Noble Consort Cen

"This must be Miss Zhiwei, right? Not only is she a beautiful painter, but she's also so lovely and has such a refined air about her." Noble Consort Cen said with a smile as she walked over to Zhao Ruxi, who was standing there in a daze.

Noble Consort Cen's appearance is similar to Zhao Ruxi's; both are bright and dignified. Judging from the way she speaks, they even seem to have similar temperaments.

Zhao Ruxi fell in love with Noble Consort Cen at first sight.

"Zhao Ruxi greets the Imperial Concubine." She lifted her skirt to curtsy, but was immediately stopped by Noble Consort Cen.

"No need for formalities," Noble Consort Cen said. "You must be tired after all this time."

As she spoke, she beckoned, and a palace maid immediately stepped forward.

"These are my head palace maids. You can call them Aunt Zhiyun or Aunt Zhixue. If you need anything, just let them know. I've already had a change of clothes prepared for you. After you've eaten and taken a bath, you can rest. There's no need to get up early tomorrow. The Emperor has his morning court session, and you'll have to stay until he finishes and reports back to him before you can leave the palace. Just rest easy."

After giving her instructions, Noble Consort Cen smiled and said, "I wanted to spend more time with you, but I was worried you'd feel uncomfortable. So I'll head back now. If you need anything or have any questions, just tell Zhiyun and the others. Don't hesitate to ask."

After giving her a concise and efficient explanation, she prepared to leave.

Zhao Ruxi quickly thanked her and escorted her to the outside of the palace.

"No need to escort her any further, go back now," said Noble Consort Cen. "Zhiyun and Zhixue, take good care of Miss Zhao."

After the two palace maids bowed and responded, Noble Consort Cen, surrounded by a group of palace maids and eunuchs, descended the steps and went to her main hall.

"Miss Zhao, it's cold outside, let's go inside," Zhiyun said with a smile. "Don't worry, Her Highness the Imperial Concubine is an extremely kind person. She especially admires those with talent. When your painting was exhibited in front of the Imperial Academy, she disguised herself to go see it and came back praising you highly."

Zhao Ruxi was taken aback again.

Is that true?

Were the concubines of the Great Jin allowed to freely enter and leave the palace?

She didn't dare ask that question, so she said a few words of modesty to Zhiyun. As soon as she entered the room, she saw that in just a short while, the eunuchs and maids had already filled the table with a table full of delicious dishes.

"Please eat quickly, young lady. It's cold, and the food will get cold soon," Zhixue said with a smile.

"Miss Qingfeng and Miss Dianjiang, please go and have your meal. Sister Zhiyun and I will take care of things here." She pointed to a small table next to her, on which were laid out six or seven dishes. Although these dishes were not as expensive as those on Zhao Ruxi's table, they were still very good.

Zhao Ruxi wasn't one to stand on ceremony, and she was hungry too. After telling Qingfeng and Dianjiang what she wanted, she sat down to eat.

Although there were snacks and tea on the table when she was calculating data with Gan Lun and the others in the side hall, she really didn't care about those when she got busy. Right now, she was starving.

Eunuch Xie had specially sent someone to the Imperial Kitchen to make arrangements, Noble Consort Cen genuinely admired Zhao Ruxi's talent, so the dishes prepared by the Imperial Kitchen were extremely elaborate. Zhao Ruxi and her two servants thoroughly enjoyed the meal.

After eating and taking a shower, Zhao Ruxi snuggled into her warm bed and fell into a deep sleep.

Qingfeng and Dianjiang stayed in the adjacent cubicle.

The next day, after Zhao Ruxi had breakfast, Noble Consort Cen summoned her to the main hall and said, "Miss Zhao, Zhao Ruxi you like to stroll around the palace? If you wish, I will have a sedan chair prepared, so you won't be cold and won't get your shoes and socks wet."

Before Zhao Ruxi could answer, she added, "Don't worry about anyone causing you trouble. You're a distinguished guest invited by the Emperor, and with me by your side, no one will dare to make things difficult for you."

Zhao Ruxi shook her head. "Thank you, Your Highness, but there's no need to trouble yourself."

In this turbulent time of the Great Jin Dynasty, she ruined Consort Jin's and her son's important plans. It was freezing cold outside; she must be out of her mind to be wandering around the palace.

Furthermore, the Emperor might summon her after court sessions.

Noble Consort Cen listened and did not try to persuade her further. Her impression of Zhao Ruxi improved even more.

She also disapproved of Zhao Ruxi going out for leisurely strolls.

Zhao Ruxi asked, "I wonder if Lord Qi and Lord Gan are still in the palace?"

"Lord Qi went to court early this morning. Lord Gan went with him." Noble Consort Cen knew the meaning behind her words. Seeing that Gan Lun and the others had left, she felt it was inappropriate to stay in the palace any longer and wanted to take her leave.

"They are high-ranking officials of the imperial court, and officials of the Ministry of Revenue. Even if Lord Gan has retired, calculating these figures is still within his duties. You are different from them. The Emperor specifically instructed you to stay here. The Emperor will definitely come over with Lord Qi after court in a while, and he might even summon you. Just stay here and don't rush back to your residence."

Zhao Ruxi knew that Xiao Ge only wanted to keep her there to offer a few words of encouragement and some gifts, so she waited patiently.

Noble Consort Cen served her fine tea and snacks, and the two sat and chatted.

Zhao Ruxi was a jewelry designer, Noble Consort Cen was skilled in dressing up her whole life. The two chatted about clothes and jewelry and found themselves getting along very well.

Finally, Noble Consort Cen took out several pieces of jewelry and fabric, insisting on giving them to Zhao Ruxi, saying, "I've always wanted a daughter, so I could dress her up nicely. Unfortunately, I'm not destined for that, and only have two mischievous boys. Seeing Zhiwei now has rekindled these thoughts. These jewelry and fabric are no longer suitable for me; I'm too old. Giving them to you is a fitting end for both of them."

Zhao Ruxi declined repeatedly, but she couldn't refuse any longer and had to accept it.

"Fifth Highness, what brings you here?" A palace maid's voice came from the palace gate.

Noble Consort Cen and Zhao Ruxi, surprised, were looking towards the door when a palace maid came in and announced, "Your Highness, the Fifth Highness has arrived."

Noble Consort Cen glanced at the clock in the room, then looked at Zhao Ruxi, and said with a smile, "Please invite him in."

A short while later, Xiao Lingyan entered.

"Don't you have court? Why are you here at this hour?" Noble Consort Cen asked, brushing the snow off Xiao Lingyan's shoulder with a handkerchief.

"Someone in court suggested that my second brother be sent to deliver the grain, and I took on the task myself. I will stay outside the city today and depart tomorrow. I came to the palace specifically to bid farewell to Mother."

As he spoke, Xiao Lingyan glanced at Zhao Ruxi.

Noble Consort Cen and Zhao Ruxi were both taken aback.

Noble Consort Cen said urgently, "Why are you being asked to go? Didn't your maternal grandfather and uncle speak up for you in court? They can say what they want, and if you don't agree, there's nothing they can do. Why risk your lives?"

"It's no use saying anything. The Fu Family is tied to us. Now that they're in trouble at the border, if we don't step in, people in the court will use this to attack us. If we say too much, Father will also have his own thoughts. Since that's the case, I'll go to the border myself. Most importantly, I want to go, which is why I volunteered."