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Chapter 28: Each Has Their Own Intention (各自心意)

“Master, are you still thinking about what happened yesterday?” asked Tingzhu as she tied up Zhuang Laoyan’s hair. She thought her master felt depressed about the other palace maid’s death. Consolingly, she said, “The imperial harem is like so. One wrong step, and you will enter hell. Master should not give too much care to this.”

Zhuang Laoyan nodded. Not a word left her lips. However, she was clear about what had happened yesterday.

Consort Rou and herself were originally in different positions. That’s why, when that palace maid had arrived close to Taoyu Pavilion, she had Fubao go outside to scare her as a warning. Who would have known the palace maid was so easily frightened, and ran off after picking two peaches? Then when she left, she bumped into the discontent empress dowager.

The thing she did not understand was, why did that palace maid purposely come near Taoyu Pavilion? And why did Consort Rou arrive so quickly? Who else had a hand in this matter?

She suddenly recalled that after Shurong Ye had miscarried, two palace maids were suddenly found dead, the emperor threw Liangyi Jin into the Cold Palace, and the Ye family’s sisters started feuding until now. The empress dowager came out of seclusion, and it was obvious she and the emperor did not get along. And then there was this occasion, with the empress dowager coming to view the hardly-attractive peach forest out of the blue, the flowers having all been shed. Which concluded with that palace maid’s death yesterday. Among all of this, where was the issue?

There must be someone who wanted to deal with her. Or, perhaps their target was Consort Rou. Maybe this person was originally trying to deal with someone else, and Zhuang Laoyan messed up their plans. And in the end, the empress dowager had merely lectured Consort Rou.

“What’s that palace maid called? Does she have any friends or acquaintances?” Zhuang Laoyan blocked Tingzhu from inserting a red coral hairpin into her hair, taking it in her hands. Then she retrieved from her jewelry box a jadeite hairpin and handed it over to Tingzhu.  

Tingzhu followed Zhuang Laoyan’s intention and inserted it into her hair. “This slave only knows that that palace maid is called Jintao. She’s a palace maid in charge of sweeping the floor. She does not normally come across Consort Rou.”

After she heard those words, she understood what Tingzhu meant. It seemed she had also suspected that there was something more to this matter. Zhuang Laoyan placed the coral hairpin back into the jewelry box. “For now, we should not inquire about this.” Yesterday, even the emperor interfered. So it shouldn’t be a simple or small matter

Today, the empress dowager relieved the imperial concubines of having to pay respects. And the suffering these women had to experience decreased by a little. They relaxed. Zhuang Laoyan slowly made her way to the garden. She recalled when the imperial concubines went to pay respects to the empress, they had been chatting among themselves, no different than they had in the past. Even Consort Rou, whom had been lectured by the empress dowager, seemed as usual.

Shortly after they had returned to Taoyu Pavilion, an eunuch from Qianzheng Palace came to send a gift bestowed by the emperor. It was nothing more than bolts of palace-grade silk, hairpins, and jewelry. Perhaps the only thing special was a bonsai tree in a pot. It was well maintained and trimmed, and made others feel comfortable with just a glance. The best spot to place it was in the main chamber. 

“Master Zhao, before this slave had left, His Majesty said that there were other bonsai trees in Qianzheng Palace. If your honored self is not satisfied with this particular one, it’s possible to switch for another.” The eunuch who passed on the emperor’s message smiled.

“It must have troubled you. This bonsai tree is fine.” Zhuang Laoyan noticed that the pattern on the blue and white porcelain pot was that of June Snow. Was this the emperor showing his love for her?

“I’m really fond of it.” Zhuang Laoyan suddenly flashed a bright and blinding smile. She rewarded him a pouch of money. Using a handkerchief, she gently wiped at the edge of the porcelain pot. As if she truly treasured it. It seemed like she was apathetic toward the other gifts.

The eunuch who had announced the emperor’s gifts glanced at the pot, not quite understanding. Although the bonsai tree was not bad, it wasn’t anything precious. Why did this Chongyi Zhao like such a thing?

The eunuch in charge of announcing the emperor’s gifts returned to Qianzheng Palace to report to the emperor. While the emperor only nodded in the past, who would have known that after his report, the emperor actually had something to say.

“Chongyi Zhao was really fond of it?” Feng Jin had just returned from court and was taking off his crown. He looked at the eunuch. The eunuch suddenly felt nervous. He did not know whether it was his wrong impression, but it seemed like even General Manager Gao, who always stood by the emperor’s side, was looking at him.

“R-reporting to Your Majesty, Chongyi Zhao was indeed extremely fond of it.” He paused, then relayed what had happened in his visit to Taoyu Pavilion without leaving out any detail. “At the start, Chongyi Zhao had already been happy, but after seeing the potted bonsai tree, she looked even more joyful. She even rewarded this slave one golden ingot. After this slave had made to leave, this slave saw Chongyi Zhao carefully wiping the edge of the porcelain pot clean. It truly appeared like she was very fond of it.”

“Mm. Since Chongyi Zhao rewarded you a golden ingot, We will reward you with two more. Gao Dezhong, escort him to receive it.” Feng Jin handed his crown to a female official. He appeared in high spirits.

“Understood.” Gao Dezhong escorted the eunuch outside. Laughed facing the latter. “Young man, your luck is not bad. But does Chongyi Zhao actually like this bonsai tree?”

“Reporting to General Manager, this slave dares not tell a lie. General Manager Gao had not been there to see it. This slave noticed that Chongyi Zhao did show some joy after seeing the other rewards. But who would have known that once Chongyi Zhao had caught sight of that potted bonsai tree, she put on such a bright and blinding smile. This slave has delivered many announcements and rewards to Taoyu Pavilion, and has never seen Chongyi Zhao as happy as she was today.” The eunuch shook his head, still unable to comprehend why Chongyi Zhao had suddenly seemed elated.

