Chapter 0043: A Mix of Offense and Defense

Chapter 0043: A Mix of Offense and Defense

After her arrival, the Empress soon emerged.

Everyone knelt down again in greeting.

The Empress instructed, "Rise, all of you. The wind this morning has brought a chill. Are you all dressed warmly? Don't catch a cold."

Everyone thanked the Empress and took their seats.

Then, some began to look between the Imperial Consort and Yunli.

Yunli was behaving quite honestly, and the Imperial Consort naturally wouldn't reveal her true feelings openly, so nothing was apparent.

But while others dared not speak freely, the Empress had no such reservations.

Having been disgusted by the Imperial Consort for so many years, wouldn't she seize the chance to retaliate?

"Imperial Consort, has that maid been sent away? The Emperor's intention is to handle it quickly to avoid further complications," the Empress inquired.

Feeling a tightness in her chest, the Imperial Consort stood up, "Responding to Her Majesty, she has been sent away."

Casting a glance at Yunli, resentment surged within her. Over the years, her battles with others had been mild, yet she had never lost a maid from her side.

When she first entered the Eastern Palace, she brought eight maids, among whom Mianxing, Ban Yue, Shuang Jiang, and Dongxue were the most useful.

Now, Qi Yunli had managed to outmaneuver her, resulting in the loss of one.

How could she not feel hatred?

But at present, she had no viable solution.

Qi Yunli could afford to be reckless, but she couldn't, with so many eyes watching her.

Even the Emperor was observing her; she couldn't afford to ignore Qi Yunli.

With these thoughts, how could her resentment not deepen?

Lady Lan chuckled, "Ah, that Dongxue has served the Noble Consort for a long time, well attuned to her mistress’s thoughts."

This implies that everything Dongxue did was under her master's instructions.

The Noble Consort sneered, "I have no interest in understanding the thoughts of a servant, but I'm sure Lady Lan knows very well."

This was a jibe at Lady Lan’s humble background.

Lady Lan huffed, "I may not understand, but my people are honest and would never engage in such deceitful acts. Nor would they go around instructing any Xiaoyi to be grateful. At least my servants know their place and what they should or shouldn't do."

"It seems that Dongxue indeed was the Noble Consort's confidante. How kind and virtuous the Noble Consort used to be, and now, with Dongxue gone, she's become so harsh and stern," said the newly appointed Ye Zhaoyi with a smile.

The Noble Consort glanced at her and huffed, not continuing the conversation.

Yunli enjoyed the show, seeing how the usually dignified Noble Consort was so provoked that she began to speak rashly and mock others.

Can't maintain your dignity anymore, can you?

Serves you right for pretending.

"Why doesn't Qi Xiaoyi speak?" Xu Baolin couldn't resist provoking.

Yunli looked over, "I don't know what you expect me to say? When all the noble ladies are speaking, and knowing the Noble Consort dislikes me, would I foolishly interrupt and ask for trouble?"

Yunli's words were double-edged.

The Noble Consort's dislike for her was true, but her dislike for Xu Baolin was equally genuine.

Xu Baolin huffed, "Qi Xiaoyi is always sharp-tongued, but it seems even you have moments of silence."

"If you dare, so do I. If you don't find it shameful, neither do I," Yunli responded indifferently.

Xu Baolin snorted but said no more.

After all, Yunli was now a favored concubine, and merely arguing was pointless.

Jia Meiren chuckled, "Oh, how times have changed. Qi Xiaoyi, now favored, naturally speaks with confidence. Xu Baolin, you're no match for her now."

"Meiren is right," Xu Baolin glanced at Yunli and turned her head away.

Jia Meiren then turned to Jing Xiaoyi, "Jing Xiaoyi, you need to step up. Look, it used to be Qi Xiaoyi following you, but if this continues, it won't be long before you're following her."

Jing Xiaoyi replied, "Meiren, I don't understand your point. We're all sisters here, who follows whom? In the harem, aren't we all governed by the Empress? We're just concubines. From what you're saying, it seems like we're more important than we are."

"Jing Xiaoyi, always so sharp-tongued," Jia Meiren retorted.

"From your words, if Qi Xiaoyi is favored, I should be happy for her. Aren’t you, Meiren?" Jing Xiaoyi said.

"Of course, I'm happy too," Jia Meiren replied with a smirk.

Jing Xiaoyi smiled, as if she had just concluded a normal conversation.

She knew all too well how people in the harem were; she had realized it when she herself was framed.

Thus, in the harem, one must get used to daily verbal sparring to survive.

Seeing the Imperial Consort lose her composure during a morning greeting made Yunli feel like she had hit the jackpot.

After everyone dispersed and returned, the Household Affairs Department sent word that items could be collected.

There were many things for winter – monthly stipends were just a part, along with fabrics, jewelry, and all sorts of daily necessities to be claimed.

For daily necessities like food, they just received a list, and the items were directly distributed daily by the food service department.

For finer items like tea leaves, they needed to collect them personally.

The same went for cosmetics like rouge and powder.

Zhu Ding and Zhu Que went to collect these items, while Yun Li changed into casual clothes and rested.

About an hour later, the two returned.

"Why did it take so long?" Zhi Fu greeted them.

"Yes, did someone give you trouble?" Zhu Yu asked curiously.

"How could that be? You see, people from the Yuanzheng region in the north will be coming to the capital next spring, so many of their items were sent ahead. Otherwise, it would be too late by spring. I heard the kitchen received a lot of cattle and sheep from there. And some other northern items were taken to the Imperial Household Department. His Majesty instructed that they be distributed to the ladies of the harem, which caused the delay."

Zhu Ding explained, laying out the items they had brought back and placing the list down, "Shall we wait for the Lesser Beauty to wake up?"

"I'm already up," Yun Li had come out.

Zhu Yu hurriedly said, "Oh dear, you're up. My apologies for not attending to you properly."

Yun Li waved her hand dismissively, "It's fine, let's see what we got."

She walked over to look and indeed, they were items from the north, including some silverware used on the grasslands. The region had gold and silver mines, producing a considerable amount of these metals.

The items sent included gold and silver utensils.

There were also some jewelry pieces, which were imports from other countries, featuring a European style.

They weren't particularly exquisite, but they were rare.

These are rare in the Central Plains.

Red agate and such are common; the main items are corals and various gemstones.

There are also diamonds.

Diamonds aren't as transparent as those in later times, but the well-chosen and polished ones still have a unique appeal.

It's rare to find a pink diamond as large as a thumb.

Yunli smiled, thinking that such a piece, in the modern world, would surely make its way into an auction house.

But now, the people of Yuan Zheng lump diamonds with lapis lazuli and other stones in their tribute, seemingly not valuing them highly.

The fact that even a Xiaoyi like her could casually receive such a generous portion shows their lack of appreciation for diamonds at this time.

They still value jade and agate more.

Especially jade.

There are also items from the Western Regions, traded by people on the grasslands.

Yuan Zheng, a vassal state to the north of Da Jin, has been relatively peaceful, with no wars for several decades.

They export gold and silver mines and livestock but lack grain.

Most of their grain is purchased from Da Jin.