Beauty Yu: “…”
She couldn’t speak. Luo Shuran’s question had just hit her sore spot.
Her relationship with her sisters at home was extremely poor.
Her father favored concubines over his wife, and even the concubine-born daughters were more doted on than she was. Now that she had entered the palace, she absolutely could not allow her family to send anyone else in.
Perhaps because Luo Shuran was a concubine-born daughter, she felt a natural hostility toward her.
“Look at what I said—I spoke out of turn.” Luo Shuran pinched her handkerchief and gently touched the corner of her mouth, as if she had said something wrong, trying to smooth things over.
Beauty Yu felt stifled, but she maintained her composure, glancing at Luo Shuran indifferently. “I hope you and Consort Xian remain this close.”
Luo Shuran remained expressionless, as if she didn’t understand. “Of course, my sister will protect me.”
Her eyes were full of admiration, and the meaning behind her words was almost like saying, “I’m not afraid of you; Consort Xian is my backing.”
“That would be even better. When the time comes, don’t forget about me, sister!” Beauty Yu was someone who could bend and stretch, speaking with a smile.
It was just sarcasm, of course.
Luo Shuran naturally wouldn’t foolishly agree. After saying a few humble words, she parted ways with Beauty Yu at the intersection and returned to her own chamber.
Today, hearing Beauty Yu probe her relationship with Luo Wanling reminded her of some things from her past life. By turning the question back on her, she confirmed some of her suspicions.
Things she hadn’t paid attention to in her past life now, upon closer reflection, all had their causes and effects.
Beauty Yu’s allegiance to Luo Wanling was likely related to her concubine-born sister entering the palace through the selection process.
She vaguely remembered that her sister fell seriously ill and died not long after entering the palace. At the time, it didn’t cause much of a stir, and Luo Shuran hadn’t paid much attention.
Thinking about it now, it was likely after this incident that Beauty Yu became closely connected with Luo Wanling, even more frequently than she herself had been.
“Master, forgive this servant for speaking out of turn. You should be cautious, but not so cowardly. It will disgrace the reputation of the Duke’s household.” As soon as they returned to Xianyun Pavilion, Xi Chun finally couldn’t hold back her words.
She truly regretted following such a master. It would have been better to work harder back then and serve by Consort Xian’s side.
At least that would be better than being so pathetic now.
As soon as Xi Chun finished speaking, she felt a low pressure permeating the room. Luo Shuran turned around and looked at her. Her usually gentle almond-shaped eyes now held a cold, fierce light.
She was completely different from her usual self. Xi Chun’s heart suddenly began to pound. She forced herself to lower her head and eventually knelt on the ground. “Master, this servant knows she was wrong.”
“Knows she was wrong?” Luo Shuran’s voice was cold as she looked at the person kneeling on the ground.
Fine beads of sweat involuntarily appeared on Xi Chun’s forehead. She never imagined that one day she would fear the concubine-born daughter whom everyone looked down upon.
Before, Luo Shuran had listened to everything she said. Now that she had entered the palace, did she really think of herself as a master?
Luo Shuran bent down, hooked her finger under Xi Chun’s chin, and the cold fierceness vanished, replaced by a familiar smile. “Xi Chun, how was my act? Did I still look cowardly? Why are you sweating? Were you scared?”
Her series of questions brought Xi Chun back to her senses. She looked at her master with doubt and suspicion. Had she just been putting on a show earlier?
“N-no, it was very good.” Xi Chun forced a stiff smile in response.
Luo Shuran smiled. “Get up.”
Just then, there was a commotion outside. It was Chen An bringing the imperial edict of conferment.
“By the decree of the Emperor, who receives the Mandate of Heaven: Luo Baolin, with her intelligent and graceful nature, embodies both talent and beauty, has won Our favor. She is hereby appointed as Talent Luo. So decreed!”
After reading the edict, Chen An looked at Luo Shuran kneeling on the ground and handed it over with a smile. “Congratulations, Talent Luo. Please receive the decree.”
Luo Shuran placed her hands on her forehead, then kowtowed to express her gratitude. “Your humble concubine thanks His Majesty for his great kindness.”
After receiving the imperial decree, Ming Xia quietly went into the room and distributed the prepared red envelopes to the attending maids and eunuchs.
Luo Shuran took the largest portion and personally handed it to Chen An, speaking earnestly, “Eunuch Chen, I am not as wealthy as my elder sisters and cannot offer much, but this is my sincere gesture. I hope you will accept it. As a newcomer, I have many shortcomings and may have caused you trouble. I ask for your understanding.”
Truthfully, at his position, Chen An lacked neither silver nor valuable items. He looked down upon this modest red envelope, but Luo Shuran’s sincere words and genuine demeanor moved him somewhat.
