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Huaqing Palace.

Xiao Jizi had long found Talented Lady Jia disagreeable, and seeing how his master asked him how His Majesty usually instructed them, he knew his master wanted them to vent some frustration.

He took a slight step forward and said respectfully, "Replying to my master, His Majesty always advocates simplicity and frugality over extravagance. He practices thrift himself and detests the trend of luxury and competition."

"Well said," Lian Hua nodded, and then solemnly said to Talented Lady Jia, "Sister Jia, listen, even His Majesty himself is like this, so naturally, we should follow His Majesty’s footsteps. How is it good for you to do this? I am deeply worried. If His Majesty were to find out, alas..."

She wouldn’t really talk to His Majesty about these trivial matters. She was just trying to scare Talented Lady Jia, to make her feel some fear.

After speaking, she shook her head like an old mentor, looking at Talented Lady Jia with a pained and exasperated expression, as if lamenting her lack of improvement.

She had a naturally adorable smiling face, yet she was pretending to be so gravely concerned for the country and its people, making her seem completely out of place no matter how one looked at her.

Talented Lady Jia’s face felt painfully hot, and her heart was filled with shock and fear. She denied repeatedly, "I did not, I, I didn’t, don’t you make false accusations."

Beauty Li at the flower admiration banquet was a clear precedent. If Beauty Lian were to whisper in His Majesty’s ear, and the blame were to be pinned on her, she would inevitably lose a layer of skin. Some things were widely known, even if they could not be openly acknowledged.

All of a sudden, she began to regret her foolishness in choosing such a provocative dress and looked helplessly towards the Noble Consort at the higher seat for rescue.

A fleeting look of indifference in the eyes of the Noble Consort passed as she spoke out, "Sister Lian, it’s just a joke between sisters.

You should not take it to heart. His Majesty is occupied with a myriad of state affairs; such trivial matters should not be brought before His Majesty. Don’t you agree?"

Her words implied that Lian Hua was making a mountain out of a molehill and cautioned her against tattling.

After the Noble Consort spoke, she turned to Talented Lady Jia and said, "Talented Lady Jia, from now on, you must be careful with your words and actions. You must not make such jokes again."

The moment this fool opened her mouth, the Noble Consort knew no good would come of it, but she was accustomed to quietly observing how things would unfold.

With the situation at this point and so many eyes watching, she had to take a stand, otherwise who would rely on her in the future?

Beauty Zhao hurriedly tried to smooth things over, agreeing, "Yes, it’s just a joke. Don’t take it seriously."

Another consort, weak as a gentle breeze and willow, with eyes full of sorrow, followed suit, "Sister Lian’s words are too severe."

This consort was Concubine Fang, sensitive and frail, always deemed by others as someone who loved to bemoan without cause.

The rest of the women echoed, "Yes, indeed, it’s just a joke." They were disappointed that Talented Lady Jia was so easily affected, yet they had to speak up for her regardless.

Talented Lady Jia stepped out with a hint of grievance, "Yes, Consort."

The Consort used to call her "sister," but had just changed her form of address... however, the heavy stone in her heart had finally fallen to the ground.

Lian Hua emitted a nonchalant "Oh," with a look that said, "As long as you’re happy," which filled Noble Consort Xue with burning rage.

She was the current Noble Consort, holding the highest rank in the Harem. To think that Beauty Lian, a mere beauty, would dare to show her such disdain!

Ever since she had entered the palace, her emotions had been manipulated. Such was the slippery nature of Beauty Lian, no wonder she could capture His Majesty’s favor with such scheming.

The rage in Noble Consort Xue’s heart flared up with jealousy. Narrowing her eyes, she decided she could not be led around any longer. Perhaps this would do...

She could not believe that these people would remain calm after she made her move!

She forcefully suppressed her anger, calming herself down and looked at Lian Hua with affection. Then she sighed, her expression showing she could hardly bear her thoughts.

Seeing this, everyone asked her with concerned voices what was wrong.

Noble Consort, propping her face with a hand, elegantly waved her hand with a light furrowing of her worried brow and said sorrowfully, "Today’s small banquet was held to bring joy to my sisters, it’s better not to mention it."

Beauty Zhao sincerely said, "If Your Highness has any troubles, you can tell us sisters. If there’s anything we can do, we are more than willing to help and share Your Highness’s concerns."

Attendant Zhou also spoke with heartfelt sincerity, "Sister Zhao is right, Your Highness.

If you have any worries, please do not keep them to yourself.

Doing so could harm your health for no reason and cause your sisters to worry.

While all the sisters are here, why not speak of it and let them offer you some solace and untie the knot in your heart? "

Compared to Beauty Zhao, Attendant Zhou’s words were much slicker, she only talked about comforting and nothing else.

The others echoed with words of consolation.

Noble Consort looked at Lian Hua once more, then shook her head desolately, saying, "Today, it’s just us sisters. One person’s worry is better than the sorrow of many, let’s leave it unsaid."

Talented Lady Jia, eager to show herself, hurriedly said, "Your Highness just said we are all sisters, why be so distant then?"

Others chimed in, "Yes, yes."

One person, reading the situation, noted that Noble Consort had looked at Lian Hua before speaking and saw that Lian Hua did not join the chorus of agreement, and included Lian Hua in the conversation, "Sister Lian, what do you think?"

Several others came to a realization, and all eyes turned to Lian Hua.

Only Lian Hua felt somewhat perplexed, as if in a play where if the lead character sings, the supporting cast must sing along, yet she didn’t grasp the underlying meaning.

When asked, she thought for a moment and directly questioned, focusing on the key point, "Are those who aren’t here not considered our sisters?"

There was silence among the crowd.

After a while, Attendant Zhou was the first to break the silence, speaking again, "Your Highness did not mean that, what Your Highness meant was that we are all sisters here and naturally would not speak as if we were strangers."

"Indeed, Your Highness is benevolent and treats us all like her own sisters, which is truly a blessing for us."

Noble Consort internally cursed. This cunning and elusive Beauty Lian, as slippery as an eel, had actually tugged at her loose end. Her previous remark was to further express a sense of closeness to everyone present, yet she wasn’t tactful and seemed to be picking at her faults.

Lian Hua, having a sudden realization, nodded, "Oh~ I see."

Then she turned and asked, "Sister, what did you want me to say just now?"

She had found the scene somewhat dull, half-listening without much interest, occasionally drifting off.

When it came to a play that didn’t interest her, she tended to pay attention only to what the lead character sang; she deemed the supporting characters’ lines mostly unimportant, so she only paid attention to what Noble Consort had said.

The crowd fell silent again. They had been speaking for so long, and it turned out she hadn’t been listening at all, which secretly infuriated them, leaving them somewhat helpless.

Talented Lady Jia could not stand it and spoke out of turn, "Your Highness is troubled and anxious, yet unwilling to share and let us ease her burden, which is a great kindness. Your Highness has always treated the sisters so well, surely you would agree we should share Your Highness’s worries!"

Noble Consort felt satisfied inside; Talented Lady Jia was still of some use.

The others also nodded and chimed in, all looking toward Lian Hua, waiting for her response.

Lian Hua thought to herself that the Noble Consort couldn’t possibly have any worries.

As the one who controlled the Harem and holding such a high and powerful position, if petty matters of the Harem were too much for the Noble Consort, she could simply resign and be at ease. Why make things difficult for herself?