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Translator's note: Finally there are advance chapters availaible on Kofi
Chapter 115
The moon rose above the treetops. Yangxin Hall had long since quieted down. Suddenly, Lu Yu was awakened by wailing cries. Clearly the young prince resided in the side hall, but those cries seemed right before his eyes, like demonic sounds piercing his ears.
Lu Yu got up wearing an outer robe, frowning:
"What's wrong with the young prince?"
Liu An had slept restlessly and had long since risen to wait outside the door. Hearing this, he replied: "This servant doesn't know either. Perhaps he's hungry."
Lu Yu glanced at him speechlessly. Without even properly putting on his shoes and socks, he walked quickly toward the side hall in two or three strides. In the side hall, the young prince was crying at the top of his lungs. The nannies anxiously coaxed him, but no matter how they patted and soothed, the young prince wouldn't stop, his little face crying until it was flushed red.
Lu Yu's face darkened: "What's going on!"
The nannies immediately knelt, extremely distressed:
"The young prince woke in the middle of the night and suddenly cried incessantly. He hasn't soiled himself and doesn't want to eat. This servant guesses the young prince feels insecure being away from Her Ladyship."
These words made Lu Yu frown tightly. He had brought the young prince back to Yangxin Hall to spare Gu Han worry. How could he send him back just because the young prince cried?
Moreover, this was November with biting frost and cold wind—completely unsuitable for taking the young prince back and forth.
Lu Yu picked up the young prince, half helpless and half heartbroken, without any of that old saying about holding grandsons but not sons. Perhaps smelling a familiar scent, or perhaps tired from crying, the young prince actually hiccupped a few times before pursing his lips to sleep.
Seeing this, Liu An quickly said:
"They say blood is thicker than water. The young prince recognizes Your Majesty!"
This half-flattering statement earned Liu An a sidelong glance from Lu Yu, but admittedly, these words were especially pleasing to Lu Yu.
He shook his head, quite vexed:
"Forget it. Let him stay with me."
Saying this, Lu Yu personally carried the young prince back to the main hall of Yangxin Hall, leaving the nannies exchanging glances. They had never seen the Emperor be so close with any prince before.
Nanny Zhao was also surprised and couldn't help sighing—truly, the son gains nobility through the mother.
Yangxin Hall had heated floors. Lu Yu placed the swaddling on the inner side of the bed, patting it a few times. After confirming the infant had fallen asleep, he lay back down. However, he didn't sleep soundly all night. With something on his mind, every hour he would open his eyes to check on the child's condition.
And the lamps in Yangxin Hall remained lit all night.
When Gu Han learned the news, her eyes flickered slightly, her expression somewhat odd. In the past when Ze'er was at Yihe Palace, he had never disturbed her at night. However, Ze'er making such a fuss actually made the situation increasingly favorable for her.
Jiu Nian said softly:
"Everything is as Your Ladyship expected. Your Ladyship can rest assured."
Gu Han relaxed somewhat and finally had the mind to ask about the harem situation:
"Has Noble Noble Lady Yao made any moves these days?"
Jiu Nian had just trimmed the candle wick. Hearing this, she couldn't help turning back to look at her in surprise: "Your Ladyship is like a prophet! Yesterday on His Majesty's way to Yihe Palace, Noble Lady Yao blocked his path, but His Majesty didn't comply with her wishes."
Gu Han shook her head, not finding it remarkable:
"She acts differently from everyone in the harem. It's not strange for her to do outrageous things."
The young princess wore the small garment she had made, light blue mandarin duck brocade. Over this half month, she had shed her wrinkled appearance, gradually gaining flesh on her face, appearing fair and lovely. Gu Han could look at her all day without getting tired of it.
Perhaps one shouldn't speak of others behind their backs. As soon as Gu Han's words fell and she was about to pick up the young princess, someone came to report:
"Your Ladyship, Noble Lady Yao requests an audience."
Gu Han raised an eyebrow lightly: "What is she here for?"
