After Xiuyi Su came forward and paid respects to the empress, she went to find her seat in a well-behaved manner. It appeared she was an inconspicuous person. Sometimes, when n.o.ble Consort Shu spoke, she would speak a few words to help carry the conversation. It really made it hard for others to believe that they were cousins. 

Zhuang Luoyan carefully looked at n.o.ble Consort Shu. This woman made others take pity on her and find her harmless. However, the hearts of this kind of women fell under two extremes. The first kind truly resembled Lin Daiyu¹, inspiring pity in others' hearts. The second kind had a vicious heart. That n.o.ble Consort Shu was able to hold on to her position for so long was clear evidence that she wasn't the first type. 

The women who seemed the most harmless were the most terrifying when harming someone.　　

"I thought that Younger Sister Chongyi Zhuang would not appear today," said n.o.ble Consort Shu, a smile gracing her lips as she watched Zhuang Luoyan, before glancing at n.o.ble Imperial Concubine Yan especially. "Recalling Younger Sister n.o.ble Imperial Concubine Yan's birthday last year, I believe younger sister did not come to pay respects to the empress the day after."　　

After hearing these words, Zhuang Luoyan understood that n.o.ble Consort Shu did not hold good intentions toward n.o.ble Imperial Concubine Yan. However, no woman would be happy seeing another person imitate her to climb the hierarchy. Zhuang Luoyan smiled towards n.o.ble Consort Shu. Not a word left her lips.　

The gazes of the other imperial concubines converged on those three. Yet, none of them opened their mouths to speak.  　　

"Why has Elder Sister forgotten? Younger Sister n.o.ble Imperial Concubine Yan is delicate and frail. Her Majesty, the empress had relieved her of paying of paying respects back then," said Xiuyi Su said, continuing on that topic of conversation.

At this moment, these words did not appear beautiful. If one did not know the backstory, one would a.s.sume the empress was unfair. But Zhuang Luoyan and n.o.ble Imperial Concubine Yan did not fall under that category. 　　

Zhuang Luoyan decided to say something at this time. "Elder Sister was late in arriving here. Originally, this concubine did not know that Her Majesty, the empress had relieved this concubine from paying respects today. Additionally, this concubine is healthy. Unable to fall asleep even when lying in bed, this concubine felt it would be better to just come and chat with everyone." 

"Looks like you are very rule-abiding." n.o.ble Consort Shu had also been aware of the strangeness in Xiuyi Su's words prior. For this reason, she no longer wanted Xiuyi Su to continue speaking. She seemed to praise Zhuang Luoyan heavily before saying, "No wonder Her Majesty, the empress likes you."

Zhuang Luoyan smiled coldly in her heart. This n.o.ble Consort Shu wanted to kill two birds with one stone, targeting n.o.ble Imperial Concubine Yan first and then placing herself on a silver platter to be scrutinized and picked at by everyone. To mention the empress' fondness of her, and cause the other imperial concubines to target her.

"How could I only like Chongyi Zhao?" It were as if the empress did not notice that the other women in the room were clas.h.i.+ng in a battle of words. She slowly said, "As long as one is rule-abiding, His Majesty, the empress dowager, and this palace would be happy. For you to deliberately say this palace favors Chongyi Zhao, are you implying that I treat the rest of you poorly?"

"Your Majesty, the empress is naturally fond of younger sister. It is younger sister that had too shallow a perception. Seeing that your honored self treats others well, younger sister could not help but tease a little. May Younger Sister Zhao not find fault in me." n.o.ble Consort Shu did not become afraid after hearing the empress' words. In fact, she had used an affectionate tone to respond. 　　

"Your Majesty, the n.o.ble consort is frank. This concubine is not a petty person," said Zhuang Luoyan, the smile never leaving her lips.

The empress lifted her teacup. "Alright, you all like to chatter and poke fun. It's getting late. In a little while, the sun will be high and bright in the sky, and will cause all of you discomfort. You are dismissed."

After the empress opened her mouth, whether the other imperial concubines wanted to stay and chat or not, they all stopped talking and rose to their feet. Performing the full ceremony, they left.　　

Once she was outside Jingyang Palace, Zhuang Luoyan realized that n.o.ble Imperial Concubine Yan's complexion was not good. The palace maid who was supporting her had her head lowered, almost to the point of touching her chest. The arrogance she wore a few days ago as she had slapped Jieyu Ma was nowhere to be seen. It was evident that n.o.ble Consort Shu suppressed and frightened n.o.ble Imperial Concubine Yan. 

Don't support theft; read this free at sleep chaser's word press.

