The following day, when Ning Shuyan woke up, the bedding beside her was already cold.
Ziying had returned early to Lanyue Pavilion to fetch her clothes and was helping her change as she spoke excitedly, "Miss, when I went back to get your clothes, the Emperor had the Ministry of Internal Affairs deliver something. Can you guess what it is?"
"What is it?"
Since Xiao Yu often sent her things, Ning Shuyan wasn't surprised and felt little curiosity.
Ziying smiled mischievously. "You'll know once we return to the palace."
Ning Shuyan glared at her playfully, "Alright now, you're keeping secrets from me?"
Ziying only smiled more brightly at her teasing.
Then Ning Shuyan's tone turned slightly admonishing. "I've told you several times, from now on, you must address me as 'Young Mistress'."
Ziying quickly lowered her head in apology, "Yes, I'm sorry, Young Mistress. I got too excited and forgot."
Though Ziying was pure-hearted and innocent, Ning Shuyan still gave her a gentle reminder, "We're in the imperial harem now. The higher my rank becomes, the more eyes will be on us. Whether it's me or any of you, we can't afford a single misstep."
Ziying nodded guiltily, "Understood, Young Mistress. I promise I won't forget again."
Ning Shuyan took Ziying's hand and spoke kindly as they walked. "As long as you remember."
By the time they arrived at Fengqi Palace, the other consorts had already gathered. Rows of concubines were seated, and the moment Ning Shuyan entered, every pair of eyes turned toward her.
She remained calm and composed, ignoring their gazes as she paid her respects and then took her seat.
It was obvious what they were thinking: mocking her for having a palace maid elevated in status, waiting to see her embarrassment. Some seemed curious too—likely wondering why Lü Rui had been promoted while Ning Shuyan herself had stayed overnight in the Emperor's palace.
Consort Rong was the first to speak. "I must congratulate Beauty Ning. I hear the Emperor has taken a liking to one of your palace maids? You must be very good at training them." She chuckled awkwardly, lifting her handkerchief to hide her smirk.
Ning Shuyan smiled faintly, unhurriedly replying, "When it comes to training maids, I should really learn from you, Consort Rong."
Consort Rong's smile froze. Since returning from her house arrest, she'd noticed that Ning Shuyan was no longer the weak and yielding girl she remembered—Ning had defied her again and again.
Before she could respond, Jieyu Xi chimed in with a sly smile, "Indeed, every maid around Consort Rong is quite the standout."
The other consorts clearly hadn't forgotten the incident where Consort Rong's maid had tried to drown Ning Shuyan. Consort Rong snorted coldly, her beautiful eyes narrowing dangerously.
Then Zhaorong Lin spoke with a bright smile, "I heard that maid was sent to Yi He Palace? Beauty Ning, you're bold—placing someone in Consort Zhuang's palace like that."
Ning Shuyan replied coolly, "How could I have the authority to make that call? It was all His Majesty's decision."
Consort Rong was startled. "Why would His Majesty send that maid to Yi He Palace?"
Still smiling, Ning Shuyan said, "How would I know? If you're curious, Consort Rong, why not ask the Emperor yourself?"
Consort Rong raised her chin and looked Ning Shuyan up and down with disdain.
The discussion about her staying overnight in the Emperor's quarters quickly died down, overshadowed by the drama surrounding Lü Rui.
Just then, the subject of their gossip arrived. Ning Shuyan looked up and saw Lü Rui, still wearing the same green dress from the day before, her cheeks swollen with visible handprints and bruises beneath her eyes—a pitiful sight.
Lü Rui stepped forward quickly and gave a formal, respectful bow. "Greetings to all the noble ladies and elder sisters."
Zhaorong Lin chuckled, "As expected of a former palace maid—your etiquette is quite good."
But no one invited her to rise. Even Consort Rong pretended not to see her. It wasn't until Zhaoyi Ying spoke gently, "You may rise," that she was acknowledged.
After a pause, she added, "Your face looks injured—what happened?"
Lü Rui quickly covered her cheek and lowered her voice. "I... I hurt myself accidentally."
Consort Rong scoffed. She had known Consort Zhuang for nearly seven years and could tell this was definitely her handiwork. Yi He Palace was her pride, and now she had to house a woman elevated from maid status—no wonder she was furious.
Everyone saw the truth but chose not to speak it aloud. It wasn't until the Empress arrived that they rose to greet her.
The Empress glanced at Lü Rui first and, like Zhaoyi Ying, offered a few courteous words. Seeing the disdain in everyone's eyes, her gentle expression grew serious. "No matter her past, the Emperor has named Lü Rui a Court Lady. From now on, she is one of your sisters."
Then she turned to Ning Shuyan. "The Emperor sent word this morning—he's elevating you to Jieyu with the title 'Zhao'. Double blessings indeed."
If Lü Rui's sudden promotion had shocked everyone, Ning Shuyan's rise to Jieyu sparked envy.
She had only been in the palace for a year and had already been promoted twice—this was extremely rare. The Emperor was known to be stingy with ranks. Some senior consorts hadn't advanced in over three years.
Consort Rong's eyes burned coldly as they landed on Ning Shuyan, and though Ning didn't look up, she could feel that not just Consort Rong was staring daggers at her.
Jieyu Xi masked her surprise quickly and offered a calm congratulations. "Congratulations, Zhao Jieyu." Her face remained unreadable.
Zhaoyi Ying smiled as well. "The title Zhao is a lovely choice. Clearly, the Emperor treasures you. Congratulations, Sister."
The rest of the consorts forced out their own half-hearted congratulations. Ning Shuyan responded with a soft, gracious smile.
Meanwhile, Lü Rui stood to the side like a clown abandoned in the corner, her disheveled appearance painfully out of place.
By the time Consort Zhuang arrived, the group had been chatting for quite a while. As always, she was dressed in exquisite, dazzling finery—but her face showed obvious fatigue.
The first thing she asked after sitting was, "I heard Beauty Ning spent the night at Zhaochan Hall? Why didn't you bring your palace maid to greet us as well?" Her seductive phoenix eyes glinted with cold malice.
Ning Shuyan's serene smile was like a mist floating on her face—cool and detached. "You're mistaken, Your Ladyship. Lü Rui is now His Majesty's Court Lady. You are the mistress of Yi He Palace, so from now on, we hope you will take good care of her."
Consort Zhuang's fury flared as she looked at Ning's calm expression. She was now certain that Ning had suggested to the Emperor to place Lü Rui in her palace as a form of retaliation.
She inhaled sharply. "You're very generous. If you miss Court Lady Lü, I can send her back to your palace."
Ning Shuyan smiled softly and said, "I would love that, but for some reason, Court Lady Lü is very fond of you, so His Majesty granted her wish. In fact, it's quite nice—you'll have some company now, Your Ladyship."
Since the Emperor had promised to protect her, Ning Shuyan would no longer be the one to stir trouble—but she wasn't going to endure humiliation either.
The fury in Consort Zhuang's eyes burned hotter, her gaze turning icy.
Consort Rong smirked and said, "Looks like Consort Zhuang didn't know—she's no longer just Beauty Ning, she's now Zhao Jieyu."
Consort Zhuang's hand slipped on the table, knocking over the tea lid with a loud clang. She turned toward Consort Rong, stunned.
"Is that true?"
Consort Rong took pleasure in her reaction. Her mood suddenly lifted.
The Empress nodded with a smile. "Indeed. The Emperor personally granted the promotion this morning—Zhao Jieyu, with the title Zhao."
Consort Zhuang's hand, hidden within her sleeve, clenched into a tight fist. Her face turned deathly pale.