Song Qingzhi finally gained the upper hand in front of Ning Wanyin. Without letting her get up, she said sarcastically, “Ning Meiren is favored by His Majesty and is arrogant. She looked down on everyone, so naturally, she didn’t see this Jieyu.”
Lian Rui and the other palace maids were speechless. The flowers and trees in the Imperial Garden were lush and verdant; how could one know if someone was inside without going in?
“Please forgive my poor eyesight. The flowers and trees in the Imperial Garden were so lush that they obscured Song Jieyu’s clothes. I only caught a fleeting glimpse of Song Jieyu’s face and mistook her for some palace maid… This is all my fault. I apologize to Song Jieyu.” Ning Wanyin replied calmly.
Ning Wanyin doesn’t bully others, but if someone comes to bully her, they’re asking for trouble.
She’s never been a good person.
Song Qingzhi’s face turned ashen instantly.
How dare she say she mistook her for a palace maid!
How could a lowly servant be compared to her!
“We’ve met before…”
Song Qingzhi gritted her teeth, seizing on the loophole in her words: “You still dare to say you don’t recognize me?”
Ning Wanyin had been waiting for her to say that. She said with a look of self-reproach, “Indeed, I have seen Song Jieyu several times when paying my respects, but there are so many concubines that it is dazzling. I do not have the ability to remember everything I see, and I can only remember a few beauties with outstanding appearances… Ah, I misspoke. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I was referring to the beauties in my own eyes, not that Song Jieyu was of average appearance.”
Song Qingzhi nearly fainted from anger. She had been praised for her beauty since childhood; this was the first time her appearance had been insulted!
How dare she say she was plain-looking!
How dare she mistake her for a palace maid!
“Only shallow, vulgar, talentless, and immoral women would value appearance and judge people by their looks!” Song Qingzhi sneered.
Ning Wanyin looked at her in surprise.
Didn’t she realize that there was something wrong with what she said?
“What you say is true, Song Jieyu. I never judge people by their appearance, nor do I consider someone of low character just because they are not beautiful. Song Jieyu, you are favored by His Majesty, so you must be of excellent character.” Ning Wanyin replied with a smile.
Song Qingzhi swayed and had to rely on the maid beside her to steady herself.
She then came to her senses. In her anger, she had blurted out insults that included herself. Unable to argue with Ning Wanyin. She forcefully used her rank to suppress her.
“You…you didn’t bow to me, showing no respect for your superior. I, the Jieyu, hereby punish you to kneel for an hour to reflect on your actions!”
A hint of surprise flashed in Ning Wanyin’s eyes.
Using rank to suppress the favored concubine?
How naive!
Although generally speaking, higher-ranking concubines can punish those of lower rank.
But rules are rigid, while people are flexible.
“This concubine has ginseng soup simmering in her small kitchen, which is to be presented to His Majesty. I am in a hurry to deliver the soup to His Majesty. Please forgive me, Song Jieyu.” Ning Wanyin replied calmly, her thin lips slightly upturned.
“If Song Jieyu feels that your affairs are more important than His Majesty’s, you may continue to obstruct this concubine.”
“You…” Song Qingzhi’s face turned ashen, but she was speechless.
“Thank you for your understanding, Song Jieyu. I will take my leave now.”
Ning Wanyin bowed and turned to get into the sedan chair.
Song Qingzhi could only watch helplessly as Ning Wanyin’s procession departed.
“Please calm down, Master. She only dares to be so presumptuous because she relies on His Majesty’s favor…” Shi’er quickly comforted her.
“At tonight’s poetry gathering, the Master will surely dazzle everyone. His Majesty will know that you are superior to her! He will definitely favor you even more!”
Song Qingzhi had been meticulously composing poems for tonight’s gathering for a month.
Song Qingzhi clenched the handkerchief in her palm.
Ning Wanyin, you just wait.
*****
Translator’s Comment:
What a classic statement, usually said by a villain: You just wait!
Hahaha…
Btw, another character will appear!!!
You can support this lovely translator and your favorite series by buying me a cup of Ko-fi ( ˘▽˘)っ♨
I will really appreciate it. ♥️♥️♥️
Sam Williams On TYMIMA Chapter 152