Chapter 8: The Legend of Zhen Huan, An Lingrong

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“My lady, I believe the emperor’s favor is the most important,” Huan Bi continued. “An Lingrong dares to cause trouble for you over rank. If she gains favor and is promoted, she will definitely find ways to bully you.”

These words struck a chord deep within Zhen Huan. A flicker of resentment flashed in her eyes.

She was determined not to give An Lingrong any chance to climb higher.

She immediately instructed, “The emperor should be summoning new attendants tonight. Let us prepare.”

...

Tonight.

Not only Zhen Huan awaited the emperor’s summons, but other newcomers also waited eagerly.

All were destined for disappointment.

The emperor once again graced Yikun Palace with his presence.

For three consecutive days.

With his actions, the emperor made it clear to everyone that Consort Hua was the true favored consort.

The palace veterans were already accustomed to this; the newcomers dared not voice complaints.

In these days, Consort Hua’s face was radiant, and her arrogance grew ever more pronounced.

Even the Empress dared not challenge her dominance.

In the main hall of Yanxi Palace.

“Consort Hua is becoming increasingly arrogant,” Xia Dongchun couldn’t help but complain. “She shows no respect for the Empress, but the Empress is kind-hearted and doesn’t take it to heart. If this had happened to other primary wives, such insolent concubines would have been beaten to death and deserved it.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Li Siqi rolled her eyes at her. “Never mind the emperor’s favor toward Consort Hua, just look at her brother, Nian Gengyao — governor of Sichuan, governor of Sichuan and Shaanxi, and Grand General of Pacifying the Frontier. He was even granted the titles of Grand Protector and First-Rank Duke, holding high office and noble rank all at once. With such a family background, who dares to openly challenge her? Not even the Empress, let alone the emperor, would lightly entertain such thoughts.”

“You’re really bold,” Noble Consort Fucha glared at her. “If word of this gets out, you’ll offend someone again.”

“I’m just stating facts,” Li Siqi said, picking up some fruit beside her. “Consort Hua has the capital to be arrogant. If it were me, I might be even more so. She’s not only beautiful but also generous and magnanimous — exactly the kind of favored consort I admire.”

Consort Hua promised rewards, and indeed, everyone in Yanxi Palace was generously rewarded.

Not only the three principal ladies received rich gifts, but the palace maids and eunuchs were also given silver.

Such largesse was even more generous than the emperor’s own.

“She really is very beautiful,” Noble Consort Fucha nodded in agreement. “I’ve finally understood what it means when they say the other consorts in the Six Palaces pale in comparison. No wonder the emperor’s favor for her never wanes. Lingrong was right — she truly deserves to act as she pleases in the palace.”

Xia Dongchun couldn’t help but add, “But she is disrespectful toward the Empress…”

“Empress, Empress, why do you keep mentioning the Empress?” Li Siqi interrupted her.

She had known from the start that her family instructed her to seek the Empress’s protection upon entering the palace.

She hadn’t expected Xia Dongchun to view the Empress through such a rose-colored lens, firmly believing her to be kind-hearted.

“Why not?” Xia Dongchun was defiant.

Li Siqi raised an eyebrow. “Let me ask you, if you were the main wife in charge, would you like concubines?”

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Xia Dongchun looked bewildered. “Why would I like concubines?”

“Then do you think the Empress would like you?” Li Siqi sneered. “The Empress doesn’t like Consort Hua. Do you think she would like us little concubines? Are you brainless or did you get your head caught in a door? To think the Empress would treat concubines kindly?”

“W-why would you say that…” Xia Dongchun was utterly confused.

Clearly, such matters were beyond her understanding.

“The main wife will never like concubines. No matter who becomes the main wife, she will never favor the concubines,” Noble Consort Fucha agreed. “The Empress appears gentle and treats everyone in the harem well, but that’s simply because of her status. If anyone threatens her interests, I don’t believe she’d show any mercy.”

“Heh heh,” Li Siqi chuckled. “Anyone who dares to think the one who ascends to the main wife’s position is a saint will be gnawed to the bone. Xia Changzai, do you want to try?”

