Ex-Girlfriend – Chapter 28
by Little PandaVolume 2: Power Over Court and Country
The Deposed Empress 03
Covering The Heaven With One Hand
In Xin Lan’s palace, they replaced the maid, and anyone with an interest could find out who the replacement was.
Consort Xi sat calmly in the palace, touching the ring on her hand, and then suddenly felt relieved.
After all, Xin Lan has already been deposed, and that maid no longer holds any value.
She looked at her own young and beautiful face in the mirror and smiled with satisfaction.
“Your Highness, it’s said that the one in Chaolian Palace is quite pleased with herself right now.”
The maid whispered as she peeled lotus seeds for her.
“Let her be pleased, that foolish woman,” Consort Xi said dismissively, biting into a lotus seed but then frowning.
The maid quickly offered her an embroidered handkerchief to spit out the contents of her mouth and then brought a cup for her to rinse her mouth.
“Some people, you see, are just like these lotus seeds. They look smooth and full, but biting into them leaves a bitter taste, making them hard to swallow and only fit to be spat out,” said Consort Xi, smiling as she put down the cup.
“Lanyi, we mustn’t become something that gets spat out.”
“You are absolutely right, Your Majesty. Shall I continue serving the lotus seeds?”
“Yes, why not?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Consort Xi continued to chew the lotus seeds, her smile unwavering.
To her, the other women in the palace were eventually just filthy things to be spat out, except for her.
Not only was this family basking in the spring breeze (meaning enjoying a period of success or prosperity), but many were also delighted by the Empress’s downfall.
“Congratulations, Your Majesty, on achieving your desires. Here are some freshly made snacks from the imperial kitchen, still chilled. Would you like to try them?”
The Noble Consort took a sip with a spoon and nodded approvingly.
“Not bad, reward them.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The Noble Consort sat leisurely by the small table, with two palace maids gently fanning her from behind. She had changed into a light pink silk dress embroidered with gold thread, exuding unparalleled nobility.
Who would have thought that Xin Lan would be deposed just like that? Although it’s unclear who did it, there are only a few possibilities.
She hadn’t suspected that Xin Lan would seek her own downfall, and it was thanks to that child who wasn’t fated to be born, otherwise who knows how long it would have dragged on.
The Noble Consort drank a sip of sweet soup, feeling the sweetness reach the depths of her heart.
Soon, she would sit in that position she had been yearning for, the one she had always dreamt of.
She was only two or three years behind Xin Lan, and with her status, she could also be the mother of the nation. Why should that position belong to Xin Lan? The Empress, who was out of favor, had already handed over the Phoenix Seal (a symbol of the Empress’s authority).
The Noble Consort touched the Phoenix Seal on her table, her fingertips lingering over it.
Those women shouldn’t even dream about it; this thing could only be hers.
Xin Lan didn’t care what dreams others were having; she calmly went about her business in her Cold Palace.
Even though Sitong was sent by the Xin family, testing her usefulness was still essential.
The things Xin Lan intended to do in the future were extraordinary, and she needed someone by her side who was meticulous, courageous, and could keep secrets.
Xin Lan asked very bluntly, saying that as a deposed Empress, she had no power or influence, and there was no benefit in staying by her side. Sitong could leave anytime if she wished.
Sitong, naturally, was overwhelmed with fear, saying that the Xin family had shown her kindness, helped her father during his severe illness, and arranged her mother’s burial. She would remember this kindness for life and remain loyal to the Xin family, without any other intentions.
“Loyal to the Xin family, or loyal to me, Xin Lan?”
Xin Lan stood over Sitong, being half a head taller, looking down with great authority.
Sitong hesitated for a moment, unable to give an answer.
“I don’t want you to answer me now; you’d better think it over carefully before giving me an answer.”
Xin Lan’s lips curved into a gentle smile, her tone as soft as a spring breeze in March, yet it made one shiver involuntarily.
Sitong looked into Xin Lan’s eyes and understood the unspoken message.
The mistress had given a choice; being loyal to the Xin family and being loyal to the mistress were two different concepts, indicating that the mistress was separating herself from the Xin family.
Sitong couldn’t understand why, although the mistress was currently a deposed Empress, she might not remain so, given the Xin family’s power was still there.
