———
~ Please support this site by disabling your ad-blocker ❤️ ~
______
Chapter 58
As the two approached, they heard Yè Xiūróng, ordering someone to pull Yuan Cáirén away:
"We've only just left Kunning Palace. What are you all making such a racket for?"
Yuan Cáirén was held back, her face full of humiliation, her body trembling with anger. Though she had been demoted, ever since His Majesty had taken her from the Imperial Garden, he had visited her palace a few times. Few as it was, she still enjoyed some measure of favor.
Inevitably, she had recovered some of her former arrogance. She loved the quick satisfaction of sharp words. Earlier, catching sight of Yu Cáirén, she'd laughed lightly. Before she could even speak, Yu Cáirén had fired back with cold sarcasm:
"Even as I have fallen this low, Yuan Cáirén still doesn't match me. What's there to laugh about?"
This instantly infuriated Yuan Cáirén. Since giving birth, His Majesty hadn't visited Yu Cáirén even once. Yet she dared say Yuan didn't match her?
Yuan Cáirén sneered:
"I don't match you? Your belly was certainly productive, bearing a son for someone else. On that count, I truly can't compare!"
When Yuan Cáirén cursed, she aimed straight for people's wounds, making them tremble with pain. Yu Cáirén was already sensitive about this matter. Hearing this, she was immediately enraged and raised her hand to strike. She had always been a proper lady and her body was terribly frail. Yuan Cáirén easily dodged, while Yu Cáirén lost control of her momentum and fell to the ground instead.
After hearing the whole story, Gu Han found herself at a loss for words. She couldn't say who was right or wrong, both were equally unforgiving. But when Yuan Cáirén came to her senses and tried to pounce on Yu Cáirén to fight, she was stopped before even touching her.
As long as His Majesty didn't tire of her, Yuan Cáirén feared no one. Even facing Yè Xiūróng, she scoffed coldly:
"She tried to hit this concubine first. Am I not allowed to defend myself?"
Yè Xiūróng was very even-tempered. After three years in the palace with Yuan Cáirén, she knew her temperament well. Hearing this, she felt a throbbing headache. Yet no matter what, Yu Cáirén was the little prince's birth mother. Now that she had been granted an imperial heir from heaven, she naturally didn't begrudge showing the prince's birth mother some care.
Yè Xiūróng glanced at Yu Cáirén. Yu Cáirén was glaring hatefully at Yuan Cáirén and completely ignored Yè Xiūróng, clearly harboring resentment. Gu Han, watching from nearby, couldn't help raising her eyebrows slightly.
Why did she feel Yu Cáirén's pregnancy had addled her brain?
The imperial decree had been issued, the little prince's placement was already decided. At this point, instead of planning for herself, Yu Cáirén treated Yè Xiūróng this way. Wasn't she afraid of angering Yè Xiūróng, who could prevent her from seeing the little prince in the future?
Yè Xiūróng felt stifled but could only pretend not to see Yu Cáirén's attitude. Losing some patience with Yuan Cáirén, she said:
"You've been in the palace so many years. What words can be said and what cannot, don't you know in your heart?"
"Whether your words reach His Majesty or the Empress, how could they be well received? Consorts below third rank cannot raise imperial heirs, this is ancestral law passed down through generations. Using this matter to mock Yu Cáirén today, are you dissatisfied with this rule?"
Yuan Cáirén fell silent for a moment. After a long while, her eyes shifted evasively as she mumbled:
"Who told her to come up and mock this concubine first? Besides, this concubine didn't say anything wrong."
She remained stubborn. After all, this rule was clear as day, but whether under the late Emperor or the current one, there were few consorts in the palace who couldn't personally raise their imperial heirs.
Yu Cáirén's situation was different from Imperial Concubine Chen's. The First Prince was already old enough to remember things. Even though raised at Chonghui Palace now, his jade register still listed Imperial Concubine Chen as his birth mother. But Yu Cáirén's prince was completely registered under Yè Xiūróng's name.
Wasn't that bearing a son for someone else?
Yuan Cáirén didn't think she'd said anything wrong, but Yè Xiūróng was using protocol to pressure her, making her feel somewhat guilty. Yè Xiūróng gave her an annoyed look. Even in this situation, she had to be stubborn.
