~ Please support this site by disabling your ad-blocker ❤️ ~
______
Translator's note: Finally there are advance chapters availaible on Kofi
Chapter 117: The Crimson Tether
The year-end banquet was an affair Gu Han was unable to attend, yet she did not spend the night forgotten. A gift arrived from the Emperor: a lacquer box containing a string of agate beads. Each bead was perfectly matched in size, glowing with a deep, smoldering crimson. It was a bold, striking color—one that didn’t strictly align with her current rank—but since it was a personal gift from the Emperor’s own hand, its "unsuitability" only made it more of a coveted treasure.
Gu Han’s eyes softened as she slid the bracelet onto her wrist. The red stones made her skin look like translucent white jade. She found herself captivated by it, her fingers tracing the cool surface, unwilling to take it off.
When the Emperor later came to see her, the movement of his sleeve revealed a similar chain on his own wrist. His was simpler, lacking the intricate elegance of hers, yet on him, it looked remarkably dignified and noble.
Gu Han caught his sleeve, her voice dropping to a playful, persistent whisper. "Since this is my New Year’s gift, Your Majesty must promise never to take yours off—except, perhaps, when you bathe."
It was an audacious request. If Lu Yu wore the bracelet while staying in the quarters of other consorts, he would inevitably be questioned. Every time he answered, her presence would be felt; she would be a shadow in every room he entered. He would never be allowed to forget her.
Lu Yu looked down at her. She was gently swaying his sleeve, her almond-shaped eyes wide and expectant. He found he didn't have the heart to say no.
He reached out, catching her chin between his fingers. "You," he murmured, his tone unreadable but not unkind, "have far too many schemes."
By now, even if Lu Yu tried to lie to his own conscience, he could no longer claim this woman was a creature of simple innocence.
---
Once the New Year festivities passed, the palace shifted its focus to the Full Moon rites for the newborn heirs. Knowing how much the Emperor doted on these two heirs, not a single soul dared to be careless.
Gu Han was still barred from participating, forced to remain in bed to recover her strength. The little Prince had been staying in the Emperor’s own Yangxin Hall, leaving Gu Han with little to worry about regarding his safety. As for the little Princess, she was to be escorted to the ceremony by Zhou Bin.
A few days prior, the Empress Dowager had requested a promotion for Zhou Meiren to the rank of **Bin (Concubine)**. After all, the girl had been a constant companion to the Dowager since entering the palace; there was merit in her long service, even if there was no "glory." Lu Yu had granted the request without hesitation.
It had been over six months since Zhou Bin had infamously held the Lady Rong underwater in front of a crowd, but the harem had not forgotten her fiery temper. Many sighed with envy, it didn't matter if she had been demoted once; with the Empress Dowager as her shield, her fall was only ever temporary. Though she lacked the Emperor’s romantic favor, no one was foolish enough to offend her.
Zhou Bin remained as blunt as ever. She arched an eyebrow at Gu Han. "Rest easy. I’ll bring the Princess back to you in one piece."
Gu Han couldn't help but laugh. "I trust you. My daughter is a bit delicate, but she’s a well-behaved little thing. The nurses will be with you, so she shouldn't be too much trouble."
Zhou Bin, who usually despised the "delicate" nature of the other concubines, was shamelessly hypocritical when it came to the baby. "She is an Imperial Princess. She has every right to be as delicate as she pleases."
She scooped the infant into her arms. Zhou Bin was young and curious about the tiny life in the swaddling clothes, though she had no desire to have one of her own. Watching the trauma of Gu Han’s labor had terrified her; she was happy to play with a baby at Yihe Palace, but the idea of birth made her want to run for the hills.
As she cradled the child, her movements were practiced and surprisingly steady. Unlike the Prince, the little Princess wasn't one to fuss with strangers. She stayed quiet and sweet in Zhou Bin’s arms. Seeing this, Zhou Bin felt a surge of protectiveness. Her aunt, the Empress Dowager, hadn't forbidden her from being close to the child, so Zhou Bin leaned into the friendship without reservation.
After a few more words, Zhou Bin departed with the Princess. Gu Han gave a pointed look to her maid, Jiu Nian, who immediately bowed and followed them. No matter how much she trusted Zhou Bin, Gu Han would never let her child out of her sight without a pair of eyes she truly owned.
Silence fell over Yihe Palace. Gu Han felt a strange, hollow restlessness. Her maid, Jiu Si, brought her a cup of tea with a teasing smile. "Usually, My Lady complains that the palace is too noisy. Now that the Princess is gone for a moment, you don’t know what to do with yourself?"
Gu Han gave her a mock-annoyed glare before sighing softly. "I wonder how the scene looks at the Taihe Hall."
"Do not worry, My Lady. Given the Emperor’s heart, he will not let the Princes’ Full Moon rite be anything less than magnificent."
Gu Han smiled but said nothing. She had arranged everything she could, even ensuring Zhou Bin would be the one to carry the Princess, knowing that Zhou Bin would let no one, save for the Emperor’s people, near the child.
Setting the ceremony aside, Gu Han’s thoughts turned elsewhere. "Has there been no news of Noble Lady Yao lately?"
That woman was not one to stay quiet for long.
Jiu Si smothered a laugh behind her hand. "I heard that the day the Noble Lady returned to her quarters, she took a nasty fall the very next morning. She’s been in her palace nursing her 'injuries' ever since."
Gu Han raised an eyebrow but didn't ask if the "fall" was a coincidence.
