THE IMPERIAL CONSORT'S RISE TO POWER

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Translator's note: Finally there are advance chapters availaible on Kofi

Chapter 83

The next day, Gu Han encountered An Cáirén at Kunning Palace, the woman who had avoided paying respects for many days with various excuses.

She sat at the far end of the hall, enduring the sidelong glances of others, her head hanging low. The moment Gu Han entered, she received a glare full of resentment. Gu Han raised an eyebrow slightly, then heard a consort beside An Cáirén sneer mockingly:

"To be publicly rebuked by His Majesty and humiliated like that, if I were her, I'd be too ashamed to show my face."

Knowing that An Cáirén blamed yesterday's embarrassment entirely on her, Gu Han wasn't surprised. In the harem, few consorts would fault the Emperor. If they didn't vent their resentment on others, would they actually reflect on themselves instead?

Gu Han sat down, then said unhurriedly:

"Why is An Cáirén staring at me like that?"

An Cáirén apparently hadn't expected the usually good-tempered Gu Han to address this so directly. Her expression stiffened before she managed to reply: "Noble Lady Zhao possesses beauty that could topple nations. This concubine was simply entranced for a moment. Please forgive me, Noble Lady Zhao."

Her praise was reluctant, and Gu Han had no interest in hearing it:

"An Cáirén, mind your words. Such phrases as 'beauty that could topple nations' are only appropriate for describing Her Majesty the Empress."

Having been subtly rebuked, combined with her flower-pinning incident from yesterday, An Cáirén now found herself the target of numerous disdainful looks, leaving her utterly mortified.

The Empress didn't keep everyone waiting long before emerging from the inner chamber. Gu Han glanced imperceptibly across the hall, the chair belonging to Consort Shu remained empty.

The Empress's next words were:

"Last night, Consort Shu caught a cold. She just sent someone to request leave."

Consort Shu and the Empress had never gotten along. If Consort Shu didn't want to attend the morning greetings, the Office of Attendants would naturally have removed her nameplate.

Gu Han thought to herself that Consort Shu's illness must have delighted countless consorts.

After all, with Consort Shu absent, there would be many more nights available for attending to the Emperor.

The thought had barely formed when Gu Han noticed the Empress glancing at her with seeming significance. That look, combined with her previous statement, made it seem as though Consort Shu's cold was somehow Gu Han's fault.

Gu Han frowned imperceptibly.

Yian Palace's defenses were impregnable, even if she wanted to extend her reach there, she lacked the ability. Suddenly, Gu Han paused slightly, recalling what Xiao Fangzi had mentioned yesterday, that Yian Palace had sent soup to the Emperor's quarters yesterday.

Gu Han's eyes flickered briefly, finding the notion somewhat absurd.

How could Consort Shu have fallen ill simply because the Emperor had spent one night at her palace? Her usual conduct didn't suggest she harbored deep feelings for His Majesty.

Or rather, Consort Shu was far too clever, knowing her own circumstances, how could she allow herself to develop feelings for the Emperor?

Gu Han dismissed this theory. Consort Shu had always been frail; perhaps she had simply been careless and caught a chill yesterday.

Gu Han assumed today's morning greetings would end quickly as usual, but the Empress suddenly called out:

"Noble Lady Zhao."

Gu Han looked up questioningly.

The Empress smiled warmly at her: "In a few days, it will be your birthday. The palace hasn't had any festivities in quite some time, so this palace would like to hold a banquet for you at Zheyue Tower, just a few tables so the sisters of the harem can gather and chat. What do you think?"

Gu Han paused. Her birthday was on the seventeenth of June. Lately, all her attention had been focused on the imperial heir in her womb, so hearing the Empress mention her birthday caught her somewhat off guard.

Once she recovered, Gu Han knitted her delicate brows imperceptibly and shook her head:

"The other sisters' birthdays passed without banquets. This concubine shouldn't be treated specially. Thank you for your kind intention, Your Majesty."

