Double Queens GL - Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Shou’er helped Yu Changping with her toilette—applying the floral forehead ornament, drawing the eyebrows, painting the “slanted red” temple marks and cheek dimples, and finally dabbing the lips. Once finished, her willow-leaf eyebrows appeared particularly delicate. Her beautiful eyes seemed to hold a pool of spring water tinged with a faint sorrow, and a tiny, subtle mole under the corner of her eye made her look all the more pitiable. Combined with her natural fragility, she looked like a delicate flower that couldn’t withstand the wind, compelling anyone who saw her to pity and cherish her.

“The cold is heavy outside. If I catch a chill, it would be bad. Let’s forget it,” Yu Changping said, losing her nerve even after her makeup was done. Having lived a life apart from the world for so long, she was reluctant to socialize. Moreover, her constitution was so weak that she feared catching a cold would leave her bedridden for days. She felt it was better to stay in her hall.

“It’s not too cold today, and you’re already dressed very warmly. Besides, the makeup is done,” Shou’er urged. “As you said, you have to go sooner or later. Going early might bring some benefits.” Shou’er was pushing for the trip so they could obtain a Restoration Pill from the new Empress. Even if the pills were gone, they might still receive a treasure.

The Empress of the Eastern Palace (Ye Guichen) was very methodical and fair; she provided for Yu Changping according to her rank. While she never withheld anything, Yu Changping’s rank was low among the concubines. Though they didn’t lack basic food or clothing, Yu Changping was obsessed with her health and spent all her funds on medicine and tonics. By the end of each month, there was nothing left. Furthermore, her father was an incorruptible official who couldn’t provide extra financial support. Even low-ranking concubines usually received rewards if they were summoned by the Emperor, but Yu Changping had never been favored. Thus, she was likely the most “impoverished” lady in the palace. Her maids were equally destitute, not daring to breathe loudly when encountering servants from favored palaces.

“Fine, let us go then,” Yu Changping sighed. She felt that every day she lived was a bonus, so she didn’t care much for status. However, Shou’er wasn’t as detached; she knew the maid longed for her to gain favor so they could both live better. She felt she was letting the girl down with her weak body.

Shou’er was delighted to see her mistress finally commit. She knew that as a servant in the Anshou Hall, her fate was tied to her master’s. Only if the master ate meat could she have some broth.

Shou’er’s hidden motive wasn’t just the rewards. She knew the Emperor had been frequenting the Central Palace (Liu Hening’s quarters) lately. If they happened to run into him, she believed Yu Changping’s beauty would surely captivate him. Yu Changping knew these intentions well; since Shou’er had worked so hard caring for a “sickly seed” like her, she didn’t have the heart to rebuff the girl’s expectations, even though she personally hated the idea of joining the fray.

Thus, Yu Changping took Shou’er to Changle Hall first, intending to pay respects to Ye Guichen before heading to the new Empress at Changqing Hall.

…

“Miss, Lady Yu has come to pay respects,” Ye Meng reported. If she hadn’t appeared, Ye Meng would have forgotten this person even existed. She remembered when Yu Changping first entered the palace; she looked so sickly that everyone expected her not to survive that first winter. To think she had lasted until now. Her complexion was much better than before, revealing a rather striking appearance.

“The Yu Changping who is constantly ill?” Ye Guichen asked in surprise. She remembered her—the one who used illness as an excuse to skip every major banquet and ceremony. Even Yang Zhao had likely forgotten he had such a concubine. It was rare for her to show up.

“Indeed. It seems the imperial physicians have some skill; she looks much better now,” Ye Meng said. “She’s a beauty who evokes pity. If the Emperor sees her, he’ll likely be quite fond of her.”

When Ye Meng called someone a beauty, they were bound to be exceptional. In the past, when Ye Guichen still cared for Yang Zhao, she would have seen such a woman as a threat. Now, hearing Ye Meng’s words, she only felt that Yang Zhao was a lustful man who loved every new face he saw. Why had she ever wasted her heart on such a man? Once her perspective changed, she could see things clearly from the outside.

“Her health couldn’t have improved just today. She never came to pay respects before; perhaps she is also after the treasures from the Central Palace?” Ye Meng asked.

“She isn’t like Lady Zhang,” Ye Guichen said calmly. “Perhaps her body is finally well enough to serve the Emperor. Showing her face at the Central Palace now is a good way to run into him.” In a harem with many women and only one Emperor, everyone fought for favor.

“That makes sense,” Ye Meng realized.

