Concubine Jia's beautiful eyes flitted around, and she spoke before the Imperial Noble Consort.
"I actually think what Lady Lan said makes sense. It sounds quite reasonable. What do you think, Imperial Noble Consort?"
The Imperial Noble Consort just wanted to roll her eyes at Concubine Jia and Noble Lady You.
It was bad enough that Concubine Jia was causing trouble.
Noble Lady You was even more foolish. Among so many concubines, she was the most show - off and talkative, and she even made a fool of herself in front of Concubine Jia.
"Heh..."
Under everyone's gazes, the Imperial Noble Consort let out a soft laugh. The gold hairpins in her coiffure reflected the light.
"Indeed, what Lady Lan said is quite different. The craftsmen in the palace all say that this layout has the best feng shui in a million."
This was a veiled rebuke.
Lan Miao lifted her eyelids slightly, looking a bit panicked, but then calmly said, "I don't understand feng shui. I was just commenting on the beauty and feel of the jade. Your Ladyship can ignore my words."
The Imperial Noble Consort raised her slender eyebrows in surprise.
Lan Miao didn't rush to admit her mistake but spoke straightforwardly. Was she really not afraid of offending her? Or was she just too stubborn and didn't know how to flatter and curry favor?
Maybe these skilled craftsmen were just not good at scheming. Otherwise, why would she have caused a stir and asked for a divorce? She had gone from being the great mistress of the Marquis's Mansion to a daughter of a court official who had been married.
Lan Miao was nothing to be afraid of then.
She was just a prettier vase with such a straightforward mind. Even if His Majesty and the Empress Dowager really took a fancy to something about her, there was no need to worry.
There were quite a few people in the hall who thought the same as the Imperial Noble Consort.
On the contrary, Concubine Jia narrowed her eyes and fell into thought for a moment.
"Forget it. You're just a jade carver. It's normal that you don't understand."
The Imperial Noble Consort spoke softly, essentially letting Lan Miao off the hook.
Lan Miao felt relieved. How could she not understand the Imperial Noble Consort's probing? Her answer seemed blunt, but in fact, she had put some thought into it.
It should dispel the Imperial Noble Consort's suspicion.
"I'm really ignorant. Thank you for your mercy, Imperial Noble Consort."
Lan Miao was very honest in her attitude.
The Imperial Noble Consort thought she had seen through Lan Miao's character and lost the desire to probe further. Just as she was about to tell Lan Miao to step back.
Concubine Jia softly said, "I heard what Lady Lan said. Using agate and tourmaline to decorate the palace seems quite novel. Don't you want to try it, Imperial Noble Consort?"
When the Imperial Noble Consort heard this, she thought it was a good idea.
She could also test Lan Miao further.
However, in a moment, one of the concubines in the seats, Lady Xie, gently coughed a few times and gave her a meaningful look.
The Imperial Noble Consort hesitated again.
Lady Xie was on her side and was quite smart. Her reminder made the Imperial Noble Consort wonder if there was some other meaning behind this.
Was Concubine Jia setting another trap for her?
Let Lan Miao choose jade to decorate the palace?
Whose palace?
Hers.
The Imperial Noble Consort suddenly understood.
Lan Miao had entered the palace to prepare for the Rare Stone Banquet and was also going to carve a piece of Kongshan jade for Princess Kaiyun. If she were to choose jade for her to decorate the palace, what if it delayed the first two tasks? Would His Majesty and the Empress Dowager blame her?
If something went wrong with the matter that Concubine Jia had started, she would be the one to take the blame.
The Imperial Noble Consort gritted her teeth. After thinking it through, her anger shifted to Concubine Jia.
She raised her eyes and coldly glanced at Concubine Jia. In short,
"I don't want to."
"Concubine Jia, if you're so eager to see Lady Lan's craftsmanship, why don't you ask her to carve a piece of jade for you?"
The Imperial Noble Consort kicked the ball back to Concubine Jia.
