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Chapter 46
Red plum blossoms broke and drifted down, falling into the pavilion. The flowers added radiant beauty to the woman's complexion. Consort Shu's eyes deepened. She covered her lips and laughed charmingly:
"Your Majesty speaks of this consort, but if we're talking about rare occurrences, encountering Your Majesty in the harem, now that's truly rare, isn't it?"
To this, Lu Yu merely raised an eyebrow.
With her hand held captive, Gu Han found her movements somewhat inconvenient. She could only use her other hand to hold her teacup, taking delicate sips. She glanced unobtrusively at Concubine Zhou, feeling vaguely awkward.
Consort Shu had nearly caused Zhou to be disfigured. His Majesty had protected Shu and done nothing about it. Even though he'd compensated Zhou afterward, her heart must still ache. Yet now, His Majesty could still essentially ignore her presence while chatting and laughing with Consort Shu as if no one else existed.
As the person receiving His Majesty's particular attention, Gu Han didn't know what to feel. She lowered her eyes and sipped her tea, then paused and pushed the pastries toward Zhou.
Zhou stared at the pastries pushed closer to her, stunned for a moment. For some reason, she, who usually wore her emotions openly, lowered her head in this instant, concealing all her feelings.
From the corner of his eye, Lu Yu caught Gu Han's movement. He paused, finally letting his gaze fall on Concubine Zhou:
"You're usually so lively. Why aren't you speaking today?"
No matter how Zhou tried to reason with herself, she still harbored some resentment toward His Majesty, resentment that he didn't remember what he had once said, resentment at how heartless he was toward her. But she also understood that her one-sided devotion was misplaced. She could blame no one else.
So she only lowered her head and said sullenly:
"This concubine doesn't know what to say."
The words created an awkward silence. She gave Lu Yu no face at all. But it was merely a slight impoliteness in her words, she spoke honestly and wasn't disrespectful. Lu Yu truly had no way to deal with her.
Lu Yu glanced at Zhou and withdrew his gaze as if nothing had happened.
Actually, during the selection, he hadn't planned to let Zhou enter the palace. It was Mother Empress who had sent word, saying this cousin of his was devoted to him with one-sided passion. If she married into another household, others might not tolerate her temperament. In any case, his palace could afford to keep one idle person, so he had indulged her wish.
Lu Yu was indifferent either way. He wouldn't refuse Mother Empress over such a small matter.
Besides, Mother Empress was aging. Having someone close to her heart enter the palace to keep her company was a good thing. Lu Yu wouldn't say he favored Zhou, but as long as she remained well-behaved, ensuring her wealth and comfort for life wasn't difficult.
Zhou had gotten what she'd sought. Call him cold-hearted or callous, Lu Yu didn't feel he owed her anything.
The moment she chose to enter the palace, she should have been prepared.
Consort Shu swept her gaze over the three people in the pavilion. Zhou's coldness didn't escape her notice. She couldn't help but think of ALi, who had been sent out of the palace. Immediately, her mood grew listless. She tugged at the corner of her lips and imperceptibly changed the subject:
"Your Majesty's timing is fortunate. This consort was just discussing with Concubine Zhao how her palace lacks a small kitchen. On ordinary days, if she craves some delicacy, Changchun Pavilion and the imperial kitchens must go back and forth, which is quite inconvenient."
Gu Han looked at Consort Shu in surprise, momentarily unable to figure out her intentions. Were Consort Shu's words pleading for favor on her behalf?
Gu Han carefully observed Consort Shu's expression, realizing she was merely changing the subject. Even if it might gain some benefits for Gu Han, it was just a small kitchen, hardly worth her attention.
Lu Yu glanced unobtrusively at Gu Han, then at Consort Shu, before nodding as if nothing was amiss:
"That's true enough."
He said to Gu Han: "Your health has just recovered. Going back and forth, by the time the food returns, it's already cold. I'll issue a decree shortly to add a small kitchen to your palace. It will also save your gluttony from becoming common knowledge."
Suddenly, Gu Han's face flushed red.
What did he mean by "her gluttony becoming common knowledge"?
If His Majesty agreed, he agreed, why must he always tease her in his words?
Gu Han immediately tried to pull her hand away, her almond eyes looking at Lu Yu with both embarrassment and annoyance as she bit her lip lightly: "This concubine is not gluttonous."
Lu Yu had long felt that while her temperament was gentle, it was also somewhat dull. Now seeing her show more liveliness and spirit, Lu Yu wasn't displeased. Instead, he smiled:
"If you're not gluttonous, why would Consort Shu say such things?"
Gu Han was struck speechless.
Being mentioned, Consort Shu only tugged at the corners of her lips. When she'd first arrived, she'd thought the grove of red plum blossoms bloomed beautifully. Now she found them somewhat too glaring. Her eyes lowered almost imperceptibly, the woman had just withdrawn her hand only to have the man pull it back. After several such attempts, she finally gave up.
For a moment, Consort Shu couldn't care that the tea was unpalatable. She downed a cup. As the slightly astringent bitter taste filled her mouth, Consort Shu came back to herself. Accustomed to a life of luxury, she couldn't help but furrow her brow. Too lazy to stay and torment herself further, she said:
"This consort sees it's getting late. I'll return first. Would Your Majesty accompany this consort?"
Feeling uncomfortable, she didn't want others to be comfortable either. So as usual, she extended the invitation to His Majesty.
Gu Han's movements paused. She lowered her eyes slightly. Though there was no obvious change in her emotions, Lu Yu somehow felt her mood had plummeted in that instant. Lu Yu seemed to hesitate, or perhaps he didn't.
Lu Yu thought to himself that women were thin-skinned, clearly unwilling to let him leave, yet not saying a word.
Still holding the woman's hand without releasing it, Lu Yu didn't look up, only saying:
"Just now, Concubine Zhao mentioned picking red plum blossoms to make pastries. I'll go with her to Changchun Pavilion to see."
