Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 1475: Chapter 1576 The Emperor Likes Plump_1

Bai Ruozhu felt secretly delighted. She had been pondering a visit to Wang Shun to discreetly ask about which concubine the emperor had recently favored, yet unexpectedly, she didn’t need to go to such trouble, for the opportunity presented itself to her directly.

She chuckled inwardly, recognizing that Concubine Xu’s amiable nature played right into her hands.

After giving it some thought, she leaned over and whispered a few words to the Nanny. The Nanny, looking somewhat astonished, turned to her and asked, ”Won’t this upset Concubine Lü? Our beloved lady has always preferred to keep to herself for protection.”

Bai Ruozhu winked at her confidently, ”Don’t worry, from now on, Concubine Lü will only be grateful to your beloved lady.”

The Nanny thought it over carefully and sensed the logic in it, so she agreed.

Meanwhile, Wei Tianzhen was on the other side, having finished massaging Concubine Xu. Although Concubine Xu was initially wary of her, upon trying, she found Wei Tianzhen’s skills did not vastly differ from Bai Ruozhu’s. Given that Concubine Xu was easy to talk to, she decided not to insist on Bai Ruozhu personally giving her massages.

Bai Ruozhu took Concubine Xu’s pulse and prescribed her some soothing medicine. Then, with a beaming smile, she handed over a small black bottle, offering it to Concubine Xu, ”This is a special formula I’ve developed called ’Pure White Jade Cream.’ You must have heard of it, Concubine Xu. Apply it to your face this evening, and after fifteen minutes, wash it off. I guarantee your skin will be delicate, bright, and flawless.”

Naturally, Concubine Xu had heard of the renowned Hua Xiangrong Beauty Workshop. However, being a concubine in the Palace, they couldn’t easily leave the grounds, especially one of her rank, who would be lucky to venture out once a year, so she had yet to experience the miraculous effects of the Pure White Jade Cream.

”Thank you so much, Lady Bai,” said Concubine Xu before instructing the Nanny, ”Go bring that set of jewelry to gift to Lady Bai. Without her, I would still be tormented by headaches.”

Bai Ruozhu accepted the gift without any pretense of modesty and, after closely examining Concubine Xu, said with a smile, ”Concubine Xu, with your buxom figure, rosy complexion, and round cheeks, you’re sure to be the emperor’s favorite.”

Concubine Xu blushed and said shyly, ”Do you think I’ve put on weight? I’ve heard Concubine Lü say that the emperor favors slender figures.”

”How could that be the case? If that were true, why wouldn’t the emperor have visited Concubine Lü’s chambers?” Bai Ruozhu lowered her voice as if sharing a secret, ”My husband often attends the emperor, and I’ve heard that His Majesty prefers voluptuous women.”

Her voice was purposely hushed, yet still audible enough for bystanders to hear, and sure enough, a palace maid nearby blinked, absorbing every word.

Which concubine in the Palace didn’t have informants around her? Such statements were likely to reach others’ ears soon.

Once Bai Ruozhu took her leave, Concubine Xu couldn’t wait to try the Pure White Jade Cream. It was her first use, and the results were particularly dramatic. After washing off the black paste, she nearly failed to recognize herself.

She touched her own face, now smooth as jade, and exclaimed excitedly, ”Nanny, look, have I become whiter?”

”Not only whiter, but your skin is also more refined; my lady, you truly look beautiful,” said the Nanny, who had been Concubine Xu’s nurse, treating her as if she were her own daughter, naturally seeing her in the best light possible.

Concubine Xu gazed into the small Western mirror from one side to the other and was so thrilled she didn’t feel like taking her afternoon nap anymore.

A while later, the Nanny started a conversation with her, ”My lady, perhaps later we should visit Concubine Lü. I’ve heard her stomach ailment has flared up again. We all live under the same roof, and since her rank is higher than yours, it would be appropriate to pay her a visit.”

”The Nanny makes a good point; we’ll go and visit her later,” replied Concubine Xu, her good mood making her response especially cheerful.

After estimating that naptime was nearly over, the two made their way to visit Concubine Lü’s quarters.

Consort Lü was suffering from stomach pain, but she still insisted on wearing a very tight belt, her slender waist seemingly delicate enough to break with a single effort.

At that moment, a palace maid came with a message, and Consort Lü frowned, saying, ”Let her in.”

With Nanny by her side, Consort Xu entered with light steps; her appearance immediately caught Consort Lü’s attention.

It was truly because Consort Xu’s complexion was so radiant, and how could her skin be so fair?

It was a pity that her waist was a bit too thick, which made her appear not at all slender, and Consort Lü observed this with disdain.

However, she had to admit that Consort Xu’s figure combined with her moon-like face possessed a charm of its own, making even her feel envious.

”How come you look so radiant, Sister? Your skin is so soft it seems like water would squeeze out with a pinch,” Consort Lü asked curiously.

”Oh, it is nothing special. Thanks to Chief Doctor Bai treating my headaches, my spirit improved, my body was conditioned better, and consequently, my complexion improved as well,” Consort Xu said, not willing to mention the Pure White Jade Cream since it was a personal gift from Bai Ruozhu. Of course, she also harbored some secretive thoughts, fearing that if others knew, they would all ask Bai Ruozhu for it. Then how could Bai Ruozhu continue to give it to her?

Consort Lü’s face changed, and she became unhappy upon recalling what Bai Ruozhu had told her the day before.

”Why are you still suffering from stomach pain, Sister? Why not ask Chief Doctor Bai to examine you?” Consort Xu asked with concern.

”She came yesterday, but she is not very capable; she couldn’t cure my stomach illness, finding all sorts of ridiculous excuses,” Consort Lü said displeased.

Consort Xu laughed and said, ”Chief Doctor Bai does have many requirements, such as walking for a quarter of an hour after meals to aid digestion, and eating half a plate of vegetables for every meal. I was quite annoyed at first, but after persevering these days, I had to do as she instructed.”

Consort Lü’s expression hardened, ”Consort Xu, you are not here to advocate for Chief Doctor Bai, are you? I’ve already said there’s no need for her treatment, so don’t waste your breath.”

Taken aback, Consort Xu wanted to explain but saw that Consort Lü had already picked up her teacup as a sign to leave, so she could only bow and take her leave ceremoniously.

Watching Consort Xu’s retreating figure, Consort Lü noticed that her swaying waist as she walked looked especially attractive. What she thought was a plump waist now seemed very sensual.

After she left, a maid quietly came to report, including the details of Consort Xu serving the Emperor the previous night as well as the ”whispers” between Bai Ruozhu and Consort Xu.

Consort Lü’s eyes widened in shock, ”The Emperor likes plump women? Impossible. He clearly likes my slender waist!”

After saying this she felt uncertain and anxiously turned to her personal maid, asking, ”Bao Ping, do you think the Emperor has really changed his taste? Does he truly like voluptuous figures now?”

Bao Ping was a trusted confidant that Consort Lü had brought with her from home into the Palace, and they had a particularly close relationship. She had actually advised Consort Lü not to obsess over keeping a slim waist by skipping meals.

”It is likely true. The Emperor is busy with state affairs, and he doesn’t call the consorts to his bed chamber that often within a month. Since Consort Xu is of low rank, the fact that the Emperor visited her means she must have some appealing quality that caught his attention,” Bao Ping answered cautiously.

In fact, the Emperor had never said that he liked Consort Lü’s slender waist. Emperor Tang Yin was someone who never made it known which consort he favored, with the kindest treatment arguably being shown only to Consort Yue.