Chapter Sixty-Three: Addressing Each Other as Sisters
"Your Majesty, I thank you." Jiang Huan forced a smile, secretly reaching out to remove the gold hairpin. "But such a precious item... I'm afraid..."
Seeing this, Consort Jia grabbed her hand and pressed her nails down so hard they almost dug into Jiang Huan's flesh.
"Is my sister rejecting my gift?"
Jiang Huan smiled slightly and used a clever trick to break free from Consort Jia.
“This gold hairpin is a pair with the one in Your Highness’s hair. I am of lowly rank and how can I be worthy to wear it with Your Highness?”
As she spoke, she took off the gold hairpin and made a gesture as if she were to enshrine it.
"Why don't I take it back and offer incense to it every day, so that I can always remember Your Majesty's kindness?"
It's just a matter of striking first; she actually managed to come out on top!
Consort Jia's expression changed slightly, and her fingers, painted with nail polish, unconsciously tightened.
"What do you mean by this, sister? I specially ordered it to be made..."
"Your Majesty, please forgive me."
Jiang Huan quickly curtsied, her tone becoming even more respectful: "It is precisely because Your Majesty has bestowed this gift upon me that I dare not be negligent. Otherwise, if I were to ruin it with my clumsy hands, wouldn't I be letting Your Majesty down?"
Consort Jia was speechless for a moment, and was about to lash out when she saw Jiang Huan carefully put the gold hairpin into the brocade pouch and tie it into a pretty knot.
"Your Majesty, rest assured, I will place it in the most prominent position on the dressing table."
Jiang Huan smiled innocently, "Every day when I do my hair and makeup, I think of Your Majesty's kindness."
Consort Jia's lips twitched, knowing there was nothing more to say on this topic.
Fortunately, he managed to change the subject with a smile, but still couldn't hide his affection for Jiang Huan as he leaned close to her.
"My sister is so kind, I, as her elder sister, cannot neglect her. Please try this rose pastry, it's a new creation from the Imperial Kitchen."
Consort Jia pushed a plate of pastries in front of her, the nail guards on her hands gleaming coldly under the palace lanterns.
Jiang Huan stared at the pink pastry as if it were rat poison.
But her smile was as bright as a flower: "Thank you, Your Majesty, but I just had some snacks in the Imperial Study and I really can't eat anymore."
"Oh, then have some tea."
Consort Jia then handed over a teacup, saying, "This is Xueya tea, a tribute from Nanzhao. Only ten taels of it are produced each year."
The tea soup is clear and bright, with a delightful aroma.
Jiang Huan then recalled the eunuch who had been pierced through the heart by Huo Lin's sword.
Consort Jia added quite a bit of "ingredients" to her tea, so it's hard to say that this tea soup isn't the second one.
"Your Majesty is very kind."
She took the teacup and quietly dipped the silver bracelet from her wrist into the tea.
Although I don't believe that Consort Jia would be so blatant, it's always good to be careful.
The silver bracelet remained lustrous and white.
Jiang Huan quietly raised her eyes and met Consort Jia's smiling eyes.
"Try it, little sister."
Jiang Huan tacitly agreed, lowered her head and took a small sip. The aroma of the tea bloomed on her tongue; it was indeed exquisite.
"Good tea," she said politely, but inwardly she was even more wary.
"Actually, the reason I invited my sister here today is to apologize," Consort Jia suddenly sighed.
Her eyes were slightly red. "Back at the palace... I was confused for a moment."
Jiang Huan's fingertips trembled, and she inwardly rolled her eyes to the heavens.
Did the Feast at Hongmen include a song about self-inflicted injury?
"Your Majesty's words are truly too kind."
She lowered her eyes to hide the doubt in them, "Your Highness is of noble status, why blame yourself so much?"
"It's understandable that my sister doesn't believe me."
Consort Jia touched the corner of her eye with a handkerchief. "After reflecting on my mistakes in seclusion these past few days, I have come to understand many things."
She suddenly grasped Jiang Huan's hand, "The Emperor likes my sister, so I should extend that affection to her as well."
Those hands were icy cold and smooth, wrapping around me like snakes.
Jiang Huan resisted the urge to pull away, feeling the hairs on her body stand on end.
This bizarre display of "sisterly affection" continued until the third watch of the night.
When Jiang Huan walked out of Chang Le Palace, her back was already covered in a layer of cold sweat.
"Your Majesty, what's wrong with Consort Jia..." Xiao Zhao helped her up, her voice trembling.
Jiang Huan shook her head: "Let's go back first."
