The Job of an Imperial Concubine

Chapter 10: Scum (渣)

(Technically, the title says “dregs” or “dross,” but honestly “scum” works a lot better in English.)

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Perhaps because the empress felt enraptured by their conversation, the imperial concubines stayed at Jingyang Palace for two hours. Once they left the residence, the sun was high and bright in the sky.

Because Jieyu Ma and Zhuang Laoyan did not see eye to eye, the moment they had exited the courtyard’s front doors, they went off in separate directions. What surprised Zhuang Laoyan was that Zhuang Wanqing had also take the path toward Taoyu Pavilion, the latter’s expression visibly moved.

She continued her original pace toward the other woman. Just as Zhuang Laoyan believed her sister would not speak, she caught sight of the other’s lips parting. Her words were not of pleasantly reminiscing of the past, nor were they about sisterly bonds.

“Such good weather today. I recall it had rained when Younger Sister first entered the palace.” Zhuang Wanqing’s voice rang monotonous. However, Zhuang Laoyan could discern the hate concealed in those words. “Due to your background, you became a mid-tier fifth-rank Guiji on your first day. After two nights of favor, you were promoted to a Wanyi. When I had thought that the emperor finally lost interest in you, he actually promoted you to an Imperial Concubine Zhao. You’re certainly more fortunate than most people.”

Zhuang Laoyan stopped in her tracks. Turned around to look at her sister. “Why is Elder Sister saying such things today?”

As soon as Zhuang Wanqing heard those words, she lifted her head, her gaze landing straight on Zhuang Laoyan. Her eyes were already tinged with red, voice cold enough to freeze. “Zhuang Laoyan, I will definitely see the day when you’re left in tears!” Then she flipped around and rushed off, disappearing at the end of the road.

This kind of strong hate caused Zhuang Laoyan to furrow her brow. Although the previous owner of her body had been excessive with her actions, in this situation, she didn’t deserve such brainless words from her elder sister. Did something happen that she wasn’t aware of?

“Master, there’s been news from outside the palace. Second Concubine has passed away,” Yunxi whispered into her ear. “The eldest miss should have already known.” 

Zhuang Laoyan was shocked. Then she looked in the direction in which her sister had fled. If the past Zhuang Wanqing had still considered the consequences before acting, then she perhaps no longer did so currently. Looked like Zhuang Laoyan’s days in the imperial harem would become more troublesome from now on.

“Master,” said Yunxi. She knew her master held dislike for the eldest miss and Second Concubine. However, after hearing the news of Second Concubine’s death, her master did not seem happy. Rather, she seemed heavy-hearted. 

“I don’t know what happens outside the palace. You also did not hear anything. Understand?” Zhuang Laoyan sighed. The women in the imperial harem were too knowledgeable of affairs happening outside the palace walls. Because of this, even if they did not want to die, they would still receive an early death.

Yunxi stood there, astonished. Shortly after, she lowered her head.

Tingzhu glanced at her fellow colleague. She supported Zhuang Laoyan’s hand and softly advised, “Master, Shuyi Ye and Shurong Ye are approaching.”

Zhuang Laoyan lifted her gaze. Were these the two sisters from the Ye family? It wasn’t that her thoughts were wicked. It’s just that this emperor’s actions naturally ferried her thoughts into such a direction. In the imperial harem, there were a few pairs of blood-related sisters. For example, Noble Consort Shu and Xiuyi Su were half-blooded sisters, Shuyi Ye and Shurong Yi were full-blooded siblings, and herself and Zhuang Wanqing shared the same father. There was also Sun Huiji, who was the empress’ distant cousin. No wonder the women in the imperial harem always spoke about sisterly bonds. 

Owing to this vein of thought, it could not be withheld that the emperor had strange tastes. What a pity for these beauties.

As mentioned prior, Shurong Ye and Shuyi Ye were full-blooded sisters. Both of them were of the lesser second-rank. However, the emperor favored Shuyi Ye more highly and visited her more often. Yet the one who became with child wasn’t her. Who knew how Shuyi Ye felt at this moment?

“This one pays respects to Shurong Ye and Shuyi Ye.” Zhuang Laoyan curtsied, her gaze turned toward the floor. She just happened to catch the pale and tender hand of Shuyi Ye carefully supporting Shurong Ye’s wrist. 

