Their positions were close, and Lady Li came to Luo Shuran’s side. The two exchanged greetings.
Lady Li discreetly observed her. She hadn’t gotten a good look before, but now, seeing her clearly, she truly felt Luo Shuran’s extraordinary beauty. No wonder the Emperor had summoned her to his chambers repeatedly.
Such a stunning beauty—even women couldn’t help but steal a few glances, let alone men.
Noticing Lady Li staring at her, Luo Shuran smiled. “Lady Li, is there something on my face?”
Hearing this, Lady Li’s cheeks flushed slightly. She withdrew her gaze somewhat awkwardly, covering her mouth with her handkerchief. “No, it was rude of me.”
Luo Shuran smiled faintly. In her past life, Lady Li had kept a low profile, almost forgotten by the harem. Later, however, she somehow won the Empress Dowager’s favor. The Emperor, being filial, naturally showed her care, granting her the rank of Consort and securing her a place in the palace.
“It’s fine. I thought there might be something improper about me.” Luo Shuran took a step forward, drawing closer to her intimately. “The plum blossoms embroidered on this handkerchief are truly beautiful.”
Lady Li’s expression turned slightly uneasy. Her family background was humble, and her rank was low. She was used to keeping to herself in the palace, and this sudden closeness left her unsure how to respond.
But when Luo Shuran mentioned the embroidery, Lady Li became more talkative. “It’s Yun embroidery from Qizhou, but this plum blossom handkerchief is my own work. The craftsmanship is rather crude.”
Luo Shuran nodded. “I know Yun embroidery. Look at my handkerchief.” She knew Qizhou was Lady Li’s hometown and was familiar with Yun embroidery. Coincidentally, the handkerchief she carried today was also Yun embroidery.
When Lady Li saw the handkerchief Luo Shuran took out, embroidered with lifelike lotus flowers, her eyes lit up with admiration. She was about to ask who embroidered it when they were interrupted by someone entering from outside.
Zhen Fei and Shu Fei arrived together.
Everyone noticed and hurried forward to pay their respects.
Shu Fei held her chin high, exuding an air of noble pride, barely glancing at them.
Only after she took her seat in the high position did everyone slowly rise.
Zhen Fei sat below Shu Fei. Although her family background was average, she had already given birth to two princesses and was the most likely candidate to be promoted to one of the Four Consorts.
“Consort Zhen, your hands must be quite tired, copying Buddhist scriptures for the Empress and the Empress Dowager. If one didn’t know better, they’d think you were the Grand Historian.”
Shu Fei turned her head slightly, looking at Zhen Fei with a half-smile, her words dripping with sarcasm.
How hypocritical. Wasn’t she just trying to catch the Emperor’s eye with these tricks? Did she really think she was being compassionate?
Zhen Fei’s expression turned awkward, but she quickly composed herself and replied calmly, “Consort Shu, you jest. Those who revere Buddha emphasize reverence. Without reverence, it’s meaningless.”
Her words subtly implied that Shu Fei lacked reverence.
Shu Fei wasn’t foolish and understood the implication. She merely chuckled disdainfully. “No one puts on airs quite like you, Consort Zhen.” After saying this, she turned her head away, unwilling to engage further.
Zhen Fei clenched the hem of her robe, barely suppressing her displeasure.
Not long after, Consort Xian, Luo Wanling, arrived. She had timed her entrance perfectly, aiming to outshine Shu Fei both inside and out.
As she entered, she glanced briefly at Luo Shuran in the corner before turning her head and walking forward.
The Emperor had summoned her to his chambers for the past two nights. It seemed he was satisfied.
Still, she couldn’t help feeling a bit uncomfortable.
When Empress Zhao appeared, there was one additional matter compared to usual, likely related to the Third Prince’s first birthday celebration.
The Third Prince was the legitimate son born to Empress Zhao, so his first birthday celebration was naturally of great importance, requiring assistance for both the grand banquet and the affairs of the rear palace.
