Chapter 11: Spies in the Palace

Chapter 11: Spies in the Palace

These past few days, the most celebrated person in the palace was undoubtedly Lady Li.

Xiao Jingheng seemed very pleased with her, having called for her again just yesterday.

Among the new consorts and concubines, she was the only one who had served the Emperor twice.

The other imperial consorts and concubines eagerly sought her favor, especially Consort Chen, whose gifts to her were ceaseless.

Song Zhao, in the western side hall, watched as a continuous stream of visitors brought gifts to the eastern side hall’s bustling entrance.

Later, Ying Xiang, a servant of Consort Chen, also came to present a gift to Lady Li. Notably, Lady Li personally saw her to the door when she left.

Lady Li said loudly to Ying Xiang, "Thank you for making the effort to come here personally. I absolutely adore the pearl earrings Consort Chen sent me. I shall visit her soon to express my gratitude."

After seeing off Ying Xiang, Lady Li returned to her hall with a self-satisfied air, swaying her hips.

Song Zhao, having observed this, then instructed Yun Shan, "I remember bringing a pair of pearl earrings to the palace. Find a pretty box for them and bring it to me. We will go together to congratulate Lady Li."

Lady Li, basking in her moment of glory, had little regard for Song Zhao. Seeing her come with a gift, she was bound to belittle her with a few disdainful remarks.

"Let's see what you have brought."

She opened the rosewood gift box and took out a pair of pearl earrings, scoffing disdainfully:

"These cloud-white pearls are from freshwater mussels, rather common and hardly suitable for formal occasions. Moreover, the pearls are so small that if dropped, they'd be hard to find. Bringing such modest gifts does seem a bit stingy, sister."

Saying this, she casually picked up a pair of round, lustrous pink pearl earrings from the table and compared them with the ones Song Zhao had brought.

Not only were the pearls larger, but the pale pink color also made them far more eye-catching than the pure white ones.

Song Zhao looked as if she had never seen such fine things before, her eyes wide and round.

Lady Li, seeing Song Zhao's expression, grew even more complacent:

"These were just gifted to me by Consort Chen, pearls from the East Sea. To find a pair of such quality is one in ten thousand. Now, these are truly exquisite."

Song Zhao's eyes sparkled, fixated on the pink pearls, unable to look away,

"I have never seen such beautiful pearls. With your delicate beauty, sister, these pink pearls suit you perfectly. And I've heard that Consort Chen rarely gifts anyone, which shows how much she values you."

"That's nothing," Lady Li said proudly, lifting her chin and playing with a gold-inlaid flower and bird hairpin, "This hairpin is a gift from the Empress Dowager. It's exquisitely crafted, and I love it."

Song Zhao remarked, "The hairpin is indeed beautiful, but it seems a bit plain. In comparison, I find the earrings gifted by Consort Chen to be more attractive. If you wear these earrings tomorrow when we greet the Emperor, you will surely outshine everyone."

"Fool, what do you know?"

Lady Li rolled her eyes at Song Zhao and continued to fix the hairpin in her hair.

"All the consorts have sent gifts, and tomorrow I'll definitely pick the best ones to wear. Consort Chen's gift is good, but her domineering nature and intolerance for dissent make her difficult to follow. It's better to align with the Empress Dowager, who is, after all, the leading figure of the harem, incomparable to ordinary consorts and concubines."

Seeing Song Zhao's naive expression, she took on a knowing tone and began to lecture,

"Surviving in the harem requires the ability to observe and understand nuances and judge the situation. As a newcomer with little influence, one must attach themselves to the most worthy patron. This is how one can navigate the future more smoothly. Do you understand?"

Song Zhao feigned an epiphany, quickly bowing to Lady Li, "Thank you for the guidance, Lady Li."

Lady Li, pleased with herself, said, "In the future, as I align with the Empress, you should follow me. Given your appearance, you won't gain the Emperor’s favor. If you serve me well, ensuring you have three meals a day won't be difficult."

Later, Lady Li continued to speak in her sarcastic tone for a long while. Song Zhao took it all in, lavishly flattering her, elevating her to an unparalleled nymph.

Yun Shan, watching from the side, felt aggrieved on behalf of her mistress.

After nearly half an hour of listening to Lady Li, Song Zhao was finally allowed to leave.

Back in her palace, as Yun Shan massaged Song Zhao’s shoulders and legs, she said with concern, "My lady, knowing you would be humiliated, why did you still go to present her with a gift?"

Song Zhao leisurely picked a grape from the table, peeled it, and ate, "She is a noble lady, and I'm just a consort. It’s normal to appease someone under the same roof."

Yun Shan sighed, "I just hope that you will be summoned to serve soon, so your days in the palace can be better."

From the warm seat beside the lattice window in Song Zhao’s western side hall, one could see the side door of the eastern side hall.

After flattering Lady Li, Song Zhao had been keeping an eye on that window.

After a while, she saw Lian'er, a servant of Lady Li, hurriedly leaving through the side door and sneaking out of the palace, a hint of a smile appeared on Song Zhao's lips.

Xiyin had mentioned that Consort Chen had planted spies among the newly entered consorts and concubines.

Today, Song Zhao's gift to Lady Li was intended to prompt her to speak ill of Consort Chen and elevate the Empress Dowager.

Given Consort Chen's domineering and jealous nature, it wouldn't take long for Lady Li's good days to come to an end without Song Zhao having to lift a finger.

*

Meanwhile, in Yong'an Palace.

"Did she really say that?"

Consort Chen sat at the head, her tone laced with anger.

Lian'er, a servant of Lady Li, was kneeling on the ground, respectfully responding:

"I dare not fabricate this, my lady. Lady Li did indeed say those things. She lives with Song Zhao, who advised her to appreciate the earrings you sent, saying they suited her. But she said she preferred the gifts from the Empress Dowager. She openly declared her intention to align with the Empress Dowager in the future and suggested that Song Zhao, who lacks favor, should follow her lead."

Consort Chen scoffed coldly, "Hmph, she's quite ambitious. A mere noble lady, new to the palace, is already scheming and forming alliances for her future? She wants to align with the Empress Dowager? Then I shall grant her wish. Doesn't the Empress Dowager always advise the Emperor to be impartial? Ying Xiang."

Ying Xiang stepped forward and kneeled, "I am here, my lady."

Consort Chen instructed, "Go to the Office of Respectful Service and say that Lady Li has caught a cold and cannot serve tonight. Have them hang up her green nameplate. Also, tell Zhang Jiugui to remind the Emperor about Song Zhao of Yaohua Palace, who has not yet been granted an audience since her arrival."

Ying Xiang acknowledged the order and left. Consort Chen then turned to Lian'er, asking, "Do you understand what I mean by Lady Li feeling a cold?"

Lian'er smiled shrewdly, "I know what to do, my lady."

Consort Chen nodded in satisfaction, handing a few silver coins to Lian'er, "Go back and take good care of your mistress."

Lian'er thanked Consort Chen gratefully, happily leaving with the silver coins.