“His Majesty is here?”
The two hurriedly grabbed their garments and threw them on. Qing Wen lit the lamps while Wen Juan rushed to the bedroom to wake Jiang Ling.
Yuan Mingdi strode in, filled with resentment. Seeing the lamps being lit one after another in the room, his face turned darker than the night sky.
What an ungrateful wretch! How could she sleep so soundly without a care in the world!
Jiang Ling suffered from sleep inertia. Every day after waking, she would space out for a while before becoming fully alert. Having been sound asleep, she was pulled out of bed by Wen Juan, dressed, and brought to the main hall, her eyes still glazed over.
“This guy, coming in the dead of night with a scowling face like Zhong Kui—has he come to catch ghosts?”
Yuan Mingdi’s breathing instantly grew heavy, only to hear her continue: “Or is he here to catch an adulterer? The palace walls are so high, one couldn’t climb over them. Besides, it’s not the season for apricot blossoms anyway!”
Stirred by her chaotic thoughts, Yuan Mingdi felt his anger dissipate unnoticed. He listened intently, barely managing to suppress a laugh.
Jiang Ling stood there dumbly until Wen Juan subtly tugged at her sleeve from behind. She snapped back to reality and curtsied: “Your Majesty is still awake so late?”
Yuan Mingdi choked back his words, glanced at her, and went straight to sit at the head seat. “It’s still early—just midway through the Xu hour.”
He noticed Jiang Ling’s dazed, sleep-deprived expression. Her hair, not styled in time, was loosely pinned up with a pearl hairpin. The dark tresses cascading down her back like waves captivated him, and he couldn’t tear his eyes away.
“Sit,” Yuan Mingdi said in high spirits, pointing to a chair.
Jiang Ling went over and sat down. Wen Juan and Qing Wen stepped forward to serve tea, while A Ruo and Fang He, having just scrambled out of bed, entered the room rushing to attend.
Normally, Jiang Ling had few tasks, so the two of them had relatively easy duties. Once their shift ended, they would doze off and go to bed early.
Yuan Mingdi waved away the attendants and asked curiously, “What time do you usually rise?”
“At the beginning of the Chen hour…”
Jiang Ling actually always woke at the end of the Chen hour, but she instinctively felt that was too late. Having already said “Chen hour,” she changed the end to the beginning.
Yuan Mingdi chuckled. Her face was full of guilt—clearly, she was lying.
“In summer, I rise earlier, at the beginning of the Mao hour,” Jiang Ling added, now sounding much more confident.
On the day she went to congratulate Zhao Defei on her birthday, she had indeed risen at the beginning of the Mao hour to prepare.
Not counting daytime naps, she spent most of her day sleeping.
Yuan Mingdi thought of his own hardships and felt his mood sour.
Aside from eating and sleeping, she had contributed nothing. Yet he had promoted her, granted her the spacious Fanying Pavilion to live in alone, and bestowed upon her silks and jewelry.
Although there was no written rule in the palace, she ought to have come to express her gratitude.
Such imperial favor—had it been any other imperial concubine, they would have long come to Chui Gong Hall to kowtow in thanks.
Who would have thought that after waiting and waiting, she never showed up?
Yuan Mingdi had walked to Fanying Pavilion once but ultimately didn’t enter, stubbornly waiting for her to come personally.
After pacing circle after circle, the little he had eaten for dinner had long digested, and his stomach growled with hunger.
Remembering her previous complaints, Yuan Mingdi couldn’t hold back any longer and came to Fanying Pavilion in person.
To think she had already gone to bed!
Yuan Mingdi took a sip of tea, glancing sideways at Jiang Ling. He couldn’t help but sneer inwardly.
For her to be sitting so quietly and properly—she must be dozing off!
“Is your residence satisfactory?” Yuan Mingdi coughed. Seeing Jiang Ling jolt, his mood instantly brightened again.
Jiang Ling was truly quite tired, struggling to stay awake as she replied, “Satisfied.”
Yuan Mingdi’s intention in asking was to remind her that he could afford to support them, and that she should refrain from gossiping behind others’ backs in the future.
Jiang Ling remained unmoved, leaving Yuan Mingdi unsure how to proceed. As the emperor, how could he preserve his dignity by forcing someone to express gratitude?
After a moment of silence, Yuan Mingdi reminded her, “While in the palace, aside from eating and sleeping, you must always remember the rules.”
Jiang Ling acknowledged this and emphasized her habit of reading Admonitions for Women even while using the chamber pot, saying, “I usually read Admonitions for Women; the book is nearly worn out from use.”
Yuan Mingdi was taken aback and said, “It’s good that you are familiar with Admonitions for Women, but you should take care of the book.”
Jiang Ling nearly laughed, thinking to herself, “That worthless book Admonitions for Women—even reading it on the toilet affects bowel movements.”
Yuan Mingdi was truly dumbfounded; he knew she was bold, but he never expected her to be so vulgar!
“What is he doing here so late at night instead of sleeping?”
Jiang Ling frowned inwardly, her expression gradually turning to alarm. “Could it be that he came here to sleep with me?”
She looked up and saw Yuan Mingdi’s stern face, his eyes fixed intently on her as he inwardly raged and cursed.
“Bah, you shameless scoundrel! As if I lack women, rushing over eagerly to sleep with you!”
Yuan Mingdi no longer wished to engage with her. He abruptly stood up and headed out, saying, “Rest early!”
