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Translator's note: I would like to give a big shoutout to Stephnora and Anxiousempathx for supporting me. you made me so happy guys. A big thank you to all my dear readers who stayed even with the caotic posting schedule. you all have my heart.
Chapter 131
Gu Han was teased until her face flushed crimson. After a brief moment, she argued with forced logic:
"This concubine had already ordered the servants to prepare a dinner banquet before coming; I intended to invite the Emperor to Yihe Palace to properly offer my thanks. As for Noble Lady Yao’s food box, I was merely worried the Emperor would be famished and borrowed it for a moment. Who could have guessed the Emperor would end up grumbling about it?"
Lu Yu heard the guilty lack of confidence in her voice and his lips twitched. He couldn't be bothered to argue with her. As the woman held the sour plum soup before his eyes, Lu Yu did not refuse again. He took it and waited for her to speak.
As for the speech Gu Han just made, Lu Yu didn't believe a single word of it.
She was the type who "never visits the temple unless there is a favor to ask." Unless she wanted something from him, Gu Han would never step foot in Yangxin Hall.
Sure enough, before Lu Yu had even finished the bowl of sour plum soup, he glimpsed from the corner of his eye that she was biting her lip, looking conflicted as if unsure how to start, stealing glances at him from time to time. Lu Yu remained steady; after finishing the soup, he even ate a few pieces of pastry.
Seeing his gaze linger a moment longer on the memorials, Gu Han knew he was feigning focus. She reached out and tugged on his sleeve, asking tentatively:
"Has the Emperor decided who will raise the little Princess?"
Lu Yu caught her gaze and asked knowingly:
"Do you want to raise her?"
Gu Han’s eyes suddenly widened. However, before she could answer, Lu Yu raised an eyebrow and continued in a slow, deliberate pace: "You have a son of your own; it is indeed easy to feel a sense of pity for the little Princess."
No matter how foolish Gu Han might be, she could see now that the Emperor was deliberately teasing her. But even so, a wave of panic surged in her heart, making her tightly clutch the handkerchief hidden in her sleeve.
Because for a split second, she felt the Emperor was telling the truth.
Regardless of why he had dismissed the notion, he truly had considered letting her raise the little Princess.
She pursed her lips and lowered her eyes dejectedly, interrupting Lu Yu:
"Your Majesty."
Lu Yu’s voice cut off abruptly. There was a moment of silence in Yangxin Hall. Gu Han lifted her gaze, meeting Lu Yu’s eyes directly. She tried her best to speak with a calm heart:
"This concubine does not know what the Emperor thinks, but the Emperor should know that I would never want to raise the Empress’s offspring, be it a princess or a prince."
If the Empress had left behind a legitimate son (Di Son), everyone in the harem would likely be scrambling to raise him. However, Gu Han could not do it. As long as she remembered that the Empress had once tried to take her child's life, she could not bring herself to raise the Empress's child.
Even though she knew the innocent child bore no blame.
Fearing the Emperor might not understand clearly, Gu Han said with absolute finality:
"This concubine does not wish to raise the little Princess."
Silence filled the hall. After a long while, Lu Yu’s voice finally sounded: "I know."
Gu Han kept her eyelids lowered, kneeling on the floor. She could hear the complex emotions in the Emperor's voice, but she refused to yield even half a step.
Lu Yu couldn't stand seeing her like this. He reached out and pulled her up from the floor:
"Your body has only just recovered, and the ground is cold. Get up."
Gu Han looked up at him: "Is the Emperor not angry with me?"
Lu Yu paused before saying:
"I am."
Gu Han bit her lip slightly. Lu Yu held her up, his emotions turning faint: "The little Princess is a legitimate imperial offspring. Who would dare to blatantly show even a hint of disdain for her in front of me?"
Yet Gu Han dared, and Lu Yu found himself completely unable to do anything about it.
He was inherently loath to wrong her, and besides, she had her own hardships regarding her resistance to the little Princess. Lu Yu did not want to become estranged from her over this matter.
Gu Han did not let go of his hand. Lu Yu reached out and wiped her cheek:
"In the future, you are not permitted to say such words in front of others."
Knowing that the little Princess would not end up in her palace, Gu Han breathed a sigh of relief. She nodded repeatedly, then after a short pause, curiosity took hold: "Who does the Emperor intend to have raise the little Princess?"
Lu Yu glanced at her:
"She is of legitimate birth; the rank of her adoptive mother should not be too low. I intend to let Consort Shu raise the little Princess."
Gu Han almost thought she had misheard. Consort Shu?
Setting aside whether Consort Shu was willing or not, how could the Emperor think of letting Consort Shu have a child to raise?
After a moment, Gu Han realized: now that the Empress had fallen, it no longer mattered whether Consort Shu had an heir or not.
Gu Han didn't care what Consort Shu would think about receiving this "hot potato"; she and Consort Shu had their own grievances, and she was happy to watch the show. Knowing the Emperor had made his decision, she immediately softened her voice in agreement:
"The Emperor's considerations are thorough."
Lu Yu gave her a dry, annoyed look.
Gu Han pretended not to see it. What she said wasn't wrong, even though the Empress had indeed committed many wrongs, the Emperor treated the little Princess with no lack of kindness.
Born a legitimate Princess, with one of the Four Consorts as an adoptive mother, one who even possessed significant imperial favor—her status was uniquely noble, even among the imperial offspring.
Particularly since Consort Shu could not conceive, it meant the little Princess would be her only child. As long as Consort Shu was smart, she would treat the little Princess as her own.
The Emperor had indeed considered every aspect for the little Princess.
With her worries resolved, Gu Han sought to take her leave:
"The Emperor’s official business is heavy; this concubine shall not disturb the Emperor further."
