THE IMPERIAL CONSORT'S RISE TO POWER

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

Chapter 88

The pastries were deliberately made in the shape of peach blossoms, one glance revealed them to be peach blossom cakes.

Both peach blossom cakes and osmanthus cakes were on the sweet side, always Gu Han's favorites. Just one thing, Gu Han remembered the Emperor didn't particularly like sweets. Had she remembered wrong?

Gu Han looked at Lu Yu in confusion. Lu Yu was somewhat uncomfortable and explained quietly:

"At that time, I hadn't yet come of age."

In other words, he was young and gluttonous then, but didn't love them now.

Gu Han covered her lips and laughed quietly, making Lu Yu roll his eyes. The carriage continued forward. Gu Han tasted the pastries, those the Emperor would specially recommend to her naturally needed no comment on taste, though they were somewhat different from palace pastries.

Palace pastries leaned toward refinement, while these pastries were sweeter. At this time sugar was expensive, ordinary families simply couldn't afford it. No wonder these pastries sold so well.

Gu Han came from a good background, so for the moment she couldn't really judge good from bad.

But the pastries were specially bought for her by the Emperor, which made them particularly special. Gu Han's eyes curved in a smile. Her gaze fell admiringly on Lu Yu, her softened voice clear and shallow, like sugar melting into honeyed sweetness:

"Your Majesty was right, they're indeed extraordinarily delicious."

She praised sincerely. Perhaps the carriage's interior was too cramped, Lu Yu actually felt somewhat overheated.

Fortunately, in just half an hour, the carriage arrived at the Vacation palace.

Lu Yu fled the carriage as if escaping famine. Gu Han was completely confused, then heard Liu An's surprised voice from outside: "What's wrong with Your Majesty?"

Gu Han lifted the curtain. Lu Yu happened to be waving Liu An off, his words impatient:

"Nothing."

Liu An's puzzled gaze turned to Gu Han. Gu Han also shook her head blankly.

One could tell Lu Yu hadn't come on a whim. The vacation palace was surrounded by imperial guards, heavily guarded, with patrols constantly passing by. Gu Han was carefully helped down from the carriage by Jiu Nian. The vacation palace's steward had already come over to kneel in greeting:

"This servant pays respects to Your Majesty, to Noble Lady Zhao."

In this brief moment, it was enough for Lu Yu to calm down. He turned and grasped Gu Han's hand, saying calmly: "I'll take you inside."

The steward walked ahead, bowing as he led the way:

"After the edict arrived, this servant immediately had Yongyou Hall and Yuqing Courtyard cleaned out."

The edict came hastily. The steward had bustled about for ages before getting two courtyards properly arranged. Fortunately the Emperor had only brought one mistress. Otherwise, he might not have managed to clean everything properly in half a day.

Lu Yu nodded: "Go to Yuqing Courtyard."

Gu Han hadn't spoken all along. Regarding the vacation palace, Gu Han's greatest impression was coolness. After becoming pregnant, she rarely used ice. It was June now, precisely the hottest time of year. Palace maids had to constantly fan her with round fans, and the hall's windows stayed open to keep her from feeling so stifled by heat.

Unexpectedly, this vacation palace was cool everywhere.

Large expanses of tree shade provided cover. Along the way, Gu Han caught sight of a small lake with painted boats moored on it, lotus lanterns all around. Just one glance and Gu Han could imagine, if it were night, with all the lotus lanterns lit, musicians dancing on the painted boats, what an extravagant and elegant scene it would be.

Lost in wild thoughts, Gu Han unconsciously slowed her steps. Suddenly the Emperor's warm voice reached her ears:

"If you like it, when evening comes, I'll accompany you over. But not now."

Gu Han looked at him in shock and said puzzled: "But in the evening, we should be returning to the palace."

Regarding this question, Lu Yu avoided answering and directly pulled Gu Han away. At the same time, Lu Yu said:

"It's past noon and you still haven't eaten."

The steward responded opportunely: "Knowing Your Majesty and Noble Lady would be arriving, this servant specially had the maids prepare steamed fish, using Taihu silverfish."

