"I am late in paying my respects, Your Majesty. Please forgive me." Consort Zhou's apology was completely insincere.
"This isn't the first or second time Consort Zhou has been late in paying her respects. If she can be forgiven every time by apologizing, won't everyone follow suit in the future? Will there still be any rules in the palace then?"
Consort Chi was naturally the one who loved to talk about rules the most.
Consort Cao silently said "That's right, that's right" twice from the side.
Zhou Hengping smiled faintly and continued to bow, saying, "Please forgive me, Your Majesty the Empress."
This clearly shows that she's completely ignoring Consort Chi.
Empress Xue raised her hand and coughed lightly twice: "I remember that it was not Consort Zhou who served me last night. Is there any other reason why you are late in paying your respects today?"
Her words were very considerate, giving Consort Zhou a chance to explain.
However, upon closer reflection, it's a different story.
Although the Emperor has seen many familiar faces recently, Consort Zhou has only been in the palace for a year, so she can neither be considered an old face nor a new face.
She's been really neglected lately, and now the wounds on her face have completely healed.
Although Empress Xue spoke gently and gave Consort Zhou a chance to explain, she did not exempt Consort Zhou from the formalities.
However, when Consort Zhou replied, she simply stood up on her own.
Consort Zhuang, sitting below, immediately changed her expression.
Consort Zhou is really too unruly and rude.
"Your Majesty, this morning the Empress Dowager sent word that Your Majesty's headache had flared up again. I was very worried about Your Majesty's health, so I went to visit her first and served her medicine. That's why I'm late in paying my respects."
Consort Zhou spoke with an air of grievance, but her expression carried a hint of provocation.
The entire main hall of Kunning Palace was silent for a second after Consort Zhou finished speaking.
Consort Zhou directly invoked the Empress Dowager's name; what could Empress Xue possibly say?
Consort Zhou was late because she was serving medicine to the Empress Dowager, and even if she was late, it was out of filial piety.
Empress Xue, as the legitimate daughter-in-law of Empress Dowager Zhou, was unaware that the Empress Dowager was suffering from a headache, which could be considered unfilial.
Everyone present was intelligent, and they could naturally understand the deeper meaning behind Consort Zhou's words.
Empress Xue coughed twice more, lowered her head, and her voice changed slightly: "Why didn't you send someone to inform me when the Empress Dowager's headache flared up? It is I, as her son, who have been unfilial. Paying respects is not as important as the Empress Dowager's health. I will go and serve the Empress Dowager now. The Emperor is busy with state affairs, and it is my fault that I have not been able to serve the Empress Dowager."
Chunbai, who was standing nearby, quickly stepped forward to help Xue Yinjia.
Consort Zhuang, who always followed Empress Xue's lead, couldn't help but speak up in defense when she heard Empress Xue speaking with such difficulty: "Your Majesty, you have to take care of the eldest princess yourself, and the imperial physicians say you need to rest well. How can this be your fault? Serving the Empress Dowager is our duty. We concubines can take turns serving Her Majesty."
After she finished speaking earnestly, she glanced at Consort Zhou, who was standing upright, with a look of utter disgust.
Consort Chi also stood up gracefully: "Consort Zhuang is right. Consort Zhou, how is the Empress Dowager now? Since you are serving in the Empress Dowager's palace and cannot come to pay your respects, you should at least send someone to let her know. Everyone in this room is waiting for you."
Zhou Hengping gave a slight curtsy: "The Empress Dowager cannot be without someone by her side, and I didn't think of anything at the moment. The Empress Dowager has already drunk her medicine and is sleeping soundly. Your Highness, there is no need to worry."
"As for Consort Zhuang's request to attend to her during her illness, the Empress Dowager prefers quiet and dislikes being disturbed. One of my concubines is enough to serve her."
Zhou Hengping was already too busy currying favor with her aunt by herself to let anyone else share her trust and favor with the Empress Dowager.
After listening, Consort Chi gave a faint "Oh": "In that case, Consort Zhou, please sit down. Although you are late in paying your respects today, considering your filial piety towards the Empress Dowager, this can be considered a fair exchange. Your Majesty, what do you think?"
Xue Yinjia raised her hand, gesturing for Consort Zhou to sit down.
“You’re right, Consort Zhou. I should be thanking you for serving the Empress Dowager on my behalf. It’s alright if I’m late for my greetings. Please sit down. I’m not feeling well, so it’s been hard on you all.”
Consort Zhuang took the lead in standing up: "Your Majesty is too kind. Serving the Empress Dowager or Your Majesty is simply our duty. It was our negligence."
The crowd responded.
"Your Majesty (the concubine) was negligent."
Xue Yinjia waved his hand: "Alright, alright. Why are you standing up and saying all this again? Everyone, sit down."
Now the greetings finally got down to business.
From the moment Consort Zhou entered, Huo Qinghe remained a cold and indifferent observer.
She coldly observed Consort Zhou's sharp and unforgiving nature, and also watched the Empress back down when Consort Zhou brought up the Empress Dowager.
In addition to Consort Zhuang's protection and Consort Chi's conclusion.
With gods fighting, the remaining people in the hall naturally didn't dare to even breathe loudly.
Empress Xue, seated at the head of the table, spoke slowly: "The Empress Dowager's birthday is just around the corner. Consort, how are your preparations for the birthday banquet going?"
