"Intelligence and kindness, it’s good to have one, but it’s troublesome to have neither."
The Emperor set down his teacup.
The Empress Dowager awkwardly said, "The Wei Family also doesn’t know how to raise girls."
Thinking about her own family not knowing either, the Empress Dowager felt a bit embarrassed.
...
On the fifteenth, the Emperor did not stay, leaving the Empress humiliated.
She felt troubled, not wanting to see the concubines, thinking they mocked her, but Dong Hua persuaded her: "Yesterday the Emperor wasn’t in Jianzhang Palace, if Lady claims illness today and skips the greeting, it would likely lead the Emperor to misunderstand Lady’s displeasure and be angry with him. Given Lady’s formidable reputation, I believe no one will dare openly bring up Lady’s grievance."
This formidable reputation was also granted by the Emperor.
Whenever the Empress punished someone, even a favored concubine, the Emperor would not openly oppose it, letting the Six Palaces know that the Empress’s words carried weight.
The Empress felt uneasy: "I merely made a request, if he disagrees, he could just decline; why leave in anger, making me lose face?"
"The Emperor has always respected Lady, perhaps he’s heard something from others."
The Empress felt a jolt in her heart.
She had two suspects in mind, Concubine Xi and Lady.
"Concubine Xi seems foolish, while Lady is the most likely to act secretly..."
"Lady, don’t be upset, those who are upright need not fear a crooked shadow; moreover, Lady is in the right. Just please don’t lock horns with the Emperor again, last night’s event was truly frightening."
The Empress felt some regret.
When the concubines of the Six Palaces arrived at Jianzhang Palace to pay respects, no one indeed mentioned the events of the fifteenth night.
Concubine Wei wanted to bring it up, she really wanted to, her mouth twitched several times.
Consort Xu secretly tugged her hand, urging her to calm down.
The Empress noticed this too, holding back a burning anger, as Consort Xu naturally didn’t want her support to be angered at this moment.
The concubines all feared inciting the Empress’s anger and dared not speak much.
Yet silence wasn’t a solution either; in the cold, dead atmosphere, not speaking was akin to speaking.
"The Longevity Festival before the year’s end, does Lady have any plans? This humble servant wants to prepare accordingly."
Rarely did Lady softly speak, bringing up a safe topic to help the Empress out.
The Longevity Festival is a day celebrated throughout the realm, bringing it up is as effective as celebrating the New Year.
The Empress glared at her and said harshly: "Lady must have lost her wits, to forget that the Emperor has long returned palace authority to me. I have long prepared, the Longevity Festival will be handled properly and decently, there’s no need for Lady to worry on my behalf!"
This stern reprimand was particularly forceful in the otherwise quiet main hall.
Yun Jiao was startled back to attention.
Why did the Empress suddenly become angry? Did she miss some exciting plot!
Overcome by curiosity, Yun Jiao replayed the events to understand.
This time she understood, Lady had provided the opportunity for the Empress to seize upon her words, transgressing the line.
Lady, however, stood up, curtsying towards the Empress: "The Empress misunderstood this humble servant’s intentions. I was merely thinking about preparing birthday gifts for the Emperor, how did palace authority come into this? I don’t understand, please advise me, Lady."
Yun Jiao was stunned.
Oh my, Lady set the trap right there.
And the Empress jumped straight in, having been too aggressive earlier, now making it hard to back down. The Empress’s anger is one matter, Lady standing up and apologizing is another.
The Empress remained silent, and Lady didn’t rush, just standing there.
Her lonely figure exposed to the crowd made the Empress appear domineering and unreasonable, selfishly grasping power.
"... Lady, sit down."
These four words were almost squeezed through the Empress’s gritted teeth.
Lady did not pursue further, compliantly sitting down.
A faint smile hung on her lips, no longer feigning pity, as she did not aggressively confront the Empress.
"I’m feeling a bit tired, you all may leave first."
The crowd rose to make their bows.
As the concubines left in an orderly manner, Lady spoke again: "What does Concubine Xi plan to give as a birthday gift?"
Yun Jiao, having been addressed, quickly saved the moment, engaging with Lady required intense mental effort: "This humble servant hasn’t decided yet, my savings are limited, and the gift cannot be light. This matter really needs careful consideration, especially given my rank, I must measure against Lady, Princess Consort Jing, and the Empress, without exceeding my status."
Yun Jiao repeatedly pondered before cautiously giving her reply.
This skill was learned from surfing the Internet in the past—’I like to eat apples, apples are delicious (this doesn’t mean bananas aren’t good) (domestic apples) (only the apples I’ve personally eaten) (no apple was harmed).’
Though it wasn’t as effectively economical as Lady, the stance of submission was thoroughly executed.
Lady smiled: "That’s great, I’m still choosing gifts, Concubine Xi, come to Yanxi Palace to help me assess."
Yun Jiao was momentarily at a loss.
She was caught by her weakness!
Yun Jiao pondered for a moment, even replaying it, she couldn’t come up with more comprehensive words, so she had to agree: "Thanks for your favor, Lady, may I change my clothes first and come later?"
"Consort Ji, accompany Concubine Xi and come along later."
Lady left in a fragrant breeze.
Concubine Wei, having endured all morning, finally found an opportunity: "Concubine Xi thinks too highly of herself, the gifts purchased with those limited savings definitely can’t surpass the higher-ranking ones, surely the Emperor won’t need an endorsement for gifts, this way will be a dead end."
Yun Jiao: "Is Concubine Wei ridiculing me?"
"How could I be? I’m concerned for you." Concubine Wei denied.
Yun Jiao: "Then give me a hundred Silver Taels, verbal concern feels shallow, I can’t feel it. You give me a hundred Silver Taels, and I’ll truly feel your concern."
Everyone watched, surprisingly, withholding the Silver Taels was not an option.
In the end, with no choice, Concubine Wei had to take off her bracelet, saying it was her gift.
...
Leaving Jianzhang Palace, Yun Jiao expressed to Concubine Li her thoughts that Lady was too articulate, yet deceived into going to Yanxi Palace.
Concubine Li glanced at Consort Ji who accompanied them: "And you say this in front of her?"
"Consort Ji is good to me, she’s different."
Consort Ji felt complex about this sincere trust.
The Emperor didn’t stay at Jianzhang Palace on the fifteenth, definitely had an unpleasant moment with the Empress; Lady teased her just to solidify this impression, inviting Concubine Xi in front of the Six Palace concubines... not a single word was wasted.
...