Chapter 25 One-Zhang Red

Although Suiyu Pavilion was a bit remote, Zhen Huan was the most favored of the newly promoted concubines by the Emperor, so Suiyu Pavilion was bustling with activity that afternoon.

After everyone left, Jinxi carried the heavy wooden box, bent down and opened it in front of Zhen Huan—"Congratulations, Your Highness, Consort Hua has shown you great favor."

Zhen Huan peeked inside and saw piles of precious gold and jade jewelry in the box, the total value of which was impossible to calculate.

Seeing that Zhen Huan showed no surprise, Cui Jinxi held this young lady in higher regard and then pointed to the trays placed beside her.

"This was sent by Consort Qi, and that was sent by Consort Xin. These are all practical items, in my opinion."

Zhen Huan stood up and walked to the tray, gently opened the box and examined it briefly—"This Consort Xin is truly thoughtful; everything she sent is exactly what we need right now."

“Yes.” Jinxi also walked to her side, thought for a moment and said in a low voice, “Now in the palace, the Empress and Consort Hua are rivals. Consort Qi is biased towards the Empress, while Consort Xin does not participate in these matters. Your Highness must not be negligent.”

These words served as a reminder to Zhen Huan that the harem was not a place for her to retire. She also lost some of her initial excitement and nodded with pursed lips.

"On my way here, I saw a woman. Judging from her clothes and appearance, she doesn't look like a concubine. She looks more like a noblewoman. I wonder who she is?" Zhen Huan suddenly thought of this and turned to look at Kang Luhai and Jinxi.

Jinxi and Kang Luhai exchanged a glance, and after a moment's thought, they had a candidate in mind—"The one Your Highness is referring to should be Consort Xin's mother."

"Consort Xin?" Zhen Huan tilted her head and repeated curiously.

Jinxi said, “Yes, concubines who are eight months pregnant can have their relatives enter the palace to accompany them during childbirth. Consort Xin was pregnant twice, both times around the seventh month. After the Sixth Prince was born, the Emperor was overjoyed and made a special exception, allowing Consort Xin’s family to stay in the palace for a short time.”

Listening to Jinxi's words, Zhen Huan stared at herself in the mirror, lost in thought.

Having not left home for seventeen years, I already miss it after only half a day. If I could have a son or daughter in the future, it would be wonderful if my mother and sister could have the opportunity to visit me in the palace.

——

Three days passed in a flash, and before they knew it, it was time for the newlyweds to pay their respects for the first time.

As soon as Lü Yingfeng stepped outside, she saw Consort An already waiting at the door. Therefore, she did not take a sedan chair, since there was enough time, and chatted with her all the way to Jingren Palace.

She is now increasingly convinced that listening to her son was the right thing to do. The name An Yingying is indeed fitting for her surname, and she is truly very peaceful.

On the first day of her visit to Lü Yingfeng, she knew that Lü Yingfeng's family was not prominent and did not expect her to bring any gifts. But who would have thought that this delicate young girl would have such good embroidery skills? She brought an embroidered handkerchief to thank her. Although the material of the handkerchief was ordinary, the lifelike magnolia on it showed that the embroidery was truly extraordinary.

She doesn't cause trouble or make a fuss, and she comes to pay her respects and talk to her every day. Lü Yingfeng finds her pleasing to the eye no matter what.

Because of the walking, Lü Yingfeng didn't arrive early. An Lingrong was at the very back, so no one noticed him. However, Lü Yingfeng was going to walk to the first position on the right, which inevitably attracted some attention.

The young women stood in two rows in the middle. Having just heard the eunuchs' chanting, they all knew that Consort Xin had arrived. They couldn't help but be curious about who this Consort Xin, who had given birth to three children, was, and couldn't help but secretly look up.

Lu Yingfeng wore a dianzi hairstyle today, with two sky-blue velvet flower tassels adorning her temples, making her look noble yet elegant. She moved gracefully, and her dark floral Shu brocade qipao was well-tailored, giving her a swaying and ethereal beauty. She did not look like someone who had given birth, as everyone had imagined.

