The Changchun Palace team travels back in time to Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace

News of A'Ruo's swaggering around in the Imperial Household Department quickly spread.

Consort Gao was so angry that she found fault with everything in Xianfu Palace every day. Consort Wan was honest and timid, so she naturally didn't dare to offend her. Every day, apart from paying her respects, she would keep the palace doors closed and live her own quiet life. Consort Jia did come by.

Seeing Consort Gao cursing and arguing over the plaque, Consort Jia casually remarked, "It's not uncommon for the Emperor to bestow imperial calligraphy as a reward; Her Majesty the Empress received a plaque before. However, Consort Xian's publicizing of the sentiment behind it is truly despicable."

Upon hearing this, Consort Gao became even more furious and rushed off to Changchun Palace.

When she stormed into Changchun Palace, Rongyin was doing needlework. Mingyu naturally couldn't go to the Imperial Household Department in a huff, so after exchanging information with Qin Li, she "followed the Empress's instructions" and retrieved some fabric and thread. Rongyin cut and sewed, and Yingluo told her that she could make whatever the Empress wanted, but Rongyin only said that this time she wanted to make something herself.

Knowing that the Imperial Household Department had loopholes, which were like sieves, and that A'Ruo's swagger that day must have been widely known throughout the palace, the three of them could only feel a sense of "as expected" when they saw Consort Gao.

As expected, Consort Gao sat down and, without even taking a sip of tea, began to complain: "That Consort Xian is truly detestable! Even Her Majesty the Empress received a calligraphy scroll as a reward from the Emperor, and the Emperor even issued an edict to the six palaces, yet Her Majesty doesn't go around proclaiming the sentiments of that favor like she does!"

Rongyin kept working and comforted him, saying, "Alright, alright, it's not a big deal, why would it take a special trip? Look, you're even wearing a wool coat. It's freezing cold, be careful not to catch a cold from the wind." As she spoke, she asked someone to add some charcoal to the ground heating system.

Consort Gao said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I used to suffer from cold and weakness, and I would feel unbearably cold in winter. But now, with Physician Qi taking care of me, I feel much better. It's just that Consort Xian's boasting is too despicable."

Rongyin thought to herself that they had come full circle. It seemed that this person might also be affected by corruption or have some kind of demonic influence. She continued to comfort her, saying, "Consort Xian may not have intended to show off, but A'Ruo is usually quick to speak her mind, so it's understandable that she might have said something out of turn. You hold the position of Noble Consort and have the honor of having your whole family promoted to a higher rank. The Emperor's favor towards you is not based on just one or two imperial calligraphy works."

Then she instructed Yingluo to fetch a silver rabbit-patterned gold hairpin from the storeroom and gave it to Consort Gao: "This hairpin was originally part of my dowry. I don't usually wear this kind of jewelry, so I'll give it to you. Look at the rabbit on this hairpin; it's just like the Jade Rabbit in the Moon Palace, which perfectly matches the 'moon' in your maiden name. It suits you perfectly. Wear this hairpin and calm your anger down, okay?"

Consort Gao accepted the plaque with profuse thanks and happily put it on, but the more she thought about it, the angrier she became. She said angrily, "I don't believe it. With the Emperor's favor towards me, what's so difficult about getting a plaque?" With that, she got up to leave.

Rongyin silently covered her face in her heart: Why is this Consort Gao acting like a child, wanting everything that others have! But since she herself had received a reward from the Emperor, she was too embarrassed to directly stop her from asking for the plaque, so she could only say, "Consort Gao, it's cold outside, why don't you sit here a little longer and don't go out!"

Consort Gao insisted, "I am not cold! I take my leave!" With that, she hurried out.

Rong Yin sighed inwardly, knowing immediately that she had gone to the Hall of Mental Cultivation. The three of them immediately and skillfully called Yuan Yi to start the live broadcast.

As soon as Consort Gao arrived at the entrance of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Wang Qin immediately greeted her warmly: "Oh, Your Highness has arrived!" He then reached out and put his hand on Consort Gao's arm: "Please be careful, the steps are a bit slippery."

Consort Gao asked, "What is Your Majesty doing?"

