CH 12

Current Ranking: Noble Consort Liang → Worthy Consort + Virtuous Consort → Imperial Concubine Xi → Lady Liao of Lovely Countenance → Lady Jiang of Fragrant Ceremony + Lady Li of Graceful Ceremony → Pure Concubine Liao

Liao Qing Qing asked again, “Why did Pure Concubine Liao call him Xie Yi?”

Pure Concubine Liao, “???” Your focus point has already been skewed to the great northwest, right?

Liao Qing Qing ignored Pure Concubine Liao’s expression and continued, “It’s not polite to call him by his personal name,(1)right? This is not good.”

Pure Concubine Liao, “!!!” What’s wrong with this Liao Qing Qing?

Liao Qing Qing appeared concerned and said, “Pure Concubine Liao should not do that next time. If outsiders were to know, they would think that Pure Concubine Liao acted without decorum again.”

Acted without decorum?

This word was a thorn in Pure Concubine Liao’s heart. Because of “acting without decorum”, she was directly demoted from Lady Liao of Handsome Fairness to Pure Concubine Liao. Furthermore, she was deducted three months’ allowance as a punishment, and copied scriptures for an entire month.

Now, Liao Qing Qing mentioned the word “acted without decorum” again!

This was using a knife to stab her heart!

She was furious and was about to retaliate when she felt the hem of her dress being tugged. She turned her head to look and found that it was Lady Jiang of Fragrant Ceremony.

Lady Jiang of Fragrant Ceremony shook her head.

She instantly returned to her senses. She was no longer Lady Liao of Handsome Fairness. Even if she was, her position was not as high as Liao Qing Qing. Hence, she could not forget herself in front of Liao Qing Qing. Otherwise, she would be considered discourteous again.

There was no telling what other punishments awaited.

Pure Concubine Liao did not dare to speak.

Lady Jiang of Fragrant Ceremony helped her and said, “What Your Highness, Imperial Concubine Xi, said is right. This imperial concubine and Pure Concubine Liao will definitely remember Your Highness’ words.”

“That’s good if that is so. Since all of you understand, then I will not say anymore. Remember to abide by it.”

After saying that, Liao Qing Qing left with He Xiang.

Pure Concubine Liao looked at Liao Qing Qing’s departing back while fuming and stomping  her feet. She originally thought that she had grasped onto Liao Qing Qing’s weak spot and could cause Liao Qing Qing to panic.

Maybe Liao Qing Qing could also be of use to them.

Who knew that Liao Qing Qing did not heed their words, but also turned around to say that she was acting without propriety.

This pisses her off! This pisses her off!

“Don’t be angry,” Lady Jiang of Fragrant Ceremony comforted.

“Can I not be angry? She was inferior to us in every way. Now, she is overpowering us and she’s so arrogant!”

“She probably won’t be arrogant for long.”

Pure Concubine Liao was stunned and looked at Lady Jiang of Fragrant Ceremony.

Lady Jiang of Fragrant Ceremony said, “His Majesty is the king of the country and the most powerful man in the world. He would rather leave the harem women out to dry than let them have second thoughts. If he knows that Liao Qing Qing has her heart set on Xi Zi Xing…”

“Liao Qing Qing doesn’t look like she has her heart set on Xie Zi Xing,” Pure Concubine Liao said.

“Which imperial harem women can’t act?”

“Are you saying that Liao Qing Qing cares for Xie Zi Xing in her heart?”

“Of course.”

Lady Jiang of Fragrant Ceremony remembered that before she entered the palace, she went to stay at Liao Manor and saw Liao Qing Qing blushing because of Xie Zi Xing. She also saw Xie Zi Xing stealing glances at Liao Qing Qing.

She dared to conclude that there must be a past between them.

“Is there any evidence?” Pure Concubine Liao asked.

Lady Jiang of Fragrant Ceremony said, “If there is no evidence, we can create evidence.”

