The backyard of Jinzhi Pavilion.
The leaves of orchids are slender and emerald green, as clear and translucent as jade. Some are long and straight, while others are curved like hooks, showing a unique beauty. The flowers of orchids are small and exquisite, with a variety of colors. Some are as white as snow, some are as pink as the sunset, some are as golden as the sun, and some have a mysterious light purple color.
The Empress nodded, "Consort Li's orchids are indeed well-cultivated."
"Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty. I have nothing to do but tend to flowers and plants to amuse myself."
"I've heard that the old lady of the Jin family loves orchids very much, and often spends a fortune on a single orchid. The orchids in her mansion must be a hundred times rarer than those in my palace. It's a pity that the Noble Consort is busy serving His Majesty all day long, and I'm afraid she has no chance to appreciate them."
Consort Li covered her mouth and laughed, then exclaimed in surprise, "Oh dear, I forgot, Your Highness's mother was a merchant and could not enter the palace at will. Your Highness probably hasn't seen the old lady for several years, and has certainly missed the chance to see those precious orchids."
The Empress smiled gently and dignifiedly, looking at Chen Jin'er, "It is a joyous occasion that the Noble Consort is pregnant. If she misses the Old Madam, I can issue an edict to summon her to the palace to see her sister."
Consort Mei was uneasy, her eyes darting around, but she couldn't find the Fourth Princess and didn't pay any attention to what others were saying.
Chen Jin'er chuckled, put her arm around Granny Jin's arm, and straightened up. "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. His Majesty has bestowed a great favor upon Jiao Jiao today, bestowing upon the old lady the title of First-Rank Imperial Lady. The imperial decree should have already been sent to the Jin residence. Mother will naturally go to the palace to express her gratitude tomorrow, so there is no need for Your Majesty to worry about it."
"What!"
Consort Li's expression changed drastically, her jealous and resentful eyes filled with malice as she couldn't hide them. "Why! She's just a merchant, you must be the one who seduced the emperor..."
"Smack—"
Chen Jin'er slapped her across the face. "Consort Li, watch your words! I am a first-rank imperial consort, and Jiao Jiao is the future prince's principal wife. His Majesty, mindful of the Seventh Prince's recent hard work and the grievances he has suffered, has specially bestowed this favor upon him. Are you questioning His Majesty's will?"
"You—you dare hit me! Who do you think you are! I am a woman from the Li family of Qinghe..."
"Smack—"
Another slap landed, Chen Jin'er unleashing her full power, "This slap is to teach you the difference between superiors and inferiors! What Qinghe Li Clan or Cui Clan? Once you enter the palace, you are all His Majesty's concubines. I am a First-Rank Noble Consort, and you are just a lowly Noble Consort. How dare you compare yourself to me?"
"How dare you hit me?"
Consort Li was somewhat dazed from the beating. Her voice was sharp and piercing. Her hands were clenched into fists, her nails digging deep into her palms. She wished she could tear the woman in front of her to pieces.
"Of course I dare to hit you! And I can hit you!"
Chen Jin'er met Consort Li's angry gaze, revealing an undeniable air of authority.
"Ugh—you bastard—"
Before she could finish speaking, another slap landed, sending Consort Li sprawling to the side. She fell to the ground with a piercing scream, "Ahhh—!"
"stop!"
The Empress roared, staring directly at Chen Jin'er, "Does the Noble Consort consider me just a decoration?!"
Chen Jin'er laughed, a laugh utterly sarcastic: "Your Majesty's words are truly amusing. When Consort Li uttered those vile words, you didn't utter a single sound. So, now that I've taken action, it means you're no longer in my sights?"
As she spoke, she wiped her hands with a handkerchief, as if she had just touched something dirty.
The Empress's face turned pale and then red after hearing her words, and she was speechless for a moment.
Consort Li covered her face, glaring at Chen Jin'er with eyes that looked like she wanted to devour her.
Chen Jin'er rolled her eyes, then puffed out her chest, adopting the air of a favored concubine. "Hehe, Your Majesty the Empress is too merciful. Such a person should be severely punished! If I were Your Majesty, I would definitely pull out her tongue as a punishment, to prevent other concubines in the harem from following suit, failing to distinguish between superiors and inferiors, and breaking the rules!"
Upon hearing this, the Empress's face instantly darkened, and she could no longer maintain her dignified expression. A flash of anger appeared in her eyes: "Imperial Consort!"
Consort Li, standing to the side, was so frightened by Chen Jin'er's words that she covered her mouth and stared at Chen Jin'er with extremely venomous eyes.
"If you don't want your eyes anymore, I can gouge them out for you."
Chen Jin'er looked at Consort Li and spoke slowly.
Upon hearing this, Consort Li immediately suppressed her venomous gaze, her heart filled with fear and anger. She clenched her teeth, and the hatred in her eyes intensified.
However, when her gaze fell upon the timid and cowardly Consort Mei, a cruel yet gleeful smile suddenly appeared on her face.
His anger instantly found an outlet.
"Is Consort Mei looking for the Fourth Princess?"
"Someone, go find the Fourth Princess! What is it that's more beautiful than orchids, making her unable to move?"
The group immediately turned to look at Consort Mei.
Consort Mei's face turned pale instantly, filled with panic and trepidation. "Consort Li... what do you mean by that?"
suddenly--
A scream came from the greenhouse not far away, accompanied by the faint sounds of men and women laughing. Consort Li suddenly shouted, "Oh dear, it sounds like the Fourth Princess's voice! Someone come quickly! What's wrong with the Fourth Princess?"
As soon as she finished speaking, a palace maid hurriedly ran towards the flower room.
At the same time, Consort Mei's face turned deathly pale, while the Empress looked coldly at Chen Jin'er. However, to her surprise, Chen Jin'er did not show the slightest sign of panic.
Chen Jin'er chuckled lightly, her tone tinged with sarcasm: "Consort Li, you have quite the hearing. Even Consort Mei couldn't recognize the Fourth Princess's voice, yet you could. How can you be so certain that the voice belongs to the Fourth Princess and not the Seventh Princess?"
Consort Li couldn't hide her smugness: "The Seventh Princess went to the Imperial Garden to admire the flowers early this morning and wasn't at the Golden Branch Pavilion at all."
Consort Mei swayed.
With the help of her nanny, she managed to steady herself and hurriedly walked towards the flower room. When she saw the palace maids beside the Fourth Princess outside the flower room, her vision went black.
A trembling voice asked, "Is the Fourth...Fourth Princess inside?"
Upon seeing Consort Mei, the two palace maids knelt down without saying a word, trembling violently and unable to utter a sound.
Upon seeing this scene, Consort Mei's face turned deathly pale. She struggled to maintain her last shred of reason and clarity, and with all her might, she roared, "You dog servants, get out of here!"
Consort Li said with a mocking smile, "Heh, this is the first time I've seen Consort Mei so fierce. But it's no wonder, you've always treated the Fourth Princess like your own daughter... Guards, quickly open the door and let Consort Mei in for a good look!"
"don't want--"
Consort Mei spread her arms to block the doorway, her face deathly pale and her whole body trembling. Her eyes pleaded as she looked at the Empress, "Your Majesty, I beg you..."
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