“Her constitution is weak; don’t make her wait outside too long. Let her in. I’ll come out once I finish this work,” Ye Guichen instructed. In the past, she measured her dislike of women by how much favor they received. Now that she had let go of those feelings, she felt no animosity toward these women—they were strangers to her. Currently, the only person she truly disliked was Liu Hening, and that dislike outweighed her feelings for all other women combined.

…

Although Yu Changping was dressed warmly, the distance from Anshou Hall to Changle Hall was significant. By the time she arrived, she was shivering. Her lips were pale from the cold.

“Her Highness bids you enter,” Ye Meng said, noting how fragile the woman looked.

Inside, the charcoal fires were burning brightly. Yu Changping felt an immediate sense of relief. The treatment for an Empress was truly different; while her own hall received charcoal according to rank, the amount was limited. It couldn’t compare to the warmth here. For the first time, Yu Changping felt a flicker of motivation to climb the ranks—if only for a warmer room.

A servant promptly poured her a cup of hot tea. The warmth of the tea and the fragrance were exquisite. Yu Changping thought that if Changle Hall wasn’t so far away, she wouldn’t mind coming here every day just to “borrow” some of this warmth and tea.

By the time she finished her second cup, Ye Guichen emerged.

“This servant pays respects to Your Highness. May you enjoy eternal peace,” Yu Changping said, rising quickly to bow.

“No need for such formality. I was handling palace affairs; I hope Lady Yu doesn’t mind the wait,” Ye Guichen said politely. She took a look at Yu Changping. Last time they met, the woman had looked so haggard that no one noticed her features. Now, she was indeed a beauty—a fragile, ethereal style that was unique in the harem. Ye Meng was right; Yang Zhao would definitely want her.

“Palace affairs come first,” Yu Changping replied.

“Have you been to the Central Palace yet?” Ye Guichen asked.

“Not yet,” Yu Changping answered truthfully.

“I have said that all concubines must go to the Central Palace first before coming to me. There is an order of precedence,” Ye Guichen said gently, yet with the unmistakable authority of a woman who had long held the highest rank.

“I have heard Your Highness’s command,” Yu Changping replied calmly. “However, as the other sisters came here first for their first visit, I did not dare to be the exception. I will certainly follow the order next time.” She was signaling her loyalty: even if the Central Palace was technically superior, she viewed the Eastern Palace as her true authority. She was only following the “order” because Ye Guichen told her to.

Ye Guichen looked at her, realizing that Lady Yu was a clever woman. She didn’t want to offend the “real” power. While Ye Guichen didn’t care for harem factions, she preferred having people loyal to her rather than Liu Hening.

“You are thoughtful, Changping. But next time, follow the rules,” Ye Guichen said with a smile.

“I shall follow your teachings,” Yu Changping replied, relieved that Ye Guichen had addressed her by her given name. It meant her gesture of loyalty was accepted. She didn’t want favor; she just wanted to stay on Ye Guichen’s good side to improve her living conditions.

“Your complexion is much better. In this state, the Emperor will surely be pleased when he sees you,” Ye Guichen noted, thinking she might help push Yu Changping toward the Emperor to distract him from Liu Hening.

“My body is too weak; I fear I cannot serve the Emperor without disappointing him or failing Your Highness’s expectations,” Yu Changping declined subtly. She was here for a Restoration Pill or a treasure, not a night with the Emperor. She didn’t want to risk pregnancy with such a weak constitution—it would be a death sentence. To enjoy wealth, one had to be alive first.

“Oh? There is a woman in this palace who doesn’t want favor?” Ye Guichen asked in surprise. She actually hoped Yang Zhao would go back to his old ways of spreading his favor around rather than focusing solely on Liu Hening.

“If one does not touch love, one has no sense of gain or loss and can live peacefully. To touch it is to lose one’s composure and give birth to sorrow and resentment,” Yu Changping said earnestly.

In the past, Ye Guichen wouldn’t have believed this. But now, these words struck a chord in her own heart. She believed her.

“I didn’t expect Lady Yu to be so enlightened. Very well, I won’t force you; everything depends on fate. Ameng, go to the storehouse and bring that hundred-year-old ginseng for Lady Yu,” Ye Guichen commanded. Just as she had given Liu Hening a hand-warmer, she would give this woman a gift of favor.

Yu Changping was overjoyed. A hundred-year-old ginseng! This trip had been well worth it. She began to think that perhaps she should come pay respects every few months; it seemed quite profitable.