The day Consort Su Jinxiu was to enter the palace was set for three days later.
Over the past three days, the atmosphere in the inner palace has become unusually delicate. Everyone craned their necks, eager to see for themselves just how exceptionally talented this young lady of the Su family, on whom the Empress Dowager placed high hopes and who was hailed as "the most talented woman in the capital," truly was.
Kunning Palace, the epicenter of this storm, appeared remarkably calm.
Lin Wanwan continued to prepare meals for Xiao Che every day and accompany him to read books and review documents, as if the turmoil in the outside world had nothing to do with her.
The day after the investiture, according to palace rules, the newly arrived Consort Xian was required to lead the other concubines to Kunning Palace to pay their respects to the Empress.
Early in the morning, the side hall was already full of people.
Consort Shu, whom we hadn't seen for a long time, had also "recovered." She sat there, her face still somewhat pale, but her eyes revealed a gloating satisfaction. She clearly wanted to see with her own eyes how Empress Lin Wanwan would deal with her "perfect" cousin.
The other concubines had different thoughts. Some were simply there to watch the spectacle, while others secretly hoped that a new power would break the existing order so that they could get a share of the spoils.
The atmosphere inside the hall was tense, and everyone's gaze was intentionally or unintentionally drawn towards the direction of the hall door.
Finally, as the eunuch outside the palace announced, "The Virtuous Consort has arrived—", all eyes turned to her.
A slender figure, surrounded by a group of palace maids, slowly walked in.
In that instant, the entire side hall seemed to brighten a little more because of her arrival.
The newcomer wore a light purple palace dress, the hem embroidered with elegant orchids—neither ostentatious nor overly plain, perfectly showcasing her noble status. Her figure was slender, her steps light and graceful, each step measured and flawless.
As she approached, everyone couldn't help but secretly gasp.
What an absolutely stunning beauty!
Her beauty differed from Consort Shu's bright and flamboyant nature, and also from Lin Wanwan's refined and gentle elegance. It was a beauty like a traditional Chinese ink painting from Jiangnan, imbued with a scholarly air. Her eyebrows were like distant mountains shrouded in mist, her skin like smooth jade, and her eyes, clear as water, held a gentle warmth in their every glance. A faint, perfectly placed smile always graced her lips, making one feel as if bathed in a spring breeze.
She was like a piece of warm, beautiful jade, radiating a gentle and tranquil light that inspired goodwill yet made people hesitant to defile her.
"Your humble servant, Su Jinxiu, greets Your Majesty the Empress. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace."
She walked into the hall and performed a perfect kneeling bow to Lin Wanwan. Her voice, like her, was gentle and melodious, like a nightingale singing in a valley.
"Please get up quickly, little sister," Lin Wanwan said with a smile, gesturing for Ruolan to help her up.
After she stood up, she kept her eyes slightly lowered, her posture extremely humble and respectful. She did not show the slightest arrogance because she was the Empress Dowager's niece and a newly favored concubine.
She gave Lin Wanwan another graceful curtsy and said softly, "It is my first time meeting you, elder sister. I have prepared a small gift, which is of little importance. I hope you will not find it offensive."
After she finished speaking, a palace maid behind her presented her with an exquisite brocade box.
Lin Wanwan gestured for Ruolan to take it. Upon opening it, the people in the hall gasped in surprise once again.
Inside the brocade box were not gold, silver, jewels, or rare treasures, but rather a beautifully framed embroidery.
The embroidery depicts a scene of "Phoenixes and Luan Birds Singing in Harmony".
In the painting, a phoenix and a luan bird nestle intimately together under a parasol tree. The exquisite needlework and elegant color scheme are simply masterful, comparable to the finest embroiderers in the palace. Even more remarkable is the sentiment behind it—the harmonious union of the phoenix and luan bird symbolizes the peace and harmony between the emperor and empress.
She was using the most direct and intelligent way to show Lin Wanwan and the entire harem her stance—she had no intention of competing with the Empress, but only wished to be law-abiding and assist the Empress.
