THE IMPERIAL CONSORT'S RISE TO POWER

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

Chapter 97

The physician arrived quickly, his forehead covered in a layer of sweat. But upon entering Yuqing Court, he found the courtyard quiet, not at all like a place where an incident had occurred. The physician kept his doubts to himself and routinely checked Noble Lady Zhao's pulse. Her pulse was stable.

The physician quietly lifted his head to glance at Noble Lady Zhao, feeling somewhat bitter inside.

Taking Noble Lady Zhao's pulse was an easy task. Noble Lady Zhao lived up to the palace's evaluation of her, gentle in temperament, never making things difficult for them. It was only because the Emperor valued her so highly that it created pressure.

But today's matter was too strange. Noble Lady Zhao disliked suffering. Unless it was the scheduled pulse-checking time, she rarely summoned physicians of her own accord.

The physician speculated in his heart about Noble Lady Zhao's purpose in summoning him, his head lowered, cold sweat nearly breaking out on his forehead.

After a long while, the physician heard Noble Lady Zhao gently ask:

"How long has Physician Zhong been at the Imperial Medical Bureau?"

Physician Zhong kept his head lowered: "In response to Noble Lady Zhao, this subject has been at the Imperial Medical Bureau for five years."

Earlier than the Emperor's ascension to the throne, which meant that regarding the medical archives, he should be very familiar with them all.

Gu Han imperceptibly raised an eyebrow and withdrew her hand, then rested her chin on it, asking in an unhurried manner: "Then does Physician Zhong know about Ding Cáirén's usual health condition?"

Physician Zhong discreetly wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. Ding Cáirén was one of only two pregnant consorts in the harem. That Noble Lady Zhao would open by asking about Ding Cáirén made Physician Zhong involuntarily tense up. But since Noble Lady Zhao's question wasn't inappropriate, after hesitating, Physician Zhong still answered:

"Ding Cáirén has been in the palace for four years. This subject has never heard that Ding Cáirén was weak in constitution."

Gu Han sat up slightly straighter: "Yet that day, when Physician Li checked Ding Cáirén's pulse, he said it was precisely because of her weak constitution that she nearly miscarried."

Physician Zhong looked up at her, not knowing what she intended to do. After pausing, he said vaguely:

"There are no records in the bureau. This subject doesn't know."

Though Physician Zhong seemed to say nothing, he actually revealed quite a bit of information. The Imperial Medical Bureau's archives had never recorded Ding Cáirén as having a weak constitution. If that was the case, why did Ding Cáirén keep having incidents after becoming pregnant?

Gu Han suppressed the anxiety in her heart. She looked at Physician Zhong:

"Recently I'm still having difficulty eating. I trouble Physician Zhong to prescribe a remedy for me."

As their eyes met in the air, Physician Zhong barely lowered his head respectfully: "This subject understands."

After Physician Zhong left, Jiu Nian stepped forward, hesitantly asking in a low voice:

"My lady, asking Physician Zhong so directly like that, is it appropriate?"

Gu Han glanced at the prescription Physician Zhong had left behind and said lightly: "Physician Zhong came today only for the matter of my difficulty eating. This palace is full of clever people."

Understanding flashed in Jiu Nian's eyes as she said simply:

"Has my lady confirmed there's a problem with Ding Cáirén's pregnancy?"

Gu Han frowned: "I can't say for certain."

She rubbed her brow with a headache. Since becoming pregnant, her energy wasn't what it used to be. Gu Han lowered her voice to instruct:

"Investigate whether Ding Cáirén and Rong Bǎolín had any contact after coming to the vacation palace."

******

The imperial entourage stayed at the vacation palace for nearly two months. After entering the eighth month, they prepared to return to the palace.

The vacation palace wasn't as large as the imperial palace to begin with. Gu Han had long grown tired of it, especially after Ding Cáirén was found to be pregnant, Gu Han rarely left her courtyard. It would be better to return to the palace for some peace and quiet.

In early August, the imperial entourage returned to the palace.

Upon returning, everyone was nearly stunned in place by a piece of news, the Empress had been found to be pregnant.

Gu Han's first reaction was to pinch her palm hard to keep herself calm. She turned to look at the Emperor. Sure enough, the Emperor was also momentarily stunned. Completely different from when he learned of Ding Cáirén's pregnancy, he didn't delay for even a moment before ordering:

"To Kunning Palace!"

Even his departing figure carried a sense of urgency.

Everyone realized one thing with utmost clarity, the Empress's pregnancy meant the Emperor would soon have a legitimate son. This dynasty placed particular emphasis on the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children. This child was destined to hold a different position in the Emperor's heart.

Even Gu Han couldn't help staring at the Emperor's retreating figure, her nails piercing her palm with a dull ache.

Jiu Nian supported Gu Han, saying softly: "My lady."

Gu Han immediately came to her senses. She released her hand. From the corner of her eye, she noticed Little Fangzi hurrying over. When she raised her eyes, her expression had already returned to normal. As they headed toward Kunning Palace, little Fangzi spoke at a volume only Gu Han could hear:

"Less than a month after the imperial entourage left, the Empress was found to be pregnant. Everyone of any standing in the palace went to the vacation palace. The Empress has been nurturing this pregnancy exceptionally well."

After a pause, Little Fangzi added:

"Since the imperial entourage left the palace, Kunning Palace has no longer had the smell of medicine."

