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Translator's note: Finally there is advance chapters availaible on Kofi
Chapter 71
During the time Gu Han was quietly recuperating at Changchun Pavilion, the rear palace was anything but peaceful. The message Changchun Pavilion had sent to Zhongsheng Hall was no secret.
The Empress looked at the words on the slip of paper and smiled:
"When those two first entered the palace, they were like sisters. Now they've become like this, truly, things change and people drift apart."
Muqiu lit the slip with a candle flame and only looked away once it had burned to ash. Without the slightest surprise, she said: "Where in this rear palace is there truly deep sisterly affection?"
In this palace, it was already good enough if people weren't two-faced. As consorts of His Majesty, how could there be genuine sisterly feelings? Moreover, the closer people were, the harder it became to balance their hearts once disparities emerged.
The most dangerous were always those closest to you.
Muqiu tidied away the traces and returned to stand properly beside Her Ladyship, pursing her lips:
"When Rong Bǎolín began imitating Noble Lady Zhao's appearance, it was already fated that things wouldn't last between them. But what truly surprises this servant is how Yu Cáirén has been jumping around causing trouble recently."
Between Yu Cáirén and Noble Lady Zhao, if you really got into it, it was Yu Cáirén who had wronged Zhao. Yet Noble Consort Zhao hadn't even retaliated against Yu, and here Yu was harboring quite a bit of secret resentment toward Zhao.
This just goes to show, in this rear palace, how could you casually help others? You might just save an ungrateful wretch.
The Empress lay on the soft couch with closed eyes, saying lightly: "She's not thinking clearly."
Having spoken, the Empress thought of what Yu had done and couldn't help laughing:
"She thinks harming Yè Xiūróng will let her reclaim the little prince. Little does she know her every move is under others' watchful eyes. If she truly harms Yè Xiūróng, the first person who won't forgive her will be His Majesty himself!"
Once matters involved the imperial court, it could no longer be dismissed as mere palace trifles.
The Empress naturally could guess Yu Cáirén's intentions. Unfortunately, she wouldn't stop Yu. There were more and more imperial heirs in the rear palace, yet not one belonged to her Lin family. Did His Majesty think it was enough just to guard against her?
But could His Majesty guard against everyone in this rear palace?!
Sooner or later, His Majesty would realize, she was the Empress Mother of all imperial heirs. No matter how he guarded against her, this fact would never change!
Whether His Majesty trusted her or not, he would understand that only when the imperial heirs were at Kunning Palace were they truly safe.
The Empress still leisurely flipped through case files, but the smile at the corners of her lips couldn't hide the sharp mockery in her eyes.
The Empress never imagined her words would prove prophetic. That very afternoon, news came that something had happened at Hanxi Palace. She was shocked enough to narrow her eyes, and after a long moment, pulled a smile.
Muqiu looked at her with concern.
After some time, the Empress lowered her head and laughed softly:
"This truly surprises me. When did this rear palace produce such a character that even I failed to detect her?"
Yu Cáirén's intention to harm Yè Xiūróng couldn't escape those with watchful eyes. Even though the Empress hadn't planned to stop Yu Cáirén, she'd still sent people to watch her. No matter what, she had to grasp first-hand information.
But the news from Hanxi Palace came unexpectedly. When did Yu Cáirén gain such capability?
When the Empress rushed to Hanxi Palace, Lu Yu was already there. The little prince's crying wouldn't cease. Lu Yu's face was dark with gloom, just the sight of him from afar made people tighten their thoughts, fearing they might unwittingly commit some offense.
Yu Cáirén was likewise hurriedly supported in by palace servants. The moment she heard the little prince's cries, her face showed an expression like being cut by knives. From her appearance, it seemed that if Xia Qiao weren't holding her back, she would desperately rush forward to take the little prince in her arms.
Lu Yu didn't even glance at her. The cup in his hand smashed to the floor, the crisp shattering sound jolting everyone alert. Lu Yu said in a heavy voice:
"Hurry up and see what's wrong with Yè Xiūróng!"