But Yè Xiūróng didn't want to make this a bigger issue. She said quietly:
"Enough. Don't stand around here anymore. Let this matter drop. Hurry back to your palaces."
Yuan Cáirén hadn't suffered any loss, and with Yè Xiūróng present, she knew pursuing this further wouldn't gain her anything. She turned her face away, tacitly agreeing.
Yè Xiūróng had just breathed a sigh of relief when she heard Yu Cáirén's voice:
"She verbally humiliated this concubine. Are we just letting it go like this?!"
Concubine Zhou and Gu Han watched the spectacle from a distance. Hearing this, they both clicked their tongues softly. In a lowered voice: "Has Yu Cáirén's brain broken? Yè Xiūróng is clearly helping her. With this one statement, she's made Yè Xiūróng look bad either way."
Yè Xiūróng frowned at Yu Cáirén, frustration building in her heart. If not for the little prince, who would willingly manage these idle matters?
Yuan Cáirén covered her lips and laughed lightly:
"Seems she doesn't appreciate Yè Xiūróng's kindness at all. Why should Yè Xiūróng bother with her? The little prince was registered under your name by His Majesty's decree. How do you owe her anything? Only to receive resentment for nothing."
Gu Han raised her eyebrows. Yuan Cáirén's tongue was sharp, this statement struck right at Yè Xiūróng's heart. The little prince was registered under her name by His Majesty's decree, not stolen or seized by her. For Yu Cáirén to resent her was truly unreasonable.
Yu Cáirén clenched her fingers. She knew she shouldn't offend Yè Xiūróng, but she couldn't control herself. The little prince was her only child in this lifetime. In her eyes, Yè Xiūróng was the chief culprit who had taken her child.
As for His Majesty, no matter what happened in the palace, who would resent His Majesty?!
Yè Xiūróng's interest had also waned considerably. Only then did Gu Han step forward unhurriedly. Seeing her, everyone immediately fell quiet. Yè Xiūróng's heart also skipped a beat.
Unlike Yuan Cáirén, Concubine Zhao genuinely enjoyed substantial favor. Even though Concubine Zhao's rank was lower than hers, the favor she enjoyed could bridge some of that gap.
Yu Cáirén's feelings toward Gu Han were complicated. Gu Han had saved her, she did indeed harbor some jealousy and resentment toward Gu Han, even repaying kindness with enmity by framing her. Now she lay disheveled on the ground while Gu Han stood before her like a star surrounded by the moon, bright and radiant, making her feel somewhat ashamed. She instinctively looked away.
Yuan Cáirén felt cheerful. She covered her lips and laughed: "Oh my, the real victim has arrived. This concubine can step aside now."
Gu Han looked at her with considerable difficulty finding words. Yuan Cáirén looked completely baffled. Gu Han paid her no more attention and instead looked toward Yè Xiūróng. Yè Xiūróng raised her hand to pinch the bridge of her nose, asking with a somewhat bitter smile:
"Does Concubine Zhao also wish to involve herself in this matter?"
Gu Han first curtsied respectfully before gently shaking her head:
"Your Ladyship misunderstands. This matter has nothing to do with me. This concubine only wanted to suggest to Your Ladyship that since Yu Cáirén harbors dissatisfaction, why not transfer this matter to the Empress for handling? That would spare Xiūróng the difficulty of being caught in the middle."
Gu Han paused before saying somewhat vaguely:
"After all, however Your Ladyship handles it, someone will feel dissatisfied."
Concubine Zhao showed no arrogance despite her favor, nor did she take advantage to suppress Yu Cáirén. Her attitude remained respectful and proper. Yè Xiūróng sighed inwardly, the more clever someone was, the more difficult they were to deal with.
Since entering the palace, Concubine Zhao had been greatly favored, with only Consort Shu faintly surpassing her. How could such a person be simple?
She discreetly glanced at Yu Cáirén. She truly didn't understand, Yu Cáirén and Concubine Zhao clearly had no grievances, and Concubine Zhao had even saved her. Why would Yu Cáirén create such trouble for herself?
Yè Xiūróng didn't want to create trouble for herself either. Moreover, Concubine Zhao's appearance reminded her of Yu Cáirén's character. The little prince was the little prince, Yu Cáirén was Yu Cáirén, the two couldn't be equated. With Concubine Zhao as a cautionary example, she needed to maintain some wariness toward Yu Cáirén.
