Chapter 31

Chapter 31: The Attendant Provokes Widespread Envy Shen Meizhuang was still processing the thought that "the Emperor seemed slightly unwell in spirit" when she heard "anything unusual must have a sinister reason behind it." She quickly set down her brush in her hand and replied: "It is this concubine's misfortune, unworthy of the Emperor's favor." [Playing such petty tricks with this palace?] "This palace heard that last time when Attendant Sun attended the Emperor, the Emperor originally intended to choose your name plaque, yet you refused?" "Your Highness misunderstands. This concubine is of lowly rank. If the Emperor had chosen this concubine's plaque, this concubine would have been overjoyed—how could I refuse? It was merely that day, my monthly courses happened to arrive, making it inconvenient to serve His Majesty, thus dampening the Emperor's mood." "This concubine has regretted it deeply ever since." It had been over a month since entering the palace, yet whenever Shen Meizhuang recalled the illicit affair, she still could not comprehend it. She still could not believe she would so casually conceive a child with another man. After much thought, it must have been that the Emperor first lifted her to the clouds with his favor, then personally kicked her down into the abyss. Heartbroken, and by chance, in a muddled state, she committed such a foolish act. Otherwise, without any other provocation, how could she have chosen another man? An illicit affair was far too dangerous. Since that was the case, why not avoid such favor from the very beginning? Everyone in the palace knew Consort Hua cared most about the Emperor. Since she had chosen to align herself with Consort Hua, why would she compete for favor with her? Nian Shilan glanced at her: [Quite clever indeed.] Shen Meizhuang knew she had done the right thing. [Yet self-righteously clever.] Shen Meizhuang: "..." Nian Shilan remembered in her previous life, during the period Shen Meizhuang gained favor, it was only twice, while she herself managed three times. Now, however, it was reversed. Sun Miaoqing had gained favor four times, while she herself only had twice. It wasn't that she minded the difference of one more or one less time, but the Emperor always viewed the court and the inner palace as one entity. His favor toward consorts also considered their family backgrounds behind them. Could it be that because she was reborn, borrowing the Nian Family's fortune, her brother had fallen out of favor earlier? Songzhi, seeing her mistress's displeased expression, naturally spoke up for her. She offered a cup of tea, comforting: "Those of lowly birth can resort to any despicable means. It's possible some have used underhanded methods behind the scenes to seduce the Emperor. At most, it's just for novelty's sake. Your Highness need not take it to heart." Shen Meizhuang felt Songzhi's words were harsh. Women sent into the palace, no matter how lowly their status, how low could it truly be? How could they possibly use despicable means to seduce? [Despicable means? It's not like no one in the palace has used them before.] Shen Meizhuang: !!! [Later, An Lingrong indeed used some unsavory methods to keep the Emperor, but Sun Miaoqing just entered the palace—she probably wouldn't dare use such things yet, right?] Lingrong? Using unsavory methods to compete for favor? Shen Meizhuang could hardly imagine that her gentle, delicate, timid younger sister Lingrong would later become like that. Later, to compete for favor, she used... love incense? [And would Sun Miaoqing know how to use incense... perhaps?] [In my previous life, there was no such person in the palace at all. Unknown variables are truly a headache. It's a pity my brother is not in the capital, otherwise I could have asked him to investigate for me.] [But all this is good news. It means the future is not unchangeable.] Nian Shilan did not care about her own life or death. If the future could be changed, it meant the Nian Family and her brother could be saved. [Shen Meizhuang is an example. In my previous life, this morning, she bumped into a eunuch, got her clothes wet, and was finally punished with two months' deduction of her monthly allowance. Today, that did not happen.] There was actually such a thing! Bumping into a eunuch actually costs two months' monthly allowance! Which palace does this eunuch belong to, that his status is so esteemed! With the New Year approaching, being fined for two months means even the holiday rewards for the servants will be hard to manage. Shen Meizhuang tightened her grip on the brush, once again feeling she had made the right choice. Zhou Ninghai entered, announcing that someone from the Emperor's presence had come to deliver an edict. The Emperor issued a decree, permitting Sun Miaoqing and Shen Meizhuang to jointly study the affairs of assisting in managing the Six Palaces. Furthermore, he bestowed upon her a title of nobility. This made her the only one among the new palace ladies to receive such an honor. When the news spread throughout the Six Palaces, it was like a drop of water falling into a pot of boiling oil—instantly crackling and sizzling. In Jingren Palace, the consorts and concubines who had come early to pay their respects were discussing the matter without restraint. The Empress arrived a step late and, seeing Nian Shilan already seated, felt somewhat pleased. "What are you all discussing so animatedly?" "Greetings to the Empress." The imperial consorts and concubines rose from their seats to pay respects to the Empress before sitting down again. Consort Qi eagerly replied, "Reporting to the Empress, we were just discussing Sun Changzai from Yanxi Palace." Noble Lady Xin, always quick with her words, said, "Consort Qi, you are mistaken. That one is already Changzai Gong." Consort Li chimed in, "Indeed. Immediately after receiving favor, she was granted an additional title. The Emperor truly dotes on her to the core." Nian Shilan felt such discussions only lowered her own status. A faint sneer curled at the corner of her lips. [Fools, what kind of "favor" is this?] ["The ability to perceive subtleties is called Gong"—it means Sun Miaoqing can discern the Emperor's intentions and dares to oppose the Nian Family.] [To put it bluntly, she is just like Feng Ruozhao and Shen Meizhuang—another tool for dividing favor and maintaining balance, used to deal with the Nian Family.] Although Nian Shilan was still uncertain why the Emperor favored Sun Miaoqing's Green Head Plaque, she was certain that, given the Emperor's character, he would always prioritize the state over his consorts. Upon hearing her own name mentioned, Consort Jing lowered her eyes slightly: Dividing favor and maintaining balance? So, it seemed the Emperor had been aware of the years of torment she endured at Nian Shilan's hands but simply did not care about the plight of a tool. Now that she, as a tool, was no longer useful, he immediately sought a new one. In truth, she already knew she was a tool, but having it confirmed by others still left a bitter taste. Alas, the women of the inner palace were essentially all the same. Feng Ruozhao pretended to cover her lips with a handkerchief, concealing her already faint emotions. Hearing Nian Shilan's words, a smile appeared on the Empress's face. The character "Gong" as a title of nobility was undeniably clever. "The ability to perceive subtleties is called Gong," "covering the shortcomings of one's parents is called Gong," "humble and obedient in serving superiors is called Gong." The Emperor was praising Sun Miaoqing for her ability to discern his intentions, prevent her elder brother from making mistakes, understand the classics, and remain loyal and obedient. Consort Hua was right—this was not favor, at most it was merely a reward. Or, to put it more harshly, it was nothing but blatant exploitation. The Empress said magnanimously, "According to ancestral regulations, there is no precedent for promotion immediately after attending the Emperor. The Emperor, mindful of the rules, only bestowed a title upon her." "Only bestowed a title?" Consort Li immediately retorted, "She has only been in the palace for a few days, yet she already has a title and is studying the affairs of assisting in managing the Six Palaces. At this rate, in a few days, won't the entire inner palace belong to the Sun family?" As a consort, Consort Qi also had the responsibility of guiding the other consorts and concubines. She promptly spoke up to stop her, "Consort Li, watch your words. The Empress is still here. How could the inner palace ever be under her control?" Consort Li was somewhat indignant and was about to retort when she saw Sun Miaoqing arriving late. Immediately, she turned her criticism toward her. "Well, Changzai Gong's status is different now, paying respects also comes 'earlier' than others."