THE IMPERIAL CONSORT'S RISE TO POWER

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

Chapter 86

In the Zhongsheng Hall, in a side room, six folding screens separated the inner chamber.

Eunuch Cheng was in the inner room, frowning as he looked at Xie Chang'an 's legs. The method of hiding needles in prayer cushions was too vicious, clearly the pain had penetrated to the bone, yet the surface showed no severe injury. Xie Chang'an 's face had only gained some pallor.

After a moment, Eunuch Cheng sighed deeply:

"I originally wanted to let you out for some air. Who knew such a thing would happen?"

A breeze blew through. Before Xie Chang'an could speak, he suddenly broke into violent coughing. He coughed heavily, it was a chronic ailment accumulated over the years.

His face, already gaunt from illness, seemed to have the thin layer of muscle twitching from the violent coughing, pulling at the veins around his temples. Even his hands had to grip something tightly to keep his body from shaking violently, making one almost suspect he might cough up his internal organs.

A moment later, the coughing ceased. Though his thin shoulders bore a heavy cloak, one could still see his spine held ramrod straight, his eyes clear and lucid, without a trace of the cloudiness that came with prolonged illness.

Seeing him like this, the creases around Eunuch Cheng's eyes deepened. He said quietly:

"Did I disrupt your plans by involving Noble Lady Zhao this time?"

Xie Chang'an 's hands clenched tight within his sleeves, but he still shook his head at Eunuch Cheng: "You give yourself too much discredit, Gonggong. I know you were trying to save me."

The harem had many methods of tormenting people, even making them die unknowingly. Eunuch Cheng worried about him, but Eunuch Cheng's status wasn't sufficient to demand someone from Xuanming Palace, which led to this desperate measure.

Xie Chang'an smiled bitterly inwardly.

What a pity, since Noble Lady Zhao entered the palace, he had deliberately avoided any contact with her, fearing palace people would connect them. Someone who had spent three years in Zhongsheng Hall could have done too many things.

Those who had previously dismissed Noble Lady Zhao's capabilities and cleared her of suspicion would never underestimate her again going forward.

Xie Chang'an closed his eyes, his heart beating violently with a faint, persistent ache. If possible, he'd rather Eunuch Cheng hadn't sent someone to find Noble Lady Zhao to save him.

But he couldn't say this to Eunuch Cheng.

"Someone is investigating your past connections with Noble Lady Zhao."

Eunuch Cheng didn't say explicitly, but Xie Chang'an could guess who it would be. There was only one person who would make Eunuch Cheng speak so guardedly. Xie Chang'an lowered his eyes listlessly, his sickly state making him look particularly haggard. He coughed and waved his hand:

"It's fine."

He and Noble Lady Zhao truly had never made contact.

He'd anticipated this situation before Noble Lady Zhao entered the palace and naturally took precautions. That's why he'd handed all his connections to Little Fang Zi, and the matter of him saving Little Fang Zi back then was known only to the two of them.

After Noble Lady Zhao entered the palace, everything she'd done hadn't gone through his hands. Even the incense bottle for Concubine Chen had been personally delivered by Eunuch Cheng.

Eunuch Cheng could sit in this position because he naturally had the Emperor's trust. No one would believe he would dig his own grave.

No matter how much others suspected, they wouldn't find evidence.

And he would never contact Noble Lady Zhao again.

A trace of crimson seemed to stain Xie Zhangan's lips, but he seemed completely unaware. He lowered his eyes, his gaze slowly falling on a jade pendant at his waist. He smiled faintly as a servant brought in a medicine bowl. For a moment, the inner room filled with bitter taste.

Eunuch Cheng couldn't bear to watch him like this anymore. As he stepped out of the side room, he couldn't help sighing.

Before the Xie family fell, how deep could the feelings between Xie Chang'an and Gu Tang have been? Just mutual affection, nothing more.

