Chapter 9

Chapter 9: Zhen Huan Chronicles, An Ling Rong

The emperor went to Jing Ren Palace first thing, personally visiting Her Majesty the Empress. He ate a meal with the Empress, then patted his backside and left. He went straight to stay at Yi Kun Palace. It was a loud, vicious slap to Her Majesty the Empress’s face.

Her Majesty the Empress was so angry her head hurt, and she hated Consort Hua even more. The emperor stayed in Yi Kun Palace for three days, finally soothing the vinegar-jar Consort Hua. Then he continued summoning the newcomers. This time, he flipped Zhen Huan’s name card.

The next day, he richly rewarded Attendant Wan, sending all kinds of things to Sui Yu Pavilion like flowing water. After that came seven days of heavy favor, her momentum even surpassing Consort Hua. This time, Zhen Huan’s little clique was truly basking in glory, as if Consort Hua was nothing special after all. The youngest, Attendant Fang, liked going from palace to palace mooching food and drink.

In the end, to latch onto Zhen Huan’s thigh, she moved from Xian Fu Palace straight into Sui Yu Pavilion to keep her company. She successfully joined Zhen Huan’s little clique. Of course, Zhen Huan’s favor also completely enraged Consort Hua.

“That slut Zhen Huan.”

Consort Hua’s eyes turned red with rage. “This consort knew that fox was never going to behave. She wants to steal His Majesty from this consort – she really doesn’t know whether to live or die.”

“Calm your anger, Your Highness. She’s only an Attendant.”

Song Zhi soothed her softly. “Look at how long she served the bedchamber, and she’s still only an Attendant. His Majesty still hasn’t raised her rank. That shows he hasn’t taken her to heart.”

“Hm, that’s true.”

Consort Hua finally felt much better. After she sat down, contempt appeared on her gorgeous face. “She has the nerve to call this consort someone who ‘serves with beauty.’ Does she, Zhen Huan, not ‘serve with beauty’ as well?”

In the end, the feud began because before entering the palace, Zhen Huan had dared to judge Consort Hua out loud: “Those who serve with beauty – how long can it last?” That kind of humiliation was no different from slapping Consort Hua in the face. How could Consort Hua, who was arrogant and domineering, possibly let her go? The next day.

After leaving Jing Ren Palace from paying respects, Consort Hua’s procession blocked Zhen Huan and Shen Mei Zhuang. Whether they liked it or not, they obediently bowed and greeted Consort Hua.

“This consort heard that Noble Lady Shen is well-read and understands propriety. Grinding ink should be nothing to you.”

Consort Hua gave an order from above. “Starting today, Noble Lady Shen is to come to Yi Kun Palace and grind ink properly for this consort!” Whether she was willing or not, Consort Hua ordered it and left! Zhen Huan wanted to chase after her and argue, but Shen Mei Zhuang stopped her.

“Huan Er, don’t clash with Consort Hua because of me.”

Shen Mei Zhuang’s tone held a stubborn edge. “I don’t believe she can do anything to me.”

“Sister Mei!”

Zhen Huan looked heartbroken as she held her hand. “You must be careful of Consort Hua. Later I’ll find a chance to bring this up to His Majesty, so His Majesty can spare you this hard duty.”

“Huan Er, you don’t need to worry about me.”

Shen Mei Zhuang spoke seriously. “His Majesty’s favor is what matters. It’s best to find a way to get His Majesty to raise your rank.”

“Alright, I will.”

Zhen Huan nodded. But she felt a bit uncomfortable inside. Even after seven days of heavy favor, His Majesty did not seem to have any intention of promoting her rank. Let alone letting her live in the main hall.

Thinking of that, Zhen Huan decided that the next time she attended His Majesty, she would test him. Shen Mei Zhuang also started “working” in Yi Kun Palace, doing chores. Under the Empress Dowager’s re minder, the emperor had no choice but to let go of Zhen Huan, that little doll, at this time. Not only did he crush her hopes, word even came that the emperor flipped Xia Dong Chun’s name card.

Zhen Huan was furious, and she also understood that the emperor was not her emperor alone. When Xia Dong Chun received the news, she was so happy she turned silly. Noble Lady Fu Cha knew she was a fool, so she deliberately gave her a few pointers. This one might not be very smart, but her biggest trait was that she listened.

Otherwise, Noble Lady Fu Cha and Li Si Qi would not bother with her. Luckily, Xia Dong Chun’s beauty was above average. She also got two days of favor. She was not promoted in rank and did not receive an honorific either, and that dog emperor simply rewarded her with a few things as well.

