Chapter 292

Chapter 292

Though everyone liked to invoke Rong Noble Consort's name in conversations, it was often just a way to provoke others to act—the instigator didn’t necessarily want to confront her directly.

One reason was that most exchanges were cloaked in courtesy, layered with hidden meanings that required careful interpretation before returning the veiled barb. It was a web of verbal traps and intricate maneuvering, and those without sharp wits wouldn’t last long—they might not even know how they fell.

But Rong Noble Consort either remained silent or spoke with a bluntness that trampled over others’ sensibilities—especially infuriating because there was no way to silence her.

As for socializing, attempts to isolate her only backfired because she simply couldn’t be bothered.

It was more like she isolated everyone else. Forget about accepting invitations to visit other palaces—even if others came to her, there was no guarantee of an audience. Her attitude was unpredictable, and she didn’t even bother hiding it.

Utterly exasperating.

So whenever Rong Noble Consort appeared, tranquility was out of the question. Yet no one wanted to be the one humiliated, so they weighed every word carefully.

The one who started the conversation might not suffer consequences, but those who followed certainly would.

Thus, whether fanning flames or otherwise, the tactic was to thrust someone else into clashing with Rong Noble Consort, then watch the tigers battle.

Consort Hui was doing exactly that now, deliberately bringing up how Consort Ping’s illness had gained her no concessions. Nothing stung like comparison—once provoked, people often acted rashly. Consort Hui hoped to spur Consort Ping into charging forward, leaving her to enjoy the show.

But Consort Ping wasn’t foolish. Knowing Consort Hui wanted to use her as a pawn, she immediately thrust Noble Lady Qing into the fray, implying that Consort Hui’s influence wasn’t as great as she thought—after all, Noble Lady Qing had turned down Consort Hui’s gathering to visit Rong Noble Consort instead.

Normally, a lesser noble lady pulled into such a situation would have no choice but to stand there and take the blame, even if it wasn’t her fault. The slightest pretext would suffice to punish her, and she’d have no choice but to endure.

But Noble Lady Qing was hardier than most lesser noble ladies—though that didn’t spare her from some cutting remarks.

When Su Yi spoke up at this moment, others naturally assumed it was out of respect for Imperial Noble Consort, having promised before departure to look after Noble Lady Qing. Now, she was intervening on her behalf.

After all, with the Imperial Noble Consort so far away, though she wouldn’t let Noble Lady Qing suffer outright, there were plenty of ways to make things thorny if someone was determined.

In truth, aside from Su Yi, only Consort Ping knew this wasn’t really about helping Noble Lady Qing.

Their direct encounters had been few, but each left Consort Ping choking down grievances she couldn’t even complain about—frustrating and infuriating!

Seeing Rong Noble Consort smiling at her with eyes alight with anticipation, looking utterly gentle and harmless, Consort Ping couldn’t help but feel a prickle of dread, wondering what schemes lay beneath.

Though the system had revealed little, just fragments of information, Consort Ping wasn’t stupid—there was something off about Rong Noble Consort. A woman’s intuition told her that if she could figure it out, she’d uncover Rong Noble Consort’s secrets.

Beyond sharing one hidden truth, there was undoubtedly more she didn’t know.

With a golden finger and a "script," she should have had a smooth, protagonist’s journey into the palace. Yet things hadn’t gone as easily as she’d imagined, while Rong Noble Consort, if not effortlessly successful, had claimed every upper hand.

Consort Ping had even wondered if Rong Noble Consort also had some system assisting her.

If they got too close, would their systems sense each other? Was that why her own system suddenly interfered, its cold, mechanical responses betraying wariness toward Rong Noble Consort?

If systems had hierarchies—if a stronger one could consume a weaker one—then given past events, was her system the weaker one, with Rong Noble Consort’s being the stronger?

Otherwise, why was Rong Noble Consort so… "enthusiastic"?

Consort Ping didn’t want to believe it, nor did she dare ask her system outright—its spite might backlash. So she suppressed the suspicion deep.

