Chapter 0008: Support

Chapter 0008: Support

Lady Li was good at conversation, pleasing the Emperor with her words.

She also did not neglect Noble Lady Song, who was a rank above her, displaying a deep sisterly bond.

However, Lady Li didn’t extend the same courtesy to Yun Li and the other two.

After about an hour and a half, Hua Baolin was the first to stand up: "It's getting late; I shall take my leave, not to disturb His Majesty’s enjoyment of the flowers."

Yun Li quickly followed suit: "I shall also take my leave."

Sun Baolin didn’t want to leave, but with no choice, she too stood up.

Noble Lady Song added a word, but the three of them still had to depart.

"Then all of you may leave. I will visit you another day," Emperor He Jinglei said.

The three expressed their gratitude to the Emperor and left the pavilion in turn.

Once a distance away, Sun Baolin complained, "Sister Hua doesn’t worry about seeing His Majesty, but it’s a pity for me, who rarely gets the chance."

She was blaming Hua Baolin for leaving early.

Hua Baolin responded, "If sister wanted to stay, I wouldn’t have stopped you. I just had to leave myself."

Yun Li smiled: "With Noble Lady Song and Lady Li present, His Majesty wouldn't ask us three to serve in the bedchamber, would he?"

Sun Baolin huffed: "I’m leaving first."

She parted ways with the other two, taking a different path.

Hua Baolin and Yun Li could only accompany each other a bit further, as their paths diverged as well.

Yun Li glanced at Hua Baolin: "Sister Hua, you stood out from the moment you entered the palace. No wonder Sun Baolin is envious; I’m quite envious too."

"Is it so easy to stand out? I’m not yet favored, merely a Bao Lin, and yet it causes so much resentment. Do you also envy that?" Hua Baolin said.

Speaking in this manner, she seemed different from Noble Lady Song, more like someone who spoke her mind directly.

"With favor comes envy. Sister, you may find being resented uncomfortable, but ask any woman in the harem – who wouldn't want to be envied? Ultimately, in the shadow of imperial power, no one likes to be stuck in the mire," Yun Li said.

Reaching the end of their path, Yun Li bowed slightly.

Hua Baolin also bowed.

"Now that sister is here, let's gather another day."

Hua Baolin nodded, "Let's go back."

Hua Baolin's maid Miaoyu watched Yun Li walk away, then said, "I don't think Hua Baolin is as foolish as others say."

Hua Baolin turned, "In the harem, those who think others are foolish are the truly foolish ones."

"Yes," Miaoyu promptly responded.

That night, His Majesty stayed at Lady Li's residence, the Xie Xing Pavilion.

The next day, during the morning greetings, Lady Li became the target of criticism.

The newcomers dared not say much, but the veterans had no such reservations.

Especially Consort Lan, who had always looked down on her. Although Consort Lan was praised for her 'orchid-like character,' she actually belonged to the glamorous group, yet she wasn't as stunning as Lady Li, often showing disdain for her.

In their verbal sparring, Lady Li was inevitably defeated due to the disparity in their ranks.

Today, Lady Wu did not attend.

This was soon brought up by others.

The Empress said, "Lady Wu reported feeling unwell early this morning and asked for leave. You needn't worry too much about her."

"It's different when you're pregnant. She's just conceived and already skipping the morning greetings to the Empress," Ye Xiuyi commented.

"Indeed, she's only a Lady, and it seems a bit presumptuous," Wu Xiurong added.

Everyone agreed, and even if some thought it normal for someone newly pregnant to feel unwell, who would dare to say so?

As of now, only Consort De and the Empress had children.

Ye Xiuyi indeed didn't feel much when she first became pregnant; individual differences, that's all.

The Empress, after hearing everyone out, said, "She's young and newly pregnant, understandably nervous. Considering the child she carries is His Majesty's heir, let's not be too harsh."

"Empress, your kindness is appreciated, but rules must not be ignored. Palace regulations state that a pregnant concubine can rest during the last three months, not from the beginning," Rong Consort spoke righteously.

The Empress was choked up, nearly bursting with frustration.

"Rong Consort, you know the rules well, but beyond the law lies humanity. If the Empress shows compassion, questioning her, aren't you being disrespectful?" Jingde Consort asked.

Rong Consort stood up: "As the lead among the four consorts and concubines, it's my duty to assist the Empress. I dare not manage her affairs but merely remind her. How can that be disrespectful? If the Empress feels offended, I am willing to rectify and accept punishment."

The Empress really wanted to throw her teacup at her face.

But she couldn't; the rules indeed stated that the Consort aids the Empress.

"You are right, Consort. However, I do pity Wu Yuniu's discomfort. If she can't rest because of illness while pregnant, does that mean all of you can't take leave for minor ailments? If you agree, Consort, I will follow your suggestion today," the Empress retorted sharply.

If the Consort dared agree, wouldn't she be taking the Empress's place?

And wouldn't that offend everyone?

So she couldn't agree.

"I had no such intention, just a reminder to the Empress. I'm sure the Empress, with her keen insight, will not err," the Consort backtracked, a retreat that wasn't graceful.

Yunli chuckled.

Jingde Consort saw her laugh.

She quickly lowered her head.

The Empress stood up, "If there's nothing else, let's disperse. Ruyi, go and check on Lady Wu personally. The Emperor has few heirs, and since she is pregnant, she must be well cared for. Rules are rigid, but people are not. If such rigid rules harm the Emperor's offspring, I cannot bear the responsibility. I believe neither can you."

Everyone hurriedly agreed, "The Empress is right."

The Empress left with a swish of her sleeve, clearly very angry.

The faces of those present darkened, and upon leaving Fengyi Palace, Consort Jinde called Yunli, "Qi Baolin, come here, I want to talk to you."

In front of everyone, Yunli couldn't refuse, nor did she intend to.

She responded and went over. She had to see what the consort intended to do in order to respond appropriately.

Consort Jinde didn’t sit but walked and talked with her.

"Qi Baolin, as the Imperial Noble Consort's sister, when you have the chance, advise her. Her intentions are good, but sometimes she indeed hurts people's dignity. Assisting the Empress was a rule from the previous dynasty. Our dynasty adopted it because the previous Emperor Wude had a favorite consort who was arrogant. The Empress Zhang at that time was a timid and inconspicuous woman. Emperor Wude favored the consort who then disregarded the Empress, leading to this rule. She relies on this rule to manipulate the inner palace. In the following dynasties, when the central palace was stable, where was such a rule?" Consort Jinde shook her head.

"Then why not abolish this rule? I think a household cannot have two heads, otherwise it leads to chaos," Yunli said, then quickly added, "I misspoke."