The excuse Consort Shu had used earlier to change the subject had now become His Majesty's reason for refusing her. Consort Shu couldn't help but pause before speaking in her usual tone:
"Then this consort takes her leave."
After Consort Shu left, Gu Han had no choice but to have Jiu Nian pick some red plum blossoms from the grove to take back to the palace. Who would have thought that what had been merely a perfunctory remark would actually need to be carried out?
Lu Yu pulled Gu Han back to Changchun Pavilion. Before leaving, Gu Han felt unusually uncomfortable as she glanced at Concubine Zhou.
Lu Yu perhaps didn't see, or maybe he saw but didn't care. He even seemed to find Gu Han's movements slow and shot her a look:
"What are you dawdling for?"
When the surroundings quieted, only Concubine Zhou remained alone in the pavilion.
Supported by palace servants, she looked toward the direction where the imperial retinue had disappeared. The palace servants watched her carefully, not daring to disturb her at this moment. After who knows how long, Zhou finally exhaled. She glanced at the pastries and fruit on the stone table, pointing to the plate Gu Han had pushed toward her:
"Take this plate of pastries. We're returning to the palace."
The palace maid hesitated: "But these pastries are already cold."
Zhou paused, then lowered her eyes as if murmuring:
"Cold is fine too."
Tears seemed to glimmer faintly in her eyes. Before anyone could notice, she raised her hand to wipe her face, muttering with lowered head: "This grove isn't good—flying insects everywhere."
The palace maid either didn't notice anything amiss or pretended not to. She quickly held the pastries, saying worriedly:
"Did an insect fly into your eye? My lady, let's return to the palace quickly."
******
By evening, news that His Majesty had specially permitted Changchun Pavilion to install a small kitchen had spread throughout the harem. If that were all, the other consorts would merely say sourly that His Majesty truly favored Concubine Zhao. But when word followed that this favor had been requested of His Majesty by Consort Shu on Concubine Zhao's behalf, everyone couldn't help but be shocked.
When Gu Han learned the news, she was also somewhat surprised. When Consort Shu had spoken, only a few of them had been present. Who had spread this matter?
In the pavilion, she'd only brought Jiu Nian and Little Fang Zi. Without her instructions, these two wouldn't speak carelessly, so it couldn't possibly be someone from her palace.
As for Concubine Zhou, she probably wasn't willing to mention Consort Shu either, so Gu Han felt it shouldn't be her.
Of the remaining two, Gu Han couldn't help but furrow her delicate brows slightly. Regardless of who had spread the news, it left her somewhat puzzled.
Jiu Si pursed her lips from the side:
"Clearly it was His Majesty feeling sorry for my lady. How is it that in others' mouths, my lady obtaining the small kitchen is entirely Consort Shu's achievement?"
Jiu Nian pulled at her and exchanged a glance with Gu Han:
"We don't know who spread the word, but for my lady, it's actually a good thing."
Gu Han propped her chin, nodding in deep agreement.
Jiu Si was puzzled: "How is it a good thing?"
Jiu Nian rubbed her temples in exasperation and explained patiently:
"Originally, when my lady received this favor, all the other consorts would envy her. When people harbor jealousy, who knows what they might do? But once this news spread, attention was drawn to Consort Shu instead. For my lady, this is naturally a good thing."
After hearing these convoluted explanations, Jiu Si only felt her head buzzing. She lightly tapped her head, muttering quietly:
"So troublesome."
Gu Han picked up a piece of red plum pastry and put it in her mouth. Sweet with a trace of plum blossom fragrance. After returning, she'd had Little Fang Zi send those red plum blossoms to the imperial kitchens, specifically stating that these plum blossom pastries were for His Majesty to taste. The imperial kitchens had worked with particular care.
Unfortunately, making pastries was delicate work that took considerable time. His Majesty ultimately hadn't waited for the plum blossom pastries to be finished before having to return to his palace. The entire plate of plum blossom pastries had all benefited Gu Han.
Gu Han's eyes curved slightly. She had to admit Jiu Si was right.
So troublesome.
But if she wanted to climb upward, if she wanted the imperial kitchens to bustle about for her like now, these troubles were absolutely essential.
Just then, news came from the Emperor's Palace, Changchun Pavilion would attend His Majesty's bed tonight.
Wanxi Palace.
Since returning from morning greetings today, Rong BÇŽolĂn had been sulking in her chambers without going out. She'd touched neither lunch nor dinner. She kept thinking about those two sentences Sister Gu had said, sitting blankly before the bronze mirror, unwilling to move.
The entire hall was deathly quiet until footsteps sounded. Little Jiu lifted the curtain and entered:
"My lady, news from the Emperor's Palace, Changchun Pavilion will attend His Majesty's bed."
After speaking, Little Jiu looked worriedly at her mistress.
Consort Rong finally stirred. She looked up at herself in the bronze mirror and tugged at the corners of her lips:
"Elder sister just saw His Majesty at noon. His Majesty likes her so much, it's only natural she would attend his bed tonight."
Little Jiu fell silent, not knowing how to respond. She gently brought over a plate of pastries, saying softly: "My lady hasn't eaten all day. Have some pastries at least?"
Consort Rong's gaze fixed intently on these pastries. After a long while, she suddenly said:
"When we first entered the palace, whenever there was something good, elder sister would always share a portion with me."
"When did that stop?"
Consort Rong had always known the answer. Sister Gu's distance hadn't begun today. From that day when she had found an excuse to seek elder sister out of the palace, using Zhou's different treatment of elder sister to strike at Zhou, from then on, elder sister had treated her differently.
Tears fell from Consort Rong's eyes at some unknown moment, yet she seemed unaware:
"Elder sister comes from a marquis household, is well-mannered and proper, outstanding in appearance, perfect in every way. When she first entered the palace and met His Majesty, she immediately won his favor."
