NOVEL NEXT Chapter 8
Chapter 8
After Gu Yi had breakfast, Beauty Qi sent a palace maid to find her. She said that her family had sent her something and asked her to go and pick it out. Beauty Qi and she shared the Xiuyi Hall’s side hall, and they usually looked after each other.
Gu Yi organized her clothes and makeup and went to the hall’s east side. When Beauty Qi saw Gu Yi come with a big smile, she was puzzled in her heart, hearing that the Emperor threw her down to see Noble Lady Wang last night. She originally wanted to comfort her. But looking at her current appearance, she didn’t need comfort.
Beauty Qi had always been reticent, and at this moment, she didn’t know what to say, so she spread the objects on the long table one by one. “Pick it. They are not valuable trinkets.”
Beauty Qi’s father is a Capital official, the right minister of the Ministry of Justice, a third-grade official, and the highest family in the newly appointed Beauties. He had a way to send some things to the palace. The table was full of jade pendants, fans, and other playthings. It was hot these days, so Gu Yi reached out to take the fan. Unexpectedly, under the fan was a book with ‘Jin Ping Record’ three catchy characters. She made a ‘eh’ sound, and Beauty Qi quickly took that book away. What is this ‘Jin Ping Record’? Is it an adult book?
T/N: a spinoff of Jin Ping Mei (the first adult book in China), English title (Golden Lotus).
Gu Yi’s cheeks flushed red as she watched Beauty Qi fumble around. Because Beauty Qi was half a year older than the original Beauty Gu, Gu Yi smiled with arched eyebrows, “Sister Qi, what is this Jin Ping Ji?”
Beauty Qi embarrassedly hid the book, “It’s nothing. It’s just a book that you can buy on the market.”
Gu Yi: “Let me take a look, too. I love reading storybooks the most. I also love to write them!”
Beauty Qi was shocked, “You write storybooks?”
Gu Yi nodded, “Of course!”
For the first three days after she transmigrated, she naively thought she could rely on writing storybooks in the Harem to make good karma and pass the time. Who would have thought that she was a cannon fodder? I’m so angry!
Beauty Qi: “If you show me the books you’ve written, I’ll lend you this Jin Ping Ji.”
Gu Yi let Tao Jia back to bring the manuscript she wrote. Beauty Qi’s eyes lit up when she saw a tall pile of manuscripts, and after that, the two of them exchanged books. Each sat in a corner and read quietly.
Jin Ping Ji is a light story of a girl who had a dream in which she met a scholar. Later, when she woke up and met this scholar, she deliberately threw down her handkerchief and eventually married this scholar. Gu Yi regretted showing the books she had written to Beauty Qi.
Beauty Qi finished turning over the books in her hand, looked up, and froze at Gu Yi. Her face seemed pale. Maybe the impact of the values was too significant —
Gu Yi tried to redeem herself, “Sister Qi, actually…… this is just the first draft …… it’s still can ……”
Beauty Qi interrupted her words and said anxiously, “What about next? Is Deity Murong really in love with Miss Liu? What about Yi Yi?”
Sure enough, a fan of the female lead. Liu Yi Yi, the book’s female lead, for her Master, Deity Murong, sacrifices her innocence to solve the love compulsion on his body. Unexpectedly, Deity Murong doesn’t recognize her and starts an affair with Miss Liu.
Sadistic love.
Gu Yi: “Not yet finished writing. I’m troubled these days.”
Beauty Qi anxiously said, “Sister Gu, can you tell me your difficulties? This Immortal Romance must be written.”
Gu Yi, who had gained a book fan, bid farewell to Beauty Qi. Writing books was just a way to pass the time. Beauty’s monthly salary was not much, and she had spent it on daily tipping. She also sent the only golden peanut to save her life. How about writing books to earn some money?
Gu Yi thought while subconsciously touching her belt pouch and felt the white rabbit-shaped jade pendant. By the way, the female lead’s jade pendant was still in her hand. As an essential tool person to advance the plot, she had to return the jade pendant at the right time. With this thought, to avoid a dreamy night, Gu Yi sent Tao Jia to the Laundry Bureau to call Zhao Wan over.