But a few days later, she understood.
The news of the Emperor’s upcoming marriage spread throughout the harem, and the Changqiu Palace began to be repainted. The Department of Internal Affairs was bustling with activity, as everyone knew that soon, the Changqiu Palace would welcome a new mistress.
Sitong tossed and turned in bed, torn between her reason and intuition.
She knew that her current mistress was a discarded pawn, but her intuition told her that things wouldn’t end so simply.
She couldn’t believe that the person she was looking at now would spend her life lonely and isolated in the Cold Palace.
Some people, just by judging their aura, can make you feel their uniqueness. Sitong also sensed that Xin Lan had her reasons for asking such questions.
These might be two different choices, and Sitong didn’t hesitate long before arriving at her decision.
“Sitong is willing to follow the mistress for life.”
Xin Lan nodded, leaned closer, and gazed into those brown eyes.
Sitong stood rigidly, resisting the urge to flinch.
At that moment of eye contact, it felt as if she was being watched by a terrifying beast, frozen in fear of being torn apart in the next instant.
It was an extremely dangerous feeling that made her want to flee. Sitong didn’t understand how a woman could be so intimidating, but it reinforced her belief that she had made the right choice.
Such a mistress could never just be a discarded pawn, wasting her life in the overgrown Cold Palace.
The Imperial Astronomer calculated an auspicious day for marriage, set for just over half a month later.
Upon learning that His Majesty was about to marry a new Empress, reactions in the palace varied.
The Noble Consort nearly ground her silver teeth in rage, angrily smashing things.
“Please, Your Highness, don’t be angry. It’s not good for your health,” the maid said, trying to comfort her while avoiding the mess in the middle of the room.
“How can I not be angry? After all I’ve… after all I’ve…” The Noble Consort bit her lip, feeling deeply humiliated.
“So she had foreseen this. No wonder she said what she did that day. No wonder… I thought she was just unwilling to accept it.”
The Noble Consort murmured, clutching the hem of her clothes tightly.
She realized she had been naive, believing that once she held the Phoenix Seal, no one in the palace would outrank her in status. The Emperor had even stayed in her palace for two consecutive nights, making her think she had secured her place. But this news was like a blow to the head.
As she gradually calmed down, her resentment only grew stronger.
The Xin family!
“Do you know who is coming?”
The Noble Consort asked.
“It’s said to be the niece of the one who was deposed.”
“Niece?”
The Noble Consort was astonished and began to pace in the hall.
“Where does she have a niece?”
“Your Highness, have you forgotten? She’s the daughter of her elder brother.”
The Noble Consort pressed her forehead and shook her head, unable to remember.
“I heard she’s only twelve years old, just a little girl.”
“A little girl dares to come here? Isn’t she afraid that sitting in that position will shorten her life? Has the Xin family gone mad, sending a twelve-year-old girl who hasn’t even matured yet? She probably can’t even compete for favor.”
“Who knows what they’re thinking.”
The maid quietly agreed from the side.
Feeling irritated and restless, the Noble Consort paced a few more steps in the hall, clutching the Phoenix Seal in her hand tightly, then opened her palm to look at it with reluctance.
“If only I could conceive a dragon child (a term referring to the Emperor’s offspring).”
She murmured, holding her lower abdomen.
“You’ll have one eventually, Your Highness. This can’t be rushed.”
“I’ve been in the palace for over two years, so why can’t I conceive? I’ve tried so many methods, why can’t I?”
“Don’t worry, Your Highness. Just think, no one else has either. The deposed one hasn’t conceived in four or five years. Moreover, other women in the palace, even those who were favored, haven’t conceived. You have the most noble status; there’s no need to rush.”
“True.”
The Noble Consort calmed down and sat in a chair, and the maid quickly brought her a cup of cool tea to help her cool down.
The Noble Consort touched her belly, sometimes wondering if it wasn’t her problem or the other women’s problem, but rather his.
After all, in the past four or five years, including before he ascended the throne, there have been so many beauties in the palace, yet none have become pregnant. But such a suspicion is too shocking, and if true, it’s unimaginable. However, Concubine Liu did have a child, and His Majesty was overjoyed, always urging her to have one as well, but, alas, she…
The Noble Consort’s thought wasn’t hers alone; many have had it, not just in the harem but also in the court, including Xin Lan…
Xin Lan had actually speculated whether the Emperor might be infertile, but she didn’t quite think that was the case.
