Reborn as the Crippled King's Beloved
Chapter 413: Both Master Mei and Consort Jing Are from Jiangnan

Chapter 413: Chapter 413: Both Master Mei and Consort Jing Are from Jiangnan

"Consort Qi Eldest Sister, did you not rest well, why does your complexion look so poor? Look at Consort Jing, her complexion is truly radiant today, making even the flowers pale in comparison."

The performance troupe was about to begin, and everyone had arrived.

Talented Lady Xu sidled up to Consort Jing, speaking in a coquettish voice.

Everyone looked towards Consort Qi, whose complexion was indeed not very good, with dark circles under her eyes as if she had not slept well all night, so much that not even her makeup could hide her haggardness.

Looking at Consort Jing, although her looks were not as striking as Consort Qi’s, she seemed to be in a good mood with a healthy complexion and a faint smile on her face, and everything she wore and adorned herself with was exquisite.

It was known that the Internal Affairs Office always catered to favoritism. Previously, when Consort Qi was favored, the finest things were naturally sent to her first, even surpassing the Empress at the time in prominence, but now, who did not know that Consort Jing was the Emperor’s favorite woman?

The items in the harem were always first sent for Consort Jing to choose, and the leftovers were for everyone else.

As the saying goes, wealth nurtures the person, isn’t it obvious why Consort Jing looked so radiant?

Moreover, who among those present did not know that this performance troupe was originally invited into the palace by Consort Qi? She had spoken repeatedly about it beforehand with the Emperor, yet she hadn’t even seen the first act when Consort Jing took it over as well as hosted a feast for the rest of the harem. It was no wonder Consort Qi looked upset.

Talented Lady Xu, originally found by the Third Prince from the common folk, was naturally inclined to ingratiating herself with Consort Jing. Her sycophantic demeanor, although it offended Consort Qi, pleased Consort Jing. In the future, if Consort Jing became the Empress, she might also rise in rank.

With Consort Qi being put down, her face slightly darkened, and she let out a cold snort but did not speak.

It was then that Consort Jing slowly spoke, "Consort Qi, my younger sister, you should rest well and take care of your health. If you truly feel uncomfortable, you might consider returning to rest."

Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent as if chilled, not daring to make a sound.

Consort Jing was usually gentle and had never been involved in a quarrel before. It had not been long since the death of the Empress, yet she was already subtly mocking Consort Qi.

But on reflection, the targeting by Consort Jing was not unexpected. The Fourth Prince had been executed to death, leaving only the Eldest Prince, the Second Prince, and the Third Prince as the adult princes.

Among them, the Second Prince was disabled, with a mother who was a convicted Empress, making it impossible for him to inherit the throne. This left only the Eldest Prince and Prince Ling, who could compete with the Third Prince.

And the mother of Prince Ling was none other than Consort Qi.

Previously Consort Qi was Noble Consort Qi, able to overshadow Consort Jing. Now, as both held the position of consort, it was clear that Consort Jing was still the woman more beloved by the Emperor, and the Third Prince was more favored by the Emperor as well.

It was only logical for Consort Jing to suppress Consort Qi; otherwise, she wouldn’t have taken over Consort Qi’s performance troupe.

Consort Qi, irritated, promptly stood up.

Her complexion was poor not because of Consort Jing but because she had wanted Jun Yuyan to send their two children to stay in the palace for a short while, yet Jun Yuyan had flatly refused, causing her to lose sleep all night.

But now, Consort Jing truly had irritated her.

"Your Majesty... the play has started."

The palace maid Hua Ping, supporting Consort Qi’s hand, whispered.

At this moment, the sounds of the performance had already started resonating in the area, immediately capturing Consort Qi’s attention.

She was extremely fond of watching plays; initially, when the Emperor doted on her, what did she not have? Once she fell out of favor, the Emperor found an excuse to dismiss those performers from the palace.

An emperor’s love is fickle, as it always is.

