Happy reading~

Chapter 70: An Unexpected Effect

Ning Shu took in Miao Qing's discrete actions. As expected of a palace woman, none of them were ordinary at all. Anyone else would have continued to try and sow dissension but Miao Qing clearly knew when to stop.

Ning Shu felt that the original host couldn't be described as simple either. In the battle for the throne, she had taken the initiative to do things for Li Wen and seen quite a lot of dark things. However, she also counted as dumb since she had pretty much offended all of the women in the Inner Palace.

In the end, she still had a very conceited personality and looked down on these women in the Inner Palace that relied on a man to live. It was to the point that not a single person stepped up to speak for her when she was bestowed in marriage. They all agreed for her to be sent off. It was also quite impressive in a way, since it's truly hard for one's relations.h.i.+ps with others to be horrible to this degree.

Ning Shu thought for a bit, then said, "Record all of this and give return gifts according to the usual standard."

Miao Qing and Yuan Dong who were sorting out the items froze at the same time because the Princess never gave return gifts. Her sudden command to give return gifts gave them quite a shock. However, in the end they were both experienced palace maids and reacted quickly.

Interaction between people has always been based on reciprocity. The way the original host only accepted presents without giving return gifts expressed the message that she didn't want to a.s.sociate with those women. How offensive was that?

And the princess was seriously willful. However, though the women in the Inner Palace gritted their teeth and cursed at her, they couldn't do anything to the original host. A wall only fell if everyone pushed. A lot of factors had contributed to the fact that the original host ended up the way she had.

"Princess, you really want to give return gifts?" asked Miao Qing. "This is giving them face."

Ning Shu simply glanced at her without speaking. This caused Miao Qing to feel uneasy. She and Yuan Dong had seen how much pain the princess was in before. However, now the princess was so calm that it was scary. It couldn't be that she had gone crazy from the pain?

Of course, they could only wonder this silently. Although the two maids were not willing, they still handled tasks very quickly and soon sent return gifts to the people from each palace.

The consorts and concubines were surprised and touched to receive Princess Jiahui's return gifts. They had all sorts of complex emotional responses, but for the time being it won't be discussed in detail.

Ning Shu was wondering whether if she should go find Duan Xinghui. However, she rejected this idea right after it emerged. At this time, Duan Xinghui had probably already been rescued by Er Ya, what use was there in her going? Moreover, if a princess wanted to head out, it had to be done with adequate protection and ceremonial dignity. She'd have to drag a whole bunch of people along. By the the time she got to the border, all the dishes would have chilled.

If the two were truly in love, fate would bind them closely together.

Duan Xinghui and Er Ya had gotten together without any intermediaries. As Er Ya took care of Duan Xinghui who was injured, they inevitably had bodily contact. Familiarity breeds fondness, dry wood bursts into flames, the blaze of love ignites. In short, the two people fell in love, it was true love.

The true task would have to wait until Duan Xinghui brought Er Ya back to the capital. Until then, she should just focus on recovering and brush up on the Emperor's favorable impression of her. Since she didn't want to be bestowed in marriage, she had to build up her own value.

What could she help Li Wen with? There were too many people to do the things like carrying tea and pouring water. The effect of brus.h.i.+ng up his favorable impression of her and deepening the sibling affection between them was small, but working on it occasionally wouldn't be a loss.

Ning Shu earnestly focused on recuperating. However, during the entire time, there was not a hint of a smile on her face so it caused Miao Qing and Yuan Dong who were attending to her to be completely confused and on edge.

They would be very careful with everything they said. Miao Qing no longer dared to try to provoke Ning Shu. Ning Shu noticed that Yuan Dong's eyes were a little bit red, but every time she asked, Yuan Dong would only say that she had squinted too much or that it was trachoma.

Ning Shu gazed meaningfully at the two. Her unreadable gaze caused the two maids to feel even more scared. They felt like the princess's eyes seemed to penetrate everything and see the secrets hidden in the deepest depths of their hearts.

