Pampered Consort's Acting Awards - Chapter 35

After all is said and done, this harem is not Prince Jin’s Palace.

The next morning.

After Xiao Yu left, Qin Ling immediately shed all pretense and lay back on the couch.

She was the kind of person who wouldn’t be able to sleep if she had something in her mind, and the man had acted so absurdly that made her unable to sleep and ended up staying up all night.

As she was about to make up for sleep, she heard Chang Ge knock on the door: “Master, Her Highness Consort Xue has invited you to accompany her at Xianfu Palace.”

Consort Xue.

Only then did Qin Ling recall yesterday’s farce.

Ruling out what Xue Lanyi’s actual purpose was, what she did in Jingyang Palace yesterday truly did not hurt Qin Ling in any sense.

She, on the other hand, fainted while the emperor was questioning Xue Lanyi.

Consort Xue had just wielded power, and she lost her face in a blink of an eye. If she did not find fault with herself today, it would not be Xue Lanyi.

The current situation was not clear, and Qin Ling was not stupid enough to confront Consort Xue, the head of the four consorts.

She took out a brownish-red bottle, poured the white powder on her hand, and facing the bronze mirror, she wiped it on the bottom of her eyes and lips.

The next time she turned around, she seemed to turn into a delicate flower in the storm.

Hearing no response for a while, Chang Ge knocked again: “Master?”

Qin Ling replied in a faint voice: “Come in.”

Chang Ge pushed the door and entered. When she noticed her pale and feeble look, she said in surprise: “What’s wrong with Master?”

“It’s alright,” Qin Ling stood up tremblingly and said weakly: “Consort Xue has invited me, let’s go.”

What is a weak willow, you ask?

It is probably the way Qin Ling walked towards Xianfu Palace with the support of the palace staff right now.

Chang Ge looked at Qin Ling who was panting every now and then, and frowned. Was this Jieyu Qin really sick?

The cold wind shuttled between the palace walls, blowing people’s sleeves and causing echoes.

Soon, they arrived at Xianfu Palace.

The snow falling from the sky fell on Qin Ling’s forehead, nose, and neck, making her shiver every once in a while as she waited for Consort Xue’s summon.

The moon-white curtain fluttered in the wind, and Consort Xue was lying on the ebony lacquered arhat couch with porcelain flower pattern, glancing above her and asked: “She’s here?”

“Already waiting,” Qing Yue persuaded: “My lady, Jieyu is currently His Majesty’s favorite. If you make things difficult for her in a clear manner like this, aren’t you afraid that she will go to the emperor to sue you?”

“She is vying for favor by standing on bengong’s shoulders, can standing for a while be considered making things difficult?”

“Don’t forget, my lady. Early this morning, Gonggong Sheng took a group of people to Jingren Palace to move the things inside. My lady surely knows what kind of place Jingren Palace is,” Qing Yue continued: “Although the news that is spreading in the palace says that His Majesty has the heart to ask Shuyi Xu to raise the eldest prince, but so far, His Majesty has never mentioned Shuyi Xu’s position. Even Jingyang Palace was not bestowed to her.”

“This servant still feels that Jieyu Qin is not as simple as she appeared to be, and my lady should be the first to win her over.”

After gritting her teeth, Consort Xue said: “Go. Let her in.”

After a while, Qin Ling walked slowly.

The original pale and pitiful face looked even weaker at the moment.

Consort Xue narrowed her eyes and looked at Qing Yue, “What are you doing standing around? Go get hot tea.”

“Take a seat.”

Qin Ling sat and softly said: “Many thanks to Her Highness.”

After speaking, she coughed.

“Jieyu has not been well since yesterday, what is wrong with you?”

“This concubine was too careless and caught the wind chill…” Qin Ling covered her lips with a veil and coughed, “Thanking Your Highness for worrying about me.”

Even though she was merely pretending to be sick, it was true that she had stayed up all night, so the exhaustion in her eyes was not faked at all.

Consort Xue frowned, trying to discern the authenticity of her words.

But from her appearance, it did not look like she was pretending.