Gu Han felt momentarily tempted by the Empress's offer, but quickly came to her senses. If they truly held a banquet at Zheyue Tower, with so many people and prying eyes, it would only make it easier for those with ill intentions to cause trouble.

Gu Han didn't wish to give those people such an opportunity.

The Empress observed her, recognizing her caution. That someone so young could resist such vanity was truly not to be underestimated.

The Empress didn't press Gu Han. Seeing her refusal, she simply smiled and let the topic pass.

After the morning greetings dispersed, An Cáirén left through the palace gates. She had departed Kunning Palace early.

Zhou Měirén caught up with Gu Han, sounding somewhat regretful: "If your birthday is in June, then last year at this time you were participating in the imperial selection. Doesn't that mean you completely missed your coming-of-age ceremony?"

Gu Han lowered her eyes and smiled faintly. The coming-of-age ceremony was extremely important for women, and this was indeed a regret in Gu Han's heart.

Lady Zhou slapped her own mouth, annoyed at herself for bringing up such a sensitive topic, and quickly changed the subject:

"Since you've declined the Empress's proposal, on the seventeenth, how about I come to Changchun Pavilion and share a few cups with you?"

Knowing Zhou Měirén wanted to make her birthday lively, Gu Han unusually didn't refuse her, nor did she point out that she couldn't drink alcohol while pregnant. She lightly pinched Zhou Měirén's delicate nose tip and laughed behind her hand:

"Then I'll thank Zhou Měirén in advance."

Zhou Měirén blushed somewhat self-consciously, lifted her skirts to distance herself from Gu Han, and stammered: "I need to go dine with my aunt, so I won't return with you."

After she left, Gu Han boarded her palanquin. Passing by the Imperial Garden, Gu Han heard a commotion. Lifting the embroidered curtain, she saw An Cáirén and Yuan Cáirén arguing about something, the scene becoming quite unseemly.

But Gu Han didn't interfere, instead ordering:

"Take the long way around. We're returning to the palace."

In the Imperial Garden, just as Gu Han left, Yuan Cáirén slapped An Cáirén across the face. An Cáirén cried out and fell to the ground, staring at Yuan Cáirén in disbelief:

"You actually hit me?"

Yuan Cáirén sneered coldly: "A few days ago, didn't you keep saying I was old and past my prime, that His Majesty would soon stop looking at me?"

"Well, I've hit you today. I'd like to see if you can summon His Majesty to defend you!"

Everyone around gathered to watch the spectacle. Clearly, they had been disgusted enough by An Cáirén recently, not a single person was willing to speak up for her.

An Cáirén was shameless enough that upon seeing this, she simply climbed up from the ground and began tussling with Yuan Cáirén.Yuan Cáirén who had her hair grabbed, screamed in pain, her head jerking backward. In mere moments, she had been slapped several times across the face.

The scene descended into complete chaos.

When the Empress received word, she was livid: "Imperial Concubines, brawling in public like this, what kind of propriety is this?!"

Muqiu helped calm her down. Without even going herself, the Empress ordered directly:

"Have them separated. Both are to face the wall in contemplation for one month and copy the palace rules ten times!"

By the time people pulled An Cáirén and Yuan Cáirén apart, both were disheveled. Both had been vicious, An Cáirén's face bore a scratch from fingernails, while Yuan Cáirén's face was equally red and swollen. The two exchanged hateful glares before being dragged away.

As An Cáirén walked back, her face hurt so much she kept wiping tears. The palace servant's words only angered her further:

"Eunuch Liu says such trivial matters shouldn't disturb His Majesty."

An Cáirén's eyes reddened with rage: "That eunuch! I'll make him pay sooner or later!"

She refused to believe His Majesty wouldn't care about her, pushing all the blame onto Liu An. Hearing her words, the palace servant shuddered violently, swallowing hard, but ultimately didn't dare say anything while her mistress was angry.

The two walked toward the palace when suddenly a servant bumped into them. The rouge powder the servant was carrying spilled all over An Cáirén. She shrieked:

"This outfit was personally bestowed by His Majesty!"

