Not long after, two more people arrived, and then she heard the name of Consort Ding. Soon after, someone appeared beside her.
After Consort Ding took her seat, she saw a rather unfamiliar person next to her. A maidservant beside her whispered, "It's Consort Shu."
Then Consort Ding fell silent and was placed next to Consort Shu. The Imperial Noble Consort really knows how to arrange things!
Seeing that Youqing showed no reaction upon hearing the name of Consort Ding, Chengying knew that the young mistress must not know about Consort Ding. So she whispered in Youqing's ear, "This Consort Ding was favored by the emperor before you."
Upon hearing this, Youqing fell silent. The way the positions were arranged had a palace intrigue feel to it.
As they sat together, just as Youqing was considering whether to greet her, Consort Ding spoke first: "This is the first time I've met Sister Shu. She is indeed as beautiful and charming as the rumors say."
Youqing politely replied, "Sister, you're too kind. You're beautiful too."
And that was the end of it.
Consort Ding knew she was about to fall out of favor, but she didn't dare to go up against the Emperor's new favorite. Given her family background and status, Emperor Kangxi had mostly neglected her after she became a concubine. The month of favor she received recently had certainly whetted her appetite, but it wasn't enough to embolden her.
So the two of them could only remain in this awkward situation.
The two's performance disappointed those around them who were hoping for a good show! Who knew they wouldn't get to see anything like it?! Could this be some important person?!
Not long after, another person arrived from the other side of Youqing's group; it was Consort Cheng.
Youqing knew Consort Cheng better than Consort Ding. She had heard Sangzhu mention several times that Consort Cheng's maid had bullied her.
They were all palace maids, and not everyone liked the maids around Consort Cheng. Sangzhu also had some close friends, and everyone who needed to know already knew.
Consort Cheng greeted Youqing with a smile: "This is Sister Shu. I heard that you entered the palace last year and have been recuperating in Jingyang Palace. You have only come out now that you are well. This is the first time I have met you."
Youqing gave a rather perfunctory smile and said politely, "This is also the first time I've met you, esteemed sir."
Without saying anything else, Consort Cheng was speechless for a moment.
The two were speaking quite loudly, and the people around them couldn't help but laugh, each of them covering their mouths with handkerchiefs.
A hint of displeasure flashed in Consort Cheng's eyes.
What are they all? None of them even have a son, so why are they laughing at her?
Besides, the Emperor's favor is only temporary; the child is the key to remaining invincible. A newly favored nobleman really takes himself too seriously.
Cheng Guiren was also proud and arrogant. When he was ridiculed, he became cold towards Youqing.
After laughing, Consort Ding couldn't help but wonder. Logically speaking, Consort Shu should be even more at odds with her, but she seemed to have more prejudice against Consort Cheng and treated her normally.
How strange.
Is it because she's not high enough in standing? Is she unworthy of her cold shoulder and resentment?
Thinking about it this way, even the nobleman couldn't be happy.
Consort Cheng arrived, followed by the concubines of the rank of Pin.
The first to arrive was the rather unremarkable Consort An. She seemed to be a woman of few words and didn't say anything to Youqing, but she did secretly sized her up.
Sitting in front of Youqing was Consort Yi, and next to Consort Yi was Consort De…
Not long after all the concubines had arrived, the entourage of the Imperial Noble Consort arrived.
The timing was perfect.
Everyone rose and bowed. Consort Tong glanced at Youqing in the crowd and said gently, "My dear sisters, there's no need for such formalities. Please sit down and let's talk."
As soon as she finished speaking, she sat down in the head seat.
"The weather is hot in summer, but it's a bit cooler today, so I invited all my sisters to come and listen to the opera together, which will also strengthen the bond between us sisters."
Looking at the scorching sun outside, Youqing felt she needed to redefine the word "cool".
Consort Hui smiled and said, "Your Majesty is right. It has indeed been a long time since I have seen you sisters. Now that I see you, I feel a little unfamiliar with you."
Consort Yi laughed heartily upon hearing this: "Sister Hui, you really know how to talk. Sister, take a look and see if you can still recognize me."
look unfamiliar?
There aren't that many people with face blindness.
Consort Hui continued, "Looking at her now, Sister Yi does look quite different. How come she has two extra red pimples on her face? It's rather unique."
Consort Yi's smile turned cold. What red pimples? It's hot in summer, and her face is oily. Emperor Kangxi hasn't visited her in a long time, and he's been anxious and inflamed. He's not careful with his diet, and two red pimples have appeared on his face.
The imperial physician came to examine me and said that I should not use cosmetics, so I did not apply any cosmetics to my face today.
Although Consort Yi was beautiful, she had given birth and had children, so she could not compare to Youqing, who was seventeen years old and still possessed natural beauty even without makeup.
Consort Hui's words certainly made Consort Yi feel aggrieved.
The two went back and forth, and Youqing found it quite lively.
At this moment, Consort De suddenly smiled and said, "I heard that the Imperial Noble Consort specially sent someone to carry a palanquin to Jiangxue Pavilion to pick up Consort Shu. You are so biased, you only have Consort Shu in your heart."
When the flames of war suddenly spread to her, Youqing was not happy.
However, since the question wasn't directed at her, she didn't answer.
When Consort Tong heard this, although she was pleased that she had shifted the blame to Consort Shu, she still felt disgusted when she heard her call her "elder sister".
She was just a maid who used to serve her, yet now she dares to call her "elder sister."
Although she was displeased, the main target today was not Consort De. Consort Tong said, "I heard from the imperial physicians that Consort Shu is not feeling well, so she rarely goes out. I am also afraid that Consort Shu will get tired. After all, Consort Shu is currently in His Majesty's favor. If Consort Shu gets tired, His Majesty will blame me."
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