Though puzzled, Gu Han still had someone invite her in. The inner hall was surrounded so tightly not even wind could pass through. Before the pearl curtain also hung thick brocade cloth. Noble Lady Yao crossed three layers of curtains before entering the inner hall. She glanced at Gu Han, somewhat surprised as she bowed.
After Gu Han told her to rise, Noble Lady Yao couldn't help blurting out:
"Your Ladyship looks truly well."
In Yaomo, she had also seen the appearance of women in her father's harem after giving birth. No matter how much maternal radiance they had, they would inevitably appear disheveled, especially with unavoidable spots and marks, enough to destroy a woman's confidence.
Zhao Xiūróng showed no such signs, at least not visibly. Her cheeks had more color than during pregnancy, like hibiscus reflected on her face. Her abdomen no longer protruded. Though not yet restored to being slender enough to grasp in one hand, one could gradually see the embryonic form of a graceful, curvaceous figure.
For the first time, Noble Lady Yao felt Heaven was unfair. Why did all good things fall upon Zhao Xiūróng?
Women all loved beauty, and Gu Han was no exception. When Noble Lady Yao said this, her emotions carried some jealousy and resentment, which was precisely why the words were honest and credible. A smile also showed in Gu Han's brows:
"Grant Noble Lady Yao a seat."
After she sat down, Gu Han asked: "Why do you have time to come today?"
She was in postpartum confinement. The smell in this hall wasn't pleasant, and because the young princess often stayed in the inner hall, she never had incense burned. So after Noble Lady Yao had been there only a moment, she discreetly frowned. Soon, she remembered why she had come to Yihe Palace. She looked up and said directly:
"When will Your Ladyship bring the young prince back to the palace?"
The emotion in Gu Han's eyes and brows grew indifferent: "This seems to have nothing to do with Noble Lady Yao."
It was the Emperor who was tired. The Emperor hadn't said anything. She was merely a Noble Lady—what qualification did she have to interfere in this matter?
Thinking of last night when she'd sent someone to request the Emperor but received word from the imperial presence that the Emperor was caring for the young prince and had no time to enter the harem, Noble Lady Yao was so angry her heart and liver hurt.
She knew she had no qualifications, but she couldn't let Zhao Xiūróng monopolize the Emperor entirely, could she?
"His Majesty doesn't belong to Your Ladyship alone. Having the young prince occupy all of His Majesty's time, what kind of behavior is this?"
Noble Lady Yao glanced at Gu Han, then raised a big banner: "You should let the other sisters in the harem see His Majesty too."
Gu Han almost laughed. She pulled at the corners of her lips:
"Was Noble Lady Yao refused when trying to see His Majesty?"
This matter was nothing much, but being exposed by Gu Han like this, Noble Lady Yao couldn't help feeling embarrassed. Her cheeks flushed red.
Gu Han leaned back, raising her eyes unhurriedly. Her words were also light and gentle:
"If Noble Lady Yao has the ability, make His Majesty send the young prince back. Failing to compete for favor and then demanding others yield, I've never heard of such logic."
"I know you were greatly favored in Yaomo, but this is the imperial palace. Please put away your princess temper. Today I'll pretend I didn't hear your words, but if you offend again next time, I won't be lenient."
Noble Lady Yao's face alternated between red and green. She looked up to say something, but meeting Cultivated Beauty Zhao's indifferent gaze, she suddenly fell silent.
Gu Han nodded, having Jiu Nian see the guest out.
Noble Lady Yao rose indignantly. About to turn, she still couldn't swallow this breath:
"Isn't Your Ladyship afraid of provoking public anger?!"
Extremely angry, her voice suddenly rose sharply. No matter how quick Gu Han's hands and eyes were, the young princess was still awakened. Seemingly startled, she immediately cried out. Gu Han's face immediately turned cold as she said sternly:
"Jiu Nian, slap her!"
Noble Lady Yao stepped back two paces in shock, only to see that usually gentle Zhao Xiūróng sneer at her:
"Public anger? Does Noble Lady Yao mean yourself? Someone who can't even see His Majesty's face, besides enjoying verbal satisfaction, what else can you do?"
