The Lazy Villainess

The Harem courtyards were as lavish as the rest of the palace. Each consort and concubine had their own residences, and their own personal maids and ladies-in-waitings.

A beautifully designed luxury carriage rolls up to the gates of the Imperial Harem. A maid steps out and helps an elegantly dressed Xin Kewang get down from the carriage.

Her mellow pink gown flutters lightly in the cool morning breeze, as her maid retouches her makeup. She had dressed up quite extravagantly today, with her hair up in an elegant bun, held together with expensive ornaments and jewellery.

She watches as a royal maid walks up to them, and respectfully curtseys.

"Miss Xin," she says softly, "Royal Concubine Langlan has been expecting you. If you will come with me…"

Kewang nods her head, and gestures for the maid to lead the way.

They walk on the stone pavement, and Kewang takes in the surroundings around her. A beautifully crafted fountain built in the well maintained lawn. The pretty picnic table adorned with exotic flowers. The large residence with pretty pale red walls.

"If a concubine can get this treatment," she thinks to herself, "Imagine what a Consort or Empress would get…"

They arrive in front of the closed doors of the residence and the maid bows respectfully and goes away.

Without turning around, Kewang orders her own maid, "Wait outside, and make sure no one approaches"

"Yes Mistress…"

Kewang slowly slides the doors open, and quietly enters the room. Inside, everything is neat and tidy, and oddly silent.

"Aunt Langlan…?" she calls out, walking along the polished, wooden floor.

"Kewang" she hears from behind her, and spins around to face one of the most stunning women in the palace.

The lady has soft, delicate features and resembles a regal doll. Her long, silky hair comes down to her slim waist. Her plump lips are painted a rich, red colour and her sharp eyes are like that of a raven's. In simple terms, her appearance was one that could rival a goddess'.

"Aunt Langlan..." Kewang gasps in awe, grasping her aunt's soft hands.

There was a concerned expression on Langlan's face as she speaks.

"Kewang?" she says, leading her to the seats, "How are you, my dear niece?"

Kewang looked down sadly.

"Aunty, your neice has come here with great grievances…"

"My goodness, who dare treat my beautiful Kewang like this?" The concubine says angrily, her pretty smiling face twisting to one of rage.

"There is this man that I like, but that vixen has bewitched him" Kewang whimpers pitifully. Her eyes fill with tears as she looks up at the angry face of her aunt.

It hurt Langlan to see her beloved brother's daughter in such sad state. She herself had gone through enough pain to get close to the Emperor, and didn't want her neice to go through that same pain.

"Who is this witch?" Langlan says through her teeth, "I will help eradicate her, and who is the man that you love, Aunt will try my best to get you married to this man"

"Aunty, Kewang loves the Crown Prince… but that vixen Song Shie is in my way…"

"You love the Crown Prince?" Langlan says, concern written on her face. "My dear Kewang, that will be really difficult. The Crown Prince is a very powerful figure…"

"Please, Aunt Langlan" says Kewang tearfully, "I really love him, I do…I-I'd do anything for him…

It's just, that he doesn't notice me because he has eyes for that Shie girl…"

"If that is what Kewang wants, this Aunt will do her best to give it…"

Kewang wipes her tears with a silk handkerchief, "Thank you, Aunt Langlan…"

"Can't this Aunt spoil her neice a little bit?" Langlan says, smiling.

Kewang laughs sweetly, and in a ladylike manner, covering her mouth.

"Come, Kewang. Let us go to the Purple Lily Courtyard...show me the girl that has caught the Crown Prince's eyes…" says Langlan, leading Kewang through the gates.

Kewang bows her head respectfully, "Yes, Aunty…".

It was quite fortunate that her aunt couldn't see her face at this moment. A sinister smile slowly spread on her innocent looking face, as her ladylike image shatters to pieces.

~~~~~

The sun shines brightly in the sky, but I nevertheless squint my eyes to look at it. It's rays shine through the yellowing leaves of autumn and reflects on the gold teapot that has been placed in front of me.

As I stir the tea gently, a sudden thought occurs to me. My fourteenth birthday is fast approaching, or rather, Song Laing's fourteenth birthday is approaching.

Which reminds me, this year was the year that the Emperor dies in the novel. This worries me quite a bit since Roqing hasn't caught the Crown Prince's eyes. The future is quite unknown at this point and frankly that scares me.

"Lai'er? Lai'er?"

I look up to see Shie looking at me, concerned.

"Are you okay cousin? You have been stiring your tea for quite sometime…"

I smile at her, and quietly sip my tea. The sun is a bit dimmer now, and I see dark clouds in the distance. I look over to my right to see Sui and Roqing immersed in a game of Go.

It is peaceful, until I hear a commotion happening outside the courtyard gates. A well dressed eunuch walks into the courtyard and announces loudly; "Concubine Langlan has arrived!"