Hearing such an evaluation of herself, a lighthearted expression leaped into Noble Consort Song’s eyes.
She ultimately couldn’t hold back and let out a soft laugh.
Though she possessed heroic features, this smile completely dispersed the coldness between her brows, like frost and snow melting away, becoming several degrees more brilliant and gentle than spring blossoms.
She seemed to sigh with emotion: “I never expected that in this palace, there would be someone like you who understands me.Pei Tingyue didn’t forget her purpose and tentatively said, “I understand the Empress, but that doesn’t mean I understand others.””
Organizing her thoughts, Pei Tingyue recounted all the kindnesses the Empress had shown her, concluding with, “Empress has been so kind, Pinqie feels truly apprehensive.”
Noble Consort Song was direct: “You’re not apprehensive—you’re afraid the Empress has some ulterior motive, aren’t you?”
Exposed, Pei Tingyue awkwardly touched the tip of her nose and admitted outright: “Yes.”
Noble Consort Song laughed, “It seems you’re not completely brainless after all.”
This is good—only like this can one go further.
Pei Tingyue: “…”
Watching the rather pleased expression on the Guifei’s face, she took a deep breath.
After calming her emotions, Pei Tingyue asked, “What does Guifei Nianniang think about this matter?”
As she asked this, the smile faded from Noble Consort Song’s face, her long eyes clouded with an inscrutable darkness.
She sighed and said, “The Empress means you no harm. Consider it compensation.”
Pei Tingyue frowned: “Compensation?”
Why would the Empress compensate her for no reason?
Noble Consort Song’s words didn’t seem baseless but genuinely reflected reality.
Running through all the events in her mind, countless thoughts surged through her, leaving only one startling conclusion.
Pei Tingyue closed her eyes briefly, and when she reopened them, they held an unprecedented clarity. “Guifei Nianniang, could you tell Pinqie about the Empress?”
Noble Consort Song glanced at her and asked, “Do you know the term Tianzhijiaonv?”
Pei Tingyue nodded.
Without waiting for her to speak, Noble Consort Song continued: “This term was naturally meant to describe Cui Wan.”
Her eyes filled with admiration: “Cui Wan came from the foremost noble family, the Cui Shi, and was the legitimate eldest daughter. She was raised from childhood under the guidance of the three-generation Imperial Tutor, Cui Laotaiye. After her coming-of-age ceremony, the late Emperor’s original Empress personally designated her as the Crown Princess. Later, when the Empress passed away, our current Emperor—then the Crown Prince—saw his status plummet. The Cui family intended to request the late Emperor to annul the engagement, but Cui Wan insisted on marrying him. She debated and persuaded the clan elders in the ancestral hall for three days, successfully making them compromise. She brought the most significant dowry of the dynasty—the loyalty of all noble families—and married into the Donggong as the Crown Princess. After the grand wedding, she vigorously assisted the current Emperor in ascending the throne, and thus she rightfully took her place in the Zhonggong, becoming the Empress who serves as a model for all women under heaven.”
Noble Consort Song’s eyes held appreciation: “A woman like Cui Wan, when she was a young lady in her chambers, was the leader among noble daughters. After marriage, as a married woman, she became a model for all women in the realm. She possesses everything that women in the world envy. Using Tianzhijiaonv to describe her is most fitting.”
Hearing this, Pei Tingyue lowered her eyelashes, suppressing her slightly rapid breathing.
She already understood in her heart.
Such a Tianzhijiaonv would never stoop to using lowly means to win over or scheme against low-ranking palace consorts.
She didn’t even deign to participate in any palace intrigues.
Because as long as she existed, she was the Empress, and no one could shake her position.
It was actually true.
That startling conclusion was true!
All the Empress’s actions over the past days were genuinely compensating her.
Because the emperor was using her, he was compensating her!
The moment she understood, Pei Tingyue felt extremely conflicted, various emotions intertwining until they could only dissolve into a sigh.
It wasn’t until she stepped out of the front hall and the chilly wind brushed against her face that Pei Tingyue fully regained her composure.
“Consort, what’s wrong?” Seeing her stern expression, Yun Shu asked with concern.
“I’m just a bit surprised,” Pei Tingyue replied softly. After a dazed moment, she added, “From now on, we must show even more respect to the Empress.”
The emperor using her was the emperor’s affair, unrelated to Empress Cui. Yet she was willing to wade into these troubled waters, repeatedly extending her aid.
She was someone who clearly distinguished love and hate.
This favor, Pei Tingyue acknowledged.
