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Translator's note: Finally there are advance chapters availaible on Kofi
Chapter 96
News of Ding Cáirén's pregnancy quickly spread throughout the harem.
Gu Han resumed her previous palace demeanor, staying in Yuqing Court to properly nurture her pregnancy, rarely leaving the courtyard. Seeing how prudent she was, the Marchioness couldn't help feeling some heartache:
"Ding Cáirén's pregnancy doesn't interfere with you, Noble Lady. Why must you avoid her?"
She wanted to persuade Noble Lady to go out and walk more. For a pregnant woman to stay cooped up indoors all the time wasn't actually good.
Gu Han found it difficult to explain, and could only shake her head: "Ding Cáirén was just found to be pregnant, she's at her most triumphant now. If I appear at the same time as her and overshadow her glory, she'll feel uncomfortable. Besides, I've already toured most of the vacation palace . It doesn't matter."
Gu Han spoke very casually. She didn't really care about these things herself. Jiu Nian handed her a thread. Gu Han gently lowered her brows to thread it, choosing blue to make a small garment, suitable whether the child in her womb was male or female.
The Marchioness reminded her from the side: "Noble Lady must be careful with your eyes."
The room was filled with peaceful tranquility. Gu Han focused on the needlework in her hands, not noticing that behind the second curtain, a shadow was reflected on the floor. That person stood silently in the outer room for a long while before soundlessly withdrawing.
Liu An followed, unable to fathom his thoughts.
After leaving Yuqing Court, Lu Yu's eyelids drooped, his emotions bland: "What has Ding Cáirén been doing recently?"
Liu An recalled today's reports from the palace servants and said somewhat awkwardly:
"Since Ding Cáirén was found to be pregnant, consorts from all palaces have gone to congratulate her. These past few days she has been busy with such matters."
In any case, she was much more active than in previous days.
Lu Yu frowned imperceptibly, but quickly smoothed his expression. His slender fingers tapped on the railing. After a while, his voice came from inside the palanquin:
"Go see Ding Cáirén."
But before reaching Ding Cáirén's courtyard, Lu Yu encountered her by the pavilion.
Hearing the commotion from afar, Lu Yu had the palanquin stop. He saw the pavilion was particularly lively, with several consorts seated. Lu Yu could see clearly, though Ding Cáirén wore a reserved smile on her face, the hand stroking her lower abdomen had long betrayed her thoughts.
Lu Yu descended from the palanquin without having Liu An and the others announce him. Drawing closer, Lu Yu finally heard clearly what they were saying:
"This silverfish is a tribute item. Without His Majesty's permission, Ding Cáirén had people catch this silverfish to send to the kitchen. Won't His Majesty be displeased?"
The smile on Ding Cáirén's face immediately faded.
Yuan Cáirén was also in the pavilion. Seeing this, she imperceptibly rolled her eyes. Clearly wanting to compete with Noble Lady Zhao yet feigning modesty, truly tiresome to watch.
Wu Bǎolín beside her eyes flickered. Not minding stirring up trouble, she covered her mouth and said:
"Some days ago when Noble Lady Zhao was unwell, the kitchen went to great lengths using silverfish to make her meals. Both carrying imperial heirs, surely His Majesty won't rebuke Ding Cáirén either."
The consort who had first raised doubts felt embarrassed. She still felt this was improper and wanted to say something, but Ding Cáirén suddenly spoke:
"I've been having severe trouble eating these past days. Today I only caught sight of this silverfish and finally felt some appetite. His Majesty said that at this vacation palace , everything should accommodate my condition. If Noble Lady Zhao can enjoy this silverfish, I should be able to use it as well."
Hearing this, that consort fell silent. Her good intentions had been taken for granted, she was too lazy to waste more words.
Lu Yu coldly watched the commotion in the pavilion. Recalling the words he had just heard at Yuqing Court, his eyes and brows grew somewhat indifferent. Just a few silverfish, he wouldn't begrudge them to Ding Cáirén.
But he rather disliked Ding Cáirén's attitude that whatever Noble Lady Zhao had, she should have too.
People have their favorites. Lu Yu had to admit that in his heart, Ding Cáirén's weight couldn't compare to Gu Han's at all.
Just as Lu Yu was about to turn and leave, a servant came running back hurriedly, her expression somewhat troubled and embarrassed. Seeing this servant, Wu Bǎolín spoke first:
"Didn't Ding Cáirén send you to the kitchen? Why have you returned so quickly?"
Ding Cáirén also looked at her uncomprehendingly.
The servant barely bowed, saying aggrievedly: "This servant went to handle it according to my mistress's instructions, but the kitchen said that unless His Majesty permits it, no one may privately catch this silverfish. They don't dare prepare it and asked this servant to leave the silverfish so they could release it back into the lake."
Having just spoken those words, the news this servant brought back was like a hard slap across Ding Cáirén's face, making her cheeks burn painfully. Especially under the examining gazes around her, she was even more furious:
"They're just a few silverfish! Noble Lady Zhao could use them before, why can't I?!"
However, a cold voice came from behind the pavilion, dousing all her anger:
"You indeed cannot."
Everyone turned back in shock to see His Majesty standing there, having been there who knows how long, looking at them with a somber expression. Everyone hurried to rise and bow. The frivolity on Ding Cáirén's face vanished completely.
Yuan Cáirén's eyes flickered as she immediately lowered her head.
Wu Bǎolín also guiltily lowered her head, not daring to meet the Emperor's gaze.
Only Ding Cáirén finally realized what the Emperor had just said. The color drained from her face instantly. She bit her lip and bowed low.
Lu Yu unhurriedly ascended the steps. He looked down at Ding Cáirén with drooping eyelids:
"Who told you that whatever Noble lady Zhao has, you should have too?"
