Beauty Zhou had not let go of the handkerchief that entwined her fingers from the moment she saw Zhang Chongyuan.
She was the most beautiful woman in Jiang City, and it was because of her beauty that she came from Jiang City to the Capital City to join Yan Xiu’s imperial harem. However, since entering the harem, she had been repeatedly disheartened.
Her prideful looks were not extraordinary within the harem.
But fortuitously, she was proficient in all the arts—musical instruments, chess, calligraphy, painting. She believed her temperament, talent, and appearance combined to have a special appeal that Yan Xiu would notice.
Yet when she saw Zhang Chongyuan in person, she suddenly realized she was mistaken.
There was someone in the palace whose aura, appearance, and even personality were similar to hers but surpassed them in every aspect. How could the Emperor notice what was special about her?
In recent days, she was further tormented by illness, bedridden and suffering, yet the Emperor had not once sought her out nor shown concern by sending her medicinal ingredients or tonics.
Beauty Zhou awaited day-long in Zilan Pavilion, longing to see the Emperor’s face, but alas it was increasingly unlikely.
Last time, Mingzhu discovered, while fetching medicine from the kitchen, that her medication hadn’t been prepared. Upon inquiry, it was revealed that the kitchen staff were busy cooking medicine for Zhang Chongyuan, forgetting hers.
Beauty Zhou thought, since all concubines are supposed to receive medication, why did the kitchen remember to timely prepare medicine for Zhang Chongyuan but forgot hers?
Is it not simply because Zhang Chongyuan holds a different rank and thus a different status in the Emperor’s heart?
Now, upon seeing Zhang Chongyuan, Beauty Zhou felt the breath she had kept in her heart somehow escape, and the words slipped from her mouth almost without thinking.
Zhang Chongyuan’s beautiful eyes lightly turned, sweeping across Beauty Zhou’s face indifferently, then retracting and gracefully lifting the teacup from the table, sipping the tea.
Delicious!
Zhang Chongyuan’s eyes lit up slightly, taking another sip.
Quickly, she drank more than half of the cup of tea.
"Lady,"
Ke Le watched, heart anxious, quietly reminded.
Zhang Chongyuan pursed her lips, placed the teacup back on the table, reverting to her cold and lofty demeanor.
Li Yuyu watching this scene: ...
Truly, there are no celestial beings here, just little fairies descended to enjoy earthly delights.
The words from Beauty Zhou were left unanswered by Zhang Chongyuan, making it awkward for anyone else to speak, and the resultant silence made her feel unbearably embarrassed.
"Lady Xiu’s grand celebration, I have prepared a modest gift; I see all the sisters have brought good things, why not let me take the lead?" Beauty Qing, Han Yiqing, warmly spoke, breaking the silence, gesturing for Shui Yun beside her to present the gifts.
Hua Yin took the gift and presented it for Li Yuyu to see.
It was a valuable white porcelain vase that looked somewhat like the one she used to smash Yan Zixuan before?
With Beauty Qing taking the lead, all concubines presented their congratulations, speaking words of praise, discreetly observing Li Xiurong seated at the head seat.
Li Yuyu felt her face stiffen once again.
Beauty Zhou sat for a long time, finally enduring until the time for her medication, she quickly rose and excused herself.
Once she left, Noble Lady Jing, Noble Lady Zhao, and several Talented Ladies also excused themselves, leaving only Beauty Qing and Zhang Chongyuan sitting in place.
Beauty Qing’s gaze swept across Zhang Chongyuan’s face, which would incite jealousy among women; though curious about why she had stayed, she wisely chose to excuse herself.
Finally, they left.
Li Yuyu’s back relaxed slightly, leaning against the back of the chair, raising her hand to rub her cheek.
"Lady Xiu,"
Sitting in a high-cold posture for a long time, Zhang Jiao Jiao, with beautiful eyes gazing at Li Yuyu, finally spoke.