Chapter 23- Combined Efforts

Names mentioned in this chapter (which can also be found in the glossary):

-廖青青(Liào qīngqīng)- Liao Qing Qing, the female lead. 

-曦嫔(xī pín)-Imperial Concubine Xi, Liao Qing Qing’s current designation

-景礼帝(jǐng lǐ ​​dì)- Emperor Jing Li, the male lead.

–梁贵妃(liáng guìfēi)- Noble Consort Liang

-廖贵人(Liào guìrén)- Noble Lady Liao, the female lead’s paternal elder cousin. 

–蒋贵人(Jiǎng guìrén)- Noble Lady Jiang, the female lead’s “best friend”

Current Ranking: Noble Consort Liang → Worthy Consort + Virtuous Consort → Imperial Concubine Xi →  Lady Li of Graceful Ceremony → Noble Lady Liao + Noble Lady Jiang

“Cough! Cough! Cough!” Emperor Jing Li couldn’t stop coughing.

Liao Qing Qing immediately stepped forward to pat Emperor Jing Li’s back.

“Cough! Cough! Cough!”

“Your Majesty,” Liao Qing Qing called with some urgency.

“Cough, cough, cough.”

“Your Majesty, are you alright?”

Emperor Jing Li’s handsome face turned slightly red.

He instantly pulled himself together and reached out to haltLiao Qing Qing’s movements.

Once he thought of Liao Qing Qing’s words, his throat tickled again.

His eyes turned to look at Liao Qing Qing.

With a concerned expression, Liao Qing Qing asked, “Your Majesty, how are you feeling?”

Emperor Jing Li stared unblinkingly at Liao Qing Qing.

Liao Qing Qing asked, “Your Majesty, are you alright?”

“What do you think?” Emperor Jing Li asked in response.

“….”

“You are getting increasingly bolder as I[1] dote on you and would dare to say anything.” Emperor Jing Li’s face returned to normal. As he looked at Liao Qing Qing’s fair and beautiful appearance, he suddenly leaned over closer to Liao Qing Qing’s ears. He lowered his voice and it became somewhat raspy. He asked, “Beloved Concubine wants to copulate with me?”

The hot breath twirled in her ears.

Liao Qing Qing experienced an unfamiliar numbing feeling from head to toe.

Her heartbeat involuntarily picked up and her brain turned slightly sluggish.

She subconsciously turned her head to look.

She happened to meet Emperor Jing Li’s gaze that was as deep as water and didn’t dare to make a sound.

Emperor Jing Li’s face darkened and asked, “Do you think I am incapable?”

Liao Qing Qing suddenly realised that she had said the wrong thing. She hastily explained, “Your Majesty, this imperial concubine[2] doesn’t mean that. This imperial concubine—”

“That’s what you meant.”

“No.”

“It is.”

“It really isn’t.”

“I was poisoned before,” Emperor Jing Li suddenly said.

“???”

When Liao Qing Qing heard that, she staggered and looked at Emperor Jing Li in shock.

Emperor Jing Li said, “The Emperor is not omnipotent. When I first ascended the throne, the state of affairs was unstable. I was also a bit eager to get what I wanted, and offended many influential people. Openly and covertly, many people were hoping to replace me. That was when I was poisoned.”

“….” No wonder. No wonder, you are impotent.

“They thought that I would be defeated and die. Hmph, a bunch of disorderly good-for-nothing. I just want to live well and create a Great Wei Dynasty where all things will prosper! Let the children and others kneel down and worship!”

“Your Majesty is wise!” Liao Qing Qing quickly patted the horse’s butt.[3]

“I also want to have a litter of imperial sons and daughters!”

“???” Your Majesty, you don’t have this ability.

“Each one is one in a million! Like me!”

“???” Your Majesty, you are impotent. How can you still have the nerve to brag about supporting the sky as a single pillar?[4] The corners of Liao Qing Qing’s mouth twitched a few times.

Emperor Jing Li looked at Liao Qing Qing.

Liao Qing Qing, “???”

Emperor Jing Li held Liao Qing Qing’s hand and said, “Beloved Concubine, don’t worry. Very soon, I will be able to confer special favour to you.”

“???”

“I am happy to know that you have this in mind for me.”

“???”

“Alright. Pour water for me again.”

Liao Qing Qing poured water for Emperor Jing Li.

Emperor Jing Li was still smiling. He continued, “In the future, there is no need to be overly tolerant of Noble Consort Liang, nor do you have to fear the other imperial concubines. If anything happens, I will clean up the mess for you.”

