The word of Shurong Ye's pregnancy had only been out for two days, when Anqing Palace announced some news of its own. n.o.ble Consort Shu had fallen ill. Once an imperial physician checked her pulse, he said she had caught a cold during the night, suggesting for her to rest and keep warm within her residence. 

Once the empress was privy to this news, she benevolently relieved n.o.ble Consort Shu from paying respects. All the imperial concubines visited Anqing Palace. But in the end, n.o.ble Consort Shu had been too weak to receive them.

Naturally, this applied to Zhuang Luoyan as well. She and her two maidservants, Tingzhe and Yunxi, had also been blocked from entering. That said, she did not feel one bit embarra.s.sed. She had merely been going through the motions to begin with. Whether Zhuang Luoyan saw her or not, n.o.ble Consort Shu would still be in Anqing Palace. Whether she came to visit or not would, she'd still receive a throbbing headache.

Once the eunuchs and servant girls caught sight of Zhuang Luoyan, they  lowered their heads and saluted her. Similarly, the imperial concubines that were of a lower rank than her paid respects to Zhuang Luoyan in an honest manner. Those who were of a similar rank did not treat her badly as well. 　

Never had Zhuang Luoyan took the time to admire the Imperial Garden. Until now, that was. In her opinion, the servants had tended to the flowers with meticulous care, each and every one of them an exquisite bloom. Zhuang Luoyan was an ordinary person. She wasn't the type to think flowers that had been cultivated by hand lost any of their original flair. Rather, she only thought the flowers looked beautiful, not a yellow leaf in sight. 　

In the guarded depths of her heart, Zhuang Luoyan sighed. It was true she was an ordinary person. Her life was cheap, and as such, she could thrive in the imperial harem, not held back by certain things. On the other hand, if a pure and delicate person, a person blessed by the heavens in talent and beauty, entered the imperial harem, she would only suffer until the end of her days.　

Zhuang Luoyan broke free from her wandering thoughts. Her hand supported by Yunxi, she did not go far before she saw a beautiful woman walking in the opposite direction, a few palace maids trailing her. 

"Greetings to older sister n.o.ble Imperial Concubine Yan," Zhuang Luoyan said to this woman who had basked in the limelight lately. She curtsied, carefully watching the other party. 

n.o.ble Imperial Concubine Yan wore a blouse and wrap-around skirt the color of peach blossoms, with the actual blossom pattern upon it a solid white. Her hair was arranged meticulously into a gorgeous floating cloud bun. Inserted into the left side of the bun was an embedded-jade-b.u.t.terfly golden-thread dangling hair ornament. It trembled as she walked, the b.u.t.terfly's wings fluttering upon every step. The ta.s.sel at the end of the dangling hair ornament also shook. Such an enchanting sight could not be put into words.

"Younger sister Imperial Concubine Zhao need not be so ceremonious. You and I are sisters serving His Majesty after all. Why must you be so polite?" n.o.ble Imperial Concubine Yan gestured for her to stand up. Because of this gesture, the b.u.t.terfly on her dangling hair ornament once again flapped its wings. As if it were about to take flight.

"Older sister n.o.ble Imperial Concubine Yan has a beautiful dangling hair ornament. Young sister cannot help but admire it." Zhuang Luoyan's voice carried a trace envy as her gaze locked onto the hair accessory. To be honest, the accessory was in fact very pleasant to the eye. Even though she had seen many pieces of exquisite jewelry in the modern age, Zhuang Luoyan still felt this one to be a cut above the rest. As such, that she was marveling it wasn't an act. The existence of such an accessory showed that the artistry of the ancients were of a high level.

n.o.ble Imperial Concubine Yan found Zhuang Luoyan's reactions satisfying. Her smile shy and pleased. "Were circ.u.mstances different, I would have given it to you if younger sister liked it. However, His Majesty personally bestowed this dangling hair ornament to me. As such, I cannot give it to you."

"His Majesty dotes on older sister. How can younger sister take a gift away? Especially since this dangling hair ornament suits older sister so well. If you give it to me, it'll be a waste." Zhuang Luoyan stood on stage, acting as if she were magnanimous. Her manner of speaking carried a tinge of envy, but not to the point where people would think she was bursting from jealousy. 

Again, n.o.ble Imperial Concubine Yan really liked Zhuang Luoyan's reaction. A smile danced on her lips as she went on her way. Zhuang Luoyan watched her figure shrink into the distance, the smile on her own face never faltering. There was no doubt about it; when a woman wanted to show off, as long as you praised her, she would forget her self in happiness. Such was the adorable and hateful side of a woman's vanity.

