Chapter 193 - 168: A Face Offered for a Slap

As a titled noblewoman, Mrs. Guo, the wife of Guo Ruikuo, submitted her nameplate that very day to request an audience with Gu Zhaoyi.

When the news arrived, Jiang Xian was in Zhaoyang Palace, sipping tea with Noble Princess Consort Rong. "I don’t know her at all," she said. "The less trouble, the better. I think it’s best not to meet her. Zhenqiu, go and relay my answer to the Empress."

"See her? Of course, you’ll see her. Why not?"

Before Zhenqiu could even take a step, she was stopped by the words of Noble Princess Consort Rong. "It’s not every day someone willingly offers themselves up for a good slap. How refreshing. Grant her permission to come to Zhaoyang Palace and see Gu Zhaoyi."

Hearing this, Zhenqiu had no choice but to cast a pleading gaze at her mistress.

Jiang Xian said, "Since the Noble Consort wishes it, then let us do as she says."

"So you do listen to me," Noble Princess Consort Rong huffed.

The stunning beauty, putting on airs, had a unique charm all her own.

’Jiang Xian judged people by their actions, not their words. No matter how sweetly someone spoke, if their actions were meant to harm her, they were an enemy. On the other hand, while Noble Princess Consort Rong launched indiscriminate attacks daily, she was exceptionally and genuinely good to her—in ways that were plain to see. So what if she threw a little fit now and then?’

"It’s a small matter. As long as you’re happy."

After Jiang Xian finished speaking, a slight curve appeared on Noble Princess Consort Rong’s red lips. Her delight was plain to see.

※

「Jianzhang Palace.」

After Mrs. Guo had paid her respects, the Empress asked, "You did not go to see Guo Xiao Yi, yet you submitted a nameplate requesting to see Gu Zhaoyi. For what reason?"

Mrs. Guo bowed her head low. "I have long heard of Lady Zhaoyi’s renowned grace. My husband and Her Ladyship may have had a small misunderstanding before. It is better to resolve enmity than to create it. There are some things men cannot say, so I was tasked with submitting my nameplate to try my luck. I only pray Her Ladyship will show mercy and grant me an audience."

’She was just a girl from the countryside, this Mrs. Jiang,’ she thought. ’My husband, Guo Ruikuo, even met her father, Jiang Ke. He’s nothing but an earnest, gullible scholar. All I have to do is humor Gu Zhaoyi and say a few nice things, and this will all blow over. I doubt she would dare to truly offend the Guo Family.’

The Empress naturally knew what had happened at court.

A junior member of the Chu Family had once died from smallpox, so with the introduction of this preventative method, her own family stood to benefit.

So the Empress said coolly, "Since Gu Zhaoyi is willing to grant you an audience, you should go and be sure to observe all proprieties. I will say no more. Zhenqiu, you may lead her there."

Mrs. Guo took her leave, filled with apprehension.

Zhenqiu said, "This way, Madam."

Mrs. Guo saw that the palace maid leading the way was young but wore a stony expression. Knowing full well she was an unwelcome guest, she grew even more tense.

Before long, they arrived at an exceptionally opulent palace.

Zhenqiu gave a cold instruction, "When you follow me inside, Madam, please refrain from looking all around."

Having entered the harem, Mrs. Guo had been on edge the entire time, daring only to look at the path ahead and nothing else. Now, with Zhenqiu’s warning, her body reacted before she could think. It’s a quirk of the human mind: tell someone "don’t bite your tongue," and they’ll instinctively do just that.

And so, Mrs. Guo subconsciously glanced around.

Her eyes darted back the instant they landed on the plaque above the entrance.

Carved on the plaque were two words—

Zhaoyang Palace.

Judging by Mrs. Guo’s expression, you would have thought the plaque said "Yama Hall."

※

Inside Zhaoyang Palace.

Noble Princess Consort Rong was growing impatient and began to grumble. "This Ms. Bai certainly has an ego. She’s the one who requested an audience, yet she’s making me wait all this time. Doesn’t she know how to walk faster? Or does she expect me to send a heated sedan chair to pick her up?"

One could hardly make a more unreasonable demand.

After all, a good deal of time had passed between Jiang Xian agreeing to the meeting, Ms. Bai paying her respects to the Empress, and finally, walking the long way to Zhaoyang Palace.

Ma Wanyi chimed in like a perfect sidekick. "You’re absolutely right, Sister. That Ms. Bai is simply dreadful. Here, Sister, have some tea to soothe your throat. Qiu Tang, what are you waiting for? Fan Her Ladyship and blow away her bad mood! When she arrives, Sister, you needn’t say a word. Let your little sister here have a good chat with her."

Jiang Xian glanced at her.

’Throughout history and across the world, every boss has their professional sycophant and sidekick.’

