Xiao Li's expressions turned ugly seeing that Ji Cheng especially got off his seat just to sit with Zhao Ming? Not only that, according to the custom, if he is leaving his royal seat for Grandmother Shuren, then he should at least sit on the chair next to her, which is Zhao Ming's seat.

But he sat beside her and didn't even ask her to change seats with him.

She was about to say something when a maid came and announced the arrival of Grandmother Shuren.

Everyone stood up to greet her including Ji Cheng but Zhao Ming not only stood up but walked towards Shuren to hold her hand and led her to her chair.

Shuren was surprised because she was indeed feeling uncomfortable and tired because of the long journey and it caused her to walk rather slowly and with difficulty. Even though her maid was supporting her, she felt pleased because Zhao Ming noticed these small actions of hers.

Xiao Li's expressions turned grim seeing the way Zhao Ming was trying to get closer to Shuren.?[ Read this novel on W e b n o v e l . c o m ( remove spaces). If you are reading this elsewhere, then this novel is pirated. Support the original author, not thieves. Regards Kamlyn]

When everyone settled on their seats, all the consorts greeted Shuren one by one. Xiao Li also greeted her but she didn't say her name because she has already introduced herself to Shuren earlier.

Shuren looked at Xiao Li with a complicated gaze and asked, " What's your name? Why didn't you say your name?"

"-_-'

" Pfft"

Xiao Li was speechless when Shuren asked for her name. She just met her in the afternoon and she forgot her name? However, her expressions turned ugly when she heard Zhao Ming chuckling.

Zhao Ming was also caught off guard hearing Grandmother Shuren's words. She couldn't help but laugh, however she immediately covered her mouth with a hand to stop herself from laughing.

But this action of hers, made her laughing more obvious and uncontrollable.

Ji Cheng sighed seeing her making efforts to control her laughter.

Xiao Li gritted her teeth and glared at Zhao Ming.

" Sister Zhao Ming, Grandmother Shuren is here, you should mind your manners and not insult Grandmother like this." Xiao Li said while trying herself to shout at Zhao Ming.

Zhao Ming immediately shut up and pursed her lips realizing that her laughing can be misunderstood as insulting Grandmother Shuren. Even though she knows that Xiao Li pointed her deliberately but in this case, she was not lying so she shut up and looked at Grandmother Shuren guiltily.

She was about to apologize when Shuren spoke, " Who said that her laughing will be counted as an insult towards me?"

Xiao Li was looking at Zhao Ming in anger that she didn't notice that Shuren was talking to her. But when she noticed Shuren's sharp gaze on her, she realized that her earlier words were for her and not for Zhao Ming.

Shouldn't she scold Zhao Ming? Why is she treating me like this?

Zhao Ming was surprised as well. Even other consorts were shocked as they were not expecting Shuren to support Zhao Ming so openly.

Xiao Li felt awkward being questioned by Shuren in front of everyone. She pursed her lips and tried to reply calmly, "Erm... I just don't want Sister Zhao Ming to come out as rude, that's why I asked her to mind her manners in front of elders. After all, you are her elder both in age and title."

" You're right. One should mind their manners in front of their elders. However, if she did something wrong, it should be me who should tell her off for her wrongdoings, not you. Even though you're older than her in age, your position is still lower than her. She is the Empress and you're just a head..no, only a consort. How can you point out her mistakes like this?" Grandmother Shuren while looking at Xiao Li.

"-_-"

Xiao Li was shocked hearing her words and her expressions turned grim as she said in a low voice, " I am not older than her in age. We are of the same age."

She felt extremely hurt when Shuren said that she is older than Zhao Ming. They are of the same age. From which angle, Zhao Ming looks younger than her?

Zhao Ming clenched her fists tightly and was biting her tongue countless times just to prevent herself from laughing out loud. This Grandmother Shuren is so savage.

She said that Xiao Li looks old.

Shuren was a little surprised hearing Xiao Li's response. She pursed her lips and mumbled, " Ah, you are of the same age? I thought that you're older than her." she said while nodding.

" But if you're younger, then it is more inappropriate for you to tell her off, the Empress of Ji Dynasty in front of everyone? Is this what Wen Xu has taught you? "

Xiao Li gritted her teeth and wondered what she did wrong. It was Zhao Ming who was at fault but she keeps bugging her for no reason.

" And You." Zhao Ming was playing with her fingers and was trying to avoid looking at Xiao Li so that she won't laugh again was startled when Shuren suddenly called her out.

" You're the Empress but still acts like a mere Consort. Don't you know that you should keep these consorts in check? Are you going to let these consorts trample on you and take advantage of your kindness? If Wen Xu is not here, at least you should discipline these girls in her stead."

Zhao Ming listened to Shuren's words attentively. But the more she listened, the more she felt that rather than scolding her, Shuren was deliberately targeting Wen Xu and Xiao Li.

After a long lecture, the dinner was finally served. The special feast was prepared by the head cook Qian Dan. She was on leave for a few months and Zhao Ming remembered that she had eaten her marvelously delicious noodles on Wen Xu's birthday banquet. Afterward, she got a few chances to eat it again but unfortunately, she went on leave because of some family emergency.

Since Qian Dan was very respected by the royal family, she was granted leave without any issues.

" Whoa! It's the same delicious smell." a pleasing smile appeared on her face when she smelled the fragrance of her favorite noodles. It gave her a sense of nostalgia.

At that time, Ji Cheng stood against Wen Xu and Xiao Li and let her eat to her heart content.

She was eating her noodles happily, and when her first bowl emptied, she asked for another bowl.

Shuren was surprised to see her eating like this, so she asked in bewilderment, " Zhao Ming, are you eating for two?"