Chapter 47 A Small Matter in the Imperial Harem A Small Matter in the Imperial Harem

Qin Qing slowly scooped the blood swallow’s nest into his mouth, the softened sweet texture sliding between his lips and teeth, making him feel nauseous.

Actually, he didn’t really like eating these slippery and greasy things. Everyone in the palace considered premium blood swallow’s nest a precious tonic, but this stuff was just bird saliva, he wouldn’t have even touched it before.

Especially when he was young, watching his father eat a bowl of bird’s nest every day in order to compete for favor and pull his mother’s heart away from the concubines, just because he heard that bird’s nest could delay aging and nourish qi.

The young him had sneered at this, but who would have thought that many years later, he would walk the same path.

A man adorns himself for the one who pleases him. Qin Qing gritted his teeth, enduring the nausea, and gulped it all down.

“Empress Dowager, if you don’t like it, don’t drink it. Why force yourself?” Yu Ye advised.

Qin Qing was about to take out his handkerchief to wipe the corners of his mouth, but when he felt his sleeve, it was empty. He suddenly remembered that he had secretly slipped his handkerchief to Qiu Shuzhi last night.

Recalling her surprised and shy expression at that time, he couldn’t help but lower his head and smile.

“What do you mean force? I like it very much.” If he could stay young and beautiful forever, letting Qiu Shuzhi look at him more, then this period of torment would be worth it.

“……” Yu Ye didn’t know what to say for a moment, so he simply changed the subject: “The Empress and consorts are already waiting in the hall to pay their respects to you. The others are fine, but Consort Rong is throwing a tantrum.”

Qin Qing sat in front of the mirror drawing his eyebrows, impatiently saying: “Then let him continue to wait. Coming from the frontier, he doesn’t understand etiquette. Does he really think he can flaunt his power in front of me with Yue Shen’s favor!”

Yu Ye hesitated and said: “The Crown Prince also came today.”

The jade hand holding the eyebrow pencil paused: “What is he here for?”

Yu Ye smiled and said: “Coming at this hour, naturally to pay respects to you.”

Qin Qing put down the pen and laughed coldly: “He would be so filial? I’m afraid he’s up to no good again.”

What Qin Shu said when scolding Yue Guanyi back then was not wrong, he did indeed rise up relying on the power of the Qin family. But as his power grew greater and greater, and his control grew deeper and deeper, relying on the ubiquitous Brocade Guards to gather many officials’ handles, he had already formed his own faction in the court, and隐隐 had a momentum that could compete with the Qin family in the court.

However, Yue Guanyi had always kept a low profile, never making a fuss, and was respectful to the Qin clan on the surface, showing no intention of tearing apart the facade. The Qin clan also went along with it, continuing to appear harmonious on the surface, while internally it was already daggers drawn, just waiting for a spark.

Qin Qing’s cold sarcastic laugh suddenly reminded Yu Ye of how the Crown Prince had ordered someone to smash a lake stone in the peony flower bed in the Imperial Garden this morning, but this matter seemed unrelated to court politics, so he didn’t mention it.

Having drawn his delicate eyebrows, Qin Qing put down the eyebrow pencil: “Let’s go.”

Since the consorts entered the palace, Qin Qing’s harem life was no longer as leisurely as before. The consorts came to the hall every day to pay their respects to him. Looking at those delicate and charming consorts, especially Lan Xuezhao and Qin Zhengya, one seductive to the bone with flirtatious glances, the other dignified and pure in behavior, one restrained and one unrestrained, one quiet and one active, suddenly made him feel a sense of crisis, especially Qin Zhengya.

When Qin Zhengya was born, Qin Qing had held him, a baby exuding the smell of milk, and now he was already the current Empress. Time passed so quickly, he had unknowingly become so old.

Because of this, he frantically ate bird’s nest and took medicinal baths, all in order to slow down the decay of his appearance. Otherwise, what capital would he have to compete for favor with those orioles and swallows around Qiu Shuzhi as he aged?

Arriving in the great hall, all kinds of civilian beauties, slender and plump, knelt on the ground and saluted: “This servant pays respects to the Empress Dowager.”

Only Yue Guanyi stood out like a crane among chickens among the crowd, wearing a black official robe that not only didn’t make him look old at all, but made his skin even whiter, his eyebrows and eyes even more cold and distant. Standing among that group of consorts wearing bright colors trying to compete in beauty with a hundred flowers, he seemed like an immortal who did not eat the food of this world.

Worthy of being the number one beauty in the capital, even without makeup and with a bare face, wearing the simplest and plainest clothes, he was still as bright and eye-catching as a beautiful jade.

This was not something that could be painted with makeup, Qin Qing narrowed his eyes.

