Chapter 82 Imperial Concubine
The Fifth Prince's eyes widened suddenly: "Did you do this? Did you wear a scented pendant? Can I see it?"
Qiu Heng took off the fragrant pendant hanging from her waist and handed it over.
It was a koi-shaped pendant; the koi was slightly plump and exceptionally lively and festive.
The Fifth Prince took a liking to it at first sight: "Why is this koi so fat?"
Qiu Heng replied, "Being a little fatter means you're living a good life."
"Hahaha—" The Fifth Prince was overjoyed and looked up at Consort Shu. "Mother, Sister Qiu is so funny."
“Miss Qiu is right. Alright, hurry up and return the sachet to Miss Qiu, don’t delay her business.”
The Fifth Prince handed the incense pendant back to Qiu Heng, his eyes filled with reluctance.
As the Fifth Prince, he had seen countless precious objects, but the scented pendant was a newly popular item outside the palace and had not yet spread within it. This chubby koi, on the other hand, was adorably plump, exactly what the Fifth Prince, at his age, would appreciate.
Qiu Heng took the sachet with both hands and stepped aside, waiting for Consort Shu and her son to leave.
Consort Shu watched coldly and nodded secretly when she saw that Qiu Heng did not say anything about giving the fragrant pendant to the Fifth Prince when he expressed his affection.
Originally, Qiu Liu had taken the initiative to say that she was the one who made the sachet, and she thought the girl was a bit arrogant, but now it seems that she is quite sensible.
If Goro likes it, she can just mention it to Akiko later.
Consort Shu nodded slightly to Qiu Heng and led the Fifth Prince away.
Zheng Yu looked at Qiu Heng with a complicated expression: "Sixth Miss Qiu, this way."
This young girl was not afraid at all when she first entered the palace and met Consort Shu and the Fifth Prince. She even dared to talk nonsense and say that the fish was fat because it was living a good life.
Unable to resist glancing at the fragrant pendant hanging from the girl's waist, Zheng Yu had to admit: it's hard to say that such a plump fish is living a bad life...
Qiu Heng met Qiu Meiren, Qiu Da Guniang Qiu He, in the side hall.
"I have seen a beautiful woman."
Qiu Meiren sat on the chaise longue, looking at the girl who bowed to her: "Sixth sister, just call me eldest sister. Please sit down."
After Qiu Heng sat down, Qiu Meiren took a closer look at her.
At the age when flowers are just beginning to bloom, she is more beautiful than the flowers themselves, and in terms of color, she is the best among her sisters.
Qiu Heng was also looking at Qiu Meiren.
The woman, in her early twenties, looked like a member of the Qiu family, yet a sense of weariness emanated from her eyes.
Like dried flowers devoid of moisture, they are desolate and forlorn; a mere touch of a fingertip would shatter their beauty.
"Sixth Sister, do you still remember when you were little?" Qiu Meiren asked.
Qiu Heng could sense that Qiu Meiren's question was less out of curiosity and more out of a polite way of keeping the atmosphere from getting too awkward.
"I don't remember. My adoptive parents said I was very frightened at the time."
"Sixth Sister has suffered." Qiu Meiren didn't ask any further questions, or even inquire about the recent situation of the people in the Yongqing Marquis's Mansion. Her gaze fell on the koi fish pendant. "Was the koi fish pendant that Sixth Sister wore also handmade?"
"yes."
"Sixth Sister is truly intelligent and kind-hearted, able to create such elegant and popular items."
"You flatter me, sister. I'm glad you don't mind."
Qiu Meiren smiled sweetly: "How could I dislike it? Sixth Sister, you don't know, but the pair of butterfly-shaped pendants you gave me caught the eye of the Imperial Concubine. It is thanks to the Imperial Concubine that we sisters can meet today."
Qiu Heng looked surprised.
"So—" Qiu Meiren paused, then revealed the real reason Qiu Heng had come to the palace today, "The Imperial Concubine wishes to see Sixth Sister."
"Does the Imperial Concubine wish to see me?"
"Yes. Sixth Sister, go with Zheng Yu now, don't keep the Imperial Concubine waiting."
