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

Chapter 65: Chapter 51: Demotion to Talented Woman

But lost in the heat of the moment, Guo Cairen heard nothing but the news that "the Emperor is at Yizhu Pavilion." With tears welling in her eyes, she stormed out of Zhongcui Palace and, eyes still red, marched to Yizhu Pavilion, only to be stopped by a eunuch at the main gate.

"My lady, the Emperor is inside, and Chen Daying is sick in bed. We are not receiving guests at this time..."

"I know the Emperor is inside! I demand to see the Emperor!"

Guo Cairen’s voice grew louder. Scowling, Liang Yuyin stormed out and kicked the gatekeeper eunuch. "You useless thing! Letting someone cause a ruckus out here! How are you doing your job!" Then, switching to a loathsome smile, he addressed Guo Cairen. "The Emperor is not seeing anyone at the moment. If Guo Cairen insists on shouting, then don’t blame me for resorting to more forceful measures."

"Mr. Liang, what do you intend to do to one of the Emperor’s Concubines?"

Guo Cairen glared at him, but her voice did indeed quiet down.

Liang Yuyin kept his beaming smile. "My lady, you exaggerate. Allow this servant to be blunt: if Guo Cairen disturbs His Majesty, my punishment would be a minor affair, but your rank... it might just be lowered yet again."

Startled, Guo Cairen finally shut her mouth.

But she was unwilling to leave just like that. She didn’t believe the Emperor would stay in Yizhu Pavilion for an entire day. She decided to imitate the lovelorn heroines from the storybooks and wait devotedly outside Yizhu Pavilion’s gate. When the Emperor came out, she would plead her case, and he would surely be moved by her devotion.

So she said:

"I won’t shout. I’ll just stand here and wait. Surely you can’t drive me away, Mr. Liang."

A cold glint flashed in Liang Yuyin’s eyes. He smiled and said, "Then please, Guo Cairen, suit yourself."

The Emperor, lost in amorous bliss within the main hall and oblivious to the world, was not disturbed. However, Chen Daying, who was laid up like a corpse in the side hall, did hear the commotion. She lifted her head. "What’s going on outside? I think I hear Consort Guo’s voice."

"I’ll go and ask."

He Xiang, who had been kneeling to serve her mistress, stood up.

But having knelt for so long, she grew dizzy as she stood up abruptly. She instinctively reached out for support, and her hand came to rest on Chen Daying’s knee.

He Xiang: "..."

Chen Daying: "..."

Mistress and servant stared at each other, speechless.

"If I said that wasn’t on purpose, would you believe me, my lady?"

"Just get out of here and go find out what’s happening outside!"

Eager to atone for her mistake, He Xiang scurried off. She soon saw Guo Cairen staring blankly at their main gate and immediately returned to the side hall. "My lady, Consort Guo is outside."

The two of them had been in the side hall, unaware that Consort Guo had already been demoted to Talented Woman.

"What is she doing here?"

"I don’t know. I just peeked my head out, and Consort Guo glared at me."

"So you just let her glare you away?"

"If it were you, my lady, would you dare to glare back?"

Chen Daying: "Ha. I wouldn’t dare."

The mistress and servant exchanged a glance, and Chen Daying continued, "Consort Guo must be here to see the Emperor. I should go out and lord my position over her a little. Help me outside."

She propped herself up with one hand on the bedframe, trying to get out of bed on her own.

Seeing this, He Xiang hurried forward to support her, urging, "My lady, you’re in this state already. Please don’t strain yourself. Just stay in bed and rest well!"

"He Xiang, chances to see Consort Guo looking so pathetic and miserable are few and far between." To her maid’s surprise, her mistress turned with a resolute glint in her eye. "Forget my crippled legs—even if I were paralyzed on this bed with only a single breath left in me, you would still have to carry me outside to laugh at Consort Guo!"

What a determined declaration!

Hearing such resounding words, He Xiang gave up trying to dissuade her and helped her mistress outside.

Guo Cairen was standing there stubbornly. Many eunuchs and palace maids were watching her, and she was already feeling humiliated. Then she saw Chen Daying, the very person she had forced to kneel, strolling out leisurely. Even though she walked with a limp, it couldn’t hide her gloating. "This servant greets Consort Guo."

Guo Cairen’s face turned green.

"Chen Daying," Liang Yuyin interjected as a reminder, "Just now, the Emperor issued a decree, demoting Consort Guo to the rank of Talented Woman. My lady is not at fault for not knowing, but do not make the same mistake again, or it will be considered an offense."

Chen Daying feigned great surprise. "Can such a doubly joyous occasion truly exist in this world!"

Guo Cairen’s face went from green to red.

Mr. Liang’s years of cultivated composure were nearly shattered by that remark.

"What do you mean by that, Chen Daying? Even if I’ve been demoted to Talented Woman, I am still of a higher rank than you."

Guo Cairen glared at her hatefully.

"Yes, Guo Cairen. Understood, Guo Cairen. So very noble, Guo Cairen."

Liang Yuyin glanced at Guo Cairen’s expression and thought, ’She’s about to lunge forward and viciously kick Chen Daying’s good leg.’

After a moment, Guo Cairen sneered:

"We adore the Emperor, but look at you, taking orders from a mere Noble Lady!"