"Touching the Jade" - Chapter Thirty-Seven

So Weiwei settled down in Chenghuan Palace. That day, she insisted that Tianxi take her for a stroll in the Imperial Garden. Tianxi smiled and tapped her forehead, saying, "Going for a stroll is easy, but first you have to follow all the proper etiquette."
Weiwei hurriedly asked what it was, and Tianxi said, "Now that you've come to this palace, according to the rules, you have to greet the person in charge here, otherwise it means you don't respect others."
Upon hearing this, Weiwei asked, "The person in charge? I heard that the current emperor's first empress passed away, and no new empress has been appointed. Where would a person in charge come from?"
Tianxi smiled and replied, "The Empress certainly doesn't have one, but there should be someone in the palace who makes decisions. Currently, Consort Zhu is in charge of the entire harem. You should come with me to pay her a visit, so she won't gossip."
Weiwei nodded in agreement. Then, remembering something, she asked, "What kind of person is Consort Zhu? Is she good-tempered?"
Tianxi paused slightly, suddenly recalling how, upon being newly appointed as a concubine, he had visited Consort Zhu out of politeness and a somewhat humble desire to curry favor. The elegant and beautiful woman sat regally on her throne, her head slightly tilted and chin raised, saying rather coldly, "This is truly perplexing. Logically, you and I are both ranked among the Four Consorts. I should be closer to you. But now I don't know whether to call you 'sister' or 'brother.' Consort Li, what do you say?"
Tianxi was so overwhelmed by her powerful aura that he couldn't lift his head. The concubines on all sides watched their conversation with amusement. Seeing his embarrassment, they all chuckled and hid behind their sleeves. Tianxi felt the laughter pricking his face like needles, and he almost wanted to run away immediately. Finally, he held back and forced a smile, saying, "Your Highness, please call me whatever you like. Or just call me Xiao Tian."
Consort Zhu raised her delicate, willow-leaf-shaped eyebrows, feigning surprise, and said, "Xiao Tian? That won't do. Isn't that how His Majesty addresses you? We're both consorts, practically the same kind of people. How could I dare ask to be called the same as His Majesty in front of you? Let's not. Just call me Consort Li. It's also to avoid suspicion, lest people say that I'm trying to win over the favored concubines in the harem, or that His Majesty's favorite has ulterior motives."
These barbed words left Tianxi blushing and flustered. Then, Consort Zhu ignored him, turning slightly to talk to a few palace maids nearby. The concubines and noblewomen in the hall were all chatting animatedly, but no one paid him any attention. From beginning to end, no one glanced at him, treating him like an insignificant pebble on the roadside.
Compared to outright contempt, this utter disregard was far more unbearable. Tianxi didn't remember how long he stood there dumbfounded, or how he eventually left. But from that moment on, he held no expectations whatsoever for anyone in the palace, not even a lowly concubine.
Although she understood her situation in the palace, she still had to maintain appearances. Not wanting to burden Weiwei, Tianxi composed herself and smiled kindly at Weiwei, saying, "Pack your things, let's go."
However, they did not see Consort Zhu. They had barely sat down in the hall when a palace maid came out, speaking respectfully yet arrogantly, and said, "Reporting to Consort Li, our Consort said that she is busy managing palace affairs day and night, and is never free, unlike ordinary people who can only enjoy their leisure time. Now that she finally has some free time to rest, she does not wish to see irrelevant outsiders, and has specially ordered this servant to invite Her Highness to return to the palace."
This outcome was not unexpected for Tianxi. He smiled wryly and said, "In that case, we'll be going. Please tell Her Highness that although there are many affairs in the palace, you must take care of your health." The palace maid did not stand on ceremony and bowed slightly, saying, "This servant respectfully sees off Her Highness Consort Li."
Then Tianxi brought Weiwei out.
On the way back, Weiwei was indignant. She angrily asked Tianxi, "Who is this Consort Zhu? She's a consort, but you're no less. We came all the way here with gifts to see her, and why does she put on airs towards us? She even had that palace maid say those things, it's obvious she's looking down on us! That palace maid even dared to treat you like that. And you, how can you be so spineless? If it were me, I should have slapped that lackey twice right then and there, and then barged in to see what she was up to."
She shouted angrily, and Tianxi quickly covered her mouth to prevent the attendants outside the carriage from hearing more shocking words. After Weiwei stopped muttering, she smiled bitterly and said, "You don't understand. Although I am one of the four consorts along with her, she is a deeply rooted tree. Even His Majesty has to show her respect, and he still visits her palace for a few days every month. Compared to her, I am just a blade of grass. I can live a glamorous life in the palace because of His Majesty's favor. If His Majesty were gone, I would probably be trampled into the mud immediately."
Weiwei was still indignant, but now she was curious and asked, "Just who is this Consort Zhu? Why does His Majesty treat her so well, to the point that even you feel inferior? Could she be more beautiful than you and me, and also know how to please His Majesty?"
Tianxi shook his head and said, "She doesn't need to please His Majesty like we do." Because he was facing his closest relative, he never made any preparations. For a moment, he didn't even notice the inappropriateness in Weiwei's words and continued, "It is said that besides the late Empress, she is the one who has served His Majesty the longest, for more than twenty years now, and has given birth to one son and three daughters for His Majesty."
During His Majesty's military campaigns, she and her family contributed significantly. After the late Empress's passing, His Majesty appointed her to manage the palace affairs, a position she has held for over ten years. Consider the depth of her influence and prestige she has cultivated within the palace over these ten years—something none of us can challenge. Therefore, knowing she dislikes me, I can only yield.
He patiently explained to Weiwei, but Weiwei was still somewhat puzzled and asked, "Then...then doesn't His Majesty care? You're being bullied like this, and His Majesty doesn't even intervene?"
Tianxi gave another wry smile and said, "His Majesty is busy with state affairs, how could I dare to bother him with such a matter? Besides, even if I told him, what would happen? Would His Majesty really reprimand Consort Zhu for my sake? If not, wouldn't that just embarrass me? Why bother? It's better to avoid trouble. Anyway, the inner palace is a hundred miles wide, we can completely keep to ourselves. I'll just stay in Chenghuan Palace and live my life peacefully."
Weiwei frowned and pouted, remaining silent. Tianxi found her appearance amusing and teased her, "Oh dear, don't worry about me. Look at this beautiful girl, her face all scrunched up like a bitter gourd. Don't worry, even if Consort Zhu dislikes me, she hasn't really made things difficult for me. Don't worry, my life is still quite good."
Weiwei remained silent for a long time before raising her head and saying expressionlessly, "In the end, it's because His Majesty doesn't like you or cherish you enough."
Tianxi was taken aback, then remembered Li Qingong, and those few wild and lewd nights, the man who had filled him with both immense shame and unprecedented excitement. A mix of emotions welled up inside him, but he dared not show it to Weiwei. His lips barely moved, but before he could speak, Weiwei turned her head, looking at him strangely, and said, "You're really useless..."

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"Touching the Jade" - Chapter Thirty-Seven

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