Taihu silverfish were all tribute items. Even imperial consorts rarely had the fortune to eat them.

Hearing they would eat fish, Gu Han immediately forgot her earlier question. Her delicate brows furrowed tightly together. During this period she'd been tormented enough by fishy smells, Changchun Hall hadn't seen fish in ages. Seeing this, Lu Yu didn't even think before ordering:

"Remove it."

The steward froze. In past years when the Emperor came to the vacation palace, this Taihu silverfish dish was almost always essential. After pausing, the steward glanced at Noble Lady Zhao before remembering she was currently pregnant. He quickly slapped his mouth:

"This servant was negligent. This servant will give orders immediately."

The vacation palace didn't use ice, it was ventilated on all sides. Yuqing Courtyard was the same. Bamboo mats spread on the floor, many things in the hall were bamboo crafts, luminous pearls embedded in the surrounding walls, windows also made hollow. Gentle breezes blew in continuously, making Gu Han so comfortable she felt somewhat drowsy.

The noon meal had already been brought in, all simple country flavors. A serving of sweet plum soup was placed beside Gu Han.

Gu Han could see the Emperor was also very relaxed. Just looking at how the Emperor sat loosely in his chair, somewhat lazy in appearance, one could tell. Gu Han propped her chin and said softly in complaint:

"Your Majesty said you were celebrating my birthday by bringing me to this vacation palace, but now I feel like Your Majesty simply wanted to come himself. I was just brought along incidentally."

Lu Yu was almost provoked to laughter by these heartless words.

Today he'd hurriedly finished handling state affairs, hadn't even received court ministers, just to go to her palace to fetch her, all so he could properly accompany her today. That day he had also taken the Empress's words to heart, rather than hold a banquet for her, better to accompany her himself.

But she had been in the palace a year and probably was long tired of it. That's why today's trip to the vacation palace happened.

Yet she still had to complain that he was heartless.

Heaven knew, to rush through handling state affairs, he hadn't had time to drink even a mouthful of water in half a day.

Lu Yu's gaze fell heavily on Gu Han. Gu Han felt guilty under his stare. She raised her hand to cover her face. With no one else around, she was somewhat bolder with the Emperor. She asked quietly:

"Why is Your Majesty looking at me?"

Lu Yu said sarcastically: "I'm just seeing what other infuriating things you can say."

A flush of red immediately spread across her cheeks. Gu Han's eyes dodged, refusing to meet the Emperor's gaze. She buried her head guiltily in her meal. Whatever dishes Jiu Nian served her, she didn't even glance before swallowing them directly.

Eating like this, she actually ate more than she did in a day at the palace.

Jiu Nian's face was full of delight. Seeing this, Lu Yu's slight annoyance had long since vanished. He asked carefully several times:

"Do you feel uncomfortable?"

Gu Han was also surprised. She shook her head: "I feel everything is fine."

Lu Yu's face showed more smiles:

"Who made today's meal? Reward them."

After the noon meal, Lu Yu accompanied Gu Han on a walk to aid digestion. After she took her usual afternoon nap, he withdrew from Yuqing Courtyard.

Liu An followed along, his face also showing happiness: "This servant sees Noble Lady Zhao is very pleased with the vacation palace environment. Your Majesty can also be at ease."

Lu Yu's emotions were bland:

"Leaving her alone at the vacation palace, I worry she'll overthink."

Liu An absolutely didn't dare say anything about this statement. After a long moment, he said: "Didn't the Empress also suggest that day that Your Majesty come to the vacation palace to escape the heat? Since Your Majesty is worried about Noble Consort Zhao, why not stay at the Vacation Palace for a while during this period?"

When Liu An brought this up, Lu Yu furrowed his brows deeply.

That day the Empress had suddenly suggested he come to the vacation palace to escape heat. Everything she said was about Noble Lady Zhao, how the palace was hot, Noble Lady Zhao was pregnant and couldn't use ice, this summer would probably be very difficult for her.

It must be said, Lu Yu was somewhat moved by this proposal.

Lu Yu headed toward Yongyou Hall. Ascending the steps, he said: "It cannot be accomplished in a day."

