Chapter 83: A Troupe Arrives at the Palace

The day passed in relative peace, though Huarong found herself tossing and turning, unable to sleep soundly after all that had happened. When she woke the next morning, she was listless and lethargic.

Just as she finished washing up, she stretched languidly at the doorway, a yawn yet to fall from her lips, when suddenly a voice announced, “Your Grace, Lady Yu has received permission to invite a troupe into the palace. She’s inviting everyone from the harem to watch the performance!”

“And... what does that have to do with me?” Huarong looked at Suxin, noting her year-long delight, though she couldn’t fathom its source; for her own part, she felt only a chill run down her spine.

Unable to suppress her exasperation, Suxin pursed her lips and muttered, “How can it have nothing to do with you? You’re a member of the harem too!”

But Huarong only let out a light laugh and shook her head, “I’d better not. I still wish to live a little longer.”

Yesterday’s troubles had only just subsided, and now a grand gathering was being arranged. Surely nothing good would come of it for her.

Self-preservation dictated her choices; she wasn’t so foolish as to rush toward danger with a smile.

Clutching her stomach, she suddenly cried out dramatically, “Oh, why does my stomach ache so badly? I must be ill—I can’t go. You’ll have to excuse me!”

She wailed as she looked up at Suxin, her face full of aggrieved misery, less like someone sick and more like one suffering some cruel torment.

Suxin, growing impatient, could only sigh in resignation. “Your Grace, please, don’t feign any longer. I’ve heard His Majesty will attend today too. You really can’t afford to miss this opportunity—you must make a good impression!”

Her mistress was hopelessly unambitious, always acting as though the Emperor were a world away. As her maid, Suxin could only do her best to support her, for the sake of the family’s hopes.

On hearing that the Emperor would be present, Huarong was even more reluctant. “Forget it! It isn’t just my stomach anymore; my head aches, my back aches—everything aches. I’m not going, no matter what!”

With that, she turned and locked herself in her room.

Suxin looked at the firmly closed door and sighed helplessly. Clearing her throat tentatively, she raised her voice and announced, “His Majesty has also granted permission for the consorts’ families to attend the performance, so the young mistress will be coming as well. Are you truly not going?”

“The young mistress?”

Huarong, who was loitering by the door, immediately focused on these words, her thoughts gathering. She looked in confusion at Suxin’s shadow outside. “You mean Huayue?”

The Hua family had two daughters and two sons in total. Among them, Huarong was the most beautiful and learned, but Huayue was also talented. However, since Huayue’s heart already belonged to another, Huarong had willingly taken up the mantle of bringing glory to the family.

She had never expected Huayue to come of her own accord today. Truly, this was unprecedented!

“Could she be coming especially to see me? She may not be my elder sister by birth, but she is family all the same. If I miss this chance, who knows when we might meet again...”

The palace was nothing like the outside world, with its freedom and ease. After a moment’s reflection, Huarong finally relented.

She opened the door, letting in a shaft of sunlight. Standing there with a composed expression, she saw Suxin’s face light up with joy, and could only feel both helpless and exasperated.

“Honestly, why do you always push me into the fire pit?” she chided, rolling her eyes, then instructed, “Bring me a few buckets of hot water. I’ll bathe and change—I must dress up properly before I see my sister, or she’ll think I’m suffering here in the palace.”

Hearing this, Suxin never could have imagined that Huarong would be the one to suggest dressing up for the first time—not for the Emperor, but for Huayue.

But since her mistress had said as much, Suxin naturally set about the task without hesitation, hurrying off with a smile.

After a simple preparation, Huarong was more refined than usual, her beauty more striking, so alluring that no one would dare slight her.

“Your Grace, I never imagined that a touch of powder and rouge would make you outshine all others. His Majesty will surely be captivated once again!”

Suxin’s string of flattery was almost too much for Huarong, who quickly waved a hand to stop her. “Enough! If you go on like this, I’ll believe I really am a goddess descended to save the world!”

With Suxin’s gushing silenced, Huarong followed her toward the place where the troupe was to perform.

The stage had been set up at the Moonwatching Terrace, surrounded on all sides by water, with the moon reflected in the cups and the sky—an exquisite scene indeed.

An open area was left in the center, and several pavilions stood in the distance, each a prime spot.

By the time they arrived, the terrace was bustling with excitement. Many ladies from the palace were gathered, their laughter ringing out, and there were even a few unfamiliar faces—likely the families of the consorts—drawn by the spectacle.

Still, from their whispers, Huarong could pick out a certain undertone; most of those present were young, unmarried women.

No doubt they were here to try their luck—if the Emperor took a liking to one of them, their fortunes would be made.

“I truly don’t understand why these women would fight tooth and nail to squeeze into the palace. Do they think their lives too long?” Huarong sighed, drifting along the lakeside pavilions, watching her faint reflection in the water, a chill stirring in her heart.

If only she could, she would trade places with those who lived in freedom, sparing herself the torment of life and death at every turn.

“Your Grace, shouldn’t we go greet His Majesty?”

Suxin watched as Huarong stood by the corridor, gazing out over the lake, lost in thought. In the distance, Jun Yeli was surrounded by women, each one vying for his attention; she couldn’t help but worry.

“Those women are all dressed to the nines. Though none match your beauty, men are fickle creatures. What if he takes a fancy to one of them? Then you’d be in real danger!”

Muttering to herself, Suxin tried to persuade Huarong.

Catching a few words, Huarong finally glanced toward the crowd surrounding Jun Yeli. Each woman was full of charm and bashfulness, every smile and glance seductive enough to steal one’s soul. Even in the world beyond, they’d be the object of countless affections.

For an instant, a nameless bitterness welled up in her heart. She squeezed the white jade handkerchief in her hand. “Oh, Jun Yeli! You once took me to the mountains to admire the view, yet here you are, raising a glass with a bevy of beauties. How hypocritical!”