Consort Xue looked at the fresh and tender face in front of her, and couldn’t help but think of the news that was sent by Chang Ge yesterday—His Majesty personally takes care of Jieyu Qin, he is not leaving for the night.

This matter is actually somewhat ridiculous.

The women in harem would try to get news by every possible means. Which lucky person receives the emperor’s love last night, how many times he calls for water, how many times the favored concubine screams all night, those kinds of things.

But there are times when it is better not to inquire, such as now.

Thinking of Chang Ge’s words, then looking at Qin Ling’s slender waist, Consort Xue could even imagine how the emperor held it in his hand.

The new emperor was handsome and suave.

When she first entered the palace, she had also inquired about the preference of the new emperor privately. She knew that in his hiding period, he often went to restaurants to watch female dancers, so she started binding her waist and belly.

But after being in the palace for three years, has he ever treated herself tenderly?

Consort Xue suppressed the sourness in her heart and smiled: “Today I called Little Sister Qin here because I have something to say. I didn’t expect you to be sick.”

Qin Ling met Consort Xue’s gaze, coughed once, and replied softly: “What does Your Highness want to talk about with this concubine?”

Consort Xue handed her a cup of hot tea, and replied with a smile: “Loosen up a bit. You’re always so polite, making us seem unfamiliar with each other.”

Qin Ling nodded as if she had received good advice.

Consort Xue swirled the tea in her hand, had a sip, then said: “I’ve heard that you have an elder brother who participated in this year’s military exam?”

[T/N: Translated as martial examination in Chapter 8]

“Yes.”

There was no significant change in her expression, but Qin Ling’s heart made a thump.

The military elections of the Great Zhou Dynasty were always under the control of the Ministry of War. Although the Xue family did not directly control the ministry, the current assistant minister of the Ministry of War was He Changzhi, who was the student of Xue Lanyi’s father, Xue Boning.

If the Xue family wanted to promote and suppress someone, it was like catching a crab trapped in a bamboo cage with bare hands.

Since Consort Xue could bring up this matter, she must have made a plan.

Consort Xue said slowly, “You didn’t grow up in the capital, and you have lived in the deep boudoir for a long time, so perhaps you may not be clear about some things. Little Sister has been close to me since entering the palace, so today I will tell you a few things I have in mind.”

“This concubine will listen.”

“The military examination of the Great Zhou is not comparable to the imperial examination ah. In the previous years, except for the top three, do you know where the rest of the people go?”

Qin Ling followed: “This concubine doesn’t know.”

Consort Xue said slowly: “If they’re not ranked high, they won’t be mentioned at all. If they do rank high, they will probably get stuffed into the Ministry of War and be a ninth-ranked official, pass the supervisor’s documents or cooperate with the Great State Office to welcome envoys from other countries. If they’re lucky, they can survive like this for a lifetime, maybe even rise in rank and become a sixth-ranked official who deals with official carriages. If they’re not lucky… Well, hard to say. I heard that Eldest Young Master Qin is talented in both civil and martial arts, isn’t it a pity to live like this for a lifetime?”

“Is he called Qin Suizhi?” Consort Xue paused and waved her hand: “I plan to write a recommendation letter back to the Xue Mansion, so that my big brother can help Eldest Young Master Qin a little. What does Little Sister think?”

This sounded as if Consort Xue was handing her an olive branch, but if one thought more carefully, is this not a threat?

There is no free food underneath the sky. If she went along with Xue Lanyi at this moment, it was no different from sending a handle to her hand, and she will use it from then on.

“This concubine thanks Her Highness for her kindness, but…” Qin Ling coughed and said: “This concubine’s eldest brother has a solid nature and a stubborn head. He really can’t afford Your Highness’ care.”

Seeing that she was not aware of what’s good or bad, Consort Xue smiled and said: “Bengong promised you that no matter what his examination result is, the Xue family will let him enter the Northwest Army as a general. Within three years, he will enter the Ministry of War with military achievements. Eldest Young Master Qin is a fine scholar and soldier, loyal and upright, splendor is just around the corner. Does Little Sister have to cut off his official career?”

