Chapter 1580: Chapter 1587: Zhao Gui’s Determination (3)
Here is the requested translation:
In order to quickly stir up the desires of the men, Jiya placed numerous exotic apparatuses in this palace, even planting flowers and trees meant to induce passion. Everywhere were spring-themed paintings and joyful toys.
Helan Qi arranged for Zhao Gui to live here, clearly intending to humiliate her, treating her as nothing more than a plaything. In a palace like this, she naturally dared not accept visits and greetings from the concubines, nor let them enter her quarters, fearing that the disgraceful sights inside might be seen by them, leading to further disdain and ridicule!
Although Helan Qi harbored deep hatred toward Zhao Gui, he still made it a point to visit her on the first and fifteenth day of the month to sleep over, ensuring rumors of neglecting the Empress wouldn’t spread and give the Emperor of Great Jin Nation an excuse to reproach him. Moreover, Zhao Gui was indeed a beauty. Raised as the legitimate Princess from a young age, she carried an air of nobility that others couldn’t imitate. If not for the fact that she was merely an impostor, her youth and that innate aura of elegance would surely have captivated Helan Qi!
"Queen Consort, it’s getting late. It seems His Majesty won’t be coming tonight. Why not let me help you retire for the night?" Zhao Gui’s personal maid Xiao Man softly urged.
Xiao Man had served the princess diligently for seven or eight years, always loyal to Zhao Gui. After seeing her suffer constant abuse ever since she married into the Xianbei, Xiao Man’s heart ached immensely, yet there was nothing she could do.
In this imperial harem, the fiercest rival to the Queen Consort was none other than the favored Concubine Xue. Xiao Man knew Concubine Xue from before, as she had previously been a lowly maidservant by the side of the Empress Dowager of Great Jin Nation. Somehow, she’d now ended up in Xianbei, and had even become Concubine Xue.
When the princess first married into Xianbei, it was Concubine Xue who recognized Zhao Gui wasn’t the legitimate Princess and reported it to Helan Qi. Because of her report, Zhao Gui fell into Helan Qi’s disdain, while Concubine Xue was rewarded for her merit and given the authority to oversee the six palaces.
Once she gained power, Concubine Xue suppressed Zhao Gui at every turn, repeatedly using her to establish dominance before others. Under her torment, Zhao Gui had grown visibly thinner in just a few short months, spending her days in silence, despondent and melancholy, causing Xiao Man great concern!
Zhao Gui poured herself another cup and murmured, "Today is the fifteenth, His Majesty should come!" With that, she downed the liquor in one gulp!
Xiao Man glanced at the dim night outside and sighed inwardly. It was already the second watch; if His Majesty intended to come, he would’ve arrived long ago. At this point, it was clear he wasn’t coming.
In truth, Zhao Gui knew deep down that he wasn’t coming. Still, there remained a shred of hope in her heart, wishing he might come. Only if he came could she have the chance to seek favor, to achieve emancipation, to become the true Queen Consort.
If he didn’t come, she would continue languishing in this humiliating palace, subjected to the cruelty and abuse of Concubine Xue and the others...
By the third watch, Zhao Gui’s jug of liquor had run dry, and she was so drunk that she was no longer conscious. Xiao Man let out a sigh and struggled to support Zhao Gui’s limp and intoxicated form as they slowly made their way toward the side of the couch.
"His Majesty arrives—"
Suddenly, the shrill voice of the eunuch announcing the arrival rang out, startling Xiao Man. She never imagined His Majesty would come at such an hour. At this moment, the Queen Consort lay drunk and disheveled, entirely incapable of meeting him. Xiao Man hurriedly tried pushing her awake, but to no avail.
Left with no other choice, she set the drunk Zhao Gui down on the couch, gathered herself, and stepped outside. Following the other palace maids, she knelt tremblingly to welcome Helan Qi’s arrival.
"Welcome, Your Majesty!"
After entering, Helan Qi was greeted by everyone kneeling on the ground, but his gaze swept the room without catching sight of Zhao Gui. His expression darkened instantly: "Where is your mistress?"