“Chapter 0019: Honored but Not Favored”

"Chapter 0019: Honored but Not Favored"

"Yun Li, not wanting to delay, thought to herself that it should be fine today. After all, it was only yesterday that Huabao Lin got into trouble, so today shouldn't be too stimulating... right?"

"The dog of an emperor!"

"The Emperor, in a particularly good mood, took the time to lift Lin's chin before leaving: 'My consort looks even more unique when angry. Don’t be mad, I’ll have someone bring you some nice things later.'"

"Yun Li huffed, 'I am not one to covet things, but I will accept whatever Your Majesty gives.'"

"He Jinli laughed, pinched her chin again, and both prepared to leave."

"He Jinli had a morning court session to attend."

"Yun Li headed straight to Fengyi Palace to pay respects to the Empress."

"Huabao Lin was still confined, and so was Imperial Lady Wu."

"With these two absent, Yun Li, who had served the Emperor the night before, became the subject of scrutiny at Fengyi Palace."

"‘Among us newcomers, it has always been Huabao Lin who was most favored. With yesterday’s incident, Huabao Lin is confined, and Qi Bao Lin has gained an advantage,' Xu Bao Lin said with a covered smile."

"‘If it’s such an advantage, why don’t you go for it?’ huffed Yun Li."

"‘Naturally, I'm not as impressive as you, sister. You have the beauty of a goddess,' replied Xu Bao Lin."

"'The beauty of a goddess? You must not have seen many beauties then,' scoffed Yun Li disdainfully. 'Don’t talk about me like that. You're just jealous. Say it if you are. The Emperor mentioned Huabao Lin’s case yesterday; who couldn’t see that Huabao Lin was framed? If I were framed, you’d be the first I’d suspect. Don’t be so smug!'"

"Upon hearing Yun Li's words, Xu Bao Lin dared not say more, but retorted defiantly, 'Don’t slander me.'"

"However, these words carried different implications to the ears of the others."

"Yun Li indeed had mentioned to the Emperor that Huabao Lin was framed, but it was her statement, not the Emperor's."

"Saying it this way now, no one would go and verify with the Emperor."

"Though the Empress and others had some understanding of the Emperor, knowing he would not likely discuss such matters with the consorts of the harem."

"However, those who committed the act couldn’t be without guilt."

"Thus, the Empress interpreted this as the Emperor deliberately using Qi Bao Lin to hint at someone."

"If the Empress thought so, the Noble Consort, Consort De, Consort Lan, and others would think the same."

"In this way, whoever uttered these words had covered themselves."

"‘Regarding Huabao Lin’s matter, upon closer reflection, it seems quite suspicious. As the Empress, hearing someone might harm the Emperor's health, I must investigate, even at the risk of being wrong,' said the Empress."

"'Your Majesty is wise! That’s exactly what I told the Emperor yesterday. I even said that Your Majesty acted immediately. But that incense is also strange. How much would it take to cause Imperial Lady Wu’s miscarriage?' Yun Li frowned."

"'Qi Bao Lin, if you don’t know the full story, better not to speak too much,' the Noble Consort remarked indifferently."

"The Noble Consort was clear in her mind that yesterday’s scheme was the Empress's doing."

"Unfortunately, without concrete evidence, there was nothing to be said."

"She was worried about finding leverage against the Empress, and here Qi Bao Lin was being so foolish!"

"Such a fool!"

"Noble Consort is right in her teachings. However, yesterday the Emperor asked me, and he wanted me to speak. I couldn’t just remain silent," Yun Li pouted.

"So, Sister Qi, is that what you told him?" inquired Consort Lan.

"To Consort Lan's question, yes, that's exactly what I said," Yun Li nodded earnestly.

"Oh? And what did His Majesty say in response?" Consort Lan probed further.

"His Majesty didn't comment specifically, but he didn’t say I was wrong either," Yun Li replied.

"Indeed, Yun Li's words hold truth. This matter likely misunderstood Hua Baolin. Let’s await the Emperor's investigation results," the Empress said calmly.

"Even if this incident wronged her, someone may have framed her. But as the primary consort, the Empress must intervene in harem affairs. Hua Baolin's reputation has grown too significant," Consort De shook her head.

"If it turns out Hua Baolin was wronged, the Empress might be criticized for misjudging her. Better to let His Majesty handle this matter to protect the Empress's reputation," the Noble Consort suggested coolly.

Her words were dripping with sarcasm.

Yun Li thought it's no wonder most in the harem dislike you, you take yourself too seriously.

"It seems I should have let the Noble Consort take my place. She outdoes me in every aspect. Alas, it was the late Emperor’s decree, unchangeable now," the Empress retorted coldly.

"Your Majesty worries too much, I had no such intention," the Noble Consort bowed slightly, smiling.

Observing this, Yun Li fully understood the Noble Consort's problem.

She’s been overly spoiled by the Qi family.

Such arrogance, looking down on everyone.

Yet the Noble Consort is capable, never making mistakes over the years, despite others’ wishes to dethrone her.

A Noble Consort of distinguished birth, as long as she avoids major faults, will naturally be favored by the Emperor, considering the Qi family's influence.

But a lifetime of favor, all for a consort's title.

Indeed, her title was well chosen - ‘Honored’.

"The Noble Consort, adorned with splendor and riches, though favored, can no longer aspire to supremacy in the harem."

"After the morning greetings dispersed, Yun Li returned to Le'an Palace and had just finished a meal."

"Gifts from Zhengyang Palace were soon delivered."

"She went out to receive them."

"It was Li Mu who came."

"Li Mu was essentially in charge of conveying messages within the harem."

"Of course, for the Empress and Noble Consort, someone else would be sent."

"Yun Li listened with a beaming smile as Li Mu, followed by four eunuchs, each holding various items."

"Rewards for Qi Bao Lin: four bolts of Luo silk in pink, yellow, willow green, and consort red; four bolts of adorned satin, four of brocade, and four of moonlight satin. Eight pieces of red gold jewelry, eight of pure silver, and a box of pearls. Two boxes each of rouge, face powder, eyebrow pencil, scented powder, and incense. One jin of tea leaves."

"I am grateful for His Majesty’s generosity," Yun Li bowed in the direction of Zhengyang Palace.

"Haha, Bao Lin, keep it all. This tea is the finest Yunwu, the new tea of this year," Li Mu said with a smile.

"Thank you. Zhu Yu, reward him," Yun Li smiled.

"Zhu Yu, already prepared, directly handed Li Mu a deep blue purse."

"Li Mu accepted it with a beaming smile and then led his men away."

"Each eunuch accompanying him received a share of the money and was quite pleased."

"Leaving Le'an Palace, a young eunuch commented with a smile: 'His Majesty is really generous with Qi Bao Lin, especially with so many fabrics.'"

"'Well, the consorts dress up for the Emperor’s pleasure, right? But Qi Bao Lin is indeed generous. She gives a lot. Come on, let's go back and divide it among you. Don’t say I’m stingy,' Li Mu chuckled."

"'How could we? You're the most generous, Li. We're always happy to work with you,' said one of the eunuchs."

"The eunuchs walked away, chatting and laughing."

"Back at Yun Li's place, she looked at the pile of gifts and smiled."

"Who doesn't like nice things?"

"But these gifts from the Emperor, tsk."