After reporting back to Empress Dowager, she allowed Ji Mingxuan to rest in the palace.

Just as she arrived, the manager of the Inner Household Bureau sent two looking very obedient palace girls. Ji Mingxuan smiled warmly and accepted them.

Sanzhu learned that they were promoted to major palace girls, Rezhuzhu was overjoyed, Luozhu's eyes sparkled more brightly, while Zizhu treated Ji Mingxuan even more respectfully.

"What are your names? Where were you working before?" Ji Mingxuan asked.

"Servant Xing'er/Jujuer, we met Your Highness."

Then, Xing'er said, "Servant worked in the Tangzhen Hall."

Jujuer also said, "Servant worked in the Tangyi Bureau."

Ji Mingxuan nodded, Empress Dowager was giving her face. One in the Tangzhen Hall and one in the Tangyi Bureau, looking like she came from a clean background.

"Do good work. If you have any questions, ask Miss Zhichao beside me."

Xing'er and Jujuer were a bit startled. They were just assigned to be ordinary palace girls, and the main mistress treating them so kindly made them happy but also a bit fearful.

Ji Mingxuan smiled and said, "Luozhu, these two palace girls will be under your instruction first."

Luozhu was stunned. Teaching ordinary palace girls meant she lost the chance to win favor from the main mistress. Red Zhu's eyes lit up, while Zizhu lowered her head.

"Yes, Your Highness."

Ji Mingxuan took Zhichao's hand and returned to her room.

Seated on the chair, Ji Mingxuan leisurely read a book.

"Milady, I wonder who will gain favor tonight."

Ji Mingxuan lightly smiled, "As long as it's not me, what difference does it make?"

Zhichao said, "I'm not scared..."

Ji Mingxuan said, "Don't worry, now, the emperor will never forget your main mistress."

Zhichao didn't know why Ji Mingxuan had this confidence, but her heart involuntarily believed it.

"Send Xiao Dingzi to check the news on who will be sleeping with the emperor tonight."

Having this resource wasn't wasted. While people weren't reliable, they were perfect for gathering information.

Zhichao quickly nodded.

Ji Mingxuan re-entered the world of books.

At dusk, Xiao Dingzi finally returned. Tonight's sleeper was Sun Liangyuan. Ji Mingxuan smiled. Of course, it wasn't Ning Xiuhua or Zhou Xiuhua.

She stood up, and Zhichao rushed over to serve her.

"Zhichao, from now on, unless you go to Empress Dowager's palace, stay in this Jing'an Palace!"

Zhichao was confused. Ji Mingxuan said, "I trust you the most. When I'm not in Jing'an Palace, I need you to watch over me."

Also, being a palace girl or eunuch accompanying someone out wasn't necessarily safe, like Zhang Yuying's palace girls and eunuchs today. Zhichao was her heart's trusted companion, so she should treat her as safely as possible.

Zhichao heard this and promptly agreed.

Then she said, "Zhichao, prepare some red grapes Empress Dowager gave me and go to Qi Fang Palace with Purple Zhu."

"Milady is going to see Ji Beauty?"

Ji Mingxuan smiled, "Yesterday she came to visit me. As a sister, I should talk to her and exchange feelings."

Zhichao nodded.

Qi Fang Palace's main seat was Consort Chang. This Consort Chang climbed to the position of concubine after three years without bearing a son, showing her prowess. Ji Mingxuan wanted to visit Ji Mingfu in Qi Fang Palace's western chamber, so she had to first greet Consort Chang.

As they approached Qi Fang Palace's entrance, they heard sounds of congratulations coming from the main hall.

"Congratulations, Noblewoman! Congratulations, Noblewoman!"

Ji Mingxuan's gaze flickered. Only a promotion or bearing a prince could cause all the servants in Qi Fang Palace to gather together and congratulate. Promoting a palace concubine to a noblewoman required notifying the Ministry of Rites, which would take a couple of months at least.

Soon, they saw Consort Chang's aide, Director-in-Chief Zhuolu, leading a doctor out. Then, Consort Chang's capable helper prepared to leave Qi Fang Palace to report to the Imperial Palace and Honshou Palace.

