Huh? Serving the bed?
Jiang Huan’s mind exploded into fragments. As she turned her head, she met Consort Yu’s gaze, brimming with jealousy and resentment.
Even delivering tangyuan was seen as currying favor and seducing the Emperor. If she were to return after serving the bed, wouldn’t she be framed for causing chaos in the harem?
“Young Mistress, please don’t delay any longer. The Emperor is urging you!”
The eunuch urged again, and only then did Jiang Huan rise, her mind blank as she followed him out. She had only wanted to leave Jin Hua Palace, to live far away from the troubles. The Emperor hadn’t set foot in the harem for three years—why would he summon her to serve the bed over a bowl of tangyuan? Wasn’t that strange?
It wasn’t until they were halfway there that Jiang Huan suddenly remembered.
Wait, she hadn’t bathed or changed her clothes, and she hadn’t even ridden the Fengluan Chun’en Carriage. Was the Emperor this casual when summoning an imperial concubine for the first time?
Along the way, the eunuch explained, “Young Mistress, don’t overthink it. Tonight is a bit rushed, but this is a unique favor, isn’t it?”
“This servant advises you, the Emperor is in a bad mood. Be careful with your words and actions.”
The eunuch swallowed nervously, eyeing Jiang Huan’s delicate frame with concern. Tonight, the Emperor had ultimately yielded to the Empress Dowager. After reviewing the plaques from the Imperial Household Department, he had specifically requested Consort Jiang.
It was worth noting that Consort Yu had previously bribed officials to remove Jiang Huan’s green head plaque. But after tonight, Jiang Huan would either rise to fame or be cast into the Cold Palace.
After all, the Emperor was clearly displeased. His temper had always been volatile. While he rarely executed servants, he was known to smash things or deliver a kick when enraged.
With Consort Jiang’s frail physique, she probably couldn’t withstand even half a kick from the Emperor…
“Yes, thank you for the reminder, Gonggong.”
Jiang Huan entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation, her mind still foggy and unclear.
“Since you’re here, why are you standing there?”
It wasn’t until Huo Lin spoke in a low voice that Jiang Huan shuffled forward with heavy steps, her head bowed.
[So annoying. All he does is flip plaques and flip plaques. I can’t even fill my stomach—how am I supposed to have the energy to bear the Empress Dowager a grandson?]
[This life is just like this. It’s fine if I’m not a man. I have no energy for this. Consort Jiang is quite good at making tangyuan and peeling crabs for me.]
[I should just find an excuse to have Consort Yu take her away. I really have no energy. Sorry, but I have to let you down.]
Before she could finish hearing his thoughts, Jiang Huan fell to her knees with a thud, her eyes filled with panic. Your Majesty, if you don’t want to summon an imperial concubine, you can’t just toy with her like this!
Right now, Consort Yu already saw her as a thorn in her side. If she were taken back by Consort Yu, she probably wouldn’t even have the money to light the stove in the small kitchen anymore!
“Your Majesty, please forgive me. I came in a hurry today and haven’t bathed or dressed properly. I dare not defile Your Majesty’s Dragon Countenance and Sacred Hearing. Perhaps I could just massage Your Majesty’s shoulders and legs to help you rest.”
Jiang Huan’s heart pounded wildly, her courage nearly shattered. She knew that if she were sent back to Jin Hua Palace tonight, it would be far worse than just kneeling in punishment all night.
Jiang Huan hadn’t planned on serving the bed, but even if she could just linger in the Emperor’s presence for one night…
If she became the first imperial concubine to serve the bed, her future days would surely be easier!
[This Consort Jiang is quite sensible, but I’m starving and really don’t want to chat with a woman. I should just send her away.]
Hearing Huo Lin’s thoughts, Jiang Huan gritted her teeth, closed her eyes, and pulled out three crabs she had hidden in her sleeve half an hour ago.
"I brought back some treats from the Palace Banquet today. I wonder if Your Majesty would be interested?"
When Jiang Huan revealed the three crabs, Huo Lin's eyes visibly lit up.
