Something's Off About Concubine Rou - Chapter 3

Perhaps I was imagining it, but Concubine Rou seemed very nervous.

Then I thought it over, and understanding dawned.

I had plenty of sisters at home. Sharing a bed at night was perfectly normal for us.

But I’d heard that Concubine Rou had four elder brothers and no sisters.

Of course she’d feel awkward.

“Is this your first time, Concubine Rou?” I asked.

She twisted the brocade quilt between her fingers, her face scarlet, and answered with a shy little “Mm.”

“Oh, don’t worry,” I reassured her. “It’s only sleeping, after all. Sleep with a few more sisters and you’ll get used to it.”

No sooner had I spoken than her face fell. All her bashfulness vanished.

“Your Majesty has… lain in the empress’s bed with many other sisters?”

Her sudden change puzzled me.

Wasn’t I allowed to?

We often lay together and spent the whole night saying nasty things about Li Yuanxiu.

So I answered honestly, “Yes. We often lie together and—”

Before I could finish, she cut me off in a much louder voice. “Together?!”

I was lost.

Was sharing a bed a capital offense in the General of Swift Cavalry’s household? Why was she reacting so strongly?

Then again, perhaps her upbringing had simply been strict.

She didn’t even have a close friend she could lie in bed with.

Thinking of that, I looked at her with renewed pity.

When Concubine Rou spoke again, however, it was through gritted teeth.

“And who does Your Majesty… do that with most often?”

I thought for a moment. “Consort De, I suppose.”

We’d been friends since before we married, after all. Our circles overlapped, which meant we had a wider range of people to gossip about.

Concubine Rou paused, then gave a cold little laugh.

“I knew it would be her.”

Her expression settled. She suddenly sat up a little and stroked the side of my face.

“It doesn’t matter. From now on, I’ll attend to Your Majesty so well that no Consort De, Concubine De, or whoever she is will ever catch your eye again.”

Her touch tickled my cheek.

I marveled inwardly. This girl was rather possessive.

I swatted her hand away. “All right, all right, enough talking. I’m tired. Let’s sleep.”

Running out so late to find Concubine Rou had worn me out.

I needed to catch up on my sleep.

I pulled the brocade quilt over myself.

Suddenly, Concubine Rou went still.

She remained in the same position, and I could feel a shadow over my head.

Then a sob sounded above me.

What was wrong? What was wrong?

I yanked the quilt down and saw tears covering her face. She looked so pitiful I couldn’t bear it.

“Don’t cry! Did I hurt you when I swatted your hand away?”

She flung herself onto me and hugged me, even rubbing her head against my… well…

“Your Majesty, has Rou’er done something wrong? Why may Consort De do it, but I may not?”

I was bewildered.

I’d been bewildered far too many times tonight.

I understood every word she said. Why couldn’t I understand them when she put them together?

What could Consort De do that she couldn’t?

Did she really want to hear me insult Li Yuanxiu?

“Consort De and I always talk a little before going to sleep,” I said. “What exactly do you mean?”

Confusion appeared on her face.

“That’s all?” she asked blankly.

I nodded. “Yes. That’s all.”

She was silent for a few seconds. Then, coming to herself, she grabbed the quilt and covered herself from head to toe at lightning speed.

Completely. Not a single gap left.

“Well it’s late Your Majesty should get to sleep too.”

She didn’t even pause between the words.

I scratched my neck. How strange.

Then I lay down too.

After a whole night of commotion, silence returned to the Hall of Phoenix Grace.

…

Two hours later.

“Concubine Rou, are you asleep?”

“Please speak, Your Majesty.”

“What exactly did you mean when you said Consort De could do it, but you couldn’t?”

“…”