Wang Qingyao sneered, "Unlike the beautiful Lu, you don't know the rules and dare to question Consort Chen."
Consort Lu was actually delighted that Wang Qingyao was using Consort Chen's name. She was fearless, as if tailor-made for her plan.
Truth be told, Consort Lu and Consort Chen had no real animosity.
Although Consort Chen held a high position and had given birth to the Seventh Prince, the Emperor did not favor her at all, only spending one or two nights a year at Ruhuai Palace. Even those visits were merely ceremonial, and the Emperor was always displeased.
In contrast, Consort Lu was young, beautiful, and so tender she seemed to exude moisture. The Emperor had summoned her for intimacy several times recently. Among the new arrivals in the palace, she was the most prominent. The Emperor liked her innocent pride and straightforward nature, even mistaking her occasional arrogance and disrespect for youthful ignorance and genuine character.
However, Consort Lu's pride and arrogance were measured. She was extremely respectful towards Noble Consort Wei, never daring to overstep. She had even tried to curry favor with Noble Consort Wei, hoping to join her faction and acknowledge her as leader, seeking her protection. But Noble Consort Wei paid her little attention, always treating her with cold indifference.
Noble Consort Wei dominated the palace; no faction could contend with her for favor. She cared nothing for these insignificant pawns. Her only rival in life had been the late Empress Xiaoxian. Consort Chen belonged to Empress Xiaoxian's faction. Even if she was not favored, Noble Consort Wei would be immensely pleased to see her embarrassed and ridiculed by the entire harem.
Thus, Consort Lu, thinking herself clever, devised this scheme. It wasn't a brilliant plan. She merely needed to visit Ruhuai Palace, have her trusted maid plant a forbidden book in Consort Chen's chambers, and then "accidentally" expose it. The crime of possessing forbidden texts and indulging in debauchery within the palace walls was secondary. The important thing was that Consort Chen would become a laughingstock of the entire harem, which would please Noble Consort Wei. If the Noble Consort was pleased, would she not look upon her, the one who had rendered such great service, with renewed favor?
With this thought, Consort Lu feigned "outrage," "How dare you, you rustic woman! Guards, seize her and bring her before Consort Chen to judge who truly disregards the rules!"
Several palace maids moved to grab Wang Qingyao. Zhenzhu, however, would not let them touch her. She fought off one, then two, and Consort Lu's attendants were no match for her.
Consort Lu grew anxious. She hadn't expected Wang Qingyao to be so formidable! If she couldn't get into Ruhuai Palace, this whole performance would be in vain. Her expression shifted, like an actor changing roles. She put on a look of terror and fear, pulling the maid who had hidden the forbidden book. "This is too frightening! Committing such violence openly within the palace! Bi Cha, quickly, let's go inside and report to Consort Chen, so she can come out and preside!"
Bi Cha replied, "Yes," and helped Consort Lu towards Ruhuai Palace.
How could Wang Qingyao let them enter? "Zhenzhu, stop them!"
Consort Lu had already witnessed Zhenzhu's ferocity. Seeing Zhenzhu block their path, and fearing she might be harmed, Consort Lu quickly retreated a couple of steps. "How dare you obstruct me!" Consort Lu declared from about two meters away from Zhenzhu.
Consort Lu truly hadn't expected Consort Chen's family to be so audacious, practically courting death! Even without the forbidden book, Consort Chen would have a difficult day. The commotion at the entrance of Ruhuai Palace finally alerted Consort Chen. She sent someone to investigate and, upon learning that Wang Qingyao and Consort Lu were in conflict, she quickly came out with her attendants.
"What is happening? Why haven't you left yet?" she asked Wang Qingyao.
Before Wang Qingyao could speak, Consort Lu rushed forward to complain, "Your Highness, you must uphold justice for me! This woman, relying on your favor, disregards hierarchy. Not only did she fail to pay her respects upon seeing me, but she also had her maid injure my palace maid."
Consort Chen's expression faltered. Relying on her favor? Who? The Princess of Ding'an? She looked at Consort Lu in confusion. The Prince of Ding'an was a powerful figure in the capital, more influential with the Emperor than an unfavored consort like herself. Why would his wife presume to use her influence?
Just as Consort Lu was about to lodge her complaint, Wang Qingyao also stepped forward. She took Consort Chen's arm and said, "Your Highness, don't listen to her nonsense. I clearly paid my respects, yet she demanded I kneel and kowtow? Even you, Your Highness, have never demanded I kneel. What right does she have?"
Consort Lu retorted, "Do you not understand hierarchy? It is only natural for you to kneel before me. Her Highness not demanding you kneel is out of familial consideration. Yet you are ignorant of etiquette and presumptuous!"
Consort Chen became even more bewildered. When had she and the Princess of Ding'an become family? Besides, no matter how foolish Consort Lu was, she wouldn't be so obtuse as to demand a kowtow from the Princess of Ding'an, would she? Consort Lu, though a noble lady, held a low rank. Wang Qingyao was the legitimate wife of a first-rank prince. The Prince of Ding'an was favored by the Emperor, and even Consort Chen herself held some standing with the Empress Dowager. Even Noble Consort Wei would not deliberately humiliate her. Was Consort Lu out of her mind?
Suddenly, an idea struck her, and she looked towards Wang Qingyao. Wang Qingyao subtly winked at her, her eyes glinting with mischief. Consort Chen began to understand, but she had no idea what scheme Wang Qingyao was hatching.