In any event, as long as she saw him in person, she could have Ling Jiu conduct a full-body check-up on him. At that point, whether it’s infertility or something like uterine fibroids (though he couldn’t possibly have uterine fibroids), she’d be able to find out.
However, she was effectively grounded in the Cold Palace and couldn’t go out to see the Emperor unless he suddenly remembered something and decided to visit his former wife. Given his despicable nature, he probably wouldn’t even bother entering the Cold Palace.
During the half month of waiting for the new Empress to enter the palace, Xin Lan’s Cold Palace saw several visitors.
The first to arrive was the Noble Consort, who had specially come to ‘see her off’ on the day Xin Lan left. The Noble Consort, dressed in extravagant attire, came to ‘kindly’ inform Xin Lan about the Empress’s news.
“Xin Lan, isn’t it hard to bear? Look at you, having lived half your life, what have you gained? It’s truly pitiful and tragic.”
The Noble Consort spoke with feigned sympathy, finding a chair to sit on, and then expressing disdain that the chair wasn’t soft enough.
“Aren’t you more so than I am? I suppose you were delighted for a few days holding the Phoenix Seal. So, how does it feel to be happy for nothing?”
Xin Lan retorted leisurely. Compared to directly resorting to violence, her ability to slowly grind someone down with words in a battle of wits was equally formidable.
“You!”
The Noble Consort’s expression changed slightly, hit where it hurt.
Xin Lan found it quite amusing. The Noble Consort wasn’t very old, only seventeen. When the original owner and the other concubines were seventeen, they were already quite composed. Yet, even after two years in the palace, the Noble Consort still let her emotions show so easily, behaving somewhat brashly, giving off the impression of being all brawn and no brain (though her figure wasn’t particularly endowed).
“That’s still better than you now, becoming a useless pawn, left all alone here to wait for your death!”
This was actually the most feared outcome for women in the harem: losing favor and having to stay alone in the palace, waiting for the day they grow old and unattractive.
Xin Lan just smiled and didn’t respond.
The reason women in the harem fear losing favor, or not just women in the harem, is because they rely on men to realize their self-worth.
But a great Alpha does not fear this; how could one’s own value be realized through others?
The Noble Consort felt extreme disgust seeing her this way.
Why, even at this point, could this person still smile so calmly? Did she know what she was about to face?
If it were herself, she definitely wouldn’t accept it. Why should she be used and then discarded? Why should she be treated like this?
The Noble Consort originally came to see how miserable Xin Lan’s life had become, but instead found her looking vibrant, even more beautiful than before. Although she wasn’t dressed in luxurious palace attire, her aura was even more commanding.
It seemed that no matter how splendidly she dressed, in front of Xin Lan, she felt like the concubine who once paid respects to the Empress. Xin Lan’s eyes seemed to see through everything, making her feel shame and anger.
“You said that day that you were the winner. Do you still think you’ve won?”
“Compared to you, of course I’ve won!”
“Oh? What have you won?”
“I’ve won over you…”
“Won over me? That’s quite the joke. When have we ever competed? Since there was no competition, how can there be talk of winning or losing?”
“How could there not be? You know perfectly well that I…”
The Noble Consort stopped herself, realizing it was better left unsaid as everyone was already aware; shouting it out would be unseemly.
“Do you realize you want that position? But I’ve never even considered you as a threat.”
Xin Lan scoffed, casually delivering her final line, dripping with sarcasm.
“How dare you! Who allows you to speak to me like this? This is disrespect! Ashu! Slap her!”
The Noble Consort hadn’t expected Xin Lan to dare mock her. Even in her current fallen state, Xin Lan dared to speak so boldly. In the past, she couldn’t deal with Xin Lan, but now she could, couldn’t she?
“Yes.”
The maid called Ashu stepped forward, raising her hand to strike Xin Lan.
Chunyue and Sitong quickly intervened, one blocking and the other pulling, rendering Ashu immobile.
Xin Lan sidestepped them and approached the Noble Consort, raising her hand as if to strike.
