Chapter 104: Chapter 103: Comparing Them to the Aunties at the Village Entrance Chapter 104: Chapter 103: Comparing Them to the Aunties at the Village Entrance Everyone knew that the selection of the Concubine was undoubtedly going to be Lady Chang, after all, wasn’t Lady Chang the Empress’s own niece?
Even His Highness had to listen to the Empress.
It was just that when they heard Xu Lady speak with such certainty, they all became curious and looked over.
Lady Chang raised her eyes and glanced at Xu Lady, who was looking cryptic, and slightly curved her lips upward, “Xu Lady seems very well-informed, yet I haven’t heard any whispers about it.”
Xu Chenghui had just been reprimanded by Xu Lady and was feeling upset.
With the Empress backing Lady Chang, there was a saying: “It’s good to rest in the shade of a large tree,” so she had to stick close to Lady Chang, the “large tree.”
“Do we even need to mention it?
Lady Chang is dignified and graceful, and her talents surpass others, making her the undisputed choice for Concubine.”
Shen Mingzhu wouldn’t be outdone, “It’s not that I won’t help my own sister, but she was raised in the countryside, never even touched a zither, and learned etiquette only recently.
Unlike Lady Chang, who is versed in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, Concubine Lady Chang truly deserves it.”
Shen Mingzhu reminded everyone once again that Shen Chuwei came from the countryside – she was a complete bumpkin and didn’t deserve to be a Concubine!
“I used to wonder why, when we sisters chat together, Lady Shen only likes to eat and never joins our talks.
Now I understand, Lady Shen is not from the same circle as us.
What we discuss might be beyond her comprehension,” Lady Li said, lifting her handkerchief to cover her mouth and giggle.
Shen Chuwei, eating her last orange, nodded in agreement, “Xu Chenghui is right, we are indeed not from the same circle.
What I speak of, you wouldn’t understand either.”
Lady Li chuckled twice, “That’s for sure.
Rural matters are indeed beyond our understanding.”
Shen Chuwei stuffed a segment of orange into her mouth, and while eating, she said, “Not really, I don’t quite understand rural matters either, such as how village aunts possess the ability to gossip and gather intelligence; I don’t know how they do it.”
Lady Li asked, “What do you mean?”
“It’s like a group of women chatting together, from one end of the village to the other, there’s no gossip they don’t know about; they are the most well-informed,” Shen Chuwei replied as she popped the last segment of orange into her mouth and smiled.
After hearing this, everyone was stunned for a moment, then they slowly realized that Shen Chuwei’s description felt familiar; wasn’t it just what they did often – gossip and seek out information in their idle chats?
Those who came to their senses looked somewhat displeased, had they just been compared to gossipy old dames?
Lady Li’s face immediately turned sour.
Shen Chuwei had finished all the pastries and fruits in front of her and was about to dust off her hands and find an excuse to leave when another plate of pastries and a dish of fruits appeared before her.
She looked up to see Tao Chenghui smiling at her, and she curved her eyes and brows, “Thank you, Sister Tao.”
Tao Chenghui glanced at the fruit peels in front of Shen Chuwei and, holding her handkerchief, said, “You’re welcome.”
Xu Lady, listening to their steady praises of Lady Chang, couldn’t help but chuckle softly, “You all think Lady Chang is the undisputed choice for Concubine, but what if it turns out not to be the case in the end?”
“Xu Lady, if not Lady Chang as Concubine, do you mean Lady Shen?” Lady Li said, glancing disdainfully at Shen Chuwei.
Xu Chenghui added, “Although Lady Shen is favored by His Highness, indeed, without some capacity, it really isn’t easy to be a Concubine.”
Shen Chuwei, watching Xu Lady, the expert at making barbs, thought if she were to become the Concubine, all the women in the East Palace would probably get scolded by her.
Moreover, watching Xu Lady argue was like watching a TV drama – quite satisfying.
“I think Xu Lady is quite suitable to be the Concubine.”
When everyone heard what Shen Chuwei had to say, their eyes turned towards Xu Lady as they couldn’t help but laugh secretly.
How could Xu Lady possibly become the Concubine, skipping over Lady Chang?
Shen Mingzhu was the first to object, “Sister, what kind of joke is this?
How could Xu Lady possibly become the Concubine?”
Shen Chuwei took a bite of pastry, appearing very puzzled, “Why are you so agitated?”
“When have I been agitated?
It’s just that your words are too preposterous,” Shen Mingzhu snorted coldly in her heart.
Xu Lady was quite good at debating as a mere Lady, what then if she became a Concubine?
Shen Chuwei, having finished the pastries and fruits in front of her, yawned and said, “Sisters, continue chatting.
I have something to attend to, so I’ll be leaving first.”
Then she stood up, along with Chun Xi, and left Xinlan Hall.
“Sitting for a while made me feel sleepy.
You all continue talking, I’m going as well.” Xu Lady stood up, adjusted her sway-waist ornament, and walked away, twirling her handkerchief.
Once Xu Lady was gone, Shen Mingzhu’s oppressed chest felt relieved, and she couldn’t help but laugh out loud, “She really took it seriously?
Hilarious.”
Xu Chenghui also had a look of disdain, “Xu Lady has always been spoiled.
How could the Empress possibly allow her to become a Concubine?”
Lady Chang, sipping her tea elegantly, recalled Shen Chuwei’s actions and thought that her aunt would definitely not approve of her; becoming the Concubine was utterly impossible.
No matter how much His Highness doted on her, one had to respect the aunt’s wishes.
*
As Shen Chuwei walked out of Xinlan Hall, she heard someone calling her from behind, “Lady Shen, wait for me.”
She turned her head in response and saw Xu Lady approaching her, her face flushed with red glow and vibrant spirits.
“Xu Lady, you called me for something?”
“Of course it’s for a matter.” Xu Lady approached with a smile.
She was always irked by Shen Chuwei’s aloofness, but today, following her comment, her opinion changed.
Shen Chuwei’s phrase was especially pleasing to her ears.
With a beaming face, she asked, “Why do you think I’m suitable to be a Concubine?”
“Because you perfectly embody the temperament of a noble concubine,” Shen Chuwei observed Xu Lady’s arrogance and talent for sharp remarks and was reminded of a concubine character from a TV series.
Xu Lady was puzzled, “Temperament?”
Shen Chuwei nodded emphatically, “Your arrogance and sharp tongue set you apart.
Others can’t compare.”
If it had been anyone else calling her arrogant, Xu Lady would have retorted sharply, but today, she found the words flattering, feeling as if Shen Chuwei was actually praising her!
“I just can’t stand those girls flattering Lady Chang any longer.
If I don’t retort, I feel uneasy.
And about your sister, tsk tsk, aiding outsiders by revealing your secrets, that’s just repulsive,” Xu Lady commented.
Shen Chuwei smiled, aware of this of course, but it suited her just fine, as people from different circles don’t mix.
“Considering you have a good eye, I’ll tell you a little insider news,” Xu Lady lifted her chin and stated.
Shen Chuwei looked curious, “What insider news?”
“The Emperor plans to name me as the Concubine, because my father and brother have won a great military victory,” Xu Lady whispered into Shen Chuwei’s ear.
Triumph gleamed in Xu Lady’s eyes.
Shen Chuwei’s eyes lit up for a moment, “Really?”
Xu Lady affirmed seriously: “Of course it’s true.
Do you think I’d casually mention such a thing?”
Shen Chuwei’s heart burst with joy; finally, she would not have to worry about managing the affairs of the East Palace as a Concubine.
No wonder, as she left her home today, she saw a magpie chattering away on a crooked-neck tree by the door.