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Chapter 60
Palace servants brought a round stool. Lu Yu sat at the Empress Dowager's side. Concubine Zhou discreetly retreated to one side. The Empress Dowager glanced at her but said nothing, instead telling Gu Han to rise:
"You show filial piety. This dowager naturally won't blame you. Quickly rise and sit."
Gu Han was helped to her feet. Just as she sat down, Concubine Zhou sidled up beside her. Zhou shot her an annoyed glare, making Gu Han feel somewhat embarrassed. She truly hadn't known Concubine Zhou would be here today, otherwise she would have at least coordinated with her.
The two women sat close together, leaving Lu Yu's side quite empty. He clicked his tongue quietly and disapprovingly, glancing at the woman's apologetic appearance but ultimately saying nothing.
A genuine smile appeared on the Empress Dowager's face:
"It's almost the noon meal. You should all stay to eat."
Concubine Zhou often scrounged meals at Cining Palace and was long accustomed to it. Lu Yu wanted to give Gu Han face, so he tacitly agreed. Seeing this, Gu Han lowered her head, blushing slightly:
"This concubine will follow the Empress Dowager's wishes."
The meal was harmonious and pleasant. The Empress Dowager's diet was light and simple. Gu Han ate quite a bit following along, drawing several extra glances from the Empress Dowager. Before leaving, the Empress Dowager even had Wet Nurse Wu personally see them off.
Having brought Gu Han, Lu Yu naturally departed with her as well.
Concubine Zhou watched their side-by-side retreating figures with wide eyes. After a long moment, her head lowered with inexplicable emotion.
The Empress Dowager's gaze swept toward her. The prayer beads turned once in her hand before she asked:
"Why didn't you leave together with them?"
Concubine Zhou pursed her lips lightly, nestling in her embrace and whining: "I won't go invite annoyance."
Cousin the Emperor clearly had no interest in her. Outside the palace, seeing her cousin infrequently, Concubine Zhou could harbor some fantasies. But this period since entering the palace had long since sobered her up.
Matters of the heart couldn't be forced, and she had no patience to force them. If Cousin the Emperor didn't like her, she would just consider herself as having entered to keep her aunt company. Besides, with her aunt and the Zhou family backing her, the Emperor would remember this affection and wouldn't mistreat her.
The Empress Dowager laughed lightly, stroking her hair, and asked:
"What do you think of Concubine Zhao?"
Concubine Zhou paused, looking up at her aunt with some confusion. After contemplating for a long while, she said awkwardly: "Since Aunt asks me to speak, I can only share my feelings. How sincere she is toward me, I don't know, but at least she has never been two-faced with me."
Everyone in this palace had their schemes. She wasn't Concubine Zhao's blood sister, wanting Zhao to be good to her for no reason, why should she?
Concubine Zhou might be foolish, but on this point she was clear-headed.
After a moment, she said sullenly: "Anyway, she's better than Ah Han."
That's why Cousin liked her so much.
A smile flashed through the Empress Dowager's eyes. Under Concubine Zhou's confused gaze, she shook her head:
"Ah Han needn't be modest. In this aunt's heart, no one else can compare to you."
The slightly gloomy thoughts in Concubine Zhou's heart immediately broke into laughter. She leaned in the Empress Dowager's embrace, acting coquettish: "I know Aunt loves me."
Lu Yu personally escorted Gu Han back to Changchun Pavilion before leaving. This news naturally spread to other palaces.
At Kunning Palace.
Muqiu was moving potted plants into the hall when she happened to hear a young palace maid report this matter. She frowned lightly:
"The Empress Dowager prefers quiet and dislikes being disturbed by palace consorts. Concubine Zhao is becoming rather arrogant with favor."
Relying on His Majesty's affection for her, she actually had His Majesty escort her to Cining Palace.
Muqiu couldn't help looking up at the Empress. In this palace, only the Empress and His Majesty were qualified to call the Empress Dowager "Mother." His Majesty's behavior truly gave Concubine Zhao tremendous face.
Muqiu always felt Concubine Zhao was a threat, even more so than Consort Shu was.
