Ex-Girlfriend – Chapter 28
by Little PandaPower Overwhelming the Court
Deposed Empress 03
Covering the Sky with One Hand
Anyone in the palace who cared to ask would easily find out who had replaced the maids in Xin Lan’s palace.
Consort Xi sat in her palace with a dark expression. She stroked the ring on her finger, but then her expression suddenly relaxed.
After all, Xin Lan had already been deposed, so that maid no longer had any utility.
She looked at her reflection in the mirror, still young and beautiful, and let out a satisfied smile.
“Your Highness, I hear the one in Chaolian Palace is quite smug right now,” the maid whispered as she peeled lotus seeds for her.
“Let her be smug. Foolish woman,” Consort Xi said dismissively. But as she chewed the lotus seed in her mouth, her brows furrowed.
The maid hurriedly offered an embroidered handkerchief for her to spit it out, then brought a teacup for her to rinse her mouth.
“Some people are just like these lotus seeds,” Consort Xi said, a smile curling the corners of her lips as she set down her teacup. “They look plump and full on the outside, but one bite fills your mouth with bitterness. You can’t swallow them, so you can only spit them out.”
“Lan Yi, we must never become something that gets spat out.”
“You speak the truth, Master. Shall we still eat these lotus seeds?”
“Eat them. Of course we’ll eat them.”
“Yes.”
Consort Xi chewed on the lotus seeds, the smile never leaving her face.
To her, the other women in this palace were ultimately nothing but filthy, wretched things to be spat out. All except for her.
Consort Xi wasn’t the only one basking in satisfaction. With the Empress’s fall, there were plenty of others who were absolutely thrilled.
“Congratulations, Your Highness, on obtaining your heart’s desire. This is a cold snack fresh from the Imperial Kitchen. Would Your Highness care to try some?”
The Noble Consort picked up her spoon, took a sip, and nodded with satisfaction.
“Not bad. Send them a reward.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The Noble Consort sat leisurely by her small table as two palace maids gently fanned her from behind. She had changed into a light red silk dress embroidered with gold thread, looking incomparably noble.
She’d never expected that Xin Lan would actually be deposed just like that. Although she didn’t know who had struck the blow, it could only have been one of a select few.
She didn’t suspect that Xin Lan would court her own ruin like this. It was also thanks to that child who never got to be born; otherwise, who knew how much longer this would’ve dragged on?
The Noble Consort drank another mouthful of the sweet soup, feeling the sweetness seep deep into her heart.
Soon, she would sit in that seat—the very position she had yearned for day and night.
She had only entered the palace two or three years after Xin Lan. With her status, she was fully capable of being the mother of the nation. Why should that position belong to Xin Lan? The unfavored Empress had already surrendered her Phoenix Seal.
The Noble Consort touched the Phoenix Seal resting on her table, her fingertips lingering over it.
The other women need not even dream of it; this item could only belong to her.
Xin Lan paid no mind to whatever beautiful dreams others were weaving, leisurely going about her own business in her cold palace.
Although Si Tong had been sent by the Xin family, testing her utility was still absolutely essential.
What Xin Lan planned to do in the future was extraordinary; she needed someone attentive, bold, and capable of keeping secrets by her side.
Xin Lan asked her very directly, pointing out that she was now a deposed empress with neither power nor influence, and there was no benefit to staying by her side. If Si Tong wanted to leave, she could do so at any time.
Si Tong was naturally terrified. She explained that the Xin family had shown her great kindness—they had supported her gravely ill father and paid for her mother’s burial. She would remember this debt of gratitude for the rest of her life, and would remain loyal to the Xin family without any double-mindedness.
“Loyal to the Xin family, or loyal to me, Xin Lan?”
Xin Lan stood opposite Si Tong. She was more than half a head taller, looking down on her with immense commanding presence.
Si Tong hesitated for a long moment, unable to give an answer.
“I don’t need your answer right now. It’s best that you think it over thoroughly before giving me your response.”
The corners of Xin Lan’s mouth curled up slightly, her tone as gentle as a spring breeze in March, yet it made one shudder involuntarily.
Si Tong looked into Xin Lan’s eyes, understanding the unspoken words.
Her master was giving her a choice. Pledging loyalty to the Xin family and pledging loyalty to her master were two entirely different concepts, which meant her master was separating herself from the Xin family.
Si Tong couldn’t fathom why. Even though her master was currently a deposed empress, she might not remain here forever, especially with the Xin family’s power still standing firm.
However, a few days later, she understood.