Who remembered that when Elder sister first met His Majesty, she had been right there beside her?
Rong BÇŽolĂn had to admit that someone as naturally gifted as elder sister winning His Majesty's favor at first sight was only natural and expected.
But she remembered that after entering the palace, elder sister had always treated her well. So though she occasionally felt sour about it, she had truly never harbored resentment toward elder sister.
Consort Rong looked up at Little Jiu. She asked:
"Did I do something wrong? Concubine Zhou mocked and humiliated me repeatedly, I merely struck back. What's wrong with that?!"
"Elder sister doesn't need to do anything for His Majesty to favor her. But what about me? My family background is unremarkable, my appearance in the palace is merely average. If I don't use some schemes and tactics, how will His Majesty notice me?!"
Consort Rong suddenly raised her voice: "How can she understand my difficulties?!"
Little Jiu wanted to offer some words of comfort, but under Rong BÇŽolĂn's emotional breakdown, all words seemed pale and powerless.
Consort Rong grabbed Little Jiu's sleeve, crying and shouting:
"I never thought to harm her!"
"I only wanted to gain favor, to be respected, but I'm not heartless and ungrateful! I know she was good to me. How could I possibly truly harm her like Concubine Zhou said?!"
"She clearly knows Concubine Zhou looks down on me, yet repeatedly grows close to Zhou! I don't have Zhou's good family background, so she's abandoned me, is that it?!"
Consort Rong knew this way of thinking was wrong, but once Concubine Zhou was involved, she went mad, fixating obsessively.
Frightened, Little Jiu quickly embraced her, shouting to interrupt:
"My lady!"
Little Jiu wiped away tears but didn't dare let her mistress continue down this path:
"You and Concubine Zhao have supported each other since entering the palace. Concubine Zhou repeatedly told Concubine Zhao to distance herself from you, but Concubine Zhao refuted her every time. Has my lady forgotten all this?"
"My lady has said many times that Concubine Zhao is careful and intelligent. You didn't consult with Concubine Zhao before using her to strike at Concubine Zhou. Tell me, how could Concubine Zhao not be wary of you?"
"Concubine Zhao never revealed this matter to Concubine Zhou out of sentiment for entering the palace together with you. What's happening now is merely an unfortunate turn of events. My lady absolutely must not let your thoughts run wild!"
How could Consort Rong not understand these principles?
She just instinctively wanted to escape, didn't dare and wasn't willing to accept that it was her one misstep that had caused Sister Gu to become guarded against her.
Little Jiu's blunt words shattered her self-deception. Rong BÇŽolĂn cried out and collapsed in Little Jiu's arms, weeping uncontrollably.
She cried for who knows how long. Outside, the sky had turned completely dark when she finally managed to say hoarsely:
"...I don't regret it."
Elder sister had always been cautious and careful. Even if she had told elder sister, elder sister wouldn't have agreed to her acting that way. Even if given another chance, she would still have concealed it from elder sister.
Concubine Zhou had insulted her repeatedly, if she hadn't retaliated, how could her heart find peace?!
Everything she had done since entering the palace, she regretted none of it.
Her only regret was not being thorough enough, allowing elder sister to detect the discrepancies!
**
When news of the bed attendance came, Gu Han immediately ordered someone to the imperial kitchens to prepare a meal, and to bring more of the noon's plum blossom pastries as well.
When Lu Yu arrived at Changchun Pavilion, the hour was still early. Palace servants had just lit the lotus lanterns in the corners. Lu Yu descended from his palanquin. Just as he entered Changchun Pavilion, he saw that the latticed windows of the inner chambers showed only a crack of light. The beaded curtain over the palace entrance hung down—no one had come forward to greet him.
He stopped the palace servants from announcing him and lifted the curtain to enter. He heard the woman gasp sharply, moaning softly:
"It hurts, it hurts—"
Without seeing what was happening inside, just hearing these sounds, exactly like when she cried and pushed at him at night, set one's imagination racing. Lu Yu immediately lifted the second curtain and entered. Taking one look, his brow immediately furrowed:
"What are you doing?!"
He saw candles lit inside the chamber, charcoal braziers burning in the four corners making crackling sounds. On the daybed, the woman wore no outer garment, her clothing disheveled as she reclined there. She extended her hand, and with the movement, her sleeve hung at the crook of her arm, revealing a stretch of delicate white wrist.
A palace maid gripped her hand, holding a silver needle in the other hand, stabbing it toward her hand. The woman bit her lip, her delicate brows furrowing slightly, looking as if she were being tormented.
Seeing only this scene, Lu Yu couldn't think further, his questioning burst out.
Gu Han started in alarm. Looking up at the water clock, she realized it was already so late. She quickly straightened her clothing and rose from the daybed, stepping barefoot onto the carpet and curtsying:
"This concubine greets Your Majesty."
Lu Yu was still shocked by what he had just witnessed and momentarily failed to stop her. Only when from the corner of his eye he glimpsed her delicate ankle did he come to his senses. He reached out to pull her up, but still said coldly:
"What were you just doing?"
As he spoke, Lu Yu swept his gaze over Jiu Nian, who was kneeling on the ground still holding the silver needle.
Gu Han felt somewhat uncomfortable and turned her face aside. With one hand, she tugged at Lu Yu's sleeve, stammering for a long while without managing a complete sentence. This time was enough for Lu Yu to see something was wrong.
He took Gu Han's hand as usual, and heard the woman let out a low "hiss," as if he'd touched an injury.
Lu Yu frowned and took the woman's hand to look at it. Gu Han tried to pull her hand back, seemingly unwilling, but under Lu Yu's cold gaze, she still awkwardly extended her hand. Drawing closer to the candlelight, Lu Yu finally saw clearly, a wooden splinter had lodged in her fingertip.
