noveldrama
Chapter 64 - 64 64 Serenity
Chapter 64 - 64 64 Serenity
?64: Chapter 64 Serenity 64: Chapter 64 Serenity She wasn’t sure when it started, but she had begun looking forward to seeing His Majesty.
Reflecting on how kind His Majesty was to others, she felt deeply hurt and aggrieved by his unique manner towards her.
In a fit of anger, she had retorted using the matter of the reward he mentioned the night before to confront him; she wasn’t truly desiring to covet his gifts.
She just wanted to know whether she was just a casual amusement for His Majesty, a mere pastime when he was idle and needed amusement.
The distance between her and His Majesty became apparent during the flower-viewing banquet: he, the elevated Son of Heaven, and she, a lowly Daying struggling in the dust.
Surrounded by a crowd, she could only sit at the very back, unable to even get close to him, and no matter how hard she struggled, she couldn’t reach him on her own merit.
Perhaps due to their prolonged interaction, she had forgotten her place and limits.
Returning to her initial position, despite feeling sad and lost, also felt reassuring.
Those days felt like floating on clouds, but now that her feet touched the ground again, she found her true place and could be at peace.
Upon hearing he had decreed that Xiao Jizi be assigned to assist her, she was initially puzzled but then understood after some thought.
She lacked attendants, Xiao Qing was inexperienced, and Xiao Jizi was talented and shone wherever he was.
His Majesty had arranged this for her!
Recalling the past kindness His Majesty had shown her, comforting her, applying medicine for her, tolerating her small faults, patiently teaching her to write, and forbidding her from playing on the swing for her safety—although harsh, it was all for her good.
All the little interactions they had in the past floated into her mind, and she suddenly felt relieved, no longer feeling aggrieved or comparing herself with others.
She was glad to have met such a kind person as His Majesty during her humblest days!
She was happy to have encountered him and was grateful for the care he had provided during their time together!
She hoped for the prosperity of the nation and peace in the world, and that the burden on him might be lighter in the future.
From now on, she would strive to lead a good life, a very good life.
She was still one of His Majesty’s concubines, still his Daying.
Maybe one day at a future court banquet, she could even meet him again and handle it joyfully, even if seated at the very end.
She hadn’t slept well last night and had woken up early today to space out.
Now that she had come to terms with these matters, she felt relieved, drowsiness setting in, and just wanted to return to her room and catch up on some sleep.
Xiao Qing, seeing this, felt a sudden pang in her heart.
Was Young Master overwhelmed with grief, intending to bear it alone in her chambers?
She hurriedly called out to her, “Young Master!”
Lian Hua turned back to look at her, puzzled, and asked, “What’s wrong?”
Xiao Qing’s tongue tied, suddenly unsure of what to say.
It didn’t seem right to ask bluntly, and she wasn’t eloquent or creative with words, so she started to stammer, “This servant, this servant .
.
.
”
Lian Hua, now confused, wondered what was wrong with Xiao Qing.
Surely she hadn’t been baffled by her own issues, and she hurried to check on her.
Just then, Xiao Jizi returned from washing his face, his voice reaching them from afar, “Young Master, what should we have for lunch?”
Xiao Qing grasped at this as a lifeline, eagerly nodding in agreement, “Yes, yes, what shall we have for lunch, Young Master?”
“Ah?” We haven’t even had breakfast yet, and it’s already time for lunch?
Glancing at the sun high in the sky, Lian Hua coughed awkwardly, embarrassed, saying, “Oh, I didn’t realize the time.
It’s quite late now, isn’t it?
I’m very sorry, certainly not the manner of a lady.”
Clearing her throat, Lian Hua said formally, “The weather is splendid today; let’s have sour soup with mutton.
Xiao Qing, I remember there was some mutton left from yesterday.
It would be wasteful not to eat it; let’s have it all.”
Coughing, and now needing to pay for her meals, she valued the last meal provided by His Majesty’s grace.
“Alright~” Young Master seemed to have regained his usual demeanor, and Xiao Jizi and Xiao Qing were delighted, unable to resist excitedly responding.
…
Evening, Huaqing Palace.
“Consort, the scented bath is ready, you may bathe now.” A low-ranking Palace Maid said respectfully, her head bowed slightly.
“Hmm, well done, go and receive your reward.” The Noble Consort was in a good mood, her eyes smiling.
Months had passed, and His Majesty had finally consented to summon the Imperial Concubines for the night, and she was the first to be summoned—how could she not be happy?
Upon hearing the news, the Noble Consort had generously rewarded the eunuch from Star Palace named Zhang Sancai who conveyed the decree, praised Cai Xia, and instructed that she be well bathed, groomed, and dressed today.
Cai Xia was very pleased.
In Huaqing Palace, besides Nanny Chen, there was another whose status was comparable to hers; they always worried about surpassing each other in the Consort’s favor, so they always tried their hardest to complete tasks and meet the Consort’s expectations.
This time, she had performed the task very well, the result even exceeding her expectations as His Majesty directly summoned the Noble Consort, and she couldn’t help feeling a bit proud.
She had just intended to relay the message, hoping for a response from His Majesty, to fulfill her duty.
Since she had not seen His Majesty, she held little hope—the Consort knew His Majesty’s habits, and even if she had not seen His Majesty, the Consort would probably not say much.
Unexpectedly, she had managed to get a eunuch from Star Palace to relay the message, and it was lucky that Zhang Sancai was so reliable, as he managed to settle the matter promptly—she would have to curry favor with him in the future.
If she managed to curry favor successfully, she would have an ally in Star Palace.
She imagined the Consort would regard her more highly, and then nobody could trample over her!
With these thoughts, Cai Xia couldn’t help but smile slightly as she began to assist the Noble Consort with her bath; she had been specifically requested by the Consort for this evening’s service.
She knew how much the Consort valued this night’s service; the Consort had even skipped dinner, fearing that eating would cause her stomach to bulge, which might look unseemly during her service to His Majesty.
The bath was filled with numerous petals, and the Noble Consort thoroughly enjoyed soaking in it, the entire bathroom awash with fragrant mist.
After the bath, the Noble Consort was covered with scented cream, leaving her smelling fragrant and feeling smooth.
A light layer of rouge was applied to her face, a subtle layer of lipstick, and her hair was loosely tied up with a jade hairpin at the back of her head; she wore a pair of drop-shaped jade earrings, making the Noble Consort look as resplendent as a peach or a blossom, prettier than the flowers themselves.
After helping the Noble Consort get dressed, Cai Xia said with a smile, “Consort, you are as beautiful as the bright moon in the sky, even I, a woman, can’t help but be dazzled.
I believe His Majesty will surely adore you.”
“Flatterer.” The Noble Consort chided her with a glance but smiled gently.
Cai Xia quickly said, “Consort, I am the most honest of servants, and everything I’ve said is true; I dare not speak falsehoods.
Surely, your time with His Majesty the Emperor tonight will be most harmonious.”
The Noble Consort smiled with pleasure.
The term ‘most harmonious’ was used to describe the relationship between husband and wife, and Cai Xia’s words deeply pleased her.
“Alright, it is getting late, we should go.
I will remember your service today and you will surely be rewarded later.” The Noble Consort said generously, never stingy with her rewards for those below her.
Cai Xia quickly performed a bow, joyfully saying, “Thank you for your graciousness, Consort.”
The Consort’s words confirmed that she had done a very good job; the effort was well worth it.
“Hmm, proceed.” The Noble Consort, curbing the smile on her face, instructed Cai Xia.