Chapter 29: Caution with Purchases – Palace Maidens and Quarrels

Chapter 29: Caution with Purchases - Palace Maidens and Quarrels

"A beauty, don't let her deceive you. She's not really feeling cooped up; she's just pretending to mislead you. In my opinion, she's clearly trying to get closer to you, scheming to take advantage of her proximity."

Fan Xueyao smiled slightly, not responding.

Indeed, this palace is full of discerning eyes. Everyone here is well-informed and clear-minded. Qin Zhuyuan's little schemes can't fool anyone. The reason Fan Xueyao went along with it was simply because she had her own plans. Always staying secluded would eventually arouse jealousy and suspicion from others. By offering a bait, people would see the potential benefits and wouldn't focus solely on hating her or setting traps for her.

The most taboo for a concubine is to monopolize the emperor's favor. Her position is too low for such favor to be beneficial. Although she isn't the sole favorite yet, she couldn't push the emperor away to someone else either. If the emperor wants to visit another concubine, she can't control that. But if he comes to her, she won't push him away. Pushing away his favor would bring no benefit and might make him think she doesn't care about him. She wouldn't do something so thankless.

However, appearances must be maintained. At least, she needs to show the Empress and the Empress Dowager that she isn't trying to monopolize the emperor. Whether the emperor visits others or not isn't something she can control as a mere beauty. It's not her fault. You can't force a bull to drink water if it doesn't want to. Even the Empress can't dictate such matters, so she is innocent.

If Qin Zhuyuan were to seduce the emperor in her Spreading Fragrance Hall, as long as Fan Xueyao acts indifferent and unaware, the emperor would think Qin Zhuyuan is disrespectful and hypocritical, pretending to be friends while secretly seducing him. Even if he doesn't pity her, he won't blame her, since she appears to be the one wronged.

Huaping guessed Fan Xueyao's thoughts but found them hard to fathom. She cautiously suggested, "Beauty, should we refuse Qin Baolin entry? Allowing someone with ill intentions into the Spreading Fragrance Hall seems unwise. His Majesty sometimes visits here, and if she encounters him..."

"His Majesty isn't driven by lust. If he came here, how could he be led away by Qin Baolin? He isn't the type to act rashly in my Spreading Fragrance Hall." Fan Xueyao explained her reasoning to reassure Huaping that she wasn't being deceived by Qin Zhuyuan.

"Moreover, I will live in the palace until death. I can't avoid interacting with others forever; that would drive me mad. People will come to my hall, and I'll go to theirs. Constantly fearing they'll steal His Majesty away would hinder all interactions."

Huaping muttered, "But no one else has His Majesty's favor like you. He only visits our Spreading Fragrance Hall, never other concubines' palaces. If others visit us frequently, they might encounter His Majesty. But even if you visit them a hundred times, you won't meet him. They always seem to benefit more."

"How can you think like that?" Fan Xueyao didn't elaborate further, saying, "If His Majesty has no intention, even a hundred encounters won't matter. If he does, it would happen anywhere."

Huaping fell silent, realizing that if His Majesty wanted to favor another concubine, no one could stop him. If he didn't, their efforts would be futile. Success or failure depends on His Majesty's will. She privately hoped that if he did favor another concubine, it wouldn't be in the Spreading Fragrance Hall, which would embarrass and hurt their beauty.

Su'e dared not breathe loudly. After the conversation ended, she approached Fan Xueyao cautiously, asking, "Beauty, it's late. The kitchen needs to prepare lunch. What would you like for today's meal?"

Fan Xueyao realized Qin Zhuyuan had been in her hall for an hour. Perhaps having tea and fruit left her not very hungry, but she nodded, "Something light. A stir-fried vegetable without lard, use vegetable oil instead of sesame oil, and rapeseed oil. A dish of pickled cucumber. Let them decide the rest, except no hot noodles or rice. Cold rice soaked in well water instead."

Su'e noted everything down and went to inform the kitchen.

