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Chapter 25
Gu Han's injuries weren't serious, just a few days' rest and she had recovered well enough. However, what Gu Han had asked Little Fangzi to investigate had made no progress whatsoever.
Jiu nian arranged Gu Han's hair and applied a touch of powder and rouge, making Gu Han more beautiful than flowers. Her willow-leaf brows curved slightly, her almond eyes were clear and penetrating, gentle and serene. Gu Han rested her chin on her hand, listening to Little Fangzi's self-reproachful voice:
"This servant is useless, I couldn't discover whom Bǎolín Liu had been in contact with."
Little Fangzi didn't doubt Gu Han's deduction was wrong; he blamed himself. Having spent three years in the palace, he considered himself to have established some connections. Now, the very first task his mistress had assigned him, he'd failed to accomplish.
Would his mistress think him worthless?
Gu Han discreetly glanced at Little Fangzi. If she'd previously only trusted him three parts out of ten, after learning of his connection to Xie Chang'an, that trust had risen to at least five parts.
If her placement in Changchun Pavilion had involved Xie Chang'an's assistance, then in Xie Ang'an's eyes, Little Fangzi must possess something that could help her.
Yet now, Little Fangzi couldn't uncover anything unusual about a Bǎolín who had long fallen from favour. This only proved more clearly that there was something suspicious about Bǎolín Liu.
Given her lowly status and lack of favour, why on earth would Bǎolín Liu choose to offend her?
Suddenly, Gu Han thought of something. She narrowed her eyes slightly and asked:
"Bǎolín Liu had difficulty seeing His Majesty to begin with, and now she's confined. Have the palace servants been making things difficult for her?"
Having spent three years in the palace, Little Fangzi immediately understood why his mistress asked this. His expression became somewhat awkward: "This servant was negligent. According to servants from Suiyue Palace, Bǎolín Liu cried and made a fuss when she returned after being punished that day, but calmed down the next day."
"The Zhongsheng Hall and the Imperial Kitchen have treated her as usual, without any harsh treatment."
At first glance, there seemed nothing amiss. Bǎolín Liu had made a fuss for one day, then naturally calmed down after thinking things through the next day. A fallen-from-favour Bǎolín wasn't important enough for the Zhongsheng Hall and Imperial Kitchen to take seriously.
But anyone giving it proper thought would detect something fishy. How could a fallen-from-favour Bǎolín who had been confined for three months not feel anxious and frightened?
Little Fangzi, having been in the palace so long, naturally knew that those servants below wouldn't show any kindness. For a concubine who could barely see His Majesty's face, they would already be showing conscience if they merely withheld food and monthly allowances openly or covertly.
Adapting to circumstances was palace servants' forte.
Unless Bǎolín Liu had backing.
Little Fangzi frowned. Who in this palace had such an ability to act so imperceptibly that he couldn't discover anything?
Gu Han glanced at Little Fangzi's constantly changing expression and casually looked away:
"In your view, who might be capable of this?"
Little Fangzi felt somewhat indignant inwardly, but quickly calmed down: "Throughout the entire rear palace, those who could imperceptibly influence the Zhongsheng Hall and Imperial Kitchen can be counted on one hand."
He raised his head and made an almost imperceptible gesture of respect towards the east:
"Those three Consorts need not be mentioned. If one asks who else, Zhāoróng Ling is also quite favoured by His Majesty, but Zhāoróng Ling's health is poor, she doesn't often appear in public."
When Gu Han heard Little Fangzi mention Zhāoróng Ling , she was also startled. Since entering the palace, she had never seen this Zhāoróng Ling.
Gu Han had heard of Zhāoróng Ling, but her health was too poor. She'd been bedridden even before the selection, and had never recovered. However, no one in the rear palace dared slight her, His Majesty's favour was one reason, but there was another: she was one of only two concubines in the rear palace who had borne children.
Unlike Consort De, Zhāoróng Ling had a little princess, but with imperial heirs so scarce, her status naturally became precious.
After speaking, Little Fangzi shook his head:
"But Zhāoróng Ling doesn't have the ability to prevent this servant from discovering anything."
It wasn't that Little Fangzi was arrogant, during the selection period, the Young Master had arranged for him to enter Changchun Pavilion, but previously he'd always stayed in Zhongsheng Hall. One mustn't underestimate this position; the allocation of servants to various palaces was all handled through the Zhongsheng Hall
In other words, he knew people in every palace and hall.
Even if some held lowly positions, this network made him more well-informed than others.
