The Job of an Imperial Concubine

“Your Highness Consort Zhao, His Majesty sent this slave to deliver some things.” Gao Dezhong saluted Zhuang Laoyan. He noticed that she sat in the seat of honor in an indolent manner. A smile from ear to ear, he said, “This slave will pay respects to your honored self first.”

“Eunuch Gao need not be so polite.” Zhuang Laoyan had Tingzhu bring an embroidered stool to him. Since he declined it, she didn’t insist. “What did His Majesty send?”

“Responding to Your Highness, His Majesty knows Your Highness is fond of crabs. The Department of the Palace just received some first-rate crab, and had this slave send some to your palace. Moreover, there are new pearls, agate, and eyebrow pens. If Your Highness likes them, then take them. If you do not like them, this slave will send them back to the Department of the Palace.”

Zhuang Laoyan looked at the crowd of palace maids and court eunuchs behind him, who carried those items. She could not help but smile. “There’s so much. Does His Majesty want me to get cross-eyed?”

“Your Highness, the Chinese Mitten crabs have already been delivered to the personal kitchen,” said Tingzhu. “The other food ingredients that were sent over have been stored away too.”

Zhuang Laoyan nodded. Then she faced Gao Dezhong again. “Did the emperor say anything else?”

“His Majesty also said that if Your Highness is in the mood, there will be a newly-arranged song and dance performance in Qianzheng Palace in a little while, crafted by the Music Department.” Gao Dezhong hesitated, before continuing, “His Majesty said he knew Your Highness disliked operas, but that you would probably like this performance.”

Seeing his normal-looking expression, Zhuang Laoyan knew he felt embarrassed about directly talking about her tacky interest. She smiled. “Thank you for the trouble, Eunuch Gao. This palace understands. After dressing up a bit, this palace will be on my way.”

Gao Dezhong was too afraid to even speak. He did not leave, merely standing in a corner watching as Zhuang Laoyan entered her bedroom.

The furnishing in Xihe Palace was not at all sumptuous, with none of the items breaking protocol by surpassing what was allowed for her rank. Still, everything was arranged with much comfort in mind. It made Gao Dezhong, someone who had witnessed how the imperial concubines privately schemed, even more careful toward Consort Zhao. Ordinary imperial concubines would only be careful of their words and actions. But she was even attentive on using furnishing that was suitable for her rank. A woman like this would not be as simple as she appeared. The more a woman was capable of handling everything, the more complex her schemes usually were. Let alone, this woman grabbed possession of a large portion of the emperor’s heart.

Even if he could not see through the emperor’s heart, Gao Dezhong should understand his temperament a little. For him, women were only pampered, not loved. It was even less likely that he would spend a lot of thought in coaxing them. However, the emperor recently did spend a lot of energy and effort on Consort Zhao. The emperor did not even care when the empress dowager showed discontentment toward Consort Zhao’s promotion to consort.

In fact, he refused the empress dowager’s suggestion yesterday, and now bestowed many things to Xihe Palace. Whether the empress dowager could accept this was a mystery.

“Your Highness, this apricot-colored one is not bad,” said Yunxi, holding a dress the shade of apricot with wide sleeves.

Zhuang Laoyan glanced at it. “Was this sent by Her Majesty the empress two days ago?”

This wide-sleeved and long apricot-colored dress was indeed splendid. A look, and it made one want to put it on. It went to show that the empress spent a lot of thought on Zhuang Laoyan’s things.

“No need. Just pick a dress with a purple background, dark patterning, and a tight waist.” Zhuang Laoyan yawned, no longer looking at the dress the empress had sent. After Yunxi had finished helping her dress, she asked, “What did Heyu say when she delivered that dress?”

Yunxi thought for a moment. “She didn’t say much. Just that that dress suited Your Highness the most.”

The tips of Zhuang Laoyan’s brows trembled a hint. She removed a blue-green jade hairpin from her hair. “This hairpin doesn’t really match the purple dress. Without it is a lot better.”