"Chongyi Zhao, how about we leave together?" said Virtuous Imperial Concubine Jiang all of a sudden as she approached Zhuang Luoyan from behind.　　

"Elder Sister Jiang." Zhuang Luoyan smiled in response. Seeing that Virtuous Imperial Concubine Jiang had purposely called out for her, she stopped in her tracks.

Virtuous Imperial Concubine Jiang stopped walking when she was by her side. She lifted her head. Gazed at the sky with not a cloud in sight.  After taking a deep breath, she said, "The weather is growing hotter."

"It is almost June. Naturally, it will grow hotter." Zhuang Luoyan received the fan from Yunxi's hand, lightly fanning herself. She walked with Virtuous Imperial Concubine Jiang. "Why is Imperial Concubine w.a.n.g absent today?"

"She wasn't feeling well since a few days ago. These past two days, when the imperial physicians had examined her, she also was not doing too well." Virtuous Imperial Concubine Jiang's tone was heavy. "Nowadays, the weather is hot. Who knows when she'll recover?" 

"Elder Sister Imperial Concubine w.a.n.g is fortunate. Elder Sister should not feel worried." Only now did Zhuang Luoyan recall that she in fact did not see Imperial Concubine w.a.n.g for two days. Perhaps it was because she was not favored, and did not speak much often, that Zhuang Luoyan had not noticed her absence prior.　　

Virtuous Imperial Concubine Jiang smiled. It seemed dull. Her residence and Taoyu Pavilion were in the same direction, though it was farther away. Ever since she had entered the imperial palace, she did not receive too much favor. She relied on her status and resources and endured a lot to rise to where she stood today. She couldn't help but turn her head to look at the more favored Chongyi Zhao. How did this woman climb so high?

Although she was beautiful, she wasn't the most beautiful. Her four arts² also weren't anything special in the imperial harem. Not to mention, she wasn't as talented in dancing as n.o.ble Consort Shu, nor was she as good at singing as Consort Rou. So what did she possess to win the emperor's affection?

"It's just the way it is." Virtuous Imperial Concubine Jiang retracted her gaze. Those who were favored naturally had their own measures. If she had her own measures, she wouldn't have wasted so much time in the imperial harem.

Once the two had walked for a distance, they met someone they did not expect to see in the imperial gardens. 　

"This concubine greets Your Majesty." Never had Virtuous Imperial Concubine Jiang thought she would find the emperor here, and her voice even trembled as she spoke.

"Did the two beloved concubines just come from the empress' residence?" said Feng Jin, sweeping his gaze through them, stopping at Zhuang Luoyan. He reached out and helped her to her feet. "Why have you also gone there?" He saw that the girl before him had a red face. She was even too shy to look at him.

"Once Your Majesty left, this concubine awoke…" Before she finished speaking, her face turned even redder. "Her Majesty, the empress works hard to manage the imperial harem. For this concubine to have paid respects to the empress is natural."

Virtuous Imperial Concubine Jiang lowered her head, and saw Zhuang Luoyan's small and tender hand clasped in the emperor's own. All of a sudden, she felt surprised. So surprised that she didn't even register what Zhuang Luoyan said.

The author has something to say:

This chapter was a bit short. But I couldn't write any more T-T. I can't face the wall anymore. My wall is probably shy by now.

Translator's notes:

Another battle of words for our girl ZL XD

Ah, so I've decided to switch to an advanced chapter system on Patreon after all. It'll be up on December 1 at 1 PM EST. Since the first Sat.u.r.day release for December will be on 12/7, if you'd like the full amount of advanced chapters available in December, please become a patron before 12/6 at 1 PM EST. More information will be on my Patreon.

Sponsor donations will no longer be accepted for FPYQ, and sponsored donations will only be accepted for TJOAIC up until the $15 mark (current progress 10/15).

Next regular release: Sat.u.r.day November 23, 2019 at 12 pm EST.

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Lin Daiyu: (林黛玉) From Wikipedia– Lin Daiyu is one of the princ.i.p.al characters of Cao Xueqin's cla.s.sic Chinese novel Dream of the Red Chamber. She is portrayed as a well-educated, intelligent, witty and beautiful young woman of physical frailness who is somewhat p.r.o.ne to occasional melancholy. four arts: (琴棋書畫) From Wikipedia– The four arts (四藝, siyi), or the four arts of the Chinese scholar, were the four main academic and artistic accomplishments required of the ancient Chinese scholar-gentlemen. They are qin (琴, a seven-string instrument), qi (棋, the strategy game of Go), shu (書, Chinese calligraphy) and hua (畫, Chinese painting).