Yue Guanyi stood in front of Qin Qing, only slightly bending his knees: “This son pays respects to Father Empress, and greets Father Empress.”

Qin Qing sat in the main seat, suppressing the jealousy in his heart, and said with feigned surprise: “How come Guanyi thought of paying respects to me today? You are indeed a rare guest.”

Yue Guanyi sat in the first row on the left, smiling faintly: “Official duties have been busy in recent days, this son couldn’t get away. Today, as soon as I had a moment free, I came to apologize to Father Empress.”

“You are now an important minister of the Great Qi nation, how could I punish you? All rise.” He casually waved his hand, signaling the consorts to stand up.

Empress Qin Zhengya sat in the first row on the right, wearing a light white robe with a sprig of green bamboo embroidered on the hem, both comfortable and dignified.

Sitting closely in the second row was Consort Rong Lan Xuezhao. He was still wearing all blue, which though the plainest color, looked like fox fur reincarnated on him. Even the patterns and designs exuded a flirtatious air, not to mention the traditional Miao silver ornaments he wore on his neck and wrists, which jingled like soul-stealing bells with his every movement.

He lazily sat in the chair, his tone coquettish: “Father Empress really kept this servant waiting.”

Qin Qing smiled gently: “Oh? Were you impatient? Do the other consorts feel the same?”

Lan Xuezhao played with his slender fingers, a ambiguous kiss mark still visible on his neck, evidence of his undiminished imperial favor: “Perhaps the other brothers don’t feel that way, after all, Her Majesty sleeps in my chambers every night. Every morning when I wake up, this servant’s body is sore all over.”

Hearing these words, the other consorts hated him so much their teeth itched. It was bad enough that Her Majesty was monopolized by him alone, but he even dared to boast about it in front of them!

Unfortunately, these consorts didn’t dare to voice their anger. Qin Zhengya was gentle in nature and not good at managing subordinates. Lan Xuezhao, relying on his favor and having the King of Dian backing him, ran wild in the palace, and had already隐隐 taken on the posture of overshadowing the Empress and becoming the head of all consorts.

“Consort Rong must be tired from serving Her Majesty. Why don’t you rest for a few days?” Qin Qing said slowly with a kind smile on his face.

A consort who disliked him, hearing the information leaked in the Empress Dowager’s words, immediately chimed in: “That’s right, Brother Consort Rong is so tired, why not remove the green head card and rest well in the palace? Her Majesty can be served by us brothers.”

Lan Xuezhao’s smug expression changed: “That won’t be necessary. Although serving in bed is tiring, this servant is willing to serve Her Majesty. There’s no need to trouble the other brothers.”

Qin Qing smiled faintly: “Since that’s the case, I won’t force it. I can’t manage all the affairs of you youngsters. In the future, if you have any matters, just go discuss them with Zhengya. He has a kind temperament and disposition, befitting the master of the harem.”

The consorts’ eyes turned, all understanding what the Empress Dowager meant by these words.

The reason why Consort Rong dared to flaunt his power in the palace was because he was relying on the King of Dian, wasn’t it? But after all, the King of Dian was only the lord of the Dian border, his influence in the capital was far from as vast as the Qin family’s. No matter how incompetent or lacking in scheming the Empress was, he was still a member of the Qin family. As long as the Qin family didn’t fall, no matter how favored or arrogant Consort Rong was, even if he eventually became pregnant with a child, he would still be a step below the Empress.

With these words, authority was established for Qin Zhengya invisibly.

As for Lan Xuezhao, he twisted his handkerchief, his face ashen.

Suddenly, his expression changed, and he looked towards Yue Guanyi who was quietly watching the show, giggling coquettishly: “I heard that the Crown Prince’s temper hasn’t been very good lately.”

Yue Guanyi’s thin eyes tightened slightly.

Qin Qing also became interested: “What does Consort Rong mean by this?”

Consort Rong covered his mouth with his handkerchief and said coquettishly: “Father Empress, you don’t know. This morning when this servant passed by the Imperial Garden, I found it crowded with servants. Upon inquiring, I learned that it was the Crown Prince who, because a lake stone had cut his hand, flew into a rage and smashed the lake stone to vent his anger!”

“Your Highness, this servant isn’t criticizing you, but we are all unmarried men. It’s better to control your temper, otherwise you might not be able to find a lady in the future.” There was a hint of mockery in his coquettish tone.

The consorts all restrained their expressions, not daring to respond.

Was Consort Rong’s brain crazy? Even if he had Her Majesty and the King of Dian backing him, he couldn’t provoke Yue Guanyi, could he? This was the King of Hell who had crawled out of the underworld. Even the Empress Dowager had to give His Highness some face. Wasn’t he afraid that His Highness would get angry and drag him into the Zhaoyu Prison?

