Chapter 62 - 61 Courtesy

If Xia Ruqing knew about this logic, she would dare to retort even if it were Consort Yun! Is this a joke? You’re the one with ulterior motives, yet you blame me for not taking the fall. I don’t even know the first thing about your father, so why accuse me of causing his downfall?!! The palace walls have ears, and it wasn’t long before everyone vaguely heard something about Consort Yun’s family. However, the Emperor didn’t blame Consort Yun; he even continued to show her the same favor as before, and the affection he showed her didn’t lessen at all. She was, after all, still a high-ranking consort of the Second Rank. For a time, everyone was wary and dared not discuss the matter, choosing to feign ignorance. As for Consort Yun, since her father’s demotion, she had indeed become much more restrained. After all, her family was now of the Fifth Rank while she held the Second Rank; this disparity was, strictly speaking, against regulations. Even if the Emperor were to demote her to the Fifth Rank immediately, no one would say a thing! Therefore, during this period, Consort Yun was exceedingly cautious. When she saw Lady Xia, she would merely glare fiercely a few times before moving on, not daring to cause any trouble. On the other hand, Honored Lady Hu—no, Hu Liyi, as she was now known—was quite basking in favor recently. Favored by the Emperor and having risen in rank, her days were exceedingly comfortable. On this day, seeing that the weather was very fine, Xia Ruqing took Xiao Xizi and Zi Yue out for a walk. Her residence was close to the Imperial Garden. If they didn’t venture too far towards the front, the nearby area was rather serene. Although the red plum blossoms had faded, the scenery at the Hexagonal Plum Pavilion was still quite lovely. Xia Ruqing, holding the calligraphy practice books the Emperor had given her, came to practice her writing again. "Speaking of which, another year has passed, and my handwriting still hasn’t improved. I daren’t let the Emperor know!" Zi Yue laughed and said, "It hasn’t even been a year, My Lady, barely three months. It was too cold in winter to write properly. Now that it’s warmer, you should take the chance to practice diligently." "Of course! What else would I be here for today?" Xia Ruqing replied, full of righteous confidence. Zi Yue glanced at Xiao Xizi, who was still busy arranging the various pastries and the tea stove. She smiled inwardly. You’re right, My Lady. I can attest that you did indeed come here to practice calligraphy. Xia Ruqing was in a particularly good mood today. The last time she was writing here, Consort Yun had driven her away. This time, she’d like to see if Consort Yun still dared. She had heard that Consort Yun’s family had been demoted by the Emperor. Xia Ruqing’s outing today wasn’t solely for practicing calligraphy. Perhaps it was also to vent some frustration. You tried to make things difficult for me, didn’t you? Well, I’m going to live as comfortably as I please, just to spite you! Hmph! However, to Xia Ruqing’s disappointment, she didn’t encounter Consort Yun that day. Instead... she ran into Hu Liyi, one of the few people in the palace currently basking in the Emperor’s favor. Among this intake of Fine Ladies, she continued to stand out, being the first to be promoted to the full Fifth Rank. As for her residence, it hadn’t changed; she was still in Lijing Pavilion. Upon hearing that Xia Ruqing was out, Hu Liyi also hurried over. She had long found Xia Ruqing an eyesore, but it wasn’t convenient to go to her residence to pick a fight. Now that she saw Xia Ruqing out, how could she pass up the chance to come and torment her a little? Sure enough, just as Xia Ruqing had finished practicing a couple of pages of calligraphy, she heard someone approaching. "Oh, I was wondering who it could be. So... it’s Lady Xia!" "Lady Xia, you’re in such fine spirits, coming here to practice your calligraphy. Dressed like this, you truly have the air of a refined, scholarly beauty!" As Xia Ruqing looked up, she saw Hu Liyi arrive with Lady Zhu and Lady Zhang. Hu Liyi was dressed in a pinkish-purple palace gown, wearing an elaborate Purple Jade floral hairpin. Even the shoes on her feet were incredibly magnificent. This ensemble was on a completely different level from when she had been a mere Honored Lady. There was no