Wang Qingyao had been thinking it, but hadn't realized she'd mumbled it aloud.
"A woman's heart is like a needle at the bottom of the sea."
Consort Chen started, then covered her mouth and laughed.
"Princess Consort, you are truly amusing. No wonder Prince Ding'an fancies you. I find myself liking you more and more as I look at you."
See, she'd changed her tune again. Wasn't that exactly what a woman's heart was like?
Wang Qingyao seized the opportunity, leaning in and acting spoiled. "Since Your Ladyship likes me, may I come often to keep you company from now on?"
It was strange, Consort Wei, though kind and amiable, also liked Wang Qingyao, yet Wang Qingyao couldn't bring herself to feel close to her.
Consort Chen, on the other hand, was capricious and could turn on a dime, but Wang Qingyao didn't feel afraid of her.
Consort Chen lightly tapped her forehead. "You're quite the opportunist."
But she didn't refuse, and Wang Qingyao knew she was willing.
She added, "Since you're here, I can't let you leave empty-handed."
She then called for a servant to bring a jewelry box. From it, she picked out a hairpin with a ruby pearl flower, a pair of pipa-shaped earrings, and a small tiara. None were particularly extravagant, but they were exquisite and fresh.
"Consider these gifts for our meeting. I used to love wearing them when I was younger, but they're no longer suitable for me."
In reality, Consort Chen was only in her early thirties. Well-maintained, she looked no older than twenty-four or twenty-five. By modern standards, she was in the prime of her life, building a career, falling in love, and enjoying herself.
In ancient times, it was different. Those who acted quickly were already grandparents by their thirties.
Consort Chen's tone carried a hint of the melancholy of time passing and beauty fading.
Wang Qingyao accepted them generously, thanked her, and then removed the hairpin and earrings from her own head.
"Since Your Ladyship has given me something, I must give you something in return. These pieces of jewelry are also ones I love to wear. If I weren't giving them to Your Ladyship, I'd wear them even when I'm sixty! But what Your Ladyship gave me is wonderful too; I can wear them until I'm eighty."
Wang Qingyao was only eighteen or nineteen, yet she was talking about being sixty or eighty. This time, not only Consort Chen was smiling, but the senior palace maids couldn't help but purse their lips and chuckle.
After chatting for a while longer, Consort Chen urged Wang Qingyao to leave. "I'm truly tired. Come play again another day."
Her face showed signs of fatigue.
Ah, people who don't exercise get tired easily.
Wang Qingyao nodded and left Ruhuai Palace. Not many steps later, she encountered a beautiful palace consort.
This consort was about Wang Qingyao's age, with a pretty face and luxurious attire. She was followed by a group of people, her demeanor extremely haughty. It was as if she had "I am a favored consort, who do I fear?" written on her forehead.
Although Wang Qingyao wasn't very familiar with the inner workings of the harem, she knew that the only one referred to as a favored consort was Consort Wei.
The others were merely fleeting fancies of the Emperor.
This consort was young and clearly not one of the other two of the Four Consorts, nor was her rank very high.
Wang Qingyao was the legitimate Princess Consort of Prince Ding'an, a first-rank official's wife.
However, imperial power was supreme, and external consorts had always been considered less noble than internal consorts. Even a minor Talent would require Wang Qingyao to pay her respects, though not necessarily to kneel. Those who were sensible would turn sideways and offer only half a bow or exchange courtesies.
Therefore, Wang Qingyao simply curtsied. Since they were strangers, they exchanged a slight nod and went their separate ways.
Unexpectedly, this palace consort not only accepted Wang Qingyao's full curtsy but also scrutinized her from head to toe without any politeness.
As the saying goes, clothes make the man and a horse needs a saddle. Wang Qingyao had never favored elaborate clothing, and even when entering the palace, she dressed modestly. Moreover, her jewelry had been exchanged with Consort Chen, and she was too lazy to put on new pieces. She looked like a plain, unremarkable passerby.
The mockery on the consort's face became evident. Seeing that she had come from Ruhuai Palace, she gave a look to a palace maid beside her. The maid immediately stepped forward and barked, "Who are you? How dare you not kneel and kowtow to Noble Lady Lu!"
So she was a Noble Lady, indeed not of high rank.
Zhenzhu was about to announce her princess consort's title, but Wang Qingyao subtly signaled her to stop. Although Zhenzhu didn't understand, she quietly retreated and remained silent.
Just now, Wang Qingyao had used her clairvoyance and seen that Noble Lady Lu's palace maid, the one who was shouting, was hiding a small erotic book.
This group had come with such aggression, and from the direction of Ruhuai Palace, they were likely targeting Consort Chen.
Wang Qingyao had just established a rapport with Consort Chen and naturally couldn't stand by idly.
She immediately adopted an arrogant demeanor, looking down at Noble Lady Lu with disdain. "You dare demand I kneel and kowtow for a mere Noble Lady? Do you know who I am? I am Consort Chen's person!"
Noble Lady Lu saw the arrogance in her tone and feared she might have offended the wrong person. Hearing Wang Qingyao mention Consort Chen's name, she immediately sneered.
She had been looking for an excuse to cause trouble at Ruhuai Palace, and this fool had delivered herself right to her.
"Consort Chen is virtuous and demure, but her subordinates clearly lack any decorum. Who are you to Consort Chen? Are you from her maternal family? I heard Consort Chen originated from the palace, so her family background is likely not prominent. Coming from the common folk, a lack of proper etiquette can be understood!"
Noble Lady Lu was indeed very arrogant. At the entrance of Ruhuai Palace, in front of so many people, she dared to mock Consort Chen.
The palace attendants behind her cheered their mistress on, covering their mouths to laugh and looking Wang Qingyao up and down without restraint.