Consort De respectfully bowed first to Noble Consort. Seeing this, Consort Shu cast her a disdainful glance—this old rival of hers was always good at putting on airs, but in truth, she was a snake hidden behind a Buddha's smile.
When the others bowed to her, Consort De caught sight of Zheng Qingling wearing a purple palace dress just like hers. Though furious inside, she kept her face calm and instead gave a signal with her eyes to Lady Sun from her palace.
Sun Miao received the cue. Though reluctant, she had no choice but to act as Consort De's blade.
"Rou Changzai, do you admit your guilt? How dare you wear the same color as Consort De? Do you already harbor ambitions of overstepping your station?"
Of course, Zheng Qingling would not shoulder this black pot. She feigned innocence and replied softly:
"Your servant would not dare. This dress was prepared by the maids of Qingyu Hall. I truly did not know purple was reserved for Consort De."
At this, Lady Sun dared not press further. After all, Consort Shu and Noble Consort often wore purple too. If she pushed, she risked offending both higher-ranking mistresses.
Consort De cursed Sun Miao inwardly for her uselessness, and grew even angrier at Rou Changzai's tactless response. It was indeed an unwritten rule that lower-ranking consorts should not wear the same color as the high-ranking ladies, but such rules could never be spoken aloud!
If His Majesty learned of this, he would only accuse her, Consort De, of being domineering and petty—something she always tried to avoid.
"Rou Changzai misunderstands. Lady Sun only just woke and was speaking in a daze. Purple is, of course, a color any sister may wear."
The other concubines now had a new impression of Zheng Qingling: she spoke without thought, without tact. To converse with her was to risk being left awkward and unable to save face.
From then on, the concubines chatted and laughed while deliberately isolating Zheng Qingling. She, however, enjoyed the peace and quiet.
By the third quarter of the Chen hour, they were finally dismissed. Zheng Qingling, being of low rank, had to leave last—but unexpectedly, someone trailed behind her.
"Elder Sister Zheng, seeing you reminds me of my own sisters back home. Why don't we address each other as sisters from now on?"
It was Fang Daying, still young and yet to be summoned to His Majesty's bed. Clearly, she sought to use Zheng Qingling to advance her position.
"Fang Daying, this Changzai already has blood sisters at home. I have no need to call anyone else 'sister.'"
Fang Muchen flushed with anger. She had assumed Zheng Qingling would be an easy fool to manipulate. Who would have thought she was so unwilling to give face, not even understanding the low-ranking concubines' habit of banding together for warmth?
"In that case, since Rou Changzai has no such intention, I shall take my leave."
She strode ahead without looking back.
Watching her exaggerated display of innocence, Zheng Qingling chuckled to herself. Another one pretending to be a "pure-hearted little sister." She had no desire to indulge such acts.
After all, in the harem, everyone vied for the same things: the Emperor's favor and heirs. True sisterhood was impossible; betrayal was far more certain. For that reason, Zheng Qingling chose to remain a lone wolf.
When she returned to her quarters, she found the eunuch steward of the Ministry of Internal Affairs waiting with several attendants. He immediately dropped to his knees:
"Forgive me, my lady. Due to my poor management, three of your attendants betrayed you. Please punish me."
"Eunuch, you handle countless affairs each day. A few oversighted servants is understandable. But traitors cannot remain in Xinghua Pavilion. I hear the Bureau of Prudence is an excellent destination."
"Rest assured, my lady, I will see to it at once."
With a wave of his hand, the two palace maids and one eunuch kneeling below had their mouths stuffed and were dragged away.
"My lady, here are new attendants assigned to you. Should any issues arise, just summon me—I will serve you diligently."
"Chunxiu, see Eunuch off properly."
The new arrivals stepped forward to greet her.
"Your servants Caiyan, Caixing, and the eunuch Xiao Quanzi greet my lady."
Zheng Qingling's gaze swept over their timid faces. Without wasted words, she declared:
"In this Changzai's service, traitors will not be tolerated. Whoever betrays me will be sent straight to the Bureau of Prudence."
With that, she let Chunxiu assign them chores, while she herself returned to her chambers to rest.
She had to admit—this Emperor was young, vigorous, and skilled, one of the stronger partners she'd ever had. But alas, her current body was frail, unable to fully enjoy it.
He saw her as a bed partner, while Zheng Qingling regarded him as her patron. Nothing more than mutual exchange.
At this thought, she took a contraceptive pill from her space and swallowed it.
"Host! Why take a contraceptive pill? Now you won't be able to conceive!"
"At this time, pregnancy would only make me a target. Even if I managed to give birth, the child wouldn't be mine to raise. Why should I waste my effort for no benefit?"
The system fell silent, realizing its thinking had been too shallow. Perhaps timing really did make all the difference.
Yes—Zheng Qingling would not conceive now. She would wait until she had risen higher before considering it. For now, in Xiao Qianming's heart, she was merely a pleasing bed partner.
As she rested, she heard noise outside. Probing with her mental power, she discovered an eunuch from Qingyu Hall had brought rewards.
Still, she did not stir until Chunxiu came in to announce it. Then she stepped outside.
"My lady, congratulations. These are His Majesty's gifts."
"Thank you for making the trip, Eunuch. I am most grateful."
Her lips curved in a bright smile as she signaled Chunxiu to reward the eunuch with silver.
The eunuch's grin widened as he accepted the pouch.
"By the way, Eunuch, has His Majesty given any other instructions?"
Her meaning was clear—she was expressing longing and devotion.
"That, he has not. But if there is any news, I will be sure to notify you first, my lady. Please wait patiently."
Zheng Qingling let her face fall in disappointment, her melancholy obvious. The eunuch believed it thoroughly—yet another beauty hopelessly in love with the Emperor.
This, too, was deliberate. After all, what concubine would not love the Emperor?
Yes—she loved his gold, his jewels, and his power. That was love enough.
In truth, she was already thinking about what to eat that evening. A whole day of acting was exhausting.
That night, the Emperor summoned no women. Xiao Qianming was a man of discipline—no beauty could make him easily break that.
But when dinner was served, Zheng Qingling caught a faint whiff of musk in the black-bone chicken soup.