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Chapter 27
Having just emerged from Kunning Palace, a pattering rain began to fall outside. The group was immediately trapped inside Kunning Palace.
The Imperial Kitchen underwent quite a thorough reorganization. Bǎolín Qiu's tearful complaints hadn't been in vain, her tears finally stopped, and remembering something, her brow tips lifted with satisfaction, both physically and mentally at ease.
Gu Han only glanced at her once before withdrawing her gaze. The crowd was forced backward by the rain势, and Gu Han had no choice but to retreat a few steps as well. In the confusion, she seemed to step on someone's skirt hem. Gu Han quickly turned around and met Yuan Cáirén's displeased frown.
Compared to when she'd first entered the palace, how much of Yuan Cáirén's arrogance and sharp edges had been worn away, no one knew. Even having her skirt stepped on, she only shot Gu Han a discreet glare, said nothing, and retreated with an air of resigned bad luck.
Gu Han froze. Rong Ling tugged at her sleeve:
"Sister, why are you spacing out? Come inside quickly to shelter from the rain."
Gu Han followed Rong Ling's pull and squeezed back into the hall together. She glanced around, the Empress had returned to her inner chamber and didn't come back out even hearing the commotion. Muqiu had someone bring silk cloths for the dampened consorts to dry themselves, which was quite appropriate.
Rong Ling muttered quietly, "This rain came at such an inconvenient time."
It happened to fall just as everyone was leaving Kunning Palace. Even Gu Han's sleeves had gotten somewhat wet. Jiu nian was using a handkerchief to dry them for her. Gu Han paid this no mind, instead sweeping her gaze toward Yuan Cáirén nearby.
She had recently been claiming illness and resting in her palace. It had been quite some days since seeing Yuan Cáirén, but something seemed to have happened—the area around whereYuan Cáirén stood seemed to have been emptied out. In other words, Yuan Cáirén appeared to have been ostracized.
Because Yuan Cáirén's demotion had some connection to her, Gu Han inevitably paid more attention to her. Gu Han pulled her sleeves together and inquired softly:
"What's going on here?"
Rong Ling loved to gather excitement. If there was any news in the palace, she should know something. Rong Ling followed her gaze and a flash of understanding crossed her eyes. Using a voice only Gu Han could hear, she said three words: "Imperial Concubine Lin."
Gu Han imperceptibly furrowed her delicate brows.
The rain势 didn't stop, but servants returning to fetch umbrellas from various palaces quickly came back. With the evening meal approaching, they naturally couldn't keep blocking Kunning Palace. Soon the crowd gradually dispersed.
Jiu nian held an oil-paper umbrella for Gu Han. Today Gu Han wore the cloud-woven brocade bestowed by His Majesty, afraid of staining it with mud, she walked very slowly step by step. Just reaching the Imperial Garden, she saw Yuan Cáirén standing in the rain. The oil-paper umbrella that had been in the servant's hands lay on the ground nearby, its edges somewhat damaged. The torrential rain had soaked her completely.
Gu Han covered her lips with a handkerchief in shock. Whether from cold or anger, Yuan Cáirén's whole body trembled slightly. Gu Han carefully noticed Yuan Cáirén's eyes were somewhat red, but with rainwater falling on her face, Gu Han couldn't tell if she had been crying.
Imperial Concubine Lin's procession had gone far. Gu Han could only see a retreating figure. She frowned. After a long while, she finally beckoned:
"Send an umbrella over to Yuan Cáirén."
Little Fangzi froze. Though he had spent very little time with his mistress, Little Fangzi also knew his mistress wasn't someone who loved meddling in others' affairs. Receiving this instruction now, he was somewhat surprised, but it didn't prevent Little Fangzi from quickly reacting and immediately acknowledging.
But before Little Fangzi could deliver the umbrella to Yuan Cáirén, a servant holding an umbrella shielded Talented Lady Yuan from the rain势. Gu Han paused slightly, only feeling that servant looked somewhat familiar.
She seemed to have seen him behind His Majesty.
