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Chapter 50
A drizzle fell pitter-patter, dampening the pink peach blossoms that were gradually ready to bloom. Concubine Chen knelt in the Imperial Garden for two full hours. During that time, Concubine Zhou had long since returned to her palace, and the onlookers had all dispersed.
Concubine Chen had always lived in pampered luxury. Two hours, from noon until the sun was about to set, left her kneeling with a deathly pale face.
Half-leaning on Jiachun's arm, her body twisted saomewhat as she nearly collapsed to the ground. This drizzle came at such an opportune moment, like kicking someone when they're down, mocking her downfall. Concubine Chen's mind was dizzy and confused. In a daze, she seemed to hear someone crying and throwing themselves into her arms.
Concubine Chen's body swayed. Unable to support herself any longer, she completely collapsed to the ground.
Alarmed cries rang out continuously. The Changchun Pavilion servants guarding the surroundings immediately sensed trouble. Little Xie looked at the First Prince and cursed inwardly, this Concubine Chen truly didn't know repentance. His Majesty had clearly reprimanded her before for this very thing, yet during this harem dispute, she actually dared involve the First Prince again?!
Little Xie shrank his head. Amid the First Prince's wailing, he didn't dare show himself and risk the Prince's resentment. The palace maids didn't dare let the First Prince get rained on, oil-paper umbrellas quickly sheltered the Prince, incidentally covering Concubine Chen as well.
Seeing this, Little Xie hurried back to Changchun Pavilion in haste. As for Concubine Chen not completing her kneeling time? At this moment, who still cared about such things?
THUD…
Gu Han suddenly rose. Her sleeve swept the chessboard on the table, jade-white chess pieces scattering across the floor. But Gu Han had no mind to care about this. Her delicate brows furrowed imperceptibly:
"Who sent word to the First Prince?"
Apart from attending his studies, the First Prince stayed in the Princes' Quarters. Even when returning to the harem, he went to Chonghui Palace. Today wasn't a day for the First Prince to enter the harem, who had deliberately sent news to the Princes' Quarters?
Gu Han wasn't without the thought that it might be Concubine Chen, but this notion only flashed through her mind before she dismissed it.
That day when Concubine Chen's plot to harm the imperial heir was exposed, she would rather bear His Majesty's fury herself than notify the First Prince. From this one could see that regardless of Concubine Chen's own character, her love for the First Prince was genuine. Perhaps she occasionally used him to curry favor, which was actually understandable, but she wasn't willing to let him get involved in harem affairs.
If not Concubine Chen, then who had delivered the news to the First Prince?
No one could answer Gu Han's question.
Little Xie followed Little Fang Zi into the inner chambers, lowering his head respectfully:
"When this servant returned, Xianling Palace's people had already taken Concubine Chen back to the palace."
Gu Han's lips twisted. She lowered her brows to hide the darkness in her eyes, seeming to mutter to herself: "Imperial heirs truly are an immunity from death."
The hall fell silent for a moment.
Little Xie lowered his head even further, pretending he'd heard nothing. Little Fang Zi and Jiu Nian exchanged glances, also looking at each other at a loss for words.
The fine rain beat against the latticed windows, its pitter-patter creating irritation out of nothing. Gu Han only glanced outside, involuntarily clenching her handkerchief tightly. After a long while, she finally suppressed all her emotions and said calmly:
"Concubine Chen suddenly fainted, I don't know if anyone in the palace summoned an imperial physician. Little Xie, go to the Imperial Medical Bureau first and have a physician visit Xianling Palace."
When Gu Han issued this order, she couldn't help feeling somewhat aggrieved.
After Little Xie left, Gu Han twisted her lips in a bitter smile and irritably waved her hand:
"Stop standing there dazed. Prepare the palanquin for Xianling Palace."
The palanquin was lifted by palace servants and steadily headed toward Xianling Palace. When Gu Han arrived, she happened to see several concubines hurrying over. She immediately felt rather annoyed, they lacked the ability to compete for favor, yet ran faster than anyone to watch the drama.
Gu Han wasn't unaware why they were so enthusiastic, but seeing them come to watch her spectacle inevitably left her somewhat displeased.
Supported by palace servants, Gu Han entered. When Concubine Chen had lived in the main hall, Gu Han had never come. Now that Chen had moved to the side hall, Gu Han had actually visited. Upon entering, she discreetly swept her gaze around, glazed tiles for roofing, jade for bricks. One had to admit it was precious indeed.
Xianling Palace didn't house only Concubine Chen. After Gu Han entered, she saw Zhuo Cáirén cowering in a corner. She also lived in Xianling Palace and had entered the palace in the same group as Gu Han, at the same rank. But since entering the palace, Gu Han had only seen her during morning greetings.