News of the Emperor’s impending grand wedding spread throughout the entire inner palace. Repainting began at Changqiu Palace, and the Imperial Household Department grew busy. Everyone knew that Changqiu Palace, which had been empty for only a few days, was about to welcome a new mistress.
Si Tong tossed and turned in bed, torn between her logic and her intuition.
She knew the master she currently followed was a discarded pawn, but her intuition told her that things wouldn’t end so easily.
Looking at the person she served now, she absolutely refused to believe that this woman would spend the rest of her life in lonely isolation within the cold palace.
Some people made their extraordinary nature felt through their sheer presence alone. Si Tong was also sensitive enough to detect that Xin Lan’s question must have carried a deeper purpose.
These were perhaps two very different paths. Si Tong didn’t hesitate for much longer before arriving at her answer.
“Si Tong is willing to follow Master for the rest of her life.”
Xin Lan nodded, leaning in close to lock eyes with those brown eyes.
Si Tong stood frozen, suppressing her urge to shrink back.
The moment their gazes met, she felt as if she were being stared down by some terrifying beast. She remained stiff and dared not move a muscle, fearing she would be torn to pieces in the next instant.
It was an extremely perilous feeling that made her want to flee. Si Tong didn’t know how a woman could be so terrifying, but this only made her more certain that her choice wasn’t wrong.
Such a master could never remain a mere discarded pawn, wasting her life away in this overgrown, weed-choked cold palace.
The Directorate of Astronomy calculated an auspicious date for the wedding, set for half a month later.
Upon learning that His Majesty was about to marry a new empress, the reactions of those in the palace varied.
The Noble Consort nearly ground her silver teeth to dust, smashing things in her fury.
“Master, please don’t be angry. It’ll be terrible if you ruin your health over this,” her maid comforted, sidestepping the shattered mess on the floor.
“How can I not be angry? After all I… after I even…”
The Noble Consort bit her lower lip, feeling exceptionally humiliated.
“So she foresaw this long ago. No wonder she said those things that day. No wonder… and here I was thinking she was just unwilling to let go.”
The Noble Consort muttered, clutching the hem of her skirt tightly.
She’d indeed been naive, believing that because the Phoenix Seal had been handed over to her, no one in the palace held a more noble status than she did. The Emperor had even stayed in her palace for two consecutive nights. She’d thought she was next, but this news was like a sudden, brutal blow to the head.
She gradually calmed down, but the resentment in her heart only intensified.
The Xin family!
“Do you know who is coming?” the Noble Consort asked.
“Word is that it is the niece of the one who was deposed.”
“Her niece?” the Noble Consort gasped in astonishment, pacing around the hall. “Where did she get a niece?”
“Master, did you forget? Her older brother’s daughter.”
The Noble Consort pressed her hand to her forehead and shook her head, genuinely unable to recall.
“This servant made some inquiries. She seems to be only twelve years old—just a little girl.”
“A little girl dares to enter this place? Isn’t she afraid of shortening her life by sitting in that seat! Has the Xin family gone mad, sending in a twelve-year-old little girl whose hair hasn’t even grown in? She knows absolutely nothing. She probably won’t even be able to compete for the Emperor’s favor.”
“Who knows what they’re thinking,” the maid chimed in softly.
Agitated, the Noble Consort paced back and forth in the hall again. She squeezed the Phoenix Seal in her hand, then opened her palm, staring at it with reluctance.
“If only I could conceive a dragon son,” she murmured, stroking her lo.wer ab.domen.
“Master’ll have one sooner or later. This sort of thing can’t be rushed.”
“I’ve been in the palace for over two years. Why can’t I still conceive? I’ve tried so many methods, yet why can’t I still conceive!”
“Master, please don’t worry. Think about it—no one else has conceived either. The deposed one was here for four or five years and still couldn’t bear a child. Not to mention the others in the palace, including those beauties who were highly favored before. None of them have had children. Your status is the most noble, so why are you in such a hurry?”
“That’s true.”
The Noble Consort’s mood stabilized, and she sat back down in her chair. Her maid quickly brought over a cup of cooling tea to help soothe her temper.
Stroking her belly, she’d sometimes wondered if the issue lay not with herself, nor with those other women, but with that person.
After all, during these past four or five years—including the time before he ascended the throne—there had been so many beauties coming and going. How could there not be a single pregnancy? But that suspicion was too shocking. If it were true, the implications were unthinkable. Yet, Consort Liu had somehow conceived, and His Majesty had been ecstatic. He’d even constantly urged her to bear him a child while in bed, yet she, of all people, couldn’t…
The Noble Consort wasn’t the only one to have this thought. Many others had shared it, not just in the inner palace but also in the imperial court, including Xin Lan…
Xin Lan had actually hypothesized whether this Emperor was infertile, but she felt that wasn’t quite the case.
