Jun Chenyu's brow darkened. "Reassuring people is naturally the most important thing. I understand what you mean."
The court officials standing there wanted nothing more than to remind the emperor to lift Consort Shu's confinement, so that the Qin Clan would continue to toil loyally for the imperial family.
But since the emperor already had matters well in hand, the elderly ministers could say no more. One after another, they took their leave.
Jun Chenyu set it aside. Eunuch Lu entered with a bowl of ginseng soup. "Your Majesty has been working hard. Please have some ginseng soup to restore your strength."
"Make the preparations. I will visit Peony Pavilion tonight."
Eunuch Lu froze briefly. "But Your Majesty has already turned over Joyous Promise's name tablet tonight."
Jun Chenyu had no patience for further discussion. He had little impression of this Joyous Promise. She was frivolous, though occasionally entertaining enough to relieve his boredom.
But how could he be in the mood for amusement now? "Just tell her to go back."
Eunuch Lu hastily acknowledged the order.
Meanwhile, Wen Leyan remained completely unaware.
While waiting for the Phoenix-Luan Spring Favor Carriage to collect her, she happened to encounter Consort Hui, who had come to speak with Consort Xian. Preoccupied with her heavy makeup and gaudy appearance, she paid Consort Hui no mind at all and did not even curtsy upon seeing her.
Consort Hui was no pushover either. She had heard about this Joyous Promise over the past few days. Knowing that Consort Shu had promoted her, she was certain the woman was no good.
Consort Shu was already so restless even under confinement. Who would have thought the person she elevated would be equally ill-mannered?
Beside her, Xing'er rebuked Wen Leyan. "Her Highness Consort Hui is here. My lady, you should observe the rules and curtsy in greeting."
Wen Leyan remained cold, pretending not to notice her.
She had been the only one summoned to the emperor's bed these past two days. Even Noble Lady Wei had quieted down somewhat. Besides, the emperor liked her quite a bit, so she felt she was about to rise above the rest.
Moreover, she conceived easily. Once she had a child, in another dozen years or so she would be the imperial noble consort. By then, who knew where this Consort Hui would have gone to die? Why should she bow and scrape before her?
Her mother had told her that capturing a man's heart between the sheets was what truly counted as ability.
With the emperor backing her, she feared no one.
Just last night, the emperor had said he liked her innocent, carefree nature.
Facing Consort Hui, she merely gave a mocking smile. "Please forgive me, Consort Hui. After serving His Majesty last night, my back and waist ache terribly. I truly cannot bend my knees now, so I cannot curtsy to you. You won't blame me, will you, elder sister?"
Consort Hui had a firecracker temper. No one in the palace had ever dared swagger so arrogantly before her. "What do you think you are? You have only served His Majesty a handful of times, yet you dare spout such insolent nonsense before me?"
"Please calm your anger, Your Highness. I am delicate and frail, and clumsy with words as well. I truly cannot win an argument against you. But the Phoenix-Luan Spring Favor Carriage will arrive any moment, so I hope you will be understanding."
"Otherwise, if His Majesty notices that I have been wronged when I appear before him, I fear he may take issue with you too."
At those words, Consort Hui instantly bristled. She sneered. "You have enjoyed his favor for only a few days, yet you are already so brazen, with your eyes perched above your head. Do you truly believe His Majesty values you? As far as I can see, you cannot compare to even a single strand of your elder sister's hair."
Wen Leyan's face twisted. More than anything, she hated hearing people say she was inferior to Wen Yunmian. What was Wen Yunmian worth? If she had not been lucky in their previous life, how could she possibly have surpassed her?
Given another life, how could she let Wen Yunmian tower over her again?
"Your Highness, surely you aren't calling the grapes sour because you cannot reach them. We will soon see who truly holds the dearest place in His Majesty's heart."
Before Consort Hui could reply, a young eunuch from Chanyang Palace hurried over.
Wen Leyan froze at the sight of him. Surely there was no custom of someone from Chanyang Palace coming personally to escort her there?
Could the emperor think her special and have granted her this distinction?
But before Wen Leyan could rejoice, the young eunuch reached her and faithfully relayed the instructions from Chanyang Palace. "Greetings, Joyous Promise. His Majesty has just ordered that you need not come to Chanyang Palace to serve him tonight."
"Pfft." Consort Hui could not hold back her laughter. She raised her brows and looked at Wen Leyan without the slightest mercy.
"Some people simply lack the fortune, yet still behave with outrageous arrogance. Haven't you slapped your own face now? This is the first time I have seen someone whom the Phoenix-Luan Spring Favor Carriage would not come to collect."
Wen Leyan's expression turned thunderous. Humiliated but unwilling to accept it, she asked, "Does His Majesty have affairs of state to attend to?"
The young eunuch bowed. "His Majesty has just gone to Peony Pavilion."
Wen Leyan's face abruptly went deathly pale. Peony Pavilion?
Towering fury surged through Wen Leyan's heart. Consort Hui's mocking laughter pierced her ears like needles.
"Look at that. I just said your favor could not compare with your elder sister's. It seems I was quite right."
After watching Consort Hui leave, Wen Leyan stormed back into her room and swept everything off the table, smashing it onto the floor.
Her face was hideously contorted. "Why? Why does that bitch Wen Yunmian insist on stealing what is mine? She didn't seduce His Majesty when Noble Lady Wei served him, nor when Attendant Hui did. Why must she single me out and oppose me?!"
Nanny Hong had not expected Noble Lady Yan to stoop so low either. To think she had once considered Noble Lady Yan dependable and had even wanted to persuade her mistress to cultivate a good relationship with this legitimate elder sister!
"Please don't be angry, my lady. Even if she lured His Majesty away by such vile means, he does not belong to her. Since His Majesty is thinking of you, he will likely come to see you again tomorrow. She may seduce him once, but can she keep doing it forever?"
Wen Leyan could not take in a word Nanny Hong said. She clenched her teeth tightly, her eyes laid bare with ruthless intent.
In her previous life, she had failed to surpass Wen Yunmian! She had watched helplessly as Wen Yunmian lived such a wonderful life. But this time, she would not let that happen!
"I want Wen Yunmian dead!"
Meanwhile, inside Peony Pavilion, the Silver-Thread Charcoal the emperor had bestowed a while ago burned in the room. Not only did it produce no smoke, it also provided greater warmth.
Dressed in a Consort Xiang Color gown, Wen Yunmian reclined on a cushioned couch, watching the snowflakes faintly visible outside the window. On the small carved table before her sat tea that sent up wisps of white steam.
Just as they were speaking, a young eunuch hurried over, delight written across his face. "Greetings, Lady Yan! His Majesty has sent word for you to await him tonight. He is coming to Peony Pavilion!"
The maids in the room were all delighted. Wen Yunmian rose and nodded with a smile. "Thank you, eunuch."
Yun Yang slipped him some silver. "Please have some tea with this. Take care on your way."
"You are too kind, my lady! Please prepare to receive His Majesty. This servant takes his leave!" The young eunuch bowed and happily withdrew.
Yun Fei clapped her hands in delight. "Wonderful! His Majesty has rarely visited the inner palace lately. Ever since he confined Consort Shu, he hasn't come to see you for quite some time, my lady. For him to suddenly visit today, he must have been thinking of you."
Wen Yunmian's gaze deepened slightly. Over the past few days, she had distinctly sensed Jun Chenyu's distance, as though he were deliberately avoiding her.
His visit this time likely carried some other, deeper intention.
Before you continue