### Chapter 94: Humiliation

### Chapter 94: Humiliation

"Saints are naturally different from us. Whatever plans she has, how can we mere mortals dare to comment on them?"

Fan Xueyao delivered this mild rebuke, ensuring that Huaping would not lose her composure.

Huaping, upon hearing this, quickly regained her focus, realizing her own rashness. She should not have spoken out of turn, especially since they were in another residence, the Emperor's temporary quarters. After all, walls have ears.

A moment later, the kitchen staff brought up a table laden with exquisite dishes. Fan Xueyao ordered someone to warm a bottle of wine and slowly poured herself a glass, savoring the steaming rabbit stew and occasionally taking a sip of the wine, thoroughly enjoying herself.

As the imperial carriage approached the entrance of Empress Xu's residence in the western villa, Empress Xu hurried out to greet them. Beside her was a young woman dressed differently from the other palace maids, adorned in bright and elegant attire. Chu Nan needed only a glance to deduce most of the situation.

In fact, ever since he heard from Fan Xueyao about Empress Xu keeping a lady, he had already guessed her intentions.

It was common for imperial concubines to keep beautiful palace maids to secure their favor. After the previous emperor's death, he had arranged the affairs of the concubines according to the records. There were over a hundred palace maids who had been favored by the late emperor but had no official status. As for those wearing red or purple cloaks, there were nearly five hundred. Additionally, countless others resided in various palaces outside the imperial grounds.

These palace maids, after the late emperor's death, were either supported by their sons if they had any, or were made to commit ritual suicide. The rest were sent to guard the imperial tombs or live in nunneries.

Chu Nan himself did not realize it, but his later abstinence from indulging in beauty was partly due to these events.

Once inside the hall, Empress Xu gave Zheng Xianger a meaningful look. Zheng Xianger understood and stepped forward, gently rolling up her sleeves to reveal her delicate hands, helping Chu Nan remove his robe and personally serving him tea. Her face, adorned with vibrant makeup, flushed as she kept stealing glances at Chu Nan.

Chu Nan noticed her coy demeanor but continued chatting with Empress Xu without giving her much attention.

Empress Xu grew increasingly anxious. She wondered, "Could it be that the Emperor didn't recognize Zheng Xianger's identity?"

I deliberately dressed her in a new crimson embroidered silk robe and a pleated skirt with floral embroidery. Her head was adorned with jewels, and her earrings were made of pearls. Even the cosmetics she used were of the highest quality. She looked every bit as charming as Fan Zhaoyi. Why is the Emperor ignoring her?

Could it be that Fan Zhaoyi whispered something into the Emperor's ear that day, convincing him not to take Zheng Xianger?

Empress Xu, not one to hide her emotions, let her frustration show on her face.

Seeing this, Chu Nan felt a twinge of irritation.

He was not one to indulge in pleasures, even his affection for Yao'er was measured and rational. He had never embarrassed the Empress. Moreover, Yao'er was well-educated, graceful, and dignified, embodying the virtues of a noble lady. She always treated the Empress with respect and rarely left her chambers.

Why does the Empress persistently target Yao'er? Today, she even did what other concubines do—presenting him with a beauty.

Does she think I am so foolish and lustful that I would lose my mind at the sight of a pretty face?

Chu Nan, being the Emperor, had cultivated a calm demeanor through years of experience. He knew the Empress was impatient and too hasty.

Though she often acted unwisely, she was still his Empress, having stood by him for many years. Despite his annoyance, he understood that her actions were understandable given her circumstances. He pitied her confusion and impatience and decided to soothe her, hoping to calm her down and prevent her from making further mistakes.

After some thought, Chu Nan addressed the Empress more gently than usual, "Who is this person serving you? Why is she dressed differently from the other palace maids?"

Empress Xu sensed the change in tone but instead of feeling relieved, she felt a surge of resentment.

She thought he had taken a fancy to Zheng Xianger. Although this was her own doing, Empress Xu was still a woman after all, how could she willingly let her husband get close to another woman? Moreover, Chu Nan's gentle attitude seemed not to be directed at her but rather for Zheng Xianger.

Could a woman's appearance really be that important? Even the emperor couldn't avoid it. What good is virtue when in the end, it only invites disdain?

Empress Xu couldn't help feeling a mix of sadness and resentment.

Just bringing out a beauty to win his favor. Could it be that she, the dignified empress, was less valuable to him than any pretty-faced woman?

With the intention of taking Fan Xueyao's favor, she had brought Zheng Xianger into the palace and personally arranged her attire and makeup. But now, Empress Xu felt a sense of injustice.

