Chapter Nine: Reactions from Both Sides

He must be referring to their first meeting, when she wore a robe of brilliant crimson.

"Red is a symbol of status in Yu, meant to reflect the nobility of the wearer. But to me, color hardly matters," she said lightly, indifferent as she openly admitted her own flaws.

"Why do I hear a hint of self-abandonment in your words?"

What nonsense! He could really say such things with a straight face. Xuexue felt a surge of annoyance and refused to reply.

Ji Wuqing’s lips curled into a faint smile, but when he caught sight of the jade beads on her wrist, his expression grew serious once more. "The gift from the Empress Dowager is indeed fine, but don’t wear it often. Save it for when you pay your respects; once you return to the palace, take it off."

He spoke as if it were an afterthought, yet his tone was earnest.

So... it seemed the relationship between the Empress Dowager and the King was not as harmonious as outsiders claimed.

"I wouldn’t dare carry the Empress Dowager’s gifts with me all the time. It would only invite envy, and if I were to lose or damage it, I couldn’t bear the blame. Better to store it safely away—as a cherished keepsake," Xuexue said animatedly, slipping easily into the royal address, her girlish charm shining through for once.

Only after she finished speaking did she realize she had used the wrong term of address. The word "I" came naturally to her, especially when relaxed, and she had let it slip.

Ji Wuqing noticed her embarrassment and his heavy mood brightened instantly.

"It’s nothing. When it’s just the two of us, you may address yourself however you wish."

The next day.

Autumn at the lotus pond: the water brimmed with leaves, some standing tall, reaching for the clouds, like dancers in elegant skirts, graceful and poised. Others bowed low, mingling with the fish, frolicking in the water, lively and carefree.

"Master, you’ve refused them so directly. If those ladies resort to underhanded tricks, won’t it be troublesome?" Taoxin hovered at Xuexue’s side, carefully grinding a fine violet jade inkstone, still uneasy about the scene earlier.

Her mistress was favored by the King, true, but those refined and noble concubines hardly seemed content to stay idle. If they turned ruthless, her mistress would surely suffer.

"Taoxin, you’re distracted."

The girl writing at leisure remained calm, her hand moving gently. Her sleeves, interwoven with orchid hues, were draped with delicate white gauze, as fine as snow-white skin.

Her hand, holding the brush, was as pale as the gauze itself—radiant and dazzling.

Taoxin frowned, glancing down to discover black ink staining the corner of her own sleeve, ruining her yellow palace dress.

Startled, Taoxin dropped to her knees to beg forgiveness. "I deserve punishment, I’ve gotten ink on Your Grace’s inkstone..."

"Get up. Do you think I’m the sort who mistreats maids?" Xuexue replied calmly, not in the least hurried, though her brows furrowed slightly. She could never agree with the rigid hierarchies of this era.

But what could she do? Every age has its own laws, and such order cannot be broken.

"Master, I was careless," Taoxin stammered, quickly rising, her cheeks flushed with shame.

"Taoxin, have you forgotten? I sent word this morning: since I have newly ascended to the Queen’s position, all the formalities are waived for now. The concubines need not come to pay respects today. Yet they still flocked here—what do you make of it?" Xuexue asked.

"Master, I understand now. The other ladies wanted to intimidate you." With Xuexue’s hint, Taoxin immediately grasped the situation.

Xuexue nodded. Yes, they wanted her to know that even though she was Queen, the King’s favorite, she had no right to disrupt the traditions of Ji. So they openly defied her decree—a challenge, or perhaps a mockery of her cleverness. But they were the truly foolish ones; she neither sought conflict nor wished to be their enemy, yet that did not mean she would tolerate her dignity being trampled.

"However, Master, Consort Yu did not come this morning."

Taoxin’s words caught Xuexue’s attention. Consort Yu was indeed a rare clever one.

Meanwhile, in Jin Hua Palace.

The palace was lavishly adorned, the gardens blooming with tulips that attested to the mistress’s refined taste. Suddenly, a discordant crash sounded from within—a beautifully crafted colored pottery teacup shattered on the floor.

The maids knelt trembling, heads bowed in fear, hoping the mistress’s fury would not turn upon them.

"What is she, really! A blind girl of unknown origin—how dare she earn my aunt’s and cousin’s favor! How dare she put on airs before me!"

The girl in a magnificent floral robe viciously kicked the shattered porcelain, venting her rage. Her splendid skirt was stained with tea, the high-heeled shoes surrounded by blossoms dampened by the spill.

Her lovely features twisted with anger, the makeup on her face seeming to distort with her fury.

"Your Grace, why lose your temper over her? The Queen is arrogant only because she enjoys the King’s favor. Otherwise, she’s nothing—a cripple. All you need is for her to lose the King’s affection; then it will be easy to topple her," her maid ventured boldly, seeing her mistress so troubled.

At these words, Jin Consort’s anger miraculously abated for a moment.

"Well said. Xuexue has no family, no background, no talent, virtue, or beauty. Who can guarantee her favor will last? If not, then let it end sooner rather than later." Jin Consort seemed to have found clarity, smiling broadly.

Yanxi Palace.

A clean and elegant palace—moonflowers pure and flawless, like the gentle beauty of a moonlit night, veiled in the haze of dreams.

A girl in white stood quietly by the flowers, her spotless dress floating in the breeze, like a fairy untouched by worldly concerns.

Her long hair fell past her waist, simply pinned with a white jade hairpin, enhancing her innocence and charm.

"Your Grace, the Queen is truly favored," Langhua, Yan Consort’s confidante, spoke anxiously, seeing the Queen’s rising influence in the palace. Her mistress was so good, kind-hearted, yet the King...

"Why worry? Do you think Jin Consort will tolerate the Queen? She won’t sit idly by," Yan Consort knelt to caress the pure blossoms, smiling with confidence. "Just wait—Jin Consort will make her move. When that happens, it won’t be too late for me to act."

She was so certain that Langhua breathed a sigh of relief.

...Author’s Note...

Someone is working hard to apply for a contract as soon as possible.