Chapter 25: If my sister cares too much about favor and affection, she will fall into karma. [Three updates]

Chapter 25: If one cares too much about favor and emotions, one will bring misfortune upon herself. [Third Update]

On the other side, Consort Xu returned to Lingxin Palace.

Meiying dismissed the attendants before approaching Consort Xu, bending to massage her back.

"Your Highness, why bother getting worked up over someone from the Ruan family? It's not worth your energy."

Consort Xu looked grave, her authority palpable even without anger.

She smoothed the loose hairs at her temples and said gravely, "Do you think it's merely Baolin Ruan overstepping her bounds and showing disrespect?"

"Consider her origins."

Meiying was startled, her thoughts swirling, and her expression also darkened.

"Your Highness means... the Ruan family is making a move?"

Consort Xu tapped her fingers rhythmically on the armrest, one tap after another.

"The current situation is unfavorable," she said quietly. "Even though my father has great military achievements, he has already been titled Earl Zhongyi and cannot be promoted further."

"Now, the capital's defenses are under my father's control. Why do you think His Majesty made Yao Tingyue Noble Consort and me Consort Xu?"

"It's not because she gave birth to the eldest princess—it's only because she is Prime Minister Yao's granddaughter."

These details were naturally known to Meiying.

However, years had passed, and Consort Xu had no children. Even if she wanted to rise higher, it would be nearly impossible.

"But Your Highness, your health..."

Consort Xu's expression turned cold. "From Ruan Hanzhang's attitude now, the Yao and Ruan families may have already joined forces. Civil officials put on airs of righteousness, but they're corrupt underneath."

"When those people do wrong, how can plain-speaking military officers compare?"

In the current court, civil and military officials were constantly clashing, with various clans, powerful families, and nobles undercutting each other. The political system was already rotted to the core.

Even so, no one dared to upset the balance.

"Back then, they didn’t want me to enter the palace because they were afraid I would surpass Yao Tingyue, leading to military officials gaining prominence and suppressing civil officials."

Consort Xu said coldly, "Now, with Baolin Ruan enjoying royal favor and potentially forming alliances with the Noble Consort, we are already in dire straits. The future is uncertain."

Meiying felt a pang of bitterness.

"Your Highness, what should we do?"

Consort Xu pondered for a moment before saying, "First, write to my father informing him about the Yao and Ruan families. Also, find a few beautiful palace maids who resemble Baolin Ruan."

"The first priority is to have a child of my own."

Meiying was reluctant but ultimately sighed. "Your Highness, the original plan was for you to focus on your health and wait for the right time?"

Consort Xu pressed her lips together and smiled bitterly. "That won't work for me."

"Otherwise, why do you think I was the one who entered the palace back then instead of my elder sister?"

It was because her constitution was too cold, making it difficult to conceive.

The Yao family had already had two generations in the harem. Even though Yao Tingyue was not the empress, she was already the head of the inner court, holding the position of Noble Consort.

The civil official factions would absolutely not allow a military family to produce an imperial heir.

"Your Highness, don’t lose heart. If in the future we can have a young prince raised by you, nurtured with care from childhood, it will be just like having your own."

Consort Xu finally smiled. "Yes."

Meiying paused before adding, "Why doesn’t Your Highness ally with Jieyu Murong?"

Since both are from military families, it should be easier to work with her than with Noble Consort Yao or Consort Yi Zhou.

A wind gust came through, rustling the wind chimes hanging on the window lattice.

The crisp jingling sound faded before Consort Xu’s low voice was heard: "I never liked her, but now it seems we must plan further."

"Coincidentally, my birthday is coming soon..."

As the two were plotting, the voice of the senior maid Gui Xiang came from outside: "Your Highness, I have something to report."

Consort Xu waved her hand, and Meiying said, "Come in."

Gui Xiang pushed the door open, walked in with quick, small steps, and bowed before Consort Xu: "Your Highness, just now, an oral decree from His Majesty ordered the Weaving Bureau to select four bolts each of Shu brocade, Blue Cloud Gauze, soft smoke gauze, and Red Cloud Brocade to be delivered to Tangli Pavilion."

At this point, Gui Xiang clearly felt the chilling atmosphere in the room and couldn’t help but tremble.

"Additionally... His Majesty’s oral decree stated that Director of Clothing Bai of the Weaving Bureau has been negligent in her duties. She is to be penalized with three months' salary deduction as a warning."

Consort Xu’s grip on her teacup tightened. The next moment, the white porcelain teacup was thrown violently to the ground, shattering into countless sparkling fragments.

"Vile woman!"