Gu Han suddenly turned her head. Sure enough, she spotted the imperial procession on the eastern path. From a distance, Gu Han couldn't see his expression clearly, but he just stood there, his figure tall and upright. Vaguely, Gu Han seemed to see His Majesty glance at her.
Gu Han didn't know how to react. She only knew she quickly bowed and performed a distant salute.
Yuan Cáirén also saw the imperial procession. The emotions she'd been holding in finally lost control. These past days had been especially difficult for her, ostracized with not even someone to talk to. Just after leaving Kunning Palace, Imperial Concubine Lin had found an excuse to ruin her umbrella.
Standing disheveled in the rain, apart from forcing herself not to show weakness, Yuan Cáirén could do nothing.
A palace attendant from the Emperor's attendants held an umbrella for her. She lifted her skirts and ran toward His Majesty. Gu Han watched with her own eyes as she threw herself into His Majesty's embrace without regard for propriety. She truly couldn't see His Majesty's expression clearly, only seeing that after a moment, Yuan Cáirén released her hold, seemed to delicately wipe her tears, and followed behind His Majesty as they left.
Only after the imperial procession completely departed did Gu Han allow herself to be helped up. She lowered her eyelids slightly, said nothing, and continued walking toward Changchun Pavilion. Only when passing that damaged umbrella did she pause:
"Fold it up and set it aside. At least it's been put to full use."
When intact, it sheltered Yuan Cáirén from wind and rain. Damaged, it also earned Yuan Cáirén some fortune.
Jiu nian and Little Fangzi exchanged glances. Little Fangzi immediately stepped forward to fold the umbrella properly and kept it by the stone bench beside the flowers. Jiunian said in a low voice, "Master, the rain势 is growing. Shall we hurry back?"
Gu Han naturally had no objection. She only pondered internally, the harem had three high ranked consorts who seemed to coexist harmoniously, but in reality each had their own faction. As for Consort Yuan, she seemed to have not sided with any of them.
Otherwise, during this time, she wouldn't have had it so difficult.
What Gu Han couldn't fathom was His Majesty's attitude. If His Majesty harbored some pity for Yuan Cáirén, that time Imperial Concubine Lin made Yuan Cáirén kneel in punishment before everyone, His Majesty had clearly seen it yet looked on coldly.
If he felt nothing, today's behavior suggested otherwise. Starting tomorrow, Yuan Cáirén would likely recover some of her former spirit.
Gu Han raised her hand to rub her forehead. Forget it, His Majesty's actions today saved her some trouble. Regarding Yuan Cáirén's demotion, by rights, she did owe Yuan Cáirén something. But that didn't mean Gu Han was willing to associate with Yuan Cáirén.
---
Upon returning to Changchun Pavilion, the evening meal had already been prepared. Gu Han saw Jiu si looking jubilant and couldn't help raising an eyebrow in puzzlement:
"What makes you so happy?"
Jiusi laughed and presented a bowl of milk pudding like a treasure, filled with fruit, even rare cherries. Gu Han was surprised, then heard Jiusi say with a smile in her voice:
"The eunuch from the Imperial Kitchen said that today Ganbei sent several baskets of cherries to the palace by fast horse. His Majesty had some sent to the Imperial Kitchen to make into dishes and bestow upon the harem consorts."
She paused and lowered her voice: "But not everyone received them."
"Apart from those few high ranks, among the new concubines, only a few Měiréns received them."
Cherries spoiled easily and were as precious and rare as lychees. Even Gu Han rarely had them. In the past at the household, they had to spend great sums to buy just a little. Moreover, His Majesty's bestowal carried different significance.
Gu Han curved her lips in a smile, dimples appearing and disappearing on her cheeks, quite a charming sight.
Having personally witnessed the imperial procession leave with Yuan Cáirén, after finishing her meal today, Gu Han directly had hot water prepared for bathing without waiting for news from the Emperor's Palace. Sure enough, upon waking the next day, she heard news that His Majesty had spent the night at Hanling Palace yesterday.
Gu Han yawned drowsily and was pulled up by Jiu nian. She half-reclined against Jiu nian, allowing others to attend to her dressing, hearing Jiu si grumbling indignantly beside her:
"There are truly many fair-weather people in this palace. In the past when this servant went to fetch meals from the Imperial Kitchen, Hanling Palace had to wait at the back. Today when I went, I learned that a young eunuch from the Imperial Kitchen personally delivered the morning meal."
