CH 10

Translated by: Jellylynn

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

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

-曦嫔(xī pín)-Imperial Concubine Xi, Liao Qing Qing’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

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

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

–廖淑姬(Liào shū jī)- Pure Concubine Liao

–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 → Imperial Concubine Xi → Lady Liao of Lovely Countenance → Lady Jiang of Fragrant Ceremony → Pure Concubine Liao

Fu Sheng reflexively tried to help Emperor Jing Li up.

Emperor Jing Li raised his hand to stop him.

Fu Sheng retreated.

Emperor Jing Li stood in the same spot and looked at Liao Qing Qing.

Liao Qing Qing sensed something. She turned her head and saw Emperor Jing Li at the entrance of the courtyard. She quickly walked out and paid her respects, “This imperial concubine[1] greets Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be in good health.”

“Rise,” Emperor Jing Li said.

Liao Qing Qing got up and asked, “What brings you here, Your Majesty?”

Emperor Jing Li tilted his head and asked, “I[2] cannot visit?”

Liao Qing Qing hurriedly tried to explain, “Naturally it’s not like that.”

“What is it then?”

“Your Majesty has elevated this imperial concubine’s position; bestowed so many things, and now you have come over to see this imperial concubine. This imperial concubine is flattered.” Liao Qing Qing said.

“Are you really flattered?”

“Of course I am.”

“But I just heard you say ‘if only it was food, that would be good’. What does that mean?

Emperor Jing Li asked with his eyebrows slightly quirked.

“…” He actually heard it.

Emperor Jing Li proceeded to ask, “Do you think the things I have bestowed you are not good enough?”

Liao Qing Qing hurriedly said, “No, it is too good!”

“Hm…m?” The final syllable was slightly raised. It contained some danger, as if he would teach Liao Qing Qing a good lesson if she didn’t give him a satisfactory answer.

Liao Qing Qing reasoned, “It’s because it is too good. This imperial concubine feels guilty enjoying it by myself. It’s different if it’s food instead. This imperial concubine can have a meal together with Your Majesty.”

“Is that what you think?”

“Mm.” Liao Qing Qing nodded her head.

Emperor Jing Li was always confident of his appeal and trusted her. He said, “Fu Sheng, go to the imperial kitchen and ask the imperial chef to make some delicious food and send it here.”

Fu Sheng was very surprised. He thought Emperor Jing Li would be angry with Imperial Concubine Xi, but he didn’t expect him to reward Imperial Concubine Xi with good food.

This Imperial Concubine Xi is really something!

In just a few words, Emperor Jing Li has been taken down!

He hurriedly answered, “Yes, this servant[3] will do so post-haste!”

Fu Sheng scurried off.

Emperor Jing Li turned to look at Liao Qing Qing.

Liao Qing Qing wore a smile on her face. Actually, she was very fond of food. In the 21st century, when she was busy scrambling about to make a living and suffered setbacks, she found comfort in various types of food.

After she transmigrated here, there was no kitchenette in her Lisheng Pavilion. She and the rest of the imperial concubines would eat together in the palace’s large dining hall ‒ the Imperial kitchen.

Everyday, she would eat the same food as the other concubines.

If you want to add dishes?

Duh!

Pay extra money to get special treatment!

Previously, prior to this month, the monthly silver she received was that of the level of Liangyi. She would usually buy rouge and blush to reward herself; and there would be no silver left. Therefore, she would eat whatever the imperial kitchen sent.

Once Emperor Jing Li was here, the imperial kitchen would automatically add more dishes. It did not require silver. She would also benefit from the delicious cuisine.

Now upon understanding Emperor Jing Li’s intention, she was able to enjoy good food again?

Happy!

She looked at Emperor Jing Li happily.

Emperor Jing Li asked, “Are you happy to have food?”

“Ah? Is it so obvious that this imperial concubine is happy?”

Emperor Jing Li nodded his head.

Liao Qing Qing was embarrassed for a moment.

Emperor Jing Li reached out and held Liao Qing Qing’s hand.

Again with the holding hand!

Liao Qing Qing did not dare to struggle, so she let Emperor Jing Li have his way. She felt complicated. She silently followed Emperor Jing Li.

Emperor Jing Li immediately felt a kind of airflow coming from Liao Qing Qing’s hand, clearing his mind.

This kind of feeling was indeed very good. .

He couldn’t help wanting more.

But he didn’t know where “more” was.

He walked hand in hand with Liao Qing Qing to the living room. He sat on the chaise lounge and continued to hold Liao Qing Qing’s hand without letting go.

???

Emperor Jing Li has a hand fetish?

Liao Qing Qing asked, “Your Majesty, are you thirsty?”

Emperor Jing Li answered, “A little.”

“This imperial concubine will pour water for you.”

Emperor Jing Li nodded his head.

Liao Qing Qing struggled out of Emperor Jing Li’s hold.

That comfortable feeling Emperor Jing Li was feeling in his body was reduced by half. He didn’t mind it; after all, it was fine if his head didn’t hurt. He watched Liao Qing Qing pour water.

Liao Qing Qing was dressed very simply today in a moon-white dress. Her waist was slightly cinched in; long black hair in a loose bun draping behind her. Her minimally powered face was white and smooth; lush eyelashes fluttering slightly.

Everything was very simple.

So comfortable.

Like the rising sun in the morning.

The word “Xi” was too appropriate for her.

