CH 6

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.

-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.

–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 

In a seductive manner, Lady Liao of Handsome Fairness approached Liao Qing Qing and said softly, “Younger sister, have a look. Do you like it?”

Liao Qing Qing’s hand reached out and took the round fan decorated with mountains and streams. As she looked at it, to be honest, she didn’t like it; she would prefer food and silver.

Lady Liao of Handsome Fairness added, “I remember that Younger sister likes round fans[1] the most. I remembered when we used to eat, play and sleep together in Liao manor during summer. You loved to fan using the round fan.”

Liao Qing Qing: ??? That was because I was forced to do hard labour for you two as a human fan, got it?

Lady Liao of Handsome Fairness continued, “As I thought about it, we really had fun when we were little. But it’s good that we grew up. Look, we are now in the same harem, serving the Emperor together with all our heart. It’s still as good as when we were little.” As Lady Liao of Handsome Fairness spoke, she unintentionally or intentionally glanced at Emperor Jing Li.

The corners of Liao Qing Qing’s mouth flattened. Lady Liao of Handsome Fairness’s gaze was really good at seducing others. Her heart almost melted.

Amazing! Amazing!

Lady Liao of Handsome Fairness was not satisfied with just shooting a gaze like the waves of water. As she spoke to Liao Qing Qing, she stood in the middle of Emperor Jing Li and Liao Qing Qing without batting an eyelid ‒ positioning herself closer to Emperor Jing Li.

Lady Jiang of Fragrant Ceremony saw it. When she saw that Emperor Jing Li did not react, she slowly took action.

Liao Qing Qing remained the same as earlier, responding with a sentence once in a while.

Lady Liao of Handsome Fairness looked at the indifferent Liao Qing Qing. She sneered in her heart. So what if this Liao Qing Qing has gained the Emperor’s favour now?

Isn’t she still as foolish as when she was a child?

Usually, when an imperial concubine had gained favour from the Emperor, they would wish to hide the Emperor so that other imperial concubines couldn’t touch him. This was also that the Emperor wouldn’t notice the other imperial concubines, and only see the good of one person.

In this way, they could have sole and exclusive favour.

Liao Qing Qing was very good, casually putting on a good play of sisterly love with her sister in front of Emperor Jing Li. Even though she was not as beautiful as Liao Qing Qing, she was not much worse either.

After all, men pursue a fresh experience.

With such a great beauty like her wandering about, which man’s heart wouldn’t flutter? Which man does not want to take her for himself?

Once Emperor Jing Li makes any move showing that he is interested in her, she will definitely not let him step into Lisheng Pavilion again. Let Liao Qing Qing regret and weep!

With this thought in her mind, Lady Liao of Handsome Fairness couldn’t stand to see a brainless woman like Liao Qing Qing. However, she was secretly happy at the same time.

Originally, she would not be able to meet Emperor Jing Li. But with Liao Qing Qing as a strong stepping stone, she would definitely attract Emperor Jing Li’s attention!

While Lady Liao of Handsome Fairness thought of that, Lady Jiang of Fragrant Ceremony also shared the same thought. She was unwilling to fall behind and walked forward. Lady Jiang of Fragrant Ceremony and Lady Liao of Handsome Fairness surrounded Liao Qing Qing, one on the right and left. Then, they took out their very insincere gift.

They began to talk about the plastic[2]  sisterly feelings of the three of them since childhood.

Their goal was to attract Emperor Jing Li’s attention and make him feel that they were affectionate, righteous and pure white lotus flowers out of the harem. In that way, he would favour them.

After a succinct performance, Lady Liao of Handsome Fairness and Lady Jiang of Fragrant Ceremony both felt that it was almost time. They exchanged glances and turned to Emperor Jing Li.

Lady Liao of Handsome Fairness’ voice was as gentle as a drop of water. Her entire person was simply a living succubus. She said, “Your Majesty, this imperial concubine[3] and younger sister, Lady Liao of Lovely Countenance, have been very close since we were young. We’ve spoken for quite a while. We seek Your Majesty’s forgiveness.”

Liao Qing Qing shuddered inwardly. This was the real-life version of seducing men. Usually, women could tell falsehoods at a glance. However, men were fond of this trick.

“So have you said enough?” Emperor Jing Li suddenly opened his mouth. His voice was extremely cold.

Upon hearing this, Lady Liao of Handsome Fairness was stunned.

Lady Jiang of Fragrant Ceremony, who was just about to praise the other,[4] suddenly felt that the atmosphere was not quite right. She put away her charming techniques and immediately became serious.

Liao Qing Qing was also surprised. What’s wrong with Emperor Jing Li?

Although she felt that Lady Liao of Handsome Fairness and Lady Jiang of Fragrant Ceremony’s acting skills were not as good as the level of a film empress like Zhang Manyu (Maggie Cheung) or Lin Qingxia (Brigitte Lin) since it was a little artificial and brainless on the surface, it would not be a problem to beat the 21st century’s group of popular young actresses.

