The Little Consort's
Eps. 13: Classy Idler
People say being lazy is a bad thing. The lazy person will only be a useless person who is denounced by others and becomes the trash of society. But, for a free woman who gets lost into the past and becomes a lowly concubine like Li Anlan, being a slacker is a must and a job to be grateful for.
As the other concubines vied for the king's attention and affection, Li Anlan could only linger by lying on the bed, swinging in the hammock, camping, and playing in his own palace. From the very beginning, he did not have any intention of competing, nor was he interested in being as cunning as a fox.
His mood was very good because during these few days, his palace was fixed in such a way that it looked nicer than before. The broken door had been replaced, and the broken items had also been removed. Fortunately, Long Ji Man compensated him by sending him some new items and decorations. The man always told people to come with furniture.
Li Anlan was very grateful that Long Ji Man did not visit him and did not tell him to come to Hongwu Palace. He thought that the man had returned no concern for his presence. As long as the man met all his material needs, it was fine for Li Anlan to not meet as well. Long Ji Man only needs to give him a fixed salary and allowance, food, and needs like a concubine in general, except for inner and biological needs.
There was a slight difference that appeared before Li Anlan's eyes since the events of the chase by the villains a few days ago. The current Xingyue Palace was not only guarded by two people, but it had grown to four. The palace eunuch who was originally only one person also increased by one more person. If counted, then Xingyue Palace had the arrival of three new people.
Li Anlan had asked why the people in his palace had increased to the two guards earlier. They replied that the king ordered to tighten security and guard throughout the palace without exception. So, this small and secluded Xingyue Palace was also unable to escape the security. Although Xingyue Palace became a little crowded than usual, it did not reduce Li Anlan's wiggle room. The woman remained free to revel, playing and exiting Xingyue Palace as she pleased.
The woman was sitting relaxed in the park pendopo while enjoying the view of the twilight at Lake Houchi. The golden light of the sun bounced over the surface of the lake, until the entire surface of Lake Houchi seemed to shine.
The breeze of the spring wind blew gently stroking her partially decomposed hair. His legs were crossed, his long clothes dangling. Li Anlan's pretty face displayed a relaxed expression, enjoying the calmness given from the surrounding circumstances. At first glance, the woman looked like the statue of a goddess.
From a distance, Li Anlan could see the roofs of the palace buildings arranged symmetrically form a unique formation that can only be seen and described in a paper. The ends of the roof of each building also shine reflecting the twilight light.
“Roulan, what's the name of the building over there?” he asked Xie Roulan, who happened to be preparing dinner from the box. His index finger pointed at a building with the highest roof, behind which was overgrown with wisteria trees. Apparently, the back of the palace was a protected forest area.
“It was Taiji Palace, where the court took place, Madam.”
“You've been there?”
Xie Roulan shook his head.
“For these two years we have never left the Xingyue.” Palace area
Well, Li Anlan felt like a frog in a shell. She is in this world a woman who cares nothing.
“Every peak of spring, there are always large-scale banquets and contests held at Lianyu Palace, the large palace where important banquets are held. It is located next to Taiji Palace.”
“Then? Have we ever participated in that event?”
Xie Roulan shook her head again.
“Don't go, invitation or bird news never get to our palace.”
Seeing Xie Roulan complaining, Li Anlan's heart became pinched. All the stories about him are not lies. Li Anlan looked at Xie Roulan gently.
“It's okay. We just need to be quiet and live well here. That's the only way to keep us safe.”
“I just pity you, madam. Back then, when you were still a big miss in the residence of Lord Li, you were a cheerful girl who was very spoiled. Even though you have no talent whatsoever and are not good at literature and art, but Lord Nobles Li and Lady Nobles love you very much. Now, in this desolate palace, you live like a dead man. Madam, you must be so lonely!”
Li Anlan embraced Xie Roulan. This servant girl was so naive and naive. He could only think of his master's happiness and could never think of himself. Although Li Anlan had only known Xie Roulan a few days ago, she could already feel a close chemistry with Xie Roulan. Xie Roulan was the type of woman who was one frequency with him, although it sometimes sucks because of his stupid and innocent attitude.
“I have someone who accompanies and serves me. How can I feel lonely?”
“Mistress, you flatter me!”