Consort Xu gasped for breath, her face icy cold. "That vile woman actually dared to complain at Qianyuan Palace."

Gui Xiang, terrified, knelt on the ground, trembling.

Meiying’s expression was also extremely grim. She hurried forward and gently patted Consort Xu’s back, comforting her: "Your Highness, Your Highness, take care of your health. Don’t get angry. Your illness hasn’t fully healed yet."

Consort Xu gripped her hand tightly, her eyes red and filled with venomous resentment.

"Am I not good enough?"

"Why her? Why not me?"

No one could answer Consort Xu’s question.

At this moment, in Qianyuan Palace, Ruan Hanzhang was feeding Jing Huayan grapes.

She nestled close to Jing Huayan, her posture soft, her slender hands holding a dark purple grape that looked like crystal between her fingers, translucent and gleaming.

"Are you satisfied?" Jing Huayan asked with a smile.

Ruan Hanzhang’s voice was soft and coquettish. "Your Majesty treats me so well."

Jing Huayan’s hand remained firmly on her slender waist, his palm burning hot, almost scorching the fair skin there.

"But Your Majesty, could my maid Hongxiu return?" Ruan Hanzhang said pitifully.

"I like her so much."

She spoke, feeding another grape into Jing Huayan's mouth. He leisurely finished it before giving her rear a light pat.

"Beloved Concubine, don't push your luck."

Ruan Hanzhang pursed her lips, putting on a docile front.

Jing Huayan looked down at her, seeing her aggrieved expression, and said, "The Imperial Consort has always been fair. Since she has already made a ruling, it would be inappropriate for me to override her decision. If your palace is short on servants, I can have the Palace Matron Bureau assign you more palace personnel."

"Forget it."

Ruan Hanzhang leaned against his shoulder and sighed. "I don’t want strangers serving me. We’re not short on hands at the moment."

As she spoke, she suddenly sat up and fixed him with a direct gaze. "Your Majesty treats the Imperial Consort with such deep affection. When will I have such an opportunity?"

Dappled sunlight fell into her bright eyes, lighting a spark in their depths.

When Ruan Hanzhang looked at someone sincerely, it felt utterly genuine, as though they were the most precious treasure in her heart—a warmth that made one feel cherished.

Even Jing Huayan, who had encountered countless people, was not immune to this illusion.

"Why would you ask that, Beloved Concubine?"

Jing Huayan reached out and brushed a stray strand of hair from her temple.

He did not directly answer the question.

Ruan Hanzhang blinked, leaned forward, and suddenly wrapped her arms around Jing Huayan’s neck, holding his gaze captive.

All the charm and brilliance in her eyes were carefully cultivated over years of practice.

"Your Majesty, look at me."

Ruan Hanzhang’s voice was soft and bewitching, melodious, like a gentle stream flowing into Jing Huayan’s heart.

"Your Majesty, I give you my heart sincerely. I seek not wealth or glory, only a lasting impression in your heart."

"I do not wish to compare to the Imperial Consort, nor to Consort Xu, nor to anyone else."

Ruan Hanzhang slowly drew closer to Jing Huayan, finally murmured against his lips, "I only wish to be the unique one in Your Majesty’s heart."

Jing Huayan held her gaze unblinkingly until her crimson lips met his, then suddenly gave a soft chuckle.

His arms tightened around her abruptly, pulling her close, cutting off anything else she might say.

The air around them grew thick and heated.

The fragrance of grapes was rich, like aged liquor.

Ruan Hanzhang felt like she'd lost control of her very breath.

The meeting of their lips felt like Jing Huayan’s response to her.

But it was not.

Ruan Hanzhang met his intensity with her own, slowly straightening up to meet Jing Huayan’s fervent kiss, asserting her own dominance.

By the window, a segment of incense ash broke off, crumbling to dust in the incense tray.

The kiss was passionate and long. By the time Jing Huayan released her, Ruan Hanzhang’s cheeks were flushed.

Jing Huayan gently caressed Ruan Hanzhang’s warm, soft cheek and said, looking into her eyes, "Beloved Concubine, if your heart desires something, work for it."

"The outcome depends on the effort you exert."

In her heart, Ruan Hanzhang cursed him as an old fox, but she said aloud, "Your Majesty, just wait. I will surely make myself indispensable to you."

This emperor was a master at distributing his favor equally and maintaining impartiality. That night, he did not summon Ruan Hanzhang to attend him but instead flipped Consort Xu's placard—a clear lesson in rewards and punishments.

The next day, Lady Bai, the Director of Clothing from the Weaving Bureau, personally delivered the emperor’s rewards and apologized to Ruan Hanzhang face to face.

