She sat upright on the ceremonial staff and spotted Huo Qinghe's figure in the distance.
Without Huo Yiyun calling her, Huo Qinghe naturally and obediently followed beside Huo Yiyun's staff.
Seeing this, Cuiqiao also took two steps back, making room for Huo Qinghe.
"Sister," Huo Qinghe called softly.
The sound of the swaying scepter almost drowned out Huo Qinghe's voice.
"You look quite well. However, I heard that Consort Cao has thwarted your plans several times, and you, being the stubborn one you are, have been so humble towards her. If this continues, I think everyone will be able to step on you. You are, after all, my half-sister."
Huo Yiyun's words sounded somewhat like a disappointed disappointment.
However, Huo Qinghe knew perfectly well that, not to mention the difference in their ranks, Huo Qinghe would not be foolish enough to offend Consort Cao, who was currently pregnant.
Furthermore, even though Huo Yiyun is saying this now, if Huo Qinghe really offends Consort Cao, who knows how Huo Yiyun will berate Huo Qinghe right now.
Hearing Huo Yiyun's words, Huo Qinghe was actually completely unmoved.
“Consort Cao is a concubine, while my sister’s rank is too low. How dare I offend Consort Cao? My sister is not as high-ranking as my elder sister, who is a Noble Consort.”
Huo Qinghe's words were comforting, but Huo Yiyun's lips curled up slightly before she felt somewhat displeased.
Consort Cao is currently pregnant. Even though Huo Yiyun's rank is higher than Consort Cao's, who knows how the Emperor will promote her after Consort Cao gives birth? Perhaps in a few months, that wretched Consort Cao will climb over her.
Upon hearing Huo Qinghe mention Consort Cao, Huo Yiyun twitched the corners of her mouth and let out another soft snort.
"Alright. Let her run wild. Someone will eventually be able to keep her in check."
Consort Cao seems to have lost her mind for three years after giving birth. She knows that what the Emperor dislikes most is concubines vying for favor and being jealous of each other, yet she still dares to steal his attention time and time again. Anyone else would have been disliked by the Emperor long ago.
That is, Consort Cao, who was reckless and seductive.
There are plenty of people who can deal with her, but not now. Does that mean they can't after Consort Cao gives birth?
Furthermore, it's still uncertain whether Consort Cao will even be able to give birth to this child.
Huo Yiyun chuckled, tilting her head to look at the top of Huo Qinghe's head, her smile gradually fading.
There's a seductive vixen right in front of her.
...
Without the emperor present, the luncheon at the Chuigong Hall was not as lively.
As the procession approached the Chuigong Hall, Huo Yiyun glanced at Huo Qinghe from above.
Huo Qinghe understood, so she slowed down and waited at a distance until Huo Yiyun's ceremonial staff landed outside the Chuigong Hall before taking her own steps.
Huo Qinghe had been listening to the creaking sound of the hoe the whole way.
"So early today, Consort Yi has arrived just as early." Green Locust didn't spell it out clearly, but everyone understood.
Huo Yiyun was clearly waiting for Huo Qinghe today.
Huo Qinghe listened to Huo Yiyun's admonitions along the way, but they went in one ear and out the other. She has become increasingly adept at pretending to be obedient and compliant.
When the Empress Dowager in Cining Palace said she was feeling unwell, Consort Zhou naturally took over serving her medicine and soup at Cining Palace.
Without Consort Zhou, Consort Cao became even more arrogant.
After giving birth to Princess Fuqing, Consort Ming's health was damaged. Following the imperial physician's advice, she underwent a two-month postpartum period, and today she is resting quietly in her Chuxiu Palace.
Consort Cao, on the other hand, is already seven months pregnant, so she's no longer afraid and has come here with her belly sticking out.
Consort Chi arrived late, and the Empress had not yet arrived either.
With Consort Zhou absent today, and Huo Yiyun having just been released from confinement, she was too lazy to pay attention to Consort Cao. Consort Zhuang and the others above her were always good-natured and unwilling to offend anyone, so no one in the palace could suppress Consort Cao's arrogance.
Today, Huo Qinghe is flanked by the same people as last time: Consort Meng and Consort Xu.
Both of these women had been snatched away by Consort Cao, and upon hearing Consort Cao's voice, Consort Xu was the first to speak up.
"Look at Consort Cao's arrogant attitude. So what if she's pregnant? She acts like she's the only one in the palace who can give birth. Consort Huo, say something! I can accept being outmaneuvered once, but my sister has been wronged."
Huo Qinghe, who hadn't planned to respond, felt completely bewildered upon hearing Xu Changzai's voice.
Who hasn't been robbed of a job? Why bring her into this? Is she the one who's wronged now?
Xu Chang's rhetoric in stirring up trouble was hardly clever.
She lowered her eyes, showing no sign of anger.
"It is only natural that His Majesty is concerned about Lady Cao's pregnancy. Lady Cao is pregnant now, so she should be carefully protected."
Consort Meng chuckled from the side: "What's the point of talking about this when we're all of such low rank? The empresses above haven't given any instructions yet."
Upon hearing this, Consort Xu couldn't help but purse her lips again: "Her Majesty the Empress is ill; how could she possibly manage the now arrogant Cao..."
That's a rather disrespectful remark.
Xu Changzai really doesn't think before he speaks.
Huo Qinghe and Meng Meiren spoke almost simultaneously: "Xu Changzai, be careful what you say!"
No sooner had the two finished speaking than they heard the announcement from the eunuch at the palace gate: "Her Majesty the Empress has arrived!"
The sound was quite loud, and most importantly, the moment the words were spoken, Empress Xue had already entered the Chuigong Hall.
Huo Qinghe and the other two sat at the far left of the Chuigong Hall, a position that was actually quite close to the entrance of the hall.
When Empress Xue entered, arm in arm with Chunbai, she even glanced at the three of them.
It's unclear how much of what the three said earlier, especially Xu Chang's somewhat offensive remarks, had been heard.
However, all three of them still bowed respectfully and said in unison, "Greetings to Her Majesty the Empress. May Her Majesty the Empress enjoy boundless blessings."
Everyone in the hall rose and bowed at the same time.
Consort Xu was probably the most uneasy one at this moment. After all, it was one thing to talk about the Empress behind her back, but the Empress herself had overheard it and caught her red-handed.
At this moment, Consort Xu could almost feel the Empress's dangerous gaze falling on her.
Despite the chill of August, Xu Changzai couldn't help but shiver.
Xue Yinjia had naturally heard Xu Changzai's discussion. She waved her hand lightly and said, "No need for formalities. The weather is nice today. You weren't in the sun when you came, were you? It's Mid-Autumn Festival today, so please don't stand on ceremony. Please sit down."
Everyone thanked her, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress."
Empress Xue took her seat at the head of the table: "There is also a family banquet in the court today. General Yulin made great contributions a few days ago, and today His Majesty has graciously allowed the Consort and the young general to meet. Now that everyone is here, let's begin the feast."
After hearing what Empress Xue said, everyone couldn't help but feel a little sour.
Ultimately, one must have a family background as prestigious as Consort Chi's; otherwise, one might not even have the chance to see their family once a year.
But these thoughts could only be kept to themselves.
For Consort Chi to see her family was simply a matter of saying a few words.
Seeing my family today is merely a formality, but it is indeed a favor from the Emperor.
After saying this, Xue Yinjia suddenly added another sentence.
"By the way, Consort Cao, you are now seven months pregnant. Once you are eight months pregnant, your family can send your imperial edict to the palace to see you."
The fact that the Empress said this at this time inevitably evoked comparisons in people.
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