Chapter 5

Chapter 5

I quietly made my way to the Buddhist Hall.

Aside from Jieyu Jiang, several other imperial concubines were here, forced to kneel as punishment.

They complained incessantly, one moment grumbling that Jieyu Jiang had dragged them down with her, and the next lamenting Noble Consort Wei’s ruthlessness.

Only one woman, kneeling right in the path of the drafty wind, cautioned them: “The palace has ears everywhere. Sisters, you should watch your words.”

Her words immediately drew a barrage of attacks.

“Isn’t it your sister’s fault we’re being punished in the first place?”

“You’re just the daughter of a concubine. Who knows what lowly schemes you used to enter the palace, yet here you are, trying to lecture us?”

At that, the woman fell silent. She simply faced the statue of Buddha, kneeling with her eyes closed as she chanted sutras.

From my vantage point, I could only see her profile in the darkness, marked by quiet endurance.

I recognized her. She was Talented Lady Jiang, the younger half-sister of Jieyu Jiang.

Though they both hailed from the Jiang Family, Talented Lady Jiang had always been looked down upon by the other concubines. Her birth mother had been a mere dancing girl who passed away early, and her legitimate elder sister, Jieyu Jiang, had always suppressed her.

After a moment’s thought, I stepped out from the shadows.

Someone recognized me and spoke with a hint of sarcasm: “Oh, isn’t this Auntie Liu Ying, the Noble Consort’s favorite?

“Has Auntie come to laugh at our misfortune?”

I didn’t respond, my gaze fixed on the chanting Talented Lady Jiang. “After kneeling for so long, you seem remarkably composed, Talented Lady.”

The other concubines assumed I was intentionally venting my anger on her because she was Jieyu Jiang’s sister, so they settled in to watch the show.

Hearing my voice, Talented Lady Jiang opened her eyes. Her voice was low and steady. “There are bound to be many storms in the palace. If I cannot find peace now, what will I do in the future?”

I gave her a long, searching look.

She wasn’t exceptionally beautiful-her looks were merely above average. Her aura was delicate, yet she possessed an indescribable charm.

She had been bullied her whole life within the Jiang Family, yet she had managed to enter the palace despite her status as a concubine’s daughter. She certainly had her own ways.

This woman was destined for greatness.

With that thought, I spoke calmly.

“Talented Lady, you are kneeling right in the draft. The cold air invading your body is not good for a woman’s health.”

I looked at the others. “I must ask the rest of you ladies to move aside.”

The other concubines were stunned. They had been tormenting Talented Lady Jiang by intentionally forcing her into the coldest spot; now, they were compelled to give up a warmer position.

Talented Lady Jiang was also taken aback. For the first time, a ripple of emotion appeared on that face which was usually as still as water.

She didn’t understand why I was helping her.

But I had already turned to leave.

Tonight was productive.

I had finally found my ally.