The Daily Life of a Concubine

Chapter 26 - Li Changzai's Display of Favor

When Emperor Rui entered, he saw a beautiful woman shedding tears, creating a picturesque scene.

Tonight, he was in good spirits, and seeing this, he was naturally touched.

"Why is my beloved concubine in tears? Did I make you wait too long and make you anxious?" Emperor Rui, in high spirits, was happy to jest with his consort.

The palace maid, upon seeing the emperor enter, immediately bowed and retreated.

Li Changzai was not new to serving the emperor and was familiar with him. "Your Majesty, this humble servant is merely delighted to see you."

With a waist as slender as a delicate flower, she moved towards Emperor Rui, and upon reaching him, she pressed herself close, saying, "I thought Your Majesty had forgotten me." Her little hand wandered over the emperor's chest, her seductive demeanor as alluring as her words.

Unfortunately, her beauty had diminished somewhat, otherwise, Bai Jingxian would have been worried about her position.

"Haha, my beloved concubine, how could I forget you? I am here now, aren't I?"

The young and vigorous emperor, after a night of indulgence, finally managed to comfort his consort.

However, no one expected that Li Changzai would visit the Lanyue Pavilion the next day. What could be her intention?

Bai Jingxian looked at the person sitting below her, puzzled. "Is there something that Li Changzai needs from me?" She truly didn't understand why this person had come to see her right after serving the emperor.

"I came to visit my elder sister. Last night, His Majesty mentioned that you grilled excellent meat. Since His Majesty likes it, I was hoping you could teach me a thing or two," Li Changzai said with a blush, revealing a red mark on her neck.

It was a sign of her favor.

"Oh," Bai Jingxian smiled, finding this interesting. "But did His Majesty issue a decree for me to teach you?" Nonsense. Yesterday, she had not even touched the grill, let alone prepared any meat for the emperor.

How dare she come here to show off and inquire about things she should have clarified first? Didn't she fear making a fool of herself?

"His Majesty wouldn't issue a decree for such a trivial matter. I merely wanted to alleviate His Majesty's worries. Since His Majesty mentioned his poor appetite recently, I thought I'd come and learn from you since His Majesty enjoyed the food here," Li Changzai said with feigned innocence.

The white lotus facade was not convincing; the resentment in her eyes was almost palpable.

"Did His Majesty mention that the meat from last night was not prepared by me?" Bai Jingxian asked with a faint smile, her eyes flashing with a hint of malice. "If Li Changzai came to flaunt His Majesty's favor, you could have been more direct. I don't lack your kind of favor."

"Ah, it's also His Majesty's fault. He was too vigorous the previous night, and I couldn't handle it. I refused when asked, otherwise, who knows how long you would have waited for His Majesty's favor?"

Come on, take a stab and see whose blade is sharper.

Just a little favor and she dares to flaunt it before me? She clearly doesn't know what true favor is.

"Li Changzai, if you want to please His Majesty, don't come to the wrong person. The meat from yesterday was grilled by my maids. If you want to learn, you can pay for the lessons, and I will ensure they teach you well to satisfy His Majesty. How about that?"

Li Changzai's face turned red with anger.

She had come to show off today, indeed. When the emperor returned to Qianqing Palace from the Lanyue Pavilion, it meant she was more important to the emperor than Bai Jingxian.

But what was this talk? Did it mean that if she hadn't accepted His Majesty's favor, she would have had her turn?

How dare she.

"Don't put on an act, elder sister. His Majesty cannot be influenced by us concubines. Don't speak of this outside, or it will only make us a laughingstock." The unease in her heart was brief but soon she composed herself.

This little white flower had a decent nature.

"Hmph, it all depends on who it is. At least you don't dare, can't, and don't have the right to."

"You."

Thus, the originally flaunting Li Changzai was driven away by Bai Jingxian's anger.

Of course, she knew she had offended someone again, feeling somewhat helpless.

Before she could dwell on it, a voice from outside called.

"Come in."

When Wang Momo entered, she immediately knelt and bowed deeply to Bai Jingxian.

"What's the matter, Momo?" Seeing her like this, Bai Jingxian's heart sank, fearing something serious had happened.

"Your Ladyship, please save my elder sister," Wang Momo couldn't hold back her tears any longer.

Bai Jingxian glanced at Chun Feng, who promptly stepped forward to support Wang Momo. "If you have something to say, speak to the lady. She will certainly help if she can. After all, we all feel the kindness from the lady."

"Yes, Momo, the lady has a kind heart, but we shouldn't things difficult for her," Chun Shui added with a smile, looking at the situation.

Wang Momo knew she had been too hasty, but she had no other place to turn.

She didn't dare seek the emperor or the empress, knowing their complicated relationship.

Finally, she came to plead with Bai Jingxian.

"Alright, let's not talk too much. First, let Momo explain the situation clearly," Bai Jingxian said, waving her hand to stop the others.

"Momo, tell me, what happened?"

Wang Momo reluctantly shared her request.

It turned out that the elder sister she mentioned was an old friend who had served in the late emperor's palace. When the current empress dowager gave birth to the present emperor, both she and the elder sister had opportunities to be transferred to serve the current emperor. However, due to the elder sister's appearance, she was left behind.

This stay lasted over twenty years. Although the empress dowager intended to promote someone for favor, with the arrival of the Concubine Mi, the emperor only favored her, neglecting all other beauties in the palace.

The empress dowager had been tormenting the elder sister for not helping her. She had served the young emperor and was aware of the situation.

When the elder sister's appearance was ruined and her health deteriorated, the empress dowager, seeing her as useless, sent her to the penal quarters. Over the years, the elder sister couldn't endure any longer.

Wang Momo didn't dare to seek the emperor's help for fear that he might silence her due to the empress dowager's cruel methods. She couldn't turn to the empress either, knowing the animosity between them.

Having finally managed to care for her elder sister, she didn't want both of them to lose their lives over this.

"Are you not afraid that I might use this to curry favor with the emperor?" Bai Jingxian asked coldly after hearing the story.

This matter could be serious or trivial. She had the ability to help a palace maid, but why should she help someone unfaithful to her?

If this was exposed, how would the emperor deal with her?

Wang Momo knew what Bai Jingxian wanted.

"I swear, I will never betray you in this lifetime. If I do, may I never be reborn. I only ask for your help to save her." She knelt again, knocking her head heavily on the ground.