"Mother, can I live with you from now on?"
Lan Miao had just sent Xue'er back to the Ci'ning Palace when Xue'er looked up at her and asked.
Lan Miao paused for a moment, then shook her head apologetically.
Yu Jia lived in the Ci'ning Palace. The two princes lived with their mother - concubines. The rest of the students all lived in the special dormitories in the palace for the convenience of going to and from school. Xue'er being able to live with the princess was already an extra favor because of her young age.
And Lan Miao had important things to do after entering the palace. If she really asked the Empress Dowager or the Emperor to let her live with Xue'er, she would be "extra - special".
It would arouse jealousy.
More importantly, the Lovesickness Pavilion where she lived was very far from the Elegant Hall. If Xue'er really lived with her, in the long run, the little girl's frail body wouldn't be able to bear it.
These intricate things would take a lot of effort to explain.
Lan Miao didn't want to hide it from Xue'er. She briefly explained it to Xue'er in a few words. Xue'er didn't make any fuss at all. She nodded very obediently.
"Okay then..."
"Then Mother won't be able to pick me up and drop me off in the future?" Xue'er was quick - witted and immediately realized.
"You should get along more with your friends around you." Lan Miao stroked Xue'er's little head, then kissed her forehead, showing a gentle and kind smile. "Of course, no matter how many friends Xue'er makes, Mother will always be the most important person to Xue'er, right?"
"Yeah, I like Mother the most."
Xue'er nodded happily.
Lan Miao stayed in the Ci'ning Palace with Xue'er to have dinner with the Empress Dowager. The atmosphere was very harmonious. Compared with serving the old Lady Wen in the Marquis's Mansion, Lan Miao actually felt more relaxed here with the Empress Dowager.
After dinner, she didn't stay long.
She returned to the Lovesickness Pavilion and continued to study the jade she was going to carve. She didn't know if the Emperor had been angered by her the other day, but he hadn't come to find her for two consecutive days.
But on the third day, an unwelcome guest came first.
After all, this was the harem. Sooner or later, such a thing was bound to happen.
"Lady Lan, I've heard that you're quite knowledgeable about jade. Her Royal Highness the Imperial Noble Consort would like to invite you over. She has some questions for you."
Su Guo, the personal maid of the Imperial Noble Consort, came to the Lovesickness Pavilion and explained her purpose to Lan Miao.
Although it was said to be a "polite invitation", it was actually an order.
Emperor Jingxiang hadn't established an Empress. Although the Imperial Noble Consort didn't have a special title, since she was the only Imperial Noble Consort in the palace, everyone omitted her surname and simply called her the Imperial Noble Consort. The Imperial Noble Consort was arrogant and had the power to assist in managing the six palaces. Her maid also took on her master's airs, and her tone was obviously arrogant.
Han Bi, who served Lan Miao, frowned. She was just about to decline on Lan Miao's behalf, but Lan Miao responded first in a calm voice, "Okay, I'll go right away."
While changing Lan Miao's clothes, Han Bi murmured in a low voice, "If Lady Lan doesn't want to go, this servant can stop them. Anyway, His Majesty will support you..."
Lan Miao smiled gently. Her state of mind was surprisingly good.
"How can I rely on His Majesty all my life? Haven't you seen such things in the palace?"
Han Bi was momentarily at a loss for words.
Yes, no matter how much His Majesty liked Lady Lan in his heart, it wasn't the time to show it openly yet. Even if Lady Lan really entered the Emperor's harem in the future, these were things she had to face.
Lady Lan was dexterous and gentle - hearted. She would surely be fine.
Even so, Han Bi and Yan Hong first went to inform Eunuch Anhe in case something really happened and they couldn't give an account.
After changing her clothes, Lan Miao didn't want to bring Han Bi and Yan Hong with her to avoid attracting criticism. She followed Su Guo alone to the Chenxi Palace.
The Chenxi Palace was the residence of the Imperial Noble Consort.
The palace was spacious and resplendent. Every plant and tree was of extraordinary quality. Even the bricks on the ground were famous blue - and - white stones, with a淡雅 color and a good touch. Not to mention that once entering the main hall, there was an exotic fragrance lingering and the warm wind was soothing.
But for Lan Miao, it was too extravagant here.
