Chapter 06 [6]
【6】
The air pressure in the flower hall was extremely low, so low that Lu Zhiwan subconsciously held his breath.
He quickly scanned the hall, making sure that the young beauties in the room were only attacking him with their eyes and would not rush up to him and pull his hair. Only then did he calm down and continue walking inside.
Go ahead and glare at her. It won't hurt her anyway.
After Lu Zhiwan entered the hall, she followed Aunt Qiu Rong's instructions and exchanged greetings with several of the higher-ranking concubines in the palace. Above the third-rank Jieyu, there were the second-rank Zhaoyi and Pinwei, the first-rank Feiwei, and the first-rank Guifei.
Although the Dog Emperor was not a good person, he had many beauties in his harem. Most of these high-ranking concubines were wives of Beijing officials, and their ranks were determined by the official positions of their fathers and brothers. They had nothing to do with their appearance, let alone the emperor's personal likes and dislikes.
Feeling their scrutinizing gazes, Lu Zhiwan felt nothing inside. After all, no one came to the harem to make friends, so it was enough to just look presentable.
She performed the ceremony properly, and every move she made was impeccable. The high-ranking concubines said, "No need to be so polite, Concubine Lu," and lowered their eyelids, looking indifferent and unwilling to pay any attention.
After this awkward initial exchange of greetings, the head maid of Yonghe Palace, Su Yi, slowly emerged from behind the gilded screen depicting a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix. She gazed at the people in the hall and spoke solemnly, "The Imperial Concubine is about to arrive. Please be silent and take your seats."
The concubines straightened their expressions and responded in unison: "Yes."
Soon, the flower hall, which had been a bit chaotic with groups of people just now, became quiet. The bright and beautiful beauties returned to their seats and sat on both sides. Only Lu Zhiwan stood alone, looking at the seats on both sides that were already full, looking out of place.
No one paid any attention to her, and no one showed her a seat. They sat on both sides and looked at her with sneers on their faces, like the audience watching a clown show.
Lu Zhiwan secretly clenched her palms. She finally understood why the original owner was depressed and tearful all day long. Not to mention the original owner who was weak and sensitive, even she, who claimed to be thick-skinned, felt very uncomfortable under such collective exclusion.
But what is this now? A harem version of musical chairs?
Hey, childish.
Lu Zhiwan sneered inwardly, then raised her head and looked directly at the head palace maid Su Yi. "Madam, I am Concubine Lu of Liuxiaxuan. This is my first time to come to Yonghe Palace to pay my respects to the Imperial Concubine. Where is my seat?"
Everyone in the hall was stunned. No one expected her to ask directly, and so calmly, as if she didn't feel embarrassed at all.
Su Yi was also stunned for a moment. When she met Lu Zhiwan's clear and bright black eyes, her heart shuddered for some reason. She lowered her eyes in dismay and said, "Please forgive me, Concubine. It must be the negligence of my stupid subordinates."
At this point, she frowned and scolded the two young palace maids beside her: "What are you all standing there for? Hurry up and bring a chair for Concubine Lu."
The two young palace maids were inexplicably attacked, and both looked terrified. They responded hurriedly and quickly followed the order.
After a while, a brand new armchair was moved to the front of the hall.
The little palace maid asked nervously, "Sister Suyi, where should we put this chair?"
"Here, put it over there."
Su Yi raised her hand to signal the young palace maid to move the chair between Concubine Hu and Lady Zhao. Then, with an apologetic smile, she said to Lady Zhao, "Lady Zhao, Concubine Lu is of a higher rank than you, so you must move aside. Please bear with me."
Concubine Zhao's face was frozen. She felt resentful but didn't dare to vent it on Su Yi. After all, Su Yi represented Concubine Gu. She could only hold this grudge against Lu Zhiwan and forced a gritted smile: "Of course."
She swung her handkerchief and made room for him. Su Yi then turned around and made a gesture of invitation to Lu Zhiwan: "Lu Jieyu, please take a seat."