[Crabs? Consort Jiang brought back crabs? And they're already shelled?]
[Is that even a question? Why are you kneeling there foolishly? Hand them over instead of waiting for me to fetch them myself!]
Jiang Huan felt a headache coming on. Your Majesty, you haven't uttered a word—how should I know whether you want them or not?
When you remain silent like this all the time, how could any servant possibly guess your thoughts?
As Jiang Huan presented the three crabs and watched Huo Lin eat them with deliberate slowness, his inner voice erupted in her mind.
[So what if crabs are cold-natured? I'm eating them anyway! I'll finish all three in one go and spite Wang Degui!]
[Too bad there are only three crabs. I'm still not full, but it's better than before.]
[Among all the Imperial Concubines in the palace, only Consort Jiang knows to bring me food. I ought to have the rest executed someday!]
This wasn't the first time Jiang Huan had heard Huo Lin contemplate executing everyone in the palace. Though she knew he was likely just venting, she couldn't help but feel terrified.
After all, he was the Emperor, while she was merely a low-ranking consort with no general father to back her up. If she didn't serve him diligently, forget about living peacefully—she'd be lucky to keep her life.
By now, Huo Lin had finished eating. The crab shells were discarded to the side, and he sat with his hands resting on his knees.
[Is Consort Jiang blind? Doesn't she know to wipe my hands? I'll have her thrown out later!]
Jiang Huan's heart trembled with fear. She had saved those crabs for so long without taking a single bite, giving them all to the Emperor. How could he turn on her so quickly and threaten to expel her?
Hurriedly, she brought a basin of water, assisted Huo Lin in washing his hands, and meticulously dried them with a handkerchief before daring to look up, her heart still pounding.
"Shall I help Your Majesty retire for the night and rest on the small couch in the outer chamber?"
Before Huo Lin could order her away, Jiang Huan proposed a solution first.
[Consort Jiang doesn't want to attend the bedchamber? Does she have a lover in the palace?]
This thought nearly made Jiang Huan faint on the spot. Attending the bedchamber was problematic, but not attending was equally dangerous.
Your Majesty, if you're going to kill someone, at least be straightforward about it!
"Your Majesty is weary from state affairs and drank quite a bit at the Palace Banquet. As a person of lowly status, I dare not disturb the imperial health.Jiang Huan felt utterly humble, even less than her previous life as an overworked laborer. After all, mistakes in the palace truly cost lives.
Under Huo Lin's intense gaze, Jiang Huan endured with gritted teeth for what felt like an eternity before he finally spoke.
"Then rest in the outer chamber. Do not speak of tonight's events to anyone."
Jiang Huan breathed a huge sigh of relief and immediately knelt to express gratitude.
"Your Majesty can rest assured, I will not utter a single word!"
Having listened to Huo Lin's inner thoughts for so long, how could she not know what worried him?
He simply didn't want the Empress Dowager to learn that the consort he summoned had ended up sleeping in the outer chamber. But as soon as she turned to leave, Jiang Huan heard his murmuring thoughts again.
[I ate three crabs in one go today. If Wang Degui finds out, the Empress Dowager will lecture me again.]
[Consort Jiang doesn't seem like a blabbermouth. If she dares to gossip, I'll sew a lock on her lips!]
Cold sweat broke out on Jiang Huan's forehead.
Oh, so His Majesty was worried about the Empress Dowager finding out he ate crabs…
After spending the entire night in the outer chamber, Jiang Huan slept restlessly. Throughout the night, the voices in her head never ceased.
At times they cried, "I'm hungry!" Other times they grumbled, "These women in the rear palace are so annoying—if only they could all perish at once!" And then came, "Can those ministers stop infuriating this Emperor? They keep lamenting the people's hardships, but even I don't get enough to eat!"
Tossed and turned all night, Jiang Huan rose before dawn, dark circles under her eyes nearly rivaling a panda's. Before the eunuchs and palace maids assigned to assist with washing and dressing could enter, she had already gone into the inner chamber to attend to Huo Lin's rising.
"Your Majesty, it is time. The morning court session awaits."