Chapter 185 Each Gets What They Need
Yunxiu quickly prepared a gift box that wasn't expensive but showed thoughtfulness.
Qi Jia and her servant took advantage of the darkness and quietly arrived outside the gate of Chengqian Palace.
Yunxiu stepped forward and gently knocked on the palace gate.
The gatekeeper eunuch opened the door a crack, peeked out, and sized up the unfamiliar master and servant outside.
His tone carried a hint of wariness.
"Which palace are you from? What brings you here so late?"
Yunxiu quickly put on a smiling face and replied respectfully.
"Esteemed official, please inform that Consort Qi Jia of Yonghe Palace has come to pay her respects to Her Highness, Consort Tong Jia."
The young eunuch frowned, said "Just wait," and slammed the door shut again.
Inside the Chengqian Palace's sleeping quarters, Lady Tongjia was sulking alone by the candlelight.
Today, she was in a daze and once again lost face in front of the Empress and all the concubines.
In particular, the fact that the lowly maid Wuya openly expressed her resentment and desire for revenge in public was like a thorn stuck in her heart.
It made her feel both hateful and resentful.
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became, yet she felt helpless and filled with sorrow.
At that moment, the gatekeeper's voice came from outside the hall.
"Princess, this servant has something to report."
Tongjia looked up irritably and glanced at Li Guiping, who stood like a shadow in the corner, and said in annoyance.
"Come in and speak!"
The young eunuch bowed as he entered and reported.
"Your Highness, a concubine named Qi Jia from Yonghe Palace has arrived at the palace gate. She says she has come to pay her respects to you."
"Yonghe Palace? Consort Qi Jia?"
At this moment, Lady Tongjia was in a state of agitation and instinctively refused. How dare an unknown concubine bother her?
She waved her hand, her tone impatient.
"What kind of Tom, Dick, and Harry is trying to join in the fun! I'm busy, send her away!"
"Yes, sir." The little eunuch responded and was about to leave.
"etc!"
Suddenly, a thought flashed through Tongjia's mind, and she called out to him.
"You just said...which palace?"
The young eunuch quickly turned around and replied.
"Replying to Your Highness, it's from Yonghe Palace."
Yonghe Palace? Wasn't that vile woman, Wuya, arranged to live in Yonghe Palace?
Qi Jiashi has arrived at this moment... Her mind raced.
He immediately changed his mind, and his tone softened accordingly.
"Then bring her in, let this princess meet her."
"Yes, sir!"
The young eunuch accepted the order and left.
Tongjia's gaze involuntarily swept towards Li Guiping, who stood with his hands at his sides.
Remembering the old woman's suspicion that this person was a spy, he became wary and gave the order.
"Li Guiping, there's nothing here. You can go and rest. You don't need to serve me here."
Upon hearing this, Li Guiping remained expressionless, but inwardly he sneered disdainfully.
So that's how it's prevented?
An insignificant concubine from Yonghe Palace came to show her loyalty.
He wouldn't deign to listen to such low-class tricks.
As long as it didn't involve the Empress's interests, he couldn't be bothered with the petty squabbles among the concubines.
As for the Uya clan?
Whether a newly promoted piece lives or dies is not worth his concern.
He responded respectfully and then quietly left the bedchamber.
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Only Lady Tongjia remained in the bedchamber. She composed herself and sat upright in the main seat.
We awaited the uninvited guest.
Before long, the young eunuch led Qi Jia and Yunxiu into the bedroom.
As soon as Qi Jia entered the hall, she and Yun Xiu performed a proper and respectful salute.
"This humble servant, Qi Jia, greets Princess Tongjia. May the princess be blessed with good fortune."
Tongjia raised her hand, her tone neither warm nor cold.
"Stand up and speak, sit down."
"Gege Xie".
After expressing her gratitude, Qi Jia carefully sat down on the embroidered stool below, keeping her posture extremely humble.
Tongjia looked at Qijia in front of her.
She had a pretty face and gentle manners, but her brows revealed a shrewdness that refused to be inferior to others.