Empress Xu forced a smile, "Her surname is Zheng, and her nickname is Xianger. She was specially sent by my brother to serve. She has read some books and knows everything about chess, music, and singing. She is also very skilled at singing and playing the lute. I found her clever and quick-witted, so I kept her around to chat with me."

Zheng Xianger seized the opportunity to step forward, adorned like a blooming flower, and offered a graceful salute to Chu Nan. She then looked up and cast a coquettish glance at him. In Zheng Xianger's view, the imperial concubines were all from noble families, proper ladies indeed, but when it came to pleasing men, they couldn't compare to maids or courtesans.

Though she wasn't a courtesan by profession, she had been trained in singing and dancing since childhood. At thirteen or fourteen, she was taken in. To secure her future in the Xu family and bear a child to become a concubine with status, she had always been obedient and attentive to both her master and mistress. Not only was she the favorite in front of her master, but even the mistress favored her, giving her the best clothes and jewelry.

Although the emperor was unparalleled in nobility, he was still a man. As long as she pleased him in bed, she wouldn't worry about losing his affection.

Chu Nan noticed that Empress Xu's smile was forced and that she seemed unhappy, which made him feel truly helpless.

He hadn't intended to do this; he only wanted to comply with the empress's wishes to comfort her by favoring Zheng Xianger. However, the situation was complicated. Favoring Zheng Xianger would upset the empress, while not favoring her would make her uneasy.

Fortunately, Empress Xu genuinely feared Fan Xueyao, a sentiment far deeper than the petty jealousy towards Zheng Xianger. To her, Zheng Xianger was merely a lowly servant, especially since she was of humble birth and had been used by her brother, making her even more contemptible.

Because of her lowliness, Empress Xu despised her, but now she hoped Zheng Xianger could diminish Fan Xueyao's favor.

For this reason, Empress Xu could tolerate her disdain for Zheng Xianger and wholeheartedly promote her.

Chu Nan showed appreciation on his face and asked, "Is that so? She seems to be a fine lady. Which songs does she know? Sing one for us."

Seeing this, Empress Xu's face lit up with joy, thinking he had taken the bait. She quickly instructed the palace maids to bring a lute for Zheng Xianger to play and sing.

Zheng Xianger placed the lute on her lap, first casting a sidelong glance at Chu Nan, filled with shyness and charm. She then gently extended her fingers, opened her vermilion lips, and sang "The Embroidered Words."

Afterward, Empress Xu provided several opportunities for Zheng Xianger to serve Chu Nan. When night fell, Empress Xu pretended to be unwell and suggested that Zheng Xianger serve him instead.

"Since Your Majesty is unwell, you should rest well. I won't disturb you," Chu Nan said, rising to take a bath.

After Chu Nan left, Empress Xu did not immediately rise to leave. She looked down at the bowed head of Zheng Xianger, changing her demeanor from the virtuous and kind one she had shown Chu Nan to one filled with undisguised envy and irritation.

As the empress, she had never before promoted anyone around her. This was her first time, and she found it difficult to accept, feeling frustrated and irritable.

"You know why I am promoting you. Originally, with your background, this kind of fortune would never have come to you. But because my brother and sister-in-law have supported you, considering your years of dedicated service and loyalty, I allowed you into the palace. Zheng Xianger, I don't expect you to repay a drop of kindness with a spring of water, but do not repay kindness with enmity. Otherwise—"

Empress Xu gave a cold laugh. "Don't think that just because you've received the emperor's favor, you're someone special. I can elevate you to the clouds or crush you into the mud. However, if you are sensible and loyal to me, rest assured, as long as I hold my position, you will benefit."

Empress Xu tried to intimidate Zheng Xianger with a mix of threats and rewards, hoping to ensure her loyalty.

However, Empress Xu didn't realize that Zheng Xianger was a clever and adaptable woman. During her time in the Xu family, she had competed for favor using various methods. The praise of her loyalty from her brother and sister-in-law was a joke; she was simply skilled at flattery and manipulation.

What was more important was that Zheng Xianger had not been chosen by the Empress Xu's brother and sister-in-law to be sent into the palace; she had actually recommended herself.

Zheng Xianger heard from Lady Xu about the plan to recommend beauties for the Empress Xu. She believed in her own beauty and talents, and since she had the capital, why not give it a try to seek great fortune? If she stayed with the Xu family, the best outcome would be giving birth to a son or daughter and becoming a concubine.

So Zheng Xianger spent her savings on jewelry to bribe the lady-in-waiting of the mistress, convincing her to speak well of her before the mistress. Eventually, she managed to enter the palace as desired.

