The Daily Life of a Concubine

Chapter 7 - Out Of Luck

After a busy morning, Bai Jingxian almost starved to death. Fortunately, Chun Yu was perceptive and went to the imperial kitchen to bring some food.

"Get things tidied up. I'm hungry," Bai Jingxian said. Now that she was a fifth-rank Honorable Consort, she could call herself "This Palace."

The palace was divided into seven ranks; the maidservants and seamstresses didn't count. Even as a fifth-rank Li Liangdi, she was still at the bottom.

She needed to work harder.

Since the Emperor had sent De Fu Gonggong with a message that he would visit in the evening, the imperial kitchen had prepared some fresh dishes for her, unlike before when they just served plain fare.

Once Chun Feng had finished tidying up the things, she came out from the inner room and saw that Her Ladyship was enjoying her meal. She asked with a smile, "Your Ladyship, the weather outside is nice. Would you like to take a walk later?"

Bai Jingxian shook her head. "I was punished with kneeling this morning. Going out now would surely offend the Consort. Besides, I'm now a living target. If I go out, I might get schemed against. It's better to stay here and wait for the Emperor."

"Your Ladyship is right. It was my oversight. Please forgive me," Chun Feng said, bowing and apologizing.

"It's alright. I appreciate your loyalty. No need to apologize for such a small matter. By the way, is there any news from Lady Bai?"

She was skeptical that the Emperor would still come.

In the front hall of Qinghe Palace, Bai Jingyan smashed a set of fine porcelain. Hongmei, who served her, knelt on the ground, not daring to make a sound for fear of angering her lady.

After venting her frustration for a while, Bai Jingyan grinned fiercely. "Wretch, daring to oppose me, don't blame me for being ruthless. Hongmei, send a message home. I will not believe we can't handle her. Since she's so ungrateful, let's give her a big gift. Make sure my mother prepares a proper present."

"Yes," Hongmei said, eager to distance herself from her mistress, well aware of her nature. One wrong move, and she might end up bearing the brunt of her mistress's anger.

...

Emperor Rui was reviewing memorials when he heard De Fu's report and sighed lightly.

"Li Liangdi's residence is in the side hall, right? Then, clean out the Qingliang Hall. She's new to the palace and likely doesn't have much stuff. It should be done by the afternoon."

De Fu shivered at the order but quickly responded affirmatively and exited the imperial study.

Such matters couldn't be kept secret.

Those who were unaware felt a mix of bitterness and resentment.

But those who understood the significance of Qingliang Hall felt less resentment.

The Empress, upon hearing this, laughed heartily with her maid. "The Emperor is treating her like a plaything, showing no attempt to conceal it. Qingliang Hall was used by the late Emperor's favored concubine to listen to music. Ha, it seems our Emperor has quite the wicked taste."

The Lan Guifei's reaction was similar, though with a tinge of bitterness. After all, the Emperor had genuine affection for Li Liangdi. Even if it was merely a plaything, she didn't want to see the Emperor's attention diverted.

"Your Highness, this person is not worth worrying about. Why distress yourself over such a trivial matter? The Emperor's heart is undoubtedly with you. Otherwise, why would he let you manage the harem?" Huachun, Lan Guifei's maid, said as she served tea.