Chapter 19
“Is Imperial Concubine Zhao fond of the water lilies?” asked the emperor, noticing Gao Dezhong’s arrival .
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“Reporting to Your Majesty, Imperial Concubine Zhao fancies the water lilies greatly . The eunuchs of Taoyu Pavilion quickly brought the flowers inside the main chamber . ”
As soon as Feng Jin heard those words, he grunted in acknowledgement, nodding once . He waved his hand to dismiss Gao Dezhong .
Noble Consort Shu’s birthday celebration was being held at Jingyang Palace . Zhuang Luoyan arrived neither too early nor too late . She did not stand out in the group of imperial concubines, and sat with the women who were of a similar rank as her . Then she chatted with those sitting at her table .
“Today, Younger Sister Imperial Concubine Zhao’s complexion looks good,” said Virtuous Imperial Concubine Jiang with a smile .
“Elder Sister’s is as well,” Zhuang Luoyan said, also smiling . Although it was unclear whether Virtuous Imperial Concubine Jiang was merely making polite remarks or if there was a hidden meaning beneath her words, she did not want to think too hard about it .
At their table, Noble Imperial Concubine Yan sat in the seat of honor . Once she heard the two speak, she turned to look at Zhuang Luoyan . Smiled . “Younger Sister Imperial Concubine Zhao’s complexion is indeed good . Could it be because your birthday is coming up that you are in high spirits?”
So they had indeed arrived . This type of pleasant-sounding words that hid sharp needles within . It really made Zhuang Luoyan feel like it was difficult to hold one’s own . Yet another smile graced her lips, her stare falling upon Noble Imperial Concubine Yan . “Today, the birthday celebration of Her Majesty, Noble Consort Shu is quite festive . Younger Sister is a simple person, feeling happier upon seeing such festivity . As such, Younger Sister has let Elder Sisters witness such a joke . ”
Noble Imperial Concubine Yan’s smile did not quite touch her eyes . “The birthday of Her Majesty, Noble Consort Shu would naturally be a joyous occasion . ” Then her gaze left Zhuang Luoyan . It seemed she no longer held any interest in conversing with her . Virtuous Imperial Concubine Jiang and Imperial Concubine Wang, who were both sitting at the side, shared a look . As if they did not see the two crossing swords .
“Her Majesty, the empress has arrived . ”
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Zhuang Luoyan rose to her feet . Saw the empress enter the hall dressed in the imperial robes befitting of her status . The luxurious corners of her robes shimmered under the candlelight . All of the imperial concubines performed the full ceremony of paying respects . They watched as the empress shifted Noble Consort Shu’s seat to a seat of a lower priority compared to hers . She lowered her gaze .
“Today is Noble Consort Shu’s birthday . Us sisters need not abide by protocol to such a great extent . Just happily celebrating is enough,” said the empress as she supported Noble Consort Shu’s hand and sat down . Once the rest of the imperial concubines had sat as well, the empress glanced at He Yu, who was standing by her side . Understanding her master’s intention, she waved a hand signifying for the dancers and musicians to enter the room
The first dance was Ma Gu Gives Her Birthday Greetings¹ . The leader of the dancers had a flexible body, her dance lithe and graceful . A person like Zhuang Luoyan, who had no skill in dancing, found it enchanting .
“This palace sees that this dance is decent . Lithe, auspicious, and graceful . ” Once the dance ended, the empress said, “He Yu, reward them!”
“This slave thanks Your Majesty, the empress,” said the dancer who portrayed Ma Gu, kowtowing .
Seeing that the empress was bestowing rewards, some of imperial concubines did so as well in succession . Zhuang Luoyan was no exception, also fond of the dance . Judging by the lead dancer’s age, she should be about fifteen to sixteen years old . But for some reason, she felt that the smile on Noble Consort Shu’s face was stiff .
After she peeled a longan² and tossed it in her mouth, the sweetness made Zhuang Luoyan’s mood even brighter . Now that Ma Gu Gives Her Birthday Greetings had ended, a few dancers entered the hall, each holding a pipa³ .
“In the past, Younger Sister Noble Consort Shu’s pipa dance was the best in the imperial harem . Although these dancers cannot compare to you, it seems watching them is still acceptable . ” The empress then clapped, signifying for the dancers to begin .
They were worthy of being called the dancers of the imperial palace . Their dance was extremely prepossessing, giving others the impression that they would take flight into the skies like fairies . Zhuang Luoyan glanced at the dressed-to-the-nines Noble Consort Shu . Who knew how beautiful her dance and skill with the pipa had been in the past?