Lu Zhiwan raised his eyebrows slightly and looked deeply at the palace maid in the green palace dress.
As expected of a servant of the imperial concubine, he managed to draw a lot of hatred towards her with just a chair.
Concubine Hu and Lady Zhao already disliked me, and after this, the bullying gang would hate me to death - this trick of sowing discord was really good!
Although he was secretly complaining, Lu Zhiwan tried his best to ignore the "eye attacks" from both sides, and sat down on the chair that symbolized his rank with a calm face.
Hate it all you want, she doesn't care anyway.
When everyone saw her sitting between Concubine Hu and Lady Zhao without changing her expression or heartbeat, they couldn't help but feel puzzled: I heard before that Lu was timid and fearful, and she was like a mouse seeing a cat when she saw Concubine Hu and the others. Why was she so abnormal today?
Concubine Hu glanced at Lu Zhiwan several times without making a sound. Since yesterday afternoon, Lu Zhiwan seemed like a completely different person. Was her earlier fear and caution all feigned? Or had His Majesty summoned her once, and she had become arrogant because of the favor?
As everyone was lost in thought, the eunuch's voice came from behind the screen: "The Imperial Concubine has arrived—"
The concubines' faces turned pale, and they all stood up: "Your servants/concubines respectfully welcome the Imperial Concubine, may the Imperial Concubine be blessed with good health."
Lu Zhiwan also followed the main group and saluted respectfully.
In the quiet flower hall, there was the sound of soft footsteps, accompanied by the jingling of bracelets around her waist. An ambiguous gaze seemed to pass over her head and then slowly moved away.
"No need to be so polite." A lazy and clear female voice came from above.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." The concubines straightened up and sat down again.
Lu Zhiwan also took the opportunity to get a glimpse of the true appearance of this imperial concubine with a prominent background.
Sitting on the throne inlaid with gems, the imperial concubine was wearing a bright purple palace gown with peony flowers woven in silver thread. She had luxuriant hair, beautiful eyebrows, white teeth, and the most outstanding feature of her fair oval face was her slightly upturned fox eyes. When she squinted at people, she showed the noble temperament of a daughter of heaven.
The dog emperor is so lucky!
Lu Zhiwan's eyes lit up, but then he thought again, what a pity, there are so many beauties of different shapes and sizes, but he is the only one who can't match them - oh, this is really asking how much sorrow one can have, just like a group of eunuchs going to a brothel.
For a moment, Lu Zhiwan didn't know whether to envy the emperor or sympathize with him.
She was sighing for the emperor, while Concubine Gu, who was sitting on the upper seat, was secretly looking at her.
Seeing Lu Zhiwan sitting quietly with his head lowered like a quail, Concubine Gu curled the corners of her rosy lips.
Although Mrs. Lu was of decent appearance, she was the daughter of a minor official in the countryside, and she exuded a petty and unpresentable air. It was unknown what the emperor cousin saw in her.
Suppressing her melancholy, Imperial Concubine Gu exchanged a few pleasantries with the other concubines seated at the top, then took a leisurely sip from the teacup beside her. She then cleared her throat and glanced at Lu Zhiwan, who was to her lower right. "Is this Miss Lu, the one His Majesty summoned last night? Raise your head, and let me see how stunningly beautiful she is, to be so beloved by His Majesty that she's even been promoted two ranks."
Lu Zhiwan's eyebrows twitched. Here it comes, here comes the attack.
She clenched her long fingers in her sleeves, rose from the armchair, and bowed to the purple-robed beauty in the upper seat, saying, "I, your concubine Lu, pay my respects to the Imperial Concubine. May the Imperial Concubine be in good health."
Concubine Gu narrowed her eyes and tapped the armrest of the throne with her slender jade fingers: "Come closer."
After hesitating for a moment, Lu Zhiwan stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty."
