Chapter 82: Tearing Off the Mask

Chapter 82: Tearing Off the Mask

"Beauty Xiao is quite formidable."

Zhu Baolin's gaze narrowed slightly as she looked at Yu Ying's smiling face, momentarily stunned.

The pomegranate, symbolizing fertility and children, contrasts with the phoenix-tail hairpin, which represents the Empress.

No wonder Noble Consort Zhen specifically sent her chief maid to deliver the message personally. The purpose was not just to deliver gifts but to convey Noble Consort Zhen's intentions through someone close to her.

She knew her current situation was precarious, and this was an opportunity for her to make a choice.

Either submit to the Empress’s control and risk losing her child, or protect her child by siding with Noble Consort Zhen.

Zhu Baolin wanted to protect her child.

But she also feared the cost of aligning with Noble Consort Zhen. If she escaped the Empress’s control only to fall under Noble Consort Zhen’s, she wasn’t sure she could make a decision.

Moreover, since Noble Consort Zhen could guess what she was thinking, it showed that she was no simple person either. Her previous gentle and kind demeanor might have been nothing more than a facade.

A woman who could hold her position as a favored consort in the palace was no ordinary figure!

Zhu Baolin looked up at Yu Ying, hesitating. "I am of low status; how could I deserve such kindness from Her Highness—"

Yu Ying could see her hesitation and smiled. "Why belittle yourself, Mistress? Since Her Highness has spoken, it shows her concern for you and the royal heir you carry. Please, feel free to speak your mind."

She looked directly into Zhu Baolin’s eyes, her tone gentle and polite. "Perhaps one day, you might also be able to help Her Highness."

Zhu Baolin was no fool; she grasped the implication immediately.

Noble Consort Zhen didn’t require her submission or control.

But in the future, if Noble Consort Zhen called upon her, she might have to fulfill a favor...

She just didn’t know what that favor might be.

Zhu Baolin hesitated briefly. Since she wouldn’t be under Noble Consort Zhen’s thumb, the arrangement seemed fair. It was only one favor, unspecified and possibly avoidable. For now, safeguarding her child was her utmost priority.

She nodded and said, "Her Highness’s kindness is overwhelming. I humbly accept. The phoenix-tail hairpin is too precious, but the pomegranate bracelet suits my status better. I can wear it often and cherish it."

Yu Ying’s smile widened as she curtsied. "What a fortunate guess! Her Highness anticipated your preference for the pomegranate bracelet and instructed me to bring it today."

"Show it to Zhu Baolin, won't you?"

The maid at the end immediately stepped forward with a tray, opening the brocade box to reveal a vibrant red pomegranate bracelet inside. Yu Ying explained, "This bracelet, crafted from South Sea red coral—a rare material—and adorned with gold threads, is truly exquisite."

She bowed again. "We must trouble Imperial Physician Liu once more."

Once everything was verified, Yu Ying smiled courteously and said, "Now that the gifts are complete, I must deliver gifts to other palaces, so I won’t disturb you further, Mistress."

A weight lifted from Zhu Baolin’s heart, and she felt a bit more at ease.

A genuine smile appeared on her face as she caressed her swollen belly. "Cui Mei, go and see her off."

Noble Consort Zhen was currently favored, held a high position, and had the powerful Noble Consort Mi backing her.

If she was willing to help her protect the royal heir, she could rest easy during this period and give birth to her child safely.

Whatever she might need to do for Noble Consort Zhen in the future, that was a matter for later. She would cross that bridge when she came to it.

The most important thing now is the imperial heir in her belly.

Whether it's a prince or a princess, who knows...

If it’s a prince, she must fight to raise him herself!

In recent days, Chang'an has seen several intermittent snowfalls, looking from afar like pear blossoms weighing down every branch, crystal clear and icy.

It’s not particularly cold when it snows; Su Jiaojiao, having been cooped up in the palace for too long, occasionally comes out for a walk.

The snow piles higher and higher on both sides of the palace paths. Whenever she passes through the Imperial Garden, she can hear the tinkling laughter of the palace maids.

During the New Year, the officials of the previous dynasty also take a seven-day holiday.

Though there are no holidays in the harem, each palace bestows many rewards on the palace attendants, reducing the number of those on duty by half, allowing them more rest.