Upon returning to Weiyang Palace, Jiang Huan immediately put away the hairpin that Consort Jia had given her.
I thought out of sight, out of mind, so I simply threw it in a corner to feed the mice.
But then another thought crossed his mind: what if he fell right into Consort Jia's trap and was accused of disrespecting a concubine?
The trouble that follows will be huge.
As night fell, Jiang Huan lay in bed, reviewing everything that had happened that day.
I just can't figure out what Consort Jia is up to.
Before I knew it, I had fallen asleep.
The next morning, just as Jiang Huan finished washing up, the nanny from Cining Palace arrived.
"Her Majesty the Empress Dowager requests that Consort Zhuang come over for a talk."
Jiang Huan's heart tightened.
The Empress Dowager had always disliked her, and suddenly summoned her...
It's definitely not a good thing.
She said the palace and she were incompatible, and before she'd even settled in, trouble was already piling up.
The Cining Palace was even more solemn than the Changle Palace. Amidst the swirling sandalwood incense, the Empress Dowager sat at the head of the table.
Consort Jia was also there, affectionately massaging the Empress Dowager's shoulders.
"This concubine greets Your Majesty the Empress Dowager." Jiang Huan bowed respectfully.
The Empress Dowager did not wake him, but slowly and methodically turned the prayer beads.
"I heard that His Majesty stayed in the Imperial Study until late last night again?"
Jiang Huan maintained her bowing posture; after all, she had to kneel as punishment every time she came to Cining Palace, it had almost become a fixed routine.
"Your Majesty's diligence in governing is truly a blessing for the people."
"Is it because he is diligent in his duties, or is someone preventing him from leaving?"
The Empress Dowager suddenly slammed her teacup down. "Consort Zhuang, do you know your crime?"
Jiang Huan's temple throbbed, and her knee twitched silently.
In all honesty and justice, did she offer a wrong suggestion while trying to serve the country?
"Mother, please don't frighten my sister." Consort Jia suddenly spoke up, her voice sickeningly sweet. "Consort Zhuang is the most well-mannered; how could she possibly do something like clinging to the Emperor?"
The Empress Dowager sat high on her throne, her gaze sweeping over Jiang Huan's waist and abdomen like a knife.
"Hmph, if she were truly virtuous, she should understand the doctrine that having no offspring is a grave offense! The Emperor summons you to his side every day, yet your belly remains perfectly still?"
Even if you gave her eight mouths, she still wouldn't be able to answer that question.
The Emperor summoned her there eleven times out of ten, it was for an extra meal at night.
Getting pregnant is impossible, but I can try to develop a small belly.
Jiang Huan's inner monologue was quite dramatic, but she dared not show it on her face, only kneeling with her head bowed and eyes lowered.
"I am foolish and dull, and have failed to produce offspring for the royal family. I beg Your Majesty to punish me."
The Empress Dowager snorted coldly, "Since you know you are useless, you should advise the Emperor to bestow his favors equally. If the harem remains childless for a long time, can you bear the blame?"
"I will remember the Empress Dowager's teachings and will certainly advise Your Majesty."
The Empress Dowager's expression softened slightly, and she glanced meaningfully at Consort Jia, saying, "The Lin family has been loyal and virtuous for generations. Your Majesty should not neglect Consort Jia."
Jiang Huan suddenly realized, "Good heavens, it turns out they were all shills from the Lin family."
"I understand," she replied obediently.
"Good that you understand." Seeing that Jiang Huan was sensible, the Empress Dowager suddenly smiled. "I heard that the Emperor likes your food. In that case, you sisters should go and serve the Emperor a meal together."
Consort Jia immediately took Jiang Huan's arm affectionately: "That's exactly what I was thinking. I even made plans with Consort Zhuang yesterday to go together."
Jiang Huan stared wide-eyed and gave a dry laugh.
What a thick skin! He can lie without batting an eye.
They used to be at odds, but now they're acting like fake best friends?
If the Oscars don't go to Consort Jia next year, she'll question whether the organizing committee is involved in any shady dealings.
The Empress Dowager nodded in satisfaction: "Very good. Remember, only when the inner palace is harmonious can the Emperor concentrate on governing the country."
As they left Cining Palace, Consort Jia still clung to Jiang Huan, saying, "Don't be nervous, sister. I'm just going that way."
Jiang Huan forced a smile: "It would be an honor for me to walk with Your Highness."
"Oh, just call me sister."
Consort Jia leaned close to her ear, her warm breath brushing against her earlobe.
"It's getting late, let's hurry to the Imperial Kitchen. I've heard that my sister's cooking is excellent, so you can't hold back today."
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