Chapter 135 The Many Faces of the Harem

"Bang—"

"What a fine Shen Meizhuang! I truly underestimated her!"

"Your Majesty, please calm down. She is merely a noblewoman; how can she compare to Your Majesty?"

When Songzhi saw that Nian Shilan had stopped throwing things, she quickly stepped forward to comfort her.

"Really?" Nian Shilan leaned back on the soft couch, slightly out of breath, touching the corner of her eye, somewhat saddened. "Songzhi, do you think I'm getting old?"

"Your Majesty is so beautiful that even the Manchu and Mongol Eight Banners cannot compare to her. How could she possibly grow old?"

"Then why does His Majesty often stay in Lady Shen's palace and not come to see me?" Nian Shilan was somewhat saddened. Love often makes people uncertain, and even someone as proud as Nian Shilan could not help but feel insecure.

"The Emperor's interest is only temporary; it is Your Highness who truly enjoys lasting favor." Songzhi earnestly comforted her from the side, and this was indeed what she thought and said.

"Never mind...you don't understand..." Nian Shilan looked at Songzhi's sincere eyes, feeling somewhat powerless, and waved her hand to let her leave.

She wasn't unaware of Yinzhen's affection for her, but human nature is greedy; the more one gains, the more one desires. The more she loved Yinzhen, the more she wanted to possess him.

She wanted to claim the position of Yinzhen's principal wife, but Yixiu's position was secure; she was Yinzhen's only wife. The more Nian Shilan saw through this, the more distressed she became. Therefore, she couldn't help but provoke Yixiu over trivial matters.

She wanted to occupy the most important place in Yinzhen's heart. But with court affairs, brothers, and children occupying most of Yinzhen's attention, and with her unknown past with Qi Yuebin and Song Wan'er, she could only endure those past experiences she hadn't participated in.

She couldn't get anything she wanted; the only thing she received was the most favored concubine in Yinzhen's heart. She thought that no matter what, Yinzhen had a sliver of genuine affection for her, more genuine affection than all the other women in the harem combined.

Therefore, Nian Shilan treated each of the concubines equally, not wanting any of them to steal away Yinzhen's true feelings. She could not tolerate even a sliver of his true affection for her.

...

At Jingren Palace, upon learning that Yinzhen had stayed at Shen Meizhuang's place for three days, Yixiu felt a pang of sadness, but unlike Nian Shilan, she was not angry.

After all, her position was now secure, and relying on her status as the Empress's primary wife, she naturally wouldn't stoop to argue with the concubines. However, she frowned slightly when she heard that Yinzhen had bestowed upon her the title "Hui".

This was the first time that Yinzhen bypassed her and did not consult her when it came to the ranks and titles of the concubines in the harem.

It was just a title of nobility, nothing serious. But Yixiu still felt uncomfortable that the concubine had offended her authority.

"Consort Hui... I hope that Lady Shen is truly as intelligent and sensible as her title suggests..."

...

At Xianfu Palace, the Cunju Hall, where Shen Meizhuang resided, welcomed two distinguished guests.

"I have met Consort Hui."

"Huan'er, Lingrong, what are you doing? Get up quickly." Shen Meizhuang gave the two a reproachful look and reached out to help them up.

"Sister, this is a joyous occasion, and Lingrong and I naturally wish to offer our congratulations."

"Yes, just by looking at Sister Mei, you can tell that the Emperor cares deeply for her."

"Alright, you two are here to tease me today." Shen Meizhuang smiled shyly, her beauty surpassing even that of flowers. She pulled the two to the table and sat them down, then hurriedly asked Caiyue and Caixing to serve tea.

"This is Longjing tea sent by the Emperor. My two sisters, please have a taste."

With Shen Meizhuang's enthusiastic recommendation, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong exchanged a smile, picked up their teacups, and took a sip. "It's sweet and fragrant, truly worthy of being the Imperial Longjing. Lingrong and I are so fortunate to have such a delicious treat thanks to you, sister."

"That's right, we don't usually have this opportunity. Lingrong, you must stay here and have a few more drinks with your sister."

“Even the best tea can’t shut you two up.” Shen Meizhuang chuckled and beckoned to Caiyue beside her, “Go and pack more tea for your Consort Wan and Consort An. If they keep talking, I can’t take it anymore.”

"Yes, this servant will go right away."

"Sister Mei is so generous. Huan'er thinks these pastries are quite nice too."

"Absolutely, absolutely, Lingrong likes it too."

"Okay, okay, I'll have them all..."

Everyone in the room burst into laughter, and the cheerful, crisp laughter reached the side hall where Feng Ruozhao was. She couldn't help but sigh.

Seeing this, Hanzhu took two steps forward and closed the window. "She's only been favored for a few days, and she's already laughing so brazenly..."