Hence, Miao Qing and Yuan Dong started attending to Ning Shu even more carefully and considerately. Their comprehensive attentiveness allowed Ning Shu's days to pa.s.s by very comfortably. This was an effect that Ning Shu hadn't predicted.

Happy reading~

Chapter 71: Big Boss's Younger Sister

Ning Shu recuperated for half a month and nursed herself very well. It was to the point that her face became white, plump, and rosy. She didn't seem to be heartbroken at all.

The moment the consorts and concubines in the Inner Palace heard that Princess Jiahui had recovered, they all swarmed over to visit her.

Ning Shu ma.s.saged her head as she looked at the roomful of orioles and swallows. When a room was filled with beauties, the fragrances they applied all mixed together to create a smell so strong and intense that it made one's head hurt.

These consorts all had different styles and temperaments. There were enchanting ones, lovely ones, innocent ones, aloof ones, gentle ones, virtuous ones… There were all types of women. Li Wen was sure lucky to have so many women - and they were beautiful to boot - waiting to get his affection.

Ning Shu understood that the only goal these consorts had in coming to Orchid Garden Palace was to see Li Wen. Although these consorts made a lot of effort to find conversational topics and ask about her health, they continuously glanced towards the entrance of the palace.

Ning Shu didn't bother to expose them either. She had just come to this world and had to learn about the current situation within the palace. From the words these consorts spoke, she could figure out which consorts were favored and which ones weren't. She could even determine from these consorts' barbed words who held grudges against whom, and based on that, figure out the factions.

"The Emperor has arrived." A very unpleasant and screechy voice came from outside. However, it was as pleasant as the drizzle of rain to the women in the room. Every single one of them livened up and looked towards the entrance with radiant smiles.

Li Wen walked into the palace. Ning Shu immediately sensed a chill. It was freaking cold ah.

"Your Majesty, may you forever be in good health." The entire roomful of women curtsied towards Li Wen. Their movements were extremely lovely and charming and their voices were so tender water could be squeezed out. They faced Li Wen with their very best posture. Some bolder ones even tried to casually expose their well-rounded snowy bosom in a seemingly inadvertent way.

It was the stunning scene of a hundred flowers competing. Ning Shu was inwardly speechless as she looked at the roomful of beautiful women. Any one of these women, placed in the modern world, would be pursued by countless admirers, yet they were all stuck in this place to fight over a single man.

It was seriously a waste of resources.

Li Wen was indifferent towards the women in the room and simply said, "You may rise."

A consort that was near Li Wen purposefully stumbled as she got up and tried to fall towards Li Wen's chest. In the end, Li Wen side-stepped and that consort almost fell to the ground in a big faux pas.

Ning Shu's lips twitched. This Emperor seriously had a terrible personality ah. What was so hard about supporting his own woman for a second? It was a woman that was fawning upon you, and it was even such a beautiful woman. If it was her, she would have been overcome with joy.

Li Wen didn't even bother to glance at these consorts and turned straight to Ning Shu to ask mildly, "You look like you've recovered quite well?"

Ning Shu curtsied. "Many thanks for Imperial Older Brother's concern. Jiahui is much better."

Li Wen nodded, his expression still cold. "Even if Duan Xinghui is gone, there are still other good men in Great Yong. You are our sister."

Ning Shu automatically translated it. You're this big boss's younger sister, you can casually take your pick of any man in the world.

Ning Shu revealed a very sad expression that was at the same time touched as she said, "Thank you, Imperial Older Brother, for your concern. It's just that Imperial Younger Sister doesn't want to think about these things right now."

Li Wen stared at Ning Shu with his sharp gaze. He scanned Ning Shu's face, then nodded. After saying 'en,' he didn't say anymore and simply sat on the chair awhile before leaving.

"The Emperor is departing…"  The grand eunuch, Eunuch Jiang, sang the suave and melodious call with his sharp voice.

#comment: This is barely related, but I recently discovered this funny song about an eunuch. If you have the time, I highly recommend checking it out in this order. Here's the for you to try and guess at the meanings if you don't know fluent Chinese, then here's a of the translated lyrics. There's some cultural references that you guys might not know about, so I also made a short about it.