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

Chapter 77: Chapter 62: Installing Surveillance in Zhaoyang Palace

Noble Princess Consort Rong’s upbringing had never taught her to hide her emotions.

She was the only daughter in her family. Ever since she was a child, the moment she scowled, every servant around her would tremble in fear, doing their utmost to please her. She laughed when happy and scowled when displeased; her bright, flower-like face was a picture of beauty even in anger. A spoiled child has no need to hide their feelings. Cunning and craft are for survival—for a better chance at it—but for someone born at the finish line, such skills are unnecessary.

It was only in the Emperor’s presence that she feigned a little restraint.

So when the concubines in Jianzhang Palace saw Noble Princess Consort Rong’s face fall, stung by the phrase "a heart full of passion," they couldn’t help but wonder:

’How could such a nonsensical phrase have angered the Noble Consort?’

’That Noble Lady Gu is really something else!’

"Noble Lady Gu, you certainly have a sharp tongue," Noble Princess Consort Rong sneered. "With so much energy, it’s no wonder you can serve both the Emperor and the Empress. Why don’t you come to Zhaoyang Palace and serve me next? My palace is in dire need of a clever, thoughtful girl to attend to me personally."

She had used this same tactic on Chen Daying before.

The ancients prized their pride and reputation. Once they entered the harem, they were all noble ladies. How could they be treated like common servants?

Besides, serving the Emperor and Empress was entirely different from serving a Noble Consort.

Jiang Xian’s role in Jianzhang Palace was more akin to that of a "Guest" from ancient times.

They were retainers, honorably kept by high officials and nobles to handle crucial affairs for their patrons—figures like the famous Lord Meng Chang and Xin Lingjun. Even the renowned assassin Jing Ke was a Guest of Prince Yan Dan. They were paid to handle important matters that required intellect, unlike common Palace Attendants who could be replaced at any time.

...

Hearing the Noble Consort’s attempt to sow discord, the Empress grew annoyed. But her reactions were always half a beat slow before noon, as if her soul were still in bed enjoying a second sleep. By the time she could speak, Jiang Xian’s cheerful voice had already rung through Jianzhang Palace once more. "I am flattered by Your Highness’s esteem, but no matter how energetic I am, I’m only human. I can’t be in three places at once. However, since Your Highness says Zhaoyang Palace is short on attendants—and for personal service, at that—how can we let that stand!?"

Gone was the soft, alluring tone Jiang Xian used with the Emperor. Now, every word was perfectly enunciated, delivered with dramatic cadence. "The Empress is benevolent, so I am sure she will consider the Noble Consort’s needs. I beseech the Empress to select a clever and pleasant palace maid for Sister-in-law and send her to serve in Zhaoyang Palace."

With that, she even rose to perform a full curtsy, kneeling on the floor.

Her propriety was almost excessive, milking the situation for all its dramatic potential.

Most of the concubines present were intelligent women, and they quickly realized: ’Noble Lady Gu is taking advantage of the situation to help the Empress plant a spy by the Noble Consort’s side—a personal attendant, at that!’

The Noble Consort had deliberately tried to humiliate Jiang Xian by demanding she serve her. But there were limits to humiliating a concubine of the Noble Lady rank. One could ask her to pour tea, but not to act as a menial palace maid. That would be too outrageous.

Jiang Xian had turned the tables, pushing Noble Princess Consort Rong into the very pit she had dug for her.

’So, you’re short on servants, are you?’

’The Empress can’t let that stand; she’ll have to send someone over immediately.’

’And this person couldn’t just do menial chores on the fringes of Zhaoyang Palace, because the Noble Consort herself had said she was short on someone for ’personal service’! With just a few words, Jiang Xian had handed the Empress a perfectly justifiable reason to install a ’security camera’ in Zhaoyang Palace.’