In the past, large-scale banquets and state banquets were always assisted by Consort Shu and Consort Xian. However, this time, the Empress politely thanked them for their hard work and changed the arrangements, appointing Consort Zhen and Consort Yu instead.
Empress Zhao spoke decisively, suggesting that this decision had been made in advance.
The expressions of Consort Shu and Luo Wanling grew unpredictable; they were likely displeased with Empress Zhao’s arrangements, but since neither side was chosen, there was nothing they could say about it.
Luo Shuran observed this and knew that Empress Zhao had excluded them to prevent any mishaps involving the Third Prince. She chose Consort Zhen and Consort Yu because of their gentle temperaments and the fact that they had given birth to princesses, making them more reliable.
However, she also knew that this first birthday celebration would not be peaceful.
After the morning greetings concluded, Lady Li surprisingly waited for Luo Shuran to walk together. Though still somewhat embarrassed, she inquired, “Talent Luo, is that handkerchief embroidered by you? The cloud embroidery technique is nearly impossible to find nowadays.”
At a glance, she could tell that the handkerchief in Luo Shuran’s hand was a treasure, and one that might never be found again.
“It was embroidered by my mother. She loved these things the most. If you like it, come to my place, and I’ll give you one,” Luo Shuran said with a smile. She had her own motives for being kind to Lady Li, as this was also paving the way for the future.
Lady Li had caught the Empress Dowager’s eye, so she must have exceptional qualities. Building a good relationship with her might lead to opportunities.
Hearing this, Lady Li hesitated. She wanted the handkerchief but felt it was inappropriate and struggled with her pride. “No, it’s too precious.”
Luo Shuran affectionately took her arm. “Speaking of which, I should call you elder sister. Dear sister, just come and take a look, see how it is.”
Lady Li finally nodded slowly, and the two walked together toward the Leisure Cloud Pavilion.
Behind them, Beauty Yu watched with some confusion. “Who is Talent Luo walking with?”
Her maid, Bi Yun, replied, “Mistress, that is Lady Li. She has been in the palace for a long time.”
Beauty Yu snorted disdainfully. “She’s only fit to associate with such low-ranking people.” With that, she swayed her peony fan and slowly walked down another path.
Inside the Leisure Cloud Pavilion.
Lady Li was surprised to see that Luo Shuran had so many embroidery patterns, some of which she had never seen before. She marveled like someone who had never seen the world.
Her maid, Caixia, who had accompanied her, quickly explained, “Please don’t mind, Talent Luo. My mistress has always loved these things, and seeing them today has truly excited her.”
Luo Shuran smiled indifferently. “It’s fine. Since ancient times, fine wine is for friends, and rouge is for beauties. Beautiful things should be given to those who know how to appreciate and cherish them, don’t you think?”
These words were spoken beautifully and resonated deeply with Lady Li.
Lady Li had always kept to herself, never involving herself in the affairs of the rear palace and having few friends. Today, however, she felt the desire to make a friend.
But after a moment of thought, she calmed herself again. She gently set down the treasures and turned to Luo Shuran with gratitude. “They are truly beautiful. But as they say, everyone loves beautiful things, and if they don’t belong to you, being able to appreciate them is already a blessing.”
Lady Li was a person of such serene temperament, able to let go of even the things she loved the most, much like her conduct in the palace.
Luo Shuran understood, so she did not press further. However, her beautiful eyes swept over the items in the box, tinged with a hint of sorrow. “It was my oversight. My birth mother left me these things, but I can no longer see her. Today, when I saw your handkerchief, I couldn’t help but think of her, and that’s why I unconsciously grew closer to you. I hope you don’t find me too forward.”
Missing her birth mother was genuine, but getting closer to Lady Li was mostly for her own sake.
With these words, Lady Li seemed to finally let down her guard. She took Luo Shuran’s hand and comforted her, “How could I? I feel a connection with you. How about this—I’ll take this handkerchief back to study it. If I learn the technique, I’ll embroider a new pattern for you, alright?”
Luo Shuran nodded.