"Your Majesty, in the nearby Yizhu Pavilion live two newly arrived concubines. One is Mrs. Jiang, the daughter of the Meize County Magistrate, and the other is Mrs. Chen, the daughter of a Hanlin Academy editor."
The Chief Eunuch, Liang Yuyin, replied with his head lowered.
He was one of the Emperor's personal attendants. The harem was filled with countless women; unfavored concubines and Changzais were as insignificant as stray cats and dogs in the palace. It was impossible for him to have made a special trip to Chuxiu Palace just to memorize each and every one of their faces.
But when the Emperor asked a question, his subordinates couldn't be completely clueless. Otherwise, what use would he be? Thus, Liang Yuyin reported the residences of the nearby concubines, skillfully defusing the predicament.
The Emperor's gaze traveled across the spacious Plum Garden and landed on the woman.
There was no stage in the Plum Garden, nor was Jiang Xian in a dancer's costume. The dance she performed was ordinary, but her movements were not. She had been practicing diligently in the palace with the Lightweight Secret Manual she'd wheedled out of the system. While she hadn't reached the level of walking on water, her posture was as light as a swallow's. She couldn't leap over rooftops and run up walls, but it was more than enough to enhance her dancing.
What an outstanding figure!
With every gesture, she looked as if she might take flight.
Liang Yuyin held the umbrella as snowflakes drifted onto the Emperor's eyelashes.
Jiang Xian, timing it perfectly, turned her head.
As someone from the modern era, she still lacked a deep-seated understanding of imperial power. She simply saw the Emperor as the chairman of a large corporation, the super-boss who signed her paychecks. She was respectful, but not particularly fearful of him.
Their eyes met. She seemed startled for a moment, then gracefully knelt in a salute. "This concubine, Jiang Daying of Yizhu Pavilion, greets the Emperor. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless fortune and golden health."
The filter was on, the soft light cranked to the max.
Jiang Xian was already beautiful, with a pair of lovely, slightly upturned eyes whose dark pupils always seemed veiled in a captivating mist. The harem had no shortage of beauties, but even the most stunning among them were still mortals, like unedited photos. How could they possibly compare to a perfectly retouched image?
'She's like a fairy descended from the heavens, outshining all the women around him.'
Jiang Daying's entire aura was a marvel of technology and raw effort.
Even the worldly and experienced Emperor couldn't help but be momentarily dazed.
As he looked at her, she was also looking at him.
It was still early. Sunlight pierced the golden dragon umbrella, bathing the young man in its glow. It was as if he were gilded with a border of gold called 'imperial power'—a flash of brilliant yellow between the snow-white earth and sky, dazzling enough to stir the heart.
The Royal Family produced no ugly people, and the Emperor himself possessed a handsome face.
Jiang Xian glanced at him once before lowering her head.
'Rosy-cheeked skeletons, flesh-covered bones.' Having lived two lives, Jiang Xian didn't care about appearances, especially not her boss's. The Emperor was her boss. 'Who cares if the boss is tall, short, fat, or thin?' When others claimed not to judge by looks, it was usually just talk. She, however, was a true, hardcore professional who genuinely couldn't care less about beauty or ugliness.
Thus, upon seeing the Emperor's fair and handsome face, Jiang Xian's heart remained completely unmoved.
Shaking off his daze, the Emperor walked over to her. "Rise. It's so cold today. Why are you dancing alone in the Plum Garden?"
The Emperor's eyes held a scrutinizing gaze.
'When it comes to sucking up to the boss, there are many schools of thought.'
'One of the biggest fallacies is "Just do your job quietly, and the boss will eventually notice." If you just do your job quietly, the boss only needs to give you your base salary. Why should he think of you for a promotion? Why should he rely on you when things get tough? It all comes down to the extras!'
'A boss is a boss not because he's a brilliant, all-seeing visionary, but because he has capital and registered a company.'
