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n“Xiuyi Su, why do you say such a thing?” asked Zhuang Laoyan, smiling as her gaze fell upon the other party.

nXiuyi Su looked at that pair of eyes. She didn’t know if her eyes were playing tricks on her, but under the bloom of the fireworks, those eyes carried a sense of mockery that could not be put into words.

nIn a very coordinated manner, the other imperial concubines watched the two. No matter which of the two was out of luck, it did not bring them any disadvantages.

n“I merely noticed that Xiuyi Zhao seemed not in the mood to eat, and spoke out of turn.” Xiuyi Su set down her pair of silver chopsticks, ignoring the mockery in Zhuang Laoyan’s eyes. “Could it be that I was mistaken?”

n“Thank you Elder Sister for the concern. Younger Sister merely doesn’t have an appetite,” replied Zhuang Laoyan in indifference. She turned toward the emperor and empress. Indeed, the two were looking her way.

nFeng Jin and Zhuang Laoyan’s gazes met. He saw that under that serene gaze hid an unspoken loneliness, and averted his own. Slowly, he said, “Xiuyi Zhao’s body is frail and she does not have an appetite. Bring her Our bowl of pheasant meat strips and bird’s nest soup. Such a thing is good for the stomach.”

n“This concubine thanks Your Majesty for the bestowment,” said Zhuang Laoyan, after rising to her feet.

nConsort Rou laughed in ridicule. This Xiuyi Su truly overestimated her capabilities. At this moment, Zhuang Laoyan stood in the limelight. Xiuyi Su wanted to trip her up with such a small matter, but such an action would only cause herself to lose face. She looked sideways at Noble Consort Shu, whose expression was tranquil. These two really did not seem like cousins. No wonder their positions were different.

nPheasant and bird’s nest soup was made with a low fire, through simmering. It was very troublesome to make. Zhuang Laoyan scooped a spoonful with a silver spoon. Drank it. Indeed, it was delicious. If she remembered correctly, this was a well-known soup served in the Manchu-Han imperial feast¹.

nNoticing that Zhuang Laoyan seemed fond of the soup, Feng Jin smiled. He turned to the empress and said, “We know that she’s a gluttonous person. Now that there’s a delicacy to eat, her appetite has returned.”

nA smile also graced the empress’ lips. “Xiuyi Zhao enjoys culinary delicacies. No wonder Your Majesty specially bestowed her a personal kitchen and older female servants who can make gourmet food.”

nStill smiling, Feng Jin nodded. “She likes to eat; We cannot do anything about that. However, We cannot let her act arbitrarily regardless of the rules. Now that some older female servants have been sent to her, and she can order them around, We finally feel at ease.”

nThe speaker of these words perhaps had a hidden agenda, for certain rousing those who had been listening with a start. Did the emperor’s words mean he was discontent that there were issues with Xiuyi Zhao’s food, and was warning those people not to mess around?

nIn the past, this had happened to Noble Consort Shu. Now, it was happening to Xiuyi Zhao. Was the emperor truly doting on this woman from a slightly influential family? Noble Consort Shu’s good looks and skill in dance could be considered her strong points. But what kind of thing was Zhuang Laoyan?

n“How could it be that Your Majesty can’t do anything about it? It’s merely that Your Majesty is reluctant to do so,” said the empress, a smile on her face yet again. “This concubine is also fond of Xiuyi Zhao’s personality. Now wonder Your Majesty favors her.”

nFeng Jin drank a mouthful of wine. Looked at the Zhuang Laoyan, who was drinking soup with her head lowered. Once more did he smile. “Yes. We cannot bear to criticize such a personality harshly.”

nThe empress clutched at her chopsticks, but the smile on her face did not change at the slightest.

n“But her personality is still a bit childish.” The emperor set down his cup of wine. “Noble Consort Shu understands Us the most. Her four virtues² are rare in the imperial harem.”

nOne would fear that Noble Consort Shu was good at everything. The knuckles of the empress’ chopsticks-wielding hand grew faintly white. If Zhuang Laoyan was someone who made her unhappy, then Noble Consort Shu was someone she hated. What a pity that no matter how many new women entered the imperial harem, the person the emperor favored the most was that Noble Consort Shu.

nConsort Rou, Noble Imperial Concubine Yan, Xiuyi Zhao, and Ronghua Ye were women that the emperor had favored or was favoring. Unfortunately, compared to Noble Consort Shu, they were nothing.

