The Empress’s face turned pale then flushed with anger she had never seen someone so shameless.
And yet, His Majesty seemed fond of her.
Xiao Shizhi patted Bai Fuxue’s shoulder reassuringly.
After the other consorts had left one by one, only the three of them remained in the grand hall.
The Empress forced a benevolent gaze upon Bai Fuxue, who responded with a faint smile.
It was a silent declaration of a temporary victory.
Seated in the main seat, Xiao Shizhi flipped through the details of the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet and asked,
“Who is in charge this year?”
The Empress smiled gently, “It is I, Your Majesty, but I still need a few assistants. Who do you think would be suitable?”
Bai Fuxue, sitting to the side, began to slack off. In her previous life, she had handled more than her fair share of event planning from esports tournaments to music festivals and large-scale corporate events.
Each one felt like it was shortening her lifespan.
Xiao Shizhi’s gaze fell upon Bai Fuxue.
He immediately noticed her vacant eyes and her posture that seemed to scream a desire to lie down.
She might as well have written “slacker” across her face.
Xiao Shizhi: “…”
Xiao Shizhi’s mind drifted to the person from his past life, who had demonstrated remarkable talent in coordinating various departments.
How could two people with the same name be so different? Bai Fuxue here was nothing but a beautiful fool.
Feeling frustrated, Xiao Shizhi continued flipping through the details.
Unaware of his thoughts, the Empress spoke slowly,
“I had originally considered involving Consort Rong, but her influence is too prominent it wouldn’t be appropriate. What about Consort Liu?”
“Consort Liu and Consort Rong are as close as sisters, so.”
The Empress looked at Xiao Shizhi, her eyes conveying: Should we use this opportunity to drive a wedge between them?
Xiao Shizhi pointed in Bai Fuxue’s direction, “Let her handle it.”
Empress: ????
Bai Fuxue: ?
Bai Fuxue’s vacant mind jolted awake in shock.
Xiao Shizhi declared, “Consort Bai gained considerable experience during the late Emperor’s reign. Let her take charge.”
Xiao Shizhi looked at Bai Fuxue, who felt as if she had just shattered into pieces.
After leaving Chang’an Hall, Bai Fuxue was utterly distraught.
Songluo couldn’t stop grinning, “Congratulations, Your Highness! If you successfully manage the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, His Majesty will surely view you in a new light.”
Bai Fuxue: “…”
Bai Fuxue hurried a few steps to catch up with Xiao Shizhi and called out, “Your Majesty!”
Xiao Shizhi stopped and gently brushed aside the stray hairs on her forehead.
His tone was unusually tender, “What is it, Snowflake?”
Bai Fuxue firmly refused, “Your Majesty knows my capabilities. I’ve been idling away in the rear palace with no talent to speak of. Aren’t you worried the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet will become a laughingstock?”
Xiao Shizhi smiled, “Since you hold the rank of Consort, you must take on responsibilities.”
Li Dequan, listening from behind, mentally elevated Bai Fuxue’s status once again.
His Majesty was clearly intent on grooming her!
Standing by the window, the Empress watched the intimate scene between the Emperor and Consort Bai, nearly smashing her jade ruyi in fury!
Bai Fuxue asked curiously, “Responsibilities of a Consort? Isn’t it just to serve Your Majesty well in bed?”
Xiao Shizhi: “…”
Everyone: ???!
Was this something they were allowed to hear?
A vein throbbed on Xiao Shizhi’s forehead as he gritted his teeth and demanded,
“Did you say to the Empress earlier today, ‘I go where I please, and you have no right to question or care about it!’?”
The original words weren’t that emotional, but when Xiao Shizhi repeated them, they carried a distinct vinegar-soaked tone.
Unfortunately, Bai Fuxue, who had been an office worker for too long, couldn’t detect it.
Bai Fuxue nodded and said, “There are so many consorts in the rear palace, all belonging to Your Majesty. I am merely one of the less remarkable ones. To have been granted the rank of consort is already an immense favor.”
Bai Fuxue had no desire whatsoever to become a favored consort. Her only obsession was that Xiao Shizhi wouldn’t become a tyrant and that the Bai family wouldn’t be ruined after all, they still had to deal with the Northern Court later.
Xiao Shizhi clenched both hands inside her sleeves, enunciating each word clearly, “Say that again.”
Bai Fuxue watched as red veins crept into Xiao Shizhi’s eyes.
Just as Bai Fuxue was about to speak, Xiao Shizhi abruptly turned and said to Li Dequan:
“Prepare the carriage for Chengxiang Palace. I shall pay Consort Rong a visit.”
Well done. She had mastered the art of playing hard to get.
The vinegar jar in Xiao Shizhi’s heart had completely overturned. She thought to herself: You’re just a consort who needs something from me. After being neglected for a few days, you’ll probably come crying to reconcile.
