026
On a summer afternoon, there was no tranquility in Zhuixia Pavilion. Si Mianmian stared blankly at a withered crabapple tree by the window, pondering the rumors that had been circulating in the palace recently—the sour remarks made by some concubines after her birth mother, Consort Wen (now Imperial Concubine Wen), was promoted. She knew all too well that in the harem where people bullied the weak and flattered the strong, her mother's gentle nature, while making her promotion glorious, could also make her a target of everyone's jealousy.
Survival Handbook Rule #26: Holding a torch against the wind, one must still have courage. Protecting loved ones is an instinct, a weakness, and an inviolable taboo. Once you bare your claws, you must strike decisively.
Suddenly, Qiuhe rushed in, her face pale. She whispered urgently in Si Mianmian's ear, "Princess, something terrible has happened! Consort Wen was stopped by Consort Li and her men at the lotus pond in the Imperial Garden. They were saying some very unpleasant things, and she's probably... she's going to suffer a loss!"
Si Mianmian snapped the jade fan she was playing with shut, her eyes instantly hardening with frost. Li Jieyu! The birth mother of the Seventh Princess Si Yunshang, she had always been at odds with them, mother and daughter. Her past sarcastic remarks were one thing, but today she dared to openly make things difficult! It seemed she was resentful of Consort Wen's promotion and taking advantage of Si Mianmian's gentle nature.
"Let's go!" Si Mianmian stood up, her skirt trailing on the ground, stirring up a cool breeze. Her face lacked its usual naiveté, only a calm coldness remained. Her mother was her only warmth and safety net in this icy palace; no one could dare trample on her!
Survival Handbook Postscript: The wrath of thunder often lies hidden beneath still waters. The more critical the moment, the more necessary it is to remain calm, make sound judgments, and act only after careful consideration.
The atmosphere was tense by the lotus pond in the Imperial Garden. Consort Wen, pale-faced and helplessly wringing her handkerchief, was subtly surrounded by Consort Li and several palace maids, trying to explain herself. Consort Li, chin held high, spoke with a sarcastic tone, her voice just loud enough for the occasional passing palace maid to hear:
"Oh, Consort Wen's status is different now, and she's gotten quite arrogant. I just wanted to ask her what method she used to gain the favor of His Majesty and the Empress Dowager, and even make the Ninth Princess so successful? So that the older sisters can learn from her and maybe one day they can also benefit from her and get promoted!" These words were sarcastic, implying that Consort Wen and her daughter had risen to power through improper means.
Consort Wen trembled slightly with anger, but being poor at words, she could only stammer, "Sister Li, please be careful with your words! Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager's kindness is beyond words, I am truly grateful..."
"Grateful?" Consort Li scoffed, taking a step closer. "You're probably laughing at us out-of-favor people in your heart, aren't you? Well, your daughter is capable enough to climb up to His Highness the Crown Prince and the Heir Apparent, and even the hostage prince favors her. As a mother, naturally, I've also risen in rank..."
These words were extremely harsh and vicious, not only humiliating Consort Wen but also dragging Si Mianmian into it. Consort Wen's eyes reddened, tears welling up in her eyes, but she stubbornly held them back.
"Li Jieyu!" A clear and sharp voice rang out from behind, carrying an undeniable authority.
Everyone turned around and saw Si Mianmian supporting Qiu He as they slowly approached. Today, she was dressed in a moon-white palace gown, simple and elegant, with no smile on her face, her gaze clear yet cold, fixed directly on Li Jieyu.
Consort Li hadn't expected Si Mianmian to arrive so quickly. A glance from her made her feel a little uneasy, but she quickly straightened her back and sneered, "Who do we have here? It's Princess Zhaochen. What, do I need the princess's permission to say a few words to your mother?"
Ignoring her provocation, Si Mianmian stepped forward and steadily supported the swaying Consort Wen. Feeling her mother's trembling arm, her anger intensified, but her expression remained calm. She turned around, shielding Consort Wen behind her, and gave Consort Li a proper bow, her posture impeccable, her voice clear and distinct:
"Greetings, Consort Li. Mianmian has come at an inopportune time, unaware that Consort Li was 'instructing' Mother here. I wonder, Mother, what words or actions have been inappropriate that warrant Consort Li's personal admonition? If there is any fault, as your daughter, Mianmian is willing to listen to your teachings on Mother's behalf."
Her words were perfectly crafted, first using the guise of "teaching" and "admonishing" to clearly point out that Consort Li was a superior bullying a subordinate. If Consort Li were to utter any truly offensive words, it would confirm the accusation of "bullying."
Consort Li was momentarily speechless, then flew into a rage: "When did it become your place, a junior, to interrupt when I was speaking with Consort Wen! You have no manners at all!"
