Concubine Lan, filled with grievances, went to the Imperial Court, unaware that the Emperor was in a bad mood.
He hadn’t figured out the reason for his annoyance. Was it a joke for a dignified Emperor to yearn so intensely for a concubine? The Emperor was irritable and impatient, and the palace attendants around him were often punished for the slightest mistakes. What they could usually get away with was no longer possible now. Fortunately, the master was kind-hearted, and at most, they would endure some hardships without losing their lives.
Upon entering, the first person Concubine Lan saw was Ying Lu.
He wore a smile and saluted, "Lady, you have arrived. Please wait a moment; I’ll go announce your arrival."
"Thank you, Eunuch," she replied.
Tears welled up in Concubine Lan’s eyes.
Ying Lu entered and bowed, "Emperor, Concubine Lan has arrived."
"What is she here for?"
The Emperor frowned.
If Concubine Lan were to hear this, it would truly be like a knife to her heart. As soon as he finished speaking, he realized, "I summoned her... never mind, let her wait for a while."
Ying Lu responded and went out to convey the Emperor’s words to Concubine Lan.
No other women were inside; the Emperor was busy with official matters, and there should be no cause for jealousy among the concubines—he thought it was simple. Concubine Lan responded, "This is fine, the Emperor is working on decrees and using ink; it’s a good opportunity for me to help him grind the ink."
"This..."
Ying Lu was shocked.
Seeing that the Emperor himself had forgotten the person he summoned, it was likely that Concubine Lan did not hold a place in his heart.
He took Concubine Lan inside; though the Emperor rarely argued with concubines, this time it was inevitable.
Thus, he awkwardly smiled and said, "Lady, I’m afraid it’s not convenient for the Emperor to have someone by his side right now, which is why you are asked to wait outside. I can bring you a hand warmer or you could wait in the side hall?"
"Concubine Xi can enter the Zichen Palace of Qiankun Palace, and I can’t?"
The truth unveiled, and Concubine Lan’s face turned cold.
Seeing where this was going, Ying Lu said softly, "It doesn’t concern anyone else, Lady. Things were peaceful earlier, but now, as the year-end approaches, snow disasters are not even the main issue, and Jiangnan is facing floods at this time. Isn’t it extraordinary? The master reviews reports day and night, and now more than ever, he is too vexed to meet anyone. If he didn’t favor you, he wouldn’t have summoned you to accompany him, would he? So, please wait a little longer. Having been summoned already, there’s no point in contending with the Emperor and missing the chance to see him."
Every argument almost convinced Concubine Lan.
But just the thought that Concubine Xi could enter and she couldn’t made her uneasy.
Yet, the eunuch was right about one thing: opposing the Emperor only led to her own detriment. Concubine Lan thought for a moment and changed her tone, "I will wait in the side hall then. Eunuch, please tell the Emperor not to overexert and hurt himself."
"I understand."
The woman, with graceful steps, went to the side hall, and Ying Lu turned back with a smile.
Qin Laicai chimed in, "What amused the ancestor?"
"Doesn’t it make you laugh when someone compares you to me?"
"How dare the grandson compare to the ancestor? Even with ten lives, I wouldn’t dare compare to you! I am most grateful and loyal; born to be a dog, I have your grace to thank for appearing as human before the Emperor."
Eunuch flattery often crossed into the realm of hyperbole, but to the listener, it was just right without overstepping.
Ying Lu was quite pleased and, as he crossed the threshold to face the Emperor, a hint of worry appeared.
"What did Concubine Lan say?"
The Emperor didn’t lift his head, instructing him to reply on his knees.
"Master, Concubine Lan said she wanted to come in and grind ink for you, which would be a pleasant thing, but following your orders, I advised against it, and she said, ’Can Concubine Xi enter the Zichen Palace, and can’t she?’ That surely frightened me—what nonsense! Everyone in the Zichen Palace witnessed how occupied the master is."
Su Yinglu could see that Concubine Lan looked down on him.
But that didn’t matter. Eunuchs were the most humble beings in the harem, yet no one could do without their useful labor. They excelled at deceiving and backstabbing. He didn’t lie, merely emphasized what mattered to the Emperor, highlighting Concubine Lan’s missteps.
As expected, the Emperor frowned.
Did she think she was worthy of comparing herself to Concubine Xi?
Without much thought, distinctions of favor and distance were already clear in his heart.
"The comparison by Concubine Lan must have stemmed from a dispute during the morning assembly at Jianzhang Palace,"
Ying Lu mentioned, pausing for a moment; the Emperor didn’t stop him, so he continued, "Here’s what happened: The Empress excused herself due to fatigue, instructing everyone to leave. There is an order of precedence in stepping forward, and Concubine Lan found fault with it. As Concubine Xi was rising, she was stopped, told that Concubine Xi should give way because she was eager to attend to the Emperor at Qiankun Palace."