Seeing Ji Mingxuan, Zhuolu called, "Servant Zhuolu meets Noblewoman Ji Mingxuan."

Ji Mingxuan quickly said, "Director-in-Chief Zhuolu, thank you. Is Noblewoman Chang with you?"

Zhuolu smiled and said, "Noblewoman just found out she is pregnant with the dragon child and is resting. Noblewoman Ji Mingxuan, are you going to the western chamber to see Ji Beauty?"

Ji Mingxuan nodded, "Please inform Director-in-Chief Zhuolu."

Zhuolu nodded, "Of course."

Ji Mingxuan waited outside. Soon, Zhuolu appeared again.

"Noblewoman Ji Mingxuan is tired today, so Director-in-Chief Zhuolu will personally accompany Noblewoman to the western chamber to see Ji Beauty."

Ji Mingxuan nodded, "Thank you, Director-in-Chief."

Zhuolu shook his head, then lowered his head and led the way.

Half an hour later, they arrived at a courtyard that was second only to the main hall. Although it was secondary, Qi Fang Palace was grand, and this courtyard was extremely nice.

The cleaning servant who swept the floor hurriedly put down his broom upon seeing Zhuolu and Ji Mingxuan. Seeing Zhuolu, they couldn't identify which main mistress it was and shouted, "Servant/Waiter, please welcome Noblewoman!"

Ji Mingxuan called, "No need for bows."

They then performed a subordinate ritual for Zhuolu.

Zhuolu was the director-in-chief of Qi Fang Palace, and the western chamber was part of Qi Fang Palace. Speaking of it, Ji Mingfu's situation was much more complicated.

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The noises outside reached the people inside the western chamber.

Ji Mingfu personally walked out, saw Ji Mingxuan, and smiled. However, before she could bow and greet, Ji Mingxuan quickly stepped forward to support her.

Ji Mingfu nodded at Ji Mingxuan and greeted Zhuolu politely. Seeing Zhuolu, she politely called, "Director-in-Chief Zhuolu."

Zhuolu said, "Beauty, you're welcome. Noblewoman is exhausted from being pregnant with the dragon child and wishes to rest. Therefore, Noblewoman will not be summoned tonight."

Ji Mingfu nodded, "Your Highness knows. Tomorrow, Your Highness will come to pay respects and congratulate Noblewoman on bearing the dragon child."

Zhuolu nodded, then glanced at Ji Mingxuan before leaving.

Ji Mingfu pulled Ji Mingxuan into her room.

She had her attendant guard the door, then led Ji Mingxuan to sit on a chair near the table.

"Fourth Sister, did you see Consort Chang?"

Ji Mingxuan shook her head, "Noblewoman is exhausted. She only asked Director-in-Chief Zhuolu to send me over."

Ji Mingfu sighed, "Emperor will certainly come soon. Don't blame her for not seeing you."

Ji Mingxuan suddenly understood.

Ji Mingfu added, "What Director-in-Chief Zhuolu said was for you to hear."

Ji Mingxuan said, "What does it have to do with me?"

Ji Mingfu gripped Ji Mingxuan's hand tightly and said seriously, "Noblewoman needs to rest. The implication is that she doesn't want us to appear before the emperor. If we disturb Noblewoman's 'rest,' we won't get along well in the future."

Ji Mingxuan was furious, "Does Consort Chang not want Second Sister to be favored?"

Ji Mingfu quickly pressed down on Ji Mingxuan, "Consort Chang's actions are normal. I'm fine."

Ji Mingxuan frowned.

Ji Mingfu sighed, "Only poor Sun Liangyuan suffers."

Ji Mingxuan sympathetically nodded. Consort Chang had been favored for a long time and had a pregnancy. The emperor would surely accompany her. This Sun Liangyuan tonight must be suffering greatly.

Seeing Ji Mingxuan's expression, Ji Mingfu sighed inwardly. Fortunately, she listened to Grandmother and Mother's advice, avoiding major mistakes. With experience, she would become more mature.

"For the time being, don't come to Qi Fang Palace until Consort Chang gives birth to a prince."

