“You…” Song Jieyu was furious, pointing at Luo Shuran before her, so angry that she couldn’t speak for a moment.
She hadn’t expected the person before her to dare refute her words. Refuting was one thing, but she was also indirectly boasting about her affairs with the Emperor.
When the Emperor was with her, he barely spoke a few words.
“Song Jieyu, did this humble concubine say something wrong?” Luo Shuran feigned innocence, seemingly unaware of why she was angry.
Song Jieyu nearly tore her handkerchief to shreds, but she knew her limits. Although Luo Shuran was a concubine-born daughter, she was still a member of the Duke’s household. Song Jieyu dared not openly vent her anger and could only swallow her rage, leaving resentfully.
Rong Jieyu followed her, saying nothing but barely containing her laughter at the sight of Song Jieyu’s humiliation.
Behind them, Luo Shuran remained composed. In her previous life, she had always been fearful and cautious, humbly treading on eggshells, yet she gained nothing.
Now, she had come to terms with many things and was no longer afraid. Whoever provoked her, she would confront them head-on.
As for family, honor, or disgrace—those were not her concerns. And if she were to stir up trouble, she would drag them down with her.
Luo Shuran entered the inner hall, and soon after, the concubines arrived one after another.
Yu Fei, walking at the front, noticed Luo Shuran—not because they had met before, but because with such striking looks, it was hard not to draw attention.
The high-ranking concubines took their seats. Among them, Zhen Fei had given birth to the First Princess and the Third Princess. The First Princess was already five years old, while the Third Princess was one. Yu Fei had given birth to the Second Princess, who was three. Consort Li had suffered a miscarriage three years ago and had not conceived again until last year, giving birth to the Fourth Princess three months ago.
Among the four consorts, the positions of Noble Consort and Consort De were temporarily vacant, while Consort Xian and Consort Shu had no children yet.
There were three princes in the palace: the Eldest Prince, born to Zhaoyi Yu, was four years old; the Second Prince, born to Qi Zhaorong, was two; and the Third Prince, born to the Empress, was eight months old.
Once everyone had gathered, the Empress emerged from within, and all present bowed in greeting. The Empress was two years younger than the Emperor, the daughter of Grand Tutor Zhao, renowned for her grace and virtue.
The Empress had refined features and delicate brows, wearing a phoenix hairpin and a red phoenix robe embroidered with golden threads depicting a vivid phoenix, exuding unparalleled elegance.
“Rise, all of you may be seated,” Empress Zhao said, her gaze steady as she looked down, her voice calm.
The concubines expressed their gratitude and took their seats.
Luo Shuran, seated at the back, observed the figure at the head of the hall from a distance. In both lifetimes, she had little interaction with Empress Zhao, only knowing of her reputation for virtue.
But in her previous life, when she was falsely accused and harmed, even with evidence proving her innocence, the Empress turned a blind eye. Perhaps in her eyes, Luo Shuran was merely an insignificant figure.
Empress Zhao sat upright, as usual, speaking of rules and repeating the same old admonitions.
Seated on the left, Consort Shu silently yawned. Whenever she heard these things, she grew drowsy—it was all so tedious.
The other concubines were equally weary, but unlike the favored Consort Shu, they dared not slack off. They put on a spirited appearance, forcing themselves to stay alert.
After Empress Zhao finished speaking, Consort Shu looked at Consort Xian across from her and spoke with a hint of amusement, “Consort Xian, your younger sister has also entered the palace? I heard she is quite a beauty.”
The two were rivals, often engaging in verbal sparring. Everyone was eager to watch the drama, and the hall fell into complete silence.
Consort Shu had deliberately brought this up in front of everyone to embarrass Consort Xian.
No sooner had she gone to seek favor than Luo Wanling had the Emperor visit her, and that very night, her younger sister was summoned to serve him.
If anyone said there was no manipulation by Luo Wanling behind this, she wouldn’t believe it—it was clearly aimed at her.
Shu Fei was not one to be trifled with. Holding back her anger, she was determined to vent it. She wanted everyone to know that Luo Wanling herself was incapable of winning favor and had to personally send someone to the Emperor—how utterly incompetent.
Luo Wanling’s fingertips nearly scratched through the corner of her stool, but she managed to suppress her rage and responded with a smile, “Shu Fei is quite well-informed.”
Shu Fei stared directly at Luo Wanling, her eyes filled with mockery.
The atmosphere in the hall grew subtly tense. No one dared to speak, and even their breathing seemed to soften.
Empress Zhao watched, idly adjusting the protective nail guards on her fingers as she smiled faintly. “In that case, I’ve grown rather curious. Why not come forward and let me have a look?”
The Empress’s sudden words elicited varied expressions from those present.
The concubines seated at the back all turned their heads in unison to look at Luo Shuran.
When immortals fight, mortals suffer.
Luo Shuran knew she had no choice but to step forward. During the selection, the Emperor had left early, but the Empress had remained throughout—how could she not have seen her before? The Empress spoke up precisely because she understood Shu Fei well, knowing that Shu Fei was deeply jealous. Calling her forward was meant to let Shu Fei see her and feel displeased.
After all, by stirring up trouble during the morning greetings, Shu Fei was showing disrespect to the Empress.
Luo Shuran collected her thoughts and slowly stepped forward.
The pale orange pleated skirt she wore was not particularly eye-catching, but now it seemed impossible to ignore. The gazes of the crowd felt as though they could pierce right through her.
Luo Shuran stood still in the center of the hall and performed a respectful bow. “Your humble servant pays respects to Her Majesty the Empress. May Your Majesty live a thousand years, a thousand thousand years!”
Shu Fei looked at her face and could hardly remain seated. She hadn’t expected Consort Xian’s younger sister to be so strikingly beautiful.
Seeing the expression on Shu Fei’s face, Luo Wanling’s lips curled into a cold smile. She knew Shu Fei feared losing favor the most—now her heart must be in turmoil.
“Hmm, she does possess fine features. Rise,” Empress Zhao said with an inscrutable expression, neither pleased nor angered. After a pause, she continued, “I have a pair of Double Happiness bracelets. I shall bestow them upon you.”
As the Empress, she always had to maintain propriety. Since she had called the girl forward, she must also send her off generously.
Luo Shuran glanced at Luo Wanling before bowing again to express her gratitude. Her demeanor was proper and appropriately measured.
Once the morning greetings concluded, Empress Zhao hurried to Cining Palace to pay respects to the Empress Dowager. Meanwhile, Shu Fei walked up to Luo Shuran, her eyes filled with disdain, before turning and leaving.
If someone of her high rank openly targeted such a lowly Precious Grove, it would only invite ridicule. She would have to make her suffer in private.
On her way back, Luo Shuran encountered Beauty Yu. After exchanging greetings, they walked together, mainly because their residences were not far apart.
Beauty Yu looked her over, seemingly recalling the scene from that day when she was carried away by the Emperor, and felt a pang of discomfort. “Precious Grove Luo seems to have a very good relationship with Consort Xian.”
Everyone knew they were sisters, but there was a distinction between legitimate and illegitimate daughters, and with both serving in the palace, their relationship could sometimes be quite delicate.
“My elder sister treats me extremely well,” Luo Shuran replied with a smile, her eyes curving slightly. Then, as if unintentionally, she added, “Does Beauty Yu not get along well with the sisters in your family?”