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Chapter 49
The matter of His Majesty's night visit to Changchun Pavilion, before Gu Han even went to morning greetings, had already become common knowledge throughout the harem.
Gu Han had anticipated this incident might cause an uproar in the harem, but during morning greetings, even the Empress cast several meaningful glances her way. Only then did she realize this matter had drawn far more attention than she had imagined.
Having been awakened in the middle of the night yesterday, Gu Han had slept poorly afterward. Not wanting to entangle herself with others, the moment morning greetings ended, Gu Han abandoned her usual unhurried pace and prepared to return to her palace.
But even so, snide remarks still reached her ears.
"Some people, you know, used to act like devoted sisters with Rong Bǎolín. Yet the moment Rong Bǎolín miscarried yesterday, they couldn't wait to drag His Majesty to their own palace."
The speaker seemed to fear the person in question might not hear, deliberately raising her voice. Gu Han's steps paused slightly. She turned to look at the speaker, her expression visibly cooling:
"Concubine Chen has been demoted for so long, has she still not learned how to speak properly?"
At this moment, everyone had just exited Kunning Palace. Concubines from all quarters had not yet dispersed. Consort Shu had just boarded her palanquin when, hearing the commotion, she immediately raised her hand to signal the palanquin to stop and looked over from afar.
Concubine Chen most detested others constantly bringing up her demotion. Her face darkened with a cold laugh:
"What? Is Concubine Zhao allowed to do it, but others aren't allowed to speak of it?"
Gu Han's lips curved slightly. She truly didn't understand, even in her current state, why did Concubine Chen still not learn her lesson?
Did she think she was still that high and mighty Consort De of the past?
Staring at Concubine Chen's smug face, Gu Han couldn't help but recall how before the New Year, when her mother entered the palace and nearly fell victim to schemes, she'd never settled that account with Concubine Chen. Perhaps precisely because she'd taken no action, Chen thought her weak and easily bullied.
Consort De continued: "Some people can act as gentle and pure as they like, but just look at what they do, you'll know their true nature."
Gu Han suddenly released Jiu Nian's hand, stepped forward, and viciously slapped Concubine Chen across the face.
"SMACK…"
A crisp slapping sound rang out without warning. Stinging pain spread across her cheek. Hearing the shocked gasps around her, Concubine Chen's stunned mind regained a thread of consciousness. She covered her face in disbelief and shrieked:
"You dare strike this Palace?!"
To this, Gu Han's response was merely to raise her left hand and deliver another harsh slap to the other cheek, making them symmetrical. In an instant, the surroundings fell deathly silent, everyone staring at Gu Han in dumbfounded shock.
Coming to her senses, Concubine Chen, who had never suffered such humiliation in her entire life, felt as if being slapped in public was like having her face thrown on the ground to be trampled. How could someone as proud as Concubine Chen endure this?
She went mad, lunging forward to strike Gu Han.
Whenever Gu Han left her palace, she always brought Little Fang Zi with her. When Gu Han struck, Little Fang Zi had also frozen in shocked disbelief, but seeing Concubine Chen's movement, he immediately reacted and stepped forward to block her.
The servants of Changchun Pavilion were no fools. They hastily abandoned the palanquin and surged forward. Several people restrained Concubine Chen, for a moment, far from being able to rush at Gu Han, Chen couldn't even move!
Concubine Chen struggled continuously, glaring at Gu Han with venomous hatred:
"Release this Palace!"
Jiu Nian carefully helped Gu Han forward. Gu Han gripped Concubine Chen's chin, forcing her to raise her head. Meeting her eyes levelly, Gu Han said softly:
"You're quite right, I'm not some gentle, pure person. Today's two slaps: one to repay you for framing my mother before the New Year, and one for your disrespect toward your superior today."
Why didn't Xianling Palace's servants dare resist? Because Gu Han ranked half a grade higher than Concubine Chen. In this harem, sometimes favor mattered, but one undeniable fact remained, being one rank higher could crush someone to death.
Concubine Chen still stared fixedly at Gu Han. If looks could kill, Gu Han would have died countless times over.
Gu Han accepted the handkerchief Jiu Nian handed her and unhurriedly wiped her hands. The gesture was light, yet profoundly insulting. Concubine Chen was immediately provoked into shrieking: "Concubine Zhao, you wretch!"
The surrounding concubines imperceptibly stepped back, looking at Gu Han in shock. Some occasionally glanced toward Kunning Palace, but Kunning Palace remained quiet throughout, as if no one were inside.
