In the deep of night, a new batch of porcelain was replaced in the Xian Concubine’s palace.
The palace maids carefully swept up the shards scattered all over the floor, not daring to glance at the Xian Concubine, whose face was so dark it seemed like water would drip from it.
Xian Concubine stood up and walked towards the bedchamber, gripping a silk handkerchief tightly, wishing she could scratch the Empress’s face apart. Twice, the Emperor promised to visit her, but ended up at the Empress’s place and never came. What virtue or talent does that lowly woman have to sit on the Empress’s position? She is unworthy!
...
The next morning, as per usual, the Emperor met with several ministers after the court session. After handling state affairs and approving memorials, he felt his neck ache a bit and decided he would look at some less urgent memorials later. He decided to take a walk in the Imperial Garden.
The Imperial Garden was still quite cool in the morning, and the Emperor decided to take a walk to relax, also because he would sometimes "accidentally" encounter the concubines adorned like flowers there, each showcasing her most beautiful side in hopes for a glance from him. He was aware of their intentions but chose not to point it out, silently enjoying the feeling.
At this time, Tianmiao was already in the Imperial Garden, fishing.
Sitting in a pavilion, there was a pile of food on the stone table inside, leisurely fishing.
Xian Concubine walked gracefully in the Imperial Garden. As the most favored concubine, of course, she knew the Emperor’s habits. Around this time, the Emperor would take a walk in the Imperial Garden. She specially wore a light green outfit, simply styled her hair into a bun, and pinned it with a magnolia hairpin, looking fresh and clean. The Emperor would undoubtedly like such attire.
Just as she turned a corner, she ran into another concubine, Mei Concubine.
Mei Concubine was a talented woman, especially skilled in painting. Her looks were cold and captivating, a stark contrast to the gentle and delicate Xian Concubine. Today, she also wore a light green dress, a color similar to Xian Concubine’s dress. The two met in the Imperial Garden, and Xian Concubine softly smiled as she stepped forward to greet her.
"Sister, are you also here to stroll in the Imperial Garden?" Xian Concubine said softly.
Mei Concubine glanced at Xian Concubine and said coldly, "You can stroll, but others can’t?" Mei Concubine had always looked down upon Xian Concubine, not just because they were both in competition, vying for the Emperor’s favor, but mainly because she was disgusted by Xian Concubine’s behavior and manners, finding them to be the epitome of pretentiousness. She couldn’t understand why the Emperor hadn’t noticed.
Xian Concubine glanced at the noble and cold-looking Mei Concubine, feeling disgust rise within her, wishing she could tear off that pretentious, high-and-mighty face. What’s with the aloofness?
Xian Concubine stopped talking and continued walking forward. The Emperor must have already arrived at the Imperial Garden.
Mei Concubine quickly followed. She wasn’t here to watch Xian Concubine’s pretentious display.
By this time, the Emperor indeed arrived at the Imperial Garden. He had already reached the pavilion and saw the Empress fishing.
"Empress, what are you doing?!" the Emperor shouted fiercely.
The palace maids in the pavilion kneeled and paid their respects.
Tianmiao lazily turned her head, looking at the Emperor, greeted him, "Oh, Emperor, you’re here too? Don’t you need to approve memorials?"
"Most of them have been approved..." the Emperor subconsciously answered and then regained his composure, his face darkening, "Empress, do you know what you’re doing? This is unbecoming!"
"Is there a rule in the ancestral system that forbids fishing in the Imperial Garden?" Tianmiao turned her head again, ignoring the Emperor and looked at the bobber on the water.