CHAPTER 61: CHAPTER 56: ATTENDANT LADY XI, CUNNING AS A DEMON

After Ying Lu brought in the Four Treasures of the Study needed for drafting the imperial edict, he lowered his gaze, waiting for the Emperor to begin writing.

He had heard about Concubine Jiang’s outrageous behavior at the birthday banquet, and he thought to himself how fortunate it was that the Emperor had always been merciful to the concubines in the harem. Otherwise, Concubine Jiang’s fate would have been either confinement or death, followed by the Jiang Family sending another daughter into the palace. No one would accuse the Emperor of being too harsh, only saying that the Jiang Family was not cautious enough, and if someone lost their life, they would have to accept it. It would already be a blessing if the Emperor did not extend his anger to the Jiang Family.

The only ones who could publicly criticize the Emperor, apart from the Empress Dowager and the officials, would at most be the Empress.

After all, the Empress is the original wife, and indeed has the right to advise. If her advice is reasonable, the Emperor would also have to consider it... Not to mention Concubine Jiang, even Lady does not have this right. If anyone brought this up with Concubine Jiang in the future, she would just have to endure it.

Emperor: "Alright, take it to Xianfu Palace to proclaim the decree."

That night, the imperial decree was announced at Xianfu Palace, just as Yun Jiao had finished her grooming and was preparing to crawl into bed. She was pulled out again to change into her palace attire, with the decree requiring her to receive it with a proper expression. Xue Ya hurriedly applied powder, drew her eyebrows, and painted her lips... If there were false eyelashes and colored contacts in ancient times, she would surely use them too before earnestly receiving the decree.

"Why bother, in the dark, putting on makeup for the eunuch to see?"

A drowsy Yun Jiao complained softly.

"Oh, my lady, it’s an imperial decree."

After all, an imperial decree is just a piece of cloth, with no cameras installed to record the important moments.

Afraid that her mistress would fall asleep again, Xue Ya handed her a piece of lip paper, instructing her to hold it with her lips.

Finally, after the makeup was complete, Yun Jiao went out to receive the decree.

The misty-eyed Attendant Lady Xi, under the night sky, exuded an ethereal beauty, and the other two mistresses at Xianfu Palace, also dressed up, came out to hear the decree. The content of the decree was very straightforward, praising Attendant Lady Xi with subtle flattery, deciding to promote her to the rank of Consort, while maintaining her original title, as well as conferring many valuable Four Treasures of the Study as gifts.

Yun Jiao accepted the decree and expressed gratitude.

Ying Lu steadied her, letting her know not to hurry, as there was another decree to be announced.

The second decree was for Concubine Li.

The Emperor did not promote her rank, which Concubine Li had anticipated. The higher the rank, the harder it is to ascend, especially when one starts from a lower position. Without giving birth to children, she thought that she would likely stay at the rank of Concubine until death. When she thought about the next promotion being a posthumous favor or a title after death, she found solace in it.

Simply receiving a formal decree of reward was an unexpected delight.

Concubine Li joyfully thanked and rewarded him from her own purse: "Thank you, sir, for making this trip personally. This is for you to enjoy tea later, to share in the joy of Attendant Lady Xi."

"Proclaiming a decree at Xianfu Palace is a good task, Lady. No need to be polite. It’s quite late today, but tomorrow the Imperial Household will send over a batch of palace attendants for Consort Xi to select from."

Attendant Lady Sun, seeing Concubine Li receiving a reward, couldn’t help but hope.

She was somewhat afraid of the Emperor, but not afraid of the jewels the Emperor bestowed.

Unfortunately, she waited until the eunuch announcing the decree had left, without hearing her name, and a hint of disappointment appeared on her face.

"Hold on to your own mistress, from now on she’s Consort Xi."

Concubine Li instructed.

Yun Jiao couldn’t help but drift off, placing herself in "Deep Palace," where even the Empress should make room for her.

Usually, she would notoriously restart her journey upon entering the palace, getting pregnant on her first night, having twin boys and girls as an appetizer, followed by promotion to concubine, and then Imperial Consort, and finally finding a way to overthrow the Empress... Of course, that’s in a game. Now, in this immersive palace life, she only wants to live each day well and strive for a long-life daily archive.

