Chapter 4: The Emperor's Reward

Lánxīn had been speaking for a while, recounting all the grievances her mistress had suffered in the Empress Yaotai Palace. When she noticed her mistress had fallen silent, Lánxīn couldn't help but call out, "Mistress, you've been in a daze these past few days. Is something wrong?"

"No, nothing's wrong. Let's go; it's too hot here," Mei Liang replied, her mind elsewhere. Since the emperor was no longer present, there was no need to endure the stifling heat outside. After all, it was almost summer, and the weather was unpredictable—sometimes sweltering, sometimes cool.

Once Mei Liang arrived at Yunlu Palace, Cuìyù immediately began preparing everything needed for a bath, while Lánxīn went to fetch the food. Sitting before the mirror, Mei Liang found herself lost in thought. How should she present herself before the emperor?

With the weather growing hotter, it would soon be time for the emperor to retreat to the Summer Palace, and before that, she needed to make sure he remembered her. If she couldn't win his favor, all her plans would be in vain. Without his favor, she would have no power in the harem, and she needed that power to seek her revenge.

She couldn't afford to underestimate Emperor Xiang Long Wei. He was not a fool, but a man of ruthless cunning. She recalled how, in her previous life, a concubine had been caught trying to harm his beloved, Xian Guifei, who had once held the title of Consort Wei before her rise in rank.

The emperor had interrogated the concubine in front of the entire court, subjecting her to brutal torture, starting with the severing of her fingers and ending with the disfigurement of her face. Such a man could not be easily deceived, so Mei Liang knew it was best to present herself as a cold concubine who neither wished to remain in the palace nor sought his favor.

Meanwhile, after the emperor arrived at his Qian Chun Gong Palace, Eunuch Guo quickly approached and bowed, reporting, "Your Majesty, Xian Guifei is waiting for you in the side hall of Majestic Clarity. She's been there for as long as it takes for an incense stick to burn (15 to 30 minutes)."

"Alright, you can carry on with your work," Emperor Xiang Long Wei said.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Eunuch Guo replied, then retired. The emperor walked towards the side hall of Majestic Clarity, with Eunuch Zhao trailing behind him.

As they entered the side hall, the emperor saw Xian Guifei standing by the window, lost in thought. Her maids quickly bowed, greeting the emperor.

Upon hearing the sound of her maids, Xian Guifei turned around and saw the emperor standing behind her. "This concubine greets Your Majesty, the Emperor," she said.

Emperor Xiang Long Wei immediately helped her up. Once she was standing, he turned toward her maidservants. "You may rise. Leave us," he ordered. The maidservants and Eunuch Zhao quickly exited, leaving the emperor alone with Xian Guifei.

"Your Majesty has not visited this concubine for a long time. This concubine has missed you. Even Chen'er has missed you," Xian Guifei said her face filled with longing. Chen'er was the emperor and Xian Guifei's one-year-old son.

The emperor's face remained expressionless, even after hearing Xian Guifei mention their son. "Don't worry. I will come tonight to visit my beloved concubine. I've been busy, that's all," Emperor Xiang Long Wei said, trying to comfort her.

Xian Guifei's face flushed with shyness and joy. Despite being twenty-two, she looked no older than eighteen. "I know His Majesty loves me the most," she said, rubbing her face against the emperor's robe.

The emperor's face remained unreadable, though a trace of impatience flickered in his eyes, vanishing almost immediately.

After Xian Guifei left, Eunuch Zhao entered with two maidservants, who were delivering the emperor's food. After placing the food on the table, one of the servants tested it for poison. Once it was confirmed safe, the servants withdrew, leaving the emperor alone with Eunuch Zhao.

"Your Majesty, the Internal Affairs Bureau will be arriving soon," Eunuch Zhao reported. (Author's note: The Internal Affairs Bureau was the department responsible for delivering the jade slips, which determined which concubine the emperor would spend the night with.)

"No need. I will be staying at Emerald Cloud Palace tonight," Emperor Xiang Long Wei said. Then he asked, "What was the name of the little concubine Zhen saw today?"

"Her name is Mei Wenyuan daughter of the deputy supreme commandant. She was the concubine who fell into the pond while arguing with Imperial Concubine Jing. Your Majesty summoned her two weeks ago, but you were called away by Xian Guifei," Eunuch Zhao reported.

