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Chapter 9
In just one short day, returning to Kunning Palace for morning greetings, Gu Han's experience felt completely different from yesterday.
Though it wasn't yet the hour of chen, Kunning Palace was already crowded with people, making her arrival seem later than yesterday's. The moment she entered, she immediately sensed the barely perceptible glances sweeping her way.
Gu Han's body stiffened almost imperceptibly.
She smiled bitterly to herself. After yesterday's events, even though she'd done nothing, in others' eyes she'd likely been labeled as scheming and calculating. Gu Han lowered her eyes lightly and walked to her seat as if nothing were amiss, sitting down properly.
A Talented Lady had no retinue. The entire walk from Yihe Palace to Kunning Palace, Gu Han had relied on her weakened legs. The pampered young lady clutched her handkerchief tightly to maintain the serene, gentle expression on her face.
Translator's note: talented lady is a rank and it means cairen
After serving in the bedchamber, a woman carried a unique lingering charm that could not be concealed, even that trace of weakness, in others' eyes, became a form of showing off. Consort Yuan glanced at Talented Lady Gu, her bright brows immediately furrowing. She drank a mouthful of tea rather irritably and shortly after gave a light snort:
"I wondered what great beauty she was."
It was a simple sentence, not directed at anyone in particular, but everyone present knew what she meant. Gu Han quickly raised her eyes to glance at her, and Consort Yuan froze slightly.
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They say true beauty lies in bearing, not skin, words Consort Yuan had always dismissed as a joke. What everyone in this world valued was nothing more than that outer appearance, wasn't it?
Yet people still had to speak such high-minded, concealing phrases.
But that glance Talented Lady Gu had just cast her way, Consort Yuan suddenly understood the meaning of "captivating glances." When looking only at Talented Lady Gu's face, Consort Yuan had thought it merely pretty. But now, Consort Yuan gripped her teacup tightly, her sense of crisis surging.
In truth, she'd always known her temperament wasn't likable.
But with so many consorts in the rear palace, variety was expected, a hundred flowers blooming. She didn't need to be like everyone else in every way.
Sure enough, His Majesty had shown her considerable favor.
Someone with a bit of personality was always more memorable than someone bland and conformist.
Previously, Consort Yuan believed that the smartest thing a woman could do was to be cunning and gentle,they were more important than a pretty face, after all, in the rear palace, there wasn't a single unattractive person.
But now Consort Yuan suddenly realized her previous words had been too absolute.
Consort Yuan imperceptibly knitted her brows. Now she believed that yesterday Talented Lady Gu had done nothing yet still managed to entice His Majesty to visit her, after all, with eyes like those, what couldn't she accomplish?
But this news was not at all favorable for her.
She wanted to make some sarcastic remarks targeting Talented Lady Gu, but while Consort Yuan wasn't clever, she possessed a sharp instinct. There were too many people in the rear palace she couldn't afford to provoke, and Consort Yuan never showed her might before such people.
To put it bluntly, she bullied the weak but feared the strong.
Just as everyone waited for Consort Yuan to continue, Consort Yuan merely held her teacup, took a sip of tea, moved her gaze away from Talented Lady Gu, as if nothing had happened at all.
The crowd was disappointed.
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Gu Han was also puzzled. She had already prepared herself to endure a few sarcastic remarks from Consort Yuan. Though she didn't understand why Consort Yuan had now backed down, having one less trouble made Gu Han feel somewhat relieved.
She didn't want to clash with the palace veterans so soon.
She had only met His Majesty once and couldn't gauge his attitude toward her. Compared to Consort Yuan, she had just entered the palace, their knowledge of palace information was unequal. To clash rashly would be very disadvantageous for Gu Han.
The Empress had heard from the inner chamber that Consort Yuan was confronting Talented Lady Gu, but when she emerged, Kunning Palace was completely calm. She imperceptibly raised her eyebrows, her gaze flashing over Consort Yuan.
This Consort Yuan must have some ancestor protecting her. Usually she caused quite a commotion, but when she sensed something amiss, she retreated faster than anyone. So despite such an unlikable temperament, having been in the palace nearly five years, she remained quite active.
The Empress glanced at Talented Lady Gu, then at the only empty seat in the palace. Thinking of something, she curved her lips slightly. She bestowed the customary reward on Talented Lady Gu, then suddenly asked:
"Yihe Palace is quite far from Kunning Palace, and the surroundings are rather quiet. Is Talented Lady Gu finding it comfortable?"