The Noble Consort was momentarily stunned and reflexively closed her eyes, not thinking to dodge.
But she quickly opened her eyes in anger, hearing Xin Lan’s soft laugh, which only fueled her rage.
“What? Are you waiting for me to hit you?”
“You wouldn’t dare!”
“Since you’re waiting, I wouldn’t dare refuse, so why wouldn’t I dare?”
As soon as Xin Lan finished speaking, she kicked the Noble Consort to the ground, crossing her arms and looking down as she asked rhetorically.
The Noble Consort, never having been struck like this before, was left dumbfounded by the kick.
The pain in her abdomen brought her back to reality, and the expensive, exquisite clothes bore a clear footprint.
Ashu quickly broke free from those holding her and helped the Noble Consort up from the ground, brushing off the dust from her clothes.
“How dare you show disrespect to the Noble Consort!” Ashu scolded harshly, while Xin Lan glanced at her indifferently.
“The Noble Consort is of noble birth. If she decides to come to my Biyue Palace for a casual chat, shouldn’t I, as the host, have the right to be unwelcoming? Since we can’t both enjoy the visit, this is the result. Or does the Noble Consort plan to go out and loudly proclaim that she was bullied by a deposed Empress from the Cold Palace? That would be truly disgraceful, wouldn’t it?”
Xin Lan said with a smile, as if discussing something amusing.
The Noble Consort’s face turned pale with rage. She had intended to provoke Xin Lan, but instead ended up infuriated herself. She wanted to retaliate but feared that Xin Lan would act recklessly. If her face were accidentally injured, that would be troublesome.
All she could do was fling her sleeves and storm off in a huff.
Xin Lan watched her retreating figure, her smile fading.
“Actually, she does have a bit of discernment.”
“What do you mean, mistress?” Sitong asked curiously, thinking the Noble Consort seemed like nothing more than a paper tiger, not particularly discerning.
“She knows that if she doesn’t leave now, I would be less restrained and might slap her instead of just kicking her. That would truly be a disgrace.”
Not entirely foolish, though Xin Lan had no real intention of slapping her, as the marks would be too obvious. If the Noble Consort returned with a crowd to cause trouble, Xin Lan preferred to keep a low profile for now.
However, if the Noble Consort continued to be foolish, there were plenty of ways to inflict pain without leaving marks. Such methods, Xin Lan believed, the delicate Noble Consort would not want to experience.
Xin Lan wasn’t worried about the Noble Consort returning for revenge. She wouldn’t dare bring a large entourage, as Xin Lan might have fallen, but the Xin family hadn’t. The Noble Consort wouldn’t dare to teach her a lesson without just cause. If she dared to come again, Xin Lan would just beat her once more.
Chunyue, who had been with her mistress for a long time, felt that her mistress’s personality had changed, becoming stronger. But after such a drastic change, being falsely accused, abandoned by her husband and family, who wouldn’t change?
Chunyue thought it was a good thing; at least her mistress had become strong enough not to be bullied. She found the Noble Consort’s arrogance infuriating but, as a mere maid, could do nothing about it.
Sitong didn’t notice anything unusual, only thinking her mistress was remarkably capable, having completely understood the Noble Consort’s character, which was quite satisfying.
Xin Lan returned to her seat, appearing calm, with no trace of the aggression she’d just shown.
Speaking of which, the Noble Consort is actually quite similar to the original owner.
The similarity lies not in personality, but in background.
The difference is that the Xin family had considerable influence since the previous emperor’s time, with deep roots. The Noble Consort’s family also had influence during the previous emperor’s reign due to a favored concubine from their family. However, they weren’t particularly powerful back then. It was only after the current Emperor ascended the throne that they were elevated to counterbalance the Xin family. Even so, they still couldn’t compare to the Xin family, but they were powerful enough to look down on the rest of the harem.
The Noble Consort’s father held the position of First Rank Grand Scholar, a trusted minister of the Emperor. Her uncle was the commander of the Vanguard Camp, and her sister married the legitimate son of the Right Chancellor.
The Left and Right Chancellors constantly counteract each other, and although the Emperor might be despicable, he’s not foolish. He is well-versed in using the harem to check the court.
