Chapter 15: Beloved Concubine has improved, lasting longer than before.

Chapter 15: The Beloved Concubine Has Improved, Lasting a Quarter Hour Longer Than Before

"Your Majesty," Ruan Hanzhang's small hands found his belt, gently hooking it and pulling him closer. "I'm not good with alcohol."

Her voice was a soft, flirtatious complaint, yet it only stirred his desire to explore further.

Jing Huayan lifted his eyes, gazing deeply at her arched brows before chuckling softly. "Is that so?"

In the next moment, he captured her lips once more, leaving her no escape.

Ruan Hanzhang let out a soft moan, her body going limp as the two tumbled onto the canopy bed, leaving the soft brocade quilts in disarray.

Jing Huayan's body burned with heat, causing Ruan Hanzhang's fair skin to flush a delicate pink.

Her inner robe slipped open, revealing elegant collarbones.

"Has the Beloved Concubine rested well? Today…"

Jing Huayan's gaze was predatory.

A blush crept across Ruan Hanzhang's cheeks, her eyes darting away to avoid his.

"Why is the Beloved Concubine so shy? The last two times, you weren't nearly this bashful."

"Your Majesty!"

Ruan Hanzhang covered his mouth with her hand. "Since when have you become so talkative?"

During their previous encounters, Jing Huayan had been quiet and focused, not nearly this conversational.

Jing Huayan grasped her wrist, guiding her hand downward.

"Perhaps it's the wine."

His voice was rough, and he let out a low gasp the moment they touched.

"Or perhaps it's because I've missed you."

This night lasted even longer than the ones before.

It was well past midnight when Jing Huayan finally stilled, leaving Ruan Hanzhang too exhausted to move.

He lay back on the bed, one arm wrapped around her slender waist, his fingers gently tracing the curve of her hip.

"The Beloved Concubine has improved—lasting a quarter hour longer than before."

Ruan Hanzhang half-closed her eyes, refusing to indulge him.

This man had actually been keeping track of the time in his head.

This wasn't praise—it was him showing off.

Hah, typical man.

They lay in silence for a while before Jing Huayan spoke. "Have them bring water."

By the time they returned to bed, Ruan Hanzhang was already drifting into sleep.

Jing Huayan turned to look at her and suddenly smiled.

"What do you want?"

That day, their conversation had been vague, but Jing Huayan had only asked about Ruan Hanzhang herself, making no mention of the Ruan family.

If Ruan Hanzhang truly intended to become Jing Huayan’s instrument within the palace, she would have to abandon her family or defy Ruan Zhongliang’s orders.

If that were the case, she must have other motives.

He had waited three days before casually posing the question.

No one was loyal without reason; no one devoted themselves entirely to another. Even as sovereign, Jing Huayan remained clear-headed.

Among the palace consorts, there might be a few who genuinely cared for him, but such women were exceedingly rare. Most were focused on their own advancement and that of their families.

More precisely, with their families prosperous and their ranks elevated, even if they lost favor later, their lives would remain secure. In the end, everyone sought comfort.

Meeting him only a few times a year, exchanging barely any words, surrounded as he was by countless consorts, he knew these women from powerful families were far from foolish.

From birth, they had competed for resources within their clans, showing no mercy even to their own siblings.

Let alone to him.

He himself had ascended the throne by stepping over the bodies of his brothers and relatives—he understood this all too well.

He saw nothing wrong in making bargains with his consorts. It was when they asked for nothing that he grew wary.

Ruan Hanzhang had her answer ready.

After a moment of silence, she said, "Your Majesty, I desire nothing. I only ask that if one day you discover I have deceived you, you will spare my life."

First, secure her life; then, seek power; finally, attain status and honor.

One must eat bite by bite and walk step by step. Having bided her time for over a decade, Ruan Hanzhang had more than enough patience.

Having desires made her easier to control.

Jing Huayan chuckled softly.

"Alright."

He had no interest in her life. An emperor who only took lives could never be truly great.

"A gentleman keeps his word," Ruan Hanzhang emphasized.

Jing Huayan turned to look at her. Seeing her eyes closed and her expression serene, he felt an unusual contentment.

"Would I ever break my promise?"

Ruan Hanzhang immediately flattered him, "Your Majesty, with your majestic bearing and noble grace, of course you keep your word!"

"Enough. Sleep now," Jing Huayan said.

Ruan Hanzhang murmured in agreement, turning her body and naturally resting her head on Jing Huayan’s shoulder as she sank into deep sleep.

