Consort Xi laughed and replied, "Consort Rong, you really know how to belittle yourself!" The implication was that Consort Rong knew she wasn't good-looking!
Consort Rong was furious upon hearing Consort Xi's words!
Consort Xi is determined to offend everyone in the harem so that she can be the Empress's older sister and the problem will be solved!
Yunrong wasn't particularly fond of interacting with people, but she also couldn't afford to make enemies: "Sister Rongpin is too modest. I'm not as good as you make me out to be!"
Seeing their responses, Consort Rong realized that the two were not getting along well. She smiled and said, "Consort Xi is quite eloquent, while Consort Xian is very modest!"
Consort Xi said irritably, "That's right! Consort Xian was so humble during the selection that she didn't dare to talk to the other candidates! I thought she was someone who couldn't speak, but who knew she could talk! Consort Rong didn't know, but I was quite surprised when I heard Consort Xian speak for a long time just now!"
Seeing that there seemed to be a big conflict between the two, Consort Rong was unwilling to get involved and decided to slip away: "You two sisters are really interesting!"
After saying this, Consort Rong fell silent.
Before long, Consort Hui arrived with her own people from her palace!
When Consort Hui arrived, she said, "My Zhongcui Palace is quite far away, so I'm late!"
Consort Rong and Consort Hui were sworn enemies, and they joked with a smile, "Sister, you must have overslept! Otherwise, why would you be so slow to pay your respects to Her Majesty the Empress? Our Lady is kind and forgiving, she won't blame you!"
Consort Hui replied politely, "I'm not happy to hear what you're saying, sister. How could I possibly be lazy about such an important matter as paying my respects to Her Majesty the Empress? Besides, I'm not late, am I? Consort Niu hasn't arrived yet!"
They've dragged Niohuru into this!
Niohuru was not very happy because she was a concubine, so she paid her respects as late as possible!
After a while, the Empress saw that it was almost time, so she came out with the help of a palace maid.
This was the first time Yunrong had seen the Empress's face. The Empress was wearing a bright yellow court robe, and judging from her headdress, Yunrong estimated that it must have weighed five or six pounds! She looked extremely... dignified!
That's right, it's dignified. The Empress's appearance wasn't particularly beautiful, but she looked very dignified, the kind of face that belonged to a first wife! She had heard her mother say before that the Empress was able to win the position because of her good looks!
The Empress's rival, Niohuru, was said to be extremely alluring!
Everyone paid their respects to the Empress!
After the Empress took her seat, she said a few words and then told everyone to get up and sit down!
The Empress didn't look at her younger sister, but said to the palace maid beside her, "Wufu, send someone to see Consort Niu. She hasn't come yet. Is she sick and unable to get out of bed? She's afraid to seek medical help. If she's sick, quickly summon an imperial physician! We can't delay!"
The Empress immediately cursed Niohuru, wishing her a fatal illness! How vicious!
After speaking with deep concern, the Empress looked at the people sitting below and smiled with exceptional gentleness: "Several new young ladies have entered the palace. I'm so glad to meet them today! Each one of them is as beautiful as a flower. From now on, you must be mindful of your duties and do your best to bear children for the Emperor!"
Regarding having children, it's estimated that everyone in the harem except Yunrong wants to get pregnant as soon as possible!
It's not that Yunrong is aloof and disdains competition, but she knows she's only fifteen, too young. Giving birth now would harm her body and wouldn't be good for the baby's full development!
Since the Empress had spoken so magnanimously, everyone below smiled and said, "Your Majesty is right. Your Majesty will certainly do your duty and bear children for His Majesty!"
Looking at the beautiful faces below, the Empress wondered how to incite them to fight, hoping to improve her image in the Emperor's eyes. She smiled and said, "You are all sensible! I am relieved!"
Consort Xi spoke up: "Empress, my sister!"
The Empress knew her younger sister had entered the palace, but she hadn't had a chance to meet her privately yet! Hearing her speak, she was reminded of how adorable her sister was when they were little, sweetly calling her "sister"!
Then she smiled and said, "It's been years since I last saw you, little girl, you've all grown up! You should come to my palace often in the future!"
Consort Hui smiled and said, "Your Majesty the Empress can't be biased towards Consort Xi. You've forgotten about me, and I won't stand for it!"
The Empress smiled magnanimously at Consort Hui: "I won't forget you. If you ever want to come to my Jingren Palace, the gates are always open!" Then the Empress's gaze turned to the others, looking them over once more: "The same goes for you. My Jingren Palace is always ready to welcome you!"
Consort Rong smiled and said, "I love the tea and snacks from Your Majesty's place the most! The snacks sent from the Imperial Kitchen never taste as good as those from Your Majesty's!"
The Empress smiled and said to Consort Rong, "You'll have plenty of tea and snacks. If you like, just send someone over to ask me for some later! You certainly have a big appetite!"
Consort Rong exclaimed with delight, "Your Majesty, my mother said that being able to eat is a blessing! Your Majesty must not be reluctant to give it to us!"
The Empress laughed even harder: "I'm willing, I'm willing!"
Yunrong listened with a smile, not interrupting. As long as others didn't provoke her, she wouldn't provoke them either. As for the Empress, after what happened with Consort Xi, their relationship was probably over.
Yunrong was about to remain silent when the Empress displeased her: "Why isn't Consort Xian speaking? Are you feeling unwell? If so, say so quickly!"
Yunrong thought to herself, "They're trying to get back at me. They just cursed Niohuru, and now they want to curse me too!"
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
