Chapter 2 Su Yue's Favor
Aruo Fanghe accompanied them, but Jiang Ling refused to accept the birthday gift. Both of them were unhappy, but fearing bad luck, they dared not show it and followed behind silently with their heads bowed.
When they saw that Su Yue's maids Xueyan and Mingcui also had empty hands, their expressions softened somewhat.
It took about two cups of tea to get from Xiefang Pavilion to Funing Palace. The weather was hot and humid. Halfway there, Jiang Ling saw Su Yue's face, which was covered in white powder, like a whitewashed wall after the rain, with powder mixed with water falling off and leaving streaks.
Jiang Ling knew that her condition was not much better. Early in the morning, A'Ruo and Fanghe began to help her with her makeup, applying rouge and powder, dressing her in layers of clothing, and piling powder on her face.
Although Jiang Ling didn't want to dress too formally or bulkily, and even less did she want to have her face painted, she decided to play it safe and not try to be different, so she let Fang He and A Ruo do as they pleased.
Since last night, Jiang Ling has been feeling anxious about going to Funing Palace and hasn't slept well all night.
When Jiang Ling left home in the morning, his body was stiff and his mind was in a daze.
Seeing Su Yue's appearance, and thinking that he must be like a clown on a stage, his tension inexplicably dissipated a bit.
"I felt like a clown, surrounded by laughter and applause, and then utterly empty and lonely..."
These few lyrics kept echoing in her mind; she couldn't remember the rest. In an endless loop of "lonely, lonely, lonely," she arrived at the Fu Ning Palace.
Xueyan and Mingcui stepped forward to help Su Yue with her makeup, while A'ruo Fanghe also took out some cosmetics and applied them to Jiang Ling's face, filling in the creases caused by sweat.
Without a mirror in his hand, Jiang Ling only needed to look at Su Yue. Her face turned snow-white again, no longer resembling a clown, as if a mask was pasted on her face, concealing her true self.
Wearing a layer of armor as a disguise, Jiang Ling relaxed a bit and calmly surveyed the solemn and magnificent palace.
The Funing Palace was bustling yet orderly. The palace maids who were serving at the door went to report, and another palace maid came out to lead them inside.
The palace was lush with flowers and plants, and on two pear trees that were probably over a hundred years old, there were bright orange pears, each the size of a fist. Jiang Ling seemed to smell the sweet fragrance of the pears, and his mouth watered.
Upon entering the main hall, a cool, fragrant breeze greeted Jiang Ling, making him almost sigh with pleasure. Looking around, he saw a row of ice chests in the corner, slowly emitting a chill.
Thinking of his meager amount of ice, Jiang Ling started to feel acid reflux.
Comparing yourself to others is just infuriating!
However, upon seeing Consort Zhao Wanqing sitting at the head of the table, Jiang Ling immediately swallowed back his sour thoughts.
Consort Zhao wore a kingfisher feather crown, a crimson robe embroidered with gold branches and floral patterns, and silk shoes. A dragonfly-shaped jade ornament adorned her eyebrows. She was plump, with a full moon-shaped face, slightly upturned eyes, and a pouting mouth. She was beautiful, but not particularly outstanding in the harem full of beauties.
However, she possessed a unique temperament. Although she was over twenty-five years old this year, which was not considered young among the imperial concubines, she exuded an innocent and naive charm that captivated people without their realizing it.
Su Yue stepped forward to pay her respects, her face beaming with smiles, and said, "Today is Your Majesty's birthday. Congratulations on Your Majesty's good fortune and long life."
Jiang Ling couldn't help but feel awkward and followed Su Yue to offer her congratulations. Consort Zhao's beautiful eyes swept over them, and she nodded with a smile, "You two are very kind. Please have a seat."
Several people were already seated in the hall. Zhao Wanying, the elder sister of Consort Zhao, sat to her left. Consort Li sat next to Consort Zhao, and the two chatted about the weather and other trivial matters. Consort Lin and Lady Xia sat to the right, while Noble Lady Junjun, who lived with Consort Zhao in Funing Palace, sat at the end of the hall.
Su Yue thanked them and greeted Consort Zhao, Consort Li, and the others. Jiang Ling mingled among them, exchanging greetings with them. By the time he sat down, his clothes were soaked with sweat and clung to his body.
