The Job of an Imperial Concubine

“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.”

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.

“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.

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. Please visit 𝐟𝒓𝚎𝘦we𝐛𝐧𝐨vℯ𝚕. c𝘰ｍ

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?

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Looks like Zhaorong Xu just keeps falling harder and harder. And that Noble Lady Ning really is something else. If I haven’t finished the novel, I wouldn’t be able to tell if she’s truly that kindhearted or just a good schemer.

For those of you still interested in advanced chapters please read this post carefully! There are three advanced chapters left this month. If you pledge a tier that gives 4 chapters now, you’re basically by suga daddi.

Tenth chapter of The Times Spent in Pretense is out! You can read it here.

Also, I am happy to announce that me and some friends are starting a new website focused on BL called Perpetual Daydreams! I’ll be moving all of my BL novels there soon. Click here if you’re interested. So far, we have two new novels lined up, with more to come!