Chapter 48

Chapter 48: Teach Her a Lesson She simply couldn’t believe it, stealing glances at Nian Shilan from time to time. The woman before her was clearly still the same Consort Hua who looked down her nose at others and treated people with indifference. So why did she feel different from before? Was today’s sunlight too gentle, causing her to have such an illusion? Nian Shilan sensed Cao Qinmo’s gaze. Although Cao Qinmo was ungrateful, treacherous, and deserved death, she herself had indeed targeted her precious daughter for the sake of an old man. The Cassava Powder Incident was indeed the trigger that drove Cao Qinmo away. Knowing how much she cherished her daughter and fearing she might feel unfairly treated, nurturing thoughts she shouldn’t have and leading her into another trap, she said: “Wen Yi is still too young to eat these things. When she reaches her first birthday, I will personally send her a grand gift.” Cao Qinmo quickly held Wen Yi and expressed her gratitude, “This concubine… this concubine thanks Your Highness.” Sometimes, being too fair is inherently unfair. At least, that’s what Consort Li thought. She believed her rank was higher, and more importantly, she had accompanied Consort Hua for so many years. By both sentiment and reason, she deserved an extra share. Consort Li shot Cao Qinmo a meaningful glance, her gaze directed toward Shen Meizhuang and An Lingrong. Having received generous rewards, Cao Qinmo pretended not to see it. Consort Li glared at her fiercely. If she wouldn’t help, she’d do it herself. “I heard from Changzai Gong that Sister An’s singing voice is melodious and clear, like a nightingale emerging from the valley. Why not perform a song for Her Highness? We’d also get to enjoy it.” [Her singing truly is excellent—it helped her gain favor, secure exclusive favor, regain favor, rise to high rank, and become Consort Li.] In her previous life, Nian Shilan had humiliated An Lingrong to flaunt her own favor and power, deliberately forcing her to sing. But now, she was one of her own. There was no need to do such a thing to one of her own. “We are all the Emperor’s Imperial consorts and concubines. If Consort Li has the refined interest to listen to songs, I can summon court musicians.” The words “refined interest” carried a clear warning. Consort Li wasn’t like Consort Qi; she could understand the implied meaning to some extent. She knew Consort Hua hated those who competed for the Emperor’s favor the most. She had originally planned to wait for An Lingrong to perform and then stir up trouble by saying something like, “The Emperor is usually busy with state affairs. If he could spare a moment to listen to Sister An sing, he would surely feel at ease.” Now, she could only back down. Hearing Consort Hua defend her, An Lingrong spoke up, “If Your Highness wishes to listen, this concubine is willing to perform a song.” Nian Shilan remained cautious and did not immediately agree. [I hate it most when you people scheme behind my back. I didn’t force you, so don’t secretly hold a grudge against me and stab me in the back later!] “As long as Your Highness and all the elder sisters don’t mind.” An Lingrong added this explanation out of fear that Consort Hua might misunderstand. She meant that she was volunteering willingly. Noble Lady Xin said regretfully, “A plain song is rather monotonous. It’s a pity this concubine doesn’t know how to play the qin; otherwise, I would certainly perform a piece for Your Highness.” “What’s so difficult about that?” Since someone else had spoken up, it wasn’t her actively trying to flatter. Shen Meizhuang volunteered, “This concubine is not particularly skilled but has some knowledge of the qin. If Your Highness doesn’t mind, I am willing to perform before all the elder sisters, even if it means making a fool of myself.” Zhou Ninghai ordered someone to bring a guqin. Red walls, white snow, and an old tree with slanting branches. A group of beauties sat under the sunlight, listening to songs and music. Without arguments or hidden struggles, there was an inexplicable illusion of peaceful, tranquil days. Just then, a discordant voice rang out— “The Emperor has arrived—” Nian Shilan, who had just been happily offering styling advice to everyone, bristled inwardly at the mention of "Emperor": [Didn't they say that dog emperor went to Yanxi Palace?] [How could Sun Miaoqing not even keep an eye on him and let him slip out?] [With such little skill, she still wants to replace Zhen Huan? Useless thing!] "Greetings to the Emperor. May the Emperor enjoy boundless fortune and peace." All the imperial consorts and concubines