Jiang Ling hurriedly rose to see him off, but Yuan Mingdi left without looking back, seething with anger.
A Ruo and Fang He darted out from the side room, gazing regretfully in the direction Yuan Mingdi had departed. Qing Wen and Wen Juan also emerged and reminded her, “Mei Ren, it’s cold outside. Please go inside.”
Jiang Ling yawned and turned back to her bedroom. Once she lay down on the bed, however, she found herself wide awake, pondering Yuan Mingdi’s purpose for visiting.
Qing Wen was quietly arranging the bed curtains when Jiang Ling’s eyes lit up. As someone who served in the emperor’s presence, she must be astute and perceptive.
So, Jiang Ling inquired, “Do you know why the emperor came to Fanying Pavilion so late?”
Qing Wen hesitated before replying, “This servant dare not speculate on the emperor’s intentions. Earlier, His Majesty was taking a stroll and arrived at Fanying Pavilion. He showed great concern for Mei Ren and asked if you had settled in properly. This servant guesses that His Majesty must have been worried and came personally to check.”
Jiang Ling suddenly understood. So Yuan Mingdi had rushed to move her to Fanying Pavilion and, aware of his own hastiness, had actually felt a rare pang of guilt.
The more guilty he felt, the more at ease Jiang Ling became. Soon, she fell into a deep and sweet sleep.
“Mei Ren, Mei Ren.” Wen Juan lifted the bed curtain and called softly.
Jiang Ling slowly opened her eyes. Wen Juan said, “Mei Ren, Zhao Pin has sent someone with congratulatory gifts to celebrate your promotion. This servant will help you rise. Today, Fanying Pavilion is sure to be very busy. This servant will assist you in getting up.”
Qing Wen lit the lamp, and A Ruo and Fang He entered the room one after the other, eagerly saying, “Mei Ren, we have prepared hot water and bath beans. Let us assist you in washing up.”
Jiang Ling dressed in a daze, and it was only when she put on her shoes and stepped on the floor that her mind finally cleared.
Zhao Pin had sent her congratulatory gifts to celebrate her promotion?
On previous occasions when someone in the rear palace was promoted, she hadn’t sent gifts, but she didn’t know if Zhao Pin had.
Just as Wen Juan had said, aside from Zhao Pin, Zhao Defei, Consort Liu, Lin Guifei, Li Jieyu, and others also sent people one after another with congratulatory gifts.
Among the congratulatory gifts, Consort Zhao’s was the most valuable—a white jade bracelet. Imperial Concubine Lin’s gift was a calligraphy and painting scroll, while others like Consort Liu presented bolts of silk fabric.
Qing Wen was recording the gifts in a ledger while Wen Juan cross-checked each item with her. A Ruo and Fang He scrambled for the trunk keys, locking away the gifts while occasionally shooting them resentful glances unnoticed.
Jiang Ling appeared oblivious to the discord among them, sitting as still as a stone statue.
Though her face betrayed no emotion, inwardly she was weeping rivers: “Being targeted by so many skilled players—I’m doomed, utterly doomed!”
After two days of such anxious torment, Consort Zhao personally visited Fanying Pavilion. Her laughter preceded her arrival: “Dear sister, I’ve heard your residence boasts breathtaking scenery all year round! I’ve come to see it for myself.”
Jiang Ling stiffened all over but went forward to greet Consort Zhao, accompanying her through the courtyard.
Under the late autumn sun after the rain, the garden bloomed with vibrant colors.
Consort Zhao plucked a camellia and playfully tucked it behind Jiang Ling’s ear, examining her from different angles. “I never noticed before, but upon closer look, dear sister, you truly outshine the flowers.”
Jiang Ling’s scalp prickled. She instinctively reached up to touch the camellia, forcing a faint smile. “You flatter me too much, Consort De.”Oh, Sister Jiang, would I ever speak falsely? Everyone in the palace praises your beauty!” Consort Zhao chuckled reproachfully. “Dear sister, might I trouble you for some tea?”
Jiang Ling hurriedly ushered Consort Zhao into the main hall, inviting her to take the seat of honor. Consort Zhao affectionately linked arms with Jiang Ling, drawing her down to sit together on the couch.
When Qing Wen came forward to serve tea, Consort Zhao glanced at her briefly before taking two sips. Setting down the cup, she smiled. “The Emperor’s birthday approaches in a few days. Given the natural disasters across the land, palace celebrations will be modest. Only the inner court sisters will gather to honor His Majesty. Though we’re all family, we must remember this is the imperial household—nothing can be careless. I’ve been wanting to visit you, but these past two days I’ve been occupied arranging the banquet preparations.”
Her delicate brows furrowed as she sighed. “With just Imperial Concubine Lin, Consort Liu, and myself managing the inner court affairs, oversights often occur. Like during the Mid-Autumn Festival when that incident happened. I have A Jue to look after, so my energy is limited. Since you often have leisure, dear sister, you should come help with the preparations.”
Jiang Ling panicked, stammering, “Your Highness, I couldn’t possibly… there are palace protocols, I…”
Consort Zhao gently patted Jiang Ling’s hand, smiling reassuringly. “I know you’re someone who follows rules, so set your mind at ease. I’ve already discussed this with His Majesty, and he consented immediately. I’ll be handing half of my responsibilities to you.”
Jiang Ling nearly fainted. She had truly been set up.
And beneath her feet, the fire was already crackling to life!