The task assigned to Bai Fuxue by the Empress was truly unreasonable.
Songluo said aggrievedly, “Your Highness, those who have influence in the Directorate of Ceremonies and the Directorate of Food are all under Xu Meiren’s control. The Xu family and the Bai family have been at odds for years.”
Bai Fuxue yawned and continued flipping through the ledger in her hand.
Songluo added, “As for the Directorate of Palace Affairs, I recall that the Director herself is Huang Jieyu’s younger sister. Although she has a good relationship with Lin Zhaoyi, she isn’t familiar with you.”
Bai Fuxue said with complexity, “His Majesty’s rear palace is truly substantial.”
Songluo replied, “Your Highness, you jest. This isn’t considered many. The previous emperor had over three hundred consorts.”
Bai Fuxue: “…”
Songluo said with a tearful face, “The Empress clearly wants to humiliate you by specifically assigning you the task of coordination. I feel wronged on your behalf.”
Songluo added tearfully, “Your Highness, why don’t you go to His Majesty? With His Majesty’s command, these consorts will surely cooperate fully.”
Bai Fuxue clicked her tongue and simply gave up.
How laughable. Do you know what kind of person in the workplace is the biggest fool?
The one who diligently completes all tasks will only be assigned more work.
Those who are exceptionally capable have already learned to consider their superiors’ needs and get promoted.
Those who are particularly incompetent, but not to the point of being fired, are left alone as long as they don’t increase others’ workloads.
Especially someone like Bai Fuxue, who has attained the rank of consort and holds an official position, there’s even less to fear.
People are just too concerned with saving face.
Bai Fuxue sat up from the soft chair and said, “Let’s go see Xu Meiren and Huang Jieyu.”
At the very least, she had to put on a show.
Bai Fuxue’s palanquin swayed gently. The weather was no longer sweltering, and the maple leaves in the distance burned crimson like fire, while the faint fragrance of chrysanthemums wafted through the air.
Bai Fuxue had changed out of her gauze dress and donned a sky-blue outer robe with a willow-green shawl, making her resemble the Moon Goddess Chang’e from the lunar palace.
Songluo said, “Your Highness, we’ve arrived at Zilan Palace where Xu Meiren resides. Please wake up, Your Highness.”
Bai Fuxue drowsily opened her eyes and, supported by Songluo, entered the hall.
Xu Meiren hadn’t expected Bai Fuxue to visit. She was idly playing cards with Huang Jieyu and Lin Zhaoyi, short one player, so they had just used a personal palace maid to fill the spot.
“Consort Bai has arrived ”
The three women turned around in surprise, hastily lifting their skirts as they scrambled to gather the silver coins from the table, then bowed in a flustered curtsy.
The late emperor had decreed that gambling was forbidden in the inner palace.
Bai Fuxue saw that all three were present, which conveniently saved her some trouble.
With a light smile, Bai Fuxue asked, “What are you sisters playing? It seems quite lively.”
Lin Zhaoyi replied, “We were playing a game of mahjong and happen to be short one player. Would you care to join us, sister?”
She asked merely out of courtesy, as Bai Fuxue, being highly favored, surely had no need to while away her time with such games.
Huang Jieyu chimed in with a smile, “Do join us, sister. We’re still one short.”
Bai Fuxue’s smile widened. There had been a period when she was either at the company or accompanying clients in mahjong games she had practically mastered the game room.
Sorry, but a max-level expert clearing the beginner’s village ever heard of it?
Bai Fuxue said, “If I win, sisters, you’d better watch your purses.”
Seeing that Consort Bai was approachable and without airs, Xu Meiren smiled even more warmly and promptly ushered her to a seat.
“Sister, just focus on playing. We have plenty of family wealth for you to win!”
When it came to playing cards, no one could surpass the three of them.
Xiao Shizhi had only stayed briefly at Consort Rong’s Chengxiang Palace before returning to Zichen Hall to review memorials.
Xiao Shizhi scoffed, “Organizing the Mid-Autumn banquet won’t be easy. Consort Bai must be quite troubled by now.”
The shadow guard knelt before her and reported, “Your Majesty, Her Highness has been at Xu Meiren’s Zilan Palace for two hours and has yet to emerge.”
Xiao Shizhi raised an eyebrow. “Has she hit a wall?”
Hitting a wall might be for the best it would remind Bai Fuxue that she was the only one the girl could rely on.
But as twilight descended and the sky blazed with sunset colors, Xiao Shizhi still saw no sign of Bai Fuxue.
Facing the mountain of memorials, Xiao Shizhi began to feel that something was amiss.
All day, Xiao Shizhi had consoled herself with the thought that while she was buried in work, Bai Fuxue wasn’t having it easy either making the task of reviewing memorials somewhat less agonizing.
The shadow guard reported, “Xu Meiren was in tears, begging Consort Bai to stay the night and not let her leave.”
Xiao Shizhi: ?