Chapter 15: Concubine Wei

“Greetings, Jieyu.”

Xie Jiu performed a formal bow according to etiquette.

Consort Wei was slender and tall, with an oval face, phoenix eyes, a straight nose, and thin lips.

However, unlike Zhao Xingjin’s pair of phoenix eyes, Consort Wei had single eyelids. Thus, compared to the romantic and affectionate gaze of Zhao Xingjin, Consort Wei’s eyes gave her an air of cold detachment.

She was beautiful, naturally, but it was a beauty that felt somewhat aloof and sharp, making her difficult to approach.

Sure enough, at that moment, Consort Wei swept a glance over Xie Jiu and slightly lifted her chin. “I do not accept greetings that are improper and ambiguous.”

Having spoken, she stepped aside, as if avoiding something filthy.

Though she had never met Xie Jiu before, with just a little scrutiny, she could judge that Xie Jiu was not a concubine of the harem, making her status very clear.

After all, during these few days that Xie Jiu had been staying in Chengming Palace, who in the court or the harem did not know?

Facing this bluntness, Xie Jiu did not get angry; she merely replied composedly.

“If Jieyu does not accept the greetings of a married woman, then this woman must not forget the rules. I have disturbed Jieyu; this woman shall take her leave.”

She couldn't be bothered to entangle herself further.

These matters of words no longer had any impact on Xie Jiu.

She knew very well what she wanted now.

She would simply grasp the essential things; everything else was inconsequential.

But Consort Wei did not possess such a calm heart. Seeing Xie Jiu’s indifferent manner, she couldn't help but retort.

“Rules? You actually know of rules and etiquette? Then why do you persist in committing such shameless acts!”

“I fail to understand your meaning, Jieyu,” Xie Jiu turned to look at her, her eyes remaining undisturbed. “Please, speak plainly.”

Anger colored Consort Wei’s face. “Why play the fool? Do you dare to act but not to take responsibility? Truly hypocritical and disgusting!”

Having said this, she took a step forward, staring intently at Xie Jiu in a questioning and reprimanding manner.

“As a wife, to be entangled with an outsider; as a member of an official's family, to stay overnight in Chengming Palace—setting aside everything else, these two things alone violate ritual and law and are improper. You at least come from a scholarly and prestigious family; I truly do not know where you learned your sense of propriety and shame!”

“The Emperor commanded this woman to serve as the Princess's tutor, which is why I remain in the palace. This residence was also decided by the Emperor. If Jieyu has any dissatisfaction, you may certainly speak to the Emperor; there is truly no need to waste breath with me here.”

Even though the other party's words were becoming heated, Xie Jiu remained calm throughout. As she spoke, a slight curve appeared at the corner of her lips.

“As for the claim of being entangled with an outsider, that is even more baseless. Could it be that Jieyu personally witnessed this woman engaging in any improper conduct with someone?”

Her words left Consort Wei momentarily speechless.

Even with anger rising in her heart, Consort Wei still possessed her reason; she naturally would not, like Consort Fei, openly criticize Zhao Xingjin.

Seeing that Consort Wei had run out of words, Xie Jiu then composedly bowed again.

“This woman will not disturb Jieyu’s lotus viewing any longer. The weather is hot; Jieyu should return to a cool place to rest early so as not to suffer from the heat.”

With that, she turned and left.

Watching her retreating figure, Consort Wei’s face instantly flushed red.

“Shameless, cunning, and hypocritical! She is truly identical to her father! Such a woman of improper character, a vixen who bewitches the sovereign—how can she be allowed to stay in the palace? She will surely be a disaster in the future!”

“Please calm your anger, Jieyu. Do not let it harm your health. People like the Xie woman will meet their own karma,” the personal maid, Nianci, advised.

Consort Wei took a deep breath to steady herself, then spoke in a solemn, heavy voice.

“As a consort, it is only right to have the responsibility to admonish the Emperor. However, the Emperor may not be willing to listen to me. No, I must send word to my father and have him properly advise the Emperor. A woman like that must never be allowed to touch him!”

