Chapter 28: Still Can't Be Seen
The news that His Majesty and Talented Lady Shen had strolled through the Imperial Garden at night spread quickly.
However, since Qi Yixiu ordered the garden closed off, no one else could conveniently “run into” them there.
Li Baolin smashed a teacup in frustration. “What’s so great about her? His Majesty had me serve him just yesterday, and today it’s her turn. That sharp-tongued woman is probably badmouthing me already.”
The maidservants rushed to comfort her.
It took quite some time for Li Baolin to calm down. “Have you heard? There’s going to be a round of promotions for the women of the inner palace during the Mid-Autumn Festival.”
“Yes, after the mourning period, the high-ranking consorts all received promotions once. And now two rounds of newcomers have entered the palace—it’s time for things to shift again.”
Li Baolin gently rubbed her fingers. “A promotion would be good. At least we’d know where we stand. Right now, there’s only the Empress and the Virtuous Consort—one is out of favor, the other’s a fool.”
Her maid Yutao added, “Baolin might even be in line for advancement.”
“Even if I move up, it’d only be to Xiaoyi. Not worth much. I’ll save my efforts,” Li Baolin smiled. “No need to rush. That Talented Lady took over a year to be promoted—I probably will too.”
“You really shouldn’t compare yourself to her. She acts like a shrew, and His Majesty might just find her new and interesting now. Who knows what he’ll think later?” Yutao said.
Li Baolin smiled faintly. “It’s one thing for me to have underestimated her, but you shouldn’t. In this inner palace, the truly useless ones disappeared within a year. Look at the batch of Palace Women that entered with her—how many of them get summoned even once every few months now?”
Naturally, Yutao agreed.
In the Imperial Garden, while Shen Chuliu strolled with the Emperor, she didn’t show much surprise.
Though she probably should have looked surprised, the Emperor had likely seen that expression too often—maybe he actually preferred those who didn’t make a fuss?
Besides, acting all the time was tiring.
The capital’s geography was favorable, so even though it was autumn, the nights weren’t cold—just more comfortable than during the day.
Shen Chuliu’s dress swayed gently in the night breeze, highlighting her graceful figure.
She personally picked three blooming chrysanthemums to place in a vase, intending to give them to Qi Yixiu.
Qi Yixiu sat in a pavilion surrounded by lanterns.
The lantern covers were imported glass shades, resistant to wind.
Though the flames would sometimes blacken the shades, as long as the servants cleaned them diligently, it wasn’t a problem. The Emperor would never see them dirty.
Shen Chuliu lifted her skirt and walked up to the pavilion. “Your Majesty, look—aren’t these flowers beautiful?”
Behind her, Chisu was carrying the vase.
Qi Yixiu gave them a glance. Honestly, they weren’t particularly impressive.
“Hmm, they’re nice. Come, my beloved consort, you must be tired.” Qi Yixiu gestured to her.
Shen Chuliu sat beside him. “I heard the Empress is especially fond of chrysanthemums. She truly is noble in character.”
“Oh? You think the Empress is noble in character?” Qi Yixiu’s expression didn’t change, as if it were a casual question.
Only he knew the flicker in his eyes.
“Yes. The Empress comes from a noble background. I can’t speak for everything, but since I entered the palace over a year ago, she’s always been a model figure.” Shen Chuliu wasn’t worried Qi Yixiu would think she was siding with the Empress—because she wasn’t.
She didn’t need to.
“So you think highly of the Empress? But she rarely involves herself in your petty affairs,” Qi Yixiu said flatly.
“Well… I think that’s because of her noble upbringing. Families like ours train daughters to manage households. But imperial princesses aren't taught that. Even so, the Empress has handled things quite impressively since coming to our Dayi Dynasty not too long ago.”
“You make a fair point,” Qi Yixiu smiled.
“Since you’re being so honest, why don’t you tell me what you think of Virtuous Consort Feng?”
“Your Majesty, I was wrong. I shouldn’t be discussing the Empress. Please forgive me—I won’t dare to do it again.” Shen Chuliu looked pitiful.
Qi Yixiu stared at her for a moment, then shook his head. “We’ve sat long enough. Time to head back.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Have some tea.” Shen Chuliu stuck out her tongue as if she’d narrowly escaped punishment.
After they returned to the Taiji Palace and bathed separately, they rolled into the dragon bed together.
In that regard, Qi Yixiu was certainly satisfied with Shen Chuliu.
The next morning, Qi Yixiu didn’t attend court, though he still had plenty of administrative matters to handle.
By the time Shen Chuliu woke, the Emperor was already dressing.
She found this acceptable—this Emperor wasn’t one of those excessively strict men who treated every routine as law.
She sat up and knelt on the bed. “Your concubine didn’t wake up earlier.”
“Mm. Get up,” Qi Yixiu waved her off, already fully dressed. “Have someone escort you back.”
Shen Chuliu acknowledged the order and let herself be helped up.
