Double Queens GL - Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Just then, Shou’er returned carrying a pot of ginseng-stewed chicken. When she saw Lady Zhang and her maid inside the hall, she was nearly scared out of her wits. She knew her mistress had offended Lady Zhang and that the woman wouldn’t let it go—and here she was, having tracked them down! She broke into a cold sweat for her mistress.

Yu Changping, seeing Shou’er’s panic, was more worried that the girl might accidentally trip and spill the ginseng chicken soup she had been waiting so long for.

“Shou’er, don’t be afraid. Lady Zhang is magnanimous and has already forgiven me,” Yu Changping said quickly to soothe her, prioritizing the safety of her soup while throwing a compliment toward Zhang Qingyu.

Hearing this, Shou’er calmed down. She realized that Lady Zhang didn’t look angry; in fact, she looked quite pleased. Seeing the golden hair-pendant in Lady Zhang’s hand, Shou’er guessed that her mistress had gifted the treasure as an apology.

“This servant pays respects to Lady Zhang,” Shou’er said, placing the pot on the table and bowing.

“Where are the other servants?” Zhang Qingyu asked, putting the hair-pendant back into its box to avoid looking too greedy. She was annoyed that until now, she hadn’t seen a single person around to even pour a cup of tea.

“They saw that Lady Yu was resting and went back to their own rooms,” Shou’er answered honestly. She had long disliked those lazy, disrespectful servants and had urged Yu Changping to complain to the Empress. But Yu Changping had always said that if she couldn’t even manage her own household, it would only make her a laughingstock. As long as they didn’t cause major trouble, she didn’t care.

Zhang Qingyu was furious. Leaving a frail mistress alone with no one to summon in an emergency was the height of servant insolence. “Since when is there no discipline in the palace? This is open rebellion! Go, call them all here!” she commanded Shou’er.

Shou’er was delighted that Lady Zhang was taking a stand for her mistress and hurried to fetch the three slackers.

Yu Changping was surprised. This “idiot beauty” actually had a striking sense of justice. While she knew Zhang Qingyu’s lecture would be more effective than her own, she was so hungry she could faint. If this took too long, the soup would get cold!

“I told them they could rest; perhaps we should let it be?” Yu Changping said, her voice sounding faint from hunger.

“No! Today, I shall set the rules for your servants myself!” Zhang Qingyu declared.

Soon, the two eunuchs and the other maid were dragged into the inner hall, trembling. They never expected a visit from the favored and short-tempered Lady Zhang. After a fierce scolding and a threat to “take their heads” if it happened again, Zhang Qingyu ordered them out into the cold to clear every inch of snow from the courtyard.

…

Feeling quite heroic after the lecture, Zhang Qingyu’s mood reached a new high.

“Thank you, Lady Zhang, for establishing order,” Yu Changping thanked her.

“Don’t mention it. As a mistress, you must be authoritative. People bully the weak and fear the strong,” Zhang Qingyu lectured, quite proud of her “management skills.”

“Lady Zhang is right,” Yu Changping said, acting the humble student.

“It is getting late. If you don’t mind the humbleness, would you like to share a bowl of ginseng chicken soup with me?” Yu Changping asked, finally seeing her chance to eat.

Zhang Qingyu was indeed hungry and accepted with a “reluctant” tone. When the bowls were served, Zhang Qingyu noticed there was no visible ginseng—only a faint scent. She thought the meal was a bit meager, but seeing Yu Changping eat with such pure, blissful satisfaction, she felt a wave of pity. This girl is living in such misery that she’s happy with just this? she thought. She decided that from now on, she would look after Yu Changping. In her mind, she had gained her first “follower.”

…

Meanwhile, at the Eastern Palace, Ye Guichen was “letting herself go” a little. Since the new Empress arrived, she had taken to drinking a bit of wine in the evenings to help her sleep. She realized now that she should please herself rather than constantly trying to please Yang Zhao.

She assumed Yang Zhao would be busy with the new Empress for months. So, she was genuinely startled when he walked into her inner hall unannounced.

She was dressed in simple clothes, her makeup removed, her hair tied with a simple ribbon. Seeing her like this—natural and stunning—Yang Zhao felt a surge of freshness. “I have never seen you like this. It is quite a refreshing sight,” he said.

“The Emperor has caught me at a disadvantage,” Ye Guichen said, quickly regaining her composure.

“I have neglected you these past days,” Yang Zhao said, sitting opposite her.

“I am used to it. Your Majesty is not my husband alone; it is your duty to spread your favors,” she replied calmly.

Yang Zhao frowned slightly. He almost wished she would show some jealousy, like the other concubines. Her “perfect understanding” made him feel like he didn’t weigh much in her heart. “Huachao is always so proper. It is my own confusion.”

“Why did Your Majesty come so suddenly? It is only the third day of your marriage with the new Empress,” Ye Guichen asked. She found his presence disruptive to her peace.

“It was actually her idea,” Yang Zhao smiled. “She likes you very much and feared I was neglecting you.”

Ye Guichen’s heart turned cold. Does Liu Hening think she is a living Buddha, doling out her husband as charity? Looking at Yang Zhao, she felt a surge of revulsion—partly for him, and mostly for Liu Hening’s “generosity.”

“The Empress of the Central Palace is very thoughtful,” she said, her face a mask of gratitude.

“She is indeed different from other women,” Yang Zhao praised.

“A rare woman indeed,” Ye Guichen echoed insincerely. If he weren’t the Emperor, she would have kicked him out of her hall then and there.