“…”

“Do you understand?” Emperor Jing Li asked.

“This imperial concubine understands.”

“Are you going to copy the scriptures?”

Only then did Liao Qing Qing remember her tasks.

Emperor Jing Li said, “Bring it over and copy it.”

“Yes.”

Liao Qing Qing did exactly as Emperor Jing Li commanded. Then sat next to Emperor Jing Li and began to copy the scriptures. Her mind was all filled with what Emperor Jing Li had just said.

Favoured concubine?

To be more arrogant?

Poisoned?

Don’t be anxious?

She watched television dramas, in which the Emperor would feel his head hurt because of the harem intrigues in the imperial harem. He also had a “I didn’t think that a certain consort is this kind of person”. Why is Emperor Jing Li so clear about this?

His harem intrigue abilities to the max!

And poisoned?

Emperor Jing Li was poisoned?

Isn’t this kind of thing a state secret?

How could Emperor Jing Li say it so easily?

It’s incredible!

It is said that it is difficult to guess the thoughts of a ruler. That’s exactly how it is! Emperor Jing Li is imposing and reliable at times; while childish and crazy at other times.

Just now, it was clearly a script for two people.

In the end, it became Emperor Jing Li’s one-man show.

And she?

She became the backdrop!

She looked straight at Emperor Jing Li and froze.

Emperor Jing Li looked over, reached out his hand to pinch Liao Qing Qing’s nose. Liao Qing Qing instantly returned to her senses and slapped Emperor Jing Li’s hand aside. Emperor Jing Li said, “What kind of daze are you in? Why don’t you quickly copy this? If you can’t finish copying this, Noble Consort Liang will really punish you. I won’t help you.”

Liao Qing Qing looked towards the table next to her.

F*ck!

Why is it still a pile of scriptures?

Emperor Jing Li said, “Copy it twice.”

Liao Qing Qing wanted to curse.

Emperor Jing Li laughed.

Liao Qing Qing hurriedly called for He Xiang to grind the ink and went into scripture copying mode.

She thought that she could casually write and finished copying it once Emperor Jing Li had intervened.

But she didn’t expect there would be so much more?!

If Emperor Jing Li didn’t intervene, wouldn’t she die a miserable death?

She didn’t dare to slack off and diligently copied the scriptures every day.

Probably because Emperor Jing Li had given every imperial concubine, including Noble Consort Liang, something to do; therefore, the imperial harem had been quite peaceful recently. Liao Qing Qing paid her respects, copied scriptures, ate, planted vegetables, and copied scriptures again every day.

In addition, Emperor Jing Li came over every day to eat, chat and “sleep”. She lived a very fulfilling day.

She was really living like she was preparing for the college entrance examinations.

Finally, it was the Double Ninth Festival. Liao Qing Qing was still copying by candlelight at night. Tomorrow, she was going to turn in the scriptures, and she wasn’t done.

F*ck!

Writing with a brush is really dragging the process too much.

Emperor Jing Li lounged on a soft couch. He twirled a piece of Liao Qing Qing’s “masterpiece”. He looked at it and said leisurely, “Beloved Concubine’s writing is getting increasingly better.”

Liao Qing Qing, “…”

“It seems that you still have to write more.”

“…”

“Beloved Concubine, it’s getting late. Let’s rest.”

“No.”

“Why?”

“This imperial concubine is going to submit to Noble Consort Liang tomorrow. This imperial concubine hasn’t finished copying it.”

“There’s still quite a lot left. You won’t be able to finish copying it.”

""

“….”

“You can finish copying if you eat one less snack.”

“….” Is that in a human language?

“Looks like you’re going to be punished.”

“???” Liao Qing Qing stopped writing and looked at Emperor Jing Li.

“Why are you looking at me?”

“Your Majesty, you don’t seem too busy today.”

“What does Beloved Concubine want me to do?”

“Help this imperial concubine a little?’

“What’s in it for me?”

“This imperial concubine will grow vegetables for you?”

“…” Emperor Jing Li pressed his forehead. He really wanted to bestow her the title of “Vegetable Noble Consort”.

“Your Majesty.” Liao Qing Qing wanted to act coquettishly but she was unable to do so. She let out a pleading voice.

But this trick still worked.

“Forget it. These scriptures are also for Queen Mother’s blessing. As a son, I deserve to do my part.” Emperor Jing Li got up, sat next to Liao Qing Qing, brought over a brush and asked where Liao Qing Qing copied from. As soon as he started writing, it was Liao Qing Qing’s handwriting.

