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Translator's note: Finally there are advance chapters availaible on Kofi
Chapter 108: The Mountain Comes to the Emperor
The autumn wind carried a crisp chill; the sky was clear, yet the sun had lost its biting heat. Outside the main hall of Gu Han’s Yihe Palace, a magnolia tree stood directly before the window, a personal gift from the Emperor, delivered via the Palace Administration. Its white blossoms were in full, glorious bloom, casting a faint, ethereal fragrance through the air.
Zhou Měirén had become a fixture at Yihe Palace. Gu Han had only just finished her lunch and woken from a nap when a frantic string of footsteps echoed from the outer hall.
"My Lady!"
The shout was loud enough to be heard from one end of the palace to the other, scattering the birds from the eaves. Gu Han shook her head in fond resignation. Beside her, Jiu Nian stifled a giggle. "I’ve truly never met anyone as lively as Zhou Měirén ."
With Zhou Měirén around, Yihe Palace was never short of laughter. For that reason alone, the servants always welcomed her.
Without waiting for an announcement, Zhou Měirén swept past the curtains. She was dressed in a shimmering sunset-purple gown that made her pale skin glow, fine silk gifted by the Empress Dowager, a luxury others could only dream of.
Gu Han took one look at the exquisite fabric and rubbed her temples. "If you have the time to run to my palace every single day, why don't you spend a little of that energy on His Majesty?"
Zhou’s eyes widened in a huff. "Why do you sound just like my Aunt? It’s enough to give anyone a headache."
Zhou had no interest in chasing someone who didn't want her. Her cousin, the Emperor, had made it clear he didn't view her with romantic affection. Why should she humiliate herself? She tilted her chin up with a soft huff. "Just you watch. The less I hover around Cousin, the more generous he’ll be with me."
She had played the fool when she first entered the palace, but she had learned. She was his only direct cousin; why fight for one of the countless spots in his bed when she could have his lifelong respect?
Gu Han raised an eyebrow, impressed by her clarity. "You’re right. In this entire palace, there isn't a soul more carefree than you."
Just then, Nanny Zhao brought in the medicinal tonic. Zhou Měirén fell silent, though she couldn't resist casting furtive, lingering glances at Gu Han. That "I have a secret" look was so obvious it made Gu Han uncomfortable.
Once the medicine was finished, Gu Han shook her head with a smile. "Alright, out with it. I’m listening."
Caught in the act, Zhou Měirén looked sheepish for a moment before leaning in close. "My Lady... have you and Cousin had a falling out?"
Gu Han’s hand stilled almost imperceptibly. "Whatever gave you that idea?"
"I was bored, so I did some counting. No matter how busy the court gets, Cousin usually visits you at least once every three days. But it’s been nearly half a month since he last set foot in Yihe Palace." Zhou Měirén rubbed her nose. "Are you SURE you didn't pick a fight with him?"
Gu Han’s eyes flickered. If even someone as blunt as Zhou Měirén had noticed something was wrong, how could Gu Han not?
But the truth was, she didn't know what had happened. The last time the Emperor had visited, everything had seemed perfectly normal. She couldn't find a single reason for the sudden frost. Her expression dimmed. "No. We didn't."
Zhou Měirén went quiet, feeling a bit awkward.
If there was no fight, yet the Emperor stayed away, it usually signaled a fall from grace. But Yihe Palace wasn't being treated like a cold palace, the Administration and the eunuchs were as attentive as ever. Only the man himself was missing.
"Then what do you plan to do?" Zhou Měirén asked hesitantly. "Are you just going to let it be?"
Inside, Zhou Měirén strongly disagreed with staying passive. She knew her own boldness was built on the Empress Dowager’s backing and her blood ties to the Emperor. He might not love her, but he would never mistreat her.
But Gu Han was different. Gu Han was "only" a consort. She HAD to fight. Zhou Měirén glanced at Gu Han’s protruding belly. Even if she didn't want to fight for herself, she had to for the child. In this harem, playing the "aloof beauty" with the Emperor was the fastest way to lose everything.
Gu Han caught the flicker of worry in the younger woman's eyes. She let out a small, helpless laugh and decided to be honest.
"Judging by [Head Eunuch] Liu An’s attitude, the Emperor doesn't hate me. He’s just displeased about something and refuses to see me." She paused, then added softly, "If the mountain will not come to me, I must go to the mountain. Even if you hadn't come today, I was planning to visit the front hall soon."
Zhou exhaled in relief. "Why wait? Go today!"
Gu Han blinked, surprised by her urgency. Zhou Měirén’s eyes rounded. "To stop those gossiping snakes from wagging their tongues, that’s why!"
Gu Han glanced at Jiu Nian, touched by Zhou Měirén’s genuine concern. She didn't let the kindness go to waste. As her attendants hurried to prepare the palanquin, Gu Han stood up to leave, only to be stopped by a shocked Zhou Měirén.
"You’re going to see the Emperor dressed like *that*?"
Gu Han was wearing a simple gown of teal silk embroidered with mandarin ducks. Against the deep blue-green, her skin looked like polished porcelain. She looked elegant and gentle, yet striking, like a white magnolia blooming in the early spring.
