The Tyrant’s Drama Queen Empress

CHAPTER 11: You Really Are a Dog

　　A few days later.

　　Every morning when Shen Ling opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was sand pears piled beside her bed. The first sip of water she drank was sand pear juice. Her first meal of the day was a full-on sand pear feast, shredded, diced, minced, cooked into soups, stews, and who knew what else. Her face went numb. She even felt like when she went to the toilet, what came out was not poop, but sand pears!

　　Shen Ling looked miserable. Life surrounded by sand pears was pure suffering. But in the ears of the other palace women, Shen Ling was living a fairy’s life. Xie Yuanxun had rewarded Shen Guiren of Chang Le Palace with a batch of sand pears exclusively for her. This kind of honor, who in the Harem had ever achieved it? No one. Not a single person. Only Shen Guiren.

　　Several beauties were on their way to pay their respects to Jing Fēi, chatting as they walked, when the topic naturally shifted to Shen Ling.

　　“I heard that a few days ago, His Majesty received a divine beast from a local governor, and he even personally took Shen Guiren to the Beast Garden to see it.”

　　“The Beast Garden…”

　　“Just hearing that name makes my heart panic.”

　　“Why are you all so scared? We are not the ones going there. If anyone should be afraid, it should be Shen Guiren who actually went. After all, quite a few consorts have died in that place.” Jiang Jieyu said, dressed in a light green palace robe.

　　Another beauty said, “Shen Guiren would not be scared. Do you not know? Ever since His Majesty took her to the Beast Garden once, she grew very fond of it. After that, she almost goes there every day.”

　　“She is just good at flattering His Majesty. All fake sincerity.”

　　“Being able to act sweet in front of His Majesty is still better than being completely ignored like us.”

　　“Hmph. His Majesty will grow tired of her one day. When she loses favor, let us see if she can still be so arrogant.”

　　“Who knows what the future holds? Maybe Shen Guiren is clever and knows how to plan for herself. If she takes advantage of His Majesty’s favor now, it is not impossible for her to rise from Guiren to a Fei rank. In the Harem, only His Majesty’s favor is real. Everything else is empty.”

　　“Let her become a Fei? No way! Would His Majesty really promote her? If she becomes one of the Nine Fei, we would have to bow properly when we see her, not just exchange equal greetings. We entered the Palace years earlier than her. How can someone who came later climb over our heads? Just thinking about it makes it hard to breathe.”

　　Jiang Jieyu said, “Then what do you suggest we do? If His Majesty truly wants to confer her a title, would we dare go and advise against it?”

　　“......”

　　“............”

　　The faces of the beauties all turned pale. Asking them to remonstrate with Xie Yuanxun? That was basically telling them to go die.

　　Jiang Jieyu, who had said it, also realized she had misspoken and hurried to smooth things over. “What I meant was, if Shen Guiren were to speak improperly and offend His Majesty, making him displeased, and letting him see that she is not someone fit to be presented with honor, then would we not stop worrying about her rank surpassing ours?”

　　“That idea is good!”

　　“Then have you thought of a way?”

　　Jiang Jieyu snorted softly. “Do I even need to think of one? Have you all forgotten about Su Pin, the one who lives in the palace ahead of ours?”

　　The other beauties’ eyes immediately lit up. They covered their lips with handkerchiefs, giggling softly.

　　After entering the hall to pay their respects to Jing Fēi, none of the beauties left right away. Jing Fēi found this odd. “Do you have something else to say?”

　　Jiang Jieyu took the initiative, squatting down to massage Jing Fēi’s legs. “Your Grace, we have heard that you have a good relationship with that Shen Guiren. Everyone in the palace says that Shen Guiren can live so comfortably in the Harem because you take care of her. Otherwise, how could she have the luck to live in Chang Le Palace?”

　　Jing Fēi knew Jiang Jieyu’s words were false, just deliberate flattery meant to coax and please her. Still, she had to admit that hearing such sweet words did feel very satisfying.

　　Jing Fēi said, “You are really good at talking nonsense. Shen Guiren lives well because she has her own abilities. It has nothing to do with me.” That Shen Guiren was quite proud, after all. She had even refused when someone tried to take her in as a follower.

　　“How could it have nothing to do with you? Your Grace is simply too kind, always belittling yourself like this.”

　　Jing Fēi shot her a glare. “Who are you calling belittling?” When had she ever looked down on herself? She did not like hearing that at all.

