Hearing that she had stayed in the Palace of Heavenly Purity continuously from yesterday afternoon until now, all the concubines in the inner palace grew restless.
They had always believed that their Emperor was simply detached from feminine charms, but it turned out he just wasn’t interested in their feminine charms.
“Your Majesty, why has Imperial Consort Chen still not come to pay her respects? Could it be that she does not take you seriously at all?” A woman dressed in a jade-green imperial gown spoke in a sarcastic, mocking tone.
She was Beauty Zheng, who had been titled not long ago. Coming from a humble background, she had not even seen the Emperor’s face once since entering the palace.
Back then, the Empress had comforted her by saying that His Majesty was busy with state affairs and had not entered the inner palace for a long time, promising that if an opportunity arose, she would naturally remind the Emperor to visit her quarters.
Yet before she could even catch a glimpse of the Emperor, Imperial Consort Chen—a woman of supreme power, background, and unmatched beauty—had arrived, proving to be second to none in the harem. The moment she arrived, she completely entranced the Emperor, who was supposedly so busy with state affairs. Would concubines like them ever have their day to rise?
Seeing this, Feng Yixue curled the corners of her lips and said, “Imperial Consort Chen worked hard serving His Majesty, so it is only natural for her to arrive a bit late.”
After saying this, she even covered the tip of her nose with a handkerchief, attempting to conceal the smile playing on her face.
The moment these words were spoken, everyone’s expression turned unsightly, and the Empress’s face turned deathly pale.
“She is simply a seductive temptress—bewitching the sovereign and disregarding royal court discipline!” Beauty Zheng said indignantly, gnashing her teeth in resentment.
On the surface, Feng Yixue seemed to be explaining Xiao Mingyue’s late arrival, but in truth, she was fanning the flames of hatred against her.
By the time Xiao Mingyue finally arrived, much time had already passed. Those concubines had taken advantage of Xiao Mingyue’s absence to say all sorts of nasty things, yet upon hearing the eunuch’s announcement outside the hall, they still had to stand up and pay their respects to Xiao Mingyue with utmost deference.
“Greetings to Imperial Consort Chen!” everyone chorused in unison.
According to palace etiquette, it was only after Xiao Mingyue paid her respects to the Empress that she bade them rise.
When the Empress saw Xiao Mingyue, a gentle smile surfaced on her face.
“Imperial Consort Chen has arrived. Bestow a seat.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
The atmosphere was somewhat awkward, but fortunately, Beauty Zheng mindlessly spoke up, breaking the awkward silence: “Imperial Consort Chen, all of us sisters arrived on time to pay our respects to Her Majesty. How is it that only you have arrived so late?”
Xiao Mingyue glanced at her, yet addressed her explanation to the Empress instead: “I was delayed by some matters on the way. I am truly sorry.”
The Empress nodded, “It is of no hindrance. There wasn’t much going on anyway, and I am already very pleased that you could come. As sisters, we ought to be more forgiving toward one another. If one day you give birth to an imperial prince, I will be even happier.”
Her eyes were benevolent, and her delicate face bore a magnanimous gentleness that made people involuntarily want to draw close.
Only after finishing her explanation to the Empress did Xiao Mingyue respond directly to Beauty Zheng’s words. Curving her lips, she said with a smile: “This concubine worked hard serving His Majesty, and on top of that, I was delayed on the way by an incompetent servant who didn’t open his eyes, which is why I arrived late.”
She couldn’t very well say that Xie Changsu was simply too clingy, could she? Even though her reputation as a seductive temptress had already spread, she couldn’t make enemies so openly in front of so many people.
“Furthermore, if one truly has sincerity, it does not necessarily need to be shown by coming every single day to pay respects. Beauty Zheng, wouldn’t you agree?”
Today, Xiao Mingyue was dressed in a sapphire-blue imperial gown embroidered with lifelike flying cranes in silver thread. A green jade belt wrapped tightly around her slender, soft waist. Though her hair was adorned with various golden hairpins and tassels, it did not appear cluttered at all, but rather strikingly regal and noble.
Beauty Zheng trembled, and after meeting her gaze, she lowered her head tightly.
Behind Xiao Mingyue stood Prime Minister Pei, who held the highest ministerial rank, and she herself was the very first person in the harem to hold a High Consort position of the First Rank. Even the Empress had to treat her with a degree of caution. Where on earth did this Beauty Zheng get the courage to speak to Xiao Mingyue like that?
Everyone watched Beauty Zheng as if enjoying a drama. Only then did she realize she had been used as a pawn, and she hurriedly spoke up: “What Imperial Consort Chen says is entirely correct. It was this concubine who was out of line.”
Fortunately, Xiao Mingyue did not choose to fuss over it with her, allowing her to secretly breathe a sigh of relief.
No sooner had Xiao Mingyue returned to the Hall of Zhongcui than Beauty Zheng arrived right on her heels, bringing all sorts of items to ingratiate herself with Xiao Mingyue.
“What happened earlier in the Hall of Phoenix Harmony was this concubine’s fault. I have come specifically to apologize to Imperial Consort Chen, and I hope Your Highness can forgive me,” Beauty Zheng said timidly and cautiously.
Xiao Mingyue waved her hand, not caring much about it: “It’s fine.”
Beauty Zheng clapped her hands, and a group of palace maids immediately filed in behind her, holding all kinds of rare treasures, fine garments, and jewelry in their hands.
“This concubine does not come from a noble background, but my family has a bit of wealth. I hope Your Highness will kindly accept these small tokens of my regard,” Beauty Zheng said.
Looking at those items, Xiao Mingyue nearly lost her composure.
Night-glowing pearls from the East Sea, exquisite glass cups, jade ru’yi scepters made of fine emeralds, along with immensely precious tapestry-woven cloud brocade fabrics, and several gold and jade jewelry pieces rarely seen in ordinary households…
Just what did this Beauty Zheng’s family do for a living? How were they so wealthy?
“Although this concubine does not come from a noble lineage, my family is in business, with trade routes spanning across four nations. These are treasures that ordinary people rarely get to see, and today I present them all to Your Highness,” Beauty Zheng said in a respectful and submissive tone.
“Ah… really?” Xiao Mingyue could hardly believe it. She asked once more, “Is your family very rich?”
“Rich enough to rival the nation.”