TSNCWEM Chapter 61

After some thought, Song Yunzhao chose a jade-white long skirt paired with a peach-blossom-red narrow-sleeve blouse and layered it with a lighter-colored half-sleeve jacket. She adorned her pale wrist with a smooth, emerald-green jade bangle and carefully applied peach-blossom makeup in front of the mirror. Xiang Xue styled her hair into a refined version of the Feixian bun, less extravagant yet exquisitely delicate.

Peach-blossom makeup was meant to highlight a young girl’s charming innocence, but as a married woman, Yunzhao adjusted it to emphasize allure instead. Though limited by the available cosmetics, she did her best to enhance her appearance. Despite the makeup not being waterproof, everything else was satisfactory.

Standing by, Xiang Xue was stunned. “Mistress, you look absolutely stunning like this.”

Truly, she resembled a peach-blossom fairy who had stepped out of a forest. Even as a woman, Xiang Xue couldn’t tear her gaze away.

Song Yunzhao raised an eyebrow and grinned. “I’ll teach you a trick or two later. Then you can do my makeup.”

Xiang Xue eagerly agreed. Learning such a skill would make her indispensable to her mistress, solidifying her position. She vowed to learn well and surpass expectations.

Shi Zhu approached with a light peach-colored shawl embroidered with golden threads. “Mistress, this will look perfect on you.”

Examining the exquisite handiwork, it was evident that the shawl wasn’t a mass-produced piece from the Department of Wardrobe but something Shi Zhu and the others had secretly made for her.

“Lovely.” Grateful for their thoughtfulness, Yunzhao happily draped it over her shoulders, spinning playfully in front of the bronze mirror. Her antics made Xiang Xue and Shi Zhu cover their mouths with laughter.

Their mistress was already beautiful, and this outfit only enhanced her charms.

With her head held high, Song Yunzhao stepped out. Zhang Maoquan, glancing up, was momentarily awestruck before snapping back to reality.

Goodness gracious, is Noble Concubine Song planning to enchant the Emperor to death?

Even as a eunuch, he dared not stare too long and quickly lowered his head. “Noble Concubine, please follow me.”

Song Yunzhao nodded and brought Xiang Xue along as they left.

Passing through several palace gates, they finally arrived at Taiji Palace. Its grand and imposing architecture made those standing before it feel insignificant. On either side, armored guards with long swords exuded an intimidating aura, their polished armor gleaming in the sunlight.

As they approached the palace gates, a voice called out, “Well, Chief Zhang, what brings you here? His Majesty is quite busy right now.”

“Chief Xu, I am here on His Majesty’s orders to summon Noble Concubine Song to accompany him.”

Xu Sixi squinted, his gaze falling on the figure behind Zhang Maoquan. It was his first time seeing the famous Noble Concubine Song, and the sight made his heart skip a beat. No wonder Consort Shu and her allies had tried to block her from entering the palace—if he were in their position, he would have done the same.

An internal alarm went off in Xu Sixi’s mind. With a faint smile, he addressed Song Yunzhao. “Ah, Noble Concubine, forgive this servant’s lack of recognition. Please pardon my mistake.”

Hearing Eunuch Xu’s words, Song Yunzhao glanced at him as if inadvertently. Ah, the infamous Chief Xu. While he hadn’t left much of an impression in the original story, she had learned about the Emperor’s key staff from Yu Momo and pieced together his role in the narrative.

Xu Sixi wasn’t someone she planned to win over. He had long been in the pocket of Consort Shu’s faction, fully aligned with them.

His words dripped with subtle disdain. Apologizing without sincerity, he clearly implied that she, as a mere Noble Concubine, should keep her head down and behave humbly.

“Chief Xu, what is there to forgive? I don’t even know what crime you’ve committed. I may be ignorant, but next time I meet His Majesty, I’ll be sure to ask for clarification.” Song Yunzhao wasted no time invoking the Emperor’s authority.

She might not hold a high position, but being summoned to accompany the Emperor placed her at the top among the new concubines. Whether or not she was just a “clean-up crew” in the Emperor’s plans, she still held value to him, and he had to protect her dignity.

If Xu Sixi thought he could intimidate her, he was sorely mistaken.

Hearing this, Zhang Maoquan felt a surge of satisfaction, as refreshing as a bowl of shaved ice in the summer. Xu Sixi, that pest he had long wanted to deal with, had finally walked into trouble. Thinking Song Yunzhao was an easy target? He deserved whatever thorns she threw his way.

Xu Sixi’s expression darkened immediately. Even when Consort Shu and others entered the palace, becoming consorts upon arrival, they still showed him courtesy as the Chief Eunuch serving the Emperor. Yet, now he’d been outmaneuvered and humiliated by a mere Noble Concubine. His face flushed as he stood there, unable to respond.