"Congratulations, my lady!"

"This is well-deserved, my lady."

Xue Ya and Gong Mei were overjoyed, and their sweet words brought Yun Jiao back to reality, making her join in the happiness.

Why not be happy!

As a Consort, she is eligible to attend official palace banquets, with a staff of four palace maids and eunuchs, doubling her previous treatment. The masters always preferred using people they were familiar with, and they were their master’s close confidants. This also meant the two received a small promotion, now having subordinates to manage.

The slightest amount of power is enough to bring joy and hope when following Consort Xi.

"But why would the Emperor give me the Four Treasures of the Study? I don’t love practicing calligraphy or painting."

Yun Jiao frowned, puzzled.

Isn’t this the same as giving someone an exercise book!

Concubine Li shot her a glance: "When the Emperor sends jewelry and fabric, it’s mostly chosen by the chief eunuch. This must have been chosen by the Emperor himself, proving his affection for you."

Unfortunately, Yun Jiao didn’t sense any true feelings, only realizing one thing.

Having wealth and power is truly wonderful. With silver taels in hand, one can be considerate in every matter.

Attended by Xue Ya, she washed off her makeup, crawled back into bed, and as sleepiness struck once more, she fell into a black sweet dream.

...

On Concubine Jiang’s birthday, the Six Palace Concubines had their fill, with more than enough gossip to go around.

One event after another, it was too thrilling.

First, Concubine Jiang spoke harshly about the Birthday Celebration Painting for the Emperor, then Concubine Li reclaimed the gift and left with Attendant Lady Sun and Attendant Lady Xi... No, now they have to call her Consort Xi. The matter of Attendant Lady Xi being promoted to the rank of Consort spread throughout the harem the day after the formal visit.

Although Yun Jiao felt it was not like "Deep Palace," in reality, this promotion was incredibly fast.

So fast that she suddenly transformed into a myth among the little Servant Consorts!

Even Attendant Lady He, who entered the palace at the same time, dared not approach her; it was too distant. How could fate differ so greatly among people?

Those below the rank of Consort thought she was fortunate and beautiful.

Those above the rank thought they underestimated her, despite Consort Xi’s unpredictability and strange speech, she was swift, accurate, and ruthless in striking down enemies and removing rivals, perfectly exploiting Concubine Jiang’s arrogant and domineering weakness.

"You say she deliberately requested the Emperor’s seal? Could she not give something else? Even if she were poor, since entering the palace she has received quite a few rewards, surely she could afford a gift. She must have set a trap for Concubine Jiang, and she truly fell into it."

"Thinking carefully before acting, Consort Xi is quite the tough character."

"Just going to the Emperor to request a seal for Concubine Jiang doesn’t make sense. Who could have anticipated? With the Emperor, she could even earn goodwill, thinking five steps ahead with every move, Concubine Jiang can’t compete with her."

...

This was the gossip behind the scenes, while Yanxi Palace remained peaceful.

Consort Ji stood aside, gently fanning herself, performing the duties of a palace maid with no sign of discontent on her face.

"See what I said?" Lady laughed lightly, though the smile did not reach her foxlike eyes: "Signal with the false, entice with profit, delay to act, and strike first to arrive *. I had long expected her scheming to be much deeper than what you saw."

"Sister’s insight is profound."

...

By the time the rumors circulated and returned to Xianfu Palace, Yun Jiao finally and belatedly realized she had been portrayed as a wicked woman, almost demonically intelligent and deeply scheming!

Since Consort Xi was favored, the rumors also reached the Emperor’s ears.

Xie Zhixing chuckled and took the opportunity to visit Xianfu Palace to see her.

This time, it went similarly unnoticed by others.

As he entered the courtyard on the west side, he heard the intelligent yet nearly demonic voice of Consort Xi imparting vibrant laughter.

Upon closer listening, it seemed to be a speech for the newly selected palace maids and eunuchs.

"I know there are rumors outside that Consort Xi is a bad woman,"

"I can tell you now, this is not a rumor,"

"I am very bad, very bad indeed, everyone should be careful of me."

Emperor: ...