The harem is too complicated; the empress, a lazy bum, wins by doing nothing.

Chapter 261 Regret
No matter how dissatisfied Pei'er was, she only complained about the Emperor; deep down, she still felt sorry for her master.

But those kneeling below might not be thinking the same thing.

After all, he had found a way to serve in Yanxi Palace in the palace, thinking that he could have a good future by following the favored concubine. However, he did not expect that in just a few years, the favored concubine would not only lose favor, but also lose her position as a concubine.

It's truly unfortunate that I have no future to serve in this palace.

"Consort Song is really something. Doesn't she even know her place in the palace? Why would she go and provoke Consort Xian?"

"Who is Consort Xian? She is the legitimate daughter of the General's Mansion. We have all seen how much the Emperor values ​​General Pang."

"That's right. General Pang was injured in the military camp. I heard he was only grazed by a hidden weapon. His Majesty sent all the best doctors from the Imperial Hospital to Lingnan to treat General Pang's injury."

"I heard that because the Imperial Hospital was short of staff, the Empress Dowager fainted and was almost misdiagnosed and given the wrong medicine."

"That's how it is. The Emperor didn't recall the imperial physician who went to Lingnan to treat General Pangda. This shows that no one can rival General Pangda in the Emperor's heart."

"Just wait and see. Before long, Consort Xian will regain her rank. That's why, if you want a future, you still have to follow the right master."

"What is the rank of a concubine? If General Pang recovers from his illness and then makes further military achievements, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to bestow upon him the title of Noble Consort or Imperial Noble Consort..."

The servants kneeling on the ground, though speaking softly, heard every single word.

She heard it clearly, and Consort Song, who was standing next to her, naturally heard it clearly as well.

Pei'er was furious and picked up a wooden comb from the dressing table, throwing it at several of the most talkative palace maids.

The palace maid, stunned by the blow, glanced in the direction of Consort Song, winked, and shut her mouth.

"You bunch of gossips, don't wait for Her Majesty to speak. After you receive the imperial decree, go down and accept your punishment!" Pei'er's chest heaved heavily.

Those who were scolded looked at each other, not feeling the slightest bit that they had done something wrong. On the contrary, upon hearing that sentence and receiving the imperial edict, their faces were filled with disdain.

Her expression clearly showed that Consort Song wouldn't live to see the imperial decree and punish them.

"The imperial edict arrives..."

Wu Jixiang's voice came from the doorway.

Consort Song disregarded her disheveled appearance and unkempt clothes, and quickly walked out to receive the imperial edict.

Although those palace maids spoke harshly, what they said was exactly what she was thinking.

Is this time, is it really the end for her?
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: There is a woman of the Song family, who possesses both virtue and talent, being gentle, kind, respectful, frugal, virtuous, and gentle. She is hereby specially conferred the title of Consort De. The palace maid Pei'er has rendered meritorious service in protecting her mistress and is hereby rewarded with fifty taels of silver by imperial decree."

what?
Consort De could hardly believe her ears. She looked up at Wu Jixiang in astonishment, her face filled with shock. The Emperor had restored her to the rank of Consort De?
How can this be?

Pei'er was completely dumbfounded. She had done a good job protecting her master?
Their lady hasn't left the palace in ages; she can't even remember how long it's been. The only time she went to Kunning Palace today was to pay her respects to the Empress.

Did she really do a good job?
Could it be that the Emperor was referring to their mistress fighting with Consort Xian, and how she pulled their mistress back?

Zhen'er felt like she was dreaming!
Fifty taels of silver?
She probably wouldn't earn this much in her entire life, even with all her salary combined.

"Your Highness, you should express your gratitude," Wu Jixiang said, bowing slightly with a smile in his eyes.

Consort De then suddenly came to her senses.

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace. Long live the Emperor!"

Wu Jixiang handed the imperial edict to Consort De, knelt on one knee and bowed, "This servant congratulates Consort De. His Majesty asked me to convey a message to Consort De that he knows that Consort De was wronged this morning, and specifically asked me to tell her that His Majesty will come to see her tonight."

"Tonight?" Consort De was both surprised and delighted, looking around helplessly, unsure of what to do with her hands. "Eunuch Jixiang, does His Majesty mean he will come to Chuxiu Palace tonight?"

"Your Highness, when His Majesty sent me to deliver the decree, he already instructed that no concubines would be chosen tonight. Perhaps that's what he meant." Wu Jixiang gave an awkward laugh. "Your Highness has enjoyed a lot of favor in the past. These days, His Majesty has been busy with state affairs and hasn't had time to come and see Your Highness. Why does Your Highness still seem a little skeptical?"

"No, no," Consort De shook her head. "Pei'er, hurry."

Pei'er was so excited that she felt dizzy. Only when Consort De called out to her did she come to her senses and hurriedly took out a money bag and stuffed it into Wu Jixiang's hand.

"Oh dear, this won't do." Wu Jixiang weighed the money bag in his hand and waved his hands repeatedly.

"Of course, of course," Pei'er said with a smile. "Our lady is very straightforward and never beats around the bush. She always says what she thinks. It's precisely because she's so outspoken that she can easily offend people. If in the future our lady ever says anything that displeases the Emperor, you must help her put in a good word for her in front of the Emperor. Our lady will definitely remember this favor."

“Aunt Pei’er, you flatter me. His Majesty simply loves Your Highness’s genuine nature. Although His Majesty demoted Your Highness’s rank back then, he neither moved Consort De’s palace nor reduced the number of servants serving Consort De. This shows that His Majesty has always had Your Highness in his heart.” Wu Jixiang discreetly slipped the money pouch that Pei’er had given him into his sleeve. “Then Your Highness should prepare it first, so that this servant can return and report to His Majesty.”

"I'm sorry to trouble you to make this trip yourself, Father-in-law. Pei'er will go and see Jixiang off..."

After Wu Jixiang turned and left, Consort De was overjoyed. She tried her best to control herself, but tears still streamed down her face. She sat in front of the bronze mirror, picked up the snail-shell eyebrow pencil, and examined her eyebrows one by one. This snail-shell eyebrow pencil was a gift from Emperor Yuanwu when she was Consort De. Since she was demoted, the Imperial Household Department had never sent snail-shell eyebrow pencil to Yanxi Palace again. After all, such a precious thing was not worthy of a mere noblewoman.

Now that she is Consort De again, she can once again use the snail-shell eyebrow-drawing technique.

Consort De looked in the bronze mirror and gently touched the spot where Consort Xian had just slapped her. There was still a faint handprint on her cheek, not very clear, but the memory was still vivid.

Just as she caught a glimpse of the imperial edict at the side of her hand, she suddenly felt that the pain had subsided.

At this moment, she was even more eager to see how interesting Consort Xian's expression would be when she learned that she had easily regained her rank because of her slap. She was afraid that Consort Xian would be filled with regret and wish she could slap herself twice!
Consort De looked in the mirror and laughed triumphantly. But as she laughed, she suddenly remembered something else...