Once they left the Taiji Palace, Zirui, who had come to take over, asked, “Shall we go pay respects to the Empress?”
“Yes. Anything happen last night?” Shen Chuliu yawned softly.
She had slept reasonably well, but it wasn’t the same as sleeping alone.
“Nothing major. I heard Grand Empress Dowager Feng summoned the imperial physician last night, but it didn’t alarm the Empress or anyone else. The Empress is probably going to visit her today,” Zirui said.
“Didn’t the Grand Empress Dowager always have good health?” Shen Chuliu thought aloud. “Could it be that this recent matter is related to her?”
“That’s what I was thinking. After all, Virtuous Consort Feng came out of it spotless.”
“Tch, let her be. As long as it doesn’t involve me, it’s fine,” said Shen Chuliu.
“True. But I also heard something—apparently there’ll be a round of promotions for the palace women this Mid-Autumn. I wonder who those two unborn children will be attributed to. And whether you’ll be promoted to Meiren.”
“Silly girl. If I get promoted again, I’ll be a target. This is just fine,” Shen Chuliu laughed. “Meiren can wait until next year.”
“Yes,” Zirui whispered.
Seeing that they’d arrived, the two stopped talking and entered Fengzao Palace.
Traditionally, whoever had spent the night with the Emperor became the topic of the day.
Shen Chuliu was no exception.
Previously, it had only been Concubine He who talked too much. Now Li Baolin joined in, constantly making snide and veiled remarks.
Shen Chuliu handled it while thinking to herself that Talented Lady Cao had really learned her lesson after her fall from favor—she had finally reappeared, but she was no longer as arrogant as before.
Once everyone had gathered, the Empress finally appeared.
She looked weary, though still composed.
After everyone paid their respects, the Empress said, “The Grand Empress Dowager was unwell last night. A few of you will come with me to visit her shortly.”
All concubines of Meiren rank or above responded affirmatively.
“With Mid-Autumn approaching, there will be a banquet at Zhengyang Palace. All the imperial relatives and nobility will attend, and officials as well. Though you won’t get to meet your families directly, it’s still somewhat of an opportunity.”
Whether or not they were genuinely happy, everyone smiled.
Of course, this only applied to those with influential families in the capital.
Otherwise, it was still the same—not a chance of seeing them.
Shen Chuliu wasn’t interested, so she said nothing.
Then the Empress continued, “I’ve already spoken with the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager. This Mid-Autumn, a few of the long-serving ladies will be promoted. You’ve been serving His Majesty since the time at the Eastern Palace—it’s time things shifted for you too.”
However, since Qi Yixiu ordered the garden closed off, no one else could conveniently “run into” them there.
Li Baolin smashed a teacup in frustration. “What’s so great about her? His Majesty had me serve him just yesterday, and today it’s her turn. That sharp-tongued woman is probably badmouthing me already.”
The maidservants rushed to comfort her.
It took quite some time for Li Baolin to calm down. “Have you heard? There’s going to be a round of promotions for the women of the inner palace during the Mid-Autumn Festival.”
“Yes, after the mourning period, the high-ranking consorts all received promotions once. And now two rounds of newcomers have entered the palace—it’s time for things to shift again.”
Li Baolin gently rubbed her fingers. “A promotion would be good. At least we’d know where we stand. Right now, there’s only the Empress and the Virtuous Consort—one is out of favor, the other’s a fool.”
Her maid Yutao added, “Baolin might even be in line for advancement.”
“Even if I move up, it’d only be to Xiaoyi. Not worth much. I’ll save my efforts,” Li Baolin smiled. “No need to rush. That Talented Lady took over a year to be promoted—I probably will too.”
“You really shouldn’t compare yourself to her. She acts like a shrew, and His Majesty might just find her new and interesting now. Who knows what he’ll think later?” Yutao said.
Li Baolin smiled faintly. “It’s one thing for me to have underestimated her, but you shouldn’t. In this inner palace, the truly useless ones disappeared within a year. Look at the batch of Palace Women that entered with her—how many of them get summoned even once every few months now?”
Naturally, Yutao agreed.
In the Imperial Garden, while Shen Chuliu strolled with the Emperor, she didn’t show much surprise.
Though she probably should have looked surprised, the Emperor had likely seen that expression too often—maybe he actually preferred those who didn’t make a fuss?
Besides, acting all the time was tiring.
The capital’s geography was favorable, so even though it was autumn, the nights weren’t cold—just more comfortable than during the day.
Shen Chuliu’s dress swayed gently in the night breeze, highlighting her graceful figure.
She personally picked three blooming chrysanthemums to place in a vase, intending to give them to Qi Yixiu.
Qi Yixiu sat in a pavilion surrounded by lanterns.
The lantern covers were imported glass shades, resistant to wind.
Though the flames would sometimes blacken the shades, as long as the servants cleaned them diligently, it wasn’t a problem. The Emperor would never see them dirty.