Song Yunzhao had expected Xu Sixi, with his many years in the palace, to be a clever man. A single conciliatory word would’ve been enough for her to let the matter slide. But as the seconds dragged on, all she saw was his glaring and fuming. His inability to acknowledge her revealed his dismissiveness, so she flicked her sleeves and strode away without a backward glance.

She’d already figured out that Zhang Maoquan and Xu Sixi were far from allies. For now, Zhang Maoquan leaned closer to her interests, so why not leverage his rivalry with Xu Sixi to her advantage?

By allowing Xu Sixi to lose face, she had indirectly given Zhang Maoquan a win. This, in turn, would likely ensure that Zhang Maoquan became even more invested in her success. Yes, Song Yunzhao thought, this was absolutely worth it.

Among the three chief eunuchs serving the emperor—Meng Jiuchang as the leader—she had no intention of currying favor with Meng. That left her to choose between Xu Sixi and Zhang Maoquan, and the decision was obvious.

Zhang Maoquan, grinning from ear to ear, called out, “Old Xu, you’d better drop that habit of looking down on people.”

If Xu Sixi could have, he would’ve spat at him right then. Watching Zhang Maoquan saunter away, practically strutting, Xu Sixi stomped his foot in frustration.

“What’s so special about a lowly Noble Concubine with an average family background? Climbing higher in the harem won’t be easy. There are plenty of beautiful women here, but not everyone can reach the pinnacle just based on looks!” Xu Sixi thought bitterly. Still fuming, he turned and left, his face set in a scowl.

Zhang Maoquan, still elated from the confrontation, quickened his pace to catch up with Song Yunzhao. Smiling widely, he said, “Noble Concubine, please wait a moment while I go ahead to announce your arrival.”

“Thank you, Chief Zhang,” Song Yunzhao responded with a nod.

“It’s my duty,” Zhang Maoquan replied, now viewing her as a shining treasure. Anything that put Xu Sixi in his place was a win for him.

Entering the side hall of Taiji Palace, Zhang Maoquan briskly made his way to the Emperor, bowing as he announced, “Your Majesty, Noble Concubine Song has arrived.”

Serving the Emperor at the moment was Meng Jiuchang. Hearing this, Meng paused, looking up at Zhang Maoquan. He hadn’t been aware of the Emperor’s decision to summon Noble Concubine Song.

“Let her in,” the Emperor replied without lifting his gaze from his work.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Feigning ignorance of Meng Jiuchang’s displeased expression, Zhang Maoquan maintained his cheerful demeanor. Despite Meng being the highest-ranking eunuch, Zhang had no intention of backing down. He thought to himself, One day, the position of Chief Eunuch will be mine.

With a beaming smile, Zhang Maoquan stepped out and invited Song Yunzhao in. “Noble Concubine, this way.”

Song Yunzhao finally entered the side hall—the imperial study where the Emperor typically reviewed memorials. Lowering her head, she walked several steps forward before kneeling gracefully. “This concubine greets Your Majesty. Long live the emperor.”

The emperor, frowning deeply over a memorial, responded absentmindedly, “Rise.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Song Yunzhao replied, standing up.

When she lifted her gaze slightly, she saw the Emperor poring over documents, his furrowed brow so tense it could squash a fly. Beside him stood a figure she didn’t recognize at first glance. Judging by his position, this had to be the famed Meng Jiuchang, the Emperor’s top aide.

Meng Jiuchang left a lasting impression. Not the easiest person to deal with, she thought. Still, anyone who managed to survive to the end of the story undoubtedly had significant capabilities. Intriguingly, in this moment, he seemed even more fascinating than the Emperor himself.

After standing silently for a moment, she noticed the Emperor made no move to address her. Was he intentionally leaving her to stew, or was he so engrossed in state affairs that he’d forgotten her presence? Either way, all her effort dressing up today had been wasted. Her charms were falling on blind eyes!

Well then, she thought, if the mountain won’t come to me, I’ll go to the mountain.

Ignoring Meng Jiuchang’s bemused look, Song Yunzhao stepped confidently to the Emperor’s desk. Without hesitation, she picked up an ink stick and began grinding it on the inkstone. Grinding ink required careful control—too fast, and the ink could splatter everywhere. Heaven forbid she accidentally spattered the Emperor; that would certainly mark the end of her short career in the palace.

Meng Jiuchang couldn’t help but twitch at the corners of his mouth. This Noble Concubine wasn’t just beautiful; she was also exceptionally bold.

Even Consort Shu and her peers, when called to accompany the Emperor, didn’t dare to act with such audacity.

Meng Jiuchang hesitated, debating whether to intervene. However, seeing that the Emperor remained silent, he decided to stay quiet for the time being and observe.

As Song Yunzhao’s movements caught Feng Yi’s attention, he turned his head to look at her and was momentarily stunned.

