Chapter 12

Chapter 12: Zhen Huan Chronicles, An Ling Rong

Zhen Huan lowered her head and said softly, “We still have to wait for His Majesty to summon me.” Huan Bi hurried to comfort her. “His Majesty definitely won’t forget you, Young Mistress. Besides, not everyone can be favored for seven days straight.

Just wait for His Majesty to summon you.” The consorts waited with intense anticipation. Yet the Emperor stopped going to the harem again. He spent his days working and resting in Qian Qing Palace.

It looked like he was about to toss the consorts aside again. Only Li Si Qi and Su Pei Sheng understood that the Emperor was recuperating. Every night, the two of them clung together until dawn. Even someone made of iron couldn’t take that.

Since His Majesty didn’t enter the harem, the entire palace stayed calm. Only Shen Mei Zhuang was unlucky. She went to Yi Kun Palace every day to grind ink. Even when her wrist swelled up like a steamed bun, she still had to keep going.

Even with her gentle nature, Shen Mei Zhuang couldn’t help but resent Consort Hua. Cai Yue looked heartbroken. “Mistress, summon the imperial physician. If this keeps up, it’s not going to work.”

Shen Mei Zhuang frowned. “Just keep applying the ointment. I can still bear it now. After I apply ointment, it won’t hurt much tomorrow.”

Cai Xing brought the ointment over. “Young Mistress, this can’t go on either. Why don’t we claim you’re ill? This servant doesn’t believe that once you’re sick, Consort Hua will still send people to summon you.”

“Not yet.” Shen Mei Zhuang touched her red, swollen wrist. Her tone was stubborn and unyielding. “This Lady wants to see whether Consort Hua dares to ruin my hand.”

Cai Yue disagreed. “Young Mistress, why do this? Everyone knows Consort Hua is ruthless. If your hand is ruined, won’t you be the one suffering?”

“This Lady has her own plan.”

Shen Mei Zhuang glanced at the lotus-root starch osmanthus sugar cakes beside her and muttered to herself, “In the end, Huan’er still needs to win favor as soon as possible…” Cai Xing sounded a little displeased. “Young Mistress, Attendant Wan is doing just fine. She knows you suffer every day in Yi Kun Palace, but she’s never once come to Cun Ju Hall to visit you…”

“Cai Xing, don’t talk nonsense…”

… In the blink of an eye, seven or eight days passed. At last, the Emperor was going to enter the harem again. The consorts who had been waiting day and night finally had a chance to attend His Majesty. This time, the Emperor first went to Kang Shou Palace to pay respects to the Empress Dowager.

Then he went to Jing Ren Palace to dine with the Empress. After that, he went from Yi Kun Palace to Chang Chun Palace, then from Xian Fu Palace to Yan Qing Hall. He even made a trip to Chu Xiu Palace. He soothed all the old hands.

With the newcomers watching and waiting, the Emperor finally turned a plaque. The first plaque he turned was Attendant Xin’s. When Zhen Huan heard, she was utterly disappointed.

“How… how could it be her?” Zhen Huan couldn’t believe it. “She’s just a simpleton. How could His Majesty like that kind of woman?”

Huan Bi guessed, “Maybe His Majesty turned the wrong one. Young Mistress and An Ling Rong are both Attendants, and you’re both title-named consorts. Your plaques must be placed together. I bet His Majesty meant to turn yours, but accidentally turned An Ling Rong’s.

She snatched your luck.” Huan Bi spoke about something she’d pulled out of thin air as if she’d seen it with her own eyes. Zhen Huan and Liu Zhu both looked like it was only natural. The truth was, the Emperor saw two familiar plaques and turned An Ling Rong’s without hesitation.

That taste he’d gotten before still lingered in his mind. As the Emperor, how could he possibly wrong himself? Even his favorite figurine had to step aside right now.

“This concubine pays her respects to Your Majesty.”

Summoned to the Imperial Study again, Li Si Qi was thrilled. Not only could she freeload a delicious imperial meal, she also wouldn’t have to be rolled into a chicken wrap tonight.

“Get up!”

The Emperor reached out and pulled her up. Seeing her radiant smile put him in an even better mood. “Have you behaved lately?”

“Your Majesty, this concubine has always been obedient, okay?” Li Si Qi pouted and poked his chest. “Your Majesty is wronging me. You need to compensate this concubine.”

