Chapter 180 - 155: The Rules of Bihuagong (Part 2)

’These are low in calories and protein, so they aren’t very filling.’ In Jiang Xian’s mind, the best food was a meal that had been left to cool slightly. That way, she could eat quickly without scalding her throat.

Jiang Xian gently pushed the open bowl of bird’s nest soup forward. "Is Zhongcui Palace running short on Consort Guo’s nutritional supplements? You seem to regard these common things with such importance, terrified of wasting even a single drop."

Chen Changzai gleefully landed another blow. "A Noble Lady’s allowance doesn’t include bird’s nest soup or donkey-hide gelatin, does it?"

The moment she heard Consort Guo had arrived, she had hurried over from the West Wing, just for this chance to kick her while she was down and shower her with ridicule. Chen Changzai would never forget how Consort Guo had made her kneel in the Imperial Garden for so long that her knees had nearly given out.

In Consort Guo’s mind, everyone was ranked on a rigid scale.

She came from an aristocratic family and considered the other concubines who entered the palace with her to be her inferiors. The respect she showed Jiang Xian was based entirely on her rank, but she had absolutely no tolerance for Chen Changzai. She immediately shot back, "And a Changzai’s allowance does? I am speaking with Lady Zhaoyi. A mere Changzai like you has no place to interrupt."

Consort Guo’s slender brows shot up as she bristled with anger.

But Chen Changzai wasn’t the least bit afraid. "I live right here in Bihua Palace. You’re in Bihua Palace, telling me I have no right to speak? What an impressive display of authority! Too bad for you, it’s useless. I’m no ordinary Changzai."

Consort Guo was incredulous. "Did the Emperor grant you a formal title?"

"I am Gu Zhaoyi’s favorite Changzai."

Chen Changzai’s tone was so proud that for a moment, Consort Guo was at a loss for words.

Chen Changzai pressed her advantage. "Even the scraps that fall from between Gu Zhaoyi’s fingers are more than enough for me! I have more bird’s nest soup and donkey-hide gelatin than I can eat. Do you? Even if you do, it’s only because you’re pregnant. It’s for the future Prince or Princess. Once the child is born, you won’t get any. The Emperor would give it to the wet nurse before he’d give it to you."

"You!"

The palace maid beside Consort Guo glared at Chen Changzai. "A mere Changzai dares to so brazenly insult a Noble Lady? And Lady Zhaoyi simply condones this insolence? Are these the rules of Bihua Palace?!"

Jiang Xian lifted an eyelid. Taking the cue, Zhenqiu stepped forward, curtsied, and then gracefully slapped the maid twice. The sound was as sharp as a firecracker going off. As the maid stared in a mixture of shock and fury, Zhenqiu said, "Miss Guo was being loud and disrespectful in Lady Zhaoyi’s presence. These two slaps are on your mistress’s behalf."

The room fell silent.

Consort Guo’s hand went to her belly, her face turning pale then red, as she debated whether to use her pregnancy as leverage to start a huge argument with Gu Zhaoyi.

Just then, she saw Jiang Xian let out a soft laugh.

"Your palace maid is right. These *are* the rules of Bihua Palace."

"Here in Bihua Palace, my Chen Changzai can indeed walk all over a Noble Lady like you and slap your Chief Palace Maid. If you weren’t pregnant, you wouldn’t be leaving Bihua Palace today without kneeling for a full hour. The child is innocent. For the sake of the imperial heir, I will let you go this once."

Consort Guo began to breathe heavily, glaring daggers at Jiang Xian.

Before she could think of a response, Jiang Xian had already said, "Zhenqiu, show our guest out."

As she was being "shown" out, Consort Guo kept her hand on her belly, but she could never quite bring herself to make a move.

Mian Xia clicked her tongue. "My Lady, aren’t you afraid she’ll claim to have stomach pains? That she’ll say you angered her so much it disturbed her pregnancy?"

"I just gave birth to Zhao’er. The Emperor and the Empress Dowager won’t punish me too severely over something like this. Besides, Consort Guo has carried this baby for so long; she’s undoubtedly been incredibly meticulous. A person like that wouldn’t dare gamble with her own pregnancy."

Jiang Xian understood Consort Guo’s "second-generation elite" mentality all too well.

’She’s burdened by her pride and social standing, but she also can’t bring herself to just drop all pretenses and fight dirty.’

’She had so much before entering the palace that she now lacks the courage to burn her bridges and go all-in.’

’When two opponents meet on a narrow path, the braver one wins. The rich have a margin for error, but commoners have their own street smarts.’

Jiang Xian chuckled. "Today, I was determined to get justice for Chen Changzai. And at the same time, I wanted to give Consort Guo a reality check so she’ll think twice before bothering me again."

***

Word of Consort Guo’s visit to Bihua Palace, and how she had left in a huff, soon reached the Emperor’s ears.

Xie Che dispatched an Imperial Physician to check Consort Guo’s pulse.

After a short while, Liang Yuyin returned to report. "Doctor Sun says that Miss Guo is experiencing some slight chest tightness and signs of appetite loss, but the royal fetus is unharmed. However, the palace maids from Zhongcui Palace claim that Consort Guo was so upset by Chen Changzai at Bihua Palace that she can no longer eat. Also, this servant saw..."

"Hm?"

"This servant saw that the palace maid from Zhongcui Palace who came to Qiankun Palace to report had two red slap marks on her face. She claimed Gu Zhaoyi had someone slap her indiscriminately," Liang Yuyin asked cautiously. "Does the Emperor wish for this servant to inquire with Lady Zhaoyi about what actually happened?"

’He understood the Emperor perfectly.’

’In the Emperor’s eyes, who was Consort Guo anyway?’

’If she hadn’t gotten lucky and conceived, the Emperor probably wouldn’t have even listened to a word she said.’

Xie Che had been listening distractedly, but when he heard that Consort Guo had been upset by Chen Changzai, he grew puzzled. "Chen Changzai is capable of upsetting her? More likely, Chen Changzai was just annoyed by her foolishness!"

In Xie Che’s mind, Chen Changzai was just a silly little shadow trailing after Jiang Xian.

’Not malicious, just incredibly dense.’

"Since she doesn’t get along with those at Bihua Palace, Consort Guo should wander around less in the future. She can stay in Zhongcui Palace and focus on her pregnancy."

With a single sentence, Xie Che had effectively put Consort Guo on house arrest.

He then considered the slapped palace maid who had come to Qiankun Palace, likely to slander Jiang Xian. He added, "Appearing on duty with such obvious marks on her face is a breach of decorum in the imperial court. A palace maid so lacking in sense has no business serving Consort Guo. Send her back to the Imperial Household and find an obedient replacement for Consort Guo."

Liang Yuyin offered his praise, "A breach of decorum in the imperial court is a crime punishable by death. Your Majesty is truly merciful to only have her sent back to the Imperial Household for reassignment! As for Consort Guo’s request to see you..."

"I will go to Changle Palace to see the Prince. I’ll have dinner at Bihua Palace."

Liang Yuyin bowed. "As you wish."