Zhou Měirén studied her for a long moment, then sighed, unable to find a single flaw. "You’re naturally stunning. It’s enough to make a girl jealous."
Being complimented so sincerely brought a flush to Gu Han’s cheeks. She gave Zhou Měirén a playful, scolding look. "Oh, you and your silver tongue."
---
Outside the Emperor's study, Liu An stood on the veranda with his hands tucked into his sleeves, glancing anxiously at the sky. His apprentice, Xiao Wen, crept up. "Master, it’s past noon. The lunch from the imperial kitchen is already cold."
He was hinting that it was time to nudge the Emperor to eat.
Liu An gave him a sharp glare. Did he think Liu An *wanted* the Emperor to starve? He had gone in at noon and been told to "Get out" before he could even open his mouth.
The Emperor’s temper had been worsening by the day. Liu An could see it was some sort of stubborn standoff with Zhao Xiūróng, but in his opinion, the poor woman was suffering for no reason at all. She must be utterly baffled by this cold shoulder.
Still, Zhao Xiūróng certainly had nerves of steel. This much time had passed, and she hadn't sent so much as a note to ask why.
Just as the thought crossed his mind, he saw a palanquin approaching in the distance. He squinted, that was Jiu Nian walking beside it!
Liu An clapped his hands together, a wide grin breaking across his face. "Finally! Quickly, go get a fresh lunch ready!"
Xiao Wen watched in confusion as his master practically sprinted forward.
As Gu Han stepped down from the palanquin, she was met by a beaming Liu An. He looked at her as if she were his long-lost savior.
"Is the Eunuch truly that happy to see me?" she teased.
Liu An let out a weary chuckle. "My Lady, thank heaven you're here. His Majesty hasn't eaten a bite today. Please, when you go in, try to talk some sense into him."
Gu Han finally understood his enthusiasm. Supporting her lower back, she walked slowly toward the Hall of Mental Cultivation. "I’ll try, but I can't promise anything. He might not even want to see me."
Liu An gave a knowing smirk. *He’s been waiting for you for days. Of course he’ll see you.*
He asked her to wait while he announced her. Sure enough, he returned almost instantly, bowing low to usher her in. "His Majesty is waiting."
Before entering, Gu Han paused and looked at him. "Could you give me a hint? What’s the mood?"
Liu An wouldn't dare leak the Emperor's private thoughts. He just bowed deeper. "You'll understand once you're inside, My Lady."
Realizing she’d get nothing more, Gu Han stepped into the hall.
The air inside was filled with the cool, refreshing scent of bamboo incense. Gu Han looked up. The Emperor was buried in his paperwork, his head down as if he hadn't noticed a soul enter.
Gu Han had come empty-handed. She hadn't been here in a while, and her eyes wandered over the room, noticing a new pot of winter orchids. Their scent was faint, but they added a splash of life to the somber study.
She walked carefully, her steps deliberate. She didn't announce herself or offer a formal greeting; she simply walked toward the dais. Unless he was deaf, he could hear her perfectly.
Yet, the man at the desk didn't budge. Gu Han felt a mix of amusement and irritation. She suddenly let go of her skirts and stopped in her tracks.
In his peripheral vision, Lu Yu’s hand hesitated for a fraction of a second.
Gu Han rested a hand on her waist and stared him down. "I don't dare take another step up these stairs alone."
She was heavily pregnant, her belly so large that every step looked precarious.
Lu Yu’s temple throbbed. He finally dropped his brush and snapped, "If you're too afraid to walk two steps, what did you even come here for?"
Despite the sharp words, he was on his feet in an instant. He hurried forward to steady her, then barked at Liu An to bring a chair so she could sit comfortably.
Liu An took the hint and cleared the room of all other servants.
Only then did Gu Han look up at Lu Yu, her face pale and pretty. "I couldn't figure out how I’d offended Your Majesty to make you avoid my palace for so long. Since you wouldn't come to me, I had to come to you."
Her eyelashes trembled as she looked down, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I couldn't well let us remain strangers forever."
The vulnerability in her voice made Lu Yu’s heart ache. For the past two weeks, he hadn't understood why he was so furious, or why he was stubbornly keeping his distance. In that moment, he realized why.
He wasn't a fool.
He let go of her hand, his mind clearing. *This little liar is far too good at sweet-talking me.* If she had really missed him that much, why had she stayed silent for fifteen days?
He looked at her with a dark, unreadable expression. "Half of what you say is true and the other half is a lie. Even I can't tell the difference anymore."
Gu Han felt truly wronged. Everything she had said today was the truth. If she didn't want to see him, what was the point of being in this palace?
She didn't argue. Instead, she reached out, her eyes locked on his. "You still haven't told me... how did I provoke you?"
"Lately, I've heard so many rumors about how Your Majesty has grown tired of me that I can't even sleep peacefully. I didn't dare come ask for the truth, but now that I've finally found the courage, please... give me an answer."
Lu Yu was struck dumb. He couldn't possibly tell her what was actually on his mind.
After a long silence, he could only deflect. "Who?" he growled. "Who has been whispering such nonsense in your ear?!"
---
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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