“Imperial Concubine Zhao?” Shuyi Ye had never put Zhuang Laoyan in her eyes. Neither in the past nor in the present. When it came to background, the Zhuang family could not compare to the Ye family. When it came to the emperor’s favor, the Zhuang family’s two daughters did not have as much as her individually. Now, Imperial Concubine Zhao had suddenly appeared before their eyes, and Shuyi Ye gave her a closer look. She definitely eclipsed her sister in beauty. No wonder the emperor favored her more.

“Younger Sister Imperial Concubine Zhao need not be so courteous,” said Shurong Ye. A gentle smile graced her lips. A glance, and one would think her a gentle and friendly person. It made the beautiful Shuyi Ye by her side seem caustic in comparison.

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“Thanking Shurong Ye and Shuyi Ye,” said Zhuang Laoyan, straightening her back. Her gaze seemed to accidentally travel to Shurong Ye’s abdomen. This Shurong Ye appeared to be a healthy person. Yet after two months of pregnancy, why did she faint in front of the empress?

Although Zhuang Laoyan had never given birth to a child, she knew that one must be the most careful during the first three months of pregnancy. Shurong Ye wouldn’t be that stupid to break the news of her condition so early. To attract the gazes of the whole imperial harem to the fetus in her body. Who knew if her previous act of fainting was a coincidence or the result of someone’s ulterior motives?

“This palace is accompanying Elder Sister to take a stroll in the garden. Why don’t Younger Sister Imperial Concubine Zhao follow along?” said Shuyi Ye, looking at the gently smiling Shurong Ye, her brow arching.

“Originally, this concubine was not going to decline Your Highness’ invitation. However, today this concubine has matters to attend to. May the two Highnesses forgive this concubine.” Zhuang Laoyan did not want to provoke them. If something happened along the way, she would definitely be finished.

Shuyi sneered, appearing to have guessed Zhuang Laoyan’s thoughts. She lazily glanced at Zhuang Laoyan from the corner of her eye. “That’s fine. Since Imperial Concubine Zhao has matters to attend to, we will return first.” 

After catching Shuyi Ye’s gaze, Zhuang Laoyan thought the other woman was indeed beautiful. She watched until the two Ye family sisters were far off into the distance before she brought Tingzhu and Yunxi back to Taoyu Pavilion. Despite Shurong Ye’s pregnancy, it seemed as if Shuyi Ye was the dominant party in the two sisters’ relationship. Shurong Ye had less of an imposing manner.

Seeing that her master was bowing her head deep in thought, Yunxi thought she had been too angered by Shuyi Ye. The moment she was about to speak, Zhuang Laoyan beat her to the punch. “Shuyi Ye certainly is a beauty.”

Yunxi lowered her head. Silent.

Once they arrived at Taoyu Pavilion, Zhuang Laoyan sprawled on the couch, as if her body were devoid of a skeleton. She looked at the furnishes and decorations of Taoyu Pavilion. They seemed to be of a higher quality than the ones used during her first day after transmigrating. The food sent by the Imperial Kitchens were also of the best grade. It was evident that the imperial concubines who were not favored or were of a low rank had nothing.

Right after the noon meal had ended, Fubao rushed into the chamber. On his face, a thick coat of sweat. “Master, Her Highness, Shurong Ye has miscarried.”

“Miscarried?” Zhuang Laoyan had been taking a nap, and as such slowly opened her eyes after hearing Fubao’s words. “What happened?”

Fubao wiped the sweat off his face. “This slave heard from some palace maids that Shurong Ye and Shuyi Ye were taking a stroll through the garden. Who knew that when they arrived at a flight of stone stairs, Shuyi Ye would trip and fall together with Shurong Ye. Now the fetus… is gone. The empress and the other noble masters have rushed to Shurong Ye’s residence.”

Zhuang Laoyan rose to her feet. “We will also visit.”

“Master, a change of clothes…” Yunxi took in Zhuang Laoyan’s plain thin-waisted and pleated dress, her simple hair arrangement. And she couldn’t help but remind her master about her appearance.

Yet Tingzhu stopped Yunxi from speaking further, and with a smile, she said, “Yunxi, let’s go.”

Yunxi paused, then quietly followed suit.

Zhuang Laoyan was very satisfied with these two maidservants. She wasn’t afraid of a powerful enemy, but rather of allies that were as dumb as pigs. No matter how loyal a servant, if they were not quick-witted and could not watch their mouth, they would bring forth the death of their master. When it came to this, Tingzhu and Yunxi exceeded the barrier of approval.  

