Palace Fighting Naive Concubines’ Ascent to Power
Chapter 278: The Baby Bok Choy Comes Alive

Chapter 278: Chapter 278: The Baby Bok Choy Comes Alive

The Noble Consort’s teeth were clenched so tight, they might have shattered, but she managed a strained smile and said, "It’s just a matter of seating arrangement, let’s change it then, it’s no big deal. Today’s Mid-Autumn Banquet is a family feast, it’s good for the sisters to relax. However, this must not happen again in the future; one must not forget their rank and the propriety of hierarchy."

"Thank you for your understanding, Consort," Xu Zhaoyi immediately ordered someone to move Beauty Zhao’s entire table away and replace it with a new one, placing it extremely close to Lian Hua’s table so that there was not even a sliver of space between the two; they could touch each other by merely reaching out their hands.

Last of all she said to Beauty Zhao, "It was I who wanted to switch to a lower seat; you’re not disrespecting the ranks by sitting here. Please, take a seat."

The Noble Consort’s heart was thumping with anger; Xu Zhaoyi’s words were ostensibly directed at Beauty Zhao; but were actually a retort to herself.

Beauty Zhao answered, "Yes," and sat down, trembling with fear. She was now sitting in Xu Zhaoyi’s place, and her status did not justify her position, which made her extremely anxious.

Lian Hua settled down comfortably, her eyes continuously bright and sparkling as she watched Xu Zhaoyi.

Once Xu Zhaoyi had taken her seat, Lian Hua leaned over excitedly and said, "Sister, why are you so late? I’ve missed you so much."

Her excitement was plain to see, like a wilted cabbage that had been watered, springing back to life.

Xu Zhaoyi looked at her cute expression, couldn’t help but reach out to pinch Lian Hua’s face, and replied with a smile, "I was delayed by some matters and arrived late. I have some things to deal with first, and then I will come and talk to you."

Lian Hua was curious. They had already changed seats, so what else was there to handle? However, she trusted whatever her sister said and waited obediently.

At this moment, the hall was somewhat quiet, apart from the Noble Consort, everyone else was surreptitiously watching Xu Zhaoyi and Lian Hua. Seeing their intimate behavior, nobody knew when the two of them had become so close.

Xu Zhaoyi patted Lian Hua, telling her to sit up straight, then looked back at the hall.

Those swept by her gaze immediately lowered their heads, feeling that Xu Zhaoyi’s eyes were very sharp, carrying an imposing aura that captivated people.

With a smile that was not quite a smile, Xu Zhaoyi looked around slowly and then murmured, "Just now, who was it that forced my sister to serve tea?"

Her gaze swept around and finally settled on the face of Consort Zhen, who seemed like a weak person.

Consort Zhen’s face paled, and she said in a panic, "No, I didn’t mean that, Sister Xu, I was thinking of Beauty Lian’s best interest. It’s just a tea to exchange sisterly affection, it was for her own good."

Xu Zhaoyi let out an ironic laugh, her gaze coldly fixed on Consort Zhen, "Oh? For her good?"

As she spoke, her hand reached for the whip she carried with her, bringing it to the table and caressing it repeatedly.

Consort Zhen’s face drained of all color, and she stood up shakily, saying, "Sister Xu, I’m feeling a bit unwell, Noble Consort, please allow this consort to retire."

With that, she turned and fled, supported by her palace maid.

The Noble Consort immediately burst into rage, slamming her hand fiercely on the table, and could no longer hold back her shout, "Rong Ying, you’ve got some nerve, don’t you have any respect for rank and propriety? Consort Zhen is higher than you by two ranks, and you’ve bullied her into leaving her seat as soon as you arrived!"

Her anger rose and fell in her chest; the barbarian dared to intimidate a high-grade consort under her watchful eye, and who’s to say she wouldn’t dare to do the same to her in the future!

Xu Zhaoyi raised her eyebrows mockingly and said, "What are you talking about, Noble Consort? I haven’t done anything."

Turing her head towards Consort Zhen, who was heading to the door of the hall, she continued, "Please wait, Consort Zhen. The Noble Consort is saying that I forced you to leave your seat; how could I dare to take such an accusation? Please come back."

