Rules of Horror: Survival Begins in the Haunted Harem - Chapter 75

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Xie Nuange’s eyes shifted as she recalled the Noble Consort’s frenzy.

Was it possible that the Noble Consort needed Benzoin Incense to soothe the other self inside her body?

“Benzoin Incense can keep a soul stable?”

“That’s right. I’ve given you a solution. What you do with it is up to you.”

Jiang Fan looked at Xie Nuange. “From the moment I entered the palace, I knew I would not be his only woman. So I don’t mind if you are with the Emperor.”

As she finished speaking, the flames of the red candles flickered twice and flared back to life. Warm yellow light filled the bedchamber once more.

There was nothing on the flagstone floor, not even a trace of water, as though Jiang Fan had never appeared.

Only after she vanished did Xie Nuange finally dare relax.

She had to obtain that Benzoin Incense as soon as possible. There was no reason not to use such a powerful cheat.

If she earned the Emperor’s regard, he could take her to the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet.

As she considered this, someone knocked on the doors.

“Lady Xie, your attendants have arrived. Your Ladyship may return to your palace now.”

Xie Nuange answered, and the doors opened.

Su Ye entered carrying a bundle and shut the doors behind her.

Her gaze swept Xie Nuange from head to toe, then from toe to head.

The silver-red gauze robe was almost transparent in the candlelight. Its sash had been pulled loose, and its neckline hung from one shoulder.

“Well?”

Su Ye leaned closer and lowered her voice. “How was it? Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?”

Xie Nuange rolled her eyes irritably.

“The Noble Consort called the Emperor away. I’ll tell you after we get back.”

She tore through the sash and changed into the clothes Su Ye had brought.

Su Ye’s gaze lingered for an instant on the tips of her ears, but she did not press her.

The Phoenix Carriage of Spring Favor waited before the Palace of Receiving Grace. Su Ye helped Xie Nuange aboard, then walked beside the carriage carrying a lantern.

They encountered nothing on the return journey. Many palaces had already closed their gates.

When they reached the Palace of Eternal Spring, the red lanterns by the courtyard gate were still glowing.

Chuntao and Xiao Yunzi stood at the entrance. When they saw the Phoenix Carriage of Spring Favor approaching in the distance, both stepped forward at the same moment, then stopped in unison.

Chuntao’s eyes shone, and Xiao Yunzi wore a broad smile. They both watched the vermilion-wheeled carriage as though welcoming a victorious hero home.

As soon as Xie Nuange alighted, Xiao Yunzi and Chuntao hurried forward to salute.

Their voices overflowed with irrepressible delight.

“Congratulations, Your Ladyship!”

Xie Nuange was not used to this. Even if nothing had actually happened between her and the Emperor, it was still embarrassing to have everyone in the palace act as though they knew exactly what she had gone off to do and congratulate her with beaming faces.

Xiao Yunzi approached with his body bent in deference.

“Your Ladyship has worked hard. Hot water is ready. Would Your Ladyship prefer to bathe first or have some refreshments?”

“I’ll bathe first.”

Chuntao acknowledged the order and ran off to fetch hot water.

Once they entered the washroom, Su Ye followed and shut the door.

“I didn’t get a chance to mention the birthday banquet. But the Noble Consort called the Emperor away, and he said he would send for me again tomorrow at noon.”

Xie Nuange stepped into the tub. Resting her head against its rim, she picked up a cup of water from beside it and rinsed her mouth.

“I’ll see if I can bring up the banquet then.”

Su Ye murmured an acknowledgment. She crouched beside the tub and, seeing what Xie Nuange was doing, scooped up water and poured it over her shoulder. “Did you two kiss?”

Xie Nuange’s lashes trembled. “No.”

“Then why are you rinsing your mouth?”

“I always brush my teeth before bed. Is that a problem?”

Seeing that physical contact with the Emperor had left Xie Nuange without any apparent psychological trauma, Su Ye finally relaxed.

“What happened on your end tonight?”

Xie Nuange looked at Su Ye. “Did you run into anything?”

Su Ye paused in the middle of pouring water. Thinking back on what she had encountered, she sighed with feeling. “It was certainly lively.”

“First, I heard the sounds of a man and woman doing… that. Then came sounds of fighting, someone falling into the water, and the procession of one of the palace mistresses.”

She looked at Xie Nuange. “But I avoided all of it. I didn’t dare risk investigating because I was afraid I wouldn’t make it here to meet you.”

Xie Nuange nodded. She understood that every one of those incidents probably contained both clues and danger.

“What about you?”

Curiosity filled Su Ye’s eyes. “What does the Emperor look like?”

Xie Nuange thought for a moment. “He’s quite handsome. He looks twenty-six or twenty-seven.”

She paused. “Not quite as handsome as my brother, though.”

Su Ye scoffed. “Have you ever admitted that anyone is more handsome than your brother?”

Xie Nuange considered the question seriously, then shook her head. “No.”

“Were there rules at the Palace of Receiving Grace?” Su Ye asked.

“Yes.”

Xie Nuange recited them one by one.

Su Ye listened carefully even though the rules had nothing to do with her.

When Rules Horror first descended, the first group of people eliminated had died because there were too many rules. They either failed to remember them or remembered them incorrectly and violated one as a result.

“Did you make it to half an hour?”

Su Ye frowned. “Or is the act itself all that matters?”

“I didn’t… do that with the Emperor. We talked for a while, and then the Noble Consort claimed she was unwell and called him away.”

Xie Nuange paused. “Successful bedchamber service isn’t measured by time. It depends on whether the Emperor considers it successful.”

“There’s more than one false rule.”

Su Ye poured the final half ladle of water over her, then rose to retrieve the fine cotton cloth draped over the screen.

Xie Nuange stood in the tub, sending water splashing back into it.

She accepted the cloth, wrapped it around herself, and slowly patted her skin dry.

“Whether your bedchamber service succeeds has nothing to do with that full hour, or with what happens on that bed.”

Xie Nuange looked at Su Ye. “If the Emperor says your service was meritorious, then it succeeded. If he says nothing, even lying on that bed for an entire night wouldn’t count.”

Su Ye lowered her head to help her dress. “Subtly mention the birthday banquet to the Emperor tomorrow. I’ll ask around too.”

“If the Emperor’s path doesn’t work, we’ll try the Noble Consort.”

The two opened the door and stepped outside. The red lanterns still glowed in the courtyard, while Chuntao and Xiao Yunzi waited under the covered walkway.

At the sight of Xie Nuange, they both straightened.

“Reward them,” Xie Nuange said.

Su Ye took two pieces of silver from her sleeve and gave one each to Chuntao and Xiao Yunzi.

They happily tucked away the silver and expressed their thanks.

“Go get some rest.”

Xie Nuange returned to her room with Su Ye. Only when no one else was present did she sigh.

“How could ancient consorts afford not to climb the ranks? I’m the one who shared his bed, yet I still have to reward the palace servants.”

“What a terrible deal.”

Xie Nuange climbed into bed and looked at Su Ye. “The Emperor ordered a reward for my meritorious bedchamber service. I wonder what he’ll give me.”

Su Ye extinguished one of the lamps on the table, leaving only the one in the corner lit.

“Go to sleep. You attended the Emperor tonight. When you pay your respects tomorrow, everyone’s eyes will be glued to you.”

“The Chosen Players won’t be so bad, but if those consorts decide to target you…”

She lay down in the space beside Xie Nuange. “You’d better think about how you’ll handle them.”

“Why would they target me? They should be laughing at me instead. The Noble Consort called the Emperor away, after all.”