Gu Han raised an eyebrow and asked, "Did the Imperial Kitchen slight you?"
Jiu si's cheeks reddened as she stammered:
"Not at all."
They had been in the palace over a month now and could see that His Majesty didn't enter the harem nearly half the month. Having even one night of attendance per month could be called having slight favor. Moreover, His Majesty's bestowals wouldn't skip Changchun Pavilion.
Therefore, in the palace servants' eyes, Changchun Pavilion was His Majesty's new favorite and couldn't possibly be slighted.
Hearing this, Gu Han didn't pursue it further. Breakfast was simple, since she had to attend morning greetings, everything was light and bland in flavor. After eating and rinsing her mouth, there would be no lingering odor.
Since that incident three years ago, Gu Han especially valued her health. Unless she truly couldn't get up, she would always eat breakfast before morning greetings. Therefore, she was definitely not among the earliest arrivals each day.
Gu Han had rested early yesterday and woke earlier today. When she arrived at Kunning Palace, there were surprisingly few people in the hall. Consort De was always the earliest. Apart from her, only two or three others were in the hall.
Whether there was something today, the Empress was actually already in the outer hall. Gu Han's face showed just the right amount of surprise. She quickly stepped forward to pay respects:
"This concubine overslept and arrived late."
The Empress smiled and had her rise, shaking her head. "You're quite proper. The greeting hour hasn't arrived yet. Sit down quickly."
Palace servants quickly brought tea and pastries, all made in Kunning Palace's small kitchen. The taste was a cut above what came from the Imperial Kitchen. Even the tea was premium Silver Needle. Each time Gu Han came to pay respects, she would partake of some.
The Empress and Consort De were still talking. Gu Han listened carefully to a few sentences and understood somewhat.
The Mid-Autumn Festival was approaching. The palace would hold a banquet, and officials from the court would all enter the palace to feast. This matter was personally overseen by the Empress. But with the Empress Dowager about to arrive in the capital, the Empress was stretched thin. His Majesty had specially decreed that Consort De assist her.
Now the two were discussing this matter. The Empress said somewhat exasperatedly:
"Every year's Mid-Autumn banquet is largely the same. Do you have any new ideas?"
Consort De shook her head. "In the past, if younger sister Consort Shu were here, she could likely offer some suggestions. Her ideas are always novel and pleasing to His Majesty, but now..."
Consort De paused and didn't continue.
Everyone knew the Empress was waiting for Consort Shu to yield, and Consort Shu was likewise waiting for the Empress to personally hang up her bed tag. Even with the Empress Dowager about to return to the palace, the two hadn't smoothed over this conflict.
Gu Han was curious why Consort De brought up Consort Shu at this time.
After brief thought, Gu Han got her answer. Imperial Consort De lacked favor and had no real power. With Consort Shu absent, this harem was almost entirely the Empress's domain. This naturally wasn't a scene Imperial Concubine De wanted to see.
Suddenly, Consort De seemed to remember something and turned to look at Gu Han. Gu Han's heart sank, then she heard Imperial Concubine De say with a smile:
"Speaking of novelty, does Gu Měirén have any thoughts?"
The Empress also looked over. The smile on Gu Han's face nearly faded. The Mid-Autumn state banquet, they were actually asking for her thoughts? If done well, she wouldn't gain any benefits. If done poorly, she'd be blamed.
Gu Han had no desire to get involved in this trouble. She directly waved her hands helplessly:
"Consort De must be joking. This consort just entered the palace and doesn't even know how many seats should be set for the state banquet. How would I understand such things?"
Her cheeks flushed slightly, seeming somewhat shy, with an added naive expression. After all, she had only just come of age, her age was young. Making this expression held no sense of discord, only making people unable to bear making things difficult for her at a glance.
Consort De looked at that face brilliant as a lotus flower, her smile deepening. She joked with the Empress as if nothing had happened:
"Look at that, after all, she's young. Already embarrassed."