With some time before the meal, Fan Xueyao went to the study in the east wing. She had a bed placed near the window, where the light was good and the air was fresh. Lying there to read or sleep was quite comfortable.

The bed was covered with a jade mat, smooth and cool. The silk pillow stuffed with cotton had a reed cover, soft and cool to the touch.

Lying on the bed reading was delightful. If the sunlight was too bright, she could lower the bamboo curtain. Shadows danced on the floor and walls, creating a serene atmosphere.

After reading for a while, Huaping came in to announce the meal.

Fan Xueyao was resting when suddenly the outside became noisy. Woken up, she opened her eyes slightly, annoyed. Huaping entered quietly, looking strange.

Rubbing her forehead, Fan Xueyao sat up, asking, "What's going on outside?"

Huaping hurried over to serve her, cautiously saying, "It's nothing serious. Two maids quarreled, losing their tempers. I'll punish them later."

Fan Xueyao asked, "Who are they? Why did they fight?"

"It's Chuntau and Fengyun from the front hall. They've always disliked each other. Chuntau is clever and often reports to the back hall, which makes Fengyun jealous. Today, Qin Baolin visited, and Chuntau greeted her, making Fengyun angry. Chuntau, being young, couldn't hold back and argued back."

Fengyun's presence in the Spreading Fragrance Hall was minimal, but Fan Xueyao remembered her clearly. Most of her servants were loyal and rule-abiding, except for Hong Xiao, who had ulterior motives. Only Fengyun harbored secret intentions, hoping to observe Fan Xueyao's abilities. If she lacked them, Fengyun planned to ask her godmother to transfer her. If she had them, Fengyun would try to get close. However, Fan Xueyao's mind-reading ability revealed her true intentions, and soon she surrounded herself with useful people. Fengyun became an outsider, feeling resentful.

Chuntau often visited the back hall, charming everyone with her sweet words. Huaping and Zhu Zhu liked her, often giving her gifts. Seeing this, Fengyun naturally felt envious.

Considering these thoughts, Fan Xueyao lifted her chin slightly, her voice cool, "How dare these maids! Bring them in. I want to see what kind of people they are to behave so arrogantly in my Spreading Fragrance Hall."

Huaping hesitated, having served Fan Xueyao for three months, never seeing her like this. She composed herself and brought Fengyun and Chuntau in.

Chuntau, usually quick-witted, knelt and lowered her head, not daring to act cute as before.

Fengyun, unfamiliar with Fan Xueyao's true nature, thought her quiet and gentle. Though she regretted the quarrel, she wasn't as cautious as Chuntau, keeping her head slightly raised, revealing her dissatisfaction.

Fan Xueyao noticed this, her gaze turning colder.

Looking at both, she said, "Were you two causing the disturbance?"

Chuntau bowed deeply, "Yes, Beauty."

Fengyun also admitted.

"What was the reason? You've been in the palace long enough to know better. How could you lose your composure and disregard palace rules? Your supervisors must have taught you better. Behaving like common women, disturbing my rest, is unacceptable."

Chuntau buried her head deeper, ashamed and afraid, "I was arrogant and disrespectful. Please punish me, Beauty."

Fengyun, however, defended herself, "Please understand, Beauty. This wasn't intentional. I'm not reckless. Chuntau was unreasonable, taking all the favorable tasks. She neglects her duties, always visiting the back hall to curry favor. Today, Qin Baolin arrived, and she left me to handle the front hall, treating me like her subordinate. I couldn't tolerate this. Please judge fairly, Beauty. I admit I was impulsive, but there's a reason. If Chuntau doesn't change, this will happen again."

Fan Xueyao nodded, then looked at Chuntau, smiling slightly, "Chuntau, do you have anything to say about Fengyun's words?"

Chuntau didn't rush to defend herself, bowing before speaking clearly, "I admit my mistake. I shouldn't have argued with Fengyun. If she calls me servile, I'll accept it. But accusing me of seeking attention and pushing others aside is unjust."