“Regarding the matters of our masters, you as a servant should not think about them too much.” Gao Dezhong handed two golden ingots to him. “Nor should we talk about them much. Understood?”

The eunuch nodded over and over again. That he was able to get this position in Qianzheng Palace naturally pointed to his intelligence. Coupled with the fact that Gao Dezhong advised him, how could he not know that he should not tell others about what had just occurred?

Once Gao Dezhong returned to Feng Jin’s side, he reported what the other eunuch had just said. He sneaked a peek at the emperor’s expression. Looked like he was very satisfied with Chongyi Zhao.

Tingzhu and Yunxi were also aware of what their master had said in the past, and saw what the emperor had bestowed their master. Their hearts were full of joy. They couldn’t wait to ask the gardener how to take care of this potted bonsai tree.

Yet Zhuang Laoyan was of another opinion. The emperor kept gifting her plants and flowers. First, it was the Ge Jinze. Then it was the water lilies. And now, it was a bonsai tree. Did the emperor want to open up a flower shop in his next life?

But the porcelain pots used to hold the flowers and plants were masterfully crafted. In the future, they would be priceless.

Because the emperor often rewarded the imperial concubines he favored for the night, the imperial harem was used to this. And as such, the other women did not have much of a reaction when he rewarded Taoyu Pavilion.

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As usual, the empress also sent her a gift. Although it could not be considered too precious, it at least illustrated her virtue and kindness.

The emperor made a huge round through the entire harem. It was unclear whether there was a meaning behind this or not. However, he did not flip the name tags of the Ye family’s sisters. Even the empress’ cousin, Huiji Sun, received a visit and was promoted to Ronghua Sun, the same rank as Ronghua Ye.

After Zhuang Laoyan heard that the empress’ cousin had been promoted to a ronghua, she couldn’t help but sigh. This emperor truly lacked morals. In the imperial harem, there were countless ranks, yet he just had to make her a ronghua. Wasn’t this just to embarrass Ye Wanmei?

As she paid respects to the empress, Zhuang Laoyan looked at Ronghua Sun, who had just entered through the doors. She had a delicate and timid appearance. Zhuang Laoyan couldn’t help but sigh that the emperor did an evil thing. Such a young girl was turned into something to sacrifice for control of the harem. Let’s not talk about other people. Just the empress was already treating her as a chess piece.

Because it had rained last night, the temperature dropped. After Zhuang Laoyan left Jingyang Palace, she suddenly felt the urge to admire the lotuses. She had heard that a lotus pond was not too far from the imperial garden. What a pity that she never had the chance to view it until now. It was rare that she was in the mood for this, further solidifying her decision to take a look.

On arrival, she noticed that the lotuses in the pond were indeed beautiful in their bloom. Zhuang Laoyan couldn’t help but feel the urge to pluck one. The moment after she did, she heard the voice of a young girl from behind her.

“Is that Chongyi Zhao over there?”

Zhuang Laoyan turned around. Before her stood Ronghua Sun wearing a pink blouse and wrap-around dress. A gentle smile on her face.

“Greetings to Chongyi Zhao,” said Ronghua Sun, performing the ceremony in a courteous manner. It gave others the impression that she was sensible and obedient. Once again, Zhuang Laoyan could not help but sigh. They were both eighteen years old, so why didn’t she herself give off such a pure and sincere impression? Could it be that the soul determined one’s temperament?

“No need to stand on ceremony, Ronghua Sun.” Zhuang Laoyan nodded with a smile. “Is Ronghua Sun here to also admire the lotuses?”

“Word has it that these lotuses have bloomed well, which sparked this concubine’s interest.” She glanced at the pond. “What a pity that this isn’t the period when lotuses bloomed the most magnificently. In a few days, these lotuses would be even more beautiful to the eye.”

“In my opinion, it’s all the same no matter when you look at it. As long as they are in bloom, the lotuses will be beautiful.” Zhuang Laoyan’s gaze fell upon the lotus in her hand. “I still have some matters to attend to, and cannot accompany Ronghua Sun any longer.”

“Sending off Chongyi Zhao.” Ronghua Sun curtsied, then suddenly said to Zhuang Laoyan’s back, “Only when flowers bloom at their best period could they be considered beautiful.”

Zhuang Laoyan glanced at her. “Pluck the flowers in their bloom, lest one find an empty bough¹.” Then, she took the lotuses she picked, boarded the sedan, and left.

With an impassive face, Ronghua Sun watched as the procession went on its way. She slowly turned around. Glanced at the pond. The corners of her lips tilted upward.

“Master, what did Ronghua Sun mean?” Yunxi felt worried. “This slave feels this Ronghua Sun is not as simple as she appears.”

“She’s too impatient.” Zhuang Laoyan inserted a few stems of lotuses into a long-necked vase. Not too quickly or slowly, she said, “The words she had said to me today would be told to others tomorrow. Looks like the cousin of Her Majesty, the empress, has a temperament that is very different from hers.”

Zhuang Laoyan somewhat understood how her original body’s owner had been like. Perhaps the previous owner had been just like this Ronghua Sun after being favored the first time. Proud to the fact she had forgotten herself, forgotten who else was in the harem.

Two nights later, thunder roared through the skies. Zhuang Laoyan was frightened to the point of sitting up from bed. She looked at the night sky that had been illuminated by lightning. She did not know if she had heard incorrectly, but there seemed to be a girl screaming in the distance.

The plot thickens! That Ronghua Sun seems kinda fishy…

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