CH 5

Translated by: Jellylynn

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Edited by: Lynn 

This novel is to be only hosted on Foxaholic; copies found elsewhere are stolen or worse, plagiarised. 

Names mentioned in this chapter (which can also be found in the glossary):

-廖青青(Liào qīngqīng)- Liao Qing Qing, the female lead. 

-廖容华(Liào róng Huà)- Lady Liao of Lovely Countenance, the female lead’s current designation.

-景礼帝(jǐng lǐ ​​dì)- Emperor Jing Li, the male lead.

-福生(fú shēng)- Fu Sheng, the emperor’s chief eunuch. 

-荷香(Hé ​​xiāng)- He Xiang, the female lead’s maidservant

-梨声阁(lí shēng gé)-Lisheng Pavillion, the place where the female lead resides.

–梁贵妃(liáng guìfēi)- Noble Consort Liang

–德妃(dé fēi)- Virtuous Consort

–贤妃(xián fēi)- Worthy Consort

–廖婕妤(Liào jié yú)- Lady Liao of Handsome Fairness, the female lead’s paternal elder cousin. 

–蒋芳仪(Jiǎng fāng yí)- Lady Jiang of Fragrant Ceremony, the female lead’s “best friend”

Current ranking: Noble Consort Liang → Worthy Consort + Virtuous Consort → Lady Liao of Handsome Fairness → Lady Liao of Lovely Countenance → Lady Jiang of Fragrant Ceremony → Liangyi 

“That’s what it says in the book,” Liao Qing Qing said.

Emperor Jing Li had a bewildered expression.

“I’ll show it to you if you don’t believe me.”

Emperor Jing Li let go of Liao Qing Qing.

Liao Qing Qing walked to the chaise lounge and brought the book titled “The Young Wife of the Peasant” over. Then, she quickly flipped a few pages, pointed it to Emperor Jing Li and said, “Your Majesty, look.”

Emperor Jing Li fixed his eyes on it and saw that it was clearly written in black and white:

——Ru Hua, from now on, you have to stay this close to me. Do you understand?

The corners of Emperor Jing Li’s mouth twitched.

Liao Qing Qing said, “It’s word for word.”

“What a load of nonsense!” Emperor Jing Li reached his hands out, snatched the book from Liao Qing Qing’s hand and threw it onto the chaise lounge with a sound. He said that sentence with all seriousness, but the book depicted it comically. It made him very upset. His face immediately turned dark, causing the people attending in the room to hurriedly kneel down in fear.

Liao Qing Qing was aware that this emperor was temperamental. She hastily bowed. “Your Majesty, calm down.” In her heart, she thought that although Emperor Jing Li had a bad temper, he was not an incapable ruler and would not punish indiscriminately.

Now that Emperor Jing Li is so angry, he will suddenly get up, flick his sleeves, leave and go to the other imperial concubines. That way the other imperial concubines will not notice her.

And she can be a salted fish[1] again.

But she was only half-right. Emperor Jing Li was indeed angry, but he did not leave. He sat comfortably and said, “Serve the meal.”

???

You are still having your meal here?

Not only did Emperor Jing Li have his meal here, but he also worked on the memorials.[2] After he was done, he once again slept on Liao Qing Qing’s bed. During which his face was taut, Liao Qing Qing was obliged to accompany him. However, he did not forget to remind her, “Let’s rest.”

This man is so hard to understand.

Liao Qing Qing really couldn’t understand him. After lying on the bed, she also did not sense any male behavior from Emperor Jing Li. It was purely sleep. It just so happened that it was summer. She and Emperor Jing Li only wore thin silk pajamas. She slightly glanced to the side and looked three inches below the stomach.

Mm, it’s flat.

It seemed that Emperor Jing Li really thought of her as honest and tight-lipped, with not much background and no relationship with the various powers in the court. Therefore, he chose her to pull the wool over people’s eyes.

She must be really unlucky for eight generations. This time, she “sleeps” with the Emperor again. When she has to pay respects to Noble Consort Liang tomorrow, she will certainly face the imperial concubines’ eye rolls. Maybe some people would start to be up to mischief.