"The emperor has been on the throne for nine years, but there are only two princes and princesses. This shows the depths of the water. Qi Fang Palace is now bound to become the focal point of the palace. There's a possibility we won't win Noblewoman's favor and end up being used."

Ji Mingxuan widened her eyes.

"Seeing the Queen."

Empress Liu nodded.

"Is Miss Ji preparing to return to the palace?"

Miss Ji Mengxuan nodded.

Empress Liu said, "It's late. Jing'an Palace is far from here. The Empress has sent Zhou Hai to escort Miss Ji back."

Miss Ji Mengxuan raised her head, her face showing surprise and also some emotion.

"My lady, I thank the Empress for your concern." Compared with Consort Chang not being summoned, the Empress sending an attendant of high rank to send her back was clear in good or bad.

The Empress gave an eye signal to the attendant.

This attendant walked out of the group.

When Empress Liu's imperial sedan left, Zhou Hai respectfully said, "Princess Xiuhua, please proceed first!"

Miss Ji Mengxuan nodded.

On the way, it was much more lively than when they came. Now that everyone in the palace should know that Consort Chang is pregnant again, not only the older ladies but even the new concubines felt extremely jealous.

Returning to Jing'an Palace, Miss Ji Mengxuan had someone give Zhou Hai a generous reward.

She then ate some pastries and strolled in the side pavilion garden until it grew dark. Finally, Miss Ji Mengxuan returned to her sleeping chamber.

The next day, Miss Ji Mengxuan asked Green Jade to prepare gifts and a small acrobat to go to Reimeng Palace, and then prepared to go to Zhaofeng Palace to pay respects to the Empress.

Just as she was about to leave, Hongzhu suddenly slowly ran over from outside the palace.

"Your Highness!" It looked very anxious.

Miss Ji Mengxuan said, "Hongzhu, what happened? Why are you so panicked?"

Hongzhu knelt down and said, "Your Highness, I apologize for any wrongdoing. Just now, while I was at the Imperial Garden gathering flowers, I heard a news report."

"What news?"

Hongzhu said, "Last night, His Majesty favored the Concubine at Reimeng Palace West Pavilion. Today, not only did he promote her to Guiren, but he also bestowed upon her the title 'Rong.'"

Miss Ji Mengxuan said sternly, "Did you hear clearly?"

Hongzhu bowed deeply: "I wouldn't dare conceal anything."

Miss Ji Mengxuan thought of many thoughts in her heart. Concubine Ji Mengfu had always been rational. During Consort Chang's powerful time, she would absolutely not do something proactive to attract His Majesty's attention to make Consort Chang unhappy. If it wasn't Concubine Ji Mengfu's actions, could it be that Consort Chang acted on her own? No, Consort Chang had been deliberately keeping them away from the main palace yesterday, how could she have led Him Majesty there?

After thinking for a moment, Miss Ji Mengxuan suddenly remembered someone.

Miss Ji Mengxuan looked up and said, "Let's go to Zhaofeng Palace."

Zi Zhu and the little acrobat nodded.

As Hongzhu escorted Miss Ji Mengxuan out, she noticed her tightly clenched fists, her eyes flashing with a hint of light.

Miss Ji Mengxuan chose the right time, neither too early nor too late. So on the way, she met more sisters and brothers. Soon, she encountered Sun Liangyuan.

Sun Liangyuan saw Miss Ji Mengxuan and snorted coldly, leaving without saying hello.

The little acrobat whispered, "Your Highness, Sun Liangyuan, who is below Your Highness in status, dares to ignore Your Highness. She is really too bold."

Miss Ji Mengxuan scolded, "Little Acrobat, you're talking too much. Sun Liangyuan feels uncomfortable and acting like this shows me having a narrow-minded and small heart."

Her voice was not too loud or too soft, Sun Liangyuan naturally heard it too. Wasn't this a clear mockery of her narrow-mindedness and lack of rules?

She stopped walking and looked at Miss Ji Mengxuan's gaze becoming even more sinister.

Miss Ji Mengxuan slowly walked up to her, smiling and saying, "Sister, don't be angry. Consort Chang's pregnancy is such big news. Getting angry will ruin Consort Chang's reputation."

Sun Liangyuan shouted, "What do you mean?"

