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Translator's note: Finally there is advance chapters availaible on Kofi
Chapter 65
Gu Han looked up in shock, nearly thinking she'd misheard.
Zhou Měirén was similarly stunned. Everyone in the hall stared straight at Little Fangzi, startling him momentarily. But he quickly recovered, unable to control his beaming smile:
"This servant wouldn't dare speak falsely! Just now, His Majesty promoted Mistress's rank in front of everyone! From today on, Mistress is Noble Lady Zhao!"
( Zhao Guipin)
How could he not be delighted?
The palace wasn't without concubines who'd been pregnant before, but which one had received promotion from His Majesty the moment pregnancy was discovered?
At least in Little Fangzi's three years in the palace, he had never seen it.
Little Fangzi's repetition finally made everyone in the hall dare to believe. Gu Han lowered her eyelids imperceptibly, concealing the expression in her eyes. She placed her hand on her lower abdomen, speechless for a long moment.
Imperial Physician Zhuo discreetly glanced at Noble Lady Zhao, forming a guess about this mistress's position in His Majesty's heart. Who should take over monitoring Noble Lady Zhao's pulse during pregnancy would require careful discussion after he returned.
Amidst the hall full of congratulations, Zhou Měirén finally came to her senses. She didn't hide her emotions, saying sourly:
"This child of yours is really considerate, deliberately choosing today to show symptoms."
After pausing, she said quietly: "But His Majesty truly treats you well."
Gu Han looked at her carefully, confirming there was no jealousy or resentment in her words before reaching out to pinch her nose, gently chiding:
"Only you would say such things."
However, Gu Han didn't deny her words. Looking down at her abdomen, she also felt amazed. In the past, though she'd been uncomfortable, she could endure it. Only today had the discomfort been unbearable, forcing symptoms to appear.
As if, truly as Zhou Měirén said, the child in her womb had deliberately chosen today.
His Majesty hadn't yet arrived, and Imperial Physician Zhuo hadn't withdrawn. Beauty Zhou glanced at him, knowing these people were best at self-preservation, and lowered her voice to remind Gu Han:
"His Majesty does treat you well, but somehow my heart feels uneasy."
Gu Han paused, understanding her unspoken meaning.
When Yu Cáirén was pregnant, they had all witnessed His Majesty's behavior, protecting Rongcui Hall tightly, setting up targets to block attention from her, even rarely mentioning Yu Cáirén himself during that period, making the palace nearly forget her existence.
This had allowed Yu Cáirén to safely deliver the imperial heir.
But now that Gu Han was pregnant, His Majesty had uncharacteristically promoted her rank. Too high-profile, completely contrary to His Majesty's usual style, this would inevitably draw everyone's attention to Gu Han.
Zhou Měirén's brows knitted tightly together. His Majesty clearly cherished Noble Lady Zhao in the past, what was he doing now?
Gu Han discreetly tugged at her sleeve, signaling her to stop talking. Regardless of His Majesty's thoughts, at least this promotion suited Gu Han's intentions.
As Noble Lady now, she was only one rank away from third grade, able to personally raise imperial heirs.
Compared to this, she was willing to bear some risk.
Gu Han stroked her abdomen, mentally calculating. By timeline, this child should have been conceived before Yu Cáirén gave birth to the little prince, nearly a month now, and she hadn't noticed at all.
All her recent abnormalities flooded her mind. Gu Han couldn't help pressing her forehead, was it true what they said, that pregnancy makes you foolish for three years?
She'd always been meticulous, yet hadn't sensed anything wrong.
Gu Han couldn't help recalling today before coming to Taihe Hall, when Yè Xiūróng and Yu Cáirén had collided on the way. Not knowing she was pregnant, she naturally wouldn't have been so careful. If she'd been the one bumped...
Gu Han frowned imperceptibly, not daring to think further.
Meanwhile in Taihe Hall, the Empress could barely maintain her smile. She looked at Lu Yu with considerable loss of composure, eyes full of uncertainty. What was His Majesty doing?
Given His Majesty's usual methods, clearly having some feelings for Gu Han, why would he deliberately promote her when she was pregnant? Such behavior was tantamount to roasting Gu Han over a fire.
The Empress couldn't fathom His Majesty's thoughts. She gripped her embroidered handkerchief tightly, constantly pondering his intentions.
On another side, Consort Shu was also somewhat distracted. She stared at Lu Yu in a daze, eyes somewhat bewildered, as if looking at a stranger. After a moment, she withdrew her gaze, feeling a metallic taste rising in her throat.
Her body leaning against Ya Luo was somewhat rigid. Ya Luo looked at her worriedly. Consort Shu said quietly:
"I'm fine."
She pressed the table edge, her finger guards nearly piercing the surface. Pain came from her fingertips, but Consort Shu didn't relax her force. Only this way could she maintain composure.
The Empress was shocked by His Majesty's actions, but Consort Shu saw clearly, His Majesty had no schemes. He simply wanted to promote Gu Han.
But precisely this sent stormy waves through Consort Shu’s heart.
The Emperor she knew calculated everything. Even at the height of her favor, Consort Shu couldn't distinguish how much of His Majesty's tenderness was real or false. He always had plans, no matter what happened, even if things deviated slightly, the final result was always what he wanted.
In His Majesty's heart, imperial heirs were always more important than palace consorts.
With Noble Lady Zhao pregnant now, no matter how delighted His Majesty was, he couldn't possibly lose reason and promote her at this time, drawing others' jealousy, this benefited neither the child in her womb.
