Chapter 602 Is Honored Consort Xia Very Gentle?
It went without saying that the palace banquet, especially one held to congratulate the two princes, had invited many people.
Not only did the officials come, but they brought their wives and daughters as well. The weather had been growing warm lately, but the air was fresh thanks to the rain last night.
The imperial garden was particularly lively. The palace servants had prepared a variety of fruits and pastries as appetizers for the guests while they enjoyed the scenery. Even though it was the beginning of summer, there were still many flowers blooming in the garden. Coupled with the greenery that lined the paths of the yards, the entire place was brimming with vitality.
Ning Xueyan and Ao Chenyi entered the palace together, though the latter was summoned by the Emperor the minute he got there. Ning Xueyan was left to stroll in the imperial garden with Xinmei. There were so many maids and eunuchs all over the palace today that the rules were quite lax.
From time to time, they could see several young ladies chatting and enjoying the view with young aristocrats, looking leisurely and cozy. There were also several people reciting poems and painting in the pavilions nearby. It was the very picture of elegance. Ning Xueyan took in everything from a distance; she didnât want to join such gatherings.
A palace maid appeared from the corner of the wall. When she saw Ning Xueyan, she walked over and bowed respectfully to her. âPrincess Yi?â
Thoughts ran through Ning Xueyanâs mind as she looked up and down the beautiful palace maid. She asked curiously, âYouâreâŠâ
âDonât you remember me anymore, Your Highness? Iâm Yan Zhen, Honored Consort Xiaâs maid. We met the last time.â Yan Zhen raised her head ever so slightly.
âYouâre Honored Consort Xiaâs maid, yes. We did meet the last time. Do you have business with me?â Realization dawned on Ning Xueyan after she sized up the palace maid.
She had indeed met this maid, Honored Consort Xiaâs maid, the last time. But she was only a consort then, so there wasnât much respect in this maidâs eyes. Now, however, the maid was altogether a different person from her expression to gesture.
âHer Highness wants to know if youâre free. If youâre free, she wants to meet you at the place last time. Her Highness has always been timid and an introvert, yet she found you to be an easy companion after meeting you the last time. When she heard that youâll be coming to the palace today, she sent me here to invite you.â
Yan Zhen lowered her head again and spoke softly.
Honored Consort Xia, who had never shown her face in public, found her to be an easy companion? A trace of coldness crossed Ning Xueyanâs glistening eyes. Few people had ever seen the Emperorâs favored consort, who seemed to be hidden behind layers of mist. Even her name or family was unknown.
She was the Emperorâs favored consort, and a greatly adored one too. How could she be a nobody? After all, she was able to enter the palace and earn the Emperorâs favor. It would be a great advantage for her family, so it felt unnatural for her to hide behind the scenes.
It was either Honored Consort Xia had a secret that kept her from appearing in public or her identity was problematic in itself. Ao Chenyi had repeatedly warned her to be careful of Honored Consort Xia, so she couldnât recklessly accept the invitation.
The fact that Honored Consort Xia, who had never interacted with others, would be able to send someone to meet her the minute she entered the palace, showed that she was no ordinary consort. Of course, it could also be explained as Honored Consort Xia having her servant wait at the door and relay the news as soon as she came.
However, Ning Xueyan didnât think she was so important that she could make Honored Consort Xia, who had always hidden from everyone and never appear in public, gain such a great interest in her.
âDoes she want to see me now?â Ning Xueyan seemed conflicted. âBefore entering the palace, His Highness told me to wait for him here. Heâll be coming back from the Emperorâs palace soon.â
Yan Zhen fell silent for a moment before suggesting in an enthusiastic voice, âWell⊠Why donât you go over first? Iâll have someone stay here. Once Prince Yi comes here, weâll let him know that youâre at Her Highnessâ place.â
Ning Xueyan was still smiling but her eyes had gone cold. These words might be fine for other people, but who in the palace didnât know that Prince Yi couldnât be refuted? If she went off to meet another person despite being told to stay here, she would surely draw his ire.
Since Honored Consort Xia was able to station her servant here to wait for her, she must have known that about Prince Yi. The fact that Honored Consort Xia was trying to get her into trouble in such an elusive way showed that she was lying about befriending her.
âNo thanks. Please tell Her Highness that Iâll tell His Highness when he comes later before visiting her,â Ning Xueyan replied, following the usual procedure to the tee. Knowing Ao Chenyiâs temper, this was the right way to proceed. Otherwise, she would just anger him.
âPrincess, my master is the Emperorâs most beloved Honored Consort Xia. Itâs rare that she is in a good mood to meet you, but youâre making her wait for you until youâre free to see her? Since when can a princess ignore our Honored Consort Xia?â
Yan Zhen didnât expect Ning Xueyan to reject her. Her expression sank as she looked up at Ning Xueyan, looking a bit more arrogant. In her opinion, her master could even be the Empress if it werenât for the problem with her identity. Now, her master was kindly inviting this lady, originally Prince Yiâs consort, over as an act of utmost grace, yet she dared to reject her.
