Her charming eyes lowered slightly, fixed on Wen Yunmian, who was curtsying in respect. “However, what Chun Pin said is indeed true. This Consort has been in the palace for several years and has never seen anyone promoted after their first night attending the bedchamber. You are truly the first. Cherish your good fortune.”
Imperial Consort Shu’s words carried an implicit meaning. What she truly cared about was not the rank itself, but the Emperor’s unique affection for her.
Imperial Consort Shu was no fool. Having spent years by the Emperor’s side since childhood, she knew full well that the Emperor had promoted Wen Yunmian to silence her.
What bothered her was that last night, the Emperor had actually held this Wen Yunmian in his arms!
The Emperor had never done such a thing before.
Imperial Consort Shu had grieved over this all night.
Now, as she looked at Wen Yunmian again, resentment surged sharply in her beautiful eyes.
She lifted Wen Yunmian’s chin, expecting to see the same face with dark spots, but instead, it was flawless like white jade.
Those eyes were clear and bright, gazing at others with a striking beauty.
“You?!” Imperial Consort Shu’s anger flared. She wanted to demand where the dark spots had gone, but in front of everyone, she couldn’t expose her own schemes and forced herself to hold back. “This face truly puts even flowers to shame.”
Wen Yunmian snapped back to reality. “Thank you for your praise, Her Ladyship. You are the phoenix, and no matter how beautiful the flowers are, they can only look up to the phoenix.”
Imperial Consort Shu paused, finding her intended outlet for anger blocked by Wen Yunmian’s words. “You truly have a silver tongue.”
Just then, crisp footsteps approached from a distance. Everyone turned to look as Wen Leyan arrived in revealing attire. “Greetings to all elder sisters. This Concubine is late and begs for your forgiveness.”
Her clothing was undeniably alluring and exceedingly scant.
Among the gathered concubines, she stood out conspicuously.
Such blatant scheming immediately stirred discontent among the others.
Wen Leyan, oblivious to the undercurrents, wore an expression of pride, strutting like a peacock.
In her previous life, Wen Yunmian had dressed modestly and failed to capture the Emperor’s attention at first glance, leading her to believe the Emperor did not favor simple, plain women.
Although she was confident she could replicate Wen Yunmian’s future path of bearing children and gaining favor, bearing children was one thing—she also needed to capture the Emperor’s heart!
That was why she chose to stand out in this way, to be unconventional.
Only by dressing boldly could she better convey her allure.
Attendant Hui snorted coldly and whispered to Noble Lady Wei, “It seems this Lady Le is not one to stay quiet either.”
Noble Lady Wei frowned, gently smoothing the handkerchief in her hand without saying more.
Wen Yunmian curled her lips coldly, thinking Wen Leyan was hopelessly foolish, yet she wore an expression of smug pride.
Xian Fei, who had remained silent until now, quietly remarked, “Such a unique newcomer stands out at a glance. The Emperor is truly fortunate to have younger sisters who outshine one another.”
Imperial Consort Shu, easily provoked, instantly turned cold-faced.
A maid whispered softly, approaching her, “Her Ladyship, this is Lady Le.”
Wen Leyan still felt a twinge of fear upon seeing Imperial Consort Shu, but in this life, she hadn’t taken the Maomeidan, so Imperial Consort Shu wouldn’t hold a grudge against her. Thus, she stepped forward to pay her respects. “This Concubine, Lady Le, greets the Noble Consort.”
Imperial Consort Shu examined her coldly.
Wen Yunmian watched quietly from the side. Imperial Consort Shu was narrow-minded; she could tolerate concubines around the Emperor but could not endure anyone who monopolized his favor or competed for it.
Wen Leyan was the latter.
She truly stepped on Imperial Consort Shu’s tail without even realizing it. However, with Wen Leyan present, Imperial Consort Shu’s attention was no longer on her.
At that moment, Auntie Suo Chun emerged from Feng Yi Gong. “Esteemed ladies, Her Majesty the Empress has risen. Please proceed to the main hall to pay your respects!”
Imperial Consort Shu coldly withdrew her gaze and led the other consorts into the hall to offer their greetings.
The Empress was already seated on the high throne. Looking at the gentle and virtuous Her Ladyship from her past life, Wen Yunmian’s gaze softened.
In her previous life, the Empress had protected her like an elder sister, someone Wen Yunmian had always been deeply grateful for.
Imperial Consort Shu lazily bowed. “Greetings to Her Majesty the Empress.” Then, without waiting for a response, she took her seat on the left side.
The Empress glanced indifferently at Imperial Consort Shu. She was the Emperor’s beloved favorite, while this Empress had been forced upon the Emperor by her family. There was simply no comparison between the two.
She had grown accustomed to it.
Watching this, Wen Yunmian felt even more heartache.
She lowered her eyes and followed the others in kneeling and kowtowing. “This concubine pays respects to Her Majesty the Empress. May the Empress live a thousand years!”
“May the Empress live a thousand years!”
The Empress smiled and said, “Sisters, please rise.”
The senior consorts rose first and took their seats, while the five new entrants to the palace knelt once more to perform the full ceremonial kowtow.
The Empress responded with dignified grace. “All of you, rise.”
“Yes!” they replied in unison.
The Empress’s gaze fell upon Wen Yunmian. Upon seeing Wen Yunmian’s face, she couldn’t help but feel a silent shock—no wonder this was the woman who had caused the Emperor to move the Guifei out of Chaoyang Palace.
Imperial Consort Shu suddenly spoke up. “Lady Le, This Consort has heard that your calligraphy was exceptional before entering the palace. This Consort happens to need to copy scriptures. Why don’t you take on this task for me?”
Wen Leyan was stunned, but she dared not defy. “Yes, this concubine will remember.”
Chun Pin, being Imperial Consort Shu’s ally, though foolish, knew how to read the situation. She said coldly, “Then don’t just stand there. Go directly to Her Ladyship’s palace and copy the Buddhist sutras.”
Wen Leyan looked up in shock. She hadn’t even met the Emperor yet—how could she leave now? Wouldn’t that mean missing her chance to be seen by him?
“But, this concubine…”
Attendant Hui, standing nearby, smiled and said, “What’s the matter, Sister Le? Are you unwilling?”
“No, it’s not that.” Wen Leyan didn’t dare look directly at Imperial Consort Shu and could only cast a pleading glance toward Wen Yunmian.
Wen Yunmian was right beside her and heard her whisper, “You’re my sister. Today is my best chance to meet the Emperor. No matter what, you should help me, shouldn’t you?!”
Wen Yunmian pretended not to hear. She had no desire to offend these women.
Wen Leyan was truly flustered. Just as the Empress was about to speak up to defuse the situation, Imperial Consort Shu interjected, “It seems Lady Le holds herself in high regard, to the point of disregarding This Consort entirely.”