Anguished cries came from the inner chamber. The Empress listened with tightly furrowed brows and couldn't help stepping forward to ask: "Your Majesty, what has happened to Yè Xiūróng?"
The instant the embroidered curtain was lifted, the Empress caught a quick glimpse, Ye's face, pale as paper, entered her vision. The Empress's heart jumped, her eyes showing some uncertainty.
Since entering the palace, Yè Xiūróng hadn't been favored, but she'd still risen steadily to the third-rank position of Xiūróng, which showed her usual caution and care.
Who had such means to reduce her to such a wretched state?
Several candidates quickly surfaced in the Empress's mind, including Gu Han, but just as quickly, she dismissed them all. Those she'd thought of either had no motive or reason, or lacked the capability.
The Empress suddenly thought of someone, and her eyes couldn't help but darken.
Ye's palace servants knelt in the chamber, continuously wiping tears and crying:
"Her Ladyship has felt unwell after taking medicine these past days, but the prescription came from the Imperial Medical Bureau, and this servant personally brewed it without anyone else touching it. Though Her Ladyship had concerns, she trusted the Imperial Medical Bureau and took it daily. But after today's dose, Her Ladyship cried out in pain without ceasing. This servant was frightened and went to summon His Majesty."
Having heard this, the Empress frowned with disappointment:
"Foolish!"
"If you noticed something was wrong, why didn't you report it earlier!"
The palace maid had grievances she couldn't voice. The medicine sent by the Imperial Medical Bureau had helped Her Ladyship's health gradually improve in the preceding days, who could have known such an error would occur?
But since the Empress personally questioned her, the palace maid dared not refute and could only cry:
"This servant was negligent. Please punish this servant, Your Ladyship!"
The Empress choked. The victim now was Yè Xiūróng, there was no logic in punishing Ye's people.
Soon, an imperial physician came out wiping cold sweat from his forehead, bowing toward His Majesty and the Empress: "Your Majesty, Your Ladyship, this humble physician has examined everything, Yè Xiūróng's medicine has no problems whatsoever."
Hearing this, Lu Yu frowned:
"Then why is Yè Xiūróng crying out in pain?"
This question immediately stumped the physician. The Xiūróng had felt unwell after taking the medicine, yet the medicine had no problems, where did the problem lie?
The physician bowed, requesting to examine the palace surroundings.
Lu Yu was dissatisfied with the Imperial Medical Bureau's efficiency but still coldly consented. Hanxi Palace's servants brought out stools for His Majesty and the ladies to sit. Someone said:
"Since the new consorts entered the palace, this rear palace hasn't had a moment's peace."
The irritation and disdain in those words were unmistakable.
Zhou Měirén immediately looked unkindly toward whoever had spoken. Look at this, of all these incidents, how many involved the palace's senior consorts? How shameless to push all responsibility onto the new consorts!
Lu Yu also cast a cold gaze toward that person, wanting to see who had spoken so mindlessly.
When he saw clearly it was Concubine Yang, Lu Yu's expression grew even colder:
"Yè Xiūróng's situation is still unclear, yet here you are wildly accusing the new consorts. Isn't this chaotic enough already?!"
Concubine Yang never imagined His Majesty would notice that remark. She was immediately frightened pale, dropping to her knees with a thud, not daring to defend herself but hastily saying:
"This concubine misspoke. Please calm your anger, Your Majesty."
Lu Yu was too lazy even to look at her. One impatient "Demoted to Bǎolín, get out of my sight" he dismissed her.
Concubine Yang's expression changed drastically. She looked up at His Majesty in disbelief. Just one careless remark, did it warrant such punishment?!
But with that "get out of my sight" thrown down, before Yang Bǎolín could cry and plead, Liu An quickly signaled to the palace servants, and several people dragged Yang away.
