As Song Zhao entered the palace, the clamor among the palace maids instantly ceased, and they hurriedly approached her to pay their respects.
"We pay our respects to Consort Chen," they said in unison, bowing before her.
Song Zhao swept her gaze over them, and when her eyes met Rongyue's, a glimmer of delight appeared in both their eyes.
However, it was widely frowned upon in the palace to form cliques and alliances. If it became known that Song Zhao and Rongyue had a close relationship, it would only bring trouble to both of them.
Both Song Zhao and Rongyue understood this well, so neither of them revealed their joy at being reunited after a long separation.
With a slight smile on her lips, Song Zhao instructed everyone, "Please rise."
Among these palace maids, Runaren was the most adept at flattery. As soon as she straightened herself, she immediately stepped forward, smiling and ingratiating herself to Song Zhao.
"Consort Chen, you are with child. Why did you come here in person?" she said, her eyes filled with kindness.
Song Zhao looked at her with a benevolent expression and replied, "I happened to pass by here on my way back from the Empress Dowager's place, so I thought of coming in to have a look."
Runaren said, "When I was in Mongolia, I heard people say that there was a Consort Chen in the palace who was as beautiful as a heavenly fairy and greatly favored by the Emperor. I thought it was just a rumor, but now that I have seen you, I realize that no amount of embellishment in those rumors can compare to your exquisite beauty, Consort Chen."
The phrase "exquisite beauty" was originally used to describe the Empress.
Whether due to her poor command of the Chinese language or some other reason, Runaren used such words to describe Song Zhao.
It was evident that she was simply an indiscreet and ignorant person.
Song Zhao did not respond to her words and simply smiled, saying to everyone, "Please be seated."
Due to Rongyue's inconvenience in her legs, she hadn't reached the door yet when Song Zhao entered.
So she stood by the seat and paid her respects to Song Zhao.
At this moment, Runaren saw that Rongyue was occupying the best spot next to the ice jar and refused to give it up. She quickly walked two steps forward and deliberately pushed her aside.
Then she turned to Song Zhao with a smile on her face and said, "Consort Chen, please sit here."
Song Zhao glanced at the ice jar beside her and smiled, saying, "I am with child and cannot withstand the cold. It seems that my sister is wearing the elaborate and ornate attire of your tribe, which must be making her sweat. Sister, please have a seat."
"I thank Consort Chen for her concern!" Runaren was overjoyed and thanked Song Zhao before promptly sitting down, casting a proud glance at Rongyue.
After everyone was seated, Song Zhao exchanged a few pleasantries with them and then said, "Once you enter the palace, we are all sisters. As this is my first time meeting you all, I feel a great affinity and thought I should give you all a little something."
She looked at Yun Shan and instructed, "Go to the treasury and pick out some exquisite jewelry to give to the new young ladies who have entered the palace."
"Yes," Yun Shan replied with a bow, and the palace maids expressed their gratitude to Song Zhao for her kindness.
Meanwhile, Consort Chen quietly stood at the door, observing everything without announcing her presence.
The first person to notice her among those sitting near the palace door was Runaren, who quickly exclaimed, "Oh! Isn't this Consort Chen?"
The first one to rise was Ru Naren, followed by the other court ladies who also performed the same gesture of respect.
"Your Highness Consort Chen, I, as your servant, offer my greetings. May you be blessed with eternal prosperity and well-being."
Consort Chen paid no attention to them and allowed them to maintain their formalities.
She noticed a thin layer of sweat on Song Zhao's forehead, while Ru Naren sat comfortably next to an ice jar, looking refreshed.
Consort Chen glanced at Ru Naren and said, "How dare you sit in that position? Can't you see that Concubine Yi is pregnant? Are those two gaping holes in your face meant for venting air?"
Knowing Consort Chen's power, Ru Naren immediately knelt down and explained, "Your Highness Consort Chen, Concubine Yi should not be exposed to cold air due to her pregnancy, so... that's why I am sitting here."
Song Zhao continued to smile and said, "Sister Ru comes from a distant Mongolian family and has traveled a long way to the capital. In the future, we will become sisters. Naturally, I cannot neglect her. Besides, I heard her say that even the Emperor treats the seventy-two Mongolian tribes with respect. I may not know much about the previous dynasty's affairs, but if the Emperor himself shows courtesy, I should set an example as well."
"Respect?" Consort Chen sneered with disdain in her eyes as she stared at Ru Naren. "You Mongolians and your pitiful little army of horsemen can't even compare to the Ada Hu tribe, which Concubine Ying's family belongs to. How dare you boast here? My father defeated your father in battle, and he ended up fleeing on a donkey. You, a lowly slave from outside, dare to talk about such matters?"
"This... Your Highness Consort Chen, you have misunderstood. Please let me explain. I..."
*Smack!*
Before Ru Naren could finish her sentence, Consort Chen slapped her across the face.
Afterward, Consort Chen took a handkerchief from Liu Yue and wiped her palm with a look of disgust.
"I can't stand these foreign people with their faces caked in makeup thicker than plaster. It's so disgusting when it smears on my hand. Liu Yue, go and teach her a lesson."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Liu Yue followed Consort Chen's order without showing any mercy. She delivered seven or eight slaps to Ru Naren's face, causing her mouth to bleed, yet Liu Yue didn't stop.
Song Zhao couldn't bear to watch and stood up, saying, "It's time for me to take my medicine. I must return to the palace."
Consort Chen glanced at her, responded with a faint "Hmm," and said nothing more.
Once Consort Chen had walked away, the other court ladies dared to approach Ru Naren and express their concern.
"Sister Ru, are you alright? Your face is swollen..."
Tears welled up in Ru Naren's eyes, feeling deeply wronged. She also didn't want others to see her as a laughingstock, so she said bitterly, "Concubine Yi did it on purpose! Even without the support of her family, she..."
However, before she could finish her sentence, they saw Yun Shan returning with rewards in his hand.
"These jewelry pieces were bestowed upon Lady Yipin by the former emperor, empress dowager, and empress. The physician, Zhang Taiyi, who just examined your pulses, has confirmed that these items are made of top-quality gold and silver, without any flaws. You can wear them with peace of mind."
Everyone expressed their gratitude in unison, and Yun Shan proceeded to hand the jewelry box to each of them in turn.
When it was Ru Naren's turn, she licked her lips and said with a smiling face, "Thank you, Lady, for the bestowed gifts. The items in the palace must be of excellent quality! I... Ah!"
She had only uttered half of her flattering words when unexpectedly Yun Shan swiftly delivered a resounding slap across her face.
The force behind it was much stronger than the one Liu Yue had previously used!
Covering her face, Ru Naren looked at Yun Shan in astonishment and said, "You..."
*Smack*
Yun Shan's expression turned cold as she landed another loud slap.
"You're nothing more than a newly entered palace maid. How dare you speak disrespectfully and offend my lady?"
Ru Naren was dumbfounded by these two slaps. She stood motionless, holding her face, as tears the size of beans welled up in her eyes.
Yun Shan didn't spare her another glance and solemnly addressed the remaining maids:
"Lady Yipin asked this servant to deliver gifts to all the young ladies. I also have a message for you. Once you enter the palace, it's not the same as being at home. Remember to choose your words carefully, guard your actions, and be cautious of the consequences of your words."
The newly entered maids were frightened by this display. They didn't dare to breathe and could only respond in unison:
"We, the maids, will heed Lady Yipin's teachings..."