Gu Han lowered her eyes in an embarrassed pose without speaking. Whatever Consort De said, she wouldn't take the bait.
The Empress imperceptibly raised an eyebrow and exchanged a few more words with Consort De. As consorts gradually entered, they stopped their conversation. Gu Han breathed a sigh of relief, the hand gripping her handkerchief also relaxing slightly.
---
**At the same time, in the Imperial Study.**
After morning court, Lu Yu had been in the Imperial Study discussing state affairs with Court Ministers. By the time the ministers left, the chen hour was nearly over. Liu An replaced his tea with a fresh cup and asked:
"Will Your Majesty take a meal?"
Being busy until now, breakfast was impossible. The midday meal was still early, but Liu An feared His Majesty would wear down his health. Regardless of the hour, he always had to ask this question.
Lu Yu's expression was bland. "No need."
He recalled the cherries sent into the palace yesterday. Still bending over to handle government affairs, he didn't even lift an eyelid:
"Send one basket each of yesterday's cherries to Kunning Palace, Yi'an Palace, and Xianleng Palace."
Suddenly, Lu Yu remembered that beautiful figure in yesterday's rain. If he hadn't seen wrong, she had instructed someone to send an umbrella to Yuan Cáirén unfortunately, a step too slow.
What others avoided like the plague, she didn't mind.
Perhaps having just entered the palace, she still retained some innocence. Even seeing him, she stood at a distance without stepping forward to curry favor. Not competing, not争抢, not flattering, the Marquis of Rongyang's household truly knew how to educate daughters.
But she was somewhat dense.
Lu Yu's brush tip paused slightly, leaving a thick ink blot on the white paper.
His train of thought disrupted, Lu Yu lost interest in handling government affairs. He set down his brush, his long, slender fingers tapping on the imperial desk. Yesterday when Yuan Cáirén couldn't control her emotions and threw herself into his embrace, he had only seen that person bowing in salute in the rain. The momentary pity he'd felt for Yuan Cáirén also faded somewhat.
"Also send some to Changchun Pavilion, and to Zhou Měirén and Miao Měirén."
With the Empress Dowager about to return to the palace, having already rewarded Gu Han, rewarding two more people wouldn't matter.
Liu An waited a bit longer, afraid His Majesty might name a few more people in a moment. However, carefully considering His Majesty's words, Liu An finally detected something different.
His Majesty, born noble, got whatever he wanted. Even among consorts who had attended his bed, His Majesty might not remember many. But this Gu Měirén His Majesty remembered both the person and the palace name.
Lu Yu glanced at Liu An. Seeing him motionless, he narrowed his eyes, quite displeased:
"What are you standing there for?"
Liu An immediately came to his senses, smiled awkwardly, and probed: "Then... should the rewards for Gu Měirén’s palace be increased by ten percent?"
Lu Yu shot Liu An a sidelong glance, naturally knowing what he was thinking. But Lu Yu only shook his head, his expression bland:
"No need."
As soon as the words fell, Liu An immediately raised Gu's position in his heart. As long as a consort had decent looks plus appropriate timing, gaining one or two portions of His Majesty's favor really wasn't difficult.
But what was difficult was making His Majesty feel one or two portions of pity.
Liu An observed coldly, this Gu Měirén’s had quite some fortune. Not knowing what she'd done, she'd actually gained His Majesty's slight pity. Though this bit of pity was negligible, it already showed considerable ability.
---
When the rewards arrived at Changchun Pavilion, Gu Han had just emerged from Kunning Palace. Rong Ling accompanied her. During her convalescence, she'd kept hearing about Zhou Měirén’s domineering behavior. Today she finally witnessed it, never mind that she left ahead of Miao Měirén
Miao Měirén only paused before acting as if she hadn't seen it.
Zhou Měirén seemed to find it boring, pursed her lips, and directly turned to leave without further difficulty for Miao Měirén. By the time they reached outside Kunning Palace, they discovered Zhou Měirén hadn't actually left.
Gu Han glanced at the blazing sun and had no desire to tangle with Zhou Měirén. She immediately turned to leave. Rong Ling accompanied her, but who knew Zhou Měirén would suddenly glance at her with disdain:
"You're from a marquis household after all. Why do you keep mixing with her every day?"
