Huanchun had been around long enough to know how things worked around the palace, and she knew the best path to survival. When she had been assigned to serve a mistress who was once a palace maid like herself, Huanchun had been very annoyed. However, as the days passed, she grew more fond of Lanqi's personality, and felt more obliged than ever to dote on her like Aunt Sumala had ordered her to. Hearing Lanqi's words, she linked her arms with Lanqi and said cutely, "I got it, Mistress. Just let me off this time, won't you?"
"Yes, but just this time, alright? If Noble Lady An stirs up trouble for me again, just endure it. She'll get tired of it before long and stop bothering with me." Here, Lanqi lowered her voice. "You can't expect them to be happy for me when the Emperor is so fond of me. I'm relieved enough that they chose to take their anger out on me instead of the Emperor."
Huanchun giggled mischievously. "If His Majesty heard you say that, even the Grand Empress Dowager won't be able to stop you from becoming the most favored concubine in the history of China!"
Lanqi's face flushed red with embarrassment. Giving Huanchun a shove, she scolded, "I'm going to tell Aunt Sumala about this. Let's see how she'll punish you, you rascal!"
However, Huanchun seemed undeterred. Leaning even closer to Lanqi, she teased, "What exactly are you going to tell Aunt Sumala? That I called you 'the most favored concubine in the history of China'?" Lanqi was so exasperated that all she could do was laugh helpessly. Sulking, she stomped away from Huanchun.
However, it had only been a while since she became a concubine, and the flower-pot shoes she had to wear proved to be a huge challenge for her. She stumbled and fell onto the ground, twisting her ankle in the process.
Huanchun looked rather stunned. She hurried forward to Lanqi and asked where she had injured herself. Lanqi was in so much pain that she was hardly able to say a word. Knitting her brows together in agony, she gritted her teeth and said, "I think I twisted my foot."
Her twisted foot caused a tide of concern to flood through the gates of the Palace of Accumulated Purity. Even the doctors from the Imperial Academy of Medicine rushed over to treat Lanqi without seeking permission from Consort Zhao first.
Only one person in the palace hurried over in a panic and started castigating Lanqi upon seeing her. "How did you manage to fall down while walking? Are your eyes attached to the back of your head?"
Lanqi bowed her head and sheepishly, too afraid to reply. After all, it was the Emperor who was addressing.
Looking thoroughly annoyed, Xuanye flung open her covers. When he saw her red, swollen foot, he sucked in a deep breath and stared at it in shock.
Lanqi felt rather intimidated. In a small, wronged voice, she muttered, "It hurts."
"It hurts? Good! Maybe you'll learn your lesson this way." Xuanye looked rather angry. "When you get better, put on those flower-pot shoes and walk around the Palace of Heavenly Purity until you master walking around in them! Perhaps you won't fall down again in the future."
Lanqi burst into laughter immediately. Xuanye rapped her head sharply. However, he had forgotten to take off his jadeite ring—his finger struck her head with a loud crack. It was so painful that Lanqi teared up immediately. Xuanye regretted it immediately. Rubbing her head, he tried cajoling and threatening her in turn. Finally, he gave up and chastised her, "If you fall down a few more times, I might as well stop attending those pesky imperial court meetings so I can keep an eye on you all day."
Lanqi felt very reassured by his statement, but she couldn't help recalling the rancorous expression on Noble Lady An's face when she confronted her that morning. Knowing that there would be chaos in the harem if a single concubine monopolized Xuanye's affections, her face clouded over with worry immediately. Seeing her unhappy expression, Xuanye asked seriously, "What? Did I sound too solemn?"
"No, you didn't, Your Majesty." Lanqi leaned against his chest, sighing with satisfaction. She had craved this bit of warmth for a long time, but she knew the price that came with enjoying it. After a pregnant pause, she continued, "You can't abandon your duties to the court officials, or neglect affairs of the state because of me. I will do my best not to create trouble for you anymore."
Xuanye smiled, looking overjoyed even as he silently scolded himself for scaring her like that just now. Kindly, he replied, "I was just joking, why did you take it so seriously? However, I am very displeased—I was going to take you along when I go horse-riding in a few days, but it seems my plans are dashed."
Lanqi recalled this matter immediately. However, the Grand Empress Dowager had already decreed that all the concubines would be accompanying Xuanye on this expedition. Even if Lanqi didn't go, there would be other people with him.
"Well, you should come along to, if only to breath the fresh air outside these palace walls." Xuanye couldn't bear to leave her alone. Smiling, he said, "Even if you can't ride a horse, you should come join in the fun. The Grand Empress Dowager needs someone to assist her too. Go along with Aunt Sumala on that day."