If it were anyone else, eighty percent of such words might be driven by personal resentment, but Consort Wei truly thought this way.

In her view, as an Emperor, it was perfectly normal for Zhao Xingjin to have three palaces and six courtyards, but these concubines should all come from clean backgrounds, follow the rules, and be dignified and polite.

A woman like Xie Jiu, who disregarded ritual and law and lacked virtue and shame, absolutely could not serve by the Emperor's side.

If she were to use her charms to mislead people in the future and cause Zhao Xingjin to lose his clarity, it would be a great calamity for the nation.

Hearing her say this, Nianci felt quite helpless.

Her mistress was good in every way, except that she had read too many books, making her temperament far too upright and rigid.

If she were a man, she would be quite suited to serve as an official censor in the court, but the problem was that Consort Wei’s current identity was that of a concubine.

What Emperor would enjoy having the woman by his side constantly speaking in the same manner as those old censor officials?

If it weren't for the fact that Wei Zhang was deeply trusted by the Emperor, given Consort Wei's temperament, she would likely have been relegated to the "cold bench" (neglect) the moment she entered the palace.

In fact, even now, Consort Wei could feel that Zhao Xingjin held no affection for her; he merely gave her some face because of her father.

But she was stubborn. Zhao Xingjin might not listen to her, but he would certainly listen to her father, Wei Zhang. Even if she had to go about it indirectly, she would voice her counsel.

After all, Consort Wei had entered the palace with the true intention of becoming a Virtuous Consort.

However, Xie Jiu did not care how Consort Wei continued to bite at her; she had already returned to Chengming Palace in a leisurely manner.

Zhao Xingjin was not there.

He had likely gone to the Empress's quarters and would only return after finishing lunch. Thus, after Xie Jiu handed the iced milk pudding she brought back from Princess Wenxi to Qingdong, she went to the side hall to rest.

In this sweltering heat, going out was truly exhausting.

After Chunrong closed the door, she brought over a round fan and stood beside her to fan her.

As she fanned, she couldn't help but say, “Consort Wei’s words were far too harsh.”

With no outsiders present, Chunrong could no longer hold it in.

“There will likely be no shortage of such words in the future,” Xie Jiu said, appearing largely unconcerned as she comforted her. “If we were to take every single thing to heart, wouldn't we die of exhaustion?”

Hearing this, Chunrong couldn't help but sigh, while Qingfang’s displeasure was even more plainly written on her face; she pouted, looking indignant on Xie Jiu's behalf.

“Alright, alright, don't be angry. How about I do something interesting for you both?” Xie Jiu winked at the two of them.

Qingfang was puzzled. “The rules in the palace are strict; what could we possibly do?”

“Indeed, the palace rules are strict, and living here is truly not comfortable enough. Furthermore, Consort Wei’s words today reminded me—staying here in Chengming Palace all the time is somewhat inappropriate.”

A shallow curve curled the corners of Xie Jiu's lips.

“So, I think it is time for me to return to the Marquis's manor.”

“Return?” Qingfang’s eyes widened.

Although she knew Xie Jiu's current status made it inconvenient to stay in the palace for long, Qingfang had thought that leaving the palace would have to wait for the Emperor's command. She was somewhat surprised that Xie Jiu was taking the initiative to say she wanted to go back.

“Of course I must return.” Xie Jiu curled her fingers, tapping the tabletop rhythmically. Her eyes narrowed slightly, as if she had thought of something amusing. “Calculating the days, it should be time to go back and watch a good show.”

Zhao Xingjin's investigation into corruption should have reached Wu Que by now.

She had to go back and tidy up her dowry, lest her silver also ends up in Zhao Xingjin's purse.

After lunch, Zhao Xingjin had still not returned.

Since waiting was boring, Xie Jiu took a book and leaned against the concubine sofa to pass the time.

Unexpectedly, as the afternoon drowsiness set in, she fell asleep.

It was just about half an hour after she fell asleep that Zhao Xingjin returned.

(End of Chapter)