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Mu Junqi listened with a not-so-pleasant expression, but with Consort Xi present, she could not scold her and could only smile as she turned to look at her. The provocation in her eyes was evident, but she soon spoke softly, "Sister Consort Qian, you are truly overthinking. This Palace is merely having a little disagreement with Sister Consort Xi. If one were to hear this, they might think that This Palace is deliberately neglecting you." After saying this, she turned and returned to her seat.
Consort Qian trembled slightly as she looked at the current Mu Junqi, whose every gesture radiated maternal grace. To her, Mu Junqi appeared so beautiful that it brought a sense of reassurance, let alone how the Emperor must see her. A fleeting coldness passed through her eyes, but she quickly stood up and bowed respectfully to Mu Junqi, saying, "Empress, please do not take this to heart; it was merely something my sister said casually. We are sisters after all, aren’t we?"
"Sister Consort Qian speaks truly," Mu Junqi replied before turning to Ziyue beside her and saying, "Ziyue, go to the inner room and bring This Palace's brocade box."
Consort Xi and Consort Qian exchanged glances, unsure of what she intended to do. After a short while, Ziyue emerged carrying a brocade box inlaid with gold thread and respectfully handed it to Mu Junqi.
Mu Junqi received the brocade box and took out a phoenix tail gold hairpin from inside. Looking at Consort Qian, she said, "During this time, This Palace has been unwell and unable to invite you sisters for a gathering. Please accept this hairpin as a small token from This Palace." She then handed it to Consort Qian, who maintained her composure and could only stand up respectfully to receive it with both hands.
Next, she took out a pair of agate earrings and handed them to Consort Xi while saying, "Sister Consort Xi has just arrived at the palace. If any of the palace servants do not listen to you, feel free to inform This Palace."
Consort Xi stepped forward respectfully to receive them, her eyes glistening with tears as she said, "Thank you, Empress. I will rely on your help in the future."
"In the future, if you have any matters, just let This Palace know. Do not be like those lowly people who engage in sneaky deeds. If This Palace discovers such behavior, there will be no mercy!" She said with a smile while looking at the two.
"Consort will heed the Empress's advice," both replied in unison.
The group continued chatting casually. Several times Consort Qian attempted to provoke Mu Junqi but was easily deflected by her. Not wanting to show her anger openly, she suppressed her frustration and sat quietly beside them.
As afternoon approached, Consort Qian could no longer sit still and had no choice but to excuse herself by claiming other matters required her attention. Soon after, Consort Xi also left.
In the afternoon sun, which was no longer unbearably hot, Consort Qian stood under a relatively secluded tree outside Jingxian Palace waiting quietly for the person inside. It wasn't long before she spotted Consort Xi's figure.
When Consort Xi walked a short distance away from Consort Qian, she mockingly said, "What’s the matter? Is Consort Xi leaving Jingxian Palace so soon?"
Seeing that it was Consort Qian, Consort Xi took a few steps forward and respectfully bowed. Although they held the same rank, Consort Qian, having been in the palace longer, insisted on receiving her greetings when they were alone.
Consort Xi, being a gentle woman, did not want to defy her, so she complied with the simple gesture of greeting and then softly asked, "Consort Qian, may I ask what you are waiting for me to discuss here?"
Upon hearing this, Consort Qian immediately revealed a charming smile that was even more captivating under the setting sun. However, the coldness in her eyes was hard to ignore. "You did well with that matter before. This Palace has thought it over and should thank you. If it weren't for your help, this matter would not have succeeded."
Consort Xi lightly bit her lip and replied softly, "Consort Qian, I didn’t know about that matter either; how could I have helped? I hope you won't say such things."
"Oh? Is that so? Then if that's the case, everything must be credited to This Palace. Consort Xi really knows how to protect herself," Consort Qian said while clapping her hands as if praising her.
However, Consort Xi still sensed the coldness in her words and immediately knelt down, panic evident on her face as she said, "This Palace also didn’t know that the Empress would fall into the lake at that time. But please believe me, Consort Qian; This Palace will never speak of this matter."
Hearing this, Consort Qian smiled approvingly and helped her up. Then she gently said, "Sister, why are you so nervous? This Palace was just joking with you. I’ve heard that the Emperor is already suspicious of us. No matter who asks about it, we must not reveal anything; otherwise, This Palace won’t care whose side you are on and will make you experience what it means to suffer greatly. Do you understand?"
"I understand," she replied weakly.
Satisfied with her response, Consort Qian nodded and then smiled as she took Consort Xi's hand. "I’ve long heard that you are gentle and kind; it seems to be true. Although we know you come from a military family, the road ahead is still long. This Palace hopes you can see the situation clearly."
Upon hearing this, Consort Xi's expression changed drastically, but she still whispered, "You can rest assured; otherwise, I wouldn’t have agreed to your plan."
Consort Qian smiled as she patted her hand and then left with Pear. Watching Consort Qian depart, Consort Xi simply wiped away the tears in her eyes with a handkerchief while the palace maid beside her didn’t know how to comfort her.
Inside Jingxian Palace
Huixin entered with a bowl of ice, and upon seeing Ziyue standing next to Mu Junqi, she happily walked over. First, she bowed to Mu Junqi, then placed the tray on the low table and smiled, saying, "Your Highness, this was sent by the Emperor from the Imperial Kitchen, saying it is for your nourishment." As she spoke, she scooped some into a small bowl.
Mu Junqi lowered her gaze to see the hawthorn in the bowl and couldn't help but smile. She pointed at the bowl and asked, "Was this really sent by the Emperor?"
"In response to Your Highness, the young eunuch who delivered it said so. I’m not very sure either. Are you worried that it might be poisoned? But I have already had someone check it carefully; there’s nothing wrong with it," Huixin said with a furrowed brow, expressing her concern.
Mu Junqi maintained her calm demeanor and looked at Ziyue, saying, "This hawthorn is sour in taste and can stimulate gastric juice secretion, but eating too much can lead to miscarriage. If this was sent by the Emperor, how can you expect me to believe it?" She then turned her gaze to Huixin.
Upon hearing this, Huixin immediately knelt on the ground. "Your Majesty, please see clearly; I... I truly did not know about this."
"Get up. This Palace knows your character. It's just that this may have been done by someone with ulterior motives. If it weren't for having encountered such matters in the past at the residence, the prince might not be safe now," she said while placing a hand on her abdomen.
Huixin and Ziyue exchanged glances, surprised by the sudden turn of events. They looked at Mu Junqi in confusion and said, "That's great! Otherwise, I would have become the culprit harming Your Highness."
Mu Junqi bathed in the afternoon sunlight and looked at Huixin and Ziyue. "This Palace understands your good intentions, but I fear some people may take advantage of your kindness to harm me. You must be more vigilant in the future; do you understand?"
"We understand," they replied in unison.
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