The Job of an Imperial Concubine

At this point in the banquet, few people still had the mind to dine. Zhuang Laoyan felt as though the imperial concubines could see right through her. Originally, she expected the emperor to promote her one rank; it never crossed her mind that he would be so generous and promote her to a consort. This action of the emperor made her feel like her hard work these days had not been in vain.

“This palace has always found Consort Zhao good-looking and intelligent. And that, since early on, the position of xianrong would be wronging her. It’s reasonable and fair for the emperor to promote her today,” said the empress, as if she were not aware of the thoughts and moods of those present. A smile graced her lips. “This palace will congratulate His Majesty and Consort Zhao here in advance.”

Zhuang Laoyan rose to her feet. Curtsied to the empress. In a virtuous, polite, and modest manner, she said, “This concubine is terrified of the praise.”

“You are excellent. It makes sense that the emperor dotes on you,” said the empress, smiling. She bestowed a few things to Zhuang Laoyan, merely saying they were congratulatory gifts.

Feng Jin watched this action of the empress, yet did not have much of a reaction. Softly, he rubbed the decorative designs on the edge of his wine cup, not a word escaping his lips.

Gao Dezhong, who was waiting at the side, looked up. He took in the expressions of the masters. Following that, he lowered his head again without a sound. As a court eunuch who had served by the emperor’s side for many years, he naturally knew well what the emperor’s interests and likes were. Consort Zhao’s favor at present would not change. Her Majesty the empress was intelligent. Giving the emperor face now was the best plan.

As for what the empress would do in private, it wasn’t something a eunuch like him was capable of thinking about. Same for the topic of whom was favored in the harem. He was only a head eunuch by the emperor’s side. Regarding who was favored in the harem, what did that have to do with him?

Zhuang Laoyan lifted a cup and took a light sip. Within was first-rate peach blossom wine. Mild and fragrant when entering the mouth. Delightful. Compared to ordinary wine, it was less strong, yet extremely suitable for women.

“Your Highness Consort Zhao likes this peach blossom wine?” asked Noble Consort Shu, voice as gentle and tender as ever. Her expression seemed forever gentle.

In Zhuang Laoyan’s impression of her, she never seemed to have another expression. Other than smiling regularly, the Noble Consort Shu of her memories would lightly smile. Every word and action carried an unspeakable tenderness and grace. Just like now.

“It’s delicious. This concubine will drink some more.” Zhuang Laoyan returned her smile. Turned her head and saw the emperor looking at Noble Consort Shu.

“We remember Noble Consort Shu also likes peach blossom wine.” Feng Jin’s gaze was upon the woman in question. He smiled. “In a little while, Shangshi Bureau will deliver some to your palace.”

“Many Thanks, Your Majesty. Since Younger Sister Consort Zhao is also fond of the wine, why not have Shangshi Bureau send some to Younger Sister’s residence too?”

“She doesn’t need any.” The emperor lifted his wine cup. “Consort Zhao isn’t like you. She can’t control herself when it comes to eating. If anything good is given to her, she would most likely waste it.”

After hearing those words, Noble Consort Shu did not speak, the smile on her face dimming ever so slightly. The emperor’s words belittled Zhuang Laoyan on the surface, yet how could she be unaware that the emperor was protecting Zhuang Laoyan? He was merely afraid she would get drunk and harm her body. What was that about wasting it? Of those first-rate Sichuan and Suzhou embroidery works, and all kinds of precious gems and famous paintings, many of them were sent to Xihe Palace.

Just when did the emperor start favoring Zhuang Laoyan so much? Was it when she grew seriously injured? Or was it during an even earlier time?

She had always thought Zhuang Laoyan to be another Noble Imperial Concubine Yan or Consort Rou, who she wasn’t afraid of. But now, Noble Consort Shu had no choice but to admit it: this person could already influence her position in the harem.

She had always been cautious. How could she have neglected such a huge threat?

Was it that Zhuang Laoyan usually seemed too harmless? She was impulsive, bad at enduring, so much so that she was always getting into trouble. So much so that she didn’t have close relationships with anyone in the harem. This was the impression Zhuang Laoyan gave off to others every day.

She had always thought that the emperor disliked women who always fell into trouble, and superficial women. As such, even though Zhuang Laoyan was favored, she believed women who had these weak points would not stay favored for long.

But just what did she miscalculate? The emperor actually doted on Zhuang Laoyan for so long. And to the point where his favor for her grew with time.

One step wrong, and the following steps would be wrong too. Perhaps she shouldn’t have overthought with Zhuang Laoyan in the beginning, and allowed her to remain.