Ruan Hanzhang sat under a tree in the garden, working absently on her needlework. She said softly, "Director Bai, I know this was not your fault."

Director Bai was thin-faced, with a slender figure, and had far sharper features than Palace Matron Mu. However, Ruan Hanzhang had heard Xue Yan’s praise and knew that Director Bai was also a supervisor who was kind to her subordinates.

"Lady Baolin, this matter was indeed the Weaving Bureau’s fault. It is only right that I apologize to you in person."

Ruan Hanzhang let her needlework still, looked up at Director Bai, and after a moment, gave a light laugh.

"Then I accept your apology."

"Qing Dai, please escort Director Bai out."

With Hongxiu gone, Qing Dai was much busier than before. She hurriedly set down her work and stepped forward to respectfully escort Director Bai out.

After the director left, Ruan Hanzhang asked Qing Dai, who had dark circles under her eyes, "Why are you sweeping the courtyard? Where are the cleaning maids?"

Qing Dai bowed slightly and said quietly, "Aunt Peilan said her ankle hurts and told Little Peach to massage it for her."

After the trip yesterday, Ruan Hanzhang had pretended to be concerned for Peilan and personally ordered the cleaning maid, Peach, to massage her. With specially medicated oil rubbed in, of course it would hurt.

Ruan Hanzhang understood perfectly well but only showed a hint of sorrow on her face. She sighed and said, "You've been working hard."

"Leave the courtyard for now. It’s not like people come here often. Sweeping it every other day is enough."

Qing Dai hesitated. "My lady, that wouldn't be proper."

Ruan Hanzhang shook her head. "It’s fine. Where is Xiao Duo?"

"Xiao Duo said there was business at his home. He asked Aunt Peilan for leave to return home and will be back by evening."

Ruan Hanzhang said thoughtfully, "I see. Come sit here for a while and rest."

For the next two days, the one summoned to attend the emperor was Attendant Meng.

People in the palace whispered behind closed doors that Ruan Hanzhang overstepped, that she had to offend Consort Xu and throw away her advantage. If she hadn’t caused such a scene, she might still be the one in favor.

None of this bothered Ruan Hanzhang in the slightest.

Even when Attendant Meng was promoted to Cai Nu on the first day of May, Ruan Hanzhang specifically sent Qing Dai to her door to offer congratulations and sincerely sent gifts.

Peilan, however, became more temperamental.

Partly because the date was approaching, and her nervousness was inevitable, and partly because with Hongxiu gone, there were fewer people in the palace, so she had to do some menial tasks as well.

As a result, the entire Tangli Pavilion grew increasingly silent, with no one speaking throughout the day.

On this day, Jieyu Murong seemed to have some business and rarely visited Tangli Pavilion, only to find the entire place quiet, as if empty and deserted.

After Ruan Hanzhang welcomed her into the hall, she said with a bitter smile, "I’ve made a fool of myself in front of you, my lady."

Jieyu Murong patted her hand, comforting her instead: "Ups and downs in the palace are inevitable. If I may speak out of turn—His Majesty is deep and inscrutable. If you care too much about favor and affection, sister, you’ll only trap yourself in a vicious cycle."

Ruan Hanzhang looked up, gazing earnestly at Jieyu Murong.

Jieyu Murong’s expression was impassive: "Sister, just remember this—to live peacefully, smoothly, and in good health is the greatest fortune one can have in this life."

These words were indeed sincere.

It was rare that, after all the twists and turns between them, Jieyu Murong could still offer such heartfelt advice so calmly.

Ruan Hanzhang rose and curtseyed: "Thank you for your sincere words, sister. I will keep them close to my heart and am deeply grateful."

After exchanging a few polite remarks, Ruan Hanzhang asked, "What brings you here today, sister?"

Jieyu Murong gazed intently into her eyes for a long moment before saying, "Nothing particularly important. It’s just that in a few days, it will be the Dragon Boat Festival. There will be a palace banquet at the Baixi Pavilion. Since it’s your first time attending, I came to go over the rules with you."

Once she had finished explaining the rules, Jieyu Murong rose, not planning to stay longer.

Ruan Hanzhang saw her out of the Tangli Pavilion, walking all the way to the Chuihua Gate.

When they reached the Chuihua Gate, Jieyu Murong stepped out, then turned back to look at Ruan Hanzhang.

The bright sunlight shone into her deep blue eyes, making them as profound as the ocean.

"Every year, the palace banquet is like a grand theater production—as soon as one act ends, another begins. Sister, remember these four words."

Ruan Hanzhang lifted her gaze to meet hers.

Jieyu Murong smiled faintly: "Protect yourself wisely."