In short, once she saw him in person, she could have Zero Nine perform a full physical scan on him. At that point, whether he suffered from infertility or uterine fibroids would be laid bare—though it was impossible for him to have uterine fibroids.
However, she was effectively confined to the cold palace and couldn’t step outside to catch a glimpse of the Emperor. Unless that Emperor suddenly recalled something and decided to visit his ex-wife—though given how much of a scumbag he was, he probably wouldn’t even want to set foot in the cold palace.
During the half-month wait for the new Empress to enter the palace, Xin Lan’s cold palace welcomed several visitors.
The first to arrive was the Noble Consort, who had made a point of ‘seeing her off’ on the day Xin Lan left. Her Highness was dressed in her most splendid attire, coming to ‘kindly’ inform Xin Lan of the news about the new Empress.
“Xin Lan, are you suffering? Look at you. You’ve lived half your life, and what do you have to show for it? Truly pitiful, tragic, and lamentable,” the Noble Consort said with mock pity as she sat down in a chair, her expression conveying disdain for the chair’s lack of softness.
“Aren’t you even more so? You were probably thrilled for days while holding the Phoenix Seal. Tell me, how does it feel to have your hopes dashed?” Xin Lan retorted unhurriedly. Compared to physically beating people up, her ability to trade sharp barbs with a slow-grinding dull knife wasn’t half bad either.
“You!”
Having her sore spot pricked, the Noble Consort’s face paled slightly.
Xin Lan found this rather amusing. The Noble Consort wasn’t very old—only seventeen. While the original owner and the other consorts had already been highly poised at seventeen, this Noble Consort had been in the palace for two years and still let her emotions show so easily. She was loud and dramatic, giving off the vibe of a brainless bimbo—even if her chest wasn’t particularly large.
“Even so, it’s still better than you are now—a useless discarded pawn, waiting to grow old and die here all alone!”
This was indeed the fate that terrified harem women the most. Once they lost favor, they could only remain in their palaces alone, waiting for their youth and beauty to wither away.
Xin Lan merely smiled, and didn’t respond.
The reason palace women feared losing favor—or rather, not just palace women, but anyone who did this—was because they pinned their self-worth on men.
But a magnificent Alpha had no such fear. How could one’s self-actualization ever be determined by someone else?
Seeing her like this, the Noble Consort found her current demeanor utterly detestable.
By what right could this person still smile so calmly at this point? Did she even know what lay ahead of her?
If it were herself, she’d certainly refuse to accept it. Why should she be discarded after being used? Why should she be treated this way?
The Noble Cons consort had originally come to see how miserable Xin Lan was. Yet the woman looked full of energy, appearing even more beautiful than before. Though she lacked her splendid palace robes, her presence was even more commanding.
It felt as though no matter how magnificently she herself dressed in front of her, she was still just like that consort paying respects to the Empress in the past. Xin Lan’s eyes seemed capable of seeing through everything, provoking a sudden surge of shame and rage.
“You told me that day that you were the one who won. Do you still think you have won now?”
“Compared to you, I’ve naturally won!”
“Oh? What did you win?”
“I’ve won against you…”
“Won against me? What a joke. When did we ever play a game? Since we’ve never competed, how can there be talk of winning or losing?”
“How is there not? Don’t tell me you didn’t know…”
The Noble Consort bit her tongue. This was something everyone understood in their hearts; yelling it out loud would look highly improper.
“You wanted that position? But I’ve never once spared you a second thought.”
Xin Lan sneered, slowly delivering her final blow, her words dripping with mockery.
“How insolent! Who permitted you to speak to me in such a manner? This is outright disrespect! A Xiu! Slap her mouth!”
The Noble Consort had not expected Xin Lan to dare mock her. To think that even after falling to this state, the woman still dared to spout such arrogant nonsense. If she could not discipline her in the past, did that mean she could not discipline her now?
“Yes.”
The maid named A Xiu stepped forward, raising her hand to slap Xin Lan.
Chun Yue and Si Tong rushed forward. One blocked while the other grabbed, rendering A Xiu completely unable to move.
Xin Lan bypassed them, stepped directly in front of the Noble Consort, and raised her hand as if about to strike.
The Noble Consort froze for a moment. She actually closed her eyes in a reflex action, not even thinking to dodge.
But she immediately opened her eyes in anger, hearing Xin Lan let out a light chuckle, which made her fury boil over even more.
“What? Were you waiting for me to slap you?”
“You dare!”
“Since you were waiting, it would be rude of me to decline. Why wouldn’t I dare?”
