So Princess Wen has no interest in the inconspicuous little palace maid around Chu Qitong. After exchanging a few casual greetings with Chu Qitong, the concubines who came to pay their respects were almost all gathered.

The last one to arrive was Mu Meiren. Mu Meiren is the only daughter of the Right Minister's family. Originally, with the prestige of the Right Minister, she entered the palace, and the Emperor would have to give her a position as a concubine. But unfortunately, this Mu Meiren developed many bad habits being spoiled by the Right Minister at home. Not only is she arrogant and domineering, but she also often speaks without restraint.

When Mu Meiren first entered the palace, the Emperor, out of consideration for the Prime Minister's reputation, also wanted to treat her well. However, on her first night in the Tenglong Hall, Mu Meiren criticized the decorations in the hall. In a fit of anger, the Emperor had her sent out of the Tenglong Hall but still granted her the position of a beauty, all because of the Prime Minister Mu's reputation.

Mu Youxiang knew his daughter's temperament well. Although the Emperor's actions had caused the Right Minister's Manor to lose face, Mu Youxiang would still swallow his pride.

It has been three years since Mu Meiren entered the palace, but the Emperor has never visited her Chengyue Pavilion. The concubines in the harem always make fun of Mu Meiren behind her back, but she remains oblivious and even boasts that she enjoys the tranquility of not having to serve the Emperor.

Over time, Lady Mu stood out among the three palaces, six courtyards, and seventy-two concubines. Most concubines preferred to avoid her, for fear of being associated with Lady Mu, who was widely known in the imperial palace as a harbinger of misfortune.

After Mu Meiren entered, she casually untied her cloak and handed it to the maid behind her. Then, without haste, she respectfully greeted Empress Wen. Before Empress Wen could say anything, Mu Meiren stood upright, nonchalantly stroked her own hair bun, and said, "Oh dear, according to my humble opinion, on such a cold day, it would be better to skip the greetings. It's freezing out here, the road is slippery, and I really can't understand the purpose of coming all the way from Qingyu Palace."

After finishing speaking, as if she hadn't noticed the changing expressions of the people present, she casually placed her hand on the maid standing behind her, and allowed herself to be supported by the maid as she took a seat.

The other concubines present have all experienced Mu Meiren's lack of restraint in her speech, so when she spoke these words, it didn't cause any waves. It simply added a few more traces of contempt for her in their hearts.

Mu Meiren sat right beside Chu Qitong. After she settled down, she leaned her head towards Chu Qitong and revealed the newly-made rose-red rouge on her hand, saying, "Princess Liuhua, how do you think I did with this rouge today?"

In fact, based on Mu Meiren's status, she shouldn't have been sitting next to Chu Qitong. However, three years ago, when she first came to pay respects, the other concubines heard about her achievements and none of them were willing to sit with her. The situation became chaotic, but in the end, it was Chu Qitong who stood up and said that she was willing to sit with Mu Meiren, and that's how this matter passed.

It is precisely because of this that Mu Meiren was able to sit in the position of a favorite concubine, and no one dared to challenge her.

Chu Xitong glanced at Mu Meiren's brightly red cochineal on her fingers, and with her usual gentle smile, she said, "Your hands are beautiful, which makes this crimson color even more vibrant."

After Chu Qitong finished speaking, Mu Meiren also smiled. She gently patted Chu Qitong's hand and said, "The princess still knows how to speak." After saying that, Chu Qitong felt that Mu Meiren had slipped something into her sleeve. She calmly adjusted her sleeve and gave Mu Meiren a proper smile in return.