The palace maid’s voice was not soft, and upon hearing these words, many concubines slowed their steps, intending to watch a good show.
Pei Tingyue ignored the whispered discussions among the consorts and slowly strolled onto the Palace Road, performing the customary salute.
“Greetings, Zhaorong Niangniang.”
Seeing her approach, Lin Zhaorong turned her face away, refusing to look at her, her expression blatantly flippant and arrogant. “Rise.”
Pei Tingyue had no intention of beating around the bush and asked directly, “Zhaorong Niangniang waited for this humble consort—may I ask the reason?”
Lin Zhaorong snorted coldly, her voice hardening. “Have you finished copying the scriptures these past days?”
“Your Highness may rest assured, this humble consort has completed them and will have them delivered to you upon returning to the palace.”
Satisfied with this response, Lin Zhaorong admonished, “Having copied the scriptures so many times, Pei Baolin should understand what is important. From now on, who you can offend, and what—”
“Zhaorong Niangniang!” Pei Tingyue directly interrupted Lin Zhaorong’s words.
Being abruptly cut off mid-reprimand displeased Lin Zhaorong greatly. She narrowed her long eyes, and the aura around her suddenly turned sharp.
Feeling the oppressive atmosphere, Pei Tingyue inwardly sighed that she truly lived up to being a high-ranking consort—she was indeed different.
If this were a timid, low-ranking consort, they would already be trembling and kneeling to beg for forgiveness.
But since she dared to do this, it meant she was not afraid.
Pei Tingyue took a few steps forward, deliberately lowering her voice to a volume only the two of them could hear. “Whether it was this humble consort overstepping that day or Zhaorong Niangniang intentionally provoking it—Your Highness knows best, isn’t that right?”
In the few days since she had transmigrated, she had carefully recalled the details of the “confrontation” incident.
The more she recalled, the stranger it seemed.
The original host’s “insolent” words seemed as if they had been deliberately provoked by Lin Zhaorong.
But why would Lin Zhaorong do this?
Was it because the original host had gained favor and she wanted to teach her a lesson?
After thinking for a long time, Pei Tingyue realized she wanted to use the original host.
Lin Zhaorong’s usual sour and sarcastic demeanor was merely a way to maintain her false “persona.”
After all, in the palace, a consort who showed her emotions openly and spoke bluntly would put others more at ease.
And the original host—a foolish, easily manipulated low-ranking consort—had not only caught the emperor’s eye but also Lin Zhaorong’s.
The original host was the perfect tool for Lin Zhaorong to maintain her “persona.”
Unfortunately, she was not the original host and would not allow herself to be used for nothing.
The emperor could not.
And Lin Zhaorong even less so.
As soon as she finished speaking, the surrounding atmosphere grew even heavier, almost suffocating.
Lin Zhaorong looked down at her from her elevated position. “Pei Baolin, do you know what you are saying?”
Pei Tingyue smiled faintly, her tone devoid of any panic. “I do.”
Lin Zhaorong narrowed her eyes.
Seated in her Jiaonian, she looked down.
The woman stood alone, her face delicate and beautiful, yet her presence was no less imposing. Especially those captivating peach-blossom eyes—within them lay an unruffled indifference, and when they met hers, it felt as if she were being seen through.
A flicker of killing intent passed through Lin Zhaorong’s eyes, and she said leisurely, “Pei Baolin, what if this consort did it on purpose? You don’t think that just because you’ve enjoyed a few days of favor, you can stand above me, do you?”
“This humble consort knows her place and would not dare to think so.” Pei Tingyue lifted her head and looked directly at her. “But Your Highness must still consider the emperor’s current favor toward me.”
Since the emperor was determined to use her as a shield,
Then she would be one!
The emperor could use her, but she could also turn the tables and utilize this false favor to achieve her own goals!
Now, to deal with Lin Zhaorong, it was the perfect opportunity to borrow the emperor’s authority.
Lin Zhaorong’s red lips parted slightly: “What do you mean?”
Pei Tingyue said: “Last night, His Majesty asked why Your Ladyship insisted on punishing me. If I were to recount the events of that day in detail, Your Ladyship’s image in His Majesty’s heart would undergo a significant change.”
The emperor had ascended the throne through bloodshed and battles—he would not fail to see through the schemes of the imperial harem.
