The Job Of An Imperial Concubine

34

TJOAIC 34 – WOMEN (女人)

Green robes with plain sleeves. A jade cup holding green tea.　　

Feng Jin looked at the steaming teacup before him. Within were green tea leaves. Although he had yet to drink it, he could already smell the faint fragrance of tea. 　　

After the evening meal, he watched as a beauty lifted a small cup. Such a wonderful sight. If the beauty’s action was graceful and moving, it would be a wonderful sight even more uplifting. This was his first time learning his own Chongyi Zhao was talented at brewing tea. Even though her skill was lacking, at the very least her actions of brewing the tea and drinking it were pleasant to the eye.　　

He lifted the teacup and took a light sip. The fragrant taste lingered in his mouth. Feng Jin smiled as he looked at Zhuang Laoyan. “The tea brewed by beloved concubine leaves a fragrant aftertaste. This tea is worthy of being called Beauty Tea.”　　

Zhuan Laoyan listened to the sound of falling rain from the window. She smiled. “Your Majesty is teasing this concubine. It has rained for several days. It could be considered to have made up for the summer drought. We don’t have to worry that there won’t be enough water to transplant rice seedlings.” 　　

Feng Jin set down the teacup. A gentle smile spread across his lips. “Beloved concubine is knowledgeable about farming?”　　

“This concubine doesn’t know much about it. It’s just that this concubine usually has a lot of free time and read some books related to farming. It’s just to pass time.” Zhuang Laoyan pushed back the hair on her forehead, revealing a shy smile. “This concubine is not knowledgeable about poetry. Rather, this concubine is more interested in these miscellaneous topics.”　

“To be fond of these topics is also good.” Feng Jin rose to his feet and went to Zhuang Laoyan’s side. All of a sudden, he bent down and lifted her. It scared Zhuang Laoyan to the point she wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Your Majesty!” Zhuang Laoyan really didn’t understand this being that was the emperor. His way of thinking was too different from that of ordinary people.　　

 “Such a fine moment. Would beloved concubine only be drinking tea with Us?” Feng Jin carried the beauty into the inner chamber. This was the first time he visited Xihe Palace ever since she had moved here. The furnishings and decorations were all tasteful. However, they were not exquisite. Still, they made others feel comfortable as soon as they entered the residence.

He removed the only ornament in her hair: a jade hairpin. Her hair fell upon her shoulders like water down a stream. An immensely amorous sight.　　

The so-called half-mast come-hither look wasn’t the most charming. Rather,  for the other party to be unaware of her own suggestive charm and coyness was the hardest thing for men to resist during lovemaking. Zhuang Laoyan watched as the emperor transformed into a wolf. Smiling, she hooked her legs around his waist. As an imperial concubine, she needed to observe professional ethics. When hard work was required, then she needed to do her best.　　

The emperor’s actions in bed were very bold and vigorous. As such, Zhuang Laoyan, who had originally suspected he would have trouble getting it up, sighed deeply at the high-grade tonics of the imperial palace.　　

However, Feng Jin wasn’t an emperor who flipped a name tag every day. Zhuang Laoyan wasn’t sure if he was like this with every woman. If not, it could be considered proof that he was fascinated with her.

Gao Dezhong, who was standing outside the door, had already instructed the servants to prepare the bath. Although it was raining, it was already summer. After their activities, the emperor would definitely want to bathe. So he had prepared in advance.　　

As the emperor rose to take a bath, Zhuang Laoyan pretended to be asleep. She was very convincing. As the emperor carried her to the tub, she felt that there were some benefits for his body being strong.　　

Perhaps because the water was at the perfect temperature, or perhaps the emperor’s skill in helping wash someone had improved, Zhuang Laoyan actually gradually fell asleep.　　

She woke up early the next morning. The emperor had yet to wake. Zhuang Laoyan did not open her eyes, and only shuffled closer to his side. Never had she thought that in the next moment, the emperor would throw his arms around her and pull her even closer.　

　　　

She still did not get up to help him dress. Zhuang Laoyan stayed in bed and watched as he left. Then she massaged her sore waist. After sleeping some more, she brushed her hair and freshened up. While her meals, clothing, and dwelling were decent, the only painful thing was to pay respects to the empress so early in the morning every day. Now that she thought about it, it was also painful for the empress. Early every day, she had to look at the pampered and timid concubines. Not only that, she could not reveal her unhappiness.　　

“Master, how should we arrange for the little personal kitchen?” Yunxi and Tingzhu helped Zhuang Laoyan into her clothes. They did not know how to go forward on that matter. 　　

“Only use our people to work there.” Zhuang Laoyan wanted her own food to be guaranteed safe. She chose a white-jade hairpin and handed it to Tingzhu. “When you cook meals, make sure not to go pass what is expected of a chongyi. Everything else you should be clear of. I don’t have anything else to say.”　　

That the emperor gave permission to Xihe Palace to have its own kitchen had already spread to the ears of every master of a palace. They all had their own thoughts. However, no one came out to talk about it. After all, there was something quite abnormal about Chongyi Zhao. If she had actually received heaven’s protection, and they caused trouble with her, who knew if they would have the same outcome as that eunuch and two palace maids?

Furthermore, the emperor treated her so well. Perhaps it was not just a coincidence.

As the most noble woman in the imperial harem other than the empress, Noble Consort Shu was not a woman who forgot herself after being favored by the emperor. After she had heard this news, her first feeling wasn’t jealousy but wonder. 　　

She was baffled by the manner in which the emperor treated Chongyi Zhao. If they called it pampering, then the emperor flipped Chongyi Zhao’s nametag less than he flipped hers, Zhaorong Xu’s, or Noble Imperial Concubine Yan’s. If they called it not pampering, then the emperor was very dedicated toward her.　　

Carefully picking a few jade hairpins, Noble Consort Shu stood. No matter what, if that Chongyi Zhao truly obtained the emperor’s heart…　

“Your Highness, Xiuyi Su has arrived.”　　

“Let her wait outside. I will come out as soon as possible.” After checking her reflection in the mirror one more time and making sure her makeup was flawless, Noble Consort Shu left the room.　　　　

Once Xiuyi Su caught sight of Noble Consort Shu, she quickly approached her. “Elder cousin, I heard that last night the emperor flipped Chongyi Zhao’s nametag. And he even gave permission for Xihe Palace to have its own small kitchen.”　　

“How could we have the ability to advise His Majesty’s matters?” Noble Consort Shu glanced at Xiuyi Su, cold enough to freeze. Noticing the other woman’s resentful expression, she retracted her gaze. She lightly said, “Don’t forget what can be said and what cannot.”　　

In an instant, Xiuyi Su flushed. Then she lowered her head. “Understood, elder cousin.”　　

In Jingyang Palace, the empress sat in the seat of honor. She watched as the beauties entered the hall and paid respects one by one. All the while, the smile on her face never changed.