Miss Ji Mengxuan leaned close to her ear, speaking in a voice only Sun Liangyuan could hear, "Whether the Rong Guiren is truly favored or just because of Consort Chang's influence, no one can say. Sun Liangyuan acting like this will disappoint people."

Sun Liangyuan was stunned, then a cold sweat broke out on her back.

Since Concubine Ji Meiyan didn't dare dig into Consort Chang's walls, she probably got favored due to Consort Chang's grace. If she blamed the Ji family sisters, wouldn't she offend Consort Chang?

Thinking about it, Sun Liangyuan looked at Miss Ji Mengxuan's gaze no longer sinister, but also not very kind. Miss Ji Mengxuan smiled inwardly. This Sun Liangyuan had only her as her only legitimate daughter at home, no wonder she developed such a rebellious and arrogant personality.

Miss Ji Mengxuan was lazy to talk to her further. Even if she let her believe that the culprit was Consort Chang, they couldn't become friends.

Seeing Sun Liangyuan leave, she saw people watching the show nearby.

She said coldly, "Still waiting to see this Lady Amiable's jokes?"

Fellow concubines lower in status than Sun Liangyuan dispersed when she said so.

At Zhaofeng Palace, when Miss Ji Mengxuan entered, she saw the Empress and Concubine Ji Mengfu chatting warmly. Miss Ji Mengxuan sighed inwardly. Sure enough, the Empress was indeed benevolent.

Concubine Ji Mengfu's complexion was rosy, making her originally beautiful face look even more alluring.

Many people who saw her showed a trace of jealousy. One had to admit, her sister's beauty was truly remarkable.

"My lady, I pay my respects to the Empress."

Empress Liu smiled and said, "Princess Xiuhua, no need to bow."

Miss Ji Mengxuan stood up, then smiled at Concubine Ji Mengfu, not showing the slightest bit of jealousy, but instead looking pleased as if she were happy for her sister. She said, "Congratulations, Rong Guiren."

Concubine Ji Mengfu bowed in return.

Miss Ji Mengxuan helped her up, their hands clasped together.

Empress Liu and the others were alarmed. The eldest sister didn't care about the younger sister's higher status, and the younger sister didn't care if the elder sister was favored. They posed a huge threat to herself. Did these two have no desire to win? Even if they were siblings born from the same mother, they couldn't achieve this. Furthermore, their upbringing wasn't the same; the Ji family truly wasn't harmonious?

Harmonious? As long as there was a husband and wife in the courtyard, there would be disputes. Unfortunately, Miss Ji Mengxuan wasn't the true younger sister; her goal wasn't to surpass her elder sister and suppress her. But Concubine Ji Mengfu was the girl cultivated by the Ji family to be most considerate of the family! To make the sisters hate each other, these methods weren't enough!

Empress Liu smiled and said, "You girls sit down quickly!"

They both thanked her politely.

This time, Concubine Ji Mengfu's position moved several places forward, seemingly the leader among the concubines. After all, only she had a title. Miss Ji Mengxuan sat behind Ning Xiujuan and Zhou Xiujuan, so she and Miss Ji Mengxuan were only separated by Sun Liangyuan.

Everyone looked at these two sisters. Miss Ji Mengxuan smiled at Concubine Ji Mengfu, and Concubine Ji Mengfu nodded at her. Their fingers pointed at each other, and Miss Ji Mengxuan understood and nodded.

"Look at Princess Xiujuan and Rong Guiren's relationship. They're sitting next to each other and 'talking' in secret," Dan Xiujuan saw their actions and hurriedly reported. Knowing that the Empress hadn't allowed it, doing this was considered extremely disrespectful.

Miss Ji Mengxuan was about to retort at Dan Xiujuan when Concubine Ji Mengfu gave her a glance. No wonder Dan Xiujuan, despite getting promoted and reaching high positions, still had a mouth that wasn't smart enough to increase her intelligence. This remark offended not only the Ji family sisters but also inadvertently gave the Empress a dilemma. A benevolent person like the Empress wouldn't punish a newly favored concubine! So, Dan Xiujuan, this character, Concubine Ji Mengfu felt it unnecessary to quarrel with her.