With the central palace currently without a mistress, aside from the monthly visit to the Empress Dowager's bedchamber to pay respects, was there ever a day when Jiang Huan didn't sleep until the sun was high in the sky?
Oh right, occasionally Consort Yu would also flaunt her authority, summoning her to kneel for lectures early in the morning. Since the morning court session started early, Jiang Huan had to rise even earlier today.
When she woke Huo Lin, his eyes were cold as frost. Sitting on the dragon bed with his sleeping robes disheveled, his sharp brows and eyes carried a weary detachment, as if he had seen through the ways of the world.
[Haha, another morning court session on an empty stomach. How am I still alive?]
As Jiang Huan fastened his dragon robe, his nearly despairing inner thoughts exploded in her mind. According to the rules established by successive emperors, breakfast was only served after the morning court session.
Waking at four in the morning, yet having to wait until eight or nine to eat breakfast.
Just thinking about it made Jiang Huan feel miserable for him. Taking advantage of Huo Lin having just rinsed his mouth, she secretly removed the apricot blossom cakes from the outer chamber table, wrapping a few pieces in a handkerchief and concealing them in her hand.
These had originally been intended as snacks to sneak back to her quarters today—after all, the pastries from the Hall of Mental Cultivation were surely better than those in her own palace. But having noticed Huo Lin stealing several glances at them earlier, yet unable to act with Wang Degui attending nearby, she changed her plan.
"Your Majesty, the court beads seem slightly askew."
Jiang Huan stepped sideways, blocking Wang Degui's line of sight, and secretly slipped the handkerchief-wrapped apricot blossom cakes into Huo Lin's palm.
"The morning court session is lengthy. Please remember to take care of Your Majesty's health."
Jiang Huan's words seemed to come out of nowhere, but when Huo Lin felt the soft, crumbly pastries in his palm, his pupils visibly dilated.
[What's this? Could it be apricot blossom cakes? Consort Jiang, you… have quite won my favor!]
[Those ministers are so long-winded. I can sneak a couple bites while they're spouting nonsense… Won't have to endure weak legs from hunger this morning!]
[Hooray!]
Huo Lin's suddenly cheerful tone startled even Jiang Huan. Just a few apricot blossom cakes could make the Emperor this happy?
How severely must the poor child have been starved before?
"Consort Jiang is promoted to Changzai, granted the title Zhuang. Order the Imperial Household Department to send additional rewards."
Just as Jiang Huan withdrew her hand, this wonderful news fell upon her. Although a higher rank wasn't necessarily good for her, fortunately the position of Changzai remained relatively low.
What mattered were the rewards! With rewards, her future days would be much more comfortable!
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Overwhelmed with joy, Jiang Huan knelt to express gratitude, unable to suppress the smile curling her lips. As Huo Lin departed for the morning court session, she watched his retreating figure while his inner voice sounded in her mind again.
[Now that she's received rewards, she should know to send me food, right?]
[If she lacks even this basic awareness, I'll demote her again tonight.]
Jiang Huan pursed her lips, inwardly grumbling that this Emperor seemed to have nothing but "food" on his mind.
"Congratulations, Zhuang Changzai! You are the first imperial concubine His Majesty has favored!"
Wang Degui knew his place well. Recognizing Huo Lin's special regard for Jiang Huan, he immediately changed his form of address even before the official investiture ceremony was completed. But then, turning around, he noticed the empty plate on the outer chamber table and curiously exclaimed, "Huh?"
"Weren't these apricot blossom cakes just brought in? How are they already gone?"
Jiang Huan awkwardly licked her lips. "Well, I was feeling a bit hungry earlier, so I ate them to fill my stomach."
Though puzzled, Wang Degui simply smiled in agreement.
"Zhuang Changzai has a good appetite. If you enjoy them, this servant will have the Imperial Kitchen send several more plates to your quarters."
"Then I'll trouble you, Chief Steward Wang."
Although she wasn't exactly a favored imperial concubine now, she had at least managed to become the first concubine to serve the night. The Chief Eunuch was eagerly currying favor with her. If she didn't appreciate this goodwill now, once Huo Lin lost interest in her later, such favorable treatment would be gone.
