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Translator's note: Finally there are advance chapters availaible on Kofi
Chapter 102
As the Mid-Autumn Festival approached, the festive cheer seemed to wash away the previous gloom in the palace. When Gu Han walked through the palace carrying her nearly seven-month pregnant belly, she could see red lanterns hanging from tree trunks, swaying gracefully in the night to create their own beautiful scenery.
The night was deep with thick darkness. Wind blowing through bamboo groves brought the cool night air.
In Changchun Hall, only a single candle was lit, making the interior somewhat dim. The woman cupped her cheeks and leaned close to the latticed window. She was rounder than during her time at the vacation palace, making up for the difficult weight loss after pregnancy. The moonlight illuminated her face, showing her powder-white complexion and dark brows. She gently lowered her eyelids, quietly listening to the person before her:
"My lady, this servant has arranged everything."
Little Fangzi knelt crouched on the ground, his voice kept very low, carrying some hesitation: "But will doing this really make His Majesty suspect that person?"
It wasn't that Little Fangzi thought his mistress was doing something wrong, but rather that she was being too secretive, it wouldn't be as direct as last time in pointing evidence toward the Empress. Would his mistress's efforts be wasted?
Gu Han only said softly:
"The Empress is very clever."
From the fact that the Empress rarely made moves against consorts, one could see that she knew very clearly how to more securely preserve her position.
Even though the Emperor had grown wary of the Lin family at court, he still trusted her and kept harem authority in her hands.
Therefore, the more evidence targeted at the Empress, the more it seemed like a frame-up.
Gu Han gently adjusted the candle wick. The candlelight in the hall grew dimmer. Little Fangzi and Jiu Nian exchanged glances, respectfully lowering their heads:
"Tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival. I heard Her Majesty the Empress proposed that His Majesty hold a grand palace banquet. Will my lady attend?"
The Empress being found pregnant was wonderful news. Holding a grand banquet during the Mid-Autumn Festival wasn't excessive.
The Empress's power to manage the six palaces had been transferred to the Empress Dowager, but it was said the Empress Dowager claimed to be ill, so this palace banquet was entirely Consort Shu's responsibility.
Thinking of Consort Shu, Gu Han imperceptibly frowned. Since returning to the palace, Consort Shu had completely changed from her demeanor at the vacation palace. She seemed no longer interested in power over the six palaces, just like when they first entered the palace, focusing all her attention on the Emperor.
During this time, Gu Han had heard much news of Consort Shu's triumphant favor.
This change had occurred after returning to the palace. It seemed Consort Shu had also been stimulated by that day's events.
"No, no one knows what the Empress intends to use Ding Cáirén for. There will be many people at the palace banquet with prying eyes, I'm not at ease." Having said this, Gu Han pulled her lips slightly and raised her eyes to ask unhurriedly: "Is His Majesty resting at Yi'an Palace today?"
Jiu Nian paused slightly before answering hesitantly:
"I heard Yi'an Palace sent someone to the Emperor's quarters to request him."
"But if I remember correctly, before the evening meal, the Emperor's Quarters sent an edict that it would be Noble Lady Lin serving the Emperor's bedchamber tonight?"
Jiu Nian pressed her lips together awkwardly and fell silent.
Jiu Si snorted: "Consort Shu always loves to intercept favor. My lady has long been aware, who in this harem hasn't had their favor intercepted by her?"
Gu Han and Little Fangzi exchanged glances and laughed lightly:
"This is different."
Jiu Si muttered softly in confusion: "How is it different?"
Little Fangzi, kneeling to the side, thoughtfully lowered his head.
Jiu Nian tugged on Jiu Si and reminded her softly:
"Noble Lady Lin has always been Consort Shu's person."
Consort Shu could intercept others' favor, but Noble Lady Lin had worked tirelessly for her. Now Consort Shu was even intercepting Noble Lady Lin's favor, what would Noble Brilliant Lady Lin think?
Jiu Nian didn't know, nor did she need to know. Someone would handle these matters. She discreetly glanced at Little Fangzi.
