THE IMPERIAL CONSORT'S RISE TO POWER - CHAPTER 26

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Chapter 26

In the eighth month, osmanthus blossoms filled the air with fragrance, but in this palace, even the wind couldn't spread the floral scent everywhere. The red pathways seemed endlessly long with no end in sight. Where some enjoyed liveliness, others naturally endured desolation.

Suiyue Palace, located on the western side of the imperial palace, occupied a remote and desolate position. It was only a short distance from the Cold Palace. Just looking at this geographical location, one could easily guess whether the consorts residing within enjoyed favor or not.

Even servants with any standing in the palace were reluctant to come this way. The palace had many taboos, after all, being close to the Cold Palace, it inevitably felt inauspicious.

Bǎolín Qiu had been quite pleased lately, even eating an extra half bowl of rice with her meals. Though Suiyue Palace was small, there was no mistress of rank in the palace. Bǎolín Liu, who used to compete with her constantly, had somehow lost her wits and bumped into His Majesty's new favorite, Gu Měirén, only to be caught by His Majesty himself.

Punished with confinement, now with that annoying person no longer parading before her eyes, Suiyue Palace was basically Bǎolín Qiu's domain alone. But she'd only been pleased for two days when the palace maid serving her personally came rushing in with a poor expression.

Bǎolín Qiu couldn't stand seeing her so unsteady. She frowned:

"What's with all this rushing about?"

Xiujuan shared Bǎolín Qiu's enmity toward Bǎolín Liu and naturally couldn't stand the sight of her either. She lowered her voice, somewhat indignant: "This servant just went to the Imperial Kitchen to collect the midday meal and saw the west side hall receive four dishes and a soup, with better ingredients than what our palace gets."

Bǎolín Qiu's expression immediately changed.

Those who knew their own affairs understood them best. For unfavored consorts like them, having four dishes and a soup with more substantial ingredients could be called abundant. To say the Imperial Kitchen didn't withhold portions would be impossible, but the allocations for their rank were just so, even reporting to the Empress would be useless.

Don't look at how at Gu Měirén's rank she could get more sumptuous dishes, that was because Gu Měirén was currently favored. If His Majesty didn't visit for a long time, Changchun Pavilion's treatment would differ little from hers.

As they spoke, palace servants had already arranged the collected midday meal on the round table.

A simple four dishes and a soup with only a bit of oil. Bǎolín Qiu wasn't particularly skilled at strategizing, otherwise she wouldn't have been in the palace so many years without ever gaining favor. Recalling Xiujuan's earlier words, her complexion paled.

But Bǎolín Qiu still retained some rationality. She suddenly stood up:

"Although Sister Liu has targeted me at every turn in the past, now that she's confined, as sisters in the harem, I should naturally go visit her!"

Bǎolín Liu was confined, but His Majesty hadn't forbidden visits. With only these two mistresses in Suiyue Palace, the managing eunuch couldn't stop Bǎolín Qiu at all. Moreover, with someone fanning the flames, Bǎolín Qiu expended almost no effort before bursting into the west side hall.

Bǎolín Liu was taking her meal when someone suddenly barged in. Startled, she was quickly helped up. Seeing it was Bǎolín Qiu, her fright immediately transformed into anger:

"Bǎolín Qiu, what are you doing?! Even if I'm confined, I'm still the same rank as you. You've brazenly intruded into my bedchamber without cause, such presumption! I will certainly report this to the Empress!"

Bǎolín Qiu had competed with Bǎolín Liu for many years and particularly cared about gains and losses between them. She didn't listen to what Bǎolín Liu said. After seeing Bǎolín Liu's meal clearly, her eyes immediately reddened. She ground her teeth:

"This is too much!"

In the past when the Imperial Kitchen withheld Suiyue Palace's meals, she'd endured it through gritted teeth. But now Bǎolín Liu had been confined by His Majesty's own word, yet her food and provisions were actually slightly better than hers, how could Bǎolín Qiu tolerate it?

---

By the time Gu Han learned of this matter, it had already reached the Empress. Gu Han couldn't help but be surprised: "It escalated this badly?"

Little Fangzi felt it was normal:

"Master doesn't know, when consorts lack favor, they can only compete over such things. Though it seems merely a difference in meals, for Bǎolín Qiu, it's no different from a slap in the face and humiliation."

From this incident, Gu Han gained more understanding of the plight of low-ranking consorts.

Little Fangzi inquired: "Does Master wish to go to Kunning Palace to see?"

Gu Han hesitated somewhat:

"Going to watch the excitement like this seems improper."

"Master is overthinking. Kunning Palace is probably already packed with people."

Gu Han was taken aback, but upon arriving at Kunning Palace, she discovered Little Fangzi spoke truly. En route, she encountered Rong Ling, who wore an expression of interest on her face. She couldn't help but wonder: "Is it worth all this?"

Rong Ling covered her lips and shook her head, somewhat gloomy: "After staying in this palace so long, one is practically suffocated and sick."

