The Daily Life of a Concubine

Chapter 76 - Slapping the Changchun Palace's Face

Even though the Empress is still present, and even if she weren't, Lan Guifei is still here. How could it possibly be Changchun Palace's turn to take charge?

"Return and tell them: I'm feeling terribly nauseous and for the sake of the imperial heir, I won't go and trouble Xian Fei." Bai Jingxian was in the middle of her breakfast when someone came to disrupt her, affecting her appetite.

The porridge that tasted so good moments ago was now flavorless. She set down her spoon, and the clear sound of metal clinking against the bowl echoed through the room.

"By the way, send someone to ask His Majesty—since the Empress is absent from the palace, do lower-ranked consorts need to go and pay respects to Xian Fei?"

The servant boy, Xiao Li, immediately jumped at the opportunity. "Yes, My Lady. I'll go and ask right away. If it's required, I'll hurry back quickly so we won't miss paying respects to Xian Fei." He deliberately emphasized "Xian Fei" as he spoke.

Bai Jingxian was quite pleased with Xiao Li's cleverness. "Hmm, you're capable. Go ahead."

The maid sent by Xian Fei heard that Bai Jingxian was nauseous and, though skeptical, she couldn't argue with a higher-ranked mistress. She returned to Changchun Palace, feeling displeased.

When Xian Fei, Zhang Wenke, saw her return alone, she frowned in displeasure.

Dongmei, being sharp-eyed, immediately asked, "Where is Bai Jingxian?"

The maid replied, "Your HIghness, Bai Jingxian is feeling severely nauseous and, for the safety of the imperial heir, said she wouldn't be able to come and pay respects today. She'll visit once she feels better."

Such impudence! Before, Bai Jingxian had come on her own initiative to pay respects but wasn't even let past the gates of Changchun Palace. Now, they had to send someone to ask her to come. What nerve!

After all, they were both imperial concubines. Who was truly superior?

"How insolent!" Xian Fei's face darkened. "Is she trying to use her pregnancy to pressure me? The child is doing perfectly fine in her belly. How could something happen just from walking a few steps to pay respects?"

Zhang Wenke was smart but also a woman. And as a woman, she harbored feelings of jealousy and pettiness.

Yesterday, the Emperor had gone to Lan Guifei's pavilion first, and this had been a clear slap in the face. How could she allow herself to be disrespected by a mere liangdi? Was a mere concubine more favored than a high-ranked Xian Fei like herself?

If the other women in the harem found out, where would she keep her dignity? Not to mention, Lan Guifei and the Empress were still above her.

Back in the day, if her family hadn't held her back, who knows if the Empress position wouldn't have been hers?

"Calm yourself, Your Highness. Regardless of the situation, Bai Jingxian is pregnant. There's no need to push too hard. We can deal with her once she has given birth, no?" Dongmei, ever loyal, tried to soothe her. "And who knows if it's even a prince she's carrying? Even if it is, there's still the question of whether she can successfully give birth. Why trouble yourself over a mere liangdi?"

Perhaps her reasoning finally struck a chord with Zhang Wenke. She waved her hand dismissively. "Forget it. For the sake of the child in her belly, I won't argue with her. If she's feeling that nauseous, send some pickled plums over. After all, I am the child's mother consort."

Bai Jingxian was unaware of the schemes brewing in Changchun Palace. Even if she knew, she wouldn't care. Ever since news of her pregnancy spread, Changchun Palace had been making moves against her.

Pickled plums? She just wouldn't eat them.

In the Qinzheng Hall, Xiao Li wasn't in a rush. Seeing that the Emperor was busy, he stopped Xiao Xiazi from delivering the message and waited patiently outside. No matter how fast he could run, if the Emperor didn't see him, there was nothing he could do but wait.

Finally, after the morning court session ended and the ministers left the palace, Xiao Li got the chance to meet with the Emperor.

"Why are you here? Did something happen to your mistress?" The Emperor's thoughts returned to Bai Jingxian. After their brief encounter yesterday, his feelings for her had been rekindled, and he found himself thinking of her again.

"Your Majesty, my mistress sent me to ask if, with the Empress absent from the palace, she is still required to pay respects to Xian Fei," Xiao Li relayed the message exactly as instructed.

The Emperor was momentarily taken aback but quickly understood. "Did someone say something to her?"

This girl—she was clever. She hadn't burdened herself with grievances and hadn't let her child be affected by palace politics. She was turning into a good mother.

"Your Majesty, early this morning someone from Changchun Palace came and asked Bai Jingxian to pay respects to Xian Fei. But due to her morning sickness, she sent me to ask for your instructions, worried that Xian Fei might misunderstand."

The Emperor chuckled. "Alright, go back and tell her to focus on her pregnancy. Since the Empress isn't in the palace, there's no need for her to pay respects to Xian Fei. She can wait for the Empress to return and follow her lead."

The Empress was still in charge of the inner court, and matters of etiquette would be dealt with accordingly when she returned.

"Yes, Your Majesty. I will pass on the message right away."

"Go ahead. And if Bai Jingxian feels unwell, have her call for the imperial physician. She mustn't harm herself." He found it amusing that the timid girl, usually so afraid of conflict, had developed the courage to seek justice now that she was pregnant.

Interesting.