Chapter 36

Jiang Xueyi smiled at her, her gentle expression as serene as ever, unfazed by the public provocation: "It's all due to the favor bestowed by His Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress. There's no need for you to be so polite, sister."

A punch landed in cotton, Tao Guiren's sly smile froze, her lips curling coldly as she turned away: "Indeed, there's no need for me to stand on ceremony. After all, Concubine Tang is quite skilled, even Talented Lady Diao can't compare."

Talented Lady Diao, who was drinking warm tea, upon hearing Tao Guiren drag her into the conversation, shot her a glance filled with dissatisfaction and guilt but remained silent.

When she chose to align with Noble Consort, she knew Tao Guiren would hold a grudge against her. Enduring her contempt now was expected; there was no need to argue.

Given the recent upheaval in the palace, only a fool would seek to stand out again so soon after things had just calmed down.

Tao Guiren glanced at the two of them and fell silent as well.

Confined to the palace for the past two months, she had endured cold stares and ridicule, and suffered from illness without reprieve. She could still remember the days of regret while burning with fever, trapped within the palace.

Although Jiang Xueyi was the cause of all this, she wasn't without fault herself since entering the palace.

The letters secretly sent from home were filled with concern and warmth. After reading them, she deeply regretted her past arrogance.

If she wanted to surpass Jiang Xueyi and rise in status, she needed to be smarter, rein in her former arrogant demeanor from home, avoid unnecessary verbal disputes, and focus on doing substantial things.

After a while, the Empress walked to the main seat from the back hall, gesturing for the consorts to rise, and said calmly: "Her Majesty the Empress Dowager just sent word that there's no need to pay respects at the Changle Palace today. You may disperse shortly."

"In a few days, it will be the Double Ninth Festival. His Majesty will be admiring chrysanthemums with the imperial clan and important ministers at the Taiye Pool. There will be a luncheon at noon. Keep that in mind. Since the loss of her child, the palace has been rather gloomy, and His Majesty hasn't visited the rear palace for half a month. When the time comes, those of you with talents may prepare to perform. If you wish to showcase your skills, come inform me."

The consorts responded in unison, and after a few more instructions, the Empress dismissed everyone.

Jiang Xueyi didn't go elsewhere but intended to return to the palace with Consort Yang. However, before she had taken more than a few steps, Talented Lady Diao called out to her.

It was well known that Talented Lady Diao was backed by Noble Consort. That day in the Qiuhua Hall, she had also shifted her target to Jiang Xueyi, with ill intentions apparent to all.

Hadn't His Majesty bestowed upon her a precious purple sand ivory phoenix neck pipa? Instead of consulting Noble Consort about the Double Ninth Festival luncheon, why was she here?

Jiang Xueyi, languidly seated on her sedan chair, her slender hand holding a six-ribbed painted silver umbrella, looked down at Talented Lady Diao, who was half a head shorter: "Is there something important, Talented Lady Diao? I was about to return to the palace with Consort Yang."

Talented Lady Diao smiled slightly, a hint of flattery in her expression, and looked up at Jiang Xueyi: "Your servant does have something to discuss with Concubine Tang. Would you be willing to spare some time for tea?"

Consort Yang glanced and smiled: "Since my sister has matters to attend to, I won't intrude. We'll catch up another time when we're free."

Jiang Xueyi nodded, looking playfully at Talented Lady Diao, and smiled without speaking.

At that moment, Tao Guiren, also on her way back to the palace, walked onto the path and saw Jiang Xueyi sitting high on her sedan chair, with Talented Lady Diao standing below, looking up.

She sneered sarcastically: "Talented Lady Diao is truly adept at playing both sides. I am truly impressed."

Talented Lady Diao knew her actions were somewhat despicable, but in the palace, who could maintain a lofty stance forever? To achieve one's goals, one must always pay a price.

Yet facing Tao Guiren, she was indeed not in the right, her face flushed with embarrassment. She turned her head and retorted: "What does my business with Concubine Tang have to do with you? Are you trying to curry favor with her but have no means?"

Tao Guiren snorted coldly, keeping her distance rather than approaching Jiang Xueyi, and glanced at her: "When you were with me, you didn't have many good things to say about her. Now you're calling her Concubine Tang."

"I heard that on the night Consort Dan lost her child, you were all in the hall. Yet His Majesty elevated Consort Dan and her, ignoring you and Consort Lan. Don't you understand what that means? Shamelessly trying to get close, aren't you embarrassed?"

Talented Lady Diao was hit where it hurt, and no longer concerned about maintaining a semblance of dignity, retorted: "No matter what, I'm still better than you. You didn't even make it to the temporary palace, yet you talk about it as if you know the scene. You probably just heard rumors and fabricated stories."

Tao Guiren, furious, was about to retort when she choked on the wind, coughing heavily while covering her mouth with her handkerchief, appearing quite disheveled.

Jiang Xueyi looked down at Tao Guiren's frail form and smiled: "It's autumn, and the morning breeze is still chilly. Why get so worked up, Tao Guiren? Jingshu, shouldn't you help your mistress back to the palace to rest and take some medicinal soup to nourish her? A cough that worsens with the cold won't easily improve."

