Chapter 734 - 512: Fire in Her Eyes

Chapter 734: Chapter 512: Fire in Her Eyes

An Shutong returned to Huayang Palace, seething with frustration. The more she thought about it, the more suffocated she felt. Her face turned ashen as she leaned against a soft pillow, trying to catch her breath. Unconsciously, tears began to stream down her cheeks.

’I should never have held onto false hope. If only I’d stuck to my original resolve and refused to enter the palace... Maybe I would have married someone outside. It might not have been a great family, but at least I wouldn’t be stuck here, seeing the Emperor only a handful of times all year.’

’Even when I do see him, I can only watch as the Emperor dotes on the Imperial Concubine. The rest of us concubines are just furniture in his eyes.’

An Shutong hated herself for not being more resolute, and for her greed for glory that had led her to this fate.

’And then there was An Ling... I remember that arrogant look on her face when she came to the palace with her mother a few years ago. She really thought she could take my place.’

’But in the end, she wasn’t even allowed to participate in this year’s selection.’

She knew the Emperor had sent word to Gu’en Houfu.

’That’s the only reason Gu’en Houfu didn’t dare send anyone. Otherwise, I’d have my half-sister here in the palace right now, being a thorn in my side.’

’My own mother ignores my suffering, and my aunt only wants me to bleed myself dry for the sake of Gu’en Houfu.’

’Why should I?’

’Why can’t I live for myself?’

’Has a single one of them ever thought about me?’

An Shutong wiped furiously at her tears, but they only fell faster. In the end, she could only press a handkerchief to her face and weep bitterly, muffling her sobs.

’I’ll cry today,’ she told herself, ’but after this, I will never cry again.’

’My family, the Empress Dowager... I don’t care about any of them anymore.’

Yingxue and Mu Qing stood guard at the door. They glanced at each other but didn’t enter.

’Her Ladyship has had such a hard time lately,’ they thought. ’It’s good for her to cry. Letting out all that frustration might help her feel better.’

Just as they were thinking this, they saw Yunshang from Consort Shu’s palace arrive. The two of them hurried to greet her.

"Yunshang, what brings you here?"

Yunshang said with a smile, "Her Ladyship sent me to pass on a message. From now on, Beauty Zhao will reside in Yingxue Hall of Huayang Palace."

The two looked at each other, speechless for a moment.

Yingxue reacted quickly, forcing a smile. "Yunshang, why is Beauty Zhao being placed in Huayang Palace?"

’With a face like that, Beauty Zhao will completely overshadow our mistress.’

’How are we supposed to survive this?’

Yunshang’s smile held a hint of sincerity. "Their Ladyships noted how fond the Empress Dowager is of Beauty Zhao. They thought that by having Beauty Zhao live in Huayang Palace, she could accompany An Pin when paying respects to the Empress Dowager. Isn’t that killing two birds with one stone? A great boon for everyone."

Yingxue almost choked, and the smile on her face faltered.

Mu Qing’s expression stiffened even more. ’Now Her Ladyship is going to feel even worse.’

’What are we going to do?’

Yunshang wanted to pay her respects to An Pin, but Yingxue, thinking her mistress’s eyes were too red and swollen to be seen, quickly made an excuse and sent her away.

After leaving Huayang Palace, Yunshang walked a short distance, then glanced back. ’I’m afraid An Pin’s days are about to get much harder,’ she thought.

’But that has nothing to do with us. Besides, our mistress is on good terms with the Imperial Consort. If An Pin has an easy time of it, then the Imperial Concubine will have a hard time.’

’Of course they hoped the Imperial Consort would fare better. When the Imperial Concubine is well, their mistress is well; and when their mistress is well, they are well.’

’It’s just a matter of whose side you’re on.’

Soon, news of the other concubines’ placements also spread. Besides Zhao Ling’e, the most eye-catching were Xiao Qiuzhuo and Qiao Jinyun.

Beauty Xiao was assigned to Yunying Hall in Princess Consort Zhuang’s Zhaoyang Palace. Beauty Qiao went to Zhuixia Palace in Princess Consort Wan’s Roufu Palace. Without exception, all three were in a West Wing.

