Chapter 148: Chapter 67: No One Will Snatch Him From Me
Song Yunzhao left.
Lu Zhixue’s face darkened with anger. "She’s just so arrogant!"
Hearing this, Qin Xiyue felt a rare flash of irritation. "I told you long ago that she’s never been one to take a loss, but you just wouldn’t listen. In the palace, her rank is higher than yours. You have to defer to her, unless you can get His Majesty to protect you."
Lu Zhixue sensed the displeasure in Qin Xiyue’s voice. She shot her a look and sneered, "You’re right. I was reckless. I’m sorry for dragging you into my mess today. In the future, I won’t dare trouble you again."
Lu Zhixue stormed off, flicking her sleeves. Qin Xiyue was too angry to stop her. ’With a temper like that,’ she thought, ’she’s bound to suffer a terrible setback sooner or later.’
Qin Xiyue’s mind was in turmoil. ’Things aren’t supposed to be this way,’ she thought, ’but I don’t know how they’re supposed to be.’ She subconsciously touched her chest. It felt hollow, as if something were missing. But she wasn’t sick, so why did she feel so unwell?
With a grim expression, Qin Xiyue headed back. Fang Ping and Hua Ying didn’t dare offer any words of comfort at a time like this, simply following her in silence.
Once they returned to Huayang Palace, the Noble Consort went straight to her bedchamber to rest. Hua Ying, still feeling uneasy, decided to find Nanny Zhuo.
Nanny Zhuo was busy, but she looked up when Hua Ying arrived. "Weren’t you with the Noble Consort in the gardens to enjoy the cool air? Why are you back so early?"
Hua Ying looked conflicted. "Nanny, don’t even ask. The one from Wangyou Palace was there today. It was a real eye-opener for me. Her temperament... she’s impossible to get along with, so aggressive."
Nanny Zhuo paused, taken aback. She handed the task she was working on to a little palace maid and led Hua Ying to the tea room to talk. "Tell me exactly what happened."
Hua Ying recounted the incident in detail, unable to swallow her indignation at the end. "Our mistress and that woman from Wangyou Palace are both Noble Consorts. What gives her the right to lecture our mistress so arrogantly?"
"What gives her the right?" Nanny Zhuo said coolly. "The fact that she was the first of the new concubines to attend to His Majesty. The fact that the first place His Majesty visited was Wangyou Palace. That is the source of her confidence."
Hua Ying’s spirits sank. "But our mistress has such a wonderful personality, beautiful looks, and an excellent family background. Why can’t His Majesty see any of that?"
’To be bullied by someone from a mere Sixth-rank Official Family... it’s just too much to swallow.’
Nanny Zhuo observed Hua Ying’s indignant expression and said unhurriedly, "This sort of thing is all too common in the palace. Family background is important, yes, but what matters most is what kind of woman His Majesty prefers."
’I just never expected His Majesty to actually take a liking to someone with Consort Song’s temperament.’
’But when you look at the three senior concubines or even the late Imperial Concubine, none of them were as prickly as Consort Song. Among the three, Consort Shu is known to have the most difficult personality, but even she would never be so blatant.’
Nanny Zhuo shook her head and said to Hua Ying, "Someone with Consort Song’s temperament is bound to suffer a major fall sooner or later. She’s too flamboyant and makes enemies everywhere. Just you wait and see. Our mistress is doing the right thing. A meal is eaten one bite at a time, and tasks are done one step at a time. Besides, with someone like her out in front, it will make life easier for our mistress."
Hua Ying understood the logic, but it was still a hard pill to swallow.
"Nanny, do you think Consort Song will really be the first to spend the night with the Emperor?" Hua Ying asked cautiously. "Everyone in the palace, from top to bottom, is watching. Even the three senior concubines haven’t made a move recently, precisely because they don’t want to displease His Majesty."
Hua Ying was being diplomatic. The truth was, the three concubines knew they couldn’t stop a new favorite from serving the Emperor, so they didn’t want to risk leaving a bad impression on him. Besides, many have been favored and then lost that favor in this palace. There was no need to rush.
Nanny Zhuo’s eyes glinted. "It’s hard to say. Who would dare to guess His Majesty’s mind? Don’t speak of such things outside in the future, lest you bring disaster upon the Noble Consort. If you really cause trouble, her own position is unstable right now. She won’t be able to worry about whether you live or die."
Frightened, Hua Ying hastily agreed. "Nanny, I’ll remember. I won’t dare again."
"Go on. At a time like this, the right thing to do is nothing." Nanny Zhuo sent her away, then sat there by herself for a long while before finally getting up and heading for the bedchamber.
It was rare for Qin Xiyue to feel so vexed. Hearing Nanny Zhuo’s voice announcing her arrival, she sat up, propping herself against a soft pillow. "Come in, Nanny."
Nanny Zhuo walked in. Seeing the Noble Consort’s unhappy expression, she stepped forward to curtsy, then said, "My Lady, I heard from Hua Ying what happened in the garden."
Qin Xiyue looked up at Nanny Zhuo. "You already know? Since you’ve come to see me now, you must have something to say."