　　Jiang Jieyu quickly said, “Ah, I meant myself. It has nothing to do with Your Grace. Your Grace is like a heavenly immortal. In the entire Harem, I truly cannot find anyone else as graceful and upright as you, so gentle and virtuous, perfect both inside and out.”

　　Jing Fēi was amused into laughter. “You really have a sweet mouth.”

　　Jiang Jieyu spoke with hopeful restraint. “Your Grace, several sisters and I have yet to meet Shen Guiren. Ever since she entered the Palace, she has kept to herself, and we have never found the chance to approach her. I know our status is low, and Shen Guiren may look down on us, but we sincerely wish to be her good sisters. I wonder if Your Grace could give us an opportunity?”

　　Jing Fēi raised an eyebrow. Jiang Jieyu saying she wanted to be good sisters with Shen Ling was something only a fool would believe. Then Jing Fēi glanced at the beauties behind Jiang Jieyu, all craning their necks, waiting for her reply. Women understood women best. Even from this far away, she could practically smell the scheming intent radiating off them, all aimed at Shen Ling.

　　Plotting against Shen Ling?

　　Jing Fēi found herself a little curious about exactly how Jiang Jieyu planned to trip Shen Ling up. So she nodded. “Very well. I will reluctantly take you on a visit to Chang Le Palace today.”

　　Jiang Jieyu and the beauties immediately beamed. “Thank you, Your Grace.”

　　Chang Le Palace.

　　When Shen Ling heard from Liu Zhu that Jing Fēi had brought a whole group of beauties over, question marks practically popped up over her head. She really could not understand it. Why did Jing Fēi like coming to see her so much? What exactly did she like about her? If she would just say it, Shen Ling was willing to change, okay?

　　Shen Ling instructed Liu Zhu, “Go inside and bring out two sand pears for each of them. Oh right, how many people came? Is it a lot?”

　　Liu Zhu gave her a number.

　　Shen Ling said, “That is quite a crowd. When you serve the sand pears, remember to give them double portions.”

　　“Yes.” Liu Zhu did not leave right away. Instead, she lowered her voice. “Your Grace, His Majesty is wise and mighty, but he prefers the Harem to remain quiet. No matter why they are here to see you, Your Grace must stay on guard. Do not believe what they say, and do not ever go off alone with them. You must remember to bring this servant with you.”

　　Shen Ling, “......”

　　She was not a three year old, okay?

　　Why did it feel like, in Liu Zhu’s eyes, she was some silly girl who could be easily sweet talked and led away? Where did Liu Zhu even get this impression of her? Shen Ling felt she had always been pretty sly herself.

　　Jing Fēi arrived with the beauties.

　　Shen Ling looked at their faces and could not help but sigh inwardly. They were really pretty. For the sheer visual pleasure their different styles of beauty brought her, even if they spoke with hidden barbs wrapped in sweet words, Shen Ling felt she could forgive it and not get angry. After all, beauties had the privilege of being forgiven, as long as they did not land themselves on her blacklist. She even muttered to herself, Xie Yuanxun that devil was already scary enough. Sure, he was good looking too, but what was so great about a stiff, hard man compared to soft, gentle women? What was wrong with her enjoying a few extra looks at beautiful ladies? She would just count it as her daily wages for putting up with him.    

　　The beauties greeted Shen Ling properly, and Shen Ling returned the courtesy in kind. She had Liu Zhu place an exquisite fruit plate in front of each of them, each plate holding four sand pears. Afraid they might be too polite to eat, Shen Ling gently reminded them, “These are fruits bestowed by His Majesty. Make sure you finish your share.”

　　Jing Fēi, “......”

　　The beauties, “......”

　　They stared at the sand pears in front of them, each one as big as a fist, and their eyelids twitched for real. These palace beauties had stomachs fit for teaspoons. They could barely eat a few bites of rice per meal. Now they were expected to eat this much fruit. Was she trying to stuff them to death? They exchanged looks, silently reaching the same conclusion. This Shen Guiren was truly vicious.

　　With stiff expressions, they thanked Shen Ling. Not eating, or not finishing, would be handing Shen Ling ammunition. What if she went to Xie Yuanxun and complained with a few extra embellishments? They could already imagine several ways to be condemned to death. Disrespecting His Majesty’s grace. Being so audacious as to make His Majesty eat their leftovers. Today, they could only eat with tears in their eyes. They absolutely could not give Shen Ling any chance to smear them.