“Since today is Consort Zhao’s birthday, will Your Majesty visit Xihe Palace tonight?” asked the empress, the banquet coming to an end. She looked up at the blossoming birthday fireworks in the sky. They were not at all miserly when giving Zhuang Laoyan respect.

Feng Jin nodded. Rose to his feet. “It’s getting late. The banquet should conclude.” He made his way to Zhuang Laoyan’s side, drawing in her hand. “Beloved Concubine, follow Us out.”

Zhuang Laoyan looked at the hand the emperor was holding. A trace of a blush spread across her face. She stood and faced the empress before curtsying. Then, she lowered her head, looking at the stone slabs.

Seeing her appearance, Feng Jin smiled as he pulled her into an embrace. They left Jingyang Palace’s garden in that fashion.

“Respectfully sending off Your Majesty the emperor,” said all the imperial concubines. They watched as his figure departed, some admiring, some apathetic.

It wasn’t until the figures of the emperor and Consort Zhao completely disappeared into the distance that the empress stood up straight. The smile on her face dimmed a bit. “This palace is tired. You all may rest earlier.”

The sound of imperial concubines respectfully sending her off filled the area.

After the empress had left, the imperial concubines departed in twos and threes. Tonight’s show was truly lively. The emperor intended to lift up Consort Zhao, and the empress used Consort Zhao to suppress Noble Consort Shu. The imperial concubines clearly remembered that during Noble Consort Shu’s birthday banquet a few days ago, the empress did not say anything about how the emperor should visit Anqing Palace at night due to it being her birthday.

“Your Highness Noble Consort Shu, this concubine will take my leave.” An incomparably graceful smile spread all across Consort Rou’s face as she saluted her. Then she sat on her sedan to leave.

Expressionless, Noble Consort Shu watched as Consort Rou departed. She used the hand of Lingsha to support herself onto her sedan, the corners of her lips curving a hint, the corners of her eyes carrying a boundless chill.

On her faintly swaying sedan, Zhuang Laoyan looked at the imperial sedan in front. Just a moment ago, she had tactfully declined joining the emperor on it. Luckily, he had not become discontent, otherwise it would be a bit inconvenient.

Those who make public displays of attention would break up quickly. She did not want to look for trouble during this period. Her speed of promotion was too great, already provoking unhappiness from some people. If she accompanied the emperor on the imperial sedan now, one would fear that even the empress and empress dowager couldn’t endure it.

After all, according to the rules, the empress was the only person in the imperial harem who could accompany the emperor in the sedan. No matter how favored the other women were, they did not have said qualification. As such, it was very difficult for the profession of a pampered concubine to continue smoothly and steadily. She used her life to carry on in this occupation.

“Your Highness, we have arrived,” whispered Tingzhu, her voice snapping Zhuang Laoyan out of her reverie. With the support of Tingzhu’s hand, she disembarked from her sedan. She looked where the emperor stood not too far away, picking up speed a few steps to make her way before him. “Your Majesty!”

Feng Jin reached out and grasped her hand. He led her forward step by step through Xihe Palace’s front doors, not even sparing a glance at the kneeling servants as they directly made for Zhuang Laoyan’s bedroom. Then, under the warm candlelight, he removed her hairpins, the soft, agreeable, and fine black hair cascading down. Unspeakable arousement among the candlelight.

The woman before him wasn’t the most beautiful in the harem or the most talented. She wasn’t even great at understanding others. However, because she was occasionally frank, it worried him. Maybe it truly was because she was full of affection for him that he paid more attention to her. In short, nowadays he sometimes thought in his leisure time how to make this woman, who was not the most special in the harem, pass her days more comfortably. He placed a soft kiss on her forehead. “Beloved Concubine must accompany Us well tonight.”

“Your Majesty should accompany this concubine well tonight too.” Zhuang Laoyan reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck. Raised her head, charming eyes half mast. “You have always understood this concubine.”

Once a woman told a man that she belonged to him entirely, if he didn’t think of certain things, then there was something wrong with him.

Don’t support theft; read this at sleepchaser’s wordpress.

Feng Jin was a normal man. As such, when he heard these words, he carried Zhuang Laoyan in a princess carry toward the bed in large strides. A large bed with decorative patterns carved into the frame and a first-rate brocade quilt spread above it.

During a long, long night, there would inevitably be some people not in the mood to sleep. How full of joy everyone in Xihe Palace felt represented how unhappy those of other palaces felt.

Consort Rou removed her jewelry and took a seat in a chaise lounge. She let her servants massage her shoulders. “Perhaps the person who can’t accept this the most is the one from Anqing Palace.”

The first-ranked palace maid by her side took care in combing her hair. “Why was Your Highness in conflict with Her Highness Noble Consort Shu today?”