The moment the words left the Noble Consort’s mouth, Xin Lan kicked her to the ground. She crossed her arms, looking down as she questioned her.
When had the Noble Consort ever been struck like this? She was completely dazed by the kick.
The sharp pain in her abdomen brought her back to her senses, and a footprint on her expensive, exquisite dress was glaringly obvious.
A Xiu quickly broke free from the people holding her back, helping the Noble Consort up from the ground and dusting off her clothes.
“You actually dare to disrespect the Noble Consort!” A Xiu barked sharply.
Xin Lan cast a cool glance at her.
“The Noble Consort is born of gold and jade. Since she chose to come to my Biyue Palace to chat, is the host not allowed to make her feel unwelcome? Since guest and host couldn’t enjoy themselves, we had to do things this way. What? Is the Noble Consort going to go out and make a big fuss, telling everyone she was bullied by a deposed empress in the cold palace? That’d be incredibly pathetic, wouldn’t it?”
Xin Lan said with a smile, as if discussing a highly amusing matter.
The Noble Consort’s face turned pale. She’d originally come to provoke her, only to end up swallowing a stomachful of anger. She wanted to strike back, but she feared this woman would act without restraint in her madness. If her face was accidentally damaged, that would be disastrous.
She could only fling her sleeves and storm off in a huff.
Xin Lan watched her retreating back, her smile gradually fading.
“Actually, she still has a bit of situational awareness.”
“Why does Master say so?” Si Tong asked curiously.
This Noble Consort looked like a paper tiger; how could she be considered to have situational awareness?
“She knew that if she didn’t leave, I would’ve shown even less mercy. It wouldn’t have just been a kick; I would’ve slapped her, and then she really would’ve lost all dignity.”
She wasn’t completely brainless. However, Xin Lan was only speaking hypothetically; she didn’t actually plan on slapping her face, as the marks would be too obvious. If the Noble Consort decided to bring a mob to harass her, it’d be troublesome. For now, she only wished to fade into the background quietly.
But if the Noble Consort continued to court death, there were plenty of ways to inflict pain without leaving a single trace. She was certain the delicate Noble Consort wouldn’t want to experience such a sensation.
Xin Lan didn’t fear retaliation either. The Noble Consort wouldn’t dare to make any major moves and bring a crowd over openly. After all, while Xin Lan had fallen, the Xin family hadn’t. The Noble Consort still lacked a legitimate excuse to discipline her. If she really dared to return, she would just beat her up again.
Chun Yue, who’d served her master for a long time, only felt that her master’s temperament had changed, becoming much sharper. However, after suffering such a massive upheaval—being framed with false charges, abandoned by her husband, and cast aside by her family—who could possibly remain unchanged?
Chun Yue felt this was a good thing. At least her master had become formidable enough to avoid being bullied. She’d been highly displeased by the Noble Consort’s arrogant attitude, but as a mere maid, she was powerless to do anything.
Si Tong, on the other hand, didn’t think there was anything strange about it. She only thought her master was incredibly amazing for reading the Noble Consort’s personality perfectly, and she found the outcome highly satisfying.
Xin Lan sat back down, looking perfectly peaceful, showing not a trace of the fierce aggression she had just displayed.
Speaking of which, the Noble Consort was actually quite similar to the original owner.
This similarity lay not in their personalities, but in their backgrounds.
The difference was that the Xin family had held immense power and deep roots since the reign of the late Emperor. The Noble Consort’s family had also been influential back then because they’d produced a favored consort, but they weren’t exceptionally strong at the time. It was only after the current Emperor ascended the throne that he’d promoted them to counter the Xin family. Although they were still no match for the Xin family, it was enough for them to look down on everyone else in the inner palace.
The Noble Consort’s father served as a Grand Secretary of the Hall and Pavilion (First-Rank)1, a trusted minister of the Emperor. Her uncle was the Commander of the Vanguard Brigade2, and her older sister had married the legitimate son of the Right Chancellor3.
The Left and Right Chancellors had always served as checks on each other. Although the Emperor was a scumbag, he wasn’t stupid; he was highly adept at using the inner palace to control the court.
After the Noble Consort left, Xin Lan didn’t enjoy peace for long before a new visitor entered the courtyard.
The newcomer wore a blue silk dress embroidered with silver patterns of a hundred butterflies. Her willow-like brows were slightly knitted from the moment she entered the courtyard. When she looked at Xin Lan, her almond eyes were filled with tears, carrying an alluring charm that exuded a pitiful, heart-melting tenderness.
