Chapter 92: Contentment

In early September, the heavy rain in the three provinces had yet to cease. When the news reached the court, everyone was shocked and dismayed.

Lan Wu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Chu Mingheng had learned of it much earlier. After investigating, he took the lead in arranging all matters, finally minimizing the losses caused by the heavy rain.

However, the imperial city in September was rather hot.

Every palace was using ice, but the allocation for lower-ranking imperial concubines was limited. Meanwhile, Consort Li, having finally obtained the authority to assist in managing the six palaces and previously receiving rewards from Your Majesty for the matter involving Consort Zeng, was practically holding her head up to the sky. Needless to say, she now insisted that every palace follow her will.

Yifang Hall

Xiuyi Bai and Zhaoyi Wen sat in the lower seats on either side, sipping tea absentmindedly, while Consort Shu above them gently fanned herself with a fan.

Yifang Hall was naturally cooler in layout, and Consort Shu’s ice allocation was sufficient, so the main hall was now at a comfortable temperature.

Zhaoyi Wen had always been sensitive to heat. Even riding a palanquin here had left her feeling irritable from the heat. Just as she had finally calmed down, seeing Consort Shu in no hurry, she grew anxious again.

“Your Highness, I heard that Consort Li ordered the Inner Court Administration to deliver ice to her palace again yesterday.”

“Her Jinghua Palace may be a bit hotter, but there’s no need for three deliveries a day. She certainly knows how to order people around.”

Xiuyi Bai chuckled softly, unable to resist fanning herself for some cool air. “Exactly. Isn’t Consort Li all about such things? Look at the commotion she’s caused these days.”

If the rear palace were truly handed over to Consort Li, the imperial concubines might as well not live.

“However, none of her antics have reached Your Majesty’s ears,” Xiuyi Bai paused, thoughtful. “It’s because she hasn’t targeted the important person.”

The two exchanged glances, both well aware of who that important person was.

Consort Shu handed her round fan to the palace maid behind her, took the tea from the side, and took a light sip.

“How has Zhen Xiuyi been lately?”

“Her? A while ago, Your Majesty often kept her by his side, but later she settled down, staying in her Yilan Hall without going out. Occasionally, she visits the Imperial Garden, living quite contentedly.”

How could she not be content?

In this palace, she alone enjoys favor—both affection and status. Even when she throws a tantrum, Your Majesty only finds her adorable and pitiable.

“Living so contentedly? Then I must find some amusement for her.” Consort Shu shook her head gently, smiling.

Xiuyi Bai looked at her. “What does Your Highness mean?”

“That little palace maid from Consort Zeng’s palace I saw in the Imperial Presence last time, her name was… Pan Xi, right?” Consort Shu narrowed her eyes slightly. “That little maid is quite beautiful. Even if she can’t compare to the current Zhen Xiuyi, I think she could rival the Zhen Xiuyi who was once a dancer.”

“Where is that palace maid now?”

Zhaoyi Wen couldn’t help but laugh. “Your Highness is right. After Consort Zeng fell, the servants of Zhaoyun Hall were either punished or dismissed. That Pan Xi, for her meritorious reporting, happened to be taken in by Consort Li and is now in Jinghua Palace.”

“How coincidental,” Consort Shu said leisurely, her smile radiant.

Lan Wu had finally finished embroidering her pouch. At first, she was utterly satisfied with it, but after looking at it repeatedly, she began to feel it wasn’t as beautiful as she had thought.

The pouch had a dark ink-colored base, with indigo-blue ties and tassels below. The tassels were adorned with a white jade ring as an accessory. On the dark base, water and cloud patterns were embroidered, while the dragon Lan Wu had insisted on embroidering was done with silver thread.

At first glance, the colors were harmonious and the patterns clear, perfectly suited to an emperor’s imposing presence.

However, Lan Wu’s needlework was indeed not particularly outstanding. The silver dragon felt rough to the touch, and to the naked eye, its lines appeared somewhat crooked.

To embroider this dragon, Lan Wu had already expended great effort and time. The fabrics she had ruined were piled up in a small chamber of Taichen Palace, and her fingers bore several small cuts.

Thinking of all this, she felt satisfied.

“Mujin, bring me an embroidered box,” Lan Wu said carefully, placing the pouch on the table. She then took the calming herbs prepared for her by Court Physician Lin, wrapped them in fine silk cloth, and placed them together inside the pouch.

Mujin brought over a dark-red embroidered box adorned with floral and bird patterns and opened it for Lan Wu.

“Look, it fits perfectly,” Lan Wu said with a smile as she placed the items inside.

Mujin glanced at it and echoed her words: “Your Ladyship is absolutely right.”

“Help me with my makeup. I’m going to see Your Majesty to deliver this.”

“Yes, Your Ladyship.”

Ever since Chu Mingheng told her that Mujin was someone he had sent, Lan Wu had felt reassured and allowed her to serve in the palace.

Lian Qiao vaguely sensed a threat and had become more diligent in her daily tasks, fearing that Mujin might take her place.

Seeing Mujin about to help Lan Wu with her makeup, she hurried forward: “Your Ladyship, please let this servant do it. Mujin’s styling isn’t very pleasing.”

That was true.

Lan Wu remembered the last time she had Mujin style her hair—it took a long time and still didn’t turn out well, leaving Mujin sweating from anxiety.

Fortunately, Lan Wu was not a harsh mistress and saw no harm in it, so she simply called for someone else to redo it.

Recalling this incident, Lan Wu was about to change her mind when she saw Mujin step forward and respectfully say, “This servant has practiced since then. This time, I will surely style Your Ladyship beautifully.”

Lan Wu glanced at both of them and cleared her throat lightly. “Then you may do it. Let me see what you’ve learned.”

Lian Qiao’s face flushed with anger as she glared at Mujin.

But Mujin had indeed learned how to style hair, and she had learned it well. It was unclear where she had acquired the skill, but she worked quickly and styled Lan Wu’s hair beautifully, the coiled bun complementing her face perfectly.

Even Lian Qiao was astonished.

How had she mastered this craft in such a short time?

“Is Your Ladyship satisfied?” Mujin asked humbly.

Lan Wu looked into the bronze mirror and nodded repeatedly. Then, she rummaged through her vanity, found a jade hairpin, and handed it to Mujin.

“Very good. Take this.”

Mujin was taken aback but accepted the jade hairpin and knelt. “Thank you for the reward, Your Ladyship.”

Lan Wu smiled but said nothing.

She instructed Mujin to accompany her and set off for the Imperial Study.

Lian Qiao, left behind, gritted her teeth in frustration, wondering what kind of sorcery this quiet Mujin had used to earn Lan Wu’s favor, to the point where she was taken along everywhere.

Just as she reached the door, Lan Wu turned back and looked at Lian Qiao in the hall, saying softly, “Help me sort through the recent storybooks. Separate the ones I’ve read from the ones I haven’t.”

Lian Qiao quickly responded, “Yes, Your Ladyship. This servant is most skilled at organizing books.”

It was now afternoon. Although Lan Wu had already taken a nap, the sun still beat down with intense heat.

As they walked, Lan Wu chatted quietly with Mujin, telling her not to mind Lian Qiao—she was the type to forget everything after a few days.

After all, in her previous life, Lian Qiao and Mujin had gotten along well. Although things had changed in this life, the people themselves remained the same, so their relationship shouldn’t be too strained.

“Your Highness is right. In private, I have observed Lian Qiao and feel that although she is somewhat foolish, she has no ill intentions and follows the rules in her work. I will not take it to heart.”

Lan Wu listened to her words, hesitated for a moment, then finally gave a slight nod.