Her hands were beautiful, all ten fingers delicate and slender, the fingertips smooth and full. Now with this wooden splinter, that finger had become red and swollen. The palace maid had just broken the skin, but the splinter hadn't been removed yet.
Looking at that black dot, Lu Yu found it rather jarring.
He didn't conceal his emotions, directly frowning and saying coldly: "What did you do this evening?"
When he'd left in the afternoon, the woman had been perfectly fine. In less than half a day, how had she managed to get herself into this state again?
Gu Han felt somewhat embarrassed. Raising her fair little face, she only looked at him with eager eyes, as if asking him not to press further. Under the candlelight, those almond eyes were transparent, taking on an additional haziness that stirred one's sympathy, making it unbearable to trouble her even slightly.
Unfortunately, Lu Yu had a heart of stone and remained unmoved. He raised his hand and pointed at Jiu Nian:
"You tell me."
Jiu Nian was also annoyed at her mistress's carelessness and recounted everything that had happened in detail.
It was about those plum blossom pastries Lu Yu had said he wanted to taste at noon. Though the imperial kitchens had made and sent them over, Gu Han had consumed most of them over the afternoon. When news came from the Emperor's Quarters about bed attendance, Gu Han felt guilty for a moment and led palace servants to the plum grove to pick red plum blossoms.
Only after returning did Gu Han feel intermittent stinging pain in her hand and discover that at some unknown time, a wooden splinter had lodged in it.
After hearing this, Lu Yu rubbed his temples with a headache. He looked at the guilty woman with exasperation:
"Would I really hold one plate of pastries against you?"
As he spoke, Lu Yu's anger rose: "Even if you felt it would be difficult to explain to me, you could have simply had the imperial kitchens send people to pick them, or sent servants below to do it. When did you need to personally do such things?"
Gu Han felt guilty. She tugged at Lu Yu's sleeve and shook it gently:
"This concubine knows she was wrong."
Lu Yu snorted coldly. After half a year, didn't he know her? She admitted fault today, but would dare commit the same offense tomorrow.
Lu Yu pulled his sleeve free, too lazy to pay her any mind. He frowned and said to Jiu Nian:
"Why are you removing the splinter for your mistress? Why didn't you summon a female physician?"
Jiu Nian glanced at her mistress and chose to tell the truth: "My lady said this was just a small matter, not worth making a fuss over."
Lu Yu immediately looked down with displeasure:
"Why are you still standing there? Your mistress doesn't know her own limits, do you all lack sense as well?"
Gu Han felt somewhat embarrassed and also puzzled, not understanding why His Majesty was so angry. It was just a wooden splinter in her hand, originally just a small matter. Once the splinter was removed, she wouldn't even need medicine. It really wasn't worth summoning someone from the Imperial Medical Bureau.
Jiu Nian acknowledged and ran out.
Lu Yu only pretended not to see the woman's occasional glances his way. Looking down, he sat on the daybed. On the side table sat pastries, those very plum blossom pastries. Lu Yu picked up a piece and tossed it in his mouth, immediately furrowing his brow.
He habitually didn't like sweets. Pastries were always very sweet, and he rarely ate them.
What he had said at noon was merely finding an excuse to come to her palace. But she'd actually believed it and even taken it to heart.
This thought only flashed through his mind momentarily, but those displeased emotions couldn't help but recede. Lu Yu unobtrusively glanced at the woman. She wrung her handkerchief with both hands, seeming at a loss, momentarily even forgetting about the splinter still lodged in her hand.
Lu Yu immediately felt his head ache. Why was he getting angry with her?
After a pause, Lu Yu raised his hand and said in a deep voice: "What are you standing there stupidly for? Come here."
Gu Han hesitated slightly before placing her hand in his, following his pull to nestle in his embrace. Lu Yu wrapped one arm around her, pulled out her handkerchief and tossed it aside. The stifling frustration in his chest finally lessened somewhat.
Perhaps it was that Mid-Autumn Festival, when he'd turned around just in time to witness with his own eyes the woman falling from the high platform, that had left too deep an impression. So ever since then, whenever the woman was injured, it made him feel somewhat displeased.
Just then, Lu Yu felt someone poke at his waist. He looked down to see the woman tugging at his sash, leaning close to his ear to say quietly:
"This concubine knows Your Majesty feels sorry for this concubine. There won't be a next time."
Warm breath spilled by his ear. Lu Yu paused almost imperceptibly. Feel sorry for her?
It was only a minor injury.
He was clearly annoyed at her carelessness, couldn't bear to see fine jade flawed, how was that feeling sorry for her?
But the remaining frustration in his heart had vanished without a trace under the woman's soft, gentle words. Lu Yu tugged at the corner of his lips. Only today did he realize he could be so commonplace too?
Why, among the new consorts, did he favor only Concubine Zhao?
Gentle, quiet, neither noisy nor troublesome, these were all ordinary qualities. Lu Yu had to admit that initially he had noticed Gu Han only because she stood in the Imperial Garden in a simple rose-colored palace gown, yet eclipsed all the flowers behind her.
Later, after repeatedly coming to Changchun Pavilion, he had discovered her virtues beyond just her appearance.
The female physician arrived quickly. After removing the splinter for Gu Han and applying some ointment, she left Changchun Pavilion without even delaying a quarter hour.
Lu Yu glanced at that bandaged finger, then looked at the woman's gentle, serene appearance, and suddenly said:
"It's not."
Gu Han froze, looking at him in confusion.
But Lu Yu shifted his gaze away, not meeting her eyes, and pulled her to stand: "Let's eat first."
Gu Han followed behind him. After a long moment, she finally puzzled out that his "it's not" meant he wasn't feeling sorry for her.
Gu Han didn't take it seriously. It was just something she had said. She spoke, he listened, that was all. Who would take such words seriously?
