Lady Chu, with her nails painted red, gently picked up the teacup, bringing it to her nose for a sniff, her face remaining calm.
The tea was good, but not enough to excite her.
This sort of thing was no match for the thrill of Soul Hunting Wine in the Northwest.
Nevertheless, the person seated above was the Imperial Consort, and she, as a newly admitted noble, couldn't afford to be capricious face to face.
Her eyes shifted as she glanced towards the end of the opposite seating, where she saw Lin Wanyi and felt a surge of jealousy.
Unable to bear the sourness, she spoke in Lin Wanyi's direction.
"Everyone says His Majesty has recently obtained a fairy-like concubine, perhaps it is this Lin? Truly beautiful, making all the sisters of the Six Palaces seem inferior."
After speaking, she laughed softly, but her eyes were filled with boundless indifference and hostility.
Here it comes!
As expected, this Chengen Empress would become a target for everyone.
Lin Wanyi had previously intended to stay unnoticed, to blend in as much as possible, but just sitting down for less than fifteen minutes, a provocation already came her way.
According to her past inclination, she would naturally avoid if possible.
Yet now, in the palace, and being her first audience, if she let herself be stepped on, it would be difficult to rise again in the future.
Who knows when anyone could come around to flaunt their power, how could she then live in peace?
Thinking of this, she glanced at Lin Guifei seated above.
Lin Guifei had a smile on her lips, seemingly enjoying a cat and dog show, but her eyes gave an unmistakable warning to Lin Wanyi.
She was representing the Prime Minister's Mansion and Lin Guifei's dignity, even as a humble concubine, she could not be humiliated at will.
With Lin Guifei's backing, Lin Wanyi felt much less respect.
Thus, she raised her head to look at the sarcastic Lady Chu, responding with a tone carrying three parts detachment and six parts grace.
"Thank you, sister, for the praise, but everyone knows the Imperial Concubine's beauty is unparalleled, a humble servant like me dares not compare."
With one sentence, she detached herself from the situation.
It indirectly praised Lin Guifei, while implicitly criticizing Lady Chu for her lack of discernment.
The implied meanings were clear to those accustomed to maneuvering in the harem; who wouldn't understand the undertones?
Lady Chu, stirred by her words, almost shattered the teacup in her hand.
As she looked again at Lin Wanyi, her eyes no longer concealed anything, openly displaying her disgust.
"Lin truly has a clever mouth, a few words and you've caused me to offend Imperial Concubine, knowing I merely praised my sister's beautiful appearance, while those unaware might think I was disrespectful to the Imperial Concubine. Just entered the palace and already sowing discord, sister truly has skills!"
Persistent and relentless, an inherent trait of Lady Chu's conduct.
In the Northwest, her father is the esteemed General Hu Wei, the top warrior under the Marquis of Northwest, who would not regard her with respect?
Yet, in entering the palace, where it's always this Imperial Consort and that Imperial Consort, she constantly feels overshadowed, and she cannot endure such frustration.
So, not seeking someone to vent her frustration and dispel her boredom would probably make her ill with anger.
The casual neglect in her gaze was apparent, while the other concubines either watched the scene or listened for gossip.
Lady Chu's clumsy attempts gave them the first move, allowing them to observe how Lin Daying handled things, or perhaps gauge the strength of her backing.
In this critical moment.
If Lin Wanyi showed a hint of softness, she would find herself nailed down by Lady Chu's words.
The palace could not accommodate the faint-hearted; surveying the other concubines' intentions, Lin Wanyi knew all too well.
"Sister misunderstood, I have never harbored such thoughts. The Imperial Concubine is so beautiful, praised by the Emperor himself, and I often heard my grandmother and second aunt mention this while I was still at home, hence it is etched in my memory. As for what sister said, we have neither grievances nor past enmity, having just met for the first time; I wouldn't have time to sow discord with sister."
The more significant the backing she cited, a phrase pushed the matter of praising the Imperial Concubine's appearance onto the Emperor and Princess Rongkang.
They were not individuals Lady Chu could afford to offend, so despite her gritted teeth, she could only swallow her displeasure.
Speaking each word to Lin Wanyi, she said.
"So, it seems I have misunderstood, sister."
"Sister just spoke hastily, it seems unintentional. The Imperial Concubine is the most gracious, surely she will not hold it against sister, this humble servant, young and ignorant, has angered noble sister, please let the Imperial Concubine punish me."
Finishing her words, she bowed to Lin Guifei, her manner calm but poised.
Seeing her sincerity and composure, if Lady Chu didn't kneel and follow, the accusation of belittling the Imperial Concubine would certainly ensue.
Thus, she had to bow, albeit reluctantly.
Turning to Lin Guifei seated above, she too performed a squat courtesy with her tone considerably softened from her previous aggression.
"Please, forgive my words, Imperial Concubine, this servant has misspoken."
In just a few words, the situation was turned around, not only did she clear herself, but also forced Lady Chu to bow and admit fault; truly impressive!
Lin Guifei watched the two below acting obsequiously in admission, feeling both pleased and worried.
This Lady Chu, relying on her prominent family background, and youthful beauty, had already offended many in the month since she entered the palace.
Yet, losing to Lin Wanyi's clever words gave her some satisfaction.
However, Lin Wanyi's seamless manipulation caused Lin Guifei some apprehension.
Smart and beautiful, helping such a person rise might create future animosity for herself.
But since the concubines were all present, if she didn't protect Lin Wanyi, it would lead others to speculate about discord within their Prime Minister's Mansion, which contradicted her initial intentions and would add unnecessary troubles, so she had no choice but to proceed.
So, she spoke with a smoothing tone.
"All are just reactions following words, sisters need not overthink, I am not one to hold grudges, stand up, all of you."
"Thank you, Your Ladyship."
"This humble servant thanks Your Ladyship for your grace."
Lin Guifei was just one step away from vying for the post of Empress, becoming the highest-ranking woman in the harem and even the nation, so the display of virtues was in no short supply.
With a wave of her hand, she immediately ordered Qin He to bring out some palace flowers, steering the conversation away from the previous topic.
"Now is the fine weather of April, yesterday people from the Inner Court Department sent these palace flowers, which seem quite appropriate, sisters, see if there's anything you like."
Saying this, she instructed the palace maids to present trays to the concubines, allowing them to choose freely.
The palace flowers were made of silk, not only with lifelike shapes but also with the texture and inner details of real flowers exquisitely handled, looking like real flowers from a distance.
In Da Wei, there's a tradition of wearing flowers as hair ornaments, years ago fresh-plucked flowers were worn in the hair to adorn one's appearance.