No matter the time period, women were easier than men to please. In the past, many women hoped to have a simple and stable family life, a st.u.r.dy and honest husband. It's a pity such a thing was rare in that time period. What men desired amounted to much more than what women desired. Power, fame, wealth, and beautiful women.

Women in the ancient age were always stuck in abiding to the three obediences and four virtues: obey the father as a maiden, husband as a wife, and sons as a widow; the virtues of ethics, speech, appearance, and labor in matrimony. Modern-age women were stronger than ancient women, and as such existed as a third type of people compared to men and ancient women. If modern-age women were weaker, the men would feel pressured. Because rather than helping to provide for the family, these women would stay at home.　

Sometimes, there were men who complained about their exhaustion from work, not realizing that the woman beside them had turned from a pretty girl to a sallow woman over the years. These men did not realize that taking care of the family was also a full-time occupation. 

Once a woman married, those that nurtured and raised her as a child took a step back from the position of her main family. She belonged to another one now. For the sake of her husband, she would carry a baby for ten months, and once the child was born, they would not take her last name. Women must take care of their father and mother-in-laws. It was seen as only natural. But if men treated their in-laws well, they were seen as great men. After marriage, if men sought out new partners, they would only be seen as pa.s.sionate and romantic. But if a woman somehow stood too close to a man, she would be accused of shamelessly seducing the other s.e.x.

To be honest, whether it was during the ancient times or modern age, women didn't have it fair. For this reason, Zhuang Luoyan never felt wronged after entering the imperial harem. In the modern age, many women tried their best to fight over rich, handsome, and talented men. The difference was, the women in ancient times did this secretly, not as directly, whereas those of the modern age competed for these men in a more brazen manner. Still, it was impossible to say which method was more honorable.　　

If women wanted to live a good life, they must learn how to blend into their surroundings. They could live peacefully, so why should they ruin their moods by competing? Doing so would just destroy their lives. In the end, who would pity them? Such an act was basically branding themselves as foolish.　　

Seeing their master expressionless, Yunxi and Tingzhe could tell she was lost in thought. However, they did not dare to get her attention. They could only carefully support her so that she wouldn't trip.　　

Eventually their master seemed to be nearing the end of her thoughts. Yunxi took this opportunity. "Master, look at those peonies. They have bloomed so beautifully." She couldn't help but sigh.　　

Zhuang Luoyan broke free from her reverie. It didn't take long for her to notice a couple of Chinese Herbaceous Peonies¹ next to a purple Moutan Peony², causing her to recall a poem from the Tang Dynasty: 

As one admired the Moutan Peony, the Chinese Herbaceous Peonies in the garden seemed enchanting; the lotus in the pond seemed pure and alluring. Yet the Moutan Peony was the most beautiful, the beauty of its bloom surprising everyone in the capital. 

"This Moutan Peony has another name. Ge Jinze," said someone with a pleasant voice standing by the side. Because this voice was so pleasant to the ears, so soft and gentle, Zhuang Luoyan remembered it well. She curtsied and saluted. "Greetings to Your Majesty, Consort Rou." 　　

"No need to stand on ceremony." She gazed at the recently-bloomed Ge Jinze. "This kind of Moutan Peony can be considered precious. The most beautiful are called Da Weizi. Whereas the type called Yeguang Bai carries a charming appearance. This breed of peony, Ge Jin, is beautiful but not to the point of being stunning. It's also not lively. In this Imperial Garden, it can't be considered eye-catching. How surprising that it could interest younger sister Imperial Concubine Zhao." 

"This concubine is an ordinary person. If the flower is pretty then I'll like it. I did not know that there were so many exquisite types of Moutan Peony." said Zhuang Luoyan with a smile. "Different people would prefer different flowers." 　　

A smile danced on Consort Rou's lips. "Then in younger sister Imperial Concubine Zhao's words, this Ge Jinze isn't that amazing. It needs to bloom even more prettily."

Once Consort Rou was far away, a soft laugh escaped Zhuang Luoyan. This whole time, Consort Rou hadn't been speaking about flowers. Instead, she was borrowing the Ge Jinze to warn her, telling her that she wasn't the most beautiful in the imperial harem, that her temperament wasn't the best of the bunch. Therefore, she shouldn't dream about receiving the emperor's love.  

Consort Rou's t.i.tle truly suited her. A needle hidden within soft silk. Such a pleasing voice uttering such words was a bit of pity.

