The Job Of An Imperial Concubine

11

TJOAIC 11 – EACH HAS THEIR OWN THOUGHT (各自心思)

The emperor demoted Liangyi Jin to the lowest rank of gengyi. In the eyes of every imperial concubine, it was but a small event. That Liangyi Jin was of humble birth and climbed to the rank of Liangyi as a palace maid showed she had some capability, but what a pity that in the imperial harem, one’s honor came from the emperor. If the emperor decided to retract it, it would take only a word.

“Your Highness, that Liangyi Jin…” Shiwu glanced at her master’s beautiful attire made of palace satin. Then she carefully moved her gaze elsewhere, looking all around, not wanting to be noticed for her wandering eyes.  　　

“His Majesty’s child has left the world. He is grieving. For Liangyi Jin to be demoted to a Gengyi, what is so strange about that?” Consort Rou held Shiwu’s hand for support. Took out a handkerchief and made a show of wiping her lips. “This palace has heard that Liangyi Jin’s brothers let their servants run wild and wicked, bullying others and even beating people to death. From their lips, the emperor favored their sister.” A smile full of ridicule slid across Consort Rou’s lips. “She’s but a mere palace maid who crawled her way up to the position of a fifth-rank servant. No wonder her maternal family cannot advance in society.” 

Liangyi Jin wasn’t considered the most favored in the palace, but in these past few months, the emperor had visited her a few times. Shiwu was wondering why he picked her out for punishment out of all the imperial concubines in the room back then. As if struck by lightning, Shiwu finally understood the situation.  　　

Noticing the realization plastered on Shiwu’s face, Consort Rou arched a brow, her countenance speaking of impatience. “Be smarter. Don’t make it so that this palace must explain every little thing to you.”

“Understood.” Shiwu lowered her head. Standing on the other side of Consort Rou was the maidservant Fuxiu, whose eyes held a sneer. Then said maidservant turned around and carefully attended to Consort Rou, as if she had not heard her master’s words. As if she had not seen Shiwu’s embarrassment.

“Your Highness, don’t the people walking in front of us look like Imperial Concubine Zhao and Consort Yuan?” said Fuxiu. Then she lowered her voice. “Consort Yuan’s expression does not look good.” 

Consort Rou paused in her steps. Studied them. Once again arching a brow, she said, “These past two years, that Consort Yuan did not receive much favor. How would she deal with Imperial Concubine Zhao?” She disliked Imperial Concubine Zhao. However, she also did not hold much love for Consort Yuan. When she had first entered the imperial palace, Consort Yuan made things difficult for her. If the other two women fought, she would gladly watch such a good show.

“Your Highness, this slave has heard some news,” said Shiwu at an opportune time. “This slave has heard from other servants in the past that the Lin family and Zhuang family do not have a good relationship in court. That is why Consort Yuan and Imperial Concubine Zhao don’t see eye to eye.”

Consort Rou smiled as she reached out to Shiwu. After Shiwu helped support her, she said, “So this is why. Looks like we will see another good show.”

Meanwhile, Zhuang Laoyan felt that she had been wronged. After leaving Shurong Ye’s residence, she had only been minding her own business as she made for Taoyu Pavilion. Yet by merely walking home, she met someone bent on being antagonistic toward her. And this woman wasn’t the type to hide needles in her smile. She was the type to directly strike.

Consort Yuan did not recall how the previous owner of Zhuang Laoyan’s body had been like. The current Zhuang Laoyan also did not have much of an impression of Consort Yuan. The most she knew was that during the emperor’s time as a crown prince, Consort Yuan had been there to attend to him, an imperial concubine with much seniority. Although she was pushing thirty years old, her appearance was still striking. What a pity that the new replaced the old. No matter how prepossessing, she could only wait for the days to pass by, a chance to ascend nonexistent.