Lu Yu could not stand her "burning the bridge after crossing it" behavior. He gave a cold, mocking chuckle: "Who was it that just said they came to the Emperor's presence to arrange a banquet and offer thanks?"
Gu Han’s movements froze. She looked up at Lu Yu in disbelief.
They both knew perfectly well that it was just a figure of speech. How could the Emperor take it seriously?
Gu Han quickly peeked at the window. Outside, the daylight was fading, and only the lingering glow of the sunset remained. Nothing had been prepared in Yihe Palace, what was she supposed to use to host a banquet for the Emperor?
Gu Han forced a smile and said resentfully:
"It was indeed this concubine who said it. I must go back to make some preparations and quietly await the Emperor in Yihe Palace."
Lu Yu interrupted her nonsense: "No need. Just wait here."
Gu Han’s face almost slumped. Lu Yu, acting as if he didn't notice, nodded toward the ink slab, signaling Gu Han to come forward and grind the ink.
Lu Yu naturally couldn't bear to let her grind ink incessantly; he only wanted to "grind" down her temperament a bit. He felt that Gu Han seemed to have realized something; in their private time, she had become much more unscrupulous, almost reaching the point of acting willfully over his head.
It wasn't until half an hour later that Gu Han followed Lu Yu out of Yangxin Hall. She discreetly gave Xiao Fang-zi a meaningful look, then caught Lu Yu’s arm:
"I’ve been cooped up in the hall and feel stifled. Would the Emperor accompany me for a walk? Besides, the palace meals are likely not ready yet."
The last sentence was quite redundant.
Lu Yu glimpsed from the corner of his eye that the little eunuch who usually followed her had quickly retreated in realization. He withdrew his gaze as if nothing were wrong, squinting at the woman with a half-smile:
"Stifled and uncomfortable?"
Gu Han knew these little tricks couldn't hide from him. She blinked, not feeling guilty in the slightest, and tugged on the man's sleeve, acting spoiled: "I'm uncomfortable."
Lu Yu raised an eyebrow. He knew she was talking nonsense and certainly didn't think there was actually a banquet waiting for him at Yihe Palace, but seeing her performance now, Lu Yu didn't feel like exposing her.
There was a distance between Yangxin Hall and Yihe Palace—and it wasn't short. This woman was a lazy one; this walk would give her something to handle.
Lu Yu gave her a meaningful look:
"Since that is the case, let us walk back."
He specifically instructed Liu An that there was no need to prepare the imperial sedan. Gu Han didn't notice his "sinister" intentions and even felt a sigh of relief in her heart.
But soon, Gu Han sensed something was wrong. Since giving birth, she had spent her time either lying down or sitting; even when giving her respects, she used a procession for transport. She rarely relied on her own two legs to walk. Now, having only reached the Imperial Garden, she was already starting to struggle.
Just as Gu Han was debating whether to ask the Emperor to stop for a rest, a tentative voice came from the pavilion beside the Imperial Garden:
"Your Majesty?"
Although the light had dimmed, red lanterns hung from the trees along the path. Gu Han glanced sideways and clearly saw the newcomer. Even a proper palace dress could not hide her distinctiveness; her eyebrows were forever arched upward.
Noble Lady Yao was pleasantly surprised. She hadn't expected that just coming out to aid digestion would result in meeting the Emperor. But those emotions vanished instantly upon seeing Gu Han by the Emperor's side.
Noble Lady Yao looked at the Emperor with a resentful gaze.
She had sent someone to deliver food to the Emperor, but Liu An had only made excuses saying the Emperor was busy, refusing to even let the servants bring the food box into the hall.
But now it was so late, and the Emperor actually had the "leisurely grace" to accompany Consort Zhao on a stroll through the Imperial Garden. Where was he busy?
Indeed, seeing the Emperor and Consort Zhao without their sedans, Noble Lady Yao immediately assumed they were strolling. She was not one to hide her thoughts and said immediately:
"Eunuch Liu said the Emperor was busy with official business and could not see anyone."
She peeked at Consort Zhao. Although she didn't speak, her eyes and movements all said: So busy, yet you're out playing with Consort Zhao?
Without waiting for the Emperor to speak, Noble Lady Yao added:
"The sour plum soup this concubine had the servants send to the Emperor, did the Emperor consume it?"
Lu Yu was silent for a moment before saying vaguely:
"I did."
Noble Lady Yao’s eyes instantly curved into a smile. Lacking discernment, she took a step forward: "That sour plum soup was specifically ordered by this concubine to be chilled with ice; on such a sweltering day, one should have a bowl."
She spoke with true sincerity; it seemed the contents of that food box were indeed prepared with her heart. That was why she felt so happy to hear the Emperor had enjoyed it.
In all her time in the palace, it was rare for Gu Han to feel awkward on behalf of another consort. If Noble Lady Yao knew that the food box had never even entered Yangxin Hall, and it was only because of the person she envied and hated that the Emperor had consumed it, what would her feelings be?
Gu Han just briefly put herself in those shoes and felt sickened by the thought.
She immediately cursed herself in her heart. At the time, she had only wanted to save trouble and hadn't considered any of this. Thinking about it now, she felt that every part of it was inappropriate.
Because of this, Gu Han was in no hurry to return to her palace. Instead, she said:
"It is rare to run into Noble Lady Yao. Surely the Emperor has much to say to her. Why don't we sit down in the pavilion first?"
As she spoke, she moved past Noble Lady Yao and took a seat in the pavilion, discreetly massaging her legs.
Lu Yu looked at the woman who clearly wanted to dodge her fatigue but insisted on finding an excuse, and he pulled his lips into a wordless, faint smile.
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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