Chapter 97 That Face
When Lan Wu arrived at Jinghua Palace with her attendants, the evening glow was at its most beautiful. A lingering ray of sunset shone upon her, illuminating the rosy-hued dress she wore today with even greater brilliance. The gold-inlaid gemstone hibiscus hairpin in her coiled hair, with its tassels gently cascading down both temples, shimmered with dazzling light under the evening sun.
It was said that Zhen Zhaorong, currently favored in the rear palace, was stunningly beautiful, charming, and captivating. Now, seeing her in person, one realized these words were not false. What true peerless beauty meant—only such a beauty could earn the Emperor’s special favor.
Lan Wu slowly walked through the palace gate, thoughtfully raising her eyes to glance around.
Jinghua Palace remained as it was, yet upon closer inspection, subtle differences could be discerned.
Upon entering the gate, the fragrance of osmanthus greeted her, and she naturally noticed the two large osmanthus trees in the courtyard.
After a rain, the osmanthus blossoms in the palace had all bloomed. Originally, Jinghua Palace had no osmanthus trees, but because of a single remark from Consort Li, the Linheng Office had brought in two trees for her. From then on, the scent of osmanthus could be enjoyed in Jinghua Palace every year.
Then there were the stone lanterns lining the corridor—perhaps Consort Li had long grown tired of the original sturdy stone pillars. Now, the stone lanterns in her palace had taken on a new appearance.
Such meticulous effort—it seemed Consort Li had not hesitated to wield the “authority” she now held.
But she and Consort Shu jointly managed the six palaces. Could Consort Shu really have nothing to say about her acting so ostentatiously?
Or was it intentional?
“This servant pays respects to Zhaorong. May Your Ladyship enjoy boundless fortune and peace.” A palace maid hurried over from ahead, offering a quick bow and whispering, “Your Ladyship, please enter the hall and wait a moment. Allow this servant to announce your arrival.”
Lan Wu was in no hurry at all.
She estimated it was nearly the time Chu Mingheng usually visited her palace. If he couldn’t find her, he would surely ask where she had gone. Once he learned she was at Consort Li’s place, the one at a disadvantage would not be her.
Today, she intended to see exactly what scheme Consort Li was plotting, going so far as to seize a piece of her clothing.
Consort Li was waiting in the hall for Pan Xi’s response, though in truth, no answer was necessary. Lan Wu alone was enough to serve as a cautionary tale. As for this Pan Xi, she naturally intended to keep her firmly under control, leaving no room for any disloyal thoughts.
But before she could hear Pan Xi speak, a palace attendant outside spoke first.
“What is it!” Consort Li sounded rather impatient.
The attendant had no choice but to raise her voice slightly: “Reporting to Your Ladyship, Zhen Zhaorong has arrived and wishes to see you…”
Consort Li was taken aback, then quickly understood.
“Truly, a lowborn wretch remains a lowborn wretch—over a mere piece of clothing—” She must have never seen anything of value, to come rushing over for just a dress.
Consort Li stood up, casting a glance at Pan Xi, who was still kneeling on the floor, and motioned for her to rise.
“Very well, first change out of that dress.”
As for whether Lan Wu would still want a dress someone else had worn, that would be up to Lan Wu herself.
Jinghua Palace was scented with incense, its fragrance not overpowering, yet as soon as Lan Wu entered the hall, she couldn’t help but wrinkle her nose slightly.
She recalled Chu Mingheng mentioning that the incense burners in Consort Zeng’s Zhaoyun Hall were infused with medicine. Likely, it was the same in every palace, though the medicine took effect only over a long period and should have no impact on her.
After sitting and waiting for a while, she finally saw Consort Li stroll out leisurely.
“Greetings to Lady Lifei.” Lan Wu did not kneel, merely rising from her seat. She glanced coolly at Consort Li before speaking.
Since she was promoted to the rank of Zhaorong, the imperial edict written by Chu Mingheng granted her the privilege of not kneeling when meeting the emperor.
Although she had rarely knelt before Chu Mingheng even in the past, after the edict was issued and made official, she no longer had to kneel even to Chu Mingheng, let alone other imperial concubines.
Consort Li wore a half-smile and glanced casually at the sky outside before seating herself in the main position. “It’s almost dark. What brings Zhen Zhaorong to my palace?”
She had taken someone else’s belongings yet remained composed and shameless.
Lan Wu did not indulge her.
“I previously requested the Imperial Wardrobe Bureau to reserve a bolt of peacock-green Xiangyun gauze to make a dress. Today, the bureau said it was accidentally delivered to your palace. I sent someone to retrieve it, but you refused to return it, so I had to come myself.”
Consort Li nodded and smiled. “So it’s about that dress.”
“Let me tell you, sister. As an imperial concubine, and a favored one of His Majesty at that, it’s just a piece of fabric, just a dress. You could have sent a servant to ask for it. Coming here yourself damages your dignity. If you embarrass yourself, that’s one thing, but if others find out, they might say how lowly the favored concubine of His Majesty is.”
Lan Wu looked at her, unperturbed, and replied, “Indeed, it’s just a dress. I noticed that Consort Li and I have different figures. If you liked the dress, there should have been leftover fabric after it was made. Why insist on taking mine and making a fool of yourself?”
“Zhen Zhaorong!” Consort Li was the first to lose her temper. She slammed the table and glared at Lan Wu. “Watch your tongue when speaking to me!”
“Who exactly is being improper?” Lan Wu’s expression turned cold. “Consort Li, don’t think I’m afraid of you. I simply can’t be bothered with you. If you insist on causing trouble, don’t blame me for not sparing your dignity.”
The surroundings fell silent.
Consort Li was furious, wishing she could tear Lan Wu’s face apart. She took a deep breath to suppress her anger and said, “You are overstepping your bounds. I can have you punished according to palace rules.”
“Oh, go ahead and try,” Lan Wu said calmly.
“You, an orphan, a dancer by origin, now you’re just relying on—” Consort Li suddenly stopped.
Lan Wu curled her lips into a cold smile and looked at her. “Relying on the emperor’s favor.”
She finished the unspoken words for her.
It was indeed relying on the emperor’s favor.
But in this palace, where His Majesty firmly controlled both the court and the harem, family background wasn’t as important. On the contrary, the emperor’s favor was what mattered most.
So Consort Li only dared to talk. She couldn’t lay a finger on Lan Wu.
Consort Li seethed with anger, veins bulging on her forehead.
Lan Wu glanced at the sky outside the hall, growing impatient. “Where is my dress?”
Consort Li remained silent.
After a moment, Lan Wu finally heard her speak.
“I wore the dress. What, do you still want it?” Consort Li deliberately tried to disgust Lan Wu.
Lan Wu smiled. “Of course I want it. Even if it’s dirty, I’ll take it back and burn it. If it’s mine, I’ll take it back.”
A vein twitched at Consort Li’s temple. She added, “It didn’t fit me, so I gave it to a servant.”
A strange feeling flashed through Lan Wu’s heart. She glanced behind Consort Li and said indifferently, “Then I should take a look. After all, it’s the dress I wanted. I should make sure nothing is wrong with it.”
It was just a dress. What could possibly be wrong?
Consort Li ordered someone to bring Pan Xi over.
Pan Xi?
Lan Wu frowned slightly—this name seemed somewhat… familiar. Where had she heard it before?
Soon, a palace maid with a figure similar to hers, though slightly thinner, slowly appeared before her.
Seeing that face, Lan Wu understood everything.