“His Majesty likes you because you are still young, the matter of heirs surely won’t be a problem in the future. As long as you help bengong with the eldest prince…”

Before Consort Xue finished speaking, Qin Ling’s body trembled, then she covered her chest, and her gasping sound became more urgent.

Consort Xue frowned, feeling uneasy, then said in a stern voice: “Jieyu Qin?”

As the wind happened to pass from the porch, Qin Ling closed her eyes and slipped from the chair to the ground.

Consort Xue immediately got up with eyes widened, and called: “Quickly call the imperial physician!”

Ning Chengfou was dozing off in the hospital. When he suddenly heard that Jieyu Qin had passed out in Xianfu Palace, his entire body was stimulated at once.

The wind was blowing and the temperature was cold, but he was sweating.

Looking at Qin Ling’s face and breathing, one could not tell that she was acting, but Consort Xue still felt that she was merely acting. How could it be so coincidental that she fainted twice in two days in front of her.

When Ning Chengfou checked Qin Ling’s pulse, his mind was full of the emperor’s gloomy expression yesterday. Whether or not the pampered consort was ill was determined in a matter of moments.

Ning Chengfou cleared his throat and said to Consort Xue: “Answering Your Highness, Jieyu Qin has been having a fever since yesterday. If she’s exposed to the wind again today, it will become worse.”

Consort Xue’s eyes turned gloomy.

She thought that if she threatened her with Qin Suizhi’s future, Qin Ling would relent, but she never expected that this person would directly faint in her palace.

If this matter spread to the ears of the emperor and the empress dowager…

Consort Xue looked at Qing Yue coldly, gritted her teeth, and said: “Qing Yue, stay here and wait for Jieyu Qin to wake up. Then personally escort her back to her palace. Bengong has to make a trip to Cining Palace.”

After the period of haishi [9 – 11 pm], officials in dark red uniforms walked out of Yangxin Hall.

The hall was silent, a faint but fragrant incense was burning in the incense burner.

Xiao Yu raised his hand and pinched the center of his eyebrows.

Seeing that the emperor had finished handling government affairs, Gonggong Sheng quietly approached and said, “Your Majesty.”

“Today Jieyu Qin fainted in Xianfu Palace, but according to Imperial Physician Ning, there is nothing wrong now.”

Xiao Yu suddenly opened his eyes, “Why did you mention this only now?”

“This…”

Gonggong Sheng bowed helplessly.

Why did he mention this only now?

But this is the rule you made three years ago. When Yangxin Hall is in discussion, do not report anything, and all affairs of the harem are to be told to the empress.

Xiao Yu put down the memorial in his hand and went straight to Jingyang Palace.

The moment he opened the curtain, he saw the sick little face curled up in the quilt.

He reached out and stroked her temples, his throat tightened slightly.

At this moment, Xiao Yu did not even think that the person before him would pretend to faint to make him come. After all, in his eyes, Ah Ling had never deceived him.

Qin Ling counted in her head and slowly opened her eyes.

Qin Ling sat up, rubbed her throat, and said, “Your Majesty.” She deliberately lowered her voice, making it sound hoarse.

Xiao Yu turned his head and gave her a glass of water, “Drink some water first.”

Qin Ling took it with both hands, and while drinking, she looked up at him.

“Why did Consort Xue look for you?

Qin Ling clenched her fists and whispered: “Consort Xue asked this concubine to go to Xianfu Palace for tea.”

“Just for tea?”

Xiao Yu sat upright, he seemed dissatisfied with her answer and wanted to reprimand her.

Qin Ling nodded.

“Consort Xue only chatted with this concubine for a while,” She forced a smile: “But I didn’t expect the wind to be a bit strong today, so I felt dizzy… But it’s alright now.”

Qin Ling hadn’t tied her hair yet, her black hair was scattered between her forehead, making her already pale face thinner.

When this act of keeping peace fell into the eyes of the emperor, it became the image of an isolated and helpless imperial concubine. No one would bear to blame.

In the past she was the master of the Six Palaces, the wielder of the phoenix seal, nobody dared to disrespect her, and she did not need his protection.

