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

Chapter 82: Chapter 67: Glory for the Family

Anyone who was anyone in the harem knew that Jiang Xian was making waves again.

Most of the concubines were daughters of high-ranking officials, and their fathers and brothers all prided themselves on receiving a loose-leaf notebook bestowed by the Emperor. Some even sent messages into the palace, asking if they could get a few more from Noble Lady Gu. The younger members of their families were clamoring for them; whoever had a loose-leaf notebook was the coolest kid in the clan’s school.

Guo Cairen’s family was no exception. She was livid when she heard the news.

"They want me to go beg that Jiang woman for loose-leaf notebooks? In their dreams!"

In Zhongcui Palace, Guo Cairen spent some time venting to the personal maid she had brought with her, cursing Jiang Xian endlessly. The palace maid finally whispered a suggestion, "Perhaps your father wants you to use the notebooks as an excuse to repair your relationship with Noble Lady Gu and resume contact." Jiang Xian was in the Emperor’s favor right now; it was better to resolve an enmity than let it fester.

Guo Cairen sat in sullen silence for a moment before covering her face and bursting into bitter tears. "My father and brothers... they don’t care about my feelings at all!"

Thanks to the Emperor’s relentless flaunting, word spread that Jiang Xian’s creation had won the praise of the Six Ministries.

Not only that, but simpler versions of the loose-leaf notebooks were being rushed into production around the clock and distributed, starting with the most critical official posts. As a result, a new trend of one-upmanship swept through the court—

*You’re not yet using one of the loose-leaf notebooks made by Noble Lady Gu?*

*Then I guess your work isn’t very important to the court and the country, is it?*

And then there were the royal, VIP-deluxe loose-leaf notebooks used by the Emperor’s inner circle. Those were true status symbols, proof of the Emperor’s favor and trust. Wearing the yellow jacket bestowed by the Emperor was a bit too ostentatious, but pulling out a glittering, special-edition loose-leaf notebook during office hours would instantly make your colleagues green with envy.

Those who had a loose-leaf notebook flaunted it everywhere, while those without could only watch with longing eyes as others paraded by.

However, production capabilities in ancient times were limited. Even though the Emperor knew this was a good thing and ordered a rush on production, there weren’t enough to go around to every official in the Capital. Ordinary merchants, unsure of the Emperor’s intentions, didn’t dare produce knockoffs for fear of incurring His Majesty’s wrath. Thus, in the eyes of many madams and young ladies, the loose-leaf notebook became the stuff of legend.

In the past, there had only been one legend in the Emperor’s harem: Noble Princess Consort Rong.

After every group event, it was as if everyone received a press release about how Lady Rong had outshone the entire assembly.

This time, however, the star of the legend had changed. It was now Noble Lady Gu, a woman of both beauty and talent.

At first, the ladies were a bit baffled. "Noble Lady Gu? You mean the one who danced like a celestial fairy last time?"

"That’s the one. She’s the one who introduced the loose-leaf notebook. Some say it’s a treasure passed down from her father and brothers. In any case, all the important officials at court are using them now. My husband got one the day before yesterday."

"Mine too. He treasures it so much he won’t even let his own son touch it."

The madams whose husbands hadn’t received a loose-leaf notebook could only fall shamefacedly silent.

In their social circles, it was all about the prestige of keeping up; if someone else had something, you had to have it too. So, someone had an idea. Since Noble Lady Gu had presented the item, her family surely had some as well. If they were to get in touch with her family and ask for one or two, it wouldn’t count as making a copy.

"And you think you’re the only one who thought of that? Noble Lady Gu’s family doesn’t live in the Capital. They’re in Meize County."

*Meize County... Where was that again?*

The crowd racked their brains, but no one could recall which remote backwater it was. To think such a place could produce a favored concubine—their ancestral graves must be pouring out green smoke.

So, what was the Jiang family, blessed with such incredible ancestral fortune, up to at this very moment?

The Emperor could be remarkably thorough when showing his favor. Not only did he send commendations and rewards to Meize County, but he also promoted Jiang Xian’s father.

News traveled incredibly slowly to Meize County. They hadn’t even finished celebrating their daughter’s promotion to Changzai when the imperial edict announcing her father’s own promotion arrived.

Jiang Xian’s stepmother wept with joy. "This is wonderful! Xian’er is doing so well in the palace! She was just promoted to Noble Lady, and now, Husband, the Emperor has promoted you as well..."

"..."

Father Jiang interrupted, "Hold on. That’s not what my promotion is called."