She looked down at her own abdomen, a trace of distaste flickering in her eyes. She had been recovering for a month, but her waist had not yet returned to its former willow-slender grace. Even knowing this was inevitable after childbirth, she felt a pang of frustration. She had been praised for her beauty since she was a child; though she acted humble, she was secretly quite proud of her appearance.
Jiu Si noticed her mistress's gaze. Even if Gu Han didn't speak it aloud, the fact that she had been eating less lately told the whole story. With a quiet sigh, the maid brought over a jar of *Ningzhi* ointment sent by the physicians.
"Let me apply the medicine for you, My Lady."
Gu Han didn't resist. She knew all too well that in this harem, one's face and figure were the ultimate weapons. She unfastened her outer robe, revealing skin that was still pale but now felt soft and unfamiliar. Luckily, the physicians had monitored her closely during the pregnancy, so there were no permanent marks—a small mercy.
Jiu Si warmed the fragrant ointment in her palms before beginning the massage. It was a firm, deep pressure intended to tighten the skin. Before long, a fine sheen of sweat broke out on Gu Han’s brow.
It wasn't just the heat; it was the pain.
Gu Han gritted her teeth, her slender fingers clutching the silk quilt until the veins on the back of her hands stood out. For a full thirty minutes, Jiu Si worked until she was exhausted. The oils had been kneaded into the skin, leaving behind a subtle, secret fragrance. Looking at Gu Han’s flushed face and breathless state, Jiu Si felt her own cheeks redden.
Gu Han tilted her head back, her throat long and elegant, waiting for her breath to return. Finally, she asked in a low, husky voice: "What is the word from the Department of Imperial Household Affairs?"
"Manager Li has already responded. He said that as soon as your health is cleared, they can put your name-tag back into the rotation at any time."
With the Empress currently under house arrest, the spotlight was entirely on Consort Shu and Gu Han. Every servant in the palace was falling over themselves to serve them.
Jiu Si continued, "The seamstresses from the Embroidery Bureau also came by. They said your pregnancy clothes no longer fit and they need to take your measurements for a new set of palace gowns. They asked when you might be free."
The Full Moon rite was over; it was time for Gu Han to return to the Emperor’s bed. Recently, whenever Lu Yu visited, he would subtly bring up the children’s age and then shift the topic to her. Gu Han was no stranger to the ways of men; she knew exactly what he was hinting at.
"Tell them to come tomorrow," Gu Han said, her voice weary but firm.
She had been in the palace for only a year. She had barely found her footing before she fell pregnant. She carried a deep, quiet anxiety in her heart, but she could never show it, not even to Jiu Nian. If she didn't act like she was in total control, how could her servants feel secure?
---
Just after noon, Zhou Bin returned with the Princess, bringing the little Prince along as well. She looked utterly exhausted. "They were born only half an hour apart; how can their temperaments be so different?"
Gu Han didn't have an answer. She took the Prince into her arms and rocked him; he gave her face and settled down almost instantly. After checking on the Princess, she had the wet nurses take them away for a feeding and a nap.
Zhou Bin sat down to drink some tea. After a moment of silence, she said, "It’s good that you’ve finished your recovery month."
Gu Han looked at her, confused. Zhou Bin’s eyes were downcast, a rare look of melancholy on her face. "What is it?"
Zhou Bin lowered her voice. "The Imperial Selection happens every three years. This time next year, the palace will be buzzing with preparations. I heard my aunt mention that people in court are already suggesting we start the arrangements early."
Sending the edicts to the provinces and bringing the girls to the capital took months. To start now was early, but not unheard of. The reason the officials were so eager, however, was Gu Han herself.
She had gained favor the moment she entered and had now produced two heirs. Even if she hadn't actively sought power for her family, the status of the Marquis of Rongyang’s house had skyrocketed in the capital.
Everyone was watching. Everyone was jealous.
They wanted to send their own daughters in as soon as possible. If they waited a few more years until the princes were grown, it would be too late to change the balance of power. This current batch of consorts had been lucky—they were the first chosen under the new Emperor's reign—but the newcomers would be a fresh threat.
Gu Han was silent for a long time. "The day was bound to come," she said.
She appeared calm, but beneath the quilt, her hands were clenched into white-knuckled fists. She had already been feeling a sense of urgency, and Zhou Bin’s news only sharpened the edge of her anxiety. The harem would always be replenished with new women—young, vibrant, and fresh. Those traits alone were often more powerful than the history of an "old" favorite.
Men, especially Emperors, always preferred the new to the old.
Zhou Bin left shortly after, sensing Gu Han’s inner turmoil. Before she walked out, she offered a final thought: "You have a Prince by your side now. You are not the same girl who just walked through those gates."
She meant it as comfort, but Gu Han only managed a thin smile. A Prince didn't mean safety. She looked at the fall of Consort De—she had the only son for a long time, look at her now. She was a ghost in the palace.
Zhou Bin’s words had stripped away the comfort of the last few months. Unless she reached the very top, she could never stop.
When Jiu Nian brought in dinner, Gu Han took only a few spoonfuls of porridge before pushing the bowl away.
"Starting tomorrow," Gu Han commanded, her voice cold and resolved, "tell the kitchens they no longer need to prepare any sweets for this palace."
---
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
Read only on https://royaltywrites.com.ng/
TRANSLATOR
please vote on novel updates
Hi guys, please if you have any questions about a character or i made a mistake somewhere, please do not hesitate to let me know in the comment section. i currently have no editor.
We hope you enjoyed this chapter! You can vote for this novel translation and drop a review on Novel Updates!
Show support by clicking on the Support Us button below!❤️
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
0 Comments
What's on your mind...