“You don’t want to…” Xia Dongchun had no argument. Despite her foolishness, she understood the implied meaning behind their words.

“Think carefully. Don’t be a fool,” Li Siqi said no more and turned her attention to the person before her. “Tonight, the emperor should be summoning new attendants. Noble Consort, prepare yourself.”

“Will he?” Noble Consort Fucha paused, her expression somewhat awkward. She muttered, “Who knows who the emperor will summon?”

“It’s definitely you!” Xia Dongchun said bluntly. “It won’t be Borjigit Noble Consort.”

At that moment, a voice came from outside.

The three women stopped talking and stepped out.

They saw a small eunuch from the Office of Imperial Affairs beaming with joy. “Greetings to Noble Consort Fucha. The emperor has turned over your token. Please prepare.”

“Thank you, little eunuch,” Noble Consort Fucha’s face brightened as she ordered, “Sang’er, bring the reward.”

“Yes!” Sang’er was ecstatic and quickly stepped forward.

She handed the small eunuch a fragrant sachet.

Having received the reward, the little eunuch happily left.

“Tonight is your lucky night, Noble Consort. We won’t disturb you.”

“Prepare well. We’ll take our leave now,” Li Siqi and Xia Dongchun took the opportunity to depart.

Noble Consort Fucha nodded and watched them leave.

The main hall immediately became busy.

News of Noble Consort Fucha’s turn to attend the emperor quickly spread throughout the harem.

Consort Hua made a few sour remarks, but others accepted the news calmly.

The newcomers were especially eager.

That night.

“You’re saying Zhen Huan didn’t fake illness to avoid the emperor’s favor?”

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“Yes, mistress.”

“Looks like much has changed this time,” Li Siqi smiled. “No hot spring baths, no special favors, no wedding nights — none of it has anything to do with Zhen Huan.”

“Mistress, Zhen Huan is now wholeheartedly vying for favor. Once she becomes a favored consort, she will trouble you.”

“Trouble me?” Li Siqi was delighted. “Trouble me all you want. I’d rather she trouble me than ignore me. If she doesn’t bother me, how will I avenge An Lingrong? Oh, and give the emperor the elixir for conceiving daughters. Starting tonight, let all the consorts who attend the emperor conceive.”

“No problem,” Xiao Huzi accepted the task, then asked, “Mistress, what about you? Don’t you plan on having children?”

“Of course, I want a son,” Li Siqi raised an eyebrow. “After all, An Lingrong wants a son to become Empress Dowager. As for the others, let them have daughters. When the dog emperor’s final years approach, we’ll have them bear sons. Hurry up!”

“Yes!” Xiao Huzi responded and vanished instantly.

Noble Consort Fucha was favored for three consecutive days.

The emperor bestowed upon her the title ‘Tranquil.’

On the fourth day, the emperor summoned Borjigit Noble Consort to attend him.

She only attended for one night and received only gifts.

Next, the emperor turned to Shen Meizhuang.

Thus, Zhen Huan’s little circle finally began to flourish.

Look at these two sisters, finally able to hold their heads high.

Even the maids around them began to look down on others arrogantly, as if wanting to trample everyone beneath their feet.

Shen Meizhuang also attended for three days.

The emperor did not grant her a title.

She exchanged the verse, “I’d rather embrace fragrance and die on the branch than be blown off by the north wind,” for a basin after basin of chrysanthemums from the emperor.

As for her other verse, “I admire its integrity. The ones I despise most are those who are beautiful but utterly foolish…”

Both Consort Hua and Li Siqi felt those words were aimed at themselves.

Compared to Consort Hua’s resentment over Shen Meizhuang’s ‘insubordination,’ Li Siqi cared little.

Watching their little clique flaunt power everywhere, displaying the demeanor of favored consorts, Li Siqi found it all very amusing.

After Shen Meizhuang’s attendance, the emperor did not summon anyone else.

He stayed in the imperial study, diligently working as if forgetting there was a group of women in the harem waiting for him.

Seven or eight days later.

Under the yearning gazes of the consorts.

The emperor once again stepped into the harem.