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

Chapter 43: Chapter 40: The Various Faces After the Banquet (Part 2)

Was it the Jiang family’s excellent upbringing, or was she just a natural talent?

Princess Consort Zhang’s guesses were both wrong.

The truth was, Jiang Xian had long been beaten down by society, forging a will of iron. After all, at business functions, you meet all sorts of bizarre clients. In the workplace, a boss might suddenly get a whim to single you out for praise in front of a team of dozens, making you a target of jealousy.

She was all too experienced in how to act in such situations.

It was nothing more than practiced skill.

Behind the Noble Lady who remained unruffled by favor or disgrace was a working stiff tempered by a thousand trials.

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Gossip is human nature.

Today was the Emperor’s birthday, but after the banquet ended, the center of conversation wasn’t the Emperor, but his Immortal Concubine.

Some people even wondered, ’What kind of sorceress is this?’

’To be so stunningly beautiful and to have such a divine dance.’

The ancients’ understanding of physics was not on par with modern times. Literati and scholars knew of grand principles and understood the intricacies of officialdom, but just how light a woman could truly be... that they did not know, nor could they definitively say it was humanly impossible.

Weren’t street performers also capable of many incredible feats?

The layman watches for the spectacle, while the expert looks for the technique.

Besides, she was the Emperor’s woman. Anything associated with the Royal Family was tinged with a mysterious aura—this was the power of imperial authority.

What’s more, Jiang Xian’s bearing was not that of a temptress.

She was modestly dressed and wasn’t trying to seduce anyone. She was just so beautiful that anyone who saw her had to admit it.

It was improper to say too much, as one shouldn’t comment on the appearance of the Heavenly Family’s Concubines. After leaving the palace gates, the most common sigh heard was: "Today was truly worth it. I have no regrets in this life."

"To gain favor so soon after entering the palace—who wouldn’t love that?"

The gossiper was quickly shot a glare. "Watch your mouth! Is that something you should be discussing? We’ll talk when we’re back home! Sigh..."

Those fond of Dancing Girls already felt that the beautiful concubines in their own manors were no longer appealing.

The people back in her hometown of Meize County were still celebrating Jiang Xian being made Shu Changzai, but in the Capital, Noble Lady Gu’s fame had already spread far and wide, taking on a legendary quality. Poems and songs began to circulate, many of which seemed to describe a goddess. A number of these later reached the Emperor’s ears. Having been raised to be supremely confident, he merely smiled, not minding at all. In fact, he thought everyone was quite right.

’Noble Lady Gu does have a rather ethereal air about her.’

’Perhaps she is a Moon Palace Fairy bestowed upon Us by the heavens.’

’Their praise is correct. Praise her more. We enjoy hearing it.’

Of course, that came later.

No matter how stunned the Emperor was by Jiang Xian’s dance, on an important day like his birthday, he still spent the night at the Empress’s Jianzhang Palace. This was to show the deep affection between the Emperor and Empress; no matter how much he liked Noble Lady Gu, he would not break decorum.

As for Noble Consort Rong, it was the first time she had ever breathed a sigh of relief over the Emperor staying the night at Jianzhang Palace.

If the Emperor had ignored protocol and summoned Jiang Xian to his bed...

...then the very heavens of the harem would have truly changed.

Noble Consort Rong could only pray that the Empress would not be blessed with the good fortune of conceiving an heir that night.

Meanwhile, in Jianzhang Palace, the Emperor and Empress changed their clothes and lay primly in bed.

The Emperor couldn’t help but think that if Jiang Xian were beside him now, she would surely be clinging to him, coquettishly begging for his favor. His mind drifted to Yizhu Pavilion as he spoke, "We promoted Noble Lady Gu today. What are the Empress’s thoughts on the matter?"

"Noble Lady Gu’s dance was exquisite. She must have put in a great deal of effort. The Emperor must have been moved, and that is why he promoted her." Queen Chu’s tone was placid as she embellished the Emperor’s motives. With her many years of understanding the Emperor, she guessed that he was feeling a little conflicted and regretful.

In truth, tonight’s promotion...

...was more like a die-hard fan getting swept up in the moment after an amazing, god-tier performance by their favorite idol and making an impulse purchase.

After the banquet ended, he thought about it and realized he might have overdone it.

But the promotion was made, and there was no taking it back. The Emperor does not reverse his decrees.

The Emperor grunted in agreement. "The Empress knows Us well."

He rolled over, thinking that since the Empress was so understanding, perhaps he ought to fulfill his husbandly duties. But then he saw the Empress warily pull the blanket higher. "Your Majesty, you have the morning court session tomorrow."

’She’s already comforted me and been so understanding... ’

’He can’t repay my kindness with cruelty!’

A large palace banquet was exhausting to begin with.

After Noble Consort Rong was stripped of her palace management duties, the Empress had to organize the entire event by herself. She was the event coordinator, the most exhausted person in the entire palace.

It was just like that internet rumor that wedding photographers often get to sleep with the bride or bridesmaids after the wedding—utterly absurd! Do you know how tiring it is to run an event? The people who make up such rumors have probably never worked a real day in their lives.

Emperor: ...

’The Empress is still as lazy as ever,’ the Emperor thought. ’We should have known.’

He froze, then lay back down and chuckled. "Actually, We are tired too."