Ding Cáirén panicked somewhat: "I didn't mean that…"
Before she could finish, the Emperor's words cut her off:
"But I think you did."
Ding Cáirén shuddered, momentarily speechless.
Lu Yu swept his sleeve and sat by the stone table. From the corner of his eye, he noticed the refreshments and fruits on the table, all expensive items filling the entire stone table, though the four consorts had only eaten a few bites.
Lu Yu didn't begrudge these few plates of pastries, but he detested Ding Cáirén's affected extravagance. He said coldly:
"The kitchen dared use silverfish to make meals for Noble Lady Zhao because I permitted it. You want to compare yourself to her in everything, but you should first consider what qualifies you to compare!"
These words fell just short of directly saying Ding Cáirén couldn't compare to Gu Han, adding several degrees of embarrassment to her face. She was mortified beyond measure, her head hanging low, afraid she might see mocking eyes around her.
But it was too unfair! Both carrying imperial heirs, why was her treatment so much worse than Noble Lady Zhao's?
Ding Cáirén didn't understand, but she didn't dare question the Emperor.
Lu Yu watched Ding Cáirén and naturally saw her embarrassed and aggrieved expression. A flash of disappointment crossed his eyes. He had no desire to stay longer. Standing up, as he passed Wu Bǎolín, he coldly declared:
"Wu Bǎolín incited disrespect toward a superior with malicious intent. Effective immediately, she is demoted to commoner status."
Wu Bǎolín looked up in disbelief. She wanted to plead, but Lu Yu had already descended from the pavilion and walked away.
Ding Cáirén was also frightened by this punishment. She touched her lower abdomen and watched the Emperor leave in terror. Wu Bǎolín had already collapsed limply, tears streaming down her face, but not a single person present pitied her.
Having watched the show, Yuan Cáirén glanced at Ding Cáirén's hand on her abdomen and rolled her eyes:
"If you weren't pregnant today, you wouldn't have escaped punishment either."
"Don't think carrying an imperial heir means you have a death exemption card. You're not Noble Lady Zhao, and you don't have the ability to make His Majesty pity you. Just obediently give birth to the imperial heir."
Finally, as she was helped away by palace maids, she lowered her voice mockingly: "When there are more imperial heirs in this palace, they won't be so valuable anymore, fool."
Ding Cáirén's face flushed red at being called a fool. Just as she was about to raise her head to retort,Yuan Cáirén had already walked away leisurely. Ding Cáirén angrily twisted her handkerchief. She looked at Wu Bǎolín who was collapsed on the ground and suddenly stepped forward to slap her:
"Bitch! If you hadn't incited me, how would I have been scolded by His Majesty?!"
She completely forgot that before Wu Bǎolín incited her, she had already sent servants to catch silverfish and deliver them to the kitchen.
Or rather, she deliberately forgot this point.
Wu Bǎolín covered her face, looking at Ding Cáirén with hatred. But Ding Cáirén wasn't afraid of her at all. She was carrying an imperial heir, Wu Bǎolín wouldn't dare touch her, or her punishment wouldn't be as simple as demotion.
But perhaps due to emotional agitation, Ding Cáirén leaned into her servant's embrace, vaguely feeling pain in her lower abdomen. She gasped and cried out in panic:
"Quick! Quickly summon the physician!"
When Gu Han learned of the pavilion incident, she merely laughed lightly and shook her head: "The physician clearly said that day that her weak constitution nearly caused a miscarriage. I don't know who gave her the courage to dare torment herself like this."
"She got arrogant from carrying an imperial heir, wanting to compare herself to my lady in everything. Whatever my lady has, she wants a share of." Jiu Si said indignantly. At this point, she spat out the window: "Doesn't even consider if she's worthy!"
Gu Han glared at her: "If you keep running your mouth, when this summer retreat ends, you'll go straight back home with Mother!"
Jiu Si was too frightened to speak further.
Gu Han pushed the needlework in her hands forward and looked seriously at Jiu Si:
"You've seen how many people have died at this vacation palace . I know you're defending me, but if others overhear such words and say you don't understand propriety, I can plead for you. But if they truly resent you and in impulse harm you, tell me, how should I save you?"
Jiu Si dropped to her knees with a thud, hugging Gu Han's legs and pleading:
"This servant knows her mistake. My lady, please don't abandon this servant!"
Gu Han shook her head. She knew Jiu Si's temperament and could only tell her these things over and over, hoping she'd take them to heart. But truthfully, if she really sent Jiu Si back home, Gu Han would be reluctant. Setting aside master-servant affection, someone as loyal and useful as Jiu Si would be hard for Gu Han to find again.
Having Jiu Nian help Jiu Si up, Gu Han instructed:
"Make a trip and invite the physician to come."
Having been frightened, Jiu Si wiped away her tears twice before hurrying out with acknowledgment.
Jiu Nian arranged Gu Han's hair and tidied her clothes before saying: "Jiu Si is much more steady than before. Why did my lady frighten her?"
Gu Han pressed her aching brow and said:
"I know, but recent circumstances have left me unable to see clearly. I feel uneasy and just want all of you to be safe and sound."
Jiu Nian paused, emotions churning within her. Her nose tingling with sourness, she said softly: "This servant will always accompany my lady."
She knew her mistress could sometimes be called ruthless and merciless, but Jiu Nian never doubted that her mistress genuinely cared for her and Jiu Si.
Jiu Nian blinked, quickly composing her emotions. She asked uncomprehendingly:
"Why does my lady have Jiu Si invite the physician?"
Gu Han frowned, saying darkly:
"Ding Cáirén has summoned the physician too many times for this pregnancy."
Not to mention today, since being found pregnant, news of her summoning physicians had frequently arrived. Everyone in the harem had long since gone from initial alarm to current indifference.
---
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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