The Empress engaged in casual conversation with Consort Yu, leaving Consort Rui, who had initially been so arrogant, out in the cold.
Other consorts, such as Consort Rou—the mother of Prince Ning—and Consort Zhuang—the mother of Prince Rong—held statuses not inferior to those of Consort Yu or Consort Rui. However, their actual standing within the inner palace was undeniably lower than that of the other two. Consequently, they chose to remain quiet, sipping their tea in silence and pretending to watch the others laugh and chat, fearful of backing the wrong side.
Although the combined weight of the Empress and Consort Yu was far greater than that of Consort Rui, a consort’s importance in the inner palace ultimately rested on her son. Now that Prince Jin’s legs had recovered, should he be named heir apparent, he would carry more weight than ten Empresses and Consorts Yu combined. In matters of picking sides, it was best not to act with undue haste.
Chapter 555