　　Shen Ling: Excuse meow?

　　Somehow, without her even knowing, these beauties had already smeared her into oblivion?

　　Jing Fēi stared silently at the fruit in front of her. Why did Shen Ling put five in her plate? Why could she not be fair for once? Would four not have been fine? No, no, that was not right! She did not want even one! Had Shen Ling annoyed her so much that she was losing her mind?

　　Jing Fēi took a deep breath. Hmph, they were just some fruits. She would eat them. If she did not, Shen Ling might think her weak and then go mock her in front of His Majesty. She would not give Shen Ling that chance. She had Nanny Zhou cut the fruit into small pieces and ate them in tiny bites with toothpicks.

　　Even so, after only a little while, Jing Fēi felt full. She cast a pitiful look at Nanny Zhou. Nanny, I cannot eat anymore. What should I do?

　　Nanny Zhou felt heartbroken.

　　Gritting her teeth, Nanny Zhou spoke to Shen Ling. “Shen Guiren, my mistress has had some stomach discomfort these past two days. Would this old servant be allowed to eat the remaining sand pears on her behalf?”

　　Shen Ling nodded casually. “Sure.”

　　Jing Fēi had Nanny Zhou to help her eat, but the other beauties had no such luck. They could only struggle through it themselves. Jiang Jieyu ate until her brows knitted together. With no pressure left on her own plate, Jing Fēi shot Jiang Jieyu several murderous glares. This was all Jiang Jieyu’s fault, making her suffer a huge loss at Shen Ling’s place without even being able to find a single flaw.

　　Jiang Jieyu looked guilty. She, she really had not expected Shen Ling to be this vicious!

　　Jiang Jieyu wiped her mouth and looked at Shen Ling, hesitating before she spoke. “Shen Guiren, did you know? There is an elder sister Su Pin in our Palace who is well versed in Buddhist teachings.”

　　Shen Ling said, “And?” She was not interested in Buddhism at all. She had no faith to speak of. The only reason she was curious now was because she did not understand why the Palace would select a woman well versed in Buddhism to enter the Harem. To enlighten Xie Yuanxun? Pfft. The thought almost made her laugh. She really could not imagine what Xie Yuanxun would look like after being enlightened, shaving his head and becoming a monk. Pfft.

　　Jiang Jieyu continued, “Elder Sister Su Pin has great insight into Buddhist teachings and a compassionate heart toward all beings. We all like her very much. It is just that she is too pure, and her days in the Palace have not been easy.”    

　　“Since Shen Guiren enjoys His Majesty’s favor, why not speak to His Majesty on behalf of Elder Sister Su Pin?” She said sadly. “Elder Sister Su Pin lives alone in her palace. Everything has to be done by her own hands. Last time I passed by and saw her from outside the gate, she looked so thin it was like only bones were left. Her life is truly pitiful.”

　　“Could Shen Guiren go ask His Majesty for her?”

　　Shen Ling asked, “Why is she the only one in her palace?”

　　Jiang Jieyu cleared her throat. She did not want to tell the truth, but Su Pin had ended up like this because Xie Yuanxun himself had dealt with her. Anything involving His Majesty was not something she dared to mess with. After all, those who dared usually ended up dead.

　　“Once, Su Pin was explaining Buddhist teachings to her palace maids. When she reached the line, ‘I dare not look lightly upon you all, for you shall all become Buddhas,’ His Majesty happened to hear it. His Majesty felt that what Elder Sister Su Pin said made sense, so he sent away all the maids and eunuchs in her palace, allowing Elder Sister Su Pin to better devote herself to ascetic cultivation and studying the Dharma.”

　　Shen Ling, “……” Heh. So the things you all dare not do, you want me to do instead?

　　Jiang Jieyu asked, “Will Shen Guiren help Su Pin?”

　　Shen Ling replied with peak shameless logic, “Is it not good for Su Pin to work with her own hands and be self sufficient? Being able to support herself is so freeing! I think His Majesty issued this decree for Su Pin’s own good, so she can learn to do more things while she is still alive. That way, when she goes to the Western Paradise one day and meets the Buddha, she will not be limited to just saying Amitabha over and over. With more skills, who knows, she might even catch the Buddha’s eye and get the chance to serve as an attendant under him. His Majesty truly has a soft heart.”

　　The consorts, “......” We may be bad, but you are truly a dog.

    

  

   

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