From the moment the eldest young lady entered, she quietly stood behind the First Madam, a perfectly measured smile on her face, respectful yet not servile. She immediately drew attention.
Concubine Rong deliberately spoke only with the Old Madam, intentionally ignoring the others. As a result, not only the usually impatient Chu Sichun, but even the always composed Chu Shuran began to feel uneasy, glancing at her with anxious expectation.
Only Chu Muqing remained calm, standing quietly with the same gentle smile. Even after receiving a bracelet, she showed neither excitement nor conceit.
A young lady coming to the palace for the first time should inevitably feel nervous, yet this girl remained calm from beginning to end. Her composure was truly admirable.
Concubine Rong smiled in satisfaction, her preference beginning to lean toward Chu Muqing. With her fine family background, graceful appearance, and steady temperament, she was an excellent match for the Third Prince.
However, she also knew that the Marquis of Yongding’s household favored Chu Shuran, the second daughter whom they had carefully nurtured. Moreover, the Duke of Dingguo had not returned to the capital yet. It would be better to wait for his return and see the Emperor’s attitude before making any final decision. There was no hurry.
“Mother, the Imperial Garden is beautiful right now. It must be boring for the young ladies to sit here. Why not let them go out and have a look?” Concubine Rong said with a smile to the Old Madam. The matters they were about to discuss were not suitable for Chu Muqing and the others to hear.
The Old Madam understood and agreed, the warned the girls, “Don’t wander too far once you go out, do you hear?”
Chu Muqing and the others nodded. Chu Sichun, however, felt reluctant. She had finally come to the palace, and her mother had reminded her yesterday to try her best to please Concubine Rong. If she could win her favor, her future marriage prospects would be far better. Of course, she had known this even without being told.
Unfortunately, since they arrived, Concubine Rong had barely spared her a glance. Instead, Chu Muqing, who had grown up in the countryside, received a precious bracelet for no reason. How could she not resent her?
She was unwilling to leave without accomplishing anything, yet there was nothing she could do.
“Hongyu, take the young ladies around, and be sure to look after them,” Concubine Rong instructed a palace maid.
Hongyu acknowledged the order and said gently to Chu Muqing and the others, “Ladies, please come with me.”
After they left, Concubine Rong smiled and said to the First Madam, “Look at me, chatting happily with Mother and neglecting my sister-in-law. Qiu Qiu, I still have a few sets of fine jewelry. Why don’t you take the Marchioness to choose some?” Then she added apologetically, “It’s my oversight. Please choose freely, sister-in-law.”
Though she spoke politely, the First Madam dared not refuse. She understood Concubine Rong wanted to speak privately with the Old Madam. She wished she could stay and listen, but she could not show it. So she simply said with feigned surprise, “Then this humble woman thanks Your Highness for your generosity.”
She then left with Lady Qiu. Concubine Rong watched them go, still smiling. What she would discuss with the Old Madam afterward, no one knew.
Meanwhile, Chu Muqing and the others followed Hongyu to the Imperial Garden, a place where palace nobles came to relax. The garden was filled with blooming flowers, lush trees, elegant pavilions, and winding rock formations, truly a breathtaking sight.
Hongyu walked slightly behind them, occasionally explaining things, though most of the time she simply smiled silently.
As they passed a rock garden, they suddenly heard voices from the other side.
One palace maid whispered, “Hey, did you hear? I heard the young master also entered the palace today. He’s currently in the Empress Dowager’s palace.”
The other maid asked curiously, “Which young master?”
“Oh come on, who else could it be? Of course, the young master from the Duke of Zhenguo’s household,” she replied, sounding rather disappointed.
Another palace maid suddenly realized and said, “I know, I know! The last time the young master came to the palace, I happened to pass by the Empress Dowager’s palace and caught a glimpse of him from afar.” Then she added shyly, “The young master is just too handsome.”
The two of them seemed eager to continue gossiping, leaving Chu Muqing and the other two standing there awkwardly, unsure whether they should leave or stay.
Hongyu shouted sharply, “Who’s over there?!”
The two young palace maids were startled and hurried over. When they saw it was Hongyu, their faces instantly turned pale. Everyone in the palace knew Hongyu was the chief palace maid serving Concubine Rong.
Terrified, both girls immediately dropped to their knees and stammered in panic, “Sister Hongyu, we know we were wrong. Please punish us.”
Hongyu scolded sternly, “Which palace are you from? You’re neglecting your duties and speaking such inappropriate nonsense. Aren’t you afraid of offending the ears of noble ladies?”
To let these unmarried young ladies hear such gossip was truly outrageous.
Hearing her words, and noticing how finely dressed Chu Muqing and the others were, the two palace maids turned even paler and remained kneeling helplessly, trembling in fear.
“Oh my, Sister Hongyu is really quite intimidating. Look how frightened these two little palace maids are.”
Hearing the voice, Chu Muqing turned and saw another palace maid approaching with a mocking smile. Judging from her attire, she was also a senior palace maid like Hongyu, though it was unclear which palace she served.
“So it’s Cui Nong. Why aren’t you attending to Concubine Shu? Instead, you’ve come all the way to the Imperial Garden to meddle in someone else’s business,” Hongyu responded coldly.
Concubine Rong and Concubine Shu both had grown sons, and the two palaces had long been secretly at odds. Naturally, their palace staff disliked each other as well and frequently clashed.
Concubine Shu had entered the palace back when the Emperor was still Crown Prince. Her maternal family was the Ningyuan General’s household. Although she entered the Crown Prince’s residence as a concubine, she was never as favored as Chu Huiying. After the Crown Prince ascended the throne, Chu Huiying became Imperial Concubine, while Concubine Shu was only ranked among the four concubine, one rank lower. She had always harbored resentment over this.
In the past, General Weiyuan, Duke Dingguo, and the Ningyuan General’s household balanced each other in power. Later, both General Weiyuan and the old Duke Dingguo died in battle. The new Duke Dingguo inherited the title but remained stationed at the border, while the Ningyuan household grew dominant in the capital. Because of this, Concubine Shu became increasingly arrogant.
Now that the Duke of Dingguo was about to return to the capital, it seemed the Emperor intended to curb the Ningyuan family’s power.
Cui Nong retorted, “I was merely passing by and decided to uphold justice when I saw what was happening.”
“These two maids frightened noble ladies with their careless talk. I only reprimanded them a few times. But from the way you speak, it sounds as if they suffered some grave injustice. Could it be that Concubine Shu’s palace is full of such unruly servants?”
“You—!” Cui Nong was angered but couldn’t argue the point, so she could only stiffly reply, “Of course Her Highness’s palace has strict rules. Such behavior would never be tolerated.”
Only then did she pretend to notice Chu Muqing and the others. She bowed and said politely, “This servant greets you, ladies. These two young palace maids are still ignorant and have offended you. I beg you to spare them and show mercy.”