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Chapter 132: The Secret of "Dui-shi"
A gentle breeze brushed through the pavilion, and the incessant, twittering voice of Noble Lady Yao echoed continuously. The night scenery of the Imperial Garden possessed a unique charm, but unfortunately, none of the three people in the pavilion were in the mood to appreciate it.
Noble Lady Yao’s entire heart was set on the Emperor. Hearing that he had accepted her food box, she took it as Lu Yu having forgiven her. She looked at him expectantly, her voice softening into a delicate, coquettish tone:
"If Your Majesty likes it, this concubine will send more to Your Majesty tomorrow."
Some tea and fruit were laid out in the pavilion. Lu Yu simply said a blunt "No need." He lowered his eyes, cracked open a walnut, took out the meat, and casually handed it to Gu Han. Noble Lady Yao watched this scene with her own eyes, and the smile on her face instantly froze.
Lu Yu paid her no mind and glanced at Gu Han:
"Have you rested enough?"
Gu Han’s almond eyes widened slightly, showing a hint of embarrassment at being seen through. Meeting Noble Lady Yao’s bewildered gaze, Gu Han felt momentarily awkward and shot Lu Yu a subtle, accusing look. Noble Lady Yao finally realized what was happening and asked:
"Where are Your Majesty and Her Ladyship Consort Zhao planning to go?"
Gu Han felt quite awkward, but Lu Yu was somewhat disgusted by Noble Lady Yao’s lack of discernment. It was something anyone with eyes could guess, yet she insisted on asking repeatedly. Lu Yu said impatiently:
"To Yihe Palace. Why, do you intend to come along as well?"
Noble Lady Yao’s cheeks immediately flushed crimson with shame.
Lu Yu pulled Gu Han away. By the time the pavilion was left far behind, Gu Han could still hear Noble Lady Yao’s crying. She said softly, "Does Your Majesty not feel heartache hearing that?"
Lu Yu did not want to discuss the other concubines of the harem with her. His emotion was very flat as he asked:
"Do you want me to feel heartache?"
Gu Han paused and peered at Lu Yu with her almond eyes: "Your Majesty is asking what you already know."
Regardless of what she truly thought in her heart, at least in front of Lu Yu, Gu Han had always maintained the appearance of caring for him deeply.
Lu Yu didn't speak, but his brows relaxed a bit. Gu Han didn't mention Noble Lady Yao again, and they walked in silence. When they reached Yihe Palace, Gu Han felt a flicker of nervousness, but as it turned out, Xiao Fang-zi’s work never disappointed her.
Lanterns were lit in front of Yihe Palace, and lotus lamps glowed at the four corners, creating an indescribable atmosphere. A table of meticulously prepared food sat ready; in his haste, Xiao Fangzi had left two red candles on the table.
As Gu Han invited Lu Yu to take his seat, she saw his gaze fall upon that pair of red candles, his thoughts unknown.
Gu Han was puzzled: "Your Majesty?"
Lu Yu returned to his senses and took his seat as if nothing had happened. Gu Han asked curiously:
"What was Your Majesty looking at?"
Lu Yu avoided the question and said simply, "Nothing."
Gu Han didn't believe those words because, during the meal, Lu Yu clearly looked like he had something on his mind. He was distracted, only hurriedly taking a few bites of food. He didn't even touch more than a few morsels of his favorite fish before taking Liu An back to the front court.
Gu Han watched his departing back and couldn't help but frown.
Xiao Fang-zi racked his brain to comfort her:
"We are still in the mourning period for the Empress. His Majesty not staying overnight at Yihe Palace is also out of consideration for Your Ladyship."
Realizing what Xiao Fangzi was thinking, Gu Han shook her head with a smile:
"My vision is not as shallow as that."
After saying this, Gu Han glanced at those two red candles. Jiu Nian followed her gaze, and remembering something, she hesitated before speaking:
"This servant remembers that when commoners marry, a pair of red candles is placed in the bridal chamber to celebrate the joy of the new marriage. Perhaps His Majesty thought of the Empress because of this, which is why he left in such a hurry."
The emotion on Gu Han’s face dimmed instantly.
Xiao Fangzi’s heart skipped a beat, and he knelt directly: "It was this servant’s oversight. Please punish me, Ladyship."
Gu Han stared at the red candles for a long while before shaking her head:
"It has nothing to do with you."
Having said that, Gu Han turned and went straight back to the inner hall. She had never been married, so she had naturally never had red candles lit for her. She didn't feel sorrowful over the Emperor’s departure, but when her tongue touched the lingering tea on her lips, she felt a trace of bitterness from the tea leaves remaining in her mouth. She lowered her eyes silently.
The next day, through Noble Lady Yao’s word of mouth, the entire harem knew that the Emperor had accompanied Consort Zhao on a walk and walked back to Yihe Palace together.
When she heard that Yuan Cáirén was seeking an audience outside the hall, Gu Han’s mind was still a bit hazy. She had slept late the night before and was still not fully awake even though it was already the hour of Chen (7-9 AM). She covered her lips slightly and asked unhurriedly:
"What is she doing here?"
