Emperor's Cunning Wife

Agates, emeralds, pearls, jade and so on encrusted and embedded in each jewellery, pins, and combs. Not one was plain; each had its own beauty and been crafted finely to the very last detail. The shock she felt was enough for cracks of astonishment to appear in her face. She tore her gaze from them and held the itchiness she felt on both of her hands. It was good thing that the maids followed protocol and didn't gaze directly on her face otherwise, they would have different views.

"Your Highness which of these do you like?" The palace maid asked as she opened the remaining boxes.

Ning Lou waved her hands and just handed them the responsibility too afraid that she would do something bad on impulse. When you live with someone so despicable in your past life even for a short period of time, you tend to pick up some of their habits, and the most unfortunate thing was this person was a f.u.c.k.i.n.g kleptomaniac. Ning Lou regretted taken shelter with that guy.

The maid took about twenty five minutes to finish. Ning Lou unconsciously massaged her neck which was strained from all weight of the pins, buyao, comb, and jewelleries the maid inserted in her hair.

"You didn't put a hollow block in my head, right?" Ning Lou unconsciously asked.

The palace maid beside her only tilted her head unable to understand the word.

"Just forget it." Ning Lou quickly added and gradually smiled. She looked on the copper mirror and focused on the hair filled with blinding gold colour. This image is basically attractive to thieves and robbers.

She carefully stood up and held the hand of the nearest maid for support. She only realized in that moment how much of an arduous task to be in this palace robe and adorned by numerous pieces of gold. Every step Ning Lou took with her embroidered golden shoes, she held her back straight and walked with caution. Her movements were slightly stiff but none of the palace maids notice. Ning Lou concealed the discomfort and nervousness she felt and just took the path she remembered from her memory. On the way, she met Tang-mama.

"Your Highness, This old servant will accompany you to the side hall." Tang-mama bowed and gestured her hand to Ning Lou to lead the entourage.

"Where is Grandmother?" Ning lou asked noticing the absence of the old woman. She won't leave me alone to deal with those women, right?

"The Empress Dowager fell asleep. Last night must have exhausted her." Tang-mama replied.

Fell asleep? So I am facing that bunch of women alone? How to host a gathering? Ning Lou remembered the only gathering she organized in her past life where she invited her colleagues after a successful modus operandi, apart from the place being thrashed and got raided by the police force, it did end well with a bang, so maybe she could also do good in welcoming those women as a host. Ning Lou finally smiled and asked Tang-mama to lead the way.

Tang-mama stilled looked at the golden shoes at the floor with no signs of movements before sighing and begun to move her feet to the direction of the side hall.

When Ning Lou's entourage arrived at the entrance of the side hall, she could hear the chuckles, giggles, and feminine voices akin to orioles. One of the eunuchs guarding the entrance saw them and hurriedly announced her arrival to the people inside before kneeling.

"The Empress has arrived."

The noises was instantly gone. Ning Lou entered side hall. Tang-mama followed her afterwards while giving the people a sidelong glance, silently taking note of their attitudes.

The chair a top of a small platform with a statue of phoenix in flight looked very intimidating; when Ning Lou sat she could see the whole room. Two columns of table were arranged in the left and right side of the hall facing each other. The ladies occupying each table were kneeling, aside from the four ladies at the front. I supposed these are the girls are one rank below me, so I needed to pay more attention them. The ones kneeling are supposed to be of lower ranks, perhaps concubines? 1 2 3...5…8 concubines? And there were also those palace maids, two each for the girls in front…

With the presence of the master of the inner palace, the consorts and concubines paid they're respect. Words of wishing Ning Lou a prosperous life showered inside the room, but Ning Lou didn't dare to accept their intention since who knew who were genuine and who were pretending.

"Greetings to the Empress."

Ning Lou didn't make it harder for them and instantly dismissed them of the formalities.

"At ease."

They gave their thanks and returned to their designated places. Each one was strangely restrained compared to the noises Ning Lou heard before she entered.

Ning Lou, in an environment unfamiliar heightened her sensitivity to carefully observe every girl in the room.

"Has Empress meimei been well?" one of the girls in front wearing a moonlight palace robe embroidered with peony flowers at the bottom, asked Ning Lou worriedly.

For someone to spearhead the gathering, this person is either of high status, has a close relationship with the previous soul or has a thick skin.

Ning Lou looked at the beautiful woman, who wiped her lips with a white silk handkerchief. With coming of the Empress, the kitchen immediately served the tea and pastries. Ning Lou took the cup of tea and blew the steam before taking a sip, and then she took the handkerchief the palace maid offered and did the same thing. She smiled to the person who spoke, "Naturally, With Grandmother's care Bengong will always be well."

With the Empress use of appellation, the other concubines knew that the empress wasn't in the mood to play 'closeness' and just silently watched the exchanges between Consort De and The Empress in their seats. One was favoured by the Emperor; the other was favoured by the Empress dowager, which they both could not offend.

"Then Jiejie is happy to hear. Qie had been busy lately and couldn't attend the morning greeting yesterday. Hoping Meimei could understand." With those doe eyes that could provoke pity, the beauty spoke appearing genuinely guilty.

"Bengong is broadminded and wouldn't get mad over trivial matters." Ning Lou spoke smiling in the process.

Trivial matters? Consort De's absence was of trivial importance, was that supposed to mean? Does the Empress put no importance in Consort De? The concubines exchanges glances among themselves and tacitly drunk the cup of tea.

"That's right Meimei, serving His Majesty is utmost importance, So Her Highness will naturally not get mad at you." The one who spoke was Consort Han, seated beside Consort De.

Ning Lou could sense the closeness this woman had with the beauty and just gave them a scrutinizing gaze.

Oh, Serving His Majesty? Then that is supposed to be rewarded by the Empress.

"Bengong has seen you serve His majesty well. Someone fetch Bengong's jewelleries and bestow it to her." Ning Lou smiled brightly.

But who knew, no one had a happy expression on their face the moment she said those words. Instead Ning Lou noticed the sudden quiet tension in the room, and examined the terror, surprise and confused expressions of the people inside. Even the beauty's smile was slightly crooked, and the one beside her was even worse.