"Hanzhu," Feng Ruozhao said softly, stopping the maid's complaint, "In this harem, being favored is naturally a joyous occasion."

"This servant is just... just feeling sorry for Your Highness." Looking at Feng Ruozhao's gentle demeanor, Hanzhu couldn't help but feel sad for her. Your Highness is so good, how come the Emperor can't see it?

“I know your good intentions, but…” Feng Ruozhao’s gaze fell on the closed window. Even through the window, she could still hear intermittent laughter, and the pure joy in the laughter. “But in this palace, favor is always determined by the emperor’s will… In any case, laughter and liveliness are always good…”

Fearing that the Emperor would visit Cunju Hall again that evening and that Shen Meizhuang might misunderstand, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong did not linger and returned to Zhongcui Palace after offering their congratulations.

The two parted ways at the palace gate. An Lingrong took Zisu's hand and returned to Ningxiang Residence. She was a little tired after walking for so long. She was resting on the soft couch when she suddenly saw the embroidered fan on the table.

A few days ago, Zhen Huan noticed that An Lingrong's room was mostly empty, so she gifted her several landscape paintings under the guise of appreciation. An Lingrong was grateful for Zhen Huan's kindness, so she specially made this embroidered begonia fan as a return gift.

Looking at the completed embroidered fan, An Lingrong thought that it was still early, so she might as well deliver it today. So she took the fan and, with Zisu by her side, headed towards Zhen Huan's Xiaoyu Pavilion.

Because An Lingrong was a regular at Xiaoyu Pavilion, the maid at the door didn't stop her. An Lingrong, with a smile on her face, was about to lift the curtain and go in when she heard a familiar female voice complaining to Zhen Huan.

"What does Consort Hui mean by this? It's just a few ounces of tea leaves, what's there to brag about to Your Highness?"

"Huanbi! Sister Mei isn't that kind of person, don't talk nonsense."

"This servant is not talking nonsense. Consort Hui only benefited from being the first to serve the Emperor. If Your Highness had met the Emperor first, Consort Hui would not have had the chance to serve tea."

"Alright, stop talking. This palace isn't a place you can just spout off about. If you get caught, I can't protect you."

"I was just saying it to you, my lady; I won't tell anyone else."

"Yes, yes, Huanbi is very cautious. Alright, put the tea leaves away."

Hearing this, An Lingrong felt a chill in her heart. This servant girl was so disrespectful to Sister Mei in her words. Would Sister Wan let it go so easily?

Having overheard the conversation by accident, An Lingrong was filled with mixed emotions, but on the surface she could only pretend to be nonchalant, acting as if she had just arrived. She lifted the curtain and called out, "Sister Wan, Lingrong has come to bother you again."

Upon hearing An Lingrong's voice, Zhen Huan was startled at first, but seeing that she walked in with a smile and there was nothing unusual about her, she relaxed and smiled again.

"I am delighted to welcome you, Sister An. May I ask what brings you here?"

"Sister recently gifted Lingrong many calligraphy and paintings, and Lingrong had no way to repay her, so she embroidered a begonia fan for her." An Lingrong's eyes were full of gratitude as she handed over the fan.

Zhen Huan took it and stroked the lifelike crabapple blossoms on it. It was clear that An Lingrong had embroidered it with great care. She was immediately moved and said, "Sister, what are you saying? How can the calligraphy and paintings I gave you compare to your craftsmanship? I have truly received another wonderful gift from you."

"I'm glad you like it, Sister Wan."

...

She stayed at Xiaoyu Pavilion for a while longer, and it was almost time for dinner when An Lingrong finally left. It wasn't until she returned to her residence, finished her dinner, and lay in bed that An Lingrong's expression changed.

It's no wonder she's so cautious; today's events have been too much of a shock. From initial wariness to now getting along well with Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang, An Lingrong was initially quite happy. She had never had such close confidantes before.

She was naturally happy to make friends in the palace, and even felt a little jealous and envious of the childhood friendship between Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang. So she thought of the two of them in everything she did, and only wanted to get closer to them.

Despite their close relationship, Zhen Huan didn't say a word when the maid slandered Shen Meizhuang.

An Lingrong bit her lip, somewhat puzzled and panicked. She could see that Mei-jie (her sister) was a bit aloof, but her feelings for Zhen Huan were genuine. In the beginning, it was Mei-jie who disregarded others' opinions and took the initiative to come to Zhongcui Palace to find Zhen Huan. But Zhen Huan…

Remembering how Zhen Huan had been unusually indulgent towards the maid named Huanbi, An Lingrong felt confused and uneasy. Was it that Zhen Huan's feelings for Shen Meizhuang weren't as deep as she had imagined, or was there something more to the relationship between Zhen Huan and Huanbi?