“Yes.” Tingzhu and Yunxi shared a look, following Zhuang Laoyan out from behind her.

Qianzheng Palace was the resting palace of Jiuzhou Country’s emperor. Feng Jin sat in a side palace hall, watching a dancer who wore a flying immortals bun and an apricot-colored dress, which bloomed like a flower as she twirled upon a red carpet. With slightly narrowed eyes, he slapped the table along with the rhythm of the music.

“Her Highness Consort Zhao has arrived.”

Feng Jin turned his head along with the eunuch’s announcement, gaze falling upon the woman entering the room. The light purple dress with a tight waist really drew out the woman’s slender waist, making others feel the urge to draw her into their embrace with a glance.

“This concubine greets Your Majesty.” Zhuang Laoyan smiled as she made her way forward. The corners of her lips rose as she saw the dancer who was dancing lightly and gracefully on the red carpet. In a faint manner, her eyes narrowed. “What a beauty. No wonder Your Majesty specially wanted this concubine to have a look.”

“We did not invite you here to look at beauties. We find this dancer’s performance of ‘Flying in the Autumn Rain’ very satisfactory, and so had Gao Dezhong invite you.” Feng Jin pulled her into his arms. Kissed the top of her head. “Do not misunderstand Us.”

A hint of pink dusted Zhuang Laoyan’s cheeks. She turned her head away from him. “This concubine saw that this dancer has a gorgeous dress and fine black hair, so praised her. What is Your Majesty thinking of now?”

Feng Jin did not expose her embarrassment, stroking her hair. “We asked them why they’re dressed like this, and the dancer said it was to match the meaning of the dance. If you dislike it, We can tell them to change clothes.”

“Your Majesty, are you purposely teasing this concubine?” Zhuang Laoyan pushed him and lightly snorted. “Didn’t you say you invited me to watch the show? So why isn’t it starting yet?”

Perhaps he was amused by this appearance of Zhuang Laoyan, but Feng Jin did not seem angry at all. On the contrary, he was in a very good mood as he hinted for the dancers to continue dancing.

The dancers had superb figures, every movement beautiful. It was as though a fairy was truly flying up into the sky in the autumn rain. Zhuang Laoyan leaned against Feng Jin’s chest, a smile on her lips as she took in the sight of these dancers. Yet her eyes did not carry even a trace of a smile.

“This dance was specially arranged?” Zhuang Laoyan watched as the dance ended. Then she said, “It truly was a pleasure to watch.”

“We specially instructed the Music Department to arrange this for you. Does Beloved Concubine like it?” Feng Jin held her, and it did not seem like he would let go any time soon. Zhuang Laoyan took the opportunity to find a more comfortable position.

“The dance was excellent, but this concubine thinks the color of the dresses leave something to be desired.” Zhuang Laoyan tilted her head in thought. “There’s something not quite right.”

“Oh.” Feng Jin lowered his head to look at the Zhuang Laoyan in his arms. “Where does something not seem right?”

Zhuang Laoyan stared at the dancer and thought for a good while. She knew the fear in the dancer’s eyes grew greater and greater before saying, “Since this beauty has a curvy figure, this concubine thinks lighter colors would look better on her. Apricot yellow is too grand. Same with what this concubine is wearing.”

“You look splendid in this color. Don’t worry about other people.” Then Feng Jin carelessly said, “It’s enough that you look good in it, but does that mean other people can look as good as you in those colors?”

“Your Majesty mustn’t think that everything about this concubine is good,” blurted Zhuang Laoyan. “This concubine isn’t the most beautiful in the rear palace.”

“Could Beloved Concubine not know the saying ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder?’” The emperor’s smile grew more obvious. “We find your attire the most beautiful. Who would dare to say anything?”

