Jingyang Palace once again found itself accommodating the imperial concubines . Each wore smiles as beautiful as flowers yet carrying a cold sting .  

If one were to name a privilege the rank of Imperial Concubine and above had over the others, it’s that their ceremony in paying respects was less complicated .  

The emperor had ascended the throne at a young age . Ten years later, he was now twenty-eight years old . Zhuang Luoyan noticed that although there were a lot of women in the imperial harem, those with high ranks numbered few . It went without saying that the emperor also favored few women . 　　

In history, there had been a man named Liu Ziye who was emperor for a short two years . His imperial harem had about ten thousand beauties . Compared to that fatuous emperor, Feng Jin was a monk .

That said, although his imperial harem was considered small, each member was a treasure in her own right . Appearance and manner first-rate . It’s no wonder in Zhuang Luoyan’s past life, her male colleagues had all dreamed of being emperors . Let’s not just talk about men . A woman like herself, after seeing a group of gorgeous young ladies, would feel happy at the sight . 　　

The seating in the room was a.s.signed by rank . Although Zhuang Luoyan and Imperial Concubine w.a.n.g were technically of the same rank, with the latter even holding seniority, the former held a t.i.tle . Which led to the current seating arrangement: Zhuang Luoyan sat above Imperial Concubine w.a.n.g . Her seat gave her the most face out of the other Imperial Concubines .

Because Imperial Concubine w.a.n.g was a woman of few words, she didn’t seem upset sitting below Zhuang Luoyan . She sat there upright like an honest person . Invisible to others .

On the other hand, Virtuous Imperial Concubine Jiang was more lively . She sat above Zhuang Luoyan, occasionally chatting with the other women . She was considered a social b.u.t.terfly, and at first glance, seemed like a woman without cunning . 　　

However, sometimes a harmless-looking woman could achieve greater success than those who seemed full of tricks . Unfortunately, Zhuang Luoyan had gotten a good taste of that in her previous life . After that, she no longer judged a book by its cover .

“Ever since you had stepped foot into Jingyang Palace, this palace did not have the chance to speak to younger sister Imperial Concubine Zhao . Do you sisters here enjoy today’s tea?” The empress lifted her cup . “Yesterday, the servants from the Central Province sent this blend . Apparently, it’s a new product available in the spring . If you all like it, later the servants can send some over to your residences . ”　　

This was a warning to Zhuang Luoyan . It told her that she was only favored temporarily, and that the true master of the imperial harem was the empress . No matter the item, it would first go through her hands . No matter what Zhuang Luoyan did or planned, it would be futile .  

Yet Zhuang Luoyan merely quirked her lips into a slight smile . “Who knew that today this concubine would be able to taste the new tea blend from Your Majesty’s side . This concubine is so fortunate . ” She wasn’t that stupid to compete with the empress’ power . Currently, she was only a normal favored imperial concubine . Even if the emperor actually burned with a slight ember of love for her, she wouldn’t show off .

Once the empress had heard Zhuang Luoyan’s words, a smile formed on her lips . “What a sweet mouth . Since you like the tea so much, tell your servants to bring some back . This tea was brought out to be drank . If we let it sit for too long and age, it would be a pity . ” 

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“Since Your Majesty, the empress is fine with gifting younger sister Imperial Concubine Zhou some tea, don’t forget about this concubine . This concubine will now shamelessly ask for some,” said n.o.ble Imperial Concubine Yan . Her smile was a work of art . Due to her humble birth, she could at most be a 3rd-rank n.o.ble Imperial Concubine even when highly favored . However, because Zhuang Luoyan’s father was a high-ranking official, the emperor had favored that girl for a couple days at the start . And now, after such a short time, she had climbed to the rank of Imperial Concubine .   　　

Originally, she had thought Zhuang Luoyan to be an idiot . Who knew that she would actually become her rival?

Other than the empress, n.o.ble Consort Shu was the most n.o.ble woman in the imperial harem . She lifted her tea cup with a tender hand the color of freshly fallen snow . She lightly blew away the steam . After a little sip, she set the cup down, wiping the corners of her lips with a handkerchief . Her smile did not quite reach her eyes . “It is still Your Majesty, the empress that is good . That said, this concubine prefers Qingluo tea . ”　　

In her past life, Zhuang Luoyan had never heard of this Qingluo tea . But when the rest of the imperial concubines heard the name of this tea, their faces immediately dyed green with envy . From this, she could tell the tea was precious . This n.o.ble Consort Shu was definitely flaunting . Zhuang Luoyan happily watched as the other women competed in brains and daring . It’s better than having to put on a show herself .

