Chapter 8 Targeted at the Banquet
Consort Zhao arrived at the side room, where her wet nurse greeted her. Xiao Jiatang wiped away her tears and sobbed as she called out, "Mother!"
"Look at you, you're already six years old and you're still crying." Consort Zhao looked at her daughter's red and swollen eyes and couldn't help but feel sorry for her. She took out a handkerchief and gently dabbed away the tears from the corners of her eyes.
“I’m only a month older than A-Jue.” Xiao Jiatang was extremely aggrieved, pouting and about to cry again: “My maternal grandmother and the others are biased. They say I’m the older sister and A-Jue is the younger brother, so I always have to take care of him. A-Jue is unreasonable. He always tries to take away the things he likes. I don’t want to talk to him.”
She finished speaking in one breath, let out a long burp, and lowered her head, saying, "Mother, I will never go to my maternal grandfather's house to play again."
Today is the birthday of Madam Gao of the Zhao family. Consort Zhao and Consort Zhao are imperial concubines and cannot leave the palace, while Xiao Yunjue must go to school. Although Xiao Jiatang is young, she is of noble status as a princess and will go out of the palace to celebrate her maternal grandmother's birthday.
Consort Zhao lowered her eyelids, concealing the hatred in her eyes.
Xiao Yunjue had only just begun his studies; his coursework wasn't that important. It was just that Consort Zhao was afraid he might make even the slightest mistake, so she used the excuse of studying to keep him from leaving the palace.
Previously, she was the eldest daughter of the Zhao family, and her mother, Madam Gao, placed high hopes on her and doted on her.
Zhao came from a family of military officials, and the Emperor Da Yin valued civil officials over military ones. After she entered the palace, she was granted the title of Jieyu, and Zhao's status rose accordingly.
Two months later, on her birthday and when she was unwell, Consort Zhao accompanied Lady Gao to the palace to visit her, where she met Emperor Yuanming.
Three days later, Consort Zhao entered the palace and was deeply favored. After giving birth to Xiao Yunjue, she was granted the title of Consort De. Her deceased father was posthumously honored, and her three brothers received official positions through imperial favor, leading to the rise of the Zhao family in the capital.
Consort Zhao felt a pang of pain in her heart, but she tried her best to restrain herself. She gently stroked Xiao Jiatang's head and said lovingly, "Alright, since A-Tang doesn't like it, then we won't go again."
Xiao Jiatang burst into laughter through her tears, threw herself into Consort Zhao's arms, and said coquettishly, "Mother, I'm hungry."
"Look at your face, it's all stained from crying. Go wash it off before you eat." Consort Zhao took Xiao Jiatang's little hand and led her to the main hall. Granny Xie had already instructed the palace maids to bring hot water towels.
Palace maids helped Xiao Jiatang wash up, while Consort Zhao sat to the side drinking tea. Granny Xie stepped forward and whispered, "Your Highness." Consort Zhao glanced at her, then calmly put down her teacup and returned to her side room.
"What is it?" Consort Zhao asked.
Granny Xie recounted the events at Xiefang Pavilion in a low voice, and Consort Zhao listened with frequent sneers, "Ha, she's always been like this, thinking herself clever and manipulating people. Who can't see through her little schemes? Su and Jiang are just too lowly to be valued and can't do anything about her."
"Your Majesty, I think this matter is at most just Consort Su and Consort Jiang of Xiefang Pavilion bickering over trivial matters. Even the lips of two people sometimes clash, let alone when they live under the same roof. Which palace doesn't have its share of quarrels? It's just that Xiefang Pavilion is making such a fuss now, as if Funing Palace is going to have to step in and settle things. Funing Palace probably won't really get involved, and the two of them can't really cause any trouble. They'll just have a few words and it'll be over."
Granny Xie carefully observed Consort Zhao's expression and said cautiously, "Your Highness, we are all in this together, whether we prosper or suffer!"
Consort Zhao raised her eyes and stared at Granny Xie, recounting Xiao Jiatang's visit to the Zhao residence. Her expression was calm, but her eyes held a chilling glint.
