The queen is sober in the world, and she is winning every step of the palace fight.

"Sister Concubine, how do you like this soup?"

Changle Palace is full of jewels and precious stones.

The virtuous concubine was wearing a honey-colored everyday skirt and smiling sweetly. A jade hairpin with a crabapple-shaped pattern was inserted diagonally in her hair, shining brightly under the illumination of the octagonal palace lantern.

It makes her look even more noble and natural.

In comparison, Yu Tingjin's innocence and cuteness seemed petty.

What's more, she was in a bad mood today, with a hidden resentment in her heart, so her innocence seemed even more stiff and artificial.

"Xianfei asked about this soup? It's hard to believe that you think of me all the time. You even stewed a bowl of soup and couldn't forget to offer it to me."

Yu Tingjin nonchalantly scooped the chicken soup from her bowl and said with a smile, "It tastes good to me; it's light and sweet. However, it can't compare to the Poria Cocos and Honey Dew Soup that Your Majesty often uses. It's very beneficial for cooling off and nourishing. When I dine with Your Majesty in the Japanese Palace, please give one to the virtuous concubine, so you don't have to go through the trouble of making it yourself."

The virtuous concubine chuckled.

She looked at the other concubines present and couldn't help laughing.

Concubine Jian spoke quickly, "Your Majesty, you may not know this, but the Poria Cocos and Nectar Dew Soup that Your Majesty often uses is a nourishing recipe passed down from our Concubine Xian's family. Your Majesty was pleased with it, so it was added to the regular imperial diet."

Lan Zhaoyi said, "Yes, we really envy them. The old lady of the Zhenguogong Mansion is extremely knowledgeable about food and drink. The Empress Dowager often sends people to ask her about the recipes for various medicinal dishes. The Empress Dowager also said that they are from an aristocratic family after all, and their food, clothing and daily expenses show their profound background. They are not comparable to those who have become rich suddenly."

The virtuous concubine laughed at them and said, "Eat what you can eat. Can't even chicken stop you from eating? What do you mean by a newly rich family? Don't let the imperial concubine worry about it."

Yu Tingjin originally wanted to show off that she had more opportunities to accompany the emperor every month than Concubine Xian, but she didn't expect to be laughed at for her family background.

The Yu family has studied and taken the imperial examinations for generations, but the highest official position they held was only the second-rank minister that her father held. How could it compare to the generations of nobility in the Zhenguo Mansion?

This is also what she hates most about Concubine Xian.

He relied on the Duke's Mansion and didn't take her seriously.

But it’s better to lose the battle than the fight. Yu Tingjin smiled with a forced smile and snorted, “Why should I worry so much? My Yu family has a long history of scholarly tradition and is not a family that has suddenly become rich.

However, we are a noble family and have never paid attention to worldly things. We value knowledge and good manners. How to stew a chicken into a nourishing soup has always been left to the kitchen servants to figure out.

Xian Fei is good at medicinal cuisine, so I will ask the Chunxi Palace's food manager to come over and ask for a few recipes. Xian Fei will not be reluctant, right?"

The virtuous concubine smiled and said, "If you are sincere in asking for advice, I will naturally help you."

"That's right, what's there to be reluctant about? It's just a few dishes, who would care about it?" Lan Zhaoyi chimed in.

Su Xianshi, a low-ranking lady living in a side hall of the Xianfei Palace, echoed this sentiment: "When it comes to being well-educated and well-mannered, the Xianfei is the best, but she doesn't like to show off in front of others. Even the palace maids who serve the Xianfei often recite poetry and compose prose for private entertainment, unlike some servants who only beat others for fun and end up in the Xinzheku."

As soon as these words were spoken, all the concubines who came to the banquet in the hall laughed.

When Concubine Xian invited guests, all those who were attached to her came to show their support, embarrassing Yu Tingjin everywhere.

Yu Tingjin knew that there would be a heated debate today, so he also brought Wu Guiren, a low-ranking lady next to Chunxi Palace, to help him lead the charge.

She didn't want to endure it anymore, so she gave Wu Guiren a cold look. Concubine Wu understood what she meant and immediately stood up, walked to Concubine Su, and slapped her in the face.

"You think you can say anything about the Imperial Concubine's affairs? Why don't you apologize to the Imperial Concubine?"

Consort Su covered her face, shocked and angry, "How dare you hit me? This is Changle Palace."

"I'll hit you if I want to. Why would I have to choose a place? You ridiculed the Imperial Concubine and committed insubordination, yet you didn't even choose a good place to commit suicide."

Concubine Wu has been out of favor for many years, and she has the mentality of a dead pig that is not afraid of boiling water.

Before she came, Yu Tingjin promised that if she performed well, he would recommend her to the emperor to sleep with him.

That's why she dared to beat Concubine Xian's people in Concubine Xian's territory.

If she stumbled, at most she would be subjected to training or house arrest, which would be no different from her current days when she couldn't see the emperor.

Seeing this, Yu Tingjin felt relieved.

He smiled and waved for Concubine Wu to come back.

