Chan Meiren thought her plan was flawless, a single stone that had brought down two birds. She was gloating in her palace when she overheard some servants discussing something outside.
“If she weren’t carrying the Dragon Seed, how could a mere Meiren like her get to live alone in a grand residence like Jixiang Palace?”
“So what if she’s pregnant? She’s just making a wedding dress for someone else. Does she really think she can rise in status through her son?”
“If you ask me, a person still needs status and background. Just look at the Imperial Noble Consort. Even if she can’t have children, she’s still the incomparably noble Imperial Noble Consort, Ranked as Vice Empress.”
“…”
Her fingers gradually tightened into fists as resentment brewed in her heart. Her pretty face twisted with jealousy.
After Zhong Qing was released, she had lost all her previous arrogance. The Emperor’s wrath and favor were both graces from the heavens; she could only endure.
Behind an exquisite screen, steam swirled. The bathtub was covered with a layer of rose petals. A beauty bathed within the water, her exposed skin fair and delicate enough to break at a touch. The scene was enchanting and fragrant.
Ning Wanwan was soaking in the enormous tub, so comfortable she almost fell asleep. Suddenly, a black figure flashed behind the screen.
Startled, Ning Wanwan quickly covered her shoulders and cried out, “Who’s there?”
“Heh.” The dark figure chuckled and stepped out from behind the screen.
“Pei Jinxu?” Ning Wanwan couldn’t help but secretly roll her eyes. Was this man a peeping tom? How had she not known that before?
“What, are you not happy to see Us?” Pei Jinxu’s thin lips pursed slightly, making him look somewhat wronged and pitiful.
“I wouldn’t dare,” Ning Wanwan said with a fawning smile.
“Then let Us bathe with Guifei.” A wicked smile played on Pei Jinxu’s lips, and a dangerous glint flickered in his eyes.
Ning Wanwan dared not imagine that scene; it was far too risqué.
Suddenly recalling Lüqiu’s words, Ning Wanwan hesitated, wondering if she should drive him away.
Pei Jinxu had taken off his outer robe and was about to remove his inner shirt when Lüqiu’s voice came from behind the screen.
“Niangniang, your medicine has been brewed.”
Ning Wanwan: “…”
Pei Jinxu: “…”
The two looked at each other, the atmosphere turning somewhat silent.
Pei Jinxu spoke first. “You’re ill?”
“I’ve caught a cold,” Ning Wanwan said, her face not flushing and her heart not skipping a beat.
“Very well, then. We shall come to see you another day. Rest well for now.” After speaking, Pei Jinxu patted Ning Wanwan’s head as if she were a puppy, giving her one last, dark look.
Only after Pei Jinxu had left did Lüqiu tiptoe inside.
“Other people’s maids can’t wait for their masters to serve the Emperor. Why are you different?” Ning Wanwan asked.
“This servant hopes that Niangniang will not become lost in Your Majesty’s favor and lose her head. Your career is what’s important.”
“It’s not that I want you to push His Majesty away all the time, but rather to use his favor appropriately.”
Hearing these words, Ning Wanwan was stunned. To think that she, a modern person, was less clear-headed than Lüqiu.
“Lüqiu, the way you put it makes me feel like I should worship you,” Ning Wanwan said with a laugh.
“So what?” Lüqiu mimicked the tone Ning Wanwan had used before, her small, round face making a comical expression.
“Hahaha, oh my god, Lüqiu, you look exactly like that Nai Long sticker.” Ning Wanwan felt like she was going to die from laughter.
Lüqiu didn’t know what Ning Wanwan was talking about. She only felt that Ning Wanwan seemed even crazier than before.
Before long, Zhong Qing’s half-sister entered the palace. She looked to be about fifteen or sixteen, her features delicate yet innocent, the hem of her goose-yellow dress swaying in the wind.
Ning Wanwan sat on a high, soft couch, watching her perform her salutations.
Pei Jinxu had told her to just assign a rank as she saw fit. Just as Ning Wanwan was pondering what rank to give, the young woman knelt on the floor, neither servile nor overbearing, and her clear, pleasant voice rang out.
“This subject does not seek a title, nor do I seek to always be by the Emperor’s side. To serve Your Majesty well is this subject’s lifelong wish.”
Ning Wanwan and Zhong Qing exchanged a glance, then both silently turned their heads away.
“His Majesty specifically instructed this Palace to take good care of you, little sister. You are so beautiful and lovely. These are the titles His Majesty had this Palace draw up. Choose one, little sister,” Ning Wanwan said with a gentle smile.
A servant presented several written characters to Zhong Yue. Without even looking, the young woman said softly, “All the titles Guifei has prepared are excellent. Zhong Yue can accept any of them.”
“This Palace knows that you and Zhong Qing are sisters. How about we let your older sister choose for you?” Ning Wanwan’s smile was a knife in disguise. Her intuition told her that this Zhong Yue would not be easy to deal with and might even harbor hostility towards her.
Zhong Qing sat in a seat below Ning Wanwan, her expression arrogant, her gaze toward Zhong Yue full of provocation.
The young woman, however, remained unmoved, which frustrated Zhong Qing somewhat.
“Then let it be this one.” Zhong Qing held up the character for “An.”
Ning Wanwan nodded and said, “The Zhong family has rendered meritorious service. Since you enter the palace with merit, little sister, we cannot slight you in rank. His Majesty has said to enfeoff you as a Liangdi of the proper fifth rank. The conferment will be tomorrow.”
“This subject thanks Your Majesty and Guifei Niangniang.” The young woman kowtowed in gratitude.
It was Zhong Qing, on the other hand, who was growing restless. After her demotion, she had fallen from the rank of Consort of the proper second rank to her current position as a Cairen of the proper seventh rank, two levels lower than Zhong Yue.
“This Palace is tired. All you sisters may return and rest as well.”
Ning Wanwan yawned and feigned exhaustion as she stood up.
“Her Highness departs—!” The eunuch’s voice was sharp and high-pitched. Ning Wanwan’s rank was so esteemed that even the palace maids and eunuchs by her side carried an air of pride.