CHAPTER 78: CHAPTER 73: GOTTA PUT ON A SHOW

The Empress Dowager was extremely curious, but she didn’t want to summon a consort alone.

So, she devised a plan, claiming the heavens had noticed her sincere devotion and sent a dream instructing her to stop her religious practices for three days and enjoy the pleasures of an ordinary family. She ordered consorts of rank or higher to accompany her to listen to opera and conveniently arranged for a performance in the Imperial Garden to liven things up a bit.

Although it was said to be a performance for the Empress Dowager, the Emperor would certainly be present.

The Empress Dowager arranged for Concubine Jiang to take the first position, then calculated that Consort Xi, eager for favor, would most likely sign up, allowing her to gauge the abilities of this newly favored consort.

However, when the sign-up list was presented, the Empress Dowager noticed: "Why isn’t Consort Xi on the list?" Suspecting Concubine Jiang had interfered: "Concubine Jiang does have misunderstandings with her, but they are both concubines of the Emperor. I am impartial; add Consort Xi’s name."

"To report back to the Empress Dowager, this servant did ask Consort Xi. She claimed she was of limited talent and had no skills to flaunt, knowing how to read was already quite commendable, she feared to offend the Empress Dowager’s eyes, so she dared not embarrass herself."

Yun Jiao’s performance level, in front of the Emperor, was akin to an assassination attempt.

The Emperor tolerated her, but the Empress Dowager would show no such leniency.

She’d rather do nothing than make a mistake!

"Is there really such a thing?"

This left the Empress Dowager at a loss; she hadn’t expected someone would forego the opportunity to shine before the Emperor.

Concubine Jiang often mentioned Consort Xi in her presence—in her depiction, she was an uneducated, arrogant vixen. Who knew she was so low-key, not seizing the chance to shine when given it, though the bit about being uneducated seemed accurate.

The Empress Dowager mused, while Concubine Jiang, inspired, hurriedly said, "That will not do! How can one enter the palace as a consort without any skills? How would she please the Emperor? Isn’t she likely showing her skills before the Emperor and neglecting to honor the Empress Dowager? In my humble opinion, she should be listed, let her decide what to perform."

That wretch dared to bluff during her birthday banquet; she couldn’t possibly do the same with the Empress Dowager!

Of course, Concubine Jiang had no intention of giving the consorts much time to prepare.

The performance in the Imperial Garden was set for four days later, meaning they had just enough time to prepare.

As her niece chattered on, the Empress Dowager’s gaze grew colder, her brows furrowed.

In the end, she agreed:

"I have long heard that Consort Xi is highly favored by His Majesty; surely she has some enchanting qualities, and I would like to witness them."

The eunuch, with head bowed, received the Empress Dowager’s command, while the palace maid added Consort Xi’s name to the list, leaving the performance column blank. Once the attendants left, the Empress Dowager ordered, "Send a bowl of lotus seed soup to Qiankun Palace; I invite him to Changle Palace for a visit."

Concubine Jiang’s joy was barely containable.

Even the seasoned grandmothers in Changle Palace couldn’t help but find it a bit unsightly.

Could it be that Concubine Jiang was entirely oblivious to the Empress Dowager’s growing displeasure?

She truly hadn’t noticed.

She was basking in her own delight, thinking the Empress Dowager was arranging a meeting for her with the Emperor.

"Concubine Jiang, you should return now."

"But, what have I done wrong? I still wish to stay and serve the Empress Dowager..."

"You’re not here to serve me, you just want to use me to see the Emperor."

Concubine Jiang’s smile froze. She nervously denied, but the Empress Dowager raised her hand to her forehead, claiming fatigue, and had the grandmothers escort her out.

The grandmother politely escorted Concubine Jiang out of Changle Palace, and faced Concubine Jiang: "Grandmother, what have I done to upset the Empress Dowager? Is Her Ladyship in a bad mood? I didn’t notice! I still come to pay respects when I can’t see the Emperor. Her Ladyship misunderstood me."

"How could I be privy to the Empress Dowager’s thoughts?"

Concubine Jiang looked distressed: "Indeed."

Even the grandmother felt a mild chest pain from this.

Truly, being the Empress Dowager and the current Emperor’s mother, they both showed a certain intolerance for foolishness.

The Empress Dowager was extraordinarily partial to Concubine Jiang; even the mother of a princess, Concubine Wei, dared not be so demanding in her presence. Yet, aside from being a Jiang Family daughter, she was also Empress Dowager to Yan Chi, being pressed to oppress a minor consort without status or a prince...

Insisting on adding her to the performance list, the Empress Dowager did so, but upon witnessing Concubine Jiang’s blatantly pleased expression, she didn’t want to fulfill her expectations.

Private talk between a mother and her son shouldn’t be cheapened by a fool’s antics.

After sending off Concubine Jiang, the grandmother returned to face the Empress Dowager’s troubled expression: "Seeing Concubine Jiang, they know she represents me... it’s time to enjoy with the concubines."

The Empress Dowager prided herself on her status, but knowing there was such a foolish representative roaming the harem, she was overwhelmed with a sense of shame.

No, she must make a public appearance among the concubines to set things straight!

...

When the news reached Xianfu Palace, Yun Jiao felt as if struck by lightning!

Xue Ya, however, was pleased: "It seems the Empress Dowager truly wants the concubines to make more appearances before His Majesty. Before, you were humble, and I felt sorry for you."

"Did you consider the possibility that perhaps your master wasn’t being humble, but genuinely has no talents?"

Yun Jiao sighed.

This left Xue Ya just as stunned as if struck by lightning.

No wonder Gong Mei kept giving her looks earlier, thinking the treacherous servant underestimated her master: "I apologize, mistress; it was inconsiderate of me."

"It was never your fault; the Empress Dowager put my name on without asking, so whether I have something or not, I have to perform regardless."

Worries came to Yun Jiao like a sudden shower, quick to come and go.

"What will you perform then?"

"Let me think about it."

Yun Jiao said as she lay down on the couch, not forgetting to cover herself with her furry little blanket as she turned on her side.

The two Chief Palace Maids patiently waited for a while, eventually hearing their mistress snore softly.

After resting enough, Yun Jiao suddenly rolled off the couch, meeting Gong Mei’s worried eyes: "Have you thought of what to perform?"

"I have a plan."

With that, Yun Jiao turned and headed towards the main hall.

Her plan was to call in reinforcements.

When Concubine Li finished hearing her intentions, she pondered, "You know how to play and paint, but you lack proficiency. The Empress Dowager is lenient, and she won’t compare you harshly with others. I have a zither here too. Play it for me."

Two little eunuchs immediately stepped out to fetch the zither.

After Yun Jiao sat down and tested the strings a bit, with the pluck of her ten fingers, birds gathered on the nearby trees were startled and flew away in all directions.

How to describe the sound of the zither?

The Hidden Guard lurking nearby almost lost control due to the erratic internal energy.

Although it was largely in tune with the zither sheet, each string was slightly off, making people irritated and wish to stop her.

After finishing a piece, Concubine Li listened with her hand on her chest, while Yun Jiao looked up at her expectantly: "How did I play?"

"Not very well."

Concubine Li replied with equal seriousness.