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The crisp sound of pipa and pearls hitting the floor . The moment Zhuang Luoyan was having the time of her life watching the show, she heard the shrill voice of an eunuch .
“His Majesty has arrived!”
All of a sudden, the music and dance stopped . The imperial concubines also fell quiet . Even the empress rose to her feet to leave the chamber .
Once Feng Jin had arrived at the empress’ palace, he took in the various types of beauties in the room . On his face, a smile . “Beloved concubines need not be so ceremonious . ” Then he supported the empress’ hand to seat of honor .
“Yes, Your Majesty . ” The imperial concubines stood and moved aside . It wasn’t until the emperor and empress had sat down that they had also . Still, they were less relaxed than before .
Zhuang Luoyan brought a handkerchief to her lips to spit out the pit of the longan, before lowering herself into her seat in a well-behaved manner . Standing out was definitely not in her plans .
“As today is Noble Consort Shu’s birthday, We have come to take a look . ” Feng Jin aimed a smile at said woman and bestowed her many gifts .
Hate and envy filled the hearts of the other imperial concubines . However, once they saw that the empress did not seem discontent, they smiled, from their lips tumbling auspicious remarks . What was on their minds perhaps would only be known to themselves .
The empress lifted a cup before Feng Jin . He received it . Took a sip . He glanced at the dancers who were standing at the side without a word . “Continue as you were before . ”
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“Yes . ” The dancers bowed and resumed their dance . After Feng Jin had watched for a while, he set down the cup . “Compared to that of Noble Consort Shu, this dance is less impressive . ”
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A smile bloomed on the empress’ lips . “Noble Consort Shu’s skill in dance is truly hard to obtain . That these dancers could emanate Noble Consort Shu’s dance to this extent is already a testament to their hard work . ”
“Mm . ” Feng Jin nodded . “If we’re talking about dance, Noble Consort Shu is the best and Noble Imperial Concubine Yan comes second . ” After saying this, he toasted Noble Consort Shu another cup . But he did not give Noble Imperial Concubine Yan so much as a glance .
Watching Noble Consort Shu’s shy manner of drinking, Zhuang Luoyan couldn’t help but think that even a person who did not typically touch alcohol must drink the cup of wine the emperor bestowed .
After listening to another song, Feng Jin swept his gaze through the imperial concubines sitting below him . And he noticed the Imperial Concubine Zhao who was peeling longans and enjoying the show . It gave others a leisurely and carefree impression . Feng Jin could not help but look at her a few more times .
Once she had finished her bowl of longans, Zhuang Luoyan regretfully wiped her hands . Turned her full attention to the music . Although she didn’t know the meaning behind the ancient songs, she still appreciated the beauties singing .
“We see that those longans look delicious . ” Feng Jin peeled one and tossed it in his mouth . He said to the empress, “Send another serving of longans to everyone . ”
The empress spoke her agreement and had the servants obey .
Once the extra serving of longans had arrived, Zhuang Luoyan smiled and continued to snack on them as she watched the show . She casually sneaked a peek at the emperor’s direction . Saw that the people sitting in the seats of honor did not notice her . She then applied a trick she used to do at parties in her previous life: seem as if one was eating very slowly, but in reality was eating very quickly .
Because Noble Consort Shu had drunk a lot of wine, her face was flushed . Her vision remained hazy as she gazed at the musicians singing below . She recalled how she had played the pipa while dancing for the emperor in the past . Now, there were more and more new people entering the imperial harem . Who knew if there would be a day when the emperor forgot about her?
Once the show had ended, Feng Jin brought the tipsy Noble Consort Shu away . The rest of the imperial concubines paid respects as they sent them off .
The empress sat on the phoenix throne, taking in the quiet chamber . She shifted her gaze to the cup and fruit bowls that the emperor had used . And saw that the plate of longan the emperor had praised was nearly full .
“This palace is tired . Clean it up . ” The empress’ expression was calm as the still waters of a lake . She used He Yu’s hand as support as she got to her feet . Then she glanced once more at the bowl of longan before she left .
“Master, His Majesty has bestowed pears and said they will cool the body,” said Tingzhe, carrying a meal box over . Inside sat four pears .
Zhuang Luoyan stood there, surprised . Then realization struck her . In such hot weather, eating pears was a good idea .
Seeing that her master was happy, Yunxi washed one of the fruits and peeled it . Her master had in fact eaten a lot of longans today, causing the body to be in an easy state to heat up⁴ . A pear would be beneficial for the body .