Double Queens GL - Chapter 21

Chapter 21

“Talent, should we head back immediately?” Shou’er asked. Seeing Lady Zhang’s aggressive stance earlier, she felt a bit cowardly. She figured it would be safer to leave early to avoid another encounter with Lady Zhang, especially since they already had the Empress’s treasure in hand.

“The Empress of the Central Palace is right here; is she going to eat me alive? She didn’t strike me then, and she won’t now. Relax,” Yu Changping said. She was loath to leave the warmth of Changqing Hall. Compared to this, her own Anshou Hall felt like a frozen cellar. Although she had chosen to side with the Eastern Palace, the new Empress seemed much easier to get along with.

“Won’t it be awkward when you see Lady Zhang again?” Shou’er felt it was better to avoid a confrontation, given they had been caught gossiping red-handed.

“It is awkward!” Yu Changping answered truthfully. Though she had appeared calm, her heart had been racing. she was genuinely worried that the “idiot beauty” might hit her—after all, that woman lacked brains and acted without considering consequences. Being a rank higher, one light push from her could probably send Yu Changping into a dead faint. To her surprise, Zhang Qingyu had only offered a verbal warning, leaving Yu Changping with a sense of surviving a disaster. It seemed the “idiot beauty” wasn’t actually a malicious person. Realizing this, Yu Changping wasn’t worried at all.

“Then why aren’t you hurrying back?” Shou’er asked, puzzled.

“It’s just awkwardness; it’s not like I’ll lose a limb. It doesn’t hurt. Changqing Hall is so warm, I can’t bear to go back.” Yu Changping feared the cold far more than embarrassment. Having hovered at death’s door several times, nothing besides life and death felt like a big deal to her.

Shou’er was speechless but not entirely surprised. Her mistress always prioritized her physical comfort over her dignity. Fine—if the Talent wasn’t afraid of a little awkwardness, there was no reason for a maid to worry.

…

“Changping is back,” Liu Hening said cheerfully as the two returned to the hall.

Yu Changping thought Liu Hening’s tone made it sound as if she had been waiting for her, or as if she were a guest of honor. This Liu Hening is truly good at handling people, she thought. She makes you feel important. She looks simple, but she’s anything but.

Yu Changping gave a gentle smile, curtsied, and returned to her seat. The table was now piled high with tea, pastries, and snacks, clearly intended to keep the guest lingering. The new Empress was indeed a hospitable host.

“Did you run into Qingyu just now?” Liu Hening asked curiously. Since Qingyu had also gone to the latrine, they must have crossed paths. It was an interesting contrast: the vibrant, healthy Zhang Qingyu versus the fragile, sickly Yu Changping. Together, they looked like a painting—one half misty rain, the other half clear sky—oddly harmonious.

“Do you mean Lady Zhang of Xiyu Hall?” Yu Changping asked, acting a bit uncertain.

“Yes, that’s her. Are you two acquainted?” Liu Hening began to chat casually.

“I have heard of her, but as I am usually confined to my bed, I haven’t had the chance to meet her. Seeing her today, she is indeed as beautiful as the rumors say.” After answering, Yu Changping took a small sip of tea. Having relieved herself, she could drink freely now. She picked up a preserved fruit; the sweet-and-sour taste paired perfectly with the lingering fragrance of the tea. Liu Hening had a natural affinity that allowed Yu Changping to relax, unlike the trepidation she felt in the Eastern Palace.

Liu Hening was pleased to see Yu Changping looking as comfortable as Zhang Qingyu. She thought to herself that there were more interesting beauties in this palace than she had expected.

“Qingyu is very interesting. If you get to know her, you’ll surely like her too,” Liu Hening said with a smile. She was the type who wanted everyone she liked to like each other.

“I’m sure I’ll like Lady Zhang. I only fear I am not as likable as she is,” Yu Changping said modestly.

“She will definitely like you; you are so endearing,” Liu Hening said firmly.

Yu Changping merely offered a faint smile. If I hadn’t been caught calling her an idiot beauty, maybe, she thought.

At that moment, Zhang Qingyu returned from the latrine. She saw the “little wench” who had talked behind her back still sitting there. This girl has some nerve, she thought. I didn’t even punish her, and instead of scurrying away, she has the face to stay here and annoy me.

