The name tag representing Zhuang Laoyan’s status had long since changed from wood to white jade. Just this was enough to show her rapid promotion in the imperial harem.
An old eunuch from the Department of the Palace, who was in charge of making the name tags, received a piece of water white jade from his superiors. He rubbed the jade’s surface with the palm of his hand, somewhat moved as he said, “In just a short period, the name tag has changed from white marble to water white jade. Could this master be the most favored in the harem?”
“Water white jade. Isn’t this something only the rank of zhaorong and above can use?” asked the old eunuch’s apprentice, amazed. “Is it possible that someone in the harem will be conferred the rank of consort?”
“Other than her, who else has that kind of ability?” The old eunuch shifted his gaze to the direction of Xihe Palace, catching sight of his little apprentice apparently still deep in thought. With a calm expression, he said, “Why are you curious about these things? Hurry up and continue working.”
“Recently, this palace finds the imperial harem more and more cold and cheerless.” Noble Consort Shu sat leaning against a vermillion winding corridor, watching the autumn scenery of the garden with an indifferent gaze. “Yet, it’s a mystery whether it’s the people in the harem or this palace’s mood that has changed.”
“Why is Elder Sister lamenting?” Xiuyi Su peeled a longan in a careless manner. “In my opinion, it’s because the people in the harem have decreased. Due to those people who are now gone, the atmosphere here was foul before.”
The moment Xiuyi Su had finished speaking, they heard someone say in a gentle voice behind them, “This concubine greets Your Highness Noble Consort Shu. Greets Xiuyi Su.”
“Oh! Isn’t this the newly promoted Wanyi Qian from Changtian House?” Xiuyi Su threw aside the half-peeled longan. She reached out and dipped her hands into a basin of clean water a palace maid had presented to her. As she washed her hands, she said, “A few days ago, your face still had a frightening red rash. Now, you look incomparably beautiful again. You seemed to have a full recovery.”
“Many thanks for Your Highness’ concern. The imperial physicians of the Imperial Academy of Medicine are brilliant. This concubine is already healed. Besides, tomorrow will be Xianrong Zhao’s birthday. How could this concubine be absent for it?”
“The way you put it, does that mean you can be absent for Noble Consort Shu’s birthday?” Xiuyi Su snorted coldly. She looked at Wanyi Qian’s blank and ignorant appearance, before averting her gaze and raising her voice to say, “Or are you trying to say that in your heart, Her Highness Noble Consort Shu is less honorable than Xianrong Zhao?”
“Enough. We’re all sisters who serve the emperor. What’s this about ‘honorable’ and ‘not honorable?’” Noble Consort Shu looked at the Wanyi Qian who appeared to want to explain something. “Perhaps Wanyi Qian did not attend this palace’s birthday celebration due to her incomplete recovery at that time. Now that she has recovered fully, she naturally should attend Xianrong Zhao’s birthday celebration.”
“Your Highness’ wisdom shines bright.” Wanyi Qian curtsied in a grand manner toward Noble Consort Shu. “This concubine has no intention to offend you.”
Noble Consort Shu examined her. A sweet-tempered smile appeared on her face. “Enough, this palace knows. You’re dismissed.”
Watching Wanyi Qian leave, Xiuyi Su said a bit unwillingly, “Elder Sister, why did you let her just leave like that?”
YOU ARE READING
The Job Of An Imperial Concubine
Historical Fictioncredit: original author & translator. Hi guys, As you know this is not my own novel, so please don't vote . because I have recently learned that it can cause the novel to get deleted & even my account can get banned . So You free to comment but...
