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Just as Gu Han had anticipated, the farce in the Imperial Garden ended quickly once the Emperor intervened. Noble Lady Lin was practically carried back to her palace.
Inside her hall, palace maids soaked silk fabrics in ice water and hurriedly wiped Noble Lady Lin’s body. It was nearly half an hour later before she fully regained consciousness.
Noble Lady Lin stared blankly at the top of her bed, her cracked lips moving with difficulty:
"...She let me come back?"
A palace maid wiped her tears and said with a sob, "It was the Emperor who issued an order for us to bring Your Ladyship back."
A spark of light appeared in Noble Lady Lin’s hollow eyes. Her fingers twitched as she forced herself to sit up, staring unblinkingly at the maid:
"The Emperor?"
The maid spoke truthfully:
"It was Consort Zhao who told this servant to go beg the Emperor. Only when Eunuch Liu heard that Consort Zhao had sent me did he report it to His Majesty."
The light in Noble Lady Lin’s eyes dimmed instantly. She gave a self-deprecating laugh: "I knew it. The Emperor has always ignored harem matters; why would he suddenly start feeling sorry for me?"
Suddenly losing control of her emotions, she raised her hand and struck the water basin. The silver basin hit the floor with a loud thud, splashing water everywhere!
The maid jumped in fright.
A ruthless look appeared in Noble Lady Lin’s eyes, and her voice sounded as if it were laced with poison as she gritted her teeth:
"Con—sort—Shu!"
The maid knelt on the ground trembling, not daring to breathe. It was a long time before her mistress calmed down, but her eyes remained deathly still, making one’s heart turn cold.
Once Gu Han knew Noble Lady Lin had been sent back to her palace, she stopped concerning herself with the matter. Jiu Si fanned her with a round fan, feeling puzzled:
"Why did Your Ladyship help her?"
Given the way Consort Shu was dealing with Noble Lady Lin today, the woman would have lost a layer of skin even if she didn't die.
It was hot today, so ice basins were placed in the inner hall. However, because the little Princess and Prince were there, the ice basins were placed behind a screen. Having shed their swaddling clothes, the five-month-old infants could just about flip over. Their little hands grabbed at everything, wanting to put anything in their mouths, all while making "yiyaya" babbling sounds.
Gu Han knew they couldn't speak yet, but she couldn't help the anticipation in her heart. Whenever they opened their mouths, she would start teaching them:
"An'er, follow Mother Consort. Moth—er—Con—sort—"
An'er opened her round eyes and waved her tiny hands wildly: "Yiyaya—"
When Nanny Zhao walked in, she didn't know whether to laugh or cry:
"Ladyship, the Princess is still young; it isn't time for her to speak yet."
Gu Han covered her face in embarrassment, then pinched the little Princess’s hand. After Nanny Zhao withdrew, Gu Han looked up and answered Jiu Si flippantly: "How am I helping her? Consort Shu acted this way, so who knows how much Noble Lady Lin resents her now. Keeping her alive is simply to give Consort Shu someone to annoy her."
The Flower Room was hiding things too carefully. Xiao Fangzi had investigated for over a month and surprisingly found no connection between that little eunuch and anyone else. However, he did find out what was in the water used to soak the flower pots. It wasn't water at all, but oleander juice—slightly poisonous, though not fatal.
"Not fatal" applied to healthy adults, but if used against royal offspring day after day, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Gu Han already had a good idea of what was going on; this move was likely aimed at her.
But because the culprit acted so cautiously, Gu Han directed her suspicion toward Consort Shu. To put it bluntly, even if others had the heart for such a thing, they might not have the capability.
For the time being, Gu Han couldn't find a flaw in Consort Shu and had no way to move against her, so she simply spared Noble Lady Lin’s life, perhaps she would provide a "surprise" at some point.
Jiu Si rubbed her nose, feeling that everything was different from when they first entered the palace. At the very least, back then, she couldn't have calculated against others with such a calm heart. Now, after staying in the palace for so long, her heart had long since hardened.
She discreetly changed the subject, smiling happily: "It will be Your Ladyship’s birthday in a few days. Have you thought about how to celebrate?"
Gu Han froze, appearing a bit dazed: "Is it that soon?"
This was her third birthday in the palace. On her first, she was in the middle of the draft and no one remembered; on her second, she was schemed against by the Empress and didn't spend it in the palace. Counting it up, this could be considered her first birthday spent in the palace.
Gu Han looked down at the bed. Unlike the energetic An'er, Ze'er was sleeping soundly, his little fists unconsciously clenched together. It made her heart melt completely. Since having them, Gu Han had poured all her thoughts into them, to the point of forgetting her own birthday.