After contemplating briefly, Yè Xiūróng nodded. She wasn't stupid, she understood concubine Zhao's reminder. Yu Cáirén resented her. No matter how she handled this matter, unless she obviously favored Yu Cáirén, Yu wouldn't remember her kindness.
That being the case, she might as well wash her hands of this matter.
Gu Han glanced at her, then imperceptibly swept her gaze over Yu Cáirén. No matter how much His Majesty schemed, he couldn't prevent someone from wanting to cut off their own retreat.
When everyone moved to Kunning Palace, a quarter hour had already passed. The Empress had just removed her elaborate hairstyle and emerged from the inner chamber wearing only a jade hairpin askew. Raising her eyebrows at the hall full of people, she said somewhat helplessly:
"It's nearly noon. What are you all making a fuss about now?"
Yuan Cáirén didn't give Yu Cáirén a chance to speak. She immediately knelt and complained first:
"Please, Your Majesty, deliver justice for this concubine! This concubine was walking along perfectly well when Yu Cáirén mocked me without cause. Unable to best me with words, she even tried to push and strike this concubine!"
Gu Han watched as she used her handkerchief to wipe tears. After a long while, only sobbing sounds were heard, yet not even a corner of that handkerchief had gotten wet. She turned her grievance in several winding directions:
"This concubine's heart aches! Just as this concubine was about to defend herself, Yè Xiūróng held this concubine back. This concubine thought Yè Xiūróng must have her reasons and listened to her advice to let the matter rest peacefully. But Yu Cáirén still wouldn't relent! Only then did this concubine come with her before Your Majesty for confrontation!"
How could a refined lady like Yu Cáirén from an aristocratic family compete with Yuan Cáirén, who had thrown away all shame to cry and make a scene? Gu Han only glanced once and roughly guessed the outcome. She withdrew her gaze and naturally pushed the pastries on the table toward Concubine Zhou.
Concubine Zhou was watching the spectacle when this action startled her. Her gaze fell on the water clock in the hall before she remembered it was nearly noon, her usual mealtime.
She didn't move. Concubine Zhao seemed somewhat puzzled and glanced her way. Concubine Zhou immediately shook her head lightly. She picked up a pastry and ate it unhurriedly. Paired with the farce before her eyes, her eyebrows moved ever so slightly.
Yu Cáirén was furious and resentful. She said through gritted teeth:
"Yuan Cáirén said this concubine can only bear sons for others. Your Majesty, in whose ears would such words fall without consequence?"
As she spoke, two lines of clear tears fell. She turned her head away and wiped her face.
The Empress frowned and looked toward Yuan Cáirén:
"Did you truly say such words?"
Yuan Cáirén felt somewhat guilty: "She said this concubine couldn't match her in anything. This concubine was so angry my words came out wrong. This concubine knows she misspoke, but no matter what, she can't strike people!"
Yu Cáirén said nothing, only letting tears continuously fall. The Empress found this headache-inducing.
She glanced at the somewhat helpless Yè Xiūróng and roughly understood why such minor friction between concubines had to be brought to Kunning Palace. After quite a while, the Empress seemed to wearily pinch the bridge of her nose and said:
"Yuan Cáirén spoke out of turn first. Yu Cáirén striking someone was also wrong. After returning to your palaces, each copy out the palace rules three times as a warning."
Yu Cáirén was dissatisfied with this result. She looked up in disbelief, seeming to want to say something. But the Empress ignored her. The Empress stared into her eyes and warned her:
"Yu Cáirén, by now, you should reflect on yourself."
"Not everything is as a result of others wronging you. If you cause trouble over this again in the future, I won't be so lenient. Do you understand clearly?”
Translator's note: guys please i am looking for a volunteer novel editor, chat me up on dis cord if you are interested. 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
Read only on https://royaltywrites.com.ng/
TRANSLATOR
please vote on novel updates
Hi guys, please if you have any questions about a character or i made a mistake somewhere, please do not hesitate to let me know in the comment section. i currently have no editor.
We hope you enjoyed this chapter! You can vote for this novel translation and drop a review on Novel Updates!
Show support by clicking on the Support Us button below!❤️
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
0 Comments
What's on your mind...