Three days later
After Xuan Pin had served the Emperor, she officially appeared at Chuxiu Palace to pay her respects to Zhao Fei.
Consort Tong leaned back gracefully, playing with the exquisite nail guards in her hands. She raised an eyebrow slightly and chuckled, "Before I entered the palace, I heard that a sister from the Khorchin would be coming to the palace."
"Having met you today, I can see that Consort Xuan truly lives up to her reputation. She possesses not only the heroic spirit of a Mongolian woman, but also the dignified composure of a Manchu princess, and the gentle and affectionate nature of a Han woman."
Sitting up straight, Consort Tong's expression darkened, and she changed the subject.
"No wonder there were so many lewd noises in Xianfu Palace last night. I could hear them clearly even from the Eastern Six Palaces. I thought they were wild cats in the palace calling for love in spring."
The words, laced with barbs, made Consort Xuan's ears turn red.
With a radiant smile, Consort Xuan straightened her back and spoke with a smile, "I don't quite understand what Consort Tong is saying. His Majesty likes the way I serve him. Does Consort Tong think that I'm wrong to serve His Majesty?"
"Although I entered the palace late, I have heard the palace maids mention that when Consort Chengqian was seriously ill, Consort Tong was summoned to the palace, but she ended up in the Imperial Garden, where she was lewd and dancing, and was sent out of the palace."
"On the fifth day of the month, Consort Tong entered the palace and on the eighth day, she served the emperor. The main hall of Chengqian Palace was brightly lit all night, with red candles burning and the hibiscus tents warm."
Consort Tong's face turned from white to green as she glared hatefully at Consort Xuan.
Xu Lejin raised her head slightly, looking at Consort Tong and Consort Xuan as they exchanged barbs, revealing a cryptic smile.
Consort Zhao, seated in the main seat, remained calm, observing Consort Tong and Consort Xuan arguing amongst themselves. She thought to herself that Consort Tong and Consort Xuan each had powerful backers.
Now, the two entered the palace one after the other. One holds the rank of Consort but has no title, while the other holds the rank of Concubine but has the title of 'Xuan'.
The palace is about to get lively!
Half an hour later, after leaving Chuxiu Palace, Xu Lejin strolled leisurely along the long street.
Xuan Pin's voice came from behind.
"Sister Yu Pin, please wait."
Xu Lejin stopped, turned around and looked at the heroic and radiant Consort Xuan, her red lips slightly parted, "Consort Xuan served His Majesty hard last night, she should return to Xianfu Palace to rest at this time."
Consort Xuan curtsied to Xu Lejin and said with a smile, "Sister, I grew up on the grasslands and am very strong. Although I look a bit weak on the outside, I am not as frail as Consort Tong."
"Although my sister spent most of the night fooling around with the Emperor yesterday, she is fine. Thank you for your concern, elder sister."
Speaking quickly and directly, Consort Xuan affectionately took Xu Lejin's arm.
Xu Lejin stiffened for a moment, then let Consort Xuan take her arm. The two walked along the long street, chatting and laughing. This scene happened to be seen by Consort Hesheli and Consort Xiao Hesheli in Changchun Palace.
Although Consort Hesheli and Consort Xiao Hesheli were sisters from the same clan, they had no contact with each other. Today, they walked on either side of Consort Wanyan.
A faint smile flashed across Consort Wanyan's eyes as she spoke in a soft, deep voice, "Consort Xuan comes from Mongolia and is the Empress Dowager's younger sister. Consort Yu gave birth to the sixth prince, the eighth princess, and the ninth princess, and is favored by the Grand Empress Dowager."
"Now, Consort Yu and Consort Xuan are both consorts and have a close relationship. This shows that in the harem, it is much easier for people of the same rank to make friends."
After speaking, Consort Wanyan gave Consort Hesheli and Consort Xiao Hesheli a meaningful look.
Consort Xiaohesheli lowered her eyes and remained silent.
Consort Hesheli looked disdainful and sneered, "Birds of a feather flock together. Consort Xuan is a noblewoman of Mongolia, of noble birth. Now she has lowered herself to associate with Consort Yu, who is just a palace maid. Isn't she afraid of disgracing the reputation of Khorchin?"
"If it were me, as a concubine, I would never associate with someone as eloquent, flattering, disloyal, and unjust as Consort Yu."
After speaking, Consort Hesheli looked stubborn and proud, slightly raising her chin.
A cold glint flashed in Consort Wanyan's eyes.
“Sister Hesheli, please be careful with your words. Consort Yu was personally appointed by the Emperor, and it is not something that you or I, as concubines, can question. If the Emperor likes Consort Yu, then Consort Yu will have a noble status. If the Emperor does not like her, then she will be like Concubine Ma Jia of Zhongcui Palace, who has served the Emperor the longest and has the most seniority, and has the most children among all the concubines.”
"Now, she's just a concubine, and she can be confined to her quarters at will."
With a soft sigh, Consort Wanyan said self-deprecatingly, "So what if you are born into a noble family? If you are not favored by the Emperor and have no children, you can only live a life of dependence in the palace, barely surviving."
Consort Hesheli and Consort Xiao Hesheli lowered their heads, lost in thought.
Consort Xuan entered the palace and served the emperor for three days.
Riding high on her success, Consort Zhao quickly became a favored concubine in the harem, on par with Consort Tong and Consort Xu Lejin. Consort Zhao was furious, but she had to maintain her dignified and composed demeanor as the future Empress. She could only sulk alone in Chuxiu Palace.
"Lianxing, how is Consort Ma Jia of Zhongcui Palace doing now?"
Lianxing paused for a moment, then replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, since Consort Ma Jia was confined to her quarters and had her salary reduced by the Emperor, she has remained quiet in Zhongcui Palace."
"Our people at Zhongcui Palace have sent word that Consort Ma Jia seems to have truly resigned herself to her fate?"
Upon hearing this, Consort Zhao frowned.
“Impossible. Ma Jia is not willing to accept her fate. She must be plotting something or waiting for a better opportunity. Lianxing, have our people keep a close eye on Ma Jia.”
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