Shen Chuliu lifted her skirt and walked up to the pavilion. “Your Majesty, look—aren’t these flowers beautiful?”
Behind her, Chisu was carrying the vase.
Qi Yixiu gave them a glance. Honestly, they weren’t particularly impressive.
“Hmm, they’re nice. Come, my beloved consort, you must be tired.” Qi Yixiu gestured to her.
Shen Chuliu sat beside him. “I heard the Empress is especially fond of chrysanthemums. She truly is noble in character.”
“Oh? You think the Empress is noble in character?” Qi Yixiu’s expression didn’t change, as if it were a casual question.
Only he knew the flicker in his eyes.
“Yes. The Empress comes from a noble background. I can’t speak for everything, but since I entered the palace over a year ago, she’s always been a model figure.” Shen Chuliu wasn’t worried Qi Yixiu would think she was siding with the Empress—because she wasn’t.
She didn’t need to.
“So you think highly of the Empress? But she rarely involves herself in your petty affairs,” Qi Yixiu said flatly.
“Well… I think that’s because of her noble upbringing. Families like ours train daughters to manage households. But imperial princesses aren't taught that. Even so, the Empress has handled things quite impressively since coming to our Dayi Dynasty not too long ago.”
“You make a fair point,” Qi Yixiu smiled.
“Since you’re being so honest, why don’t you tell me what you think of Virtuous Consort Feng?”
“Your Majesty, I was wrong. I shouldn’t be discussing the Empress. Please forgive me—I won’t dare to do it again.” Shen Chuliu looked pitiful.
Qi Yixiu stared at her for a moment, then shook his head. “We’ve sat long enough. Time to head back.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Have some tea.” Shen Chuliu stuck out her tongue as if she’d narrowly escaped punishment.
After they returned to the Taiji Palace and bathed separately, they rolled into the dragon bed together.
In that regard, Qi Yixiu was certainly satisfied with Shen Chuliu.
The next morning, Qi Yixiu didn’t attend court, though he still had plenty of administrative matters to handle.
By the time Shen Chuliu woke, the Emperor was already dressing.
She found this acceptable—this Emperor wasn’t one of those excessively strict men who treated every routine as law.
She sat up and knelt on the bed. “Your concubine didn’t wake up earlier.”
“Mm. Get up,” Qi Yixiu waved her off, already fully dressed. “Have someone escort you back.”
Shen Chuliu acknowledged the order and let herself be helped up.
Once they left the Taiji Palace, Zirui, who had come to take over, asked, “Shall we go pay respects to the Empress?”
“Yes. Anything happen last night?” Shen Chuliu yawned softly.
She had slept reasonably well, but it wasn’t the same as sleeping alone.
“Nothing major. I heard Grand Empress Dowager Feng summoned the imperial physician last night, but it didn’t alarm the Empress or anyone else. The Empress is probably going to visit her today,” Zirui said.
“Didn’t the Grand Empress Dowager always have good health?” Shen Chuliu thought aloud. “Could it be that this recent matter is related to her?”
“That’s what I was thinking. After all, Virtuous Consort Feng came out of it spotless.”
“Tch, let her be. As long as it doesn’t involve me, it’s fine,” said Shen Chuliu.
“True. But I also heard something—apparently there’ll be a round of promotions for the palace women this Mid-Autumn. I wonder who those two unborn children will be attributed to. And whether you’ll be promoted to Meiren.”
“Silly girl. If I get promoted again, I’ll be a target. This is just fine,” Shen Chuliu laughed. “Meiren can wait until next year.”
“Yes,” Zirui whispered.
Seeing that they’d arrived, the two stopped talking and entered Fengzao Palace.
Traditionally, whoever had spent the night with the Emperor became the topic of the day.
Shen Chuliu was no exception.
Previously, it had only been Concubine He who talked too much. Now Li Baolin joined in, constantly making snide and veiled remarks.
Shen Chuliu handled it while thinking to herself that Talented Lady Cao had really learned her lesson after her fall from favor—she had finally reappeared, but she was no longer as arrogant as before.
Once everyone had gathered, the Empress finally appeared.
She looked weary, though still composed.
After everyone paid their respects, the Empress said, “The Grand Empress Dowager was unwell last night. A few of you will come with me to visit her shortly.”
All concubines of Meiren rank or above responded affirmatively.
“With Mid-Autumn approaching, there will be a banquet at Zhengyang Palace. All the imperial relatives and nobility will attend, and officials as well. Though you won’t get to meet your families directly, it’s still somewhat of an opportunity.”
Whether or not they were genuinely happy, everyone smiled.
Of course, this only applied to those with influential families in the capital.
Otherwise, it was still the same—not a chance of seeing them.
Shen Chuliu wasn’t interested, so she said nothing.
Then the Empress continued, “I’ve already spoken with the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager. This Mid-Autumn, a few of the long-serving ladies will be promoted. You’ve been serving His Majesty since the time at the Eastern Palace—it’s time things shifted for you too.”
Comments
Post a Comment