Or perhaps, deep down, she didn’t want confirmation—didn’t want to accept that she wasn’t the only chosen one.

Now, with Rong Noble Consort inviting her to visit more often, Consort Ping found herself hesitating for the first time to politely say, "Of course, I’ll visit when I have the chance."

Somehow, she had the feeling that if she said it, the other woman wouldn’t take it as mere courtesy—she might just reply, "Why not now? If today won’t do, tomorrow will."

"Consort Ping gave a forced laugh, her tone noticeably weaker, as if the earlier vigor had mostly been an act of bravado. 'Many thanks for your kindness, Imperial Noble Consort, but your humble sister has yet to fully recover, and you yourself have only just regained health. I wouldn't want to trouble you. If I were to pass on my illness, even if you do not blame this younger sister, I would still feel deeply uneasy.'"

*In short, she wasn’t going.*

There was no pretense of saying she’d visit next time.

Finally, Consort Ping smiled and added, "His Majesty has always doted on you, Imperial Noble Consort. Sister should take good care of yourself and not let His Majesty worry."

On the surface, it seemed like praise, but it left the others bristling, like needles under their skin—a reminder not to lose sight of the real target. What was the point of their infighting when *she* was the one they should be contending with?

Sure enough, as soon as Consort Ping spoke, some of the women’s expressions stiffened slightly, their smiles fading.

Even Consort Ping couldn’t help but seethe quietly as she said it. Though the words were meant to stoke resentment toward the Imperial Noble Consort, they were usually taken as sarcasm.

Like praising a woman for her supposedly happy marriage when everyone knew her husband kept mistresses—a thinly veiled jab at her sore spot, forcing her to smile through the humiliation.

Unlike now, where the words only made the others uncomfortable without harming the target at all. Worse, it reminded Consort Ping of how her supposed illness had backfired spectacularly, filling her with quiet fury.

She'd faced real blades without a scratch—what were mere looks?

With a soft sigh, Su Yi said, "How thoughtful. Yet all that meaning packed into one polite refusal."

Truly, how the tides had turned. Noble Lady Qing likely understood this feeling all too well.

Hearing this, Consort Ping’s smile grew strained. Being unable to deflect the conversation was frustrating. The Imperial Noble Consort’s demeanor made it seem as if she genuinely wished to be close—when in truth, her intentions were far from benign.

Su Yi gazed at Consort Ping with warm, attentive eyes, her tone affectionate. "Well, if the mountain won’t come to me, I’ll go to the mountain. When the time comes, Consort Ping, don’t be *too* delighted."

Consort Ping went rigid. Did this mean that if she refused to visit, the Imperial Noble Consort would come to *her*?!

Pleading illness might not even stop her.

Now, whether she agreed or refused, she was trapped. The sweltering heat already pressed down, but her agitation made sweat prickle at her temples.

Her quick wit, so glib moments ago, now faltered. The pause, though brief, was painfully obvious—unacceptable.

"Since when have Imperial Noble Consort and Consort Ping grown so close? Don’t forget the rest of us, now." Consort Yi, who had been observing quietly, interjected with a bright laugh, sparing others the chance to seize on Consort Ping’s hesitation.

Consort Ping breathed a silent sigh of relief. Let *someone* divert the Imperial Noble Consort’s attention away from her.

"Now you're exaggerating," Su Yi murmured, her gaze lingering on Consort Ping without sparing Consort Yi a glance—yet her reply was perfunctory. "None could rival *your* closeness with Consort Ping." Her tone was light, the words drawn out, laced with something unspoken.

The others recalled how Consort Yi had visited Consort Ping during her supposed illness but not the Imperial Noble Consort. Wasn’t *that* closeness? The remark seemed fair.

Yet Consort Yi’s stomach dropped. She sensed something layered beneath those words.

Oddly enough, Consort Ping thought the same.

Two women who rarely agreed now found themselves inexplicably aligned.

Like swinging at air—yet those with something to hide swore the blow had been meant for them.