What does it mean for sisters to bear different surnames?
The remark was both venomous and sharp, instantly turning Consort De’s face ashen with fury.
Consort Yi could hardly contain herself, coughing lightly and covering her mouth with a handkerchief to stifle her laughter.
Yunxiu’s tongue was truly…
To call them long-lost sisters—every word stabbed straight into Consort De’s heart, as if determined to provoke her to death.
…Mrs. Wuya would surely choke on her rage.
Consort Yi’s guess was correct. Even with the best temper, Consort De trembled with anger, her gaze sharp as a blade, icy and terrifying as it fixed on Yunxiu. "What do you mean by that?"
Just as Consort Yi was about to speak, Yunxiu raised a hand to stop her.
"I merely noticed your keen interest in Noble Consort Yuan and thought to jest with you, sister," Yunxiu replied smoothly, straightening her sleeves with an air of regret. "I hadn’t expected such a strong reaction… My words were careless. My apologies."
With that, her regret shifted into faint contrition. She nodded at Consort De, then strode past the Imperial Noble Consort and her entourage, leading the way inside.
Consort De could only watch helplessly as Yunxiu walked away.
Her body swayed slightly as she gritted her teeth inwardly—Consort Yi!
The Imperial Noble Consort’s smile faltered, her eyes drooping slightly, the satisfaction of seeing Consort De humiliated fading.
By rank and protocol, Consort Yi should have deferred to her, allowing her to enter first. Yet Mrs. Guoluoluo had ignored her entirely.
How insolent!
The Imperial Noble Consort’s breath hitched audibly, a shift Noble Consort Yuan, standing nearby, noticed clearly. She bowed her head in feigned timidity, though inwardly, she sneered.
The Imperial Noble Consort fancied herself a master strategist, believing everything was under her control. Yet Consort Yi had defied expectations, remaining composed and utterly unprovoked.
Noble Consort Yuan smirked coldly. So what if she wore peach-red robes?
At a glance, there might be some resemblance, but the differences were obvious to all. Compared to the favored Consort Yi, she was like earth to heaven.
Mrs. Tongjia had woven her own trap.
Watching the Imperial Noble Consort’s heaving chest, Noble Consort Yuan’s eyes gleamed with sudden, fierce determination.
She had once resigned herself to a quiet, uneventful life. But then disaster struck—she was dragged into the treacherous whirlpool of palace intrigue, reduced to a pawn in the Imperial Noble Consort’s schemes.
As a nobody, she had no power to resist, forced to endure and obey.
But why should she?
At home, she had been a cherished noble daughter, doted upon by her elders. What right did Mrs. Tongjia have to treat her so arrogantly—stealing her favor wasn’t enough; she had to mold her into another’s shadow?
What did they take her for? A dog to be summoned and dismissed at will?
She would rather be a plain pheasant, overshadowed by Consort Yi’s phoenix, than a counterfeit puppet in Mrs. Tongjia’s hands!
You strike first; I’ll strike back. Just wait and see…
"Sit beside Noble Lady Nara," the Imperial Noble Consort instructed Noble Consort Yuan coolly, gesturing to a seat near the front. "Mind your manners at all times."
Noble Consort Yuan bowed obediently, then hesitated. "Your Highness, Consort Yi is with child and highly regarded by both Dowager Empresses. If this concubine sits too close and something untoward happens, the Dowager Empress might hold you accountable…"
Nanny Zhen shot her a cold glare—who was she to speak out of turn?
"…You make a fair point," the Imperial Noble Consort said after a long pause, her lips curling into a faint smile. "Then sit further back, where the Emperor won’t see you. Understood?"
Noble Consort Yuan was a wildcard—if played well, she could divert Consort Yi’s favor and deal her a heavy blow.
But if the Emperor noticed her at the banquet, he might resent the Imperial Noble Consort for slighting Consort Yi…
This pawn had some wits after all.
Noble Consort Yuan murmured her assent and withdrew, head bowed.
Dressed in resplendent ceremonial robes and mimicking familiar mannerisms, Noble Consort Yuan drew the attention of several consorts. Yet since she kept her back turned, none could clearly see her face.
"Is that Consort Yi?" Concubine Jing whispered.
"No," Concubine Duan shook her head, nodding toward another direction. "Consort Yi is over there—the one in dark blue."
Concubine Jing’s curiosity piqued. "Then who is that? With the Imperial Noble Consort… Could it be Noble Consort Yuan of Chengqian Palace?"
As they speculated, Noble Consort Yuan had already taken her seat at the very back, alone at a table reserved for low-ranking, childless noble ladies and obscure concubines. Concubine Jing immediately lost interest.
Noble Consort Yuan had no favor to speak of—a true nobody, unworthy of attention.
…
Concubine Hesheli sat at the lowest seat among the consorts, her youthful face bearing an air of quiet dignity.
