Su Qingwen's eyes sparkled as she wagged her metaphorical tail, waiting for the system to reply.
[System: Well... this is... extremely hard to explain. Anyway, it's an unconventional "Three Thousand Beauties in the Harem." The host can experience it personally and understand it with your heart~]
Su Qingwen still hesitated. "You promise I can outshine them all? Write me a promise!"
There was a moment of silence. Probably if the system had a physical form, it would roll its eyes at her.
Having received this information, Su Qingwen went to the residence of the concubines to do some snooping. Coincidentally, she came across a gathering of the concubines in the imperial garden. She found a tree branch to hide behind and squatted in the bushes to eavesdrop on their conversation.
The concubines were bustling around a stone table. At a glance, there were only about a dozen of them, wearing bright red and green clothes. These dozen or so concubines lined up were like a row of colorful flags, an eyesore. One of them was tall and thin, looking like a bamboo pole; another was short and fat with a round pancake-like face; there was also one with a pimply face, resembling a freshly baked sesame seed cake. With great difficulty, there was one who was presentable, but she stammered when she spoke. There was even one who looked like she was in her forties or fifties, with wrinkles peeping shyly through the thick powder. If she weren't wearing a concubine's dress, one would think she was the emperor's mother.
"Did I come to the wrong place? Is this a get - together for elderly maids or a seminar for retired maids at the neighborhood committee... It doesn't look like a gathering of the harem beauties at all!"
Su Qingwen became more and more puzzled, so she had to suppress her curiosity and continue listening. Later, she found out why it was called "Three Thousand Beauties in the Harem."
It turned out that the thin concubine who looked like a bamboo pole was named Jiali (Beauty), and the pimply one was named Sanqian (Three Thousand)...
So this was what "Three Thousand Beauties in the Harem" meant! Su Qingwen slapped her thigh and sighed. But then she thought to herself, "I think Hua Yueye doesn't look bad. How could he be so blind? Do the ancients also have myopia, and it seems to be a high degree. Well, maybe not. Maybe it's an aesthetic disorder. No wonder this jerk said I was ugly. According to his theory of aesthetic disorder, I should probably be in the category of a peerless beauty."
Su Qingwen fell into self - admiration.
Wait a minute. What if he didn't have an aesthetic disorder but a strange fetish? Eww, I never thought he looked so decent but had such a hobby. Alas, it's hard to fathom a person's heart.
However, uh, in this harem, I probably don't have to struggle in the harem intrigues. Competing with such a bunch of odd - looking people would be a victory without honor.
Although Su Qingwen couldn't enjoy the excitement of harem intrigue, she didn't lead a boring and idle life in the following days.
After all, there was still Hua Yueye, a big bad wolf, eyeing her covetously. After watching Su Qingwen bounce around for a few days, Hua Yueye started to make her fulfill her duties as a concubine every day.
As a result, Su Qingwen's life fell into a routine of going between her own bed, Hua Yueye's bed, and the bed in the imperial study...
About this, Su Qingwen pounded her over - exhausted lower back and said to Hua Yueye with a heart - to - heart look and teary eyes, "Your Majesty, look at the large number of people in your harem. Why do you have to torture me? You should spread your favor evenly~"
Hua Yueye didn't comment directly but said playfully, "Others are called the Virtuous Concubine and are busy being virtuous; the Wise Concubine and are busy being intelligent; the Gentle Concubine and are busy being gentle. You're the Leisure Concubine. Naturally, you have nothing to do and can only serve me."
Damn it! There are so many tricks in the harem. Please be a decent person!
Su Qingwen retorted angrily, "Then I want to be called the Busy Concubine!"
"You're not blind. Why would you be called the Blind Concubine?"
"You! Aaaaah—" And then Su Qingwen's weather - beaten lower back was in jeopardy again.
About this, Su Qingwen could only say, "I advised Your Majesty to spread his favor evenly, but he only picked on me..." And she sighed gloomily every day. "Where will I wake up drunk tonight? In the Leisure Concubine's place, to be transferred to the imperial hospital."
"From afar, I see you on the bedside pillow. One look makes my heart ache."
"Startled up from my sickbed in a dying state, I know the emperor is coming today."...
Finally, it inspired the little bit of guilt left in Hua Yueye. He changed to a more irregular schedule, giving Su Qingwen a break to recuperate.
To avoid being caught by Hua Yueye, she ran to the imperial garden every day and refused to stay in her palace, striving to be a mysterious woman like the wind!
On this day, the weather was clear and the gentle breeze was pleasant. The flowers in the imperial garden were vying for beauty. One couldn't help but sigh that after seeing so many annoying concubines in the harem, even the flowers looked more delicate.
Hahaha, Hua Yueye, you can't find me now! Catch me if you can~ If you catch me~ I'll let you... hehehe~
Su Qingwen's steps became lighter, but then she heard a string of scolding voices ahead.
"Damn thing, what kind of background do you have? You're not even qualified to patrol with us." One guard said as he kicked another guard.
"Speak up. Are you mute? You're so effeminate!" Another guard pushed him.
"What are you looking at? How dare you look! If you keep looking, I'll dig out your eyeballs!" The third guard gave him a hard blow on the knee, forcing him to kneel.
"Slap!" One guard slapped him, and another stepped on him, leaving a dirty shoe print.
...Damn it! It's like school bullying... No, it's imperial garden bullying! Su Qingwen glared angrily. She hated it most when a group of people bullied one person. It was so despicable to bully the weak with numbers!
So she put her hands on her hips and roared with full force, "Let go of him. Let me do it!"
[System: Dear, your line...]
Su Qingwen: Cough cough, sorry. I slipped up...
She coughed twice and walked towards the guards. All the guards present had seen her before. After all, the stories between Su Qingwen and the emperor had become a hot gossip in the palace. The guards quickly let go of the bullied young guard.
Only then did Su Qingwen see the young guard's face clearly. Different from other guards who were strong and imposing, this young guard was a bit thin, with delicate features. At first glance, he even looked a bit naive.
So, so cute! He's the kind of cute puppy that big sister likes! Su Qingwen swallowed hard and said to the guards, "Humph, I've seen you bullying people. Let him go quickly!" She tried to look imposing, thinking she was very intimidating.
The guards looked at each other, seemingly hesitating whether to let him go or not.
"Your Ladyship, we're not... bullying him. It's just that this person is really suspicious..." One of them explained guiltily.
"I don't care. If you don't let him go, I'll go and tell Hua Yueye about your misdeeds!" Su Qingwen bluffed, with a dark look in her eyes, resorting to underhanded tactics.