CHAPTER 67: CHAPTER 62: TEA ATTRIBUTE EXPLOSION

"After last night’s chaos, I thought Consort Xi wouldn’t show up today."

Yun Jiao, after coming in to greet and pay her respects, sat down in her seat, keeping her eyes lowered the entire time.

The floors of Jianzhang Palace are indeed clean and bright!

The way these floor tiles are laid is quite impressive!

However, no matter how much she tried to be low-key, others still brought the topic around to her. After Concubine Feng finished her sentence, she looked meaningfully at Concubine Jiang: "This morning I felt a bit unwell, so I asked Doctor Zhang to check my pulse. He mentioned that yesterday Xue Ya from Xianfu Palace had requested Doctor Chen, and the Emperor stayed at Xianfu Palace last night... Could it be that something went wrong while my sister was serving the Emperor?"

Concubine Li let out a mocking laugh.

Concubine Feng turned her gaze to her: "Does Concubine Li have an amusing story to share with the sisters?"

"I just thought Concubine Feng speaks like a Sleeping Nanny."

Concubine Feng’s face turned dark.

"As women of the Emperor, we’re always thinking of how to better serve him. To speak of Concubine Feng so harshly seems a bit cutting on Concubine Li’s part."

Consort Zhang, from the same palace as Concubine Feng, whispered.

Concubine Li’s charming eyes turned a bit cold.

At this moment, Yun Jiao decided to speak up: "Concubine Feng, Consort Zhang, please don’t quarrel over me."

"We’re just having a private conversation in front of the Empress. How can this be called a quarrel? Consort Xi misunderstood, as I’ve always been weak and not good with words, unable to match Concubine Li. Consort Zhang only spoke up for me out of concern. I hope Concubine Li will understand this once."

Concubine Feng pressed the side of her head.

Others listened, sneering inwardly—claiming to be weak and tongue-tied, only Concubine Feng could utter such things. Who is she trying to act coy for?

"So what exactly happened while Consort Xi was serving last night?"

Consort Xu looked at her with undisguised malice.

"Sisters, let’s not speculate wildly,"

Yun Jiao spread her hands, gesturing to halt further discussion: "I was just in an intimate embrace with the Emperor, that’s all!"

"..."

The crowd was momentarily stunned.

The concubines were shocked—can she really say this? Although drawing lots to serve the Emperor is just that, as a Lady of the court, how can she speak of it so freely? Yun Jiao’s response was like a woman earnestly telling her nagging relatives, "But we rarely sleep together."

Jianzhang Palace fell silent, as Consort Xu, persistent, attempted to continue: "Intimate... intimate..."

The words hovered at her lips for a long time but could not come forth.

"Then why bother calling the Imperial Physician in the middle of the night?"

"Oh, so that’s what you’re curious about," Yun Jiao said with a look of realization: "Because I vomited, and the Emperor called the physician."

Hearing she vomited, the concubines all felt a pang in their hearts.

In the harem, many hadn’t heard the cry of a newborn in a long time.

Even the usually calm Lady clenched her hands tightly.

This change affected Concubine Jiang greatly, as she blurted out, "Why did you vomit?"

"I do not know, but at that moment, someone popped into my mind."

"Who?"

Could it be the Guanyin?

Yun Jiao: "It was Concubine Jiang."

Concubine Jiang’s face turned red with anger: "How dare you say I make you sick!?"

"It’s just that Your Ladyship asked, and I answered truthfully who was on my mind. There’s no such meaning as Your Ladyship suggests, it’s a misunderstanding."

"Since Consort Xi is unwell, rest well in your palace," the Empress spoke softly, interrupting their verbal sparring: "Last night, the Emperor ordered a palanquin to take Consort Xi to Weiyang Palace for respite, and instructed the kitchen in the morning to prepare a special meal for Consort Xi. The Emperor is meticulous, instructing the Imperial Hospital in advance to create a medicinal menu for Consort Xi’s nourishment. You must take care of yourself and not burden the Emperor when he is busy with state affairs."

As the Empress spoke, the hidden fingernail guards beneath her sleeve almost pierced her palm.

Never before had any concubine received such careful attention from the Emperor. Even Lady’s affection from the Emperor was merely a continuous stream of tonic medicines sent to her palace for her to choose from.

What the Empress desired was care akin to that of an ordinary husband towards his wife, conveyed through subtle gestures due to the lack of material abundance.

"How can Consort Xi serve the Emperor with such frailty!?"

Concubine Jiang launched the first attack.

The others wore unpleasant expressions.

The Empress’s revelation of Yun Jiao’s privileges made the concubines grind their teeth in envy—since when had the Emperor been so considerate? Surely it must be this coquette feigning illness to gain favor and obtain such an imperial gift.

"Being sisters, I have never harbored jealousy, but when Attendant Lady Xi calls for the physician every two or three days, disturbing the Emperor’s rest in the middle of the night, I appeal to the Empress for consideration," Concubine Feng chimed in.

As for the person being targeted?

Yun Jiao fell into profound self-doubt.

No wonder everything she ate this morning had a medicinal taste. Despite the Imperial Kitchen’s exceptional skills in perfectly processing the ingredients and highlighting the medicinal flavors, it touched upon a different native concept—the dignitaries believed a slight medicinal taste hinted at true health benefits. Thus, the chef deliberately retained some medicinal flavors, confirming to the dignitaries that they were consuming proper medicinal meals.

"Indeed, no other sister has experienced this before."

"In the Emperor’s presence, we all endure minor ailments silently, unlike Consort Xi, who causes disturbances preventing the Emperor from resting peacefully."

"Consort Xu hit the nail on the head. Who hasn’t had aches or fevers? Before the Emperor, we all endure, lest the illness be passed to the Emperor."

Voices of complaint surged, causing the Empress’s expression to gradually grow cold.

This was precisely what she wanted, resentment brewing, allowing her to step forth as a mediator for justice among the concubines.

"It’s all my fault!"

At this moment, Yun Jiao picked up a handkerchief, dabbing her eyes.

Attempting to feign tears but failing, she let out a deep sigh: "I’ve already told the Emperor there’s no need to call the physician for me, but the Emperor insisted, showing me too much care!"

Yun Jiao continued: "Consort Xu, if you’re feeling unwell, why doesn’t the Emperor summon the physician for you? Is it because he doesn’t want to?"

Consort Xu: "..."

"And with breakfast too, I said I wanted to dine at the same table as the Emperor, yet he insisted I eat separately. I didn’t wish for this; it pains me inside!"

Confronted by jealousy-driven insinuations, any explanation felt futile. Instead of self-reflection, she decided to embrace herself freely. Since the Empress likes to demonstrate affection on her behalf and amass animosity, no need, she would handle it herself!

Red-eyed, clutching her chest, she said, "Hearing the elder sisters say this, I dare not even accept the Emperor’s bestowed medicinal meals."

Seeing everyone’s faces twist in discomfort, Yun Jiao felt at ease.