Jiu Nian served her as she washed up: "This servant doesn't know either, but I have some guesses."
Gu Han raised an eyebrow with interest:
"Tell me."
"Everyone in the harem knows now that Your Ladyship ranks first in His Majesty's heart. Because Yuan Cáirén previously offended Noble Lady Lin and was demoted, her life has not been easy. Noble Lady Lin was originally one of Noble Consort Shu’s people. Now, among the Consort positions, only Your Ladyship and Consort Shu remain. Yuan Cáirén likely wants to find a tall tree to enjoy the shade."
Gu Han understood and had someone invite Yuan Cáirén in.
Yuan Cáirén entered wearing a pink cloud-patterned dress, her eyes carrying a charming smile. Her crisp voice of greeting gave Gu Han a bit of energy. Gu Han had the palace servants prepare tea; during this time, Yuan Cáirén had already surveyed the inner hall.
The more she looked, the more sour she felt in her heart. People really cannot be compared. Yuan Cáirén had thought that the Emperor used to favor her somewhat, but now that she saw Yihe Palace clearly, she realized what it looked like when the Emperor truly put his heart into someone.
Consort Zhao had moved into the main hall of Yihe Palace back when she was a Xiurong, but the luxury and exquisite detail of this hall were far beyond what a Xiurong rank should enjoy. Even the "Jade Linglong" toy casually placed on the soft couch was crafted from rare warm jade.
Just then, the servants brought the tea. Yuan Cáirén recovered her senses and suppressed her inner emotions. Having entered the Prince's Estate seven years ago, Yuan Cáirén had long known that everyone was treated differently. Her eyes brightened with a smile again, and she could even praise her with genuine feeling:
"His Majesty is truly fond of Your Ladyship."
Gu Han responded perfunctorily: "His Majesty treats all the other sisters equally."
Yuan Cáirén smiled but said nothing. Equally? Yesterday, Consort Zhao was personally escorted back to her palace by the Emperor, while Noble Lady Yao was left to run back crying. Not even a blind person could say such a dishonest thing.
After a few exchanges, it was all flattery. Gu Han raised her eyebrows and went straight to the point:
"Yuan Cáirén, do not beat around the bush. What is your purpose in coming to see me today?"
Since the princes were still young, no incense was burned in Yihe Palace. There was only the breeze blowing through the windows, bringing the fragrance of orchids from the hall, which was refreshing to the mind. Unfortunately, someone was not in the mood to appreciate this beautiful scene.
A look of sorrow fell upon Yuan Cáirén’s face, and she said bitterly:
"Your Ladyship should know that this concubine and Noble Lady Lin have always been at odds. She is backed by Consort Shu, and I have no way to contend with her. I know Your Ladyship is kind-hearted, so I came to seek some protection."
Gu Han was surprised. She indeed wanted Yuan Cáirén to speak directly, but she hadn't expected her to be so honest as to state her purpose outright.
However, what made Gu Han curious was that the interactions in this harem were all tied to mutual interest. If Noble Lady Lin wanted to use Consort Shu’s influence, she had to keep doing things for her. Then, what did Yuan Cáirén intend to exchange with her?
To put it bluntly, she now managed the harem, and the number of concubines wanting to seek her patronage was countless; Yuan Cáirén had no advantage among them.
Yuan Cáirén clearly knew this as well. She had indeed come prepared. She covered her mouth and smiled:
"Aside from those in the harem who want to stay safe and stay out of trouble, those who are more favored or of higher rank than me may not have stayed in the palace as long as I have. Having been in the palace for so many years, I always know a few things that others do not."
By this point, it was already very obvious.
Yuan Cáirén’s bargaining chip was information—information that Gu Han surely didn't know. Xiao Fangzi glanced at Yuan Cáirén almost imperceptibly, curling his lip, thinking she was being a bit overconfident.
Yuan Cáirén had indeed been favored for a period of time, but the favor was too shallow and the duration too short. Xiao Fangzi had also been in the palace for five years and believed he was more well-connected than her.
Gu Han’s eyes flickered. She ignored Xiao Fangzi’s expression and nodded:
"I am all ears."
Yuan Cáirén’s eyes lit up. However, she paused and looked around. Seeing this, Gu Han gave Xiao Fangzi a look. A moment later, the palace servants in the hall all withdrew silently, leaving only Jiu Nian and a few others.
Only then did Yuan Cáirén slowly speak:
"Does Your Ladyship know a term in this palace called—Dui-shi (Palace partners)?"
Gu Han suddenly looked up. She naturally knew what Dui-shi meant. When eunuchs and palace maids in the palace secretly formed a pair, it was called Dui-shi. But in this dynasty, this phenomenon was strictly forbidden.
Yuan Cáirén and Gu Han’s gazes met in the air. Yuan Cáirén said:
"There is a servant in my palace who is quite handsome. He secretly pledged his life to a palace maid from the Flower Room. After I discovered them, it led me to find out a shocking secret."
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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