If they had truly married, over time they might not have avoided conflicts and barriers. But regrettably, the Xie family's downfall came when the two were at the height of their passion. Xie Chang'an suffered extreme humiliation, everyone avoided him, only Gu Tang remained devoted to him, even dying of illness because of him.

What people couldn't forget was nothing more than what they couldn't have and what they lost after having.

For Xie Chang'an, Gu Tang embodied both. Thus she'd become his heart's ailment, unspeakable and untouchable. He believed he had wronged the Marquis of Rongyang's household, so even if it cost him his life, he would repay all that guilt to Noble Lady Zhao.

Eunuch Cheng had no desire to get involved in harem matters. Keeping himself safe was what mattered.

But who told him he owed the Xie family's eldest son a life debt back then? Now he was repaying it through Xie Chang'an, turning a blind eye to his actions.

Eunuch Cheng looked back at the side room, shook his head, and walked away with measured steps.

Debts of gratitude were the hardest to repay.

In Changchun Hall.

Jiu Si lifted the double curtain of the inner hall and entered with light steps:

"My lady, the musicians you requested that day have arrived."

Gu Han still had little appetite. Hearing this, she pushed away the medicinal food before her, no longer tormenting herself, and asked: "How many came?"

"Three. Nanny Shan said she didn't know what music my lady wanted to hear, so she selected the three most skilled in music and let my lady choose personally."

Gu Han nodded and was helped up by Jiu Nian:

"Nanny Shan is thoughtful. Don't forget to reward her."

"Rest assured, my lady, this servant knows."

Not wanting to create unnecessary trouble, Gu Han didn't have the musicians enter the hall. Just stepping outside, she saw that among the musicians was actually a man. Gu Han showed several degrees of surprise without concealment.

Little Fang Zi explained from the side: "There are indeed male musicians in the Music Bureau, and there are quite a few men in the acrobat troupe in the palace's southeast corner."

Gu Han examined the musician carefully, thin build, somewhat frail appearance. Ordinary families found it difficult even to study characters, yet this person could learn instruments, so his family circumstances should be decent. How had he become a musician?

Musicians held such lowly status that ordinary people rarely fell to such a state.

As for women, born to obey their parents, married to obey their husband's family, so many had no control over their fates, which was why many fell into music houses from childhood. The better ones learned some talent and became entertainers. Women who entered the palace, whether musicians or servants, had their status gilded. When they left the palace at the appropriate age, people would regard them more highly.

Before even hearing them play, Gu Han had already eliminated this musician from her list.

Simply because, too troublesome.

The harem had numerous rules. She sought a musician to frequently visit Changchun Hall. An outside man frequently coming and going would inevitably invite gossip. With the Xie Chang'an matter still unresolved, Gu Han was too lazy to invite more trouble.

The remaining two women also had graceful figures. When they lowered their eyes and strummed the strings, they were pleasing to watch. Their skill on the qin needn't be mentioned, anyone Nanny Shan sent over would have music worthy of lingering echoes.

Gu Han was deeply versed in this art herself. She could hear these few didn't differ much. Since that was the case, she quickly chose one of the women:

"What's your name?"

The musician was obviously very nervous: "In response to Noble Lady Zhao, this servant is called Tong Ji."

Gu Han smiled softly. Seeing her gentle attitude, Tong Ji relaxed somewhat. Only then did Gu Han say:

"From now on, you'll come to Changchun Hall once every three days. You needn't worry about other matters. I'll personally send someone to speak with Nanny Shan."

Tong Ji's eyes brightened as she happily agreed.

Gu Han didn't think about why she was so happy. She'd already given orders, whenever the musician came, Jiu Si would always have someone watch her. If she wanted to make small moves within Changchun Hall, she'd better abandon that thought quickly.

News of Gu Han selecting a musician quickly reached Lu Yu's ears. Learning that among the three musicians at the time there had been a male musician, he immediately glared coldly at Liu An:

"This is how you handle things?"

Liu An smiled sheepishly: "This servant just thought, there's a strong possibility Noble Lady Zhao's belly holds a little prince. Only being exposed to female musicians didn't seem proper."

