Chapter 16

Chapter Sixteen

Chahe Palace.

Chu Qingwan arrived neither too early nor too late; only one higher-ranking consort, Song Zhaoyi, had already arrived. The imperial edict of her promotion had reached Chahe Palace, and her seating position had accordingly changed.

Originally, she had been seated below Consort Li Meiren, but now she sat directly opposite her.

As soon as she took her seat, Li Meiren’s gaze shifted noticeably. Having spent so long in the palace, she fully understood the significance of this change in seating arrangement. Her eyes flickered back and forth between Chu Qingwan and Jiang Baolin.

Chu Qingwan noticed Li Meiren’s stare and calmly set down her cup, waiting for her to speak.

Sure enough, Li Meiren seized the opportunity to stir trouble and asked with feigned curiosity, “I heard that yesterday, when the emperor accompanied Jiang Baolin through the imperial garden, they encountered Consort Chu midway. Is this true or false?”

Since the edict had not yet been publicly announced, Li Meiren still referred to her as Consort Chu, as if unaware of her recent promotion.

Thinking this, Li Meiren secretly curled her lips in disdain. She had entered the palace four years ago and had only just attained the rank of Consort two years prior. How long had Chu Qingwan been in the palace? It was truly infuriating.

The hall suddenly fell silent as all eyes landed on Chu Qingwan and Jiang Baolin—no one wanted to miss the unfolding drama.

Chu Qingwan had anticipated the matter would be brought up today but hadn’t expected Li Meiren’s question to be so direct.

Jiang Baolin’s expression stiffened. She had been feeling unwell since returning yesterday, and now Li Meiren had hit a nerve. Being of lower rank, she had no choice but to answer.

Quickly regaining her composure, Jiang Baolin did not deny the incident but spoke vaguely, forcing a faint smile: “It was merely a coincidence.”

Though truthful, her expression was somewhat ambiguous.

Li Meiren immediately perked up, as if defending Jiang Baolin: “Although Consort Chu hasn’t seen the emperor for a long time, it’s rare for Jiang Baolin to walk alongside him. What Consort Chu did was rather improper.”

Her words carried a veiled accusation against both women, dampening Jiang Baolin’s spirits.

Chu Qingwan swallowed her tea and smiled lightly. “Consort Li, you jest. Are you reproaching me for agreeing to accompany His Majesty on the lake, or are you saying the emperor was wrong?”

Li Meiren was momentarily speechless.

Who dared accuse the emperor of wrongdoing? As for whether Consort Chu should have accepted his invitation—could anyone refuse His Majesty?

Thus, Chu Qingwan’s remark implied that Li Meiren was merely joking.

Inwardly spitting with contempt at another sharp-tongued rival, Li Meiren, mindful that Chu Qingwan’s rank now equaled her own, refrained from pressing further. She forced a laugh. “I was just speaking casually; Consort Chu, please do not take it to heart.”

Jiang Baolin felt utterly mortified and silently cursed Li Meiren as a good-for-nothing troublemaker who backed down at the first challenge.

Her gaze briefly landed on Consort Gu, who had been silent until now, and she hesitated before speaking, “It’s just a pity that Consort Gu had prepared so carefully for the lake outing yesterday but ended up disappointed.”

With those words, Consort Gu was dragged into the turmoil.

Chu Qingwan’s brows furrowed slightly.

Jiang Baolin noticed and subtly curled her lips. She had no way to confront Chu Qingwan or rely on Li Meiren, but Consort Gu’s standing was sufficient. It was hard to believe that Consort Gu felt nothing after having her plans spoiled.

Consort Gu truly had no ill feelings. When mentioned, she nearly choked on her tea.

She had been so quiet and low-key; it surprised her that anyone still remembered her.

Consort Gu set down her cup and, meeting Jiang Baolin’s gaze, explained with a puzzled expression, “There was no disappointment. I had something to attend to yesterday, so I suggested returning to the palace early. The lake outing was a minor matter; it can be done anytime.”

Perhaps worried that someone might doubt her or that Jiang Baolin would drag her back into the conflict, Consort Gu added, “I have already asked the palace staff to prepare it again today.”

Jiang Baolin felt somewhat embarrassed and forced out, “I see, it seems I overthought the matter.”

Consort Gu quietly sipped her tea without replying.

Chu Qingwan also glanced toward Consort Gu, surprised to find someone in the palace who truly stood apart.

Consort Gu turned her head away, avoiding eye contact with anyone—whether Jiang Baolin or Consort Chu. She wished to remain uninvolved.

Consort Gu’s words restored silence in the hall. Realizing no more drama would unfold, everyone settled down until Noble Consort Zhou appeared and announced Chu Qingwan’s promotion.

The atmosphere changed once more.

Even Consort Yu narrowed her eyes slightly. After a moment, she laughed softly:

“The emperor truly dotes on Consort Chu.”

When others said this, it was commonplace, but coming from Consort Yu, it made everyone exchange glances. In terms of favor, who in the palace could surpass Consort Yu?

Chu Qingwan’s heart lifted a little and she lowered her gaze, softly replying, “Your Highness, you flatter me.”

Consort Yu glanced sideways at Noble Consort Zhou but swallowed the words she was about to say. She lazily set down her cup and no longer looked at Chu Qingwan.

