She had stayed by Baili Ziyun’s side for so long, and had watched closely when Baili Ziyun practiced etiquette. At night, she had practiced even more diligently.
She couldn't guarantee she was the best, but dealing with the person in front of her, it was absolutely not a problem.
Thus, Lin Xiaowei curtsied gracefully, performing a perfectly standard kneeling bow.
Upon seeing this, Qingcao’s face darkened.
Although she desperately wanted to find fault, her intention today was merely to give Lin Xiaowei a stern warning, not to destroy her. If she were to be too harsh and give others an excuse, then not only she, but even Consort Rong would be unable to benefit.
With this thought, Qingcao said coldly, "Wait here."
After speaking, she turned and entered the room.
Low voices could be heard from within.
After a short while, Qingcao emerged again and said to Lin Xiaowei, "You may go in."
Having spoken, and without regard for Lin Xiaowei's reaction, she turned and entered the room.
Xiao Muzi’s mouth was wide open in surprise.
He looked at Lin Xiaowei with some astonishment, never expecting that Lin Xiaowei would actually have some skill to enter the main hall under Qingcao's difficult test.
He felt fortunate once again for his choice.
Lin Xiaowei concealed her feelings, maintaining a gentle smile on her face as she walked into the main hall with Xiao Muzi.
Upon entering the main hall, she saw a beautiful woman seated in the main seat, looking at her coldly.
This was already unexpected, but what truly surprised Lin Xiaowei was that sitting in the upper left position were Grand Princess Zande and Baili Ziyun beside her.
Why were they here?
Why were they in the palace so early?
Could it be that they knew she would be coming to pay respects to Consort Rong today, and had been waiting for her?
At that moment, Lin Xiaowei’s heart was in turmoil, feeling that she would surely not escape unscathed.
Instinctively, she began to hope that Sima Zhu would finish his morning court early and come to find her.
For some reason, time seemed to be passing exceptionally slowly today.
Lin Xiaowei met the gazes of the three women sitting there, feeling that every second was stretching out interminably.
In reality, it was but a blink of an eye.
Baili Ziyun looked at Lin Xiaowei’s luxurious robes and beautiful face, her eyes flashing with intense rage.
Why!
Why was this woman who appeared out of nowhere favored by the Emperor more than she was?
Why had she entered the palace before her and gained the Emperor’s favor?
Why was all of this happening?
Grand Princess Zande was comparatively much calmer.
Yet, even so, she made Lin Xiaowei feel as though she had fallen into an ice cellar, trembling with cold all over.
Consort Rong glanced at Lin Xiaowei, then at Baili Ziyun and Grand Princess Zande, a fleeting smile appearing in her eyes.
It was excellent for these three to be at each other's throats.
Although the influx of new people into the harem was an unchangeable reality, these two women posed a great threat to her.
There was no need to elaborate on Baili Ziyun; she had a powerful background. Even if she herself was not favored by the Emperor, with her mother, Grand Princess Zande, by her side, she could walk sideways in this harem.
As for Lin Xiaowei, although she had no background, a woman like her was naturally able to attract men's attention and make them infatuated with her.
Even though she had only been in the palace for a day, seeing that the Emperor had even given Xiao Muzi to her, it was clear that once this person grew, she would be a formidable threat.
The room fell silent for a long time. Lin Xiaowei felt as though her back was already drenched in cold sweat before she finally broke the silence.
"Grand Princess, it has been a long time."
The moment the words left her mouth, Lin Xiaowei regretted them.
What a long time? They had clearly met just the day before.
As expected, upon hearing Lin Xiaowei's words, Baili Ziyun immediately retorted with a darkened face, "Lin Xiaowei, you shameless little slut! You haven't seen me for just two days, and you've already become a mere noble lady, acting all high and mighty. What do you mean 'it has been a long time'? Was your 'long time' just one day?"
Lin Xiaowei knew she would be caught out, but Baili Ziyun's barrage of words still made her feel extremely embarrassed.
"Ziyun, it's me..."
"Who are you calling Ziyun? Look at yourself, what are you? What is your status that you have the right to call me by my name? You're just a dog that followed me out, and you haven't even found your footing, yet you're already thinking of being my equal. Do you think you're worthy?"
If Shen Xiaoyan and the others were present, they would have almost applauded Baili Ziyun’s speech.
Compared to when they first met, Baili Ziyun's attack power aside, her verbal prowess had truly become formidable!
Lin Xiaowei experienced this firsthand.
She hadn't expected that after just one day apart, Baili Ziyun would become so sharp, with every word she spoke laced with barbs, as if wanting to stab her to death.
Tears welled up in her eyes, circling. If Sima Zhu were here, he would likely have held her close with a heart full of pain.
Unfortunately, she was now facing three women, three women who regarded her as a thorn in their side.
That they hadn't immediately slapped her was already a concession considering their status.
Thus, Baili Ziyun spoke again.
"Wipe away those cheap tears. Why are you crying in front of us? None of us will pity you. If you continue to cry, I’ll gouge out your eyeballs."
"Whose eyeballs are you going to gouge out?"
An angry male voice boomed from outside the door. Then, several people saw the curtain being lifted, and Sima Zhu entered with Wang Lin.
The moment Consort Rong saw Sima Zhu, she instinctively looked behind Lin Xiaowei, and indeed, did not see Xiao Muzi.
Then, she looked towards the door and saw Xiao Muzi entering, his face still expressionless, but with a glint in his eyes.
Consort Rong inwardly regretted her oversight.
