lingering warmth on hers."Hahaha... Ha ha," Feng Changqing laughed loudly as he said, "If you act like this, I might fall for you.""Ah" Upon hearing these words, Qilin froze in place and quickly waved...Chapter 39: The Empress Consort's First Three Actions, Premier on 17K

Soon after Feng Changqing left, Yu Mu instructed Ren Dong to send Qi Lin back. He thought that she would run into Feng Changqing when returning here but was surprised to see only Zhou Xi and Su Feng waiting for her, who didn't ask about her whereabouts either. She casually mentioned that she went out at night to look for any clues of ghosts' shadows since she couldn’t sleep, yet they merely exchanged a few polite words.

She returned late, took a bath, and fell asleep soundly until Lü Zhu came to wake her up.

The moment she woke up, she saw the room filled with maids dressed in palace maid uniforms. Just as she was confused about this scene, Xiao Ningzi walked over.

"Red Snow, receive the imperial edict~"

Before anyone could react, everyone in the room had already knelt down, including Qi Lin who kneeled with a head full of questions.

"By imperial decree: The virtuous lady Red Snow is tranquil and graceful, beautiful yet delicate, elegant and serene. She is prudent by nature and gentle by character; she deeply pleases me, the emperor. Henceforth, you are hereby bestowed the title of Jade Empress Consort and awarded Moon-view Palace. This is an edict from the Emperor!"

This imperial decree felt like a bolt from the blue that exploded in Qi Lin’s mind. She had received Feng Changqing's imperial decree before, but it lay untouched in her wooden box according to their agreement. Xiao Ningzi mentioned Moon-view Palace, which is the Eastern Palace and closest to Feng Changqing's study; why would he suddenly do this

"Jade Empress Consort" Xiao Ningzi had asked Qi Lin to receive the edict several times already, but she was deep in thought with a frown. He could only speak louder with a smile: "Congratulations to Jade Empress Consort for your promotion!"

Qi Lin numbly looked at Xiao Ningzi's smiling face, numbly accepted the imperial decree and numbly stood up. After Lü Zhu rewarded Xiao Ningzi, palace maids holding the attire of an empress stood in two lines.

"Please allow us to恭請玉貴妃沐浴更衣。(help the Jade Empress Consort bathe and change into new clothes)," said the leading woman with a light voice, lowering her head.

Qi Lin gave them a cold glance; they looked ready to disembowel themselves if she didn't comply, which was laughable. They knew that she disliked such formalities yet insisted on carrying out these rituals.

"But cats are hard to tame and must be treated with kindness in order for them to trust you. Occasionally, though, it is necessary to teach them a lesson so they understand their status; isn't this what the Young Master Yu Mu said"

By doing this, Feng Changqing wanted to tell her that he was the emperor and could do whatever he pleased with her.

Since this is the case, then so be it. Clinging to pride in a futile effort is just foolishness. She raised her hands and said calmly, "Why are you all still standing there"

The attendant Green Bamboo was taken aback; Qi Lin had never acted like this before. However, after she spoke up, the palace maids surrounded Qi Lin immediately, leaving no room for Green Bamboo to interfere.

Her status had improved significantly, but it seemed that everything else would be handled by others, except for walking on her own.

When she took a bath, there were seven or eight people around her. Two of them scattered flowers and added essential oils, one checked the water temperature and adjusted it if necessary, two washed towels, another two cleaned her body, and yet another person informed her about the rules for consorts and their privileges while bathing, even changing her towel after each use.

This extravagant lifestyle would be hard to enjoy even by wealthy people in the 21st century.

However, the two palace attendants who were supposed to clean Qi Lin's body had delicate hands; when they touched her skin, it was like she was being shaved with a machine. The force used was so strong that it seemed as if they wanted to peel off her skin layer by layer. After bathing, almost none of her skin retained its original color and some even bled, but Qi Lin did not utter a sound throughout the entire process.

"Does the Empress still have any questions regarding what I just said" The palace attendant who had been explaining the rules respectfully asked Qi Lin. "Do you require me to repeat it"

Qi Lin lowered her gaze and allowed several remaining maids to dress her. The complexity of the procedure was such that even if she watched, she would hardly understand it. Once she was finally dressed, Qi Lin was taken to a dressing table. Several palace women hurriedly arranged her long hair, and the headdress they were putting on her filled an entire wooden box.

"Empress, according to regulations, when responding, you should do so with a slight smile, finishing within two seconds," one of the maids deliberately raised her voice seeing Qi Lin not respond.

Green Bamboo frowned and stepped forward, slapping the maid across the face and scolding, "Does our Empress need to answer your pitiful slave’s words What audacity!"

"Audacity!" The maid did not fear this and shouted even more harshly. "I am a sixth-rank female official in charge of the Consort's clothing and food needs! How dare you insult an imperial court official, let alone beat her"

Sixth-rank female official Qi Lin finally recalled that palace maids had ranks as well; a sixth-rank female official was precisely one who served by the Empress’s side. She assumed then that consorts must be either high-ranking officials or princesses from neighboring countries. However, since she came from Drunken Flower Tower and was originally of lowly status, and even more so being merely a concubine, it seemed like she would now have to deal with an unrespected master.