Translator: This Zhou Cáirén is different from concubine Zhou. They are two different people
Gu Han couldn't even recall whether she had ever attended His Majesty's bed.
Seeing her, Zhuo quickly came over to pay respects, seeming like someone who'd finally found a person in charge, no longer appearing at a loss, though she remained quiet, standing in the corner with lowered brows and docile eyes.
Gu Han had no time to pay attention to her. She directly lifted the beaded curtain and entered the inner chambers. The imperial physician was taking Concubine Chen's pulse. Gu Han glanced over, Chen's fainting didn't seem feigned. She swept her gaze toward the First Prince.
Gu Han had occasionally heard that the tutors at the study hall praised the First Prince as exceptionally intelligent, yet having seen the Prince several times, Gu Han couldn't help but feel this was somewhat exaggerated. The First Prince wasn't even half her height, he would need to support himself with both hands to climb onto a taller stool. Now sobbing and sniffling, he looked utterly pitiful.
When Gu Han had been this age, she was still acting spoiled in her mother's arms. How could she have had to rise before dawn to attend lessons at the study hall?
Gu Han only glanced once at the First Prince before looking away. Gu Han wasn't a good person, but with the current situation unsettled and the First Prince merely a child, she wouldn't harbor much ill will toward him.
But because of his mother-consort, she naturally couldn't feel any fondness for him either.
Gu Han looked at the imperial physician and asked calmly: "How is Concubine Chen?"
The physician rose, respectfully stepping back before bowing to answer:
"In response to Concubine Zhao, Concubine Chen fainted from exhaustion. She'll be fine after resting a moment."
Someone had apparently told the First Prince something, he clearly knew the culprit who'd caused his mother-consort's collapse was the woman before him. His eyes glared at Gu Han with nothing but resentment.
Gu Han's legs were suddenly struck by a small person. She looked down to see the First Prince extending his hands to push her. Being small with little strength, his face flushed red with effort. Gu Han was only pushed back slightly. She heard the First Prince say:
"Get out! You can't be here! Get out!"
Imperial authority and dignity, even the small First Prince spoke with a commanding tone.
Gu Han bent down, reaching out to grasp the First Prince's wrist. The palace maids all around held their breath, staring intently at Gu Han as if fearing she might harm the First Prince. A servant even stepped forward:
"Concubine Zhao, our First Prince is young. You mustn't…"
Before finishing, Gu Han lightly raised her eyes, and the palace maid barely managed to stop speaking.
Gu Han said the First Prince had little strength, actually, her own strength wasn't great either. Gripping the First Prince's wrist, she steadied him, then stepped back, ensuring she maintained distance from him so that when she turned to leave, the Prince wouldn't fall due to her sudden movement. Only then did she turn directly to leave.
Gu Han hadn't intended to do anything to the First Prince. She wasn't crazy.
She'd only touched the First Prince because she feared that when she turned to leave, he might not recover his balance in time and fall. Then she truly would be unable to explain herself clearly no matter what she said.
However, just as Gu Han turned around, seeing clearly who stood behind her, she abruptly froze. A breeze seemed to pass by. The First Prince threw himself at the person's legs as if tattling, calling out loudly:
"Father Emperor!"
That adult and child with somewhat similar features nestled together, both looking at her. This scene truly made Gu Han feel quite irritated.
She lowered her eyes, clutching her handkerchief, allowing the First Prince to tattle. Only after the hall quieted did Gu Han curtsy in greeting.
Lu Yu had arrived at Xianling Palace when Gu Han was questioning the physician, but Lu Mingfeng's movements were too quick, making Lu Yu momentarily pause. Then he'd witnessed the woman's actions. Now seeing the woman say not a word, quietly bowing with lowered brows.
Clearly the one lying down was Concubine Chen, yet Lu Yu's gaze fell only on Gu Han. She knelt there submissively, as if thinking he would punish her, not making a sound as she suppressed her emotions.
Lu Yu felt rather displeased. Having tacitly approved her punishment of Chen, if she were at fault, shouldn't he also bear half the responsibility?
Lu Yu stepped forward and helped her up.
Gu Han looked up at him in surprise. Lu Yu frowned: "Rain fell outside, when coming out, why didn't you wear a cloak?"
By the end, his criticism had shifted to Jiu Nian, who was supporting Gu Han, reproaching her for inadequate service. Jiu Nian didn't feel wronged and immediately apologized.
