“Thank you, Your Grace, Consort Rou.” Concubine Li hadn’t finished her bow when she quickly moved to the side, avoiding her.

Chu Jiujiu acted as if she didn’t understand the other woman’s avoidance, continuing to stare at the fat carp with a pleasant smile.

In reality, she was incredibly bored.  Fortunately, the carp in the pond swam one after another, their plump bodies moving beneath her, providing some amusement.

A group of concubines eager for a spectacle saw that Chu Jiujiu hadn’t picked on Concubine Li.  After their brief encounter, one was calm and composed, while the other remained timid and weak.

Many concubines looked at each other in surprise.  The fact that Consort Rou considered Concubine Li a thorn in her side was known throughout the palace.

“This concubine greets Your Grace, Consort Rou.” A soft voice sounded.

Chu Jiujiu again moved her gaze from the carp to the concubine bowing before her.

The concubine before her was delicately beautiful, but there were countless beauties in the palace, and her appearance wouldn’t stand out.

However, the protagonist used this very fact to lower the other concubines’ guard, gradually rising to the position of noble consort.

Chu Jiujiu recognized the female protagonist and smiled, repeating the words countless times, “Quickly, sit down, Consort Xin.”

Consort Xin’s gentle expression was flawless. She took small steps to sit beside Chu Jiujiu.

While she appeared to be observing the other concubines, she was secretly watching Chu Jiujiu. Chu Jiujiu was a necessary obstacle to be eliminated; her striking beauty and erratic behavior made her the easiest opponent to get rid of.

Chu Jiujiu wasn’t interested in the protagonist sitting beside her. Staring at the fat carp, she thought: I want to eat grilled fish. When will I be able to eat delicious, spicy grilled fish again?

Consort Xin: “???” She looked at Chu Jiujiu, who was staring at the fat carp, with a puzzled expression.

“Your Grace, Consort Rou, you just…” Consort Xin was about to ask if she was speaking to her.

“How lively, it seems I’m late,” Consort Li arrived, dressed in a vibrant court dress, her hair styled in a flying cloud bun, radiant and stunning.

“This concubine greets Consort Li.” The concubines in the pavilion quickly bowed.

Consort Li, with a cold smile, came before Chu Jiujiu, who had already risen to bow, “This concubine greets Consort Li.”

“Sister, please rise. I didn’t expect you to arrive so early today,” Consort Li’s words were laced with sarcasm, hinting at her usual habit of making a grand entrance.

In the past, this would have made Consort Rou angry but unable to speak out, leaving her simmering with resentment.

Unfortunately, she was facing Chu Jiujiu now, who didn’t notice the double meaning in her words.

“It should be,” Chu Jiujiu said innocently, smiling.

Consort Li: “…” It was like hitting a cotton ball, rather frustrating.

Xiaokui, who was beside her, thought Chu Jiujiu would be angered by Consort Li again.  Hearing her reply, she was surprised and slightly amused. Now it was Consort Li’s turn to be frustrated.

Consort Li looked at Chu Jiujiu with a hidden smile, then took Chu Jiujiu’s hand and sat down, smiling again, “Sister, have you encountered any interesting events lately? Tell me about them.”

Concubine Li, who had avoided them the most, lowered her eyes in terror. Although Xiaoyue had left Li Fang Dian unharmed yesterday, the fact that she, as her personal maid, had accidentally splashed water on Consort Rou’s sleeve was undeniable.

If Consort Rou were to tell Consort Li about this now, her personal maid would likely be dealt with by Consort Li as a tool used to frame Consort Rou…

The hands hidden under Concubine Li’s sleeves trembled incessantly.

Consort Xin glanced in Concubine Li’s direction, her expression unreadable.

Many concubines were watching the show, while others were apprehensive and uneasy, fearing that the next “Concubine Li” might be one of them.

Chu Jiujiu thought and thought, and couldn’t help but offer a tempting culinary suggestion: “This concubine heard that there’s a type of fish that, after being grilled with charcoal, is placed in an iron pan with spices and chili peppers, cooked over a fire, and eaten while it’s cooking. It’s fragrant and spicy, and extremely delicious.”

She looked at Consort Li with anticipation, her dark, bright eyes irresistible.

The concubines who were watching the show: “…” Many concubines silently looked at the fat carp that Chu Jiujiu had been staring at for so long…

Consort Li’s facial expression control reached its peak at this moment. Her lips moved a few times, and under Chu Jiujiu’s seemingly starlit gaze, she finally replied, “…If sister wants to eat it, next time, have the kitchen try it.”

Chu Jiujiu smiled brightly, immediately bowing, “Thank you, Consort Li, for the treat.”

Consort Li: “…”  She felt a lump in her throat.

Concubine Li suddenly breathed a sigh of relief, her eyes showing surprise. Consort Rou hadn’t mentioned anything about Xiaoyue…

After a while, all the concubines in the palace had arrived. Chu Jiujiu was very bored. She didn’t want to interact with any of the concubines, lest she be stabbed.

After what had just happened, Consort Li was probably irritated by Chu Jiujiu’s naive words and turned her attention to other concubines.

However, Consort Xin remained seated beside her, like a ghost ready to take a life at any moment.

【So bored, so hungry, when will this gathering end? So hungry…】

Consort Xin: “?” She again fixed her gaze on Chu Jiujiu’s face.

Chu Jiujiu turned her head and saw the protagonist staring at her.  She froze for a moment, then asked, “Is my makeup smudged?”

Consort Xin knew her previous staring was abrupt.  Thinking she had misheard, she said, “Your Grace, Consort Rou’s beauty is breathtaking, this concubine is truly envious.”

Chu Jiujiu felt uncomfortable being praised and quickly replied, “Everyone is beautiful, everyone is beautiful.”

【I should have known not to ask that, so awkward.】

Consort Xin stared at her for a moment, though her face remained unchanged, her eyes couldn’t hide her confusion and disbelief; she even forgot to reply.

Consort Xin frowned.  Could it be that she was hallucinating?

Chu Jiujiu didn’t notice the protagonist’s absentmindedness. She only cared about: when she could “get off work.”

Consort Xin’s inner confusion grew with Chu Jiujiu’s continuous inner monologue. She glanced at the concubines on either side, who were whispering to each other.