Zhou Měirén’s emotions toward Gu Han were rather complex. If asked who among the new consorts she might regard highly, it would only be Gu Han. Wariness aside, Zhou Měirén truly bore Gu Han no ill will.
But seeing Rong Ling following beside Gu Han, Zhou Měirén rolled her eyes. She meant to kindly warn, but her words came out sarcastic:
"Women who climbed up from small households, be careful she doesn't trap you someday."
Rong Ling's face immediately paled, humiliated to the point her eyes reddened slightly.
Gu Han could sense Zhou Měirén’s subtle attitude toward her. Gu Han imperceptibly furrowed her brows and glanced at Rong Ling before stepping forward to shield her. When she spoke, her voice remained gentle:
"Who I befriend is my own business. I won't trouble Beauty Zhou to concern herself."
Her kind warning ignored, Zhou Měirén's face turned livid with anger. But Gu Han matched her rank and had imperial favor, Zhou Měirén could do nothing about her. She flicked her sleeve with a cold snort:
"Just you wait! There will come a day when you'll regret this!"
With that, she shot Rong Ling a fierce glare before turning to leave.
Gu Han didn't linger long before Kunning Palace either, quickly leaving with Rong Ling. Only after reaching a deserted path did Rong Ling's tears finally fall. She said through gritted teeth:
"I would never hurt Sister!"
Rong Ling clutched her handkerchief tightly. Zhou Měirén's phrase "small household" and the disgust in her eyes seemed to pierce into her very bones, the bone-cutting pain made surging emotions rise in her heart. But at this moment, she only stared intently at Gu Han, afraid that Gu Han wouldn't believe her.
Did Gu Han trust her?
Compared to the other imperial concubines, naturally she did.
But at most, only thirty percent.
Gu Han knew very clearly that Rong Ling was different from Xie ang'an. Her relationship with Rong Ling was merely bound by mutual interests.
But now, Gu Han couldn't say this. She could sense that something was off with Rong Ling's emotions. She stepped forward and gently held Rong Ling's hand, spreading open her palm to find that her fingertips had pierced into her palm, breaking the skin.
Gu Han frowned slightly, using Rong Ling's handkerchief to wrap the wound. Without looking at Rong Ling's momentarily dazed expression, she lowered her eyes and said softly:
"What I said to Zhou Měirén wasn't false. I know in my heart whom to befriend, and I won't waver because of others' gossip."
Rong Ling's tears suddenly fell.
The Rong family had no standing in the capital. During her maiden days at banquets, Rong Ling had grown accustomed to being ignored by others. To say she had no envy for those noble ladies from prestigious families would naturally be a lie.
Zhou Měirén's overt display of emotion was rare, but most noble ladies were like Miao Měirén, they had their own social circles and wouldn't easily accept outsiders. The hierarchy was ingrained in their very bones.
It wasn't that they looked down on Rong Ling; rather, they had never considered her worth noticing at all.
Rong Ling couldn't quite explain what emotion she was feeling now. She only felt her nose tingle as she gripped Gu Han's hand, her voice hoarse: "Sister trust me."
By the time Gu Han had soothed Rong Ling's emotions and returned to Changchun Pavilion, she had nearly missed the midday meal.
Jiu Si told her about the Emperor's rewards, which piqued her interest somewhat. She tasted a cherry, it was very sweet. She contentedly curved her eyes, glanced at the nearly half-basket of cherries, and said:
"Send some to Rong Bǎolín."
Jiu Si made a sound of reluctance: "Such good things..."
Gu Han shot her a reproachful glance and pushed the bowl beside her toward Jiu Si:
"There'll be plenty for you."
Jiu Nian glared at Jiu Si, then personally selected a portion of cherries: "Rest assured, Master. This afternoon, this servant will personally deliver them to Rong Bǎolín."
Rong Bǎolín had just experienced emotional turmoil, it was the perfect opportunity to win her over. They were just some cherries; no matter how precious, if they couldn't bring practical benefits, they were merely food.
Gu Han looked at Jiu Nian with appreciation.