Yue Guanyi smiled slowly: “Thank you for your kind intentions, Consort Rong, but the lake stone that this prince ordered the palace servants to smash was just a dead object, which is nothing remarkable. As for Consort Rong casually mistreating subordinates, beating and scolding them lightly, or beating them to death severely, how should that be accounted for? Does my royal sister know that her beloved beauty has such a viper’s heart?”

“You—” Consort Rong’s nails dug tightly into the armrest.

“What exactly happened? Consort Rong, explain it clearly to me!” Qin Qing’s face turned cold: “Although palace servants are slaves, those in charge should have a heart of benevolence. How can they be beaten and scolded at will?”

“Father Empress!” Lan Xuezhao explained anxiously and guiltily: “This servant didn’t mean to punish those palace servants. It was really because they were too stupid and clumsy. This servant only wanted to teach them a small lesson to make them remember.”

“A small lesson?” Qin Qing’s voice turned slightly cold: “Your so-called small lesson is to beat palace servants to death?”

“This servant never meant to beat them to death. It’s just that their bodies were too weak… couldn’t withstand the beating.”

“Couldn’t withstand the beating? How can you even say such things? You heartless man—” Qin Qing was so angry he clutched his chest, almost fainting.

“Cousin—” Qin Zhengya hurriedly came forward to comfort him.

Yue Guanyi looked at the scene before him, sneering in his heart. Qin Qing’s acting skills were getting better and better. The theater troupe couldn’t do without him.

“Zhengya, you are the master of the harem. What do you think should be done?” Qin Qing’s eyes stared tightly at Qin Zhengya. He had already handed the opportunity to him.

No matter how powerful the King of Dian’s influence was, or how favored by Her Majesty, if he violated the rules of the palace, he would still be dealt with by the Empress Dowager and Empress, which was proper and legitimate. Even the King of Dian and Her Majesty couldn’t interfere. He could take this opportunity to suppress Lan Xuezhao’s arrogance.

“This…” Qin Zhengya hesitated: “According to the laws of the Great Qi harem, his rank should be demoted from consort to concubine, and he should be confined for two months, copying Buddhist scriptures 20 times, in hopes that he can reform and no longer mistreat subordinates.”

Qin Qing pretended to have recovered under Qin Zhengya’s comfort: “Let’s do as the Empress says. Consort Rong— no, Concubine Rong, I hope you can behave yourself.”

The other consorts gloated, almost laughing out loud. Let you be complacent, not knowing that anyone in the harem could easily suppress you into submission.

“Father Empress, this servant—” Lan Xuezhao, hearing that his rank had been lowered and he would be confined for two months, was so anxious he was almost crying. Wouldn’t he not be able to see the young emperor for two months?

“The Empress is merciful. This approach is already very lenient. I’m also tired. You may all take your leave.” Qin Qing waved everyone away, apparently not wanting to deal with Lan Xuezhao anymore.

Lan Xuezhao stomped his feet angrily and left Qingning Palace.

Seeing that everyone had dispersed, Yue Guanyi also left. Chang’an asked behind him: “Was Your Highness helping the Empress Dowager?”

Others all thought His Highness had exposed Consort Rong’s matter of beating servants to death because he was offended by Consort Rong’s words, but Chang’an knew well that Yue Guanyi was not someone who would be easily provoked. He deliberately found Consort Rong’s weakness and deliberately gave the Empress Dowager an opportunity, there must be another reason.

Yue Guanyi’s phoenix eyes were cold and deep, looking at Lan Xuezhao’s miserable back, the corners of his mouth curled up: “Wait and see the good show.”

Qin Qing was an old fox, and Lan Xuezhao was not one to be easily schemed against.

On this side, the aggrieved Lan Xuezhao ran crying to the Imperial Study to complain to the young Emperor, but was stopped at the door by Yu Zhi: “Consort Rong, Her Majesty is reviewing memorials, you cannot enter.”

Lan Xuezhao had been holding back a belly full of anger at the Empress Dowager’s, and Yu Zhi just happened to run into his rage. He viciously slapped Yu Zhi’s face: “Blind dog slave, you dare to stop even me, get out of the way!”

Yu Zhi’s face immediately swelled up. He was the Emperor’s personal attendant, and his brother was a favorite of the Empress Dowager. Even Qiu Shuzhi would respectfully address him as ‘Young Master Yu Zhi’ when she saw him. Lan Xuezhao actually dared to hit him.

