Consort Jiang was convinced that the Empress Dowager's tantrum directed at her was due to her poor mood, thus Concubine Xi, who entered later, would inevitably become cannon fodder as well.
With this thought, Consort Jiang felt much better.
She clung to this imagination, eagerly waiting for the evening.
As it turned out, Concubine Xi was invited to share a meal with the Empress Dowager, who also gifted her a pair of jade melons. Consort Jiang remembered those items; they were highly cherished by the Empress Dowager, their green skin and red flesh distinctly visible, said to be made from the rarest materials, resembling ordinary melons, yet now they were given to Concubine Xi. Clearly, she had truly impressed her.
"Why? How could even the Empress Dowager be swayed by her?"