Zhang Qingyu wore her heart on her sleeve. She made no effort to hide her dislike and glared at Yu Changping.

Yu Changping acted as if she saw nothing, continuing to sip her tea and eat snacks. This indifference infuriated Zhang Qingyu. She felt the girl was a total fake—wasn’t she acting all pitiful just a moment ago? Now she was ignoring her. Did she think that because the Empress was here, she wouldn’t dare act?

Liu Hening saw Zhang Qingyu’s glare. Didn’t Changping say they just met for the first time? This doesn’t look like a first meeting; it looks like a grudge. Did they have a falling out in the span of a few minutes?

“Is there some misunderstanding between you and Changping?” Liu Hening asked Zhang Qingyu.

“Some people look fragile on the outside, but they’re two-faced wenches who talk behind people’s backs!” Zhang Qingyu didn’t care for decorum. If she was unhappy, she was going to tear into Yu Changping right in front of the Empress.

Yu Changping thought: I overestimated Zhang Qingyu’s brains. Bringing this out into the open in front of the Empress made everyone look bad. What a fool. Calling her an ‘idiot beauty’ wasn’t an insult; it was a fact.

“I was wrong!” To maintain a good impression with Liu Hening, Yu Changping didn’t defend herself. She immediately admitted fault, looking guilt-stricken and on the verge of tears.

Zhang Qingyu had been winding up for a fight, but Yu Changping’s instant surrender made her look like a bully picking on a poor victim. Her fighting spirit instantly deflated.

“Since Changping has admitted her mistake, why don’t you be the bigger person and let it go, Qingyu?” Liu Hening acted as the mediator.

“Fine, I won’t hold a grudge,” Zhang Qingyu said, acting magnanimous. Since the girl looked like she was about to cry, she’d let it go. But something felt off. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but her instincts told her she was being played.

“Thank you for your generosity, Lady Zhang,” Yu Changping said, standing up to give another respectful curtsy.

The matter should have ended there, but Liu Hening was too gossipy. “So, what exactly did Changping say about you?” she asked curiously.

Zhang Qingyu’s expression shifted. She clearly didn’t want the Empress to know. Was being called an “idiot beauty” something to be proud of?

Yu Changping’s lip twitched as she fought back a smile. This new Empress really doesn’t follow the rules. I have a feeling this palace is going to get very lively.

Although Yu Changping hid it well, Zhang Qingyu caught the glint of amusement in her eyes. “Don’t you dare say it!” she warned.

Yu Changping actually wanted to say it, but she played along with Zhang Qingyu’s warning, looking troubled. She knew Liu Hening would press her. The more Zhang Qingyu tried to hide it, the more curious Liu Hening became.

“Tell me, Changping. I am the Empress; you must listen to me,” Liu Hening said, finally pulling rank.

Yu Changping gave Zhang Qingyu a look that said, I have no choice.

“I called Lady Zhang… behind her back…” She paused, feeling that if looks could kill, Zhang Qingyu’s eyes would have finished her off by now.

“Called her what?” Liu Hening asked, leaning in and blocking Zhang Qingyu’s line of sight.

“An idiot beauty.” Yu Changping thought: The new Empress is so considerate. Without Zhang Qingyu’s glare boring into her, saying it felt quite refreshing.

“Pfft!” Liu Yan couldn’t help but laugh; it was a perfect description. Yu Zheng didn’t laugh out loud, but her eyes twinkled. Liu Hening wanted to laugh too, but for Zhang Qingyu’s sake, she bit her lip—though her eyes gave her away.

Zhang Qingyu looked at Liu Hening with resentment. She decided she didn’t like this new Empress anymore. Too annoying! And she hated Yu Changping even more.

Xiao Xuan looked at her mistress with pity. This is going to spread through the harem by tonight. My mistress is going to be the laughingstock of the palace!

“Actually, I’m not the only one who calls her that,” Yu Changping added, dropping another “boulder” onto Zhang Qingyu’s heart. “I rarely go out and don’t interact with many people, but whenever anyone mentions Lady Zhang, that’s how they refer to her. Over time, I just…”

Zhang Qingyu’s beautiful face turned as black as charcoal. The whole palace calls me that? The more she thought about it, the angrier she got.