Qiu Heng stood up, but Qiu Meiren called her back: "Sixth Sister doesn't have any butterfly decorations on her, does she?"
"No."
"That's good. Her Highness the Imperial Concubine likes butterflies, so everyone else should stay away."
"My sister knows."
Qiu Meiren watched Qiu Heng leave with Zheng Yu, her eyes filled with worry.
In this imperial harem, the strict rules aren't the problem; as long as they're followed, that's fine. The real fear is Consort Yu's unpredictable temper and erratic behavior.
She hated her grandfather and parents, but didn't want her sisters to follow in her footsteps.
Consort Yu lived in the Jade Palace. Unlike the gentle and elegant Hibiscus Palace, the Jade Palace was grand and magnificent.
As soon as Qiu Heng stepped into the palace gate, she saw several cranes spread their wings and fly away, as if she had entered a fairyland.
"Qiu Meiren's younger sister, Qiu Liu, has come to pay her respects to the Imperial Concubine."
After hearing Zheng Yu's words, the palace servant went in to report.
The palace was filled with layers of curtains and a fragrant aroma. Consort Yu leaned against a chaise longue and said lazily, "Bring her in."
Qiu Heng walked on the brocade carpet and was led to Consort Yu.
"Greetings, Your Highness the Imperial Concubine."
Consort Yu lifted her eyelids slightly: "Get up and speak."
As Qiu Heng straightened up, Consort Yu glanced sideways at her face and smiled gently: "Even more beautiful than your sister."
In terms of age, Consort Yu was a few years younger than Consort Qiu, yet her comments on people were so casual, revealing her disdain for others.
"Your Majesty flatters me."
Consort Yu raised an eyebrow: "What flattery? I have no patience for polite words. You're so young, where did you learn to be so old-fashioned?"
Zheng Yu, who was standing silently to the side, kept his head down and secretly worried for Qiu Heng.
This is what makes this Imperial Concubine so terrifying. A perfectly ordinary remark can easily offend her, and she can turn on you in an instant.
Qiu Heng couldn't help but raise her eyes to look at Consort Yu, who had suddenly flared up.
A woman of unparalleled beauty, even when she turns her back, is still captivating.
There was once a controversy that Consort Yu should be listed as one of the traitors, and that she should be condemned for bewitching the emperor and bringing disaster to the country and its people.
The master, who was the national advisor, disagreed.
He said that women should not be involved in politics or command troops, yet the blame for the fall of a country and the destruction of a family is placed on a woman, which only invites ridicule from future generations.
Thus, the six thieves became five thieves, and some people, unable to quell their resentment, called Consort Yu a demonic concubine.
The Five Thieves and One Demon were six people who were cursed by countless Xia people after the capital was moved south.
Having met her today, I can see that Consort Yu's temperament is indeed unpredictable.
"When I ask you a question, you don't answer, but instead look at me. Is there something on your mind?"
"No," Qiu Heng said calmly but respectfully. "This humble woman was captivated by Your Majesty's radiance and was mesmerized."
Zheng Yu stood to the side, dumbfounded.
Instead of being frightened to tears by the sudden change in attitude of the Imperial Concubine, he was able to calmly flatter her!
"You little rascal—" Consort Yu raised her chin and suddenly laughed, "Did you make those butterfly-shaped pendants for Consort Qiu?"
"yes."
"I heard you grew up in the countryside, why do you do this?"
"My adoptive parents made a living by collecting incense. I was influenced by them from a young age and developed a slight talent for it. By chance, I met a wandering Taoist priest who taught me how to make incense pendants."
"That sounds legendary." Consort Yu looked skeptical, her fingers twirling the butterfly-shaped pendant. "I quite like this pendant, but the scent isn't to my liking. Make another pair."
"I wonder what fragrance Your Highness prefers?"
"I like the fragrance of plum blossoms."
It is a common perception that butterflies and plum blossoms do not go well together.
Butterflies fluttering in summer, how could they possibly smell the fragrance of plum blossoms?
"Your Majesty understands. The finished incense pendants need to be aged in a cellar to settle, so Your Majesty will have to wait for some time."
"It's alright."
Suddenly, a palace attendant announced, "His Majesty has arrived!"
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