paid their respects, but the Emperor extended his hand only to Nian Shilan, helping her up. "What are you all doing? It seems quite lively." No one dared to answer the Emperor's question before Consort Hua. Nian Shilan replied, "Your Majesty, with the long days and nothing to do, and the Empress being busy, all the sisters came to my palace to chat." "I seemed to hear someone playing the qin and singing just now?" [Your ears are quite sharp, aren't they? Already noticing the resemblance to your precious Chunyuan?] [In my past life, you couldn't even remember your darling Rong'er's name by Wen Yi's first birthday banquet.] An Lingrong knew her presence was easily overlooked, so it was normal for the Emperor not to remember her. Yet, hearing the truth from someone else still stung. The Emperor: "..." "The one singing was..." Just as Nian Shilan was about to speak, the Emperor deliberately thwarted her, saying, "The qin playing was quite good." However, this didn't stop Nian Shilan from finding another angle to criticize him, even more sarcastically and cheerfully. [Oh, so now you think the qin playing is good? That's not what you said in front of your little Chunyuan.] [Even though Shen Meizhuang's mastery of the qin surpasses hers, you claimed Shen's playing lacked emotion.] [When you love someone, even their flaws seem fragrant; when you don't, even gold is like dirt.] Truly worthy of being the Emperor, the greatest instigator in the world. No wonder the women in the harem fought and schemed—all thanks to him. Just looking at him any longer would ruin one's appetite. Shen Meizhuang lowered her eyes and knelt, saying calmly, "Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty. Tomorrow is the Lantern Festival, and I have yet to finish the tasks Her Majesty the Empress assigned me. I shall take my leave first." This wasn't a display of displeasure but rather tactfulness. Seeing Shen Meizhuang excuse herself, the others weren't blind either and quickly rose to leave. After leaving Yikun Palace, An Lingrong didn't return directly to Yanxi Palace but instead went alone to the Imperial Garden. Sisters were hard to trust, and even her maid seemed suspicious. The only person who could give her a sense of security was the lofty Consort Hua. She didn't want to compete for favor, but she still wanted to climb higher. Only by reaching a higher position could she stand by Her Ladyship's side at all times. An Lingrong touched the hair on her forehead. When Sun Miaoqing stepped out of her own hall, she saw a eunuch from the Jing Shi Fang entering Yanxi Palace. She had thought it was for her, but instead, he went to An Lingrong's quarters. Yu Ying'er hadn't even been granted the title of Miaoyin Niangzi yet, so how did An Lingrong receive favor first? Lvzhu, noticing her mistress's expression, said, "I heard that when the Emperor visited Yikun Palace today, he happened to hear Attendant An singing. Perhaps that's the reason." "She certainly knows how to flatter!" After all the kindness Sun Miaoqing had shown her, An Lingrong completely ignored it, rushing off to lick Consort Hua's boots like a sycophant. It was the same in her past life. Zhen Huan had been so good to her, offering help in times of need, supporting her in siding with the Empress, and even helping her gain favor. And how did An Lingrong repay her? Knowing full well that Zhen Huan and Consort Hua were at odds, as soon as she received the reward of the shimmering brocade, she immediately sent a bolt of it to Consort Hua, that queen of female rivalry, like a fawning dog. When it came to betraying sisters, she was truly unmatched! A dog never changes its habit of eating filth. Given the chance in this life, she still wants to curry favor with Consort Hua. A yellow oriole is just a yellow oriole—wherever it goes, it's still just a singer for hire! Serves her right to be disliked for a lifetime! Holding the script, Sun Miaoqing had thought everything would unfold as she anticipated, only to find that nothing went according to plan. The people she intended to befriend—Zhen Huan, Shen Meizhuang, and An Lingrong—none became close confidantes. The person she tried to win over, the Empress, didn’t even spare her a glance. The Emperor merely saw her as a tool to be used. Palace intrigue is so difficult, yet she had chosen this treacherous path, and there was no turning back. Either fight or die! Sun Miaoqing cheered herself on. Wasn’t An Xiaoniao trying to curry favor with Consort Hua? Then Sun Miaoqing would teach her a lesson, letting her know that what wasn’t meant for her would never be hers, even if given the chance!