Double Queens GL - Chapter 38

Chapter 38

Men were like that, and women who liked their own kind were probably the same; otherwise, Liu Hening wouldn’t be so “open” to every woman in the harem.

“Miss, why the sudden talk of men?” Ye Meng asked, puzzled. They were discussing the Central Palace, so why the jump to men?

“Nothing. Help me remove my makeup.” Ye Guichen didn’t share her suspicions. The idea that she might be the object of another woman’s desire wasn’t something she found particularly honorable to discuss.

As Ye Meng worked, Ye Guichen studied her reflection. She examined her features—features she had long been used to—with newfound scrutiny: willow-leaf brows, a refined nose, bright eyes that seemed to speak, and red lips against white teeth.

“Miss, have you finally been captivated by your own beauty?” Ye Meng teased.

“Am I truly that beautiful?” Ye Guichen asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Need you even ask? You are exquisite. There are many beauties in this harem, but not one can suppress your radiance,” Ye Meng said matter-of-factly. It wasn’t flattery; it was truth.

Hearing this, Ye Guichen felt her suspicions were likely correct. She fell silent.

Ye Meng, however, found her mistress strange today. Usually, Ye Guichen paid little mind to her looks and never asked such questions. “Miss, you and the Central Empress seem… different today.”

“Different how?”

“It feels like you don’t hate her as much as you used to.”

“The Central Empress handed us a ‘token of loyalty’ today regarding Lady Sun. Even if it’s a facade, I must put on a show of goodwill,” Ye Guichen explained.

“I understand,” Ye Meng replied, though she felt the kindness hadn’t seemed like an act at all.

…

When Yang Zhao heard that Liu Hening had sentenced herself to three months of confinement, he was actually quite gratified. It was a good move to restore her reputation after the jewelry scandal. However, he couldn’t bear for her to be locked away that long, so he used his imperial authority to reduce it to one month.

During this time, Liu Hening stayed obediently in her hall. At first, her official, Yu Zheng, worried the lively Empress would be bored, but she found Liu Hening perfectly happy painting Guanyin portraits and reading. She realized this new Empress was quite capable of finding joy in solitude.

While most concubines were relieved they didn’t have to visit the Central Palace, Zhang Qingyu was torn. Liu Hening had given her two treasures and treated her sincerely; to ignore her now felt treacherous. Despite her maid Xiao Xuan’s warnings about “staying on a sinking ship,” Zhang Qingyu decided to visit.

When she arrived, she found Liu Hening having a grand time. “Hening! I thought you’d be miserable!”

“Not at all! I can play by myself. Look, I’ve painted so many Guanyins,” Liu Hening said, pulling her to see a wet ink painting.

Zhang Qingyu thought she was the one without a heart, but she felt this Empress was even more carefree. Is she an idiot? Does she not realize people think she’s losing favor? “Why did you punish yourself? And why did you stop the Emperor from coming? Everyone thinks you’re falling out of grace! And not pleading for Lady Sun—people will think you’re unreliable!”

“Qingyu, you are just too cute,” Liu Hening laughed, pinching Zhang Qingyu’s cheek.

Zhang Qingyu swatted her hand away, frustrated that Liu Hening wasn’t taking her “career advice” seriously.

“Qingyu, who is the most powerful woman in this harem?” Liu Hening asked.

“The Eastern Empress,” she answered without hesitation.

“Exactly. I’m currying favor with Huachao, not opposing her. If she protects me, what is there to worry about?”

Zhang Qingyu paused. It actually made sense. “But is she that easy to please? She’s so cold to everyone.”

“She’s wonderful to me,” Liu Hening lied through her teeth, though she believed it would eventually be true.

Seeing their intimacy at the banquet, Zhang Qingyu chose to believe her. She felt relieved that the New Queen had a plan. She looked at the painting and remarked, “This Guanyin is truly well-done. It looks… exactly how she should look.”

“If you like it, I’ll give you one!”

“Can you paint a ‘Child-Sending Guanyin’?” Zhang Qingyu asked. Every woman wanted a son to secure her status. Since the Emperor had no heirs yet, a son would mean a promotion to Noble Consort.

Half an hour later, Zhang Qingyu left with her painting and hung it prominently in her hall. Much like Ye Guichen had done (though only for a day), Zhang Qingyu kept it up.

…

“Mistress,” Xiao Xuan said a few days later, “The Emperor has visited the other favorites, but it’s been a while since he came here. Why hasn’t he called for you?”

Zhang Qingyu realized she was right. Usually, she was in the regular rotation with the Eastern Empress, Su Qingqing, and Li Lian. She had no idea her “That’s it?” comment from the other night had traumatized the Emperor so much he was actively avoiding her.

Yang Zhao had visited the Eastern Palace instead. Still unwilling to let him touch her, Ye Guichen had slipped a mild sedative into his wine. Combined with the alcohol, he fell into a deep sleep before he could even undress her.

Yang Zhao didn’t suspect her for a second. Instead, he blamed himself. I wanted to be with her, yet I fell asleep? His mind raced back to Zhang Qingyu’s words. He began to panic about his own “prowness.”

“Huachao…” he stammered upon waking, trying to explain his lapse.

“It’s no matter,” Ye Guichen said kindly. “You must be exhausted from state affairs. Your Majesty should cherish your ‘dragon body’ (health).”

That phrase—”cherish your health”—unintentionally twisted the knife in Yang Zhao’s heart. It felt like a polite way of saying he was getting old and weak. Now, he didn’t want to face Ye Guichen either.