So you let an outside man frequently enter and exit Noble Lady Zhao's palace?

Lu Yu gave Liu An a withering look. After a long moment, he said:

"She's always had good judgment."

Liu An pondered, knowing the Emperor was praising Noble Lady Zhao, and said nothing more.

After all, he'd always followed by the Emperor's side and naturally knew very well that the Emperor's impression of Noble Lady Zhao in his heart was extremely high.

Lu Yu came back to himself, lowering his eyes: "The matter I had you investigate that day, how did it go?"

Liu An bowed: "In response to Your Majesty, Noble Lady Zhao and Xie Chang'an truly have never had contact. Noble Lady Zhao seems to have concerns, since entering the palace, she's rarely gone toward the Zhongsheng Hall."

One should know, behind the Zhongsheng Hall was an osmanthus forest. When autumn approached, it became a golden expanse of dark fragrance, considered one of the palace's scenic spots.

But Noble Lady Zhao had never been there.

Lu Yu actually wasn't surprised by this result, but he couldn't deny his heart secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

He looked up and said lightly: "In past years, the Marquis of Rongyang's household never sent legitimate daughters into the palace. They always sought well-matched families for them to marry as proper legitimate wives. That Noble Lady Zhao would enter the palace also has to do with the Xie family."

Gu Tang died of illness, a clean end. But the hidden troubles left by that marriage engagement were considerable, and the Gu clan wasn't limited to just the Marquis of Rongyang's branch.

Lu Yu could even imagine why Gu Han entered the palace. After he ascended the throne, he had indeed treated the Marquis of Rongyang's household with lukewarm indifference. That Gu Han would enter the palace was probably just the Marquis household's way of dispelling his suspicions, showing loyalty.

With this premise, even if Gu Han clearly knew Xie Chang'an was in the palace, she couldn't possibly contact him.

Yesterday's incident was an exception. Just as Gu Han said, she could ignore Xie Chang'an 's existence, but couldn't stand by and watch him die.

Otherwise, what would her elder sister's death from illness have been worth?

Lu Yu understood all this clearly, but it didn't prevent him from still feeling somewhat uncomfortable. Liu An glanced at him, thought for a moment, and did Noble Lady Zhao a favor:

"This servant heard that Xie Chang'an 's chronic illness is severe. He probably doesn't have many days left."

Lu Yu's movements paused. He said casually: "How so?"

Liu An awkwardly touched his nose:

"It seems when the Gu family's eldest daughter died of illness, he also fell seriously ill."

"Put that way, they're quite the pair of star-crossed lovers."

The order to exterminate the entire Xie family was issued by him, so he was the one who separated the lovebirds?

Lu Yu let out a cold laugh and didn't take this matter to heart. To him, Gu Tang was just Gu Han's elder sister, nothing more. Not worth his attention.

And no matter how talented Xie Chang'an was, he couldn't possibly reuse him. Then Xie Chang'an 's value alive was far less than dead.

After all, Xie Chang'an was a criminal's descendant. If he stayed in the palace long-term, people would involuntarily recall his marriage engagement with Gu Tang, and it would keep Gu Han under others' criticism.

Only if Xie Chang'an didn't exist in this world could Gu Han's reputation be preserved.

Lu Yu's fingers tapped on the imperial desk. He seemed about to say something when the woman's anxious, helpless appearance from yesterday suddenly flashed through his mind. He paused and suddenly asked:

"Tell me, am I too lenient with Noble Lady Zhao?"

Liu An bent his waist deeply, not daring to answer this question.

In the end, Lu Yu ultimately didn't say what he'd originally wanted to say. Instead, he shook his head: "Forget it. If I truly did that, I'd inevitably be resented by your Noble Lady Zhao."

As Liu An stood puzzled, he heard the Emperor order:

"Keep watch over the harem's movements. Don't disturb Noble Lady Zhao's peace."

---

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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