chapter 5

Chapter 5

On the day of the Empress’s enthronement ceremony, Chun Tao dragged me out of bed early to start dressing me up.

She had specially chosen a lotus-pink outfit for me, making me look even more charming.

I was still young, and since I ate a lot, my cheeks always carried a bit of baby fat.

Chun Tao looked at my reflection in the mirror, and suddenly her eyes turned red.

“A few years ago, Young Mistress was just this little, always clinging to my waist, clamoring for sweet cakes.”

“If I didn’t give them to you, Young Mistress would throw a tantrum and roll all over the floor.”

I listened, my face turning dark, wishing I could jump up and cover Chun Tao’s mouth.

But unexpectedly, Chun Tao’s voice was already tinged with tears.

“In the blink of an eye, Young Mistress has grown into a fine young lady.”

I turned to look at Chun Tao. “If someone saw you like this, they’d think today was my enthronement… Wuwuwu…”

Chun Tao quickly covered my mouth, her voice returning to normal.

“I take back what I said. Young Mistress’s temperament still needs some polishing.”

My rank was low.

I could only sit at the back, which made me so anxious I could hardly sit still.

I really wanted to crane my neck to see what the famed daughter of the Left Chancellor, said to have stunned all of the capital, looked like.

I recognized the consort sitting beside me-it was the daughter of Zhao Shilang, now titled Noble Lady Zhao.

Noble Lady Zhao was also quite young, her rosy cheeks full of spring, making her look very endearing.

She seemed a bit bored from waiting.

She leaned over to talk to me.

I happened to be a little bored as well.

So the two of us chatted idly, on and off.

Until the sound of suona horns and the clamor of drums echoed outside the palace gates.

A red sedan chair was carried over from afar.

The golden phoenix carved atop it was lifelike, its wings poised to take flight.

A woman dressed in a bright red palace gown embroidered with clouds and blossoms stepped down from the phoenix carriage. The golden-threaded phoenixes and peacocks on her dress seemed ready to soar at any moment.

I couldn’t help but click my tongue in amazement.

How many pork knuckles could that dress be traded for?

The ceremony was solemn and dignified.

But fortunately, the food served after the ceremony left me thoroughly satisfied.

Noble Lady Zhao leaned over to watch me eat, my mouth glistening with oil.

She was a bit taken aback.

“You’ve been in the palace for so long-have you received the Emperor’s favor?”

I shook my head.

She glanced at me… then whispered, “No wonder.”

I couldn’t quite read the look in Noble Lady Zhao’s eyes, so I decided not to dwell on it.

It was just a pity that I still hadn’t managed to get a clear look at the Empress’s appearance, despite getting up so early for it.

The next morning, when I went to pay my respects, I almost didn’t wake up in time. By the time I reached the Empress’s palace, I was still groggy.

Noble Lady Zhao leaned over again and asked if I hadn’t slept well.

I nodded, doing my best not to yawn.

Soon, I heard the Palace Consorts bowing in greeting, so I hurried to follow suit.

After being told to rise, those of us with lower ranks could only stand.

I carefully moved over to stand behind the Noble Consort.

Her long, narrow eyes glanced at me, then she returned to her dignified demeanor.

Once everyone was seated, I finally dared to look up at the Empress.

She was nothing like I had imagined.

The Empress’s looks were not particularly outstanding, but her gentle and graceful aura made people feel close to her at first sight.

She truly lived up to the title of Mother of the Nation.

Perhaps my gaze was too obvious, for the Empress looked over at me.

“That one over there, which palace are you from?”

Hearing this, I quickly stepped forward to salute and answered obediently.

“Your Humble Servant is from Jinhua Palace.”

The Empress let out an “oh,” then asked why I kept staring at her.

I lowered my head and replied softly,

“This servant thinks Your Majesty is beautiful, and the hairpin on your head is beautiful too.”

The Empress chuckled lightly at my words.

“You’re the first to say that I’m beautiful.”

“Come closer, let me have a look at you.”

I answered yes and took small steps forward.

The Empress gently touched the hairpin on her head.

It was a phoenix with outstretched wings, its eyes inlaid with vermilion jade, vivid and lifelike-the most beautiful hairpin I had ever seen.

The Empress suddenly smiled and spoke.

“If you like it, shall I give it to you?”

As soon as she finished, the faces of the consorts below changed, but with just a glance from the Empress, no one dared to speak.

I couldn’t see the expressions of the consorts behind me, nor could I detect the subtle probing and warning in the Empress’s words.
I truly think the Empress is a good person, and generous too-she was even willing to bestow such a beautiful Phoenix Hairpin upon me.