This sudden turn of events left everyone afraid to even breathe, fearing they might do something wrong and displease His Majesty.
The Empress glanced at Yang Bǎolín being dragged away from the hall entrance. After a pause, she looked away with indifference, having no objection whatsoever to His Majesty's words. Rewards and punishments regarding palace ranks sometimes depended solely on His Majesty's mood.
But that Concubine Yang was punished so severely today, it might not truly be just because of today's one careless remark.
The Yang clan at court had become rather unseemly. To the Empress's knowledge, the Yang clan seemed to show signs of becoming friendly with the Chen family. Add to that the insinuation Yang had made about Noble Lady Zhao a few days ago, His Majesty today was probably just seizing the opportunity.
Yang Bǎolín had barely been dragged away when the physicians made progress. A physician had palace servants open the incense burner in the chamber. He pinched a handful of ash, smelling it carefully at his nose. Immediately, the physician's brows knit tightly.
Lu Yu narrowed his eyes: "There's a problem with this incense?"
The physician wiped his hands clean with a handkerchief and knelt to explain:
"Replying to Your Majesty, this incense ordinarily only has calming properties, but one of its ingredients, red lettuce seed, conflicts with the medicine Her Ladyship has been taking recently. Her Ladyship already injured her leg from a fall, continuing like this, not only will Her Ladyship's leg injury not heal, her very life is in danger!"
The physician's words had barely fallen when Hanxi Palace's servants rushed forward to attack Yu Cáirén:
"You venomous woman! My mistress treated you with sincerity, yet you want to take her life! How can you have such a poisonous heart?!"
For a moment, the scene in the hall was chaotic. Yu Cáirén was caught off guard and struck several times, her hair becoming disheveled. Seeing this messy scene, Lu Yu was immediately furious beyond measure:
"Outrageous!"
The Empress quickly had people separate them, her face stern as she questioned the servant:
"What did you mean by those words just now?"
The servant prostrated on the ground, crying breathlessly: "This servant begs Your Majesty and the Empress to seek justice for my mistress! A few days ago, Yu Cáirén came to see the little prince. My mistress is kind-hearted and, mindful that Yu is the prince's birth mother, never stopped her visits. That day, the little prince cried incessantly, but as soon as Yu arrived, the prince quieted down."
"My mistress was amazed, thinking it was because of blood connection. Only then did she learn that Yu wore a certain sachet that could also be used as incense. For the little prince to sleep peacefully, my mistress asked Yu for this incense. Who knew, Yu had malicious intentions from the very start!"
Panic flashed across Yu Cáirén's face. She spat:
"Stop this nonsense!"
"Your Majesty! Yè Xiūróng asked this concubine for the incense, that's why this concubine gave it to her. How can this be blamed on this concubine?!"
The servant detested her: "If not for seeing the little prince sleep peacefully, why would my mistress suddenly change incenses? Dare you claim you didn't come prepared?!"
Yu Cáirén was about to be driven mad by this servant:
"I came to see the little prince, how would I know your mistress would ask me for incense? Besides, that incense was originally sent to Rongcui Hall by Zhongsheng Hall. Even if there's a problem, it has nothing to do with me!"
This defense was extremely feeble, one only had to look at Lu Yu's expression to know.
The physician added: "During this period, only Zhongsheng Hall, Yi'an Palace, and Changchun Pavilion obtained red lettuce seed from the Imperial Medical Bureau."
Among those the physician mentioned, only someone from Yi'an Palace was present. Immediately, some gazes turned toward Consort Shu. Without even lifting her brows, Consort Shu lazily covered her mouth and said:
"This concubine knows nothing of such trivial matters. The Imperial Medical Bureau prescribed medicine for this concubine and delivered it directly to Yi'an Palace."
She'd been recuperating her health all along, this was no secret in the rear palace.
Since Consort Shu had her explanation, Lu Yu also sent people to both Zhongsheng Hall and Changchun Pavilion. The one who returned from Zhongsheng Hall was Eunuch Cheng, while from Changchun Pavilion came Nanny Zhao.
