"Alright, everyone, get up. My sisters, please also greet the other concubines."
"Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress."
Jiang Fuhai said, "Consort Duan is unwell, so I'm afraid you ladies will not be able to see her today."
"Please pay your respects to Consort Hua."
Sun Miaoqing followed the main group and turned to kneel down. As expected, Consort Hua gave them a taste of their own medicine.
They wouldn't let them get up, and then they said the jade wasn't clear enough, clearly implying that these newly promoted concubines weren't talented enough.
Luckily, she was prepared!
Everyone says Consort Li is the prettiest in the harem, but to me, Fatty Hua is the most beautiful.
I've also heard that the pastries at Yikun Palace are the best in the palace, especially the crab roe pastries. I'm not competing with her for favor, so I wonder if I'll have a chance to try them.
Consort Hua's eyebrows curved into a smile. This voice was somewhat self-aware, knowing that she was inferior to her and therefore did not harbor any improper thoughts.
As long as no one competes with her for the Emperor's favor, she naturally won't be stingy with a plate of pastries.
"The pastries in my palace are indeed incomparable to those elsewhere. If you ladies are interested, you are welcome to come to my Yikun Palace anytime to enjoy them together."
The Empress and the other concubines looked at Hua Pangpang in surprise, seemingly astonished at her sudden change of attitude.
Is it an attempt to win them over?
Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang were also puzzled. On one hand, she made them kneel and not allow them to get up, and on the other hand, she said they should go to her palace to eat pastries.
Is this how the practice of using both kindness and severity in the palace came about?
Sun Miaoqing also realized something was wrong; this scene wasn't in the TV series!
[Hey, why is Consort Hua suddenly talking about pastries? Shouldn't she be asking Sister Siji a question? Could it be because I'm here, and the butterfly flapped its wings a couple more times, causing this change?]
[However, with Xia Dongchun's foolish nature, who knows how many laughable things she'll cause if she sees Big Fat Orange, even without anyone lifting a finger. It's better to keep her around for amusement.]
Consort Hua...(#?Д?)
What wings... Could this be a butterfly that has become a demon?
However, there is some truth to what she said, so let her take a look and decide.
The Empress said, "Alright, my sisters have been kneeling for a while now, let them all get up."
Consort Hua then seemed to remember something, "Oh dear, I didn't notice that for a moment. My sisters, please get up quickly."
"I've heard that among the newly arrived concubines, there's a very capable Consort Xia?"
[Here she comes! She's here with the 'One-Zhang-Fire' punishment!]
Xia Dongchun was no longer as arrogant as she had been when facing An Lingrong. She had acted so meekly, yet she was still summoned by Consort Hua.
Even if she didn't want to agree, she had no choice but to respond.
May Consort Hua enjoy boundless blessings and peace.
Xia Dongchun knelt down and performed an awkward and clumsy etiquette, which made the other concubines turn their heads and chuckle. Even Songzhi couldn't help but laugh.
[It's all because Sister Siji offended the headmistress before even entering the palace. Not only was she not informed of the palace factions and cliques, but she wasn't even taught basic etiquette. That was clearly the proper etiquette for a palace maid.]
[A new concubine's status is determined by who bestows upon her during her audience with the emperor. This ostentatious display in front of Consort Hua is bound to be unbearable for her fiery temper.]
Xia Dongchun: Waaaaah... She already knows she's being stupid, yet she still rubs salt into her wounds.
You're so smart, why don't you tell me what to do?
Seeing Xia Dongchun trembling and lacking any of the composure expected of a concubine, Consort Hua couldn't help but sneer inwardly. Even her own maidservant was more dignified and proper than her.
The Empress really accepts all kinds of people. Does someone like this even deserve to be in the palace to accompany her?
"Xia Chang looks quite conspicuous in this outfit; the material must be unusual."
Upon hearing this, Xia Dongchun glanced timidly at the Empress, then whispered.
“It was a gift from Her Majesty the Empress. I don’t have anything more valuable than this, so I thought I’d have a dress made for me.”
"It's because I'm too naive and haven't seen anything good before."
[The fabric of this outfit is truly beautiful, shimmering and iridescent. I wonder if it feels as silky smooth as Dove chocolate.]
[But why has Sister Siji become so timid and hesitant? It's not like her at all. Was she scared by Fatty Hua?]
Xia Dongchun was on the verge of tears; she had been terrified by Consort Hua!
Seeing her like this, Consort Hua also felt it was pointless. "Alright, get up. I only asked a casual question and you're already so frightened."
"I am not some man-eating tigress."
Upon hearing this, Xia Dongchun, who had already stood up, knelt down again with a thud.
The Empress shook her head, her gaze darting around as if she wanted to avoid seeing it altogether.
Consort Hua chuckled and said, "What's wrong with you, little sister? Do you enjoy kneeling so much?"
"Although you like to kneel, I cannot accept this scene with equanimity."
“Songzhi, Fuxia, please rise.”
Songzhi stepped forward and answered yes, then helped Xia Dongchun up.
Xia Dongchun, with red eyes, returned to the group and hid.
After today, everyone will know that a Consort Xia has come to the palace. She is clearly a concubine, but she prefers to act as a servant.
"Who are Consort Wan and Consort Shen?"
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