This was Gu Han's first display of anger before everyone. Actually, many concubines held no particular awe of Gu Han. Though she had been promoted quickly, she was also a newly selected consort like themselves, and had always been gentle and soft-spoken, hardly someone to fear.
But today's incident served as a reminder to many: this was the current Concubine Zhao, His Majesty's new favorite. She dared humiliate even Concubine Chen like this, if others fell into her hands, how could they fare any better?
Gu Han's palms ached from the impact. Since she dared strike Concubine Chen, she wasn't afraid of Chen reporting to His Majesty. She looked at Chen, who still indulged in verbal defiance, and tugged at the corner of her lips:
"It seems Concubine Chen has learned nothing. We mustn't disturb the Empress's peace. Someone, please escort Concubine Chen to the Imperial Garden. The scenery there is quite fine. I'm sure Concubine Chen would be delighted to kneel there for two hours."
Ever since Gu Han entered the palace, Changchun Pavilion had always been favored. These servants were equally fearless, they grabbed Concubine Chen and began dragging her toward the Imperial Garden. For a moment, Concubine Chen's struggling curses echoed before Kunning Palace.
The servants, having been hit painfully, used harsh force. Concubine Chen struggled even more futilely. She swept her gaze around until it crashed into Gu Han's cold eyes. Only then did she realize, Gu Han was serious.
She would truly do this!
Concubine Chen finally understood what fear meant. Her body trembled, yet she wouldn't yield or bow her head. She threatened Gu Han with false bravado:
"You wouldn't dare?!"
Gu Han couldn't be bothered to engage with her. She had already done it, what was there not to dare?
Before turning to leave, Gu Han's gaze fell on Jiachun beside Concubine Chen. Her tone calm, she said:
"If you want your mistress to avoid this physical suffering, you must fetch His Majesty. Otherwise, don't waste your effort."
Concubine Chen had caused Consort Shu to lose the ability to bear children, Consort Shu would absolutely never help her. And Kunning Palace had shown no movement thus far, the Empress's meaning was clear. As for the other ladies of higher rank, they had no need to offend Gu Han for Concubine Chen's sake.
So if Jiachun wanted to seek help, she could only go to the Emperor's quarters to beg His Majesty.
Jiachun knew Concubine Zhao spoke the truth. The way Concubine Zhao looked at her was very calm, as if viewing a stranger, without the slightest trace of anger toward her because of her mistress. For a moment, Jiachun actually felt somewhat ashamed of herself.
She barely shifted her gaze, looking at her utterly disheveled mistress. Jiachun understood, if Concubine Zhao dared speak thus, it meant she had no fear. But Jiachun had no choice. She could only grit her teeth, rise from the ground, and head toward the Emperor's quarters.
Kneeling in the Imperial Garden for two hours would leave her mistress with neither face nor dignity intact. Given her mistress's temperament, after returning to the palace, all the servants present would suffer for it.
Gu Han watched Jiachun leave with indifference. Actually, she wasn't as calm inwardly as she appeared. She too wanted to know, what would His Majesty do?
From afar, Consort Shu watched this farce. Seeing Concubine Chen's wretchedness, she suddenly laughed lightly with satisfaction.
Ya Luo looked up at her, momentarily stunned. She rarely saw her mistress laugh so lightheartedly, as if dark clouds that had long pressed upon her had dispersed. Ya Luo couldn't help but turn to look at Concubine Zhao, feeling a trace of gratitude toward her.
Her mistress had been helpless in the palace, her enemy right before her eyes, yet completely unable to act.
Ya Luo called out: "Your Ladyship."
Consort Shu lowered her eyes to look at her, laughing until tears nearly fell. She raised her hand to wipe the corners of her eyes, still unable to suppress her laughter:
"In all this Palace's years here, I've never been this happy."
She knew today's events would certainly alarm His Majesty. Looking distantly at Gu Han's retreating figure, she closed her eyes, concealing the expression within. Consort Shu's voice drifted out from the palanquin:
"The show is over. Let's return to the palace."
She knew people in the harem compared Concubine Zhao to her, but what was there really to compare?
Consort Shu understood very clearly the gap between herself and Concubine Zhao.
…Like a vast chasm.
In Kunning Palace, palace maids craned their necks to look outside. Only after things quieted down did someone turn back to report.
Muqiu poured a cup of tea and presented it to Her Majesty, appearing somewhat hesitant:
"Your Majesty, Concubine Zhao had people drag Concubine Chen away. Will Your Majesty truly not intervene?"