As the empress, n.o.ble Consort Shu, and n.o.ble Imperial Concubine Yan argued among themselves, Shurong¹ Ye, who was sitting next to Consort Ning, suddenly fainted . All the concubines in the room paled . 　

After an imperial physician checked her pulse, the expressions of every concubine grew uglier .  

Shurong Ye was already two months pregnant .

If a low-ranked imperial concubine became with child, the empress and those of higher ranks wouldn’t have such unsightly expressions . Because even if those women gave birth successfully to a son, they would not have privilege to raise him herself . 　　

However, this Shurong Ye was different . She was a mid-tier second-rank master . Currently, there were only three princes and four princesses . And the ranks of these children’s birthmothers weren’t high . If this Shurong Ye gave birth to a son, her status would be the highest among the concubines who gave birth successfully . The emperor would dote on this child… 

“What has the imperial medical staff been doing? For Shurong Ye to be with child is a huge occasion . How is it that you check her pulse every two days, yet still did not find this out until now?!” Furious, the empress vented at the imperial medical staff . 　　

Everyone in the room understood the implications . If Shurong Ye did not faint just now, perhaps this news would be hidden for a while . It was likely that Shurong Ye had not felt well, and as such accidentally revealed this secret to the others .

Once the two imperial physicians who had checked Shurong Ye’s pulse heard the empress’ words, they knelt from fear . They knew quite well how the imperial harem worked . The battles between the concubines . Today they got involved by a cruel twist of fate . They didn’t even have the opportunity to rebuke .

The empress didn’t actually want to punish them . She knew that Shurong Ye hid her pregnancy well . In the end, she punished the imperial doctors to two months’ pay and closed the case like that . Then she summoned someone to tell Feng Jin of the news .

The moment the messenger filled Feng Jin in, he had just ended morning court . Although his face seemed happy, it wasn’t to a great extent . He ordered for gifts to be sent to Shurong Ye .

Gao Dezhong could tell that Feng Jin didn’t especially like Shurong Ye . He silently followed after his master, not mentioning the prior news at all .

After Feng Jin finished reading a few memorials, he suddenly lifted his head from the desk and said, “Little Gaozi², take the high-neck jadeite vase from the storage and send it to the empress . Tell her that We know she has worked hard managing the imperial harem for Us . She may do as she wishes with it . ”

“This slave will send the message . ” Gao Dezhong wasn’t sure what Feng Jin was thinking . He could only diligently follow his master’s order . The other things weren’t something a servant like himself should be concerned with .

After Gao Dezhong left, Feng Jin set down his imperial brush . His expression was not one bit happy .

After Ye w.a.n.ge had entered the palace, he didn’t favor her much . However, he also had not been cold to her . But the imperial palace could no longer have a prince with the blood of the Ye family flowing in his veins . Never had he thought Miss Ye would actually pull this off .

Someone had sent a proposal asking to pay respects to one of the concubines³ . On top of that proposal was a single word: approved . Then, Feng Jin said loudly, “Announce Our order . Tonight have Yue Pavillion prepare for Our visit . ”

According to palace protocol, tonight Feng Jin should visit Shurong Ye’s residence . However, he instead seeked out n.o.ble Imperial Concubine Yan, undoubtedly slapping Shurong Ye in the face . This made the other imperial concubines even more jealous of the former .

Outside the hall, Gao Dezhong wondered if Feng Jin truly liked this n.o.ble Imperial Concubine Yan .

If one were to say he didn’t like her, then how could she, a daughter of a small official, have climbed to the position of a lesser third-rank n.o.ble Imperial Concubine in one or two years? If one were to say he liked her, then why would he broadcast to everyone his affection for her? If she lost favor once she was past her prime, how could she lift her head up in public anymore?

He was thinking too much . Gao Dezhong suddenly felt afraid, continuing to leave the residence without a sound .

“His Majesty wants to visit n.o.ble Imperial Concubine Yan tonight?” asked Zhuang Luoyan after Fubao relayed the news . She blinked . Then she smiled . “I see . You are dismissed . ”　　

What an interesting show in the imperial harem .