Chapter 6: Empresses in the Palace – An Lingrong

“Just being self-righteous,” Li Siqi sneered, then added, “I heard Zhen Huan calls herself the female Zhuge Liang—no one is smarter than her.”

“Female Zhuge Liang? Her conduct in the palace is a complete mess,” Noble Consort Fucha said disdainfully. “If that gets out, people will only laugh.”

…

In the Jade Fragment Pavilion:

“Lady Guan, if you refuse to move, I’ll have no choice but to send people to move you,” Zhou Ninghai sneered. “The main hall isn’t a place for just any attendant to live. You’ve overstepped your bounds.”

“Mistress, move!” he ordered coldly.

Zhen Huan bit her lip in frustration.

She had no choice but to instruct her attendants, “Pack up your things and move to the side hall.”

“If Lady Guan had any self-awareness, she wouldn’t have to go through this trouble again,” Zhou Ninghai cast a scornful glance.

Nearby, Huan Bi was so angry she wanted to fight him.

Zhou Ninghai then turned his gaze to Cui Jinxi with a sinister smile. “By order of Consort Hua, Aunt Cui Jinxi, in charge of the Jade Fragment Pavilion, has broken palace rules. She’s demoted to sweeping the Imperial Garden and may no longer serve the concubines.”

“Yes, I obey!” Cui Jinxi replied resignedly.

When she looked at Zhen Huan, a hint of reluctance flashed in her eyes.

But she had not given up hope.

She believed she would return to Zhen Huan’s side.

With Zhen Huan forced to the side hall and Cui Jinxi dismissed, the once quiet Jade Fragment Pavilion became even more desolate and barren.

…

In the Imperial Study:

The emperor leaned over the desk, reviewing memorials.

“Your Majesty, it’s getting late,” Su Peisheng bowed slightly. “Eunuch Xu from the Office of Ceremonies has been waiting a long time.”

“Hm,” the emperor responded after a long moment, setting down his vermilion brush.

He rubbed his aching wrists and casually asked, “Did anything happen when the new consorts met the Empress today?”

“Your Majesty,” Su Peisheng lowered his eyes, briefly revealing a different look, “the palace was quite lively today.”

“Oh? How lively?”

The emperor, feeling leisurely, was willing to hear some gossip.

Su Peisheng dared not conceal anything and recounted the day’s events in detail, repeating conversations almost verbatim.

He remained impartial, as everyone present knew what had happened.

Naturally, he wouldn’t dare deceive the emperor or sugarcoat things now.

“An Lingrong and Xin Daying?”

The emperor couldn’t help but laugh. “I remember Xin Daying is quite pretty, but how is she so simple-minded?”

“Miss Xin is the daughter of a county magistrate, probably raised with little restraint,” Su Peisheng said with a smile. “A little naivety is normal.”

“It should be so,” the emperor nodded cheerfully. “A pure heart is rare.”

…

“But…” the emperor frowned immediately. “How could Noble Consort Shen and Lady Guan be so foolish? Among the Eight Banners—Manchu, Mongol, and Han—the Manchu and Mongols have always been honored above all. How dare they insult Manchu and Mongol consorts like that? They’ve clearly lost their measure and haven’t properly learned palace rules.”

He looked at Su Peisheng and asked, “Has the Empress punished them?”

“Your Majesty, the Empress probably felt the new consorts just arrived and didn’t want to dampen Your Majesty’s interest,” Su Peisheng replied respectfully. “Consort Hua sent someone to tell Lady Guan to move to the side hall of the Jade Fragment Pavilion, and demoted Aunt Cui Jinxi to sweep the Imperial Garden.”

“Consort Hua is commendable,” the emperor said with satisfaction, his smile broadening. “Consort Hua can be temperamental and jealous, but she manages palace affairs well.”

“Consort Hua is always considerate and will surely please Your Majesty,” Su Peisheng praised. Then he asked, “Your Majesty, shall I send Eunuch Xu from the Office of Ceremonies?”

