Chapter 37

Chapter 37: I Am Not Tired Hearing her say this, Zhen Huan realized that Kang Luhai truly had intentions of betraying his master. Sister Mei had not lied—Consort Hua had indeed secretly helped her. “Perhaps that day, when Kang Luhai went to Sister Mei’s place to fetch something for me, he passed by Qixiang Palace and was seen by you.” “It seems I was overthinking, worrying that he was seeking a better position elsewhere.” Sun Miaoqing guessed that without Xiao Yunzi, Suiyu Pavilion was short-handed and difficult to manage, which was why Kang Luhai hadn’t left. Just as Ju Qing had not been sent to An Lingrong either. She spoke just enough, “Sister, please don’t blame me for being suspicious. In the harem, where storms are unpredictable, the loyalty of the servants beneath us is the most crucial matter.” Zhen Huan agreed with this, “Thank you for the reminder, sister. I will be more vigilant in the future, and so will Lingrong.” An Lingrong said, “I don’t know how to manage servants. Thank you for the reminder, sister.” Hearing An Lingrong’s words, Sun Miaoqing thought to herself: You may not know how to manage servants, but you certainly know how to harm the green tea sister. Very good, very good. “It’s not good to overthink while ill. Sister, rest assured. Since Lingrong and I live in the same palace, I will naturally help and support her more in daily life. I won’t let anyone bully her.” Liuzhu and Huanbi brought tea. Sun Miaoqing took a sip and said, “The tea is clear and refreshing. If I guess correctly, the water used to brew this tea is… snow collected from pine needles.” “Sister has such a discerning palate.” Discerning, my foot! The tea’s flavor was ruined by the pine needles, yet she still thinks it’s elegant. Elegant? What nonsense. A green tea is a green tea. Even when ill, she can’t stay still—either collecting snow in the dead of winter or going to Yimei Yuan in the middle of the night to pray. Since fate has brought me here, this New Year’s Eve at Yimei Yuan, I will be the one to take Zhen Huan’s place! Sun Miaoqing set down her teacup and kindly reminded, “The weather is freezing, and you’re not well, sister. It’s better to go out less, lest others see you and think you’re pretending to be ill.” Zhen Huan looked slightly embarrassed. “The New Year is approaching. Consort Hua has asked me to inspect the decorations in the palace, so I’ll take my leave now.” Shen Meizhuang had reached her limit. She stood up and left first. Just as she reached the moon gate, she heard Sun Miaoqing say: “Sister Mei now speaks of Consort Hua with such reverence, visiting Yikun Palace every other day. She treats Consort Hua more warmly than she does us sisters. I’m starting to feel jealous.” If their sisterly bond weren’t deep enough, Sun Miaoqing’s few words today would surely sow discord in the future. Zhen Huan glanced at Shen Meizhuang, who had walked straight out, and said, “What are you talking about, sister? With the New Year festivities keeping everyone busy, Sister Mei even envies our leisure.” An Lingrong added, “Things will be better after the New Year.” Huanbi brought in the medicine, and Sun Miaoqing and An Lingrong stood up to take their leave. A winter snow soon arrived, and it was time for the New Year’s Eve family banquet. As the person in charge of this year’s palace banquet, Nian Shilan arrived early at Qian Qing Gong. Seeing that the seating arrangement was incorrect, she immediately flew into a rage: “How is Huang Guiquan doing his job?! He can’t even handle such a small matter! Does he not want his head anymore?” Huang Guiquan immediately knelt down, “Consort Hua, please forgive me. We servants are only following orders and dare not make the slightest mistake.” “Who told you to set the tables like this?” According to etiquette, the Emperor’s main seat should have the Empress beside him, and Consort Hua, as the highest-ranking among the imperial consorts and concubines, should be seated in the position of honor. But now, there were two tables placed on either side of the main seat. Even at the peak of her arrogance and willfulness in her previous life, Nian Shilan would never have dared to act recklessly in front of the Emperor. Usurping authority was a grave offense, and such behavior would hand others leverage, allowing the Emperor to mark the Nian Family harshly in his little book. No matter how many victories her brother won day after day, they could not withstand