Xin Lan felt no pity whatsoever. Rival Number Three had arrived. Given her past behavior, she was undoubtedly a black lotus.
To make things easier to remember, Xin Lan had given nicknames to several key figures: Rivals Number One, Two, and Three. They were the smile-hiding-a-dagger Consort Xi, the haughty Noble Consort, and the black-hearted white lotus Consort Man.
Consort Xi could endure. If you slapped her, she wouldn’t strike back but would smile instead, only to scheme behind your back later.
The Noble Consort had a hot temper. She’d likely try to hit you back on the spot, and if she couldn’t do it alone, she’d bring a crowd to bully you, determined to humiliate her opponent.
The black-hearted white lotus was different. Before the slap even landed on her face, she’d already be clutching her cheek, crying, and making accusations.
“To think there isn’t even a cup of tea. Is this how your Biyue Palace treats its guests?”
The beauty’s voice was soft, but the words she uttered were not pleasant.
“The tea here is vulgar. If you wish to drink tea, you’d better return to your Yunxi Palace and drink your fill,” Xin Lan replied.
“How can that be? I specifically came to see jiejie. Does jiejie not welcome this palace?”
Consort Man sat down in a chair, her arm resting on the support. Her sleeve slid down, revealing a slender, lotus-root-like forearm. On her wrist, a blood jade bracelet was exceptionally eye-catching.
Xin Lan thought for a moment. This seemed to be a bracelet the original owner’d set her heart on and requested from the Imperial Household Department. Unfortunately, before it could be delivered, she had been deposed.
Now that the bracelet was on Consort Man’s wrist, the implication was obvious.
“Though this Biyue Palace is desolate, its saving grace is its peace and quiet. But the moment meimei arrives, the quiet vanishes, replaced by a suffocating perfume. Jiejie truly finds it difficult to welcome you.”
Xin Lan covered her nose and mouth, looking as if she were being choked by the scent.
Actually, it wasn’t that exaggerated. Consort Man did smell very sweet, but it wasn’t truly suffocating.
Hearing this, Consort Man didn’t take offense either. She simply raised her embroidered handkerchief to sniff it, letting out a soft sigh.
“This incense is a fine tribute that was only recently supplied. What a pity jiejie can’t enjoy it anymore. It truly breaks my heart.”
She put on a tearful look, but the amusement in her eyes clearly suggested otherwise.
“With meimei’s talents, it’s a pity you didn’t become an actress. If you had, you’d surely have taken the capital by storm and dazzled everyone,” Xin Lan said in a highly regretful tone.
“You dare compare me to an actress?”
“Just speaking casually.”
Xin Lan struck high and let go lightly, causing Consort Man’s brows to furrow slightly.
This woman somehow felt quite different.
Perhaps she’d been pushed over the edge by being sent to the cold palace. In the past, she’d never have dared to speak so boldly. Had she simply abandoned all care now that she had nothing left to lose?
Yet Xin Lan genuinely felt that the women of the inner palace were highly talented. Not only did they possess superb acting skills, but they were also well-versed in speaking with double meanings, hiding needles in silk, dropping insinuations, and mocking one thing while pointing at another.
“Looking at jiejie, it seems you don’t yet know what’s happened?”
“Meimei is really poorly informed. The Noble Consort just left my palace. She came specifically to share the joyous news of His Majesty’s impending grand wedding.”
Consort Man concealed the look in her eyes. She hadn’t run into her on the way here and’d thought she was the first. She hadn’t expected there’d be an even earlier visitor. How dedicated indeed.
“Meimei only feels pity for jiejie. From now on, you’ll be all alone in this freezing palace, while your niece will sleep in the bed you once occupied, accompanying His Majesty. Just the thought of it makes my heart ache. Although jiejie brought this upon herself, having to suffer in this dilapidated palace is truly lamentable.”
These words were incredibly unpleasant to hear, yet Consort Man delivered them with a perfectly sincere expression.
“Does meimei know what ‘crocodile tears’ are?” Xin Lan asked, looking at Consort Man with great amusement as she dabbed the corners of her eyes with her handkerchief.
“I’ve never heard of that. Why don’t you explain it, jiejie?” Consort Man asked.
“It’s a saying from foreign lands. A crocodile’s a fierce beast that lives in swamps. Whenever it eyes its prey, it sheds tears before swallowing them whole. Meimei, tell me, isn’t this beast the height of hypocrisy?”
As soon as Xin Lan’s words fell, Consort Man’s hand holding her handkerchief froze, understanding the implication.
“But I don’t have much for meimei to worry about. Is there anything else you require, meimei?”
