"Very well, I understand. I have other matters to attend to, so I won't disturb Eunuch Jiao any further," Chu Xingyun said, using a casual excuse to leave.
After she departed, she went directly to Consort Qin's chambers.
At that moment, Consort Qin was in the front hall, enjoying pastries and chatting with the palace attendants.
When a servant announced Chu Xingyun's arrival, Consort Qin dismissed the attendants and instructed her personal maid to greet Chu Xingyun.
Upon entering, Chu Xingyun first paid her respects and then offered a few polite New Year greetings, addressing Consort Qin as "sister" in a measured tone.
Her tone then shifted, "Sister, do you know His Majesty has enfeoffed Wang Xiting as a consort?"
Consort Qin glanced at her calmly, her expression unchanged. "I know. So what?"
"Consort Qin, don't you find it a bit improper for Consort Wang to be elevated to consort so soon after entering the palace?" Chu Xingyun's voice carried a hint of probing.
Consort Qin nodded. "It is indeed a bit unusual. However, if His Majesty favors her, there is nothing that can be done. Such matters are solely at His Majesty's discretion."
Seeing that Consort Qin agreed with her assessment, Chu Xingyun's voice softened further. "Since Consort Qin also feels this matter is inappropriate, why not try to persuade His Majesty?"
"This would also be beneficial for Sister Wang. After all, her rapid advancement upon entering the palace could easily draw unwanted attention."
Consort Qin pursed her lips and looked at Chu Xingyun.
Chu Xingyun leaned forward slightly.
"His Majesty trusts you the most, Sister. If you speak to him, he will surely listen. Moreover, Sister Wang was introduced by you. If she knows you are acting for her own good, she will surely be grateful."
Consort Qin suddenly let out a light laugh. "Noble Lady, it is best not to call her 'sister' so readily. Since she is now a consort, her status is naturally more esteemed than yours. You should address her as 'Consort' or 'Sister Consort.'"
Chu Xingyun paused, a flicker of a smile freezing in her eyes. "What do you mean, Sister?"
"I believe you understand my meaning very well," Consort Qin said, flicking some dust from her sleeve. Her tone was calm yet exuded self-possession.
"Noble Lady Chu, sometimes it is best not to overestimate yourself or underestimate others. Constantly treating others as fools is not a good habit."
Previously, she had heeded Chu Xingyun's words and told His Majesty that bringing Wang Xiting into the palace was a necessity for His Majesty's health.
At the time, she had no idea what kind of person Wang Xiting was. She had only thought that since Wang Xiting's father was promoted by General Luo, Lord Wang must be quite capable.
Naturally, a daughter raised by such a man would not be lacking.
However, that very morning, Wang Xiting, having just gained favor, openly clashed with that child from the Su family in the harem. Even Prince Kun was drawn into the dispute, indicating that the girl was not one to be easily managed.
Today, if nothing had happened, it would have been fine. But if something had occurred, she, as the recommender, would also bear responsibility.
Now, Chu Xingyun was asking her to intervene in His Majesty's decision to grant Wang Xiting consort status. If she were to do so, she would truly be caught between a rock and a hard place.
Not only would she fail to gain favor with His Majesty, but Wang Xiting would also harbor resentment towards her. Furthermore, she herself would be branded with the reputation of a jealous woman who could not tolerate new arrivals in the harem.
Chu Xingyun's expression gradually darkened as she met Consort Qin's indifferent gaze.
Consort Qin picked up another pastry and took a bite, her cold gaze retracting. She maintained her previous gentle demeanor. "I am feeling a bit tired. Sister, perhaps you should return now. I need to rest."
Chu Xingyun lowered her eyebrows and stood up. At this moment, she regained her usual composed and elegant demeanor. She bowed slightly, "Then this sister will take her leave. Sister, please rest well."
She turned and walked away, her steps light, showing no sign of embarrassment from Consort Qin seeing through her intentions, as if the preceding events had never happened.
Consort Qin watched her depart, a different glint in her eyes.
Her personal maid approached from behind. "Your Highness, do you think the Noble Lady will go to His Majesty to speak about Consort Wang?"
Consort Qin threw the half-eaten pastry back into her hand and brushed the crumbs from her fingers. "She will go."
Although that woman is intelligent and knows how to please His Majesty, there is something in her core that is the same as the Empress.
She craves power too much.
In fact, many people crave power, especially within the confines of the imperial palace, the center of power. But Chu Xingyun's craving for power is different from others.
She absolutely cannot tolerate anyone below her having more power than she does. To put it plainly, it's just a matter of excessive pride.
Meanwhile, Chu Xingyun, upon exiting the chambers, indeed headed towards the study.
When she reached the study and was about to ask Eunuch Jiao to announce her, she suddenly remembered the rule that women in the harem were not allowed to enter the study without being summoned.
Just as she was about to leave, she heard the sound of women's laughter from within.
Chu Xingyun stopped abruptly, her brows furrowing fiercely as she clenched her fist.
Wang Xiting was inside? His Majesty had brought Wang Xiting into the study!
Eunuch Jiao saw Chu Xingyun and walked over. "Noble Lady, is there something you need?"
Chu Xingyun took a deep breath, striving to maintain her usual gentle and elegant demeanor. "I had something to discuss with His Majesty, but it seems His Majesty is occupied. I shall not disturb him."
She said this and turned to leave.
The study door opened, and Wang Xiting emerged.
The clothes she had just put on still bore red marks in places where her skin was covered.
Chu Xingyun, now a mother, was not unfamiliar with such marks. Her expression darkened slightly.
"I was wondering who was making such a fuss outside. So it's you, Sister." Wang Xiting walked over, not bothering to bow to Chu Xingyun. "Is Sister here to see His Majesty?"
Chu Xingyun's face was grim.
This woman, who had been so submissive upon first entering the palace, was now so arrogant after only two days.
If more time passed, or if she were to be officially enfeoffed as consort, who knew how presumptuous she might become.
"Indeed, I had something to tell His Majesty, but it seems His Majesty is rather busy. I was just about to leave." Chu Xingyun remained composed for the moment.
Wang Xiting then rubbed her lower back with her hand and sighed helplessly.
"His Majesty was indeed occupied just now. However, it's not impossible for Sister to see His Majesty. Although His Majesty was unwell these past few days, I feel that ever since I entered the palace, His Majesty's energy has been quite vigorous."
Chu Xingyun's brow furrowed deeply.
Was this the kind of thing a lady from a reputable family should say?
She had known she was licentious, but she hadn't expected her to be so shameless.
Wang Xiting noticed Chu Xingyun's displeased expression but paid it no mind.
His Majesty had already issued an edict to make her a consort, and she would soon have a higher status than Chu Xingyun. Moreover, given His Majesty's current favor towards her, she might even become pregnant soon.
Once she gave birth to a prince, all the princes, like Prince Yu and Prince Kun, would have to rank behind her son.
By then, she would truly fulfill the fortune teller's prophecy and become the empress, the mother of the nation.
With this thought, her pride grew, as if she were already issuing commands as the mistress of the harem.
"Eunuch Jiao, please go and announce my presence to Sister. Since it's an urgent matter, it's best to resolve it quickly." xxs壹贰
Don't think I don't know that Chu Xingyun came here precisely to cause trouble for me.
Does she think her seniority can suppress me? Dream on.
In this imperial palace, whoever has His Majesty's favor is the true noble!