Three years ago, the memorials in Yangxin Hall were piled up like a mountain, and the number of days when he could visit the harem became less and less. When it came to protecting someone, it was probably the few times when he could not ignore Xue Lanyi’s bullying towards Li Yuan.

As long as he thought about this, Xiao Yu could recall the look in her eyes.

The empress always smiled gently, “Consort Xue is domineering, she should be punished. Qie will take care of Changchun Palace, Your Majesty doesn’t need to worry about the harem.”

Compared with her expression at that time, it was completely different.

Seeing that he was in a daze, Qin Ling coughed a few times.

Xiao Yu then returned to his senses and patted her back.

“Wait a second, Your Majesty.”

After that, Qin Ling opened the cabinet door, still barefooted, and took out two blue pouches.

“This concubine suddenly remembered today that the eldest prince also had a cold, but I don’t know if this will be good or not,” Qin Ling put the blue pouches in her hand before the emperor and slowly said: “This concubine prepared it according to the medicated diet, it contained bellflower, schizonepeta, licorice root, and tangerine peel, which are good for the lungs and dispelling the cold.” 

Noticing that he did not speak, Qin Ling took a step: “Did this concubine… overstep my boundaries?”

Xiao Yu looked at her eyes, feeling ashamed.

The mother and son were reunited, but he had really thought of putting Xiao Yun in Xu Lanzhi’s place to be raised.

“Yun’er’s illness is cured,” Xiao Yu’s throat moved slightly: “You don’t have to be concerned about it.”

Qin Ling’s tears were halfway through when she heard Xiao Yu continue: “Take good care of your illness. In two days when  you move to Jingren Palace, I will send him to you.”

After that sentence, Qin Ling pondered over and over again whether she had misheard.

Her mind was blank.

She recalled his every word and made sure she had heard it correctly, then tentatively said: “Your Majesty means… to let this concubine raise the prince?”

Seeing her widened eyes, Xiao Yu couldn’t help laughing: “You’re not willing?”

“This concubine is willing!”

She was about to kneel down to thank him, but was supported by a hand, “In the future, between me and you, there’s no need for such courtesy.”

The four eyes met, and it was as if they had gone back to three years ago.

At that time, he wore the imperial crown on his head, clad in a yellow brocade imperial robe coupled with white jade belt.

Although he had just ascended the throne, the dragon robe and the dragon throne made him look indescribably majestic, as if coated with the unique aura of an emperor.

He had also said to her as it was today, “Ah Ling, in the future, between me and you, there’s no need to pay attention to such empty courtesy. What happened in our palace before will be what will happen in the future.”

She didn’t understand until a long time later: this harem is not Prince Jin’s Palace, and they will never go back to those times.

She had believed it once, but how could she believe it a second time?

Qin Ling restrained her eyes and still said softly: “This concubine thanks Your Majesty for your affection, but courtesy must not be discarded. May Your Majesty forgive me.”

Xiao Yu frowned, his eyes turned slightly darker, and let her finish. Then he stretched out his hand to her and said: “Come over.”

Qin Ling put away her confusion, showing the bashful and joy that a concubine of the harem should have on her face, crossed over, and braced herself into his embrace. Then with a soft voice she said: “This concubine will do my best to live up to Your Majesty’s expectations.”

The man’s tall figure froze in place.

He lowered his head, but didn’t dare to look into her eyes. Only his fingertips twitched secretly, embracing her body.

It wasn’t until the two of them sat back on the couch that Xiao Yu found out that she hadn’t been wearing shoes. The ground was cold in winter, and the original snow-white soles were already red. Qin Ling noticed his gaze and couldn’t help curling up her toes.

He sighed with a slight smile, then stretched out his hands to hold the pair of ice cold feet, and asked her not to walk barefoot in the future.

Qin Ling looked at him meaningfully, as if she didn’t expect that he turned out to be so gentle with his concubines in private.

After returning from the bath, the brazier was burning to warm up the room.

Thick steam scattered in all directions. With an overwhelming drowsiness, they seemed to enter another realm.

Into the promised dreamland—