A short while later, Mrs. Guo entered the hall, her head bowed. She knelt first to pay her respects to Noble Princess Consort Rong, who occupied the seat of honor.

Noble Princess Consort Rong did not immediately bid her to rise, letting her kneel for a while.

If an ordinary concubine were to make a noblewoman kneel while answering, it would damage her reputation and stir up gossip if news of it spread.

But for Noble Princess Consort Rong to do it was perfectly reasonable.

This was one of the benefits of having no children—no children meant no vulnerabilities.

"Oh, look at my memory. You may rise."

After a good while, Noble Princess Consort Rong finally seemed to snap out of a daze, as if just then remembering the living person kneeling before her.

Mrs. Guo’s heart was pounding.

’She had long heard that the daughter of the Rong Family was spoiled and sharp-tongued. Even before her marriage, she was notoriously difficult to get along with, and after years as a Noble Consort, her temper had supposedly only worsened.’ A palace maid presented a teacup. When Mrs. Guo took a sip, she discovered it was only cool, plain water.

’They wouldn’t even give her a cup of tea!’

Now truly feeling wronged, Mrs. Guo blurted out, "Can I not even beg a cup of hot tea from you, Lady?"

Noble Princess Consort Rong shot her a glance but didn’t respond.

Ma Wanyi, standing nearby, spoke up as if she could read minds. "You jest, Mrs. Guo. If everyone who came to Zhaoyang Palace could get a cup of hot tea, wouldn’t Her Ladyship’s finest Mengding Mountain tea be gone in no time? Besides, Her Ladyship has no particular friendship with you. The fact that you were given any water at all is a testament to Her Ladyship’s beauty and kindness. She’s taking pity on you for coming all this way, so eagerly requesting an audience... it’s quite pathetic, really. Now, drink your water!"

Mrs. Guo didn’t dare show her anger. She was fuming but could only suppress it and try to reason with them. "I am, after all, a titled noblewoman, invested by the Emperor himself. Even if Your Ladyship is of higher station, you should not debase me so, treating me as if I am not even a person."

"A titled noblewoman?"

As if hearing the most amusing joke, Noble Princess Consort Rong laughed. "During festivals and holidays, the hordes of women kneeling before me are all titled noblewomen. And you have the audacity to lecture me? To say I don’t treat you as a person is even more ridiculous. I wonder who it was that proclaimed women deserve not an ounce of credit for their achievements? A person must first disgrace themselves before others will. You came here begging for a dressing-down, and I have satisfied your request. Why aren’t you thanking me for my grace?"

Mrs. Guo drew a sharp, silent breath. ’The Noble Consort really is furious with my husband!’

’Mrs. Guo saw nothing wrong with what her husband had said in court. A woman’s accomplishments should naturally be credited to her husband. Even with childbirth, a husband must first plant the seed for any fruit to grow. A woman on her own can achieve nothing.’

Mrs. Guo had no choice but to swallow her anger, thank the consort, and then adopt a softer, humbler tone. After a moment, she said, "I originally requested an audience with Gu Zhaoyi..."

Having been named, Jiang Xian raised her eyes.

Noble Princess Consort Rong said, "Isn’t she right here? You’ve seen her."

Mrs. Guo was speechless.

’I’ve seen her, yes, but I haven’t been able to say a single word to her!’

Afterward, Noble Princess Consort Rong and Ma Wanyi gave her no chance to speak with Jiang Xian. They had truly summoned her just to give her a thorough scolding before sending her away.

As Mrs. Guo left, her steps were unsteady.

Jiang Xian brewed a fresh cup of tea. "Here, drink this and calm down. It isn’t worth getting worked up over people like her. In a way, she’s a pitiful figure herself. If Guo Ruikuo disrespects women so much, how well do you think his own wife is treated at home?"

"People who share a bed are cut from the same cloth. I’d say she completely agrees with Guo Ruikuo’s opinion and probably thinks you’re the one being unreasonable." Noble Princess Consort Rong graced the tea from Jiang Xian with a single sip before putting it down; she truly could not bring herself to praise Jiang Xian’s amateur brewing skills. "She came to plead on behalf of the Guo Family. The woman is clueless. Matters of the court are not for us to meddle in. By acting like a petitioner, she was trying to trap you into a compromised position."

Although Jiang Xian had been the one to propose the smallpox prevention method, once it was presented at court and the Emperor had rendered his decision, it became a matter of state policy. Guo Ruikuo was attempting a roundabout strategy to save his own skin. If Mrs. Guo had actually convinced Jiang Xian to plead his case before the Emperor, Jiang Xian would have been bringing disaster upon herself.

Noble Princess Consort Rong’s words were never pleasant, but she had the foresight to see the treacherous schemes hidden in the details.