Chapter 7: Deliberate Intent
An Awkward Interruption
“Your Majesty, this…”
Xie Jiu glanced toward the hall’s entrance, then at Zhao Xingjin, hesitating to speak.
Consequently, the intimate moment between them dissolved, and irritation flashed in Zhao Xingjin’s eyes.
Perhaps the interruption annoyed him, or he simply wished to avoid the visitor. Regardless, he released Xie Jiu, letting her slip from his embrace.
“Yang Zhian, permit Consort Zhuang to enter,” Zhao Xingjin commanded, actively straightening his robes and sitting upright.
“Didn’t you hear? Step aside!”
Outside, the woman’s voice grew sharper upon hearing Zhao Xingjin’s permission.
She sounded quite temperamental, Xie Jiu noted silently.
Consort Zhuang’s Dramatic Entrance
Soon, Consort Zhuang, a striking woman in a rose-red palace gown with an elaborate updo, strode into the hall.
Her brisk footsteps clearly signaled her displeasure.
As expected, she spoke with a petulant, almost whining tone. “Your Majesty, you promised to visit me after court today. I waited at Yanching Palace for nothing, and when I brought pastries to Chengming Hall, they barred me from seeing you.”
“I’ve been swamped with state affairs,” Zhao Xingjin replied gently, offering a warm smile. “Don’t be upset. What pastries did you bring? Let me try them, as the tea’s been rather bland.”
Although his words calmed her slightly, Consort Zhuang’s irritation lingered.
Then, her gaze fell on Xie Jiu standing nearby.
A Pointed Slight
By now, last night’s news had spread through the harem. Even though Xie Jiu hadn’t entered the harem, she was a rival for favor, and her unique status drew Consort Zhuang’s ire.
“Your Majesty, who is she? I don’t recall this sister in the palace,” Consort Zhuang said, deliberately feigning ignorance.
Clearly, she aimed to humiliate Xie Jiu by highlighting her lack of a formal title.
However, Xie Jiu remained unfazed by the jab and calmly curtsied. “This subject, Xie Shi, greets Consort Zhuang.”
Consort Zhuang merely glanced at her, ignoring the greeting.
Instead, she turned to fetch the pastries for Zhao Xingjin, leaving Xie Jiu in her curtsy.
Defying Petty Games
Consort Zhuang intended to keep Xie Jiu in that awkward position longer, but Xie Jiu, well-versed in the subtle power plays of noblewomen, saw through the tactic.
Refusing to indulge such childish games, she rose without waiting for permission.
Predictably, Consort Zhuang pounced on the opportunity. “Such poor manners! Did I allow you to rise?” she snapped.
Turning to Zhao Xingjin, she pouted. “Your Majesty, look at this. You appointed her to tutor the second princess, but if she lacks decorum, how can she teach her?”
The second princess was Princess Wenxi.
Currently, the palace had four imperial heirs: the eldest and third princesses, born to Empress Zhou; the second princess, whose mother, the late Virtuous Consort, had passed; and the fourth prince, born to Consort Zhuang.
This explained Consort Zhuang’s boldness—she was the only consort to have borne a prince.
A Sharp Retort
In her past life, Xie Jiu might have endured the slight, but after surviving death, her perspective had shifted.
Why tolerate what she could counter?
Life was too short for unnecessary suffering.
Thus, she responded swiftly. “Please forgive me, Your Ladyship. Seeing you so engrossed with His Majesty, I thought you might have forgotten to bid me rise, so I stood. I only wished to avoid any impression that Your Ladyship was intentionally troubling me, which might harm your virtuous reputation. If I’ve offended, I’ll make amends now.”
With that, she moved to perform a full bow.
Consort Zhuang, her scheme exposed and burdened with a virtuous label, couldn’t allow Xie Jiu to proceed.
Otherwise, it would confirm Xie Jiu’s accusation of deliberate harassment.
Especially before Zhao Xingjin, she needed to preserve her image.
Reluctantly, she waved it off. “Fine, I’m not upset. I only worried you might not know palace etiquette and could mislead the princess. It’s good you’re sensible.”
“I thank Your Ladyship for your leniency,” Xie Jiu said, smiling and glancing at Zhao Xingjin. “Rest assured, since His Majesty entrusted the princess to me, I will dedicate myself to teaching her well.”
Consort Zhuang’s Escalating Jealousy
To Consort Zhuang, this was blatant flirtation, and her anger flared, though she couldn’t lash out openly.
Instead, she turned to Zhao Xingjin. “Your Majesty, you haven’t visited Yanching Palace in days. The fourth prince said yesterday he misses his father. He was thrilled this morning, knowing you’d come, and asked me to ensure you stay for lunch. He’ll return from his studies to see you. Don’t disappoint him.”
By invoking her son, Consort Zhuang earned Zhao Xingjin’s indulgence. He took “
her hand, soothing her. “Very well, I’ll join you and our son for lunch at Yanching Palace after I’m done. I know you love the pearl pigeon dish from the imperial kitchen, so I’ll have Yang Zhian order it prepared.”
Pleased with his favor, Consort Zhuang beamed. “I thank Your Majesty for your kindness.” Glancing at Xie Jiu, she added with a coy hum, “Just come early, and don’t let some vixen delay you.”
“What’s that?” Zhao Xingjin’s face cooled, clearly displeased by her remark.
Consort Zhuang’s brief triumph faltered, and she quickly backtracked. “I spoke out of turn.”
“Mind yourself,” Zhao Xingjin said sternly. “Return to your palace.”
“Yes.” Chastened, Consort Zhuang dared not linger.
Yet, before leaving, she shot Xie Jiu a venomous glare.
In her mind, Zhao Xingjin’s rebuke stemmed from her slight against Xie Jiu.
Zhao Xingjin’s Calculated Move
Little did she know, Xie Jiu, the so-called vixen, now faced the challenge of navigating Zhao Xingjin, the true cunning fox.
It was both exhausting and vexing.
“Consort Zhuang has a fiery temper but no ill intent. Don’t take it to heart,” Zhao Xingjin said gently, as if consoling her.
Xie Jiu barely resisted rolling her eyes.
During her clash with Consort Zhuang, he had sat back, observing the drama unfold.
Only at the end did he reprimand Consort Zhuang, as if defending Xie Jiu.
Consequently, Xie Jiu suspected Consort Zhuang’s dislike for her, previously mild, had now intensified significantly.
Was this Zhao Xingjin’s deliberate intent?
Though she grumbled inwardly, Xie Jiu maintained her composure, nodding obediently. “I wouldn’t dare. Your Ladyship’s reprimand was for the princess’s sake.”
“You’re sensible, and that’s good,” Zhao Xingjin said, pleased. “I have memorials to review now. Since you’re free, let Yang Zhian take you to meet Princess Wenxi.”
Even if tutoring the princess was a pretext, appearances needed maintaining.
Otherwise, it would be absurd for Xie Jiu, the supposed tutor, to never meet her charge.
Xie Jiu’s Hidden Agenda
Xie Jiu agreed readily.
After all, she harbored her own plans regarding her role as the princess’s tutor.
Thus, she took her leave and followed Yang Zhian to the princess’s residence without delay.