"There's nothing we can do about it. We've all lived in the harem for so long, what is there that we can't understand?"
Xiu Ning chimed in, saying that everyone says a few discouraging things anyway, and right now their main focus is on feeling frustrated, so they might as well do whatever makes them feel frustrated.
At this time of day, the midday sun is very hot. Although the pavilion can provide shade and shelter from the rain, it is not a large space, and people will feel uncomfortable if they stay there for too long.
As the conversation drew to a close, the atmosphere grew increasingly tense. Seeing this, Xiu Ning decided not to linger any longer and made up an excuse about having business in the palace to slip away.
With Xiuning gone, the remaining five had even less to say. Considering that all five of them combined weren't as favored as Xiuning alone, the fact that they could talk so much with her suggested they had ulterior motives.
Everyone dispersed and returned to their respective palaces, continuing to pursue their own petty schemes.
...
Throughout the summer and autumn, the most favored concubine in the harem was Consort Hesheli.
Without the Empress's deliberate restrictions and with Consort Shu and Consort Tong not being very involved, Consort Hesheli offended all the lower-ranking concubines in the harem all by herself.
This was the first time Xiuning had ever seen the three banners—Manchu, Han, and Mongol—join forces to give Consort Hesheli a hard time.
Xiu Ning was a rather special case among them. Her rank was neither high nor low, and she received neither the highest nor the lowest level of favor. She lived a life like an invisible person for a while, and she received quite a few benefits. However, because Consort Hesheli helped her take the blame, she avoided a lot of trouble.
To be honest, if possible, Xiuning would still hope that Consort Hesheli could continue to be favored, since she herself hadn't lost anything during this period.
"My lady, it's almost time. We should head to Kunning Palace."
Chunyu stood behind Xiuning and whispered a reminder to her mistress, who was still admiring herself in the mirror.
Hearing the noise, Xiu Ning's eyes lit up. She got up from the round stool, the gold hairpin in her hair swaying slightly. "The Empress always likes to hold all kinds of banquets, whether she has something to do or not. What kind of banquet is it today?"
Xiu Ning handed her hand to Chun Yu, who was standing to the side, and couldn't help but complain as she walked towards the door.
It's strange, really. A while ago, because of the death of her eldest son, the Empress was devastated. She wore a grumpy face almost everywhere she went, as if the word "unhappy" was etched on her face.
Now that the initial excitement has probably passed, the Empress has started hosting all sorts of banquets, such as flower viewing banquets and crab banquets. In short, they have all kinds of banquets, each with its own unique format.
"I heard that a new batch of fine materials has been sent from Jiangnan," Chunyu said. She didn't understand why the Empress had changed her attitude, but judging from the Emperor's attitude towards Hesheli, it must be beneficial.
As they were talking, the master and servant had already left the side hall of Qixiang Palace.
Xiuning walked to the sedan chair parked at the door, glanced down at it, and said, "Never mind, we won't take the sedan chair today. We'll walk there."
Um?
Chunyu waved her hand, helped Xiuning around the sedan chair, and whispered tactfully, "Your Highness, is there something wrong with the sedan chair again?"
The last time something happened was when she was pregnant with the young master's child. At that time, Chunyu was terrified. In the end, they just replaced the palace servants who carried the sedan chair, and the matter was dropped.
Xiuning shook her head. "There's nothing wrong, I just suddenly don't want to sit anymore."
Upon hearing this, Chunyu hesitated, glancing at her master twice, but ultimately said nothing more.
Xiu Ning didn't explain when she saw this. She had just told Chun Yu the truth. There was indeed no problem with the sedan chair. It was just that she wouldn't be able to have a peaceful trip to Kun Ning Palace today, so taking the sedan chair there was really not worth it.
The journey from Qixiang Palace to Kunning Palace wasn't far, and Xiuning wasn't in a hurry. She and Chunyu arrived in about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.
"Oh, isn't this Consort Xitala? Why didn't you come in a sedan chair today?"
Xiu Ning ran into the annoying Consort Hesheli at the entrance of Kunning Palace. She rolled her eyes inwardly, thinking to herself, "Isn't this the most destabilizing factor? I don't know why her presence became so low after she was made a concubine."
"Normally, once you enter the palace, the etiquette is impeccable. Consort Hesheli, after only two days apart, how come she doesn't even know how to bow and greet higher-ranking concubines?"
Xiu Ning didn't go inside; she just stood in front of Consort Hesheli, waiting for her reaction.
Consort Hesheli: ...
"This concubine pays her respects to Consort Xitala."
Consort Hesheli gave a perfunctory curtsy, clearly displeased.
Xiuning felt relieved when the other party was unhappy.
With a smile on her lips, Xiu Ning turned around and said, "Consort Hesheli still needs to practice her manners more, otherwise she will only embarrass her own family."
"you"
Consort Hesheli was so angry she jumped up and down, but unfortunately Xiuning had already gone far away.
Led by the palace servants in the courtyard, Xiu Ning stepped into the main hall, where she heard Consort Li discussing the commotion at the palace gate.
Xiu Ning just smiled and sat in her seat without saying a word.
"Consort Xitala, you came in from outside. Did you see the scene that Consort Li described?"
Consort Zhaojia spoke up, then turned and brought the topic to Xiuning's lips.
Xiu Ning blinked, thinking to herself, "Why are you dragging her into your dispute with Consort Li?" "I was in a bit of a hurry when I came in, so I didn't notice anything. What's going on at the palace gate?"
As she spoke, Xiu Ning glanced towards the doorway, her innocent expression making everyone's teeth ache.
Tsk, there's no need to act like this, it's gone too far.
Concubine Zhao Jia: ...
Consort Zhao Jia could only laugh awkwardly and use the excuse that it was nothing to brush it off. As for Consort Li, she obediently shut her mouth and secretly glared at Consort Zhao Jia, clearly annoyed by the other's talkativeness.
Soon, Consort Hesheli, who had been conspicuously positioned at the entrance, also entered the main hall.
With the arrival of the Empress, this bizarre and incongruous banquet began.
To put it simply, the Empress had the palace servants bring over a pile of fabrics. First, she distributed them according to rank, then she bestowed some upon herself. Finally, there were a few nice pieces that everyone admired, and whoever liked them got them.
Xiuning: ...You're really bored.
Xiuning didn't get involved, only taking what she was supposed to take. Then she sat back down and listened to Consort Tong and the Empress explaining what kind of double-sided embroidery these fabrics were, how exquisite every stitch was, blah blah blah... In short, the fabrics were very luxurious, and you shouldn't miss them.
The fabrics were dyed using various techniques, and the embroidery threads were of all kinds. As a result, the abundance of fabrics in the main hall created an indescribable fragrance.
Xiu Ning had a keen sense of smell and found the fragrance somewhat strange, but for others, especially lower-ranking concubines, the natural fragrance of the fabric was a rare treasure.
"...Since Consort Hesheli likes them, please take these two sets of light pink fabrics with you."
The Empress was all smiles and showed no sign of the displeasure that Consort Hesheli had caused her.
"This humble servant thanks Your Majesty the Empress."
Consort Hesheli nodded smugly, signaling the maid to take her away, and then glared at the others who had competed with her.
The Empress smiled faintly and remained silent, only picking up the teacup beside her and taking a sip to moisten her lips.
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