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Chapter 81

The hairpin was delivered to the empress’ palace, and the empress did not allow any news regarding this to spread. However, Xihe Palace received many rewards from the empress the next day.

Zhuang Laoyan gazed at the palace silk, pearls, jade artifacts, and precious medicinal ingredients that were presented to her, a smile on her lips. This time, the empress was truly enraged. Regardless of what the empress’ standpoint was, at the very least, her anger could not lose to Zhuang Laoyan’s in this matter.

The empress’ position was similar to hers. As such, there wouldn’t be that many problems for certain things.

“Your Highness, the Hanshi festival will arrive in a few days. This slave heard that there’ll be swings set up on that day, and dancers will perform swing dances…” The meaning behind Yunxi’s words was evident: she worried for Zhuang Laoyan.

Outside the palace, there were many activities to do during the Hanshi Festival. However, the women of the imperial harem could do none of these. They couldn’t take a spring hike outside, or play cuju. And it was even more embarrassing for them to discard their image and play tug-of-war. Thus, the swings during the Hanshi Festival was a good tactic for the imperial concubines to attract the emperor’s attention. At present, Zhuang Laoyan’s injury had yet to heal completely. Let’s not talk about swinging. One would fear she could not even kowtow and burn incense toward the direction of the imperial tomb.

“Appreciating an opera about half-immortals is also interesting. Why must I pretend to be one? “Zhuang Laoyan picked up a loquat fruit from a plate that had already been peeled and had its pit removed. Ate it. “On the swing, one can see the scenery unique to it. Off the swing, one can see the scenery unique to that as well.” 

Since the Hanshi Festival had the words “cold” and “food” in it, naturally, people must not eat hot food. Zhuang Laoyan woke up early in the morning and had a few pieces of cold pastries. Drank a few sips of juice the little personal kitchen had squeezed long ago. And she found the pastries somewhat greasy. After rinsing her mouth with water, she sat before a mirror and dressed and groomed herself.

Ever since she had been injured, Zhuang Laoyan had not gone to the empress’ palace. First, it was because she had lost a lot of blood. Second, it was because her head would ache should she move. She didn’t want to socialize with them, lest her head hurt.

Watching as Yunxi nimbly arranged her hair into a cross bun, Zhuang Laoyan yawned. Propped her chin with a hand in a lazy manner, until she felt something cold on her forehead. At that moment, she opened her eyes. Reflected in the mirror was a slender forehead ornament, and hanging right at the center of her brows was a ruby the size of pinky nail. It contrasted well with her fair skin, giving off a beauty that could not be put into words.  

Although she had dressed up beautifully today, it wasn’t to the point of garish. It truly matched her current status. At the very least, this was her first time in public after that case with the kite. It wouldn’t be suitable if she dressed up too impoverished or garish.

“There should be many masters at the imperial garden today. And the masters the emperor had reprimanded previously should attend as well.” Yunxi inserted a hairpin with golden thread winding along a pearl into Zhuang Laoyan’s hair, before withdrawing her hand. A smile on her lips, she curtsied. “Respectfully congratulating Your Highness for once again receiving honor and favor.”

Zhuang Laoyan picked up a jade bracelet. Slipped it on. Then she rose to her feet, smiling. “You have such a sweet mouth.”

As imperial concubines, they did not have the qualifications to burn incense and kowtow to the previous emperors alone. They could only line up by rank and do so together. Afterward came the event all the imperial concubines waited a long time for: the swings.

Zhuang Laoyan led Yunxi and Tingzhu to the imperial garden, using their hands for support. And she saw many imperial concubines swinging on the swings. Some were very bold. Some were very subdued. However, their beautiful clothes floated about, and they smiled, each one more beautiful than the last.

Sitting at the side, Zhuang Laoyan watched as all types of beautiful women flew in the air. And she could be considered content.

“Higher, a bit higher! It’s too low!”

The melodious voice coupled with the open laughter caused Zhuang Laoyan to look in that direction, curious. And it was a girl in a pink blouse and wrap-around skirt who was already swinging very high. Yet, she kept telling the servant pushing the swing to push harder. Zhuang Laoyan found her somewhat familiar.