“No need.” The emperor rose and waved his hand. “Go to Yikun Palace to see Consort Hua.”

“Yes!” Su Peisheng immediately called out, “Your Majesty, proceed to Yikun Palace!”

…

In Jingren Palace:

“The emperor went to Yikun Palace?” The Empress’s face darkened. “The new consorts are ready to serve—why didn’t the emperor summon them? What is the Office of Ceremonies doing?”

“Your Majesty, it must be Consort Hua throwing a tantrum again,” Jian Qiu stepped forward, massaging the Empress’s temples. “I think this is good. The new consorts are waiting for the emperor’s summons, and now that Consort Hua has intercepted them, they’ll surely be resentful of her favored status.”

“You’re right,” the Empress’s expression softened. She waved Jian Qiu off, “The new consorts suffered tonight. Tomorrow, I must comfort them properly.”

“Your Majesty is kind.” Jian Qiu smiled, “With you standing up for them, they will be very happy.”

…

That night, Yikun Palace was filled with laughter.

The new consorts, hoping to be summoned, were deeply disappointed.

Of course, Li Siqi was not among them.

She knew well that with An Lingrong’s status, even if the emperor noticed her, she would be the last to be summoned.

Given what happened with Consort Hua’s interception, she was not surprised.

Everyone knew Consort Hua was the real favored consort!

Li Siqi went to bed early.

“Mistress, Cui Jinxi is Su Peisheng’s sweetheart. Aren’t you afraid of offending him?” an attendant asked.

“Afraid? Don’t I have you?” Li Siqi said nonchalantly. “In a moment, go out and give Su Peisheng and Cui Jinxi a loyalty pill. I don’t want to be schemed to death by those two old bastards.”

“No problem.”

…

The night passed uneventfully.

Li Siqi came out to find Xia Dongchun waiting for her.

She smiled brightly and saluted, “Greetings, Lady Xia.”

“Let’s go,” Xia Dongchun muttered, “Everyone says I like to offend people, but I think you’re the one who likes to offend people to death.”

“Exactly,” Li Siqi smiled. “If I don’t like someone, I’ll definitely offend them thoroughly.”

“If you want to die, don’t drag us down.”

“No, we’ll all die together.”

“You wish. You’re the crazy one here.”

“It’s fine. Others will see us as a team.”

“Living with you in the same palace is really unlucky.”

“Not unlucky yet. When you’re unlucky, we’ll talk then.”

…

The two bickered as they walked.

“Stop quarrelling,” Noble Consort Fucha said, displeased. “If you still want to squabble, hurry up and go.”

Li Siqi blinked. “Noble Consort Fucha, did you have a nightmare?”

Fucha was taken aback. “Nonsense. How would I have a nightmare?”

“Seeing your sour face, I thought you had a bad dream last night.” Li Siqi smiled brightly. “Who told you to look so glum—like you want to take it out on us…”

“Shut up!” Fucha snapped angrily. “One day, your sharp tongue will bring you trouble.”

Li Siqi beamed, “I’m not afraid, with you all by my side.”

Noble Consort Fucha and Xia Dongchun exchanged glances and ignored her.

Li Siqi didn’t mind.

The three arrived at Jingren Palace, where other concubines had already gathered.

After paying their respects, everyone found seats.

Xia Dongchun sat in front of Li Siqi.

Having escaped death, she finally had a seat in Jingren Palace.

Soon after, Shen Meizhuang and Zhen Huan appeared with their palace maids.

Their eyes immediately landed on Li Siqi.

Li Siqi gave them a big smile.

The two women nearly suffered a heart attack from anger and forcibly looked away.

At that moment, the graceful Consort Hua entered, supported by Song Zhi.

With her triumphant and arrogant expression, the other concubines’ faces turned sour.

Still, they all rose to greet her.

“That’s enough. Sit down,” Consort Hua said in a good mood, choosing not to vent on anyone.

She then asked, “Which one is Xin Daying?”

“Your Highness Consort Hua,” Li Siqi stood and bowed. “I am Xin Daying, your humble servant.”