Chapter 11

Chapter 11: Zhen Huan Chronicles, An Ling Rong

“This servant does not know.” Jian Qiu looked confused. “From the looks of it, she successfully served in the bedchamber and nothing went wrong.”

“Then something must have gone wrong somewhere.” The Empress’s gaze turned cold. “Have people keep an eye on Yan Xi Palace. They must remain under this palace’s control.”

“Your Majesty, they can’t amount to anything.” Jian Qiu soothed the angry Empress. “They’re foolish, one after another. If Your Majesty wants to deal with them, you can make them obedient with just a finger. In the future, letting them work for Your Majesty will be their blessing. For now, letting them make a little fuss will also block the others and annoy them.”

“That’s right. It’s only an attendant.” The Empress seemed to feel better. “What I should watch out for is Consort Hua and Attendant Wan, especially Attendant Wan. She can’t be given a chance to get pregnant.”

“Don’t worry, Your Majesty. Someone is watching her.” Jian Qiu looked unconcerned as she helped the Empress rise. “Your Majesty, should we wait a bit longer before going out?”

“Let’s go. They should be almost all here.” “Yes!” Master and servant strolled out from the inner hall at an unhurried pace.

If you looked closely, you could even see that the Empress’s body, hands, and feet were still trembling slightly. “The Empress arrives!” At the shout, the consorts seated inside all rose. One by one, they saluted.

“This concubine pays respects to Your Majesty the Empress.” “Rise.” The Empress nodded with satisfaction. In her heart, the moment when the consorts obediently came to pay their daily respects was her time to shine as Empress.

Her gaze fell on Li Si Qi, and she smiled. “Answerer Xin has already served in the bedchamber. Today, His Majesty issued an edict to raise your rank. From now on, you are Attendant Xin.”

As she spoke, she looked toward Zhen Huan and the others, as well as Attendant Xia. “You should all try harder, so His Majesty can raise your ranks soon as well.” The moment those words left her mouth, Zhen Huan and the others’ expressions turned ugly. Seeing that, the Empress felt immensely satisfied.

Xia Dong Chun answered bluntly, “An Ling Rong’s rank was too low. It’s good she got promoted one step, so she won’t be bullied.” After speaking, she even glanced at Zhen Huan and the others. The meaning was obvious.

Her foolish look was enough to make people want to laugh. But everyone still threw mocking looks at Zhen Huan. It nearly made Zhen Huan and Shen Mei Zhuang so angry they could spit blood.

“It was only His Majesty’s favor.” Li Si Qi replied with a smile. “Looks like His Majesty really likes my temper, so he promoted my rank.”

“It’s good that His Majesty likes you.” Seeing the consorts at odds, the Empress was delighted. This was exactly the outcome she wanted.

As if she had forgotten her chills and trembling, she instructed, “Attendant Xin, after serving in the bedchamber, a concubine must perform the tea ceremony. Such are the rules. You should know that.” At this moment, Hui Chun came over carrying the prepared tea.

“Consort Hua arrives!” The shout came at just the right moment, cutting off Li Si Qi as she was about to kneel.

Consort Hua swept in with an arrogant look. “I didn’t sleep well last night. I didn’t come too late, did I?” As she spoke, she walked up to the Empress, casually flicked her handkerchief, and said, “Greetings to Your Majesty the Empress.”

Without waiting for the Empress to say anything, she turned and sat down on a nearby chair. Seeing how perfunctory she was, the Empress’s smile nearly cracked. Li Si Qi clearly saw that the Empress’s hands seemed to tremble even more. At this moment, the Empress hated her inwardly, but on the surface she still wore a shallow smile.

She directly ignored Consort Hua’s arrogance and calmly ordered Li Si Qi, “Attendant Xin, continue the tea ceremony!” “Yes!” Li Si Qi understood she had to get through this. She knelt before the Empress and performed a deep bow.

Taking the cup Hui Chun handed her, she offered it respectfully. “Please drink tea, Your Majesty the Empress.” The Empress accepted the cup with her slightly trembling hand and, as quickly as possible, touched it to her lips. Then she handed it to Jian Qiu beside her and spoke a warning.