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Chapter 46
Red plum blossoms broke and drifted down, falling into the pavilion. The flowers added radiant beauty to the woman's complexion. Consort Shu's eyes deepened. She covered her lips and laughed charmingly:
"Your Majesty speaks of this consort, but if we're talking about rare occurrences, encountering Your Majesty in the harem, now that's truly rare, isn't it?"
To this, Lu Yu merely raised an eyebrow.
With her hand held captive, Gu Han found her movements somewhat inconvenient. She could only use her other hand to hold her teacup, taking delicate sips. She glanced unobtrusively at Concubine Zhou, feeling vaguely awkward.
Consort Shu had nearly caused Zhou to be disfigured. His Majesty had protected Shu and done nothing about it. Even though he'd compensated Zhou afterward, her heart must still ache. Yet now, His Majesty could still essentially ignore her presence while chatting and laughing with Consort Shu as if no one else existed.
As the person receiving His Majesty's particular attention, Gu Han didn't know what to feel. She lowered her eyes and sipped her tea, then paused and pushed the pastries toward Zhou.
Zhou stared at the pastries pushed closer to her, stunned for a moment. For some reason, she, who usually wore her emotions openly, lowered her head in this instant, concealing all her feelings.
From the corner of his eye, Lu Yu caught Gu Han's movement. He paused, finally letting his gaze fall on Concubine Zhou:
"You're usually so lively. Why aren't you speaking today?"
No matter how Zhou tried to reason with herself, she still harbored some resentment toward His Majesty, resentment that he didn't remember what he had once said, resentment at how heartless he was toward her. But she also understood that her one-sided devotion was misplaced. She could blame no one else.
So she only lowered her head and said sullenly:
"This concubine doesn't know what to say."
The words created an awkward silence. She gave Lu Yu no face at all. But it was merely a slight impoliteness in her words, she spoke honestly and wasn't disrespectful. Lu Yu truly had no way to deal with her.
Lu Yu glanced at Zhou and withdrew his gaze as if nothing had happened.
Actually, during the selection, he hadn't planned to let Zhou enter the palace. It was Mother Empress who had sent word, saying this cousin of his was devoted to him with one-sided passion. If she married into another household, others might not tolerate her temperament. In any case, his palace could afford to keep one idle person, so he had indulged her wish.
Lu Yu was indifferent either way. He wouldn't refuse Mother Empress over such a small matter.
Besides, Mother Empress was aging. Having someone close to her heart enter the palace to keep her company was a good thing. Lu Yu wouldn't say he favored Zhou, but as long as she remained well-behaved, ensuring her wealth and comfort for life wasn't difficult.
Zhou had gotten what she'd sought. Call him cold-hearted or callous, Lu Yu didn't feel he owed her anything.
The moment she chose to enter the palace, she should have been prepared.
Consort Shu swept her gaze over the three people in the pavilion. Zhou's coldness didn't escape her notice. She couldn't help but think of ALi, who had been sent out of the palace. Immediately, her mood grew listless. She tugged at the corner of her lips and imperceptibly changed the subject:
"Your Majesty's timing is fortunate. This consort was just discussing with Concubine Zhao how her palace lacks a small kitchen. On ordinary days, if she craves some delicacy, Changchun Pavilion and the imperial kitchens must go back and forth, which is quite inconvenient."
Gu Han looked at Consort Shu in surprise, momentarily unable to figure out her intentions. Were Consort Shu's words pleading for favor on her behalf?
Gu Han carefully observed Consort Shu's expression, realizing she was merely changing the subject. Even if it might gain some benefits for Gu Han, it was just a small kitchen, hardly worth her attention.
Lu Yu glanced unobtrusively at Gu Han, then at Consort Shu, before nodding as if nothing was amiss:
"That's true enough."
He said to Gu Han: "Your health has just recovered. Going back and forth, by the time the food returns, it's already cold. I'll issue a decree shortly to add a small kitchen to your palace. It will also save your gluttony from becoming common knowledge."
Suddenly, Gu Han's face flushed red.
What did he mean by "her gluttony becoming common knowledge"?
If His Majesty agreed, he agreed, why must he always tease her in his words?
Gu Han immediately tried to pull her hand away, her almond eyes looking at Lu Yu with both embarrassment and annoyance as she bit her lip lightly: "This concubine is not gluttonous."
Lu Yu had long felt that while her temperament was gentle, it was also somewhat dull. Now seeing her show more liveliness and spirit, Lu Yu wasn't displeased. Instead, he smiled:
"If you're not gluttonous, why would Consort Shu say such things?"
Gu Han was struck speechless.
Being mentioned, Consort Shu only tugged at the corners of her lips. When she'd first arrived, she'd thought the grove of red plum blossoms bloomed beautifully. Now she found them somewhat too glaring. Her eyes lowered almost imperceptibly, the woman had just withdrawn her hand only to have the man pull it back. After several such attempts, she finally gave up.
For a moment, Consort Shu couldn't care that the tea was unpalatable. She downed a cup. As the slightly astringent bitter taste filled her mouth, Consort Shu came back to herself. Accustomed to a life of luxury, she couldn't help but furrow her brow. Too lazy to stay and torment herself further, she said:
"This consort sees it's getting late. I'll return first. Would Your Majesty accompany this consort?"
Feeling uncomfortable, she didn't want others to be comfortable either. So as usual, she extended the invitation to His Majesty.
Gu Han's movements paused. She lowered her eyes slightly. Though there was no obvious change in her emotions, Lu Yu somehow felt her mood had plummeted in that instant. Lu Yu seemed to hesitate, or perhaps he didn't.
Lu Yu thought to himself that women were thin-skinned, clearly unwilling to let him leave, yet not saying a word.
Still holding the woman's hand without releasing it, Lu Yu didn't look up, only saying:
"Just now, Concubine Zhao mentioned picking red plum blossoms to make pastries. I'll go with her to Changchun Pavilion to see."
