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

Chapter 26: Chapter 26: This Servant’s Passionate Blood

[Name]: Warm Baby

[Type]: Single-use Consumable

[Function]: After purchase, a designated 13x10 area on the host’s body will generate heat for eight hours.

[Note]: Item requisitioned from the Wilderness Survival System. They found it strange—don’t palaces have charcoal fires?

13x10 was the standard size for commercially available heat packs.

Since it was a consumable, it only cost 20 points, which Jiang Xian could afford.

The newly listed Halo Type items were more expensive, costing 2,000 points each—twice the price of the Fan Filter.

[Name]: Resist Extreme Cold

[Type]: Halo Type

[Function]: When this halo is active, the host’s body temperature will ignore the external temperature and automatically regulate to a comfortable, normal level. (The host can consciously raise the temperature of specific limbs to achieve a sterilizing effect. Please use this function with caution.)

[Note]: A basic halo requisitioned from the Apocalypse Stockpiling System.

Jiang Xian asked, "Why is a basic halo so expensive? The Fan Filter only sells for 1,000 points."

The system’s explanation was that because both items were transferred from other departments, there were middlemen taking a cut. Data postage and other fees had to be considered, and the other party needed to make a profit. "The Farming System previously requested the [Good Pregnancy Pill] and the [Multi-Child Pill] from our Palace Fighting System. Even in a harsh survival environment, they never forget to procreate. Such dedication is truly admirable."

Snowflakes landed on Jiang Xian’s eyelashes, and a chill seeped into her heart. ’Maybe they weren’t using it on themselves,’ she thought.

System: "?"

Jiang Xian: "Farming goes hand-in-hand with animal husbandry. They probably used the [Multi-Child Pill] on their chickens, pigs, and cows. Wouldn’t that be a massive profit in terms of rations?"

System: "..."

System: "!!!!!"

The system was utterly shocked.

After careful consideration, Jiang Xian ultimately chose the more expensive warming halo.

The Warm Baby was cheap, but it was still a consumable with a small heating area. Even if it could warm her up by being placed on vital spots, having one part of her body cold and another hot could easily lead to illness. The winters in the harem were long; she was sure she would make back her investment soon enough.

She had another consideration as well.

With the weather so cold, she would become a genuine "warm, fragrant, and soft-as-jade" beauty. Wouldn’t the Emperor dote on her even more?

[You have successfully activated the Resist Extreme Cold Halo.]

After activating the halo, Jiang Xian felt a warmth spread through her body, and she gradually came back to life. Despite the heavy snow, it felt as comfortable as soaking in a warm pool. With her body at ease, she was now in the mood to appreciate the scenery.

By now, her shoes were half-buried in snow, and snowflakes had collected on her hair and shoulders.

Not far away, a little eunuch from Zhaoyang Palace was staring intently at her, likely waiting for her to lose her composure from the cold so he could report her mistake. But to his surprise, she simply stood calmly before the gate, her expression perfectly serene.

She stood there for a full hour before Qiu Yun finally came out to announce that she could enter.

Having left her to stand in the snow for an hour, Noble Princess Consort Rong eagerly anticipated seeing that bright, beautiful face looking wretched and haggard from the ordeal. Even a celestial fairy would have a pale face and white lips after freezing in the snow for so long.

However, when Shu Changzai stepped inside, her complexion was surprisingly rosy.

Jiang Xian’s curtsy to the two of them was also deft, showing no signs of being frozen stiff.

Noble Princess Consort Rong glanced at the little eunuch, who shook his head in terror. She frowned imperceptibly. ’To stand so properly in the snow for an hour and still have such a good complexion!’

"You may rise."

Ma Wan Yi, understanding her superior’s intent, eagerly asked on the Noble Consort’s behalf, "Isn’t it cold outside? It’s my fault, really. I was so busy pestering our Sister-in-law for advice that I forgot Shu Changzai had arrived."

How could it not be cold on a snowy day like this?

Fortunately, Jiang Xian had worked enough part-time jobs that required feigning enthusiasm to be a professional at it. She immediately put on an expression of utmost loyalty and declared in a clear voice, "This concubine received your summons this morning and would drink ice water this evening, for I am burning with fervor within!"

This line was an allusion to Zhuangzi. The original quote is, "This morning I received my orders, and this evening I must drink ice-water; is it not because I am burning with anxiety within?" It expresses the inner torment and dread one feels after receiving a command, while also showing the importance placed on the superior’s order.

It would be against etiquette to refer to oneself as "I" (吾) in front of a high-ranking concubine, which is why Jiang Xian had slightly altered the quote.

Concubines rarely spoke to one another with such resounding force; their speech was usually soft and delicate.

Ma Wan Yi was stunned.

She loved to show off her literary knowledge, but her learning was superficial, so she didn’t recognize the quote’s origin. "I was just wondering if Shu Changzai wasn’t cold after waiting outside for so long? Looking at you, the snow on you has melted on your way in."

As she walked through the door, Jiang Xian had activated her warming halo to melt the snow on her shoulders and head.

The melted snow dripped onto the floor.

Jiang Xian smiled. "It’s all because of this concubine’s burning passion!"

When it came to spouting utter nonsense with a straight face, she was a professional.

The last time she was before the Noble Consort, she had spoken with a cutesy, high-pitched voice and earned the evaluation of being a "seductress."

Today, she had arrived with light makeup and spoken with resounding conviction, dealing the Noble Consort a second shock.

If the Noble Consort were to ask again, she had another line ready—

Ten years of drinking ice can hardly cool this passionate blood!

After her initial shock and suspicion passed, Noble Princess Consort Rong realized Jiang Xian was just talking nonsense. Her face darkened, and she beckoned. "You, come here. Let this consort have a good look at you."

Jiang Xian obediently stepped forward, discreetly turning her halo’s temperature to the maximum setting.

Half-believing, half-doubting, Noble Princess Consort Rong reached out to touch her cheek. The next moment, she cried out and snatched her hand back, burned. "Wh-what’s going on! Why is it so hot!"

"Passionate blood,"

Jiang Xian’s eyes were bright and full of spirit. "This concubine already said so. It is my passionate blood."