Double Queens GL - Chapter 28

Chapter 28

“Who has upset our Lady Zhang?” Yang Zhao asked Zhang Qingyu with a smile.

“Huh? What?” Zhang Qingyu, still brooding, was suddenly called out by the Emperor. She snapped out of her daze like someone waking from a dream, looking at him blankly. She hadn’t caught a word he said; she had only heard her own name.

The other beauties watched Zhang Qingyu with eyes full of envy and jealousy. Though she had no idea what was happening, being the center of envy made her incredibly happy. After all, she was a woman who thrived on vanity.

“Junshen, it’s time you went to handle your state affairs,” Liu Hening said, quickly ushering Yang Zhao away. She knew that if he stayed, these women wouldn’t have the heart to play with her—they’d be too busy trying to please him.

Yang Zhao saw her “eviction notice” and chuckled. He had wanted to chat a bit more with his beauties, but he wasn’t in a hurry; he could visit them another time.

“Fine, fine, fine. This Emperor shall go handle his duties, then,” Yang Zhao said, rising to leave with an air of helpless indulgence.

The concubines exchanged looks. Yang Zhao was generally a good-tempered emperor, but they had never seen him act so informally. It was clear that Liu Hening was exceptionally favored; otherwise, she wouldn’t have nearly caused the deposition of the impeccable Ye Guichen. Everyone reached the same conclusion: they had to get on the good side of this favored Empress. Zhang Qingyu was clearly the smartest of them—she visited the Central Palace most often, and just now, the Emperor had singled her out. It seemed the “Idiot Beauty” wasn’t so much of an idiot after all; she had secured a powerful backer.

Once Yang Zhao left Changqing Hall, the women immediately dropped their flirting and seductive glances.

“I’m so happy you all came to play today,” Liu Hening announced. “I wanted to give everyone a gift, but unfortunately, I don’t have many treasures left. How about this: we find a game to play? It won’t be fun without a prize, so whoever wins first place shall receive a treasure. What do you think?”

Liu Yan watched her mistress enthusiastically propose the idea. Life in the palace really does suit Miss, she thought. With her mistress’s positive attitude, she could adapt to any environment.

“Come, let me show you the prize for today. Yan, go bring out that Night-Luminous Pearl,” Liu Hening commanded.

The beauties perked up instantly. The real treasures were being saved for the end! Who wouldn’t want a Night-Luminous Pearl? Zhang Qingyu’s eyes went straight. It was even more beautiful than yesterday’s ruby; just looking at it made her forget her anger.

“What are we playing?” Zhang Qingyu was the first to ask. As long as it wasn’t poetry, needlework, or singing… she mentally crossed those off. She realized that if it involved skills, she was doomed. She only knew how to eat and sleep—which was why she was so healthy—but if it weren’t for her face, she wouldn’t have even qualified for the palace.

“Today, we play something everyone can do—a game of pure luck,” Liu Hening suggested.

The women were eager. Luck meant everyone had a chance. Under Liu Hening’s lead, the group of beauties began to play boisterously in the Central Palace.

…

“Miss, I thought you disliked the Central Palace? Why were you two hugging? What happened?”

Back at the Eastern Palace, Ye Meng finally let out the questions she had been holding in. She didn’t believe for a second that her mistress had been in the mood to discuss the Classic of Mountains and Seas with Liu Hening.

“Liu Hening is a formidable character,” Ye Guichen said, her face grim. The more she thought about how accurately Liu Hening had read her mind, the more terrifying she found her.

“Is she really that capable?” Ye Meng doubted it. Aside from being thick-skinned, she hadn’t seen anything impressive about Liu Hening. She seemed like the type who wore her heart on her sleeve—only slightly better than Zhang Qingyu.

“She’s a master of ‘the pig eating the tiger.’ We cannot underestimate her. I fear even I am not her match,” Ye Guichen said solemnly. Being constantly exposed while having no idea what the other person was thinking made her feel incredibly vulnerable.

“Does that mean we are in danger?” Ye Meng worried.

Ye Guichen didn’t answer. Although Liu Hening felt unfathomable, she didn’t sense a shred of hostility or malice from her. Sometimes intuition was more accurate than logic, but right now, Ye Guichen didn’t trust her own feelings.

“She was called the ‘Little Guanyin’ in Jiangdu, wasn’t she?” Ye Guichen asked.

“Yes. They say when she was born, the Old Grand Tutor’s wife was praying to Buddha and a divine light filled the room. Seeing a mole like a Guanyin mark on her brow, she was convinced the girl was a reincarnation of the Buddha. She grew up painting Guanyin portraits that were said to be lifelike. Apparently, the Emperor fell for her when he saw her painting a mural in a temple,” Ye Meng recounted.

“Could it be that she is called ‘Little Guanyin’ because she has the ability to see into people’s hearts?”

“I haven’t heard that. I only heard that their horoscopes were a perfect match, saying she would ‘prosper her husband.’ Perhaps the Emperor attributes his rise to the throne to her luck?”

“Perhaps.” Ye Guichen didn’t usually believe in the supernatural, but seeing how much Yang Zhao valued her, there might be a reason for it.

“A-Meng, go find that Guanyin painting she sent over,” Ye Guichen suddenly said.

“That ‘Guanyin’ painting? You mean her self-portrait? How shameless, actually calling herself a Guanyin!” Ye Meng grumbled, but she went to the bottom of the trunk to find it.

Ye Meng pulled out two scrolls. One was the Plum Branch painting; the other was the portrait.

Ye Guichen had seen it when it hung in the hall, but her prejudice had kept her from looking closely. Now, as she studied it, she felt a chill. At first glance, it was just Liu Hening. But the longer she looked, the more the serenity and peace in the eyes made her feel like this was exactly how a Guanyin should look.

She put the painting down quickly. It felt “poisonous,” as if it were casting a spell on her.

“Miss, actually… she painted you very well too,” Ye Meng said, looking at the Plum Branch painting. “Like a flower fairy who accidentally fell to earth. She captured your spirit perfectly from just a back view.”

Ye Guichen glanced at the painting that had once humiliated her. She couldn’t deny the talent, but she still felt “stripped bare” by it.

“A-Meng, look at this Guanyin portrait. Look at it carefully,” Ye Guichen commanded.

Ye Meng looked for a long time before her skin began to crawl. She dropped the scroll. “Miss, it’s eerie. By the end, I really felt like I was looking at a real Guanyin.”

If Ye Meng felt it too, it wasn’t a coincidence. “Miss, could she really be a reincarnation? No, she must be a demon or a ghost!” Ye Meng couldn’t reconcile Liu Hening’s shameless behavior with a Buddha.

“Little Guanyin…” Ye Guichen muttered the nickname thoughtfully.

Meanwhile, the “Little Guanyin” in question was currently laughing and playing loudly with a crowd of women. If Ye Meng saw her now, she would surely spit—This behavior? A Guanyin? Please!