Published at 7th of November 2020 05:26:39 PM
Chapter 73.2
“No need to be so polite, Noble Lady Ning . ” Zhuang Laoyan put aside the half-eaten peach blossom pastry, hinting for the other party to take a seat . “This peach blossom pastry is delicious . Noble Lady Ning, would you like a try?”
“Many thanks, Your Highness . But this concubine has eaten the morning meal before coming here, and isn’t hungry yet . ” Noble Lady Ning stood to curtsy, before sitting back down, her danging hair ornaments swaying with her movement .
A beautiful woman was a beautiful woman . No matter how one looked at her, she was easy on the eyes . A trace of a smile appeared on Zhuang Laoyan’s lips . “So that’s the case . ” If the average person wore white, they would seem fake to others . Yet, this Noble Lady Ning wore a white blouse with a wrap-around skirt, one with wide sleeves and little light-pink flowers embroidered onto it . Draped over her shoulders was a light-blue silk cloak . No matter how one looked at her, she seemed untouched by the elements of the mortal realm . Gave off a stronger poetic flavor than Zhaorong Xu .
“Why doesn’t Your Highness go appreciate the flowers?” asked Noble Lady Ning, gazing at the clusters of flowers not too far away . Her expression was subtle . She did not appear to be appreciating flowers at all .
“Could one not appreciate them from here?” Zhuang Laoyan received a teacup from Tingzhu . Took a sip . “One can see more flowers by sitting here, and the flowers seem even more vibrant and gorgeous . ”
Noble Lady Ning nodded . As if she actually approved of what Zhuang Laoyan had said . “Your Highness is someone knowledgeable of flowers . This concubine has disturbed Your Highness’ mood . ” Then she rose to her feet to salute Zhuang Laoyan . And she left with her palace maid .
Full of interest, Zhuang Laoyan watched Noble Lady Ning’s slender waistline and small steps . She set down her teacup . Propping up her chin, she tilted her head to look at Tingzhu and Yunxi . “Why do you think she approached me?”
Tingzhu and Yunxi shook their heads . They looked into each other’s hesitant gazes . Yunxi said, “This slave thinks that Noble Lady Ning doesn’t seem happy . But for her to wear such quiet colors makes it hard for others to see through her intention . ”
Zhuang Laoyan broke into a smile . She did not speak again . This Noble Lady Ning definitely had something in mind . Didn’t her manner make it clear that she did not want to be close with the other imperial concubines? She had already been sent to the palace . Could she really not have the mind to become an imperial concubine? Even if she truly didn’t, now that she was here, she would have no choice but to .
“Recently, the emperor has flipped Noble Lady Ning’s nametag a few times . What else could she be unhappy about?” asked Yunxi in a low voice . “The other imperial concubines are thinking up strategies to capture the emperor’s notice . ”
The tips of Tingzhu’s brows twitched . She glanced at the direction in which Noble Lady Ning had left . “Who knows what she’s thinking?”
After a while of admiring the flowers, everyone grew tired . They sat in accordance to rank . The servants presented fruits, tea, and refreshments . Very quickly, the flower appreciation event transformed into a tea party .
Using a fork, Zhuang Laoyan stabbed a piece of pineapple that had been brought in as tribute . Listening to the other imperial concubines discuss all kinds of flowers, she did not have anything to contribute to the conversation, only taking in their words in silence .
“That’s right . It’s already been a few days since Noble Lady Ning, Cairen Hua, and Cairen Yan have entered the palace . Is there anything you people have trouble getting used to?” asked the empress, as if she had suddenly remembered the new arrivals, shifting her gaze to the trio . “Since Noble Lady Ning lives in Changtian House, Zhaorong Xu can naturally take care of her . However, you two live by yourselves in Taoyu Pavilion . If there’s anything you’re not sure of, you can ask those who have stayed in the palace longer . ”
“Many thanks to Your Majesty . There is nothing this concubine is unsure of,” said Cairen Hua, standing before saluting to the empress . “Taoyu Pavilion is great . ”
“Indeed, that area is decent . ” The empress smiled . “Previously, Xianrong Zhao resided there . Later on, she moved to Xihe Palace . The best part of Taoyu Pavilion is the nearby peach forest . Around this time each year, there would be beautiful peach blossoms in bloom . There are many imperial concubines who like to head there and admire the flowers . ”
Cairen Hua said, “This concubine has also heard that Xianrong Zhao lived in Taoyu Pavilion in the past . It is our honor to now reside there . ”
Zhuang Laoyan looked down . The corners of her lips curved a hint . “Cairen Hua is too serious . ” That Taoyu Pavilion truly could not be considered a good place . Back when the emperor had moved her out of there, he had the whole place renovated on that same night . If one said nothing happened in between that period, she would not believe it .
“Today, this palace arranged this flower appreciation banquet merely to socialize with everyone here . ” Throughout the whole banquet, the empress did not really talk directly to Cairen Hua . She changed the topic of conversation, saying, “After His Majesty finishes handling court matters, the banquet can begin . ”
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Once the imperial concubines heard that the emperor would come, the look in their eyes changed . They seamlessly fixed up their clothes in order to leave a good impression when the emperor arrived .
Once more, Zhuang Laoyan lowered her head . To try seducing the emperor under the gazes of so many women would pull said women’s hatred .
During the period of Wu, the emperor indeed arrived at the venue . The imperial concubines saluted in an elegant and supple manner, then escorted him to his seat . Following that, they returned to their own . And the flower appreciation banquet officially began .
