Consort Yu smiled and replied, "Consort Xiao said she admired the unparalleled beauty of the Imperial Noble Consort. Today, even if she were just a palace maid, she would come to pay her respects. I had no choice but to bring her along. I hope the Imperial Noble Consort won't take offense
A beauty of the eighth rank was not qualified to pay respects according to palace rules
But those rules applied to the Empress, not the Imperial Noble Consort
Consort Yu was using Consort Xiao to challenge Jiang Xinyue, both openly and subtly
Moreover, praising someone's beauty was rarely done so bluntly
If Jiang Xinyue said nothing, wouldn't it imply that she agreed she was exceptionally beautiful, surpassing all the other women in the harem
Although this was indeed true, no woman would willingly admit that her looks were inferior to others
Especially since they were all the Emperor's women, rivals in love
If she said something, others might think her moody and unable to take a compliment
No matter how Jiang Xinyue responded to Consort Yu, she would be in the wrong
But was Jiang Xinyue one to play by the rules
She glanced sideways at Consort Xiao and said, "Is Consort Yu so ugly? Do you find it painful to look at her every day and need to come see me to cleanse your soul
She then turned to the angry Consort Yu, her lips curling into a smile, "I understand. After all, they say you become what you look at every day. Consort Xiao must be afraid of becoming more like Consort Yu and losing the Emperor's favor, right
As Consort Xiao was about to say "No," Jiang Xinyue raised her hand to stop her, giving a look that said everyone understood, and there was no need for further explanation
The next moment, sitting in the main seat reserved for the Imperial Noble Consort, her gaze turned sharp, "While I understand, if I ever see someone who shouldn't be here in Hexi Palace again, I'll throw you all out together. Don't say I didn't warn you when you lose face
Consort Xiao had rarely interacted with Jiang Xinyue before. After all, one was a lowly beauty in a disfavored consort's palace, while Jiang Xinyue had always been a favored consort of the Emperor since she first gained her title
Consort Xiao couldn't even reach Jiang Xinyue's knees if she jumped
She had only heard Consort Yu complain about and insult Jiang Xinyue in Shunan Palace, leading her to believe that Jiang Xinyue was young and easily manipulated, merely protected by the Emperor due to her beauty
But in this first encounter, it was clear who was more formidable
The Imperial Noble Consort wasn't weak; she was clever enough to use the Emperor as her mouthpiece, packaging herself as a kind and fragile white lotus, arousing the Emperor's pity and keeping her under his protection
In fact, such women were the smartest
Instead of exhausting herself fighting and scheming against other consorts, everything she wanted could be obtained through the Emperor
It was the Emperor who tired himself out, along with the other consorts who received his warnings. Jiang Xinyue simply had to open her hands, and others would offer her rare treasures
Look at her now..
When the Emperor wasn't around, her sharp tongue showed no signs of backing down
But Consort Xiao had already chosen her side, and even if she didn't want to oppose Jiang Xinyue, it was no longer possible
Steeling herself, and urged on by Consort Yu's gaze, she carefully spoke, "The Imperial Noble Consort is the model for the six palaces and should... should help the royal family prosper. The Emperor hasn't entered the harem for almost a year. I... I risk my life to request an audience today to ask the Imperial Noble Consort to advise the Emperor to... to spread his favor equally
Oh
So admiring her unparalleled beauty was just a pretense. The real purpose was that Consort Yu had pushed her forward as a pawn to seek benefits for the harem consorts
"Consort Xiao speaks wisely," Jiang Xinyue said, taking a sip of fragrant light green tea, her face wearing a gentle smile. "I will speak to the Emperor about this today.
"Huh
She agreed so easily? Just like that
Consort Yu still had more tricks up her sleeve
How could she use them now
"I hope the Imperial Noble Consort won't say one thing to our faces and do another behind our backs," Consort Yu said sarcastically, not believing a word. "If you had spoken to the Emperor earlier, we sisters wouldn't have been left alone in empty chambers for nearly a year
The implication was that the Imperial Noble Consort was not only the instigator of their loneliness but also had no intention of persuading the Emperor to favor the harem and spread his attention equally
This wouldn't do
Among the consorts who had come to pay respects to Jiang Xinyue, while none were as bold as Consort Yu, survival in the harem depended heavily on the Emperor's favor. If the Emperor didn't visit the harem, what was the point of all their scheming and fighting
Immediately, the eyes of all the consorts in the palace turned unfriendly towards Jiang Xinyue
Someone must have "advised" Consort Yu, teaching her how to incite everyone's anger
Jiang Xinyue's gaze turned to Consort De, who merely raised her teacup in response and then drank her tea as if the matter didn't concern her
This was a high-level provocation
The low-level kind was exemplified by Consort Yu, a darling being used as a pawn
However, Consort Yu's survival in the harem for so long was largely due to her lack of intelligence
In this palace, the clever ones died early
The foolish ones..
Were kept around to alleviate boredom in the deep palace
The arrow-like gazes of the consorts couldn't penetrate Jiang Xinyue's bulletproof facade. She leaned back slightly, her posture becoming more alluring without appearing lazy. Instead, it exuded a relaxed nobility, her aura dominating
"Xi Que, go inform the Palace Eunuch Office to start sending green plaques to Chengqian Palace from today. If the Emperor asks, tell him that I've requested he visit the harem and spread his favor equally.
Xi Que immediately complied and withdrew from the great hall
A few other consorts signaled their palace maids, who followed Xi Que out
Xi Que indeed went to the Palace Eunuch Office and relayed the same message to the eunuchs there
Only then did everyone feel reassured that the Imperial Noble Consort was indeed a woman of her word
In Chengqian Palace, candles burned brightly as Li Zhong, the head of the Palace Eunuch Office, stood nervously before the Emperor for the first time in eight or nine months
"Oh? You say the Imperial Noble Consort is advising me to spread my favor equally?" the Emperor asked
Li Zhong swallowed hard. "Your Majesty will know when you turn over the plaques
He dared not say a word more, as the Emperor now looked as if he might devour someone
The Xuanwu Emperor exhaled frustratedly through his nose. Did Jiang Xinyue have no heart
Didn't she understand his feelings for her
He could withstand the pressure from his court officials to favor her alone, so why couldn't she endure the discontent of the harem consorts and not push him away
Fine
She wanted him to turn over the plaques? Then he would comply with her wishes
The Xuanwu Emperor turned over a green plaque: Imperial Noble Consort
He turned over another: Imperial Noble Consort
He continued, turning over four or five in a row, each one bearing the words "Imperial Noble Consort.
Li Zhong and Wang Dequan exchanged glances. The Imperial Noble Consort's method was indeed effective
Going to Hexi Palace was still visiting the harem
She had given her advice, and whether the Emperor listened or not was his own business
Jiang Xinyue had provided options; another small eunuch from the Palace Eunuch Office held a tray with green plaques for the other consorts