But Muqiu didn't know what Her Majesty was thinking, allowing Concubine Zhao to steadily establish her footing in the palace bit by bit. Now His Majesty valued her more and more. Even Her Majesty couldn't easily move against her anymore.
The Empress lightly smoothed her temples. She ignored Muqiu's comment and asked:
"How is Fifth Miss?"
Ever since Lady Lin was demoted to commoner status, the Empress had reverted to calling her Fifth Miss. The Cold Palace was desolate. Some time ago, Lady Lin had caught a cold. By the time news reached Kunning Palace, two days had already passed. The Empress couldn't help but worry.
Even though the imperial physician had visited the Cold Palace, the Empress still often asked after her.
Muqiu was long accustomed to this. She answered as usual: "News from the Cold Palace says Fifth Miss's health is nearly recovered."
The Empress nodded and instructed further:
"Have the Office of Palace Attendance watch Hanxi Palace closely. The little prince now resides at Hanxi Palace, nothing can be neglected. The day after tomorrow is His Majesty's birthday. With many people and eyes everywhere, don't let anyone use the chaos to make trouble."
The Empress also felt vexed about consorts always wanting to cause trouble at festival banquets. Setting aside how this disgraced the imperial family, just the frequent incidents at banquets, in outsiders' eyes, this showed her dereliction of duty as Empress.
After giving all instructions, the Empress dismissed Muqiu. Muqiu wanted to speak but hesitated. The Empress simply pretended not to see.
By evening, news came from the imperial presence, Changning Courtyard would attend.
When Gu Han received the news, Jiu Si had just brought pastries into the hall. Hearing Little Fang say this, she was immediately somewhat surprised:
"Concubine Zhou?"
Gu Han shot her a sidelong glance, somewhat amused: "Why are you so surprised?"
Jiu Si stuck out her tongue sheepishly before saying quietly:
"It's just that this servant remembers Concubine Zhou hasn't attended in quite a while."
Gu Han nodded. Jiu Si hadn't remembered incorrectly. Since recovering from her injury, Concubine Zhou had rarely attended. Her comfortable life owed mainly to the Empress Dowager.
This summons for attendance surprised Gu Han somewhat, but she also felt it reasonable. After all, His Majesty had visited the Empress Dowager today. Just remembering Concubine Zhou's dedication in daily attendance on the Empress Dowager was worth His Majesty valuing her somewhat.
Gu Han swallowed a piece of pastry and waved her hand:
"Enough. Don't discuss this matter further. Since His Majesty won't be coming, quickly go to the imperial kitchens to have the meal brought."
Regarding attendance, perhaps because Gu Han hadn't lacked it since entering the palace, she'd never insisted on it.
******
Summer days darkened late, but by this hour the night had already grown thick and impenetrable. Changning Courtyard was very close to Cining Palace, which created one issue, the imperial carriage needed considerable time to reach Changning Courtyard.
During this journey, it passed many palace halls, including Chaoyang Palace.
Lotus lanterns lit the area before Chaoyang Palace like broad daylight. Around the pavilion, peach blossoms bloomed everywhere, clusters of pink映 reflecting in the sky. The lotus lanterns were positioned marvelously. A woman in an elegant gauze dress, her waist slender and supple, leaped gracefully like a startled swan.
She danced gracefully. As she raised her feet and swayed her sleeves, her figure appeared exquisitely graceful, like an immortal banished beneath the moon, incomparably beautiful. Her flowing white garments seemed ready to ascend to immortality on the wind at any moment.
The imperial carriage had long since stopped. Though there was no movement inside, Liu An felt the surroundings were too quiet. He discreetly glanced at the plaque on the palace hall. In his heart, he truly admired this Rong Bǎolín to the extreme.
Rong Bǎolín and Concubine Zhou didn't get along, this had shown signs when they first entered the palace.
Who would have known that when Concubine Zhou finally obtained one night of attendance, someone would come out to interfere! How well this dance was performed, Liu An didn't know what His Majesty thought, but he himself watched entranced. Only upon coming to his senses did he immediately feel alarmed.
