Chapter 215 - 186: Who Fainted?

Gu Zhaoyi’s trip to Changle Palace lasted quite a long time.

’After all, a physical version of a slideshow is nowhere near as convenient as a modern PowerPoint presentation, and it’s quite tiring on the arms.’ During a break, Jiang Xian thought, ’If I have to do this every day, my biceps are going to get unintentionally ripped.’

Although the Empress Dowager pitied her, she didn’t go easy on her when it came to palace affairs.

If Gu Zhaoyi had revealed any flaws or handled things inadequately, the Empress Dowager might not have blamed her, but she would have been disappointed.

Among all the ladies from aristocratic families in the harem, Gu Zhaoyi’s background was one of the lowliest. She was also raised by a stepmother—how much could she possibly know about managing a household? The harem’s accounts were numerous and complex, bound by heavy precedent, leaving no room for error. Even the Empress candidate she had personally chosen had fallen ill from the heavy burden of palace duties, suffering from constant headaches and remaining unable to conceive for a long time.

Both the Emperor and Empress were fond of entrusting Gu Zhaoyi with important tasks, but the Empress Dowager had her doubts.

But true gold fears no fire.

"I tested her harshly this time, and it truly revealed her capabilities." The Empress Dowager had Jiang Xian stay for a meal as a sign of favor. First, however, she had Nanny Yulan help her back to her inner chambers to change her clothes and touch up her lipstick. "What’s truly rare is that she is completely selfless."

If she were capable and shrewd but also power-hungry and corrupt—deliberately concealing facts and falsifying accounts for personal gain—the Empress Dowager had plenty of ways to handle her and make her spit out every bit of profit she had swallowed. But Gu Zhaoyi’s report was completely transparent, matching what the Empress Dowager’s own spies had privately observed down to the last detail. The woman was honest and dedicated to her work. In the imperial court, she would have been the very model of a loyal minister. This was what made the Empress Dowager feel a pang of guilt, as if she had wronged this good child.

"Your Majesty has the eyes of a hawk. How would Gu Zhaoyi dare play tricks in front of you?" Nanny Yulan said with a smile.

"Oh, there are plenty of young ladies who dare to play tricks in front of me."

The Empress Dowager smiled faintly, the name of Consort Ji floating into her mind.

As for Consort Ji’s face...

It wasn’t that the Empress Dowager was cold and heartless. The newly arrived Concubines were not yet of a high enough rank to be granted an audience to pay their respects, so she didn’t even know what Consort Ji looked like.

"Every time I see her, I’m reminded of how she shielded me without a moment’s hesitation."

The Empress Dowager sighed softly.

"I was about to suggest that if Your Majesty is fond of her, you could summon Gu Zhaoyi more often. But now that you mention it, perhaps that’s not a good idea."

"Why is that?"

"After the assassination attempt, Your Majesty tossed and turned for several nights, unable to sleep. If seeing Gu Zhaoyi reminds you of the incident every time, then that is her fault." Nanny Yulan deliberately phrased it harshly. As expected, the Empress Dowager immediately retorted, "That wasn’t Gu Zhaoyi’s fault at all! Though I am reminded of the attack, seeing her face actually puts me at ease."

Having said this, the Empress Dowager came to a decision.

When she went back out to dine with Jiang Xian, the Empress Dowager granted her a special favor—

She allowed her to personally serve her food.

That’s right. Allowing a concubine to wait on her was, in itself, an act of bestowing grace.

Other concubines wouldn’t even have the honor of being able to show their filial piety to the Empress Dowager. Even one as esteemed as the Noble Consort was, in the Empress Dowager’s eyes, just a concubine who didn’t quite suit her tastes—unlike Gu Zhaoyi, whom she considered a good child she had taken a liking to. In response to this favor, Jiang Xian showed no sign of being overwhelmed. She calmly and composedly served the Empress Dowager, observing her subtle expressions to determine which dishes to pick for her.

’Serving the Empress Dowager is so much easier than entertaining clients back in the day. At least I don’t have to chug glass after glass of alcohol.’

By the end of the meal, the Empress Dowager was even more pleased with Gu Zhaoyi.