“The consorts of the harem should live in harmony, and the main thing is to extend the imperial line. I hope Attendant Xin will be well-behaved and keep to a concubine’s duties in the future.”

“Yes. This concubine respectfully obeys Your Majesty the Empress’s instruction.” Li Si Qi bowed again.

“Get up.” The Empress smiled and gave the order. Her gaze shifted to the silent Consort Hua, and she added, “Consort Hua, the weather is turning cold. Tell the Imperial Household Department to distribute fabric for the consorts’ clothes, so everyone can make a few more outfits.”

“No need for you to worry, Empress.” Consort Hua rolled her eyes impatiently. “This palace manages the harem. When have I ever made a mistake? His Majesty has even praised this concubine for managing things properly. Fine, if there’s nothing else, this palace is leaving.”

She stood up and left without pausing at all. Concubine Li and Noble Lady Cao quickly saluted the Empress, then hurried after her. This scene played out almost every day. Whether they were newcomers or old hands, everyone was used to it.

“There truly is nothing else today.” The Empress found herself a way out and still smiled as she instructed, “You may all disperse.” “This concubine takes her leave.” After saluting the Empress, the consorts filed out of Jing Ren Palace.

Once they left, the Empress could not hold back anymore and began to tremble uncontrollably. In a shaking voice, she ordered, “Hui Chun, quickly have someone summon the imperial physician.” “Yes!” Hui Chun, who had been about to support her mistress together with Jian Qiu, hurried to find someone at once.

The bustle in Jing Ren Palace had nothing to do with the other consorts. Everyone knew the Empress’s headaches flared up every few days, and she often called for the imperial physician. Besides, the Empress never summoned the consorts to attend her illness, so no one cared about Jing Ren Palace’s commotion. Back at Yan Xi Palace, Li Si Qi was truly exhausted.

She did not go to the main hall to chat with Noble Lady Fu Cha and Xia Dong Chun. She ate a few bites to fill her stomach, then told Lu He and the others not to disturb her while she caught up on sleep. She slept for two full hours. Even when Su Pei Sheng personally delivered the rewards, he did not see her.

At the Imperial Study, the emperor asked, “Did Attendant Xin like that pair of white jade bangles?” “Replying to Your Majesty, Lu He said Mistress Xin is still resting.” Su Pei Sheng answered with a smile. “This servant did not see Mistress Xin.”

“Still asleep?” The emperor was a little surprised, but the smile on his face would not fade. “It seems this silly girl truly has no scheming heart.”

“Mistress Xin is simple-minded and straightforward.” Su Pei Sheng replied with a grin. “Even Consort Hua treats Mistress Xin differently.”

“This silly girl is a good one.” The emperor glanced at the sky, picked up his vermilion brush, and prepared to work. “At the shen hour, send someone to bring her here.”

“Yes!” Su Pei Sheng answered at once. Li Si Qi served in the bedchamber for four days in a row. Not until the fifth day did the emperor stop turning over the plaques.

Only then did the consorts finally breathe a sigh of relief. Everyone thought An Ling Rong would be favored like Zhen Huan. Three or four days still counted as normal.

“It’s only four days.” Zhen Huan sneered. “So what if she got promoted? She still only had four nights of bedchamber service.”

“Exactly!” Huan Bi lifted her chin proudly, her tone full of smugness. “Our mistress served for seven nights. No one can break your record of favor. Even Consort Hua only gets three to five days at most.”

“Enough. We can say that in private. If it gets out, you’ll offend people.” A gleam of satisfaction flashed through Zhen Huan’s eyes as she scolded her lightly.

Then worry appeared on her face again, and she murmured, “It seems Answerer Kang and Answerer Xi still haven’t served. I wonder when His Majesty will summon this mistress… Sister Mei is suffering in Consort Hua’s palace, and I can’t help at all.”

“You can’t blame yourself for that, Mistress.” Liu Zhu answered softly. “You can’t see His Majesty, so you have no chance to plead either.”

“That’s right, Mistress. Noble Lady Shen will be fine.” Huan Bi followed up. “Right now, Mistress should think about how to win favor. Once your rank rises, Mistress can plead in front of His Majesty.”