As if guided by an unseen force, Chen An accepted it. “Talent Luo, there is no need for such humility.”
Luo Shuran nodded with a smile and said nothing more. For her, Chen An’s acceptance had already exceeded her expectations.
After everyone left, Luo Shuran returned to her room to rest. The discomfort in her body was still intense, and enduring until the end of the morning greetings had been truly difficult.
Ming Xia noticed her mistress’s fatigue and quietly brought a soft cushion for her to lean on, then stood nearby fanning her.
Luo Shuran turned her head to look at Ming Xia, seeing her serious expression, and couldn’t help but smile. “Ming Xia, isn’t it tiring to always be so formal? Smile a little.”
Ming Xia slowed her fanning and looked at her mistress hesitantly, while the corners of her mouth twitched upward.
This awkward smile made Luo Shuran laugh out loud. Perhaps seeing her mistress so happy, Ming Xia naturally revealed a genuine smile.
She was only a girl in her teens, and her smile was beautiful.
Luo Shuran turned over, contentedly closing her eyes. Thankfully, thankfully, they were both still alive.
After the morning court session, the Emperor went to Cining Palace to pay his respects.
When he entered, Empress Zhao was serving dishes to the Empress Dowager. Seeing the Emperor arrive, she smiled and stepped forward to greet him with a bow.
“No need for formalities,” Qi Jingheng said, lightly supporting her arm before walking forward. He looked at the person seated above, clasped his hands, and offered his greetings.
The Empress Dowager seated there wore an emerald-green robe and a golden hairpin. Though over fifty, she was well-preserved, with few white hairs visible and only faint wrinkles at the corners of her eyes.
Born into a prestigious family of scholars, the Empress Dowager had a high starting point. As the Emperor’s birth mother, she bore three sons and two daughters for the late Emperor and ascended to the position of Empress. The Emperor was her second son, the seventh among the princes, who stood out among them and inherited the throne.
Seeing the Emperor, the Empress Dowager smiled affectionately. “Heng’er, you’ve come just in time. Join me for a meal!”
The attending maids hurriedly prepared bowls and chopsticks. The Empress Dowager glanced at Empress Zhao and beckoned. “Empress, you may sit as well.”
Empress Zhao nodded gracefully and sat beside the Empress Dowager, her gaze involuntarily resting on Qi Jingheng.
It had been quite some time since she had shared a proper meal with the Emperor like this.
The Empress Dowager observed the two of them, her mind clear. Her son was intelligent, yes, but his desire for power was great. Since childhood, whatever he wanted, he would find a way to obtain it.
As for matters of affection, he was completely different from the late Emperor’s sentimentality and deep devotion. It was often said that he was a natural-born ruler—aloof and heartless, with a preference for novelty.
He did not care for the dignified type like Empress Zhao, but as she was the Empress after all, appearances had to be maintained on the surface.
“Empress Zhao has to care for Hao’er while also managing the harem. It must be exhausting,” the Empress Dowager said, bringing up the Empress’s hardships in front of the Emperor.
The Empress shook her head with a faint smile. “With Your Majesty’s concern, I do not feel the hardship. It’s just that Hao’er misses you and misses the Emperor as well.” As she spoke, she couldn’t help but glance up at the Emperor.
After all these years in the palace, she had finally given birth to a prince—the legitimate heir of Great Qi. He was her lifeline, cherished above all else. Because of him, Empress Zhao felt particularly confident.
Mentioning the Third Prince, Qi Jingheng finally spoke slowly, “It has indeed been some time since I last visited Hao’er. I have been neglectful.”
Empress Zhao replied considerately, “Your Majesty is burdened with state affairs, which is the most demanding of all.”
State affairs were indeed demanding, but that didn’t stop him from favoring new consorts.
The Empress Dowager knew it was time for her to smooth things over. “Both of you have your burdens. With the Emperor and Empress united in heart, you bring peace within and stability without. Heng’er, you should visit Hao’er more often. Children grow up in the blink of an eye.”
Qi Jingheng nodded in agreement.
The group began their meal, and no further words were exchanged, making the atmosphere somewhat stifled.
After the meal, Qi Jingheng returned to the Imperial Study first. On his way, passing through the Imperial Garden, he could see several consorts gathered in the pavilion.
The Emperor’s figure was spotted by sharp-eyed consorts as soon as he appeared, and soon they all stepped forward to pay their respects.
Rong Jieyu stood to the side, her eyes bright and eager, as if they were practically shouting, “Look at me, Your Majesty!”
Finally encountering the Emperor, it was worth her coming out for a walk right after her meal.
Qi Jingheng’s gaze swept over them. The consorts selected for the palace were naturally not lacking in beauty.
In the past, if he encountered them, he might have taken a leisurely stroll with them when he was in the mood. But for some reason today, he felt no interest at all.