Chapter 1948: This Subject Is Merely a Lowly Attendant
Attendant Zhou immediately stood and replied, “Your Majesty, this subject is merely a lowly attendant who’s unable to deny the emperor’s wishes.”
The emperor was the one who wanted to visit her: how could she drive him out? There was no reason not to fight back when the empress was clearly trying to stir up trouble.
Moreover, she still had a task to suppress the empress’ arrogance. Upon completion, she would receive the ‘fully aromatic body, everlasting scent’ reward.
Ning Shu’s eyebrows rose. Would Zhao Xu have gone to her Jade Court if she stayed in her room as was proper instead of striking a pose outside?
Men were often unaware that women were seducing them. Of course, when they did know, they took advantage of the situation for their own benefit. After all, a woman working that hard to keep a man showed him how charming he was.
Ning Shu’s tone was indifferent as she said, “Why are you so agitated? I merely asked so the scribe may record it. We’ll drop the matter if you are unwilling to have it recorded.”
If the emperor’s attendance for the night wasn’t officially noted and Attendant Zhou became pregnant, they wouldn’t be able to check the records. Thus the child would be considered illegitimate.
Attendant Zhou was taken aback for a moment, then she inwardly berated herself. She had been too impatient in wanting to obtain that fully aromatic body with its everlasting scent. Her skin was currently the color of snow, which Zhao Xu adored. If she had a fully aromatic body, it would be even more perfect.
“Please forgive me, Your Majesty. This subject spoke insolently and now asks Your Majesty for forgiveness.” Attendant Zhou quickly curtsied. She needed to be more careful in the future.
If one wanted to bare their teeth, one first needed the strength to follow through.
Ning Shu glanced at Zhou Xiaoyi. “Your form is still lacking. Didn’t you learn etiquette from Nurse Li? His Majesty won’t be pleased. There could be a big event in the future. The imperial family’s relatives as well as the civil and military secretaries would be watching you. Whatever action you take would represent the imperial family and His Majesty.”
“Learn more from Nurse Li. Nurse Li performed well as a court lady under the former emperor. You can’t go wrong learning more from her.” Ning Shu looked directly at the kneeling Attendant Zhou. “Alright?”
“Yes, this subject will remember.” Attendant Zhou’s voice trembled slightly. She’d been half-squatting since the beginning and her body started to sway.
Ning Shu was nit-picking. Attendant Zhou’s form could be considered okay, but no one stood to speak up for her. They all seemed to be enjoying the show.
Having someone overshadow them just as they were about to succeed always provoked disgust in others. There was only one man in the palace and everyone longed for his affection. After such a long wait for their turn, another person stole them away. Anyone would puke blood from this.
It was no surprise that deep-seated hatred would arise.
Ning Shu didn’t order Attendant Zhou to get up. Instead, she picked up a teacup and took a sip before saying, “There’s no need for you to come over and pay your respects to me in the following few days. Learn the rules and proper etiquette from Nurse Li first.”
Attendant Zhou bit her lip. Was this a disguised house arrest?
But how should she complete her task? She’d received a task to become “favored in the inner palace”. She needed to make Zhao Xu dote on her for seven days in a row to receive the ‘glistening skin, jade bones’ reward.
The ‘glistening skin, jade bones’ reward would allow the body to reach a perfected state, giving her the perfect figure: a curvy body and a dainty, small waist.
“Attendant Zhou, did you hear what I just said?” Ning Shu asked.
“This subject understands and will certainly study etiquette from Nurse Li,” Attendant Zhou said as she lowered her head.
“Alright, everyone may leave,” Ning Shu said.
“We subjects respectfully withdraw.” The concubines stood up, curtsied, then left.
Since Attendant Zhou half-squatted for quite a while, her legs ached quite a bit. Her maid helped her up.
Attendant Zhou turned her head to glance back at Ning Shu sitting. At that moment, Ning Shu stared at her. As the two’s gazes met, Attendant Zhou lowered her head.
The other imperial concubines left but Consort Zhuang stayed behind. Her expression was aggrieved as she turned to Ning Shu and said, “Your Majesty, look at that vixen. This subject feels deeply wronged.”