Chapter 19

Everyone in the hall fell silent. The Grand Empress Dowager’s eyes narrowed slightly as she glanced at the Empress Dowager beside her, who was listening intently to the old nurse’s translation. After a moment, she smiled without saying a word.

She took a sip of tea, lowering her gaze.

Consort Niohuru, seeing her old rival defeated, felt a flicker of joy, but it quickly gave way to a sharp realization—this official woman was quite formidable.

If she were to enter the harem, she would certainly not be an easy foe.

Her expression suddenly stiffened, a chill flashing through her eyes as she shot a piercing glance at Guo Luoluo Qingyao. “What nonsense are you talking about?”

“Lady Tong was merely curious about you just now. You only need to answer her questions truthfully and thoroughly. What business is it of this official woman’s?” she replied, intending to continue her reprimand.

At that moment, Guo Luoluo Qingyao, having caught the conversation, fixed her curious gaze on her. Her expression was innocent and sincere, her large, watery eyes wide open. “Ah? But I truly am an official woman, and didn’t I already reply? It’s just that there is no such rule in the palace.”

“Reply or not...” Consort Niohuru instinctively wanted to retort again.

But then she noticed Consort Tong’s gaze, tinged with disdain, quietly directed at her.

“Consort Tong? Since when have you had such close relations with the Niohuru clan? You’re just using me as a stepping stone, hoping to get rid of this Guo Luoluo, aren’t you?”

She curled her lips, waved her hand dismissively, and said to Consort Niohuru without a trace of warmth, “I think Guo Luoluo’s answers were quite candid and well-reasoned—truly convincing.”

“You!” Consort Niohuru clenched the armrest in fury.

Consort Tong feigned ignorance and turned her head, giving Guo Luoluo Qingyao a faint smile. Her voice was clear and crisp. “You haven’t yet said—why are you here today?”

Guo Luoluo Qingyao sat up straighter, her big eyes innocent and guileless. “Perhaps because His Majesty thinks I am still young and playful, worried that I might be stifled in the inner chambers, so he let me out to walk around and have some fun.”

She raised her hand, pinching her thumb and forefinger together in a small gesture, then turned to the other consorts and said, “Ladies, please don’t worry. My appetite is very small—I eat very little—I certainly won’t eat all the delicacies at the feast!”

“I swear this by the Eternal Heaven!” She raised three fingers solemnly, her expression utterly serious.

The assembled consorts fell silent once more.

Was this really what they wanted to ask?

The venerable matriarch in the highest seat almost choked on her tea at Guo Luoluo Qingyao’s words.

She hastily handed her teacup to Su Malagu and continued to watch the proceedings with keen interest.

Consort Niohuru was clearly still angry at Consort Tong’s lack of cooperation, gripping the armrest tightly and glaring at her.

Consort Tong, however, focused entirely on Guo Luoluo. Hearing her reply, something flickered in her eyes—a trace of inscrutable amusement. She relaxed and sank back into her chair, saying no more.

Consort Nala twisted her handkerchief, brow furrowed, watching Guo Luoluo with wary eyes; Consort Majiashì smiled with narrowed eyes, perhaps finding the two girls amusing; Consort Li, always dignified and composed, had glanced at Guo Luoluo with a flicker of astonishment when Consort Tong first spoke, but soon resumed her indifferent demeanor.

Madam Dong’s gaze was dark and heavy, like a brewing storm; Consort Wang Jia was calmly sipping tea, detached as if unaffected; Consort Hesheri’s eyes gleamed with greed as they lingered on Guo Luoluo’s hair ornaments and bracelets; Consorts Zhaojia and Nala whispered among themselves.

The other consorts below each wore different expressions, each clearly harboring their own thoughts.

After answering, Guo Luoluo Qingyao looked around nervously, expecting them to continue, but no one spoke again...

She thought perhaps they had lowered their guard, so her tense posture relaxed. One hand reached for the teacup on the small table while the other quietly touched the hem of Li Shuyao’s skirt.

Li Shuyao silently stepped back.

The skirt was suddenly pulled tight, rudely tugging her back.

Li Shuyao: “...”

She understood now. Though her close friend seemed fearless outwardly, daring to challenge heaven and earth, she needed to clutch her skirt in secret to feel secure.

* * *

The time spent accompanying in Cining Palace was somewhat dull and tedious.

After all, the intrigues and rivalries among the consorts were topics that couldn’t be openly discussed before the two matriarchs. Yet if they tried to behave like close sisters, laughing and chatting together, that was simply impossible.

The matriarchs must have sensed their restraint, for after a short while, one waved her hand, allowing them to move freely and hinted that the little garden in Cining Palace was in full bloom, no less splendid than the Imperial Garden.

Then she rose and went to the rear hall with the Empress Dowager to speak.

Almost as soon as she left, Guo Luoluo Qingyao eagerly took Li Shuyao’s hand and stood up from the embroidered stool. Bowing gracefully to the consorts in the hall, she said clearly, “Ladies, please rest here. I would like to take a walk and see if there’s anything fun.”

After all, this was Cining Palace, and it was their first time here.

The excitement on her face was impossible to hide.

Those who had been quietly observing her were somewhat speechless, having thought she might be pretending, but she was genuinely carefree.