Consort Chi wanted to stand up, but Xue Yinjia gestured for her not to.
Seeing this, Chi Xiexiang did not insist: "Yes. This time, the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet will also be held in the Chuigong Hall. The Imperial Household Department and the Imperial Kitchen have already made all the arrangements. This afternoon, I will have someone send the gift list to Your Majesty for your review."
Upon hearing this, Xue Yinjia nodded repeatedly: "You have always handled these palace banquets perfectly, so I am naturally at ease. However, this time, there are also imperial relatives attending the birthday banquet, as well as the Empress Dowager's maternal family. This matter cannot afford to go wrong in the slightest."
When the Empress Dowager's maternal family was mentioned, Consort Zhou subconsciously raised her chin, revealing a proud expression.
Consort Chi nodded upon hearing this: "Yes, Your Majesty, I understand."
As the assistant in charge of the six palaces, she was by nature meticulous and naturally did not want to make even the slightest mistake in these matters.
"How is Consort Lin's health? You look quite well, and the Emperor is also concerned about your health."
Lin Jieyu neither smiled nor stood up; her voice sounded rather cold at that moment.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. The imperial physician says that I am feeling much better."
"That's good, that's good. Your health looks better, and the Emperor will be more pleased." Xue Yinjia smiled with great satisfaction.
Before Empress Xue even appeared, Consort Chi was already tired of hearing those questions about Consort Lin's body.
She raised her hand to interrupt Empress Xue.
"It's getting late. Isn't it time for Her Majesty the Empress to take her medicine?"
Consort Zhou arrived late today, and the Empress also left late because she was looking after the eldest princess. There had also been some disputes with Consort Zhou earlier, so it was already past the usual time for greetings and dismissal.
A somewhat unfamiliar voice rang out.
"It was the concubines who were negligent, and they didn't remember the exact time the Empress took the medicine. They never expected that the Noble Consort would know so clearly."
The one who spoke was Consort Meng, one of the newest beauties, who succeeded Consort Xie in gaining favor. Her appearance was above average, but it was said that her father and brothers were quite influential in the court.
Hearing this, Consort Chi showed no unusual expression.
"I naturally remember the habits of Her Majesty the Empress when she was still a prince."
As she spoke, she also gave a respectful nod to the Empress above.
Xue Yinjia nodded magnanimously: "You are very kind, Consort. Alright, it's getting late. The sun will be too hot any later. You should all leave now."
Upon hearing this, everyone rose to take their leave.
As the Empress said, the sun was indeed quite strong when they came out of Kunning Palace.
Huo Qinghe didn't use a cane for shade, so she walked a little faster.
Yanxi Palace was remote, and she didn't want to run into Consort Zhou, so she quickened her pace and hurried back to Yanxi Palace.
Today's greetings were quite a lively affair.
Huo Qinghe didn't go to pay her respects on the first day of the lunar new year, so she wondered if it was as lively as it was that day.
Today is the fifteenth. The Emperor is either resting in the Funing Palace or the Empress's Kunning Palace.
Huo Qinghe didn't need to prepare anything; she could just focus on reading and practicing the pipa.
Sure enough, before nightfall, news came from outside that the Emperor had gone to Kunning Palace for dinner.
Huo Qinghe was naturally settled in much earlier.
Inside Kunning Palace.
Because the Emperor had already sent word, when Pei Yuanhui arrived at Kunning Palace, Xue Yinjia was already waiting with his hands at his sides under the corridor of the main hall.
"It's cool outside right now, but you don't look too well?"
Pei Yuanhui personally helped Xue Yinjia to her feet.
The emperor and empress entered the inner palace side by side.
"Knowing Your Majesty's hard work for the country, I have already had the kitchen prepare black chicken soup. Fearing it might be too greasy, I also had plum juice made to whet the appetite. I also specially had it placed in the well to cool it down. Would Your Majesty like to try some?"
Pei Yuanhui nodded happily.
"I heard that Consort Zhou was disrespectful to you during her morning greetings?"
Xue Yinjia sat down opposite the dining table, and upon hearing this, she could only smile helplessly: "How did such a trivial matter reach His Majesty's ears? It has troubled His Majesty. It's just a small matter for a young lady. I understand that Consort Zhou is devoted to the Empress Dowager."
Pei Yuanhui leaned back in his armchair, remaining silent for a moment: "I've wronged the Empress."
Xue Yinjia simply smiled faintly upon hearing this.
The palace maids had already prepared the meal, and Xue Yinjia personally brought the plum juice to the emperor.
"How does Consort Lin look today?" Pei Yuanhui asked after drinking the plum juice.
Xue Yinjia's smile froze slightly: "Your Majesty, Consort Lin looks much more energetic today than before. However, she has just finished her postpartum confinement, so she still needs to take good care of herself."
Pei Yuanhui said "Oh": "When I saw her last time, she looked like she hadn't fully recovered."
"Lady Lin has served me for many years. When she was pregnant, I wanted to promote her rank, but the Empress said that the promotion would be done after she gave birth. Now that Lady Lin is in this situation, she has still made contributions. I still want to promote her rank."
Xue Yinjia almost dropped her chopsticks.
What was Lin's background...?
He's not even as good as Little Huo.
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