Today when returning to the palace, Jiang Huan was carried back in a sedan. As they passed other palaces, the glares from those imperial concubines seemed sharp enough to skin her alive.
Though it was still early, news of Jiang Huan's promotion to Changzai had already spread throughout the palace. Having been in the palace for three years, everyone had treated Jiang Huan as a soft bun for three years, tormenting her all this time.
They had all been scrambling to win favor, yet who would have thought that the one who ultimately climbed into the dragon bed would be Jiang Huan – the one they looked down upon the most!
After just one night, she had been promoted and granted an honorific title. If she were to appear before the Emperor a few more times, what might happen next?
Jin Hua Palace.
Consort Yu had been summoned by Imperial Concubine Jia early in the morning and severely reprimanded. The content was nothing more than accusations of her lax management, allowing even a lowly Xuanshi to appear and stand out before the Emperor.
Now sitting in her palace with a dark expression, Consort Yu waited for Jiang Huan to return from serving the night.
Imperial Concubine Jia had made it clear – she was to "discipline" Jiang Huan properly!
"Changzai Jiang pays respects to Consort Yu."
As this was Jiang Huan's first time serving the night, protocol required her to immediately pay respects to the ranking consort upon returning to the palace. Now kneeling on the ground under Consort Yu's murderous gaze, Jiang Huan felt something was terribly wrong.
Even though she had been promoted and was now a concubine with some favor, would Consort Yu still dare to target her?
"You treacherous Jiang Huan! I never realized you had such seductive skills!"
Last night, just as she was punishing Jiang Huan, the Emperor's order had summoned Jiang Huan to serve the night. Before she could swallow her anger, she had been scolded by Imperial Concubine Jia first thing in the morning.
All this pent-up frustration naturally had to be taken out on Jiang Huan!
"Consort Yu exaggerates. This humble one wouldn't dare."
Jiang Huan hung her head, still not daring to breathe heavily. Why did she feel that her promotion made no difference at all?
"Cui Ying, go teach Changzai Zhuang what rules mean!"
Consort Yu gritted her teeth as she gave the order. Seeing Cui Ying rubbing her wrists as she approached, Jiang Huan's entire body began trembling like a sieve.
Although she had only transmigrated into this book three months ago, her mind had inherited many of the original host's memories. In the past, whenever Consort Yu was in a bad mood, she would order Cui Ying to beat Jiang Huan to vent her anger.
Since Jiang Huan arrived here, she had been obedient and law-abiding. Though she had suffered deductions in food and clothing and occasional kneeling punishments, she had never experienced beatings. Before Cui Ying could get close, Xiao Zhao spread her arms, protecting Jiang Huan like a mother hen.
"Consort Yu should reconsider! Our Changzai Zhuang needs to bring food to His Majesty later. If the Emperor were to see any marks, that would be difficult to explain!"
Cold sweat poured down Jiang Huan's forehead. She understood Xiao Zhao meant well in trying to protect her.
On their way back to the palace, Jiang Huan had mentioned to Xiao Zhao that she wanted to prepare more food for the Emperor today, and the girl had taken it to heart.
But this silly girl's words, when spoken aloud, sounded so much like a threat!
Sure enough, the next second Consort Yu stood up, grinding her teeth. "You dare threaten me? One night of service and you're already counting on it, still thinking of showing off before the Emperor?"
Consort Yu looked around, then simply pulled Cui Ying aside. Donning two elaborate finger guards herself, she delivered two sharp slaps – "Smack! Smack!"
Jiang Huan's cheeks instantly flushed red.
"Changzai Zhuang, since you've gained favor, you ought to behave more discreetly. How dare you show your face before the Emperor in such a state? Today's matter was ordered by Imperial Concubine Jia herself. Even if you were delivering meals to the Jade Emperor, you'd have to endure it!"
"Pass down the order: without my permission, Jiang Huan is not to take a single step outside Jin Hua Palace!"