Seeing that the person had left, Noble Consort Song pointed to the chair opposite, “Sit, let’s continue eating.”
Beside her, Bai Shuang lost her previous reverence and restraint, becoming more relaxed and casual. She cut a piece of fresh venison with a dagger and placed it on the copper plate.
“Didn’t you used to say, no matter how turbulent the Imperial Harem becomes, you wouldn’t interfere? Why are you willing to get involved in Consort Pei’s affairs now?”
Noble Consort Song stood up, opened the gilded cabinet door on the couch, took out a jar of wine and shook it.
“Care for a drink?”
Bai Shuang nodded, “Seize the day and drink today’s wine!”
Noble Consort Song chuckled, brought over wine cups, and poured two full ones. She pushed one cup over before leisurely replying, “I protect those close to me, didn’t you know?”
Regardless of status, given her friendship with the Empress, it would have been simplest not to assign any palace consorts to Changle Palace, knowing her preference for tranquility.
Now that the Empress had forcibly placed someone in Changle Palace, wasn’t it precisely to have her shelter and guide Consort Pei?
The Empress had used such a significant favor—she couldn’t remain indifferent.
Moreover, after these two meetings, she found Consort Pei more and more agreeable.
Offering a few words of advice wouldn’t hurt.
Bai Shuang took the cup and drank it all in one go, the spicy taste instantly spreading on her tongue. “So, what does Your Ladyship plan to do from now on?”
Noble Consort Song picked up her cup, took a sip, and smiled, “What can I do? I can do nothing—I’m just a useless person. At most, I’ll offer some guidance when she encounters difficulties.”
Bai Shuang was deeply saddened, as if her internal organs were being twisted apart, immense pain spreading from her chest. She softly retorted, “That’s not true, you are… you are the best in this world…”
“Enough, no need to dwell on the past,” Noble Consort Song interrupted her, downing several cups in succession. “Drink! Seize the day and drink today’s wine—that’s what you said!”
Bai Shuang looked at the already emptied jar and sighed, “If we’re getting drunk, this one jar doesn’t seem enough.”
Noble Consort Song, showing signs of intoxication, laughed heartily, “Don’t worry, there’s more over there! Tomorrow, I’ll ask His… His Majesty to get us some more!”
Over the next few days, Pei Tingyue lived extremely leisurely.
She didn’t have to deal with the emperor, and the Empress had exempted her from morning greetings for half a month, forbidding anyone from disturbing her at Changle Palace, allowing her to rest properly.
Pei Tingyue enjoyed her freedom within her own palace.
She regularly drank nourishing tonics, occasionally strolled around the courtyard, ate well and slept well. After a few days, she was nurtured to a rosy, healthy complexion.
After the heavy snow melted, Tuantuan sneaked to the rear hall every day. Now familiar with Pei Tingyue, it would immediately roll over to expose its belly, begging for pets.
A large, fluffy ball lying on the ground, meowing at people—it was truly hard to resist.
At first, Pei Tingyue remained reserved, merely reaching out to stroke it. Later, she simply held it in her arms and petted it, even sneaking a few kisses when no one was watching.
Initially, the palace maids and eunuchs in the front hall anxiously searched the entire palace for it. But once they learned it was here, they waited outside the hall, ready to carry it back whenever it had its fill of play.
Song Guifei personally came twice to fetch Tuantuan.
When she saw Tuantuan snoring beside Pei Tingyue, she was utterly perplexed: “Why does my cat come to you every day? And why does it only let you touch it?”
Pei Tingyue lowered her head to look at the white fluffy creature.
She could probably guess the reason.
Tuantuan was actually an extremely affectionate and gentle little cat, showing its belly to express friendliness whenever it saw someone.
But the palace attendants, except when absolutely necessary, hardly dared to hold or touch it—after all, this was the Guifei’s cat.
To these people, Tuantuan’s behavior was like casting flirtatious glances at the blind.
Over time, receiving no response, it grew unwilling to engage with them.
Song Guifei, on the other hand, wasn’t afraid to touch it, but she would immediately go for the belly—a rather presumptuous act from a cat’s perspective.
Showing the belly is a friendly greeting, not an invitation to reach out and touch!
Tuantuan swatting at Song Guifei was purely the result of accumulated frustration from being petted too aggressively.
But Pei Tingyue never ignored it or acted presumptuously.
She would gently scratch its chin and stroke its little head, fully satisfying its needs—which was why Tuantuan came to her every day.
However, Pei Tingyue kept this reason to herself.
If everyone knew, what would she do if Tuantuan stopped seeking her out in the future?