Chapter 1943: Why Was There Suddenly a Punishment for Failure?

This was the first Lady Zhou had heard of a punishment. She furrowed her brows, a bit worried. Why was there suddenly a punishment for failure?

It seemed like she would have to work harder to complete tasks in the future.

Lady Zhou mentally asked the favored concubine system, “What’s the punishment?”

“You’ll know when the time comes.” The favored concubine system fell silent after that.

“It’s finished, Lady.” Court Lady Qiu looked in the mirror at the exceptionally beautiful, albeit frowning, Lady Zhou. She had excellent skin and her face was practically flawless. A soft blush colored her cheeks without the need for makeup, her eyebrows were already thick without drawing over them, and her lips were already scarlet without being painted.

Even without makeup, her skin looked like snow reflecting the morning glow.

Court Lady Qiu’s heart sank. She feared that the state of the inner palace would change.

“Thank you, Court Lady Qiu,” Lady Zhou said, smiling. She extended a slender, jade finger to touch her coiled-up hair.

Qiu Ling paid her respects and withdrew from the chamber. She headed back to speak to Ning Shu.

“Your Majesty, His Majesty and Lady Zhou will be coming over soon,” Qiu Ling said after she paid her respects to Ning Shu.

Ning Shu hummed in agreement and took a sip of jasmine tea. It was meant to aid digestion and cleanse her palate. She saw Qiu Ling hesitate to speak and asked, “What else?”

“Your Majesty. Lady Zhou is a very beautiful girl, with a breath that smells of orchids and skin like snow.” Qiu Ling frowned. “Why is it that this servant has never noticed such a beautiful girl before?”

Qiu Ling couldn’t completely remember what Lady Zhou looked like before. Such a beauty would normally capture everyone’s attention.

“Help me get ready. His Majesty will arrive soon.” Ning Shu didn’t care about how beautiful Qiu Ling thought Lady Zhou was.

“Yes.”

Qiu Ling helped Ning Shu with her hair, wanting to make her look as regal and beautiful as possible. Ning Shu felt as though her neck was about to snap from the weight. “Simple is fine.”

“Your Majesty, you have to look graceful and dignified as befitting an empress. Demonstrate the empress’ prestige,” Court Lady Qiu said while she coiled Ning Shu’s hair up.

Ning Shu raised a hand to stop her. “There’s no need. It’s alright to keep things simple. The empress’ standing is due to the emperor’s regard, so it’s not necessary to look more prestigious in front of him.”

It was too fr*cking heavy.

Qiu Ling could only redo Ning Shu’s hair.

“Keeping to the rules is enough,” Ning Shu said. She needed to maintain the empress’ dignified demeanor without appearing too solemn.

“His Majesty has arrived,” the eunuch’s piercing voice called from outside the Palace of Prolonged Autumn.

Ning Shu stood up and walked over to the doorway to welcome Zhao Xu.

Zhao Xu was wearing comfortable, everyday clothing. However, his outfit was well-tailored and accentuated his noble, handsome features. Zhao Xu exuded regal authority.

Next to Zhao Xu stood Lady Zhou, who was as beautiful as Qiu Ling described. Her skin was so fair that it was almost transparent, like a gleaming crystal. No matter what she wore, she would still be beautiful. A good-looking person would still look good, even if they were wearing a potato sack.

Together, Lady Zhou and Zhao Xu looked like a pair of immortals. Or rather, like celestial beings.

“This subject wife pays her respects to His Majesty.” Ning Shu curtsied to Zhao Xu in greeting.

“This subject pays her respects to Her Majesty.” While Lady Zhou promptly paid her respects to Ning Shu, it was clear that she never fully internalized court etiquette. Her form when bowing was nowhere near correct.

Translator: Kiara

Editor: Shark

Translator: Kaho