The Job Of An Imperial Concubine

89

“They’re going too far in bullying others!” said Liangyi Hu lowly through clenched teeth, angered to the point where eyes were bloodshot, causing her to look haggard.　　

“Master, you mustn’t get angry,” said her palace maid Yuzhu as she poured a hot cup of tea for her. “Second Prince has now been given to Her Highness Noble Consort Xian to raise. It’s useless even if you get angry, and you would only be harming your health in vain.”　　

Covering her mouth with a handkerchief to control her cough, Liangyi Hu coughed until it didn’t hurt as much anymore. “Although Second Prince has a straightforward personality, he’s unlikely to go as far as being so impulsively stupid. It seems there are people with intentions instigating him. Otherwise, why would he do something like this?”　　

“Could it be Noble Consort Xian…?” said Yuzhu with hesitation. “She doesn’t seem to like Second Prince.”　　　　

“Although she’s not the most intelligent person in the harem, she has always used her brain when doing things. It’s unlikely that she would use such a stupid method. No matter how it’s said, right now Second Prince is being raised under her. For something like this to have happened isn’t beneficial for her either.” Liangyi Hu sneered. “At this moment, who would benefit the most from this?”　　

“It’s… Xianrong Zhao,” cried out Yuzhu, before rushing to hold her tongue. Then she said, “But why would Xianrong Zhao do this?”

“This harem never lacks women who seek revenge for the smallest grievances.” Liangyi Hu revealed a bleak smile. “When I was a consort, I schemed against her. Now that I am down and out, she schemed against me. It’s only natural. She truly can keep her composure, not causing me trouble on the surface this whole time. Even her methods are so careful. One would fear that in the emperor’s heart right now, she is an injured party.”

As master and servant were talking, knocks sounded on the door. Yuzhu rushed to open it. At the doorway stood a court eunuch in blue carrying a meal box, impatience painting his face.  Seeing her open the door, he said, “This is Master Hu’s noon meal.”　　　　 

Yuzhu carefully received it and opened the lid for a look. Yet what entered her field of view were only two kinds of overly stir-fried side dishes, and a bowl of rice that didn’t have any steam. She could not help but ask, “Gonggong, why is it only these things?”　　

“You still think your master is Her Highness Consort Ning?” The eunuch glanced at her in disdain. “She’s only an imperial concubine who committed a crime now. What’s she thinking she’s still a favored concubine for?” 

Following that, he turned around and left, not sparing a look at Yuzhu’s expression.　　

Yuzhu looked at the eunuch’s back figure, anger stuck in her heart. She was also worried that Liangyi Hu had heard his words, so could only carry the meal box back inside.　　　　

But Liangyi Hu had in fact heard their conversation clearly. She could not help but smile bitterly. The imperial harem was like so: the winners took all. Whoever lost would be bullied by even the servants.

What a pity that she had underestimated Zhuang Laoyan in the past. With such an able-to-endure personality paired with such great means, she would naturally have a place in the imperial harem.　

“Today’s sheep tripe and bamboo shoots are a bit overcooked,” said Zhuang Laoyan, setting down her chopsticks. A bit regretful, she added, “It’s rare to have such fresh bamboo shoots. What a pity.”　　　　

“Shangshi Bureau sent these dishes.” Tingzhu scooped up a bowl of pigeon soup. “Although it’s a normal dish, this slave thought that Your Highness would definitely like the bamboo shoots, so kept these dishes.”