"The virtuous concubine is treating us to a meal, and I'm going to spare her palace for her sake. Concubine Su, remember to keep your mouth shut next time, because I may not be willing to forgive anyone next time."

Concubine Wu returned to her seat with an air of pride.

The virtuous concubine's smile faded.

She said leisurely, "I'm hosting a dinner, and yet someone is so arrogant. Come, drag Concubine Wu out and make her kneel outside the gate of Changle Palace. No one is allowed to let her up unless I call her to."

Immediately, eunuchs from Changle Palace rushed into the hall and dragged Concubine Wu away.

Yu Tingjin slammed the table and said, "Come here, drag Consort Su away with us! She's the one who violated the rules by disobeying her superiors!"

The palace maids she brought with her were about to step forward.

But they were blocked by people from Changle Palace.

Concubine Xian has her own territory and has enough manpower, so how could she let Yu Tingjin succeed?

In public, Concubine Xian ordered people to apply bruise plaster and swelling-reducing oil to Concubine Su who was beaten, and also ordered people to send a portion to Fei Wan, a maid in Chunxi Palace.

"She was badly injured. She'll need some medicine for a while."

Yu Tingjin tried to stop them and said it was not necessary, but Concubine Xian's men had already run out.

Yu Tingjin's expression changed. "Xian Fei specially invited me to the banquet, but she's trying to make things difficult for me?"

The virtuous concubine asked with a smile, "Does the noble concubine think that I have committed an act of disobedience? Someone, dismiss the banquet. I will kneel outside with Concubine Wu. When the noble concubine's anger subsides, I will rise."

She actually lifted her skirt and went out, pretending to kneel outside the palace gate.

Just now, she protected Concubine Su from being punished by kneeling, but now she is kneeling on her own initiative.

This really surprised Yu Tingjin.

I can't figure out what Concubine Xian is going to do.

There were bursts of muffled thunder and the rain was getting heavier.

The palace maids' umbrellas could not shield her from the slanting wind and rain, and Concubine Xian's light gauze summer dress soon became soaked.

Lan Zhaoyi and others followed behind, and their hair and clothes were also wet.

The concubines were delicate and several of them started sneezing immediately.

Yu Tingjin stood at the palace door and watched them acting like this, his face turning pale with anger.

These bitches who were jealous of her favor actually dared to humiliate her together.

At this point in the situation, although she didn't know why Concubine Xian was like this, if she gave in to Concubine Xian, wouldn't she lose all her face?

Today she had endured too much from Concubine Xian, and she could no longer endure it, and she didn't want to endure it anymore.

"If Concubine Xian is willing to kneel, then kneel."

Yu Tingjin ignored Pan'er's advice, ignored Concubine Xian, and led his men out of Changle Palace.

"The royal concubine?"

Concubine Wu was still being pressed to her knees by the people in Changle Palace. Seeing this, she struggled and called out to Yu Tingjin.

Just now she was punished to kneel down for hitting someone, but the imperial concubine did not stand up for her.

Now is the time to at least take her with you.

Unexpectedly, the sound of thunder and rain drowned out her calls, and Yu Tingjin actually left her here.

Concubine Wu looked at the imperial concubine's procession that quickly disappeared into the night, feeling like crying but unable to shed tears.

"My Lady, are we still kneeling?"

Lan Zhaoyi asked Concubine Xian.

The virtuous concubine asked the palace maid to move the umbrella away from her head.

"Of course you have to kneel."

"But... why?"

"Of course it's to help the Imperial Concubine establish her authority."

The virtuous concubine's hair was completely soaked, and she smiled meaningfully.

This imperial concubine rose to prominence too quickly and her foundation is not solid.

As long as the force is clever enough, she can fall down.

Chunxi Palace was kept strictly secret, but she still knew what happened twice in one night.

The maidservant whom the emperor coveted suffered yesterday, and she was the one he relied on for strength.

The emperor could not be angry when a maidservant suffered.

But what about her who is one of the four concubines?

The virtuous concubine looked up, letting the rain wash away her makeup.

She hadn't slept with the emperor for more than a month. The last time, and the time before that, the emperor was not in a good mood.

Just like routine.

No matter how good her family background is, she cannot compete with the tenderness of the newcomer.

It's impossible to say that I'm not jealous of that maid.

But what’s the use of jealousy?

It would be better to guess the emperor's intentions and send himself to the emperor as an excuse to give him a chance to punish Yu Tingjin.

"My lady, if you keep kneeling in the rain like this, you'll get sick!"

Lan Zhaoyi and others all advised her.

The virtuous concubine smiled.

Being sick was nothing. She just hoped that the maid was strong enough so that she wouldn't get wet in vain.

"How dare I not kneel until the Imperial Concubine calms down?"

Lightning flashed across the clouds.

Illuminating the concubines and palace maids kneeling in front of Changle Palace.

It also illuminates the two people snuggling tightly in the corner of the Buddhist temple.

"Where are you injured? Does it still hurt?"

Xiao Yu stroked the girl's delicate skin.

From top to bottom.

Inch by inch.