“Then in others’ eyes, this concubine is merely relying on Your Majesty. What’s more,” Zhuang Laoyan hesitated, before allowing her worries to show as she said, “apricot yellow is somewhat of a taboo. Isn’t it too unsuitable?”

“It’s merely the outfit of a dancer on stage. The empress shouldn’t mind it too much. Don’t overthink. We know your brain isn’t that bright in the first place, so if you think too much, one would fear your brain would become even less usable.” Feng Jin waved, indicating for the dancer to retire. A smile on his lips as he started to play with Zhuang Laoyan’s fingers.

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The corners of Zhuang Laoyan’s lips curled up more and more. She lowered her head, turning her hand over and pulling at the emperor’s fingers. She bit them. Hearing the emperor draw in a breath, she raised her head and looked at him. “Your Majesty, this concubine’s brain originally worked well. With your prophetic words, what if this concubine’s brain truly becomes foolish?”

Feng Jin grinned. He brushed the finger Zhuang Laoyan was biting against her lip. Softly and slowly, he then said, “Even if you become more stupid, We would not disdain you.”

Zhuang Laoyan’s smile dimmed a bit. In a flash, a large smile appeared on her face. “There are so many sisters in the harem. If this concubine becomes more stupid, this concubine would not know how to retain Your Majesty’s favor.”

The emperor’s finger trembled. Immediately, he pulled back his hand, then wrapped her in his arms.

Zhuang Laoyan was in his embrace, but neither could see the other’s face.

Right as evening slipped in, the lights of Jingyang Palace had already been lit. The empress flipped through the Imperial Household Department’s ledger. She tilted her head, looking at Heyu who stood by her side. All of a sudden, she said, “Did the emperor summon Consort Zhao to Qianzheng Palace today to watch a dance and song performance?”

Heyu lowered her head. “Yes.”

A page later, the empress said with indifference, “What did Consort Zhao wear?”

“She wore the Sichuan embroidered satin dress the emperor had bestowed, with a tight waist and a flower pinned to the collar.” Heyu hesitated. “After Consort Zhao entered through the doors, she never came out. Word has it that the emperor allowed her to serve him tonight in Qianzheng Palace.”

The empress’ hand paused for a second, following which she said in an impassive tone, “Oh, she was just promoted. It makes sense the emperor would pamper her more. But who knows whether Consort Zhao liked that performance?”

Heyu’s head dropped lower and lower. She quietly answered her master.

The empress’ grip on the account book grew tighter and tighter. A good while later, she finally said, calm, “This palace would naturally not care about what a dancer wears. His Majesty and this palace have been married for many years, so he truly understands me.” She said this, yet the page on the ledger had almost been torn off.

Jingyang Palace grew deathly still.

It started to rain in the middle of the night. Zhuang Laoyan roused from her dreams, discovering that the emperor held her waist lightly in an embrace. She wrinkled her brows. Relying on the fluorescent pearls embedded in the walls, she was barely able to make out the bed’s situation. After a fierce round of lovemaking at night, the bed was messy. She softly moved the emperor’s hand away. Sat up. After fixing the covers for the emperor, Zhuang Laoyan lay back down.

“Why are you awake?” Feng Jin once again pulled her into his arms.

“Did this concubine wake you?” Zhuang Laoyan moved around in the emperor’s arms, whispering, “This concubine heard the rain. It’s easy to get cold during an autumn night, so this concubine wanted to pull the covers over you better. Waking you up was unintentional.”

The light of the fluorescent pearls wasn’t bright. As such, Zhuang Laoyan could not see Feng Jin’s expression clearly. However, she sensed his hold on her tighten. The corners of her lips curved up. She arched closer to the emperor’s embrace.

He lightly patted her back. It wasn’t until a good while later, until the person in his hold fell asleep, that he stopped patting her. He listened to the sound of the rain outside. Originally, he thought he wouldn’t be able to sleep anymore, yet succumbed slumber rather quickly.

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Chapter Supplement

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