Jingshu reluctantly glanced at her, stepped forward to support her mistress, and whispered: "My lady, let's go back. There's no need to waste words with them. Once you regain favor in a few days, people will flock to our Lihua Hall. Will we lack someone like Talented Lady Diao?"

Tao Guiren nodded, covering her mouth and coughing again, ignoring Jiang Xueyi's seemingly gentle but mocking reminder, and slowly left with Jingshu.

Jiang Xueyi was somewhat surprised.

Growing up, Tao Shuwei had always been cold, arrogant, and condescending. She prided herself on her beauty and noble birth, with a powerful father. Even towards others of noble birth, she rarely gave a kind face, expecting them to fawn over her.

Such people, though infuriating, were the easiest to handle. Jiang Xueyi wasn't afraid of her.

Yet in just two months, she had become surprisingly patient.

Even the most foolish and arrogant people would gain such profound awareness after being worn down and neglected in the rear palace.

Jiang Xueyi withdrew her gaze and turned back to Talented Lady Diao, speaking softly: "The autumn sun is still quite harsh. If Talented Lady Diao has something to discuss, I am, of course, welcoming."

With that, she gracefully lifted her ivory wrist, and her sedan chair resumed its journey back to the palace.

In the bright sunlight, the dangling ornaments in Jiang Xueyi's hair glimmered, radiant. She was extraordinarily beautiful, exuding an air of languid elegance and grace.

Behind her, Talented Lady Diao felt both joy and sorrow, envious of Jiang Xueyi's glorious position on the sedan chair.

Upon arriving at the Jiangxue Pavilion, Talented Lady Diao couldn't help but look around. As soon as she entered the archway, she saw an elegantly arranged small courtyard. Though the items inside weren't vastly different from theirs, the craftsmanship made it stand out, a feast for the eyes.

It wasn't that the Lingxi Palace was extraordinary, but the occupant's unique perspective that made the residence beautifully arranged. It was a difference in aesthetic taste.

She had often heard Tao Guiren disparage Concubine Tang, saying how two-faced and scheming she was, leading her to believe that Concubine Tang's favor with His Majesty was merely due to her pretty face and honeyed words.

But now, seeing it for herself, she realized Concubine Tang had her own inner qualities. Her continuous favor must be due to more than just her appearance; there were surely other reasons. If she could learn by staying by her side, it would be greatly beneficial.

Seeing the courtyard, Talented Lady Diao felt even more invigorated and hurriedly followed Jiang Xueyi inside.

Jiang Xueyi sat first in the main seat, gesturing with a smile: "Talented Lady Diao, please sit. I should have received you in the East Wing, but I haven't moved yet, so please make do here in the Jiangxue Pavilion."

Talented Lady Diao hurriedly said it was nothing, taking a cup of osmanthus longjing tea from Fushuang's hands. "I never had the chance to get close to you before, but now I've gathered the courage to disturb you. I'm just happy that you don't dislike me."

After finishing, she said with some hesitation, "At the temporary palace, I was nervous at the time and didn't mean to involve you. You won't blame me, will you?"

Jiang Xueyi looked at her with a half-smile, the gentleness at the corners of her lips unchanged. "Of course not. Consort Dan's loss of her son was done by Concubine Yu. Those present at the time were merely trying to protect themselves. How could I blame you?"

"Knowing that you don't hold grudges, the heavy stone in my heart is finally lifted," Talented Lady Diao said with a forced smile, then continued, "I've come today because I have a request. I wonder if Imperial Attendant Jiang would mind."

Jiang Xueyi nodded. "You can speak freely."

Relieved, Talented Lady Diao ventured, "I originally lived in Yuxiu Palace, where the only main resident is Imperial Attendant Rong, a lady who doesn't talk much. Since entering the palace, I've often felt it too quiet. I feel a connection with you, so I wish to seek the Empress's grace to allow me to move to Lingxi Palace. It would be ideal to keep you company."

"You want to live with me?"

Jiang Xueyi pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "If you move here, Tianyang and I will be livelier, and I would naturally be willing."

"However, the arrangements for living quarters in the palace are decided by the Empress. Asking me isn't enough; you'll need her approval."

Hearing Jiang Xueyi's willingness, Talented Lady Diao's face lit up with joy. "Since you're willing, the Empress will likely grant my request. I'll go ask the Empress right away, and perhaps in a couple of days, we'll be living together in Lingxi Palace."

After speaking, she rose and bowed. "I'll go seek the Empress's grace and won't disturb you further."

As Talented Lady Diao hurriedly left Jiangxue Pavilion, Fushuang looked disdainfully at her back and said, puzzled, "My lady, why be so kind to someone like her? She must have some ulterior motive for moving here, and she'll only be in our way."

Jiang Xueyi sipped the osmanthus longjing tea by her side and said with a smile, "When the Empress is sure to refuse, why not agree? It makes her think I'm not on guard."

Fushuang understood and smiled faintly. "Talented Lady Diao thinks she's clever, but she doesn't know that the Empress values you. How could she allow such a fool to get in the way?"

As the two were speaking, Nichun entered happily with Lin Wei from outside and said with a smile, "My lady, the Chief Eunuch has come to deliver the Emperor's decree, asking you to go to the Qinzheng Hall immediately."