Someone worriedly followed secretly and overheard the two young girls running hand in hand outside, standing on the long palace path with innocent expressions, asking a palace maid, “Where is the little garden?”

The palace maid’s expression was difficult to read. After a long pause, she turned and pointed to the opposite side of the main hall. “It’s over there. Pass through that big gate, walk ahead a bit, and on the right side is a small door. You’ll find it inside.”

She reminded them, “The flowers in Cining Palace’s little garden must not be picked.”

Guo Luoluo waved her hand carelessly, “Got it, got it.”

Then, as if remembering something, she asked, “If I see a butterfly, can I catch one and keep it?”

The maid gently replied, “No, and you wouldn’t be able to keep it alive anyway.”

“You haven’t seen me keep one, how do you know I can’t?”

A small palace maid nearby tugged her sleeve, “Better not. Wouldn’t it be better to let it be free?”

Guo Luoluo said, “But butterflies are so beautiful. If I keep one in my room, I could see it every day.”

The little maid pondered, “It would be lonely, like when you left your father and mother and first came to the palace—you secretly hid under your blanket and cried, didn’t you? Butterflies would feel sad too...”

Guo Luoluo thought for a moment, then punched her fist, “Then I’ll catch an entire family of butterflies and keep them all!”

The little maid: “...”

The consorts trailing behind: “...”

Guo Luoluo smiled brightly at the little maid. “See? Am I not absolutely brilliant?”

The consorts turned and walked away.

* * *

Li Shuyao and Guo Luoluo played in the little garden for a long time.

May’s weather was hot even in the early morning and evening.

When they returned to the main hall, their clothes were damp with sweat, their temples slightly wet, and their delicate faces glowing with a rosy flush.

As they walked, they bickered, “It’s your fault! I could’ve caught that butterfly just now.”

“That butterfly was resting on the peony’s stamen. If you swung your stick, you wouldn’t just kill the butterfly—you’d probably ruin the peony too. Aren’t you afraid the matriarch will be angry?”

“But...”

“Besides, you don’t even know how to keep butterflies. If you kill it, won’t you just cry your eyes out?”

“I wouldn’t, but Lingluo would.”

“So who’s really going to keep them, you or Lingluo?”

“I...”

They bickered noisily back to the main hall and, turning, saw everyone staring at them. They immediately fell silent, looking timid as they returned to their small embroidered stools near the door and crouched together, looking pitiful.

After crouching, Li Shuyao suddenly remembered—she wasn’t a consort and shouldn’t be squatting.

As a palace maid, she should stand behind Qingyao.

So she quickly stood again.

Consort Tong gave them a half-smile and waved her hand. “Go change your clothes in the side hall. His Majesty will be here soon.”

Guo Luoluo quickly stood and bowed slightly, “Thank you, Lady Consort.”

Of course, she didn’t even recognize anyone. Having come to Cining Palace for the first time, she hadn’t thought to make herself familiar in front of the matriarchs or consider that the emperor would arrive later.

Her mind was only on playing, eating, and keeping butterflies.

…Their earlier worries had been for nothing.

At the same time, in the side hall.

Li Shuyao had changed and was sitting outside, bored, waiting for Qingyao.

Qingyao’s dress was more complicated and harder to put on. She refused help from the palace attendants, so she was still struggling inside.

Li Shuyao thought of Qingyao’s behavior throughout the day, curious but mindful of their presence in Cining Palace, so she held her questions.

Only when the emperor arrived with the eldest prince and the crown prince, greeting the matriarchs before leading the consorts to the Qing’an Hall of the Imperial Garden, did she quietly ask.

The two girls lagged at the back of the crowd, unattended, looking somewhat lonely and desolate.

Yet they didn’t seem to notice, holding hands as they walked, admiring the green tiles and palace walls, whispering softly with radiant smiles.

Li Shuyao asked, “You know Consort Tong, don’t you? Why did you act like you’d never met her before?”

Qingyao smiled, lowering her voice. “Because I need to lower their guard.”

“Huh?”

“You’re so silly, Shuyao. Think about it—what is my status now? The lowest of the low, an official woman, not even a consort. If any of them harbor ill will, how could I resist? It’s better to behave well and wait until after the Dragon Boat Festival banquet, when we return to the Palace of Heavenly Purity.”

“Once back in the Palace of Heavenly Purity, even if they want to bully me, they can’t, because they won’t be allowed to reach in there. The emperor won’t permit it!”

“...That’s true.” Li Shuyao thought for a moment. “You’re so smart.”

How did she manage to become so clever behind her back?

Damn it! Now she felt like the dumb one.

“Well, that’s what my mother taught me! She said it’s called ‘hiding your light and biding your time.’ Sometimes, letting others think you’re a little foolish and harmless isn’t bad. In the palace, peace is a blessing,” Guo Luoluo said proudly.

Li Shuyao’s eyes brightened—wasn’t that the same goal she had?

Guo Luoluo continued mumbling, “And I don’t really want to be enemies with them. What I said this morning was true—my appetite is small, my dreams are small, I don’t want much. Just that one day, the emperor would grant me a modest but respectable position so no one could bully me.”

“Then I’ll move to the harem, and when I have an heir, I’ll bring you over too. Then we can play together—ah, no, raise a little child together!”

Li Shuyao: “...”

Did you just say ‘play’ just now?