Gu Han narrowed her eyes slightly. According to Little Fangzi's words, the person manipulating Bǎolín Liu must be among those three Consorts. But Gu Han didn't understand one thing, even though she'd gained some favour recently, there remained an insurmountable gulf between her and those three.
What about her warranted those three taking action?
Gu Han couldn't fathom it, but among these three, if she had to eliminate one suspect, it would certainly be Her Majesty the Empress.
Unlike Consort De and Consort Shu, the Empress enjoyed little favour. She currently posed no threat to the Empress, removing her would bring the Empress no benefit, and might even earn her a reputation for lax management.
Moreover, the Empress had bestowed rewards several times, Gu Han vaguely sensed the Empress might wish to win her over.
As for Consort De and Consort Shu...
Gu Han furrowed her delicate brows, recalling how Guipin Lin had so coincidentally appeared in the Imperial Garden that day. Everyone in the rear palace knew Guipin Lin was Noble Consort Shu's person. Various suspicious points from that day surfaced in Gu Han's mind, but ultimately, she still couldn't determine who it was.
Because, Guipin Lin's appearance made many clues seem to point towards Noble Consort Shu, but Gu Han hadn't forgotten something Little Fangzi had once said Consort Shu was clever.
Since she was clever, how could she leave such obvious flaws?
After a long moment, Little Fangzi asked hesitantly:
"Mistress, should we continue investigating Bǎolín Liu?"
Gu Han came to her senses and shook her head: "Since that person hasn't revealed themselves, further investigation will likely yield no results. Just have someone watch Bǎolín Liu."
After a pause, Gu Han added:
"Keep it low-key."
Bǎolín Liu's attempt to harm her had failed. Regardless of what purpose the person behind her had, there would certainly be follow-up moves. She only needed to wait quietly.
However, a trace of coolness passed over Gu Han's brow. Regardless, Bǎolín Liu had intended to harm her, merely keeping her confined in the palace for three months seemed far too comfortable.
She tilted her head: "Who else resides in Suiyue Palace?"
"Bǎolín Qiu."
Little Fangzi, seeming to guess Gu Han's thoughts, continued: "Baopin Qiu shares Suiyue Palace's side hall with Bǎolín Liu. There's no principal mistress in the palace. The two are both Bǎolín, but their favor is mediocre, and they have been at odds with each other for a long time."
"Mistress hasn't attended morning greetings these past days and hasn't seen, but this servant heard that Bǎolín Qiu has been in rather good spirits lately."
Gu Han understood, naturally Bǎolín Qiu would be pleased that someone she had been at odds with had fallen on hard times.
She rested her chin on her hand and asked carelessly: "Does Bǎolín Qiu know about Bǎolín Liu's treatment?"
Little Fangzi's eyes lit up, and he answered with a chuckle:
"If she knew, I fear Bǎolín Qiu wouldn't be so pleased."
Originally thinking it was the east wind prevailing over the west wind, but the confined Bǎolín Liu's treatment might actually be better than hers, how could Bǎolín Qiu bear it?
Gu Han and Little Fangzi exchanged a glance. She gave a faint smile and said nothing more. Little Fangzi bowed slightly and soon withdrew.
Through the latticed window, Gu Han watched Little Fangzi's retreating figure, her eyes darkening slightly. She wondered whether, when days grew increasingly difficult, Bǎolín Liu could still restrain herself.
Jiu nian, as if she hadn't heard the conversation between mistress and Little Fangzi, stepped forward quite naturally and asked:
"Mistress's injuries have mostly healed. Should we go to the Bureau of Intimate Affairs to hang up your green tag?"
As soon as the words fell, Gu Han knitted her delicate brows slightly, then shook her head: "No hurry."
Jiu nian didn't understand.
Gu Han recalled what Bǎolín Rong had said when visiting yesterday. She rubbed her somewhat aching temples, finding it rather difficult to put into words:
"The rear palace has been rather lively lately. Better to stay in the palace where it's quieter."
Yesterday, Bǎolín Rong had come to her palace not only to visit but because she had been holding it in uncomfortably and needed to vent. She didn't know whether it was because the Empress Dowager would soon return to the palace, or because His Majesty had summoned Zhou Měirén to attend him that day, but lately, the most triumphant person in the rear palace was Zhou Měirén.
Out of consideration for the Empress Dowager, others had been deferring to her by three parts.
What made Gu Han choose to avoid the storm was mainly the news Bǎolín Rong brought yesterday, two days ago, when His Majesty entered the rear palace, he had summoned Miao Měirén to attend him, but the next day, Zhou Měirén and Miao Měirén had had a conflict.