The couple had dinner together in the quiet pendopo. The menu that Xie Roulan brought this time was wonton with sweet sour vegetable stir-fry. Also, two bowls of rice and a plate of grilled chicken meat. The menu is simple, as always. Li Anlan could no longer eat instant noodles as his supplies were already depleted. He also almost ran out of snack food stocks. So, Li Anlan could only eat the food available here, even though it was very bland and boring.
Behind the thickets of bushes to the west of the pendopo where Li Anlan and Xie Roulan ate, someone was continuously watching them. That person occasionally rubbed his sore butt and back from sitting peeking for too long. The rustling of the leaves of the bush rubbing against his body did not bother the pair of master-servants who were having dinner together.
After a while, the person jumped into another bush and left the Houchi Lake garden.
...***...
“Your Highness, actually what strange object did I get from Xingyue Palace this?”
Wang Tianshi stared fixedly at Long Ji Man who was struggling with a thin rectangular object in his hand. He just came back after almost a day last night on duty.
Recalling that day, Wang Tianshi smiled awkwardly, revealing a row of his teeth that were as white as rice flour. He has never drawn and is not good at writing. So, whatever he saw he would draw even though it did not resemble his original form.
“Your Majesty never taught me to draw well.”
“Already. Have you done the job I gave you?”
Wang Tianshi nodded. The king's personal guard thrust out a paper containing a map of Xingyue Palace. Long Ji Man's face turned serious.
“At that time, Consort An just passed by a servant from Shu Palace. Looks like, she's concubine Ling.”'s personal servant
“Xu Lingshu?”
Xu Lingshu was Long Ji Man's first concubine after he ascended the throne. She was the daughter of the Minister of Rites, Xu Lingyan. His status is a guifei. Xu Lingshu was a meek girl, only her temperament changed frequently in a short period of time. His elder brother was Xu Lingkuan, the king's beloved young general who was very accomplished. Ever since he entered the palace, his meek nature had turned violent and temperamental. Xu Lingsu had always tried to appear as beautiful as possible to lure Long Ji Man.
“What now that itchy fox has started to show its tail?”
“If you look at his temperament, I don't think that's possible. Your Majesty, Consort Ling does not have much power and connection to hunt down Concubine An.”
Wang Tianshi's words made sense to Long Ji Man. Xu Lingshu, despite being the son of a minister and the younger brother of a general, had a slightly troubled brain. He is not smart but he is not stupid. Yes, his intelligence might be at an average level. The spoiled woman was infatuated with Long Ji Man and only focused on how to look attractive, never having any other thoughts. Even if his servant provoked, Xu Lingshu was usually only affected for a moment. The woman will return to her stupidity in loving Long Ji Man.
“If not Xu Lingshu, is it possible?” Wang Tianshi hung up his question.
“The killers targeted Li Anlan because they knew that Li Anlan saved my life.”
“Your Highness, did they not really leave at that time?”
“It's possible. One of them must have lived, or in this palace there was a little mouse who deflected his gaze.”
Ah, the attack on Lake Houchi turned out to be long-tailed. The masters of those assassins were now not only targeting Long Ji Man, but also targeting the innocent and ignorant Li Anlan. The small class assassins must have reported everything they saw and experienced to the big bad guys who became their big masters, thus requiring the big bad guys to take action.
Long Ji Man had indeed experienced many times of assault and attempted murder. The damned assassins not only acted outside the palace while he was patrolling and disguising himself, but had already dared to wreak havoc inside the palace and involve others who knew nothing. It seemed, the great master's patience behind all of this had already begun to thin out.
“What has he been doing for these few days?”
“Report, Your Honor. Concubine An is just lazing around and not doing any suspicious activities.”
Long Ji Man exhaled. His serious face had already returned to its normal expression. He recalled back to Li Anlan's disrespectful behavior towards him. Long Ji Man recalled the bright twinkle of vile eyes that looked at him without any fear every time the woman spoke to him.
Suddenly, a strange sound emerged from within the rectangular object that Long Ji Man had been holding. It was Li Anlan's cell phone. The mobile phone's screen twitched displaying a round sign containing numbers and continued to vibrate.
Clik.
Long Ji Man pressed that round symbol down. The phone ring stopped immediately.
“Your Majesty, what exactly is this thing?”
“Po-Mobile.”
“Po-Pon-Pon-S-Se-Cell?”
Long Ji Man nodded.
“Stay watch over Li Anlan. He may be in danger.”
...***...
Guifei: the main concubine.