Consort Qi had long given up any expectations from the Emperor, and after a thought, she felt no need to stoop to petty squabbles with a country woman like Consort Jing and disturb her mood for watching the play; she sat back down.

It was also pitiful to say; she needed the Emperor’s permission even to watch a play. Previously, she did not realize how terrifying the Imperial Palace was, but now she deeply understood the plight of the women in the palace. Had she not married into the imperial family, she would merely be the main wife of a household, and watching a play would have been a simple matter.

Ordinary people could watch plays at temple fairs whenever they took to the streets, yet she was truly worse off than ordinary citizens.

Watching the performance, Consort Qi’s emotions remained unsettled.

But objectively speaking, these performers from the south all had strong foundations; a rendition of "Mother Yang Sending Her Son" had moved many concubines to tears.

Just as Consort Qi was preparing to leave early, she suddenly noticed that Consort Jing was exchanging glances with a refined middle-aged man at the back right of the stage!

Something was not right!

In a flash, Consort Qi somehow thought of Consort Jing’s background.

Consort Jing had entered the Imperial Palace as a palace maid, and she wasn’t brought into the palace by the Emperor, but happened to be among that group of palace maids without attracting anyone’s attention.

Later, Consort Jing went to serve the Emperor’s side as a palace maid. Only after she became pregnant did the Emperor pretend to have taken her by mistake during an inebriated episode, casually assigning Consort Jing a minor position and relegating her to a remote palace. The Emperor hardly visited her after that.

Everyone thought that Consort Jing was out of favor, and Consort Qi had never really considered her significant.

Back then, because Consort Jing had a southern accent, Consort Qi had even mocked her.

At this moment, Consort Qi suddenly remembered that Consort Jing was from Jiangnan, and so was this troupe.

Just by seeing Consort Jing’s surprised look, unable to conceal her emotions, it was clear that she and the middle-aged troupe leader were old acquaintances.

Consort Qi sat back down, discreetly observing Consort Jing, but Consort Jing had already turned her attention back to the stage, no longer looking at the refined troupe leader.

Until all the performances had ended, Consort Jing did not take her eyes off the stage.

However, the troupe leader kept standing there, casting covert glances over.

Returning to her own palace, Consort Qi wore a big smile and even started humming a little tune.

"Hua Ping, have someone go to Prince Ling’s Mansion again and have them send Zhijin and Zhiyu to the palace. Tell them I have a secret about Consort Jing to share with them," she said.

Hua Ping’s eyes flickered slightly before she smiled and agreed.

"I didn’t expect mother to have such a keen observation. It’s only the first day of performances, and she already noticed something between Consort Jing and Master Mei."

The news was relayed back to Prince Ling’s Mansion, where Jun Yuyan flatly refused.

Murong Jiu couldn’t help but laugh as he spoke.

Indeed, this troupe had been brought to the Capital City by Jun Yuyan earlier. It was also by leveraging Consort Qi’s love for opera. He had specifically had Hua Ping mention it in front of her, and as expected, Consort Qi invited them into the palace.

Even if Consort Jing did not outshine Consort Qi, by the time the palace held performances, she would inevitably meet Master Mei.

And with Consort Jing starting to target Consort Qi, deliberately suppressing her and taking over the troupe, it only made things proceed more smoothly.

Jun Yuyan said, "Don’t bother with her; some things shouldn’t be revealed too soon."

"Just worried she might spoil things, acting prematurely."

"Rest assured, Hua Ping will keep a close watch on her, ensuring she doesn’t mess things up. As for wanting to meet Zhijin and Zhiyu, let her meet them in her dreams."

Jun Yuyan didn’t allow his children to enter the palace, not only because the palace was dangerous, but also because of his disfavor towards Consort Qi.

He could overlook the grievances he faced in the past, but he could not tolerate even the slightest mistreatment of Ah Jiu at the hands of his mother.

When Consort Qi learned to respect Ah Jiu, only then would he consider letting his children meet her.