Wang Qin said, "His Majesty took a nap, got up and reviewed the memorials, and is now listening to the pipa player from the Southern Palace playing the pipa."

Consort Gao entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation, where the Emperor was listening to a pipa player. Upon seeing her, he immediately invited her to sit beside him, saying, "I originally wanted to enjoy the pipa with you, but it's freezing outside, and I was afraid you wouldn't be able to withstand it. I had Qi Ru help you recover; are you feeling better now?"

Consort Gao said sweetly, "I am weak, but with Your Majesty's care, I feel much better. Your Majesty is in good health, and I do not feel cold sitting next to you."

The emperor held the concubine's cold hand and asked, "You were listening to them play the pipa just now. What did you think of their playing?"

Consort Gao said disdainfully, "Does the Southern Palace not have anyone who can play the pipa now? Choosing these few for the Emperor's enjoyment, aren't you afraid of offending the Emperor's ears?"

Seeing that she was about to reprimand them, the musicians knelt down and begged for forgiveness: "Our skills are not good enough, please forgive us, Your Highness."

The Emperor told everyone to rise and said, "Xi Yue, you are a master of the pipa, but since you are not here, I am just listening to them play a few pieces to pass the time."

Consort Gao noticed that Bai Ruiji was different from the other musicians, as she was using an ivory phoenix-neck pipa, and she felt somewhat displeased. She asked a question about it.

Bai Ruiji said, "My skills are not good enough, and I was afraid that I would offend Your Majesty's ears, so I used the best pipa to make up for it."

Consort Gao had someone bring Bai Ruiji's pipa, and after removing her armor, she said, "If one doesn't have real skill, even using the pipa with the burnt groove of Empress Zhou of Southern Tang would be a waste of talent."

As she spoke, she played a tune on her phoenix-necked pipa. After the piece was finished, the emperor praised her, saying, "When it comes to the pipa, no one can match you."

Consort Gao said smugly, "Today my hands are cold and my fingers are stiff, and I am not used to playing other people's pipa, so this piece is not as good as usual. Your Majesty, please don't be offended."

The emperor was overjoyed and ordered Wang Qin to bestow upon Consort Gao a black fox pelt, a tribute from the General of Jilin. He then dismissed the pipa players.

After everyone left, Consort Gao acted coquettishly and said that the Empress had given her a rabbit hairpin and the Emperor had rewarded her with a black fox fur. She only needed an imperial calligraphy piece, so she insisted that the Emperor also bestow an imperial calligraphy piece upon her.

The Emperor looked at her with affection and agreed.

After all, Consort Gao's father was a capable minister in flood control, and she herself had risen to power, so it was only right that he rewarded her handsomely. Besides, writing a piece of calligraphy didn't take much effort. Although Consort Gao was willful and arrogant, she cared about his rewards and his intentions because she valued his authority and the emperor's favor.

Ultimately, aside from political motives, the fact that painting or writing a piece of calligraphy could incite jealousy and rivalry among the concubines in the harem was quite satisfying to him. It was like feeding fish; he simply stood on the shore and casually tossed fish food, and the fish would eagerly swim forward, displaying their beautiful scales and the carefully cultivated crests and large eyes.

The more they fought and struggled for the meager sweetness that slipped through their fingers, the more they could demonstrate their superior status and the thrill of having everything under control. This feeling was something the deeply entrenched and powerful previous dynasty could never provide.

As dusk fell, after the Emperor finished writing the plaque for Xianfu Palace, he thought of Bai Ruiji again. Her delicate hands playing the pipa, her pretty face, and her gentle demeanor, compared to the Empress's dignified elegance and Consort Gao's haughty beauty, possessed a unique charm that he could never forget after seeing her.

However, he is currently isolated and powerless in the court. It is fine for him to enjoy music and music, but if he were to take Bai Ruiji as a concubine during the mourning period, it would be a public affair and everyone in the harem would know. The news might be leaked to the court by the Empress Dowager, and he would inevitably be accused of being unfilial to the late emperor. Wouldn't that be exactly what Hongxi and his ilk wanted?

Thinking of this, the emperor hesitated again.

Well then, since this involves the inner palace, let's go and discuss it with the Empress first.