Jiang Ling remained silent throughout, perfectly composed. Watching her, Su Yue was reminded of her legal mother Li Shi.
Back in the day, her father came from a poor family and could only afford schooling with his teacher’s support. He married his teacher’s daughter Li Shi. An average student, he failed the Imperial Examination repeatedly over the years, eventually securing the position of County Magistrate through his wife’s family connections.
Since Li Shi was infertile, her father took her birth mother Chen Yiniang as concubine, who then bore Su Yue and her younger brother.
Eager to curry favor with his in-laws, her father became subservient before Li Shi. Flaunting her scholarly family background and maternal support, Li Shi upheld her status as the legal wife, while Chen Yiniang and her children had to bow and scrape, constantly trying to please her.
Li Shi was exactly like Jiang Ling – she never beat or scolded them, nor even raised her voice.
Everything stemmed from her utter disregard for them, complete indifference and contempt.
Su Yue’s smile was becoming difficult to maintain, though out of habit she kept it up, a faint trace of ferocity emerging in her expression.
“The grapes earlier were praised even by His Majesty, yet Sister Jiang looks down on them, not even touching them.”
Su Yue slowly reached out and snapped off a sweet osmanthus branch with a crack. Lowering her eyes, she leisurely pinched the flower buds and casually flicked them away.
“These grapes were given to me by Consort De. Does Sister Jiang despise the grapes, or is it me you look down upon? Or perhaps you suspect the grapes are poisoned, meant to harm you?”
She had invoked not only Yuan Mingdi but also Consort Zhao. Jiang Ling was dumbfounded, momentarily forgetting to respond as she stared blankly at Su Yue, unable to comprehend where such intense hatred came from.
“Have you gone mute?!” Unable to get a reaction from Jiang Ling, Su Yue grew increasingly furious, unable to restrain her sharp questioning.
“Not mute.” This question was simple enough for Jiang Ling to answer, and she replied to Su Yue with certainty and speed.
Su Yue was so enraged she nearly fell backward. Her beautiful eyes widened as she flung away the branch in her hand, letting out two cold laughs. Lifting her chin, she declared, “Since my good intentions are treated as malicious by Sister Jiang, why should I remain courteous? The Ink Chrysanthemum is precious and better suited for the main room here. Pack your things quickly and don’t waste time.”
Jiang Ling understood – Su Yue was using the Ink Chrysanthemum as pretext to forcibly seize the main room.
Normally, Jiang Ling wouldn’t compete with others. But she had a fatal flaw – whenever she became extremely tense, her mind would slip out of control. Acting on instinct, she stated firmly: “I won’t move.”
Previously, Su Yue had looked down on the main room of Xie Fang Pavilion, thinking she could move to a better palace.
But Yuan Mingdi had only summoned her once before forgetting about her. Though she had aligned herself with Consort Zhao, she couldn’t arbitrarily choose a palace to move into.
Though remote, the main room of Xie Fang Pavilion was still the main room. If Jiang Ling had been more sensible and let her stay there, it would have been fine. But now that Jiang Ling was being uncooperative, Su Yue saw no reason to yield.
Su Yue had been confident of success, since Jiang Ling lacked imperial favor and had no backing in the rear palace, and thus wouldn’t dare refuse.
Never did she expect Jiang Ling to be so audacious, not even bothering with polite excuses but refusing outright!
Su Yue’s face darkened, her eyes radiating coldness. “You… very well! Since you reject kindness and choose punishment, don’t blame me for disregarding past affections!” With that, she turned and stormed away in anger.
Xue Yan, who had been waiting nearby, shot Jiang Ling a glare before quickly following after her.
Jiang Ling reached out her hand, attempting to ease the tension between them, but Su Yue walked away without even turning her head. Jiang Ling had never been one to torment herself, so she quickly gave up.