After the Noble Consort left, Xin Lan didn’t get to enjoy peace for long before a new visitor arrived in the courtyard.
The newcomer wore a blue dress embroidered with silver butterflies and flowers. From the moment she entered the courtyard, her eyebrows were slightly furrowed, and when she looked at Xin Lan, her apricot-shaped eyes were misty, full of charm, exuding a delicate and pitiable aura that evoked sympathy.
Xin Lan, however, felt no sympathy. Here came arch-rival number three, and given her previous behavior, she was undoubtedly a black lotus (a term referring to someone who appears innocent but is actually manipulative).
For convenience, Xin Lan had given several key figures nicknames: arch-rival number one, two, and three were Smiling Knife Consort Xi, Arrogant Noble Consort, and Black-hearted White Lotus Consort Man, respectively.
Consort Xi can endure; if you slap her, she won’t retaliate but will smile and later stab you in the back.
The Noble Consort is impulsive and would probably hit back immediately, and if she can’t manage alone, she’ll gather a group to bully you, determined to make you suffer.
The Black-hearted White Lotus is different; even before the slap lands, she’ll cover her face and start crying and accusing.
“Coming here and not even a cup of tea? Is this how Biyue Palace treats its guests?”
Despite her soft voice, her words were not pleasant.
“The tea here is coarse and vulgar; if you want tea, you’d better go back to your Yunxi Palace and drink to your heart’s content.”
“How could that be? Coming specially to see my elder sister, could it be that my sister doesn’t welcome me?”
Consort Man sat down on a chair, resting her arm on the armrest. Her sleeve slipped down, revealing a slender arm like a lotus root, adorned conspicuously with a blood jade bracelet.
Xin Lan pondered for a moment; this seemed to be a bracelet the original owner had wanted, requesting it from the Department of Internal Affairs. Unfortunately, before it was delivered, the original owner was deposed.
Now that the bracelet was on Consort Man’s wrist, the implication was clear.
“Though Biyue Palace is desolate, it is peaceful. But with my sister’s arrival, it’s no longer quiet. The overwhelming fragrance is truly… hard to welcome.”
Xin Lan covered her nose and mouth, as if overwhelmed by the scent.
It wasn’t actually that exaggerated; Consort Man’s scent was indeed fragrant but not overwhelming.
Upon hearing this, Consort Man wasn’t annoyed. She merely picked up her embroidered handkerchief and sniffed it, letting out a soft sigh.
“This fragrance is the finest just offered to us. It’s a pity my sister can’t enjoy it anymore; it’s truly heartbreaking.”
She appeared as if she were about to cry, yet the interest in her eyes suggested otherwise.
“It’s a shame you’re not a performer, sister. If you were, you’d surely be the talk of the capital, astonishing everyone,” Xin Lan remarked in a tone of feigned regret.
“How dare you compare me to a performer?”
“I’m just saying.”
Xin Lan raised the issue lightly and then let it go, causing Consort Man to frown slightly.
This person seemed different somehow.
Perhaps being in the Cold Palace had pushed her to the edge, but she hadn’t spoken so boldly before. Was she now abandoning caution because she felt she had nothing left to lose?
Nonetheless, Xin Lan genuinely thought that many women in the harem were quite talented, not only skilled in acting but also adept at speaking in riddles, hiding barbs in their words, and criticizing indirectly.
“Judging by your demeanor, it seems like you don’t know what’s happened?”
“Oh, sister, your information isn’t quite up to date. The Noble Consort just left my palace, specifically to inform me of the joyful news of the Emperor’s upcoming marriage.”
Consort Man hid her expression. She hadn’t encountered the Noble Consort when she arrived and thought she was the first visitor. It seemed there was an even earlier one; how thoughtful indeed.
“I’m just heartbroken for you, sister. From now on, you’ll be alone in this Cold Palace, while your niece will sleep in the bed you once shared with the Emperor. Just thinking about it is heartbreaking. Although you’ve brought this upon yourself, it’s truly a pity to suffer in this dilapidated palace.”
These words were extremely displeasing, yet Consort Man delivered them with an air of sincerity.
“Do you know what ‘crocodile tears’ means, sister?”
Xin Lan asked thoughtfully, watching Consort Man dab at the corners of her eyes with her handkerchief.
