"I heard that Miss Li comes from a small village called Tongmu County. How did you get to know the Regent?"
The speaker was one of the many beautiful consorts, appearing unremarkable.
Li Yueshu subtly observed the consort.
With Hongdai and Qin Moyuan as cover, how did this person know she came from a small village in Tongmu County?
Her face betrayed no emotion as she slowly replied, "It was just good luck. I happened to run into an injured A Yuan and saved his life."
Upon hearing this, many gasped.
A Yuan?
The only person in this realm who dared to address the Regent so intimately was the Emperor. Could the Regent possibly dote on this woman to such an extent?
"So it was a life-saving grace!" The person exclaimed as if suddenly enlightened. "A life-saving grace is indeed a great kindness. No wonder the Regent, accustomed to the noble ladies of Zhongzhou, would fall for a Miss Li who ran from an unknown small mountain village."
The implication of this statement was clear: it was mocking Li Yueshu, calling her a bumpkin from a mountain village, and suggesting her favor with the Regent was merely due to saving his life.
Such obvious hostility was unmistakable even to a fool.
Li Yueshu's smile did not waver.
She did not recognize this woman at all. Among the many consorts in the harem, she had only met Consort Rong and Consort Lan.
This deliberate challenge was most likely because of Qin Moyuan.
With this thought, Li Yueshu replied without reservation, "A Yuan has always had discerning taste, which is why he discovered my exceptional qualities! After all, not everyone in this world is as capable as I am."
Li Yueshu's words were somewhat shameless. Even the Empress, who was usually adept at controlling her emotions, couldn't help but twitch her lips.
The expressions of the consorts varied, but the only one who couldn't help but laugh was Consort Rong.
"Pfft!"
Consort Rong laughed unreservedly, "Miss Li is right. It is indeed the Regent's good fortune to have met someone as capable as Miss Li."
As soon as she said this, everyone looked at her in shock.
Did Consort Rong mean that the Regent was lucky to have met Li Yueshu?
Was this really Consort Rong?
This was a woman personally brought into the Regent's mansion by the Regent himself. Shouldn't she be the first to step forward and make trouble?
It was rumored that the Fourteenth Prince had been indebted to this woman. Could it be because of this that Consort Rong could tolerate her?
Everyone's hearts were filled with curiosity. As for the two individuals involved, they exchanged a smile, appearing to be on friendly terms.
Everyone watched this scene in surprise, and the atmosphere became quiet for a moment.
Finally, the Empress broke the silence, "I find Miss Li very approachable. You don't need to call yourself 'this humble one' from now on. If Miss Li is willing, consider me family!"
Li Yueshu naturally did not refuse, "Thank you, Your Highness."
The Empress still held her hand affectionately, "I heard that Miss Li has been staying at the Regent's mansion since arriving in Zhongzhou. Are you getting used to it?"
Li Yueshu nodded with a shallow smile, "A Yuan arranged two maids for me, and the people in the mansion have been very caring."
"That's good." The Empress patted her hand. "It's good to familiarize yourself with the Regent's mansion beforehand. It will be easier to adapt when you move into Rumoju in the future."
Li Yueshu's eyebrows twitched slightly.
Move into Rumoju?
But she was already living in Rumoju!
And from the Empress's words, it seemed she was confirming that she would marry Qin Moyuan?
Just as Li Yueshu was about to ask a question or two, Consort Rong spoke first, "Your Highness the Empress, you are mistaken. On the first day Miss Li entered the Regent's mansion, she moved into Rumoju."
Hearing this, everyone showed expressions of shock.
Li Yueshu was a little bewildered, "This... is there a problem with me living in Rumoju?"
"There is certainly no problem with you living there," Consort Rong explained to her kindly. "Rumoju was originally a place for the Regent's Princess Consort to live."
Now it was Li Yueshu's turn to be shocked.
She had lived in Rumoju for so long, yet no one had ever told her this?
Seemingly sensing her confusion, the Empress patiently explained, "The plaque of the Regent's mansion was inscribed by the Emperor himself and sealed with the Imperial Seal. Rumoju was inscribed by me and sealed with the Phoenix Seal."
Li Yueshu was not foolish. With the explanation given, she naturally understood the meaning.
The Empress looked at her, her smile growing more affectionate, "I didn't expect the Regent to have already let you live in Rumoju. He must value Miss Li greatly."
Since the Empress had said so, the other consorts naturally followed with flattering words.
The consort who had deliberately provoked her earlier also became quiet, as if her earlier remark was just a casual comment.
After chatting for a short while, a sharp voice called out from outside the door, "The Emperor has arrived! The Regent has arrived!"
As soon as the words fell, the entire hall erupted in commotion.
Li Yueshu watched as a group of gorgeously dressed women excitedly tidied their makeup, their faces full of anticipation.
This scene was truly difficult to describe in words.
"Greetings, Your Majesty. Greetings, Your Highness the Regent."
A chorus of sweet voices rose, and Li Yueshu also bowed.
"Everyone, rise!" The Emperor asked with a hint of confusion, "Why have you all come to Fengyi Hall today?"
The Empress was about to speak when someone's voice was faster than hers, "Consort Rong misspoke. Her Highness the Empress was not feeling well today, which is why she woke up late. Originally, the Empress intended to cancel the morning greetings today, but thinking that she would be meeting Miss Li, she forced herself to get up despite feeling unwell."
"Speaking of Miss Li, it was a coincidence. We consorts heard that Miss Li was brought here by the Regent himself, and we were curious, so we wanted to see her in person."
The consort who had spoken earlier to provoke Li Yueshu also chimed in, "Yes, this humble one heard that Miss Li dared to storm Guanzhou alone for the Regent, and was greatly impressed. I would also like to hear her tell stories of Guanzhou!"
Li Yueshu maintained a faint smile throughout, as if she were merely an observer.
She finally understood. The consort who had deliberately provoked her was someone from the Empress's faction.
The Empress, who had been so friendly from the moment they met, probably didn't really like her.
That made sense. The Empress was Qin Yexiu's birth mother, and given Qin Yexiu's attitude towards Qin Moyuan, how could she be so kind to her?
She wasn't Li Xiangru, who had the support of the Zhenbei General's mansion and the narrative destiny paving her way. Even the most eccentric person would like her upon seeing her.
The Emperor frowned slightly, "The Regent and I have matters to discuss. You may all return."
Since the Emperor had spoken, everyone dared not linger. Even the Empress left.
In a short while, only the Emperor, Qin Moyuan, and Li Yueshu remained in the hall.
As everyone left, the Emperor, who had maintained a stern demeanor, immediately showed a friendly smile, "Miss Li, we meet again!"