"Closer."
“…”
Not until they were three steps away from the imperial concubine's throne did Imperial Concubine Gu feel satisfied. She stared at Lu Zhiwan's face with her fox eyes and said in an unclear tone, "She is indeed a beauty..."
Suddenly he raised his hand again, and the fingers wearing pointed gold-wire glazed armor stretched straight towards Lu Zhiwan's face.
Lu Zhiwan's pupils shrank and she subconsciously wanted to hide, but her reason told her to stay calm!
No matter how arrogant and jealous the imperial concubine was, she would never disfigure her in public - that would be the same as slapping the emperor in the face.
When the other concubines in the hall saw the imperial concubine suddenly reach out her hand, they all gasped, feeling nervous yet unable to hide their excitement at watching the show.
Just as everyone held their breath, the cold and hard glass armor finally landed on Lu Zhiwan's fair right cheek.
There was a slight stinging pain, but not the kind of pain that comes from having your skin cut open.
Lu Zhiwan frowned slightly, feeling her face must have turned red. But she couldn't afford to offend the person in front of her, so she could only endure it for the time being.
The pointed armor slid down her delicate cheeks like a dagger slicing through fine silk, exuding a dangerous aura. "Sister Lu has such a beautiful figure that even I can't take my eyes off her. No wonder His Majesty likes her so much."
When it came to the word "like", Concubine Gu emphasized it particularly hard and applied a little more strength to her hands.
Lu Zhiwan gasped in pain. Damn, was her prediction wrong? This beautiful imperial concubine was a lunatic. Was she really going to disfigure her?!
When the armor poked at him again, Lu Zhiwan's desire to survive made him quickly dodge.
Concubine Gu's expression darkened: "Concubine Lu?"
Lu Zhiwan took a step back and smiled awkwardly, "Your Highness, I am too kind to compliment you. I, a humble concubine, dare not show off my skills in front of you. Your Highness's armor is very delicate. It would be disgraceful if I were to get my skin damaged."
Concubine Gu was slightly stunned. She obviously didn't expect that Lu Zhiwan, who looked weak and gentle, was actually such a smooth talker?
Just as she was about to speak after recovering her composure, she saw the chief eunuch hurried in, bowing respectfully, "Your Highness, the Empress Dowager has ordered that after you have finished paying your respects, Concubine Lu should go to the Cining Palace."
Not only Lu Zhiwan, but all the other concubines present were also shocked.
Everyone in the harem knew that the empress dowager devoted herself to chanting Buddha's name, lived in seclusion, and rarely cared about the affairs of the harem. Now she actually took the initiative to summon this Lu Zhiwan?
Concubine Gu's expression also stiffened a little. She glanced at the two red marks on Lu Zhiwan's cheeks and her eyes flashed slightly. Fortunately, it was not deep, otherwise if her aunt saw it, it would cause more trouble.
But what did my aunt want Lu Zhiwan to do?
Concubine Gu was puzzled, and Lu Zhiwan herself was even more bewildered. She hadn't even figured out how to deal with all these concubines, both big and small, and now there was the Empress Dowager? How could she even breathe a sigh of relief?
"Since the Queen Mother wants to see you, then go ahead and don't keep her waiting for too long."
Concubine Gu stroked her long armor, her dark eyes squinting at Lu Zhiwan, her tone neither cold nor indifferent, "But I must remind you that although you are favored by His Majesty, as a concubine, you should be cautious in your words and actions in this harem. Don't take advantage of your favor and do anything that breaks the rules."
Lu Zhiwan lowered her eyelashes, looking extremely apprehensive. "I will remember your teachings, Your Highness. I will exercise self-discipline and prudence in the future, and live in harmony with the other sisters in the harem."
"That's better." Concubine Gu pursed her lips and snorted softly, "You should know what to say and what not to say in front of my aunt later."
"I saved it." Lu Zhiwan bowed to Concubine Gu and said, "Then I will take my leave first."