She went straight to the point and asked.
"Qi Jia, you've come to me at this hour not just to pay your respects, have you? If there's anything you need, please speak freely."
Upon hearing this, Qi Jia immediately rose and curtsied, her face displaying just the right amount of indignation and sympathy, and spoke sincerely.
"Your Highness, please understand! I have indeed come to pay my respects, but even more so to express my indignation on your behalf!"
Seeing that Tongjia was raising her eyebrows at her, she continued.
“Your status is so noble, Princess! You are the Emperor’s own cousin! Today in Kunning Palace, that Wuya clanswoman was smug and arrogant, relying on Her Majesty the Empress’s momentary whim, she dared to speak so disrespectfully to you! But in this harem, besides Her Majesty the Empress, who can be more superior to you? Not to mention that she is just a lowly concubine of bondservant origin!”
She observed Tongjia's expression and saw that she seemed to be somewhat persuaded, so she pressed her advantage.
"I live in Yonghe Palace, and I am neighbors with that Uya clan member. Thinking of her disrespectful behavior towards you today, I feel indignant and unable to calm down. I thought you must be feeling upset at the moment, so I took the liberty of coming here. Firstly, to pay my respects and comfort you, and secondly... to ask if there is anything I can do to help you. I am willing to share your burdens!"
After hearing these words, Lady Tongjia understood.
This Qi Jia clan has come to pledge allegiance and show loyalty because she has seen the enmity between her and the Wuya clan!
Although she is young, she has been carefully nurtured by her father and mother, and she is not a naive little girl.
She hesitated for a moment, then tentatively asked.
"Qi Jia, you've taken the initiative to get close to me and help me deal with Wu Ya. Aren't you afraid of offending the Empress? You saw it today; the Empress speaks highly of Wu Ya."
Qi Jia seemed to have been prepared and answered calmly.
"Your Highness, I dare not presume to guess the Empress's thoughts. But having been in the palace for quite some time, I can see things clearly. The Empress acts according to her own principles. Her promotion of Uya today is merely a whim, or perhaps a warning to... certain people."
She subtly hinted at it, but didn't say it explicitly, fearing that Tongjia might be unhappy and take it out on her.
"As long as we don't overstep the rules or openly challenge the Empress's authority, Her Majesty the Empress may not take it to heart. People as insignificant as myself and Wuya are probably no different from ants in Her Majesty's eyes. Why would Her Majesty make things difficult for me for the sake of a mere Wuya?"
After hearing this, Lady Tongjia felt that it made a lot of sense.
During her period of unconsciousness, the Empress did not appear to genuinely protect Uya.
The real purpose was to see her make a fool of herself and embarrass herself, to make a fool of herself as a member of the Tongjia clan.
The empress's actions seemed more like a capricious game designed to embarrass her.
She had already made up her mind, and then she said...
"You see things quite clearly. In that case, if you can really help me get revenge and deal with that Wuya clan member properly, I will certainly not treat you unfairly."
Qi Jia was secretly pleased, but her face became even more respectful.
"Princess, rest assured! Just give the order, and I will do my utmost. I wonder... what does Princess want from that Uya clan?"
Tongjia looked at her, a fierce glint in her eyes, and deliberately raised her voice to test her.
"What if the princess asked you to kill her without anyone knowing? Would you dare?"
Upon hearing this, Qi Jia was not alarmed at all. Instead, she smiled slightly, her tone calm yet resolute.
"If Your Highness truly wishes for her death, then I... will find a way to kill her. But..."
She changed the subject, her face showing difficulty.
"But what?" Tongjia pressed.
"However, Princess, life and death are at stake in the Imperial Palace. If someone is killed, the Emperor will surely order a thorough investigation. At that time... the risk is too great. I'm afraid that not only will I not be able to help you, Princess, but I will also get myself into trouble and implicate you."
Qi Jia's analysis is reasonable and logical.
Tongjia nodded, knowing that directly killing someone was extremely risky, and then said.
"So what do you want? What kind of favors do you want me to give you?"
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