I remembered what my mother taught me before entering the palace: whatever the noble ladies say, just listen and do as told.

Actually, my mother’s exact words were that all my thoughts are written plainly on my face, and I could never outsmart anyone with schemes. If I tried, I’d only end up annoying people for no reason. It’s better to honestly obey the Emperor and the Empress.

So I respectfully bowed to express my gratitude, and reached out to take the Phoenix Hairpin from the Empress’s head.

The Empress’s expression changed in an instant.

Seeing this, the Noble Consort quickly stood up and sternly called out to me.

“Concubine Rong!”

Confused, I turned my head. I failed to hold onto the hairpin, and it fell to the ground.

With a crack, the phoenix’s wing broke.

Just as I was feeling regretful, the Empress’s icy voice sounded above me.

“I truly did not expect that there would be a concubine in the palace as bold and disrespectful as you, Concubine Rong.”

As she spoke, the Empress ordered someone to drag me away.

At that moment, the Noble Consort hurried forward and shielded me.

“Your Majesty, Concubine Rong has just entered the palace. She is simple-minded and does not understand the rules. She has offended Your Majesty; please be magnanimous and forgive her.”

“Doesn’t understand the rules? What a fine excuse.”

“She’s just a low-ranking concubine, yet she dares to openly covet my position. Either someone is manipulating her behind the scenes, or Concubine Rong herself is arrogant from favor and no longer respects me!”

The Empress’s sharp gaze swept across everyone, and all immediately knelt in a scattered wave.

Even the Noble Consort pulled me down to kneel with her.

The Empress was clearly using me to make an example.

“Someone, Concubine Rong has committed the offense of disrespecting her superior. Drag her out and give her twenty strokes.”

Twenty strokes meant I wouldn’t be able to get out of bed for at least ten days to half a month, surviving only on plain porridge and vegetables.

Terrified, I hid behind the Noble Consort, clutching her sleeve tightly.

The Noble Consort raised her head and met the Empress’s gaze, neither humble nor overbearing.

“If Your Majesty wishes to assert your authority, why take it out on a mere concubine like Concubine Rong?”

“Noble Consort, do you think I am incapable of dealing with you?”

The two confronted each other, and no one below dared to breathe.

Just then, a voice announced the Emperor’s arrival.

A clear and gentle voice rang out.

“What’s going on here? I could hear the commotion from afar-why is everyone kneeling?”

The Empress immediately put on a dignified and proper smile.

“It’s just that a little concubine was thoughtless and offended me. I was about to punish her.”

The Emperor hadn’t even asked who it was.

I ran over crying, hugging the Emperor’s leg tightly.

I cried so pitifully.

The Emperor frowned.

“Concubine Rong, what’s the matter?”

“Wuwuwu… It’s all my fault for breaking the Phoenix Hairpin the Empress bestowed upon me… Emperor, please beg the Empress not to have me beaten. I’m afraid of pain.”

The Emperor looked at the broken Phoenix Hairpin on the ground and more or less understood the situation.

So he patiently asked me,

“Then how about copying books as punishment?”

“I get a headache whenever I read.”

“Then deduct your monthly allowance?”

“I already live very frugally… If you deduct more, I’ll have nothing left.”

“Then confine you to your quarters for a month.”

“I’ll be bored to death.”

The Emperor was about to say more when the Empress suddenly interrupted.

“Emperor! Are you deliberately indulging Concubine Rong?!”

Seeing the Empress’s furious expression, the Emperor suddenly became serious and said to me in a deep voice,

“You are confined for a month. No more bargaining!”

I could only agree, feeling aggrieved.

But the Empress was still dissatisfied.

“Emperor!”

The Emperor helplessly said to the Empress,

“Empress, let it go. Concubine Rong isn’t very bright; don’t take it to heart.”

Upon hearing this, the Empress gritted her teeth and gave a cold laugh.

“I think it’s the Emperor who’s been blinded by beauty, spoiling Concubine Rong so much that she has no sense of propriety.”

The Emperor seemed a bit afraid of the Empress. He rubbed his nose and coaxed her gently,

“For my sake, let’s forget it today. If she makes another mistake next time, she’ll be severely punished!”

The Empress still looked displeased and shot me a cold glare.

I shrank my neck in fear.

Unable to help myself, I quietly asked,

“Will I get the hairpin back…?”

Of course, I didn’t get the Phoenix Hairpin. I was even punished with a month of confinement. I was very upset.