CH 14

-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. 

–梁贵妃(liáng guìfēi)- Noble Consort Liang

–德妃(dé fēi)- Virtuous Consort

–贤妃(xián fēi)- Worthy Consort, Noble Consort Liang’s maternal cousin

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

Emperor Jing Li is so smart!

He could predict without being a clairvoyant!

Liao Qing Qing had no choice. Therefore, without any other options, she got to her feet.

She followed Fu Sheng slowly and arrived at the seat behind Emperor Jing Li and Noble Consort Liang. She respectfully paid her respect and whispered, “This imperial concubine1 greets Your Majesty and Your Highness, Noble Consort.”

Emperor Jing Li said without looking back, “Mm. Sit down.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Liao Qing Qing slowly took her seat.

She turned her head to look at Noble Consort Liang, who smiled at her with a sideway glance.

Dignified, magnanimous and poised.

As expected of Her Highness Noble Consort!

It seems that it was still in line with the rules for her to sit here.

Otherwise, Noble Consort Liang’s face would not be so calm.

Then I will obediently sit here.

As soon as she sat down, she realised that this position was indeed better than the back row.

Not only could she fully enjoy the stage scenery in its entirety, but she could also clearly see the ministers in the left and right rows of seats as well as their family members.

Not bad, not bad.

Emperor Jing Li is still pretty good.

The sliver of reluctance in her heart disappeared.

She straightened herself like Noble Consort Liang. She smiled as she listened to Emperor Jing Li’s numerous types of speeches about the country, people. In fact, listening to it could still make one feel moved.

Who doesn’t love their country?

The banquet began after a good while.

She watched the performances while relaxing; feasted and drank.

The music started and several slender women appeared on the stage in a dream-like manner as if they were flying. Their long-sleeved thin shirts flowing gently.

Naturally.

Smooth.

Under the double backdrop of the moonlight and stage light, they looked like young celestial women in Heavens.

So beautiful!

Liao Qing Qing, who had not been exposed to this kind of entertainment in a long time, watched with fascination.

However, she did not forget to behave with propriety. From time to time, she would pay attention to the behaviour of Noble Consort Liang and others. She consumed the meal, pastries, and only then concentrated on enjoying the program on stage.

Just then she felt a kind of gaze. She curiously turned her head to look at a young man, dressed in military attire, sitting in the right row.

The man was tall, with a handsome appearance and superb demeanor.

This is—

Xie Yi?!

Xie Yi is looking at me?!

Xie Yi can’t possibly have feelings for the original owner, right?

She tried her best to recall. The original owner had Xie Yi in her heart, but Xie Yi did not express it. He even stood her up on their arranged blind date.

So why is he staring at me?

He sees an acquaintance and wants to say hi?

Liao Qing Qing had the utmost respect and admiration for soldiers. Additionally, she thought that  Xie Yi was the general who would protect the country, so she immediately gave a friendly smile. It was as if it was a bright flower above the snowy mountains: Bright, agile and indiscernible.

Extremely charming!

Xie Yi was slightly stunned and hurriedly lowered his head.

???

Shy?

To avoid arousing suspicion?

Fine.

Liao Qing Qing also stopped looking at Xie Yi. Her eyes turned back to Emperor Jing Li.

The victory in the northwest really made Emperor Jing Li very happy.

Emperor Jing Li was smiling the entire time.

During the breaks in the stage program, he chatted with the cabinet ministers and listened to their requests. As long as they were not excessive, Emperor Jing Li would agree to them.

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The atmosphere of the banquet was full of merriment.

Liao Qing Qing followed suit and relaxed. At this time, a new wave of pastries was served. They were colourful and all dyed with natural colour derived from plants.

She picked up one of the lily crisp pastries.2

She gently bit into it. The crust was crisp and crunchy.

The lilies were sweet and refreshing. The glutinous rice was soft and was not at all cloying.

This lily pastry is really delicious!

The corners of her mouth couldn’t help but raise.

Just at this time, she sensed Xie Yi’s gaze again.