"You're so kind, Consort Xian. I really like this gift," Lin Wanwan said sincerely, but her wariness towards her deepened.
For a woman newly entering the palace to handle things so flawlessly demonstrates her meticulousness.
The greeting ceremony continued.
Consort Xian, Su Jinxiu, performed flawlessly. She treated every concubine with gentleness and politeness, speaking sincerely. Regardless of their rank, she treated them all equally, and her genuine virtue quickly won the favor of most people present.
Just then, a discordant voice rang out.
The one who spoke was a noblewoman surnamed Li. She had always been on good terms with Consort Shu. Seeing Lin Wanwan's rising popularity, she felt resentful and said with a forced smile, "Your Majesty is truly blessed these days. Not only does she have His Majesty's favor, but even the dishes in this small kitchen are more precious than those in our Imperial Kitchen. We, as her younger sisters, haven't tasted the dishes prepared by the Imperial Kitchen for His Majesty in a long time. We wonder what they taste like."
These words, seemingly a complaint, were actually a veiled criticism of Lin Wanwan for monopolizing the emperor's heart, monopolizing his favor, and even taking care of the emperor's meals, thus losing the gentleness and magnanimity that an empress should possess.
The atmosphere inside the hall instantly became subtle again.
Everyone looked at Lin Wanwan, wanting to see how she would handle this sudden challenge.
However, before she could speak, a gentle voice rang out first.
She is Consort Xian.
She slowly rose, smiled gently at Consort Li, and spoke with an undeniable force.
“Consort Li, you are mistaken,” she said softly. “The reason why you personally set up a small kitchen to prepare meals for His Majesty is all because of your deep love for him. His Majesty’s good health is a blessing for our Great Xia, and even more so for us sisters in the harem. You have gone to great lengths and done everything yourself. We, as your younger sisters, are more than grateful for your virtue, so how could we possibly harbor any resentment?”
She paused, her gaze sweeping across the room, and continued, "Furthermore, husband and wife are one, the Emperor and Empress are of one mind. His Majesty's willingness to dine in Kunning Palace is a testament to the deep affection between the Emperor and Empress. As subjects and concubines, we should be overjoyed by this and rejoice in the harmony between the Emperor and Empress. If we harbor resentment over a little pleasure, wouldn't that be failing our duty as concubines and betraying the kindness of His Majesty and the Empress?"
His words were well-reasoned and presented in a measured and unhurried manner.
She uttered not a single accusation, not a single harsh word, yet every word she spoke stood on the moral high ground.
She elevated Lin Wanwan's actions to the level of "serving the country and the people"; and characterized Li Guiren's complaints as "lacking in common sense and failing in her duty."
Lady Li's face turned pale and then red after hearing her words. She was speechless and could not utter a single word in rebuttal. In the end, she could only sit down in shame and indignation.
Inside the hall, there was complete silence. Then, a chorus of exclamations of admiration erupted.
"Your Highness is right!"
"As expected of the Virtuous Consort, her insight is extraordinary!"
Everyone looked at her with admiration, praising her for living up to the title of "virtuous". With her, the Empress had gained a wise and capable younger sister.
Even Consort Shu, who had been waiting to see a good show, turned somewhat unpleasant. She probably hadn't expected her cousin to be so cunning.
Lin Wanwan smiled and stood up, walking over to Su Jinxiu and warmly taking her hand.
"Good sister, thanks to you, I was saved from this predicament," she said gratefully, her eyes full of affection and trust.
"Sister, you flatter me. It is my duty to uphold your dignity." Su Jinxiu returned her hand, her smile gentle and her eyes sincere.
The two held hands and looked at each other, a perfect example of sisters who felt they had known each other for a long time and had a deep bond.
However, from an angle unnoticed by anyone, Lin Wanwan's eyes held a cold calm.
She knew it all too well.
The most terrifying enemies in this world are never those fools who bar their teeth and claws and wear their ambition on their sleeves.
Instead, it's someone like Su Jinxiu, who appears to be the gentlest, most harmless, and most perfect...
White lotus.
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