Transmigration: The Fate of the Villainess

191 What jiejie? What meimei? Part II

Bai Yu could roughly remember Ouyang Feilong’s thirty-two consorts’ names. They were all promoted from second consorts and concubines to royal consorts. Out of all of them, only two-second consorts became high-ranking consorts: Zhao Ninghua, who was Gui Fei, and Mu Qilin, who was De Fei.

Three were promoted from concubines to Pin level consorts due to their families’ standings. The rest twenty-seven were ranked as Jie Yu, Mei Ren, and Cai Ren, with nine people of each title filling the maximum limit.

Bai Yu was not too well-versed in the ranks and titles within the inner court. Still, she knew enough to be amused by Ouyang Feilong’s assignment. If his two-second consorts were not bestowed with a marriage by the emperor, then they would never be consorts ranked as Fei. As for Pin level, consorts would have to thank their fathers who served in Ouyang Feilong’s army. And the rest of the twenty-seven women seemed to be haphazardly put into the available slots.

Within the list of names, Bai Yu did not see the Wang surname of the woman whom she had met once at a party. Bai Yu was unsure if it was because Ouyang Feilong had dealt with the Wang family and removed her from his palace, or if there was another reason.

Bai Yu believed that there were many more women in Rui Wang Palace who were not brought to the royal palace. She might have to ask him later about what he did to them. This man was cold toward his consorts and concubines as always. The sole reason was that he never wanted them from the start. Bai Yu was lucky to have his heart, and that luck led her here, taking care of and talking to the women ‘worthy’ of the empress’ benevolence.

She had already prepared herself to face the women who had spent their entire youth married to Ouyang Feilong. Bai Yu was the youngest of them all, yet she held the highest rank and had to let these older women call her ‘Jiejie.’ That was rather hard to swallow for her still.

“Blessings to the Empress. May you live and reign for a thousand years, a thousand years, thousands of thousands of years.”

The various voices of the consorts saying their greetings were heard as Bai Yu headed toward the phoenix throne on the raised platform, making it higher than the other consorts’ seats. Bai Yu walked at her usual, elegant pace. The grace she had always carried was further emphasized by the golden robe and the full set of phoenix accessories.

“You can relax.”

.....

After sitting down, she revealed a smile at the colorful flowers around her. Though these consorts were no less than five years older than she, they could all retain their impressive beauty. Today, they dressed themselves meticulously, choosing lighter colors in order to not be too eye-catching. Bai Yu gauged these women with interest. They knew that they could not afford to offend her, the person who was currently favored and might remain so in the future.

Nevertheless, there was someone who did not understand the word ‘adapt.’ Or maybe she intended to make herself Bai Yu’s enemy…by being late.

Even a child knew that they must be early in one’s first meeting with the empress. And yet this woman, Mu De Fei, slowly descended from her palanquin. Her movements were leisurely as if she was strolling in the royal garden. All sound was instantly silent.

Bai Yu studied the woman she had met once and hit once with a face full of smiles. It seemed that the second consort was ‘Mu Qilin,’ who was sauntering toward her. The figure in the dark purple dress stopped in front of Bai Yu before curtsying to her. As expected of a Fei rank consort, her manners were impeccable.

“Apologies to jiejie. Meimei seems to have acted rudely.”

Originally, Bai Yu was trying to cope with being called ‘jiejie’ by women older than her. However, when Mu Qilin appeared, she was now unsure whether she could accept it or not.

“Bengong doesn’t remember having such a decrepit younger sister.”

Bai Yu immediately covered her mouth after the words had ‘slipped’ out. The gaze of the woman before the phoenix throne turned sharp for a moment before returning to normal.

“Jiejie, please do not tease me so.” Mu Qilin let out a soft laugh, as an aristocrat’s daughter would. She was skilled at suppressing her emotions and hiding her expression from the crowd. Unfortunately, Bai Yu could see how wicked this woman was. And she wanted to know how much more wicked she could be.

Bai Yu and Mu Qilin were never on good terms. They had already exchanged violence since before Bai Yu entered the palace. It would be more surprising if Mu Qilin tried to suck up to her.

Her title might be empress, or first consort, or first wife, but she could not deny that she was the one who came after. Still, Bai Yu could not fake a sincere smile or pretend to be friendly with a woman who was trying to steal her husband. If this was how Mu Qilin wanted to act, then Bai Yu would make an example out of her.

“Did bengong say something funny?” Her eyes were fixed on the lady in front of her. Despite a sweet smile on her lips, her crystal clear voice was chilly, as if every gaze was frozen to be fixed on her.

“Oh.” Without waiting for another word from anyone, Bai Yu pretended to laugh before continuing. Her cheerful tone was a stark contrast to the others’ silence. “Apologies to De Fei. Bengong was born the first miss of the major family and the daughter born of the first furen. There were not many opportunities to socialize with other children of the mistresses, so bengong was not quite used to having sisters.”

Mu Qilin was not the only one affected; more than half the women here were slighted by Bai Yu’s words. As consorts within the inner court, no matter how talented or beautiful they were, they would not prosper without their family’s backing. Even the emperor’s favor was tied to the family’s power. The influence of the Bai family that Bai Yu held was second to none here. The difference in their status was further highlighted by the fact that most of them, including Mu Qilin, were born from second consorts or concubines.

Although Bai Yu was angry at Ouyang Hongxian for finding these women to give to his brother, she had to thank him for picking those whose status or political power was not remarkable.

“Bengong hopes meimei won’t mind.” If they wanted to be family, then she would play along.

“Not at all, Your Majesty.” The woman in purple hid her emotions under a smile and a sweet voice.

“No, no.” Bai Yu waved her hand in disagreement. “Today, De Fei has taught bengong a lesson. Us siblings should be in harmony, correct?” Bai Yu smiled at the consorts, who were all keeping their heads low. They had seen how the arrogant Mu Qilin of Rui Wang Palace had to admit defeat.

It did not matter whether the empress was willing or unwilling to marry, not when they looked up and witnessed her renowned beauty and rosy love marks on her pure, white neck. With those, how could they not acknowledge the absolute power she held here?

“Since De Fei has shown bengong friendship between siblings, you can kneel here and rest for two shichens. No need to follow bengong to greet the Empress Dowager.”

At first, she intended to be ‘jiejie’ to ‘meimei’ who were older than her.

But on second thought… What jiejie? What meimei? I’m not playing house with anyone here!