Once they were somewhere private, Ning Wanwan said, “Your Majesty, there’s really no need to be so harsh sometimes. If you’re always punishing them, people might think I’m abusing your favor and acting arrogantly. It wouldn’t be good for Wanwan’s reputation if that got out.”
Pei Jinxu looked down at her, his eyes full of amusement. “Ever since you fell into the water and fell ill, you truly have become a completely different person.”
Hearing this, the corners of Ning Wanwan’s mouth curved up. He couldn’t possibly suspect her true identity, could he? She had transmigrated, even if the way it happened was a bit embarrassing.
“Wanwan is someone who has died once, so I naturally understand how precious life is. That’s why I don’t want anything bad to happen right under my nose. It would make me feel uneasy in my conscience.”
“Uneasy in your conscience?” Pei Jinxu scoffed lightly.
For some reason, Ning Wanwan thought she saw a flash of contempt in his eyes, but in the next instant, it seemed to have returned to its usual gentleness and doting affection.
Perhaps it was just the hazy moonlight, and she had seen wrong.
“By the way, why did Your Majesty come out?” Ning Wanwan asked.
“My Guifei was missing. Zhen felt uneasy being alone, so I came to find you,” Pei Jinxu said, putting an arm around her as they strolled through the Imperial Garden.
“Are we not going back?” Ning Wanwan asked again.
“It’s not fun there. A walk with just the two of us is much better.”
At that moment, they were like an ordinary couple, sitting together on a swing chair, admiring the moon.
For some reason, Pei Jinxu seemed to possess an irresistible magic that gave her the illusion that they were deeply familiar and in love with each other.
She had never been in a relationship, but she knew that true love required mutual affection. She had only just transmigrated; it was impossible for her to fall for Pei Jinxu so easily. Besides, this wasn’t even her body. The original owner’s consciousness hadn’t dissipated, and she was merely living on in her place.
Pei Jinxu wanted to stay the night at Ruyi Palace, but luckily, Ning Wanwan was on her period, allowing her to escape that ordeal.
The next day, the palace consorts came to Ruyi Palace to pay their respects to Ning Wanwan as usual. Chan Meiren had just been released from her punishment. The arrogance she had displayed when they first met was gone now. She stood below, holding her slightly protruding belly, her beautiful eyes fixed on Ning Wanwan.
Ning Wanwan couldn’t even be bothered with her. In her eyes, Chan Meiren was nothing more than a buffoon who relied on her pregnancy to act out.
“We pay our respects to the Imperial Noble Consort. May Your Ladyship enjoy boundless fortune and good health.”
The consorts all curtsied in unison.
“There is no need for such ceremony.”
After everyone had taken their seats, Ning Wanwan noticed that one of the seats beside her was empty.
Ning Wanwan didn’t recognize who was missing. In truth, she didn’t really understand these rules herself. She was just a transmigrator here to enjoy life.
But even if she didn’t mind, someone else couldn’t sit still.
“Consort Qing is being far too disrespectful to the Guifei, isn’t she? This is the Imperial Noble Consort, personally bestowed by His Majesty and enjoying the honors of an empress. How could she not come to pay her respects to Your Ladyship?”
“Exactly. His Majesty only visited her for a few days, and I think it’s gone to her head. She’s not taking the Guifei seriously.”
“…”
Several of them chattered away, their words dripping with sarcasm. Chan Meiren, however, was much more subdued.
Just as Ning Wanwan was about to say it didn’t matter and dismiss them, a clear and pleasant voice came from outside the door.
“This consort is late. I hope Your Ladyship will forgive me.”
With that, a graceful figure in purple came into view. The newcomer was slender and beautiful—none other than Consort Qing, the target of their snide remarks.
“It’s fine, it’s fine. It’s nothing important anyway. Since you’ve all paid your respects, you may leave,” Ning Wanwan said.
At her words, everyone wore expressions of disbelief.
Their faces showed a mix of emotions. Ning Wanwan’s reaction was indeed strange; she was like a completely different person from before.
Only after everyone had left with their own thoughts did Ning Wanwan stretch lazily, preparing to go back for a nap.
Lüqiu was puzzled. “Your Ladyship, you really seem different from before.”
“Different is different. Does it really matter?” Ning Wanwan retorted.
Lüqiu didn’t dare say more and obediently withdrew.
The moment the consorts stepped out of Ruyi Palace’s main gate, they gathered in their own cliques and began to gossip.
“The Guifei has really changed. She’s become much gentler.”
“In the past, His Majesty used to dote exclusively on the Guifei. But ever since she accidentally fell into the water, she hasn’t served him in bed. I heard it was the Guifei who told His Majesty to share his favor equally. Otherwise, how would we sisters have gotten a chance?”
“Doesn’t that mean all of us sisters have a chance now?” someone asked excitedly.
Chan Meiren and Consort Qing were the last to leave, so they naturally overheard these words.
Once outside, Consort Qing was no longer meek and submissive. Her face was arrogant, her phoenix eyes tilted upwards as she glanced contemptuously at Chan Meiren’s bulging belly.
Chan Meiren’s heart sank. She suddenly felt an unprecedented nervousness, her palms clutching tightly at her sleeves.
Consort Qing was Zhong Qing, the daughter of the Minister of War and one of the Four Consorts. In terms of family background and status, no one in the palace could compare to her except for Ning Wanwan. And compared to Ning Wanwan’s arrogant, reckless, and brainless nature, she was far more cunning.