Gu Han's almond eyes clung tightly to him, expressing some grievance:
"The moment this Concubine received word, she immediately rushed over. Where would there be time to worry about a cloak?"
Lu Mingfeng was still staring at him in confusion. Finding this scene troublesome, Lu Yu removed the cloak from his shoulders and draped it over Gu Han, saying in a deep voice:
"You may return first."
Gu Han couldn't be happier to do so. She only tugged briefly at Lu Yu's sleeve, as if frightened by today's events, raising her eyes to look at him wordlessly before clutching the cloak and turning to leave. Passing Lu Mingfeng, she paused and said:
"The First Prince should still be in classes at this hour."
Lu Mingfeng thought she was tattling, but Lu Yu understood, Gu Han was merely telling him that someone had deliberately involved the imperial heir in this matter. The woman quickly departed, yet Lu Yu's brows furrowed tightly.
Just as Gu Han exited the inner chambers, she sensed all eyes from outside falling on her.
Or rather, on the cloak she wore.
Everyone's expressions varied. When His Majesty had first arrived, they'd personally witnessed him wearing this cloak. Yet in the blink of an eye, it now rested on Gu Han's shoulders. Immediately emotions rose in their hearts, whether sourness or resentment, they couldn't tell. What remained was a sense of sudden powerlessness.
The Empress also looked at that cloak for a long while, her gaze seeming to deepen. After a moment, she furrowed her brows lightly and asked about the situation inside:
"How is Concubine Chen?"
Gu Han was very respectful toward the Empress, pressing her lips together: "The physician said Concubine Chen only fainted from exhaustion, there's no serious harm."
Hearing this, the Empress couldn't help but glance at Gu Han. That Concubine Chen had fainted from exhaustion was mainly due to Gu Han punishing her to kneel under the sun for two hours. Yet just now His Majesty had entered without blaming Gu Han at all, even giving her his own cloak. The meaning was self-evident.
The Empress wouldn't oppose His Majesty either. For a moment she seemed to forget why Concubine Chen had become exhausted, only shaking her head:
"If there's no serious harm, this Palace is reassured."
She also knew the First Prince was inside. His Majesty had no time to attend to them, so the Empress directly pressed her temples, seeming weary: "Alright, it's getting late. Don't all crowd around here. Those who should return to their palaces, return."
The crowd muttered inwardly, was this matter being glossed over so perfunctorily?
Concubine Zhao received no punishment whatsoever?
But as soon as the Empress finished speaking, Concubine Zhao took the lead in paying respects and taking her leave. Moreover, Consort Shu and Ling Zhaoyi hadn't appeared at all, the former bore a grudge against Concubine Chen, the latter had always stayed secluded. The various concubines could only helplessly watch Concubine Zhao depart.
Translator's Note: I sincerely don't know if this Ling woman's rank is a Zhāoyí or Zhāoróng, the MTL is confusing me. But she is the only one currently on that rank. I guess I would be able to understand her rank in later chapters.
***
After that day, Lu Yu didn't enter the harem for several days running, just as he had told Gu Han, he would come see her in a few days.
Gu Han knew the reason. Consort Rong had just miscarried, no matter how brazen His Majesty might be, he couldn't possibly run to the harem daily during this period. Otherwise, his nocturnal visit to Changchun Pavilion that night wouldn't have shocked the harem concubines so.
Only Gu Han's punishment of Concubine Chen had intimidated these concubines. For a time, they hadn't dared create any incidents.
As the end of March approached, the harem inevitably grew restless.
Gu Han had grown accustomed to Concubine Zhou accompanying her after morning greetings daily. But today, Zhou was clearly somewhat distracted. Seeing her not even watching the road, Gu Han pulled her back with quick reflexes and asked with furrowed brows:
"Why are you so restless today?"
Zhou looked up at her. Whether Gu Han truly didn't know or simply didn't care, Zhou sometimes truly envied how Gu Han could remain so calm.
Zhou wrung her handkerchief, glancing around before saying:
"Sometimes I really don't know what you're thinking. Once March passes, Concubine Miao will near her delivery date. Right now every eye in the entire harem is fixed on Rongcui Palace, yet you don't care at all."
Even during recent morning greetings, few people chattered and made sour remarks with jealousy.
Gu Han lowered her eyelids slightly. How could she not care? She had long been hoping Concubine Miao could deliver this child. Perhaps the Empress and Consort Shu thought the same. But when the moment drew near, the palace atmosphere became somewhat subtle.
Regardless of Gu Han's thoughts, regarding Concubine Miao's pregnancy, she'd long made up her mind, as long as it didn't involve her, she'd observe coldly from the sidelines.