The Imperial Garden, with its beautiful scenery and vast expanse, sees many palace maids secretly building snowmen and having snowball fights in places where their masters cannot see.

Su Jiaojiao enjoys listening to these laughs.

Untroubled and innocent, they are the only remaining bits of beauty in this unbreakable maze of palace walls.

Her consort’s entourage stopped at an arched gate on the south side of the Imperial Garden. With just a glance inside, Su Jiaojiao smiled and turned away.

"Let's go."

As soon as the words were spoken, the bearers were about to start moving when suddenly, the chattering inside fell silent, followed by a sharp voice: "What are you all fussing about? Chattering like magpies, have you no sense of your own status? Your noise gives me a headache!"

"Stop."

Su Jiaojiao's brows knitted slightly, and she quietly directed the palanquin bearers to advance a few steps. She waited until her entire procession was concealed by the wall before listening intently to what was being said inside.

Yu Ying, who was following beside her, said, "My lady, it seems to be the voice of Beauty Xiao."

Beauty Xiao had displeased the Emperor on New Year's Eve due to some trouble, and during the grand conferment of titles within the harem, she was only promoted by one rank.

Only a few days had passed, and she was already attempting to flaunt her authority once more.

It is said that Beauty Xiao is the cousin of Noble Consort Mi, endowed with both beauty and a prestigious lineage.

Had she emulated Beauty Zhong's past demeanor—unassuming and content with modest favor—the Emperor might have held her in higher regard, and she might have become Noble Consort Lan by now.

Someone like her, heedless of her reputation and living recklessly, might one day embroil Noble Consort Mi and, by extension, Su Jiaojiao.

Utterly senseless.

Beauty Xiao was berating the maids frolicking in the imperial garden, saying, "If you make any more noise, I will surely have Noble Consort Mi severely punish you!"

The maids were startled, never imagining their quiet play would disturb their mistress. The leading maid, with a tearful voice, said, "We were just playing for a moment, please forgive us, my lady. Do not let Noble Consort Mi punish us; we will never dare again."

Seeing that they were being sensible, Beauty Xiao's pent-up anger from the past few days finally subsided a bit. With a frosty glare, she snapped, "Be gone!"

Hearing this, Su Jiaojiao frowned.

Yu Ying glanced at her mistress and, with great tact, instructed, "Turn back, enter the imperial garden."

The palanquin bearers did not dare to delay and quickly turned the head of the palanquin around, entering the garden through the archway.

Su Jiaojiao, now a Noble Consort, commanded an even more opulent and stately procession. There were eight palanquin bearers alone, and besides Yu Ying, there were four maids and two eunuchs serving her.

She was seated at the center, surrounded by her entourage, her cool, enchanting face bearing a trace of languor. She lounged lazily against the backrest, her lashes lowered as she gazed at Beauty Xiao, who stood below.

The palace servants before Beauty Xiao, poised to depart, saw that Noble Consort Zhen had arrived and did not dare to delay. They immediately knelt down to pay their respects, bowing their heads and saying in unison, "Your servant greets Noble Consort Zhen, may the noble consort enjoy eternal peace."

Beauty Xiao was taken aback to see someone else at this moment. She looked up at Su Jiaojiao on the palanquin, who looked resplendent and majestic, and stood momentarily stunned, motionless.

Su Jiaojiao glanced at her, offering a lukewarm smile: "I thought it was someone else, it turns out to be Beauty Xiao. Being promoted to Beauty certainly changes things, flaunting such authority."

In the palace, mediocre individuals are promoted just one level, hardly a mark of special favor. Moreover, Noble Consort Lan, who comes from the same noble family as her, was promoted beyond her level and given a title, making her appear all the more inferior.

Bringing up her promotion now is clearly meant to mock her!

Beauty Xiao is extremely sensitive about her dignity and does not allow anyone to say a bad word about her. Her expression darkened instantly, and she retorted, "I was just disciplining a few servants, Noble Consort Zhen has no need to mock me."

Su Jiaojiao glanced at her lightly, not saying a word.

However, Yu Ying below gave a slight curtsy and smiled, "Beauty Xiao, the palace rules are strict. The noble consort has recently been promoted, you should perform the proper salute."

Beauty Xiao has always held Su Jiaojiao in contempt and resents her for stealing the emperor's favor from her last time in the plum forest. Now that she knows Su Jiaojiao has been promoted to Noble Consort, she is particularly displeased.