Gu Han's steps paused almost imperceptibly. She closed her eyes. Some things she hadn't understood before suddenly became completely clear. The Empress had deliberately proposed hosting a birthday banquet for her, knowing full well that given her temperament she would refuse, but did it anyway, all to give the Emperor a reason to go to the vacation palace for the summer.

The Empress's target had never been her from the start.

She wanted to send away those who threatened her, only to ensure the safety of the early stages of her pregnancy.

Gu Han bit her tongue. Before leaving the palace, she had clearly noticed something wrong with the medicinal smell at Kunning Palace, but she hadn't thought deeply about it, leading to this oversight.

…Legitimate son.

These two words weighed heavily on Gu Han, making her heart feel leaden. She involuntarily raised her hand to her lower abdomen.

By the time Gu Han and the others arrived at Kunning Palace, the Emperor had long since arrived and was asking the physician questions in a deep voice. The Empress covered her mouth and smiled, the entire palace filled with joy.

The Empress's various behaviors all indicated this pregnancy hadn't come easily and was the result of calculation, but no one would care. Even if the Emperor was among those who had been schemed against, the two words "legitimate son" could offset all the methods and machinations she had employed in this matter.

Indeed, upon learning the Empress was already two months pregnant, the Emperor made no attempt to hide the joy on his face, loudly declaring three times:

"Rewards! Rewards for everyone!"

Gu Han stood in the crowd watching coldly, carefully savoring the feeling in her heart, this was the first time since entering the palace that she had experienced such a disparity.

Gu Han was already six months pregnant. Her palace robes were stretched by her prominently swollen abdomen. Standing for long periods made her tired, and it had long since become difficult to bend down. Just then, Gu Han noticed the Empress looking at her. Her heart leapt as she stepped forward twice, about to bow.

Lu Yu and the Empress both stopped her simultaneously. Lu Yu stepped forward twice to help her up, scolding:

"Your condition is heavy. You need not be so formal."

The Empress swallowed the half-spoken words and beckoned to Gu Han: "Come closer, let me have a look at you."

A smile hung on her face. Gu Han had no reason to refuse. She glanced at the Emperor and prepared to step forward, but unexpectedly, the Emperor casually blocked her path and said to the Empress offhandedly:

"Better not. She's clumsy these days. Best not to have her bump into you later."

Though his words carried some disdain for Gu Han, anyone with eyes could hear the affection in them.

Gu Han's cheeks flushed red. Thoroughly embarrassed, she glanced at the Emperor with shy indignation, but inwardly she breathed a sigh of relief. Now that the Empress was pregnant, she had no desire whatsoever to come into contact with her.

The Empress seemed to pause, or perhaps didn't. Her eyes still contained a smile as she raised them to glance lightly at the Emperor:

"What are you saying, Your Majesty? Noble Lady Zhao is always so careful, she's not as bad as you make her out to be."

But she didn't mention having Gu Han come closer again. She only glanced once at Gu Han's lower abdomen and said with satisfaction:

"Looking at Noble Lady Zhao's condition, this pregnancy is going extremely well. In less than four more months, the palace will become lively again."

Gu Han smiled without speaking and returned to her original position.

She didn't know if it was her imagination, but Gu Han saw the Empress's gaze seem to pass over her and pause for a moment on Ding Cáirén. Before she could see clearly, the Empress withdrew her gaze, making Gu Han somewhat doubt whether she had seen incorrectly.

But with precedent, Gu Han didn't dare take any anomaly lightly.

After all, the Empress had only recently become pregnant. She soon pressed her brow and said she was somewhat tired. Gu Han and the others had no choice but to take their leave. As they were about to exit Kunning Palace, Gu Han looked back with an uneasy heart.

This glance left Gu Han terrified. She saw the Empress watching Ding Cáirén's retreating figure, with a faint smile curving at the corners of her lips.

Gu Han almost immediately turned her head back around, raising her hand to cover her chest where her heart was beating violently, deafeningly.

Just outside Kunning Palace, Zhou Měirén naturally walked to her side, looking curiously at her lower abdomen in amazement:

"Carrying such a big belly, aren't you tired?"

Gu Han suppressed her earlier shock and smiled at Zhou Měirén. Zhou Měirén was the only person besides Jiu Nian and the others who, upon seeing her, asked if she was tired.

Gu Han said gently: "The physician said appropriate walking will be good for me during labor."

Hearing this, Zhou Měirén said nothing more but pursed her lips:

"With you away from the palace, I've been bored to death."

"Oh right, come back to Changling Court with me. I still haven't given you your birthday gift."

Gu Han looked at her in surprise. Zhou Měirén, not understanding, said puzzledly: "I knew it was your birthday, so naturally I prepared a birthday gift for you."

Zhou Měirén's appearance broke through Gu Han's somewhat oppressive mood. She was stunned for a moment. This year's birthday gift, the Emperor had taken her out of the palace to celebrate her birthday.

But no one had prepared a birthday gift for her.

On the very first day back at the palace, Gu Han followed Zhou Měirén back to Changling Court.

When Lu Yu learned the news, he was quite surprised. He looked at Liu An:

"What is she doing at Changling Court?"

"I heard Zhou Měirén prepared a birthday gift for Noble Lady Zhao and asked her to come back together to get it."

Lu Yu was about to shake his head when he suddenly paused:

"I didn't prepare a birthday gift for her."

Liu An was dumbfounded. After a long while, he said vaguely: "Your Majesty took Noble Lady out of the palace to enjoy herself, that counts as a birthday gift too."

However, Lu Yu glanced at the sachet at his waist, his brows knitting tightly together.

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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