Chapter 007: The Legend of Zhen Huan – An Lingrong

"Quite right." Consort Hua cast a sidelong glance at her, realizing that this Xin Daxin was merely of superior beauty. Feeling reassured, she subdued the sharp aura she had carried and said, "If it weren’t for your warning yesterday, I would never have discovered someone so blatantly disregarding palace rules. Consider this your merit; I will surely reward you."

"Your servant thanks Consort Hua!" Li Siqi greeted her with a smiling face. "I was only speaking the truth. I hope Noble Lady Shen and Guanchang do not hold a grudge against me."

Consort Hua burst out laughing, and others couldn’t help but curl their lips in amusement—everyone except the two named, Shen Meizhuang and Zhen Huan, who were plunged once again into awkwardness.

"What are you all laughing at?" The Empress appeared to save the moment, sweeping her gaze across the room, deliberately lingering on Shen Meizhuang and Zhen Huan before settling on Li Siqi with a smile. "I just heard Xin Daxin’s voice. It seems she’s quite eloquent to have everyone so pleased."

"She’s not eloquent at all," Xia Dongchun couldn’t help but retort. "At least she doesn’t offend anyone."

The room fell silent for a moment before laughter rang out even louder. Xia Dongchun looked innocently puzzled, unaware of the cause of their merriment. She continued muttering, "I’m telling the truth. She’s gravely offended Noble Lady Shen and Guanchang; they will surely seek revenge."

This only made everyone laugh harder. Noble Lady Fucha wished she could cover her face to pretend she didn’t know these two lively characters from Yanxi Palace. Meanwhile, Shen Meizhuang and Zhen Huan stiffened, unsure whether to cry or laugh, wishing they could bury themselves in a hole if they could.

"Oh my, this truly amuses me to no end," Consort Hua said gleefully, rare joy lighting her face. Suddenly, her generosity surfaced as she declared boldly, "I shall give rewards! The entire Yanxi Palace will be rewarded!"

Consort Hua was known as a great benefactor, and everyone knew her gifts were especially generous. Many informed consorts’ eyes gleamed with envy.

Ahem! The Empress cleared her throat, drawing everyone’s attention. "Sisters, while it is good to enjoy yourselves, the main responsibility of consorts entering the palace is to produce heirs."

She smiled gently, offering earnest counsel: "Whether you are new consorts or older ones entering from noble houses, as long as you can bear the Emperor’s children, I will reward you heavily!"

Seeing Consort Hua about to speak, the Empress quickly added, "Consort Hua, newcomers have just entered the palace and are awaiting their turn to attend the Emperor. You, holding the rank of consort, should not monopolize the Emperor’s favor. Give the newcomers more chances."

"Empress, what nonsense are you talking?" Consort Hua’s face darkened instantly as she rolled her eyes unhappily. "The Emperor likes me and naturally favors me. If you cannot keep the Emperor’s favor, what does that have to do with me? If you want to take my affection, you must see if you have the ability."

She rose proudly, reaching to touch the pearl tassels dangling from her headdress. With her chin raised high, her arrogance was overpowering. "If you want me to give up the Emperor, first see if you’re worthy of him. Hmph! Such shamelessness is nothing but pretentiousness!"

After these words, Consort Hua left Jingren Palace immediately, followed swiftly by Li Pin and Noble Lady Cao. The atmosphere in the hall turned heavy; her final words had insulted everyone present. The Empress’s expression was ashen with fury. The newcomers lowered their heads, shrinking into themselves, unwilling to attract trouble.

Only Consort Qi showed no tact, complaining, "Consort Hua has gone too far. How could she insult others like that? She even insulted Your Majesty."

"Silence!" The Empress’s sharp rebuke startled everyone, especially the newcomers, who had not expected such sternness from the usually gentle and kind Empress.

"Dismissed. Everyone, please leave." The Empress had no patience left for the newcomers and promptly sent them away. The consorts all departed Jingren Palace and returned to their own quarters.

...

Shen Meizhuang and Zhen Huan walked together, speaking quietly as they headed toward the Imperial Garden.

"What bad luck," Zhen Huan whispered resentfully. "Sister Mei, why does An Lingrong have it out for us? She’s always looking for trouble, and it’s so annoying."

"Huan’er," Shen Meizhuang’s face darkened, her voice heavy with frustration, "it’s partly our fault for being careless and giving her a handle. If we had been more cautious, she wouldn’t have had anything to bring up."

"We didn’t do it on purpose," Zhen Huan said stubbornly. "The Empress didn’t say anything, but only that foolish and clumsy girl dared to speak out recklessly, making us lose face and become the laughingstock of the harem."

By the end, her teeth were clenched, and hatred gleamed in her eyes.

"Huan’er, getting angry now won’t help," Shen Meizhuang sighed helplessly. "In the end, we were the ones who erred first. Now that we know she’s straightforward, we must act more carefully and avoid giving anyone leverage."

"She’s clearly an idiot," Zhen Huan’s resentment lingered deeply.

She once resided comfortably and spaciously in the main hall, but now she had been banished to the side chamber—an embarrassment, with cramped and inconvenient quarters. Naturally, she was deeply dissatisfied, unwilling to admit fault and instead blaming An Lingrong for her troubles.

"Huan’er, we must be cautious in the palace," Shen Meizhuang grasped her hand firmly. "Ultimately, the Emperor’s favor is what matters most. Look at Consort Hua; she leans on the Emperor’s favor and doesn’t even fear the Empress. If we had the Emperor’s favor, who would dare mock us?"

"Sister Mei is right." Zhen Huan’s eyes brightened instantly. "If the Emperor favored us, no one would dare speak ill of us..."

"Ah, that’s terrifying!"

"Who could have died in the well?"

"Could someone have thrown them in?"

"Looks like it’s the servant from Consort Hua’s palace."

Several young palace maids passed by them, their panicked voices clearly reaching Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang. Curious, Zhen Huan glimpsed the bloated, pale face floating in the well. Shocked and frightened, she had no heart to stroll through the Imperial Garden further. She and Shen Meizhuang each took their personal maids and returned to their quarters.

In the side chamber of the Jade Fragment Pavilion, Zhen Huan’s face was no longer fearful. Frowning, she pondered deeply.

"Young mistress," Liu Zhu attentively offered tea and pastries, "please have something to settle your stomach."

"Your humble servant..." Zhen Huan took the teacup, her eyes glancing over the white osmanthus cakes like polished jade. Her mind flashed back to the swollen, pale face in the well. Hastily, she looked away, lowering her head to whisper, "If I accidentally catch a cold, perhaps no one will target me anymore, and I might avoid some trouble..."

"Young mistress, I don’t think that’s a good idea," Huan Bi interrupted her dream without hesitation. "Just now in the Imperial Garden, Noble Lady Shen said only the Emperor’s favor can ensure you live well and not be bullied. If you catch a cold and can’t attend the Emperor, you won’t even see him. You’ve already been bullied by Xin Daxin; without the Emperor’s favor, your future will be even harder. Young mistress, do you intend to live forever in the side chamber? Do you not want to move back to the main hall?"

"Huan Bi..."

Zhen Huan felt a chill run through her heart. Seeing the disapproving expressions on the faces of Huan Bi and Liu Zhu, she finally sobered. Having just entered the palace and been bullied, her pride was hard to bear. If the days ahead were even worse than now...