The Empress sipped her tea without raising her head, saying lightly: "She's been smug for so long, it's time to temper her nature. Besides, she committed the offense of disrespecting her superior and even tried to use Concubine Zhao's mother to frame Concubine Zhao. Concubine Zhao isn't made of mud, she must vent this grievance."
"Moreover, didn't her palace servants go to fetch His Majesty?"
"Since no one has come seeking this Palace's judgment, this Palace is happy to remain at leisure."
Muqiu fell silent for a long while. She didn't care about Concubine Chen's fate, her voice lowered: "Today Concubine Zhao was quite imposing."
Yesterday the palace had just lost an imperial heir, yet His Majesty still went to Concubine Zhao's palace. Muqiu felt unsettled, always sensing some matters had exceeded their grasp.
The Empress's expression remained calm: "Concubine Zhao has probably been suppressing herself for a long time. That she only vented now already surprises this Palace."
Muqiu saw the weariness in Her Majesty's eyes and thought of Fifth Young Lady, who'd been thrown into the Cold Palace yesterday. She wanted to say something but didn't know how to begin.
******
Jiachun didn't dare delay a moment as she ran toward Yangxin Hall. At the same time, Liu An also received the news.
Liu An was so shocked he couldn't speak for a long while. Much later, he asked the messenger:
"Are you certain the one punishing Concubine Chen was Concubine Zhao, not Consort Shu?"
Actually, Liu An wanted to say Concubine Zhou more, but on second thought, Zhou and Chen held equal rank, even if Zhou had the heart and temperament for it, it would be impossible.
Aside from Zhou, the only one in the palace who could be so unrestrained was Consort Shu, and moreover, Consort Shu and Concubine Chen harbored deep hatred between them.
As for Concubine Zhao?
It wasn't that Liu An was unwilling to believe it, but Concubine Zhao was usually gentle as water, even speaking softly and gently to servants like them. How could she possibly humiliate Concubine Chen so publicly?
The messenger smiled sheepishly:
"This servant can still tell Consort Shu and Concubine Zhao apart."
Liu An rolled his eyes at him, inwardly clicking his tongue. After asking in detail about what had happened, he finally understood the root cause, sure enough, it was another incident triggered by His Majesty's visit to Changchun Pavilion last night.
Liu An was hesitating whether to go in and report to His Majesty when, looking up, he saw Jiachun running over in disarray, no longer maintaining her usual propriety. She fell to her knees before Yangxin Hall with a thud that made Liu An's heart skip a beat at the dull sound.
Before Liu An could step forward, Jiachun cried out miserably:
"I beg Your Majesty to save our mistress!"
The commotion was loud, those inside the hall weren't deaf. Hearing the disturbance, Liu An quickly pushed open the door and entered. As expected, he saw His Majesty had set down his brush and was frowning impatiently toward the palace entrance:
"What's all that racket outside?"
Liu An smiled sheepishly and said awkwardly: "It's Miss Jiachun from Concubine Chen's side."
Hearing "Concubine Chen," Lu Yu's expression grew detached. He lowered his eyes and responded coldly and indifferently:
"What is it?"
Liu An touched his nose and recounted everything that had happened before Kunning Palace in complete detail, without any embellishment.
"Concubine Zhao had people drag Concubine Chen to the Imperial Garden to kneel in punishment. Moreover, Concubine Zhao also said..." Liu An paused, stealing a glance up at His Majesty before daring to continue: "She said if they wanted Concubine Chen to avoid physical suffering, Jiachun should fetch Your Majesty."
Lu Yu thought he'd misheard. He asked:
"You're certain it was Concubine Zhao?"
Liu An met His Majesty's gaze and nodded with an embarrassed smile.
Confirming that it was indeed Gu Han who'd ordered Concubine Chen to kneel, Lu Yu couldn't help but fall silent for a moment. If Gu Han hadn't said that about having Jiachun fetch him, when Jiachun came begging, he would have sent someone over and been done with it.
But Gu Han had said precisely that. If he still sent someone, it would be slapping Gu Han in the face.
Lu Yu also understood Gu Han's position in the palace. Today's actions were indeed born of hatred in her heart, but equally were meant to establish her authority. Lu Yu raised his hand to massage his temples, only feeling a headache.
This girl was skilled at creating difficulties for him.
Lu Yu's mind flashed to the morning's tender scene of the woman sleeping peacefully in his embrace. Actually, his heart had long since tilted toward one side. He opened a memorial, lowered his eyes, and said calmly:
"Concubine Chen has bullied her repeatedly. It's only natural she has grievances."