Why is Emperor Jing Li upset?

The room was suddenly quiet, where a pin drop could be heard.

Emperor Jing Li’s long fingers pressed his forehead; his brows were knitted. After a while, he suddenly sternly said, “If you’ve talked enough, get lost!”

Lady Liao of Handsome Fairness and Lady Jiang of Fragrant Ceremony shivered in fear.

Neither of them anticipated that this would happen. They especially dressed up today. They thought that no man could resist, even Emperor Jing Li liked Liao Qing Qing.

Why does he not like them?

And they didn’t even speak much, why is it called “Have you said enough?”?

They were all ladies from influential families with good backgrounds. They had never been reprimanded like this before. Moreover, it was in front of Liao Qing Qing and so many servants.

They didn’t even have face[5] anymore!

However, the person who reprimanded them was the most reverent man in the world, Emperor Jing Li. They did not dare and could not possibly rebut. They were afraid and humiliated. They respectfully saluted to Emperor Jing Li, “This imperial concubine will retire.”

Emperor Jing Li ignored them.

Lady Liao of Handsome Fairness and Lady Jiang of Fragrant Ceremony left hastily with their heads lowered.

When He Xiang, who was serving outside the hall, saw this situation, she was happy inwardly. When Lady Liao of Handsome Fairness and Lady Jiang of Fragrant Ceremony came in just now, she was very unhappy.

They were obviously trying to attract the Emperor’s attention by coming here.

Her mistress did not seem to notice it, while she was anxious on the sidelines. Luckily, His Majesty had her mistress in his heart.

His Majesty is so good to her mistress!

Liao Qing Qing didn’t think so. She knew that Emperor Jing Li was temperamental, but she didn’t know he was so temperamental to such an extent. Lady Liao of Handsome Fairness and Lady Jiang of Fragrant Ceremony didn’t do anything out of the ordinary.

Will he yell at her like this too?

Liao Qing Qing looked at Emperor Jing Li in astonishment.

Emperor Jing Li was still pressing on his forehead with his hands. Just now those two imperial concubines inserted themselves between him and Liao Qing Qing, so he couldn’t feel Liao Qing Qing’s scent at all. His forehead started to hurt and now he was still a bit uncomfortable.

He raised his eyes to look at Liao Qing Qing.

Liao Qing Qing’s body stiffened. She did not understand the meaning of Emperor Jing Li’s gaze.

“Come here.” Emperor Jing Li beckoned Liao Qing Qing.

Emperor Jing Li’s hands were good-looking. It was slender and clean with well-defined knuckles, the type that Liao Qing Qing liked. However, she was feeling guilty in her heart. She didn’t know what Emperor Jing Li desired but slowly walked towards Emperor Jing Li.

When Emperor Jing Li reached out to hold her hand, she hurriedly picked up the teapot and said, “Your Majesty, this imperial concubine will pour water for you.”

Emperor Jing Li caught nothing. He looked at Liao Qing Qing in confusion. Just now, those two imperial concubines tried all means to approach him, wishing to have their bodies on him.

But this Lady Liao of Lovely Countenance was different from others.

Is she pretending to be reserved?

Or is she being very scheming?

Heh, it is probably to cause him to notice her. Don’t the women in this harem are all playing this trick?

It’s not novel at all.

When he thought of this, not only did Emperor Jing Li wasn’t bored and annoyed by this, he was a bit happy.

Fine then!

Since Lady Liao of Lovely Countenance cares so much about him and can relieve his headache, then he will indulge her to have these devious ideas.

With a smile on his lips, he looked straight at Liao Qing Qing and called out, “Qing Qing.”

Liao Qing Qing’s hands, which were pouring tea, jerked abruptly and almost threw the teapot.

F*ck! A type of plant![6]

The author has something to say: ——

Liao Qing Qing: Where’s your face?

Emperor Jing Li: It’s still handsome.

Liao Qing Qing: It will swell up later!

Emperor Jing Li: Why?

Liao Qing Qing: You will hit yourself!

Emperor Jing Li: ???

[1] 

Credit: Google

[2] 塑料(sù liào)- It means plastic but it is also an internet slang that describes something that is very fake, can’t stand scrutiny, different from what really happened. For example, an imitation that looks similar to the real thing on the surface, but it is totally different in quality. In this context, it means fake friends.

[3] 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.

[4] 发功(fā gōng)- The literal meaning is to launch one’s power. It is an internet term where the two sides of an online football game would praise each other, causing a situation that is more beneficial to themselves.

[5] 面子(miàn zi)- Face. It would refer to dignity as well.

[6] 草! 是一种植物(cǎo/cào shì yīzhǒng zhíwù)- The literal meaning ‘草’ is grass. It has the same pronunciation and it is a variant of ‘fuck’ (肏/操[cào]). It is usually used for people that wants to say ‘fuck’ but they don’t want to appear to be rude. Hence, they will describe that it is a type of plant.