“I don’t think I’ve ever treated her badly. On the contrary, she’s been jealous of me since she was little and always wants to compete with me for everything. I used to give in to her, and now I even have to give in to Atang. I, as her older sister and concubine, am a complete joke.”
Granny Xie had served Consort Zhao since childhood and knew the two sisters' situations very well. Back then, Consort Zhao was exceptionally talented when she first arrived in the capital, bringing much honor to the Zhao family. Naturally, Old Madam Gao favored Consort Zhao and inevitably neglected Consort Zhao.
Despite this, the two sisters generally got along well. The real conflict between Consort Zhao arose when Consort Zhao entered the palace during Consort Zhao's illness, gained Emperor Yuanming's favor, and was brought into the harem.
Consort Zhao gave birth to a daughter, and Consort Zhao gave birth to a prince and was granted the title of Consort. From then on, the elder sister had to pay homage to the younger sister.
Zhao treated Consort Zhao with the same respect as always, but she was different from Consort Zhao, after all, Consort Zhao was of higher rank and had given birth to a prince.
Emperor Yuanming had four princesses and three princes, one of whom died young. He had not yet established an heir.
Granny Xie sighed inwardly. Her husband had died young, and she had no children, only a nephew still living with Zhao Shi. After thinking for a moment, she decided not to offer any further advice.
"Granny, you're overthinking it. Don't worry. The Zhao family is my maternal family, and I hope they'll be alright."
Consort Zhao chuckled, patted Granny Xie's hand reassuringly, and, thinking of Xiao Jiatang, got up and walked outside.
*
After Jiang Ling returned Mo Ju, he was like a tightly strung bow.
Aruo Fanghe is unreliable; they still need to wait for Su Yue's move. Fighting alone, Jiang Ling is like a fighting rooster, barely sleeping, keeping his eyes wide open and wary of everything around him.
The osmanthus flowers have finally bloomed, and the Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching. Although things have been peaceful these past few days, Jiang Ling's tension has not dissipated, and he is now filled with anxiety.
The Mid-Autumn Festival banquet was held in the Lanyue Hall, and all the concubines, princes and princesses, as well as Emperor Yuanming, attended.
Jiang Ling wasn't afraid to meet Emperor Yuanming. She was of low rank and not favored, so she could just appear as a background figure.
The thought of facing so many people made Jiang Ling feel suffocated. She wanted to feign illness and not attend, but she couldn't help thinking that if she did, she would only draw more attention and make things worse.
After much deliberation, Jiang Ling dressed up, applying a thick layer of powder to her face, and headed to Lan Yue Palace.
The weather cooled down, and the sweat stopped pouring down her face, allowing her makeup to stay put. Jiang Ling felt as if she were wearing a layer of armor, and finally relaxed a little.
As they exited Xiefang Pavilion, Su Yue walked ahead. She was dressed in a brand-new, crimson palace gown, and the gold filigree hair ornament in her hair swayed and glittered as she walked.
Lanyue Palace is adjacent to Kunning Palace, the central palace, and was originally the place where the Empress received and entertained noblewomen. Xiefang Pavilion is secluded. Along the way, Su Yue encountered other palace women coming in twos and threes. She greeted them warmly.
Jiang Ling walked silently behind, not recognizing anyone, but secretly watching Su Yue. They were of the same rank, and when Su Yue bowed respectfully to a higher-ranking concubine, Jiang Ling followed suit. When other lower-ranking concubines bowed to her, Jiang Ling returned the bow.
Upon entering the Lanyue Palace, Chen Shanggong of the Shangyi Bureau led the female officials and maids of the banquet management office to serve everyone and seat them according to their rank.
Inside the spacious hall, low tables were arranged in a row on both sides. Jiang Ling's seat was closer to the hall entrance, and Su Yue was seated one seat in front of her.
Normally, Jiang Ling wouldn't even notice these things, and even if she did, she wouldn't take them to heart.