Pure Concubine Liao looked at Lady Jiang of Fragrant Ceremony. She nodded in agreement, “That’s right.”

Then the two of them looked at where Liao Qing Qing had left.

At the moment, Liao Qing Qing had already returned to Lisheng Pavilion. She thought in her heart that it was Xie Yi and Xie Zi Xing. She still had an impression of Xie Yi. However, the impression was unclear. She knew that his courtesy name(2)was Zi Xing, but he was called “Xie Yi”.

She couldn’t recall the rest.

She expended great effort to dig up the original owner’s memories ‒ “if you didn’t dig for it, you wouldn’t know.”. Once she did, she found herself having a trace of fluttering feeling towards Xie Yi.

She once loved him?

F*ck!

No wonder Pure Concubine Liao talked so brazenly in front of her. It turned out that the original owner and Xie Yi had a history together.

This matter was not considerable in the Great Wei Dynasty. After all, the people of the Great Wei Dynasty were open-minded. There were also women as government officials.

But she was not an ordinary person!

She was the concubine of the King of the country, Emperor Jing Li!

If Emperor Jing Li knew that his concubine had emotional exchanges with other men, that domineering and rude man… What would he do?

Send her to the cold palace?

Send her to the temple to eat vegetarian every day?

Kill her?

Several thoughts swirled in Liao Qing Qing’s head. She involuntarily shuddered.

Just then, Fu Sheng’s voice could be heard making the announcement from outside the door, “His Majesty has arrived—”

Liao Qing Qing quickly pulled herself together. When she raised her eyes, she saw that Emperor Jing Li had already entered. Without waiting for her to pay her respects, he said, “What are you thinking about? So lost in thought?”

“Greetings, Your Majesty.” Liao Qing Qing hurriedly paid her respect. When she was pulled up by Emperor Jing Li, she said with a smile, “I’m thinking of Your Majesty.”

“Thinking of me?”

“Yeah.”

Upon hearing these words, Emperor Jing Li subconsciously touched his nose. In the morning, he saw Liao Qing Qing’s faintly discernible beautiful and alluring body. For the first time, he felt extremely parched.

And dizziness.

When he left the bedroom, he felt wetness dripping from his nose. He gently touched it and saw blood. He had been poisoned for many years and seen countless physicians. Although he did not read medical books, he also knew a little and vaguely guessed what had occured.

He quickly covered his nose lest others discover. Then, he hurriedly returned to Zhengqian Palace and immediately summoned Imperial Physician Fan.

It was just like what he had thought; his consciousness was awakening from the toxin, which meant that his body was getting better.

The only terrible thing was that he couldn’t fool around yet. He had to hold back until his body was fully recovered before he could do the matters of the “rain and cloud”.(3)

However, this already made him very happy.

This meant that Liao Qing Qing was his lucky star.

He held Liao Qing Qing’s hand again. The words “thinking of Your Majesty” made him feel another never-before emotion—happiness.

Liao Qing Qing always surprised him.

A charming smile appeared on his handsome face. He asked, “What are you thinking about me?”

Liao Qing Qing wanted to tell Emperor Jing Li in advance that she and Xie Yi were clean and honest. This was to prevent Pure Concubine Liao and Lady Jiang of Fragrant Ceremony from getting ahead of her and ruining her and General Xie.

But she didn’t know how to word it.

After many years in society, she knew the importance of words and understanding the listener’s personality.

She might have a bit of knowledge about speaking techniques.

But she knew nothing about Emperor Jing Li’s personality. So how could she know which words would make him furious?

If she said something wrong, she would not be able to save her life. Furthermore, she would also implicate a general who defended the country. Then she really deserved to die.

Don’t panic.

I can’t panic!

She couldn’t think of a foolproof plan. First, she had to slow down; organized her thoughts properly. Secondly, she must slowly protect Xie Yi’s loyalty, who was loyal to the common people.