"I remind you, since entering this harem, you should know what words should be said and what shouldn't."
Before Noble Lady Yao could speak, Jiu Nian had already slapped her face. Noble Lady Yao covered her burning cheek, looking at Gu Han with tear-filled eyes:
"You'll regret this!"
Gu Han needed to coax the young princess and was impatient to continue with her:
"See the guest out!"
Jiu Nian gestured outward. Noble Lady Yao covered her cheek and left resentfully.
After her figure disappeared from Yihe Palace, Jiu Nian said somewhat worriedly:
"Your Ladyship, she is still a Yaomo princess after all."
Gu Han didn't raise her head: "So what? If Yaomo would stand up for her even for this, they shouldn't have sent her to the capital for a marriage alliance in the first place."
On the other side, after leaving Yihe Palace, Noble Lady Yao didn't return to Yi'an Palace but instead headed straight for Yangxin Hall.
Lu Yu hadn't slept well last night. After morning court, he had just prepared to rest a bit while the young prince slept when he heard a woman's crying and shouting outside the hall. Lu Yu was annoyed by the noise, irritated:
"Liu An!"
Liu An hurriedly pushed the door open and entered.
"Who's shouting and yelling outside!"
"Your Majesty, it's Noble Lady Yao, crying and begging Your Majesty to give her justice. This servant saw that Noble Lady Yao seems to have been beaten."
The irritation in Lu Yu's eyes and brows paused as he frowned slightly: "Who was so audacious?"
Noble Lady Yao's rank in the harem wasn't low. Counting back a month, she was also quite favored, plus her background, very few people in this harem would directly strike her.
Lu Yu couldn't help becoming curious:
"Let her in."
Noble Lady Yao came in crying and holding her skirt. Upon seeing Lu Yu, her tears fell like broken pearls, crying out:
"Your Majesty! You must give me justice!"
Saying this, she lowered her hand, revealing half a swollen face. Jiu Nian had shown no mercy, a perfectly fine beauty had lost three points of color.
Lu Yu couldn't help falling silent. To dare treat Noble Lady Yao like this and make her swallow her anger, only able to turn to him to complain, there weren't many people like that in this harem. Unfortunately, those few were all more important than Noble Lady Yao.
Lu Yu couldn't say the words to give her justice for a long while and could only ask as if nothing was amiss:
"First tell me, what exactly happened?"
Noble Lady Yao wiped her tears, emphasizing the light and avoiding the heavy: "I only kindly advised Zhao Xiūróng, but who knew she would suddenly have someone slap me. I've never suffered such humiliation. Your Majesty, you must feel for me!"
Hearing the three words "Zhao Xiūróng," Lu Yu imperceptibly withdrew his hand. His eyes turned cold:
"What did you do to make her so angry?"
Noble Lady Yao was dumbfounded.
But Lu Yu's face had darkened. He understood Gu Han. No matter what unpleasant words Noble Lady Yao said, Gu Han couldn't possibly directly order someone to slap her. That person was meticulous, knowing Noble Lady Yao's identity was special. She would only wish to have no entanglement with Noble Lady Yao whatsoever.
To force that woman to strike her, it could only mean Noble Lady Yao had crossed her bottom line.
Hearing the Emperor's biased words, Noble Lady Yao couldn't help stamping her feet:
"Your Majesty! I'm the one who was beaten! How can you still side with Zhao Xiūróng!"
Lu Yu's emotions didn't change at all: "Zhao Xiūróng isn't an unforgiving person. If she punished you, you must have done something wrong. Instead of reflecting, you come to complain to me?"
Noble Lady Yao didn't think so. She only heard the Emperor's favoritism. Her originally five parts aggrieved emotions immediately became seven parts. She kept crying:
"I knew it! Coming to the capital, I've become a pitiful creature with no one to love or care for me. And I like Your Majesty so much!"
Having said this, before the Emperor could react, she directly covered her face crying and left.
After a thorough complaint, she left the Emperor behind. This was truly unprecedented. Lu Yu and Liu An were both momentarily stunned in shock.
---
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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