helping it; these were the palace regulations, irrespective of whether one was favored or not. Those of lower rank couldn’t simply wear whatever they pleased. Take Bu Yao hairpins, for example; only ladies of the Third Rank and above were permitted to wear them. A concubine of the Third Rank could wear a single Bu Yao, while a consort of the Second Rank could wear a pair of Bu Yao; Gold Bu Yao or Jade Pendents were both acceptable. However, Bu Yao that were particularly exquisite and resplendent, incorporating both gold and jade, could only be worn by a First-Rank Noble Consort. As for the Empress, to project an image of virtue and wisdom, she naturally wouldn’t adorn herself so ostentatiously. Usually, a Phoenix Crown and a few hairpins were all she needed. Ahem, I’ve digressed... Let’s return to the matter at hand. Xia Ruqing saw Hu Liyi dressed so splendidly. She thought to herself, She truly has the looks and the family background to match. Indeed, who among this batch of Fine Ladies could stand out without some backing! She then sighed softly, thinking, It’s true what they say: adversaries are destined to meet! So, she put down her writing brush and walked out of the pavilion. She curtsied shallowly. "Greetings to Hu Liyi." No matter how much she disliked her, rules were rules, and she couldn’t afford to give anyone an excuse to criticize her. Hu Liyi glanced at her with a smug look but did not bid her rise. Instead, she idly fiddled with the Purple Jade hairpin on her head and drawled, "Rong Qiu, why did you have me wear this hairpin today? I remember the Emperor also gifted... the suet-fat warm jade hairpin. Why didn’t you choose that one for me to wear?" Rong Qiu hurriedly replied, "My Lady, your attire today is better complemented by the Purple Jade hairpin..." Hu Liyi thought for a moment, then said, "Then what about the Purple Jade earrings the Emperor rewarded me with last time? Why didn’t you have me wear those?" Rong Qiu replied again, "My Lady, the Eastern Pearl earrings enhance your complexion beautifully!" Bit by bit, Hu Liyi proceeded to show off every single gift she had recently received from the Emperor. Xia Ruqing remained curtseying, her knees bent and legs growing numb. She thought, I thought I was easily pleased by small things, but you’re even more so! Are these trinkets, given merely because you pleased the Emperor, really worth such ostentatious display? Meanwhile, Lady Zhu and Lady Zhang also approached to pay their respects. "Greetings to Lady Xia!" She hadn’t even been permitted to rise yet, and they came forward to greet her. This made it seem like a mutual exchange of courtesies! What a way to take advantage! Although Xia Ruqing was fuming internally, she ultimately restrained herself. A wise person doesn’t pick a fight they can’t win. Thus, she kept her gaze lowered and remained silent. Since Hu Liyi didn’t bid her to rise, she, in turn, wouldn’t acknowledge Lady Zhang and Lady Zhu, effectively not allowing them to rise either. Fine, let’s all just keep curtseying then! Let anyone who passes by see who truly ends up looking foolish! Even Her Majesty the Empress never puts on such airs! If you have the gall, let’s stay like this until nightfall! I’m willing to sacrifice my legs to play along with you! Let’s see if you really have the nerve! Ultimately, Hu Liyi wasn’t entirely witless. After a short while, she bade them all rise. Zi Yue helped Xia Ruqing, whose legs were aching and numb, to straighten up. Hu Liyi put on a false smile again and asked, "I’ve heard that Lady Xia has always been frail. Now that you’re out and about, are you feeling better?" Her tone seemed to imply, Weren’t you ill? How did you recover so quickly? It’s as if she didn’t want me to recover at all! Xia Ruqing sneered inwardly but still replied hurriedly, "Thank you for your concern, Hu Liyi. I have already made a full recovery!" That’s right, I’m all better! Bet that just infuriates you! At that, Hu Liyi smiled. "It’s good that you’re better!" If you had remained ill and stayed indoors, you wouldn’t have run into me. And if you hadn’t run into me, you wouldn’t have had to curtsey to me, and I wouldn’t be feeling this pleased right now. "Lady Xia, who would have thought that one day, you too would have to bow to me!" "This feeling... it’s truly... just too wonderful..." Hu Liyi simpered with delight.