When her eyes met his, Xie Yi hurriedly averted his eyes.

She puzzledly looked away.

A short while later, she noticed Xie Yi looking at her again.

When she looked over, Xie Yi averted his gaze once again.

This repeated several times.

She became very annoyed.

She gloomily grabbed a bite of lily crisp pastry and bit on it.

Just at this time, she sensed another gaze.

What’s happening tonight?

Someone keeps looking at her.

She turned her head and found that Emperor Jing Li was staring at her.

Emperor Jing Li did not speak his words. Instead, he pursed his lips and his brows were furrowed, as if he was dissatisfied with her.

???

She shortly reflected on herself.

Am I not behaving correctly?

She turned her head to look at the other imperial concubines.

There were other imperial concubines eating pastries too.

Then why is Emperor Jing Li looking at her with this kind of gaze?

She was too frightened to eat any more. She placed the half-eaten lily flaky pastry down, wiped her mouth with a handkerchief and sat up straight, just like Noble Consort Liang.

Emperor Jing Li, “…”

Liao Qing Qing, “…”

Emperor Jing Li turned to face the front.

Liao Qing Qing let out a sigh. Then, she saw Emperor Jing Li’s eyes suddenly turned cold and glanced towards the right row of seats.

It was unknown which general his line of gaze fell upon.

Anyway, it was particularly uneventful on the right side. Xie Yi also did not look at her. She and others felt Emperor Jing Li’s displeasure.

The banquet continued with a little more tension than before.

Night arrived quickly.

The palace banquet also came to an end. Emperor Jing Li made a few symbolic words of peace and prosperity; he also spoke some words of encouragement to the cabinet ministers.

Everyone was tactful enough to bow and respectfully send Emperor Jing Li off.

Emperor Jing Li got up and gave Liao Qing Qing an indecipherable gaze.

Then, he turned around and left.

Noble Consort Liang quickly followed him.

Liao Qing Qing did not know why Emperor Jing Li looked at her in that manner.

Virtuous Consort and Worthy Consort also followed behind Noble Consort Liang and departed. Hence, she also followed the rules and left the banquet garden.

The imperial concubines had been sitting all night, chatting with the noble madams, eating, watching various dances and operas, and always maintaining their image.

It was all too exhausting.

No one had much to say.

Everyone went back to the palace.

Liao Qing Qing also felt tired and a little sleepy. She was about to wash up and head to bed.

Who knew that as soon as she stepped into the door of the courtyard, she saw Fu Sheng standing at the entrance with his head down. She looked towards the hall and saw Emperor Jing Li sitting in the main hall.

Emperor Jing Li?

In the dim candlelight inside the hall, she couldn’t see the expression on Emperor Jing Li’s face clearly. But she only felt that Emperor Jing Li was even more handsome.

It was just that he was cold while being handsome.

He Xiang was instantly subdued by Emperor Jing Li’s domineering aura and looked worriedly at Liao Qing Qing. “Mistress…”

Liao Qing Qing said, “Go prepare hot water. I will take a bath later.”

“Yes.” He Xiang bowed.

He Xiang left.

Liao Qing Qing walked forward and paid her respects to Emperor Jing Li, “Greetings, Your Majesty.”

Emperor Jing Li said indifferently, “You may rise.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Liao Qing Qing didn’t know what kind of tantrum Emperor Jing Li was throwing. She got up and picked up the teapot and said, “Your Majesty is probably tired from the palace banquet, right? This imperial concubine will pour water for you.”

With an expressionless face, Emperor Jing Li said, “Beloved concubine, you are also tired, aren’t you?”

“This imperial concubine is not tired.” How can an imperial concubine say she’s tired in front of the Emperor?!

“To deal with so many gazes, how can you not be tired?” Emperor Jing Li inexplicably said this sentence.

Liao Qing Qing asked in confusion, “What gazes?”

“Don’t you know what gazes there were?” Emperor Jing Li asked.

“???”

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Emperor Jing Li: Being sarcastic.jpg

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)