“I haven’t heard of it. Please, enlighten me.”
Consort Man inquired.
“It’s a saying from foreign lands. The crocodile is a fierce beast that dwells in marshes. Whenever it looks at its prey, it sheds tears before devouring them. Tell me, sister, isn’t this predator the epitome of hypocrisy?”
As soon as Xin Lan finished speaking, Consort Man paused, grasping her embroidered handkerchief, and understood the implication behind Xin Lan’s words.
“But there’s no need for my sister to worry about me. Is there anything else you wish to discuss?”
“I only came today to see how you’re doing, sister. There’s nothing else. You should sincerely repent here and pray for the child in Concubine Liu’s belly. May he be reborn into a good family in his next life, so that when you go to hell, Lord Yama might spare you from falling into the animal realm (a Buddhist concept where beings are reborn as animals as a form of punishment).”
Consort Man sighed deeply.
With her sharp tongue, Xin Lan had just used a crocodile metaphor, and Consort Man quickly countered with the notion of the animal realm.
“No need for you to worry, sister. As the saying goes, ‘Heaven is watching.’ Good and evil will always be repaid in the end.”
“It’s wonderful that you have such an understanding, sister.”
“But some people don’t even have that understanding, do they?”
Consort Man stood up from her chair, covering her mouth with her handkerchief as she laughed lightly and nodded in agreement.
Consort Man left with the same fragrant breeze she arrived with. After she left, Chunyue closed the door and pursed her lips.
“I thought the Noble Consort’s words were unpleasant enough, but Consort Man’s were even worse, full of barbs. Can’t they speak nicely?” Sitong rolled her eyes and muttered quietly.
“You don’t know. Consort Man used to be even more excessive. Just thinking about it…” Chunyue shivered, recalling some unpleasant memories.
“By the way, mistress, should we lock the door and refuse visitors? It would save you from being bothered by them again.”
“No need, just leave it as it is. I doubt anyone else will come.”
This Cold Palace will likely remain deserted. The Noble Consort only wanted to provoke, Consort Man came to watch the spectacle, and the most secretive Consort Xi probably won’t show up.
She’s so cautious that even if her arch-rival falls, she won’t come to see her downfall for her own satisfaction. Compared to the Noble Consort, who prefers to confirm things herself, Consort Xi is likely the type to sit in her palace and have servants report the situation to her.
Xin Lan sat on the chair, and Chunyue poured her a fresh cup of tea while Sitong fanned her.
Ling Jiu: Host, the scan results are in.
Xin Lan: Go ahead.
Ling Jiu: Both the Noble Consort and Consort Man have no issues with fertility, and there are no major health problems. However, the Noble Consort is an ordinary person, whereas Consort Man is not.
Xin Lan’s interest was piqued, and she asked for more details.
Ling Jiu: There’s a flow of energy in Consort Man’s meridians, resembling the inner force (a fictional concept in martial arts stories referring to internal energy) from the martial arts world, though it’s just a trace. More importantly, the sachet she carries contains a poison that can slow down a person’s nervous system.
Xin Lan was somewhat surprised, as the original owner’s memories didn’t include such information about Consort Man. The subsequent storyline only focused on the Emperor’s arc, so the outcome for Consort Man was unclear.
Recalling Consort Man’s background, Xin Lan remembered that Consort Man wasn’t from Wu. She was a princess from a neighboring country.
She had been sent as part of a marriage alliance to secure lasting peace when the new Emperor ascended the throne, coinciding with General Zhenyuan’s victory over enemy forces.
Consort Man was skilled at winning men’s favor, earning the title “Man” not only because of the character in her name but also due to her exceptionally graceful dancing. Her slender figure and mesmerizing dance at the banquet welcoming the envoys had captivated most of the attendees, and the Emperor favorably accepted her, doting on her for quite some time.
Who would have thought this foreign princess had hidden talents?
The effect of the sachet that slowed the nervous system was quite intriguing.
A beauty she might be, but she carried poison.
Biyue Palace returned to its previous quiet state, but the three people within found their own ways to enjoy themselves.
Chunyue, generally unremarkable, busied herself with needlework. Sitong, seemingly lively but actually quite steady, immersed herself in storybooks purchased through connections to pass the time. Chunyue would occasionally join her, and the two would sometimes chat about palace affairs.
