Chapter 295: Harem Politics (1/2)

The woman stared at Jun Huang with a welcoming smile, but her eyes were derisive. She pushed past Jun Huang's maid and hooked her arm around Jun Huang's. “Since you're here, you should join us.”

Jun Huang frowned. Her maid spoke up for her, “The consort may not know that my master is ill. She shouldn't do anything extraneous. We're going to - ”

“I'll say she looks pretty good to me. And the weather is nice. It'll be a shame for her to just leave. She's not going to deny me, is she?” The woman had put on a convincing smile, but her eyes betrayed her true feelings. Jun Huang didn't miss that. This consort was at least more patient than Consort Li.

The former honored consort would have scolded Jun Huang's maid about proper palace etiquette already, while this one maintained a smile. If Jun Huang wasn't as observant as she was, she might have been fooled.

She contemplated for a moment before nodding. “It'd be rude of me to turn down your offer. If you don't mind my humble background, I'll join you.”

“What are you talking about? Everyone knows His Majesty cares about you more than he does us. You may not have an official t.i.tle at the moment, but if one day you join the harem, you're going to be the honored consort or even the empress.” She watched Jun Huang as she spoke. On the surface, it seemed like she was complimenting Jun Huang, but Jun Huang knew this was a test. She smiled slightly.

Her maid was pleased to hear the consort's words. She had imagined Jun Huang becoming the empress as well. Although Nan Xun and Jun Huang seemed close, as a maid, the maid hadn't seen enough to know they were more than close friends.

They reached the pavilion soon. The other finely-dressed consorts cast dark looks at Jun Huang and greeted her with mockeries. Jun Huang, however, was too smart to be angered by petty insults. She smiled at them and joined in the conversation with astounding grace.

“I wonder if there's anything you like in particular?” the consort who had invited Jun Huang asked.

Jun Huang looked up at her. She wasn't sure what the consort really wanted, but she chuckled and answered her question. “This woman prefers white jade over flowers.”

Nan Jihan had prepared a great number of flowers the first time she entered the palace. She knew many consorts had been wondering who the flowers were for. She deftly cleared her suspicion to avoid future trouble.

The consort relaxed somewhat once she heard her answer, and she talked more. When the others mocked Jun Huang, she would put in a few words for her as well.

Suddenly, everyone turned to look behind Jun Huang with appreciation in their eyes. Jun Huang blinked in confusion.

She turned around and saw that Nan Xun had braided his hair and put on the attire of a eunuch. He'd always been handsome. Not even disguising as a eunuch diminished his attractiveness.

Jun Huang blinked and snorted, her eyes br.i.m.m.i.n.g with tears and her face flushed. She shut her mouth to m.u.f.fle her laughter, her eyes and brows curved like waning moon.

She cleared her throat to suppress her amus.e.m.e.nt but couldn't help teasing him. “Gonggong is a good-looking one,” she said, meeting Nan Xun's gaze. “Where are you from?”

Nan Xun gave her a brief smile and coughed before saying respectfully, “Have you forgotten? His Majesty has a.s.signed this servant to serve you.”

Jun Huang couldn't help laughing, spilling droplets of tea as her body shook. Nan Xun worried that she'd burn herself. He quickly took the cup from her and shot here a disapproving look with his back to the others.

“Ah, of course I remember,” she said with feigned seriousness, her eyes crinkling. “I didn't tell you to come, though. You know how you look. It'll be bad if someone set their eyes on you. It'll be just as bad if you feel desires for one of us.”

She was simply teasing, but the consorts misunderstood due to jealousy. One of the more volatile women shot to her feet and pointed an accusative finger at Jun Huang. “Who do you think you are? You're n.o.body in this palace. How dare you make such offensive remarks? He may be a eunuch, but he's not someone you can bully. It's rude of you to insult him.”

“I thought you were a well-mannered girl, but is this how you treat your servants?” the woman who invited Jun Huang reprimanded. “If His Majesty hears, he's going to be mad.”