Not many people had dared to try and make an impression on the Empress Dowager lately. As one person gained points, another would lose them. Summoning Gu Zhaoyi today had been a random, spontaneous decision. In her effort to properly handle the task the Empress had given her, Gu Zhaoyi had worked herself to the point of looking pale, yet she still forced herself to insist she "could eat," implying she was fine... Whether she was fine or not, whether her complexion was good or bad—the Empress Dowager had eyes. She could see for herself.

When Jiang Xian left Changle Palace, she took the west side gate near the garden. It was the fastest way back to Bihua Palace. But just as she passed through the second gate, Cian Gate, she ran into a familiar face.

"My, so Your Ladyship came this way,"

Liang Yuyin was craning his neck, waiting. His eyes lit up when he saw Jiang Xian. "The Emperor is over there, waiting for you, Your Ladyship."

Hearing that the Emperor had come for her, Jiang Xian nodded. "I’ll trouble you to lead the way, then, Eunuch."

"Your Ladyship is too kind! It is my honor!"

Beaming, Liang Yuyin explained the whole story.

It turned out that when the Emperor learned the Empress Dowager had summoned Jiang Xian—and that she had brought two junior eunuchs to carry something—he grew worried that something might have happened at Changle Palace and couldn’t put his mind at ease. However, foreign envoys happened to be visiting the palace, and he had to deal with them before he could free himself up. The moment the envoys left, he made a beeline for Changle Palace.

But the Emperor was also afraid that if he barged in, he might cause his Mother Empress to become displeased with Xian’er.

Caught in a dilemma, he could only wait outside. That way, if there was any major commotion, he could be there to protect her in time.

Changle Palace has multiple paths, so the Emperor had Liang Yuyin watch another one to intercept her and bring her to him.

Jiang Xian couldn’t help but laugh. "The Emperor worries far too much."

"Your Ladyship is the person His Majesty holds dearest. No amount of caution is too much."

Liang Yuyin kept a placating smile on his face, but he secretly thought that Lady Zhaoyi was absolutely right.

’Never mind what a thorough and clever person Gu Zhaoyi is. More importantly, she saved the Empress Dowager’s life. As long as she doesn’t point at the Empress Dowager’s nose and call her an old hag, no matter how displeased she gets, she’s not going to torture her.’

But even he, a man who had been castrated, understood the principle that "concern leads to confusion."

Because she was the one he cherished most, even the slightest breeze could stir his emotions. It made him see her as fragile and vulnerable, someone everyone would misunderstand and bully. If he wasn’t careful, she would suffer injustices where he couldn’t see.

After passing a gable wall, they saw the bright yellow figure in the distance. Liang Yuyin tactfully withdrew, his mission accomplished.

Xie Che called her name. She answered with a radiant smile and fluttered into his arms like a butterfly.

The area around Changle Palace was clearly not the place for a romantic chat. The two spoke as they walked. Xie Che looked her up and down, making sure she had emerged from his Mother Empress’s palace completely unscathed before asking what had happened inside and why she looked so pale. "Did Mother Empress punish you?"

Jiang Xian quickly denied it and told him everything that had happened in Changle Palace.

"Since you’re so tired, you should worry about fewer things."

Xie Che mentally flipped through the list of his concubines, trying to find someone capable so that his Xian’er wouldn’t always be so exhausted.

’Let’s see... Princess Consort Zhang is quite good.’

’She’s capable and well-behaved, just not very proactive.’

"This task is an honor the Empress bestowed upon me. If you, Your Majesty, decide to take it away, wouldn’t that just confirm the rumors that I have fallen out of favor?"

"When did rumors about you falling out of favor start spreading in the palace?"

Xie Che frowned.

’But there aren’t any,’ Liang Yuyin also thought to himself.

But then he saw Lady Zhaoyi lean bonelessly against the Emperor, her strong demeanor from Changle Palace gone, replaced by a pitiful air as she began to air her grievances. "I have done so much, yet I receive no reward. I fear that in the eyes of others, I’m not even as worthy as the one who fainted."

’When it comes to men, you can’t skip the part where you act cute and play the damsel.’

However, the clueless man just looked confused. "Who fainted?"