Having served the original owner as the chief maid, Chunyue had seen and learned a lot and knew many palace stories, though she shared only anecdotes without names. Sitong had been in the palace for less than a year, newly assigned, and the old hidden agents were not convenient to bring to Xin Lan’s place. She remembered life outside the palace well, and anything she spoke of, whether the chirping of birds on branches or small happenings in street corners, seemed interesting. The two maids chatted quite congenially.
Xin Lan, meanwhile, watched comedic dramas with Ling Jiu for entertainment, feeling quite cheerful.
During dinner, Biyue Palace received its third visitor in recent days.
As Sitong ran to open the door, wondering aloud “Who could it be?”, two figures entered Biyue Palace.
“Sister, I’ve come to see you.”
This greeting was far more sincere than those of the previous visitors. Seeing the simple meal on the table, the visitor’s eyes glistened with tears, and she quickly had the maid bring in a food box.
“Don’t eat this; I brought you dinner. Have this instead.”
Chunyue laid out the contents of the food box, and the aroma instantly filled the palace.
White-cut chicken, eight-treasure meatballs, sautéed shrimp—each dish was exquisite.
“You’re very thoughtful.”
Xin Lan thanked her.
“I should have come to see you a few days ago, my lady… my sister, but I was afraid of drawing attention and didn’t dare come. It’s also because I’m not influential and not favored, so I couldn’t help much.”
The woman spoke with self-reproach, accidentally addressing her as “my lady” before correcting herself, her eyes full of concern for Xin Lan.
“What are you saying, Sister Ru? There were people watching me a few days ago, so it’s right that you came now. You’ve always been cautious in the palace, so how could I drag you into trouble? And you don’t have to refer to yourself as ‘your concubine’ anymore. I’m not the high and mighty Empress anymore. If you don’t mind, let’s just call each other sisters.”
Xin Lan had a good impression of Ru Zhaoyi, especially because she was one of the few who showed kindness to the original owner during such a difficult time.
In the original storyline concerning the original owner, Ru Zhaoyi had also brought food once, providing some comfort to the original owner. At least after spending so long in the harem, it wasn’t a complete failure.
“How could I ever mind, sister? I’ve always remembered your kindness. I believe you didn’t do what they accused you of, it’s just that…”
It’s just that there will be no more chances.
“Let’s not talk about that. Have you had dinner yet?”
“I have. You should eat, sister. Seeing you well puts my mind at ease. I can’t stay long. Here is some of my private savings for you to use as needed.”
“No need, keep it for yourself. You don’t have much to spare either.”
Xin Lan pushed the pouch back into Ru Zhaoyi’s hand, shaking her head.
“Sister, please keep it. You know how people here judge based on status. You’ll need it to get by in the future.”
“My mother sent me some, and even though I’m in this situation, it won’t be too bad. I know how to manage. I appreciate your kindness.”
Xin Lan shook her head. She wasn’t in dire need for now, and Ru Zhaoyi’s family wasn’t wealthy. Her father was an honest official, and among the concubines of the same rank, she dressed the most modestly. Not being favored was one reason; lack of money was another.
“Alright then, sister, I’ll leave now. I’ll come visit when I can.”
“Okay.”
Ru Zhaoyi and her maid left as quickly as they came, and the door of Biyue Palace quietly closed.
Ru Zhaoyi’s father was a censor in the Censorate, initially favored by the Emperor, so her life was comfortable for a time. However, being a censor was inherently risky work; if the ruler wasn’t pleased, no amount of remonstration would help.
Due to a certain policy, Ru Zhaoyi’s father clashed with the Emperor, believing the policy was inappropriate. The Emperor was determined to proceed as planned and naturally did not listen to his ministers, causing a rift between them. Consequently, the Emperor hadn’t visited Ru Zhaoyi for two or three months.
The harem is a very pragmatic place; favor blows where the wind is strongest. When Ru Zhaoyi fell out of favor, those who disliked her took the opportunity to mock and ridicule her. The original owner witnessed this and took Ru Zhaoyi’s side, pointing out who she should be wary of and advising her to keep her distance from them.
