The white cat was quickly subdued by the eunuch.
The sharp claws tore the back of his hand, but he grasped it firmly, seemingly oblivious to the pain. Due to the Empress Dowager’s Buddhist beliefs, killing in her presence was not an option, so the servants had to endure this physical suffering.
Amidst this string of unexpected events, Concubine Li was still in shock—she knew very well that the cat was no hidden trick. The moment the white cat leapt out, she almost couldn’t continue playing her instrument, relying solely on her instincts and skill to carry on. In a double performance, one always needs a stabilizing force; Concubine Li thought it would be her, but in the critical moment, it was the unflustered Yun Jiao who steadied her.
With the situation flowing smoothly, Concubine Li felt a faint sense of gratitude toward her.
Consort Xi on stage didn’t show much change in expression, curtsying to the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, and the Empress.
"I wish the Empress Dowager all things as you wish and good health."
"Even when startled, you remembered the etiquette; Consort Xi is somewhat different from what I’ve heard," the Empress Dowager said with a faint smile. "You may rise."
Yun Jiao rose to express her gratitude.
The other concubines, having regained their composure, stared at her intently, noticing that she walked down from the stage steadily, without any trace of fright.
"Consort Xi has always been very bold."
The Empress spoke lightly.
After the Empress Dowager came forward, she summoned her today to accompany her at Changle Palace and then appeared with her in the Imperial Garden. This was her first public appearance since being confined by the Emperor, signaling that the Emperor had given the Empress Dowager face, allowing the Empress to gracefully yield.
"Consort Xi has been in the palace for less than a year; how bold can such a young girl be?" Xie Zhixing frowned slightly, suppressing his displeasure. "Investigate thoroughly where the cat came from and escort Consort Xi to change her clothes."
"Your Majesty, as for the banquet..."
"No need to dampen Mother’s spirits; aren’t there more performances to be presented? Continue."
The performances continued, but the atmosphere had changed.
The next performer was Concubine Lan, who entered the palace with great fanfare but had been silent ever since.
The harem has dress requirements; while living in the Emperor’s Youlan Garden, unseen by outsiders, Concubine Lan could maintain her usual dressing habits. But when visiting Jianzhang Palace for greetings or taking a stroll in the Imperial Garden, she had to wear the appropriate palace attire—otherwise, it would violate Palace Rules. Today, she could finally wear her fragrant purple ethnic dance costume and showcase her charm in front of the harem.
Life married to Emperor Yan Chi wasn’t something Concubine Lan could readily express.
At home, her father and brothers had high expectations for her beauty, believing that only by lavishly nurturing her with vast sums of Silver Tael would men value her. Consequently, her food, clothing, and usage far exceeded that of her other sisters, even comparable to her brothers.
Compared to palace life, it was akin to the treatment of a concubine status.
No matter how noble Emperor Yan Chi was, he was still a man, wasn’t he?
She gave up true love, becoming his woman for the greater good; he should cherish her. She expressed her reluctance in the tent, as a gesture of restraint. Human hearts are made of flesh; in time, even if she couldn’t love him, she would view him as her husband.
Who knew Emperor Yan Chi was particularly understanding?
She said she didn’t want to, so he genuinely refrained from visiting her.
The Emperor assigned her residence in Youlan Garden, her food and clothing strictly following concubine standards. It’s tough for women in the palace who lack favor, but it’s all relative. Even if a concubine isn’t summoned for an entire year, at least as a concubine, the food delivered from the Kitchen is normal and edible.
Especially since Concubine Lan represented the friendship between Yan Chi and the Grassland tribes, the Emperor specifically instructed the Imperial Household to treat her better.
She wasn’t doing poorly, just not exceptionally well.
After sitting idle for a while, and witnessing how Consort Xi, who once usurped her favor, now shone beyond compare, even daring to challenge the Empress, Concubine Lan, after a night of sitting by the window, resolved to join the competition for favor.
This performance was her best opportunity!
"Today, I present the auspicious dance from my homeland to the benevolent Empress Dowager, praying for blessings from the heavens,"
Concubine Lan said in the not-so-familiar Yan Chi language.
She curtsied slightly, her beautiful face untouched by worldly dust, exuding an ethereal coldness.
"Is this Concubine Lan the Princess Kesha?"
The Empress Dowager, indeed, showed interest.
Kesha and Concubine Lan mutually fulfilled each other; the tribe needed someone in Emperor Yan Chi’s harem to promote goods and maintain relations, while Concubine Lan wanted to stand out among the beauties by showcasing exotic charm. Maintaining Kesha’s Grassland flair was her best feature.
"Back at the Hanyang Hunting Ground, Concubine Lan presented this very dance to me,"
Upon hearing the Emperor speak, Concubine Lan felt delighted.
She wanted to rekindle the Emperor’s fond memories of her.
However, the Emperor’s next words were: "Mother didn’t attend Qiu Lie; it’s fitting for Concubine Lan to perform for Mother now. I’ve already seen it, no need to watch again."
The opportunity came and went.
Concubine Lan looked anxiously at the Emperor leaving his seat, unable to bring herself to ask him to stay, watching helplessly as the opportunity slipped away.
...
At the same time, Yun Jiao, while changing back into regular nighttime attire, removed the bells from her dance costume and concealed them in her palm. Just as she and Concubine Li were neatly dressed, a new-faced palace maid approached to take the clothes to the Laundry Bureau.
Yun Jiao stopped her: "Xue Ya will wash the clothes; no need to take them."
The palace maid looked troubled: "But..."
"There’s no but; whose palace maid are you?"
The maid’s eyes flickered, making Yun Jiao even less inclined to let her go.
She anticipated someone destroying the evidence, so she removed the most crucial bells beforehand, using the clothes to lure out the culprit.
"Replying to Consort Xi, today many Ladies need to change dance costumes. My name is Qing’er; I’m on duty today and not a palace maid for any particular concubine."
Qing’er was tense for a moment but then responded smoothly.
Yun Jiao thought it made sense.
Sending one’s palace maid to destroy evidence was as obvious as publicly admitting guilt.
"If the esteemed Lady does not wish to have someone else handle them, then I’ll withdraw."
Qing’er said.
She made a reasonable argument; Yun Jiao had no reason to stop her, but her words were a step quicker to halt her:
"Hold on."
"What would the esteemed Lady like to instruct? However, I still need to attend to other Ladies..."
Just then, a streak of bright yellow pulled open the door curtain, interrupting their conversation. Both knelt to greet: "Greetings, Your Majesty!"
"Consort Xi, rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Qing’er, not summoned by the Emperor, had to remain kneeling.
"This palace maid seems unfamiliar, not one serving directly under you," Xie Zhixing glanced at the nearby Qing’er.
Yun Jiao recounted the situation to the Emperor.
Xie Zhixing acknowledged: "Since there’s suspicion, have her detained first."
Qing’er’s body trembled, unable to muster a defense, as she was taken away by the strong eunuchs from Ying Lu’s side.
Yun Jiao didn’t even have to struggle to find words to convince the Emperor of the palace maid’s suspicious nature.
Ah, being the moonlit comfort in the Emperor’s heart is truly delightful!
Meanwhile, Xie Zhixing thought—
He really didn’t want to be retraced over and over again here.