Shurong Ye’s residence was a bit far. It took a while before Zhuang Laoyan arrived, and when she did, many imperial concubines had already been standing around. Once she stepped through the door, she saw Shuyi Ye kneeling on the ground. Face as pale as a ghost. The empress sat on a chair, expressionless.

Zhuang Laoyan performed the full ceremony and the empress casually waved her hand. She moved to stand at the side, next to Imperial Concubine Wang and Virtuous Imperial Concubine Jiang. She had long since guessed that Shurong Ye wanted to protect her fetus, but would in the end fail to do so. However, it had happened earlier than she expected. In fact, it had even implicated Shuyi Ye. How strange.

Had Shuyi Ye tripped and accidentally bumped into her sister, or had it been on purpose? If it were the latter, then this method showcased a lack of intelligence. It wasn’t just this point that was unclear. The Ye family would also be discontent with Shuyi Ye if she had in fact purposely caused her sister’s miscarriage. Although she was beautiful, she wasn’t a brainless beauty. How could she have done this intentionally? 

“His Majesty has arrived,” announced an eunuch.

Oh no, now even the emperor joined the party. Now this show became even more lively. Yet, she had not once seen the empress dowager during her days in the imperial harem. Even when Shurong Ye had lost her fetus, she still had not seen the empress dowager. It appeared this old woman could keep calm even at the most excitable events.

The moment the emperor entered the room, all the imperial concubines performed the full ceremony of greeting. Even the previously sitting empress rose and performed the ceremony, before yielding the most noble seat to him. Then she chose a seat right beneath the emperor to sit.

Feng Jin stared at the kneeling Shuyi Ye, expressionless. “Shuyi Ye accidentally harmed a child of the direct imperial line. Owing to the fact that it was not intentional and that she had attended to Us well, today she will be demoted from a second-rank Shuyi to a fifth-rank Ronghua.”

Zhuang Laoyan saw that the moment Shuyi Ye heard the emperor’s words, she collapsed to her side on the ground, her body devoid of energy. As she had peeked at his face, she noticed that his expression remained neutral. Even his eyes did not contain any emotion.

In the emperor’s opinion, the women in the imperial harem only had two purposes. To warm the bed and to birth children. If the emperor did not want one of his tools to be pregnant or did not have much interest in one of his tools, that woman would have no hope in the imperial harem for the rest of her life.

The empress hesitated before saying, “Your Majesty, Shurong Ye no longer is with child and it seems like Shuyi Ye had not done so intentionally. This punishment is…”

“The empress needs not ask for her forgiveness.” Feng Jin did not spare the kneeling woman a look. “Do not call her Shuyi anymore. Ronghua Ye, you are dismissed.”

“This concubine… thanks Your Majesty for your generosity.” Ronghua Ye, face pale, swayed as she rose to her feet. Tears flowed down her prepossessing face. She seemed aware of the sneers and schadenfreude hidden in the other women’s gazes. But she was unwilling. Nor would she accept such a conclusion!

Ronghua Ye turned her gaze toward the inner chamber of Shurong Ye. She stood up straight. Curtsied. “This concubine will return.”

Zhuang Laoyan watched as Ronghua Ye’s figure shrank into the distance. Although she made to leave, this beauty still carried herself with a noble bearing. What a pity that she met an emperor that did not love her or make it a habit of pampering beautiful women.  

Feng Jin bestowed some gifts to Shurong Ye, before standing up to leave. Then he swept his gaze through the crowd of women in the room. And he suddenly pointed to a woman dressed to the nines. “Sixth-rank Liangyi Jin has acted inappropriately and will be demoted to the lowest rank of Gengyi.”

He stared frigidly at the kneeling and newly-appointed Gengyi Jin. “Our son is gone, yet you have the mood to dress up grandly. It is apparent that your heart is cold. We cannot use a woman like you.” He threw his sleeve and approached the exit, not sparing the rest of the women a glance. 

“This concubine thanks His Majesty!” said the imperial concubines, sending him off.

Zhuang Laoyan watched the prepossessing back of the emperor, lost in thought for a long period. Finally, she found the right word to describe him.

There was only one word that fitted the best. Scum! 

Power Ranks and Character Page

Here’s a chapter that’s three hours early!

Man, our girl ZL is like a hound for disaster. Her spider senses were tingling when Shuyi Ye invited her to stroll with them.

Also, really seems someone set up Shuyi Ye and is killing two bird with one stone.

There will be a sponsor chapter this month, which may or may not be done and released next week.

THIS CHAPTER UPLOAD FIRST AT NOVELBIN.COM