Liu An certainly wouldn't respond to that.
After a pause, Lu Yu added: "Tell the messenger to return. What kind of spectacle is all this weeping and wailing at the Emperor's quarters?"
The Imperial Garden was quite lively. Concubine Chen had been forced to kneel on the main path. Concubines from various palaces were scattered sparsely around. Whether newly selected concubines or those who had followed from the old residence, all had grown accustomed to seeing Concubine Chen's smugness, when had they ever witnessed her so wretched?
Gu Han had long since returned to her palace. She had no desire to be gawked at here like entertainment. Moreover, if His Majesty learned Gu Han was waiting here like this, he had only gain the impression of her being aggressive and relentless.
Unlike the discreet palace consorts around her, Concubine Zhou stood brazenly in the pavilion, practically having "watching the show" carved on her face. The palace servants beside her couldn't very well restrain her either.
Concubine Chen knew she and Gu Han were close. With Gu Han absent, Chen's resentful gaze fell on Zhou instead. Zhou wasn't the least bit intimidated, rolling her eyes at her and saying without courtesy:
"Why is Concubine Chen glaring at me so viciously? If you have any grievances against me, we can very well go before the Empress Dowager and talk it out!"
Not only Concubine Chen but even those around them choked. Zhou made no attempt to hide having backing, even taking it for granted as she threw her weight around.
Yet others had no way to deal with her whatsoever.
Concubine Chen also realized her current circumstances. She barely averted her gaze, not wanting to further incur the Empress Dowager's displeasure. Seeing this, Zhou let out a derisive cold laugh. She had thought Chen had such backbone, in the end, she was merely a bully of the weak who feared the strong.
They didn't have to wait long. Soon someone spotted Jiachun's defeated figure. Immediately everyone looked behind her. After a long while with no one following her, they confirmed she had returned alone.
In an instant, the Imperial Garden erupted in commotion, discussion stirring, vastly different from the earlier concealment.
Concubine Chen's mind went blank as she looked at Jiachun. When Jiachun drew near, she suddenly gripped her hand and demanded:
"Where is His Majesty?!"
Jiachun dropped to her knees beside her with a thud, head lowered, tears flooding out, yet unable to speak a single word.
Concubine Chen realized something but refused to believe it. Tears fell like a bursting dam. She shook her head in a daze, whether speaking to others or to herself:
"...Impossible... His Majesty couldn't possibly ignore me..."
Even demoted to concubine rank, Concubine Chen had always believed His Majesty wouldn't abandon her.
She had borne His Majesty the First Prince! His Majesty had protected her all these years! How could he suddenly stop caring about her?!
Concubine Chen wanted to say more, but Jiachun couldn't bear her self-deception any longer and cried out in anguish:
"My lady!"
She originally hadn't wanted to repeat His Majesty's words, but now she felt it better to speak them and let her mistress wake up. She cruelly revealed the truth, personally shattering her mistress's fantasy:
"His Majesty said my lady disrespected her superior. Concubine Zhao's grievance is justified. Concubine Zhao's punishment is appropriate. He ordered my lady to complete the full two hours of kneeling before returning to her palace!"
All of Concubine Chen's words abruptly ceased. She looked at Jiachun woodenly, only feeling dizzy and confused. Her body swayed violently. Jiachun cried out in alarm and hastily steadied her.
Whispers from all around drifted over. Concubine Chen's face went deathly pale as her lips trembled. Actually, she should have known long ago things were different. In the past, would these consorts have dared surround her to watch her humiliation?
They only dared such boldness seeing her fallen from grace.
Only she had been unwilling to believe, unwilling to believe His Majesty could be so heartless toward her.
But now she'd been viciously slapped by Concubine Zhao, punished to kneel here, while His Majesty remained unmoved, even saying Concubine Zhao's punishment was without fault. Her dignity had been thoroughly trampled, her so-called pride shattered.
Concubine Chen trembled. Having cried too much lately, she actually found herself unable to cry. She only felt bone-deep cold.
His Majesty was truly heartless.
She closed her eyes and suddenly cried out miserably: "Your Majesty!"
How could she have forgotten? Back then when Consort Shu had been harmed by her, rendered unable to bear children, even though Shu later gained great favor, His Majesty had never sought justice for her. His Majesty had never been one to cherish old affections!
Perhaps her crying was too pitiful, the surrounding discussion gradually ceased, many feeling a sense of shared sorrow. The crowd exchanged glances. Zhou stood in the pavilion, finding it quite tiresome:
"What does Concubine Chen have to cry about?"
