Chapter 0006: A Slap

Chapter 0006: A Slap

"Big sister wishes to see me; is there something you need?" Yun Li asked calmly, devoid of her earlier demeanor.

"What do you think? Hua Yunli, have you forgotten your duties upon entering the palace?" Qi Qingluan looked at Yun Li's face and suddenly burst out angrily.

Qi Qingluan was only twenty-three this year.

Yun Li was sixteen. The sisters were seven years apart.

However, Qi Qingluan was not close to Yun Li before entering the palace.

When she entered the Eastern Palace at fifteen, Yun Li was merely eight, albeit exceptional.

Which girl in their Hua family wasn't exceptional?

Little did she know, she would grow to be so beautiful. Qi Qingluan knew that her entering the palace was to vie for favor and bear children.

This was their father's arrangement.

But now, Yunli didn’t seem the least bit submissive.

"How could big sister say such a thing? Aren’t we both working for the honor of the Qi family?" Yunli smiled.

That was indeed the case.

Even if her uncle blatantly wanted her to be a pawn for the Consort, such things couldn't be openly acknowledged.

It was simply put as, “You sisters should support each other for the glory of the Qi family.”

“Little sister, it seems you’ve developed ambitions,” the Consort remarked with a frown, her voice cold.

“Big sister, which woman in the harem doesn’t have ambitions?” Yunli smiled, “You, as the Consort, are second only to the Empress and still not satisfied. Should I be content as a mere eighth-rank Baolin?”

“Are you challenging me? Don’t forget who is in charge of the Qi family. Do you no longer care about your parents?” Qi Qingluan exclaimed angrily.

“Ah, my parents?” Yunli suddenly burst into laughter, shaking with mirth: “Do you know, another candidate to enter the palace was our cousin. She’s closer to you, isn’t she? But my parents were eager to push me forward, telling our uncle and aunt that I was more beautiful. Do you think I should be angry?”

“Of course, I won’t neglect them, but what can the Qi family really do to them? Qi Qingluan, you, sitting in a high position, have made countless enemies. Do you expect me to follow suit and rely solely on you?”

Yunli sneered, “You’re mistaken. I never thought you were all that formidable as a Consort. In your exalted position, you still needed another daughter from the Qi family to aid you. Doesn’t that scream failure? Tragic, isn’t it?”

‘Slap’

Yunli turned her face, revealing a palm print on her cheek.

"Thank you for your reward, Consort," Yunli said lightly, bowing as if she had received a great honor.

The Consort frowned deeply, watching her.

She just smiled and said, "Is this your true nature, big sister? The dignified and virtuous Noble Consort, always gentle and never angry with her subordinates? Have you been trapped in this facade for too long, unable to shed it? Sister advises you to restrain yourself. Today it's family, but if you can't control this fury with others, wouldn't it mar your reputation?"

Yun Li scoffed again and turned to leave the pavilion.

Zhifu bowed towards the pavilion and then followed Yun Li.

As they walked away, Zhi Fu whispered, "Shall I send someone to the Imperial Medical Bureau for medicine?"

"No need. Just use a warm cloth to cover it," Yun Li responded indifferently.

She was expressionless, her face still marked as she returned to Le An Palace.

She didn’t cry or show any unhappiness, but returning with such a face, everyone in the palace was perceptive.

Especially with people specifically watching the meeting between the Noble Consort and Qi Baolin, could such an incident be kept secret?

Naturally, the news spread quickly.

Meanwhile, Noble Consort Rong sat in the pavilion, seething.

Her maid Ban Yue said, "Your Majesty, you were too hasty. She's young, just entered the palace, and doesn’t know the hardships of the harem. Without you, what kind of life would she have? Just temper her character gradually."

"I was impatient, but her words are truly infuriating," the Noble Consort frowned.

"Your Majesty, calm yourself. Now, with Imperial Woman Wu pregnant, the outcome is uncertain. If the Emperor continues to favor Qi Baolin and she becomes pregnant, it could be your opportunity. If she's disobedient, you can discipline her later. There’s always a way to control her," Ban Yue said.

"Hmm. Let’s return," the Noble Consort stood up.

That evening, Yun Li felt the ‘care’ of the Noble Consort.

Looking at the dishes served, Yun Li ate without changing her expression.

Zhu Yu, unaware of what had happened, asked Zhi Fu after Yun Li went to bed.

Zhi Fu explained the day's events.

Zhu Yu clenched her teeth: "The Noble Consort can’t just hit people. Isn’t she afraid that Bao Lin might serve in the bedchamber tonight?"

Zhi Fu sighed: "I don’t know what was said. Our Bao Lin should understand, right? But this incident, it might have already spread. Who knows what will happen at tomorrow’s greeting."

"Whatever happens, our Bao Lin was the one hit. How can Bao Lin be blamed?" Zhu Yu said.

Both sighed.

But the other party was a Noble Consort; what could they possibly do?

However, these two maids, having served for over two months, knew that Bao Lin was not as naive as she appeared.

Serving such a master, perhaps they really did have a promising future ahead?

With this thought, they naturally became more diligent in their service.

That night, the Emperor didn’t summon anyone to the bedchamber and stayed in Zhengyang Palace himself.

The next morning at the greeting in Fengyi Palace, it didn’t take long before someone asked.

The question came from a newcomer, and Yun Li simply answered impatiently without elaborating.

But when Li Xiaoyi, who was of a higher rank than her, asked, Yun Li couldn’t avoid it.

"I heard that sister came out of the Imperial Garden yesterday with a red face. Was there an incident?"

"Xiaoyi misunderstood, it was just the heat," Yun Li replied, looking down.

"Oh my, it’s only May. I was still feeling cold the other afternoon. Besides, why would only one side of your face be hot?" Wu Xiurong joked.

"Sister Wu, let’s not ask anymore. It might be difficult for Qi Baolin to explain," Ye Xiuyi said.

At this point, the Empress spoke up: "What happened? If it was just the heat, that’s fine. But if there was an incident, Qi Baolin should speak up. In the palace, if something truly happened, wouldn’t it mean that I, as the Empress, am not doing my job well?"

Yun Li stood up, "Empress Mother..."

She paused after uttering four words.

Noble Consort Rong's hand, holding her tea, paused.

Yun Li continued, "To report to the Empress Mother, I'm fine, just overheated. It's my fault."

"Well then, as long as you're fine. Please, take a seat," the Empress glanced at Noble Consort Rong and gestured to Yun Li.

Yun Li sat down and fell silent.

With the Empress deeming the matter closed, everyone refrained from discussing it further, turning to other topics.

After the morning greetings dispersed, Yun Li didn't hurry to leave, deliberately dawdling as if avoiding something.

Wu Xiurong smiled at her meaningfully.

Wu Xiurong had once been favored when she first entered the palace, but after losing two pregnancies in two years, she gradually fell out of favor.

Though still young, she couldn't compare with the newcomers. To live well, one must strategize.