At the very top, two steps higher, stood Emperor Yuanming's throne. Consort Lin sat alone to the left of the steps below. Following her were Consort Zhao, Consort Liu, the eldest prince Xiao Yunrui, and the second prince Xiao Yunjue. The princesses, like the others, were seated according to their age.
The closer Jiang Ling got to the main hall gate, and the further away he was from the powerful and influential figures, the more comfortable he felt.
Now, because she and Su Yue have fallen out, she is particularly sensitive about seating arrangements.
Because, on the surface, she was granted the title of Cai Ren before Su Yue, so her position should be ranked higher.
There were many clever people in the harem, and quite a few noticed something amiss. Those who knew each other whispered among themselves, occasionally glancing at Su Yuejiang Ling with inquisitive expressions and a look of anticipation.
Su Yue seemed completely unaware, and casually turned her head to look at Jiang Ling, her gaze sinister and smug, with a contemptuous smirk on her lips.
Sitting below Jiang Ling, Consort Xu's eyes gleamed with interest. Feigning surprise, she asked, "Why is Consort Jiang sitting with me?"
Jiang Ling cursed inwardly, thinking, "What's it to you?" He sat upright with a blank face, pretending not to hear anything.
Consort Xu was rebuffed, let out a cold snort, turned her head to whisper to her companion on the left, and kept glancing at Jiang Ling, chuckling to herself.
A mere change in position could cause someone to lose face, and Jiang Lingye had become a laughingstock in everyone's eyes. Face wasn't important to her; what mattered was her personal safety and the possibility of being treated differently or having her treatment reduced.
She paid no heed to Consort Xu's mockery, frantically analyzing all the possibilities in her mind.
The chances of the Imperial Ceremonial Bureau making a mistake are extremely slim. Firstly, if they were to arrange the seating incorrectly, it would be considered negligence on their part, and they would be punished according to the rules. Secondly, they would have no reason to make things difficult for Jiang Ling unless someone instructed them to do so.
The palace banquet was jointly organized by Consort Lin, Consort Zhao, and Consort Liu. Jiang Ling had no idea who was responsible for arranging the seating or whether the three of them decided together.
At present, the only person related to Su Yuejiang Ling is Consort Zhao, and she is most likely the one.
However, Consort Zhao had previously been all smiles and friendly with her, and had even given her tea. Later, there was no further news from Consort Zhao, and her food and provisions remained unchanged, without being skimped on or worsened.
The relationships within the imperial harem were intricate and complex. Consort Lin and Consort Zhao, both bearing princes, were at odds. Consort Liu gave birth to the third prince, who died at just over a year old. To comfort her, Emperor Yuanming entrusted her with the care of the eldest princess, born to the deceased Consort Han Hui.
Jiang Ling wanted to cry. Sure enough, in palace intrigue, banquets and crowded places are bound to cause trouble!
She was just a minor character in the background, mentioned only briefly in the original book. Now that she's transmigrated, she has a complete life and a whole world.
What will be the ultimate fate of her life and her world?
Amid Jiang Ling's agonizing wait, Consort Lin, Consort Zhao, and Consort Liu arrived with their respective princes and princesses, followed by Emperor Yuanming.
The hall fell silent instantly. Everyone rose to pay their respects. Jiang Ling, lost in thought, glanced casually at Emperor Yuanming walking past him.
In the original book, Emperor Yuanming is described as tall, heroic, and divine, with the air of an emperor.
Jiang Ling believed that Emperor Yuanming's imperial status contributed five-tenths to his regal bearing. He lived a life of luxury and had many concubines in his harem. He was quite tall, but his face was as white as paper, clearly indicating that he was a weakling who couldn't lift a finger, and had nothing to do with divine might.
Looking again at the palace women, each with their own unique beauty, Jiang Ling had only one thought in his mind: "So many beauties, it's like a beautiful flower stuck in cow dung!"
Emperor Yuanming was shocked. He paused slightly, then slowly turned his head to look around in disbelief.
Damn it!
Who on earth dared to act so recklessly!
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