CHAPTER 57: CHAPTER 52: ANIMAL PARTY

When the palace maid of Concubine Wei went to inquire again, the eunuch of the Clothing Bureau was originally going to truthfully say that it was the Emperor’s order, hence the delay in meeting other ladies’ needs. But at that moment, Chief Manager Fang Qi hurriedly came out and snatched the words: "The order of priorities is indeed arranged according to rank, it’s not that the servants are not diligent, but rather they really can’t spare time! However, the clothes of Princess Ruyi are small, so we let them work a couple of extra nights to make the new clothes for the Princess first, and then offer Concubine Wei a fine piece of fur. What do you think?"

The palace maid had gotten instructions from Concubine Wei before she came.

If they were busy with Lady’s clothes, she wouldn’t mind.

It showed that the object of one’s anger is also divided into a hierarchy.

"You do know how to handle things! But don’t cut corners, if the work is poorly done and irritates her skin, even if Lady can forgive you, the Emperor will not let it go lightly."

Chief Manager Fang, sweating profusely, agreed.

After the palace maid left, he turned back to reprimand his subordinates: "Were you about to say that everyone in the Clothing Bureau is rushing to make the Emperor’s tiger skin coat for Attendant Lady Xi? Speaking like that will cause trouble in the palace! When speak, say only three parts, let her guess the rest with seven parts, use Silver Tael to get the rest of the information, just don’t let the words slip from us."

The eunuchs, though only half a man, understand a bit of the ladies’ minds after dealing with them for a long time.

Lady has long been formidable in the harem, with her family background, rank, and affection all in her favor.

Most other young ladies accepted being outcompeted by her as bad luck and wouldn’t pursue it deeply.

Even with this consideration, Chief Manager Fang didn’t speak fully, only letting Concubine Wei’s palace maid guess, and he paid for the fur out of his own pocket to smooth things over—each year, during festivals, the concubines want to wear new clothes, and when the provisions are insufficient, or they want more elaborate styles, extra Silver Tael is needed. Chief Manager Fang wasn’t lacking in grease benefits, but he didn’t want to cause trouble.

"Still, godfather knows much, son has been taught."

The little eunuch replied in fear.

Chief Manager Fang chuckled: "I won’t bother with others, but seeing your filial piety, I’ll say a few more words."

The little eunuch bent at the waist, spoke many words of flattery.

"Regarding the tiger skin matter, none of you are allowed to speak carelessly, even if you received Silver Tael, consider if you have the life to spend it."

Chief Manager Fang saw far; with the Emperor’s usual temperament in the past, he gave to whoever he wanted, without hiding it, nor caring about how much envy the favored concubine would draw. However, this time he kept things low-key, this detailed care is worth more than a whole piece of tiger skin.

He saw far, but he still missed a point.

No matter how discretely the Imperial Household handled it, Attendant Lady Xi would still wear it to attend Concubine Jiang’s birthday banquet. Yet, he found Attendant Lady Xi to be a little showoff, surely intending to first suppress and then flaunt, to show off at the banquet, so naturally news couldn’t leak beforehand.

During this Hanyang Hunting Ground trip, due to the fact that all the prey taken by the guards eunuch accompanying the Emperor belonged to the Emperor, the amount of furs was indeed considerable.

The best naturally went to the Empress Dowager.

The rest was distributed uniformly by the Empress, a respect and consolidation of power to the Central Palace. However, the Emperor specially instructed — as Lady had been wanting fox fur, that piece of white fox skin was kept for her. Since it was Concubine Jiang’s birthday, some nice pieces were also selected for her.

This was the Emperor’s dispatch on the "horse-killing incident"—

Lady was in a bad mood, a reward.

Concubine Jiang caused trouble, but considering she was the Empress Dowager’s person and had lost her beloved horse, a comforting reward.

The rest, therefore, was distributed by the Empress.

Due to the vast amount of furs, concubines who got furs wanted to make new clothes, keeping the Imperial Household extremely busy. Concubine Wei, having her daughter by her side, could often see the Emperor even without favor, hence the Imperial Household couldn’t neglect her and offered compensation in respect.

For others, a mere busy comment would dismiss them!

"Able to wear new clothes at Concubine Jiang’s birthday this time, that’s what it means to have face in the palace."

Concubine Li said, somewhat annoyed: "The fabric the Empress gave me wasn’t as good as what Concubine Wei got, isn’t it just because she has a daughter? She doesn’t even have a title yet!"

Yun Jiao listened to these complaints in the main hall.

After Concubine Li had scolded all the women in the Six Palaces, Yun Jiao thought to ask: "What jewelry will you wear? Didn’t you say Concubine Jiang wanted to kill your horse? You are also a part of Xianfu Palace, you cannot lose face," she called over a palace maid, "bring out my jewelry box, look for a few good pieces to borrow for the occasion, don’t attend the banquet bare."

The palace maid brought out a dazzling chest of treasures, dazzling Yun Jiao’s eyes.

After trying them on, they indeed seemed much more distinguished.

"Well, thank you, Sister Concubine Li."

Yun Jiao looked at herself in the bronze mirror, showing off a little.

Actually, after attending to the Emperor, he also sent her some jewels.

But picking suitable jewelry is best done by one’s sisters.

"No need to thank, but remember they’re to be returned, and cannot be damaged either." Concubine Li said with a firm tone.

Ever since Yun Jiao addressed her as mother in Jianzhang Palace, Concubine Li could no longer view her the same. Though her words remained sharp, she couldn’t help but care a little more for her.

Concubine Li explained this as seeing Attendant Lady Xi as woefully naive.

If you lose face in grand occasions, others will mock the Xianfu Palace altogether.

...

In the blink of an eye, it was Concubine Jiang’s birthday.

The Empress Dowager prayed behind closed doors and didn’t easily leave Changle Palace; this time was no exception, only sending a long list of gifts, including a glazed Guanyin statue with abundant blessings, no need to further mention the admiration it stirred among the harem ladies.

Concubine Wei continued her harsh words below: "Tsk, tsk, the Emperor does not favor her, even if she is blessed by Guanyin, it’s useless. Even if the Bodhisattva appeared, seeing her belly, would shake her head."

Consort Xu, being more devout in her belief in Buddhism, dared not respond.

She arrived early, looked around, "Where’s Concubine Li? I’ve already arrived and she hasn’t yet, daring," she muttered to herself, "Had I known, I’d have taken more rounds outside, now it seems I’m waiting for her, won’t that reduce her lifespan."

"Mother Consort, what does reducing lifespan mean?"

Princess Ruyi, with her bright eyes, curiously asked.

"Ah, didn’t I tell you to cover the Princess’s ears when I’m speaking?"

Concubine Wei scolded the palace maid who was looking after the Princess.

She knew her manners weren’t great, but she really couldn’t help it, daring only to vent harsh words behind others’ backs.

Lady and Princess Consort Jing both sent gifts but did not attend in person.

Concubine Wei anticipated these two, one needing not to give face to Concubine Jiang, the other’s health indeed not permitting.

What surprised Concubine Wei was the Empress’s arrival.

After requesting court and paying respect, she sat back and remarked with Consort Xu, "Is Concubine Jiang’s face so big?" Then she thought again: "Oh, it’s the Empress Dowager’s face that’s big."

Today’s banquet indeed a fur showcase.

Even those without new clothes modified their old ones to look like new.

At a glance, it was like an animal party.

Just then, a eunuch announced:

"Concubine Li from Xianfu Palace, Attendant Lady Xi, Attendant Lady Sun—"