Chapter 67: Qiong

Chapter 67: Qiong

Indeed, as Xiaoyi, she could not reunite with her family during the New Year due to her status.

Since she was already openly at odds with the Noble Consort, why bother with such concerns?

The more this was the case, the harder it was for the other party to take action.

Is it uncomfortable wearing it in your own room?

Yunli rested comfortably, though she dared not sleep directly on the inner couch, she could still lie down.

As long as there was nothing pressing, she remained lying down, these past few days she had been severely lacking sleep.

In the Yuzhi Palace, the imperial concubine was furious upon hearing that Yunli refused to come, yet she restrained her anger, considering the festive season.

At that moment, seated in the Yuzhi Palace were Lady Jiang, the wife of the Marquis of Dongchang, and the imperial concubine's second aunt, Lady Wu, along with their daughters-in-law.

There were also a few female relatives from the Qi family who had the privilege to enter.

Jiang, worried about the Imperial Concubine's anger, was relieved when she restrained herself, saying, "If she won't come, let her be. Let's enjoy ourselves."

Her tone was clearly upset, and her expression displeased, but at least she refrained from harsh words.

It was only in the afternoon that Jiang found an opportunity to speak a few words with the Imperial Concubine in private.

"Mother, we cannot tolerate that wretch any longer!" the Imperial Concubine said urgently.

"Your Highness! I feared you might think this way. Please, don't act rashly. Now is not the time to move against that little vixen!" Jiang hurriedly advised.

"Why? She's clearly siding with the Hua family now and disregarding me completely. Mother, she... she will never be obedient," the Imperial Concubine frowned, visibly distressed and perplexed.

"I know, Your Highness, please calm yourself. Remember, you were confined for a month over the Xu family incident. It was so unclear. Could this be the Emperor's intention? If you act against her now, wouldn't that make the Emperor wary?" Jiang, with her years and experience in the Qi family's internal struggles, had some insight.

"But she opposes me at every turn, and now even the Empress... am I to do nothing?" the Imperial Concubine gritted her teeth.

"Your Highness, patience is key. Why the rush? You shouldn't take action personally. Isn't there enough strife in the harem already? Since she's currently favored, many will be displeased. Just wait for the right moment," advised Jiang.

The Imperial Concubine took a deep breath: "So I just endure?"

Jiang sighed, thinking of her beautiful daughter who failed to gain favor.

Holding a high position yet seldom attending the bedchamber, without any children.

Now... there was Qi Yun Li with such a disposition.

"This scourge is heartless, resenting her parents for sending her here, now ignoring even the Lin family. It's hard to leverage her parents. But no rush, she's just a Xiaoyi, not so easy to climb up. There's a new prince in the harem, and the Empress has no son yet. My child, don't worry. Stay steady, everything is possible. For now, focus on winning the Emperor's heart. The Qi family won't send another girl," said Jiang.

"Yes, but I..." the Imperial Concubine sighed, uncertain how to vie for favor now.

Jiang was at a loss too. As the niece of an old lady and childhood friend of Qi Tongxi, she had never faced such a situation.

So, she couldn't offer guidance, and besides, were such matters teachable?

All she could do was sigh.

They couldn't stay alone too long with guests outside; a few quick words were all they could exchange.

After waking up, Yun Li had arrangements to make.

She summoned all her attendants.

Four maids and four eunuchs each received a reward of two taels of silver.

The lower servants received one tael each, but she said nothing else.

She only made a symbolic remark about guarding the gates and walls.

Gratefully tearful, everyone thanked her and bowed to receive their reward.

Keeping a few maids like Zhu Yu with her, Yun Li said, “I’ve offended the Imperial Concubine, she must hate me. She might not harm me directly, but incidents like the one with Xu previously, where she just goes with the flow, will likely increase. Let's all be vigilant.”

Zhu Yu and the others quickly agreed, having already considered this possibility.

On the fourth day of the New Year, early in the morning, Zhengyang Palace summoned Yun Li.

During the New Year festivities, He Jinli didn't need to meet people every day, so the fourth day was a day of rest.

Thus, Yun Li was summoned for the appreciation of paintings.

These were offerings from a subject from the north, not famous works.

Upon her arrival, He Jinli didn't wait for her to pay respects but waved her over, saying, “Come here.”

Yun Li bowed respectfully, then approached after paying her respects: "What is it?"

"Take a look at the signature," He Jinli said.

Yun Li laughed upon seeing it, 'Liao Yan.'

"This person is also skilled in painting?" she commented, unable to deny the quality of the artwork.

It was a pastoral scene, depicting butterflies in a field of rapeseed flowers, captured with impressive detail.

"What do you think?" He Jinli asked.

"I'm not an expert in this, but the painting is realistic, much more so than his travelogues," Yun Li replied.

"Hahaha, it's yours now," He Jinli declared.

Previously, He Jinli had ordered an investigation into this person.

He had taken the imperial examinations, repeatedly failing at first, then passing the year the former emperor died, and later becoming a jinshi, a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations.

There's a saying, 'jinshi, like a lady.'

Fortunately, he had a good father-in-law, an honest and well-regarded official.

This connection helped him secure a minor official position in a local government.

He Jinli had ordered a thorough investigation of this person and found that, despite some minor flaws, his performance over the past three years in office had been commendable.

The local people still held him in high esteem. He served as a county magistrate in a poor and remote town in the north.

Without a supportive father-in-law, it would have been impossible for him to become a county magistrate. However, that place also failed its annual evaluation nine out of ten years.

It was rare for him to stay calm and collected.

To be honest, if it weren't for Yunli's research on that script, the Emperor would never have noticed a mere county magistrate. An eighth-rank official really wasn't significant.

However, He Jinli's investigation really made him reflect; the daily lives of these minor officials were not easy.

Of course, he wouldn't say this out loud. But he found Yunli interesting in his heart.

Not just interesting in speech, but also in insights.

"With just a few jokes, she even got him to personally investigate a minor official. Now that's an interesting experience."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Yun Li said with a smile, accepting graciously.

She thought to herself that the painting wasn't ugly and planned to hang it up later.

"My consort has not yet been granted a title, so I shall bestow one upon you," Emperor He Jingli pondered. "Seeing your vivaciousness, a staid and dignified title wouldn't suit you. It would only diminish your spirit."

"Your Majesty isn't going to give me 'Ling' as a title, right?" she joked, recalling how Lan Fei was titled for the Emperor praising her 'orchid-like character'.

"I haven't even said it yet, and you're already being choosy?" Emperor He Jingli raised an eyebrow.

"Not choosy at all, whatever Your Majesty gives is wonderful," Yun Li replied with a smile.

Emperor He Jingli picked up a brush, handed it to Yun Li, and holding her hand, wrote a character on the rice paper.

'Qiong.'

Yun Li chuckled softly, relieved it wasn’t something like 'Ling'.