Chapter 96: Tried On
After waiting for quite some time, there was still no sign of anyone from the Imperial Wardrobe Bureau coming to report where the garment had been taken.
Lan Wu had some vague suspicions but was in no hurry, patiently waiting.
It was nearly dusk when a palace maid hurriedly arrived.
As soon as she entered, she knelt down and stammered softly, “G-greetings, Your Ladyship. Manager Fang from the Imperial Wardrobe Bureau sent this servant to report… The garment was accidentally mixed up by this servant and sent to Lady Lifei’s palace… When this servant went with the manager to retrieve it, Lady Lifei said… she said the garment looked beautiful and she had already tried it on…”
Lan Wu frowned, a look of disgust on her face, truly feeling sickened.
Though it was just a garment, it was hers. It had been carelessly sent to Consort Li, who had kept it and even tried it on.
“Lady Lifei sent this servant to ask… if Your Ladyship minds. If not, she… she will return the garment.”
The young palace maid grew more and more fearful as she spoke, clearly terrified.
It was unclear whether Consort Li had actually worn it or not, but the fact that this maid came alone without bringing the garment showed that Consort Li had no intention of returning it.
And to ask if she minded—Lan Wu was utterly disgusted.
It was just a garment. Was Consort Li being this blatant?
Moreover, their figures were not similar. Could Consort Li even fit into that garment?
Lan Wu frowned slightly and told the young palace maid to rise. “Don’t worry, I won’t punish you. You said you went with Manager Fang to look for the garment. Since you found it, why are you alone in reporting this? Where is Manager Fang?”
Ever since she had gained more favor in the rear palace, no one had dared to show such blatant disrespect toward her.
Was it because of Consort Li’s influence?
The young palace maid hesitated. “Manager Fang… she is still in Lady Lifei’s palace. Lady Lifei said that if the garment didn’t fit, she would keep Manager Fang to see how it could be altered…”
Lan Wu immediately let out a cold laugh.
Consort Li truly knew how to make a fool of herself.
“Your Ladyship…” Lian Xi wasn’t sure whether she intended to demand justice now or suppress the matter and settle it later. Whichever it was, Lan Wu was in the right, but it was getting late today.
Lan Wu turned her head and looked at Dan Shan. Without rushing, she first asked for Dan Shan’s opinion. “Aunt Dan Shan, do you think I should go and demand justice?”
Dan Shan bowed slightly and replied unhurriedly, “Your Ladyship is the master, an imperial concubine. Your Ladyship’s dignity is His Majesty’s dignity.”
Lan Wu smiled faintly and rose from her seat, saying slowly, “Then let’s go to Jinghua Palace.”
Inside Jinghua Palace, Consort Li was having someone try on the garment for Pan Xi.
Xiangyun gauze was precious, but her own allotment was not lacking. Although this garment had been delivered by mistake, it was bright and eye-catching in color. Without much thought, one could imagine how beautiful the owner would look wearing it.
But Consort Li had no interest in wearing Lan Wu’s garment. That was merely an excuse.
That little wretch Lan Wu, not only did she rely on her favor, but all the good things from every palace were given to her first. Like this roll of green Xiangyun gauze—she had never seen it before.
“Manager Fang,” Consort Li said leisurely.
Manager Fang, standing to the side, responded, “Yes, Your Ladyship.”
“When the various palaces were selecting fabrics, although a few bolts of Xiangyun gauze were delivered to my quarters, the colors…” Consort Li said, then gently shook her head. “How is it that I never saw this green Xiangyun gauze? Could it be that your Imperial Wardrobe Bureau prioritized Yilan Hall and forgot which palace’s mistress holds higher rank?”
“You’ve forgotten the proper order of respect.”
Pan Xi was slightly slimmer, but about the same height as Lan Wu, so the dress fit her quite well. Before long, she was dressed with the help of attendants, and Yu Mei was about to lead her away to style her hair.
Steward Fang suddenly knelt on the ground, responding respectfully: “Your answer, Your Highness, how would this servant dare forget the proper order? In the rear palace, it is certainly the two consorts who hold the highest rank. This servant would not dare forget…”
“It’s just that this bolt of Xiangyun gauze… Yilan Hall had specifically requested it first. Zhen Zhaorong gave special instructions to watch for green fabric. So as soon as this peacock green material arrived, Yilan Hall was informed, and thus they… took it first.”
Hearing this, Consort Li visibly improved in temper, though it was unclear whether she believed it or not.
“I know your Imperial Wardrobe Bureau is diligent and dutiful. But if clothes can be delivered to the wrong place today, could they be made incorrectly tomorrow?”
“When I have time, I will certainly discipline you lazy lot properly.”
“Your Highness speaks rightly. This servant will return and firmly remember Your Highness’s admonitions.”
The glow of the evening sunset was exceptionally beautiful—orange-yellow tinged with pink and hints of magenta. Gazing at the distant horizon, one could hardly look away.
Yet Consort Li found it utterly bland.
The sunset glow was beautiful, but a beauty was even more so.
It had to be said, this palace maid named Pan Xi truly possessed a lovely appearance. She really had an eye for spotting talent.
Pan Xi had already appeared before His Majesty, though at that time she was merely a palace maid. Even if His Majesty saw her, he might not necessarily take notice, especially with that even more beautiful Lan Wu in the palace.
But now, with fine clothes enhancing her appearance, she observed Pan Xi’s face and found it in no way inferior to that little wretch Lan Wu.
If Lan Wu were to learn that Pan Xi wore a dress originally meant for her and gained His Majesty’s favor…
That little wretch would probably be driven mad with rage, wouldn’t she?
Just thinking about it made Consort Li feel pleased and exhilarated.
Yu Mei had already styled Pan Xi’s hair, adorning it with a few butterfly hairpins. Though simple, the beautiful dress added a touch of radiance to her.
“Pan Xi, come here.” Consort Li examined Pan Xi, a flash of envy and resentment passing through her eyes, but it vanished quickly. She called Pan Xi softly.
Only when Pan Xi approached and knelt before her did she speak: “Your features are beautiful. I truly cannot bear to see such lovely looks wasted in the prime of youth.”
With that, she sighed gently.
“Zhen Zhaorong—you know of her, don’t you?”
Consort Li watched Pan Xi’s expression, noting her puzzled and somewhat nervous look, then smiled and continued: “I believe your appearance is no less than Zhen Zhaorong’s. Since she could gain the imperial favor and enjoy wealth and honor, why can’t you?”
“Do you truly wish to remain a servant all your life?”
Consort Li advised kindly, her expression gentle, like an understanding elder sister persuading Pan Xi.
Pan Xi appeared utterly overwhelmed by the unexpected favor. Hearing Consort Li’s words, she quickly knelt and kowtowed, pledging her loyalty: “For this humble servant to gain Your Ladyship’s recognition and serve by your side is already the greatest fortune of my life. Your Ladyship overestimates me—how could I ever compare to the noble ladies!?”
Consort Li pulled her up, noticing the reddened skin on her forehead from the kowtow. Suddenly reminded of something, she chuckled: “Back then, Zhen Zhaorong knelt before me just like you, saying she was unwilling. Yet now she stands high and mighty.”
“Pan Xi, I have high hopes for you. Do not disappoint me.”