"You do not answer me"

"Wait," Qi Lin calmly raised her hand to stop the maid from speaking. She then took off the headdress that had been repeatedly put on her and turned her neck. Before the maid could start explaining palace rules again, Qi Lin asked, "May I ask what your title is"

"I am not worthy. My humble name is Zhu Zhi."

Zhu Zhi immediately bowed respectfully, then glared at Lüzhu and said, "I have heard that Your Majesty usually doesn't discipline the palace maids much, resulting in them disregarding their position. But it's okay, today I will teach these servants a lesson on behalf of Your Majesty so they can learn to know who is master and who is servant."

"However, cats are hard to tame and must be treated gently for them to trust you. Occasionally, though, one needs to give them a taste of their own medicine, making sure they understand their status. Is that what Lord Yu Wood said or not"

Qi Lin frowned; she could actually see Feng Changqing's shadow in Zhu Zhi.

"Oh" Qi Lin slightly curled the corners of her mouth and walked step by step towards Lüzhu, whose eyes were full of委屈. Normally, Qi Lin treated palace maids coldly and strictly but was relatively free with Lüzhu. Now that she was being treated this way, it could only mean that something had gone wrong.

When did her people have to be scolded by outsiders

"Uncle Zhu Zhi is right; I indeed spoil her a bit too much," Qi Lin deliberately made her voice more seductive and coldly glanced at Lüzhu, continuing, "You are correct in your criticism. But may I ask Uncle something"

"I dare not."

Zhu Zhi lifted her chin arrogantly.

Qi Lin smiled dismissively and continued, "Dare not You're being too humble. What I want to know is that historically, servants lecturing other servants in the presence of their master without explicit permission from said master—what does this mean Of course, my understanding is limited; if you hadn't told me your rank as a sixth-grade female official, I would have thought you were challenging my authority."

Zhu Zhi's expression changed instantly and lost her previous arrogance. She nervously tugged at the corners of her mouth, saying, "Your Majesty speaks well. The servant was just... trying to..."

"Green Bamboo is under my jurisdiction. Even if she needs punishment, it will be decided by me," Qi Lin pulled Zhu Zhi's chin up so that she had no choice but to look at her and said sternly, "As long as I'm standing here, you have no right to lecture the servants."

"The servant understands her fault," Zhu Zhi knelt down with a thud. She was originally a female official under Consort Lan; normally even lower-ranked consorts had to show respect towards her. Today she didn't expect to be lectured by Qi Lin, nor did she expect the rumors of that day to turn out true. Originally, she wanted to give Qi Lin a warning but now—huh, she was personally appointed as a female official by His Majesty! "The servant knows your anger is justifiable; the truth I speak may be unpalatable, yet it's what His Majesty hoped for when he appointed me—to timely remind masters of their mistakes."

"Mistakes" Qi Lin raised her eyebrows and said, "So you're a personally-appointed female official Ha ha ha... If we put it this way, it seems like I'm not a personally-appointed Consort. Tell me, what mistake did I make Spoiling the servants or refusing to listen to your advice"

At this point, Zhu Zhi was at a loss for words and her palms were actually sweating—an unprecedented occurrence.

"Seems like Uncle has been overthinking too much; it's okay. I will report to His Majesty right now so that you can rest," Qi Lin said coldly. "Green Bamboo is usually lazy, but from today on she'll replace Uncle and serve me diligently—how does that sound

"Good!"

Feng Changqiang walked in from behind a screen. He had changed into a purple dragon-patterned official robe, making him appear even more extraordinary.

"Your humble subject greets the Emperor."

"My beloved need not be so formal," Feng Changqiang extended his long hand to stop Qi Lin from kneeling, and simultaneously tidied her slightly messy bangs. Glancing at the accessories on the ground, he said, "Does my beloved dislike these Then I shall never have you wear such cumbersome items again."

With that, he raised his hand and personally styled a bun for Qi Lin, inserting an ornate phoenix hairpin. Tassels cascaded from the beak of the phoenix down to Qi Lin's shoulder. Feng Changqiang picked up a strand of her black hair, sniffed it, then frowned slightly.

"This scent... is not my beloved’s." He then turned his side in displeasure and glared fiercely at those below. Upon being stared at like this, everyone else trembled and knelt with their heads bowed. Feng Changqiang’s gaze finally landed on Zhu Zhi, who said, "I-I am the one."

Feng Changqiang's voice was low and imposing, as if he were an emissary from Hell, causing people to feel a chill.

"Y-Yes, Your Excellency," Zhu Zhi trembled in response. "This is the special essential oil for the esteemed concubine; I chose it..."

Before Zhu Zhi could finish speaking, he was kicked several feet away and fell heavily to the ground, spitting out blood as he tried to get up.

Qi Lin hadn't expected Feng Changqiang to act this way, but she still calmly watched everything happen without even trying to intercede on anyone's behalf.

"When did my beloved need such trivial items" He then turned to Qi Lin with a gentle tone. "As you say, the dog of a servant is useless now. Would it be acceptable for Lüzhu to serve your beloved"

Qi Lin slightly bowed and softly replied, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Feng Changqiang embraced Qi Lin in his arms and gently patted her back, completely oblivious to the coldness in her eyes. some consideration, Qi Lin finally raised her foot, prepared to kick but just as she did, the door opened.The door was open; Qi Lin hesitated whether or not to go in, yet her body moved first. That i...