The Noble Consort is the most favored in the harem

Chapter 9 - Audience with the Consorts

A light layer of peach blossom powder dusted Lin Wanyi's face, bringing out her smooth, porcelain-like skin. After carefully dressing her from head to toe, Xia An and Chun Qi finally stopped and admired their work.

"My Lady, there's no fault to be found in this outfit," Xia An said, fully aware of the stakes at hand.

"Let's go, we can't be late," Lin Wanyi replied.

"Yes, My Lady."

This was Lin Wanyi's second visit to Linzhi Palace. This time, she didn't even have the mind to enjoy the scenery along the way. It was early April, and the morning air still carried a bit of a chill, but her attire wasn't too thin, and the walk to Linzhi Palace soon warmed her up.

As soon as she reached the entrance, a cleaning maid came to greet her, smiling, though her eyes lacked true warmth.

"You've arrived, Lin Daying."

"Hmm."

"I've been waiting for a while just to congratulate you," the maid said, her eyes shifting mischievously. The meaning behind her words was clear to all.

Standing behind Lin Wanyi, Xia An couldn't help but feel irritated. Her lady wanted to remain low-key, yet this maid was eager to announce last night's events. Was she trying to stir up trouble?

Lin Wanyi was never fond of sycophants like this, but as this was within Linzhi Palace, she couldn't show her dislike. Smiling lightly, she responded, "All thanks to Her Highness's blessings."

Her response was polite and vague. She quickly moved into the courtyard and stood under the eaves, leaving the maid behind, frustrated. The maid had hoped to cozy up to Lin Wanyi, but her efforts felt like punching cotton—ineffectual and ignored.

Still, the maid wasn't about to give up. Being a mere sweeping maid in Linzhi Palace was a dead end. She figured it was better to align herself with Lin Wanyi. If her lady gained favor, she too might rise in rank!

In the corridor leading to the main hall, a few consorts were already gathered. Lin Wanyi gave them a respectful half-curtsy, but in return, she only received cold glares and a few disdainful snorts.

The reason was obvious.

They couldn't stand the sight of a low-ranking concubine who'd gotten into the palace through "connections" and then had the audacity to serve the emperor last night. Yet, they also didn't dare to openly show their displeasure due to her connection with Lin Guifei.

Lin Wanyi humbly stood under the eaves, waiting for Lin Guifei's summons. Without her patroness's protection, she knew she would have been bullied endlessly by now. Sometimes, she thought, it was essential to cling to power when necessary.

Gradually, more and more consorts arrived at Linzhi Palace, and the once-empty courtyard filled with people. Seeing the gathering, Lin Wanyi realized why the women in the palace were so eager to rise in rank. Without a high position, one could easily be overshadowed or crushed by the constant competition.

As she was lost in thought, the familiar figure of Qin He emerged from behind the inner palace curtains. After greeting the gathered consorts, she smiled and announced, "Her Highness, the Noble Consort, is ready. Please come in, ladies."

"Yes," the women responded.

The group entered the main hall of Linzhi Palace, where an elaborate screen surrounded a central throne, carved with intricate patterns of phoenixes and flowers.

Today, Lin Guifei was dressed in an elaborate court gown embroidered with twin lotus flowers. Her hair was adorned with a matching ruby hairpin, highlighting her regal elegance. Her willow-shaped brows curved gently, and her upturned almond eyes gazed down at the assembly of women.

With the empress dowager away at Wutai Mountain for prayer and the empress deceased for three years, Lin Guifei was now the highest-ranking woman in the palace, and her authority was undisputed.

All the women, in order of rank, sat on the rosewood chairs arranged beneath her. Lin Wanyi, sitting among them, couldn't help but notice that the seat to Lin Guifei's left was conspicuously empty.

The first thing Lin Guifei asked was, "Where are Yi Fei and Lan Fei?"

"Your Highness," someone replied, "Lan Fei is feeling unwell this morning and sent word that she won't be attending today. As for Yi Fei, she must still be on her way."

In other words, there was no formal explanation from Yi Fei's palace.

Hearing this, Lin Wanyi's instincts kicked in. Yi Fei must be a formidable opponent to be able to come late on such an important occasion. Either she enjoyed unshakable favor or her family was powerful enough to back her up, or else how could she dare to openly defy Lin Guifei?

But Lin Guifei remained calm. She turned to the other women and said, "Since Yi Fei is still on her way, let us have some tea first. We can chat more once she arrives."

Indeed, the women in the palace were no pushovers. By delaying the morning audience, Lin Guifei made Yi Fei appear rude and disrespectful for being late, subtly shifting the blame onto her.

As soon as Lin Guifei finished speaking, her chief maid Qin He directed the other servants to serve cups of Dragon Well tea and delicate pastries.

"This Dragon Well tea is a new tribute to the palace, and His Majesty graciously gifted some to me. Today, I'll share it with all of you. Please enjoy."

"Your Highness is so kind to us! The mere fragrance of this tea feels like a treasure," said one consort, who was older and rather plain-looking.

She wore a simple pink palace gown embroidered with a trailing vine pattern. Though her outfit was plain, a closer look revealed that she was not of a high rank.

"Du Changzai, you always know how to bring a smile to my face. Just the other day, I received a new coral hairpin. You may have it," Lin Guifei said with a laugh.

As soon as she finished, her other chief maid, Qin Liu, brought out a tray with the hairpin and handed it to Du Changzai.

Du Changzai's eyes sparkled with joy. After all her efforts to curry favor, it seemed Lin Guifei was finally taking her under her wing. She had served the emperor since the ninth year of Yuanhe, yet eight years had passed, and she remained merely a concubine of the lowest rank. Compared to other new arrivals, she had lagged behind in both favor and rank. Now was her chance to change that.

She rose from her seat and bowed deeply, her voice trembling with gratitude. "Thank you, Your Highness, for this generous gift."

Her eagerness to please drew the disdain of a beautiful woman seated nearby, who didn't even bother to conceal her scornful gaze. She didn't need to speak; her expression said it all.

What a pathetic bumpkin. Getting excited over a simple coral hairpin.