“Your Highness, that is Cairen Hua,” said Yunxi, noticing Zhuang Laoyan’s expression. “You’ve met her in the past.”

“And I was wondering why she seemed so familiar,” said Zhuang Laoyan, still looking at the person in question. “She’s truly bold.”

To which Yunxi fell silent. However, she did not know what her master meant by “truly bold.”

Feng Jin arrived at the imperial garden together with the empress to admire the swing activities. From far away, he could make out the figure of someone swinging very high. “Who’s that?”

Gao Dezhong, who was following behind him, raised his head for a look. “Reporting to Your Majesty, that is Taoyu Pavilion’s Cairen Hua.”

“Taoyu Pavilion?” Feng Jin’s brows twitched. He wanted to say some more, but shifted his gaze, noticing a figure sitting in a corner alone. Today, the imperial garden was bustling with excitement and noise, and even Noble Consort Shu and Consort Ning were sitting on a swing each, swinging gently. Yet, Zhuang Laoyan merely sat at the side eating cold pastries and perhaps fruits.

It seemed the emperor had seen all the imperial concubines in the imperial garden. The court eunuch behind Gao Dezhong tactfully announced in a loud voice, “His Majesty has arrived.” At this moment, the imperial concubines on the swings quickly got off to curtsy and salute. And the Cairen Hua who had been swinging higher than the others took a bit more time to get down. As a result, she was more conspicuous than the other women.

Who wasn’t a sly fox in the imperial harem? Everyone knew that Cairen Hua’s flustered attitude was fake.

Feng Jin looked at the Hua Cairen kneeling before him, who was similar to a bunny. He stopped in his tracks. And then… he made a turn and carefully supported Zhuang Laoyan up. “Why has Beloved Concubine come out today? Although the sun is shining brightly, there’s still some wind. You must be more careful.”

“Responding to Your Majesty, this concubine is fine. This concubine has stayed indoors recently and has felt bored. Today is the Hanshi Festival. If this concubine still stays indoors, this concubine would quickly become a fool.”

“We think you haven’t gotten any smarter.” The emperor patted the back of her hand before releasing it. “Your injury hasn’t healed completely. Don’t get on the swings. Later on, there will be people performing swing dances. You’ll find them interesting.”

“Then this concubine will definitely have a watch later,” said Zhuang Laoyan, a smile blooming on her lips as she glanced at Cairen Hua. Following that, she followed the emperor to a stage framed with flowers at the side. Above it hung a swing, and placed all around were tables, chairs, fruits, and light refreshments.

She found a suitable seat. Sitting to her left was Zhaorong Xu, as usual. However, when she gave her another look, Zhuang Laoyan felt she seemed somewhat more thin and pallid. Apparently, it hadn’t been just rumors that Zhaorong Xu had fallen ill.

Sensing Zhuang Laoyan’s gaze, Zhaorong Xu gave her a glance, expressionless. Following that, she looked away in a cold manner.

“Elder Sister Zhaorong Xu’s complexion doesn’t seem too good. It rained two days ago. Did you catch a cold?” asked Zhuang Laoyan, smiling.

“Xianrong Zhao is overthinking. This palace is doing great.” An insincere smile on her face, Zhaorong Xu looked at Zhuang Laoyan. “You suffered a concussion and should take care of yourself well.”

Zhuang Laoyan had originally grown used to Zhaorong Xu’s delicateness and multi-talentedness. But all of a sudden, she had become normal. Zhuang Laoyan felt a bit out of sorts. But why did she suddenly change from being graceful and melancholic to her current appearance? 

It was at this moment that the swing dances started. A woman in red with a Flying Apsaras Bun stepped onto the stage in a graceful manner. After saluting to the audience, she climbed onto the swing. 

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As she swung higher and higher, the woman in red began to dance, her every movement beautiful. It truly made people forget that what she was doing was dangerous.

Amazed, Zhuang Laoyan watched this performance. Once the swing was high up in the air, the woman hooked her legs over the seat, hanging upside down in her descent. As the swing grew close to the ground, the woman flipped herself back to a normal position. And Zhuang Laoyan almost cried out in surprise.

“Ah!”

