Chapter 67

Chapter 67: The New Zhi Shi Gong Nv Nian Shilan smiled charmingly, "Pink is so delicate, sister, but now..." "Consort Hua! What do you mean by that?" "Sister, wearing lake blue or emerald green would suit your status much better. If you don’t believe me, you can go ask the Emperor." With that, Nian Shilan feigned sudden realization with an "Oh," adding overly kindly, "I forgot that sister hasn’t seen the Emperor in a long time." She was implying that Consort Qi was old, unattractive, and out of favor. Consort Qi had little skill in retorts, so all she could do was fume. Fortunately, her temper didn’t last long. After stumbling on her way out, she’d likely forget all about it. Nian Shilan leaned back, let out a delicate hum, raised her eyebrows slightly, and curved her vermilion lips into a pleasing smile. [So weak yet so eager to provoke.] [Though This Consort may face minor setbacks elsewhere, when it comes to putting fools in their place, whether in this life or the last, This Consort has always triumphed completely!] The Empress listened to their petty squabble without much concern, her thoughts still lingering on Zhen Huan. Anyone in the harem could gain favor, but Zhen Huan could not. No matter the reason, she had already lost her rightful position as the principal wife to Rouze once in this lifetime. She could not allow that face to take what was hers again. Even if fate decreed Zhen Huan would become Empress, This Consort would challenge that destiny! The Empress glanced at Consort Hua: Though she had been reborn and remained disappointingly focused on momentary pleasures, she wasn’t entirely useless. That day, at the swing in the Imperial Garden. "Concubine pays respects to the Emperor. May the Emperor enjoy boundless fortune and peace." Shen Meizhuang stood behind a green tree, bowing to the Emperor’s back. Hearing the commotion, Zhen Huan looked at the Emperor in surprise. "The Emperor? You are the Emperor?" This was no chance encounter but a deliberate scheme targeting the Emperor. Zhen Huan also knew that pretending ignorance and playing hard to get, continuing the game with him, would benefit her favor more than eagerly throwing herself at the Emperor. But she was too desperate to learn about the Zhen Family’s future; she didn’t want her parents or younger sister to suffer. To buy more time for preparation and prevention, after discussing with Shen Meizhuang in the Imperial Garden that day and returning to Suiyu Pavilion, Zhen Huan immediately summoned Wen Shichu. She instructed him to restore her health as quickly as possible without arousing suspicion. At this stage, Shen Meizhuang lacked the ability to lure the Emperor to the Imperial Garden with a single word and didn’t dare to do so so blatantly. She could only wait patiently for an opportunity. Fortunately, the Emperor kept Zhen Huan in his thoughts and didn’t make them wait long. Today, Shen Meizhuang had originally planned to visit Yikun Palace. From a distance, she saw the Imperial Carriage emerge and head toward the Imperial Garden. She immediately sent Caiyue to take a shortcut and run to inform Zhen Huan. Suiyu Pavilion was close to the Imperial Garden. By the time the Emperor arrived, Zhen Huan was already seated on the swing. Before they could exchange more than a few words, Shen Meizhuang arrived, crouching behind the Emperor and loudly paying her respects. Annoyed at the interruption, the Emperor frowned. When Zhen Huan questioned him, he coughed to mask his embarrassment and gestured for Shen Meizhuang to rise. "Rise." Shen Meizhuang also pretended to have just noticed Zhen Huan. "Sister Huan?" Having just risen, she crouched again. "Your Majesty, Sister Huan has been ill for a long time and has not had the honor of beholding Your Majesty’s countenance. She momentarily forgot her manners. Please forgive her." Then, she looked up at Zhen Huan and reminded her, "Huan’er, why don’t you pay your respects to the Emperor?" Zhen Huan, as if startled, moved somewhat slowly. "This humble concubine, Attendant Zhen, pays respects to the Emperor. May the Emperor enjoy boundless fortune and peace." The joy of reunion was diluted by the presence of a third party, tempering the Emperor's intense emotions. Shen