An Ning gave a rather shy smile: "I'll definitely go when I have time, little sister."

The Imperial Garden! Forget about it!

Consort Xi understood her reluctance and was not surprised.

Making amends with Anning is not something that can be done overnight.

They chatted casually, and Anning didn't really sense any obvious malice from these concubines. Of course, it's possible that some of them were hiding their true intentions.

Everyone was very good at maintaining appearances; they didn't even direct their verbal sarcasm at her.

This is quite different from the scenes in palace dramas where newcomers are harassed upon entering the palace. Of course, it may also be related to the fact that they are not favored by the emperor.

"The Empress Dowager De has arrived."

"Consort Rong has arrived."

"Consort Yi has arrived."

"Consort Hui has arrived."

What a coincidence that these four people arrived at the same time!

Everyone rose and bowed. Consort Hui, being the oldest, told everyone to rise and then sat in the first chair on the left. Consort Rong sat opposite her, while Consort De and Consort Yi faced each other.

As soon as she sat down, Consort Yi smiled and looked at Consort De: "Consort De, you are so lucky. His Majesty was afraid that the Fourth Prince would be wronged, so he specially conferred a concubine title upon him. I congratulate you! It's just a pity about Consort Dong'e. I'm afraid it will be a while before you can meet her. Speaking of which, I really envy you for having such a capable daughter-in-law as Consort Dong'e. I think that once Consort Dong'e enters the family, your days will not be boring."

Consort De's expression remained unchanged as she smiled and said, "Thank you for your concern, Consort Yi. Princess Dong'e is not as favored by the Emperor as Princess Tatara. I think that in the future, you will be able to get along better with Princess Tatara."

Consort Yi satirized Consort De for being betrayed by her future daughter-in-law, while Consort De satirized Consort Yi for her daughter-in-law's humble background.

Back and forth they went, and judging from their expressions, it was impossible to tell who had won or lost.

Those present included those who knew the truth and those who didn't, but listening to the back-and-forth between the two, those in lower positions tacitly remained silent.

Consort Yi: "Princess Tatara is indeed quite good. The Emperor still loves my Fifth Prince after all. He knows he is honest and kind, so he specially chose a dutiful consort for him. She is not as clever as Princess Dong'e!"

An Ning's gaze swept over Consort De and noticed that her hand holding the handkerchief tightened. Consort De was not truly unmoved by her old rival's ridicule.

At the same time, An Ning gained an understanding of Consort Yi's sharp tongue; she was indeed unforgiving.