******
The next day on the Mid-Autumn Festival, just as morning greetings ended, Zhou Měirén lifted her skirt and quickly walked to Gu Han's side, asking enthusiastically:
"Will Noble Lady attend the palace banquet today?"
Gu Han was about to shake her head when Zhou Měirén anxiously stamped her feet. She looked around, pulled Gu Han toward a nearby pavilion, and said in a low voice: "Normally you avoid various palace banquets, but today you must go!"
Gu Han carefully examined her, frowning in confusion:
"Why?"
Zhou Měirén touched her nose before saying: "I heard from my aunt that this year Yaomo's tribute delegation brought one of their princesses. She just entered the capital yesterday, the news hasn't spread yet. If I hadn't dined at my aunt's palace last night, I probably wouldn't have learned of this news."
Zhou Měirén spoke concentratedly, not noticing the momentary change in Gu Han's eyes.
"The court and Yaomo have a history of marriage alliances. His Majesty is in his prime. The late Emperor's only princess was much favored and was granted a fiefdom by the late Emperor, so there have been no marriage alliance cases between the court and Yaomo for decades. This princess is called the pride of Yaomo. Her purpose in coming to the capital, I needn't explain further."
Gu Han listened distractedly. Zhou Měirén pulled her dissatisfied: "Are you listening to me?"
Gu Han came to her senses. Rather than sharing her indignation, she asked in confusion:
"Regardless of what status that princess holds in Yaomo, if it's truly as you guess, at most she'll enter the palace as a consort. There are many consorts in this harem, one more won't matter."
Zhou Měirén's eyes widened: "But this one's status is different!"
Gu Han interrupted her: "How is it different? No matter how nicely it's put—some Yaomo princess—if we really scrutinize it, she might not be more noble than you, the Empress Dowager's niece in the capital."
Gu Han was the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Rongyang's manor. After the Emperor ascended the throne, the manor was less powerful than before, but during the late Emperor's time, it had also been exceptionally noble. She was granted the title of commandery princess at birth. A princess from a tiny place, what nobility could she claim in the capital?
In terms of birth, the pride in Gu Han's bones was never inferior to anyone's.
Zhou Měirén was lectured by her and couldn't help clicking her tongue. When she came to her senses, she drooped her shoulders listlessly:
"You're right too."
Gu Han glanced at her. Seeing she had lost her earlier spirit, she reached out to flick her forehead helplessly: "I understand your intentions. I'll attend tonight's palace banquet."
Zhou Měirén's gaze paused on Gu Han's abdomen. Then she frowned and waved her hand:
"Forget it. She's not worth you making this trip."
Gu Han concealed the expression in her eyes. Regarding whether to attend tonight's palace banquet, Gu Han had still been somewhat hesitant, but after returning to Changchun Hall, she had her answer, because the Emperor had Liu An deliver a set of palace robes and accessories to her. Even though Liu An said nothing, Gu Han was very clear this represented the Emperor requesting her attendance.
Jiu Si blurted out in confusion:
"What is His Majesty trying to do?"
Jiu Nian looked at Gu Han somewhat worriedly. Gu Han sat leaning by the latticed window, her eyes exceptionally calm: "His Majesty may conceal certain truths from me, but in this palace, if there's one person who won't harm me, it can only be His Majesty."
Especially when she was carrying an imperial heir.
Evening arrived as expected. The imperial palace was ablaze with lights. This year's Mid-Autumn banquet was set at Moonplucking Tower, water pavilions and song platforms, light gauze curtains, lotus lanterns floating on the lake water, like a celestial palace from heaven.
Gu Han was helped over. Just stepping onto the covered walkway, she saw this scene. Her first feeling wasn't amazement but a sense that everywhere was unsafe.
Entering Moonplucking Tower required crossing a rather wide small bridge, normally spacious enough for three people to walk side by side. Combined with the water pavilion's light gauze beside it, it was exceptionally beautiful and exquisite. But if there was a collision on this bridge, one could easily fall into the lake.
While crossing the bridge, Gu Han gripped Jiu Nian's hand tightly. She called Little Fangzi over, said a few words quietly, and finally instructed:
"Don't leave my side for even half a step later."