Consort Zhen’s legs went soft with fear, causing her to stagger, but she was supported by a palace maid and didn’t fall. She hastily looked back and said, "It’s my own weakness, it’s the frailty of my body as a concubine, and has nothing to do with Sister Xu. Noble Consort, please forgive me for being unwell and unable to join my sisters in celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival. I beg to take my leave, my leave."

She had entered the palace early and knew that Xu Zhaoyi was a battle-hardened woman who killed without batting an eye. The blood on her hands was more than anyone could fathom, far beyond what any sheltered maiden could compare to.

Xu Zhaoyi’s temperament had become much more restrained nowadays, so many of the later concubines had never seen her like a ruthless warrior.

But Consort Zhen had witnessed with her own eyes how Xu Zhaoyi used her whip to lash those who disrespected her, without a word she would whip someone until their skin split and flesh opened. That bloody scene still haunted Consort Zhen to this day.

Who dares to reason with the unreasonable!

Hence, in this palace, everyone could be provoked, even the Noble Consort herself, because the Noble Consort was reasonable and would consider her dignity, but Xu Zhaoyi was the one person who absolutely could not be provoked.

After Consort Zhen finished speaking, she glanced at Xu Zhaoyi in alarm, and seeing that there was no intention of retaining her, she hurriedly, flustered and flurried, let people help her to quickly exit the hall, in a panic to escape, fearing that she might not be able to leave later.

Concubine Fang was also among the first group of concubines to enter the palace! She had some knowledge of Xu Zhaoyi and didn’t dare to make a sound. Luckily, she had not spoken out of turn just now, that was close.

Aside from the Noble Consort, Xu Zhaoyi, Concubine Fang, and Lian Hua, everyone else was dumbstruck and looked at each other in disbelief, unable to believe that a consort had been frightened away by a Zhaoyi.

Lian Hua was also dumbfounded, but unlike the others, her eyes were filled with admiration, and her mouth slightly open, she twisted her head and looked at Xu Zhaoyi as if she were looking at a hero.

The Noble Consort’s lips quivered with anger, yet she could not refute or say anything in response.

Changzai Zhou lowered her head, her eyes thoughtful. She was also greatly shaken by today’s events. Consort Zhen, though appearing weak, had managed to maintain her rank as a consort and had a peaceful coexistence with the Noble Consort. She had never thought her to be simple.

And yet such a person had been scared away by Xu Zhaoyi, which was very comical and a great contrast.

She stole a glance at Xu Zhaoyi and reconsidered the daughter of the military family anew...

In the hall, only Xu Zhaoyi was calm and collected. She sensed the gazes upon her, turned her head to look, and couldn’t help but smile brightly at the person next to her. She reached out to pinch Lian Hua’s chin, and looked her over from left to right: "Today, this makeup isn’t bad, you don’t look so easy to bully anymore."

Lian Hua held Xu Zhaoyi’s hand, and looking around sneakily like a thief, she whispered, "Sister, you are so fierce!"

"Hahaha, you are truly cute, my sister." Xu Zhaoyi laughed out loud, then imitated Lian Hua’s manner, whispering, "Sister, do you feel better now?"

Lian Hua’s eyes crinkled with her smile, nodding vigorously like pounding garlic, following Sister Zhaoyi’s lead in getting immediate revenge felt utterly exhilarating!

Unlike His Majesty, whose vendettas seemed so refined, she had to ponder a bit to discern whether he had avenged her or not.

She preferred the kind of retaliation where if someone struck her, she would return the blow forcefully and directly, satisfying and swift. Just look at how Sister Zhaoyi had scared someone away just now, haha.

Speaking of the Emperor, he was at that moment having just finished offering sacrifices to the moon with his ministers, and the elaborate and complex rites had certainly been time-consuming.

After descending from the Moon Worship Altar, he was heading toward the Taiji Hall. On the way, an inconspicuous young eunuch reported something to him, to which he responded expressionlessly, "Deal with them all tomorrow."

It was a festive day today, and it was not suitable for shedding blood.

Little did he expect that there were still remnants from Lady Wei’s harem corruption case, colluding with Zhang Sancai, to take revenge on his Little Concubine.