Sang Jiang didn't care. She only had one thought in her mind: she was leaving anyway, so these people were nothing to her anymore.

There wasn't one before, there isn't one now, and as for the future, I'm afraid we won't even see each other anymore, let alone have one.

Long Jingchen clearly saw her leave. He pursed his lips, whispered a few words to the Empress Dowager, got up, and followed her out.

Today is Long Jingyu's wedding day, so most of the men's attention is on Long Jingyu. As soon as Sang Jiang left, the women's attention shifted to Yun Siqing and the Emperor's new favorite, Consort Shen.

Unnoticed by everyone, a figure quietly followed the two out. Sang Jiang went straight to Mingyue Palace.

Just as she was about to reach the Bright Moon Palace, a figure suddenly jumped out and blocked her way.

Sang Jiang raised an eyebrow slightly as she looked at the newcomer: "What brings you here?"

Sang Rui hadn't expected her to be so frank. She stepped forward and curtsied to Sang Jiang, saying, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to the Imperial Noble Consort."

Sang Jiang ignored her and just stood there quietly watching her.

Sang Rui didn't expect her to pay attention to her. She ruffled her hair, acted like a kind older sister, and reached out to grab Sang Jiang's hand.

Sang Jiang frowned slightly as she looked at her, and shook off her outstretched hand: "If you have something to say, then say it. If not, I'll be leaving now."

"This Empress?" Sang Rui's eyes slowly reddened: "You are the Imperial Noble Consort, and I am a concubine, Sang Jiang. Have you ever thought that I am where I am today because of you! Otherwise, I would have been the Crown Prince's wife long ago."

Her voice wasn't loud; only Sang Jiang and the other woman could hear it.

Sang Jiang watched as she took a step back, her thin lips parting slightly: "That's your own fault." "Your own fault?"

Sang Rui replied as if she had heard a joke: "Sang Jiang, if it weren't for you, do you think I would be in this state now? You're quite honest."

Sang Jiang found it amusing to look at her. She lowered her head slightly and looked at Sang Rui, who was pretending to be obsequious beside her: "I have always been honest in my actions, unlike the Crown Prince's concubine."

She deliberately emphasized the phrase "the prince's concubine."

As expected, Sang Rui's expression changed immediately, but she quickly recovered. She looked at Sang Jiang and laughed sarcastically: "Yes, I am a concubine, but what about you? Imperial Noble Consort, you are just a concubine of the royal family. How are you any better than me?"

Sang Jiang's face darkened slightly. Sang Rui, seeing her expression, felt even more smug. She smiled and continued, "Sang Jiang, if the Emperor favors you, you're a favored concubine. But when the Emperor doesn't favor you, what do you think you are? You can ride on the Empress's head, so other concubines can ride on your head."

When Kou'er noticed that Sang Jiang's expression was off, she tried to go over, but Chunhe held her hand tightly.

Now that Sang Rui is in such a fawning and humble position, it would seem like they're bullying her if they went up to her again.

Her words were like needles piercing Sang Jiang's heart, causing her a sharp pain in her chest.

She understood all these principles, but hearing them said like this made her feel like she had been stripped naked and exposed to others.

Sang Rui clearly wasn't going to let her off the hook. She straightened her clothes as she looked at the coming and going palace servants and continued, "No matter what, the Crown Prince's residence only has me as his woman..."