Concubine Gu waved her hand impatiently, and Lu Zhiwan did not stay any longer and left with Aunt Qiu Rong.
Seeing that slender figure disappear in the flower hall, Concubine Gu was in no mood to continue greeting the concubines. She rubbed her forehead, said she was tired, and ordered everyone to disperse.
"Your Majesty, there seems to be some marks on Concubine Lu's face..." Su Yi supported Concubine Gu and went to the inner hall: "She won't say bad things about you in front of the Queen Mother, right?"
Concubine Gu played with the armor and said slowly, "The Queen Mother is my aunt. She is helping her family. There is no need to worry."
"Your Majesty is right." Su Yi nodded in agreement and recounted the story of how she had moved the chair to make room for Concubine Zhao. Finally, she added, "Perhaps because she has received the favor, I think she doesn't take Concubine Du and Concubine Zhao seriously at all."
"It was only a single visit. The emperor's mind is unpredictable. Can she guarantee that her favor will last forever?" Concubine Gu scoffed. "I think His Majesty is just looking for a temporary novelty. Once the excitement wears off, this wild girl will suffer... By the way, I asked you to investigate His Majesty's whereabouts yesterday. Did you find out?"
"I found out. Your Majesty, yesterday..."
Su Yi hesitated to speak. After sending the palace maids away, she approached Concubine Gu and whispered something in a very secretive manner.
Concubine Gu listened quietly, her eyebrows gradually furrowed, and she murmured incomprehensibly: "Such a shabby place, how could he care so much about it..."
***
In the Hall of Supreme Harmony, it was almost noon when the long and boring court meeting ended.
The bright sunlight enveloped the majestic and golden imperial city. The branches and leaves of the crabapple flowers blooming on both sides of the avenue were reflected between the high vermilion walls, appearing dim and brilliant.
On the imperial sedan chair, Xiao Jingting supported his forehead with one hand and stared at the flowers and trees blooming between the palace walls for a while. Suddenly, he remembered something and turned to look at Yu Mingjiang who was walking beside him in the sedan chair: "My dear companion."
Yu Mingjiang stepped forward: "The old servant is here."
"Is that woman still in the Yangxin Palace?"
"Your Majesty, are you asking about Concubine Lu?" Yu Mingjiang raised his head slightly and replied gently, "Not long after you went to court, she went to Yonghe Palace to pay her respects to the Imperial Concubine."
As if hearing something interesting, Xiao Jingting narrowed his eyes slightly: "She went to see Gu Yuer? That's someone you don't want to mess with."
Yu Mingjiang didn't want to talk about the imperial concubine, so he lowered his eyes and said nothing.
The young emperor on the imperial carriage didn't care, and his thumb unconsciously rubbed his palm.
He didn't feel anything before, but now he can clearly distinguish the feeling of being touched by others and the feeling of being touched by himself. They are so different.
After pondering for a moment, he asked Yu Mingjiang: "Did Gu Yuer do anything to her?"
Yu Mingjiang's eyes moved slightly. It seemed that His Majesty was indeed somewhat concerned about Concubine Lu.
"Your Majesty, rest assured. Concubine Lu was invited to Yonghe Palace not long after she arrived."
"Is she still in the Cining Palace now?"
"Yes, Xiao Xizi just reported that Concubine Lu is still at the Empress Dowager's and has not come out yet." Yu Mingjiang answered while cautiously looking up at the emperor. Seeing the handsome face, which was already cold and pale, and looked almost pale and transparent in the sunlight, his eyes were dazed for a moment.
When he came to his senses, he asked softly, "Your Majesty, would you like to go over and take a look?"
"No."
Xiao Jingting waved his hand nonchalantly, his tall body lazily leaning back in his chair, letting the dazzling sunlight shine on his face. His voice was as cold and indifferent as ice: "As long as she is alive until I figure out what's wrong, it's fine."
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