“Your Majesty, have some tea.” Liao Qing Qing brought the water over.

Emperor Jing Li took the tea cup, took a sip and said, “You don’t have to do it anymore. Sit down and take a rest. I’ll stay here afterwards to go through the memorials.”

“Yes.”

As a lazy person, when Liao Qing Qing could be lazy, she would definitely not be doing  anything. The Emperor was sitting at his desk going through the memorials, while she sat next to him idling about.

Originally, she thought to fan the Emperor, grind ink bars or such.

The thought of it sounded so tiring.

Then, let’s just idle about.

Just then, Fu Sheng came over and whispered something in Emperor Jing Li’s ear.

Emperor Jing Li immediately left.

Liao Qing Qing didn’t know what had happened. In any case, Emperor Jing Li didn’t come over during the night.

The next morning, she went to pay her respects to Noble Consort Liang. She thought that the other imperial concubines would look at her differently since she had been promoted and rewarded.

Only when she arrived at Linhua Palace did she find that no one had noticed her at all. After listening carefully to the imperial concubines, she realised that the Great Wei Dynasty had won the war.

Won a war?

Liao Qing Qing knew that the Great Wei Dynasty was founded in the midst of chaos and it was not afraid of going to war.

However, in order to let the common folks live and work in peace, two generations of Emperor made compromises with the Hu tribe in the northwest.

Emperor Jing Li, who had endured for seven years, ended up in defeat last year when he went head-to-head with the Hu tribe.

Emperor Jing Li was very angry and disappointed.

But he didn’t give up.

Once again, he gathered his energy, materials and financial resources to make another attack this year.

Now, they were victorious!

No wonder everyone was so happy!

Noble Consort Liang said with a smile, “Amongst the generals out there that defends our country, it’s really the blessing of our generation. His Majesty has always been clear in rewards and punishments. From time to time, Duke Yingguo returned to the court. His Majesty will not only discuss the merits of the reward, but also invite the families of the generals to the palace. By that time, all of you can’t make His Majesty lose face.”

A banquet will be held?

When the imperial concubines heard about the banquet, they became excited. No one cared about Liao Qing Qing’s promotion at all.

It was good to be promoted in a low profile manner.

She listened attentively to Noble Consort Liang’s arrangement.

She safely and smoothly departed from Linhua Palace.

When she averted her eyes, she saw Pure Concubine Liao and Lady Jiang of Fragrant Ceremony.

The last time Liao and Jiang went to Lisheng Pavilion to seek trouble with Liao Qing Qing and offended Emperor Jing Li.

They went to Noble Consort Liang’s place to receive punishment. Their punishment was a fine worth three months of their monthly allowance, and to copy scriptures to quieten down the heart.

The scriptures were copied, but the heart could not be at peace.

At this time, anger still resided in their hearts when they saw Liao Qing Qing. Both of them turned their heads and gave her the cold shoulder.

Liao Qing Qing also did not want to care about these two people. She happily returned to Lisheng Pavilion.

When she sat down, she saw Emperor Jing Li strode in like a ball of energy.

She felt puzzled.

Emperor Jing Li raised his hand to catch hold of her hand. Yesterday, he received the report and was too excited to discuss the war with the ministers overnight and did not come to Lisheng Pavilion.

This morning, he had a headache.

He forced himself to endure it during the morning court. Now, his headache immediately disappeared while holding Liao Qing Qing’s hand. His mood was also lifted.

Liao Qing Qing and Emperor Jing Li were used to holding hands. Hence, she thought of the great victory in the northwest and immediately saluted and congratulated him.

Emperor Jing Li smiled and pulled Liao Qing Qing up and said, “Beloved concubine, you don’t have to be too polite.”

Beloved concubine again?

Fine then.

You are the Emperor. You are the most powerful.

“I am really happy!” Emperor Jing Li said.

“This imperial concubine is aware,” Liao Qing Qing said.

“How do you know?”

“Your Majesty’s face is all smiles.”

Upon hearing that, Emperor Jing Li roared with laughter and said, “I want to reward them well. And I also want their families to be proud of them. So next month there will be a banquet in the palace. Qing Qing, you will also go then.”

“This imperial concubine obeys the order,” Liao Qing Qing said.

“A few days ago, a batch of fabrics were sent as tributes from Shu. Some of them are extremely suitable for summer. Let Fu Sheng send them over to you later to make some clothes.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“Alright. Come and accompany me to rest for a while.”

“Yes.”

Emperor Jing Li said to take a break was really taking a break. But during the entire process, he was holding her hand.

After Emperor Jing Li left, Liao Qing Qing stared at her slender jade-like fingers and looked at them.

She came to a conclusion: My hands are just beautiful!

She repeatedly admired it. After that, there was really nothing to do. When she saw He Xiang doing needlework, she thought that she could learn to do it herself. But it turned out that she really couldn’t be patient.

So she just stopped.

At noon, when she thought about what to eat, Fu Sheng came and brought not only the fabric but also the food.

She liked food the most!

She passionately praised the Emperor to Fu Sheng, “His Majesty is the best and most handsome man in the world!”

Emperor Jing Li, who was rushing over to eat, heard the words and his steps came to a stop.

[1] 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.

[2] 朕(zhèn)- I (imperial) or we (imperial use).

[3] 奴才 (núcái) – self appellation of bondservant when addressing the royalty or one’s master/your humble servant.