Jiu Si was loyal, but it had to be said that the person Gu Han found most useful was still Jiu Nian. Without needing to say much, Jiu Nian knew what she was thinking.
***
**In Chaoyang Palace.**
As soon as Rong Ling returned to her palace, she collapsed onto the soft couch. She had just cried, and the area around her eyes was still red. Xiao Jiu felt extremely distressed:
"Zhou Měirén went too far!"
Rong Ling pulled at the corner of her mouth, with not a trace of a smile in her eyes: "She comes from a noble family, her aunt is the current Empress Dowager. Even those higher in rank than her must tolerate her to some degree. How could she possibly respect me?"
Xiao Jiu wanted to comfort her, but everything her mistress said was true. She cried anxiously, but to no avail.
Rong Ling lowered her head, looking at her hand that Gu Han had bandaged for her. Rong Ling gripped it tightly and said through gritted teeth:
"I've long known she looks down on me! But she absolutely should not have said those things in front of Sister!"
How difficult is life in the palace for a woman?
During this time, Rong Ling had seen it all too clearly. She hadn't attended the Emperor's bed in a long time, yet the palace servants still showed her some respect. What was it based on? Simply because she was on good terms with Sister Gu.
Rong Ling knew better than anyone what she relied on to stand firm in the palace.
Zhou Měirén telling Sister Gu to stay away from her was no different from cutting off her lifeline. How could Rong Ling endure that?
Just because one is of humble birth, must one be trampled into the dust, not even allowed the thought of fighting for oneself?!
Rong Ling had always been gentle by nature. This was the first time in her life she hated someone this much.
Suddenly, a palace servant's voice from outside the second curtain roused her: "Mistress, Gu Měirén has sent someone to deliver cherries to you."
Rong Ling quickly came to her senses. She wiped away her tears and checked her appearance in the bronze mirror before walking out of the inner hall. She saw that it was actually Jiu Nian who had come in person. Rong Ling was somewhat surprised:
"Why did Sister send you?"
Jiu Nian glanced at Rong Bǎolín's reddened eyes, then looked away as if nothing had happened, pretending not to notice. She said respectfully in a low voice: "As soon as Mistress received the reward, she hurriedly had this servant bring some to Bǎolín."
Only then did Rong Ling notice what Jiu Nian was carrying a whole plate of cherries, each fruit large and plump. One could tell at a glance that the palace servants had deliberately selected them. Rong Ling's eyes reddened again slightly. She lowered her head to hide it:
"Thank Sister for me."
Jiu Nian didn't say anything else. After putting down the cherries, she quickly left.
Xiao Jiu was at the side, saying cautiously: "Mistress, look, Gu Měirén didn't take Zhou Meiren's words to heart at all. She still values you."
Rong Ling stared at the plate of cherries, not knowing what she was thinking, saying in a daze:
"I know."
Xiao Jiu felt distressed and quickly changed the subject: "These cherries are precious. They're sweetest when eaten fresh. Would Mistress like to try some?"
Rong Ling did taste them. Without even glancing at the midday meal on the table, she ate the cherries one by one. She ate very seriously, but Xiao Jiu watched with growing unease, only seeing her keep her head down until she had finished the entire plate of cherries.
The hall was silent. After an unknown amount of time had passed, she heard her mistress's somewhat cold voice:
"Relationships maintained solely by fleeting affection will never last."
She couldn't forever enjoy the conveniences that came from being on good terms with Sister Gu.
Rong Ling raised her head, her eyes looking toward Changchun Pavilion: "It won't always be like this."
Xiao Jiu looked at her mistress like this, frozen in place.
***
At dusk, a message came from the Emperor's Palace, Changchun Pavilion would attend the Emperor's bed.
Lu Yu arrived earlier than the first time. Gu Han hadn't finished her makeup when Lu Yu's figure appeared in the bronze mirror. Gu Han's hand nearly went askew as she was drawing her eyebrows. She widened her eyes, and compared to her usual gentle, water-like demeanor, she suddenly showed a touch of charming innocence.