This Rong Bǎolín was truly audacious. Calculating carefully, this wasn't the first time Rong Bǎolín had intercepted favor, was it?
After her miscarriage, Rong Bǎolín had never been summoned for attendance. His Majesty perhaps harbored some guilt in his heart and was unwilling to face her. He had instructed palace servants to care for her well but rarely mentioned her.
But now...
Liu An glanced at the imperial carriage that still showed no movement, sighing inwardly for Concubine Zhou's bad luck.
When the dance ended, the elegantly dressed woman finally stopped. She walked toward the imperial carriage step by step, bending her waist gracefully, her voice light and delicate as a stream:
"This concubine greets Your Majesty."
The embroidered curtain of the long-silent imperial carriage was lifted from inside. Lu Yu's face appeared. His expression somewhat dark, he looked toward Precious Grove Rong:
"The night is cool, and your health has just recovered. What are you doing here?"
He deliberately didn't mention Rong Bǎolín's dance performance just now. Thinking of that lost imperial heir, he gave Rong Bǎolín a thin layer of face after all.
But hearing this, the woman bowing in the moonlight raised her head, a pair of eyes falling upon him with complex emotions. Lu Yu frowned. He didn't know why, but when Rong Bǎolín looked at him this way, he felt an inexplicably familiar sensation.
Rong Bǎolín bit her lip. Her voice was soft and tender, easily arousing pity. She smiled slightly:
"This concubine begs Your Majesty's compassion."
Her actions today would inevitably spread throughout the palace. Intercepting favor so ostentatiously, if she failed, tomorrow she would become a laughingstock in everyone's mouths.
She'd presented Lu Yu with a difficult problem.
But Lu Yu had to accept the challenge. Who told him to let his schemes and calculations cost Rong Bǎolín an imperial heir? Ultimately, he owed her something.
A cold wind swept through the surroundings. Rong Bǎolín was lightly dressed and immediately shivered. Lu Yu frowned. He silently descended from the imperial carriage and helped her up, saying in a low voice:
"Let's go inside first."
Though he said this, once he entered Wanxi Hall, naturally he couldn't come out again.
He fulfilled Rong Bǎolín's wish, and actually felt relieved. The guilt he felt toward Rong Bǎolín could now be mutually canceled out.
The summons was for Changning Courtyard, yet Rong Bǎolín had intercepted it midway. When this news spread, it immediately caused an uproar.
At that time, Gu Han hadn't yet gone to sleep. Hearing this, she immediately widened her eyes in shock. She and Jiu Nian exchanged glances, both somewhat incredulous. After a long while, she finally managed to say:
"It seems even without others' assistance, Rong Bǎolín always has ways to get what she wants. We've underestimated her all along."
These were Gu Han's words, but she was completely baffled, how had Rong Bǎolín managed it?
Favor seemed easy to intercept, but counting carefully, aside from Consort Shu, who in this Harem had successfully intercepted it?
Rong Bǎolín had precedent, but that was because His Majesty had done it deliberately. At least over this past year, the feeling His Majesty gave Gu Han was that few people could make him change his mind.
That Rong Bǎolín could accomplish this at least proved her methods were formidable.
Little Fang went out to investigate and soon returned with news, shaking his head:
"Rong Bǎolín's vision is still shortsighted. One night of attendance to offset His Majesty's guilt, more loss than gain."
Hearing this, Gu Han only smiled faintly. She shook her head almost imperceptibly:
"Not necessarily."
Little Fang and Jiu Nian both looked at her uncomprehendingly. Gu Han yawned drowsily:
"Think about it, after Rong Bǎolín's miscarriage, did His Majesty visit her even once?"
"Guilt is the kind of emotion that easily forms shackles, making people unwilling to face it."
Gu Han said: "Converting guilt into tangible benefits also allows His Majesty to face her without shame. It seems our Rong Bǎolín is quite remarkable."
Just one thing, Rong Bǎolín choosing today to do this, was she truly challenging Concubine Zhou to a confrontation?
Translator's note: guys please i am looking for a volunteer editor, chat me up on dis cord if you are interested. d_ladypresident
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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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