She seemed calculating and scheming, yet at this moment, she appeared peaceful and unguarded.

It was precisely because of this that others let their guard down around her.

Jing Huayan turned his head, slowly closed his eyes, and for once enjoyed a good night's sleep.

The next day, back in the palace, Peilan still looked unwell.

Her foot injury kept recurring, and now even walking was difficult, so her mood was naturally far from good.

Peilan usually wore a sour expression, and the Tangli Pavilion had long grown accustomed to it. Ruan Hanzhang, however, remained consistently considerate toward her, smiling as usual.

"Auntie, have you been feeling any better?"

Peilan shook her head and asked with a grim expression, "How was yesterday?"

A faint blush brushed Ruan Hanzhang's cheeks. "It went very well."

"Hmph," Peilan snorted coldly and said, "Serve the Emperor well and secure a good future for the Ruan family. Your master and mistress will not treat you unfairly."

Ruan Hanzhang replied, "Yes."

In the following days, Ruan Hanzhang stayed in the Tangli Pavilion.

Peilan's foot injury grew increasingly severe, and these past few days she had no energy to pick on Ruan Hanzhang, giving Ruan Hanzhang plenty of time to focus on her own plans.

First, she sent Qian Xiaoduo on an errand to summon a stewardess from the Weaving Bureau.

The stewardess was very polite upon meeting and asked if Ruan Hanzhang wished to order new clothes.

Ruan Hanzhang, however, said, "I have enough clothes for now. The garments the Weaving Bureau sent when I was first appointed were all excellent. But the other day, I noticed that Selected Attendant Meng’s sleeves were slightly short. If word got out, it might lead to gossip."

Selected Attendant Meng’s family was not well-off, and she was granted the lowest rank of Selected Attendant. Below that was the eighth-rank family member, commonly referred to as a low-ranking imperial concubine.

Family members were merely palace maids who had serviced the Emperor, with no official status or rank—this title was only for classification.

Given this, the Weaving Bureau naturally did not pay much attention, likely sending clothes that didn’t fit properly, to the point where Selected Attendant Meng’s garments were somewhat short.

The stewardess was surprised, her eyes flickering, and she sincerely thanked Ruan Hanzhang: "Thank you for the reminder, Talent Lady. I will report to Director of Clothing Bai and personally visit Selected Attendant Meng to take new measurements."

Ruan Hanzhang smiled and waved her hand. Qing Dai stepped forward: "You've worked hard, Auntie."

The stewardess hurriedly replied, "This is what I ought to do. I dare not accept your reward."

Ruan Hanzhang was gentle and generous, her smile bright.

"Auntie, we all work to make a living. There’s no such thing as 'ought' or 'ought not.' I know the Weaving Bureau has been very busy lately, but seeing Selected Attendant Meng so uneasy the other day, I couldn’t bear it."

"This is a little something for your trouble. Please don’t tell Selected Attendant Meng. If there are any extra expenses, charge them to me."

Hearing this, the stewardess accepted the reward and said sincerely, "You’re very kind, Talent Lady Ruan. Rest assured, I know what to do."

When doing a good deed, it’s important to leave a name behind.

These past few days, Cai-nü Su had already serviced the Emperor, while Cai-nü Feng, Selected Attendant Zhao, Selected Attendant Meng, and Selected Attendant Li had yet to meet His Majesty. Selected Attendant Meng’s situation was likely difficult.

But Ruan Hanzhang still remembered Jing Huayan’s words. From her observations, she felt that Jing Huayan was also very dissatisfied with the palace’s General Affairs Bureau and wanted to suppress it. The best way to do that was to boost the other side.

The other side was an easy choice: the Imperial Workshops.

In matters of clothing, food, shelter, and travel, the Imperial Workshops could produce a great many things. Elevating the Imperial Workshops was simple—just reduce the procurement volume of the General Affairs Bureau and have the Imperial Workshops supply the palace’s needs instead.

For example, furniture, utensils, incense, materials, and all other items could be handled by specialized offices.

Of course, Ruan Hanzhang’s move had other deeper intentions.

But whether it succeeded or not, whether it was useful or not, she didn’t particularly care. She would just wait and see how others acted afterward.

Peilan happened to step out of her room and overheard the exchange. She looked at Ruan Hanzhang with an unreadable expression.

"You’re quite free with others’ money. That Selected Attendant Meng is plain and unremarkable. How could she possibly gain favor?"