She couldn’t let the temperamental Emperor Jing Li destroy them all in a fit of rage.

As she thought of this, Liao Qing Qing calmed down and said with a smile, “This imperial concubine is thinking of what vegetables you like to eat. This imperial concubine will grow them for Your Majesty.”

“Pfft—” Emperor Jing Li, who was drinking tea, choked for a moment.

“Your Majesty, what’s wrong?” Liao Qing Qing hurriedly went forward and used a handkerchief to wipe the water stains for Emperor Jing Li.

Grow… Grow vegetables?

This was the first time Emperor Jing Li heard of this.

Usually, the imperial concubine would curry favour from him by cooking dishes, shoes and scented bags for him. But this was the first time he heard of growing vegetables for the Emperor.

This… This Imperial Concubine Xi is really different.

Emperor Jing Li held Liao Qing Qing’s wrist. With a relaxed smile in his gaze, he asked, “Beloved concubine knows how to grow vegetables?”

Liao Qing Qing nodded. “Yes, I have planted some vegetables in the courtyard.”

She wanted to be a salted fish(4) in the imperial harem. But she found that she did not have the patience to do needlework; she had no talent for painting; and could not do poetry, she felt exhausted when she wrote a few words.

Sometimes, it was boring to be a salted fish in Lisheng Pavilion.

Then, she discovered a palace maid planting flowers.

She did not love any flowers, but she loved to eat.

The idea of growing vegetables then took roots.

“Really?” Emperor Jing Li didn’t really believe it.

Liao Qing Qing said enthusiastically, “This imperial concubine will bring Your Majesty to have a look?”

“Let’s go.”

Emperor Jing Li really followed Liao Qing Qing to the courtyard of Lisheng Pavilion. In a piece of soft soil, he indeed saw a tender green bud.

Liao Qing Qing proudly said, “Your Majesty, this is what this imperial concubine planted.”

The Great Wei Dynasty especially valued agriculture. Every year, the Emperor would hold a spring plowing and autumn festival. When Emperor Jing Li saw these tender buds, he found them adorable and special.

His Imperial Concubine Xi is really good.

He held Liao Qing Qing’s hand and happily said softly, “Beloved concubine, you are really my treasure!”

“Really?” Liao Qing Qing asked.

“Naturally.”

“Then Your Majesty will be good to your treasure?” After saying this sentence, Liao Qing Qing’s goosebumps also wanted to come out. But for the sake of the following build-up, she had to say it. And she had to say it in an adoring way, and a way that would cause one to love tenderly.

Sure enough, Emperor Jing Li said, “That’s for sure.”

“Then what if your treasure does something wrong? Will you spare your treasure, Your Majesty?” Liao Qing Qing looked at Emperor Jing Li expectantly.

Emperor Jing Li said resolutely and decisively, “No.”

Liao Qing Qing, “???”

The author has something to say: ——

Liao Qing Qing: This man’s gentleness is all fake!

Xie Yi: Then come to my side! I’ll take you to the savannah to gallop!

Liao Qing Qing: (⊙o⊙)！

Emperor Jing Li: Let’s see who dares to take away my treasure?

1. 其名(qí míng)- Personal name, register name or given name is the name written on your genealogy and is most official of your names, used on marriage and legal records. People outside of your family were not, until very recently, permitted use of this name. Because a given name is something parents give you, it was disrespectful to call others by their given names and one would usually call others by their courtesy name. Credit: guzhuangheaven

2. 字(zì)- courtesy or style name traditionally given to males aged 20 in dynastic China. It is the name that is chosen by the person themselves on their coming of age (usually between 18 and 21) and used as a mode of address between peers. This is generally the name used in everyday conversation between friends, and is usually based on the name given by parents. Credit: guzhuangheaven

3.  云雨(yúnyǔ)- Cloud and rain. It refers to sexual intercourse.

4,  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”.