Cheng had done these past few days was even more disgusting than when she had given Jiang Xinyue laxatives in the Palace of Exile.
Taking advantage of the Emperor's presence in her garden, one day she'd steal the Imperial Noble Consort's bird's nest soup, claiming the Emperor wanted it; the next day she'd take the Imperial Noble Consort's white fungus and lotus seed soup with peach gum, saying the Emperor had bestowed it upon her.
Most outrageous was how she'd complain of pain, either in her hands or legs, claiming no other physician could cure her except Yan the Imperial Physician, whom she specifically requested from the Emperor.
Her reasoning was that since Yan the Imperial Physician could heal Xi Que's severely injured leg, he could surely restore her hand to perfect condition.
There was another layer to this - she knew Yan the Imperial Physician was specifically assigned to attend to the Imperial Noble Consort, yet if he could treat a mere maid like Xi Que, surely she, a concubine, deserved his attention too.
Wouldn't any physician do for examining her hand injury?
Her insistence on Yan the Imperial Physician was pure affectation.
The Imperial Noble Consort was too kind-hearted, acquiescing to all her demands without losing her temper. She even said privately that it was just a matter of food - letting her have it wouldn't kill anyone, and it's not like Yan the Imperial Physician wouldn't return after treating her.
In reality, Concubine Cheng hadn't actually taken anything away.
With Chief Steward Gao overseeing the imperial kitchen, whatever Jiang Xinyue wanted would appear before her with just a word.
She deliberately appeared weak, letting Concubine Cheng take this and that, merely to show the Emperor her magnanimity and how she was above quarreling with Concubine Cheng.
When accused of "pretending to be pure," Concubine Cheng didn't get angry. Instead, with a face full of radiance, she touched the jade hairpin in her hair and said, "The Emperor prefers pure women. Even if Noble Lady Jiang wanted to pretend, I'm afraid those wrinkles on her face wouldn't allow it."
She covered her mouth and laughed, "I heard Noble Lady Jiang had quite a lovely face before entering the Palace of Exile. But that experience changed her beyond recognition. No wonder they say the Imperial Noble Consort is naturally beautiful, like a celestial maiden. Though they both spent time in the Palace of Exile, the Imperial Noble Consort's beauty remained unchanged, becoming even more enchanting."
When Jiang Xinyue looked at Concubine Cheng now, she saw her past self - someone who had lost her way after receiving just a few days of the Emperor's favor.
They all lost themselves in the Emperor's affection, believing that those few days of favor gave them the right to act tyrannically in the palace.
But Jiang Xinyue was no longer the former Noble Consort Li who had been challenged. She merely glanced at Shuang Jiang, who then walked up to Concubine Cheng and gave a polite bow.
And then...
"Slap!"
To everyone's confusion and shock, Shuang Jiang delivered a resounding slap to her face: "Concubine Cheng, your rank is below Noble Lady Jiang's. You shouldn't humiliate her or maliciously bring up old wounds. This slap is to teach you that you have no right to comment on the Imperial Noble Consort's appearance. Please be more careful in the future, as misfortune comes from the mouth."
For the first time, Concubine Cheng revealed a fierce look, though she dared not direct it at Jiang Xinyue, only glaring viciously at Shuang Jiang.
Shuang Jiang was no longer the pitiful girl who wouldn't dare fight back when struck. Under Xi Que's strong influence, she didn't even find the Emperor so frightening anymore.
So when Concubine Cheng glared at her, she glared right back.
She had her mistress backing her up, and it was her mistress who had subtly instructed her to deliver that slap. What did she have to fear?
The tea pavilion fell so silent you could hear a pin drop, the atmosphere tense.
Jiang Xinyue suddenly laughed, "Shuang Jiang, since this is Concubine Cheng's first offense, let's not hold it against her. Next time, don't strike anyone without my permission. Although you were following palace rules, if the Emperor sees her injured face, he might blame you."
Shuang Jiang returned to her side: "Your Grace, I acted hastily out of anger. Concubine Cheng has been in the palace for two years yet still doesn't know not to defy a superior-ranked consort. If word gets out, others will say she doesn't know proper etiquette. The Emperor values rules above all else - would he make an exception for one person?"
The implication was that if Concubine Cheng wanted to complain to the Emperor, she should carefully consider whether the Emperor would sympathize with or despise her after hearing the reason.
After all, when the Imperial Noble Consort first entered the palace, she was stunningly beautiful and highly renowned among the selected ladies. She was the first candidate the Emperor favored and the first he appointed.
Yet after offending Noble Consort Li, didn't she still fall from favor?
Wasn't she far more beautiful than Concubine Cheng?
So when the eunuch announced "His Majesty the Emperor arrives," Concubine Cheng not only didn't dare complain, but turned her slapped cheek away, afraid the Emperor would notice and ask questions.
The Xuanwu Emperor first glanced at Jiang Xinyue, then strode over to help her up: "Didn't I tell you? With your leg injury, you shouldn't keep kneeling. When you see me, just come over directly."
He had intended to show intimacy with Concubine Cheng, but upon seeing Jiang Xinyue's solitary figure, he couldn't help but walk toward her instead.
Jiang Xinyue smiled tenderly, her eyes full of affection: "In private, I naturally obey Your Majesty in everything, but with others present, I dare not break protocol in the slightest."
The Xuanwu Emperor looked around - they were all outsiders, only he and Yue were their own people.
Noble Lady Jiang was an outsider too!
"Hiss—"
Noble Lady Jiang shuddered and drew in a sharp breath. How strange to feel such a chill down her spine in broad daylight!
Consort Zhang gathered her courage: "Your Majesty is so busy with state affairs, how do you find time to attend the Imperial Noble Consort's tea party?"
The Emperor gave her a contemptuous look, as if she were an idiot: "Does my presence disturb Consort Zhang's refined gathering?"
"No... no... I didn't mean..."
The Emperor clicked his tongue, clearly showing his impatience, and Consort Zhang could only hide behind Concubine Cheng, not daring to speak up again.
She thought the Emperor didn't know about her speaking ill of Jiang Xinyue!
After secretly holding Jiang Xinyue's hand for a moment, the Emperor walked over to Concubine Cheng: "What's wrong with Concubine Cheng? Your eyes are red as if you've been crying."
He completely ignored the red handprint on her face.
The Xuanwu Emperor thought to himself: If I pretend not to see it, then it wasn't Yue who had her struck.
Concubine Cheng had better be sensible - her father owed most of his achievements to Jiang Hanxi. If it weren't for protecting Jiang Hanxi, he wouldn't have kept Cheng Yuan around.
The warning in the Emperor's eyes was crystal clear, piercing enough to make one's eyes hurt. This time, Concubine Cheng truly felt like crying: "Your Majesty, I seem to be allergic to the flowers in the Hundred Flower Garden. I'd like to take my leave."
This would explain why one side of her face was so red.
"Allergic?"
The Emperor beckoned a young eunuch: "Quickly escort Concubine Cheng back to Moon-Embracing Pavilion and summon a physician to examine her. We can't let this leave any scars."