She had been so focused on watching the drama that she forgot to keep an eye on Xiao Muzi.
With one careless move, she had allowed him to go find the Emperor.
What was even more infuriating was that the Emperor had actually come.
Seeing Sima Zhu approaching, Consort Rong could no longer concern herself with anything else. She stood up, took a few steps forward, and bowed gracefully to Sima Zhu.
"Your humble consort greets Your Majesty. Your Majesty has just finished court, have you not had breakfast yet? By chance, this consort has also not eaten. I shall have them serve it immediately!"
Sima Zhu cast a cold glance at Consort Rong. "It seems Consort Rong is in good spirits because of her good fortune. Even in this situation, she is still only thinking about eating."
Consort Rong was stunned. She instantly regretted her words.
She had only been thinking of appeasing the Emperor, forgetting that the Emperor at this moment was a powder keg, not to be provoked.
"Your Majesty, this consort has absolutely no such intention, it was just..."
Sima Zhu waved his hand, interrupting Consort Rong's next words. "Enough, there is no need to say more."
Saying this, Sima Zhu walked to Lin Xiaowei's side and pulled her into his embrace. "Xiaowei, did they scare you?"
As he spoke, he gently wiped away the tears from the corners of Lin Xiaowei's eyes with his large hand.
Seeing Lin Xiaowei’s pale face, Sima Zhu’s heartache intensified.
Lin Xiaowei’s nose twitched. As she opened her mouth, before she could speak, tears began to stream down her face.
She wiped her face haphazardly and said urgently, "Your Majesty, Xiaowei is fine. It's just... it's just that something got into my eyes. It has nothing to do with Ziyun... with Miss Baili."
As she spoke, Lin Xiaowei's voice grew softer, and her head involuntarily drooped.
This appearance of Lin Xiaowei made Sima Zhu feel even more heartbroken.
On the other side, Baili Ziyun opened her mouth to retort, but Grand Princess Zande quickly covered her mouth.
Baili Ziyun looked at her mother with confusion, not understanding why she wasn't allowed to speak.
Grand Princess Zande patted Baili Ziyun a few times and then said softly, "Your Majesty, although Ziyun's words were presumptuous, they were spoken out of respect for rules and etiquette. After all, this Lin... Noble Lady was once someone by Ziyun's side. Now, she wants to call Ziyun sister and address her by name, which is why Ziyun was so upset. After all, Ziyun has always been a person who values rules and etiquette, isn't that right?"
Grand Princess Zande's words were a mixture of softness and hardness.
Normally, Sima Zhu would have fallen for this tactic.
However, today, Sima Zhu, utterly captivated by Lin Xiaowei, was completely unmoved.
He only said, "Baili Ziyun is merely the daughter of a married-off princess, but Xiaowei is my woman. Is the Princess saying that Xiaowei's status is not enough to address Baili Ziyun by name?"
Lin Xiaowei’s hands instinctively clenched at her sides, revealing her nervousness and hope to Sima Zhu.
He patted Lin Xiaowei's hand and continued, "Since the Princess believes so, then so be it. Issue my decree: I hereby confer upon Lin Xiaowei the rank of Jade Consort, of the fourth rank, and grant her the position of the head of a palace."
This statement was truly earth-shattering, causing everyone present to feel their heads spin.
Consort Rong's face changed several times before she forced a smile. "Your Majesty is joking. How can this be compared to a princess with whom Your Majesty is displeased?"
Sima Zhu gave her a cold look, and Consort Rong immediately fell silent.
Sima Zhu's attitude made her understand.
What he had just said was true, not a joke.
It seemed the Emperor truly doted on Lin Xiaowei.
Yet, it was precisely because of this that Consort Rong found it even more unbelievable.
Was this still the Emperor she knew?
In just one day, he had become so infatuated with Lin Xiaowei.
Was she truly a vixen?
"Your Majesty, this... my sister has only just entered the palace, and to be so generously rewarded, I fear the other women in the harem may not be pleased," Consort Rong said cautiously.
Sima Zhu, however, paid no heed.
"Whoever is displeased, let them come and find me."
At this, Consort Rong could no longer say anything.
What else could she say when things had come to this point?
If she continued, the Emperor would likely become disgusted with her.
Although she felt that Lin Xiaowei's rapid ascent to the rank of Consort posed a great threat to her, at least she was still the highest-ranking person in the harem. If she truly incurred the Emperor's displeasure, she would only have the position without any actual power, and would have to bear the bitterness alone.
Grand Princess Zande had initially hoped to see Consort Rong argue logically with the Emperor, but to her surprise, Consort Rong had already surrendered after just a few words.
Seeing Sima Zhu look at her, Grand Princess Zande felt a surge of annoyance.
However, thinking of her daughter, Grand Princess Zande suppressed her annoyance and spoke with a smile.
"Your Majesty, Xiaowei has already become a Consort. May I ask what rank Your Majesty intends to bestow upon Ziyun?"
Upon hearing Grand Princess Zande's question, Baili Ziyun looked at Sima Zhu anxiously.
She had been so distressed and uneasy upon returning home yesterday, fearing that her position as Empress would slip away.
It was only after her mother had thoroughly comforted her that she had finally calmed down.
But today, just now, she had only said a couple of words to that slut Lin Xiaowei, and the Emperor had actually bestowed the rank of Consort upon that slut.
This was a blatant slap in her face, yet she could not say anything.
Baili Ziyun silently comforted herself, thinking that as long as she became Empress, she could reclaim all the grievances she suffered today in the future.