She originally intended to stand her ground if Su Jiaojiao let it slide. However, Yu Ying was insistent, demanding that she perform the salute.

Clenching her teeth, Beauty Xiao stared at Su Jiaojiao for a moment. Her back and knees stayed rigid, refusing to bend in a kneel to Su Jiaojiao.

She believed that to salute Su Jiaojiao obediently would be to admit her own inferiority.

But in Beauty Xiao's heart, Su Jiaojiao's favor is merely because she happens to have a face that the emperor likes and knows how to seduce with fox-like charms. She is unworthy of comparison to the legitimate daughter of the Xiao clan.

She clenched the handkerchief in her hand and looked up at Su Jiaojiao on the palanquin.

She saw that Su Jiaojiao's expression was calm, as if without any aggression, her faint gaze sweeping over, yet it made her feel an inexplicable chill.

After a few breaths, Su Jiaojiao spoke lightly, but it was to the group of palace servants behind her: "All rise, no need to be restrained."

"The New Year is a good time, you should rest, as long as you do not disturb others."

"As for Beauty Xiao, disrespecting the superior, disregarding hierarchy, and being arrogant, you are punished to perform the salute for one hour."

Su Jiaojiao said lightly, "Ling Yun, keep an eye on her, do not allow her to rise before the time is up."

Having reached the position of a superior, Su Jiaojiao gains more than just a little benefit. The simple right to punish palace servants and concubines is what a superior can have.

Like when Min Cairen was still a Chongyi, she once had her kneel in the street as punishment, which was not considered overstepping. However, when Beauty Xiao had Zhu Baolin kneel as punishment before the Dragon Boat Festival, that was indeed a violation of palace rules.

Having reached the position of a superior, although one cannot interfere with the management of the harem, one has the right to impose lighter punishments such as slapping, kneeling, and copying palace rules on lower-ranking concubines and palace servants to maintain the discipline of the harem.

Although Su Jiaojiao has only recently been promoted to Noble Consort, there is no need for her to continue the pretense of being weak and easily bullied in front of the harem concubines.

After all, her true nature is almost known to everyone. As a superior, if she still appears to be easily manipulated, it would be disappointing.

Therefore, she will use Beauty Xiao as an example to let her know her own weight.

Just as Su Jiaojiao's entourage was about to leave, Beauty Xiao, standing still, angrily said, "What right do you have to punish me? You have only just been promoted to Noble Consort, what is there to be proud of? You are still relying on your cousin's support!"

She glanced back at Beauty Xiao lightly, thoughtfully pondering, and after a moment, she spoke lightly, "You are right, making you perform the salute for one hour was indeed inconsiderate of me."

Beauty Xiao, seeing that mentioning Noble Consort Mi was indeed effective, immediately regained her composure and looked smug again.

However, before she could revel in her triumph for long, Noble Consort Zhen calmly issued an order, saying, "Someone, escort Beauty Xiao to Noble Consort Mi's palace. Make sure to relay every word Beauty Xiao said today to Noble Consort Mi."

Beauty Xiao, in her foolishness, probably didn't realize that Noble Consort Mi had long grown tired of her idiotic cousin and was just waiting for an opportunity to sever ties with her. Such disrespectful words, if heard by Noble Consort Mi, would only result in harsher punishment.

When a cousin disciplines her own cousin, even if the Xiao family hears any rumors, they would likely have nothing to say.

As Su Jiaojiao was about to leave, she noticed someone from the imperial court approaching her from a distance in a hurry.

The leading eunuch was Cai Shan's apprentice, Xiao Lingzi, who was panting and flushed from running. Upon seeing Noble Consort Zhen, he smiled and said, "This servant greets Noble Consort Zhen. Your Highness, you've been difficult to locate."

Su Jiaojiao smiled gently, "I came to the imperial garden to relax. Is there something urgent from the imperial court?"

Xiao Lingzi bowed and replied with a smile, "Your Highness is as perceptive as Lan Xin, you guessed it right. His Majesty requests your presence at the Tai Chi Hall. He is waiting for you now."

Upon hearing that the Emperor had summoned Noble Consort Zhen, Beauty Xiao's eyes widened, brimming with envy and resentment.