As soon as the words fell, Gu Han understood why these consorts rushed to Kunning Palace the moment they got news. It wasn't that they thought the Suiyue Palace matter important, but rather that with nothing to do, over time, wouldn't one feel stifled?

A small matter became quite the spectacle.

Before even stepping into Kunning Palace's main hall, Gu Han heard Bǎolín Qiu's crying, as if she'd suffered some great injustice. The beaded curtain was lifted, and Gu Han saw the Empress rubbing her temples with a headache.

Gu Han clicked her tongue internally. Finding a spot with Rong Ling, she stood silently, quietly observing this farce.

Unlike Rong Ling who was wholly focused on watching the show, Gu Han's gaze imperceptibly swept over Consort De. As for Consort Shu, her bed tag hadn't been removed, so she simply hadn't come.

Bǎolín Qiu cried pitifully and mournfully:

"Your Majesty, render justice for this consort! This consort and Bǎolín Liu reside in the same palace with identical ranks, yet our treatment is worlds apart! The Imperial Kitchen manages the harem's food. In the past when they withheld Suiyue Palace's meals, this consort's position was humble and words carried little weight—I truly didn't dare object. But now, the Imperial Kitchen acting this way, it's too much!"

Her crying had just ceased when Gu Han, arriving late, hadn't heard what she'd said before. But just this one statement was enough for Gu Han to silently applaud her brilliance.

Bǎolín Liu was confined. Even if only to placate her, whoever was behind her absolutely couldn't mistreat her in terms of food.

To say that person could manipulate Eunuch Yang who managed the Imperial Kitchen, Gu Han didn't believe it. Managing eunuchs like those at the Imperial Kitchen and Zhongsheng Hall might have their biases, but the master they served loyally was definitely only one.

That person could only inconspicuously bribe some people within. With so many consorts in the harem, slightly altering some dishes wouldn't be easily noticed. In other words, Bǎolín Liu's food and provisions wouldn't exceed her allocation by much.

Otherwise, once discovered, the Imperial Kitchen would also face punishment.

If Bǎolín Qiu made a fuss over Bǎolín Liu's meals, she wouldn't be in the right. But she only spoke of unfair disparity, the Imperial Kitchen either had to admit withholding Bǎolín Qiu's meals or admit to favoring Bǎolín Liu.

Bǎolín Liu came from humble origins, held low rank, had no favor, and even her monthly stipend was meager. Why would the Imperial Kitchen favor Bǎolín Liu?

Moreover, the brilliance of Bǎolín Qiu's words lay in that phrase "didn't dare object." No matter what, the Imperial Kitchen was just servants. Bǎolín Qiu, a proper imperial consort, actually didn't dare seek justice for herself when facing servants' disrespect.

Once this spread, it would be utterly laughable.

Gu Han furrowed her delicate brows almost imperceptibly. Just looking at how Bǎolín Qiu had been casually provoked today into making such a commotion, she didn't seem like someone capable of saying such words. It was as if someone had coached her en route to lodging the complaint.

Gu Han glanced at Little Fangzi beside her, then paused before casually withdrawing her gaze.

Gu Han discreetly looked at the Empress. Sure enough, the Empress's complexion had turned somewhat livid:

"Enough! Listen to what you're saying!"

Bǎolín Qiu was intimidated and didn't dare say more words damaging to the imperial family's dignity. But she didn't stop crying at all, covering her face with her handkerchief. For a moment, the entire hall filled with Bǎolín Qiu's weeping.

Both meals had been brought by Bǎolín Qiu and placed in Kunning Palace. Unless blind, one could clearly see the difference between the meals.

After all, unfavored consorts made up the majority in the palace. Momentarily, many low-ranking consorts wore somewhat sympathetic expressions. The Empress swept her gaze over everyone's demeanor and knew this was bad. Servants must not oppress masters. If this matter wasn't handled properly, it would likely lose all hearts, and the servants below would also become unruly.

This was originally just a small matter, but now the Empress could only handle it severely.

Moreover, some emotion flashed through the Empress's eyes. This matter wasn't without benefits for her either. Soon, she ordered that the servants involved be stripped of their positions and given dozens of lashes, directly taking half their lives.

Gu Han had been observing Consort De all along. During the Empress's handling of the Imperial Kitchen matter, Consort De hadn't said a word. But when the Empress ordered the beatings, Consort De's emotions underwent a momentary subtle change, though she quickly regained composure.

Gu Han lowered her eyelids lightly. It seemed the person who'd instigated Bǎolín Liu had come to light.

A cold feeling gradually spread through her heart. Though she didn't know why Consort De had targeted her, the facts lay before her, she couldn't pretend nothing had happened. It was just that the gap between her status and Consort De's was too great. Consort De also had children as support. To seek revenge, how difficult could it be?

But dikes collapse from ant holes. Who could guarantee that one day she couldn't topple Consort De, this behemoth?

Gu Han understood herself well, she held grudges.

Especially held grudges.

The days were long ahead. She would always find an opportunity.

---

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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