Gu Han glanced at the bridge behind her and looked up at the tall Moonplucking Tower. Her eyes flickered as she instructed Jiu Nian:
"If Ding Cáirén comes today, don't let her approach me. You all should also keep your distance from her."
She couldn't be blamed for being so cautious. Since leaving Changchun Hall, her heart had been pounding fiercely. She had a premonition of unease.
When Gu Han entered the hall, she happened to hear Zhou Měirén say loudly:
"I'll add a white jade glass hairpin, it must be red satin."
Gu Han imperceptibly frowned and walked toward Zhou Měirén, covering her mouth to speak: "What's so lively here?"
Zhou Měirén was talking with Yuan Cáirén and several consorts. Upon seeing her, they immediately bowed slightly. Zhou Měirén's eyes lit up seeing her, and she introduced: "It's a game Consort Shu came up with. Different colored satin strips are placed in a box. We guess which color will be drawn based on word riddles. There are only seven colors in total, you could guess right by luck alone."
"Consort Shu has even brought out that set of emerald pearl accessories she's treasured for years. Whoever guesses correctly the most will receive this set."
Simultaneously, Little Fangzi told Gu Han in a low voice: "This set of emerald pearl accessories was bestowed by His Majesty when Consort Shu was made consort. Calling it priceless isn't excessive."
Gu Han raised her brows in surprise. This first prize reward was rather heavy.
She looked at Zhou Měirén again and asked, shaking her head: "Then why did you mention adding a white jade glass hairpin?"
Zhou Měirén's face reddened as she stammered:
"Wasn't it because that Yaomo princess just said they don't lack accessories in Yaomo and won't compete with us? I got angry for a moment and said that to participate in this competition, one must have something presentable to add. That Yaomo princess couldn't participate even if she wanted to."
Then that princess had been angered into leaving by her.
Zhou Měirén rolled her eyes: "When I was at home, I played with gold and jade. When was it her turn to put on airs in front of me?"
Gu Han shook her head with amusement. She looked around but didn't see the Yaomo princess Zhou Měirén mentioned, so she asked curiously:
"Where did that princess go?"
Beauty Zhou shrugged nonchalantly: "Who knows? Just arrived, but what a temper. Too bad this isn't Yaomo—no one will indulge her!"
Yuan Cáirén and others all covered their mouths and laughed, clearly disapproving of that princess's behavior.
Just then, Gu Han heard what seemed like commotion outside. She turned and was helped by Jiu Nian to walk to the hall entrance. She saw Liu An and other servants calling anxiously at the shore, while on the lake surface, the Emperor was holding a woman and coming ashore.
That woman's clothes didn't look like the common styles in the capital. Gu Han had a guess about the woman's identity.
Zhou Měirén came over. Seeing what had happened, her eyes widened:
"How did this princess end up falling into the water for no reason?"
Gu Han said nothing. She only quietly watched the Emperor rescue the drenched woman ashore. That woman nestled in his embrace. She was strikingly beautiful, even without powder and rouge, one couldn't help but let their gaze fall on her. Especially in her current pitiable state, she involuntarily evoked compassion.
Lu Yu hadn't intended to personally go into the water to rescue anyone. In this world, no one was worth risking himself.
But the person had practically come straight at him, then pulled on his sleeve and fell into the water. Lu Yu's rescue could be said to be entirely forced. Before he could get angry, he heard the woman's maid crying out in panic "Princess." Knowing the woman's identity then, Lu Yu could only suppress his anger and bring her up.
Who knew that after rescuing her, she would cling to his embrace and not come out? Her entire body was dripping with lake water, her clothes clinging wetly to her body. Lu Yu had no mood to notice what the woman looked like.
He said with an almost somber face:
"Get up."
Qiya was dressed lightly. After getting wet, she was even more exposed. She shook her head helplessly, shrinking even more into Lu Yu's embrace.
Lu Yu frowned at Liu An. Liu An hurriedly brought a cloak and had those maids help their princess up, stealing glances at the Emperor's expression before hurriedly helping the Emperor up:
"Your Majesty, are you alright?"
Lu Yu immediately looked at him coldly. Which eye saw that he was alright?
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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