“Rules?” Si Mianmian raised her eyes, her gaze clear and sharp as she looked at her. Her tone was still gentle, but every word was like a knife. “Mianmian naturally understands the rules. The palace rules clearly state that concubines should get along harmoniously and should not speak ill of each other or cause trouble. Just now, Mianmian seemed to hear Consort Jieyu mention something about ‘even chickens and dogs ascending to heaven’? But I don’t know what she meant. Does she mean His Majesty’s dictatorial decision, or is she implying that the Empress Dowager is bad at judging people? If such words were to spread, I’m afraid it would damage Consort Jieyu’s reputation and displease Father Emperor.”
She cleverly elevated Consort Li's sarcastic remarks to the level of "criticizing the Emperor's will" and "subtly mocking the Empress Dowager," causing Consort Li's expression to change immediately: "You! Don't spout nonsense and make baseless accusations!"
"Whether it's nonsense or not, all the palace servants present can testify." Si Mianmian's gaze swept over the palace servants behind Consort Li, whose eyes were darting around, and her voice suddenly turned sharp. "Or does Consort Li think that Father Emperor and Empress Dowager will believe your 'sisterly chatter'?"
She pressed on relentlessly, and Consort Li's arrogance immediately diminished. She dared to bully Consort Wen, but she dared not truly bear the crime of "dissent against the Emperor's will."
Si Mianmian, knowing when to stop, softened her tone slightly, yet her words carried an undeniable firmness: "Consort Li, Mianmian respects you as an elder. But Mother Consort is gentle and kind, and does not contend with others; she is not weak and easily bullied. Mianmian can overlook the past. But from today onwards, if anyone dares to disrespect Mother Consort again, whether in words or actions," she leaned forward slightly, her voice low but chilling, "don't blame Mianmian for disregarding sisterly affection and turning this harem upside down to seek justice for Mother Consort! Then, we'll see who suffers greater losses!"
At this moment, she was no longer the timid, innocent little lotus, but a guardian brandishing her claws. Those almond-shaped eyes, usually so innocent, now blazed with undisguised sharpness and determination.
Consort Li was intimidated by her imposing manner, and feeling guilty, her face turned pale and then red. She pointed at Si Mianmian and stammered "you" for a long time, but couldn't utter a complete sentence. A clever old nanny beside her quickly stepped forward to smooth things over: "Consort Li, the sun is too strong, let's go back to the palace first."
Taking advantage of the situation, Li Jieyu glared at Si Mianmian resentfully and slunk away with her entourage.
A disturbance vanished without a trace.
Si Mianmian then turned around, tightly grasped Consort Wen's icy hand, and her voice returned to its usual soft and sweet tone, filled with heartache and lingering fear: "Mother, are you alright? You scared Mianmian to death."
Looking at her daughter, Consort Wen finally shed tears, not of grievance, but of relief and excitement. She grasped Si Mianmian's hand in return, choking back sobs, "Mother is alright... Mianmian, my Mianmian has grown up, she can protect Mother now..." She knew that her daughter's actions today would surely offend Consort Li and even attract more attention, but her daughter's unwavering support made her feel unprecedentedly at ease and proud.
Survival Manual Revisited: The meaning of protection lies not in blindly enduring, but in having the ability and courage to protect, and daring to draw one's sword at critical moments.
Si Mianmian helped Consort Wen walk slowly back. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting long shadows of the mother and daughter. She softly comforted her mother, but her heart was in turmoil. Today's events, though seemingly advantageous to her, had actually pushed her and her mother into the eye of the storm. Consort Li would not let it go easily, and there would be many more eyes watching from the shadows.
But she wasn't afraid.
Having chosen this path, she was determined to protect those she cared about. The Crown Prince's protection, the Heir Apparent's interests, and even the Emperor's slight pity born of guilt—all were bargaining chips she could use. She wanted everyone to know that Consort Wen and her daughter were no longer pushovers.
The final chapter of the survival manual: In the harem, feigning weakness is a tactic, but true strength is the foundation. Only by standing firm can one protect their loved ones and secure a peaceful place within the ninefold palace.
Back at Zhuixia Pavilion, Si Mianmian personally helped Consort Wen to rest, and then instructed Qiuhe to prepare a calming soup in the small kitchen. With everything arranged, she sat alone by the window, watching the setting sun gradually sink in the west, her eyes deep and thoughtful.
Today she stood up for her mother, and the news will surely reach the ears of the various palace masters soon. Next, should she go to the Emperor to "apologize," or to the Empress Dowager's palace to "complain her grievances"? Or should she let that "Brother Jingyu" know how much his "little darling" has suffered?
Si Mianmian tapped her fingertips lightly on the window frame, a calculating smile curving her lips.
This game of chess is becoming increasingly complex, but also increasingly interesting. This little white lotus not only has to survive, but also protect her mother and live a dazzling life.
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