"Greetings to Her Majesty the Empress."

"Get up, everyone."

"Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress."

While the ceremony was being performed, Sun Miaoqing secretly glanced at the Empress a few times. Her expression remained the same as always, with a kind and benevolent face like Guanyin in a New Year's painting, and a gentle smile on her lips.

However, Sun Miaoqing felt that the Empress was clearly preparing a big move.

[I was promoted to the rank of Noble Lady by the chubby orange cat so quickly, and I have to report to the Hall of Mental Cultivation every day. The Empress should be very bothered by this and feel extremely insecure. How come she seems to be completely unconcerned right now?]

[It must be that my eyesight is too poor to see this textbook-perfect acting.]

The Empress's lips curved into an even wider smile; she hadn't expected Sun Miaoqing to understand her so well.

That's true. She knows so much, so what's a little bit?

It seems that Sun Miaoqing harbors a deep-seated prejudice against her; at least this time, she genuinely meant no harm.

The Empress said, "The Beginning of Winter is just a few days away. I have already instructed the Imperial Household Department to make more clothes for my sisters."

"This year is the first year of His Majesty's reign, so we should be even more joyous."

Sun Miaoqing's eyes lit up; it was time for year-end bonuses!

The Empress chuckled upon seeing this; after all, she was still just a little girl.

Consort Hua did not refute the Empress's words this time. She always dressed up in a flamboyant manner, but since the Emperor valued frugality, she could not be too extravagant.

Even so, her meager monthly allowance couldn't last even ten days. Over the years, if it weren't for her family's subsidies, she probably wouldn't be as well-off as Consort Qi.

With the Empress speaking up, it will be much easier for her to make the arrangements.

Consort Hua said, "Since we want to dress up in a more festive way, then let the Imperial Household Department find a few more master craftsmen from outside the palace to add a couple of matching pieces of jewelry for the concubines."

"Your Majesty's reputation is at stake. After all, it would be inappropriate if the concubines dressed too poorly and the outside world found out."

[Jewelry too? Hua Pangpang is so generous! Should I choose red agate or red coral? Agate is gorgeous and warm to the touch, with a bright luster, while red coral is vibrant and lifelike—it's such a difficult choice.]

Only children make choices; of course, they want it all!

Consort Hua rolled her eyes at Sun Miaoqing, saying, "I already told you she's not fat at all!"

However, on ordinary days she either wore palace flowers made of gold thread and gemstone beads, or a headdress adorned with kingfisher feathers, with coral beads serving only as embellishments.

This stuff is precious; it would be nice to make a set of headdresses from it.

The Empress said, "In that case, let the Imperial Household Department make two pairs for each of my sisters to wear and play with. But we can skip hiring a tailor from outside the palace; it's just not convenient."

"Especially you few, this is your first year in the palace, you should get some nice clothes."

"This concubine thanks Your Majesty the Empress."

After chatting for a while, neither the Empress nor Consort Hua brought up the topic of her, so Sun Miaoqing was quite content with her leisure. But she had only been at ease for a couple of seconds when she heard Consort Cao's voice.

"I haven't congratulated Sister Cheng yet. I heard that yesterday the Emperor not only promoted her to the rank of Noble Lady, but also ordered her to serve him with writing materials for two hours every day at the Hall of Mental Cultivation."

"Sister congratulates her younger sister. I wonder what the younger sister's secret is to make the Emperor so happy. Could you tell me so that all the sisters can learn from it?"

Here it comes! I knew someone would be unable to resist!

[How could it be Consort Cao? Although she is cunning, ruthless, and foolish, she wouldn't be so impatient, would she?]

Everyone present turned to look at Consort Cao, their expressions remarkably uniform.

The treacherous, cunning, ruthless, and foolish Consort Cao!

Can she take back what she just said?

Consort Cao gave Sun Miaoqing a bitter smile, as if she had been forced to say what she had just said.

[How dare they provoke me and then make faces at me! I can't stand it anymore!]

Consort Cao...that's not a funny face!

Everyone turned to look at Consort Cao, their expressions remarkably uniform, as if to say, "Dare you offend her?"

Sun Miaoqing said, "If Sister Cao wants to learn, she should ask the Emperor. I didn't know how to serve people to begin with, and the Emperor taught me everything I did."

"What's wrong, sister? You've been serving the Emperor for so long, haven't you learned anything yet?"

Consort Cao quickly replied, "Yes, yes, it was my fault just now, please don't take it to heart, please don't take it to heart."

After saying that, Consort Cao nervously picked up the teacup on the table, wanting to drink some water to calm her nerves, but just as she was about to drink, she saw Sun Miaoqing smiling at her.

Sun Miaoqing thought she had smiled very kindly, but to her surprise, Consort Cao choked on her tea and started coughing violently in front of everyone, showing no decorum whatsoever that of a concubine.

The Empress gave her a disdainful look, and Consort Hua cursed her under her breath as a useless thing.

"How can you choke on a sip of water? Consort Cao, how can you be so careless?"

"Huichun, send Consort Cao downstairs and have someone check what's wrong. Why hasn't her coughing gotten better after all this time?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

As soon as Consort Cao was led away, the Empress turned around and noticed that Consort Fucha was acting strangely.

Before she came out, Xiu Xia told her that Consort Fucha had a conflict with Consort Cheng at the palace gate.

The Empress was filled with displeasure. If you want to cause trouble, don't do it here. Making trouble at the gate of Jingren Palace is just slapping her in the face.

However, considering her past public image, the Empress couldn't help but ask a question.

"Consort Fucha, what's wrong with you? You're sweating profusely. Are you feeling unwell?"

Consort Fucha glanced fearfully at Sun Miaoqing, her voice trembling, "Reporting to Your Majesty the Empress, this concubine is fine..."

"I'm just... just a little dizzy..."

As she spoke, Consort Fucha swayed, but fortunately Sang'er caught her quickly, preventing her from falling onto the table.

"A benefactor..."

"My lord... what's wrong with you?"

The Empress ordered, "Quickly, go and fetch the imperial physician."

Jiang Fuhai responded and went to give the instructions.

Everyone looked at Consort Fucha with curiosity, while Xinbaji and the others started talking all at once.

"Could it be that you've lost weight and caught a cold?"

"It doesn't look like it to me. Judging from Consort Fucha's appearance, it seems like she has suddenly fallen ill."

"A seasonal illness! Is it contagious?!"

"Look at how pale he is, like he's seen a ghost. Could he have offended something?"

Consort Li sat on the chair, shrinking back in fright, covering her mouth and nose with a silk handkerchief while glancing timidly at Sun Miaoqing.

Sun Miaoqing was completely confused. Was she really that scary?

Seeing that everyone's words were getting more and more outrageous, the Empress's face darkened. "Enough, what nonsense are you spouting?"

"Jianqiu, take Consort Fucha to the back to rest. We'll talk after the imperial physician has examined her."

"Yes, Your Majesty."