Chapter 130: Chapter 62: Clearly Brought Here to Be a Target
Song Yunzhao thought for a moment before changing her clothes. She chose a jade-white long skirt and a peach-blossom red, narrow-sleeved blouse, layering a half-sleeved jacket in a slightly lighter shade over it. She slipped a solid, emerald-green jade bracelet onto her fair wrist. Then, facing the copper mirror, she applied peach blossom makeup and had Xiangxue style her hair into a modified Feixian bun, which looked less exaggerated and more refined.
’Peach blossom makeup on unmarried girls is meant to highlight a delicate, pretty charm. But since I’m already married, the focus should naturally be on allure. It’s a shame the cosmetics are so limited. I tried my best to make it perfect. Aside from not being waterproof, it’s passable enough.’
Xiangxue was mesmerized as she watched from the side. "My lady, you look so beautiful with this makeup."
’If I may be so bold,’ she thought, ’she looks just like a peach blossom fairy emerging from a grove. Even I, a woman, can’t look away.’
Song Yunzhao raised an eyebrow and said cheerfully, "I’ll teach you a trick or two later, and you can do my makeup for me from now on."
Xiangxue immediately agreed. ’If I learn this skill,’ she thought, ’the Noble Consort will never be able to do without me, and my position will be secure. I must study hard and learn well. I have to surpass the master!’
Shizhu approached, holding a light peach-pink shawl embroidered with gold thread. "My lady, this will look beautiful on you."
Song Yunzhao saw that the shawl’s workmanship was exquisite. It was clearly not one of the generic items sent over by the Clothing Bureau; her maids must have made it for her privately.
"Of course." Not wanting to refuse their kind gesture, she happily draped it over her shoulders. She even spun around in front of the copper mirror to admire herself, making Xiangxue and Shizhu cover their mouths and giggle.
’Their lady was truly beautiful, and even more so now that she was all dressed up.’
Song Yunzhao walked out with her head held high. When Zhang Maoquan looked up, he was stunned and took a long moment to recover his senses.
’Good heavens,’ he thought. ’Is Consort Song trying to bewitch His Majesty?’
Even he, a eunuch, didn’t dare to stare. He quickly lowered his head. "High-ranking Consort, please follow this servant."
Song Yunzhao nodded and left with Xiangxue in tow.
After passing through several palace gates, they finally arrived at Taiji Palace. The palace was imposing and majestic, making one feel exceptionally small before its towering structure. Armored guards flanked the entrance, their longswords hanging from their waists, looking formidable as their armor glinted dazzlingly in the sunlight.
As Song Yunzhao followed Zhang Maoquan to the entrance of Taiji Palace, a voice called out, "Well, well, Chief Steward Zhang. What are you doing here? His Majesty is quite busy at the moment."
"Mr. Xu, I am here on His Majesty’s order to summon Consort Song to attend him."
Xu Sixi squinted at the person behind Zhang Maoquan. This was the first time he had seen the infamous Consort Song. The sight made his heart clench. No wonder Lady Shufei and the others had tried to stop her from entering the palace. With looks like that, he would have done the same.
Alarm bells rang in Xu Sixi’s mind. With a smile that wasn’t a smile, he looked at Consort Song. "So, it is the High-ranking Consort. This servant was blind. I beg for the High-ranking Consort’s forgiveness."
The moment she heard the two words "Mr. Xu," Song Yunzhao looked up and glanced at him, seemingly by chance. ’His name certainly rings a bell,’ she thought. ’So famous.’ She didn’t really remember minor characters from the book, but after entering the palace, she had carefully learned about the Emperor’s staff from Nanny Yu. Then she had carefully thought about the plot, slowly connecting the dots with certain events from the book.
She had no intention of trying to win over Xu Sixi. This one had been bought off by Consort Shu and her faction long ago. He was one of them.
’Just listen to the disrespect in his words,’ she thought. ’Asking for my forgiveness? There wasn’t a shred of sincerity in it. He was blatantly telling me that I’m just a Noble Consort and should learn to live with my tail between my legs.’
"What are you saying, Mr. Xu? Forgive what crime? I don’t even know what crime you’ve committed. I’m just an ignorant girl. When I see His Majesty later, I’ll be sure to ask for his guidance on the matter." Song Yunzhao immediately played the Emperor card to put him in his place.
She might only be a Noble Consort, not a high rank, but she was the first of the newly arrived concubines to be summoned to attend the Emperor. It didn’t matter if she was just the Emperor’s personal trash collector right now; as long as she was useful to him, he had to protect her dignity.
’Xu Sixi wanted to put her in her place? He should take a good look in the mirror and see if he even had the right.’
Hearing this, Zhang Maoquan felt a satisfaction as refreshing as a bowl of iced dessert on a hot summer day. That bastard Xu Sixi was his rival, and he’d long wanted to teach him a lesson but never had the chance.
Now, Xu Sixi had walked right into it, thinking Consort Song was a pushover. It served him right!
Xu Sixi’s expression changed instantly. Not even Consort Shu and the others had been this brazen when they first entered the palace. Even those who were immediately granted the rank of Consort had to show him, the Imperial Chief Steward, some courtesy. But now, he had been completely shut down by a mere Noble Consort, left speechless and fuming. The look on his face was truly a sight to behold.
