Chapter 3
I had a covert guard skilled in disguise take the maid’s place and send Lady Lu word that everything was ready.
I did not, however, give Lady Lu much time to react.
I was now the Imperial Noble Consort. She was merely a consort of the senior second rank.
Like the other consorts, she was required to come to Fuyao Palace every day to pay her respects.
But I had always been merciful. Upon receiving my new rank, I had permitted them to come only once every three days.
Even so, Lady Lu was late every time.
This occasion was no different. She sauntered in late, yawned as soon as she entered, and offered the most perfunctory salute imaginable.
As always, I let it pass and smilingly told her to rise.
Only after she sat down did she notice that Yao Shuangxue, who never usually came to pay her respects, had made an unprecedented appearance.
“Well, what special day is this, to bring Sister Yao all the way here?”
Her mockery implied that Yao Shuangxue, with her humble upbringing, knew nothing of proper manners.
As though she had missed the insinuation, Yao Shuangxue smiled sweetly and rose to greet her.
“I wish you well, Sister Lu.”
Her good sense won her no kindness. Lady Lu merely snorted and ignored her.
An awkward silence settled over the room.
Yao Shuangxue bit her lower lip. As if reaching some painful decision, she lifted a bowl of tea and knelt at Lady Lu’s feet.
“I have long heard that you are one of the finest noble ladies in Changjing, Sister Lu. I have admired you for so long.”
“I am clumsy with words and know little of etiquette. If I have offended you in the past, please forgive me.”
She raised the bowl above her head. “Let me take this opportunity to offer you my apologies.”
As though she had heard nothing, Lady Lu continued to inspect her nails, stained red with balsam juice.
She never noticed the fleeting glimpse of an imperial yellow hem outside the door.
I broke in with a teasing smile. “Sister Lu, stop daydreaming. Consort Yao is still kneeling there offering you tea.”
Only then did Lady Lu pretend to notice. “Sister Yao! Whatever are you doing?”
“Get up at once. You’re His Majesty’s darling. How could I possibly accept tea from you?”
She made no move to take the bowl. Leaving Yao Shuangxue to hold it aloft, she continued her sneering remarks.
“Then again, you certainly have your talents. For your sake alone, His Majesty treats the rest of the harem as though we do not exist. He has even neglected affairs of state.”
“You really must teach me how you seduce a man so well.”
Yao Shuangxue looked up into Consort Lu’s overbearing gaze. Tears immediately filled her eyes.
“It’s all my fault, Sister. Please don’t make yourself ill with anger. Have some tea and calm yourself.”
Her submission did wonders for Lady Lu’s vanity.
“As long as you understand your mistake. A wildflower growing in a mountain gully can never compare with a magnificent peony.”
“Don’t imagine a little favor will let you fly to the highest branch. I have the Lu clan of Fanyang behind me. Never mind a mere second-rank consort like you—”
At that, she gave me a sidelong look and snorted. “Even a Noble Consort or an Imperial Noble Consort would be as easy to crush as an ant.”
I nearly laughed aloud and hastily stifled it.