"You resent His Majesty's callousness, yet forget that after repeatedly plotting against imperial heirs and consorts, His Majesty never took your life. If His Majesty truly cared nothing for old affections, do you think with your offenses you would still have a life to kneel here?!"
This statement immediately brought those who had felt sympathy and pity back to their senses with embarrassment. Concubine Chen's current state had many causes, but the primary one was simply that she'd brought this upon herself.
How could they forget what she'd done just because of her present wretchedness?
When news reached Changchun Pavilion, Gu Han was just preparing to dine. Hearing this, she raised an eyebrow slightly:
"His Majesty truly said that?"
Little Fang Zi replied respectfully: "Jiachun spoke those words with her own mouth, they cannot be false."
Gu Han's lips curved almost imperceptibly. Since entering the palace, she had suffered who knows how many of Concubine Chen's schemes. Gu Han always held grudges, even if she didn't act on them, she remembered in her heart. Now that Concubine Chen had fallen into her hands today, she naturally had no reason to show mercy.
In quite good spirits, she picked up her chopsticks to eat. Jiu Nian complained quietly from the side:
"My lady moved too quickly. This servant hadn't even reacted before seeing my lady step forward. Concubine Chen had never been treated that way before, she was momentarily stunned too. If Concubine Chen hadn't been dazed and had instead struck back at my lady, wouldn't my lady have suffered?!"
Gu Han knew she'd frightened her and let her complain without rebuttal. Only after she finished did Gu Han say softly:
"Alright, I understand. In future I won't rush forward so rashly again."
Jiu Nian shot her an exasperated look, knowing full well her words were mostly perfunctory, yet having no way to deal with her.
Fortunately, her mistress was unharmed, and today Concubine Chen had been so thoroughly humiliated, Jiu Nian's heart also felt satisfied. She said nothing more to dampen the mood.
**
Unlike Changchun Pavilion's lightheartedness, Wanxi Palace was deathly silent.
Rong Bǎolín leaned against the headboard. Little Jiu held a medicine bowl, carefully feeding her. After hesitating, she told her mistress about today's palace events. It wasn't that Little Jiu wanted to trouble her mistress, this incident had been so major, there was simply no concealing it.
When she finished, the hall fell silent for a moment. Consort Rong lowered her eyes, her emotions unclear as she said:
"Elder sister has always been favored by His Majesty."
Little Jiu's lips moved before she barely managed to fall silent.
Her gaze dropped to look at her mistress's abdomen, unable to conceal her worry. After a long while, she swept her eyes around to confirm no one else was in the hall before lowering her voice:
"My lady just achieved her wish yesterday and even deceived the imperial physician. Before His Majesty left, this servant saw he felt some pity for you. Madam said that although the medicine cannot truly create pregnancy, the pulse signature of miscarriage is identical, only it's extremely harmful to the body."
"No matter what commotion erupts in the palace, my lady absolutely must not let your thoughts run wild. First properly recover your health, that's what's important!"
Little Jiu feared she might think wildly and repeated Madam's words, only to make her mistress understand the gravity.
Compared to the Marquis household, their small family had little to give their mistress. Before entering the palace, the household had nothing much to offer. On the eve of departure, Madam had anxiously tucked this pill into the bundle she gave her mistress.
This pill was nothing good, it would cause hemorrhaging as if from miscarriage, and extremely damage one's foundation. Especially for women, if not properly recovered from, future childbearing would become difficult.
When Madam gave her mistress this pill, she had never imagined her mistress would use it on herself.
Little Jiu hadn't wanted her mistress to use it either, but her mistress said she wanted to gamble once, gamble that His Majesty might feel a trace of pity for her. Otherwise, what good was having a healthy body? In this palace, one would merely live on, barely surviving.
Perhaps when her mistress spoke those words, her eyes were too resolute, Little Jiu simply couldn't voice her refusal.
The deed was done. Little Jiu only hoped her mistress could remember Madam's words, properly recover her health, and not leave lingering ailments that would bring future regret.
Consort Rong's eyelids trembled lightly. Her voice hoarse, she said: "I know."
Her mind was occupied by what Little Jiu had just said. Little Jiu's entire focus was on her mistress. Neither of them noticed that at some unknown time, a figure had appeared in the corridor outside the latticed window, standing there for who knows how long, having heard who knows how much.
Only after the hall fell completely silent did this person's eyes flicker before quietly departing with a broom, making not the slightest sound throughout.
---
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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