Chapter 18

However, Li Shuyao still dared not relax in the slightest. As soon as she stepped out of the enclosed chamber’s main door, her small face tightened with tension, her gaze sharp and alert, and she followed closely beside Qingyao, walking with her head bowed.

Before long, they arrived at Cining Palace.

The palace attendants had long since been informed of this news, and without changing their expressions, they welcomed Guo Luoluo Qingyao and Li Shuyao inside, inviting them into the hall and seating them on an embroidered stool nearest the entrance.

They then brought over a cup of hot tea, handing it gently to Qingyao while speaking kindly, explaining that the other consorts and young ladies had not yet arrived, and that the Empress Dowager was still asleep. They asked her to be patient a little longer.

Qingyao smiled lightly and agreed.

Since entering Cining Palace, she seemed somewhat different—her demeanor dignified, her posture graceful and poised, her movements measured and proper.

Moments ago, she had still been playing and laughing like a kindergarten child with Li Shuyao, but in the blink of an eye, she had donned the attire of an adult. Every gesture and action conformed to protocol, as though she had suddenly aged several years in an instant.

Li Shuyao lowered her head and glanced at herself. Her pale fingers nervously clutched the hem of her garment.

Though her small face was stern and cold, there was no trace of grace or elegance. It was easy to see the fear hidden deep within her heart, which gave the impression that she was insignificant and unworthy of notice.

Li Shuyao felt somewhat disheartened.

The attendant who had responded to Guo Luoluo Qingyao’s reply, upon hearing her assent, relaxed and hurried off to attend to other matters.

Qingyao immediately turned and pressed the entire cup of hot tea into Li Shuyao’s hands, then playfully winked at her. “Take a few sips quickly. Once you finish, you won’t feel so nervous.”

Li Shuyao was stunned but took the cup, bringing it to her lips. She sipped lightly twice; the warm tea only touched her lips and the tip of her tongue, hardly swallowing much. Yet somehow, seeing Qingyao’s bright smile, much of the tension inside her heart instantly melted away.

She handed the cup back to Qingyao and lowered her voice to ask, “Are you nervous too?”

Qingyao nodded without hesitation, taking the cup herself and sipping twice before replying, “Of course I’m nervous. I’m nearly scared to death; my heart feels like it’s about to jump out.”

“Shuyao, you don’t know — all along I’ve been thinking, what if the Empress Dowager doesn’t like me? Will I still be allowed in the harem? If not… if I can’t enter the harem… will the Emperor just forget about me in the inner quarters…”

“Just thinking about it frightens me—I’m really scared to death.”

“Well then…” Li Shuyao wanted to ask how Qingyao had managed to speak so calmly just now.

Before she could speak, Qingyao grasped one of her hands, gently shaking it twice, and coquettishly said, “That’s because you’re here with me.”

“I thought, if the Empress Dowager doesn’t favor me and I have to suffer, then we’ll suffer together.”

“It’s not just me who’s embarrassed, so there’s nothing to be afraid of!”

Her words were somewhat carefree, yet Li Shuyao strangely understood her meaning.

—Isn’t this just like the daily back-and-forth teasing and loving between her and her modern-day best friend?

When one person hasn’t finished their homework, it’s a terrifying thing.

But if a good friend hasn’t finished either, the whole situation feels completely different.

It’s like that popular saying online: “My own failure is scary, but my friend’s success is what truly aches the heart.”

More or less, it meant the same thing.

However, understanding it didn’t mean Li Shuyao wanted to agree.

She lightly shook off Qingyao’s hand, placed one hand on her hip, and glared at her with a teasing scowl. “So this is why you asked me to come with you.”

“Hehe,” Qingyao laughed openly, her sparkling eyes mischievous and charming.

She grabbed Li Shuyao’s hand again. “No matter what, now that you’re here, don’t think about running back. Just obediently stay with me and attend the Dragon Boat Festival banquet.”

After their playful teasing, Li Shuyao’s fear and nervousness finally dissipated completely.

---

While sipping the tea Qingyao had kindly offered, Li Shuyao pondered quietly: she had read the original story, so what was there to fear?

Be cautious, be prudent, avoid traps, don’t let anyone slander her, and don’t fall into self-incrimination. Use the sophistry she once read about—if something goes wrong, even if she’s not justified, she must at least appear strong and confident.

Given the Emperor’s current favor towards Qingyao, there was no way she would be sent to the Bureau of Penal Affairs!

That’s right, no need to fear!

Li Shuyao, you’ve finally grown up!

* * *

Fifteen minutes later, some consorts slowly arrived.

They wore dazzling, luxurious Manchu attire, their hair styled either in simple, elegant twin buns or elaborate, ornate headdresses. Their makeup was flawless, with vividly painted lips.

The scent of fine garments and the fluttering shadows of their hair added to their graceful presence.

Li Shuyao followed behind Qingyao, bowing countless times with her head lowered, until a palace attendant at the door loudly proclaimed, “The Empress Dowager arrives! The Grand Empress Dowager arrives!”

Chaos ensued again inside the hall. Not long after taking their seats, Consort Niuhulu and Consort Tong, dressed in formal ceremonial gowns, each supported by their personal maids, walked from the deep rear of the hall to the front of the crowd. Standing before all the consorts side by side, they led everyone in kneeling respectfully towards the entrance.

“Rise.”

An aged voice sounded from the doorway.

Upon hearing this, Li Shuyao instinctively tried to stand.

