The Daily Life of a Concubine

Chapter 34 - The Empress Takes Action

The next morning, Bai Jingxian woke up around ten, roused by hunger. If not for the protest in her stomach, she would have kept sleeping.

"So hungry." As soon as she woke, Bai Jingxian sat up in bed and groaned, feeling truly ravenous.

"The breakfast has been kept warm. Once you freshen up, it'll be ready to eat," Chun Feng said, bringing a cup of warm water to help her clear her stomach.

After drinking the water from Chun Feng's hand, her hunger only grew stronger. She quickly got out of bed, but the moment her feet touched the floor, her body swayed. If Chun Feng hadn't caught her in time, she might have ended up face-first on the ground.

Inwardly, she cursed the emperor. He was so indulgent last night, forgetting her intentional seduction altogether.

After breakfast, her energy returned. Noticing the breeze outside, she decided to go for a walk.

"Master, shall we visit the Blue Pond? There are many beautiful blue fish there. On hot days, they float on the water's surface, creating quite a sight," suggested Xiao Li, eager to please.

"Alright, lead the way."

Though she had been in the palace for some time, Bai Jingxian hadn't really explored the Imperial Garden, aside from the two courtyards she had lived in. She hadn't had a chance to enjoy the other scenic spots.

Xiao Li led the way in front, with two personal maids and a few second-tier servants following behind, creating a protective bubble around her.

"Was that soup last night sent by her?" Bai Jingxian hadn't touched the soup, thanks to Chun Feng's cautious glance.

"Yes, Your Grace, she indeed made her move."

"She really worked hard for it. Let her help in the small kitchen, then," Bai Jingxian said with amusement. "I'll give her a chance and see how she performs."

Chun Feng was startled and immediately protested, "Your Grace, you can't! What if she harbors malicious intent?"

"Don't worry. The people inside are all ours. Are you telling me they can't keep an eye on one little maid? If they can't handle that, then I'd have to question their competence."

Bai Jingxian was completely unconcerned.

After the events of the previous night, it was unlikely the emperor would visit her again anytime soon. It was the perfect opportunity to give her a chance, wasn't it?

Not long after Bai Jingxian drank the soup, word of it reached the Empress. Overconfident in her concoction, the Empress herself began to vie for the Emperor's favor.

The Empress didn't want her to bear a child. But Bai Jingxian? She would defy that. She refused to believe that if she conceived, he would remain so heartless.

As for the Empress's plans, Bai Jingxian arrived at the Blue Pond, only to find someone already there, feeding the fish.

"Who is that?" Bai Jingxian paused, not wanting to approach if it was someone of higher rank. She had no intention of bowing and offering greetings.

Xiao Li went to check and returned with a slightly awkward expression. "Your Grace, it's Li Changzai."

Hah, Li Changzai? Bai Jingxian's interest was piqued. This woman had been irksome yesterday; now it was her turn to repay the favor.

"Let's go. Since Lady Li has such leisure, it's only proper as her elder sister that I accompany her," Bai Jingxian said mischievously.

Chun Feng and Chun Jing exchanged a glance, helpless at their master's penchant for mischief.

Soon enough, Bai Jingxian entered the pavilion where Li Changzai was feeding the fish.

Li Changzai had noticed the approaching party early on and was inwardly irritated, but she had to maintain decorum. She stepped forward to greet Bai Jingxian.

"Greetings to Your Grace, He Liangyuan. I wish you peace and well-being."

Seeing Li Changzai's forced politeness, Bai Jingxian was delighted. "Oh, it's Lady Li! I wondered who had such leisure to watch the fish. Since it's you, I'm not surprised."

Her attendants quickly placed cushions for her to sit, but Bai Jingxian didn't invite Li Changzai to rise. Instead, she sat down, looking quite pleased with herself.

"Yesterday, His Majesty mentioned that Li Changzai had invited him to stargaze. How were the stars last night? Beautiful, I assume?"

She was intentionally provoking. She had asked the Emperor about Li Changzai's conversation with him, learning that Li Changzai had suggested stargazing after bumping into him but hadn't succeeded in getting him to join.

Li Changzai blushed with embarrassment and frustration. "The stars were beautiful, Your Grace."

Bai Jingxian laughed heartily. "Haha, weren't they? I would have liked to see them, but alas, I was busy serving His Majesty and missed out."

Li Changzai was trembling with anger.

Bai Jingxian, however, wasn't done. "Come, stand up and tell me, were the stars as beautiful as me?" she asked, wide-eyed and curious.

This question left Li Changzai speechless. If she said the stars were more beautiful, Bai Jingxian wouldn't let it go. If she said Bai Jingxian was more beautiful, her pride wouldn't allow it.

Seeing her hesitation, Bai Jingxian's smile faded slightly. "What's this? My words have put Lady Li in a difficult position?"

"Not at all. The sky was starless last night. I simply didn't know how to answer Your Grace."

Knowing she had no choice but to yield, Li Changzai reluctantly softened her tone. It wouldn't do to offend Bai Jingxian, not with the Emperor's unpredictable favor.

Since Bai Jingxian's arrival, the imperial concubines, aside from the Empress and Noble Consort, had started to pale in comparison to her influence.

"Ah, how unfortunate that the heavens didn't cooperate, dashing Lady Li's hopes. But the weather looks good today, so perhaps tonight the stars will appear. Why not wait again and let me know tomorrow how they compare to me?" Bai Jingxian teased with a wicked grin.

Li Changzai could only swallow her frustration, her eyes wide with indignation.

"Alright, feed the fish. I've heard these blue fish are rare, but I wonder how they taste," Bai Jingxian remarked, tossing some food into the pond.

"Your Grace, these are ornamental fish. They taste quite bad and have a strong fishy odor," Xiao Li quickly informed her.

Bai Jingxian sighed as she threw more fish food into the water. "What a pity. All that beauty, but it's wasted if they're not good to eat."

It was unclear whether she was referring to the fish or to someone else.

"What do you think happens to things that are only for show and can't be used for anything else?" Bai Jingxian mused. "I think, in the end, they're devoured by wild beasts. After all, there are many beautiful things in the world, and those without other uses will eventually be replaced."

Li Changzai couldn't take it anymore.

"Your Grace is absolutely right. Everyone knows you are the most beautiful in the palace," Li Changzai responded, clearly biting back her frustration.

Bai Jingxian smiled, unfazed. "Thank you for the compliment. Yes, I'm like these fish. Without any other use, I'd end up as prey for wild beasts."

She wasn't the least bit angry. In fact, she was rather pleased with the compliment.

"I guess I'll need to think about how to make myself useful to His Majesty," she sighed, pretending to be troubled as her expression shifted dramatically.