Such a person only cared about personal gain and honor.

To expect loyalty based on the vague past master-servant relationship was nothing but a dream.

If Empress Xu's position were as stable as Mount Tai, Zheng Xianger might have been content being a loyal servant, serving her. But Empress Xu was an unloved empress, relying on promoting palace ladies to share the favor of Fan Zhaoyi. How could Zheng Xianger truly respect her? She merely saw her as a stepping stone to gain imperial favor.

Zheng Xianger appeared to be intimidated, tears streaming down her cheeks. She looked at Empress Xu and said, "This servant... this servant is of humble appearance, yet I am grateful for the Empress's kindness. How could I dare to forget your grace and deceive you?... If not for the Empress's generosity, how could this servant stand in the imperial palace? It is because of the Empress's kindness that this lowly servant can serve the Emperor. Though I am humble, I understand the virtue of gratitude. From now on, I will follow any command of the Empress without hesitation."

Empress Xu saw that just a few words had made Zheng Xianger panic and secretly despised her: such a petty person, no matter how much training, could never escape her servile nature. Yet, she felt somewhat relieved.

The more humble Zheng Xianger was, the happier she felt.

"You child, I was just talking to you like this; there's no need to cry so much. You've ruined your makeup. Go wash your face with hot water and reapply your makeup. Don't delay, or you'll miss serving the Emperor."

Zheng Xianger hurriedly replied, "Yes, this servant will do so immediately."

After thoroughly warning Zheng Xianger, Empress Xu saw her submissive and obedient demeanor and finally felt relieved. The original discomfort in her heart dissipated.

She cursed inwardly: it was all due to the Fan family; otherwise, why would she elevate a servant? It truly damaged her dignity as the Empress. Filled with anger, Empress Xu rose and headed to the side hall.

Chu Nan, having finished his bath, changed into a simple silk robe and entered the bedroom. There he saw Zheng Xianger dressed in bright-colored robes, her hair styled in a bun, adorned with only a pair of gold hairpins. Her face was powdered white, her cheeks flushed with rouge, and her lips painted cherry red. She wore a pair of gold pendants shaped like eight-treasure gourds, which glittered under the candlelight.

With a waist as slender as a willow branch, she bowed seductively before Chu Nan, revealing half of her bosom, her eyes filled with allure, boldly looking at him and saying, "Your Majesty, let this servant serve you."

Chu Nan responded with a "Hmm," but was suspicious. Why did Zheng Xianger not seem like a virtuous woman?

Chu Nan never imagined that the Empress, whom he thought was ordinary yet dignified and strict, would elevate a servant from her brother's household for him.

In fact, it was common for emperors to favor low-ranking beauties, but Chu Nan was upright and self-respecting, not one to indulge in lust. Moreover, he already had a beloved woman who suited him perfectly.

In his eyes, Xueyao was neither overly rigid nor frivolous. Born into an official family, neither high nor low, she received a good education without the extravagance of noble families.

Though sometimes childish, she was never capricious, instead endearing and charming. Her demeanor was astonishing, her beauty surpassing that of flowers; her elegance was gentle, her nature as delicate as orchids. She was perfect in every way, both pitiable and lovable.

Compared to such an important and beloved presence, Zheng Xianger seemed cheap and vulgar. He felt no affection, let alone admiration. He had initially thought that if she were good, he might elevate her to please the Empress, thus allowing him to focus on loving Fan Xueyao without worry.

But when he discovered that Zheng Xianger was not a chaste woman, he was enraged and felt humiliated.

He knew that Zheng Xianger was elevated to share the favor of Fan Xueyao and secure his own favor, but he never expected her to be experienced. Seeing her seductive demeanor, he guessed she had endured many storms.

Did the Empress lose her mind in her quest for favor, daring to elevate a lowly and promiscuous woman to offend him?

Chu Nan did not realize that Zheng Xianger was from the household of Empress Xu's brother. He assumed she was a married woman offered for wealth due to her beauty.

Even so, he was furious, rising from the bed with a cold face, ignoring Zheng Xianger's panicked calls.

He refused to stay in the Empress's quarters, feeling disgusted, taking another bath and dressing to leave.

Though Chu Nan usually kept his emotions hidden, his short stay and immediate departure clearly showed his displeasure.

The attending lady-in-waiting, pale-faced, had to ask, "Your Majesty, shall we keep her?"

"No!"

Without turning back, Chu Nan strode away, the night wind whipping his fur cloak, leaving behind a cold voice.

The lady-in-waiting shivered, watching the Emperor board his carriage, which departed amidst the cries of the eunuchs.