A palace maid served tea, which Jiang Ling picked up and took two sips. The tea was fragrant and flavorful, and the temperature was just right. He finally felt relieved after drinking it.
Because of her lower rank and the distance between her and Su Yue, she didn't need to speak and began to have the leisure to observe everyone.
Consort Zhao and Consort Zhao shared some similarities in facial features. Consort Zhao was gentle and dignified, with a slender figure, but the two sisters had completely different temperaments. Consort Zhao entered the palace early, gave birth to the second princess Xiao Jiatang, and was thus granted the title of Consort. Consort Zhao entered the palace later, was highly favored, and after giving birth to the second prince, was granted the title of Consort De.
Li Jieyu, Lin Jieyu, and the others, each with their own unique charm, were all beautiful in their own way. Jiang Ling noticed a common thread: they all wore powder on their faces, as if they were wearing masks. They spoke with smiles and laughter, but their true expressions were impossible to discern, and she suddenly realized something.
A mask—the best makeup in the deep palace!
"Big sister, why didn't Atang come? Just now, Ajue was talking about wanting to play with Atang," Consort Zhao said reproachfully.
Consort Zhao smiled and said, "It's hot, and A-Tang didn't sleep well last night, so she's feeling listless. I didn't let her go out this morning. We'll have A-Tang come to pay her respects to Your Majesty when the weather cools down a bit."
Xiao Jiatang was less than a month older than Xiao Yuqiu, and the two sisters became pregnant around the same time. Like the legendary consorts Ehuang and Nüying, the younger sister held a higher rank than the older sister.
Jiang Ling had been pondering how to address the Zhao sisters. She couldn't help but secretly wonder if they were truly willing to be addressed as "elder sister" or "Your Majesty."
Xiao Yunjue nestled beside Consort Zhao. The five-year-old boy was round and chubby, and was eating a pear as if no one else was around. Juice splashed everywhere, and when his wet nurse tried to wipe it up, he impatiently slapped her away.
Consort Zhao affectionately stroked his large head and said to the wet nurse, "You may leave now and let him go as he pleases."
The wet nurse quickly bowed and withdrew. Consort Zhao lowered her eyes and then smiled again, saying, "A-Jue has always been very opinionated since he was little, just like the Emperor."
Jiang Ling only remembered that the eldest prince, Xiao Yunrui, was born to Consort Lin. Emperor Yuanming had two sons, but there were four or five other princesses. She couldn't remember who their parents were.
Consort Li and the others flattered him with smiles: "The Second Prince is so intelligent and quick-witted, it's truly rare." "It's all thanks to Your Majesty's proper guidance."
Consort Zhao declined modestly, but smiled happily. After sitting and drinking tea for a while, Consort Li got up to take her leave, "It is Your Highness's birthday today, and you will be seeing your family members later, so I will not disturb you any longer."
According to the rules, imperial concubines could not summon their maternal relatives to the palace at will. However, rules are rules, and once a concubine reached a certain rank or gained favor with the emperor, her maternal relatives could frequently visit the palace.
Xia Jieyu and the others rose to take their leave, and Jiang Ling followed closely behind, also bidding farewell.
Consort Zhao did not linger, saying, "When the weather cools down a bit, I will prepare a few more tables of food and drink for everyone."
After a while, the old lady Gao, the mother, and her elder brother and sister-in-law from her maternal family entered the palace together. Consort Zhao and her sister Consort Zhao kept them company and talked. After lunch, the old lady Gao and the others left the palace, and Consort Zhao also took her leave.
Consort Zhao was finally able to catch her breath. After washing up, she sat on the couch and closed her eyes to rest. Granny Huang held up the gift list: "Your Highness, would you like to take a look at it when you have some free time, or would you like to look at it now?"
"His Majesty will be coming later, when have I ever had a moment's rest?" Consort Zhao opened her eyes and reached out to Granny Huang, "Give it to me."
Granny Huang hurriedly presented the gift list with both hands. Consort Zhao examined it carefully one by one, and then smiled slowly. "Chonghua Palace is quite generous. It's another piece of calligraphy by the Yu family from the previous dynasty. Perfect, my Zhao family comes from a military background, so I can get some literary inspiration from the Lin family."
Chonghua Palace was the residence of Consort Lin. Granny Huang listened with her head bowed, not daring to interrupt for a moment.
