A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 543: Chapter 543: Why is it Consort Xian Pin!

Yu Lan responded and, together with Sister Ji, brought over a dressing case that was one foot wide and two feet long.

The dressing case was exquisitely crafted; the patterns on its surface were neither flowers nor grass. Upon closer inspection, they resembled waves.

Xia Ruqing looked at it for a while, pondering.

Duoluo Country is abundant in various gemstones and jades, which must mean there are many mountains. Combined with the wave patterns on the dressing case and the annual production of top-quality Zhen Zhu, could it also be near the coast? A land of many mountains and stones, bordered by the sea, and bountiful in jewels. It must be quite magical!

As Xia Ruqing was lost in thought, she suddenly heard someone call her name.

When she came to her senses, she saw it was the Empress.

”Sister Consort Xian Pin, what are you thinking about? You seem so lost in thought.”

Xia Ruqing quickly smiled. ”The patterns on this dressing case are both novel and attractive; this consort was momentarily enchanted. Please forgive my rudeness, Empress!”

The Empress didn’t take it to heart and beckoned with a smile. ”It’s just us sisters here, with no outsiders. Let’s all choose something! Consort Xian Pin, you go first!”

Upon hearing those words, everyone was stunned.

Consort Xian Pin, you go first... Consort Xian Pin, you go first!

Without thinking, Xia Ruqing glanced at Consort Ning.

As expected, Consort Ning’s face turned green.

The Empress must have finished choosing early in the morning, which is fine. But... it should be my turn next! Why should it be Consort Xian Pin! She’s just a lowly Pin! Why should she rank ahead of me?!

She felt indignant!

Xia Ruqing also felt a bit embarrassed. ”Empress, Consort Ning hasn’t made her selection yet.”

The Empress simply laughed. ”In my view, there aren’t many pieces of jewelry suitable for Sister Consort Ning. Among us here, you are the most beautiful and most favored, so naturally, you should choose first!”

With that, she laughed again and urged her, ”Come over quickly!”

Xia Ruqing noted the Empress’s dismissive expression toward Consort Ning. She then looked at Consort Ning’s face, which had already turned a furious shade of green.

Gradually, she understood.

Ah, the Empress is publicly shaming Consort Ning. Could this be... the Emperor’s intention?

Xia Ruqing felt a sense of glee in her heart, finding the feeling of someone else venting her frustrations for her quite exhilarating!

Thinking this, she no longer declined and said with a smile, ”Then, many thanks, Empress!”

Having said that, she stood up and went over.

As she passed Consort Ning, Xia Ruqing even paused to smile. ”Consort Ning, this consort will... take the liberty then!”

With that said, she cheerfully went to select her jewelry.

In reality, this whole affair wasn’t such a big deal. It all boiled down to this: the Emperor had sent a box of jewelry to the women of the harem; whoever liked something could pick it and wear it. Such a simple matter! A wise person wouldn’t fuss over it; after all, it wasn’t worth fretting over such trifles.

However... Consort Ning couldn’t make sense of it. So, she was infuriated beyond measure.

After Consort Xian Pin finished choosing, the Empress called Consort Hui Pin to make her selection. Then Consort Yun Pin, Consort Zheng Pin, and Shih Jieyu followed suit. Each time a name was called, Consort Ning’s complexion worsened by a degree.

However, she was rather timid. She lacked the confidence and boldness of Consort Xian Pin, who would feign illness and depart if upset, unafraid of angering the Empress. She was different; without the Emperor’s backing, she relied entirely on currying favor with the Empress. Therefore... she could only remain and endure the humiliation.

Finally, even Shih Jieyu had made her selection. The Empress then looked at the few Honored Ladies who remained. Only then did she speak.

”Sister Consort Ning, it’s your turn now!”

”There are still good pieces, and many are left...”

Still left... Those words truly pierced her heart.

A woman of her rank, a Consort, yet she had to choose after several Pins, and even after Shih Jieyu, picking from what they had left behind! It was a naked, blatant slap right across the face!

Consort Ning was furious! However, since the Empress had spoken, she couldn’t refuse and had to steel herself to step forward.

The few Honored Ladies below were chattering and whispering, and occasional laughter could be heard.

Consort Ning felt certain they were laughing at her!

Her face gradually turned a deep, purplish red, like liver.

Seeing this, the Empress’s expression changed dramatically. ”Sister Consort Ning, what’s wrong with you? Are you feeling unwell?”

Consort Ning snapped back to her senses. Seeing the concern on the Empress’s face—whether genuine or feigned, it was hard to tell—she hurriedly composed herself and shook her head. ”No... Nothing at all!”

The Empress, feigning ignorance, sighed in relief. ”That’s good!”

”This pair of jadeite rings is quite nice! Sister Consort Ning, why don’t you try them on? Oh, I forgot, you’ve gained some weight again, so you probably can’t wear them! Hmm... if that’s the case, bracelets won’t fit either. What about necklaces? Necklaces should still be fine! Sister Consort Ning, I think you should just pick some hairpins!”

These words from the Empress, one after another, were like sharp arrows, piercing Consort Ning’s heart until it resembled a hornet’s nest. It sent a chill right through her!

Consort Ning’s hands trembled as she selected the jewelry.

The Empress asked again, her voice laced with false concern, ”Sister Consort Ning, are you... feeling unwell?”

Consort Ning gritted her teeth in anger but dared not challenge the Empress. She could only suppress her fury and force a smile that was uglier than tears. ”Not at all! Empress, this consort is not unwell!”

With that, she randomly picked two hairpins, offered her thanks, and fled as if escaping for her life.

The Empress watched her hasty retreat, a cold smirk playing on her lips.

Consort Ning did not see it, but Xia Ruqing did.

She found it rather unsettling.

The Empress had not shown the slightest mercy to Consort Ning, who had followed her for so many years! This woman, indeed, was the most suitable survivor in the harem.

「...」

The Honored Ladies then took turns picking hairpins. Everyone received a gift, and all were very pleased. The Empress then smiled, uttered many grand pleasantries, and dismissed everyone.

Xia Ruqing was in an excellent mood. Holding Zi Su’s arm, she walked slowly, following some distance behind Consort Ning.

「Exiting the gates of Jiaofang Hall.」

Consort Ning didn’t even spare Xia Ruqing a glance, let alone a glare, as she hurried away, practically fleeing like a rabbit.

Xia Ruqing felt incredibly gratified!

It’s still the Emperor’s influence that holds great sway! She guessed he must have hinted something to the Empress. She hadn’t expected the Empress to follow through so effectively. Looked at this way... Consort Ning didn’t seem to hold much favor with the Empress after all! Whatever their dealings in private, at least today, the public humiliation had been avenged. HEH HEH! What a wonderful mood!

Zi Su was also happy. ”Your Highness, we finally got some satisfaction!”

”But there’s one thing your servant doesn’t understand: why didn’t the Empress punish Consort Ning directly?”

Xia Ruqing smirked. ”Punish? Why punish? She couldn’t very well punish her just for hitting a Palace Maid! If that were the standard, Zi Yue wouldn’t have survived at all! Consort Ning is, after all, one of the Emperor’s women. What does Zi Yue count for in comparison? So, the reason needn’t be stated explicitly. Letting her suffer public humiliation was enough. This served as a form of justice for Zi Yue.”

Having figured this out, Xia Ruqing returned with Zi Su and Zi Ning, feeling thoroughly pleased.

「...」

「At Consort Ning’s place.」

As soon as she returned to her palace, Consort Ning sent Lan Xiang and the others away.