“I only came today to see how jiejie’s doing. There’s nothing else. Jiejie should repent sincerely here and pray for the child in Consort Liu’s womb. Pray that he may be reborn into a good family in his next life, so that when jiejie goes to the underworld, King Yama might remember this kind intent and spare you the punishment of falling into the beast realm.”
Consort Man sighed softly.
This woman was indeed sharp-tongued. Xin Lan’d just used crocodiles to describe her, and Consort Man immediately brought up the beast realm.
“Don’t trouble yourself, meimei. As humans act, Heaven watches. Good and evil will always have their reward in the end.”
“If jiejie has this self-awareness, that’s naturally excellent.”
“Yet some people lack even this self-awareness. Don’t you agree?”
Consort Man stood up from her chair, laughing softly behind her handkerchief as she nodded in agreement.
Consort Man left as she’d arrived, carrying a gust of fragrant wind. Chun Yue closed the door after her and pursed her lips.
“I thought the Noble Consort was unpleasant enough, but I didn’t expect Consort Man to be even worse. Her words are like thorns. Can’t she just speak normally?”
Si Tong rolled her eyes and mumbled softly.
“You don’t know, Consort Man used to be even more over-the-top. Her attitude back then was truly…”
Chun Yue shuddered, apparently recalling some unpleasant memories.
“By the way, Master, why don’t we lock the door and refuse visitors? It’ll save us from them bothering you again.”
“No need, let it be. I doubt anyone else’ll come.”
Hardly anyone would set foot in this cold palace after this. The Noble Consort only came to provoke her, Consort Man came to watch the spectacle, and the deepest plotter, Consort Xi, likely wouldn’t come.
Consort Xi was cautious to the point that even if her rival’d fallen, she wouldn’t visit to gloat and satisfy herself. Compared to the Noble Consort, who liked to confirm things in person, Consort Xi was probably the type who sat in her palace, waiting for her servants to report on the situation outside.
Xin Lan sat in her chair. Chun Yue poured her a fresh cup of tea while Si Tong fanned her.
Zero Nine: Host, the scan results are out.
Xin Lan: Speak.
Zero Nine: Neither the Noble Consort nor Consort Man has any issues with fertility, and there are no major health concerns. However, the Noble Consort is just an ordinary human, while Consort Man isn’t.
Xin Lan’s interest was piqued, and she asked her what she meant.
Zero Nine: There’s a thread of energy flowing through Consort Man’s meridians. It’s probably internal energy, like in martial arts worlds, though it’s only a sliver. More importantly, the sachet she carries contains a p.oison that causes neural delay.
Xin Lan was somewhat surprised. There was no such information about Consort Man in the original owner’s memories, and the subsequent plot only detailed the Emperor’s storyline, leaving Consort Man’s ultimate fate unclear.
Xin Lan recalled Consort Man’s background. She wasn’t a citizen of the State of Wu, but rather a princess from a neighboring kingdom.
When the new Emperor ascended the throne, it happened to coincide with the Grand General of Zhenyuan repelling the enemy forces. Consequently, the neighboring kingdom requested a marriage alliance to seal an everlasting peace, which was how Consort Man’d been sent over.
Consort Man was highly skilled at pleasing men. Her title ‘Man’ was given not only because of her name, but also because of her exceptionally lithe and graceful dancing. During the welcoming banquet for the foreign envoys, her performance of the palm dance4 had completely enchanted nearly everyone present. The Emperor had gladly accepted her and favored her for a long time.
Xin Lan hadn’t expected this foreign princess to possess such hidden talents.
The effect of that neural-delaying sachet was indeed highly intriguing.
A beauty she might be, but she was laced with p.oison.
Biyue Palace returned to its former quiet state, yet the three occupants found their own enjoyment.
Chun Yue’d always been a quiet girl, so she spent her time doing needlework. Si Tong, though appearing bubbly, was actually quite steady. She’d entertain herself with storybooks she’d previously commissioned someone to buy, and Chun Yue’d occasionally join her. Sometimes, the two’d huddle together to gossip about palace matters.
Having served the original owner as the Empress’s head maid, Chun Yue’d seen and understood a lot. She knew many stories about the palace, though she’d omit names and only share amusing anecdotes.
Si Tong’d been in the palace for less than a year as a newly appointed servant; the old covert contacts couldn’t easily be moved to Xin Lan’s side. She still remembered her life outside the palace vividly. Furthermore, Si Tong was a natural storyteller. Whatever came out of her mouth—whether the chirping of birds on a branch or minor happenings on street corners—always sounded incredibly entertaining. The two girls got along famously.
Xin Lan spent her time watching silly dramas with Zero Nine just for fun, keeping herself in an excellent mood.
