Hustle Queen in the Harem: My Consort Won't Stop Grinding

Chapter 24: Chapter 24: The Noble Consort’s Invitation

Nanny Yusu only had one pair of hands and couldn’t stretch both women at once.

While Jiang Xian was being bent into a pretzel, Chen Daying watched from the side, aghast. "Is... is she really an instructor from the Inner Music Bureau? Not a chief from the Imperial Prison?"

These movements bore a striking resemblance to the "plank" punishment.

The "plank" was a form of punishment for palace maids. It involved stretching out one’s arms, bending at the waist, and grabbing one’s own feet with both hands.

From a distance, the person looked like they were folded in half.

He Xiang jumped in fright. "My lady, you must be careful what you say."

Chen Daying replied, "I am being careful."

As master and servant whispered, Nanny Yusu looked up with a dazzling smile. "Don’t worry, Miss Chen. This servant will be with you shortly to stretch out your muscles and bones."

Nanny Yusu’s words sounded like a death sentence from King Yan.

Chen Daying shook her head frantically. "No, no, that’s quite all right! I just came to see Sister Shu. There’s no need for me. I’m perfectly fine as I am."

"But..."

Nanny Yusu hesitated.

Her orders from Mr. Liang were to teach Shu Changzai; there was no mention of another concubine. But since Shu Changzai had asked for her to be taught as well, she had accepted the task. She never expected Chen Daying to be so unwilling.

"My status is far too low. I wouldn’t dare steal the spotlight from Sister Shu."

She was willing to sacrifice her pride to save her skin.

Jiang Xian was only human; she felt the pain of the stretching too. She said, "For the Longevity Festival, do you have a gift to present to the Emperor, Little Sister Chen?"

The question stumped Chen Daying.

It was infuriating. A concubine’s monthly silver was so meager, yet one couldn’t skimp on festival gifts.

Jiang Xian said, "If you perform for the Emperor, you don’t have to spend any silver."

Chen Daying gritted her teeth. "...I’ll do it! Nanny, please teach me!"

Faced with the choice between performing at the "company’s annual gala" or "spending a fortune to add yet another treasure to their boss’s already overflowing coffers," the two women from humble backgrounds made the same decision.

※

The Emperor did not summon anyone from Yizhu Pavilion, nor did he visit any of the other new arrivals to the palace. Instead, he went to Zhaoyang Palace to placate the Noble Consort.

This was because a secret memorial submitted that day concerned the Rong Family.

By showing favor to the Noble Consort, he could appease the Rong Family, which would prevent a great deal of trouble in the imperial court.

It was said in the harem that Noble Consort Rong was difficult to serve, but that wasn’t entirely true; sometimes, she was quite easy to please. Case in point: after the Emperor spent a single night in Zhaoyang Palace, a smile graced her dazzling face. The next day, she deliberately adorned her hair with a full array of jewels and pearls and set off for Jianzhang Palace to pay her morning respects, ready for a triumphant display.

Noble Consort Rong, spoiled by the Emperor’s favor, often feigned illness to skip her morning greetings; it was a common occurrence.

She was only this enthusiastic because she wanted to flaunt her favor.

But just as she had finished her elaborate makeup and her hair was perfectly styled, a message arrived from Jianzhang Palace: the Empress’s chronic headache had returned. She was unwell, and the morning’s greetings were canceled.

The Noble Consort’s smile froze on her face.

The palace maid, Fu Jin, who delivered the message, spoke with the utmost respect. "Her Majesty the Empress said that since the Lady often suffers from headaches and fevers when the weather changes, today would be a good opportunity to rest and recuperate."

When Noble Consort Rong used her absence from morning greetings as a show of defiance, the Empress never took it to heart.

’Sometimes, she even felt she shouldn’t assume the worst of people.’

’Perhaps the Noble Consort wasn’t being defiant; maybe she just didn’t want to get up early, just like her.’

’Sigh, who doesn’t want a day off!’

And so, this led to the considerate message delivered by the palace maid Fu Jin, which essentially meant: ’I really don’t feel like getting up today either. So whether you’re really sick or faking it, the boss is giving you all a day off. Go have fun!’

"...In that case, you may thank Her Majesty for her consideration on my behalf."

Noble Consort Rong ground out those words through clenched teeth.

’This hairstyle was so much trouble!’

’It was the latest fashion in the Capital, a style designed specifically for idle, wealthy ladies. The coiffing process alone took the better part of an hour. She had woken up extra early just to show off her new look to the sluts of the Six Palaces, only for the Empress to say there was no need to come—it was a holiday.’

After seeing the palace maid Fu Jin off, Noble Consort Rong sat down in a fury. "The Empress is always working against me! To think she’d pull a stunt like this! She must have seen that I served the Emperor last night and is burning with jealousy. That’s why she’s taken to her sickbed today, unable to get up... Receiving morning greetings from the Six Palaces is the Empress’s duty. If her health is this poor, it would be better if I were the Empress instead!"

The Noble Consort ran Zhaoyang Palace like a fortress; it was filled with her own people.

Speaking so brazenly had become a habit within the walls of Zhaoyang Palace.

The palace maid, Qiu Yun, lowered her head in agreement.

Across from her, however, Qiu Tang looked confused. ’But just yesterday, Her Ladyship was complaining that the Empress makes the Six Palaces pay respects every single day, as if she’s afraid everyone will forget she’s the Empress. How troublesome!’

’Today, she’s singing a different tune.’

She asked softly, "Since there is no need to go to Jianzhang Palace, would My Lady like to sleep a little longer? You must be tired from attending to the Emperor last night."

But Noble Consort Rong had no desire to sleep.

She closed her eyes, considering excuses to summon the other concubines to keep her company—and to show them how beautiful she looked. But the words that came to her lips were, "Bring Shu Changzai to me."

...

「Meanwhile」

Jiang Xian’s plans had also been thrown into disarray.

She couldn’t stand being idle; restlessness made her anxious.

So when Qiu Yun arrived at Yizhu Pavilion with a sour face and announced that the Lady had summoned her, Jiang Xian went along without hesitation. ’Even if a mountain of swords and a sea of fire lay ahead, a "worker bee" like her had nothing to fear.’