Chapter 248: Two Lone Wolves

Chapter 248: Chapter 203: Two Lone Wolves

Before Noble Princess Consort Rong told the Eldest Prince she was going to do her makeup, she was, in fact, already wearing some.

Women from aristocratic families, no matter how weary, would always put on makeup after waking and washing. They would never show a bare face, even if they weren’t seeing any visitors. But Noble Princess Consort Rong, filled with the anxiety of a long-awaited reunion, had returned to her chambers. She had Qiu Yun apply heavy makeup, the kind suitable for receiving the formal greetings of the entire harem, to conceal the weakness in her heart.

The heavy makeup was her protective coloring. No one could say she looked unwell.

The weariness under her eyes was hidden by a layer of snow-white powder. Her lips, pressed with rouge, were the only touch of true red on her.

Then she changed into her most magnificent robes.

The Noble Consort’s palanquin passed, and all idle bystanders moved aside.

As she adorned herself, layer by layer, Noble Princess Consort Rong felt she was no longer a living person. She had merged with her precious jewelry and opulent robes. She symbolized the highest favor and nobility in the harem, second only to the Empress. Countless women envied her and wished to be her.

…

But the moment she saw Jiang Xian come out to greet her, Noble Princess Consort Rong discovered that while makeup could hide dark circles, it couldn’t hide reddened eyes and a rosy nose. Her red lips were pressed into a thin line of feigned resolve, but with a single blink, hot tears streamed down her face.

And no matter how fine ancient cosmetics were, they weren’t waterproof.

Noble Princess Consort Rong knew this. She anticipated her imminent embarrassment, feeling both anxious and angry. This was mixed with the reassuring thought, ‘So the Pure Consort does care about me after all.’ The conflicting emotions left her at a loss, and she could only vent in a muffled, irritated tone:

“If you’re well enough to get out of bed and leave your rooms, why didn’t you come to Zhaoyang Palace to see me?”

Behind Jiang Xian, Nanny Qin was dumbfounded.

Nanny Qin had been sent by the Empress Dowager to care for Jiang Xian and would only leave after her postpartum confinement was over. She had long heard that the Noble Consort was arrogant and domineering, but seeing her today, it was clear the rumors didn’t do her justice—she was a hundred times more unreasonable in person!

Fearing Noble Princess Consort Rong would use this as a pretext to punish the Pure Consort, Nanny Qin quickly said, “Lady, you misunderstand. Lady Shufei has not yet finished her postpartum confinement. By rights, she shouldn’t even leave her room. Exposure to the wind could cause chronic headaches later on. I beg Your Ladyship’s pardon.”

Noble Princess Consort Rong frowned. “If that’s the case, why aren’t you helping the Pure Consort back inside?!”

“I’m not that delicate. Let’s go in together.”

Hearing this, Jiang Xian smiled as usual and took her arm. Noble Princess Consort Rong was wearing so much jewelry that every step she took was accompanied by the clinking of gold and jade. It reminded Jiang Xian of the Christmas trees she used to see in shopping malls every year.

“Who’s this ‘us’ you’re talking about?”

“You and I are ‘us,’ Sister-in-law.”

“…”

Sincerity is the ultimate weapon against the proud and aloof. Noble Princess Consort Rong turned her face away and fell silent, but Nanny Qin, as if seeing a ghost, noticed that the Lady’s mood had visibly improved.

In the harem, a noble mistress not only walked slowly but also needed someone to support her.

This time, however, Noble Princess Consort Rong walked exceptionally fast.

Jiang Xian glanced at her. “Why the hurry?”

“You’re not taking your health seriously. When you end up with chronic headaches like the Empress, I won’t be the one taking care of you.”

As soon as Jiang Xian asked, Noble Princess Consort Rong shot her a fierce glare.

—————–

The first thing Noble Princess Consort Rong did upon entering the room was to go to a side hall to touch up her makeup.

The unoccupied side wasn’t cleaned often and was dusty, so she went to the one where Chen Guiren usually stayed. With Noble Princess Consort Rong’s arrival, Chen Guiren had no choice but to give up her space. She could no longer lounge lazily on her couch; she had to get up and pay her respects to the Noble Consort.

“Oh, Chen Daying, you may rise.”

“Thank you, Lady,” Chen Guiren said as she stood, unable to resist adding, “Your Ladyship has probably forgotten, but I am already a Guiren now.”

“Is there a difference between a Guiren and a Changzai?”

“There is,” Chen Guiren replied earnestly. “A Daying can only eat five chickens a month, but a Guiren can eat eight and even gets two taels of white sugar.” She finished with a wistful slurp.

Noble Princess Consort Rong paused for a moment, then ordered, “Give half of the pastries we brought from Zhaoyang Palace to Chen Guiren. You can eat them over there, but don’t disturb my conversation with the Pure Consort later.”

“Yes, Your Ladyship! Of course, Your Ladyship!”

Chen Guiren withdrew joyfully.

To an outsider, Noble Princess Consort Rong’s visit to Bihua Palace, with the Pure Consort personally welcoming her, should have been a touching scene of a long-awaited reunion. In reality, however, it was two lone wolves, unskilled at making friends, sitting in a polite but awkward silence, with nothing to say to each other.

“You came all this way to see me, Noble Consort, but you’re waiting for me to speak first?”

“Can’t I come to see you without a reason? Or are you not pleased to see me?”

Jiang Xian let out a long sigh.

In the harem, she was familiar with only two women: the Empress and the Noble Consort.

Communicating with the Empress was incredibly efficient and straightforward; she was the divine female supervisor Jiang Xian had always dreamed of.