The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 1)

Chapter 158 - Noble Consort

The glazed tiles shone even more brilliantly under the sunlight. In the large stone vat in the courtyard, many lotus seeds were raised, and the surface of the water was densely covered with lotus leaves the size of lotus seeds. Occasionally, little bubbles would emerge, and upon closer inspection, one could see goldfish leisurely wagging their tails beneath.

The lady-in-waiting carefully observed the little princess as she tiptoed to throw fish food into the vat, while reminding the little palace maid holding the umbrella to stay closer to the princess for shade.

However, despite throwing a lot of fish food, no goldfish surfaced to eat. The little princess grew impatient and tossed the remaining fish food before running into the main hall.

Noble Consort Song had just finished reviewing the account books, frowning as she handed them over to the lady-in-waiting beside her. Turning around, she saw her daughter running in and quickly smiled. "My dear, come here. Did you go to see the fish again? It's such a hot day; the fish need to rest too. How can they always float to the surface for you to play with?"

She was only twenty-three this year, but she had been in the palace for a full fifteen years. During this time, she had only the Eleven Princess, Zhou Qi, as her child, whom she treasured dearly.

Zhou Qi rushed into Noble Consort Song's embrace, her little face flushed and her lips pouting in displeasure. "Not a single fish surfaced today; it's so boring."

"You should spend more time with the Ninth Princess; playing alone every day is naturally dull," Noble Consort Song said with some concern as she brushed away her daughter's sweaty bangs. "Don't just stay in Fengzao Palace. Besides, you could also visit your imperial grandmother more..."

Zhou Qi covered her ears with her hands, refusing to listen, and after a while, reluctantly huffed, "What's so fun about that? Ninth Sister always complains that I'm too young and won't take me with her. My imperial grandmother doesn't like me either."

"What nonsense!" Noble Consort Song glanced around and quickly reprimanded her, "The imperial grandmother is the mother of all people; how can she have preferences? She naturally likes everyone."

Zhou Qi didn't say anything more but still looked somewhat unhappy. "I'm not talking nonsense. Last time at the imperial grandmother's palace, she clearly broke grandmother's Buddhist scriptures, yet she insisted I did it... I told grandmother, but she didn't believe me..."

As she spoke, Zhou Qi, still young, felt wronged, and her tears nearly fell.

Noble Consort Song sighed deeply, calling for Zhu Yi to take her to wash her face, while she herself gazed blankly at the beautifully arranged lotus flowers before her.

As Zhu Ying served her tea, she gently consoled, "Your Highness, there's no need to be upset over this... It's quite common for children to play and squabble."

But this was not just ordinary children's play. The Ninth Princess, Zhou Man, was already fourteen years old; surely she knew what she should and shouldn't do? It was clearly an abuse of her position, relying on her mother, the Noble Consort Xian's favor.

There were no simple people in the palace. The Noble Consort Xian had clearly shown goodwill multiple times before suddenly shifting her stance, and the Empress Dowager had also repeatedly made veiled criticisms... Perhaps it was because they hadn't taken a stance themselves.

She shook her head, resting one hand on her forehead, feeling somewhat fatigued.

"The Empress Dowager had previously hinted at wanting to meet some of the girls in our family..." Noble Consort Song felt increasingly heavy-hearted, her face marked by unshakeable worry: "I'm afraid she wants to use this opportunity to reprimand us and see Little Six..."

Zhu Ying hurried to help her remove two of her heavier golden hairpins and gently massaged her shoulders. "But haven't we received news that Sixth Miss is quite clever? She knows how to handle things... You don't need to worry too much; there will be a way."

Noble Consort Song let out a self-deprecating laugh. "Even if we please the Empress Dowager, what about the Empress? It's a matter that won't please either side, and no matter how clever she is, she can't handle it all. Besides, she is just a little girl; her cleverness is still limited."

As she spoke, she felt a tinge of annoyance rising within her.

The family only told her to keep her distance from the Noble Consort Xian and Consort Liang, yet they offered no concrete guidance. She was stuck between the Empress Dowager and the Empress, caught in the middle.

"Send a clever little eunuch to subtly hint at things before the Empress Dowager," Noble Consort Song whispered close to Zhu Ying's ear, adding, "No need to say anything more; the Empress Dowager will understand."

The Empress Dowager was simply remembering the grievance against the Wang family—after all, she had raised and spoiled Wang Jinsi for so many years, and now Wang Jinsi was the last of her kin. It's only natural that she harbored resentment now that Wang Jinsi had died in the Song family.

As long as they could let her vent her grievances, it would be fine. But ideally, those grievances should not be directed at the Song family or herself.

Since this matter had arisen because of Little Six, it would be best to place the blame on her. After all, she was just a little girl; the Empress Dowager wouldn't hold it against her, and if she did, that would also be acceptable.

The daughters of the Song family were all born for the sake of the Song family. If the Empress Dowager directed her anger toward Little Six, it could be considered a sacrifice for the Song family.

Zhu Ying hesitated; her hand on the Noble Consort's shoulder faltered as she uncertainly asked, "But Your Highness... last time, the Old Lady warned you not to mention this matter in front of the Empress Dowager, as it concerns Sixth Miss. If you say so now, Sixth Miss may be reprimanded by the Empress Dowager at best, or at worst, she could lose her life or future..."

"Enough!" Noble Consort Song suddenly stood up, the bells on her hairpins clanging, her delicate features momentarily twisted with anger. "Since I asked you to do it, there must be a reason! It's not them who are stuck in the palace suffering! They can say whatever they want without consequence. You have seen how the Empress Dowager treats me and the Eleventh princess; how long can this go on?! At this point, what's wrong with pushing someone out to appease the Empress Dowager's anger? Do you mean to say that I'm less important than a little girl in the Song family?!"

Zhu Ying was taken aback by the scolding and quickly knelt down, repeatedly responding in affirmation.

Noble Consort Song coldly watched her leave, feeling so angry that her vision darkened, and it took her a while to stabilize herself and sit back down in her chair.

The Empress had decades of marital affection with the Emperor, and the Noble Consort Xian and Consort Liang had both been with him for decades. Only she, with her shallow status and no son at her side, lived especially cautiously.

Zhou Qi had already freshened up and walked into the hall. Seeing her mother's expression, her steps hesitated; after pausing for a moment, she walked over to Noble Consort Song, her voice quieter than before: "Mother, did someone upset you?"

Upon seeing her daughter, Noble Consort Song's expression softened significantly. She pulled Zhou Qi close to sit down, smiling and shaking her head. "It's just a silly little maid; it's nothing serious."

However, Zhou Qi no longer displayed her previous spoiled behavior and nodded in understanding.

Even the smallest children in the palace had mastered the art of reading others' expressions.

Noble Consort Song called for Zhu Yi to measure Zhou Qi's dimensions, intending to have the Tailoring Bureau make her a few new outfits. When she noticed her daughter looking downcast and lacking energy, she teased, "Don't pout like that; when your cousins come to visit soon, you'll have someone to talk to."