Chenggian Palace.
The charming woman lifted the bed curtain. Her voice was ethereal and melodious. "Qiuju, is it dawn?"
Qiuju gently pushed open the window and took a look outside. "Your Ladyship, it's just the time of Yin. It's just getting a bit bright."
The woman sighed. "Today is the birthday of the Empress. Help me up and do my makeup."
Today, she was determined to be the most beautiful woman in the harem!
This woman was Concubine An, the most favored concubine of Emperor Chu. Her soft and slender waist was so tiny that it could be grasped with one hand. Her amorous look was so captivating that she was like a seductive fairy.
She used to be favored and was willful and arrogant. She didn't need to care about the Empress's feelings.
In the past, Emperor Chu would stay in her palace for ten days a month. But recently, the emperor had been staying in the main hall and rarely came to the harem.
The only time he went to the harem was to the Empress's palace yesterday.
She rubbed her temples and asked, "Am I getting old?"
Although Concubine An had given birth to a son and a daughter, thanks to the secret family medicine, her figure was still as slender as a young girl's, and her long black hair was smooth and shiny.
If this was considered old, there would probably be no charming young girls in the entire harem.
Qiuju gently tied up her long hair. "Your Ladyship looks just the same as when you were at home. That's why the emperor has always doted on you."
"But the emperor hasn't come to Chenggian Palace this month."
Concubine An frowned slightly, hiding the dissatisfaction in her eyes. "Could it be that he has taken a fancy to some new beauty behind my back?"
If she ever found out who that seductive woman was, she would surely tear her face apart!
"Wang Fuhai just sent a message, saying that the emperor has been busy with state affairs recently and hasn't gone to any concubine's palace."
Concubine An applied her bright red lipstick. "Humph, he is the most loyal dog of the emperor. He surely won't tell the truth!"
"I heard that Wang Fuhai recently took in an adopted son. How about I try to get him on our side?"
Concubine An nodded. "You're so considerate."
She casually picked up a gold hairpin and gave it to Qiuju. "Be generous when you deal with them. If he knows what's good for him and becomes one of us, there will be plenty of rewards for him in the future!"
"I understand, Your Ladyship."
Just then, Chu Nian'an bounced in. "Your Highness, your daughter pays respects to you. You look even more charming today than before."
Judging from her cheerful look, she probably hadn't heard the conversation between Concubine An and Qiuju.
Qiuju had just finished tying up Concubine An's hair and was about to kneel down to pay respects. "Greetings to the Princess!"
"Aunt Qiuju, please rise."
Chu Nian'an picked up a dessert on the table. "Your daughter couldn't wait to see you, so I rushed here as soon as I woke up."
Today was the Empress's birthday, so the princes and princesses in the palace were excused from their morning lessons.
But Chu Nian'an always woke up early and couldn't stay idle.
Concubine An took out a handkerchief and wiped the crumbs from her daughter's mouth. "Look at you, like a naughty monkey. Where is the dignity of a noble princess?"
Chu Nian'an didn't take her mother's scolding to heart at all. She giggled and coquettishly said, "Why should I be so formal in front of you, Mother?"
"You're fourteen now. It's time to start discussing your marriage. If you're still so careless, you'll never get married!"
Chu Nian'an laughed playfully. "If your daughter can't get married, then let you and brother support me for the rest of my life!"
"Nonsense!"
Concubine An took out a large hairpin with a peony design from the dressing box and inserted it into her hair.
The huge peony was so luxurious that it set off her fair teeth and willowy eyebrows. She looked like a celestial beauty.
Then she saw Chu Nian'an wearing only a red palace dress with a plain face. "Today is the Empress's birthday. Why are you dressed so simply?"
Today, all the officials would bring their families into the palace. She didn't want her daughter to be outshone by others.
Chu Nian'an understood. "The maids in my palace are all clumsy. So I came to ask Aunt Qiuju to help me."
Concubine An nodded and motioned for Qiuju to do Chu Nian'an's makeup.
Seeing that Chu Nian'an was sitting quietly, she asked again, "I heard that you've had a conflict with An Xingzhi recently?"
Chu Nian'an frowned. "Did An Xingzhi say something bad about me to you? Why does she always like to complain about others behind their backs?"
She didn't realize that her attitude towards An Xingzhi had changed completely!
In the past, they were very close. But now, she felt that An Xingzhi was hiding something from her.
Concubine An poked her forehead. "Why do you have so many complaints about Xingzhi? I remember someone once said that Xingzhi was her best friend for life!"
Her beautiful eyes fell on Chu Nian'an's uncomfortable face. "Is it because of Ning Yuwan?"
An Xingzhi had also noticed Chu Nian'an's estrangement these days. Except for the morning lessons, they had no other communication.
In private, Chu Nian'an didn't even want to be alone with her.
Since she couldn't see Chu Nian'an, she came to ask to see Concubine An.
"What does it have to do with Sister - in - law?"
Chu Nian'an felt guilty. "An Xingzhi is not only stingy but also likes to be suspicious!"
She told Concubine An what had happened at the heir's mansion that day. She had kept this in her heart for a long time.
She didn't want to mention it at first, but An Xingzhi had come to complain to her mother first.
Concubine An smiled gently. "Nian'an, you should know that even if you're very close, there are always things that you can't share. It's wrong for Xingzhi to hide things, but the things belong to her. She has the right to give them away or not."
Chu Nian'an also thought so in her heart, but she was still angry about An Xingzhi's behavior.
They had grown up together since childhood and were cousins. But she still hid things from her.
Moreover, she had been caught by her sister - in - law, and finally gave the things away. It was neither fair nor smart.
After all, it was a matter between young girls. Concubine An didn't interfere. She let them solve it by themselves.
Her eyes met Qiuju's in the mirror. The latter immediately understood what she meant.
An Xingzhi thought that she would surely become the third prince's consort, which had actually made Chu Nian'an feel wronged. And she had even complained first.
Moreover, some of the things she had done recently really didn't satisfy Concubine An. So Concubine An decided to ignore her for a while.
She wanted to let her get rid of her arrogance and correct her attitude!
She wanted her to know who she should side with!
Outside Chenggian Palace.
An Xingzhi had originally come with Chu Nian'an.
But Chu Nian'an had been inside for a long time, and no one came to summon her in.
She felt a little cold in her heart, but still had a smiling face. "Has Concubine An not summoned me in yet?"
Qiumei knew her identity, but since there was no message from inside, she didn't dare to make her own decision. "I'll go in and ask. Please wait a little longer, Miss An."
An Xingzhi replied gently with a well - behaved salute. "Thank you, Aunt Qiumei."
As soon as Qiumei's back completely disappeared, her face immediately fell. "Aunt is deliberately warning me."
Lan'er supported her hand and comforted her with lowered eyes. "Maybe Concubine An and the princess have something important to talk about."
"What important thing do they have to talk about that they have to avoid me?"
An Xingzhi bit her lips. In the past, she could enter Concubine An's palace without any obstruction.
Since the An family and Concubine An had always been on the same side, Concubine An had always doted on her. When had she ever been avoided like this!
Qiumei went in for half a moment and then came out hesitantly.
"Concubine An and the princess are having breakfast. Please wait a little longer, Miss An."
"Yes."
If she had still been a little doubtful before, now An Xingzhi really felt that Concubine An was rejecting her!