Chapter 0003: Paying Respects

Chapter 0003: Paying Respects

The next morning, Yun Li was awakened to find the Emperor had already gotten up and changed.

She got up, rubbed her eyes, and put on her undergarments: "Shall I assist Your Majesty?"

She didn’t kneel to report her wakefulness; surely, the Emperor wasn't so petty?

"Did my beloved do such tasks at home?" He Jinglei asked.

"Your Majesty hasn’t yet awakened, and you’re already attending court, which must be tiring. Who could I have served at home? Father had mother, and my brother had his nanny," Yun Li said, not rushing to take over the maids' duties, but calmly handing over the items one by one.

Seeing her like this, He Jinglei smiled: "No need to attend to me, go and freshen up yourself."

"Yes." Hearing this, Yun Li went to the other side. She needed to visit Fengyi Palace.

Once both were dressed, He Jinglei looked at her.

When Zhi Fu arrived, she brought a lake green dress and new jewelry.

"I'll gift you some jewelry," He Jinglei said.

"I'll wear them next time to show you. Thank you, Your Majesty." Yun Li was not overly excited, but clearly eager to show off.

He Jinglei lifted her chin with a finger: "You are indeed beautiful."

"With Your Majesty's golden words, I can only become more beautiful for Your Majesty," Yun Li said with a smile, gently moving the Emperor's hand away.

He Jinglei also smiled: "Go on, I must attend court."

In the Great Jin, there were major court assemblies every ten days and minor ones every three days. Today was a minor assembly, so there was no need to rise too early.

"I respectfully see Your Majesty off," Yun Li joined others in bidding farewell.

After seeing off the Emperor, Yun Li, accompanied by Zhi Fu, headed to Fengyi Palace.

The journey from Zhengyang Palace to Fengyi Palace was somewhat long, but still closer than from her residence at Le An Palace.

Passing through the corridor between Linzhi Palace and Changning Palace, they approached Fengyi Palace, the residence of the Empress.

At the entrance of Fengyi Palace, people were arriving continuously.

Yun Li happened to meet two Imperial Women who had entered the palace with her.

Being of lower rank than Bao Lin, the two Imperial Women greeted her with a certain envy.

Without encountering anyone else, the three of them entered Fengyi Palace together. The Empress had not yet appeared, so they waited outside.

Inside, Virtuous Consort Jin was already seated, as she always arrived early.

Virtuous Consort Jin was the mother of the current and only prince, the eldest prince, now five years old.

Originally a favored lady in the Eastern Palace, she had risen in rank due to bearing the first son and, favored by the Emperor, entered the palace as a first-rank consort with the title Jin, symbolizing fine jade.

During a lull in the conversation, a chorus outside announced the arrival of the Noble Consort.

Everyone hurriedly turned to welcome her.

Noble Consort Qi Qingluan, Yun Li's elder cousin, had entered the Eastern Palace the same year as the Crown Princess, becoming a favored consort to the Crown Prince. After entering the palace, she was conferred the title of Noble Consort Rong, enjoying unparalleled glory for a time.

However, within the Qi family, it was known that the Noble Consort lacked favor and had no children; she was merely a figurehead. This was the real reason the family had pushed so hard for Yun Li to enter the palace.

It was simply to have Yun Li vie for favor and bear children on her behalf, paving the way as a pawn.

Unfortunately, Yun Li was no fool. Though she entered the palace, she never intended to be someone else's pawn.

Bearing memories from her past life, Yun Li knew well what kind of place the ostentatious Qi family truly was. Tragic as her fate as a woman might be, she would never be a pawn for anyone.

Everyone greeted the Noble Consort, who raised her hand: "No need for formalities."

She was not given to smiling, yet she was affable.

The Noble Consort was known for her gentle, virtuous demeanor, kindness to her subordinates, and her reputation for wisdom.

Even when she was still in her boudoir, Qi Qingluan's name was synonymous with virtue, beauty, and filial piety.

The entire Marquis of Dongchang's household had pinned their hopes on her becoming the Crown Princess, but fate had other plans. The late Emperor ultimately chose a daughter from the Xie family as the Crown Princess, leaving Qi Qingluan to be only a favored consort.

Qingluan, Qingluan, even from her name, one could see the importance the Qi family placed on this daughter. Among the six girls in the Qi family, whether legitimate or not, she was the only one with a unique name, different from the others who all had 'Yun' in theirs.

Unfortunately, things in this world don’t always go as one wishes.

Yun Li lowered her eyes, concealing the mockery in them, and bowed along with everyone else before rising again.

"Qi Baolin must have had a tiring night serving in the bedchamber," the Noble Consort remarked, glancing at Yun Li.

Yun Li knew very well that her elder sister's words were not sincerely virtuous, carrying a hint of sourness.

Before Yun Li could respond, Consort Lan laughed, "As sisters, Noble Consort is always so generous. Surely, it can’t be jealousy, right?"

"Oh, I’ve always said Qi Baolin is beautiful, look, she even surpasses the Noble Consort," Consort Lan was always outspoken.

The Noble Consort smiled, "You jest, sister. I only fear she doesn’t understand the rules, not jealousy. As for beauty, if I were to be jealous, it would be of you first, as you’re the one praised by His Majesty for your beauty."

The two joked and entered together, followed by everyone else; now, everyone had arrived.

Virtuous Consort Jin stood to greet the Noble Consort, and then everyone greeted Virtuous Consort Jin.

Once everyone was seated, there was movement from the Empress’s side.

A eunuch announced the Empress’s arrival, and everyone hurriedly stood up to wait, greeting the Empress together as she appeared.

The Empress waved her hand: "Please sit, my sisters, sorry to keep you waiting."

"It is our duty to wait, Your Majesty is too kind," the Noble Consort said.

The Empress was generally allergic to the Noble Consort, feeling irritable at the sound of her voice.

But there was no choice but to endure, so she smiled at her, then turned to the others: "Virtuous Consort, you're early again today, aren’t you? Your residence isn’t close, what's the harm in being a little late?"

The Virtuous Consort smiled gently: "I’m rather simple-minded, always wondering whether it's genuine respect for Your Majesty or just lip service. True respect doesn't require much talk; actions speak for themselves, don’t they?"

This was practically a direct jab at the Noble Consort, suggesting her words were empty compared to her actions.

The Empress also smiled: "I think the Virtuous Consort understands best. Otherwise, why would His Majesty call you the Virtuous Consort? You truly embody the virtue in your title."

However, the Noble Consort, the subject of the mockery, remained unperturbed.

After the higher-ups had spoken for a while, those below dared to speak.

"Yesterday it was Qi Baolin serving in the bedchamber, I always say, like the Noble Consort, she too is blessed with beauty," Lady Li said with a smile.

Lady Li also came from the Eastern Palace, originally a Zhaoxun, and was promoted to a Lady due to favor.

"Lady Li is right, but I wonder if Qi Baolin is as virtuous as the Noble Consort?" Zhang Baolin’s comment was clearly meant to stir trouble.

Yun Li had been silent until now, seizing this opportunity to speak.

She bluntly said: "Being virtuous is for the Empress, what need do I have for such virtue!"

Having spoken, Yun Li's face showed shock: "I... your servant... my sister..."

It was a perfect display of having misspoken and worrying about her sister's anger.

Yet, the Empress’s lips curled into a smile.

"In the palace, you must know your place. What's all this 'you' and 'I'?" the Noble Consort said, frowning slightly.