Chu Qingwan was somewhat surprised; she hadn’t expected today’s trial to pass so smoothly, but she also felt relieved.

Noble Consort Zhou’s lips curled slightly in a subtle smile. She guessed Consort Yu would endure, but with her temperament, how long could she hold back?

After the greetings concluded, Chu Qingwan was about to return to the palace when someone called after her:

“Consort Chu, please wait.”

Chu Qingwan stopped and turned to see Lu Baolin approaching. She frowned slightly, her expression clearly puzzled.

Lu Baolin noticed and softly explained, “Since Consort Chu’s route back to the palace is the same as mine, I thought we could accompany each other.”

Accompany each other?

Chu Qingwan couldn’t help but ponder those words, recalling the information Lu Baolin had shared by the Longyuan Lake. She wondered how Lu Baolin had chosen her.

Despite her doubts, in such a public setting, Chu Qingwan could not ignore Lu Baolin. She smiled kindly, “In that case, let us go together.”

Neither was accompanied by an escort, so they measured the palace’s distance by foot. Lu Baolin turned her head toward Chu Qingwan, a flicker in her eyes. In truth, she, too, sought an ally.

Alas, without favor, she had to consider other strategies.

Consort Yu had always acted alone; even Consort Yang found it difficult to gain her favor, let alone others.

Having been in the palace for two years and still only holding the rank of Baolin, Lu Baolin was disregarded by Noble Consort Zhou as well.

As for the other consorts, former Concubine Rong might have had some standing, but in the struggle for advancement, she had become a casualty.

Moreover, Concubine Rong was only close with Consort Yang; her relationships with the rest were superficial.

There was one person who might accept her—He Xiurong—but Lu Baolin had never considered her an option.

Lu Baolin simply had no other choices.

Seeing the path nearing its end and Chu Qingwan remaining silent, Lu Baolin felt a twinge of defeat. Had the information she offered not served as a token of allegiance?

Before Lu Baolin could find words, they bumped into Su Pin’s escort.

Both bowed respectfully as the escort halted. Su Pin lifted the embroidered sunshade curtain and looked at Chu Qingwan:

“Consort Chu, won’t you take a stroll outside today?”

She was referring to the excuse Chu Qingwan had given upon her initial palace greeting when she declined to accompany Su Pin.

Chu Qingwan understood perfectly. Maintaining her bow, she spoke softly, “I am feeling unwell today and wish to return early to rest.”

Having attended the emperor last night, it was clear why she felt unwell.

Lu Baolin watched quietly, her eyes flickering. She didn’t know what discord existed between Chu Qingwan and Su Pin, but Su Pin’s refusal to immediately dismiss them suggested something deeper.

Perhaps she now knew how to break the stalemate.

Su Pin’s eyes darkened. Chu Qingwan’s posture was impeccable, leaving no room for criticism. As people passed by and some consorts noticed and approached, Su Pin regained her composure, concern flickering across her face:

“If Consort Chu is unwell, why not say so earlier? There is no need to force yourself to come and greet. Noble Consort is most understanding and would not trouble you.”

With those words, she allowed Chu Qingwan to rise without any hardship. Her voice was neither loud nor soft but clear enough for all nearby to hear.

Li Meiren curled her lips, bitterness swelling inside. She muttered under her breath, “Such a sly temptress! No shame at all!”

Chu Qingwan rose with a composed expression. Su Pin’s escort soon departed, and she lifted her eyes briefly, her expression unreadable.

The crowd gradually dispersed.

Lu Baolin continued walking beside her, as if remembering Su Pin, she sighed softly:

“I entered the palace the same year as Su Pin and still recall her favored days upon arrival.”

Chu Qingwan smiled faintly, avoiding the bait: “Is she not still favored today?”

Lu Baolin shook her head, choosing her words carefully: “Consort Chu is right, but it cannot compare to before.”

When one enjoys favor, a fall is inevitable. Lu Baolin’s words failed to stir Chu Qingwan’s emotions.

Lu Baolin clutched her handkerchief as if recalling the past: “I remember that after the Longevity Festival this year, Su Pin’s chances of attending the emperor gradually declined.”

Chu Qingwan’s eyes darkened.

What could Su Pin have done during the Longevity Festival? Everyone knew that day marked Xu Yanheng’s birthday—who would dare offend him?

Turning to Lu Baolin, she asked with a hint of disbelief, “What did she do?”

Lu Baolin finally glimpsed a sliver of hope. She first shook her head, denying that Su Pin had done anything different from others that day.

It was only upon reflection that Lu Baolin realized Su Pin had only attended the emperor’s chamber once since the Longevity Festival—and even then, it was arranged by Noble Consort Zhou.

But it shouldn’t have been so.

Though Su Pin’s favor never matched that of Consort Yu or Concubine Rong, she had once been the cause of envy.

Lu Baolin shared all the information she had learned:

“It is said that on that day, she presented the emperor with a scented sachet embroidered with an evergreen tree.”

Chu Qingwan’s brow furrowed subtly.

An evergreen tree? A scented sachet?

If Lu Baolin spoke truthfully, which of these was Xu Yanheng’s taboo?