How did she know? Hah, Su Muyao wasn't a mind reader living in her stomach.
Of course, she had guessed.
When she came out earlier and saw her lingering at the entrance of Cining Palace, she felt something was off.
But since she didn't know her, she didn’t dwell on it.
Yet, the woman insisted on provoking her, and in the back-and-forth, it all clicked.
All consorts in the rear palace had to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager. The first group consisted of the late emperor’s concubines, the second group of the current emperor’s consorts. By now, both groups had already paid their respects.
That left only the third group—the Emperor.
As for why the Emperor was in the third group, it was simple.
The Emperor held a higher status and wielded greater authority, unlike the consorts. While the consorts couldn’t be late for paying respects, the Emperor could. Not only could he arrive fashionably late, but he could also excuse himself entirely by claiming other matters.
The rest was easy to figure out.
After paying her respects, Chang lingered at the entrance of Cining Palace, unwilling to leave. She was likely hoping for a chance encounter with the Emperor to vie for his favor.
Such thoughts weren’t surprising.
After all, Su Muyao had just heard the Empress Dowager mention that the Emperor hadn’t visited the rear palace much in the past half-month. Even when he did, he only went to Consort Nian’s quarters.
With the other women in the palace deprived of the Emperor’s favor for so long, it was only natural they’d start scheming.
The problem was, if you wanted to wait for the Emperor, why not focus on that? Instead, she had to flaunt her status in the middle of her "mission."
And worse, she had to flaunt it at Su Muyao’s expense.
They had no grudges, no prior acquaintance. Su Muyao was a "retirement circle" contender, with no conflicting interests with those in the "palace intrigue circle."
Why should she be bullied?
Now that she’d stepped on a landmine, it served her right.
Su Muyao felt no sympathy for Chang whatsoever.
With her most vulnerable spot exposed, Chang’s earlier arrogance vanished instantly. She was about to soften her tone when suddenly, a clear, drawn-out announcement echoed from the palace path nearby:
"His Majesty has arrived!"
Before the words faded, everyone knelt or curtsied. As far as the eye could see, only a sea of bowed heads remained.
Su Muyao was no exception. As a former emperor’s concubine, she performed a curtsy. According to palace rules, no one was allowed to look directly at the Emperor’s face without permission, so she kept her eyes obediently lowered to the ground.
Chang, however, was less disciplined.
Hearing the Emperor’s arrival, she was overjoyed and immediately adopted a shy, demure demeanor. As the bright yellow hem of the dragon-embroidered robe drew nearer, Chang clutched her handkerchief, lifted her head, and called out softly and tenderly, "Your Majesty."
Her gaze was as gentle as water, seemingly brimming with endless affection, and her voice was sweeter than a nightingale’s—a stark contrast to her earlier domineering demeanor.
Su Muyao couldn’t help but feel uneasy. Although historical records described Yongzheng as a wise ruler, fair and balanced in his dealings, and not overly fond of women, when it came to her own situation, it was better to be safe than sorry.
Noble Lady Chang had served Yongzheng for many years and shared some history with him. If she lodged a malicious complaint against Su Muyao here, it was hard to say whose side Yongzheng would take.
The feeling of having her fate in someone else’s hands was truly unpleasant.
Su Muyao’s back grew damp with nervous sweat.
After what felt like an eternity, a deep voice sounded from above: "What are you doing here?"
Though the tone was calm and measured, it carried immense authority and pressure.
The question was directed at Noble Lady Chang.
Noble Lady Chang's eyes held a trace of grievance; she never expected the Emperor's first words to her would be an interrogation.
How was she supposed to answer this?
Just as she was unsure how to explain, Chang's peripheral vision suddenly caught sight of Su Muyao, and a plan instantly formed in her mind. Timidly, she said, "Your Majesty, you must stand up for your concubine…"
Seeing that Yongzheng did not stop her, she felt somewhat reassured. Pointing at Su Muyao, she continued, "Your concubine came early this morning to pay respects to the Empress Dowager. Just as I was about to leave, this Taichangzai suddenly sent someone to stop me, saying I hadn't paid her proper respects, and used this to harass me. Your concubine…"
As she spoke, she dabbed her reddened eyes with a handkerchief, on the verge of tears, and pleaded, "Your Majesty, you must stand up for your concubine…"
This was truly like Zhu Bajie blaming others after his own defeat—a classic case of shifting blame!
Su Muyao felt thoroughly disgusted, wondering how she should speak up to throw this dirty water right back at her.
Suddenly, from above, Yongzheng slowly spoke, "Ritual is the foundation of the state and must not be disregarded." He paused, then said to Chang indifferently, "Your temperament is frivolous, impatient, foolish, and rash. Return and reflect on your faults. Do not come to Cining Palace these next few days to disturb the Empress Dowager's peace."
With that, the bright yellow hem of his robe disappeared from sight as he entered the gates of Cining Palace.
From beginning to end, Yongzheng did not spare a single extra glance at Su Muyao on the ground.