A Ruo and Fang He, who had been hiding nearby watching, hurried forward at once. Both wore uneasy expressions. Fang He said nervously, “Cai Ren, you must go and apologize! We cannot afford to offend Su Cai Ren!”
A Ruo added anxiously, “Exactly! In the rear palace, without a patron, one’s life would be even worse than us lowly servants.”
Jiang Ling’s gaze swept over them, but she said nothing and returned to her room.
The two followed her inside, their faces full of unease. Jiang Ling sat on the couch and picked up the teapot to pour tea.
The tea in the pot had long gone cold. A Ruo hesitantly stepped forward and said, “Cai Ren, let this servant brew a fresh pot.”
Jiang Ling, accustomed to drinking cold water, moved her hand away to avoid the offer. She poured half a bowl of tea and began to drink.
Seeing Jiang Ling’s expressionless face, Fang He quickly stepped up and lifted the teapot. “The tea is gone. This servant will go brew another pot.”
A Ruo, feeling intimidated, dared not say more. She bowed slightly and hastily retreated.
Jiang Ling had no desire to engage with them. Now alone, her mind worked especially quickly.
The matter of her not eating the grapes could only have been revealed to Su Yue by A Ruo and Fang He. Whether Su Yue had noticed their odd behavior and pressed them for answers, or they had voluntarily told her, it amounted to the same thing.
She had warned them before: if she faced trouble, neither of them would escape unscathed.
Though she avoided pointless conflicts, troubles often arose unbidden. If she went to apologize, Su Yue might not forgive her and could instead grow even more arrogant, looking down on her with contempt once more.
In the past, Jiang Ling had preferred to avoid trouble and had voluntarily given up the main room. But after being openly mocked and sneered at by Su Yue, even a lifeless fish would thrash about—how could she simply comply with Su Yue’s wishes!
They were both Cai Ren, and Jiang Ling was the one originally living in the main room. Su Yue was essentially relying on her to reside in Xie Fang Pavilion.
Even if Lin Guifei and the others managed palace affairs, they would have to inform Yuan Mingdi if they wanted her to vacate the main room.
The only one who could make her move out was Yuan Mingdi!
Jiang Ling rolled up her sleeves, ready for Su Yue’s next move. If Su Yue could produce an order from Yuan Mingdi or Lin Guifei, she would immediately kneel and swiftly move out.
Meanwhile, Su Yue returned to the West Side Courtyard with a dark expression, whispering and scheming with Xue Yan before heading to Fu Ning Palace.
As she reached the palace gates, Su Yue paused briefly, her previously gloomy face instantly transforming into her usual smile.
With the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations keeping everyone busy, Zhao Defei had just finished a round of work. She reclined against a soft cushion, eyes closed, resting her head on her hand while two young palace maids gently massaged her legs.
Huang Momo stood by attentively. Noticing Xiang Li, the messenger maid, peeking in, she quietly stepped out.
Xiang Li whispered, “Granny, Su Cai Ren is here. Does Her Majesty wish to see her?”
Huang Momo frowned slightly, glanced back toward the warm chamber, and said, “Her Majesty is exhausted. Su Cai Ren comes to Fu Ning Palace every other day without any urgent matters. Tell her to come back when Her Majesty has free time.”
Xiang Li acknowledged and was about to leave when Zhao Defei’s crimson lips parted slightly. “Who’s outside?”
Huang Momo hurried in and replied, “Your Majesty, it’s Su Cai Ren. This servant thought since Your Majesty rarely gets a moment’s rest, and Su Cai Ren has nothing pressing, she could wait until Your Majesty is free.”
Zhao Defei’s expression was faintly mocking as she hummed in response.
Though Su Yue had once been chosen by Yuan Mingdi, it was merely a fleeting novelty—after one occasion, she was cast aside.
“What a useless thing. If she could gain favor, why wait all these years!”
Zhao Defei didn’t mind her excessive flattery, using her for amusement to pass idle time, barely considering her somewhat useful.