The excuse Consort Shu had used earlier to change the subject had now become His Majesty's reason for refusing her. Consort Shu couldn't help but pause before speaking in her usual tone:
"Then this consort takes her leave."
After Consort Shu left, Gu Han had no choice but to have Jiu Nian pick some red plum blossoms from the grove to take back to the palace. Who would have thought that what had been merely a perfunctory remark would actually need to be carried out?
Lu Yu pulled Gu Han back to Changchun Pavilion. Before leaving, Gu Han felt unusually uncomfortable as she glanced at Concubine Zhou.
Lu Yu perhaps didn't see, or maybe he saw but didn't care. He even seemed to find Gu Han's movements slow and shot her a look:
"What are you dawdling for?"
When the surroundings quieted, only Concubine Zhou remained alone in the pavilion.
Supported by palace servants, she looked toward the direction where the imperial retinue had disappeared. The palace servants watched her carefully, not daring to disturb her at this moment. After who knows how long, Zhou finally exhaled. She glanced at the pastries and fruit on the stone table, pointing to the plate Gu Han had pushed toward her:
"Take this plate of pastries. We're returning to the palace."
The palace maid hesitated: "But these pastries are already cold."
Zhou paused, then lowered her eyes as if murmuring:
"Cold is fine too."
Tears seemed to glimmer faintly in her eyes. Before anyone could notice, she raised her hand to wipe her face, muttering with lowered head: "This grove isn't good—flying insects everywhere."
The palace maid either didn't notice anything amiss or pretended not to. She quickly held the pastries, saying worriedly:
"Did an insect fly into your eye? My lady, let's return to the palace quickly."
******
By evening, news that His Majesty had specially permitted Changchun Pavilion to install a small kitchen had spread throughout the harem. If that were all, the other consorts would merely say sourly that His Majesty truly favored Concubine Zhao. But when word followed that this favor had been requested of His Majesty by Consort Shu on Concubine Zhao's behalf, everyone couldn't help but be shocked.
When Gu Han learned the news, she was also somewhat surprised. When Consort Shu had spoken, only a few of them had been present. Who had spread this matter?
In the pavilion, she'd only brought Jiu Nian and Little Fang Zi. Without her instructions, these two wouldn't speak carelessly, so it couldn't possibly be someone from her palace.
As for Concubine Zhou, she probably wasn't willing to mention Consort Shu either, so Gu Han felt it shouldn't be her.
Of the remaining two, Gu Han couldn't help but furrow her delicate brows slightly. Regardless of who had spread the news, it left her somewhat puzzled.
Jiu Si pursed her lips from the side:
"Clearly it was His Majesty feeling sorry for my lady. How is it that in others' mouths, my lady obtaining the small kitchen is entirely Consort Shu's achievement?"
Jiu Nian pulled at her and exchanged a glance with Gu Han:
"We don't know who spread the word, but for my lady, it's actually a good thing."
Gu Han propped her chin, nodding in deep agreement.
Jiu Si was puzzled: "How is it a good thing?"
Jiu Nian rubbed her temples in exasperation and explained patiently:
"Originally, when my lady received this favor, all the other consorts would envy her. When people harbor jealousy, who knows what they might do? But once this news spread, attention was drawn to Consort Shu instead. For my lady, this is naturally a good thing."
After hearing these convoluted explanations, Jiu Si only felt her head buzzing. She lightly tapped her head, muttering quietly:
"So troublesome."
Gu Han picked up a piece of red plum pastry and put it in her mouth. Sweet with a trace of plum blossom fragrance. After returning, she'd had Little Fang Zi send those red plum blossoms to the imperial kitchens, specifically stating that these plum blossom pastries were for His Majesty to taste. The imperial kitchens had worked with particular care.
Unfortunately, making pastries was delicate work that took considerable time. His Majesty ultimately hadn't waited for the plum blossom pastries to be finished before having to return to his palace. The entire plate of plum blossom pastries had all benefited Gu Han.
Gu Han's eyes curved slightly. She had to admit Jiu Si was right.
So troublesome.
But if she wanted to climb upward, if she wanted the imperial kitchens to bustle about for her like now, these troubles were absolutely essential.
Just then, news came from the Emperor's Palace, Changchun Pavilion would attend His Majesty's bed tonight.
Wanxi Palace.
Since returning from morning greetings today, Rong BÇŽolĂn had been sulking in her chambers without going out. She'd touched neither lunch nor dinner. She kept thinking about those two sentences Sister Gu had said, sitting blankly before the bronze mirror, unwilling to move.
The entire hall was deathly quiet until footsteps sounded. Little Jiu lifted the curtain and entered:
"My lady, news from the Emperor's Palace, Changchun Pavilion will attend His Majesty's bed."
After speaking, Little Jiu looked worriedly at her mistress.
Consort Rong finally stirred. She looked up at herself in the bronze mirror and tugged at the corners of her lips:
"Elder sister just saw His Majesty at noon. His Majesty likes her so much, it's only natural she would attend his bed tonight."
Little Jiu fell silent, not knowing how to respond. She gently brought over a plate of pastries, saying softly: "My lady hasn't eaten all day. Have some pastries at least?"
Consort Rong's gaze fixed intently on these pastries. After a long while, she suddenly said:
"When we first entered the palace, whenever there was something good, elder sister would always share a portion with me."
"When did that stop?"
Consort Rong had always known the answer. Sister Gu's distance hadn't begun today. From that day when she had found an excuse to seek elder sister out of the palace, using Zhou's different treatment of elder sister to strike at Zhou, from then on, elder sister had treated her differently.
Tears fell from Consort Rong's eyes at some unknown moment, yet she seemed unaware:
"Elder sister comes from a marquis household, is well-mannered and proper, outstanding in appearance, perfect in every way. When she first entered the palace and met His Majesty, she immediately won his favor."