But this way benefited Noble Lady Zhao herself.
Consort Shu's mind was in chaos. Her thoughts were so tangled she didn't even know what she was thinking. She had always known His Majesty favored Noble Lady Zhao, but she hadn't known when this favor had reached such a degree.
Lu Yu didn't know what the two consorts beside him were thinking. Or rather, his thoughts weren't on them at all. He was only thinking, Gu Han had clearly shown signs early on. A woman so concerned about her figure had started craving food, and for so long, he hadn't noticed.
His thoughts settled, and he had already spoken the words promoting Gu Han's rank. Coming to his senses, Lu Yu also paused briefly, but only that.
He had always been willful. Having spoken, naturally he couldn't take it back. Moreover, he couldn't treat the woman as he had treated Yu Cáirén. Women's thoughts were naturally sensitive, if he neglected to visit her during pregnancy, who knew what wild thoughts would run through her mind.
Lu Yu's thoughts turned once in his mind but weren't shared with anyone.
The Longevity Festival ended hastily. Lu Yu went directly to the side hall. Just entering, he saw Zhou Měirén touching the woman's abdomen with great curiosity. The two chatted and laughed, the woman seeming somewhat bashful as she lowered her eyes.
Lu Yu's steps paused, frowning involuntarily. Did Gu Han trust Zhou Měirén a bit too much?
She was pregnant, yet still allowed Zhou Měirén so close?
The Empress Dowager had come with Lu Yu. With Gu Han pregnant, she was in the hall, coming to visit was perfectly reasonable. Seeing the situation inside, she also couldn't help pausing, momentarily rather amazed and helpless.
The Empress Dowager could see that Gu Han's character was normally cautious. Allowing Zhou Měirén such freedom showed she had some trust in her.
As for helplessness, that was directed at Zhou Měirén, annoyed she had no sense of propriety, truly not treating herself as an outsider, without any boundaries. But the Empress Dowager said nothing. Whatever she thought, how they interacted was between Noble Lady Zhao and Zhou Měirén.
Hearing movement, both Gu Han and Zhou Měirén looked up. Seeing Lu Yu clearly, Gu Han's almond eyes brightened. She was about to rise and curtsy when Lu Yu pressed her down:
"Enough. When have I required your courtesy? In the future with your condition, such tedious protocols are even less necessary."
With people all around and the Empress Dowager right before her, Gu Han's cheeks quietly flushed at his words. She lowered her eyelids slightly, saying softly: "This concubine will follow Your Majesty's wishes."
The Empress Dowager only glanced at Gu Han before taking her leave.
Once she left, Gu Han relaxed considerably. Lu Yu observed this with some amusement, she could actually feel nervous?
Lu Yu helped her sit, and Zhou Měirén retreated aside, making room for him. Lu Yu asked:
"How are you feeling? Any discomfort?"
She had reacted in the hall earlier, her face deathly pale, seeming extremely unwell. Lu Yu couldn't help worrying somewhat.
Gu Han quickly shook her head, somewhat embarrassed:
"It was just that moment. This concubine recovered long ago."
Mentioning this, Lu Yu lightly scolded her: "Usually you seem quite careful. How were you so careless about this, not noticing anything wrong?"
Gu Han wanted to say, when the physician checked her pulse, he hadn't discovered it either. How could she possibly know?
But Imperial Physician Zhuo was still present. Gu Han couldn't offend the Imperial Medical Bureau. She only bit her lip lightly, tugging at Lu Yu's sleeve, defending herself quietly:
"...How would this concubine understand such things..."
Lu Yu was rendered speechless. Right, she had only just come of age. How would she understand these matters?
Lu Yu pinched his brow, glancing at the woman's somewhat aggrieved appearance. She understood nothing, and those attending her were all inexperienced. Pregnant this long without anyone noticing, now that her rank had been promoted, with many eyes in the palace, his thoughts turned briefly before Lu Yu had a plan.
He said: "I understand."
Gu Han looked at him suspiciously. This statement was vague, what did he understand?
In just this brief exchange, the side hall had filled with palace consorts. The Empress wore a proper smile, joy visible between her brows. She didn't approach Gu Han, standing at an appropriate distance, covering her lips as she smiled:
"When Noble Lady Zhao first entered the palace, I felt she was blessed. Now it's proven true, you've truly given His Majesty and me a great surprise."
The first half was said to His Majesty, the latter half directed at Gu Han.
Gu Han was embarrassed by the praise, crimson burning from her ears to her neck like lotus reflected on water, brilliant as hibiscus. Just slightly curving her eyes enchanted onlookers. The Empress's eyes flickered, her smile pausing almost imperceptibly.
Gu Han seemed unaware, still modestly demurring:
"This concubine hardly deserves such praise from Your Majesty."
Before the Empress could speak, Lu Yu scoffed lightly: "Why don't you deserve it? Take good care of yourself. The blessings are yet to come."
The moment these words fell, several people's expressions changed in the hall. Even Consort Shu couldn't help glancing at Gu Han's abdomen.
Gu Han imperceptibly gripped the handkerchief in her sleeve, nearly resenting His Majesty in her heart. Wasn't this pointlessly drawing hatred toward her?!
Gu Han didn't dare presume what blessings His Majesty meant, only pushing at him as if wanting to find a hole to crawl into from embarrassment:
"Your Majesty!”
---
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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