Liao Qing Qing’s eyes widened in shock, “Your Majesty?”

“What? You are admiring me, right?” Emperor Jing Li’s eyes showed pride.

“Your Majesty, you are really so amazing!”

“How can I be your Emperor if I am not amazing?”

“Mm. Mm. Your Majesty, you are simply a genius.”

“Hush. I hear endless good words. Your flattery skills are no good.”

“….”

“Continue.”

“Continue what?”

“Continue flattering me.”

“…” Didn’t you say my flattery skills are no good?

After racking her brains to flatter him, Liao Qing Qing and Emperor Jing Li began to copy the scriptures.

After half a shichen (an hour), all the scriptures were copied and the two of them were tired.

Emperor Jing Li quickly fell asleep after lying on the bed.

Liao Qing Qing was not in such a hurry as Emperor Jing Li. She wasn’t sleeping.

She looked sideways at Emperor Jing Li’s face. This Emperor Jing Li really made her marvel.

It seemed that there was nothing he did not understand or know.

She was also originally in her twenties but the difference between her and Emperor Jing Li seemed like it was light-years apart.

Probably so.

If he was not as good, how could Emperor Jing Li bring the Great Wei Dynasty to prosperity at such a young age?

She admired this young Emperor from the bottom of her heart. At the same time, joy welled up in her heart. A type of joy that made her heart race. She became startled, hurriedly shut her eyes and didn’t look at Emperor Jing Li.

The next morning, she brought the scriptures to see Noble Consort Liang.

Noble Consort Liang appeared very satisfied and said some words about thanking everyone for the trouble. Liao Qing Qing did feel it was exhausting. Just then, something felt off in the air. Other than the imperial concubines, who would usually measure her, there were two extremely searing gazes.

She looked to the side.

It is Noble Lady Liao and Noble Lady Jiang!

Oh, these two’s house arrest is over!

When Liao Qing Qing’s eyes landed on Noble Lady Liao, Noble Lady Liao’s gaze was filled with anger and contempt. It was as if she had committed some heinous crime.

It was too strange.

But who knew that Noble Consort Liang noticed this scene.

Noble Consort Liang said, “Noble Lady Liao and Noble Lady Jiang, you two are also here today.”

Noble Lady Liao hastily withdrew her gaze and looked at Noble Consort Liang with Noble Lady Jiang. They rose together to pay their respect to Noble Consort Liang again.

Noble Consort Liang waved her hand and said, “Have a seat.”

Noble Consort Liao and Noble Lady Liao sat after hearing that.

Noble Lady Liang smiled and said, “Although you two made some mistake a few months ago and displeased His Majesty, you have received punishment. From now on, reform and serve His Majesty well. His Majesty will not treat you badly.”

His Majesty won’t treat them badly?

When Noble Lady Liao and Noble Lady Jiang, who originally thought their imperial harem life was over, heard these words, their gaze instantly shimmered, as if they were injected with chicken’s blood.

What does Noble Consort Liang’s words mean?

She was willing to speak for them in front of His Majesty!

That means they still have a chance to ascend!

Noble Lady Liao and Noble Lady Jiang were overjoyed in their hearts.

After months of training, they were not as arrogant as before. They suppressed their inner ecstasy, slowly stood up and said, “Thank you, Your Highness Noble Consort. This imperial concubine will definitely learn from our lesson and serve Your Majesty with all our hearts.”

Noble Consort Liang nodded in satisfaction and glanced at Liao Qing Qing out of the corner of her eyes.

Liao Qing Qing was filled with question marks on her face.

What’s going on? 

Noble Consort Liang is roping people in.

She is going to gather all the firepower to cause trouble to her?

The author has something to say:  —

Emperor Jing Li: Beloved Concubine, don’t be afraid. You have me?

Liao Qing Qing: Okay. You can take actions, Your Majesty. This imperial concubine will plant vegetables.

Emperor Jing Li: ???

——

[1] 朕(zhèn)- I (imperial) or we (imperial use).

[2] 嫔妾(pín qiè)- This imperial concubine. It is a self-appellation that can only be used by Lady of Talents (才人), Noble Lady (贵人), etc to the Emperor and Empress Dowager.

[3] 拍马屁(pāimǎpì)- The literal translation is to pat a horse’s butt. It means to flatter or bootlck someone.

[4] 一柱擎天(yīzhùqíngtiān)-The literal translation is to support the sky as a single pillar. It means to take a crucial responsibility upon one’s shoulders.