n“Naturally, someone like Noble Consort Shu is hard to come by,” said the empress dryly, picking up on Feng Jin’s topic of conversation. She shifted her gaze to the acrobats on stage, as if she found the performance of those acrobats extremely interesting. As if she couldn’t help but be engrossed in the performance.

nNoble Consort Shu, who sat by the side as she ate with her head lowered, smiled lightly. Such a smile carried an unspoken sweetness.

nOnce the congee and plates of fruit had been served, Shangshi Bureau removed the dishes. What was left to do was drink tea and eat light refreshments as they watched the music and dance performances, until the period of Zhi³and the new year arrived. Then the emperor issued a bestowment decree.

nZhuang Laoyan hugged the handheld brazier and lazily watched as the national-level performance wrapped up. Afterward, she watched as the emperor bestowed some capable high-ranking officials auspicious-sounding dishes and calligraphy of the “fortune” character, then bestowed things to the imperial clan members. It really gave off the same feeling as when people gave out red packets.

n“His Majesty decrees: it has been many years since We ascended the throne. The beautiful imperial concubines by Our side shall be promoted.

n“Consort Xian shall be promoted to Noble Consort Xian; Virtuous Imperial Concubine Jiang shall be promoted to a noble imperial concubine; Xiuyi Zhao shall be promoted to a xianrong; Ronghua Ye shall be promoted to a righteous imperial concubine; Cairen Kong shall be promoted to a wanyi…”

nAs each name was said, some felt happy and some felt sad. And the most embarrassed person was Noble Imperial Concubine Yan.

nThe promotion list wasn’t secret. As such, the Department of the Palace had long since spread the news. They had asked around and were clear on which masters were to be promoted. However, the Noble Imperial Concubine Yan who should have been promoted was not. Everyone found it a joke.

nZhuang Laoyan also felt surprised. Previously, when she had read the promotion list, Noble Imperial Concubine Yan was supposed to be promoted to a chongyi⁴. So why was her name absent from the list now? What did she do to violate one of the emperor’s taboos?

n“Originally, this decree was to be announced after the year’s end. But We are in a good mood today and announced everything together. The specifics will be managed by the Ministry of Rites and the Department of the Palace. The Bureau of Astronomy will select an auspicious day for the promotion ceremony.” Feng Jin rose to his feet. Raised his head a hint. And everyone knelt down in succession, calling out “Long live Your Majesty” three times.

nAfterward, fireworks filled the sky, the red light nearly swallowing the entire capital whole.

nKneeling, Zhuang Laoyan sneaked a peak at the emperor who stood in a lofty manner. In a flash, she found that his figure had grown taller and larger. He truly was… a strong and healthy, hard-to-predict-and-capture monster, whose overbearingness radiated from him.

nDon’t support theft; read this free at sleepchaser’s wordpress.

nThe lively banquet finally concluded. One after the other, everyone took their leave. The only thing that continued were the fireworks that filled the sky. Zhuang Laoyan sat in a sedan that swayed slightly, watching the flickering fireworks above. All of a sudden, something cold fell on her face.

n“Your Highness⁵, it’s snowing,” said Yunxi, looking up at the sky. She said to the eunuchs carrying the sedan, “Be more careful.”

nAt present, Zhuang Laoyan was already a mid-tier second-rank xianrong. And she could now refer to herself as “this palace” to people of lower ranks. The servants also had to call her “Your Highness,” and could no longer refer to her as “Master.”

nZhuang Laoyan grunted in acknowledgement. “It’s snowing quite nicely this year. This year’s harvest should be good.” She blinked. The snowflakes that had melted on her lashes brought somewhat of a chill.

n“Your Highness is knowledgeable about this?” asked Tingzhu with a smile. “This slave’s family has a saying: one would rather use three layers of quilt, so that one can use buns as pillows⁶ the coming year.”

nOnce Zhuang Laoyan had heard those words, she smiled. Such a phrase was a folk saying she had heard during elementary school. To hear it now really made her feel that she had transmigrated.

nShe couldn’t help but raise her head again. Among the dark sky, the fireworks carried an unspoken beauty and attractiveness. She let out a deep sigh. A year had passed like that.

nOn the first day of the new year, the principal consorts of high-ranking officials and imperial clan members came to pay respects. On that day, the emperor slept over at the empress’ Jingyang Palace.

nOn the second day of the new year, the emperor stayed at Linyue Pavilion’s side hall. The newly-promoted Cairen Zheng had serviced the emperor that night.