If he wanted to come to the vacation palace to escape heat, arrangements had to be made. Both the court and harem had to take action. When they moved, it would take at least several days' work, and during this period, Lu Yu had to return to the palace.

This won't work, that won't work either. Liu An's lips curved: "Then why doesn't Your Majesty just bring Noble Lady Zhao back, and when it's time to escape the heat at the palace , bring Noble Lady Zhao again?"

Lu Yu glared at him irritably: "You think I don't want to?"

"When she's in the palace, she has difficulty with meals. She only feels better at this vacation palace . If not for this, I wouldn't have thought of leaving her at the vacation palace ."

Liu An didn't believe this at all.

This was at most just one reason. The main reason, the Emperor was clearly guarding against the Empress.

Earlier, the Emperor had been quite high-profile about his favor toward Noble Lady Zhao in front of the Empress. The Empress was clever, the more high-profile the Emperor was, the more she would suspect his purpose in lavishing favor on Noble Lady Zhao.

Unfortunately, this time the Emperor's careful calculations somehow went awry.

The Empress didn't follow the Emperor's expectations at all. Instead, she truly turned her attention to Noble Lady Zhao. Even if only for the imperial heir in Noble Lady Zhao's womb, the Emperor had to give it more consideration.

Just when the Emperor was suspicious of the Empress's purpose in suggesting escaping the heat, the next day the Empress claimed illness and even asked the Emperor to order others to assist with the harem.

The Emperor had concerns and granted her wish as she desired.

The Emperor thought deeply about it. Today, he had truly brought Noble Lady Zhao to the vacation palace . After all, no matter how capable the Empress was, she couldn't reach into the vacation palace or control the imperial guards.

It could be said that for Noble Lady Zhao's pregnancy, the Emperor had indeed exhausted his schemes.

All said and done, the Emperor somehow got confused and wasn't willing to keep a low profile toward her after Noble Lady Zhao became pregnant.

If it had been like when Lady Yu was pregnant, how could Noble Lady Zhao's situation be as difficult as now?

Gu Han slept for a full hour. When she woke, she heard the Emperor tell her he wanted her to stay at the vacation palace for a while. Gu Han was completely stunned. She didn't even dare move. She looked at the Emperor in shock, forced a smile with difficulty, and asked helplessly in a choked voice:

"But—but where did I do something wrong?"

Gu Han had only heard of some household's concubine committing errors and being expelled to an estate to live out her days. Clearly today the Emperor had still treated her with tender affection, how in just one nap's time did the Emperor want her to stay at the vacation palace and not bring her back?

Gu Han bit her lip tightly. Her almond eyes seemed somewhat red and wet. Quickly, she lowered her head, barely hiding her emotions.

Lu Yu hadn't expected her reaction to be so strong. His breathing paused before he embraced her and explained quietly:

"Don't overthink."

"I'm having you stay at the vacation palace not because you committed any error. The vacation palace is cool and comfortable, beneficial for your pregnancy. Moreover, at the vacation palace you can eat your meals."

These reasons, Gu Han felt they were forced. She said: "But in the palace, I can also properly stay at Changchun Hall to nurture the pregnancy."

If she really stayed at the vacation palace , if the Emperor forgot about her, when could she return to the palace?

Gu Han didn't dare easily take this risk.

Lu Yu was about to find more reasons when he lowered his eyes and caught sight of the woman's eyes. Her almond eyes were full of unease, making her grip on his palm somewhat clammy. Lu Yu suddenly thought, just take her back to the palace.

But he ultimately retained reason: "Don't be afraid. You only need to stay at the vacation palace for a few days. After I return to the palace, I'll issue an edict to come escape the heat at the vacation palace ."

Gu Han looked up in shock. So he was only having her stay at the vacation palace for a while, not until delivery day.

Seeing her like this, Lu Yu assumed she was still uneasy. After pausing, he said:

"I'll leave a squad of imperial guards at the vacation palace to follow only your orders, and have Liu An stay too. Are you reassured now?"

Liu An's lips twitched.

Author's Note:

Liu An: You're so noble, you coax consorts, just sell me out.

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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