When Huo Qinghe set off to leave Yanliang Pavilion, the main hall was quiet. She didn't know if it was because Consort Zhou hadn't gotten up yet or what.
The palace road is long, but it's quite easy to walk at a leisurely pace in spring.
Huo Qinghe arrived at Kunning Palace a quarter of an hour early. A palace maid led her to a side hall, where only two new concubines had arrived, both of whom were of lower rank than Huo Qinghe.
On the second day after entering the palace, the new concubines would go to Kunning Palace to pay their respects to the Empress. They would wait in a side hall first, and after being summoned, they would go to the main hall to let everyone in the palace see their beauty.
Huo Qinghe sat down in the third empty seat on the left, a position she had chosen based on her rank this time.
Of the nine rookies this time, two are ranked higher than her, and two are ranked the same.
The two newly arrived ladies-in-waiting were both of the eighth rank. Huo Qinghe had already memorized their family backgrounds, so she didn't bother to speak to them.
Before long, more people arrived one after another.
No one said much, but when they greeted Huo Qinghe, their eyes were filled with a hint of apprehension.
Because of her status as Xiao Huo, those of lower rank dared not speak to her, while those of equal or higher rank mostly looked down on her status as an illegitimate child.
Most people would feel uneasy, but Huo Qinghe wouldn't. Without Jinzhan by her side, she was able to shed some of the unimportant pretenses.
After another period of silence, when it was time to pay respects, a palace maid came to invite them.
The highest-ranking Consort Fu showed no sign of humility, swaggering ahead and even bumping into Consort Xie, who was half a step behind her, with her shoulder when she stood up.
Consort Xie simply shook her head helplessly, without complaining or showing any dissatisfaction. She even nodded slightly as she passed Huo Qinghe.
The incense burner in the main hall was filled with sandalwood incense, and the atmosphere was solemn and dignified. There were seven or eight huanghuali armchairs on each side, which were already occupied by the elderly people of the palace. However, when Huo Qinghe entered, she noticed that the fourth seat on the right was still empty.
Who has such a big ego?
An eunuch was shouting loudly. Huo Qinghe stood behind Consort Xie, with Consort Meng, who was also a beauty, to her left.
Among today's rising stars, the most outstanding and eye-catching is Consort Fu. Today, she is wearing a bright orange spring dress with gold thread, and her head full of precious jade and pearls is even more dazzling. She is very impressive, and it is almost as if the words "the youngest daughter of the prime minister" are written on her forehead.
At first glance, she was dressed even more luxuriously and dazzlingly than Huo Yiyun, who was sitting next to her.
Empress Xue and Consort Chi had both seen each other briefly during the selection of concubines that day, so they could recognize each other by their voices.
"No need for formalities. I met all of you during the selection of concubines. Today, I'll let the other sisters see you as well. From now on, you must not cause trouble in this palace. Your primary task is to serve His Majesty wholeheartedly. Do you all understand?" Empress Xue's admonishing voice was accompanied by a few coughs, as if she were straining to speak.
Huo Qinghe followed the others and said in unison, "We will follow Your Majesty's teachings and keep them in mind."
Consort Chi sat at the head of the table on the left below, and because she was looking down, her attire was not clearly visible.
"Your Majesty hasn't seen her yet? Consort Zhou is late again today." Consort Chi's voice sounded stronger.
As soon as Consort Chi finished speaking, a message came from outside that Consort Zhou had arrived.
Empress Xue, seated at the head of the table, coughed lightly twice, covering her mouth with a handkerchief: "Please come in."
It's quite a coincidence that Consort Zhou and Noble Lady Fu are both wearing tangerine-colored spring clothes today. Although the embroidery patterns and materials are different, they are both the most eye-catching.
Consort Zhou entered gracefully, arm in arm with a palace maid. She curtsied from a distance, her manners quite proper.
However, what is most eye-catching is the thin veil that Consort Zhou wears on her face, making it difficult to see her face clearly.
"Oh dear, what's wrong with Consort Zhou?"
It was not Empress Xue who spoke, but Consort Chi, who was leaning against the round-backed chair.
After waiting for Empress Xue to dispense with the formalities, Consort Zhou sat down in her seat, seemingly ignoring Consort Chi's question.
Consort Chi remained unperturbed, pressing further: "I heard that His Majesty stayed at Yanxi Palace last night, and Consort Zhou served him in the same manner?"
Consort Zhou couldn't contain herself and was about to explode when she heard Consort Chi's tone. Her face turned even redder with anger, but fortunately it wasn't too noticeable because it was hidden under the gauze.
Before she could speak, Empress Xue interrupted Consort Chi, saying, "There have been rumors circulating in the palace these past few days. It's just that Consort Zhou used the wrong things and developed some rashes on her face, which is why she covered her face. Consort Chi, you've gone too far."
Consort Chi made no attempt to hide her schadenfreude: "As expected of Consort Zhou, even with a bruised face, she still manages to gain His Majesty's pity. I remember a new beauty has moved into Yanxi Palace, where is Little Huo?"
Calling Huo Qinghe "Little Huo" so openly didn't deter Huo Yiyun, who was sitting upright, and she immediately lashed out.
"Your Highness, there is only Consort Huo in the palace, where did this 'Little Huo' come from?"
Both were former members of the Prince's residence and had clashed countless times before.
Huo Qinghe, who had taken half a step forward, stopped again after her elder sister spoke.
Consort Chi sat up straighter: "It is kind of Consort Yi to be so magnanimous as to serve His Majesty alongside her half-sister. I am ashamed of myself for doing so."
Huo Qinghe finally stepped forward at this moment, bowing respectfully and saying, "It is my honor to be in this deep palace with Your Highness, the Noble Consort."
Upon hearing this, Consort Chi finally gave Huo Qinghe a proper look.
Huo Qinghe had already bowed in greeting, and Consort Chi could only see the white jade lotus hairpin in Huo Qinghe's hair.
She chuckled, "Ms. Huo's mouth has truly surpassed her master's, hasn't it?"
Huo Qinghe remained silent, maintaining a respectful facade.
Huo Yiyun sat up straight. She was somewhat surprised by Huo Qinghe's reaction, so she changed the subject.
"Since Consort Zhou has injured her face, you must be careful. I have some white jade ointment that His Majesty once bestowed upon me..."
"No need, His Majesty has already sent the ointment, so there's no need for Consort Yi to trouble herself."
Consort Zhou playfully tossed her handkerchief aside; she wasn't buying into Huo Yiyun's attempt to shift the blame.
"I heard a few days ago that Consort Zhou injured her face, and there are countless rumors in the palace. Now that the Empress Dowager is not in the palace, Consort Zhou must be extremely careful."
The one who spoke was Consort Cao, who was sitting below Huo Yiyun.
Her tone was sarcastic, clearly indicating her dislike for Consort Zhou. Not only her, but the entire palace had probably been angry but dared not speak out against Consort Zhou's arrogance and flamboyance for a long time.
Everyone knows that Consort Zhou has always considered herself superior because she is the Empress Dowager's niece.
Consort Chi, always eager for a good show, turned her beautiful eyes and joined in the commotion.
Suddenly, Huo Qinghe was no longer the focus, and everyone's attention shifted to Consort Zhou.
Finally, Empress Xue spoke up and stopped them: "Alright, the Empress Dowager is currently outside the palace worshipping Buddha, so let's keep things peaceful inside the palace. Everyone disperse. Consort Zhou, you stay."
Upon hearing this, Consort Zhou, who had already stood up, reluctantly sat back down.
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