The moment Nanny Zhao appeared, the expressions of those in the hall who knew her identity all changed.
Nanny Zhao performed her obeisance neither humbly nor arrogantly. Lu Yu had Liu An personally help her up: "Why has Nanny come in person?"
Nanny Zhao smiled bitterly and said respectfully:
"The red lettuce seed was obtained by this servant for making medicinal cuisine for the Noble Consort. Now that the Noble Consort has been implicated in this matter through harm done to her, this servant had no choice but to make this trip to personally explain to Your Majesty."
Never mind that Lu Yu had never suspected Gu Han in the first place, even if he had, with Nanny Zhao's explanation, Lu Yu's suspicions would have been dispelled.
Eunuch Cheng's explanation was even more reasonable:
"Red lettuce seed inherently has calming properties and is harmless to the body. Otherwise, this servant would never dare distribute this incense to various palaces. This servant also didn't know this incense would conflict with Yè Xiūróng's medicine. This servant begs Your Majesty's discernment."
The incense itself was harmless, what harmed was the person who chose to use it.
Lu Yu's icy gaze fell on Yu Cáirén:
"What more do you have to say?!"
Yu Cáirén protested her innocence: "This concubine is wronged!"
Lu Yu had no patience to look at her further:
"Obstinately unrepentant!"
"Since your pregnancy, your behavior has become increasingly improper. I, mindful of your merit in carrying an imperial heir, have been extremely tolerant of you. Yet you refuse to reform and have now grown so bold as to move against Yè Xiūróng. If I lightly forgive you today, what will you attempt tomorrow?!"
Each of his words struck Yu until her head throbbed with rage. His Majesty had clearly treated her unfairly, yet still claimed to be extremely tolerant of her?!
In His Majesty's eyes, had she always been wrong?!
Yu Cáirén's body swayed and she collapsed to the floor. She looked up with tears in her eyes:
"This concubine has said, it wasn't this concubine! How would this concubine know the incense conflicted with Yè Xiūróng's medicine?!"
She still refused to admit it.
Lu Yu was disappointed in her to the extreme and unwilling to look at her another moment. He only said coldly:
"To this day, you still don't know where you went wrong. Truly beyond redemption."
"Such behavior, I absolutely cannot forgive you. Effective immediately, your position as Cáirén is abolished. You are demoted to commoner status and confined to Rongcui Hall. Without summons, you may not step outside the palace gate!"
In the end, he had shown consideration for the little prince and hadn't relegated her to the Cold Palace.
But Yu Cáirén absolutely couldn't accept this outcome. She clearly hadn't done anything, why should she accept this punishment?
She shouted with eyes nearly splitting:
"No!"
"This concubine is the little prince's birth mother! Your Majesty, you cannot treat this concubine this way!"
Lu Yu's expression completely froze over.
Even the Empress couldn't help cursing "fool" in her heart. Even the former Virtuous Consort De had never so blatantly used the First Prince as a shield.
As expected, Lu Yu looked at Yu Cáirén without a trace of warmth, his tone ice-cold to the extreme:
"Yè Xiūróng is the birth mother listed on the little prince's jade registry. Dare to speak such nonsense again, and I'll have someone tear out your tongue!"
Yu Cáirén shivered violently. She stared at His Majesty in a daze, understanding with absolute clarity that His Majesty meant what he said. If she dared claim to be the little prince's birth mother again, His Majesty would truly tear out her tongue.
She had carried the child for ten months, yet couldn't even acknowledge her own child?
Yu Cáirén's whole body went limp on the floor, her eyes lifeless without a trace of light.
But Lu Yu only looked at her with disgust. Toward her current state, he had not half a bit of extra emotion. He commanded in a heavy voice:
"Drag her out.”
Translator's note: guys please i am looking for a volunteer editor, chat me up on dis cord if you are interested. Discord: d_ladypresident
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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