“When has this palace ever gotten along with her?” Consort Rou laughed mockingly. “Among the women of this imperial harem, who wouldn’t hit a person when they were down? Since she, Su Ruizi, dares to put on this aloof and remote appearance all day, then she should have thought of the day when she would fall from grace. This palace never liked controlling my personality, and doesn’t care how others see me. In the imperial harem, whether imperial concubines are good or bad isn’t important. What is important is whether the emperor favors you. If one has the energy to put on a show with one’s enemies, why not just think of a way to live more comfortably?”

“If…” Then the palace maid grew aware that there was something amiss with her words, complexion changing, afraid to speak again.

“You want to say that if I lose favor, then my personality would just cause me to suffer, yes?” Consort Rou’s smile was especially full of ridicule. “The women here don’t care how you were before you lost favor. As long as the emperor dotes on you, you would be an enemy in their eyes. If you lose favor in the future, hitting a person when they were down would become their hobby. Since this is so, there’s no need to act out a show for others to see.

“Alright. Help this palace get ready for bed.” Consort Rou waved to dismiss the palace maids massaging her. In a careless manner, she said, “If one can be happy for a day, then be happy. Once we grow old, even if this palace wants to be arrogant, one would fear the emperor wouldn’t allow it.”

In a period of less than two years, Zhuang Laoyan had climbed to the position of consort. Consort Zhao’s reputation was not only famous in the imperial harem, but even in the court; there were many officials wanting to be friendly with the Zhuang family. However, what a pity that the Zhuang family was impenetrable, as if it didn’t matter that there was a pampered concubine who came from them.

But in the court, the Su and Zhuang families were slightly antagonistic toward each other. Originally, the Su family wanted to take action against the Zhuang family. Unfortunately, their power was insufficient. The emperor also did not reproach the Zhuang family in any such way. On the contrary, he praised Assistant Minister Zhuang as being young and promising. If the Su family did not have Noble Consort Shu, who was the most favored in the harem, one would fear they would not be able to remain in the court smoothly and steadily. Now, the favor of the Zhuang family’s daughter surpassed that of the Su family’s daughter. How could the Su family sleep in peace anymore?

Zhuang Laoyan, who was in the rear palace, naturally did not know what was happening in the court. A few days after her birthday, the imperial concubines sent over many gifts. She looked at the gift lists from various palaces. Yawned. “Recently, the weather has started to grow cold. This palace cannot help but have spring fever.”

Yunxi presented a cup of hot tea. Then helped Zhuang Laoyan close the window. “Your Highness, right now, it’s better not to nap too much. If you don’t feel tired, then you won’t be able to sleep tonight.”

Zhuang Laoyan drank a sip of tea. Thought for a moment. “This palace has heard that Consort Rou and Noble Consort Shu seem to not be getting along.”

Yunxi replied, “Consort Rou has a brash personality, and quite a lot of the masters dislike her. It’s not strange that she and Noble Consort Shu don’t get along.” Then Yunxi said in a softer voice, “Many of the things in the palace involve Consort Rou. This slave privately thinks that other people may be scheming against her, waiting for her to fall into a trap.”

Zhuang Laoyan remembered that shortly after she had regained the emperor’s favor, Consort Rou caused trouble for her. But then she recalled that when the former Consort Yuan, Miss Lin, had given her trouble, Consort Rou protected her. Perhaps in Consort Rou’s eyes, Consort Yuan was even more hateful than the Zhuang Laoyan of that time. Therefore, Consort Rou adopted a confrontational posture against Consort Yuan without the slightest hesitation.

Someone like Consort Rou, who would make enemies without the slightest hesitation, was an exotic flower in the harem. Despite her personality though, she sat steadily in her position of consort. Those cases in the past had all implicated her, yet she came out unscathed. It was evident that she had something to attract the emperor.

If it wasn’t for the fact that the circumstances did not allow it, Zhuang Laoyan truly wanted to praise Consort Rou as a remarkable woman.

She could not help but smile. When she raised her head, she saw Tingzhu leading Eunuch Gao into the room.

Consort Rou is such an interesting woman. I think she’s my favorite imperial concubine in this novel, other than ZL haha.

Ah, sorry but the patron shout-out will have to come next week.

For those of you still interested in advanced chapters, read this post for more information. There are only two advanced chapters left this month, so if you pledge a tier that gives three+ chapters now, you’re basically my suga dadi.

If you like this chapter, please rate/review/add this novel to your reading list on NU!

Twenty-sixth chapter of The Times Spent in Pretense is out! You can read it here. It’s weekly now!

Another plug for the new BL tl group me and my friends formed: Perpetual Daydreams! I’ve started moving all of my BL novels there. Click here if you’re interested.