It’s so worrying.

When she woke up the next day, Emperor Jing Li was already at the morning court. She simply freshened up as usual and went to pay her respects to Noble Consort Liang.

Emperor Jing Li had not yet appointed an Empress. The imperial harem was temporarily headed by Noble Consort Liang and supported by Virtuous Consort and Worthy Consort. Therefore, she and a group of imperial concubines went to Noble Consort’s Linhua Palace daily to pay their respects.

Today was no exception.

As soon as she appeared, she received the attention of all the imperial concubines, who had  paid no attention to her before.

This was all because of the popularity given by Emperor Jing Li.

Her salted fish days were not coming back any time soon. She could only put on a smile and greeted all the elder sisters.

Then, she silently sat down in her seat. She wanted to listen to the imperial concubines talk about the festivals, catch up on jewelry and poetry to gain some knowledge.

However, the imperial concubines didn’t seem to want to talk about that. All the topics revolved around her and they all praised her.

They praised her for being as beautiful as flowers.

They praised her for being exceptionally intelligent.

They praised her for her thoughtfulness and gentleness.

They praised her for winning the heart of the Emperor…

While she listened to these words, she really wanted to return Emperor Jing Li to them. She also did not want the Emperor Jing Li to keep coming to her place.

With Noble Consort Liang, Virtuous Consort and Worthy Consort around, all the imperial concubines had some scruples in their words. Even if Noble Consort Liang rewarded Liao Qing Qing with some items for her service to Emperor Jing Li, the other imperial concubines were all passionately praising her.

After she left Linhua Palace, the imperial concubines revealed their true nature, especially Lady Jiang of Fragrant Ceremony and Lady Liao of Handsome Fairness.

Amongst these two people, one of them was the original owner’s best friends and the other was the original owner’s elder paternal cousin. The three of them entered the palace together and their relationship could be considered to be relatively pretty good.

Pretty good on the surface

Later, it was not ‘pretty good’ even on the surface because the original owner picked up a jade pendant in the imperial garden one time.

After Lady Jiang of Fragrant Ceremony and Lady Liao of Handsome Fairness recognised it belonged to Emperor Jing Li’s, they took it, turned around and returned the jade pendant to the Emperor by saying that the two of them picked it up.

Nothing was said about the original owner.

Emperor Jing Li was a person that was clear in rewards and punishments. He immediately promoted Jiang of Fragrant Ceremony and Lady Liao of Handsome Fairness to a higher position.

While the original owner was still a tiny Liangyi.

Even if the original owner did not care about this matter, Liao Qing Qing minded it.

What sisterly love?

Bullshit!

She did not want to pay attention to these kinds of women with a good face and an evil heart. She exchanged a few pleasantries, turned around and returned to Lisheng Pavilion.

As soon as she arrived at Lisheng Pavilion, she felt the slightest bit of coolness, which was really comfortable. She picked up the folk story[3] again, while eating the melon seeds peeled by He Xiang. She decided to read a few more folk stories, and then read some books relating to regions. In the meantime, she could learn to play the zither, chess and such.

I have to have a hobby to enjoy myself.

To be an ideal woman of the imperial harem!

It was unknown how long she had been reading, she suddenly heard Fu Sheng’s voice outside the door, “His Majesty has arrived!”

In broad daylight, why is this despicable emperor here again?

Liao Qing Qing abruptly sat upright. She hastily hid the folk story and tidied her clothes. Then, she went out to receive Emperor Jing Li. Just when she was about to bow with hands held in front, she heard Emperor Jing Li impatiently say, “No need. You may be at ease.”

Liao Qing Qing stood up.

“Come in and pour water,” Emperor Jing Li said directly.

Liao Qing Qing approached Emperor Jing Li and poured water.

Emperor Jing Li drank it cup by cup.

Liao Qing Qing noticed the irritation on Emperor Jing Li’s face disappeared with a speed visible to the naked eye, and she let out a sigh.

Just then, the palace maid came to deliver a message, “Mistress, Lady Liao of Handsome Fairness and Lady Jiang of Fragrant Ceremony are here.”

