Chapter 156: Persuasion

Chapter 156: Persuasion

Determined to be audacious while favored, Lady Tang’s first act after her confinement was to bring the ten copies of the palace rules she had written to Fengyi Palace for the Empress to review.

The second was to cause trouble for Noble Consort Duan.

If Noble Consort Duan was summoned by the Emperor, Lady Tang would feign a headache or fever, requiring the Emperor’s attention. As Lady Tang's Baihua Pavilion and Noble Consort Duan’s Ningxiang Pavilion were both in Fuyang Palace and not far apart, whenever Lady Tang complained of a headache, or simply missed the Emperor, eight times out of ten, the Emperor would actually move from Ningxiang Pavilion to Baihua Pavilion, infuriating Noble Consort Duan.

For Noble Consort Duan, the Emperor’s personal visit to Fuyang Palace was already an honor, yet this honor always seemed to be usurped by Lady Tang, making it hard for her to feel at ease.

Frustrated and unhappy, Noble Consort Duan wanted to use her higher status to suppress Lady Tang, but since Lady Tang hadn’t done anything to actually harm or disrespect her, what could she do?

Moreover, Noble Consort Duan always remembered the reason she was selected to enter the palace; it was for her reputation for benevolence and righteousness. With such a reputation, her actions were naturally restricted. Regardless of what happened behind the scenes, at least outwardly, she couldn’t betray this reputation.

Therefore, one day, Noble Consort Duan sat in Fengyi Palace, tearfully recounting her grievances to the Empress.

Jiang Hui let her cry out and then shifted her gaze from the homework Nian'er had sent. She said indifferently, “Lady Tang’s actions were indeed inappropriate.”

Noble Consort Duan’s eyes lit up, leaning forward in anticipation of the Empress’s next words.

However, Jiang Hui continued, “But where His Majesty chooses to go is not for me to comment on.”

Noble Consort Duan’s face stiffened, stammering, “So, is Lady Tang to continue targeting me like this?”

Jiang Hui glanced at her and suddenly asked, “Noble Consort Duan, it’s been two years since you entered the palace, right?”

“Yes,” Noble Consort Duan replied, puzzled, “I entered the palace in the fourth year of Jianzhao.”

“I still remember, during the heavy snow, your act of following monks to rescue people,” Jiang Hui said softly, “His Majesty gave you the ‘Duan’ title as a commendation for your actions.”

Although they were kind words, Noble Consort Duan inexplicably felt uneasy and looked up at the Empress, seated high above her.

The Empress was dressed simply, in a snow-green pleated skirt, wearing a red agate Pixiu necklace. Her beauty was ethereal, like delicate snow on plum blossoms. Perhaps because of her frail health, despite being spring for some time, her collar and cuffs were still lined with fur, making her appear all the more gentle.

But Noble Consort Duan didn’t feel like the Empress was speaking gently to her. She cautiously said, “It was my duty, Your Highness.”

Jiang Hui smiled slightly and then said, “It’s still cold after the warmth of spring, and the weather is changeable. Noble Consort Duan, you should also take care of yourself to avoid catching a cold.”

The mention of “catching a cold” sent a shiver down Noble Consort Duan’s spine, but she managed a forced smile, “Yes, I thank Your Highness for your concern.”

Jiang Hui nodded and said before lifting her teacup, “I will speak to His Majesty about your grievances.”

Noble Consort Duan's anxious heart finally settled. She quickly thanked the Empress and excused herself from Fengyi Palace.

Autumn Kui glanced at Noble Consort Duan's retreating figure and asked softly, “Why did you remind her, Mistress?”

“Since she came to Fengyi Palace, as the Empress, it’s my duty to guide her,” Jiang Hui replied, setting down her teacup. “Regardless of her original intentions, she did save many lives. This must also be why His Majesty favors her. Whether she realizes this or not is up to her.”

“Yes, I understand,” Autumn Kui responded.

Jiang Hui picked up the homework Nian'er had sent and said with a smile, “His Majesty finally has some leisure these days, yet he amuses himself by teasing two young consorts.”

Standing up, she said cheerfully, “Nian'er will be finishing school soon. Let's take Huayang and visit Yanying Palace.”

While Jiang Hui and her daughter went to visit her son, Noble Consort Duan, back in Fuyang Palace, finally made up her mind. She instructed her maid, “Caihe, go to the storeroom and get the wutong wood zither my father gave me, and some fabric and hairpins. We’re going to Baihua Pavilion.”

She then went to visit Lady Tang, bringing gifts.

Lady Tang was surprised to see Noble Consort Duan arriving with gifts, then chuckled, “Let her beg for forgiveness.”

The two sat in the guest room. Seeing Noble Consort Duan hesitating to speak, Lady Tang deliberately didn’t dismiss her attendants, keeping her waiting before finally sending them away. She then said bluntly, “What is it, Noble Consort Duan? Speak your mind.”

Noble Consort Duan sighed in relief and earnestly said, “Lady Tang, I apologize for holding back the imperial physician on purpose... it was indeed my fault. This zither was a gift from my father on my coming-of-age. Please accept it.”

Lady Tang responded with a forced smile, “Thank you so much, Noble Consort Duan!”

Seeing this, Noble Consort Duan confessed, “Lady Tang, I’m sincere. Can’t you see the current situation in the harem?”

Taken aback by her words, Lady Tang frowned and asked, “What are you trying to say?”

Seeing her response, Noble Consort Duan’s expression grew serious, and she said in a low voice, “Look, Lady Tang, we’re just minor consorts below the rank of concubine. Setting aside the Empress and Consort He for now, Imperial Consort De has the Third Prince; Lu Guifei might not have children, but she helps the Empress write books and is her confidante; Yishunyi has the Second Princess, and Xuedeyi has the Fourth Prince…”

Pausing, she asked, “Haven’t you noticed?”

Beauty Tang pondered Noble Consort Duan's words, scrutinizing her as if seeing her for the first time, and then asked, "What did you realize?"

Noble Consort Duan replied, "Nearly everyone above us has imperial descendants by their side, yet here we are, alone and still bickering amongst ourselves. Isn't that laughable?"

Beauty Tang laughed, "If Noble Consort Duan had said this to me a few months earlier, I might have actually believed you."

Noble Consort Duan, unfazed by the remark, became more earnest, softly saying, "Not to hide it from you, Sister Tang, I just came from Fengyi Palace. I was going to ask the Empress for justice, but the Empress reminded me that the Emperor bestowed me with the title 'Duan'."

She observed Beauty Tang's thoughtful expression and pressed on, "Thus, I understand that I was wrong. The way you treat me, Sister Tang, is a consequence of my own actions. I am here to sincerely apologize. Think about it, we both reside in Fuyang Palace and currently enjoy some favor. If we join forces, mentioning each other in the Emperor's presence, wouldn’t that increase his visits to Fuyang Palace?"

Beauty Tang replied disdainfully, "Who knows how you would mention me."

But she was well aware that fleeting favor was already fortunate. To hope for the Emperor's enduring affection seemed as far-fetched as reincarnating into the Empress herself. Thus, she pondered Noble Consort Duan's words, considering that if they lived together in Fuyang Palace and supported each other, they could share any favor bestowed…