Upon seeing Consort Chi arrive, Consort Cao restrained herself somewhat. She even unconsciously took a half step back, and a flattering smile appeared on her face.
"Your Highness is too kind. Although I am pregnant, I am not as precious as you think."
As a former servant of the Prince's residence, she naturally knew well the ruthless methods of Chi Xiexiang.
Furthermore, when Chi Xiexiang was pregnant with the Second Prince, she was already eight months along but still did not send any messages to the palace. According to the old nanny who delivered Chi Xiexiang's baby, she was still reviewing the accounts the night before she gave birth.
Consort Cao was genuinely afraid of Chi Xiexiang.
Chi Xiexiang slowly walked to her seat from outside, finding Cao Pin's reaction amusing: "Alright. Stop standing there, all of you. Standing here makes the main hall even darker."
Everyone then took their seats upon hearing the voice.
"Has Consort Zhou not arrived yet?" Chi Xiexiang asked as everyone took their seats.
Everyone unconsciously looked toward the only empty seat in the room.
"Doesn't Your Highness know Consort Zhou? Yanxi Palace is far from Kunning Palace, so when has Consort Zhou ever arrived first?"
Only Consort Cao would dare to say such a thing.
Seeing that Consort Chi had turned her attention to Consort Zhou, Consort Cao immediately became less restrained and her words became less cautious.
Upon hearing Consort Cao mention Yanxi Palace, Huo Qinghe lowered her eyes silently, already sensing that she was about to get herself into trouble.
However, it was Consort Cao who started this fire.
This time, it wasn't Consort Cao who spoke up; she was leisurely drinking honey water.
She was pregnant, and the Kunning Palace prepared special honey water for Consort Cao.
The speaker was Consort Lu, who was neither a former servant of the Prince's residence nor a newcomer selected for the palace this time, but rather someone who was selected in the last grand selection.
"Speaking of Yanxi Palace, I remember that Consort Huo also lived in Yanxi Palace. Lady Cao said that Yanxi Palace is remote, but in my memory, Consort Huo always arrived very early. Since they both lived in Yanxi Palace, what is the reason for this?"
After saying this, Consort Lu wore an expression that seemed genuinely puzzled.
Huo Qinghe and Consort Lu had even less contact with each other.
She didn't understand why Consort Lu was pulling her at this moment, but she didn't just sit and wait to die.
This is not an easy question to answer, since a bad answer could offend Consort Zhou, who hasn't arrived yet.
A faint smile appeared on her face: "You flatter me, Consort Lu. Important people are often the last to arrive. I am but a humble concubine, and I thank you for your concern regarding whether I arrive early or late."
Chi Xiexiang wasn't annoyed by Xiao Huo's claim of being the "grand finale."
She was the one who started the topic that Consort Zhou hadn't mentioned; she just wanted to provoke everyone's anger.
Seeing that Xiao Huo was being dragged into this, she became even more indifferent.
She herself was an arrogant person, but she would never break the rules. She had always looked down on people like Consort Zhou.
If we're going to make it the grand finale, then let's leave that to Consort Zhou.
However, the grand finale today is Empress Xue.
Everyone waited for another quarter of an hour, as Empress Xue's appearance today was already late.
"Mingniang is here today too. She spilled the soup during breakfast, which made all of you wait a long time." Consort Zhou had not yet arrived when Empress Xue took her seat.
The crowd naturally said they dared not.
Consort Zhuang replied, "Your Majesty's heart is filled with maternal love, which we concubines truly envy."
Before Empress Xue could speak, a maid outside announced that Consort Zhou had arrived.
The phrase "arriving late" perfectly describes Consort Zhou.
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