Page 51

Cai Xia felt a surge of irritation. Indeed, Beauty Li had no understanding of the rules.

If she had known this brazenness earlier, she would have advised the Consort to let her stand outside for a few more Shichen.

It was only due to the Consort’s kindness that the summons came after less than one Shichen, and yet Beauty Li remained clueless.

Nanny Sun followed respectfully, bowing her head. Sensing Cai Xia’s gaze, she worried about her mistress making a blunder, so she glanced at Beauty Li and saw her peeking stealthily, which prompted Nanny Sun to hasten her steps to catch up with her mistress, tugging at her gently.

Beauty Li turned around, and Nanny Sun gave her a look, which Beauty Li quickly understood. Despite being in the presence of a servant, Nanny Sun was reminding her to show respect.

Reluctane seeped into her heart; after all, the servant was just a servant. Looking around shouldn’t be a big deal, and she, a renowned Beauty, shouldn’t need to fear her.

Seeing that her mistress remained in the same state, Nanny Sun tugged at her once more.

With reluctance, Beauty Li finally lowered her head and stopped looking around indiscreetly.

Cai Xia glanced at Nanny Sun and scoffed inwardly. Not all the people around Beauty Li were fools — Nanny Sun seemed to be sensible.

Upon reaching the main hall, the Noble Consort was not in the upper seat.

"You all wait here. The Consort just finished dealing with some urgent matters and has a headache, so I will go in first to check on her," said Cai Xia, preparing to enter the inner chamber through the side curtain.

"How much longer do we have to wait?" Beauty Li asked, stepping forward eagerly.

Already having waited for one Shichen, and now facing more waiting, her impatience had been growing. Judging by the servant’s attitude, she wasn’t even offered tea, but was expected to stand there while a mere servant presumed to lord over her, making her tone even less polite as she asked.

"I, the servant, have no idea," Cai Xia replied, bowing slightly with a mocking glint in her eyes.

"You!" Beauty Li stepped forward, about to lose her temper.

Nanny Sun hurriedly grabbed her arm and pulled her back to their original position, advising, "My lady, considering the Noble Consort is overseeing numerous affairs in the Harem, we should simply wait a little longer here."

Then she turned to Cai Xia with a smile, saying, "Aunt Cai Xia, we’ll trouble you then. The Consort is indeed the backbone of our Harem. We pray for her everlasting fortune and well-being. She mustn’t overexert herself, we’re willing to wait however long it takes."

Cai Xia responded with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes, "Nanny Sun is sensible, I trust in your good fortune," she said.

Before leaving, Cai Xia took another glance at Beauty Li and thought it a pity; if only this fool, Beauty Li, dared to flaunt her power in Huaqing Palace, she had ways to deal with her.

Unfortunately, the Nanny by her side, quick-witted, had stopped her.

What a pity for the Nanny to serve such a mistress.

After Cai Xia left, Beauty Li angrily shrugged off Nanny Sun and hissed, "You disloyal cur, whose side are you on, mine or that servant’s?"

With a lowered voice, Nanny Sun earnestly advised, "Oh, my lady, don’t you know where my loyalty lies?

I stopped you for your own good. Look around, this is the Huaqing Palace and not our Driftfrost Hall.

The Noble Consort might overhear from inside.

Just bear with it a bit longer, once we return to Driftfrost Hall, you can punish me as you wish. "

Nanny Sun was exhausted; ever since serving this mistress, she lived in constant fear, anxious that any slip-up could bring disaster upon them both.

Beauty Li, having heard her, knew the weight of the situation and had to suppress her anger, yet she still muttered indignantly, "That Cai Xia is but a servant; what’s wrong with me speaking a few words to her, hmph."

Just then, a palace maid drew aside the beaded curtains on both sides, and the Noble Consort, dressed in a brocade trailing celestial skirt, her hair done up in a three-legged phoenix style, had a phoenix in flight with six jade inlays and seven treasures set in red gold hair shaking gently as she slowly walked toward the head seat, her entire presence commanding and dazzling beyond compare.

Beauty Li and Nanny Sun hurriedly knelt down to salute: "Paying respects to the Noble Consort, may the Consort have boundless good fortune."

Within Beauty Li’s heart was unrest, uncertain whether her earlier words had been overheard by the Consort.

The Noble Consort took her seat at the head, not glancing once at the people below, and casually began to slowly sip her tea.

The two people in the hall felt their hearts pounding; it was at this moment that Beauty Li knew fear, and cold sweat streamed down from her temples as she maintained her saluting posture, her legs uncontrollably beginning to tremble.

Standing to the side, Cai Xia watched Beauty Li’s situation from below with great satisfaction, thinking how just moments ago Beauty Li had wanted to assert herself, but now she finally knew fear.

After the Noble Consort finished her tea and set down her cup, she lightly parted her red lips, "You may rise."

"Thank you, Consort." Beauty Li staggered to her feet and was quickly steadied by the quick-handed Nanny Sun from behind. If she were to be improper here in Huaqing Palace, the consequences would be severe, and punishment would surely follow before they even returned to their quarters.

The Noble Consort in the head seat glimpsed this scene with a flash of contempt in her eyes.

This Beauty Li was good for nothing but knocking things over; with such meager courage, she dared to be arrogant and unruly in the palace.

Just yesterday, she even angered His Majesty and by extension implicated her as well.

Beauty Li steadied herself and forced a smile, cautiously asking, "May I know why the Consort summoned me today?"

The Noble Consort leaned back lazily against the throne, inquiring, "Younger Sister Li, have you been well recently?"

Not sure what the Noble Consort meant by her question, Beauty Li swallowed and replied, "Thank you for your concern, Consort, I am perfectly fine."

Observing the person below, the Noble Consort said with an inscrutable expression, "It seems Younger Sister Li has not taken to heart His Majesty’s admonition from yesterday.

I returned yesterday with such worry that I had no appetite and suffered sleepless nights.

I reflected deeply upon myself, yet to my surprise, it appears Younger Sister Li has been faring exceedingly well. "

Beauty Li, terrified by what the Noble Consort said, collapsed onto the ground, shaking her head like a rattle-drum, and blurted out in panic, "Noble Consort, I didn’t mean it that way. I have not been well, not well at all. I only..."

Nanny Sun, too, knelt down, seeing her mistress lose composure and quickly took over the conversation: "Consort, you manage countless affairs. When my mistress spoke earlier, she only wished not to trouble you, not wanting to burden your mind. Yesterday at the flower-viewing feast, she spoke carelessly in jest among her sisters, and afterward, she was filled with regret and guilt. She told us that she would reflect on her actions and be more cautious in speech, hoping the Consort wouldn’t misunderstand. "

Beauty Li nodded repeatedly, saying, "Exactly, exactly, that’s what I meant, Consort. Please be magnanimous and forgive my ill-considered words."

The Noble Consort masked the emotions in her heart. This foolish Beauty Li had an adept nanny beside her, who had managed to turn yesterday’s matter into a minor slip of the tongue.

If it were any other time, she might have let it pass, but alas, His Majesty had already made his judgment, and she had to follow His Majesty’s wishes.

She glanced at Cai Xia, who was standing aside, then picked up her teacup and elegantly started to drink again, delicately pushing aside the foam on the surface with the lid.

Catching the hint, Cai Xia raised her voice in anger at Nanny Sun: "Insolent servant! Who are you to speak while the Consort is addressing Beauty Li? Guards, drag this talkative slave away and slap her mouth ten times, to serve as a warning to others."