The day where Princess Yu's baby's first-month gathering is being held quickly arrived and Ling Xuan came, dressed modestly in light pink while holding a gift, accompanied by Duke Fei. She looked at the tall gates of the Princess Mansion that was built for her and her husband by the Empress Dowager, the familiar bold front that which carved the words Princess Yu Mansion on the beautiful ancient wood hung on those sturdy gates.
Duke Fei sensed her getting nervous and tapped her head, "let's go greet her."
Ling Xuan nodded and quickly followed behind him. They stepped into the mansion and were greeted by the housekeeper personally. The housekeeper welcomed them warmly and led them towards the side hall where Princess Yu and her Prince Consort was resting with the baby.
The housekeeper knew that Princess Yu had an amicable relationship with Duke Fei and knew that Princess Yu would not scold him for letting them in. He went ahead to announce their names and as expected, Princess Yu quickly let them inside the side hall and asked the servants to get some tea for her brother.
Although they are siblings from a different mother, Duke Fei had never involved his sisters in the fight for the throne. When he was still contesting for the throne, he had never done any underhanded methods either. But that was not the same for them, which is why Princess Yu felt guilty towards this brother of hers.
"Brother, you have arrived. This Princess has been waiting for you," Princess Yu was all smiles as she greeted Duke Fei.
The image of Princess Yu smiling made Ling Xuan smile unconsciously as well because that was also the way she greeted her before her rebirth.
However, she is no longer her close friend Imperial Consort Lan. She is now Ling Xuan, a stranger.
Princess Yu noticed an unfamiliar face behind her brother and arched an eyebrow at the unexpected guest.
Ling Xuan snapped from her nostalgia and quickly bowed.
"Ling Xuan greets Princess Yu."
"Ah, the cousin from brother's maternal family?" Princess Yu's smile dropped as she assessed the lady before her.
"Yes. She is pretty famous so you should have heard about her," Duke Fei joked to lighten the atmosphere and Princess Yu gave him a warily smile.
"Yes. It is as brother says, Lady Ling is quite famous. This Princess has indeed heard of you and it is a pleasure to meet you." Princess Yu did not make things difficult for Ling Xuan on the account of her brother, but she has not let her guard down yet. She knows that her biological brother, the current Emperor, is smitten by this lady as well so she cannot be hostile against her either.
"Princess Yu has overstated her praise. Ling Xuan has also heard of Princess Yu's charitable deeds, Ling Xuan has a lot to learn from Your Highness." Her gentle words eased some of the tension in the room and Princess Yu decided to let things be for now. Ling Xuan is about to marry into the Imperial Family as an Imperial Consort, they will be family. There is still time to evaluate whether Ling Xuan is on her side or not.
The Princess then led them both into the side hall where the baby was resting and let them see her. The evening proceeds smoothly as the male guests and female guests sat separately to socialize. The women were fawning over Ling Xuan, the current hot topic in the capital. Ling Xuan put on a smile and entertained all the ladies and wives of the noblemen. Her gentle demeanor made it easy for people to approach and Ling Xuan easily socialized with the women from Duke Fei's fraction and the neutral fraction. The last fraction of nobles who currently supports the Right Prime Minister and Imperial Consort Su were not happy to see such a sight and it didn't take long for one of them to sneak in a snide comment.
"They say that the Emperor is marrying in Lady Ling as an Imperial Consort. Even Imperial Consort Su does not have that kind of fortune. Lady Ling is truly blessed and favored by His Majesty." One of the ladies from the Right Prime Minister's fraction praised Ling Xuan but her praise did not sound like one with that sarcastic tone embedded so deeply. One would have to be an idiot to think that she is truly praising Ling Xuan.
Ling Xuan glanced at the lady who just spoken and recognized the house which the lady hail from. It is one of the main supporters of the Su family. It was known to all that before Imperial Consort Su married into the Imperial Family, she had a close friend who is a neighbor and their bond is still as strong even till now. The lady who had just spoken came from the Fu family, and she married into the Qiu family who are also supporters of the Right Prime Minister. The first wife of Lord Qiu, Lady Qiu.
"Imperial Consort Su came from a first-class noble family and hence, entered the Imperial Harem as a Consort. That is the rules. Ling Xuan is Imperial Concubine Mother Ling's maternal family, the cousin of Duke Fei and Princess Yu. One can say that Ling Xuan is a member of the Imperial household by marriage. Should Ling Xuan enter the Imperial Harem, the rules state that Ling Xuan is to be given the title Imperial Consort." Ling Xuan raised her teacup and took a sip, taking a short break from explaining the rules to this ignorant lady.
"Lady Qiu has not entered the Imperial Palace before so not knowing the rules in detail is normal. Lady Qiu does not have to feel embarrassed, Ling Xuan understands." She ended her statement with a slight smirk, a direct provoke at the enemy.
Lady Qiu's face flushed red in anger as the ladies around them chuckled silently. Everyone knows that Lady Qiu had wanted to be selected as one of the members of the Imperial Harem but because she couldn't catch the Emperor's eyes, she did not make it in the selection and could only marry another noble. Everyone in the capital knew how much the Fu Family invested in their daughter for her to enter the Harem but sadly, their daughter failed to make the cut. It was a joke circulating in the capital for a while back then until it was shut down by the Fu Family themselves. Ling Xuan bringing this up is just rubbing salt onto old wounds. Although it doesn't hurt as much as rubbing it on fresh wounds, it still hurts.
However, Lady Qiu has a job to do and so, she will have to swallow this insult.
"Thank you for enlightening us on the rules, common ladies like us do not have the privilege to enter the harem and learn the actual rules. We should all thank Lady Ling's grace for educating us on things that we would never get to experience." Lady Qiu's words made it sound as if Ling Xuan was arrogant that she entered the Imperial Harem and that the other ladies were not as talented or as noble as her to become one of the Emperor's women.
Ling Xuan narrowed her eyes at the snake. She does not know what Lady Qiu's intention was but she will have to play along in order to drag her motive out.