Chapter 14: Always Hitting Where It Hurts

【Xin Bajji.】

【Gen Fei.】

【Zhuan Fei.】

【Qi Erha.】

【Abortion Team Captain.】

Where on earth did Consort Hua practice that mouth of hers?

She evaluates herself with such venom and accuracy, but when it comes to others, I can’t understand a single word she says.

The Empress barely knows that “Xin Bajji” refers to Noble Lady Xin, but which of “Gen Fei,” “Zhuan Fei,” and “Qi Erha” is actually Consort Qi?

And… what do these even mean?

Concubine Jing, Feng Ruozhao, kept her head still but took advantage of standing up to quickly glance around with her eyes: she seemed to have heard something.

Was it Nian Shilan’s voice?

What kind of nonsense was she spouting?

Consort Qi was the first to strike, “I heard His Majesty didn’t go to Yikun Palace yesterday.”

【Consort Qi, I remember her name is Li Jingyan—someone who should be quiet but always manages to make inappropriate noises at the wrong times, biting anyone she sees and never winning an argument.】

【They say an Erha is a silly dog, foolishly charging ahead without distinguishing friend from foe, fully aware of its own inadequacy but still pushing forward—quite fitting for her.】

Unable to hear Nian Shilan’s inner thoughts, Consort Qi continued to provoke, “Why is Consort Hua so late today?”

Why else? Just to annoy me, of course. The Empress was already used to it.

Silly dog. Thinking of Consort Qi’s usual behavior, the Empress felt the description was quite fitting.

“If His Majesty not coming to Yikun Palace means arriving early, then Elder Sister Consort Qi, who never sees His Majesty, must come to Jingren Palace to pay respects to the Empress in the middle of the night every day, right?”

Compared to Nian Shilan’s tone, the way she looked at people with a raised eyebrow was even more infuriating.

Consort Qi heard the mocking tone in her “Elder Sister Consort Qi” and wanted to retort but couldn’t find the words.

“Elder Sister Consort Qi may not mind tiring herself out, but you mustn’t let Third Prince suffer like this. Be careful he doesn’t grow tall, or His Majesty won’t like him anymore.”

【Third Prince loves growing tall the most. He’s the giant of the Great Qing, growing taller every day. Given time, he’ll surely be taller than the walls of the Forbidden City.】

The Empress: “…”

Consort Qi: “You…”

Nian Shilan raised an eyebrow triumphantly and sat down.

【I’m late simply because I’m young and sleep well.】

Was it really just because she couldn’t get up?

The Empress thought to herself: I overestimated her again.

【Unlike all of you, who are older, can’t sleep at night, have too many dreams, wake up early in the morning, and have nothing better to do than gather like old ladies to gossip.】

A few days ago, it was just “getting older,” and now it’s “old ladies”?

What an undeserved misfortune—dragging me down while criticizing Consort Qi.

The Empress knew Nian Shilan wouldn’t suffer any verbal losses from Consort Qi. She was only afraid that Consort Qi, unaware of the consequences, would keep talking. They wouldn’t hear it, but in the end, she’d be the one getting scolded.

“Enough. We are all sisters in the rear palace. What does it matter if someone arrives a little earlier or later?”

Upon hearing this, the imperial consorts and concubines stood up and acknowledged the Empress’s words. She waved her hand dismissively, “You may all leave now. I have matters to discuss with Consort Hua.”

As everyone left, Concubine Jing lingered until the end, wanting to take a look. She even paused her steps but ultimately didn’t dare to turn back.

The Empress got straight to the point, “I heard you rearranged the living quarters for the newly entered sisters?”

“For such a trivial matter, the Empress went to great lengths—sending gifts and giving repeated instructions.”

Nian Shilan curled her lips mockingly, rolled her eyes, and lazily explained:

“This concubine simply noticed His Majesty’s fondness, so I casually moved Attendant Zhen to Chengqian Palace. The Empress has always been adept at understanding His Majesty’s intentions. Surely, you wouldn’t go against His Majesty, would you?”

That self-satisfied look of thinking she had caught someone’s weakness, just waiting for them to make a mistake—truly…

The Empress avoided Nian Shilan’s gaze: It was truly infuriating from the moment she opened her mouth.

But to uncover Consort Hua’s true thoughts, she had to ask once more.

“This palace is merely curious—why did you do such a thing?”

[Is she deaf? I already said it was because the Emperor liked it. Can she not hear? Must she keep asking and asking!]

[Am I supposed to tell her that all those servants in Suiyu Pavilion are Zhen Huan’s capable assistants?]

[That Xiao Yunzi, with his martial skills, can even defeat members of the Imperial Guard. And Cui Jinxi, who once served Chunyuan—steady and shrewd in her actions, always reminding Zhen Huan at critical moments, step by step helping Zhen Huan rise to high status, not to mention ending up with Su Peisheng in the end.]

[With such important people there, how could I possibly let that wretched Zhen Huan have her way?]

The Empress was angered again: Where did she get such gossip? When did Cui Jinxi ever serve Rouze?

And another thing! Dealing with servants is such a simple matter—why make it so complicated?

She is Consort Hua, after all!

The highest-ranking among the imperial consorts and concubines, holding authority to assist in managing the six palaces!

Where is that usual arrogance and domineering attitude she flaunts in front of others?

Fool!

Though the Empress couldn’t understand—Suiyu Pavilion was clearly assigned two mistresses. Noble Lady Chun, being from the Manchu Banners, held higher status than Zhen Huan. Logically, regardless of whether Cui Jinxi harbored any private favor due to Zhen Huan’s appearance, she should have followed that Fangjia Chunyi. How could she ignore palace rules and attach herself to a mistress from the Han Army Banner?

If she found someone useful, a single word could bring them to her side. If not, she could easily find an excuse to send them directly to Shenxing Si for hard labor—it wasn’t impossible.

Since the world operates so unpredictably, why shouldn’t she exercise some authority?

[I heard Cui Jinxi was assigned to Suiyu Pavilion by Su Peisheng—who knows if it’s true? If it is, this person cannot be easily touched.]

Fool, so what if it is? So what if it isn’t?

If Su Peisheng dared to act openly, he wouldn’t resort to underhanded methods.

While the saplings are still young, uproot them entirely—who would dare say anything?

The Empress had made up her mind.

Perhaps feeling that Nian Shilan no longer posed a threat, or perhaps simply too angered, she spoke directly:

“My head aches…” Her voice wasn’t particularly loud.

Nian Shilan seized the opportunity to mock, “Has Her Majesty the Empress’s migraine flared up again?”

The Empress recalled that inner mimicry: Jian Qiu, my head hurts so much.

She grew even angrier.

She took a quiet breath: Strutting around all day like a crab with its claws raised, only showing off in front of her.

If only her brain were as sharp as her insults.

The Empress glanced at her: Useless thing, still needing this palace to protect you.

[What wicked scheme is this daughter of a concubine brewing now?]

Wicked scheme!!!

Daughter of a concubine!!!

Why must she always strike at the sore spots!

The Empress momentarily lost control and blurted out, “Consort Hua!”

Nian Shilan wore an expression of fearless defiance, “What further instructions does Her Majesty the Empress have?”