'By the same logic, the most important reason an emperor is an emperor is that he had a father who was also an emperor. It's a family business, sovereignty passed down from father to son—a second-generation emperor. Besides, the "wise and martial" act is for the civil and military officials of the imperial court. When it comes to the delicate women of the harem, the Emperor is far more tolerant.'
Therefore, Jiang Xian's secret to career advancement was that her ass-kissing had to be extremely obvious.
'What colleagues find cringey, the boss finds just right.'
At that moment, Jiang Xian was dusted with snow, her nose red from the cold, looking like a pitiable yet adorable little fox in the snow. The Emperor might be suspicious of a concubine Peeping Emperor's Footprint, but this method of seeking favor by dancing in the snow was something he could appreciate, even with a touch of pity.
"Your Majesty, this concubine enjoys admiring the plums in the snow. Ever since it began to snow, I have come to the Plum Garden every day after paying my morning respects. Today, on a whim, and enjoying the feeling of the cool wind whipping into my sleeves, my hands got itchy to perform. I have disturbed Your Majesty, and I beg for your forgiveness."
With that, she bowed her head to the ground again.
Her hair was tied up, and as she lowered her head, a section of her nape—whiter than frost and snow—was revealed, stirring the heart and setting the mind racing.
"It was I who failed to have my arrival announced. How could the Beauty be at fault?"
This time, the Emperor personally helped her up. "It just so happens you can accompany me for a walk."
Jiang Xian lowered her eyes and smiled.
[The Emperor has remembered your name. Palace Fighting Points +20]
[The Chief Eunuch beside the Emperor has remembered your name. Palace Fighting Points +10]
After a full circuit of the Plum Garden, another notification popped up in Jiang Xian's mind:
[Beginner achievement unlocked: [Stroll in the Garden with the Emperor]. Palace Fighting Points +30]
After a while, the Emperor had Liang Yuyin escort Jiang Daying back to Yizhu Pavilion. Zhenqiu, who had come out with her, showed a rare look of excitement. Though she said nothing, her hand holding the umbrella was clenched so tight her knuckles had turned white.
When they reached the gate of Yizhu Pavilion, however, Jiang Xian didn't let him escort her inside.
"Mr. Liang."
Jiang Xian gave a look, and Zhenqiu, understanding, presented a small pouch.
There wasn't much silver in the pouch. Given Mr. Liang's status, he would certainly look down on it. But she knew that he was also aware of her poverty, so there was no need to pretend to be wealthy. A simple gesture of respect was enough.
Sure enough, after Liang Yuyin accepted it with a smile, he added a piece of advice: "Your Ladyship should be careful with your evening meal. Best to avoid meat and fish."
"Thank you for the advice, Mr. Liang."
"Not at all. This servant will now go report back to the Emperor."
Once they were out of Yizhu Pavilion's area, the little eunuch beside Mr. Liang asked in confusion, "That pouch was so flat and light. Old Ancestor, why did you even bother to give her advice?"
Liang Yuyin was displeased. "I wasn't advising her, I was ensuring the Emperor's comfort. How much silver could a mere concubine have in her pocket? You only see the trivial profits. I've wasted all my time having you serve with me in the imperial court."
'From the way the Emperor looked at Mrs. Jiang just now, he'll definitely summon her for the night.'
The little eunuch was terrified, and he gave himself three solid slaps across the face.
Meanwhile, back at Yizhu Pavilion.
The usually composed Zhenqiu had her lips pressed tightly together, visibly happy. She wanted to share the news with others but was wary of her mistress's wishes, her mouth opening and closing. Seeing this, Mian Xia hurried them both inside. "It's so cold! My lady is truly in good health. Look how Zhenqiu is shivering so hard her teeth are chattering, yet you are perfectly calm. Hurry and have a bowl of ginger soup to warm up."
Jiang Xian said, "She's not cold."
Mian Xia was puzzled.
Jiang Xian said lightly, "We just ran into the Emperor in the Plum Garden. His Majesty invited me to admire the plum blossoms with him, and it was Mr. Liang from his side who just escorted us back."
Mian Xia: "..."
And so, another palace maid in Yizhu Pavilion began to shiver uncontrollably.