During dinner, Biyue Palace welcomed its third visitor in recent days.
Si Tong mumbled, “Who could it be?” as she jogged to open the door, allowing two figures to enter Biyue Palace.
“Jiejie, I’ve come to see you.”
This call was far more sincere than those of the previous two visitors. Looking at the simple meal on the table, tears welled up in her eyes. She quickly instructed the maid beside her to bring over the food box.
“Don’t eat this anymore. I’ve brought you some dinner. Eat this instead.”
Chun Yue laid out the contents of the food box—sliced poached chicken, eight-treasure meatballs, and stir-fried shrimp. Every dish was exquisite.
“You’re very thoughtful,” Xin Lan thanked.
“I should’ve come to see Your Ma… to see jiejie two days ago. But I was afraid of drawing attention, so I didn’t dare come. It’s also because this concubine is of low status and unfavored, so I can’t be of much help.”
The woman blamed herself, slipping up by addressing her as Empress before quickly correcting herself, her eyes filled with deep concern as she looked at Xin Lan.
“What are you saying, Ru-meimei? There were people watching me a few days ago, so it was wise of you to wait. You’re already walking on eggshells in the palace; there’s no need to court trouble because of me. And don’t call yourself ‘this concubine’ anymore. I’m no longer the high-and-mighty Empress. If you don’t mind, we can simply address each other as sisters.”
“How could I ever mind, jiejie? I’ll always remember jiejie’s kindness. I believe that matter was definitely not done by jiejie, but…”
But there would never be another chance.
“Let’s not dwell on that. Have you eaten dinner?”
“I’ve eaten. Please eat quickly, jiejie. Seeing you well puts my mind at ease. I dare not stay too long. Here is some of my private savings; take it to bribe the guards if needed.”
“No need. Your own hands aren’t exactly full of surplus either. Keep it with you,” Xin Lan said, pushing the pouch back into Lady Ru’s hands with a shake of her head.
“Please accept it, jiejie. You know how dog-eyed and snobbish people in this palace can be. You’ll surely need to grease some palms in the future.”
“My mother brought me some funds. Although I’ve ended up here, things won’t be too miserable. I know what I’m doing, and I appreciate your kindness.”
Xin Lan shook her head. She wasn’t short on money for now, and Lady Ru’s family wasn’t wealthy either. Her father was an honest official, and among the consorts of her rank, she dressed the most modestly. Her lack of favor was one reason, but her lack of funds was another.
“Very well. Jiejie, I must go now. I’ll come to see you again when there’s an opportunity.”
“Alright.”
Lady Ru and her maid left as quickly as they had arrived, and the door to Biyue Palace quietly closed once more.
Lady Ru’s father was a remonstrating official5 in the Censorate. At the very beginning, he’d been highly valued by the Emperor, so her life’d been quite comfortable back then. However, being a remonstrating official was a highly perilous job. If the ruler was displeased, advising him with all one’s might would be futile.
Due to a certain policy, Lady Ru’s father’d clashed with the Emperor, insisting that it was improper. The Emperor, however, had made up his mind to execute it and naturally refused to listen to his minister. A rift thus formed between sovereign and subject, and as a result, the Emperor hadn’t set foot in Lady Ru’s quarters for two or three months.
The inner palace was actually a very pragmatic place; wherever favor lay, the wind would blow. With Lady Ru’s fall from grace, those who disliked her naturally subjected her to various mistreatments and mockery. When the original owner saw this, she’d stood up for Lady Ru, warning her to see certain people for who they truly were and to stay far away from them.
Later, Lady Ru’s father remonstrated over another matter and was ordered by the Emperor to be locked in the Imperial Prison. Lady Ru was frantic with worry about her father but had no idea what to do, so she’d begged the original owner. While the original owner naturally couldn’t release him, she was able to inquire about his condition in prison, arrange for people to care for him, and ultimately facilitate a secret meeting between father and daughter. Lady Ru’d been immensely grateful.
When Lady Ru was about to align herself with the Empress’s faction, the original owner’d stopped her, advising her not to get involved. The waters of the inner palace were deep; no one knew when someone might fall. Lady Ru’d taken this advice to heart, remaining low-profile without ever openly choosing a side.
The words the original owner had spoken to her back then had turned out to be prophetic; she really had fallen.
Although Xin Lan wasn’t lacking in money for the time being, she didn’t waste it on satisfying her palate. Thus, aside from the food Lady Xin’d brought during her visit, their three meals consisted of the standard cold palace fare—green vegetables, tofu, and beans. It felt incredibly pitiful. Every time they ate, Chun Yue felt her master was being terribly mistreated, but Xin Lan felt it was perfectly fine. In extremely harsh combat conditions, one couldn’t afford to be picky.