Concubine Jia's eyes flickered, her pupils constricted slightly, and she smiled and brushed it off. "That's not necessary. I don't want to delay Lady Lan's important business."
— Good! You were indeed setting a trap for me.
The Imperial Noble Consort was so angry that she wanted to bite Concubine Jia. At her age, she still spoke in that coquettish voice. Every time she heard Concubine Jia speak, she felt disgusted. Fortunately, His Majesty didn't fall for her tricks.
Everyone in the palace had their own thoughts.
Lan Miao, in the midst of it all, could more or less sense the sharpness and scheming in these words. Just by gathering together, they could stir up countless hidden storms.
She sighed inwardly and took the opportunity to follow up on Concubine Jia's words. "I do have a heavy burden. If the ladies don't mind, you can also visit my Xiyu Workshop to choose jade. The jade carvers in the workshop are also very skilled."
"I've heard of it. I even have a jade disc from your workshop in my collection," a round - faced concubine in the seat said with a smile. Lan Miao didn't know who she was. She just thought her smile was innocent and kind.
So, she politely smiled back.
Hearing this, the Imperial Noble Consort increasingly felt that there was no need to test Lan Miao anymore.
She was just a merchant, reeking of the smell of money.
With such a graceful and cold - like appearance, she was actually so vulgar. Among the four occupations of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants in the common people, she occupied the two lowest ones.
"Alright. We summoned you just to ask some questions. Since you have important tasks, go and get busy."
The Imperial Noble Consort didn't even bother to lift her eyelids.
She didn't take Lan Miao seriously at all.
"Yes. I take my leave."
Lan Miao performed all the proper rituals, bowed and greeted everyone present, and then slowly exited the main hall.
Concubine Jia had been silent all this time, but now she stared blankly at the figure of Lan Miao as she left. Her long and sharp eyes were so intense that Lan Miao felt a chill down her back.
When she looked up and saw the sunlight, Lan Miao realized that she was covered in a cold sweat.
The concubines in the palace were not to be underestimated.
She hoped that there would be no more twists and turns during her time in the palace. She just wanted herself and Xue'er to be safe.
The Imperial Noble Consort casually sent a little maid to escort Lan Miao back with some fruits. Presumably, the servants in Chenxi Palace were quite spoiled. The little maid just pointed in a general direction and then left.
Lan Miao had to find her own way back.
Xiangsi Pavilion was located in a remote area.
The round - trip made her legs weak. When she finally reached Xiangsi Pavilion, Han Bi and Yan Hong were not at the door. She had no choice but to push the door open and enter.
The cold air inside rushed into the inner room instantly. The leaves were falling.
It stirred up a nameless wind.
The loose hair on Lan Miao's forehead was blown down, covering her eyelashes. The wind continued to swirl. Lan Miao felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her waist, preventing her from falling.
Warm breath lingered around her neck. The man's strong body pressed against her back. A deep voice uttered two words, "My lady."
"Your Majesty?!"
Lan Miao was stunned for a moment, and then her knees went weak. She fell into Emperor Jingxiang's arms.
Emperor Jingxiang immediately picked her up horizontally.
He walked a few steps slowly and placed her on the beauty couch. He even knelt on one knee and took off the shoes and socks on her feet. The couch was warm, and all her fatigue suddenly rushed over her. She didn't even have the strength to speak.
She was actually a bit resentful.
So, with a calm face, she leaned against the soft pillow and stared at Emperor Jingxiang without saying a word.
Was Emperor Jingxiang so used to sneaking around?
Why did he always appear out of nowhere?
No wonder he had arranged such a remote place for her to live.
Emperor Jingxiang didn't care about the resentment in her eyes at all. His big hand held her small, cold, and fair ankle. The joints were well - proportioned, and the skin was as delicate as the finest brocade. For a moment, he almost couldn't bear to let go.
"Your Majesty, can you let go of me?"