Since it was a flower appreciation banquet, the name of each dish had something to do with flowers . In fact, some dishes were even arranged into the appearance of a flower . Zhuang Laoyan ate a dish called “Rich and Honorable Flower in Bloom . ” In reality, it was a dish made of sauteed strips of carrots and shitake mushrooms . Zhuang Laoyan sighed with emotion . Apparently, after Emperor Chengxuan ascended the throne, the imperial harem became very frugal . If the lifestyle now is considered frugal, then how did those luxurious days seem?
This corrupt lifestyle of an imperial concubine should not be too comfortable .
“This dish named ‘Fairy Scattering Flowers’ is decent . Reward,” said Feng Jin, setting down his chopsticks before looking Noble Lady Ning’s way . “This dish ought to suit your tastes . Have more of it . ”
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Once the palace maid behind Noble Lady Ning had heard this, she lifted her head and picked up food from that dish for her master . However, this action caused Feng Jin to furrow his brows .
“Noble Lady Ning, is she the head palace maid who accompanies you?” Feng Jin received a silk handkerchief Gao Dezhong presented . Wiped the corners of his mouth . As he watched Noble Lady Ning rise to her feet to respond, he said, “Then how did she get that injury on her arm?”
With a sad expression, Noble Lady Ning glanced at her palace maid behind her . Yet, she did not know how to respond .
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“Reporting to Your Majesty, this slave was injured early this morning from accidentally bumping into something,” said that palace maid, kneeling . “At that time, Master did not see it, so is ignorant about it . ”
Feng Jin glanced at the palace maid indifferently . “Since you are this careless, you don’t need to wait on Noble Lady Ning anymore . Gao Dezhong…”
“Your Majesty . ” Noble Lady Ning’s expression changed a hint . She stood, then kneeled . “Chenxi received her injury early this morning by bumping into the palace maid who accompanies Her Highness Zhaorong Xu . It’s not because she’s careless . Beseeching Your Majesty to understand . ”
“Zhaorong Xu?” Feng Jin turned to the slightly pale Zhaorong Xu . “Can you explain what happened?”
“Your Majesty, this concubine is unaware of this . ” In a rush, she stood and begged for forgiveness . “Once this concubine returns, this concubine will definitely investigate thoroughly . ”
“Reporting to Your Majesty, Zhaorong Xu does not know of this matter . And that other palace maid had also bumped into my palace maid by accident . Begging Your Majesty not to punish Her Highness Zhaorong Xu because of this . ” Noble Lady Ning saluted, pleading for leniency for Zhaorong Xu .
“Although that palace maid did so by accident, she still belongs to Zhaorong Xu . Although Zhaorong Xu was ignorant of this, she was still negligent,” said Feng Jin in a normal tone . “Since this is the case, We will take away a half-year’s worth of her salary, and her name tag will be removed from the selection for two months as punishment . She must not repeat this mistake in the future . ”
Zhaorong Xu shot Noble Lady Ning a glance full of unwillingness . But in the end, she only saluted and said, “This concubine thanks Your Majesty for the imperial decree . ”
Zhuang Laoyan looked at the kindhearted and immortal-like Noble Lady Ning . Cocked a brow . The emperor had not said this matter involved Zhaorong Xu, yet Noble Lady Ning had already pleaded for leniency for her . Whether she was trapping Zhaorong Xu or was truly good and honest was anyone’s guess .
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A zhaorong had been embarrassed due to the palace maid of a noble lady . The emperor truly did not give Zhaorong Xu any face . It was evident how favored this Noble Lady Ning truly was to be able to force Zhaorong Xu to this step .
Feng Jing looked at the imperial concubines . For some reason, his gaze fell upon the expressionless Zhuang Laoyan . He slightly averted his gaze, appearing unwilling to look at her . “We have eaten Our full . We ought to return . ”
Since the emperor had stopped eating, no one would dare say they were still hungry . Moreover, they had witnessed a good show . Everyone got up one after the other and respectfully sent off the emperor .
“Zhaorong Xu needn’t feel sad . His Majesty is merely angry for a moment,” said Noble Consort Shu, glancing at the Noble Lady Ning who resembled an immortal, tone unkind . “You have waited upon His Majesty for many years . He would not forget about you because of a random woman . ”
A random woman? Zhuang Laoyan shifted her gaze to Noble Consort Shu . Apparently, Noble Consort Shu was unhappy with Noble Lady Ning . But after thinking more about it, she remembered that Noble Consort Shu had originally been the most beautiful woman in the imperial harem . Now, Noble Lady Ning, whose appearance superseded hers, had appeared . And this person just had to seem like an immortal while also being favored . It was only natural that Noble Consort Shu disliked her .
“Although what Noble Consort Shu said is correct, as masters, we must supervise our servants well . ” The empress rose to her feet . Facing Zhaorong Xu, she said, “Although today’s matter had nothing to do with you, think about why His Majesty punished you . ”
This “as long as you’re unhappy, I’m happy” approach of the empress while facing Noble Consort Shu made Zhuang Laoyan sigh with emotion . It would be unnatural for any empress to like a favored imperial concubine .
The empress and Noble Consort Shu could say such words, but the rest of the imperial concubines did not have the courage . In succession, they found an excuse to leave . Zhuang Laoyan also seized an opportunity to return to Xihe Palace . She did not want to remain among a crowd of women putting on a show . If she said or did something she should not have by accident, things would be terrible .
Shortly after, interior supervision eunuchs came to pass on a message: the emperor had flipped her name tag .
Zhuang Laoyan was somewhat surprised . She had thought the emperor would visit the Noble Lady Ning who had been wronged today and console her . Hadn’t he been very interested in Noble Lady Ning recently? So why did he remember her and come here?