"Master…" Tingzhe and Yunxi weren't idiots. They understood the implications hidden behind Consort Rou's words, and couldn't help but look at Zhuang Luoyan with eyes of worry.

"Tell the servants at the Central Province to send some Ge Jinze to Taoyu Pavilion. Those flowers are to my fancy." 

"Yes," said Yunxi and Tingzhe, sharing a look. They pretended to be ignorant of Consort Rou's warning.　　

After Shurong Ye became pregnant, the emperor visited n.o.ble Imperial Concubine Yan, Consort Rou, and n.o.ble Consort Shu a few times. Now that n.o.ble Consort Shu was ill, the other imperial concubines thought he would only see the other two. However, he decided to visit Taoyu Pavilion instead for the night.

Currently, Taoyu Pavilion's master was also considered to be favored. However, compared to Consort Rou, it was a bit lacking. For this reason, the emperor flipped Zhuang Luoyan's nametag. When news of Shurong Ye's pregnancy had first broken out, the emperor spent the night with n.o.ble Imperial Concubine Yan. A huge slap in the face for Shurong Ye.

Upon arriving at Taoyu Pavilion, Emperor Chengxuan caught sight of a small vase, a few stalks of Ge Jinze inserted within. He asked, "Does beloved concubine likes this type of Moutan Peony? Tomorrow, tell the Central Province to send a pot of Doulu."

"Your Majesty should not waste those precious breeds. This concubine only simply felt those flowers looked pretty and had people send some over. If the servants really send a whole pot, when Your Majesty visits a few days later, perhaps what remains would be a shriveled up mess."　　

Emperor Chengxuan stood there in a daze. Never had he imagined that Imperial Concubine Zhou would directly refuse him. If it were any other women, they would be bursting from joy.

"Does beloved concubine not fancy this precious breed of Moutan Peony?" Due to Imperial Concubine Zhao actions, a spark of interest flared in his heart.

"Your Majesty, are you teasing this concubine?" The beauty shot him a sidelong glance, another method of alluring him. Zhuang Luoyan's action was natural. Compared to those who pretended to be shy, she seemed even more loveable. "This concubine is an ordinary person. I'm not the type who would just trample on flowers."

"Beloved concubine is very honest," Feng Jin said, glancing at her from the corners of his eyes. His heart fluttered, blood pumping through his veins.  He stole a kiss on the corner of her lips. "But in Our opinion, beloved concubine is more delicate and charming than a peony. Let Us have a taste."

Never believe the words of an emperor. Once one believed them, one would lose.　　

He actually told this grandmother³ that I was more delicate and charming than a peony. The way he had said it sounded like it came from a person who had been starved of pleasures of the flesh for several months. For this reason, what he said about wanting a taste of her held true. But the words saying she was more beautiful than peony… Dreaming in the middle of the night wasn't a good idea. 　　

A dance of breaths intermingling took a lot of energy. Especially when the other party was a starving wolf.

The next morning, Emperor Chengxuan began to put on his proper attire. Stretching out his hands, he waited for a palace maid to kneel and fix the foot of his robes. Once he saw that Zhuang Luoyan was awake, he said, "Beloved concubine slept deeply." His voice carried joy.

"This wasn't this concubine's fault," said Zhuang Luoyan resentfully. It made the corners of Emperor Chengxuan's lips tilt upward. 

Once Zhuang Luoyan saw his smile, she lazily sat up from the bed, rubbing her cheeks on her covers. This was how men were. They didn't want to listen to the compliments of women. Instead, they liked seeing other people complain about them.

Didn't the word 'trashy' work well here?　　

Sorry for the late chapter. I'm currently editing FPYQ 9 as I type this. It'll be out later this evening.

I'll probably come and edit this some more later. The PDF will be made later today too.

When ZL was complimenting n.o.ble Imperial Concubine Yan's accessory I found it so funny. She's only complimenting the accessory, not the woman, so she's basically roasting her that the accessory looks better than her.

Chapter Supplement:

Next release: Sat.u.r.day August 24, 2019 at 12 pm EST.

If you enjoyed this chapter, please leave a like or a comment below, or on NU.

Chinese Herbaceous Peonies: (芍藥) Sháoyào. Picture is provided in the chapter supplement. Moutan Peony: (牡丹) Mǔdān. Picture is provided in the chapter supplement. The Ge Jin is one breed of this species of peony, and Ge Jinze are the purple kind of this breed. The breed Yeguang Bai is white, whereas the breed Doulu is green. this grandmother: (老孃) Lǎoniáng. Females used this to describe themselves in the third person, to show that they are "higher" than who they're talking about.