The Female Psychology PhD Who Time Traveled to the Royal Harem

Perhaps the mistress has already thought of a solution!

As servants, we should mind less of our master's business.

On the first day at the summer palace, everyone was exhausted from the long journey, so only a simple evening meal was arranged. Each person retired to their assigned gardens to rest after dining.

However, there were exceptions.

After dinner, Noble Lady Liu invited Consort Zhang, Court Lady Zheng, and Concubine Ye to explore the gardens together.

Consort Zhang was not included in their invitation, as everyone knew she had fallen out of favor.

Who would waste time socializing with someone who couldn't bring them any benefits?

Jiang Xinyue had been well taken care of and had spent most of the day sleeping on the boat, so naturally, she wasn't tired.

In later times, the Chinese treasure Summer Palace would be looted and burned by the shameless Eight-Nation Alliance, preventing future generations from witnessing its stunning beauty in person.

Though this summer retreat wasn't as ingeniously designed as the Summer Palace, it still showcased the ancient people's wisdom and craftsmanship. In Jiang Xinyue's modern perspective, besides the Summer Palace, she had never seen such magnificent ancient architecture.

Wet Nurse Lu and the eldest princess, both suffering from motion sickness, stayed behind to rest at the ChuangChun Pavilion. The Sixth Prince, being in an unfamiliar place, was also left behind under the care of Nanny Xiang and Shuang Jiang to ensure his comfort.

Initially, Jiang Xinyue didn't want Xi Que to come out, but Xi Que, leaning on her crutch and dragging her injured leg, refused to miss this beautiful scenery and insisted on joining the garden tour.

Concubine Cheng was the most favored among their batch of newcomers and held the highest rank. Even if Noble Lady Liu didn't invite her, others would.

"Your Highness, look, it seems someone is releasing lanterns over there."

In the winding clear lake below, several uniquely designed lanterns floated downstream, their faint light swaying in the water, adding more artistic charm to the beautiful scene.

Concubine Cheng had released her lantern and was the first to open her eyes, while the others remained crouched by the riverbank, eyes closed, making wishes.

In the distance, the Imperial Noble Consort was traveling with a long line of palace servants and guards, quite eye-catching. When Noble Lady Liu and others stood up, Jiang Xinyue's group had just reached the corner, hidden by shrubs.

Concubine Cheng pretended not to notice and sighed, "The lanterns we release only carry our sisterly delusions. His Majesty cherishes the Imperial Noble Consort so much, how would he care about our feelings?"

Consort Zhang and Court Lady Zheng, who had never even seen the Emperor, became emotional upon hearing this: "Before entering the palace, father repeatedly instructed me to gain the Emperor's favor and bring glory to our family, but who would have thought..."

Who would have thought that after Noble Consort Li left, an even more formidable Imperial Noble Consort would arrive.

The conversation had turned rather melancholic at this point.

Noble Lady Liu, both defiant and dissatisfied with Concubine Cheng's mood-breaking comment, blurted out, "Cheng Nianhe, if you really feel that way, you might as well pack up and go home! We entered the palace to fight for our place in the harem and seek benefits for our families. What's the point of boosting others' confidence while dampening our own spirits?"

She narrowed her eyes: "What? Are you scared because I mentioned last time that the Imperial Noble Consort wouldn't let you off? It doesn't matter if you're scared, but we're not afraid of her. No matter how powerful she is, she can't dispose of us as she pleases - we are the Emperor's women."

With no one stopping her, she became more excited: "Just a dancer's daughter, even though the Emperor ordered Minister Jiang to elevate her to the position of equal wife, it can't change her lowborn blood. Being Imperial Noble Consort is already her limit. Why can't we compete for an even higher position?"

Such as... the vacant position of Empress.

Though she didn't say it out loud, her ambitious eyes betrayed her thoughts.

"How dare you!"

Xi Que, truly remarkable, rolled up her sleeves and limped over, delivering a hard slap to Noble Lady Liu's upturned face: "You dare speak disrespectfully about the Imperial Noble Consort! According to palace rules, this warrants thirty slaps. Noble Lady Liu, kneel down for your punishment!"

Liu Xiaoxiao, already furious from the first slap, was outraged at the prospect of receiving thirty more.

"You mere—"

Just as she was about to resist, she saw the Imperial Noble Consort emerge from behind the shrubs with her entourage, smiling: "My apologies, I wasn't intentionally eavesdropping. I just happened to walk by when I heard Noble Lady Liu calling my bloodline lowborn."

"This concubine... this concubine didn't mean to... it was..."

"Oh?"

Jiang Xinyue gave a cold laugh: "Not meant to? So it was intentional then. Xiao Xiangzi!"

She gave Xiao Xiangzi a look, who immediately rushed over, grabbed Noble Lady Liu's shoulder, twisted her arm, and kicked the back of her knee, forcing her to kneel.

"Xi Que, slap her!"

"Slap! Slap! Slap..."

The sharp sound of slaps accompanied by Noble Lady Liu's muffled groans made the others' scalps tingle. They all knelt with hunched shoulders, praying that the Imperial Noble Consort would calm down after punishing Noble Lady Liu, or they would all be in big trouble.

After all, it was Noble Lady Liu's own mouth that got her into trouble, having nothing to do with them.

Jiang Xinyue's gaze fell on Cheng Nianhe, who kept her head lowered, appearing respectful, obedient, and lovely.

After thirty slaps, Xi Que's hands and feet were numb, but thankfully supported by Xiao Xiangzi, she maintained her imposing manner as she returned to Jiang Xinyue's side, hiding her trembling right hand behind her back.

With loosened teeth and a burning face, Noble Lady Liu collapsed on the ground, feeling dizzy and about to faint.

A strong taste of blood filled her mouth, and she spat out a mouthful of bloody saliva.

Just when they breathed a sigh of relief, thinking the Imperial Noble Consort would leave after venting her anger, those expensive embroidered shoes adorned with two large pearls stopped in front of Concubine Cheng.

"Slap!"

"Hiss—"

The Imperial Noble Consort actually personally slapped Concubine Cheng.

Everyone drew in a sharp breath, not understanding why she suddenly struck the "kind and fragile" Concubine Cheng.

Cheng Nianhe herself was stunned, feeling both angry and humiliated. She raised her neck to look at Jiang Xinyue: "Imperial Noble Consort, why did you strike this concubine?"

"Because you addressed me as Imperial Noble Consort."

This had a similar effect to the famous drama line "Why pick a specific day to hit you when I can do it whenever I want?"

Cheng Nianhe wanted to continue acting, with defiant tears already welling up in her eyes: "You!"

"Noble Lady Liu..."

However, Jiang Xinyue pressed her hand wearing sharp nail guards onto Concubine Cheng's shoulder. The sharp guards dug into her flesh, making it difficult for her to maintain her kneeling position.

But her words were directed at Liu Xiaoxiao: "Let me give you some advice - don't always let yourself be used as a pawn by those with ulterior motives. The beating you received today was well-deserved."

What did she mean?

As everyone slowly processed the meaning of these words, was the Imperial Noble Consort suggesting that... Concubine Cheng had set up Noble Lady Liu?

This batch of court ladies wasn't very bright - even when things were spelled out so clearly, they still seemed confused. How frustrating!

Jiang Xinyue patted Concubine Cheng forcefully a few times: "When I was coming from that direction earlier, didn't Concubine Cheng see me?"

Now everyone understood.