Chapter 184 Morning Inspection Turmoil
Early morning, the main hall of Consort Li's palace.
He Ling knelt obediently on the cold gold brick floor, her knees already numb with pain.
She lowered her head, trying to minimize her presence, while the little voice inside her was frantically banging against the wall.
[Kneeling all the time, can't they come up with any other creative ideas besides kneeling?]
[It's just that the tea was a tiny bit too hot when we greeted each other.]
[If I had known I'd have to kneel for half an hour, I would have been lucky to have been in there with two rat droppings!]
The system's cold, electronic voice carried an undisguised mockery.
"Host, this system has already warned you that Consort Li is an important plot character and you need to be careful. If you can't even endure this little bit of hardship, do you still want to complete the mission? Think about the points in the shop."
What's there to think about with a score of 0? Do you expect me to stage a comeback?
Forget it, my life motto is to lie there and rest a little longer wherever I fall.
[Alas, although they are both imperial concubines, Consort Li is no match for Consort Zhuang.]
[Waaaaah, Consort Zhuang, where are you? Please come and save me! I can't take it anymore!]
Just as He Ling was inwardly groaning, feeling as if her knees were about to separate from her body.
"Is Sister Lifei having a morning meeting so early in the morning?"
A series of light footsteps came from the entrance of the palace, and He Ling suddenly looked up.
Her beloved, her knight in shining armor, her Empress Zhuang has arrived!
Jiang Huan, accompanied by Xiao Zhao, wore a bright smile on her face.
This morning, she had planned to strike while the iron was hot and brainwash He Ling to obtain more information.
But as soon as they arrived at Chuxiu Palace, they heard from the maids who were left behind that their mistress had gone to pay her respects to Consort Li.
Jiang Huan could easily guess that An Yi's question would cost her half her life.
This is a perfect opportunity to lend her a helping hand, allowing me to improve my standing in He Ling's eyes, who is so fickle.
Upon seeing Jiang Huan, Consort Li straightened her back considerably.
When it comes to presence, you can't let yourself be outshone!
She sat upright in the main seat, slowly fiddling with the lid of her teacup without even lifting her eyelids, her voice icy.
“Sister Zhuangfei, you’ve arrived early today. This morning meeting wasn’t something I wanted to hold, but some people are always so clumsy. Today you managed to frame me with hot tea. If I don’t teach you a lesson, when I go to your palace to pay my respects tomorrow, I’m afraid I’ll have tea splashed on your face.”
It's another case of framing someone without a reason.
Jiang Huan still had a smile on her face, seemingly listening attentively to Consort Li, and occasionally nodding in agreement.
Just as Consort Li was looking pleased and was about to speak again...
She suddenly changed the subject: "What my sister said makes sense, but let's talk about it next time."
"I made an appointment with Consort Ling yesterday to go to the Imperial Garden to admire the flowers, but we've already missed the appointed time, so I have to go ahead."
Consort Li gritted her teeth in anger.
It seems this guy completely ignored her!
He Ling, who was kneeling on the ground, was also completely bewildered.
[We agreed to go flower viewing? When did you make that appointment? I didn't know that.]
[Ah! I understand now, Your Majesty is saving me!]
Oh my god, I'm going to kiss him!
He Ling's mind was racing, and she looked at Jiang Huan with teary eyes, almost crying on the spot.
"Flowers can be admired tomorrow, but rules cannot be neglected. Consort Zhuang, I address you as my sister, do you think you can be my equal?"
Upon seeing this, Consort Li became even angrier and slammed the teacup down.
"Sister, you are mistaken. I am clearly standing and you are sitting, so how can you say we are on equal footing?"
Jiang Huan blinked her big eyes and gave an innocent-looking curtsy.
Hmph, she's now mastered the art of being a white lotus on the outside but a cunning old fox on the inside.
What's this talk of being on equal footing? They were all one of the four imperial concubines, so who was more noble than whom?
The system of seniority is the least practical in the imperial harem. Have you ever seen a concubine who gets more favored the older she is?
While thinking, Jiang Huan was also busy.
She seemed to suddenly remember something, and said it in a serious tone.
"But my sister reminded me that we really should wait a while before admiring these flowers."
"I have come today for two reasons: first, to urge Consort Ling to appreciate the flowers, and second, to present my elder sister with a gift."
Jiang Huan waved to Xiao Zhao, took a delicate little jar, opened the lid, and handed it to Consort Li.
This was a "stepping stone" she retrieved from the palace after learning that He Ling had been punished.
"Sister, getting so angry so early in the morning is really bad for your health. The wrinkles around your eyes... cough, I mean, your complexion has gotten worse."
"Here, this is something your sister brought you specially. It's freshly made osmanthus honey with a secret recipe. This is the first jar that even the Emperor hasn't tasted yet."
Jiang Huan winked mischievously, her tone sweet.
They may be called steps, but they are also a warning.
Looking at the crystal-clear osmanthus honey in the jar before her, and then at Jiang Huan's face that was smiling like a little fox, Consort Li felt a surge of anger rush to her head.
This Jiang Huan, you think you can just get rid of her with a jar of broken honey?
They even invoked the emperor's name and looked radiant—isn't this blatant mockery?
Consort Li wished she could smash the jar in Jiang Huan's face to give her a hard time.
But reason told her she couldn't do that.
Jiang Huan is currently enjoying the Emperor's favor. Thinking back to her former nemesis, Consort Jia, she was far too reckless.
By smashing this jar of honey, his future was also ruined.
It would be better to take things easy and proceed gradually.
Li Fei took a deep breath and forced a smile that looked worse than crying as she took the jar through gritted teeth.
"Little sister...you're so thoughtful."
It was just a stroke of luck that he won the emperor's favor.
Hmph, she'd like to see how long Jiang Huan could be so smug.
Jiang Huan seemed oblivious to the icy glint in Consort Li's eyes, and continued to smile brightly.
"If you like her, then..." She turned to look at He Ling, who was still kneeling, "So, little sister, you'll borrow her?"
As she spoke, she gestured with her eyes for Xiao Zhao to help the person.
Consort Li's face turned ashen, but she couldn't afford to lash out again, so she could only squeeze out a single word through gritted teeth.
"……Um."
He Ling felt as if she had been granted a pardon, and with the help of Xiao Zhao, she stood up shakily.
Her knees ached so badly she grimaced, but remembering Consort Li's previous behavior, she forced herself to bow to Consort Li.
"Thank you, Your Highness, for your guidance. I will take my leave now."
Jiang Huan smiled and took He Ling's arm, giving a slight nod to Consort Li.
"I was out of luck today. If there's another flower-viewing party another day, please invite me too, little sister."
After saying this, without waiting for Consort Li's response, Jiang Huan half-dragged and half-pulled He Ling out of the palace.
Consort Li watched the two figures leave, her eyes filled with a sinister glint.
She abruptly shoved the jar in her hand into the hands of her personal maid, her voice as cold as ice.
"Take it away, and make sure you keep it safe for me!"
It is said that the Emperor favored Consort Zhuang because she was an excellent cook.
She wanted to investigate carefully what hidden secrets lay within this honey!
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