Consort Zhao said, "Since Sister Liu is ill, let's choose a similar birthday gift from her and send it back as a gesture of visiting her in her illness."
"Yes," Huang Mama replied with a smile, "Consort Liu has been sick every few days and rarely leaves the palace. She can only be seen at banquets where the Emperor is present."
Consort Zhao merely lifted her eyelids slightly, remaining silent as she continued looking at the gift list: "Is it all here?"
"Her Majesty instructed that the Emperor's rewards be accounted for separately, and all the birthday gifts sent are here."
After finishing speaking, Granny Huang slapped her forehead and hurriedly said, "Yesterday evening, Consort Su from Xiefang Pavilion came by and brought a handmade undergarment and two pairs of shoes, saying they were for Her Majesty's birthday. Her Majesty never wears undergarments or shoes made by outsiders, so I forgot about them for a moment after receiving them."
Consort Zhao frowned as she recalled the event, then smiled slightly and said, "Since she sent you the needlework she made herself, send someone to invite her over for tea later."
Granny Huang was taken aback and said, "Your Majesty, the Emperor said he would come to congratulate you on your birthday. Consort Su's intentions are obvious. How can Your Majesty invite her?"
"How can you just accept gifts and not do anything in return?"
Consort Zhao leaned against the soft cushions, her smile fading, her gaze sharp and cold: "Every year, fresh and beautiful young ladies enter the palace. How many more years can this old woman like me enjoy such freshness? Zhao Wanying has pushed all the palace maids who serve her, those who are even slightly decent-looking, before the Emperor. Since there are ready-made ones offered to me, why should I refuse? Su Yue has plenty of them in this palace. If she's so passionate, I'll grant her wish. If she can regain the Emperor's favor, it's because I've helped her, and she should owe me a debt of gratitude. If she's useless, I haven't lost anything."
Granny Huang hurriedly said, "Your Highness is indeed wise and farsighted. I will send someone to deliver the message shortly."
Consort Zhao raised her hand, and Granny Huang withdrew. She closed her eyes for a midday rest.
It's easy to go from frugality to extravagance, but difficult to go from extravagance to frugality. Jiang Ling left the cool and comfortable Funing Palace and returned to Xiefang Pavilion, holding her ice basin, feeling that the weather seemed even hotter.
The next day, Aruo returned from fetching the ice basins, her cheeks flushed. She rushed into the side room, her voice almost distorted: "Lady, Xueyan went to the ice and charcoal room to get ice. The two eunuchs from the ice and charcoal room personally carried two large baskets of ice to the west courtyard!"
Fanghe was tidying up the teacups when she heard this. She looked up in astonishment and said, "How could this be?"
Aruo took a breath, her expression a mixture of envy and anger. "I inquired and heard that yesterday afternoon, Consort Su was summoned to the Funing Palace for tea by Consort De. The Emperor came to congratulate the Consort on her birthday and saw Consort Su at the Funing Palace. That night, he ordered Consort Su to serve him in bed. The Emperor rewarded Consort Su with two bolts of light gauze, so how could the ice and charcoal room dare to withhold her ice!"
She looked at Jiang Ling, angrily saying, "Your Highness, I told you, Consort Su would definitely take advantage of Consort De's birthday celebration to curry favor with her. But you wouldn't listen and refused to give a gift. If you could show your face before the Emperor, how could she possibly have a chance!"
Jiang Ling, clutching her bowl of broken ice, listened in stunned silence, trembling with fear.
Su Yue must have used some underhanded means to be summoned by Consort Zhao.
Why did Consort Zhao send Su Yue to Emperor Yuanming?
From now on, will she have to give up the main room and start calling Su Yue "sister"?
It's pitiful that she couldn't understand any of it; palace intrigue is truly terrifying!
Just then, Xueyan's voice came from outside the door, and A'Ruo hurriedly went out. A moment later, Su Yue walked in first, and she and Xueyan carried a full basin of ice into the house.
Su Yue abandoned her previous cautiousness, straightened her back ramrod straight, and seemed to have grown taller.
She smiled and said, "My room is small and has too much ice; I'm afraid it will be too cold for me. Your room is spacious, so I brought you some ice to cool you down."
Jiang Ling was stunned. Was Su Yue here to deliver ice, or to remind her to be sensible and quickly call her "sister" and give up the main room?
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