Seeing that Nan Zhiyun seemed even more upset after her stroll, Qianxia felt a pang of guilt and immediately tried to comfort her: "Jieyu, it's cold outside. Let me accompany you back. You've just recovered, don't overexert yourself. What flowers do you like, Jieyu? I'll have someone bring them to Yajingju, okay?"
"They won't survive, forget it," Nan Zhi said, having no interest in growing flowers. But knowing Qian Xia's concerns, she decided to go back as well.
But just as he made this plan, he heard Chen Zhaoyuan's (Chen Xiurong's) voice from behind.
"Oh, isn't this Consort Nan? What brings you out for a stroll today?" Consort Chen asked with a smile. She was followed by quite a few people, but most of them were lower-ranking concubines.
"This concubine greets Consort Chen," Nan Zhiyun said respectfully, without much expression.
“Nan Jieyu was once the most noble lady in the capital, even surpassing the princess. Now, I am somewhat hesitant to accept this greeting,” said Consort Chen, without urging her to rise.
Nan Zhiyun knew this was her way of making things difficult for her, but she didn't care. Now that she was considered inferior, these kinds of tactics were all too common.
However, Nan Zhiyun's nonchalant attitude made Chen Zhaoyuan somewhat unhappy. She had never made things difficult for anyone before, even for the sake of her image in Yu Jingchen's eyes.
However, thinking about how Yu Jingchen had punished her in front of Nan Zhiyun before, she was filled with anger. In addition, she had become a little complacent due to the favor she had received these past few days.
"Does Consort Nan disagree with what I've said?" Consort Chen asked.
“As one of His Majesty’s concubines, my status is inferior to that of Consort Zhao, so I naturally need to pay my respects to Consort Zhao,” Nan Zhiyun replied.
"Huh? What? Does Consort Nan think that just because you're not a concubine, you're superior? Consort Nan, once you enter the palace, you belong to His Majesty. You have to give up whatever status you had before," Consort Chen questioned with these words.
Nan Zhiyun had been maintaining the bowing posture, but now she was starting to feel the strain.
"Zhaoyuan is right, I have learned my lesson." Nan Zhiyun did not argue, because no matter what she said, they would have their reasons, just because she was indeed of higher status than her, and just because she was favored while she was not.
This place is remote, and not many people usually come here. They just happened to come here today, which clearly means they're looking for me. The reason is obvious.
"Heh, in my opinion, Consort Nan doesn't seem to know anything. She's even messing up her bowing. It's obvious she doesn't respect you, Consort Zhaoyuan," said Consort Yang, who was standing next to Consort Chen.
"I think so too. Consort Nan comes from a prestigious family and was raised by the Empress Dowager. Her manners are the most impeccable. But now she can't even do a proper bow. It's obvious that she did it on purpose." This time, it was Consort Lin who spoke.
"What does Consort Nan have to say?" Chen Zhaoyuan looked at Nan Zhiyun with displeasure.
“I had no intention of disrespecting Consort Zhao,” Nan Zhiyun replied.
"How dare you!" Chen Zhaoyuan clearly wanted to accuse her.
"Your Highness, please understand. My lady is just recovering from a serious illness. She just kept the same posture for a while and couldn't stand it anymore. But she absolutely did not mean any disrespect to Your Highness," Qianxia pleaded.
To her surprise, Consort Chen slapped her across the face: "What business is it of a lowly servant like you when I'm speaking to your mistress? Guards!"
Chen Zhaoyuan originally wanted to order someone to deal with this ignorant and lowly maid, but then she heard Nan Zhiyun say, "Chen Zhaoyuan, Qianxia was given to me by the Empress Dowager."
This statement can be considered both a reminder and a threat.
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