Chapter 209 - 181: Part 3

Consort Ji stared at the dishes on the table for a moment before picking up a piece of vibrant, succulent greens.

"If all I wanted were passable meals, I wouldn’t have bothered entering the palace."

...

This year, a total of six newcomers had entered the palace through the selection.

Except for Consort Ji, who had no head concubine in her pavilion, the others were all presented to the Empress by the mistresses of their respective palaces to pay their respects and meet the other concubines after learning the rules.

While they were learning the rules, the Empress bestowed bolts of cloth upon them as a sign of favor.

Even the remote Yizhu Pavilion was not overlooked. Consort Ji compared the fabric she received with Cao Daying’s and confirmed that hers was the best of the batch. This showed that the Empress’s gifts were distributed according to rank, and she was not being deliberately singled out for poor treatment.

’That makes the matter of my palace assignment all the more curious!’

Consort Ji was full of anticipation for the formal greetings, eager to see who held animosity toward her and what Gu Zhaoyi’s attitude would be.

The result was disappointing.

Before entering the palace, Mr. Ji had told her that if Gu Zhaoyi made things difficult, it would be her opportunity. She was to act meek and deferential, using Gu Zhaoyi’s hostility to gain the Emperor’s attention. If Gu Zhaoyi accepted the Ji Family’s goodwill and showed her favor, she was to be even more cautious while playing along.

Consort Ji had sworn that she was no fool like that woman from the Guo Family.

Unfortunately, Gu Zhaoyi paid her no mind at all.

...

"All the new sisters who entered the palace today are exceptionally beautiful. It just makes us seem old."

Lu Ronghua fiddled with her bracelet, her face etched with displeasure.

Noble Consort Rong glanced at Ma Wanyi.

Ma Wanyi immediately said, "How could I possibly be included with Sister Ronghua in that ’us’? My seniority is still low, so I won’t be joining in on that particular sentiment."

Lu Ronghua opened her mouth, about to retort to Ma Wanyi, but shut it when she realized Noble Consort Rong had instigated it.

"I also heard something interesting that I’d like to share with you all,"

Guo Xiao Yi said with a faint smile, "Not only was Consort Ji dressed identically to Sister Zhaoyi on the day of the selection, but she was also assigned to the very palace that Sister Zhaoyi once lived in. Wouldn’t you say that’s a coincidence? Or perhaps... is there some untold connection between Sister Zhaoyi and Consort Ji?"

In truth, Guo Xiao Yi also wanted to bring up the matter of Mr. Ji sending two maids.

She only held back because it involved a court official.

’Holding back such juicy gossip is pure torture!’

Guo Xiao Yi covered her lips. "I tend to speak my mind. If I’ve said anything wrong, I hope you can forgive me, Sister."

"If we’re speaking of connections, that reminds me of something else," Jiang Xian said with a smile, her voice melodious. "Like Guo Xiao Yi, Consort Ji was also made a Noble Lady upon her entry, the leader among the concubines of her cohort. But then you were demoted to a Talented Woman, and I eventually surpassed you. As for what I wore during the selection... I truly don’t remember. That event, however, is deeply etched in my memory. You should probably use it as a warning for Consort Ji, lest she follow in your footsteps."

Consort Xian shot a sideways glance.

’Guo Xiao Yi and Lu Ronghua really should become sworn sisters. Why on earth would you provoke Gu Zhaoyi? She was never a soft target to begin with.’

"That was so long ago. I’ve already forgotten about it," Guo Xiao Yi said sheepishly.

"It seems a demotion is just a trivial matter in Guo Xiao Yi’s eyes, even less significant than the clothes and headdress I wore to the selection."

Jiang Xian’s words stung her so sharply her face felt like it was about to bleed.

But having said her piece, Jiang Xian had no intention of pressing the attack. It was enough to make her back down.

"No matter,"

At this moment, Noble Consort Rong said nonchalantly, "A couple more demotions, and she’ll learn her lesson."

Her voice was not loud and carried a casual smile, yet it rang through Jianzhang Palace like a morning bell, striking everyone into silence.

After a moment, someone brought up another topic, moving the conversation past the incident.

Unlike the woman from the Guo Family when she first entered the palace, Consort Ji did not dare to speak rashly. Her gaze remained fixed on Jiang Xian, desperately wanting to find a chance to connect with her, but finding none. After all, a mere Noble Lady was not qualified to make small talk with a Zhaoyi.

After several days of patient endurance, Consort Ji remained focused on winning favor, waiting for the Emperor to flip her jade token.

But the Emperor either stayed away from the harem entirely or went to Bihua Palace and Zhaoyang Palace.

His next choice was to have dinner with the Empress at Jianzhang Palace.

The Emperor never once flipped the jade token of a newcomer.

It was true that palace assignments had their advantages and disadvantages. Although the Emperor hadn’t flipped any of the newcomers’ tokens, other new concubines, whose palaces were closer to Weiyang Palace, had managed to have chance encounters with him and receive a few words of concern. Consort Ji, who was generous in spending silver to tip the eunuchs, was better informed than the others. The news reached her ears and stirred anxiety in her heart.

...

Finally, Consort Ji felt she could no longer just sit and wait.

And so, she once again turned her attention to Gu Zhaoyi—the perfect success story.