Meizhuang dared not linger and tactfully withdrew after accomplishing her task. "Your Majesty, this concubine was carrying out tasks for Her Majesty the Empress and must now report back to her. I humbly request Your Majesty's permission to take my leave." "Go ahead." At least she knows her place. The Emperor reached out to help Zhen Huan up. "Your palms are sweating. You're nervous." Zhen Huan timidly glanced up at the Emperor before quickly lowering her head again, perfectly portraying a delicate and curious demeanor. "The Son of Heaven rules over all. How could a humble concubine like me not be afraid?" "If you're afraid, you'll become restrained, and restraint turns us into mere ruler and subject." The Emperor proactively explained that his absence that day was due to the Empress Dowager summoning him to Shoukang Palace. By the time he returned, the beauty was already gone. "I kept thinking afterward that with the heavy rain that day and your frail health, you surely couldn't have come." Having first heard Meizhuang's stern warning, Zhen Huan now also felt that the Emperor was not entirely sincere toward her. Otherwise, knowing she was Zhen Changzai, why didn't he simply visit her at Suiyu Pavilion? "Replying to Your Majesty, that day this concubine indeed failed to keep our appointment, but it was not due to health reasons." "Oh?" The Emperor asked with interest. "Then why was it?" "Although this concubine admires Your Majesty's literary talents, at that time Your Majesty claimed to be Prince Guo. As Your Majesty's concubine, it would have been improper for me to meet privately with a prince, both emotionally and rationally." By focusing on literary talent, Zhen Huan effectively excluded the nonexistent Prince Guo from their already crowded world of two. The potential danger Sister Mei mentioned could thus be eliminated. The Emperor nodded approvingly. "Zhen Yuandao has indeed raised his daughter well." This time, without Yu Ying'er's direct provocation, naturally no one provided the stepping stone by saying, "Your rank is only slightly higher than mine." Even the domineering Emperor couldn't outright break protocol by promoting Zhen Huan before she had attended him. But he still couldn't resist bestowing the character "Wan" upon her. Wan Changzai, Noble Lady Wan, Wan Pin, Wanwan... Every time he called her name from now on, it would be like calling out to his Wanwan. Liuzhu was as clever as in her previous life, running ahead to Suiyu Pavilion. The Emperor led Zhen Huan back by hand, with all the servants of Suiyu Pavilion kneeling at the entrance to welcome them. He praised Liuzhu for her quick-wittedness, remarking that the servant reflects the master. Huanbi, who stood ignored nearby, didn't show her displeasure openly, but she was clearly less cheerful than before. The Emperor specifically inquired about Zhen Huan's condition during her illness and asked about Suiyu Pavilion's Zhi Shi Gong Nv and Chief Eunuch. If there was one person in all of Suiyu Pavilion who was happiest, Kang Luhai would take second place to none. Previously, when Suiyu Pavilion was out of favor, even Xiao Youzi from Noble Lady Fucha's side dared to address him as "brother." Kang Luhai had tried everywhere to escape this living tomb, but no one wanted him. Now he had finally endured through it. Hearing the Emperor's question, he promptly replied, "This servant Kang Luhai is the Chief Eunuch of Suiyu Pavilion." Kang Luhai was a seasoned opportunist, adept at currying favor with superiors and bullying inferiors. He would never mention at this moment that Neiwufu Zongguan Huang Guiquan had failed to assign a Zhi Shi Gong Nv. Instead, he explained that Suiyu Pavilion was small, with only one Attendant as its mistress, hence there was no Zhi Shi Gong Nv. Since this fell within regulations, the Emperor didn't press further, merely saying: "How can your palace function without a Zhi Shi Gong Nv? Tomorrow, I shall have the Imperial Household Department assign you a good one." Though he said he would have the Imperial Household Department assign someone good, upon returning to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the Emperor changed his mind. He transferred in someone no one could have anticipated.