Since the emperor had asked about the little concubine, it seemed he was slightly interested in her. Eunuch Zhao, who had been with the emperor since his time as a prince, was well aware of the emperor's moods.

"Alright, then send her a gift to appease her. I remember I have a matching set of jade headsets and bracelets. Send those to her," Emperor Xiang Long Wei instructed.

Eunuch Zhao was taken aback. The jade set the emperor referred to was a tribute from Mongolia. The jade headset was so exquisite that it had even caught Xian Guifei's attention, and she had asked the emperor for it. However, the emperor had refused to give it to her. Eunuch Zhao couldn't help but look at Mei Wenyuan in a new light.

Meanwhile, in the side hall of Yunlu Palace, the Auspicious Pavilion, where Mei Liang resided, she wasn't entitled to her own palace as a ninth-rank concubine. However, the advantage was that there were no other mistresses living in the main hall of Yunlu Palace. Cuìyù entered the room after removing the food Mei Liang had finished eating, while Lánxīn was inside the bathroom prepared the bathing materials.

"Mistress, your aunt will be coming tonight. Should I report it to the Department of Internal Affairs? And should I bring in the brown sugar water? You know how painful your menstrual period can be when it arrives," Cuìyù asked.

Mei Liang froze, realizing she had forgotten that this body wasn't her original one. It seemed this body's owner also experienced pain during her menstrual period. Just as she was about to respond, Bìtáo, her other maid, rushed in, her forehead covered in sweat.

Cuìyù couldn't help but scold her, "Is this how a servant behaves? How dare you rush into the mistress's room without permission?"

Bìtáo face flushed with embarrassment after being reprimanded.

Mei liang spoke with a soft voice, seeing the little maid was about to cry. "Let it be. There must be a reason why Bìtáo is in such a rush, right?"

"Yes, mistress," Bìtáo stammered, "Eunuch Guo is here on behalf of the emperor to see the mistress."

Mei Liang quickly stood up, adjusting her dress, and walked out, with Cuìyù trailing behind her. They arrived at the small audience hall and saw Eunuch Guo. His face seemed to have aged since the last time Mei Liang saw him three years ago in her previous life.

Eunuch Guo and the two eunuchs behind him bowed deeply. "Greetings to Mei Wenyuan."

"You may rise, Eunuch Guo. No need for formalities," Mei Liang said, her tone calm.

"What brings you here today, Eunuch Guo?" she asked.

"His Majesty the Emperor sent gifts feeling sorry for Wenyuan for being wronged and falling into the water," Eunuch Guo replied. Another eunuch stepped forward with the gifts, which Cuìyù quickly accepted on Mei Liang's behalf.

"Eunuch Guo, please convey my thanks to the emperor," Mei Liang said, her face expressionless, without a hint of joy or shyness. Eunuch Guo was taken aback. If it had been another concubine, even Xuan Guifei, their faces would have been filled with joy, or even shyness, at such a gesture. Why was Mei Wenyuan's reaction so different?

Mei Liang quickly signaled Cuìyù, who stepped forward and placed a purse into Eunuch Guo's hands. The purse was heavy, and Eunuch Guo felt satisfied when he weighed it.

"I will take my leave now," he said, bowing.

After Eunuch Guo left, Cuìyù and Lánxīn could no longer contain their excitement.

"Mistress, the emperor is finally noticing you!" Lánxīn said, her face filled with joy.

Mei Liang walked back toward the inner yard, her face expressionless, without a hint of joy.

"Mistress, aren't you happy?" Cuìyù asked.

"Of course I'm happy, but remember, you are my close maidservants. You need to learn how to control your expressions, or you'll be looked down upon by others," Mei Liang replied, her tone serious.

"Yes, Mistress," Lánxīn and Cuìyù answered in unison.

"Mistress, do you want to look at His Majesty's gifts?" Lánxīn asked.

"No need. Place them in the storage. Don't forget to write a list of everything and arrange them accordingly," Mei Liang instructed.

"Yes, Mistress," Lánxīn quickly replied before leaving.

A faint smirk curled on Mei Liang's lips. The emperor had taken the bait. Tomorrow would be interesting.