Hong Xi knelt on the ground, not daring to make a sound.
After a moment of silence, she suddenly sneered: "Isn't Jiang Baolin from the Imperial Palace the elder sister of Consort Zhen? When the younger sister is promoted, how can the elder sister not go and congratulate her?"
After the Emperor's rewards, all the palaces sent congratulatory gifts, even the Empress and Concubine Li sent lavish gifts.
In Concubine Li's gift, there was even a pot of night-blooming cereus.
Xi Que and Shuang Jiang secretly went to observe their mistress' expression. Seeing that she was unperturbed, they cautiously picked up the flowerpot, preparing to throw it into the storeroom.
This Concubine Li was really too adept at provoking others, even using flowers to mock their mistress' favor as fleeting as the night-blooming cereus, not worth taking to heart.
Jiang Xinyue stopped Shuang Jiang: "It's too much of a pity to throw away such a beautiful flower."
She pointed to the sunny window: "Place it there! If it blooms at night, I'll still be able to admire the flowers with the Emperor, which would be a delightful event."
What fleeting beauty, what wilted flowers of tomorrow? She never likened herself to flowers, so whoever mocked her with flowers, she didn't take it to heart.
A person is a person, how could they be compared to lifeless things?
Heart-Nurturing Hall—
"You're saying... Concubine Li sent a pot of night-blooming cereus to Consort Zhen?"
Wang Dequan nodded: "Directly sent from the Mansion of Treasures, a new variety cultivated by the flower farmers this year, called 'Ethereal Cereus', said to only bloom for an hour at night."
Precious, but too fleeting.
The Xuanwu Emperor was editing imperial edicts, his vermilion brush strokes striking a large cross on the memorial: "Then send all the night-blooming cereus from the Mansion of Treasures to the Xihuo Palace. A single night-blooming cereus is not enough to admire, an entire palace filled with their blooms would be fitting for my cherished Consort Zhen."
Even if the beauty was fleeting, a sea of night-blooming cereus would leave an everlasting splendor in one's heart.
When the Empress Zhu heard about this, she laughed again.
The Emperor was treating Consort Zhen like a plaything. Such favor, she didn't know if Consort Zhen could withstand it?
To truly love someone is to protect them well, not make them a target for everyone's jealousy.
Consort Zhen, nothing to worry about.
After spending nearly two days without makeup with the Emperor, tonight Jiang Xinyue was resplendently adorned, radiant and luminous.
She wore a long robe with a pink base embroidered with butterflies and flowers in four colors, draped in a gauzy outer robe thin as cicada wings, and matching pink flower-patterned shoes. Her graceful demeanor and lithe movements were captivating.
Her hair was styled in an upswept bun, with a vibrant floral ornament crafted with colored gem inlay, and a colorful tassel hung on one side.
This appearance left Jiang Yutong who came after hearing the news speechless with admiration.
She had always known Jiang Xinyue was beautiful, but had never seen her so elaborately dressed up: "You... you..."
"What does my sister want by coming here?"
Jiang Xinyue, reclining on the kang, glanced at her askance: "If it's nothing, hurry back. The Emperor will be here soon."
"Have you forgotten what Father told you before entering the palace?"
Jiang Yutong glared at her: "You're nothing but a lowly concubine. At home, you were merely my attendant. Don't think that just because you gained some favor in the palace, you're any different."
Outside, the palace lanterns flickered a few times, casting the shadows into greater relief, though Jiang Yutong facing away from the door didn't notice.
Jiang Xinyue would never miss such an opportunity to clear her name, sitting up from the kang and letting two pearly tears fall: "Since entering the palace, I've always heeded Father's teachings. When I first gained the Emperor's favor, you said I should give the Emperor to you. So I deliberately angered the Empress to give you a chance to show your care for me, letting the Emperor take notice of you. But not only did you fail to protect me, you turned against me. Now that I've unexpectedly regained the Emperor's affection, what more do you want me to do?"
"You can try the same trick again. This time, I swear I won't neglect you."
Jiang Yutong grasped her arm frantically: "Xinyue, I'm so tired of being ignored in this palace, bullied by everyone. Help me one last time. Once I gain the Emperor's favor, I'll repay you, okay?"
"No! From now on, I won't give up the Emperor anymore."
"Why not?"
Jiang Yutong pushed and pulled forcefully, knocking Jiang Xinyue to the ground. Her frantic actions scared Xi Que and Shuang Jiang, who shielded their mistress.
Questions were raised, but no one answered.
Through the half-opened window, they glimpsed Consort Zhen sprawled on the ground, her previously immaculate coiffure now disheveled with a few loose strands framing her face. Tears streamed down her cheeks, adding a touch of fragility and pitifulness to her radiant beauty.
A weeping beauty, utterly captivating.
She bit her lip, her gaze filled with stubborn determination as she looked at Jiang Baolin.
A moment later, Jiang Baolin burst into raucous laughter: "You fool, you've fallen in love with the Emperor, you've given him your heart. Jiang Xinyue, do you know there's no room in the harem for a woman in love with the Emperor? You're an utter fool, beyond help."
Consort Zhen's lips were nearly bleeding from biting them, her voice trembling as she spoke: "It was my heart that moved, the South Wall I chose to crash against. Even if I end up defeated and disgraced, I'll never blame anyone. Having loved, I have no regrets."
"So you're saying you won't help me anymore?"
Another silence, then suddenly Jiang Baolin raised her hand and struck out.
"Slap!"
The sound of the slap echoed through the Xihuo Palace, but Jiang Xinyue didn't feel any pain on her face.
She trembled, opening her eyes in fear, only to see a magnified handsome face drawing near, lifting her up from the ground and holding her in a concerned embrace.
And the one sprawled on the ground, dazed from the slap, was none other than Jiang Yutong.
"Your... Your Majesty?"
Jiang Xinyue's eyes were wide with shock and gratitude: "When... did you arrive?"
Her trepidation, her nervousness, all proved that she had deeply concealed her love for the Xuanwu Emperor, afraid he would discover it.
"I just arrived, and saw Jiang Baolin assault you in front of the Emperor."
The beauty in his arms visibly relaxed, relieved that her confession of love wasn't overheard.
She nestled in the Emperor's embrace, softly and sweetly: "Your Majesty arrived just in time. This concubine is unharmed, please let my sister return! I don't wish to see her."
The Xuanwu Emperor's gaze flashed with anger: "Jiang Baolin committed insolence before the Emperor, she is demoted to Court Lady and exiled to the Palace of Exile."
"Your Majesty, spare me! Your Majesty, spare me! Sister, save me... sister, save me!"
The eunuchs dragging Court Lady Jiang out muffled her cries, restoring tranquility to the Xihuo Palace.
Consort Zhen gently pulled at the Xuanwu Emperor's dragon robe, tearfully gasping: "Your Majesty... please don't be angry..."
It seemed she was worried about angering him, the little fool didn't even think to complain.
"We are not angry, Our beloved Consort. Please don't shed more tears."
The Emperor gently wiped away the tears from her face with his fingers. "We made you Consort Zhen so that you would have the authority to stand up for yourself. If a mere Jiang Baolin can bully you, what good are you to Us?"