The Empress smiled warmly. The question seemed merely casual.
But Gu Han immediately became alert. She seemed somewhat surprised as she raised her eyes, her cheeks reddening slightly, appearing a bit embarrassed:
"Thank you for Your Majesty's concern. This concubine prefers quiet, and Yihe Palace is very good."
Yihe Palace had no primary consort. Unless Gu Han were foolish, she couldn't possibly say a single negative word.
Though she didn't know what the Empress was thinking, to dispel any notions the Empress might be forming, Gu Han lightly emphasized the words "very good."
The Empress's smile didn't change, as if those words truly were just a casual inquiry.
Consort De used her handkerchief to wipe the water from her lips, simultaneously concealing the curve at the corner of her mouth. When she lowered the handkerchief, she laughed lightly: "No wonder His Majesty favors Talented Lady Gu. Even this concubine wishes to befriend such a charming sister."
Translators Note: Consort De is also called Virtuous consort, "德" (dé) means "virtue/virtuous" in Chinese.
Gu Han's heart felt increasingly strange, but not knowing what Consort De and the Empress were thinking, she could only lower her head in a bashful manner.
The gazes the other consorts directed at Gu Han couldn't help but carry a few traces of jealous resentment. Even Consort Miao cast a look her way. Both had attended morning greetings after attending to his majesty, yesterday the Empress had merely given her the routine reward, but when it came to Gu Han, it was different.
Consort Miao couldn't help but overthink.
Those who warranted attention from superiors were either favored or had value to be exploited. Either way, at least in the Empress's view, Talented Lady Gu was far more useful than her.
Consort Miao didn't want to think this way, but after yesterday's events, she found it difficult not to compare herself with Talented Lady Gu.
After morning greetings dispersed, Gu Han quickly walked out of Kunning Palace. Others all felt the Empress regarded her differently, but Gu Han was so tense her back was nearly breaking out in cold sweat. Consort De and the Empress clearly had hidden meanings in their words, yet she understood nothing about this deep well that was the rear palace. She lived in fear of saying the wrong thing.
Why did the Empress suddenly mention Yihe Palace?
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Did she want to move her to a different palace?
If that were truly the case, where would she be moved to?
Gu Han couldn't understand. This was only her second day in the palace, she'd only served in the bedchamber once, whatever the Empress was plotting, why was she acting so hastily?
Perhaps the Empress truly was just showing concern, but dwelling in the rear palace, Gu Han had to be suspicious of everyone's every word.
Gu Han's legs were weak. On her way back to the palace, she deliberately slowed her pace. The scenery in the Imperial Garden was gorgeous, with consorts moving through it, adding color to the beauty. Gu Han looked up at the sky, July's heat was unbearable.
These consorts were truly ruthless with themselves.
Jiu Nian walked close to Gu Han, holding up an oiled-paper umbrella for her. With worries weighing on her heart, everything Gu Han looked at seemed slightly vexing. When passing Hanling Palace, that vexation reached its peak.
The matter of Liu Ruoqian was like a guillotine suspended at her neck, until it was resolved, she couldn't relax for a single day.
Gu Han's nose had always been sensitive. When passing by the side of Hanling Palace, she seemed to catch a whiff of an unpleasant odor. Gu Han suddenly pinched her palm hard, the piercing pain keeping her rational, preventing her from showing any unusual reaction. Only after Hanling Palace was left behind did she gradually loosen her grip.
This was July, unbearably hot.
If there was a corpse, in just a few short days it would begin to emit the stench of decay.
Gu Han's heart sank heavily. She knew better than anyone, the matter of Liu Ruoqian couldn't be concealed much longer.
But reality gave Gu Han no time to dwell on such things. The moment she stepped into Changchun Pavilion, a palace servant hurried forward with a smile on her face:
"My lady, you've finally returned!"
Gu Han came back to herself, her brows drawing together in confusion as she looked over. It was Xiao Fangzi who guessed what was happening, his face lighting up with joy. The palace servant bowed hastily:
"Someone from His Majesty's Palace has come, saying His Majesty has bestowed rewards and is waiting for you, my lady."
