Chapter 18
The empress had invited the imperial concubines to the Imperial Garden to admire the flowers and enjoy the shade . As Zhuang Luoyan scanned the area, a few lush and towering trees came into view . There were also a few large porcelain pots filled to the brim with ice . After paying respects to the empress, she went to find her seat .
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Noble Consort Shu’s birthday would occur tomorrow . Why the empress had sent an invitation for today’s event was up in the air . Zhuang Luoyan leaned against the backrest of her seat . With Tingzhe and Yunxi fanning her from behind, she felt even cooler .
“Noble Consort Shu has arrived . Xiuyi Su has arrived . ”
She turned her head . Saw the people who were announced walking together . Xiuyi Su was a few steps ahead of Noble Consort Shu . She seemed overcautious, acting as a foil to her sister .
Shortly after they had paid respects to the empress, the rest of the imperial concubines arrived . Zhuang Luoyan paid careful attention as the eunuchs brought pot after pot of flowers over . After the imperial concubines had appreciated them all, they sent the pots back, the sound of porcelain clinking filling the air . Although there had been many species and breeds of flowers, each pot had a unique and auspcious name .
“This pot of green Moutan Peony is hard to acquire . It actually bloomed so beautifully at this time . Consort Rou, what are your thoughts?” said the empress as she looked at that particular pot of flowers . A smiled danced on her lips .
Consort Rou rose to her feet and curtsied . “It is naturally unique . ”
The empress smiled yet did not answer . A wave of a hand, and another pot of flowers was brought forward . She gazed at what seemed to be a chrysanthemum that usually bloomed during the fall .
Zhuang Luoyan secretly glanced at Consort Rou . Saw the small beads of sweat clinging to her forehead . Then she smiled with her head lowered and lifted a cup of tea . Today was indeed a bit warmer than usual .
The flower appreciation event was almost over . Zhuang Luoyan also drank a lot of tea . She watched as the empress slowly set her teacup down, her lips parting to say words that had nothing to do with flowers .
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“Tomorrow is Noble Consort Shu’s birthday . Although it’s said that us women of the imperial harem cannot indulge in extravagant luxury, Noble Consort Shu has attended to His Majesty for many years . His Majesty and this palace both feel deeply appreciative of her . As such, there will be a great celebration tomorrow for Noble Consort Shu . We are all good sisters . Tomorrow, let us have a good time . ” Once the empress finished speaking, she watched as the rest of the imperial concubines stood and agreed . “The flowers have all been admired . You are all dismissed . ”
After Zhuang Luoyan heard these words, she performed the full ceremony again . Then she followed the other women in sending off the empress .
The moment the empress left, a few of the imperial concubines in Noble Consort Shu’s clique went ahead to congratulate her . Zhuang Luoyan watched their expressions . None of them seemed abnormal .
“That Your Majesty has kept His Majesty’s favor naturally should entail a great birthday celebration,” said Consort Xian, looking at Noble Consort Shu . “Tomorrow, I shall toast you one extra cup . ”
“Older Sister Consort Xian, these words makes younger sister too ashamed to show my face . ” Noble Consort Shu walked forward and reached out for Consort Xian’s hand . “Older Sister is always so good to younger sister . Let’s not say one cup, even if it were seven or eight extra cups I would still drink it with you . ”
Once Noble Consort Shu said those words, the other imperial concubines came forward to tease her . As Zhuang Luoyan watched this scene, she only had one phrase to describe it: a scene of intimate sisters .
She was not interested in acting in this play . After Zhuang Luoyan performed a ceremony to the high-ranking imperial concubines, she prepared to leave . Who would have known that Noble Consort Shu would call out for her?
“I heard that Younger Sister Imperial Concubine Zhao’s birthday is also coming up in a few days?” Noble Consort Shu’s smile was gentle . “On your birthday, we should also toast you a few extra cups . ”
Zhuang Luoyan just curtsied once more . “Regarding the cups from you sisters, even if this concubine becomes drunk, this concubine would still drink them . ” What a good Noble Consort Shu . She actually mentioned in front of all these women Zhuang Luoyan’s coming birthday . If the emperor or empress bestowed Zhuang Luoyan anything, Noble Consort Shu would be known as an attentive person who remembered her fellow sisters . But if those two at the top did not have any reaction, one would fear that Zhuang Luoyan would be made a mockery of by the other imperial concubines .
Noble Consort Shu’s goal had been achieved . She did not have to speak anymore . She dismissed Zhuang Luoyan and the latter left with her expression unchanging . Once she was far away, she turned her head to gaze at the crowd of women behind her . Apart from the empress, these women made up the population of higher-ranked imperial concubines .
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“Master, it looks like Jieyu Ma and Noble Imperial Concubine Yan are up ahead . ” Without going too far, Tingzhe found a couple people standing behind a large field of grass and flowers . Jieyu Ma and Imperial Concubine Yan .
Zhuang Luoyan lifted her head shifted her gaze there . The expressions on the two did not fall under the category of great sisterly affection . Just as she was turning around to leave, her ears caught the sound of a resounding slap . Glancing back, she saw the first-ranked palace maid of Noble Imperial Concubine Yan retracting her hand, Jieyu Ma’s face swollen and red .