The fine silk, An Cáirén had been reluctant even to wear it. Now stained with rouge, she was ready to murder someone.

Just then, a suppressed coughing sound reached her ears, finally pulling back some of her rationality. Looking up to see it was a eunuch, her resentment toward Liu An surged up. Old grudges and new hatred combined, making her overlook that this servant seemed weak and sickly. She slapped the servant across the face:

"You wretch! You've ruined my clothes, ten of your lives couldn't compensate for this!"

The servant staggered back two steps, barely managing to lift his head. In that instant, surprise flashed through An Cáirén's eyes, and even her angry expression paused.

Xie Chang'an lowered his eyes, his tone indifferent:

"This servant carelessly bumped into the Consort. Please forgive me, Your Ladyship."

His words were faultless, yet that calm tone made An Cáirén frown. For a moment, she grew even more furious, a mere servant, yet he didn't take her seriously?!

An Cáirén's face darkened as she ordered: "Take him away!"

Xie Chang'an didn't even raise his head. Today was too hot, making him dizzy and lightheaded. Only by tightly pinching his palm could he maintain some clarity. Right now, he just wanted to return to Zhongsheng Hall as quickly as possible, so he said:

"Eunuch Cheng is still waiting for this servant to return to Zhongsheng Hall. I'm afraid I cannot make this trip with the Consort."

Eunuch Cheng was the head steward of Zhongsheng Hall. Hearing this name, the palace servants couldn't help but hesitate, stammering timidly:

"Mistress, but..."

An Cáirén suddenly slapped her across the face, feeling she was being maddeningly indecisive and making her lose face. In that moment, she absolutely had to take Xie Chang'an away and teach him a lesson: "But what?!"

The servant didn't dare speak further. An Cáirén always enjoyed making a spectacle, even for morning greetings, she brought three or four servants, wishing she could bring everyone who served in her palace.

Now three people restrained Xie Chang'an, leaving him unable to resist in the slightest. Xie Chang'an lowered his eyes, not wasting effort struggling.

Just as An Cáirén led him away, someone in the distance hurried off at a run.

At Zhongsheng Hall, Eunuch Cheng was giving instructions when suddenly a young servant ran in and whispered something in his ear. Eunuch Cheng's expression immediately darkened as he said coldly:

"What an audacious An Cáirén."

With few people around, the young servant asked anxiously: "Eunuch, this servant saw that An Cáirén didn't seem likely to let executive Xie off easily."

Xie Chang'an was essentially second-in-command at Zhongsheng Hall, but Eunuch Cheng disliked hearing people call Xie Chang'an "eunuch," so people in Zhongsheng Hall generally addressed him as Executive. Though somewhat irregular, Zhongsheng Hall was Eunuch Cheng's domain, no one would object to a mere title.

No wonder the young servant was anxious. That An Cáirén was still a mistress, after all, there was no way Eunuch Cheng could go demand someone back.

Eunuch Cheng's expression was exceptionally dark. After a long while, he finally said:

"Make the trip."

The servant's breath caught. He glanced at Eunuch Cheng before hurrying away with his head lowered.

Gu Han had just finished her midday meal and was about to lie down for a brief rest when hurried footsteps suddenly echoed from the corridor. The double curtain was swept aside, and Xiao Fangzi's usually composed face showed panic. He had barely entered before dropping to his knees.

Gu Han immediately sat up straight. She rarely saw Xiao Fangzi lose his composure like this, and couldn't help but knit her brows tightly: "What happened?"

"Mistress, please save the young master! On his way back to Zhongsheng Hall, the young master accidentally bumped into An Cáirén and was taken back to her palace!"

Only Jiunian and Jiusi were in the hall, both aware of whom he meant by "young master." Gu Han knocked over the jade ruyi on the couch. Jiu nian and Jiu si looked at her with concern.

The sharp pain in her palm brought Gu Han back to composure. She didn't delay for even a moment, immediately ordering:

"Jiusi and Xiao Fangzi, take people there immediately!”

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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