Zhuang Laoyan had not actually made a sound. But someone else did: the innocent and lovable Cairen Hua. As if realizing she had lost manners, she flushed red.

Cairen Hua didn’t know herself that she had laughed. Also though she hadn’t been loud, everyone had heard her.

How could there be any innocent and lovable people in the harem? This move of Cairen Hua couldn’t be considered anything good. Zhuang Laoyan shifted her gaze back to the dancer. She sighed with admiration and said, “Truly wonderful and dangerous at the same time. The performance gave me cold sweat.”

“This palace has long since guessed you would want to see this performance. And indeed, this palace was right.” The empress wasn’t that surprised with the dance. Every year, many performers would dance amazing dances. After so many years, there were few things that could bring her surprise.

“This concubine has let Your Majesty witness a joke.” Uneasy, Zhuang Laoyan coughed once. “Even Your Majesty the empress could tell that this concubine is fond of this swing dance. This concubine will give out some things. Reward them.”

“Xianrong Zhao is generous,” said Zhaorong Xu, looking at the closeness of Zhuang Laoyan and the empress with a cold eye. “Because you entered the palace late, you do not know that these swing dances aren’t actually that uncommon.”

“Your Highness entered the palace before this concubine, and naturally has experienced more things.” A smile on her lips, Zhuang Laoyan looked at the other party. “This concubine entered the palace later, so these sights are still rare for me.”

Before Zhaorong Xu could say what she wanted to say, Feng Jin, who sat at the seat of honor, said, “Since Xianrong Zhao has given rewards, We will add to it. Reward them!” 

Seeing this, the empress also participated.

At once, Zhaorong Xu paled. This move of the emperor was protecting Zhuang Laoyan.

“This concubine finds this swing dance thrilling. It truly is frightening.” Cairen Hua looked at Feng Jin in a timid manner, then quickly averted her gaze. “This concubine really worried whether the dancer would fall off.”

Cairen Yan, who sat to her side, glanced at her. Then she silently turned her gaze to the pastries.

What a good kindhearted and innocent Cairen Hua.

In an indifferent manner, Zhuang Laoyan glanced at Cairen Hua. “One must do what is required of one’s status. Although Cairen Hua is timid, you think too much.” Who’s she trying to show this innocent look to?

Hearing Zhuang Laoyan’s words, Feng Jin turned to Cairen Hua. A pause, and then he said, “Which palace does this low-ranking imperial concubine belong to? Truly lacking manners. What qualifications does she have to interrupt at this time?”

“Your Majesty, this is the newly-arrived Cairen Hua. Your honored self is busy every day, and probably does not remember,” said the empress with a smile.

“No wonder she is this rude, and actually dares to contradict Xianrong Zhao.” Feng Jin did not spare the pale Cairen Hua even a glance. “Remove her name tag from the selection. We won’t require her service ever in the future.”

Thus, Cairen Hua became another joke of the imperial harem. Zhuang Laoyan was happy that this person who copied her was thrown into the Cold Palace.

In the future, she would start to settle accounts with those other people.

Thank you to my patrons in December 2020: 

Michelle S., Naoimi N., Selena G., Amanda F., Larika J., sayyaaaaa, Rina, Badwolf, Briar, Asphalt F., Augustina O., Sab B., Junyahui, Kelly L., Jackie, Monique A., FL3xus, Kimberly, Pitcch, Belle R., Fiona, Eymee D., RongZhi, ash, Kathy Y., Amy Y., Nurjahan J., Sasainathaya, Eva J., Sam C., Dabi Y., David, Izzy, Abby, Seanerica J., Kayla K., Oyinkansola O., Shau X., Veronica S., AvalonAngel79, Elena P., Louise L., Joan O., Larenda, Vern W.,  Naz, Mikko C., Sheena F., Christigale M., Michael D., Irene H.,  Ji Y. S.  Joe C., guerin, Michelle, Maryam V., Michelle R., and last but not least Jennah S.! 

LMAO that Cairen Hua is finished before she even started. In case some of you have hazy memory (like me), she’s one of the three new arrivals that imitates our girl ZL.

I will try to update the Power Ranks and Character Page by the next release.

Chapter Supplement

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Fourteenth chapter of The Times Spent in Pretense is out! You can read it here.

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