After all, Ruan Hanzhang had no personal wealth. Now that the Tangli Pavilion was established in the palace, it was all paid for by the Ruan family’s money.

Ruan Hanzhang glanced over, noticed Peilan’s ankle was still not well, and sighed. "Auntie, I’m doing this for the Ruan family."

"You may see Selected Attendant Meng as quiet and unnoticed now, but who knows what the future holds? Do you know about the current Dowager Consort De? In her early years, she was just an ordinary palace maid who serviced the Emperor. She rose from family member to Consort Shu, gave birth to Prince Jing and Princess Mingxin, and now she is Dowager Consort De, enjoying a comfortable and peaceful retirement."

"Until the very end, who knows how things turn out?"

Having said that, she changed the subject. "Auntie, you should have a physician look at your foot."

After Zhao Tingfang applied fresh medicine to Peilan’s injury and earnestly reminded her of a few things, she accompanied Ruan Hanzhang to the bedchamber.

Once the sounds outside faded, Zhao Tingfang lowered her voice and said, "It’s all arranged."

Ruan Hanzhang finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Soon, Mo Li will escape from the Ruan family and return to Liyang Huaishui County, going by the name Jiang Yunran."

To re-enter the palace, she needed a legitimate identity.

Ruan Hanzhang did not want her second time as an imperial concubine to be vague and unclear. Jiang Yunran was the name her mother had given her. According to her mother, Jiang was her maternal grandfather’s surname.

Ruan Hanzhang patted her hand. "Thank you. You’ve worked hard."

"Also, have Mo Li take on my appearance and work as an embroiderer at Jinxiu Embroidery Workshop in Huaishui County. Her embroidery skills are on par with mine. In less than a month, she will become famous."

Zhao Tingfang, very clever, understood immediately. "You plan to enter the palace as an embroiderer?"

"It’s the best way."

Zhao Tingfang nodded. "Alright, understood. Don’t worry, Mo Li has long wanted to work outside."

The two chatted for a while longer, and Zhao Tingfang slipped a packet of drugs into Ruan Hanzhang’s hand.

"Palace entry and exit inspections are very strict. It’s hard for me to bring things in secretly. I could only get this much. Use it sparingly."

Ruan Hanzhang nodded and added, "Where is the palace fire unit stationed? Have you found out?"

Zhao Tingfang said, "Yes. They’re in the housing quarters south of Dongping Gate. Daily supplies like vegetables enter and exit through Dongping Gate."

Their eyes met, and both were determined.

Ruan Hanzhang grasped her hand, her gaze firm. "We’ll wait for that day."

Before they knew it, it was mid-April, over twenty days since Ruan Hanzhang was appointed as a Talent Lady.

During this time, the palace had been quiet and uneventful.

Aside from the Eldest Prince falling ill a few times and Consort Yi Zhou repeatedly berating the Imperial Hospital, nothing major occurred.

Apart from attending to the emperor, most consorts and concubines kept to their own quarters. Due to the First Prince’s poor health, there had been fewer social visits within the palace recently.

No one dared to get involved in this matter, as a single misstep could cost them their lives.

On the sixth and sixteenth of April, the consorts and concubines paid their respects to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager. Aside from Consort Murong, who had not yet recovered, Consort Zhou (Yi) was also absent on both occasions.

Without her, even the customary greetings felt rigid and utterly dull.

On this day, Ruan Hanzhang had just returned from attending the emperor. As soon as she stepped into the Tingxue Palace [Listening-Snow Palace], she saw Wei Baolin kneeling in the courtyard, her frail figure turned away from others.

Frowning, Ruan Hanzhang glanced up and noticed the main doors of the front hall wide open, with lanterns unusually lit inside.

Nanny Niu stood under the eaves of the front hall, staring coldly at the weeping Wei Baolin. The scene was unnerving.

Before Ruan Hanzhang could speak, Nanny Niu noticed her and lifted her head, her gaze sharp as a blade.

"Lady Ruan, you've finally returned," Nanny Niu said, her voice icy. "Imperial Physician Cen just came to check on the Consort and reported that her prolonged illness is due to someone administering a debilitating toxin."

At these words, Ruan Hanzhang came to an abrupt halt.

"Nanny Niu, what do you mean by this? Are you falsely accusing me and Lady Baolin?"

Nanny Niu retorted coldly, "Lady Ruan, harming a high-ranking consort is a grave crime. Kneel at once!"

But before Ruan Hanzhang could move, Peng Yu’s voice rang out from outside.

"My congratulations, Consort Ruan."