After finishing the meal Lady Ru’d brought, Xin Lan stood for a while, then bathed and lay down on her bed.
Mosquitoes were abundant at night, and the cold palace offered no means of repelling them. But Xin Lan still had Zero Nine.
While the system couldn’t interfere too much with the mission world, rendering minor assistance was still possible, especially when it came to trivial matters that’d make things more comfortable.
Xin Lan took out the strong mosquito repellent spray and sprayed it around the bed, securing a night free from mosquito bites, before returning it to Zero Nine.
Zero Nine put the spray back into her storage box. Aside from the spray, the box also contained some other things. Zero Nine’d specifically prepared a snack cabinet. Whenever Xin Lan allowed her to eat while watching silly dramas, she could happily feast on her snacks, and she could also share them with Xin Lan. Any trash would simply be discarded back into system space.
Both she and her host had entered only as consciousnesses, and her space was a sort of simulated form existing in another connected dimension.
Zero Nine munched on potato chips, taking occasional swigs of cola.
Zero Nine: Host, what do you think? Next time, should we buy a refrigerator to put inside? That way, the cola can stay cold. Or we could get some cooked food, like chicken wings or duck necks to chew on?
Xin Lan: Maybe you could also buy a soup pot to make soup?
Zero Nine: Yes, yes, yes, that works too!
Xin Lan: Why don’t you just install a kitchen inside? Cooking directly’d be great, and you could even fry chicken for yourself.
Zero Nine: Host, can I really?
Zero Nine’s voice was filled with hope, and she stood up instantly in her excitement.
Xin Lan: You can in your dreams.
Zero Nine: Ying.
Xin Lan: Do you even know how to cook?
Zero Nine: No, but I can learn! And I know how to fry chicken!
Xin Lan pondered for a moment, calculating her remaining balance.
Xin Lan: Kiddo, how large is your system space?
Zero Nine: Eight square meters.
A standard system space was roughly the size of a single room. Zero Nine’d bought an LCD TV to watch shows, a rug, a little yellow chicken plush pillow, and a small bed, with her snack box sitting nearby.
Xin Lan: Think about it. A refrigerator needs space, and a kitchen needs space. We should at least make things a bit grander, shouldn’t we? Calculate how many energy points we’d need.
Zero Nine: Let me calculate… Based on current market prices, it’d take about one million energy points.
One mission yielded a maximum of one hundred thousand energy points, and if challenging hellish difficulty, then one time was two hundred and five thousand energy points.
Xin Lan thought about her own savings. Completely fine.
Xin Lan: Buy it.
Zero Nine: Ahhhhh! Host, I love you! From now on, I’ll fry chicken for you every day! Muah!
Xin Lan: Shut up. I’m going to sleep.
Zero Nine muted herself instantly.
Xin Lan, lying in bed, felt that such a system was actually rather cute.
Perhaps because the system’s joy was so intense, Xin Lan had a dream that night.
She was sitting in the cold palace wearing a front-buttoned feather-yarn gown, eating a steak cooked by Zero Nine. The imagery was so bizarre that she remained slightly dazed when she woke up the next morning.
However, that’d have to wait until she completed this mission and logged out; for now, it was impossible.
As the summer solstice departed and the lesser heat approached, a grand wedding arrived as scheduled.
The author has something to say:
Second update! A ten-thousand-word update! Daily update of twenty thousand words achieved √
The Commander: Why haven’t I made my appearance yet!
The Author: Tomorrow, tomorrow. I will arrange a rounded-up version for you.
The Commander: Are you a demon?
The Author: Yes, I am a demon :)
Footnotes
- 一品殿阁大学士 / yīpǐn diàngé dàxuéshì: Grand Secretary of the Hall and Pavilion (First-Rank). A prestigious high-ranking civil post in the imperial administration.
- 前锋营统领 / qiánfēngyíng tǒnglǐng: Commander of the Vanguard Brigade. A high-ranking military command post responsible for the vanguard troops of the imperial army.
- 右相 / yòuxiàng: Right Chancellor. A senior ministerial role in the imperial government that acts as a check on the Left Chancellor's power.
- 掌中舞 / zhǎngzhōng wǔ: Palm Dance. A legendary, extremely difficult classical dance performed seemingly on the palm of a hand, showcasing incredible lightness and agility.
- 谏官 / jiànguān: Remonstrating Official / Censor. An official in the Censorate (Yushitai) responsible for advising and offering criticisms to the emperor.
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