Zhou snorted lightly: "The incident before the New Year truly frightened her. That she could remain in the palace this long with such a temperament!"
After a pause, Zhou glanced at Gu Han somewhat meaningfully, touching her nose:
"It's also because many things happened in the palace afterward that others temporarily forgot about her."
Concubine Chen's demotion, Consort Rong's miscarriage, each of these incidents had drawn everyone's attention. Concubine Miao had benefited from this distraction.
Gu Han paused at her words before quickly recovering. She tugged at the corner of her lips almost imperceptibly.
She had only noticed that His Majesty's favor toward Rong Bǎolín and Lin Měirén had other calculations behind it, but had overlooked His Majesty's additional layer of meaning. After Lin Měirén entered the palace, she had been set aside all along. Why would His Majesty suddenly remember Lin Měirén at this particular time after the New Year?
There were many reasons, but undoubtedly one was to use these incidents as a smokescreen for Concubine Miao.
Gu Han withdrew her thoughts. She tugged at Zhou and shook her head lightly:
"Sooner or later someone in this harem will bear an imperial heir. It's merely a matter of time. Why vex yourself over it?"
Zhou pouted. She too wished she could be calm, but thinking of an imperial heir about to be born in the palace, how could she possibly remain composed?
She said resentfully: "It's not just me who's anxious. In any case, I feel the palace has been too quiet lately. The coming month might not be the same."
Gu Han drew in a sharp breath and glared at Zhou irritably:
"Watch your words! How can you say such things so casually? If others overhear and claim you're cursing the imperial heir, do you think you'll fare well?!"
Zhou also knew she'd misspoken. She immediately clamped her mouth shut, lowering her voice:
"I only say such things before you, I'd never say them elsewhere."
She touched her nose sheepishly: "My aunt has been feeling somewhat unwell lately. I'm going to Cining Palace to keep her company."
Only after Zhou departed did Jiu Nian say quietly:
"My lady, the Empress Dowager is unwell. Shouldn't we pay a visit?"
The hyacinths in the Imperial Garden were blooming beautifully. Gu Han's gaze gradually settled upon them. She reached out to pluck one, and as the stem broke, she gently shook her head, her voice calm:
"You truly think the Empress Dowager is unwell?"
She had heard nothing of His Majesty frequently visiting Cining Palace for greetings, nor of imperial physicians constantly taking the Empress Dowager's pulse. This so-called indisposition was likely just the Empress Dowager's excuse to Zhou. With storms brewing in the palace lately, the Empress Dowager simply wanted to keep Zhou at Cining Palace to prevent her from getting mixed up in these affairs.
Matters concerning imperial heirs, there would always be those in the palace bold enough and harboring hopes of luck. His Majesty would certainly protect Rongcui Palace, but others wouldn't be so fortunate.
Thinking this far, Gu Han couldn't help but furrow her delicate brows. She tossed aside the hyacinth and said:
"Return to the palace."
Unwilling to get involved in matters concerning the imperial heir, and fearing a second Concubine Chen, during this period Gu Han had repeatedly ordered everyone to thoroughly inspect every corner of the palace, absolutely forbidding any oversights.
Under Gu Han's caution, everyone at Changchun Pavilion kept their hearts in their throats. It wasn't easy to serve a mistress with prospects, while being strict with themselves to avoid errors, they also watched their fellow servants, fearing someone might court death and implicate them all.
Before the end of March, Lu Yu finally entered the harem again.
The lamp was lit at Yi'an Palace. No one in the harem found this surprising at all. When Little Fang Zi brought the news, Gu Han nodded casually, indicating she understood. Her dark hair loose, she propped her chin while playing a game of stones with Jiu Nian.
Throughout, she was clearly distracted. She claimed to observe Rongcui Palace coldly from the sidelines, but that didn't mean she was truly so calm. The closer it got to April, the more she experienced rare insomnia.
Concubine Miao hadn't appeared in the palace for a long time. The harem had no idea of Miao's current condition. The midwives at Rongcui Palace had long been prepared. Recently, Gu Han often heard that Rongcui Palace was rehearsing delivery scenarios.
The concubine who'd mentioned this had followed from the old residence. When speaking, she had placed a hand on her abdomen, wishing the person about to give birth could be herself.
Apart from those like Gu Han who wanted to first secure favor before considering heirs, basically everyone harbored such thoughts.
More and more people came and went around Rongcui Palace. Gu Han only felt these people didn't value their lives. How could the current Rongcui Palace be approached lightly? She issued orders every few days forbidding Changchun Pavilion's people from approaching Rongcui Palace.