Watching her, Yu Changping noticed that even in anger, Zhang Qingyu’s face was stunningly vibrant. She suddenly envied that kind of raw vitality.

Liu Hening felt bad for her. Being called that by one person was one thing, but by everyone? That was tragic. She realized she shouldn’t have gossiped. To make amends, she immediately changed the subject.

“Don’t be mad, my little Qingyu. Let’s have Liu Yan bring out that big ruby I told you about yesterday,” Liu Hening coaxed.

Upon hearing this, a ray of sunshine finally broke through the clouds on Zhang Qingyu’s face. She tried to act unmoved, turning her head away with a huff to show she was still “pouting,” but her interest was piqued.

“I’ve never seen a ruby that big. It’s so red and beautiful. Don’t you want to see it?” Liu Hening marveled.

Zhang Qingyu’s heart itched. Big and red… it would look perfect on me. But she continued to ignore Liu Hening. It’s her fault I was humiliated today!

“Oh, you don’t like it? Fine, then. Don’t bring it out,” Liu Hening teased. She knew that someone who had forced themselves to come while sick yesterday wouldn’t possibly pass this up.

“You said you’d give it to me yesterday!” Zhang Qingyu blurted out, afraid Liu Hening might change her mind and give it to Yu Changping instead. She felt the Empress was a bit of a “fickle flirt” who liked every beauty she saw.

“Yan, go and bring it for Qingyu to see,” Liu Hening said with a smile.

Watching them, Yu Changping thought: This year is full of strange things. The way the Empress coaxed Lady Zhang… it didn’t feel like a mistress dealing with a concubine. It felt like Lady Zhang was the Empress’s own woman.

Liu Yan soon brought out the ruby in a wooden box. When Liu Hening opened it, it glittered brilliantly. Zhang Qingyu was entranced. She had never seen a gem so large; her anger vanished, replaced entirely by the ruby. She took the box without the slightest bit of modesty, her joy plain to see.

Yu Changping thought: An idiot is an idiot. Happy over a shiny rock. Being a double-standard practitioner, she completely forgot she had acted the same way over the ginseng at the Eastern Palace.

Actually, Yu Changping was having a great time at Changqing Hall—warmth, good tea, snacks, and drama. She hadn’t been this happy in years. She didn’t want to go back to her “ice cellar,” but she knew she couldn’t stay. She had pledged loyalty to the Eastern Palace; staying here too long would reach Ye Guichen’s ears and cast doubt on her loyalty.

Reluctantly, she rose. The thought of the cold outside made her shiver before she even left. “I have disturbed you for long enough. It is time for me to return.”

“So soon? I wanted to keep you and Qingyu for dinner!” Liu Hening said.

“My energy is low; I am a bit fatigued after being out so long,” Yu Changping lied.

“That is a pity. Go back and rest well. Come back to play tomorrow,” Liu Hening invited.

“I will… if my health allows.”

“Don’t worry about the formal dates for paying respects. Whenever you feel well, just come find us. You are always welcome,” Liu Hening added.

“I will,” Yu Changping said softly.

“By the way, has Lady Zhang been to the Eastern Palace yet?” Yu Changping noticed Zhang Qingyu had no intention of leaving. Her envy spiked at how comfortable the other woman was.

“Not yet.” Without the reminder, Zhang Qingyu would have forgotten.

“You didn’t go yesterday because you were sick, which is fine. But if you don’t go today, it might look bad,” Yu Changping said, appearing helpful but actually just wanting to ruin Zhang Qingyu’s comfort.

Xiao Xuan was grateful; she hadn’t found a way to remind her mistress without annoying the Empress.

“I’ll go right now,” Zhang Qingyu said, standing up. She wasn’t that stupid.

“Go on then. Come back here after you’ve seen Huachao,” Liu Hening said. She also wanted to go to the Eastern Palace, but she knew she wasn’t welcome. Huachao had only invited her for the 8th and 23rd.

…

Zhang Qingyu and Yu Changping left together.

“I want to go too,” Liu Hening sighed to her maids.

“Forget it. You just annoyed her yesterday; let her hate fade a little,” Liu Yan said.

“But I didn’t know! Ignorance is no crime!” Liu Hening argued piteously.