nOn the third day of the new year, the emperor bestowed many treasures, toys, and jewels to Cairen Zhen. Furthermore, he reprimanded the Noble Imperial Concubine Yan who had deliberately tried to make trouble for her. At this moment, Cairen Zhen stood in the limelight.

n“The snow has finally stopped.” Zhuang Laoyan held Tingzhu’s hand for support, walking slowly on the green stone path that had been swept clean. Many flowers of the imperial garden had already withered away. Luckily, there were some long and green sprigs. As such, the garden still had some green to it.

n“Lao’er, this imperial garden is truly beautiful. In a few months, when all the flowers have blossomed, who knows how beautiful it’d be?” said someone with a melodious voice from behind the flowering shrubs. The tone carried a trace of arrogance.

n“Master, during the winter, there aren’t many flowers. But during other seasons, it is truly a sight for the eyes.”

nZhuang Laoyan arched a brow. Upon seeing this, Tingzhu, who was by her side, softly asked, “Who’s there?”

nA moment later, a woman in red appeared. Standing among the snow on a winter day, she looked especially bright and beautiful.

nOnce the woman in red realized Zhuang Laoyan’s identity, she rushed to pay respects, saying, “This concubine greets Xianrong Zhao.” No matter how one saw that red attire, it was conspicuous.

nZhuang Laoyan examined her. And she realized this was the dancer who had been promoted during the new year eve’s feast. If she remembered correctly, this woman should be called Emei?

n“Cairen Zhen may rise,” said Zhuang Laoyan, extending a hand and lifting it faintly. She looked around. “Why did you come take a stroll through the garden in such cold weather?”

nBut Tingzhu was discontent. How could this Cairen Zhen change the name of her personal maidservant? And how could she choose the same name as her master’s?

n“It’s boring to stay inside. So this concubine came outside for a walk. Never had this concubine expected to encounter Your Highness,” replied Cairen Zhen in a careful manner. “Did Your Highness come to admire the scenery too?”

nA cairen must not ask a higher-ranked imperial concubine what she was doing. Zhuang Laoyan did not reproach her for this, and instead replied in a tranquil manner, “Her Highness Consort Ning invited this palace for some tea. This palace felt bored recently as well, and decided to attend for this reason. However, this palace is not one to admire the scenery at this time.”

nAll of a sudden, Cairen Zhen said, “So it was like so. This concubine did not receive an invitation, so was unaware of this.”

nSmiling, Zhuang Laoyan did not respond.

nOnce Zhuang Laoyan and her entourage were far away, Cairen Zhen said somewhat enviously, “I wonder when I can be this respected?”

nLao’er watched the figures of Xianrong Zhao’s entourage members with care. “This slave has heard that Xianrong Zhao is one of the most favored people in the imperial harem.”

nAfter Cairen Zhen had heard those words, her gaze grew even fiercer.

n“That Cairen Zhen is truly lacking manners,” said Tingzhu, furrowing her brows a shade. “How could we allow such a lowly cairen who makes such a big fuss to stay in the harem?”

n“How is she any of our business?” Zhuang Laoyan smiled as she glanced back. That set of red clothes upon the snow appeared like fire. “Today, if I won’t chase after this matter, then tomorrow she would commit an even greater wrong. Who knows what would happen on that day?”

nIf it had been someone else Cairen Zhen had offended today, it wouldn’t be excessive to cane her. But Zhuang Laoyan didn’t want to be the one making this move. At the very least, she did not know how much novelty the emperor still found in Cairen Zhen, and didn’t want a stroke of bad luck.

nShe wasn’t Noble Imperial Concubine Yan, extremely confident in oneself. So much so that she had forgotten that the emperor was the most important person in the imperial palace.

n“Hmph. She’s truly worthy of being from a cheap background, not even knowing the basic protocol of the palace. She even dares to call her personal attendant ‘Lao’er!’ Truly audacious!” Tingzhu said, cold enough to freeze.

nA soft chuckle escaped Zhuang Laoyan’s lips after Tingzhu had finished speaking. Who knew how long that Cairen Zhen could stay arrogant?

nFirst of all, let me tell you how good it feels now that our girl ZL can call herself “this palace.” YEAHH BABY. Also, I’ll get that power ranks sheet updated soon…

nThis Cairen Zhen is on the road to downfall. She’s too ambitious and too impatient. Not to mention, she actually named her servant girl the same name as ZL!

nFor those of you still interested in advanced chapters please read this post carefully! There are three fresh advanced chapters this month, so if you pledge for a tier that gives 4 chapters, you’re basically my suga daddi.

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