Liao Qing Qing blurted out, “Why are they here?”

“This maidservant[4] doesn’t know.”

Liao Qing Qing’s eyes looked towards Emperor Jing Li and saw that he didn’t say anything, so she said, “Invite them in then.”

“Yes.”

A few moments later, the meticulously dressed Lady Jiang of Fragrant Ceremony and Lady Liao of Handsome Fairness arrived.

Upon seeing this appearance, Liao Qing Qing immediately understood that these two were taking advantage of her to gain favour from Emperor Jing Li.

To put it bluntly, they were blatantly stealing the man from her.

However, they still acted as if they were surprised and paid respects to Emperor Jing Li first. Lady Liao of Handsome Fairness said, “This imperial concubine[5] came to visit Younger sister. I didn’t expect that Your Majesty would also be here. This is rude of me.”

Emperor Jing Li did not spare a glance at them. He nodded his head and did not leave space for the three women. He just sat in the main seat without any discernment and spoke to Liao Qing Qing, “Pour water.”

Liao Qing Qing hurriedly poured water for Emperor Jing Li.

Emperor Jing Li picked up the teacup and drank slowly.

Only then did Liao Qing Qing turn to look at the two people, Lady Jiang of Fragrant Ceremony and Lady Liao of Handsome Fairness.

The two did not expect that they would be given a cold shoulder by Emperor Jing Li and Liao Qing Qing at the same time. A trace of embarrassment flashed on their faces. But they were people of aspirations, so they would not be afraid of this tiny bit of embarrassment.

They immediately smiled and said to Liao Qing Qing, “Younger sister, you have always been afraid of the heat. Elder sister has made a round fan which is light and cool to alleviate the heat. It just so happens that I can give younger sister to use.”

Pftt!

This gift is too insincere, right?

Liao Qing Qing wanted to laugh and replied, “Thank you, Lady Liao of Handsome Fairness.”

Lady Liao of Handsome Fairness noted that Liao Qing Qing did not say any harsh words. With a smile, she walked forward. Those small quick steps were really swaying gently and beautifully and revealed grace. If she was a man, she would be seduced by Lady Liao of Handsome Fairness

Come on!

Seduce him without holding back!

I’ll give you a stage to seduce Emperor Jing Li away!

The author has something to say: ——

Liao Qing Qing: Although I feel that “the Emperor possesses the will but not the strength.”, he is a pervert. What if he chooses to “sleep” with someone else?

Emperor Jing Li: ???

[1] 咸鱼(xiányú)- Salted fish. There are several meanings. Firstly, it is a cantonese metaphor for “dead”. Secondly, it is a cantonese metaphor for “people who don’t want to move.” Thirdly, it is an internet slang for “people without dreams.” Fourthly, it is an online game term for “a player who does not or rarely spends energy and time participating in activities to improve oneself”. Lastly, it is a self-depreciating phrase on the internet “I’m a salted fish”.

[2] 折子(zhézi)- A memorial was the most important form of document sent by an official to the Emperor. There were certain terms and formats that specified what terminology could be used by what level of official in what type of document dealing with a certain problem. The Emperor might reply at length, perhaps dictating a rescript in response. More often he made a notation in the margin in vermillion ink (which only the Emperor could use) stating his wishes. Or he might simply write “forward to the proper ministry,” “noted,” or use his brush to make a circle, the equivalent of a checkmark, to indicate that he had read the document. Credits: Wikipedia

[3] 话本子(​​huà běnzi)- It is a Chinese short- or medium-length story or novella written mostly in vernacular language. Sometimes, it includes simple classical language. In contrast to the full-length Chinese novel, it was generally not divided into chapters and recounted a limited number of characters or events. Credits: Wikipedia

[4] 奴婢[núbì]- I; your humble servant (term of self-address used by servants, maid-servants and eunuchs when addressing the emperor, minister, concubines, etc.)

[5] 嫔妾(pín qiè)- This imperial concubine. It is a self-appellation that can only be used by Lady of Talents (才人), Noble Lady (贵人), etc to the Emperor and Empress Dowager.