If he were to learn that a consort who usually appeared simple and guileless was, in fact, so cunning and calculating, a rift would inevitably form in his heart, perhaps even leading to wariness…
Realizing this, Lin Zhaorong’s expression darkened.
A flicker of murderous intent flashed in her eyes.
“I am a Zhaorong of the third rank, while you are merely a lowly seventh-rank Baolin. Dealing with you is as easy as crushing an ant. Aren’t you afraid I might use some means to eliminate you?”
Pei Tingyue smiled faintly and glanced at the palace consorts watching from a distance: “Now, the entire palace knows that Zhaorong Niangniang and I are at odds. If I were to die, the one with the greatest suspicion would be you, Your Ladyship.”
Lin Zhaorong’s face grew even more unpleasant.
Because what this Pei Baolin said was the truth.
Having been in the palace for many years, she had held a high position and enjoyed smooth sailing, rarely encountering such a dilemma where she was caught between a rock and a hard place.
Seeing that the timing was right, Pei Tingyue raised her eyes and said softly: “I am not here to provoke Your Ladyship by saying these things today. I wish to have a sincere conversation with Zhaorong Niangniang.”
Lin Zhaorong’s gaze flickered uncertainly, her voice carrying a chill: “What do you want to discuss?”
A faint smile curled at the corner of Pei Tingyue’s lips. “After much thought, I realized that there is no great enmity between Your Ladyship and me. A few quarrels should not lead to mutual destruction.”
“How about from now on, Your Ladyship and I keep to our own territories and refrain from interfering with each other? What does Your Ladyship think?”
Their eyes locked in a silent battle for a long moment before Lin Zhaorong was the first to lower her gaze, concealing a trace of apprehension before looking back at Pei Tingyue.
This Pei Baolin was quite clever.
She had used this matter to force her to retreat.
“Pei Baolin, you are truly interesting. I underestimated you before.”
Without waiting for Pei Tingyue to respond, she ordered the eunuchs carrying her jiaonian, “Return to the palace.”
Watching her weigh her options and depart, Pei Tingyue let out a soft sigh of relief.
This confrontation at the palace gate had successfully resolved the conflict with a high-ranking consort.
From now on, during morning greetings, without Lin Zhaorong leading the charge, her ears would enjoy much more peace.
Moreover, Lin Zhaorong’s retreat would inevitably make the other consorts realize one fact: if even a consort of such high status had to yield, Pei Tingyue was not someone to be trifled with.
At the very least, she was not a soft persimmon to be squeezed or stepped on by anyone.
That was her goal.
Only when Lin Zhaorong’s jiaonian disappeared around the corner of the long street did Pei Tingyue withdraw her gaze and instruct her attendant: “Regarding Zhaorong Niangniang’s inquiry about the scriptures, after we return to the palace, deliver them to her personally.”
“This servant understands.” Yun Shu, standing behind her, immediately responded.
Yun Shu was a household-born servant of the Pei family who had entered the palace with Pei Tingyue and had always attended to her closely. She understood the enmity between her mistress and Lin Zhaorong all too well.
At this moment, she glanced at her mistress’s expression and, seeing no anger on her face, felt relieved.
“Those scriptures were painstakingly copied by Baolin. I hope that when Zhaorong Niangniang sees them, she will sense your sincerity and trouble you less during morning greetings in the future.”
Pei Tingyue lowered her head with a faint smile. “She won’t trouble me anymore.”
Yun Shu asked in confusion, “How does Baolin know that?”
Pei Tingyue raised her brows slightly. “Because Lin Zhaorong is an intelligent person.”
“An intelligent person?” Yun Shu grew even more puzzled. “This servant thinks that if Zhaorong Niangniang were truly intelligent, she should build good relationships with favored consorts instead of creating difficulties everywhere.”
Pei Tingyue only smiled without responding.
Even a young palace maid perceived Lin Zhaorong as shallow and scheming—this precisely demonstrated her brilliance.
Collecting her thoughts, Pei Tingyue stepped toward Chengming Hall. “Let’s go. I still need to accompany His Majesty for the meal.”
Seeing the two part ways peacefully, most of the palace consorts were filled with bewilderment.
Lin Zhaorong usually took particular pleasure in targeting lower-ranking pinfei. If she bore a grudge against someone, she would inevitably scheme against them.
Why then, today, did she let Pei Baolin off so easily?
For a moment, the consorts each harbored their own speculations.