无翼乌工口里番无色无摭挡

Concubine Xian sat motionless, reaching out to catch a fluttering butterfly.

She did not pay any attention to Jiang Ning’s meaning.

Was she trying to snub her?

Jiang Ning raised her hand.

Gucheng silently came over and set down the wheelchair.

Jiang Ning sat down.

Huang Ying unfastened the pouch on her waist, grabbed a small handful of pine nuts, peeled them, and handed them to Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning sat in the warm sunlight with petals from Taohua flowers drifting around, leisurely eating the pine nuts.

No denying, this courtyard was truly comfortable.

The sunshine was just right, with a gentle breeze.

With maids attending to her and Gucheng guarding her, she felt she could bask in the sun here for a whole day.

At first, Concubine Xian remained calm. However, when she heard Jiang Ning order Gucheng to fetch a peach blossom, she could no longer bear it, got off the swing, and said coldly, “You’ve shown no etiquette in my palace. Did I ask you to sit down?”

Jiang Ning found it amusing in her heart.

So, Concubine Xian was here to give her a warning?

“Concubine Xian, you really think you’re my mother-in-law.” Jiang Ning tossed a pine nut into her mouth and lazily looked at her, “In terms of rank, you are a Concubine Xian, one of the four concubines, an Imperial Consort of the First Rank. I am a Princess Consort, which is higher in ranking. Shouldn’t you greet me with a bow according to etiquette?”

Concubine Xian’s face changed slightly.

What Jiang Ning said was the truth.

The status of a Princess Consort was only second to the Emperor and the Empress. Even the Crown Prince’s birth mother, Concubine Jin, would be considered inferior to their daughter-in-law when they met. It was even more so for Concubine Xian, who was not the biological mother of the Crown Prince.

Jiang Ning speculated that the reason Concubine Xian was so arrogant was her powerful family backing and her habit of commanding her previous daughter-in-law, Princess Consort Ma. She must think she could continue to bully the next Princess Consort.

But she forgot that Jiang Ning was not Ms. Ma.

Huang Ying raised her chin and said loudly, “Concubine Xian, aren’t you going to greet the Princess Consort?”

Concubine Xian’s face darkened slightly.

Although the status of the four concubines was indeed lower than that of the Princess Consort according to the law, after all, she was still an elder. In informal situations, the relationship between the two would still be based on seniority.

As a newcomer to the palace, even if she was the Princess Consort, she shouldn’t blatantly demand respect from her elder.

It was simply too brazen and arrogant!

Concubine Xian stared at Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning lifted her left leg onto her right, maintaining the most comfortable position, looking calmly at her.

“Is Concubine Xian also having trouble with her legs and can’t walk?”

“My legs are perfectly fine!”

“My apologies, I forgot that it’s not Concubine Xian’s legs that are bad but the Prince of Huai’s.”

“You…” Concubine Xian’s face turned a mixture of green and white.

Huang Ying continued, “Is Concubine Xian refusing to follow the etiquette and palace rules? You, who should have visited the East Palace to pay respect to the Princess Consort, expected her to come to you instead. And you didn’t bow upon her arrival. If this spreads, it would be a disgrace to Marquis Xuanping’s Mansion.”

Concubine Xian glanced at Huang Ying.

Her gaze seemed to be coated in venom, glinting with a green light.

Huang Ying looked steadfastly at her. She would not let this go unless Concubine Xian bowed to her.

In the end, Concubine Xian admitted defeat.

She was always one head shorter after all.

No matter how many years she had been in the palace, or how many children she had given birth to for the royal family, she was ultimately just the emperor’s concubine, whereas a Princess Consort was the Crown Prince’s legitimate wife.

There was no comparison.

Concubine Xian slowly walked to Jiang Ning and curtsied.

“Your humble servant pays respect to the Princess Consort.”

“No need..” Jiang Ning raised her hand and asked with a smile, “Concubine Xian, did you have anything you wanted to talk to me about?”