Lu Yingfeng stood still, bowed slightly to the Empress, exchanged greetings with Consort Qi, and then sat down gracefully.

Her gaze swept over the still empty seat opposite her, and she couldn't help but shake her head slightly. Being late was a common occurrence for her, and she figured the Empress wouldn't be waiting for her today.

As she expected, things went exactly as she predicted.

The Empress's gentle yet dignified voice came from above, offering her concern for the newly arrived concubines. Just then, Jiang Fuhai's voice came in.

"Consort Hua has arrived!"

A stunningly beautiful woman swayed into the room, her jade pendants jingling softly.

"I'm not too late, am I?" Consort Hua said with a provocative smile, giving a less-than-perfect bow. She merely nodded in acknowledgment of the bows from Consort Qi and Consort Xin.

Lü Yingfeng didn't seem to care much, and simply flicked her sleeves before sitting down.

She had thought it would be a fun tea party, but it turned out to be so boring. She sat up straight and lowered her head slightly, seemingly listening attentively to everyone, but in reality, she was already thinking about Hongzhao's lessons for the day.

Listening to Consort Hua boasting about the Emperor's affection for her, listening to the brainless whispers of the concubine who seemed to be named Xia Dongchun, and listening to everyone bowing and kowtowing to the Empress.

When it was Consort Hua's turn, she seemed not to notice at all, and instead discussed this year's jadeite with the Empress.

Seeing Xinfei's absent-minded look, Nian Shilan didn't let her off the hook and even pulled her aside to say a few words.

"Consort Xin, you've been serving the Emperor for a long time now, you should pay more attention to your attire, lest you embarrass him." She then gave her a rather haughty glare—"The next day, when you wear the headdress I gave you, you should be more dignified!"

Lu Yingfeng touched the fluffy flower by her ear, looking at her with amusement. She had a variety of sarcastic remarks on her lips, but she swallowed them back down.

Well, she could tell whether it was sarcasm or just insincerity.

"One set isn't enough. I can't wear the same set every day. Why don't you give me a few more sets, Consort Hua? I'll dress up nicely." She tilted her head and looked at Consort Hua with a teasing tone, making it really difficult for her to keep quiet.

Consort Hua gave a soft snort and turned her head away from her.

The newlyweds, kneeling precariously and suffering terribly, were hoping these people would finish speaking quickly so they could stand up.

Her heartfelt words were finally heard by the Empress.

"Oh dear, I forgot for a moment. My sisters are still being too formal. Please get up." Consort Hua's acting skills were not good, but no one dared to say a word.

Except for summer, winter and spring.

Lu Yingfeng was quite puzzled by this person. She heard her name on her very first day in the palace. Her words, "No matter how good Consort Hua's things are, they are not as good as the Empress's," spread throughout the harem like a hurricane.

The last person to dare to openly defy Consort Hua was Consort Fang in the Cold Palace.

Lu Yingfeng didn't want to hear any more of her stupid words, but Consort Shen and Consort Wan could be described as intelligent and graceful.

Lu Yingfeng was anxious to go back and see Shu'er and Hongzhou. When everyone paid their respects to her, she naturally didn't make things difficult for them and simply told them to get up. After listening to the Empress's reprimand for a few minutes, she ended the day's audience and got up to leave with everyone.

Lu Yingfeng had intended to take An back with her, but An hesitated and said she wanted to talk with Wan Changzai and Shen Guiren. Knowing that they had some connection, Lu Yingfeng didn't insist. She just smiled and gave a few words of advice before leaving with Xuexin.

Thinking that nothing major would happen today, Lü Yingfeng returned to the palace, changed into comfortable clothes, and held Shu'er in her arms, coaxing and playing with her.

"Your Majesty, just now... Consort Xia was given a severe beating by Consort Hua."