Consort Yu smiled and replied, "Consort Xiao said she admired the unparalleled beauty of the Imperial Noble Consort. Today, even if she were just a pce maid, she woulde to pay her respects. I had no choice but to bring her along. I hope the Imperial Noble Consort won''t take offense?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
A beauty of the eighth rank was not qualified to pay respects ording to pce rules.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But those rules applied to the Empress, not the Imperial Noble Consort.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Consort Yu was using Consort Xiao to challenge Jiang Xinyue, both openly and subtly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Moreover, praising someone''s beauty was rarely done so bluntly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
If Jiang Xinyue said nothing, wouldn''t it imply that she agreed she was exceptionally beautiful, surpassing all the other women in the harem?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Although this was indeed true, no woman would willingly admit that her looks were inferior to others.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Especially since they were all the Emperor''s women, rivals in love.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
If she said something, others might think her moody and unable to take apliment.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
No matter how Jiang Xinyue responded to Consort Yu, she would be in the wrong.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But was Jiang Xinyue one to y by the rules?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She nced sideways at Consort Xiao and said, "Is Consort Yu so ugly? Do you find it painful to look at her every day and need toe see me to cleanse your soul?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She then turned to the angry Consort Yu, her lips curling into a smile, "I understand. After all, they say you be what you look at every day. Consort Xiao must be afraid of bing more like Consort Yu and losing the Emperor''s favor, right?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
As Consort Xiao was about to say "No," Jiang Xinyue raised her hand to stop her, giving a look that said everyone understood, and there was no need for further exnation.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The next moment, sitting in the main seat reserved for the Imperial Noble Consort, her gaze turned sharp, "While I understand, if I ever see someone who shouldn''t be here in Hexi Pce again, I''ll throw you all out together. Don''t say I didn''t warn you when you lose face."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Consort Xiao had rarely interacted with Jiang Xinyue before. After all, one was a lowly beauty in a disfavored consort''s pce, while Jiang Xinyue had always been a favored consort of the Emperor since she first gained her title.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Consort Xiao couldn''t even reach Jiang Xinyue''s knees if she jumped.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She had only heard Consort Yuin about and insult Jiang Xinyue in Shunan Pce, leading her to believe that Jiang Xinyue was young and easily manipted, merely protected by the Emperor due to her beauty.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But in this first encounter, it was clear who was more formidable.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Imperial Noble Consort wasn''t weak; she was clever enough to use the Emperor as her mouthpiece, packaging herself as a kind and fragile white lotus, arousing the Emperor''s pity and keeping her under his protection.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
In fact, such women were the smartest.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Instead of exhausting herself fighting and scheming against other consorts, everything she wanted could be obtained through the Emperor.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It was the Emperor who tired himself out, along with the other consorts who received his warnings. Jiang Xinyue simply had to open her hands, and others would offer her rare treasures.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Look at her now...<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
When the Emperor wasn''t around, her sharp tongue showed no signs of backing down.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But Consort Xiao had already chosen her side, and even if she didn''t want to oppose Jiang Xinyue, it was no longer possible.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Steeling herself, and urged on by Consort Yu''s gaze, she carefully spoke, "The Imperial Noble Consort is the model for the six pces and should... should help the royal family prosper. The Emperor hasn''t entered the harem for almost a year. I... I risk my life to request an audience today to ask the Imperial Noble Consort to advise the Emperor to... to spread his favor equally."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Oh!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
So admiring her unparalleled beauty was just a pretense. The real purpose was that Consort Yu had pushed her forward as a pawn to seek benefits for the harem consorts.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Consort Xiao speaks wisely," Jiang Xinyue said, taking a sip of fragrant light green tea, her face wearing a gentle smile. "I will speak to the Emperor about this today."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Huh?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She agreed so easily? Just like that?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Consort Yu still had more tricks up her sleeve!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
How could she use them now?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"I hope the Imperial Noble Consort won''t say one thing to our faces and do another behind our backs," Consort Yu said sarcastically, not believing a word. "If you had spoken to the Emperor earlier, we sisters wouldn''t have been left alone in empty chambers for nearly a year."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The implication was that the Imperial Noble Consort was not only the instigator of their loneliness but also had no intention of persuading the Emperor to favor the harem and spread his attention equally.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
This wouldn''t do!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Among the consorts who hade to pay respects to Jiang Xinyue, while none were as bold as Consort Yu, survival in the harem depended heavily on the Emperor''s favor. If the Emperor didn''t visit the harem, what was the point of all their scheming and fighting?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Immediately, the eyes of all the consorts in the pce turned unfriendly towards Jiang Xinyue.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Someone must have "advised" Consort Yu, teaching her how to incite everyone''s anger.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Jiang Xinyue''s gaze turned to Consort De, who merely raised her teacup in response and then drank her tea as if the matter didn''t concern her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
This was a high-level provocation.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The low-level kind was exemplified by Consort Yu, a darling being used as a pawn.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
However, Consort Yu''s survival in the harem for so long wasrgely due to herck of intelligence.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
In this pce, the clever ones died early.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The foolish ones...<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Were kept around to alleviate boredom in the deep pce.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The arrow-like gazes of the consorts couldn''t prate Jiang Xinyue''s bulletproof facade. She leaned back slightly, her posture bing more alluring without appearingzy. Instead, it exuded a rxed nobility, her aura dominating.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Xi Que, go inform the Pce Eunuch Office to start sending green ques to Chengqian Pce from today. If the Emperor asks, tell him that I''ve requested he visit the harem and spread his favor equally."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Xi Que immediatelyplied and withdrew from the great hall.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
A few other consorts signaled their pce maids, who followed Xi Que out.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Xi Que indeed went to the Pce Eunuch Office and ryed the same message to the eunuchs there.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Only then did everyone feel reassured that the Imperial Noble Consort was indeed a woman of her word.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
In Chengqian Pce, candles burned brightly as Li Zhong, the head of the Pce Eunuch Office, stood nervously before the Emperor for the first time in eight or nine months.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Oh? You say the Imperial Noble Consort is advising me to spread my favor equally?" the Emperor asked.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Li Zhong swallowed hard. "Your Majesty will know when you turn over the ques."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He dared not say a word more, as the Emperor now looked as if he might devour someone.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Xuanwu Emperor exhaled frustratedly through his nose. Did Jiang Xinyue have no heart?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Didn''t she understand his feelings for her?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Aliali: 6720f54c2bffb2b7bc4c0e56<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He could withstand the pressure from his court officials to favor her alone, so why couldn''t she endure the discontent of the harem consorts and not push him away?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Fine!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She wanted him to turn over the ques? Then he wouldply with her wishes.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Xuanwu Emperor turned over a green que: Imperial Noble Consort.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He turned over another: Imperial Noble Consort.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He continued, turning over four or five in a row, each one bearing the words "Imperial Noble Consort."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Li Zhong and Wang Dequan exchanged nces. The Imperial Noble Consort''s method was indeed effective.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Going to Hexi Pce was still visiting the harem!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She had given her advice, and whether the Emperor listened or not was his own business.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Jiang Xinyue had provided options; another small eunuch from the Pce Eunuch Office held a tray with green ques for the other consorts.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0