Who remembered that when Elder sister first met His Majesty, she had been right there beside her?
Rong BÇŽolĂn had to admit that someone as naturally gifted as elder sister winning His Majesty's favor at first sight was only natural and expected.
But she remembered that after entering the palace, elder sister had always treated her well. So though she occasionally felt sour about it, she had truly never harbored resentment toward elder sister.
Consort Rong looked up at Little Jiu. She asked:
"Did I do something wrong? Concubine Zhou mocked and humiliated me repeatedly, I merely struck back. What's wrong with that?!"
"Elder sister doesn't need to do anything for His Majesty to favor her. But what about me? My family background is unremarkable, my appearance in the palace is merely average. If I don't use some schemes and tactics, how will His Majesty notice me?!"
Consort Rong suddenly raised her voice: "How can she understand my difficulties?!"
Little Jiu wanted to offer some words of comfort, but under Rong BÇŽolĂn's emotional breakdown, all words seemed pale and powerless.
Consort Rong grabbed Little Jiu's sleeve, crying and shouting:
"I never thought to harm her!"
"I only wanted to gain favor, to be respected, but I'm not heartless and ungrateful! I know she was good to me. How could I possibly truly harm her like Concubine Zhou said?!"
"She clearly knows Concubine Zhou looks down on me, yet repeatedly grows close to Zhou! I don't have Zhou's good family background, so she's abandoned me, is that it?!"
Consort Rong knew this way of thinking was wrong, but once Concubine Zhou was involved, she went mad, fixating obsessively.
Frightened, Little Jiu quickly embraced her, shouting to interrupt:
"My lady!"
Little Jiu wiped away tears but didn't dare let her mistress continue down this path:
"You and Concubine Zhao have supported each other since entering the palace. Concubine Zhou repeatedly told Concubine Zhao to distance herself from you, but Concubine Zhao refuted her every time. Has my lady forgotten all this?"
"My lady has said many times that Concubine Zhao is careful and intelligent. You didn't consult with Concubine Zhao before using her to strike at Concubine Zhou. Tell me, how could Concubine Zhao not be wary of you?"
"Concubine Zhao never revealed this matter to Concubine Zhou out of sentiment for entering the palace together with you. What's happening now is merely an unfortunate turn of events. My lady absolutely must not let your thoughts run wild!"
How could Consort Rong not understand these principles?
She just instinctively wanted to escape, didn't dare and wasn't willing to accept that it was her one misstep that had caused Sister Gu to become guarded against her.
Little Jiu's blunt words shattered her self-deception. Rong BÇŽolĂn cried out and collapsed in Little Jiu's arms, weeping uncontrollably.
She cried for who knows how long. Outside, the sky had turned completely dark when she finally managed to say hoarsely:
"...I don't regret it."
Elder sister had always been cautious and careful. Even if she had told elder sister, elder sister wouldn't have agreed to her acting that way. Even if given another chance, she would still have concealed it from elder sister.
Concubine Zhou had insulted her repeatedly, if she hadn't retaliated, how could her heart find peace?!
Everything she had done since entering the palace, she regretted none of it.
Her only regret was not being thorough enough, allowing elder sister to detect the discrepancies!
**
When news of the bed attendance came, Gu Han immediately ordered someone to the imperial kitchens to prepare a meal, and to bring more of the noon's plum blossom pastries as well.
When Lu Yu arrived at Changchun Pavilion, the hour was still early. Palace servants had just lit the lotus lanterns in the corners. Lu Yu descended from his palanquin. Just as he entered Changchun Pavilion, he saw that the latticed windows of the inner chambers showed only a crack of light. The beaded curtain over the palace entrance hung down—no one had come forward to greet him.
He stopped the palace servants from announcing him and lifted the curtain to enter. He heard the woman gasp sharply, moaning softly:
"It hurts, it hurts—"
Without seeing what was happening inside, just hearing these sounds, exactly like when she cried and pushed at him at night, set one's imagination racing. Lu Yu immediately lifted the second curtain and entered. Taking one look, his brow immediately furrowed:
"What are you doing?!"
He saw candles lit inside the chamber, charcoal braziers burning in the four corners making crackling sounds. On the daybed, the woman wore no outer garment, her clothing disheveled as she reclined there. She extended her hand, and with the movement, her sleeve hung at the crook of her arm, revealing a stretch of delicate white wrist.
A palace maid gripped her hand, holding a silver needle in the other hand, stabbing it toward her hand. The woman bit her lip, her delicate brows furrowing slightly, looking as if she were being tormented.
Seeing only this scene, Lu Yu couldn't think further, his questioning burst out.
Gu Han started in alarm. Looking up at the water clock, she realized it was already so late. She quickly straightened her clothing and rose from the daybed, stepping barefoot onto the carpet and curtsying:
"This concubine greets Your Majesty."
Lu Yu was still shocked by what he had just witnessed and momentarily failed to stop her. Only when from the corner of his eye he glimpsed her delicate ankle did he come to his senses. He reached out to pull her up, but still said coldly:
"What were you just doing?"
As he spoke, Lu Yu swept his gaze over Jiu Nian, who was kneeling on the ground still holding the silver needle.
Gu Han felt somewhat uncomfortable and turned her face aside. With one hand, she tugged at Lu Yu's sleeve, stammering for a long while without managing a complete sentence. This time was enough for Lu Yu to see something was wrong.
He took Gu Han's hand as usual, and heard the woman let out a low "hiss," as if he'd touched an injury.
Lu Yu frowned and took the woman's hand to look at it. Gu Han tried to pull her hand back, seemingly unwilling, but under Lu Yu's cold gaze, she still awkwardly extended her hand. Drawing closer to the candlelight, Lu Yu finally saw clearly, a wooden splinter had lodged in her fingertip.