“This lady doesn’t have an honorific.”

Xia Dong Chun looked disappointed as she stared at the person in front of her and said unhappily, “You all have honorifics. Only this lady doesn’t.”

“What’s the rush?”

Li Si Qi glanced at her belly and said flatly, “Once you’re pregnant, never mind an honorific – you might even get promoted in rank.” Xia Dong Chun lit up at once. “Really? I can get pregnant already?”

“How could it be that fast?”

Noble Lady Fu Cha did not know whether to laugh or cry. “Even if you did get pregnant, you wouldn’t see it that quickly. You’d need at least a month before it can be diagnosed.”

“Oh, fine.”

Xia Dong Chun immediately felt disappointed and dropped the topic at once. She looked at Li Si Qi. “An Ling Rong, it should be your turn to attend His Majesty soon, right?”

“I don’t know.”

Li Si Qi answered calmly. “It depends on whether the emperor flips my name card. If His Majesty doesn’t flip my card and forgets me, then I’ll just eat and drink with you for a lifetime. That’s not bad either.”

“Keep dreaming!”

Attendant Xia looked disgusted. “I’ll definitely drive you far away from us. Who told you you’re even better than me at offending people?”

“What nonsense. If I don’t keep an eye on you…”

Li Si Qi’s gaze carried contempt. “A fool like you would get sold and still help count the silver. You might even be used to death and never know what happened.”

“You’re talking nonsense!”

“Whether it’s nonsense or not, you know it in your own heart.”

“An Ling Rong-” “Enough. Why are you arguing?”

Noble Lady Fu Cha cut off their meaningless fight. She looked at Li Si Qi and said, “Go back and prepare properly. Maybe tonight will be your night to attend His Majesty.”

“Alright.”

Li Si Qi did not refuse her kindness. She could only stand and salute them. “This concubine takes her leave.” Under their gaze, she left the main hall first.

She could still hear Noble Lady Fu Cha’s voice. “Attendant Xia, don’t blame First Attendant Xin for speaking harshly. You’d better listen to her more.”

“This concubine refuses to listen to her.”

Xia Dong Chun argued back. “She offends people everywhere. Maybe one day she’ll get us killed.”

“You’ll be the one to get us killed first. She’s smarter than you…”

The voices inside the hall grew fainter and fainter, and the smile on Li Si Qi’s face did not change….

“Young Mistress, you’re back!”

He Xiang hurried up. “Just now the flower house sent over a few pots of rare flowers. It seems they’re called Yu Tai Jin Zhan.”

“Yu Tai Jin Zhan?”

Li Si Qi could not help looking toward the pot nearby. Sure enough, it was a pot of Yu Tai Jin Zhan in full bloom, clustered like brocade, giving off a faint fragrance. Lu He said happily, “Young Mistress, it’s so pretty!”

“It really is pretty.”

Li Si Qi did not go over, knowing the sap and pollen of Yu Tai Jin Zhan were poisonous. In the drama, An Ling Rong’s first night attending His Majesty had her trembling all over. She put on a whole show of returning untouched and became the laughingstock of the harem. Whether it was the Empress who ordered Bao Juan to tamper with things or not, no one could say for sure.

Now that she was immune to poisons, she did not take it to heart, and she did not have anyone send it away either.

“Little Teapot, is there something wrong with Yu Tai Jin Zhan?”

Li Si Qi asked casually. “Did the Empress send it?”

“Master, it was indeed the Empress who ordered it sent over.”

Little Teapot explained, “The faint fragrance of Yu Tai Jin Zhan, plus Jiang Shuang flower pollen powder buried at the bottom of the pot. As long as Master stands in front of the pot for a while, Master will gradually feel cold, and your body will start trembling uncontrollably. It can last for about half an hour.”

“That same trick again.”

Li Si Qi sneered. “Suck the poison out of the pot and throw it straight back to Jing Ren Palace. I want Yi Xiu to tremble for three days and three nights without stopping.”

“No problem!”

Little Teapot agreed cheerfully. Li Si Qi had thought that dog emperor would pause summoning women to attend him. She did not expect him to flip a name card anyway. The one summoned was her, First Attendant Xin.

Since she had gotten the chance to attend His Majesty, Li Si Qi directly took the Dragon-Phoenix Twins Pill. She wanted to see whether giving birth to dragon-phoenix twins first could make that dog emperor value her a bit more. That night. Li Si Qi was wrapped up like a chicken wrap and delivered onto the dragon bed.