The Daily Life of a Concubine

Chapter 84 - Fool

Wen Xiuyi said, "I know exactly what you're thinking. You just want to step on Lan Guifei to rise in status, hoping that by exposing her, you'll gain favor with the Emperor. It's a clever plan, but do you really think everyone else is a fool?"

With her powerful family backing, how could she not know what's happening outside? How dare a low-ranking Xiuyi try to play tricks in front of her?

"If you want to report something, go do it yourself. Don't waste my time." She was waiting for the final blow—attacking the heart was the best strategy. She had long been prepared, just waiting for the day her opponent would fall. That day wouldn't be far off, and then her child could finally rest in peace.

Among the pregnant concubines in the palace, Liangfei wasn't one of them. After all, she had never even spent a night with the Emperor, so how could she be pregnant? She always stayed reclusive and acted aloof, making everyone gradually ignore her. With more and more people becoming pregnant, even fewer paid attention to her.

"You!" Wen Xiuyi was furious at her words. "Fine, I'll go myself. You won't even seize the chance for revenge—useless!" With that, she stormed out of Yangchun Palace, not caring about the enraged Liangfei left behind.

As soon as Wen Xiuyi left, the Empress's people arrived.

Still fuming, Liangfei asked sharply, "What is it?"

"Greetings, Your Highness Liangfei. The Empress has a message for you."

"Speak."

"The Empress says that this year is a time for celebration, and the New Year should be spent joyfully."

Liangfei understood the meaning behind the Empress's words. "Tell the Empress that I know the proprieties and she needn't worry."

The little eunuch, pleased with her response, quickly left.

Once they were alone, Liangfei's servants, full of anger, muttered, "She's just an Xiuyi, how dare she speak to you like that! You're too kind, Your Highness. People without manners are always taking advantage of you."

Liangfei, however, was unconcerned. "What's there to fear? The one who laughs last is the true winner. She's not even worth my attention." She didn't take Wen Xiuyi seriously at all. She knew what the Wen family had done. Someone who rose in such a way would never be truly valued by the Emperor. Let her suffer the consequences. "I'd like to see how much chaos she can stir up."

Even the Empress had sent someone to deliver a message, which meant the Emperor likely felt the same way. Wen Xiuyi was foolish not to see the situation clearly.

Regardless of what Liangfei and the Empress thought, Wen Xiuyi had no intention of giving up on the matter of Lan Guifei. After seeking out two people and failing to find an ally, she returned to her palace, seething.

Her desire to overthrow Lan Guifei stemmed from many reasons, but the biggest was to erase her past humiliation. When she first entered the palace, she was completely submissive to the Lan Guifei, acting like a servant. That's how she had caught Lan Guifei's eye. But that wasn't the only reason—there were many more.

Lan Guifei was proud, born into an aristocratic family, and her relatives held high-ranking positions in court. Her commanding presence left no room for pleasantries, even with the Empress. She could turn hostile at any moment.

It was precisely this arrogance that had filled Wen Xiuyi with years of anger, though she never dared to show it. After enduring it for so long, she finally saw a chance to rise. But she didn't want to dirty her own hands, so she sought out allies. However, no one was foolish enough to become her pawn.

She despised the lower-ranked concubines.

"Hmph, a bunch of cowards. I thought they had more courage. Turns out they're just as worthless." Wen Xiuyi gulped down a cup of warm water, venting her frustrations.

No one around her dared to speak, waiting for her to finish before approaching.

The Empress didn't tolerate Wen Xiuyi's antics for long and sent someone to report her behavior to the Emperor.

When Zhao Jinrui heard the news, his expression darkened. Setting aside the Tan family for the moment, Lan Guifei was still his Noble Consort, and it wasn't anyone else's place to deal with her.

"Tell the Empress that I don't want any surprises during the New Year banquet." If she couldn't even manage a Xiuyi, he had to question her ability to oversee the harem.

"Yes, Your Majesty. I'll go at once." Xiazi wiped the sweat from his brow, stressed by Wen Xiuyi's troublesome behavior.

After everyone left, Defu presented a secret letter. "Your Majesty, the Shadow Guards have sent word."

Zhao Jinrui glanced at Defu, took the letter, and skimmed it. A sneer formed on his face. "He really dares to ask for this, thinking I wouldn't dare kill him? A bastard child, yet he thinks he's my real brother."

He laughed coldly. "Tell the Shadow Guards that if he speaks any more nonsense, they can leave him alive, but just barely." If it weren't for the satisfaction of releasing his pent-up anger, he would have killed him long ago.

Defu shuddered, knowing well the Shadow Guards' methods of torture. "Understood." He pitied Prince Duan.

Meanwhile, Bai Jingxian continued her routine of staying quietly in her palace to rest, still pondering the Emperor's plans to use her to his advantage, waiting for that moment to come.

Having waited for so long with no action from the Emperor, she began to think that this might only happen after she gave birth. So, she finally relaxed and stopped confining herself to her palace.

She even took a walk in the garden surrounding her residence. The weather had grown colder, and snow had started to accumulate. If she weren't pregnant, she would've loved to play in the snow. Unfortunately, with her big belly, she didn't dare.

Not only was she reluctant to risk it, but her attendants were also terrified of letting her get close to the snow, fearing she might catch a cold.

One day, while walking through the familiar snow-covered garden, she suddenly encountered Wen Xiuyi approaching.

At the sight of her, Bai Jingxian frowned and was about to turn away to avoid her. After all, her priority was her unborn children, and getting entangled with Wen Xiuyi wouldn't end well, especially since she too was pregnant.

Just as she was about to leave, Wen Xiuyi called out loudly, "Well, if it isn't Lady He. Why do you turn away when you see me? Clearly, you haven't learned your manners well enough. No wonder Lan Guifei punished you—you didn't disappoint her intentions. Your etiquette is still lacking."

Her voice grew louder as she approached. Bai Jingxian had no choice but to stop and bow. "Greetings, Wen Xiuyi."

This was the hierarchy. Bai Jingxian was at a disadvantage.

Seeing her swollen belly, Wen Xiuyi refrained from pushing too far. "You may rise." She raised her hand slightly. The feeling of superiority was intoxicating. "I hear you're carrying twins. I've never seen a twin pregnancy before. It does look quite large." She reached out, trying to touch Bai Jingxian's belly.

Bai Jingxian stepped back, avoiding her touch.

Wen Xiuyi didn't seem bothered. "You have good fortune, but I wonder how long it will last." She withdrew her hand, placing it on her own belly. "You do know that concubines below the thrid rank aren't allowed to raise their own children. If no higher-ranked consort takes them in, they'll be sent to the imperial nursery. I wonder what arrangements the Emperor has in mind for your twins?"