—She was different from the consorts. While consorts only needed to half-kneel in respect, palace maids like her were required to kneel fully, performing a “kowtow” pose.

This posture was uncomfortable, but fortunately, it was only required twice.

Because later, when the Emperor came with the Crown Prince and the First Prince to pay respects to the two Empress Dowagers, she would have to observe the full ceremony again.

Li Shuyao had only raised her upper body when Qingyao suddenly squeezed her wrist sharply. Half-squatting beside her, Qingyao silently shook her head, signaling her not to stand yet.

Li Shuyao looked toward the front of the crowd in confusion and noticed that the two most formally and heavily dressed women—Consort Niuhulu and Consort Tong—were only just being helped upright by their maids.

Only once they had stood did the other consorts dare to stand up in order, like an assembly line flowing forward, until they reached Qingyao’s side.

Qingyao then took Li Shuyao’s hand, and they both stood together.

Being the last in the line, they attracted no glances.

The Empress Dowager was supported by the Empress and walked to the grand chair at the center of the hall. Consorts Niuhulu and Tong closely followed, returning from the doorway to the innermost part of the hall.

Once the two Empress Dowagers settled into the grand chairs, they exchanged a cold, silent glance before turning to walk back to their seats.

Li Shuyao quietly observed that Consort Niuhulu went to the seat on the left.

In ancient times, the left side was considered the place of honor.

This indicated that Consorts Niuhulu and Tong had already established their ranks. Although the Imperial Household Department’s edict had not yet been issued, they must have learned through their own channels that Consort Niuhulu was soon to be made Empress.

Otherwise, Consort Tong would not so willingly take the right side.

Li Shuyao lowered her eyes, trying hard to imagine herself as a silent, motionless piece of wood.

The Empress Dowager, cheerful, began a conversation by first asking Consorts Niuhulu and Tong how they had been lately, then inquired about another consort, Baoting.

After finishing with her, she turned to another, Ergege, and continued asking in turn.

After questioning seven or eight consorts, her tone faltered, as if she had forgotten someone’s name, uttering a couple of “um”s, prompting the remaining consorts to speak up on their own.

One said she was Consort Zhang, another Consort Lan, and so on, answering seven or eight more.

---

This scene, resembling a leader’s countryside inspection, finally neared its end.

The Empress Dowager had been observing Guo Luoluo Qingyao for some time.

Since she entered the palace, she had been secretly watching her.

The consorts thought the same. Having lived deep within the palace, they rarely saw strangers. When Guo Luoluo Qingyao had greeted them earlier, they wondered when the Empress Dowager’s palace had gained two such strikingly beautiful palace maids.

…Mainly, they were simply too beautiful.

The one standing in front had a graceful figure, raven hair, and porcelain skin. Though she wore only a light layer of makeup, she was as stunning as autumn blossoms, her eyebrows like spring mountains, her eyes like autumn waters—charming and lively with a hint of intoxicating allure. Such beauty was rare, even in the entire harem.

The one behind wore a very plain palace maid’s uniform, her small oval face clean and bare, without any adornment.

Yet, with that ethereal beauty and those dark, sparkling eyes like a starry river, standing behind the other palace maid, she was in no way overshadowed.

If only she were dressed up a little…

At this thought, many hearts skipped a beat.

The Grand Empress Dowager’s gaze shifted toward them, smiling kindly as she asked, “You must be Guo Luoluo Qingyao.”

Qingyao immediately stood and responded with utmost respect, as if called upon by a teacher, half-squatting with hands on her waist, her voice soft yet poised: “Reporting to the Empress Dowager, this servant is indeed Guo Luoluo Qingyao.”

So she was the Guo Luoluo palace maid who had recently won the Emperor’s favor!

Many present suddenly changed expressions.

They recalled what occasion it was today—how could the Emperor allow a palace maid to attend the banquet?

This…

Before they could dwell on it further, the Empress Dowager gently called for everyone to rise and repeated the routine inquiries she had asked the consorts earlier, subtly acknowledging Guo Luoluo Qingyao’s position.

This caused some to furrow their brows involuntarily.

After the Empress Dowager finished, Consort Tong almost eagerly spoke first: “So you are that Guo Luoluo Qingyao.”

“How come you’ve enjoyed favor for so long, yet we never see you visit the harem?”

Qingyao sat on the embroidered stool and politely replied, “Your Highness, the Emperor has not given permission, so this servant naturally does not dare to move about freely.”

Consort Tong tapped her nails leisurely, her expression languid but her eyes dark and sharp. She asked again, “Since you persuaded the Emperor to let you attend the banquet, surely greeting your sisters in the palace is no great matter. So is it that the Emperor forbids it, or do you not wish to go yourself?”

This question was rather cunning. Li Shuyao silently broke out in a cold sweat for Qingyao.

Then, sitting before her, Qingyao tilted her head slightly in apparent bewilderment and said, “But, it seems the palace has never had such a rule.”

“I am but a common palace maid, only knowing to follow palace regulations and serve the Emperor wholeheartedly. Beyond that, I dare not overstep or speak such disrespectful words to the Emperor.”

“In any case, I am merely a palace maid; how could I have the right to visit the noble consorts?”

Her answer was so sincere it was almost unsettling, leaving those who had intended to attack her with the excuse ‘she’s only a palace maid’ momentarily speechless.

Li Shuyao slowly opened her eyes wide and stared at the back of Qingyao’s head.

After a moment, she silently gave two thumbs up in her heart.

Impressive, my sister.