Zhao Wan soon came to the west wing of the Xiuyi Hall, but the person looked a lot more haggard than last night and said, “Greetings to the Beauty.”
Gu Yi handed her the white rabbit jade pendant, “I return it to you after I’ve enjoyed it.”
Zhao Wan was surprised. She initially thought that she wouldn’t be able to get the jade pendant back. Yesterday, Beauty Gu summoned her into the palace and didn’t give her the jade pendant, so she expected that she wouldn’t be able to get it back. But today, she gave it to her. So, was letting her come into the palace to face the Emperor last night to humiliate her? But why give her new clothes?
Zhao Wan hesitantly said: “Many thanks to Beauty. This slave girl does not understand why Beauty called me into the hall?”
En, all for the sake of protecting her life.
Gu Yi: “I see you have an extraordinary appearance and loyalty, so I’m just sending you a ride along with the water.”
Zhao Wan kowtowed: “Thank you, Beauty. If Beauty does not dislike it, I’m willing to come to Xiuyi Hall to serve Beauty.”
Gu Yi froze briefly at these words before slowly saying, “This is not a good place. Since His Majesty abandoned me last night, I don’t think he’ll return. You’d better prepare well for the Head Department of the Clothing Department’s selection at the end of the month.”
In the book, Zhao Wan makes a splash in the selection and is chosen to be the head, opening up the road to promotion in the Harem. So, she’d better not hang out with her, a minor character who died in the third chapter.
Zhao Wan felt more surprised. How did Beauty Gu know that she wanted to participate in the selection? Is she this famous in the Harem? What is the origin of this Beauty Gu?
Gu Yi persuaded again: “A pearl in the dust, there will be a day to shine. Gold will shine even in the desert! I believe you will have a greater future!”
Sister, please bottom up this bowl of chicken soup! Whether I can leave the palace to be a happy, wealthy woman in the future depends on you!
Zhao Wan was speechless for a moment, not knowing what to do. This Beauty Gu was unwilling to keep her. She could only pay her respects, “Then …… I will leave first ……”
Gu Yi encouragingly looked at Zhao Wan again, “You can go.”
After Zhao Wan left, Tao Jia was so angry that she blushed and said, “Luckily, Master didn’t accept that kind of villain who climbs high branches. Looking at her that way, she just wanted to borrow Master to seduce His Majesty again!”
Gu Yi comforted her and said, “I’m not leaving keeping her –” As she spoke, she leaned back on the soft cushion. “Besides, His Majesty left last night. Finding a Noble Lady is better if she wants to climb a high branch.”
Tao Jia worried: “Although His Majesty left last night, Master can wait for the next flipping. Let this slave girl make an order?”
Gu Yi sighed, spread her hands, and said, “There’s no more money.”
Master and servant looked at each other speechlessly for a moment. Tao Jia hypnotized herself, “Perhaps Beauty was wrong. What if His Majesty thought of making up for you and returned? Perhaps you can run into him in the Imperial Garden.”
Gu Yi appreciated Tao Jia’s optimism and couldn’t bear to talk through the relentless drama, so she changed the subject and said, “Well, you’re right. There’s no need to contemplate at this moment. The day is so hot, and we’re almost running out of ice, so you should go to the Accounting Department to get some more ice back.”
Tao Jia said yes, took two palace maids, and went to the Accounting Department. On the way, she bumped into Bi Zhu, a palace maid sent by Noble Lady Tian. Tao Jia stepped back and let Bi Zhu make her way first. The Bookkeeper gave Bi Zhu ice according to the rules. When it was Tao Jia’s turn, the head said, “We’ve run out of ice for today. Come back another day.”
It wasn’t Tao Jia’s first day mixing in the palace. Whether there was ice or not, she knew it clearly. Tao Jia wasn’t a pushover, “Does the Bookkeeper serve food while looking at people? Why can they receive what our Beauty can not?”
The Bookkeeper is an eighth-grade official with some authority, “Is this the way Xiuyi Hall Gu Beauty teaches her slaves? No wonder, no wonder ……” The Bookkeeper said while gently shaking her head.
Although the words were not clear, Tao Jia knew the meaning. The Bookkeeper said it was no wonder the Beauty couldn’t keep the Emperor.
