Chapter 022

Chapter 022

The one who spoke was Yipin, dressed in a vibrant pink robe embroidered with large begonia flowers. Her makeup was striking, with finely drawn eyebrows and eyes that made her radiate with beauty.

She had always used her beauty to overshadow others. Being from the Manchu Bordered Yellow Banner and with her father being a zuoling, San Guanbao, her family background was quite superior among the concubines in the harem.

Among the concubines, Yipin was usually the more favored one, but it took her three years after entering the palace to finally become a concubine. Who would have thought that this selection would bring in a rival who was equally matched in appearance?

Not only was she immediately granted the rank of a concubine upon entering the palace, albeit the lowest, but all the current concubines had more seniority than her. Even Yipin's younger sister was only a noble lady.

Yipin was straightforward and not one to hold back her anger. As soon as she saw Su Yi, she immediately fired at her.

Right after, Jingpin chimed in. Even though they were all of the same rank, she was second in line, naturally not weak in demeanor. She had been holding back her anger since the selection day, how could she miss this opportunity?

"This sister, seeing you today, you really have an extraordinary presence. The Niohuru family's feng shui really nurtures people. First, there was the Imperial Noble Consort, dignified and graceful, and now Consort Rong, with her stunning beauty, not a bit inferior to the Imperial Noble Consort. No wonder the Emperor is so fond of you, it really makes us envious."

Even though it wasn't particularly funny, Jingpin laughed as if she had told a hilarious joke.

The hostility in her eyes was crystal clear, it was obvious on the selection day. If it weren't for the Emperor and the Imperial Noble Consort, how could she have let this woman easily pass?

The other concubines just watched without speaking, wanting to see the depth of this Consort Rong. If someone else tested the waters, they would just watch.

Su Yi really didn't like this situation. They were all beautiful girls, why fight over a man like dogs over a bone?

She had always been more tolerant towards beautiful girls, so Su Yi replied kindly, "Thank you for the compliment."

Her smile was bright and dazzling. Jingpin, who was close, could see that she wore no makeup, her skin as smooth as a peeled egg. Today she wore a pink robe with entwined lotus patterns, a color that easily made one look dark, but instead made her look even more tender, her whole body glowing white. When she smiled, she was truly beautiful, but it seemed like she didn't catch the sarcasm at all.

It felt like you made a move, but the other party just smiled and didn't take it seriously, then gave you a big smile in return.

Jingpin felt this way, a flash of anger in her eyes.

"Consort Rong, you really have a grand demeanor," Jingpin said with a hint of sarcasm, clearly displeased.

Su Yi felt like sighing, wasn't it you who said you were envious?

I just went along with it, darling.

"If Jingpin you think that way, there's nothing I can do," Su Yi said with a look of sadness, picking up a handkerchief to wipe away non-existent tears.

What could be more heartbreaking than having a group of beauties in front of you but not being able to get close?

"You!" Jingpin wanted to point at Consort Rong but felt it was inappropriate, so she angrily put her hand down and snorted.

The conversation among the concubines naturally didn't concern the lower-ranked noble ladies, but it didn't stop them from secretly wishing that the other concubines would suppress Consort Rong's arrogance.

Seeing this, Yipin cursed Jingpin for being useless, was this all she could do?

"Consort Rong, speaking of which, today is your first time paying respects to the Grand Empress Dowager, right? I thought you might be late this morning after serving the Emperor last night, but surprisingly, you arrived on time."

At this, Yipin was angry. The Emperor went to Jingren Palace last night, and she thought she would get to see Consort Rong make a fool of herself today, but instead, Consort Rong came out on top!

At these words, everyone looked at Su Yi with a mix of hostility and jealousy. It was known that the Emperor had ended up staying at Yonghe Palace last night.

Yesterday, the Emperor went to Jingren Palace, so even if Consort Rong was intercepted by the Imperial Noble Consort, she would have to swallow the loss. Who knew that this vixen would still be on the Emperor's mind, even the Imperial Noble Consort couldn't keep him!

At this, Jingpin had something to say and immediately added, "Yes, but I heard that Yonghe Palace called for a physician yesterday. Consort Rong, how is your health? If you're unwell, you must not pass any illness to the Emperor."

If she were ill, her green head plaque would have to be removed.

When Consort Rong would recover and have her green plaque reinstated was not up to her; she wished Consort Rong was truly unwell.

Su Yi's mind wandered, her gaze drifting slightly, and when she noticed the silence, she met the eyes of a group of people eagerly watching the drama, their expressions clearly saying, "Let's see how you handle this."

"Oh," Su Yi said, nodding, "so what?"

Consort Jing had been closely observing Consort Rong's every move and noticed that she had been distracted, which infuriated her. "Consort Rong, don't think that just because you're new to the palace, you can be so arrogant and disrespectful!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Su Yi's gaze focused on her, and she stepped closer. Consort Jing instinctively took a step back, "What are you trying to do?"

Su Yi reached out and took her hand, her gaze gentle and focused as she spoke, "It's really unfair to accuse me of being arrogant. Aren't my eyes only on you now, Consort Jing?"

Her tone even had a hint of affection.

This was a typical gesture among the palace sisters to feign closeness, a fake sisterhood where the affection was insincere but never faded.

But why was Consort Rong standing so close and acting so affectionate!

Consort Jing was accustomed to the concubines in the palace engaging in verbal sparring, hiding daggers behind their smiles, but Consort Rong's behavior...

She quickly pulled her hand away and said with irritation, "Why are you standing so close when we're just talking?"

Then she simply stopped talking.

Consort Yi, watching from the side, muttered under her breath, "Is she really backing off?!"

Not willing to let Consort Rong off so easily, Consort Yi wanted to stir up more trouble when she heard that Consort Tongjia and the Imperial Noble Consort's sedan chairs had arrived.

She couldn't say anything more and had to join the others in bowing their respects.

The Imperial Noble Consort, as usual, called for everyone to rise and said a few gentle words before waiting at the front.

Consort Tongjia, following her, didn't look too well, especially when she saw Consort Rong in the crowd, which made her even more furious.

Last night, when she found out that the Emperor hadn't returned to the Qianqing Palace, she was so angry that she couldn't sleep all night. The more she thought about it, the angrier she got, and by dawn, she still hadn't slept. When she got up in the morning, even her makeup couldn't hide the exhaustion from a sleepless night.

At this moment, Su Mala came out, paid her respects to the Imperial Noble Consort and Consort Tongjia, and then announced that the Grand Empress Dowager had risen and was waiting inside for the ladies to pay their respects.

Consort Tongjia had to suppress her anger and enter with the Imperial Noble Consort to pay respects to the Grand Empress Dowager. However, only she and the Imperial Noble Consort could enter to pay their respects; the other concubines had to stand outside the hall to pay their respects.

Hmph, at this thought, Consort Tongjia's gaze towards Consort Rong held a hint of disdain—she was merely a concubine, after all.

After the two entered, they paid their respects as usual, and then the Grand Empress Dowager offered them seats and chatted with them for a while. Today, Consort Tongjia didn't look well, and Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang expressed her concern.

"Your servant thanks the Grand Empress Dowager for her concern. I just didn't sleep well last night, but it's nothing serious," Consort Tongjia replied obediently. She was always well-behaved in front of the Grand Empress Dowager.

But then she shifted the topic to Su Yi.