Later, Ru Zhaoyi’s father was imprisoned in the imperial prison for another matter he petitioned about. Ru Zhaoyi, worried about her father, didn’t know what to do and sought help from the original owner. Although the original owner couldn’t release him, she managed to find out about his situation in prison and arranged for someone to look after him, even facilitating a secret meeting between father and daughter. Ru Zhaoyi was extremely grateful.
When Ru Zhaoyi was about to align herself with the Empress’s faction, the original owner stopped her, advising her not to get involved. The politics of the harem were treacherous, and nobody could predict who might fall from grace. Ru Zhaoyi heeded this advice, remaining low-key and not openly joining any faction.
The original owner’s words turned out to be prophetic, as things indeed took a turn for the worse.
Although Xin Lan wasn’t short on money for the time being, she didn’t indulge in luxury for the sake of taste. Apart from the food brought by Lady Xin on her visit, their meals consisted of the typical Cold Palace fare—vegetables, tofu, and beans, which seemed quite pitiful. Chunyue felt it was unjust for Xin Lan, but Xin Lan was accustomed to it, recalling how in dire battle conditions, one couldn’t be picky.
After finishing the meal Ru Zhaoyi brought, Xin Lan stood for a while, then bathed and lay on the bed.
There were many mosquitoes at night, and the Cold Palace lacked proper repellents. However, Xin Lan had Ling Jiu.
Although the system couldn’t interfere much with the mission world, it could provide necessary assistance, especially with small, comfortable conveniences.
Xin Lan took out a strong mosquito repellent spray, applied it around the bed, and was mosquito-free for the night. Afterward, she returned it to Ling Jiu.
Ling Jiu stored the spray back in the storage box, which contained a few other items. She even prepared a snack cabinet for watching comedic dramas, allowing her to eat happily if Xin Lan permitted. The snacks could also be shared with Xin Lan, with any trash being disposed of in the system space.
Both she and the host were merely consciousnesses entering this world, and her space was a sort of mimic, existing in another connected dimension.
Ling Jiu crunched on potato chips, occasionally sipping cola.
Ling Jiu: Host, do you think we should buy a fridge next time? Then the cola could be chilled, and we could store some cooked food like chicken wings and duck necks to enjoy.
Xin Lan: Maybe you could even get a pot for making soup?
Ling Jiu: Yes, yes, that would be great too!
Xin Lan: Why not just install a whole kitchen in there? Then you could cook your own meals, even fry your own chicken.
Ling Jiu: Host, can I?
Ling Jiu’s voice was full of hope, and she immediately stood up excitedly.
Xin Lan: In your dreams.
Ling Jiu: Whimpering sound.
Xin Lan: Can you cook?
Ling Jiu: No, but I can learn, and I can make fried chicken!
Xin Lan pondered for a moment and calculated her balance.
Xin Lan: Jiujiu, how big is your system space?
Ling Jiu: Eight square meters.
The standard system space is about the size of a room. Ling Jiu had bought an LCD TV for watching shows, a carpet, a little yellow chicken pillow, and a small bed, with a snack box beside it.
Xin Lan: Think about it, a fridge takes up space, a kitchen takes up space; we need to be a bit grand, right? Calculate how many energy points we need.
Ling Jiu: Let me calculate—at the current market rate, it would be about one million energy points.
Completing a mission at the highest level gives you 100,000 energy points. If you take on a hell-level difficulty, you earn 205,000 energy points per mission.
Xin Lan thought about her savings and found it completely doable.
Xin Lan: Buy it.
Ling Jiu: Aaaaah! Host, I love you! I’ll make fried chicken for you every day! Kisses!
Xin Lan: Shut up, I want to sleep now.
Ling Jiu instantly went silent.
Xin Lan lay in bed, finding this kind of system quite adorable.
Perhaps because Ling Jiu’s joy was so profound, Xin Lan had a dream that night.
She was sitting in the Cold Palace wearing a feathered robe, eating steak cooked by Ling Jiu. The scene was so bizarre that when she woke up the next morning, she was still a bit dazed.
But that’s something for after this mission. For now, it’s not possible.
As the summer solstice passed and the minor heat approached, a grand wedding took place as scheduled.
LP: Re-translated on December 01, 2024
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