TFSRITA Chapter 13

In the harem of the Daqian Dynasty.

The women of the harem had arrived even before Zhuyin.

The next morning, before the sky had fully brightened—around five or six in the morning—Yan Qing, still groggy from sleep, heard a palace maid report: “Your Highness, Consort De, Consort Xian, and Lady Yu… and others have come to pay their respects.”

It was Ziyun speaking. Her face was bitter as she glanced at her mistress, whose neck injury was even more glaring after a night’s rest. She knew that these women had come to mock her mistress. Filled with anger and helplessness, Ziyun didn’t know what to do, and anxiety began to make her sweat.

It was still cool on this late spring morning, but the fact that she was sweating showed how worried she was.

Only now did she realize that the emperor’s decree to prohibit entry or exit from Lingyun Palace might have been to protect her mistress.

With that in mind, her resentment toward Emperor Chen diminished slightly.

But the pressing issue was the present situation.

Hearing Ziyun’s voice, Yan Qing nonchalantly waved her hand and pulled the bed curtains back up, continuing to sleep.

Ziyun was speechless.

She was almost driven mad by her mistress’s stubbornness, yet didn’t dare say a word.

In the main hall, more than a dozen women were chatting noisily, but thanks to the good soundproofing and the distance between the sleeping chambers and the main hall, none of the noise reached inside.

Ziyun, feeling guilty, hesitated and took two steps toward the door, wanting to take a peek. Just then, she saw a palace maid standing hesitantly at the entrance of the sleeping quarters.

When the maid saw her, her eyes lit up.

“Sister Ziyun, has the mistress woken up yet?” The maid looked at her as if she had seen a savior. “The other consorts are urging me!”

Ziyun shook her head bitterly. “No, the mistress is still sleeping, and I don’t dare disturb her.”

The maid’s expression dimmed, and she whispered, “But if this gets out, people will say our mistress is arrogant because of the emperor’s favor. It would damage her reputation.”

Ziyun was about to agree, but then she thought of her mistress’s recent behavior, and something clicked. She swallowed her words and dryly replied, “The mistress is a noble consort. Why should she fear them?”

After saying that, she noticed the palace maid’s stunned expression. Ziyun added seriously, “Hongtao, remember that you serve a noble consort. You needn’t fear anyone.”

Hongtao was dumbfounded. “…Yes.”

She… she had only wanted to avoid making her mistress wait too long. After all, it would be quite embarrassing. Because of that, her mistress had discreetly urged her several times, which was why she came to rush Ziyun.

But now, hearing Ziyun’s words, she was left speechless. This noble consort was truly bold. She had just entered the palace and was already asserting her authority.

…

Yan Qing didn’t care about asserting authority or not. She simply didn’t think much of these people.

After all, in the original owner’s memories, these women had bullied her. But because they feared Prime Minister Yan, they only dared to act in secret.

With Yan Jing supporting them publicly, the original owner had been driven to her death.

The former owner had been truly naïve and timid, afraid to resist, unaware of the underlying schemes. She had suffered many silent losses. But the current Yan Qing—why should she care about any of this?

As long as she lived comfortably, that was enough. After all, they were all going to die eventually, so she might as well enjoy herself while she could.

And so, she slept soundly until past seven in the morning, even lazing in bed for a bit longer. Eventually, because she couldn’t sleep anymore, she finally got up.

Ziyun, who had waited for so long, was now completely calm. She even held up a pile of clothes and asked, “Miss, which one do you want to wear today?”

Yan Qing thoughtfully picked one out, pointing to a light yellow palace dress embroidered with vibrant flowers. The red flowers added a playful touch to the luxurious garment. “This one.”

When she spoke, her throat still hurt, and her voice was hoarse, but it was much better than yesterday when she couldn’t speak at all. Her words, though rough, came out clearly.

The imperial physician’s medicine, combined with the rare ingredients from the imperial pharmacy, had worked wonders.

This was perfect. Now that she could speak, she could fight back.

Hearing her voice, Ziyun also breathed a sigh of relief and whispered, “The imperial physician is the best doctor in the world.”

Yan Qing smiled, pleased, as the palace maids helped her wash up. Then, one by one, they dressed her, with Ziyun styling her hair while two other maids applied her makeup.

Everything was organized and efficient.

After enjoying her morning routine, breakfast had already been prepared.

This was one of Yan Qing’s non-negotiables. She refused to sit and chat with those women on an empty stomach.

After finishing a bowl of porridge and a pancake, Yan Qing finally, slowly, allowed Ziyun to help her outside.

…

The sunlight streaming into the grand hall was dazzling, and the room was bright and open.

Yan Qing squinted as the sharp light stung her eyes. She walked inside, taking in her surroundings.

As a graceful figure in light yellow appeared, the women, who had been nodding off, immediately perked up. Their gazes turned challenging, but soon their expressions stiffened.

No wonder the emperor treated her differently.

In the royal family, a woman’s worth wasn’t determined by looks alone but by her temperament and abilities.

Among the women present were scholars versed in the Four Books and Five Classics, skilled dancers, and talented artists. The most beautiful among them were no more than upper-class ladies.

But as they looked at the woman approaching, their hearts filled with alarm.

Her figure was slender and delicate, her complexion somewhat pale, but with makeup, her features were even more striking. Her lips, painted bright red, were both vibrant and elegant. Her long black hair flowed freely down her back, her forehead bare without bangs, fully revealing her face. Her bright eyes seemed to sparkle with a hidden light, and just one glance from her left them feeling weak-kneed.