Just as Concubine Zhou had said, everyone in the harem was watching for when Rongcui Palace would go into labor.
After Gu Han won the chess game yet again, she boredly pushed aside the board and shot Jiu Nian an exasperated look:
"Enough. You keep letting me win, there's no point."
Jiu Nian snorted lightly: "My lady teases this servant. How could this servant possibly let my lady win?"
She only knew how to place the pieces, how could she be her mistress's match? Clearly her mistress's mind wasn't on the chessboard, which was why she found it boring.
The board was still put away. Palace servants deftly cleaned up the finished game. Jiu Nian brought water to wash Gu Han's hands:
"My lady should sleep."
Gu Han sighed, hiding away all her thoughts. Jiu Nian trimmed the candle wick, plunging the hall into dimness.
Even as she closed her eyes, Gu Han was still thinking about when Concubine Miao would go into labor. But she absolutely hadn't expected this moment to come so quickly!
The next day, word came from the Emperor's quarters, Changchun Pavilion would attend His Majesty's bed.
Gu Han actually wasn't very happy. Her heart had been unsettled lately, she couldn't muster any enthusiasm to deal with bed attendance. When Lu Yu arrived, he saw her absentmindedly playing with chess pieces. She wore no shoes or stockings, her bare jade feet resting on the daybed. With her movements, a stretch of fair, delicate ankle was exposed.
Lu Yu knew all about the recent palace happenings. Naturally, news of Gu Han forbidding palace servants from approaching Rongcui Palace couldn't be hidden from him.
Very obviously, in this woman's eyes, the harem was a dangerous place. That's why she was so careful. Though Lu Yu felt somewhat stifled at this perception, compared to other consorts running to Rongcui Palace to join the excitement, Gu Han's approach indeed gave him more peace of mind.
Seeing a chessboard before her, Lu Yu's interest piqued. Drawing closer for a look, his eyes immediately ached.
The game was a complete mess. The person playing against the woman could only be a palace servant, their skill level went without saying. But to play a game into this state also demonstrated that the woman's chess skills were mediocre at best.
Seeing the woman still hadn't noticed his entrance, Lu Yu couldn't help but tap his fingers on the table. The sound startled the woman awake. Lu Yu said with a light snort:
"What were you thinking? I've been here so long, yet you haven't come to greet me."
This was Lu Yu telling a complete lie, he'd only just entered. But Gu Han didn't know and immediately felt deeply embarrassed, hastily rising to pay respects. Lu Yu hadn't intended for her to bow, he raised his hand to stop her movement, pushed the chessboard aside, and sat down.
Lu Yu scrutinized Gu Han for several moments before suddenly saying seriously:
"You've gotten fatter."
In an instant, all of Gu Han's complicated emotions vanished into thin air. She raised both hands to her cheeks in alarm, lifting her eyes to look at the bronze mirror. Though blurred, the mirror still showed a woman with bright eyes and white teeth, only her cheeks did seem to have a bit more flesh than before.
The usually gentle and proper Concubine Zhao suddenly let out a shriek, startling Lu Yu. Just as he was about to reprimand her irritably, he saw the woman cover her face and turn her back to him. Lu Yu was completely stunned:
"What are you doing?"
Gu Han thought carefully about this recent period. The palace had been peaceful, aside from walking to and from morning greetings daily, she seemed to have stayed in her palace eating and drinking. No wonder she'd gained a bit of weight.
She was at the age most concerned with beauty. To actually be told by His Majesty that she was "fat", she wished she could hide and never see anyone.
Jiu Nian, who had always been respectful at the side, couldn't help but glance subtly at His Majesty with an indescribable expression.
After quite a while, Gu Han finally calmed her emotions and forced herself to turn around. Lu Yu looked at her several times. When the evening meal was served and Gu Han claimed she wasn't hungry, barely touching her chopsticks, Lu Yu finally realized what was happening and said with some amusement:
"When you first entered the palace, you were thin. Now is when you look best."
Observing the woman's unwillingness to eat, he definitely didn't dare say the word "fat" again. When the woman had entered the palace, it was just when her body was growing and becoming slender, making her seem particularly thin, not as perfectly proportioned as now.
Gu Han shot him a glance, clearly not believing his words. She twisted her lips:
"This consort truly isn't hungry."
Lu Yu fell silent, lowering his eyes to look at her quietly. Under his gaze, Gu Han reluctantly ate some food.
Just then, a great commotion suddenly came from outside. Liu An rushed in hastily:
"Your Majesty! Rongcui Palace has gone into labor!"
Author's Note:
[Jiu Nian: Good thing he's the Emperor.]
---
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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TRANSLATOR
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