Consort Qi: "I noticed that Consort Jing looks rather haggard. Could it be that His Majesty didn't visit Bitong Academy yesterday, and Consort Jing couldn't sleep all night?"
Jia Yue was utterly speechless. Which eye of hers saw that she looked haggard? She clearly had a rosy complexion and looked very good and healthy.
Jia Yue asked with a puzzled look, "Does Consort Qi need to see the imperial physician?"
Consort Qi was now genuinely puzzled: "What do you mean?"
Jia Yue smiled awkwardly: "It's nothing. I've heard that Consort Qi is an excellent embroiderer. I thought that she had been doing too much embroidery and hurt her eyes, so she couldn't see my rosy complexion."
This translates to: You have a problem with your eyesight, I don't look haggard.
Consort Qi's eyes widened. She hadn't encountered anyone who dared to confront her head-on in a long time. What happened to her status as the nominal mother of the eldest prince?
Consort Qi: "Are you saying I have an eye ailment?"
Jia Yue's face showed worry: "Your Majesty, I am just worried about you. Please don't misunderstand. Besides, even if Your Majesty is unhappy, I still have to speak up. Don't hide your illness and avoid seeking medical treatment, Your Majesty!"
Jia Yue's words made Consort Qi's face darken, and also made those around her turn their heads in disapproval.
This is an insult to Consort Qi, implying she's mentally ill! That's incredibly bold.
Judging from the outcome, Consort Qi seems to be a loser, but at the beginning, she really had a winning hand.
She was the first favored concubine in the Prince's residence, and her relationship with Yinzhen was unparalleled. In addition, her son, the Third Prince, was the nominal eldest son of the emperor and the only child she raised.
Strictly speaking, none of the princes after the Fourth Prince have escaped the risk of "dying young".
Even though Consort Nian was indifferent to Consort Qi, they kept to themselves and didn't interfere with each other.
Consort Qi glared at her, and Jia Yue trembled in fear, saying innocently, "Did I say something wrong, Consort Qi? If I did, please tell me and I will definitely correct it."
This was rather shameless. It was the first time that Consort Qi had encountered a "shameless" opponent like Jia Yue, and for a moment, she found it difficult to make a move.
Because Jia Yue's words were all "well-intentioned," it was Consort Qi who started it first.
Consort Qi snorted coldly: "You certainly have a sharp tongue."
Jia Yue smiled and said, "I can't compare to Your Majesty."
Consort Qi gave her a cold look and said no more.
That's not a valid argument.
Jia Yue used to be too quiet, so much so that when she exchanged words with Consort Qi, she was just as skillful, which gave everyone a new understanding of Jia Yue.
Of course, Jia Yue did this intentionally.
For three consecutive days, Yinzhen's favor might not seem like much in other harems, but in Yinzhen's harem, this treatment was a sign of a favored concubine.
Consort Xi might need to be more cautious, but she can't expect everyone to be cautious just to avoid offending anyone. Consort Qi is clearly a sharp-tongued person, and if she lets Consort Qi manipulate her, she'll only be able to suffer from her temper in the future.
Moreover, since Jia Yue is determined to win favor, she needs to make her stance clear: don't take her good nature for granted.
The Empress, having already heard about the back-and-forth between Jia Yue and Consort Qi in the inner room, said, "I didn't expect that this Consort Jing would also have a temper. It seems that the Emperor's visits to her place for three consecutive days have emboldened her."
"It's only been three days. With the Imperial Concubine ahead of her, she can hardly be considered favored. In my opinion, Consort Jing is far too impatient."
The Empress shook her head: "It's not that Consort Jing is impatient. If she lets Consort Qi bully her without fighting back, the Emperor won't like that kind of personality. It just depends on whether Consort Jing can seize the opportunity to rise up."
"It seems that Her Majesty thinks highly of Consort Jing?"
"She gave birth to the first prince after the Emperor ascended the throne, and he is still so healthy. That is an achievement. I never underestimate someone who is capable."
After saying that, the Empress smiled and stood up: "Let's go, I should go out too."
"The Empress has arrived!"
Everyone stood up: "Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress! May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace."
The Empress sat down, her ever-present smile on her face: "Rise, all of you!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress."
Everyone stood up and then sat down.
Then, as usual, the Empress inquired about the concubines who had children. When she asked about Consort Qi, the Empress said, "The Third Prince is not young anymore. I heard that Consort Qi intends to arrange a palace maid to teach the Third Prince about human affairs. Is there any progress?"
Consort Qi was surprised that the Empress would ask this question, but it was indeed within the scope of the Empress's duties.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. There's already some progress, so Your Majesty doesn't need to worry about it anymore."
The Empress's expression remained unchanged: "It's good that there's some progress. The palace maids who teach human affairs must be carefully selected. Not only must they have a respectable family background, but they must also have good character. Otherwise, when the primary consort enters the household, the inner court will be in turmoil. How will the Third Prince be able to handle the affairs of the court with peace of mind when he goes to court in the future, and how will he be able to share the Emperor's burdens?"
Consort Qi's expression darkened considerably upon hearing the Empress's words.
Although Consort Qi was not a palace maid who taught people, she and Lady Song entered Yinzhen's inner palace one after the other. When she was favored, she did cause some unrest in the inner palace for a while.
The Empress's words were pointed; she was mocking her!
Consort Qi replied stiffly, "Thank you for your guidance, Your Majesty. I will make proper arrangements."
The Empress's smile remained unchanged: "Yes, if you have any difficulties, you can tell me. After all, I am the Third Prince's legal mother."
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. On behalf of the Third Prince, I thank Your Majesty for your concern."
The Empress dealt a heavy blow to Consort Qi, but was much gentler towards Consort Xi and Consort Yu. Then there was Jia Yue, to whom the Empress seemed quite gentle, especially towards the infant Hong Zhao.
"The Sixth Prince is still young, and I have heard that you have taken good care of him. When the time is right, don't forget to bring the Sixth Prince out so that I can have a good look at him."
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