"Noble Concubine Ling, this concubine apologises for the behaviour of my maids. Please forgive them. My maids are young and foolish and did not know what they were saying."
The lady bowed deeply, then righted herself.
Having expected a fight and having already mentally prepared myself for a throwdown, I was somewhat confused by this unexpected turn of events.
"Sorry but... who are you?" I asked.
Even with the previous Ling Yue's memories, I was unable to recall anyone with such an appearance or position. I really had to go out more if I couldn't even recognise other members of the harem.
"This concubine is Concubine Lay, Noble Concubine Ling." she said without missing a beat.
I scrutinised her mentally. Concubine Lay was pleasant looking, with a medium complexion and slicked to the side bangs that gave her a very decent, ideal daughter-in-law look. Her eyes were discerning, but her behaviour was not too haughty while being not too over the top. Her tone of voice too was measured and very calming. She was dressed in cinnabar and pale yellow robes, with matching makeup and very large red earrings swinging from her ears.
However, she had clearly heard the gossiping going on behind us, and didn't flinch when I asked her who she was.
So this was the standard of a typical concubine in these times.
She was not an easy opponent.
Not to be outdone, I smiled sweetly. "Sorry about that. Since my accident years ago, I've had trouble remembering things. Concubine Lay, is it? Don't worry about the maids. Things happen."
"That's a relief then." she said.
Just then, the garden bustled to life, the still figures getting up from their spots, stretching their limbs. Hunched over men behind canvases put down their brushes and paints. Groups of maids returned from their wanderings.
"Looks like it's time for tea break. If Noble Concubine Ling doesn't mind, how about joining me? Noble Concubine hasn't familiarised herself with the harem much since joining. Noble Concubine can make some new acquaintances." she said.
"Alright." There wasn't much for me to lose if I just went with her, right?
I followed her through the narrow garden path, noting that most of the concubines were heading to the same spot - a large pavilion in the middle of the garden.
A loud cackle came from the peripheral distance and a small group of about 3 concubines turned in our direction. "If it isn't who the cat dragged in! You finally decided to show your face around here?" The woman at the front, an astonishingly beautiful woman with sharp, symmetrical features smiled slyly, making me feel dizzy although I was also a woman. When she smiled, her features burst to life, making me unable to take my eyes off of her.
She was dressed in bright blue, gold and white robes, looking like a porcelain vase. The sort you would want to tuck away and treasure, never letting anyone near it. She looked almost angelic, and I was almost sure she could do no wrong. But reality was harsh.
"Who's she talking about?" I asked Concubine Lay.
Concubine Lay only lowered her eyes and shook her head. "It's better not to get to close to her. That's Concubine Ping."
"Concubine Ping? The Ping clan who got the new monopoly of salt after the Yan Clan fell?"
"That's her."
"I'm talking about you. Came back from selling your wares?" At this time, the group of 3 stopped in front of us.
"I did, what about it?" I asked, confused. The woman on her left, who had dull, flat features but bright eyes chortled. "You still don't know? Did you sell yourself as well as your wares?"
Sell myself? Was she implying I had prostituted myself? Was this about Luna Marche? Right, this era viewed merchants as the lowest social class.
Concubine Ping laughed. "I don't know what the Emperor sees in her. She's just full of air. See how she just stands there, dumbfounded?"
"Yeah, she wouldn't mind whatever we did, right?" the woman on the right, who had been quiet all this time, finally spoke up. She spoke like a mouse, timid with a slight tremble.
Qiu Ci finally couldn't take it anymore, stepping up from the canopy of maids to whisper in my ear. "Young Miss! That's Concubine Mao on the left, and Concubine Qing on the right. They can't speak to you like that! They're 1 rank lower!" Her message was full of indignation, and she looked like she was about to smack them.
"Hey! Little maid, how dare you interrupt our conversation! Wei, spank her 20 times for her rudeness!" Concubine Ping interjected.
Wei, the closest maid by her side, and the most senior, by the looks of her robes, grabbed Qiu Ci swiftly! Faster than any of us could react, she pulled out a thick cane from who knows where and raised it. As she raised her arm, her sleeve rolled down a little, revealing toned, strong arms. I couldn't let her hit Qiu Ci!
Without thinking, I gave her a vengeance filled kick to the abdomen, sending her stumbling back several steps. The cane clattered to the ground.
"How dare you raise a hand on my maid!" Concubine Ping shrieked.
I looked at her incredulously.
"And what qualifications do you have to raise a hand on my maid?" I asked, voice trembling with anger. It was as if I had just ingested liquid courage. Adrenaline surged through my veins, giving me an acute awareness of the environment around me.
Yes, I was slow to react! I wasn't born in this era and was still unfamiliar with their terms and beat about the bush way of talking. But I was clear when people were being a bully!
"She's just a small maid! We're concubines, why can't we hit her?" Concubine Mao said.
"Sister Ling, if you let us punish your maid, I'm willing to let this go. After all, we're all noble, dignified ladies here." Sensing the situation was escalating, Concubine Ping actually looked a little frazzled.
"First of all, do not call me "Sister" or "You". You are a Concubine, and I am a Noble Concubine. What gives you the right to address me in such a casual manner?
Secondly, why can't you punish my maid? Because I say so. Have you ever heard of a Concubine trying to punish the people of a Noble Concubine without permission? This is the first I've heard of it!
Since you're so rude to me, and you're just a small Concubine, maybe you should get spanked instead!"
"Qiu Ci!"
"Yes, Noble Concubine!" Having narrowly escaped a public spanking, Qiu Ci was very alert now, and very much liked the sound of how things were going.
"Spank Concubine Ping 20 times for her rudeness!"