“Impudent!” The Emperor scolded her with a laugh. “Daring to ask me for a reward – aren’t you afraid I’ll punish you?”

“Your Majesty wouldn’t.” Li Si Qi replied with a grin. “Your Majesty is a wise and enlightened ruler. How could you nitpick over something like this with a little girl like me? Besides, Your Majesty is a real man. Supporting this concubine is your responsibility. Are you going to leave this concubine to fend for herself?”

“You little girl, you just love talking nonsense.” The Emperor scolded her with a laugh. “Later, I’ll have Su Pei Sheng send you some nice things, so you won’t keep thinking about my stuff.”

“Sure!” Li Si Qi answered brightly. “Your Majesty, I’m poor. Give me some silver.”

“Hahahaha…” The Emperor laughed again, delighted. “The only person who dares to cry poor in front of me is you, hahaha…”

“What are you laughing at, Your Majesty?” Li Si Qi acted cute. “Am I not allowed to tell you the truth? Besides, being poor isn’t this concubine’s fault. Just raise this concubine properly, and give this concubine silver to spend. That’s all.”

“Fine, fine, fine.” The Emperor agreed at once. “I’ll raise you. I’ll give you silver to spend. Who told you to be such a poor little simpleton? Hahaha…”

… The Imperial Study was filled with the Emperor’s cheerful laughter. Xiao Xia Zi couldn’t help edging closer to Su Pei Sheng and whispering, “Master, His Majesty is really happy.”

“You brat, watch yourself.” Su Pei Sheng shot him a look. “You need to know who you can offend and who you can’t. Keep it straight in your head.”

Xiao Xia Zi put on an ingratiating smile. “Master, don’t worry. This one won’t mess around.”

“Enough.” Su Pei Sheng waved a hand. “Go tell the Imperial Kitchen to make a few small dishes Attendant Xin likes.”

“Got it! This one will go right away!”

After watching his apprentice leave, Su Pei Sheng turned and went to the tea room. Some things only felt safe when he personally kept an eye on them. The next day, Attendant Xin received generous rewards again. She attended His Majesty for three nights in a row.

The vinegar jars of the harem all toppled over, and jealousy filled the air. Not only did the newcomers treat her with snide, two-faced looks, even the old hands started mocking her. Anyone who didn’t know better would think she’d committed some unforgivable sin. Even Consort Hua found Li Si Qi unpleasant to look at.

“Attendant Xin, I heard you’ve been grinding ink in the Imperial Study these past few days.” Consort Hua glared at her with hostility. “When will you come grind ink in my Yi Kun Palace? I’m sure Noble Lady Shen will be very happy to have you for company.”

“Consort Hua is joking.” Li Si Qi looked innocent. “This concubine is the stupidest. I can’t do anything well. If I ruined Your Highness’s things, that would be a serious offense.”

Consort Hua’s face darkened. She looked at her sideways. “So Attendant Xin plans to disobey my order?”

“Of course not.” Li Si Qi smiled sweetly. “Your Highness, this concubine noticed you seem even more beautiful. They say someone who’s pregnant becomes prettier and prettier. Your Highness, are you with child?”

The moment she said that, not only did Consort Hua’s expression shift, even the Empress’s face stiffened.

“Attendant Xin, do you know what you’re saying?” Consort Hua sprang up, her voice harsh. “Daring to joke about me – you can’t bear the consequences.”

“Your Highness, don’t be angry.” Li Si Qi showed no fear and still smiled warmly. “Whether you’re truly pregnant or not, just summon a few imperial physicians to examine you. Once an imperial physician checks your pulse, won’t we know whether this concubine was talking nonsense?”

Hearing her suggestion, Consort Hua finally calmed down. Especially after Song Zhi whispered something in her ear. Consort Hua froze for a moment, then immediately touched her own belly. She promptly ordered outside, “Someone, quickly summon the imperial physicians.

Summon several of them.”

“Yes!” Zhou Ning Hai’s voice came from outside the hall. “This servant will go at once.”

Consort Hua turned back, arrogant as she spoke to Li Si Qi. “If you’re right, I will reward you handsomely. Otherwise… hmph!”

“Don’t worry, Your Highness. This concubine won’t be mistaken.” Li Si Qi sounded full of confidence. “This concubine congratulates Your Highness in advance.”