Gu Han hurriedly rose in a fluster to bow. Lu Yu raised his hand to stop her movement. The woman's black hair was not yet dry, hanging damply on her body. Water droplets fell from the tips of her hair, soaking through her thin garment, revealing glimpses of her fair skin beneath. She had just bathed, her cheeks flushed pink from the steam. Combined with her lowered, bashful eyes, the room was suddenly filled with lingering allure.
The palace servants tactfully withdrew early.
Lu Yu's eyes darkened slightly. He reached out to help the woman up, his voice carrying a hint of hoarseness: "Rise."
Gu Han was no longer an inexperienced maiden. The impression from their first night was too deep, that day, the man had used this kind of low, husky voice to deceive her again and again. Gu Han's cheeks burned red as she rose with the Emperor's assistance.
To be honest, that experience hadn't been entirely pleasant, especially the soreness throughout her body afterward. Gu Han felt somewhat apprehensive.
But she wore just the right amount of shyness on her face, only asking instinctively as if to delay:
"Has Your Majesty taken the evening meal?"
It wasn't abrupt. At this hour, it was indeed time for the evening meal. Moreover, the woman's cheeks in the bronze mirror were flushed, anyone would only think she was being bashful.
Lu Yu glanced at her. Gu Han lowered her eyes somewhat guiltily. Lu Yu snorted coldly. Seeing the woman lift her eyes in feigned confusion, he felt quite exasperated and said coolly:
"Liu An, serve the meal."
How could Gu Han not guess that Lu Yu had seen through her thoughts? She quickly tugged at Lu Yu's sleeve, softly pleading: "It's not yet dark."
The woman's voice was gentle and clear, deliberately softened, like an act of coquetry that scratched across his heart. No matter how hard-hearted, one probably couldn't blame her in the slightest.
Lu Yu suddenly asked:
"When you were at home, you rarely got scolded, didn't you?"
Gu Han looked up in surprise, very puzzled about how he knew.
Seeing her expression, Lu Yu got his answer. As for the woman's subsequent inquiry, he only pulled at the corner of his mouth. Such things, did they even need investigation? One could guess.
During the evening meal, Gu Han ate with trepidation, constantly wondering whether the Emperor was angry or not.
But Lu Yu acted as if nothing had happened. It was difficult for others to discern his emotions from his appearance. Suddenly, a piece of fish with the bones carefully removed appeared on the plate before him. Lu Yu looked up to see the woman had just put down the serving chopsticks.
Seeing him look over, Gu Han explained in a small voice: "Your concubine used serving chopsticks to remove the bones."
Lu Yu narrowed his eyes, observing her for a long while. He loved eating fish, very few people knew this. Because he found removing bones troublesome, and although palace servants would remove the bones first, after a piece of fish had been handled several times, Lu Yu would have lost his appetite.
Gu Han's hands were very skillful. The fish meat after bone removal still maintained eighty percent of its original appearance. But what made Lu Yu suspicious was, how did Gu Han know he loved eating fish?
Gu Han saw him motionless for a long time and thought he didn't like it. She immediately became somewhat at a loss and puzzled, lowering her head dejectedly to apologize:
"Your concubine noticed Your Majesty glanced at the sweet and sour fish three times and thought Your Majesty liked this dish."
Lu Yu paused, then put the piece of fish in his mouth. He glanced at the woman, even the attending palace servants hadn't noticed. It seemed his Gu Meiren was not only skillful with her hands but also very observant.
The woman had become dejected, her delicate brows drawn together. Lu Yu didn't know how to comfort people, so he simply said:
"I do like it."
Gu Han's eyes suddenly brightened. She was no longer downcast but turned her head to the side, her almond eyes curved into crescents, appearing even more clear and pure.
Gu Han cherished her body and was always attentive during meals. Watching her eat was an enjoyable experience, her manners were excellent, her movements elegant. No matter what she ate, it seemed as if she were savoring a delicacy. Just watching her, Lu Yu ate half a bowl more of rice than usual.
While rinsing his mouth, Lu Yu gave the woman a peculiar look.
When others attended the Emperor's bed, for fear of making a mistake and also to maintain their figure, they were like kittens, barely eating a few bites before claiming to be full. For a moment, Lu Yu truly wondered how the Marquis of Rongyang's household had raised this child.