Song Yunzhao had always been beautiful, but today her radiance was unmatched. Her delicate, jade-like face was lightly dusted with a soft pink blush, and the faint rouge at the corners of her eyes gave her an alluring charm. Her fair complexion was complemented by a jade-white long skirt that highlighted her slender, willow-like waist, adorned with a white jade ornament. Her ebony-black hair was styled gracefully, her figure elegant and enchanting.

Feng Yi found himself momentarily dazed by the sight.

Song Yunzhao, feeling the Emperor’s gaze on her, pretended to notice for the first time. She turned her head slightly, her eyes shimmering like autumn water, and gave a soft, subtle smile. “Your Majesty, how is the ink I’ve prepared?”

Feng Yi, suddenly realizing he’d been caught staring, cleared his throat and stiffened his expression. “Beloved Concubine, your efforts are, of course, exceptional.”

Song Yunzhao internally scoffed. Exceptional? I barely ground the ink five or six times. Does he mean the ink that was already there?

“With Your Majesty’s praise, even hard work becomes worthwhile,” she replied with an even sweeter smile.

Feng Yi: …

He’d encountered shameless people, but none this shameless. Now, this was the Song Yunzhao he knew.

“Thank you for your hard work” Feng Yi said, glancing at her again. He couldn’t shake the feeling that her sudden eagerness to assist hinted at some ulterior motive. Feeling uneasy, he added, “Grinding ink is a laborious task unbefitting you. Please take a seat and rest.”

Not giving her a chance to argue, he turned to Meng Jiuchang. “You fool, why haven’t you brought tea for Noble Concubine Song yet?”

Meng Jiuchang: …

“At once, Your Majesty,” Meng Jiuchang replied, hurrying out of the room. What in the world was going on?

The Emperor had never shown this kind of concern before. Consort Shu had ground ink for him countless times, and yet he’d never shown her any special regard.

Meng Jiuchang had sensed that Noble Concubine Song held some unique status, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on why. For now, he decided it was best to tread carefully. On his way, he even picked up a couple of plates of snacks prepared for the Emperor. Better safe than sorry.

Meanwhile, Song Yunzhao immediately put down the ink stick upon hearing the Emperor’s remark, though she said, “Your Majesty summoned me to accompany you. How could I do nothing? Wouldn’t that be neglecting my duty?”

Feng Yi’s lips twitched. Pointing to a chair by the window, he said, “I remember you mentioning your love for storybooks. I’ll have some sent over for you to read while you rest.”

Hearing this, Song Yunzhao was reminded of their interactions outside the palace. Fine, there was no point pretending with him—he’d already seen her at her truest.

The Emperor’s words were clearly a veiled jab at her. Cunning dog of an emperor!

Without missing a beat, she wiped the overly saccharine smile from her face, quickly walked to the chair by the window, and sat down. “Thank you, Your Majesty. I’ll be waiting eagerly.”

Just as she finished speaking, Meng Jiuchang entered with tea and snacks. Seeing her seated in the Emperor’s usual spot by the window, he froze momentarily before regaining his composure.

He placed the tea and snacks on the small table and said with a polite smile, “Please enjoy, Noble Concubine.”

“Thank you, Chief Meng,” Song Yunzhao replied with a smile.

Meng Jiuchang, though outwardly gracious, couldn’t help but puzzle over her earlier remark about “waiting.” Waiting for what? What had the Emperor promised her?

He didn’t have to wonder long. The Emperor spoke up. “Meng Jiuchang, bring a few storybooks from the study for Noble Concubine Song.”

Meng Jiuchang hurriedly complied, heading to the adjoining study. As he walked, he recalled the Emperor ordering Zhang Maoquan to bring over a box of storybooks a few days prior. At the time, he’d been puzzled over the reason. Now he understood—they were for Noble Concibine Song.

The Emperor preparing something in advance for a concubine? That was a first.

Feeling dazed, Meng Jiuchang instinctively turned back for a glance at Song Yunzhao. She sat there with an air of calmness, her earlier coquettishness completely gone.

Meng Jiuchang glanced at the Emperor and noticed that Feng Yi seemed lost in thought, staring in Noble Concubine Song’s direction. To his surprise, there was a hint of concern in the his gaze!

Quickly, Meng Jiuchang averted his eyes and hurried away. Everyone else was always so cautious and reverent around the Emperor—why did things feel so different with Noble Concubine Song?

Meanwhile, the “different” Noble Concubine Song was racking her brain, contemplating what kind of persona she should present.

Naturally, the way she acted in front of the Emperor couldn’t be the same as with anyone else. She had to make it clear that she saw him differently. But how should she strike the right balance?

After all, the Emperor had met her before and knew her true nature.

Judging by his attitude toward her, all her plans from Wangyou Palace needed to be scrapped. Clearly, the Emperor wasn’t at all comfortable with her showing a soft and gentle side.

Sending her off to sit by the window? That was obviously his way of keeping her out of sight and mind.

Hah. No wonder he’s trying to use me as the harem’s cleanup crew. He calls this “accompanying the Emperor”? It’s blatantly just setting me up as a target!