Chapter 99 - 81: Mention My Name If You Run Into Trouble
Noble Princess Consort Rong staggered.
If her quick-eyed and nimble-handed maid, Qiu Yun, hadn’t steadied her, she probably would have fallen to the floor.
She had just arrived at the side hall when a nanny brought over writing materials for her to begin copying. With a smile that didn’t reach her eyes, she said, "Don’t rush me, Nanny. I will start copying as soon as I’ve had a short rest. I have a bit of a headache right now, and I’m afraid my poor penmanship would offend the Empress Dowager’s eyes."
Having said that, she raised a hand to her temples, feigning discomfort.
Seeing this, the nanny didn’t dare press her. "Your Highness is unwell. Should I report this to the Empress Dowager and summon an Imperial Physician to examine you?"
"There’s no need. It’s just that the sight of words gives me a terrible headache." ’Especially words written by Jiang Xian.’
The nanny reiterated that if she felt any more unwell, she should send for the Imperial Physician, then bowed and took her leave.
This was the advantage of having a high rank and connections in the imperial court.
With the Empress Dowager absent and only a nanny present, if Noble Princess Consort Rong insisted on slacking off, the nanny wouldn’t dare push her too hard. The Empress Dowager knew she was spoiled, so a small warning would suffice; she wouldn’t make things too difficult for her in the end. If the same thing had happened to Jiang Xian, she would not have been let off so lightly.
Noble Princess Consort Rong lay down on her side on the daybed.
Qiu Yun obediently removed her head ornaments and gently massaged her temples to relieve her fatigue.
Noble Princess Consort Rong glanced at the notes written by Jiang Xian, and the sight truly stung her eyes. "How could she write in such detail? When will I ever finish copying all this!" Jiang Xian had taken copious meeting notes before; in the modern era, recording pens could do the job, but not only did she have a good memory, she also had her own rapid memorization techniques. While Master Liuyun would pause occasionally as he spoke, her brush never stopped for a moment.
"I’m copying her notes until my head spins."
"And look at her, off enjoying her freedom."
"Then again, she’s probably never stayed in a room this nice in her entire life!"
Noble Princess Consort Rong only lay there for a short while before reluctantly getting up to start copying.
She vented her anger as she copied.
Meanwhile, the Jiang Xian she imagined to be free and unfettered was actually vexed with having nothing to do. After all, this was Changle Palace, not her own Yizhu Pavilion. Running or practicing dance would be too improper here, risking a disturbance to the Empress Dowager’s peace—not to mention she was here to practice her Buddhist piety. It was at this moment that Fu Jin, a palace maid from Jianzhang Palace, arrived with account books in hand. Under the banner of "showing concern for Noble Lady Gu," she came to give her work.
The Emperor had previously decreed that due to floods in the south, the National Treasury was strained. Therefore, the palace’s holiday banquets should be simpler and not extravagant. However, the Empress Dowager was looking forward to the New Year, so the festivities absolutely had to be joyous and well-arranged to make her happy. Faced with the Emperor’s demands to be both frugal and festive, the task of hashing out the details fell to the Empress.
The Empress had been poring over past records until she was tearing her hair out, and now she had come to Jiang Xian for help.
「At this time, in the main hall of Changle Palace.」
"Empress Dowager, someone is here to see Noble Lady Gu."
"Is it someone from the Emperor?"
When the palace maid didn’t answer immediately, the Empress Dowager’s expression cooled. She felt a pang of regret for having let her go and rest. "If you can’t even answer a simple question, then you needn’t serve in my presence."
The palace maid’s expression turned to panic, and she hurriedly said, "Replying to the Empress Dowager, it’s not someone from the imperial court."
The Empress Dowager paused.
’She disliked being disturbed by concubines, especially low-ranking ones. Those who weren’t the mistress of their own palace had no right to appear before her just to seek attention. Could there really be sisters in the palace with such deep affection that one would risk offending the Empress Dowager just to "visit" Noble Lady Gu?’
’Sisterly affection is a fine thing, but to treat her Changle Palace like a dragon’s den that must be braved...’
The Empress Dowager decided she had to see who was so concerned about Noble Lady Gu.
Just then, the palace maid caught her breath and finished her sentence: "It’s Miss Fu Jin from Jianzhang Palace."
"..."
In that moment, the Empress Dowager’s mind raced.
After a moment’s thought, she slowly let out a breath. "So, Noble Lady Gu is someone the Empress is promoting to secure favor."
The Empress has been childless for many years; Noble Lady Gu seemed like the most suitable candidate to secure favor and act as a surrogate.
Young, beautiful, healthy, and from a humble background.
The nanny understood. "There are rumors in the palace that Noble Lady Gu often visits Jianzhang Palace."
"Their backgrounds are worlds apart. What could they possibly have to talk about?" the Empress Dowager scoffed.
"Noble Lady Gu seems to be quite learned."
The nanny didn’t know many characters, but she could tell that Noble Lady Gu had excellent penmanship.
The Empress Dowager said, "Noble Lady Gu’s penmanship is indeed quite good. I can tell she has practiced diligently. The Empress, on the other hand, is not particularly learned. What I value in her is her stability. No matter who the Emperor favors, she never loses her composure. When others provoke her over trivial matters, she doesn’t get angry or pay them any mind, which prevents a great deal of turmoil in the palace. For that, the Emperor respects and cherishes her all the more... Unfortunately, the two of us do not get along. I suppose the way men see women is different from how women see women. I, for one, appreciate a steady person like the Empress." She truly could not bring herself to admire the Noble Consort.