her own self-destructive actions. This must be the doing of that old woman, the Empress! How vicious her heart is! With the palace banquet about to begin, if the Emperor were to see this, regardless of who was responsible, it would be seen as her own ambition to overstep her bounds. Nian Shilan had no time to dwell on it now. "Quickly, have someone move this table away." Although the Empress herself had not yet arrived, Jiang Fuhai was outside and hurried in upon hearing the commotion. He bowed deeply and said in a shrill voice: "Reporting to Consort Hua, this seating arrangement was decided by His Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress. It cannot be moved lightly." [I knew it. That old woman, the Empress, is determined to stir up resentment against the Nian Family in front of the Emperor.] [Does she think that once the Nian Family falls and I am gone, her life will be better?] [It's merely exchanging Consort Hua for Consort Xi. She will never have a peaceful day in her life!] "His Majesty the Emperor arrives—Her Majesty the Empress arrives—" Everyone bowed in greeting. Before taking his seat, the Emperor waved his hand grandly: "Today is a family banquet. Everyone, please be at ease." As everyone took their seats, only Nian Shilan remained standing. The Empress asked knowingly, "Consort Hua, today is a grand palace family banquet, with all the royal relatives present. Why are you not seated?" [Why am I not seated? Don't you have any idea in your heart?] Nian Shilan shot a glare at the Empress and curtsied again. "Reporting to Your Majesty, perhaps the servants below were negligent and placed the table and chairs incorrectly. This humble consort will have them moved back immediately." "No need." The Emperor took Nian Shilan's hand and helped her up. "This seat—you are worthy of it!" Today, with all the women of the inner court and the royal relatives present, Consort Hua's inner thoughts must be quite interesting. The Empress, fearing she might be too far away to hear, had pondered for a long time before finding a reason to request the Emperor to place Nian Shilan's seat to the right of the Emperor. The Emperor, also worried that the music might drown out her inner monologue, readily agreed to the Empress's request. "Sit!" The Emperor personally took Nian Shilan's hand and guided her to sit. "This afternoon, a victory report arrived from the northwest. Nian Gengyao has quelled Lobzang Danjin's Rebellion, capturing all his people, livestock, and tribes." "What a Nian Gengyao!" "What a great General Nian!" The Empress raised her cup in congratulations. "Congratulations, Your Majesty." All the imperial consorts and concubines and the royal relatives raised their cups in congratulations. The Emperor was surprised by Nian Shilan's calm and steady inner thoughts. Even knowing her brother had achieved merit and hearing his own praise, she should have been pleased. Why was there not a single thought from her? He looked at Nian Shilan. "Your brother is excellent." [Excellent? Excellent at what? Excellent at being killed?] [Fighting on the battlefield for you, exchanging his life for military achievements, yet it's not as good as a whisper from your beloved by your pillow.] [When the cunning hare is dead, the hunting dog is boiled. With your claim of 'merit overshadowing the ruler,' my entire Nian clan will lose their lives.] [Damn Emperor, if you can't tolerate meritorious officials, why don't you go fight in the northwest yourself?] [You should be thrown into the uninhabited snowy mountains of the northwest, frozen for three days and three nights. Then you'd understand how difficult it is for my brother and the frontline soldiers!] The Emperor: "..." Of course he knew how difficult campaigning was! [In my previous life, I was truly foolish. Clearly, every time the Emperor showed a favorable expression, it was because of my brother's achievements on the front lines. Yet, I was blinded and turned a blind eye.] The Emperor felt that Consort Hua's thoughts were somewhat unfair to him. He was good to her, not entirely because of Nian Gengyao. Seeing that she harbored such deep resentment yet still maintained great propriety, the Emperor cleared his throat and coaxed: "The Empress has told me that you have been very diligent in your duties lately. Under your management, the harem is harmonious and joyful. You have worked hard." "I am not tired." [Just unlucky in life.] The Emperor: "..."