Chapter Thirty-Five: Whence Comes This Favoritism

Two days had passed, and because of the earth-shattering secret she had discovered, Hua Rong had been refusing the Emperor in every possible way. Whether it was claiming to be ill or pretending not to be at home, she had exhausted every trick in her repertoire. The two of them had barely seen each other during this time.

Meanwhile, with so few staff in the Xuanji Palace, cleaning such a vast palace was a formidable task, and the few attendants were utterly immersed in their misery. “My lady, what exactly did you see before? Why is it that after you returned, you not only avoid the Emperor but also haven’t moved to a new residence as you promised?” Su Xin leaned on her broom, nearly in tears, bemoaning their fate.

They swept the beautiful fallen leaves again and again, but the wind seemed to undo their work faster than they could manage. What sort of life was this? It was the first time she had seen a palace maid living so pitifully, so miserably—truly, even tending vegetables in a farmer’s home would be more peaceful.

Whenever this subject arose, Hua Rong could not help but recall that moment, trembling as she shook her head, “It’s nothing!” She feared that if word got out, she would surely lose her head.

But what Hua Rong never imagined was that after she had left Jun Yeli with messy hair and a disheveled face, the harem was thrown into an uproar.

A group gathered, focusing their attention on Lady Wen, the most dignified and influential among them, who could not hide her agitation. “My lady, isn’t Hua Rong far too bold? It’s as if she doesn’t care about us at all. She didn’t even ask permission, and yet made such a grand appearance—doesn’t that look like a declaration of war?”

Indeed, that woman was outrageously presumptuous, acting as if she feared nothing and no one, as though she didn’t regard Lady Wen at all.

As consorts, they were technically on equal footing with Hua Rong, but with the harem lacking a true mistress, Lady Wen was the undisputed authority. Now, they could only rely on her to put Hua Rong in her place.

Listening to their clamorous complaints, Lady Wen kept her tightly clenched hands hidden within her sleeves, maintaining a facade of serene elegance. She smiled gently, saying, “You’ve all been vying for favor in the harem so long that it’s become second nature. If she has the ability, let’s just watch her quietly. After all, no flower blooms forever.”

Her words carried a hidden meaning; Lady Wen was clearly intent on waiting for the right moment. But the others could not remain calm.

“I fear that by the time Hua Rong’s bloom fades, we’ll all have fallen to ruin ourselves!”

The more they thought about it, the angrier they became, yet Lady Wen maintained her detached, unruffled demeanor. Even when her words were provocative, she seemed immune to petty matters, making their efforts feel wasted.

“Oh, forget it—let’s have some tea,” Lady Liu waved her hand, feeling as though she’d been talking to a brick wall. After all that chatter, her mouth was dry and nothing had changed; it was even more frustrating than dealing with a stubborn block of wood.

Lady Wen smiled faintly and continued, “I hear the Emperor is holding a tournament. Ladies who can ride and shoot may form teams and compete. Is anyone interested? I could speak to the Emperor and register us.”

At this, the others paused, shaking their heads, “Let it be—such dangerous activities are nowhere near as enjoyable as watching from the sidelines.”

On the surface, none wished to participate, yet in their hearts, they longed for an unexpected opportunity. After all, who wouldn’t want a chance to shine before the Emperor, mounted on horseback?

Seeing their false humility, Lady Wen could only smile and shake her head. “That’s a shame. I hear Consort Rong wants to join as well. If none of you participate, she’ll have no one to compete against—how dreadful.”

Upon hearing that Hua Rong would compete, the ladies instantly became wary. “That vixen is joining too? This tournament will be quite the spectacle!”

Lady Liu was the first to curve her lips in a cold smile, clearly having her own plans, but Lady Wen dashed her hopes with a splash of cold water: “This tournament will include ladies from China as well. If anything goes wrong, it could embarrass both the Emperor and the nation. Best not to cause trouble.”

Whether intentional or not, Lady Wen’s reminder made Hua Rong’s situation all the more precarious.

Yet, Hua Rong knew nothing of the upcoming tournament; she was busy tending to her plants. “Let’s harvest these vegetables today—they’ll be tough and tasteless in a few days,” she said, wielding a sickle, carrying a basket, and laboring under the blazing sun, wiping sweat from her brow.

The dirt left smudges across her face, making her look more like a commoner than a noblewoman. Just then, Xiao Chun came running. “My lady, Lady Wen is here.”

Hua Rong paused in surprise, “Lady Wen? What could she want?”

The two had had little interaction before. Lady Wen was known for her gentle refinement and impartiality, rarely forming close ties. This sudden visit was hard to read—good or bad.

After a moment’s hesitation, Su Xin thought it best to refuse. “Just say I’m not here.”

But before the words had faded, a teasing voice drifted in, “Consort Rong, you’re truly a woman of leisure. If you’re busy, just be busy—no need to pretend you’re not here.”

Startled by the abrupt voice, Hua Rong turned to see Lady Wen, splendidly dressed, hands folded, walking lightly towards her, exuding a noble air.

“Lady Wen, I’m terribly sorry. I just felt too embarrassed to meet you looking so dirty, so I tried to find an excuse to refuse...” Hua Rong quickly stood, awkwardly tugging at her lips and trying to hide her face with her sleeve.

Her words sounded righteous, but in truth, she feared that too much contact with the other consorts would lead to suspicion of forming alliances, and in the end, she would be the one to suffer.

Lady Wen didn’t mind, her smile soft as she approached Hua Rong. Seeing her with a sickle and freshly cut vegetables, she covered her mouth with a gentle laugh. “You are, after all, a consort, yet you imitate the common folk by growing vegetables. No wonder the Emperor favors you so much.”

Her teasing words, whether imagined or not, seemed to carry a subtle chill beneath the smile.

Hua Rong shivered involuntarily and forced a nervous smile. “Lady Wen, please don’t say that. When has the Emperor ever favored me? Since I entered the palace, not even a single meeting has occurred. How can there be any favoritism?”

Indeed, in Hua Rong’s eyes, with the Emperor’s peculiar tastes, she would rather not be favored at all.