Chapter 130 Starting Over

Chapter 130 Starting Over

She is the most low-key and least noticeable person to come from the Eastern Palace.

She was only granted the title of Xiaoyi when she entered the palace. To this day, she's still just a court lady, far behind the others.

Despite being out of favor, her treatment has been tolerable.

Primarily because she hasn't had any conflicts with the higher-ranked consorts.

But with today's remarks, it's clear she's targeting the Guifei.

Consort Lan chuckled, "Oh, indeed. I've always been pondering this. Your Highness, didn't you mention Qiong Concubine yesterday? It's quite peculiar, isn't it? While we were all shocked, we can also understand. Why is it that as a daughter of the Qi family, Your Highness is particularly critical of your own sister? Could it be, this is what love looks like?"

"As for how I am, it's not for you to comment on. Empress, even if I'm not at my best, I am still the First-Rank Guifei. They have no right to ridicule me in front of my face," the Guifei retorted angrily.

The Empress chuckled lightly, "Look at you, getting upset so easily? Which sister doesn't joke around? It's just that you, indeed, have been quite harsh on Qiong Concubine."

If the Empress insisted it was a joke, there was nothing the Guifei could do about it.

Arguing in public? She couldn't win against everyone on her own.

Thus, she hated Qi Yunli even more. It was all because of her. If she hadn't entered the palace, none of this would have happened.

After the morning court greetings ended, the Guifei returned with a grim expression.

Of course, no one cared.

Consort Lan glanced several times and realized Yan Xiaoyi was calling her before she came back to her senses.

After getting on the sedan chair, Consort Lan thought, although she wanted the Empress dead, the Guifei had the same desire.

Unfortunately... the Guifei wasn't clever enough. She wasn't a suitable partner for cooperation.

Cooperating with her would only lead to her own downfall.

Consort Lan took a deep breath, closed her eyes, comforting herself, don't rush, don't rush.

Yunli returned on the ninth day of the second month.

Her health wasn't bad; after a high fever, she gradually recovered.

Despite the bone-chilling cold of the water, thanks to the guards' quick response, she didn't suffer any illness as a result.

Also, because His Majesty was with her on the day she fell into the water, the attendants throughout the palace were especially careful.

So when Yunli reappeared, although her complexion looked somewhat pale and she had lost some weight, her spirits were high.

In the Fengyi Palace, the Empress said, "As long as you're alright, that day really frightened us."

Yunli rose and smiled, "Madam, you've been worried unnecessarily, I'm fine."

Her voice still sounded somewhat hoarse when she spoke.

But she was getting better quickly.

Interestingly, her voice now had a different charm.

Perhaps the lingering aura of her intent to kill was still present; either people remained silent or exchanged a few greetings. Today, no one mocked her.

However, Wu Zhaorong remarked, "Since Qiong Concubine is better, Li Baolin should be recovering soon too. We haven't seen her these days, I wonder how she's doing."

The Empress interjected, "Li Baolin may not have recovered yet, but Qiong Concubine, you must not act rashly again."

Yunli smiled, "There's nothing left for me to say to her. His Majesty has punished her, and I've let off some steam myself. There's no need to dwell on it. As long as she doesn't cause trouble, it's fine."

The Empress shook her head, "If she refuses to behave, she needn't come out anymore."

Yunli agreed with a smile.

After dispersing, she instructed Zhu Ding, "The guard who saved me that day, send him three hundred taels of silver. Express gratitude for saving my life, no need to hide it from anyone."

"Yes," Zhu Ding replied.

"Also, the eunuch who blocked me, is he from the Imperial Garden?" Yunli inquired.

"He's from the Imperial Garden," Zhu Ding thought, wondering if the lady would have him dealt with.

"Then give him twenty taels as well. Say it's to thank him for his quick reaction. After all, this is the harem, and I'm a concubine. It wouldn't look good if Li's death were to happen.," Yunli said.

Zhu Ding paused before responding, "Yes, Milady. Your generosity will surely be appreciated."

"One last thing, find two reliable eunuchs and retrieve the various jewelry I wore that day. Zhu Yu has checked, and five pieces are missing. A hundred taels each. It doesn't matter where or who finds them. No need to make a fuss," Yunli instructed.

"Yes, but Milady, if they fell into the lake... it might be difficult to retrieve," Zhu Ding voiced his concern.

"No worries. This matter should be made public. You may proceed," Yunli replied.

Zhu Ding nodded, "Milady is wise. I understand."

Indeed, why would the lady care about a few pieces of jewelry? It was merely a search to avoid future troubles.

Otherwise, if no one paid close attention and only the residents of Le'an Palace reported missing jewelry, it would be challenging to explain if someone used it against them in the future.

It was better to conduct a thorough search openly; missing items could be accounted for. Once accounted for, any future appearances would be easily explained.

Perhaps, they might never appear again.

Zhu Ding pondered, marveling at the lady's meticulousness.

Zhu Ding executed the tasks without any hesitation, all three of them.

The rewarded guards couldn't contain their joy.

Both were involved in saving lives; one received a reward, while the other... forget it. Li Baolin is in such a state now.

The young lad, all cheerful, went to Qingmei's home for a proposal in no time, now that he's got some money.

The eunuch regretted afterward; he acted on instinct, but later, he was slapping himself, thinking, "Why did I meddle?"

Li Baolin has fallen from grace, but Qiongmei remains unscathed.

This time, he has offended someone.

Never did he expect to receive a reward from Qiongmei, let alone her gratitude.

He knelt down in tears at that moment, bowing to Le'an Palace.

Part of it was an act, part of it was genuine relief.

The third matter couldn't be resolved so quickly, but just mentioning it was enough.

In Cuiwei Palace, Jing Cairen sighed while playing chess with her maid Miao Yun, "I know where I lost."

Now, she admits defeat to Yunli.

"Bold, astute, always planning ahead. Fearless yet protective of herself. With that face, she's destined for greatness," Jing Cairen herself was a clever woman.

It's a pity, despite being calculated multiple times, she still made a wrong move.

Yet, she still has her ace in the hole.

Watching Yunli's actions now, there's much to learn.

People aren't afraid of making mistakes; they fear not knowing where they went wrong.

She looked at the black pieces on the board, already showing signs of decline, and gently swept them aside. "Let's start over."

----

In Le'an Palace, standing before Yunli was Cui Ke, a eunuch of Le'an Palace.

"It's said that people strive for higher positions. What's the point of serving in this empty place? If the beauty is moving, she'll need extra hands. I'm willing to serve the beauty. Let me assist Zhu Ding and Zhu Jian. If you, beauty, find me worthy, employ me. I dare not say anything else, but my loyalty is unmatched. Those who betray you, in this life or the next, will only be trampled eunuchs."

"You speak heavily, but I understand your benefits naturally. Since you're willing to follow me, I welcome you wholeheartedly," Yunli smiled warmly.