Chapter 22 – The Morning Greeting Incident

Early the next morning, Yu Ying put on the qizhuang that Qing Tao had prepared the night before, then had her hair styled in a simple double-bun, and set off cheerfully for Consort An’s quarters.

Yesterday evening, Consort An had sent someone over to inform Yu Ying that she should accompany her to pay respects to the Imperial Noble Consort today.

So, Yu Ying rose early.

“Noble Lady Wei is here? Our lady will be a little while yet. Please sit down and have some tea,” a maid said as soon as Yu Ying entered the hall, guiding her to a seat at the side.

Yu Ying looked around at all the people in the hall, each one performing their duties with perfect order, and couldn’t help silently admiring how skillfully Consort An managed her servants.

After all, she herself could barely manage her eight people without chaos. Thinking of the little incident that had just taken place in her own quarters, she sighed inwardly—there was simply no comparison.

“Qing Tao,” she whispered to her maid, “pay attention to how Consort An organizes her servants. Learn everything you can.”

Qing Tao, who seemed to be recalling the same incident, nodded solemnly. “Yes, my lady.”

Once Consort An was ready, the two of them set off together toward Chengqian Palace.

As a consort, Consort An was entitled to ride in a sedan chair. Poor Yu Ying, however, had no choice but to walk alongside on her own two legs.

Along the way, Consort An spoke to her about the other consorts in the palace and explained the etiquette required when paying respects. Yu Ying knew Consort An meant well and listened attentively without complaint.

Before long, they arrived at Chengqian Palace.

At least, following Consort An today, she was spared having to stand at the palace gates shivering in the wind for half an hour.

The two entered the hall smoothly.

As soon as they stepped inside, a palace maid came forward to lead them to their seats.

Consort An sat near the front, of course—she was the highest-ranked of the consorts, outranked only by the Imperial Noble Consort and the four principal consorts. Yu Ying was not so fortunate. The lowest rank eligible to attend these greetings was Noble Lady, and as the most recently promoted among them, she had to sit at the very back.

Yu Ying glanced at the distance between herself and Consort An—it was shockingly far, nearly spanning the entire main hall.

When she looked around at the other seats, she noticed that nearly all the places in front were still empty, while the noble ladies seated in the back were already mostly present.

So it was true—no matter where you were, there were always people stuck at the bottom.

While Yu Ying was quietly observing everyone, she didn’t realize she herself was the object of others’ scrutiny.

All of them had already heard the rumors—a Noble Lady who had jumped two ranks in a single leap. Of course, now that everyone had gathered to pay respects, they were eager to see this so-called Noble Lady Wei for themselves. Just what sort of extraordinary beauty could move His Majesty to break precedent again and again?

At first glance today, she truly was remarkable—no wonder the Emperor favored her.

Once all the consorts were assembled, Imperial Noble Consort Tong Jia finally arrived at a leisurely pace.

Yu Ying joined the rest in kneeling to pay respects.

Imperial Noble Consort Tong Jia looked down at all of them bowing before her. Favored or not, in the end, they still had to kneel before her.

When she finally told them to rise, everyone returned to their seats.

Sitting all the way at the back, Yu Ying quietly watched. Today was her first time seeing the Emperor’s harem gathered in formal ceremony.

She couldn’t help thinking it was no wonder Kangxi was so fickle. The Imperial Noble Consort was dignified and noble, the Niohuru Noble Consort graceful and elegant, Consort De gentle as water, and Consort Yi radiant and charming…

If she herself were Emperor, she wouldn’t be able to turn away from so many breathtaking beauties either.

Yu Ying was so absorbed in admiring them that she lost track of her surroundings.

“Today it seems there is a new face among us?” A voice suddenly spoke. “Even from a distance, one can see such a lovely complexion—truly delightful to behold.”

It was Consort Hui, sitting opposite the Niohuru Noble Consort, and the highest-ranked of the four principal consorts.

The unexpected remark snapped Yu Ying back to her senses. She wasn’t surprised—on the contrary, she felt a sense of inevitability, as though she’d been waiting for this moment.

“Your Highnesses, this concubine is Noble Lady Wei of Changchun Palace. Greetings to you all,” Yu Ying quickly stood and bowed.

Consort Hui smiled, appearing delighted, and waved her hand. “Sister, what are you doing? Sit down—why such formality? You’ll make it awkward for everyone.”

At those words, all eyes turned to Yu Ying.

For a moment, she felt as if she were sitting on pins and needles. Under the scrutiny—some curious, some openly hostile—she forced herself to sit up straight and refused to show any hint of weakness.

The higher-ranking consorts glanced her over, each with her own expression.

Consort An quietly took in all their reactions and steadied her heart.

She had served His Majesty for many years—though she couldn’t claim to know his tastes perfectly, she could guess well enough.

How could some people be so fortunate? Born to match exactly what the Emperor liked.

A lotus-petal face, a willow-slim waist—sitting demurely in her pale pink qizhuang, her bright eyes shimmering as if wet, she looked like a newly blossomed lotus in June, slender and pure.

Indeed, she was a flower bud—shy and tender, still fresh and unspoiled.

“This reminds me,” Consort Hui continued, her tone dripping with a sweetness that concealed sharp edges. “There’s also a Lady Wei in my palace. No wonder your name sounded familiar to me.”

At this thinly veiled barb, the other consorts’ gazes flickered.

Ah—so this was the trap, Yu Ying thought.

“Replying to Your Highness—unless there is a third Lady Wei in the palace, the one in your quarters should be my elder cousin,” she said evenly.

“Oh, how extraordinary! Truly a small world. So even a family does not recognize its own members. In that case, sister, you must come visit Yanxi Palace often. Though you live apart, you shouldn’t become estranged.”

“Thank you, Your Highness, for your kindness. When I have time, I shall certainly come often.”

“Consort Hui,” Consort Yi interjected with a faint smile, “aren’t you being a bit too eager? The stove hasn’t even warmed up yet, and you’re already pulling her into your palace.”

“Consort Yi, you are always joking.” Consort Hui’s smile didn’t waver. “I simply wish to show goodwill. It pains me to see two sisters separated. Not everyone is as fortunate as you, dear sister, to live here in the deep palace alongside your own sister.”

Yu Ying finally exhaled when the bickering shifted away from her.

Come to think of it, she still hadn’t met the original body’s elder cousin—the future Consort Liang—even once.

In the original owner’s memories, that cousin was a proud, competitive woman who always insisted on surpassing her in everything. Now that Yu Ying outranked her, she doubted the woman would take it well. Best to avoid her if possible.

As she was thinking this, she heard Consort Hui mention this Guoluo Noble Lady. By coincidence, the Guoluo Noble Lady was seated right beside her. Yu Ying stole a discreet glance—what a round, soft beauty she was. But if she recalled correctly, this woman wasn’t destined to live long.

Rumor had it that the Guoluo Noble Lady had been a widow before entering the palace. She had been serving her sister, Consort Yi, when she caught the Emperor’s eye. Before long, she gave birth to a daughter. Although the girl was raised under Consort Yi’s care, it was said that, as a result, Consort Yi’s own son—the Fifth Prince—was sent to Shoukang Palace to be raised by the Empress Dowager.

How could Consort Yi possibly have accepted that?

Sensing Yu Ying’s gaze, the Guoluo Noble Lady turned and gave her a gentle smile.

That did seem in character—always showing tolerance toward her sister.

Yu Ying glanced up at Consort Yi, who was ready to explode, then at the Guoluo Noble Lady, who sat detached as if none of this concerned her. To calm her nerves, she took a sip of tea.

One thing was certain—she would never set foot in Yanxi Palace!