Bǎolín Rong harboured resentment towards Zhou Měirén, so it was unclear whether her account was biased. According to her, it was essentially Zhou Měirén deliberately picking a fight.
But their ranks were equal, even though Miao Měirén had an honorific title and was half a rank higher than Zhou Měirén, she wasn't taken seriously by Zhou Měirén. What Zhou Měirén did wasn't exactly major, but it wasn't minor either.
She had found an excuse, saying that a servant by Miao Měirén's side wore the same colour as hers, offending her. Ignoring Miao Měirén's attempts to stop her, she'd forcibly punished that servant. According to Bǎolín Rong, Miao Měirén had been so angry her whole body trembled.
Gu Han wasn't afraid of Zhou Měirén being domineering, but with this sort of person, no one knew who she would target next. They were of equal rank, Zhou Měirén dared confront Miao Měirén, so she certainly wouldn't fear her either.
With the Empress Dowager about to return to the palace, there was no need to clash with Zhou Měirén at this juncture.
Jiu nian also thought of this and found it somewhat difficult to speak, saying in a low voice: "Won't Her Majesty the Empress do anything?"
Gu Han shook her head. The Empress probably didn't want to touch this hot potato now:
"With the Empress Dowager about to return to the palace, as long as Zhou Měirén doesn't go too far, I'm afraid Her Majesty the Empress will only turn a blind eye."
Even His Majesty had summoned Meiniang Zhou to attend him, as long as the Empress wasn't stupid, she would know what to do.
Gu Han tugged at the corners of her lips and said softly:
"Compared to Zhou Měirén's forthrightness, I actually find the rear palace concubines' hypocrisy not so difficult to accept after all."
Everyone pretended to have sisterly affection. Even if they felt disgust and jealousy in their hearts, at least they wouldn't make things awkward for each other openly. Someone like Zhou Měirén, who acted without restraint just to suit her own mood, was actually rare in the rear palace.
But whether or not Gu Han wished to leave the palace, it wasn't up to her. The next day, Aunty Muqiu from the Empress's palace personally came to Changchun Pavilion. Gu Han and Jiu nian exchanged glances, burying their puzzlement in their hearts, and hastily had Muqiu invited in.
Gu Han was helped up, her almond eyes gentle, with a hint of confusion:
"I wonder what instructions Her Majesty has that she's sent Aunty Muqiu here?"
Muqiu had not faced Gu Měirén directly before. When that gentle and serene voice reached her ears, Muqiu paused, suddenly understanding why, among so many new concubines, His Majesty would look upon Gu Měirén with particular favour.
Consort Shu was favoured, and many concubines in the rear palace imitated her, their makeup revealing some brilliance and flamboyance, yet they couldn't match Noble Consort Shu. But Gu Měirén was different, like a single orchid blooming amongst peonies. Being different always stood out.
Muqiu came to her senses, her face bearing an appropriate smile:
"Měirén has been recuperating for quite some days. Her Majesty sent this servant to ask whether Meiniang's injury has healed?"
Gu Han paused almost imperceptibly, somewhat unable to discern Her Majesty the Empress's intention, but she couldn't lie, the Imperial Medical Bureau kept records of everything. If the Empress had not sent someone to ask, that would be one thing, but now Gu Han could only tell the truth. She lowered her eyes slightly, revealing some bitterness:
"This concubine has troubled Her Majesty. This concubine's injury has largely healed. Tomorrow I shall come to pay my respects to Her Majesty."
The smile on Muqiu's face deepened: "If Měirén is well, Her Majesty can be at ease. Měirén's green tag can be hung up today. Then this servant shall take her leave."
Gu Han watched her retreating figure, lightly furrowing her delicate brows.
Jiunian was somewhat worried: "Mistress, what does Her Majesty the Empress mean by this?"
Muqiu's visit seemed solely to urge Mistress to recover and attend to His Majesty. Jiu nian thought of Consort Shu's green tag, which still hadn't been hung back up, and for a moment, her expression became rather peculiar.
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Author's Note:
Kunning Palace: Empress
Yi'an Palace: Consort Shu
Xianleng Palace: Imperial Consort De
Zhaoyang Palace → Main Hall: Xiuyi He
Zhaoyang Palace → Side Hall: Rong Baolin
Yihe Palace → Changchun Pavilion: Female Lead
Rongcui Hall: Beauty Miao
Cuizhu Pavilion: Beauty Lin
Changning Courtyard: Zhou Meiren
Hanleng Palace → (Main Hall transferred to Side Hall): Talented Lady Yuan
Also appearing: Noble Lady Lin, Liu Baolin
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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