Seeing this, Huang Momo signaled Xiang Li to dismiss Su Yue. Xiang Li went to the side room and said, “Her Highness is currently occupied. Su Cai Ren should come back when Her Highness has free time.”
Su Yue paused, lowered her eyelids to conceal her emotions, and smiled. “The capable bear more burdens. Her Highness is so competent she’s never idle. However, Her Highness must take good care of her health and avoid overexertion.”
Xiang Li acknowledged but didn’t wish to continue the conversation. As she turned to leave, Su Yue added, “I came for no particular reason. Regarding the Ink Chrysanthemum Her Highness gave me earlier, do you know if there are any left? I’d like to shamelessly ask for another pot.”
“I’m only responsible for delivering messages. You’ll need to ask Huang Momo about the Ink Chrysanthemum matter,” Xiang Li replied.
Su Yue’s expression changed. She sighed, stepped forward, and said with a bitter smile, “I’ve been treasuring the few pots of Ink Chrysanthemum Her Highness gave me, caring for them like precious gems. The West Side Courtyard is cramped and only gets sunlight for a short while. Thinking the main room faces the sun and Sister Jiang could also enjoy the chrysanthemums, I planned to move them there. Who would have thought…”
Here, Su Yue stopped, biting her lip with an embarrassed expression.
Seeing Su Yue hesitate, Xiang Li quickly asked, “What happened?”
Su Yue sighed repeatedly before continuing, “Sister Jiang mocked me, saying they’re just a few pots of Ink Chrysanthemums and only someone with shallow tastes like me would treat them as treasures. Seeing her reluctance, I didn’t argue and returned to the West Side Courtyard. Unexpectedly, she followed me there, insisting on seeing how precious these chrysanthemums really were. In the courtyard, she examined them closely, and before I realized it, she reached out and plucked the flowers. The Mid-Autumn Festival hasn’t even arrived, yet the Ink Chrysanthemums are now bare, leaving only stems and leaves.”
Xiang Li listened in surprise, understanding from Su Yue’s words that the conflict in Xie Fang Pavilion involved Zhao Defei.
Su Yue looked up at her helplessly. “Though reluctant, I thought Sister Jiang simply liked flowers and endured the pain without speaking up. But she took the flowers and discarded them before even leaving the West Side Courtyard. This reminded me of some tribute grapes Her Highness gave me recently. After bringing them back, I shared them with the sisters in Xie Fang Pavilion, saying Her Highness remembered us and wanted us to taste them. Sister Jiang didn’t eat a single one—she threw them all away.”
Twisting her handkerchief, she grew indignant. “I’ve been thinking it over, and something doesn’t seem right. Sister Jiang is jealous! She resents Her Highness for being favored!”
Xiang Li’s expression darkened slightly. Mindful of Zhao Defei’s strict rules, she simply said, “I understand. Regarding the Ink Chrysanthemum matter, I’ll need to report to Huang Momo first.”
Su Yue thanked her and left. “Then I won’t disturb further. I’ll return when Her Highness is available.”
Xiang Li didn’t dare delay and hurried to the warm chamber, clearly and accurately reporting everything Su Yue had said without omitting a single word.
“Such a thing happened?” Huang Momo was astonished. After pondering momentarily, she asked Xiang Li to wait.
Returning to the warm chamber, Huang Momo whispered, “Your Highness, Su Cai Ren previously mentioned some matters concerning Xie Fang Pavilion.”
Consort Zhao’s eyes widened slightly as she waved for the young palace maid to withdraw. Granny Huang promptly summoned Xiang Li into the room. “Speak to Her Highness now.”
Xiang Li hastily repeated what Su Yue had said.
Resting her forehead in her hand, Consort Zhao listened impassively. After a moment, she smiled faintly. “Xiang Li, go to Xie Fang Pavilion and invite Jiang Cairen to Fu Ning Palace for tea.”