The decorations and furnishings all seemed complicated. It was not as well - arranged as the Lovesickness Pavilion. Maybe different people had different tastes.
After entering the palace, Lan Miao curtsied.
"I pay my respects to Her Royal Highness the Imperial Noble Consort, Her Highness the Concubine Jia, and all the other ladies present."
"Get up."
The Imperial Noble Consort sat on the upper seat and haughtily lifted her chin.
Lan Miao got up as she was told. Her eyes were calm and she wasn't affected by the grand occasion in front of her.
Su Guo had only said that the Imperial Noble Consort wanted to see her at that time. She didn't say that there would be so many concubines present. If it were a timid person, seeing so many concubines looking at her in unison, they might have panicked.
But Lan Miao didn't.
She understood the intention of these people gathering here. Most likely, while they were paying their respects to the Imperial Noble Consort, the Imperial Noble Consort also wanted to take them to test Lan Miao.
After she finished paying her respects, the Imperial Noble Consort didn't say for her to sit, so Lan Miao could only stand in the middle.
She was under the scrutiny of looks from all directions.
Surprise, disdain, jealousy, curiosity...
Lan Miao didn't need to look back to feel the various emotions flowing in the air.
The Imperial Noble Consort was nestled in the warming stove, her eyes half - closed, like a cat guarding its territory. She glanced at Lan Miao obliquely, feeling somewhat uncomfortable.
She had seen Lan Miao a few times before and indeed thought her appearance was stunning. It was really a pity for her to be a widow. But now she had divorced and entered the palace as a jade carver, which made the Imperial Noble Consort vigilant.
Did His Majesty take a fancy to her?
The Imperial Noble Consort suspected this very much.
But then she thought it couldn't be. His Majesty didn't have the habit of liking married women. If he really took a fancy to her, he could just issue an imperial edict to summon her into the palace. Why bother with all these pretenses.
Today, she just wanted to see what kind of person Lan Miao was and also wanted to test His Majesty's attitude towards Lan Miao.
Lan Miao was in a plain dress with light makeup. She had a quiet smile and stood there gently, yet exuded an air of cold aloofness.
The Imperial Noble Consort didn't say a word, so Lan Miao didn't need to speak first.
It was the Concubine Jia who spoke first. Her voice was charming and soft. As soon as she opened her mouth, she earned a disdainful look from the Imperial Noble Consort.
"I've heard that Lady Lan is quite knowledgeable about jade. Tell me, what's the quality of the jade used for decoration in Her Royal Highness the Imperial Noble Consort's palace?"
The Imperial Noble Consort glared at the Concubine Jia. Using her name to cause trouble, she was really a headache.
But she also really wanted to know how Lan Miao would respond.
Lan Miao looked around for a week and then slowly said,
"The decoration in Her Royal Highness the Imperial Noble Consort's palace uses gold and top - grade green jade. Gold - inlaid jade is not only beautiful but also can ward off evil spirits. But the jade inlaid on the walls is white jade produced in Qian region. White jade is cold in nature and seems a bit out of place. Your Highness might as well replace the white jade with various agates and tourmalines and decorate them in the corners. In this way, it will be both elegant and harmonious."
After saying this long speech, Lan Miao's eyes were calm.
Everyone was actually attracted by her words. Many people thought what she said made a lot of sense.
The Concubine Jia's eyes showed a thought - provoking look.
The Imperial Noble Consort's expression was complex.
Around them, another concubine said, "You've said so much. Do you mean that Her Royal Highness the Imperial Noble Consort's palace is not beautifully decorated? You're quite bold."
Lan Miao looked at this person and wasn't surprised at all.
The one who spoke was Noble Lady You, the older sister of the You family. Lan Miao knew about her. Although she wasn't very favored, she had taken refuge under the Imperial Noble Consort. And she held a grudge against Lan Miao because of what happened between Lan Miao and the You family, so she dared to speak sarcastically.
Lan Miao wasn't panicked. She bowed to her.
"What I said is just my personal opinion. If Your Highness doesn't agree, you don't have to take it to heart. Different people have different tastes."
"Humph, glib - tongued."
Noble Lady You snorted coldly and then looked up at the Imperial Noble Consort on the upper seat, hoping that the Imperial Noble Consort would teach Lan Miao a lesson.