’The east has always been considered the more prestigious direction. What does the Emperor mean by placing the three most outstanding newcomers in the West Hall?’

’Not to mention, Beauty Zhao entering Huayang Palace could be explained by her connection to the Empress Dowager, but Beauty Xiao and Beauty Qiao were moved into the palaces of the three concubines.’

’Everyone knows the three concubines are on excellent terms with the Imperial Concubine. How could those two possibly hope to win the Emperor’s favor after being assigned there?’

’Isn’t this just a way for the two concubines to help the Imperial Concubine watch over them?’

The other concubines who were made Chosen Ladies were placed in even more remote palaces. Forget seeing the Emperor, they were practically half a harem away from even the Imperial Concubine’s Yaohua Palace.

The Imperial Concubine wasn’t someone who liked to set rules, and she didn’t usually require people to pay their respects. They wouldn’t just be unable to see the Emperor; they wouldn’t even be able to see the Imperial Concubine!

The joy of being chosen for the harem had barely settled before a dark cloud gathered overhead.

After the women in Zhichun Village received the decree, the smiles vanished from their faces. The atmosphere grew heavy.

The only one who appeared untroubled was Qiao Jinyun. She hadn’t entered the palace to vie for favor or compete with anyone. Her mother’s only wish was for her to live a good, dignified life.

’Now that I’m a concubine, as long as I don’t go against the Imperial Concubine, don’t vie for favor, and don’t do anything stupid, I can live my own life in peace.’

’The Imperial Consort’s reputation might not be the best—outsiders say the Imperial Concubine is domineering and monopolizes the Emperor’s favor—but my mother made careful inquiries. Unless a concubine is actively looking for trouble, the Imperial Concubine doesn’t pay them any mind or make things difficult for them.’

’As for our palace allowances, not only are they never short, but sometimes the Imperial Concubine even bestows extra rewards.’

’What’s not to like about a life like that?’

’It’s far better than being sold off by my father and brothers in exchange for some family benefit, isn’t it?’

Qiao Jinyun was ecstatic, but seeing the grim faces all around her, she forced herself to suppress her excitement.

’Lady Wanfei is famous for her dislike of competition; I heard she’s completely absorbed in creating new rouges and face powders. If I can earn her trust, maybe I could even become her assistant. My days would be so much more interesting and fun.’

’Fine clothes, exquisite food, money, leisure, and no one to bully me... This is the life of an immortal. You couldn’t ask for anything better.’

Amid her joy, Qiao Jinyun thought of her mother, and a bittersweet pang went through her heart. ’This is the peace my mother fought for me to have,’ she thought. ’I must cherish it.’

Qiao Jinyun carefully hid her joy. Not far from her, Xiao Qiuzhuo’s cute, round face was taut, without a hint of a smile.

Who knew what she was thinking, but her eyes burned with a fiery light.

Qiao Jinyun was startled. She glanced again at Zhao Ling’e in the distance, who was speaking with someone. Her expression was calm and her voice steady, revealing nothing of her thoughts on the matter.

Qiao Jinyun quickly lowered her head, not daring to look anymore. ’I just want to live my life in peace.’

Song Yunzhao had also been busy these past few days. The new concubines were moving from Zhichun Palace into the harem, and there were many things to prepare—not just their living quarters, but also clothes, decorations, food, and daily necessities. Everything had to be ready.

Even though Consort Shu was familiar with the process, there was no less to worry about. She looked haggard these past few days.

When she saw Yun Zhao, she immediately started complaining, "I told you the Empress Dowager had ill intentions, keeping so many people. Look at how many tasks this has created for me. First, one palace’s repairs aren’t done well, then another’s furnishings have problems. I’ve been run off my feet."

Song Yunzhao quickly offered a few words of comfort, then said, "Just get through these next few days, and then you can have a proper rest. Didn’t you like that bolt of Flowing Cloud Silk I have? I’ll have it sent over to you. The burden always falls on the most capable. We’re counting on you."

Consort Shu: ...

She let out a long breath and looked at Song Yunzhao meaningfully. "I heard An Pin is ill. Do you think it’s for real, or is she faking it?"

Song Yunzhao was stunned. ’An Shutong is ill?’

’But she’s practically an iron warrior.’