Chapter 011: The Legend of Zhen Huan — An Lingrong

“I do not know,” replied Jian Qiu with a puzzled expression. “From what I see, she has successfully attended the emperor’s bedchamber without any mistakes.”

“It seems something must have gone wrong,” the Empress said with a sharp glint in her eyes. “Have someone keep watch over Yanxi Palace. They must remain under my control.”

“Your Majesty, they are no threat,” Jian Qiu soothed the angry Empress. “Each one is more foolish than the last. You need only to move a finger to make them bow and obey. If they serve Your Majesty, it is their good fortune. Let them make a fuss for now; it will only add to the discomfort of others.”

“Indeed, they are merely attendants,” the Empress muttered, her mood easing somewhat. “What I must watch closely are Consort Hua and the attendant Guan, especially Guan. She mustn’t be allowed to conceive.”

“Rest assured, Your Majesty. There are eyes on her,” Jian Qiu said nonchalantly as she helped the Empress rise. “Shall we go out now, or wait a while?”

“Let’s go. They should be arriving soon.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The two moved slowly out of the hall. A careful observer might notice the slight trembling in the Empress’s body and limbs.

“The Empress has arrived!” A shout echoed, and the concubines inside rose immediately.

One by one, they bowed. “Your humble servant pays respects to Her Majesty the Empress.”

“Rise,” the Empress nodded with satisfaction.

In her heart, these obedient greetings from the concubines were the highlight of her day as Empress.

Her gaze settled on Li Siqi, and she smiled. “Xin Daying has already attended the emperor’s bedchamber. Today, the emperor has issued an edict promoting your rank. From now on, you shall be Xin Changzai.”

She then glanced at Zhen Huan and the others, as well as Xia Changzai. “You should all strive harder, so the emperor may soon elevate your ranks as well.”

At this, the expressions of Zhen Huan and the others darkened noticeably.

The Empress’s satisfaction only grew.

Xia Dongchun responded bluntly, “An Lingrong’s rank is too low; even a promotion of one grade would help her avoid being bullied.”

She shot a glance at Zhen Huan and the others, implying more than words could say.

Her simple-minded demeanor was almost laughable, but everyone else cast mocking looks at Zhen Huan, nearly causing her and Shen Meizhuang to choke with anger.

“It’s the emperor’s favor,” Li Siqi smiled sweetly. “It seems His Majesty likes my nature and granted me this promotion.”

“The emperor’s favor is a blessing,” the Empress said, pleased to see discord among the concubines. This was exactly the outcome she desired.

Forgetting her own trembling and chills, she instructed, “Xin Changzai, after attending the emperor, the concubine must perform the tea ceremony. This is the custom—you should know.”

At that moment, Huichun approached, carrying the prepared tea.

“Consort Hua has arrived!” A shout interrupted Li Siqi as she was about to perform the ceremony.

Consort Hua entered with a proud, disdainful air. “I did not sleep well last night. Am I late?”

She tossed her handkerchief carelessly as she approached the Empress. “Your Majesty,” she said, then without waiting for a reply, turned and sat in a nearby chair.

The Empress’s smile faltered at her indifferent attitude.

Li Siqi clearly saw the Empress’s hands trembling even more—she was deeply vexed.

Though inwardly seething, the Empress maintained a faint smile and deliberately ignored the arrogant Consort Hua.

She calmly said to Li Siqi, “Xin Changzai, continue with the tea ceremony.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Li Siqi knew she had to get through this hurdle. She knelt before the Empress, performed a deep bow, then took the tea cup Huichun brought and respectfully offered it. “Please, Your Majesty, have some tea.”

The Empress’s trembling hand took the cup, quickly brought it to her lips, and merely touched her mouth to it. Then she passed it to Jian Qiu, who stood beside her, and issued a warning: “Concubines in the harem must live in harmony, and their primary duty is to bear heirs. Xin Changzai, you must behave yourself and fulfill your role properly.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will obey your command,” Li Siqi said, bowing again.

“Rise now,” the Empress smiled and commanded.

Her gaze shifted to the silent Consort Hua. “Consort Hua, the weather is turning cold. Please instruct the Imperial Household Department to distribute fabric for the concubines’ clothing, so they may make more garments.”

“No need for Your Majesty to trouble yourself,” Consort Hua replied with an eye roll. “I manage the harem perfectly, and the emperor praises my governance. Well then, if there's nothing else, I shall take my leave.”

She rose and left without pause.

Li Pin and Noble Lady Cao quickly paid respects to the Empress and followed her out.

This scene played out nearly every day, and whether new or old, everyone was accustomed to it.

“There’s truly nothing more today,” the Empress said to herself, still smiling as she ordered, “Everyone may disperse.”

“Your humble servants take their leave!” The concubines bowed and filed out of Jingren Palace.

After their departure, the Empress could no longer hold back her trembling.

Her voice quivered as she commanded, “Huichun, send for the imperial physician at once.”

“Yes!” Huichun hurried off to find someone, ready to assist the Empress with Jian Qiu.

The commotion in Jingren Palace had nothing to do with the concubines. Everyone knew the Empress’s headaches flared up every few days, and she often summoned the doctor. Since she never called the concubines to tend her illness, no one paid attention to the palace’s bustle.

Back at Yanxi Palace, Li Siqi was utterly exhausted.

She did not join Noble Lady Fucha and Xia Dongchun in idle chatter in the main hall.

After casually eating a few bites, she told Lu He and the others not to disturb her as she rested.

She slept for two full hours.

Even when Su Peisheng personally delivered gifts, she was nowhere to be found.

In the Imperial Study:

“Does Xin Changzai like those white jade bracelets?” the emperor asked.

“Your Majesty, Miss Lu He said Xin Xiaozhu is still resting,” Su Peisheng replied with a smile.

“I haven’t seen Xin Xiaozhu?” the emperor asked, somewhat surprised, though his smile was undeniable. “This foolish girl really has no guile.”

“Xin Xiaozhu is simple-minded and straightforward,” Su Peisheng said cheerfully. “Even Consort Hua regards her differently.”

“This foolish girl is a good one,” the emperor said, glancing at the time. Picking up his vermilion brush, he prepared to work. “At the hour of Shen, send someone to bring her here.”

“At once!” Su Peisheng responded immediately.

Li Siqi attended the emperor’s bedchamber for four consecutive days.

It was only on the fifth day that the emperor ceased calling her.

The concubines finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Everyone thought An Lingrong would be as favored as Zhen Huan.

Three or four days was still within normal bounds.

“But it’s only four days,” Zhen Huan sneered. “What use is a promotion in rank? It still only means four days of attending the emperor.”

“Exactly!” Huan Bi lifted her chin proudly. “My young mistress attended for seven days—no one can break your record of favor. Consort Hua, too, only for about three to five days.”

“All right, keep this between us; if word gets out, it will offend people,” Zhen Huan said with a hint of pride.

Then, a worried look crossed her face as she murmured, “It seems Kang Daying and Xi Daying have yet to attend the emperor. I wonder when His Majesty will summon me… Sister Mei is suffering in Consort Hua’s palace, and I can do nothing to help.”

“It’s not your fault,” Liu Zhu whispered. “If you can’t see the emperor, you have no chance to plead for her.”

“Indeed, young mistress, don’t worry about Noble Lady Shen’s affairs,” Huan Bi added. “Now is the time for you to find a way to gain favor. Once your rank is promoted, you can plead before the emperor.”