But recalling that the Marquis of Rongyang's household had never sent legitimate daughters into the palace, perhaps from the beginning, they never intended for Gu Měirén to enter the palace. So ordinarily, they pampered her, letting everything follow her wishes, which resulted in this temperament.
Lu Yu watched the woman who, after the palace servants withdrew, kept avoiding eye contact and forcing herself to maintain composure, not daring to meet his gaze. He thought somewhat calmly, it wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
The red candles still burned. Gu Han clung to Lu Yu's shoulders like a piece of driftwood in the vast ocean. After a long while, she raised her arm to cover her eyes, her tense body suddenly going completely limp.
The person beside her held her, his voice deep and husky, with a hint of sated disdain:
"Your body is rather weak."
Perhaps it was because the Emperor at this time was gentler than usual, or perhaps it was because women are particularly delicate and temperamental at such moments, Gu Han simply turned over in the Emperor's embrace, her back to him, weakly pulling at the corner of her mouth.
She was so tired she couldn't even lift her hands, and all she got was a comment about having a weak body?
Seeing her behave this way, Lu Yu didn't reprimand her, only saying: "Can't take even one word of criticism."
Gu Han turned around, her cheek nuzzling against his shoulder, weakly and softly saying:
"...Your Majesty, so tired."
Her voice was laced with lingering fatigue. Lu Yu fell silent, lowering his eyes to glance at the woman. Before her words had even faded, the person had fallen asleep.
After a long pause, Lu Yu raised his hand and pinched the woman's cheek, soft and silky smooth to the touch. Seemingly feeling uncomfortable, the woman furrowed her delicate brows. Lu Yu released his hand, and only then did her brows relax.
Lu Yu raised an eyebrow. What a delicate beauty.
Couldn't be touched, couldn't be criticized.
The next day when Gu Han awoke, Lu Yu was gone again. Jiu Nian pulled her up to sit, and her mind was still somewhat foggy. She touched the bed beside her, it had long gone cold. It seemed the Emperor had been gone for some time.
Jiu Nian caught sight of her movement and said softly:
"The Emperor does care for you, Mistress. When he rose, he deliberately moved more quietly."
There were some red marks on Gu Han's neck. Jiu Nian turned her face away slightly, somewhat embarrassed:
"The palace dress prepared yesterday won't do. We'll need to change to a high-collared palace outfit."
Gu Han became somewhat more alert. Unlike the first time, after yesterday, Gu Han had gotten a taste of that matter and no longer found attending the Emperor's bed frightening. Only the soreness throughout her body still troubled her. Seeing the marks on her neck in the bronze mirror, Gu Han's cheeks flushed:
"Now that it's hot, a high-collared palace dress would be too conspicuous. Use powder to cover it."
After finishing breakfast, Gu Han was to go pay her respects. Just as she stepped out of Changchun Pavilion, her legs went weak. Somehow, Gu Han suddenly recalled the Emperor's comment yesterday about her weak body, and her face immediately burned hot.
She had seen the other concubines' conditions after attending the Emperor's bed, indeed, none were as unwell as she was. Gu Han couldn't help but frown and instructed:
"After I return from paying respects, fetch a physician from the Imperial Medical Bureau."
Jiu Nian startled and hurriedly looked Gu Han up and down with concern: "Where does Mistress feel unwell?"
Gu Han's eyes shifted away somewhat:
"I'm fine."
Seeing her rosy complexion, Jiu Nian indeed didn't think anything was wrong and breathed a sigh of relief: "Mistress frightened this servant."
After returning from paying respects, the physician had already arrived at Changchun Pavilion. After taking her pulse, the physician was somewhat puzzled:
"Měirén's body is fine. I wonder where you feel unwell?"
Gu Han furrowed her delicate brows: "But yesterday the Emperor said my body was weak."
The physician paused, held back for a long while, then said slowly:
"Then this humble physician will prescribe a tonic for Měirén to nourish her body."
Author's Note:
Lu Yu: When you should be clever, you're not clever at all
The Physician: There's no need to stuff dog food in my mouth
---
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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