Intolerable.
Since Tao Jia had followed Beauty Gu, her loyalty was toward her. She slapped the table and went to pull the flower on the Bookkeeper’s head. The Bookkeeper had never seen such a battle before and stepped back. Tao Jia pounced, and the two of them twisted into a mess. The female officials of the Accounting Department ran out and pulled them apart.
Tao Jia was still stirring her legs, “Don’t stop me. I entered the palace at eight, and I’ve never lost a fight until now!”
Bookkeeper: ……
The other female officials who knew Tao Jia advised, “Sister Tao Jia, don’t yell. If Headmaster heard, this matter can’t be settled!”
Upon hearing this, the Bookkeeper immediately turned around and went into the house to complain to the Headmaster. The Headmaster is a cautious middle-aged woman who was released from the palace at the age of twenty-five and returned to the palace to be a Headmaster.
As soon as Tao Jia saw the visitor, she immediately cried and said, “Sister Hu, the Bookkeeper deducts our Beauty’s part!”
The Headmaster knew Tao Jia. She was eight years old when she entered the palace and became a sweeper of the Imperial Garden. The Bookkeeper had a bad premonition when she saw this.
Headmaster asked, “Why didn’t Bookkeeper send ice to Beauty Gu of Xiuyi Hall?”
The Bookkeeper stammered and couldn’t say anything.
Headmaster spoke up, “Go fetch ice for Beauty Gu of the Xiuyi Hall. Deduct the Bookkeeper January’s monthly salary.”
Tao Jia smiled sweetly, “Sister Hu.”
However, they heard the Headmaster say again, “Tao Jia is punished for fighting in the palace. Deduct her salary for three months, and I will inform Beauty Gu of Xiuyi Hall of the punishment.”
Tao Jia cried again.
The Headmaster wasn’t joking. She led Tao Jia while sending ice to Xiuyi Hall’s side hall. Gu Yi was surprised to see an extra person out of nowhere.
The Headmaster bowed and said, “Greetings to Beauty. I am the Headmaster of the Accounting Department, Hu Xian.”
Gu Yi immediately helped her up. “Headmaster Hu, please get up. What is the reason for coming to the hall?”
Headmaster Hu then told her about Tao Jia’s brawl.
So shocking! Gu Yi looked at Tao Jia, surprised, while Tao Jia had to bury her head.
Headmaster Hu coughed lightly, “Although I have fined Tao Jia her monthly salary, I still ask Beauty to urge Tao Jia to copy the palace rules so that she can learn from the past.”
Gu Yi hurriedly nodded, “What Headmaster said is very true.”
Headmaster Hu straightened her sleeve robes, “Then I’ll retire, but there are words from my heart for Beauty to listen to.”
Gu Yi: “Please say.”
Headmaster Hu: “Tao Jia protects her Master, so she’s loyal. But she relies on me to act wildly in the Accounting Department and wants to show off. Beauty Gu from Xiuyi Hall is not to be bullied, but in the palace, not only the Accounting Department that holds a high and steps on the low, not to mention the Noblewomen. Beauty must also have time to bow herself. If you want to live comfortably, the Harem is mostly dependent on the word ‘favor.’ Please don’t blame me for speaking out recklessly.”
Gu Yi smiled, “I understand what the Headmaster said.”
Headmaster Hu smiled faintly and glared at Tao Jia before leaving the hall. Tao Jia flung herself to her knees, “I beg for Beauty’s forgiveness.”
Gu Yi was very touched but still said thoughtfully: “Your loyalty is admirable, but don’t do it next time. If it is committed elsewhere, Headmaster Hu cannot protect you, and I can’t protect you! Quickly, get up, go and copy palace rules.”
Tao Jia looked up and said bitterly, “Really need to copy, ah?”
Gu Yi nodded, “Yes.”
Tao Jia sobbed twice, stood up, and went to copy the palace rules.
Gu Yi silently sighed. What to do? It seems like being a salted fish isn’t good. She must hold on until the male and female lead together, and she can leave the palace! Right now, she had to stay in the middle to live comfortably. First, she had to solve the urgent problem of lack of money.