Gu Han was surprised. Too rushed to indulge in wild thoughts, she hurried toward the inner hall. Sure enough, Liu An stood in the corridor. Upon seeing her, he descended from the corridor to meet her, bowing in greeting. Gu Han quickly told him to rise:
"Has Gonggong been waiting long?"
Hearing the slight apology in Talented Lady Gu's voice, Liu An bent at the waist, his face carrying a smile: "This slave just arrived. His Majesty has bestowed rewards, this slave dares not delay."
At the mention of His Majesty, Liu An saw Talented Lady Gu's cheeks flush, that bashfulness as she lowered her eyes making even him, a rootless man, feel momentarily dazed. Liu An quickly lowered his head, not daring to look further.
He suddenly remembered, originally, he hadn't planned to come deliver these rewards in person.
After all, there were many consorts in the rear palace. If he had to personally run errands for every reward, who would attend His Majesty?
His Majesty had been working at his desk in the Imperial Study as usual, handling state affairs. When Liu An learned Talented Lady Gu had gone to morning greetings, he estimated His Majesty's attitude toward Talented Lady Gu and reported the matter. His Majesty continued his work without reaction.
Just as Liu An thought he'd guessed wrong, he heard His Majesty say calmly:
"Select some valuable items from the storehouse to send to her. Also send those two bolts of cloud-woven brocade along with them."
His Majesty didn't specify who "she" was, but Liu An wasn't stupid. He immediately acknowledged the order, only pondering deeply what exactly constituted "valuable items."
The cloud-woven brocade was a tribute from Jiangnan. Only a few bolts came each year, and His Majesty's private storehouse only had those two bolts left. Consort Yuan had coveted them for a long time, but His Majesty had never relented. Now he was rewarding them all to Talented Lady Gu.
Liu An was just about to send someone to deliver the rewards to Changchun Pavilion when Lu Yu suddenly called him back.
Lu Yu set down his brush. In his mind flashed an image of the woman's slender, pale wrist. He was silent for a moment before raising his head and asking: "I recall there's a pair of longevity plum mutton-fat jade bracelets in the storehouse."
He asked quite naturally and calmly, but Liu An's heart clicked his tongue.
That pair of mutton-fat jade bracelets—after His Majesty's ascension, in the first year, they'd been sent as congratulatory gifts from a vassal state. His Majesty had always kept them in the storehouse.
Lu Yu tapped his fingers on the imperial desk. Without even glancing at Liu An, he said unhurriedly:
"Send them to her as well."
Lu Yu hadn't thought much about it. He simply felt that slender wrist would surely look beautiful wearing that pair of longevity plum mutton-fat jade bracelets.
Thinking of something, he acted on it.
Lu Yu had always been this willfully self-indulgent.
Liu An immediately abandoned the idea of having someone else deliver the rewards and made the trip himself. He imperceptibly raised his head to look at Talented Lady Gu. As long as this Talented Lady Gu didn't act foolishly, the lanterns at Changchun Pavilion wouldn't dim anytime soon.
Author's Note:
Gu Han: Not following the script!
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Here are the ranks of imperial consorts:
- Empress (皇后 Huánghoù) — Head of the Imperial Harem
- Imperial Noble Consort (皇贵妃 Huáng Guìfēi) — Rank 1
- Noble Consort, Pure Consort, Virtuous Consort, Worthy Consort (贵妃、淑妃、德妃、贤妃 Guìfēi, Shūfēi, Défēi, Xiánfēi)** — Senior Rank 1 (The Four Consorts, with Noble Consort as the highest)
- Consort (妃 Fēi) — Junior Rank 2
- Bright Deportment, Bright Countenance (昭仪、昭容 Zhāoyí, Zhāoróng) — Senior Rank 3
- Cultivated Deportment, Cultivated Countenance (修仪、修容 Xiūyí, Xiūróng) — Junior Rank 3
- Noble Lady (贵嫔 Guìpín) — Senior Rank 4
- Imperial Concubine (嫔 Pín) — Junior Rank 4
- Beauty (美人 Měirén) — Senior Rank 5
- Talented Lady (才人 Cáirén) — Junior Rank 5
- Precious Grove (宝林 Bǎolín) — Senior Rank 6
- Imperial Woman (御女 Yùnǚ) — Junior Rank 6
- Palace Maid (宫女子 Gōngnǚzǐ) — Senior Rank 7
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