Gu Han quickly recovered and said calmly:
"Last year, Zhou Bin kept regretting that she couldn't give me her gift on the actual day. This year, we’ll set a table in Yihe Palace and consider it making up for her regret."
Jiu Si let out an "ah" and pouted: "It’s clearly Your Ladyship’s birthday, why make up for Zhou Bin’s regret?"
Gu Han gave her a reproachful look and tapped her forehead:
"You small-minded thing, bickering over everything."
Unfortunately, Gu Han’s plan fell through once again.
On the day of her birthday, an imperial decree summoned her to the Emperor’s presence. Gu Han wore a lake-blue mandarin duck brocade palace skirt and a jade-inlaid step-shake (hairpin). Her etiquette was flawless; as she walked, the tassels on her hairpin remained almost perfectly still. As she walked toward Lu Yu with her back straight, she looked like an elegant lady from a refined painting.
The surrounding people showed looks of admiration, and Lu Yu paused for a moment as well. His eyes darkened imperceptibly, then he stood up and reached out to take her hand. His warm voice seemed to contain an unnamable emotion:
"Han'er is exceptionally beautiful today."
Gu Han looked up with a smile: "In the Emperor’s eyes, which day is this concubine not beautiful?"
Lu Yu raised an eyebrow and gave a soft "tsk." When Gu Han first entered the palace, she would blush if praised for her looks, like the glow of the setting sun on her cheeks—unspeakably innocent and shy.
Now, she had long since grown accustomed to it; hearing such praise didn't even cause a flicker in her eyes.
Gu Han glanced around. Musicians were already waiting in Yangxin Hall, but only one banquet table was set. Gu Han paused and turned to ask tentatively:
"Is it only this concubine and the Emperor today?"
Lu Yu pulled her to sit behind the table and said casually: "The two of us are enough."
The musicians and dancers were very talented, but Gu Han felt the Emperor was acting very strangely today. Logically, with just the two of them, even a long banquet should have finished in half an hour. But the Emperor seemed to be intentionally dragging out the time with her, refusing to end the gathering.
Lu Yu seemed to see her distraction. He raised his cup to clink against hers and deliberately twisted her thoughts:
"It is because I wanted to spend your birthday with you alone, but if you find it too quiet, I will have Liu An invite the others."
What could Gu Han say? She could only force a smile and say softly: "To have the Emperor accompany me, I am fully satisfied. But An'er and the other are still at Yihe Palace; I fear they will make a fuss if they wake up and don't see me."
Lu Yu shook his head nonchalantly: "It's only half a day. Nanny Zhao is there; it's fine."
Gu Han could only let it go. A single banquet was dragged out by Lu Yu until nearly evening. Gu Han glanced at the hourglass, feeling anxious. She had sent Jiu Si to inform Zhou Bin yesterday that she would host a dinner tonight at Yihe Palace; if she didn't return soon, she would be late.
Gu Han finally had to interrupt Lu Yu: "Your Majesty, this concubine also invited Zhou Bin for dinner. It is late; I should return to my palace."
Lu Yu frowned. Gu Han looked at him in confusion, only to see Lu Yu stand up:
"I will accompany you back."
Gu Han didn't know that at the gates of Yihe Palace, Zhou Bin had already arrived but was being forcibly blocked by Xiao Wenzi. He smiled apologetically:
"Today, the Emperor invited Lady Consort Zhao to accompany him. There will likely be no time to host Lady Zhou Bin. Please return, Your Ladyship."
Zhou Bin’s eyes widened. If she hadn't recognized him as Liu An’s apprentice, she would have started cursing. She looked at him suspiciously:
"Consort Zhao went to the Emperor at noon and hasn't returned yet?"
Seeing Xiao Wenzi nod, Zhou Bin was a bit speechless. She looked at the brocade box A'you was carrying and grumbled: "I'm already here; at least let me deliver the birthday gift personally."
Xiao Wenzi was breaking into a cold sweat. No one could be allowed into Yihe Palace right now. He could only say boldly:
"Please don't make it difficult for this servant, Your Ladyship. I am only acting on imperial orders."
Zhou Bin rolled her eyes and turned away dejectedly, muttering in annoyance: "It’s like this every year. What on earth is my Cousin doing!"
Gu Han, unaware of the scene at the gate, breathed a sigh of relief as she followed Lu Yu back. As soon as she entered Yihe Palace, she was stunned by the sight before her.
The inner hall was draped in red silk and light gauze. On the table stood a pair of red candles, as if silently speaking of something.
Gu Han stared blankly at Lu Yu.
Lu Yu looked away uncomfortably, the tips of his ears appearing suspiciously red.
Author's Note:
Zhou Bin: ???
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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