Chapter 22
After Xiuyi Su came forward and paid respects to the empress, she went to find her seat in a well-behaved manner . It appeared she was an inconspicuous person . Sometimes, when Noble Consort Shu spoke, she would speak a few words to help carry the conversation . It really made it hard for others to believe that they were cousins .
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Zhuang Luoyan carefully looked at Noble Consort Shu . This woman made others take pity on her and find her harmless . However, the hearts of this kind of women fell under two extremes . The first kind truly resembled Lin Daiyu¹, inspiring pity in others’ hearts . The second kind had a vicious heart . That Noble Consort Shu was able to hold on to her position for so long was clear evidence that she wasn’t the first type .
The women who seemed the most harmless were the most terrifying when harming someone .
“I thought that Younger Sister Chongyi Zhuang would not appear today,” said Noble Consort Shu, a smile gracing her lips as she watched Zhuang Luoyan, before glancing at Noble Imperial Concubine Yan especially . “Recalling Younger Sister Noble Imperial Concubine Yan’s birthday last year, I believe younger sister did not come to pay respects to the empress the day after . ”
After hearing these words, Zhuang Luoyan understood that Noble Consort Shu did not hold good intentions toward Noble Imperial Concubine Yan . However, no woman would be happy seeing another person imitate her to climb the hierarchy . Zhuang Luoyan smiled towards Noble Consort Shu . Not a word left her lips .
The gazes of the other imperial concubines converged on those three . Yet, none of them opened their mouths to speak .
“Why has Elder Sister forgotten? Younger Sister Noble Imperial Concubine Yan is delicate and frail . Her Majesty, the empress had relieved her of paying of paying respects back then,” said Xiuyi Su said, continuing on that topic of conversation .
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At this moment, these words did not appear beautiful . If one did not know the backstory, one would assume the empress was unfair . But Zhuang Luoyan and Noble Imperial Concubine Yan did not fall under that category .
Zhuang Luoyan decided to say something at this time . “Elder Sister was late in arriving here . Originally, this concubine did not know that Her Majesty, the empress had relieved this concubine from paying respects today . Additionally, this concubine is healthy . Unable to fall asleep even when lying in bed, this concubine felt it would be better to just come and chat with everyone . ”
“Looks like you are very rule-abiding . ” Noble Consort Shu had also been aware of the strangeness in Xiuyi Su’s words prior . For this reason, she no longer wanted Xiuyi Su to continue speaking . She seemed to praise Zhuang Luoyan heavily before saying, “No wonder Her Majesty, the empress likes you . ”
Zhuang Luoyan smiled coldly in her heart . This Noble Consort Shu wanted to kill two birds with one stone, targeting Noble Imperial Concubine Yan first and then placing herself on a silver platter to be scrutinized and picked at by everyone . To mention the empress’ fondness of her, and cause the other imperial concubines to target her .
“How could I only like Chongyi Zhao?” It were as if the empress did not notice that the other women in the room were clashing in a battle of words . She slowly said, “As long as one is rule-abiding, His Majesty, the empress dowager, and this palace would be happy . For you to deliberately say this palace favors Chongyi Zhao, are you implying that I treat the rest of you poorly?”
“Your Majesty, the empress is naturally fond of younger sister . It is younger sister that had too shallow a perception . Seeing that your honored self treats others well, younger sister could not help but tease a little . May Younger Sister Zhao not find fault in me . ” Noble Consort Shu did not become afraid after hearing the empress’ words . In fact, she had used an affectionate tone to respond .
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“Your Majesty, the noble consort is frank . This concubine is not a petty person,” said Zhuang Luoyan, the smile never leaving her lips .
The empress lifted her teacup . “Alright, you all like to chatter and poke fun . It’s getting late . In a little while, the sun will be high and bright in the sky, and will cause all of you discomfort . You are dismissed . ”
After the empress opened her mouth, whether the other imperial concubines wanted to stay and chat or not, they all stopped talking and rose to their feet . Performing the full ceremony, they left .
Once she was outside Jingyang Palace, Zhuang Luoyan realized that Noble Imperial Concubine Yan’s complexion was not good . The palace maid who was supporting her had her head lowered, almost to the point of touching her chest . The arrogance she wore a few days ago as she had slapped Jieyu Ma was nowhere to be seen . It was evident that Noble Consort Shu suppressed and frightened Noble Imperial Concubine Yan .
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“Chongyi Zhao, how about we leave together?” said Virtuous Imperial Concubine Jiang all of a sudden as she approached Zhuang Luoyan from behind .
“Elder Sister Jiang . ” Zhuang Luoyan smiled in response . Seeing that Virtuous Imperial Concubine Jiang had purposely called out for her, she stopped in her tracks .
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Virtuous Imperial Concubine Jiang stopped walking when she was by her side . She lifted her head . Gazed at the sky with not a cloud in sight . After taking a deep breath, she said, “The weather is growing hotter . ”
“It is almost June . Naturally, it will grow hotter . ” Zhuang Luoyan received the fan from Yunxi’s hand, lightly fanning herself . She walked with Virtuous Imperial Concubine Jiang . “Why is Imperial Concubine Wang absent today?”
“She wasn’t feeling well since a few days ago . These past two days, when the imperial physicians had examined her, she also was not doing too well . ” Virtuous Imperial Concubine Jiang’s tone was heavy . “Nowadays, the weather is hot . Who knows when she’ll recover?”
“Elder Sister Imperial Concubine Wang is fortunate . Elder Sister should not feel worried . ” Only now did Zhuang Luoyan recall that she in fact did not see Imperial Concubine Wang for two days . Perhaps it was because she was not favored, and did not speak much often, that Zhuang Luoyan had not noticed her absence prior .
Virtuous Imperial Concubine Jiang smiled . It seemed dull . Her residence and Taoyu Pavilion were in the same direction, though it was farther away . Ever since she had entered the imperial palace, she did not receive too much favor . She relied on her status and resources and endured a lot to rise to where she stood today . She couldn’t help but turn her head to look at the more favored Chongyi Zhao . How did this woman climb so high?
Although she was beautiful, she wasn’t the most beautiful . Her four arts² also weren’t anything special in the imperial harem . Not to mention, she wasn’t as talented in dancing as Noble Consort Shu, nor was she as good at singing as Consort Rou . So what did she possess to win the emperor’s affection?
“It’s just the way it is . ” Virtuous Imperial Concubine Jiang retracted her gaze . Those who were favored naturally had their own measures . If she had her own measures, she wouldn’t have wasted so much time in the imperial harem .
Once the two had walked for a distance, they met someone they did not expect to see in the imperial gardens .
“This concubine greets Your Majesty . ” Never had Virtuous Imperial Concubine Jiang thought she would find the emperor here, and her voice even trembled as she spoke .
“Did the two beloved concubines just come from the empress’ residence?” said Feng Jin, sweeping his gaze through them, stopping at Zhuang Luoyan . He reached out and helped her to her feet . “Why have you also gone there?” He saw that the girl before him had a red face . She was even too shy to look at him .
“Once Your Majesty left, this concubine awoke…” Before she finished speaking, her face turned even redder . “Her Majesty, the empress works hard to manage the imperial harem . For this concubine to have paid respects to the empress is natural . ”
Virtuous Imperial Concubine Jiang lowered her head, and saw Zhuang Luoyan’s small and tender hand clasped in the emperor’s own . All of a sudden, she felt surprised . So surprised that she didn’t even register what Zhuang Luoyan said .