Seeing the palace maid raise her head out of arrogance, Ning Xueyan smiled and maintained a neutral expression. âI wouldnât dare to ignore Her Highness but neither do I dare ignore His Highnessâ order. The order of the husband is absolute. Besides, he has given me the order in the first place. Or is it that Honored Consort Xiaâs status is higher than His Highness? Or, instead of wanting to befriend me, Honored Consort Xia wants me to anger His Highness instead?â
A wife should always be faithful to her husband, the way a minister should be loyal to his emperor!
Ning Xueyan didnât voice the last sentence but the implication was as clear as day. Yan Zhenâs expression changed. No matter how favored Honored Consort Xia was, she was ultimately still a consort. In terms of status, she certainly couldnât be compared with Prince Yi who had the power to rule over the world. Besides, everyone knew that Prince Yi could very well be the future emperor, so no one dared to put on airs of seniority in front of him.
If they were to annoy the Demon King, the consequences would be disastrous.
This gentle and weak Princess Yi was an unexpectedly difficult opponent. Moreover, she spoke rather loudly earlier and caused quite a few passersby to stop and look in their direction.
âItâs my mistake. Please come over after you meet Prince Yi.â Yan Zhen gritted her teeth with an ugly expression. Naturally, the fact that Honored Consort Xiaâs invitation to Princess Yi couldnât be revealed. If news of it was to reach the Emperorâs ears, it would cause a scandal. The Emperor might even become infuriated.
Thus, she had no choice but to retreat. Besides, her master had already made plans for when she couldnât get Princess Ning to comeâŠ
âAll right.â Ning Xueyan smiled and nodded calmly. She watched Yan Zhen leave using the same small path that she came from with a trace of contemplation in her eyes.
They had caused quite a bit of a commotion earlier. Ning Xueyanâs words at the end even carried a trace of anger. Although she was standing in a quiet place, her loud voice still drew the attention of others, especially when she mentioned Honored Consort Xia. A few of the married women who were walking by exchanged looks and went to greet Ning Xueyan.
Ning Xueyan greeted them in return with a smile.
âWho were you talking to, Your Highness? Had a palace maid offend you?â one of the married women asked curiously.
âHonored Consort Xia wanted me to see her. Iâm still waiting for the Prince, but when he gets here, Iâll go and see her,â Ning Xueyan replied without even thinking, still with a smile on her face. Under normal circumstances, one couldnât discuss this particular consort so easily.
The most mysterious Honored Consort Xia? And the most favored one of the lot? The married women looked at each other in surprise.
âYouâve seen her, Your Highness?â another married woman asked expectantly. Quite a few people were curious about the Emperorâs beloved consort. Since Princess Yi was willing to answer, they would surely keep throwing questions at her. Nearly no one had seen the Emperorâs beloved consort. Anyone they asked would just shake their head, which just fueled their curiosity.
âIâve seen her once. Honored Consort Xia is very beautiful.â Ning Xueyan smiled meaningfully. âMaybe sheâs drawn by the excitement today and wants to join in the fun.â
So, Princess Yi had truly met Honored Consort Xia before! The married women became filled with excitement. It was an impressive feat indeed. It was their first time hearing such a clear reply from someone in so many years. They couldnât help but feel excited. Never mind these married women; even the consorts at the palace said that they had never seen Honored Consort Xia before. This showed how mysterious she was.
âHow old is Honored Consort Xia?â
âIs Honored Consort Xia really that beautiful?â
âIs Honored Consort Xia very gentle?â
âDid Honored Consort Xia say when she wants to meet you? Can you take us with you?â âŠ
The married women were still quite young, so they were particularly enthusiastic. They looked at Ning Xueyan expectantly, hoping that she would take them to see her. It was the most mysterious Honored Consort Xia! Few could hope to even learn anything about her.
âPrincess Yi!â A cold voice emerged from the crowd. Everyone turned their heads and saw the palace maid who had left earlier. This was apparently Honored Consort Xiaâs maid. Her expression wasnât pretty at the moment as she looked at the women in anger. It was obvious that she was furious.
The married women immediately shut up. This was the palace and some words naturally couldnât be said here.
âDo you have more to say?â Ning Xueyan raised an eyebrow as if she had only just seen her.
âPrincess Yi, Her Highness invited you because she thinks you can be her friend. Itâs very inappropriate for you to speak unscrupulously about Her Highness with others,â Yan Zhen said angrily. It went without saying that she didnât leave earlier. She waited on one side for Ning Xueyan. Her master had said that if Ning Xueyan was unwilling to come, she could invite her again later. If that didnât work, she could keep inviting her. They believed that Ning Xueyan would eventually come.
Little did she expect that Ning Xueyan would tell others that her master had invited her. How could others find out about her master? So, she listened until she couldnât endure it anymore and stepped out.
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