Chapter Thirty-Six: Everything Was Arranged Clearly

Huarong’s thoughts were a mystery to Lady Wen, but as for the words she spoke, Lady Wen merely met them with a smile.
“Lady Wen, why are you laughing? Everything I said is true. There’s really nothing between His Majesty and me, you mustn’t misunderstand!” Huarong still hoped to live a few more years. No matter how handsome the Emperor might be, she could not let herself be led astray by desire.
Cherishing her life, Huarong looked at Lady Wen with eager sincerity, afraid that a single careless thought might spell disaster for herself.
Upon hearing this, Lady Wen shook her head and suddenly took Huarong’s hand in hers, gently squeezing it.
Huarong felt a bit awkward, her sickle awkwardly held in her hand, and forced a smile. “My lady, my hands are filthy, you’d best let go.”
“What does it matter? Who in this world hasn’t had dirt on their hands at some point?”
Lady Wen’s gracious manner and gentle attitude made a favorable impression. Huarong smiled faintly, unable to resist further, but seeing that Lady Wen had yet to explain her purpose, she grew increasingly uneasy. “May I ask why you have come so suddenly?”
“It’s nothing important,” Lady Wen replied. “I simply came to inform you. In a few days, we are to hold a friendly competition with the foreign court. There is a group for women as well, and I’ve signed you up.”
“What?” Huarong was baffled, unable to comprehend what this competition was or what being ‘signed up’ entailed, feeling as though it belonged to a world entirely separate from hers.
Lady Wen offered no further explanation, instead taking a token from her sleeve and pressing it into Huarong’s hand. “Women will not compete with weapons, but with song and dance. Tomorrow is the day of the event. You must prepare yourself well; this is your contestant’s badge.”
With that, Lady Wen withdrew her hand, giving Huarong no chance to return the token.
Huarong was stunned. “Wait, I never agreed to participate! What singing and dancing competition? I…”
She had never taken part in such a contest before! Besides, she was busy harvesting vegetables—if she didn’t finish soon, they’d spoil, and she needed to pickle them before her hard work went to waste.
She had no desire to draw attention, nor to waste her time on such matters.
They called it a competition of song and dance, but in truth, it was little more than a show of beauty, a contest of who could outshine the rest.
If she participated, wouldn’t it be inviting ridicule?
“Don’t worry, you must believe in yourself. You are the Emperor’s favorite in the harem; you must show yourself worthy of such favor. The foreign women are formidable, but you must defend our honor and defeat them. Do you understand?”
With a faint smile, Lady Wen added a few words, allowing Huarong no opportunity to protest further, then turned and departed.
Watching her leave, Huarong felt her legs weaken, leaning against the nearby Su Xin, who hurried over, grasping Huarong’s arm in concern. “My lady, are you alright?”
“Do I look alright?” Huarong’s voice trembled, dangerously close to tears.
Suddenly, she seized Su Xin’s wrist and slumped against her, embracing her tightly and sobbing, “Su Xin, you must help me this time! I know nothing of music or dance…”
Huarong’s beauty had brought her to the palace—at her very first banquet, the Emperor had chosen her to be a concubine.
Yet from childhood, Huarong had never followed the expected path for women, lacking both diligence and refinement; though she knew the arts, she had no mastery of them.
If she were to compete against those foreign women, each so accomplished, her crude skills would surely make her a laughingstock.
The thought made Huarong want to cry, but the tears would not come.
“What am I to do? If I lose, it will be the Emperor’s reputation that suffers. He’ll surely devour me alive…”
Who knew—one day she might be buried in the earth.
Su Xin herself felt troubled by the matter. “My lady, having grown up beside you, I am well aware of your abilities. This will be a challenge for you…”
Her gentle concern somehow struck Huarong as odd.
Huarong rolled her eyes, unable to suppress a pout. “Must you be so blunt? Instead of criticizing me, think of a real solution!”
Either she would have to outshine the others, or find a way to escape the competition altogether.
Suddenly, Su Xin’s eyes brightened. “Why not feign illness?”
“But I already used that excuse yesterday to refuse the Emperor…”
Today, Jun Yeli had sent the imperial physician to examine her.
To recover and then fall ill again—it was simply too suspicious.
Su Xin paused in thought, then suggested, “Why not slip away quietly, and return after the event?”
“Are you serious?” Huarong glared at her; wasn’t that tantamount to desertion? If caught, it would be a capital offense.
She wondered if Su Xin was offering advice or hoping for her demise.
Su Xin was at a loss. Her hands twisted in frustration. “That won’t work either, unless the Emperor himself forbids your participation.”
Her words struck Huarong like a revelation, and she seized Su Xin’s shoulders in delight. “Su Xin, finally you’ve said something useful!”
Given her lack of talent, surely the Emperor wouldn’t let her embarrass herself.
Perhaps, once her incompetence was revealed, Jun Yeli would look upon her with disdain and cease to trouble her further.
Heart brimming with hope, Huarong hastily tidied herself and headed straight for the imperial study.
At that moment, Jun Yeli was busy with preparations for the competition. Seeing Huarong’s name on the list of contestants, his eyes lit up. “I never expected Consort Rong to be so eager to bring honor to the nation. It pleases me greatly!”
Li Gong glanced over and couldn’t help but remark with a shrug, “There are other concubines as well, Your Majesty. Why do you praise only Consort Rong?”
Such favoritism!
Jun Yeli ignored him, but just then a message arrived—Huarong was outside.
Having not seen her these past few days, his spirits lifted. “Let her in at once!”