"I was unaware that Zhaoyang Palace was so short-staffed," the Empress, whose processing speed had finally caught up, said with a faint smile. "My dear Noble Consort, there’s no need to be so anxious. If you’re short on attendants, why would we trouble Noble Lady Gu? She is blessed with Holy Favor and accustomed to a delicate life; she’s hardly as nimble as a palace maid meticulously trained by the Imperial Household. As it happens, the Imperial Household has just sent over a new girl named Yixiu. I shall send her to attend to you personally. That should also stop you from coveting the other women in the harem. They are here to bear heirs for the Emperor, not to serve other concubines."

With that one-two punch of a speech, the matter was settled.

Noble Princess Consort Rong couldn’t very well say, "I’m not short on palace maids, I just want Noble Lady Gu to serve me."

Her snide remarks had turned into a weapon used against her. At the thought of the Empress’s spy being sent to Zhaoyang Palace, Noble Princess Consort Rong’s expression darkened several shades. And when the Empress summoned Yixiu, revealing a sweet and charming girl of seventeen, her fury blazed. "The Empress has said everything there is to say, so of course I have no objections! The hour is late. Forgive me, but I must take my leave!"

Before she left, two patches of red brighter than any rouge appeared on Noble Princess Consort Rong’s cheeks.

She was so angry her low blood pressure was probably cured on the spot.

Had it been Jiang Xian in the Empress’s seat, she would have stopped her, pressed the advantage, and thoroughly humiliated her in front of the entire harem. She would have re-established her own authority and made it clear to everyone who was the undisputed boss of the harem.

But the Empress’s face merely turned cool as she allowed her to leave.

"Oh dear..." Lu Ronghua said with unconcealed schadenfreude. "Look how red the Noble Consort’s face is. Noble Lady Gu must have really gotten under her skin. You know, you really should have been more mindful of her pride, Noble Lady Gu. Life in the palace can get very difficult when she has her sights set on you."

She was an old rival of the Noble Consort’s, but she only dared to make snide remarks behind her back, never to her face.

"Lu Ronghua, you misunderstand. The Noble Consort is of such high status, how could she possibly be angered by me?" Jiang Xian said with a grin, returning to her seat. "The reason she left with a red face is that she was moved by my ’heart full of passion.’ It was the shy blush of someone meeting a person they admire. I am but a mere Noble Lady, why would the Noble Consort bother with me? If she were making a list, you’d be much higher on it than I am, Lu Ronghua."

’If Noble Princess Consort Rong were to settle scores, my name would be far down the list.’

’The only reason she targeted me today was because I’ve allied with the Empress, who is her main rival.’

Lu Ronghua was speechless.

’A shy blush? How can Noble Lady Gu even say something like that with a straight face!’

If Noble Princess Consort Rong, who had left in a huff, knew she was being described as having a crush on Noble Lady Gu, she might just storm right back and smack her across the face.

※

「After Noble Princess Consort Rong left, the Empress quickly dismissed everyone.」

Jiang Xian left with Chen Daying.

Chen Daying said, "As your good friend, I feel I must give you a piece of advice."

"I’m listening."

"Okay, first of all, I’m not saying this out of jealousy. But secondly, getting into *that kind of relationship* with the Empress is too dangerous. I’m begging you to think twice."

Even Jiang Xian couldn’t help but stumble upon hearing such absurd words.

She turned to look at Chen Daying, who stared back with complete seriousness. It wasn’t a joke. Jiang Xian could only say, "I advise you to think less. Every time you think, disaster strikes... The Empress and I don’t have that kind of relationship. Our interactions are completely innocent."

※

「After the concubines left, the Empress had a whim to try living like Jiang Xian.」

She dismissed all but her most trusted attendants from the main hall, changed into simple, comfortable clothes, and began to clumsily imitate the dance Jiang Xian had performed the day before. To call it a dance was a stretch; it was really a simple fitness routine. But the Empress wasn’t foolish and had an excellent memory. She had watched Jiang Xian do it all afternoon, so she had learned it by sight.

Her eyes had learned the moves, but her body had not.

By evening, Jiang Xian heard the news that the Empress had fainted in Jianzhang Palace.