He was immediately indignant and, taking advantage of the young Emperor’s usual rule of not allowing anyone to disturb her in the Imperial Study, stubbornly refused to let him enter. Just as the two were about to come to blows, Yue Shen pushed open the door, her brows deeply furrowed: “What’s happening that’s so noisy?”

“Your Majesty—” Lan Xuezhao threw himself into Yue Shen’s arms, crying like a pear blossom in the rain: “Your Majesty, you must uphold justice for this servant!”

Seeing Lan Xuezhao crying in this state, Yue Shen hurriedly helped him up with distress: “What happened? Don’t cry, my heart’s dearest, tell me.”

Lan Xuezhao wiped his tears while sobbing and told what had happened in Qingning Palace, then threw himself into her arms again: “Your Majesty, this servant doesn’t mind being demoted, but when this servant thinks about not seeing you for two whole months, this servant’s heart feels like it’s being cut by a knife. This servant doesn’t want to be separated from you.”

“The Empress is really too much. It’s just accidentally beating a few slaves to death, is it worth making such a big fuss?” Yue Shen said angrily, wholeheartedly siding with Lan Xuezhao: “He’s just jealous of your favor.”

“But Your Majesty, what should this servant do now? This servant can’t bear to part with you. This servant still wants to serve Your Majesty day and night.”

Yue Shen’s face turned cold: “I will think of a way.”

In the afternoon, Qiu Shuzhi was drilling her small team of several dozen people under her name in the military camp. She couldn’t manage the entire Imperial Guard, but she could manage her own subordinates. Moreover, there weren’t many capable people in the entire Imperial Guard, and they had all been pulled into her team by Ji Mei.

The neat and orderly formation and strict discipline formed a stark contrast with the other lazy Imperial Guards. There were even groups of two or three sitting around them, watching like they were watching monkeys perform.

“Sister Mei, isn’t it tiring to train like this with the new officer?” asked an Imperial Guard who had just vented on a male prostitute.

“As soldiers, we protect the common people and the monarch. How can we protect their safety if we don’t work hard?” Ji Mei said righteously.

The person sneered: “Why bother? We Imperial Guards can’t leave the capital anyway, let alone go into battle. We just patrol the imperial city. Why suffer like this when we could do easy work?”

“You’re relaxing in the military camp today, but you might have to go into battle someday. If you don’t train well now, you’ll be the first to lose your life on the battlefield.”

The person’s eyes showed even more disdain: “Forget it, the Imperial Guard hasn’t left the imperial city for over a decade, and won’t in the future either.”

“Imperial edict arrives — Imperial Guard receive the edict immediately —”

Just as the words fell, the urgent sound of hoofbeats galloped into the military camp, like a stone thrown into still water, instantly causing ripples to spread. A group of people knelt down.

General Li Mian came out of the main tent in disarray and knelt under the messenger: “Long live the Emperor, long live the Emperor, long live the Emperor.”

“By heaven’s mandate, the Emperor decrees: We govern the world with civil means and quell disorder with military might. We shall lead the officials and consorts to hunt at the imperial hunting grounds in the middle of the month. The Imperial Guard shall accompany. Thus it is decreed.”

“This subject General Li Mian receives the edict.”

As soon as the imperial edict was issued, the person who had just spoken was immediately dumbfounded. The Imperial Guard, which hadn’t moved for over a decade, was actually going to leave the city this time, to the imperial hunting grounds no less. With consorts and officials, it was a grand affair. But the Imperial Guard had rotted to the core. Could they really protect the Emperor’s safety? If anything went slightly wrong, their lives would be forfeit.

Li Mian also felt some trepidation upon receiving the edict. She had forgotten when she last galloped on horseback. Spending her days drinking and making merry in the military camp, her figure was now grotesquely fat, and even mounting a horse was difficult. Moreover, the Imperial Guards were all slack in their behavior. If they displeased Her Majesty during the hunt, her position would be in jeopardy.

She sighed bitterly, then suddenly noticed Qiu Shuzhi nearby and immediately came up with a plan.

“Officer Qiu.” She struggled to prop up her obese body and affectionately grasped her hand.

“What is it, General?” Faced with this sudden enthusiasm, Qiu Shuzhi instinctively wanted to escape, but Li Mian’s grip was too strong to break free.

“I’m afraid I can’t go on this imperial hunt.” She said with a regretful face: “Some time ago I went to see a doctor. The doctor said my body is severely deficient and needs to rest quietly for a while. I absolutely can’t exert myself. I’ve already submitted a request for leave to the higher-ups a few days ago and was just about to tell you that you’d be fully in charge of the military camp’s training during this time.”

After beating around the bush for so long, she finally said: “Officer Qiu, you should lead the troops in my place for this hunt.”