The Emperor’s Beloved Ugly Girl

57. The Enemies

Translator: Iris Guo

“In NingGuTa, it’s good for you to be afraid of me. You’ll die if you dare to challenge me.” Lao Jiang patted A’Chou’s face and left while humming. Her legs went limp and she suddenly fell to the ground.

…

After A’Chou cried enough, she sat in front of the stove and ate the sticky steamed buns stuffed with red beans and those stuffed with vegetables Zhong Mingwei left. She felt a little full and went straight to bed. Then, she stared at the black wall and touched her neck gently and repeatedly. Nothing was there except the new red mark and slight sting. From now on, the last connection between her and her parents was gone.

A’Chou buried herself in the quilt and let out a long sigh after a while.

Day: The 28th day of the fifth lunar month, the 32nd year of Jiasheng Reign

Location: The Cining Palace

The Empress Dowager just recovered from a long illness and could finally get out of her bed. The Emperor was therefore overjoyed. As long as he got time, he would come to the Cining Palace to eat or talk with his mother. His harem also kept trying to greet her, but she didn’t feel like seeing them except concubines with high status like Imperial Concubine Zhao and Imperial Consort Shu.

“Your Grace, Imperial Consort Shu and Imperial Concubine Zhao came together. They are now waiting outside.” The Empress Dowager was reading the Buddhist Scriptures when Biqiao, her personal maid, came in: “Would you like to see them?”

“It’s rare that they’re so friendly. Let them in then.” said the Empress Dowager slowly. She fiddled with the Buddha beads, looked out of the window, and sighed gently: “Time flies. It’s summer already.”

“Yes.” Biqiao hastened to bow and retreat. Soon, she led Consort Imperial Concubine Zhao and Consort Shu in.

“Your Grace!” greeted them respectfully.

“Rise.” said the Empress Dowager slowly. Then, she sipped her MengDing tea and said to Biqiao: “Seat them.”

“Yes.” Biqiao put two stools with carvings in front of them hurriedly.

“Thanks, Your Lady.” Imperial Concubine Zhao and Imperial Consort Shu sat down, but they could only sit on the corner of the stools. Both of them straightened and had on various heavy headwear. Biqiao stood in the corner, and supposed that they must be exhausted. However, she was used to that. The Empress Dowager kept her gravity, so the harem were afraid of her, including the most beloved Imperial Concubine Zhao, who could not be more careful in front of her.

“Your Lady, you look so well, so much better than before.” Imperial Consort Shu, from the humble Cui Family, smiled, took out a sachet from her sleeve, bowed, and put it in front of the Empress Dowager: “Ming’e came to visit you the other day. He told me that you didn’t like the bitter medicine smell around, so he let me make a sachet for you. However, my hands are clumsy. I hope you wouldn’t mind.”

Zhong Ming’e, Prince II, was Imperial Consort Shu’s son.

The Empress Dowager took the sachet and nodded with great satisfaction when seeing the embroidered day lily: “Ming’e is so perceptive and caring.”

“Sure he is. When His Majesty was sick a while ago, didn’t he also eagerly let Sister Shu make a sachet to help His Majesty sleep better?” said Imperial Concubine Zhao with a smile while looking at Imperial Consort Shu, “Sister Shu finished the sachets so quickly. Even if I race against the clock, I can’t catch up with Ming’e with such a  caring heart.”

Imperial Consort Shu suddenly stiffened. Then she began to laugh the next second: “You are exaggerating, Sister Zhao. I’m just doing my job. Every parent should teach their children to look after the family.”