Her hands were beautiful, all ten fingers delicate and slender, the fingertips smooth and full. Now with this wooden splinter, that finger had become red and swollen. The palace maid had just broken the skin, but the splinter hadn't been removed yet.
Looking at that black dot, Lu Yu found it rather jarring.
He didn't conceal his emotions, directly frowning and saying coldly: "What did you do this evening?"
When he'd left in the afternoon, the woman had been perfectly fine. In less than half a day, how had she managed to get herself into this state again?
Gu Han felt somewhat embarrassed. Raising her fair little face, she only looked at him with eager eyes, as if asking him not to press further. Under the candlelight, those almond eyes were transparent, taking on an additional haziness that stirred one's sympathy, making it unbearable to trouble her even slightly.
Unfortunately, Lu Yu had a heart of stone and remained unmoved. He raised his hand and pointed at Jiu Nian:
"You tell me."
Jiu Nian was also annoyed at her mistress's carelessness and recounted everything that had happened in detail.
It was about those plum blossom pastries Lu Yu had said he wanted to taste at noon. Though the imperial kitchens had made and sent them over, Gu Han had consumed most of them over the afternoon. When news came from the Emperor's Quarters about bed attendance, Gu Han felt guilty for a moment and led palace servants to the plum grove to pick red plum blossoms.
Only after returning did Gu Han feel intermittent stinging pain in her hand and discover that at some unknown time, a wooden splinter had lodged in it.
After hearing this, Lu Yu rubbed his temples with a headache. He looked at the guilty woman with exasperation:
"Would I really hold one plate of pastries against you?"
As he spoke, Lu Yu's anger rose: "Even if you felt it would be difficult to explain to me, you could have simply had the imperial kitchens send people to pick them, or sent servants below to do it. When did you need to personally do such things?"
Gu Han felt guilty. She tugged at Lu Yu's sleeve and shook it gently:
"This concubine knows she was wrong."
Lu Yu snorted coldly. After half a year, didn't he know her? She admitted fault today, but would dare commit the same offense tomorrow.
Lu Yu pulled his sleeve free, too lazy to pay her any mind. He frowned and said to Jiu Nian:
"Why are you removing the splinter for your mistress? Why didn't you summon a female physician?"
Jiu Nian glanced at her mistress and chose to tell the truth: "My lady said this was just a small matter, not worth making a fuss over."
Lu Yu immediately looked down with displeasure:
"Why are you still standing there? Your mistress doesn't know her own limits, do you all lack sense as well?"
Gu Han felt somewhat embarrassed and also puzzled, not understanding why His Majesty was so angry. It was just a wooden splinter in her hand, originally just a small matter. Once the splinter was removed, she wouldn't even need medicine. It really wasn't worth summoning someone from the Imperial Medical Bureau.
Jiu Nian acknowledged and ran out.
Lu Yu only pretended not to see the woman's occasional glances his way. Looking down, he sat on the daybed. On the side table sat pastries, those very plum blossom pastries. Lu Yu picked up a piece and tossed it in his mouth, immediately furrowing his brow.
He habitually didn't like sweets. Pastries were always very sweet, and he rarely ate them.
What he had said at noon was merely finding an excuse to come to her palace. But she'd actually believed it and even taken it to heart.
This thought only flashed through his mind momentarily, but those displeased emotions couldn't help but recede. Lu Yu unobtrusively glanced at the woman. She wrung her handkerchief with both hands, seeming at a loss, momentarily even forgetting about the splinter still lodged in her hand.
Lu Yu immediately felt his head ache. Why was he getting angry with her?
After a pause, Lu Yu raised his hand and said in a deep voice: "What are you standing there stupidly for? Come here."
Gu Han hesitated slightly before placing her hand in his, following his pull to nestle in his embrace. Lu Yu wrapped one arm around her, pulled out her handkerchief and tossed it aside. The stifling frustration in his chest finally lessened somewhat.
Perhaps it was that Mid-Autumn Festival, when he'd turned around just in time to witness with his own eyes the woman falling from the high platform, that had left too deep an impression. So ever since then, whenever the woman was injured, it made him feel somewhat displeased.
Just then, Lu Yu felt someone poke at his waist. He looked down to see the woman tugging at his sash, leaning close to his ear to say quietly:
"This concubine knows Your Majesty feels sorry for this concubine. There won't be a next time."
Warm breath spilled by his ear. Lu Yu paused almost imperceptibly. Feel sorry for her?
It was only a minor injury.
He was clearly annoyed at her carelessness, couldn't bear to see fine jade flawed, how was that feeling sorry for her?
But the remaining frustration in his heart had vanished without a trace under the woman's soft, gentle words. Lu Yu tugged at the corner of his lips. Only today did he realize he could be so commonplace too?
Why, among the new consorts, did he favor only Concubine Zhao?
Gentle, quiet, neither noisy nor troublesome, these were all ordinary qualities. Lu Yu had to admit that initially he had noticed Gu Han only because she stood in the Imperial Garden in a simple rose-colored palace gown, yet eclipsed all the flowers behind her.
Later, after repeatedly coming to Changchun Pavilion, he had discovered her virtues beyond just her appearance.
The female physician arrived quickly. After removing the splinter for Gu Han and applying some ointment, she left Changchun Pavilion without even delaying a quarter hour.
Lu Yu glanced at that bandaged finger, then looked at the woman's gentle, serene appearance, and suddenly said:
"It's not."
Gu Han froze, looking at him in confusion.
But Lu Yu shifted his gaze away, not meeting her eyes, and pulled her to stand: "Let's eat first."
Gu Han followed behind him. After a long moment, she finally puzzled out that his "it's not" meant he wasn't feeling sorry for her.
Gu Han didn't take it seriously. It was just something she had said. She spoke, he listened, that was all. Who would take such words seriously?
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