Her forehead crinkled . Zhuang Luoyan did not know what kind of conflict stood between Noble Imperial Concubine Yan and Jieyu Ma . However, Noble Imperial Concubine Yan was acting too excessively .
Once again, Zhuang Luoyan attempted to leave . But then she saw someone approaching . Her expression immediately changed . She adjusted her appearance . Walked a few steps over to that person . “This concubine greets Your Majesty . ”
The moment Noble Imperial Concubine Yan saw the emperor’s procession, her expression changed drastically . She no longer cared about Jieyu Ma . She lifted the ends of her dress and knelt next to Zhuang Luoyan . “This concubine greets Your Majesty . ”
Jieyu Ma, with a swollen and red face, also knelt down before the emperor . She glanced at Noble Imperial Concubine Yan, pleased with herself . “This concubine greets Your Majesty . ”
Feng Jin reached out to support Noble Imperial Concubine Yan and Imperial Concubine Zhao to their feet . “Beloved concubines should rise . ” Then his gaze fell upon the swelling on Jieyu Ma’s face . His eyes narrowed . His next words were nonchalant . “It is hot outside . Why have beloved concubines gathered here?”
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“Reporting to Your Majesty, the empress had invited this concubine to admire the flowers . We were just leaving,” said Noble Imperial Concubine Yan, her voice gentle like a caress . “However, we did not know we would meet Your Majesty here . ”
“The empress is thoughtful . ” Feng Jin released Noble Imperial Concubine Yan’s hand . Then, with his free hand, he lightly patted the back of Zhuang Luoyan’s own . “You should all return to rest . ”
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“Your Majesty…”
“Does Jieyu Ma have something to say about Our words?” Feng Jin slowly glanced at Jieyu Ma, as if he did not see the redness on her cheek .
“This concubine… will return . ” Jieyu Ma’s face grayed, as though she lost all vitality .
Zhuang Luoyan looked down at the hand that was held in Feng Jin’s grasp . From her inner self came a chill . In the past, Jieyu Ma had received the emperor’s affections . Yet now, she had fallen to such a state . It was apparent that the emperor was extremely heartless . Everyone who said that hookers were heartless, that actors were immoral, were really wronging those groups .
She lifted her head and saw the look of pleasure toward oneself gleaming in Noble Imperial Concubine Yan’s eyes . Zhuang Luoyan then averted her gaze . Kept her head low again . She stared at the defined joints of his hand and the neat and pretty fingernails of her own .
Feng Jin saw the appearance of Imperial Concubine Zhao lowering her head, and only saw her as being shy . Then he released her hand . “Beloved concubine should rest early tonight . ”
“Yes, Your Majesty . ” Zhuang Luoyan curtsied . “This concubine will return . ”
“This concubine will return,” said Noble Imperial Concubine Yan .
Feng Jin nodded . He let them leave . After the three were far away, his smile vanished .
“For the next two years, Noble Imperial Concubine Yan shall not be promoted . ” Feng Jin clasped his hands behind his back . He turned around and resumed walking . “We will send a pot of water lilies to Imperial Concubine Zhao . ”
“Yes, Your Majesty . ” Gao Dezhong realized that the emperor did not once mention Jieyu Ma, and felt assured that this Jieyu Ma was unwanted now .
A few moments after Zhuang Luoyan returned to Taoyu Pavilion, she heard the manager of Ganzheng Palace arrive . She rose from her seat and went outside to see him .
“This slave greets Master Imperial Concubine Zhao,” said Gao Dezhong, standing to perform a ceremony of greeting as soon as he saw her . “His Majesty has sent a pot of water lilies for your honored self to enjoy . Where would master want this to be placed?”
After Zhuang Luoyan received his greeting, she let the servants bring the gift into her residence . Once she had tea served to Gao Dezhong, she said, “I have troubled Eunuch Gao to come here . It is certainly hard to endure such hot weather . ” Then she had Yunxi hand over a pouch of money .
Gao Dezhong briefly refused once, before accepting it . He took a sip of tea and smiled . “Master Zhao is exaggerating . This slave is performing a task for His Majesty . It is originally my duty . Your honored self’s words can overwhelm this slave with special favor . ”
“His Majesty will definitely regard Eunuch Gao’s faithfulness highly,” said Zhuang Luoyan . Then she no longer continued to say such pleasantries . A smile bloomed on her lips . “That His Majesty remembers this concubine is this concubine’s blessing . ”
Gao Dezhong treated Zhuang Luoyan extremely courteously . After a few more words, he rose to his feet to return . Zhuang Luoyan did not ask him to stay as well . She personally send him off a few steps, then returned to her inner chamber .
The water lilies were held in a porcelain pot with a pattern of blue flowers . It complemented the half-bloomed water lilies and their leaves, making them look even more refreshing . Zhuang Luoyan reached out to brush her fingers against the petals . Received a cup of water from Tingzhe’s hand . As she poured some water onto a flower, she said, “This water lily is really beautiful . ”
Yunxi took in the image of the flower, before lowering her head .