“That may be true, but sometimes things don’t have to be logical,” Liu Yan countered. Whether intentional or not, her mistress had humiliated the other woman. Yu Zheng nodded in agreement.

“Yan, you’re a real mood-killer lately!”

“Bitter medicine is good for the disease; honest words are harsh to the ear,” Liu Yan said with a smile.

…

Outside the hall, Zhang Qingyu pulled Yu Changping aside. “Don’t you dare tell anyone what happened today!” she hissed. She didn’t want the “idiot beauty” thing to become public knowledge.

“Lady Zhang, you’ve been in the palace for two years. How can you still be so naive?” Yu Changping laughed.

“What do you mean?”

“There are no secrets in this palace. Even if I don’t say anything, it doesn’t mean word won’t get out.” She didn’t want to be the scapegoat when it inevitably leaked.

Zhang Qingyu fumed. “It’s all your fault! If you hadn’t said it, I wouldn’t be a joke!” She blamed Yu Changping for not gossiping in the privacy of her own home. If she hadn’t known, she wouldn’t have been upset.

Looking at the angry Zhang Qingyu, Yu Changping decided that if this woman was going to be mean to her, she’d be mean right back. She saw Xiao Xuan, Shou’er, and several other servants nearby. She decided to play a trick.

Yu Changping stepped closer to Zhang Qingyu, then suddenly collapsed to the ground with lightning speed. From a distance, it looked exactly like she had been pushed.

“Lady Zhang, I know you hate me. It’s only right that you hit me!” Yu Changping cried out from the snow, looking piteous.

Zhang Qingyu was stunned. When she realized what was happening, she nearly exploded. This little wench is framing me! In her fury, she stepped toward Yu Changping with a murderous expression. To any observer, it looked like a cruel woman relentlessly bullying a sickly one.

Xiao Xuan was horrified. Didn’t she just say she wouldn’t touch her? Now she’s doing it with a crowd watching! Her reputation is ruined!

“Didn’t you say at Changqing Hall that you wouldn’t hold a grudge? How can you go back on your word the moment we step outside?” Shou’er reacted quickly, shielding her mistress.

Xiao Xuan also hurried over to hold her mistress back, terrified she might actually hurt Yu Changping. Yu Changping’s father was a high-ranking official, after all.

Seeing even her own maid holding her back as if she were a criminal, Zhang Qingyu’s chest heaved with rage. No one had ever set a trap for her so blatantly. “I didn’t… this wench…” She was so angry she was stuttering, which only made her look more guilty.

To the crowd, the healthy Zhang Qingyu was clearly the aggressor.

Yu Changping watched her. The angrier Zhang Qingyu got, the more vibrant she looked. Yu Changping realized she loved seeing this kind of life. Besides, if the woman hadn’t been mean to her, she wouldn’t have done this.

“Hurry and leave!” Xiao Xuan told Shou’er, afraid her mistress would lose control. Shou’er helped Yu Changping up and they hurried away.

Once the crowd dispersed, Zhang Qingyu was still shaking. “I didn’t push her! She threw herself down!”

“Ah…” Xiao Xuan felt a little guilty. Her mistress had looked so terrifyingly like she wanted to eat the girl that even she hadn’t believed her. But knowing her mistress, she eventually chose to believe the truth. If that’s true, then Lady Yu is incredibly devious! My mistress is no match for her.

“I’m so mad!” Zhang Qingyu huffed. “I’m going to Anshou Hall later to settle this. I won’t take this lying down!”

…

Back at Anshou Hall, Shou’er was confused. “What happened? Why did she push you? I thought she let it go?”

“She didn’t push me. I did it on purpose,” Yu Changping said.

“What? Why?” Shou’er was horrified. Offending Lady Zhang—who was the Empress’s favorite—seemed like a bad idea.

“She was being mean to me!” Yu Changping said piteously. Then she added to herself: But her angry face is really quite pretty.

Shou’er was speechless. Her mistress’s heart was apparently made of paper. “Is it really okay to offend her like that?”

“Don’t worry. She’s just a paper tiger,” Yu Changping said. She had already figured Zhang Qingyu out. Besides, she had pledged to the Eastern Palace. Having a public feud with a “Central Palace favorite” would only make her loyalty to Ye Guichen look more convincing.