Her gaze lingered on Yunxiu for a moment before she lowered her eyes, lost in thought.
Once all the consorts were seated, the crack of a ceremonial whip echoed outside, followed by a drawn-out announcement: "His Majesty the Emperor arrives—accompanied by the Grand Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowager, and the imperial princes!"
Kangxi strode in, clad in a bright yellow dragon-embroidered robe, his presence commanding and august. He paused frequently to offer his arm solicitously. "Grandmother, do take care."
The Grand Empress Dowager leaned on her cane, supported by the Empress Dowager, yet moved with surprising ease. "I know, I know," she chuckled.
Soon, they reached the high seats. As the hall erupted in greetings, the Grand Empress Dowager settled slowly into her chair, then beckoned behind her. "Baocheng, come—take care of Grandmother’s cane for me…"
The Crown Prince complied with a smile, while the Eldest Prince behind him scowled in displeasure.
Behind the Crown Prince, a line of little princes in festive red robes stood in neat formation.
Except for the Seventh Prince, Yin You, whose legs were weak, and the Eighth Prince, Yin Si, still unsteady on his feet and carried by a nursemaid, the rest walked steadily—including the Sixth Prince, Yinzuo.
Consort De’s eyes lit up at the sight of Yinzuo; Yunxiu, too, had eyes only for Yinqi.
The moment Yinqi entered the hall, he began scanning the room for his mother.
Spotting Yunxiu at last, his face broke into a delighted grin. "Mother!" he called out in clear Mandarin.
Then, tugging at Yinzhen’s sleeve, he added, "Come on, Fourth Brother, let’s go to Mother!"
The cheerful shout cut through Kangxi and the Grand Empress Dowager’s conversation, plunging the hall into silence.
Yunxiu stiffened, ready to apologize, but Kangxi only laughed heartily, pointing at Yinqi without a trace of reproach. "Of course you should go to your mother. Grandmother, for today’s birthday banquet, I grant the princes this favor—let them dine with their mothers. What say you?"
As he spoke, his gaze flickered toward Yunxiu, warmth glinting in his eyes.
The Grand Empress Dowager smiled fondly at Yinqi. "As the Emperor wishes."
Yinqi cheered loudly, then tugged at Yinzhen’s sleeve again.
Yunxiu caught the little gesture, both exasperated and amused. When had Yinqi grown so close to the Fourth Prince?
Could it be because of the Crown Prince?
Yinzhen glanced at the Crown Prince and, receiving a confirming look, suppressed a small flicker of joy as he walked toward the Imperial Noble Consort’s table.
Consort Hui welcomed the Eldest Prince and the Eighth Prince with visible delight, while Consort Rong took the Third Prince’s hand. Concubine Daijia of Yonghe Palace personally lifted the Seventh Prince onto her lap.
Consort De beckoned Prince Liu, Yinzuo, with a tender smile, her earlier displeasure with Yunxiu completely forgotten. Noble Consort Yuan could be dealt with later—Yinzuo was her priority!
At four years old, Yinzuo was as lovely as jade, though he seemed a little dazed. Seeing Yinzhen heading toward the Imperial Noble Consort, he suddenly called out, "Fourth Brother, you should come with me… sit beside Mother…"
His voice, neither too loud nor too soft, carried a hint of grievance and confusion, causing Yinzhen to freeze mid-step and fall silent.
The Imperial Noble Consort’s expression darkened instantly, while Consort De’s heart lurched—she tried to stop him, but it was too late.
Every gaze in the hall fixed on Yinzuo.
Qianqing Palace fell deathly silent, a stark contrast to the lively atmosphere moments ago when Yinqi had spoken.
"Fourth Brother hasn’t come to greet Mother in so long," Yinzuo continued, pouting. "You stay in Chengqian Palace all day and never play with me…"
The concubines exchanged uneasy glances.
Was Prince Liu implying that the Fourth Prince clung to his adoptive mother while neglecting his birth mother?
"Yinzuo! What nonsense are you spouting?" Consort De snapped, her face pale as she knelt heavily, her belly protruding. "A child’s words hold no malice—please forgive him, Your Majesty! This is all my fault!"
Yinzuo immediately grew flustered.
But even more flustered was Yinzhen.
He could no longer move, standing alone, lips pressed into a tight line as he slowly lowered his head.
Yinqi tugged nervously at Yunxiu’s sleeve, his round face full of worry, while the Crown Prince grew agitated—how had a family banquet turned into this?
Everything was falling apart.
Gritting his teeth, the Crown Prince was about to rise and intervene when the Imperial Noble Consort suddenly let out a sob, tears streaming down her face.
"I have devoted myself day and night to raising Yinzhen, fearing any lapse in his care," she choked out, prostrating herself. "I beg Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager, and the Grand Empress Dowager to judge this matter!"
