Rules of Horror: Survival Begins in the Haunted Harem - Chapter 77

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Xie Nuange lowered her lashes, feeling the many different gazes the Chosen Players directed at her.

Her cheeks burned, and it felt as though her entire body was turning red.

To Zhao Ning and the others, her reaction suggested something else entirely.

The Noble Consort’s words did not displease the Empress.

She smiled at Xie Nuange. “Reward her. Noble Lady Xie rendered meritorious bedchamber service. Grant her two bolts of cloud brocade and a complete set of red-gold head ornaments. I hope you will soon bear flourishing branches and abundant heirs for His Majesty.”

Xie Nuange curtsied again. “This concubine thanks Your Majesty for the reward.”

Once the Empress’s reward was settled, the Noble Consort smiled as well.

“Since Her Majesty has spoken, this concubine can hardly be stingy.”

She looked at Xie Nuange with a gentle gaze. “What would you like, Noble Lady Xie? Yikun Palace does not possess much, but it still has a few presentable treasures.”

Xie Nuange’s heart beat faster.

Should she ask for the Benzoin Incense?

Or ask to attend the birthday banquet?

Xie Nuange glanced up at the assembled consorts and chose the safer option.

“This concubine begs Your Ladyship’s indulgence.”

She lowered her head, looking somewhat embarrassed. “When this concubine paid her respects at Yikun Palace yesterday, she found the fragrance there very pleasant.”

“Might this concubine ask Your Ladyship for some?”

Consort Qi, Consort De, and Consort Jing all smiled at Xie Nuange.

“It seems our Noble Lady Xie appreciates incense as well.”

The other Chosen Players did not know what the incense was used for, but all of them made a mental note.

Anything Xie Nuange specifically asked for had to be useful.

The Noble Consort watched her for a long moment, then covered the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief and laughed, her eyes curving.

“I wondered what you would ask for, but it’s only incense.”

She lowered the handkerchief and looked at Xie Nuange with smiling eyes.

“You mean the Calming Incense. I blend it myself, and it cannot be found elsewhere. You have discerning taste.”

“Since you like it, I’ll have Biyu wrap some and deliver it to you later.”

She turned toward the maid behind her. “Biyu, remember that. Once we return, package some for Noble Lady Xie and send it over.”

“Yes, Your Ladyship.”

Biyu curtsied.

Xie Nuange also bent her knees. “Thank you, Your Ladyship.”

After Xie Nuange returned to her seat, the Empress looked at Zhao Ning and another Chosen Player.

“These are the newly admitted First Attendant Zhao and First Attendant Li. You should all become acquainted.”

Hearing their titles, Xie Nuange glanced at Ye Wan.

Ye Wan had said the earlier one entered the hall to participate in the ritual, the better.

Had she meant the rank awarded after clearing the stage?

First Attendant Li was a dark, thin Chosen Player with an unremarkable appearance.

As usual, the Empress had sweet rice dumplings served to the two women.

Xie Nuange did not watch them eat. She was thinking about the incense the Noble Consort had just named.

Calming Incense.

Not Benzoin Incense.

The names were different. “Benzoin” did not sound particularly auspicious, after all. She simply did not know whether the effects were the same.

As she considered this, she sensed someone staring at her.

Xie Nuange turned her gaze and found Liu Feng still watching her.

She smiled at Liu Feng, then looked away.

“Very well. The Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet is one month away.”

The Empress swept her gaze across the women in the hall. Xie Nuange and the others immediately focused on her.

“The Empress Dowager still does not intend to celebrate lavishly this year. You newcomers must perform well.”

“If you distinguish yourselves, you will be allowed to attend her birthday banquet.”

“However…”

She paused. “Even if you do not attend this time, do not be anxious. There will be other opportunities in the future.”

With that, the morning greeting ended.

The high-ranking consorts departed in order, leaving the hall more than half empty.

When the Chosen Players saw Xie Nuange walking out, they followed her.

The moment she stepped beyond the Palace of Phoenix Grace, a group surrounded her.

Zhao Ning stood directly in front of her, with Liu Feng half a step to Zhao Ning’s side. Together, they blocked the path completely.

“Noble Lady Xie.”

Zhao Ning curtsied, then lowered her voice and studied Xie Nuange searchingly.

“What exactly happened between you and the Emperor? Did you really attend him in bed?”

Xie Nuange said nothing. She merely smiled.

“What do you need that incense for?”

Liu Feng also stepped forward and looked at Xie Nuange. “We’re all… Tell us what you discovered.”

Xie Nuange glanced at Liu Feng, then at Zhao Ning.

“I only asked for the incense because I liked the smell. I didn’t discover anything.”

Her gaze lingered meaningfully on Liu Feng. Liu Feng had probably received the rules after attending the Emperor too.

Did that mean only those who had attended him could discover the second set of rules?

“All right, disperse.”

Ye Wan approached and glanced at them. “Everyone relies on their own abilities in this scenario.”

Then she looked at Xie Nuange. “Shall we go? If you keep blocking her here and the Empress sends someone out to ask what’s happening, what will you say?”

Zhao Ning looked at Ye Wan, then at Xie Nuange.

She smiled. “I only just entered and know absolutely nothing. Those of you who arrived several days earlier refuse to share even a few clues.”

“We don’t have any clues either.”

Ye Wan shook her head and looked at Xie Nuange. “Coming?”

Xie Nuange nodded. She had just heard Ye Wan say the word “scenario.”

Had Ye Wan let it slip unconsciously? Or had she not received the second sheet of rules because Consort Qi stopped her from attending the Emperor?

If someone had never seen the second set, would saying either of those forbidden words still violate the rules?

Liu Feng’s gaze traveled over Xie Nuange from head to toe. She gave a soft laugh.

“You’d really go that far just to complete the mission.”

With that, she left with her palace servant.

Seeing that she could learn nothing from Xie Nuange, Zhao Ning also turned away with her NPC maid.

The other Chosen Players dispersed when they realized Xie Nuange would tell them nothing.

“Xie Nuange, were there rules for attending the Emperor?”

Ye Wan wanted to know because she had not attended him herself.

She did not ask whether Xie Nuange had truly slept with the Emperor.

Inside a scenario, survival and clearing it came first.

Xie Nuange turned to Ye Wan.

“Since you didn’t receive the rules, perhaps… they don’t restrict you. But what if learning them causes them to apply to you?”

Ye Wan gave Xie Nuange a long look, then nodded.

“All right. If I need them, I’ll come find you.”

Then she added, “Consort Qi said the Noble Consort is in poor health. Whenever the Noble Consort attends the Emperor, she remains ill for two days afterward.”

Xie Nuange nodded, then glanced at Ye Wan. “I have a rule concerning Consort Qi.”

“Consort Qi likes others to flatter her beauty, but you must not steal the Emperor’s favor from her. Otherwise, she will find all manner of excuses to make trouble for you.”

She paused, then offered a well-meaning warning. “Think carefully about what you choose.”

Ye Wan nodded thoughtfully.

They reached a fork in the path. Zhongcui Palace lay to the left, and the Palace of Eternal Spring to the right.

After they parted, Ye Wan watched Xie Nuange’s retreating back.

Her lips curved into a smile. “That little fox.”

“She never lets herself suffer the slightest loss. Getting clues from her is harder than climbing to heaven.”

Zhang San also watched Xie Nuange and Su Ye walk away. “Do you think the clue she gave us is true?”

“Don’t worry. Xie Nuange might be a little stingy, but she never lies about clues.”

Ye Wan started back with Zhang San. “She’s far better than Liu Feng and Zhao Ning.”