THE IMPERIAL CONSORT'S RISE TO POWER - CHAPTER 143

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Chapter 143

The news that Ye Xiurong would assist in managing the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet reached Hanxi Palace the very next day. Aside from raising the Second Prince, Hanxi Palace had always been inconspicuous in the harem. Consequently, few were not surprised by this news, and the servants of Hanxi Palace were overjoyed.

Only Ye Xiurong herself was not as happy as the others. In fact, she raised a hand to rub her brow, feeling a genuine sense of burden.

Suli looked at her, confused:

"Why does this servant feel that Your Ladyship isn't happy?"

Ye Xiurong shook her head, refraining from saying anything disrespectful. She nodded slightly: "This is the Emperor's grace; how could I not be happy?"

Suli swallowed her doubts and pivoted:

"Eunuch Cheng from the Palace Administration Department also sent someone. He said that all matters regarding the Mid-Autumn banquet are at Your Ladyship's command."

Even though Suli tried to suppress it, Ye Xiurong could hear the irrepressible excitement in her voice.

Ye Xiurong found it all rather dull. She didn't dwell on Suli’s reaction, but thought instead of Consort Zhao. The news of the assistance had come from Yihe Palace; the Emperor wouldn't have gone out of his way to instruct the Administration Department. Therefore, the fact they had sent someone could only mean it was Consort Zhao’s intention.

At her command?

Was Consort Zhao planning to hand over the entire responsibility of the Mid-Autumn banquet to her?

Ye Xiurong couldn't quite fathom Consort Zhao's intent. If one were to say this Consort Zhao was indifferent to fame and power, she wouldn't believe it for a second. Yet, currently, Consort Zhao was indeed delegating authority to her.

In the past, the Empress had always held the reins of internal management with an iron grip.

Unsure of what to say, Ye Xiurong simply cleared her mind and told Suli: "Prepare yourself. Tomorrow at the hour of the Dragon (7-9 AM), I am going to Yihe Palace to see Consort Zhao."

Gu Han was not surprised by Ye Xiurong's arrival. However, since there was no longer an Empress in the palace, there was no need for daily morning greetings. Gu Han had grown quite indolent. By the time Ye Xiurong reached Yihe Palace, Gu Han had only just opened her eyes, still somewhat hazy with sleep.

Jiu nian showed no mercy. Taking advantage of the heat, she used cold water to dampen a silk cloth. Gu Han’s eyes quickly cleared. The palace maids moved nimbly; it took less than fifteen minutes to dress her in her formal palace attire.

When Gu Han emerged, Ye Xiurong was sitting in her seat, eyes lowered as she sipped tea. Hearing the movement, she immediately rose to pay her respects. Gu Han motioned for her to rise before being assisted by Jiu nian to the main seat. She rubbed her forehead, appearing slightly surprised:

"Why has Ye Xiurong come so early?"

A gentle smile appeared on Ye Xiurong's delicate, pretty face. She said softly: "After receiving the news from Yihe Palace yesterday, I thought about it for a long time. I was afraid I wouldn't do a good job, so I wanted to see Your Ladyship early."

For Gu Han, organizing a palace banquet was also a first. Regarding Ye Xiurong's words, she merely smiled:

"It was the Emperor who suggested you to me. Ye Xiurong is too modest; the Emperor values you, and there is naturally a reason for it."

Ye Xiurong caught the underlying meaning, Gu Han truly did not want to touch the Mid-Autumn affairs. She dropped the modest talk, lowered her head slightly, and bit her lip gratefully: "Since the Emperor and Your Ladyship trust me so, I will not decline further. However, this is my first time organizing a banquet; if anything is not handled well, I beg Your Ladyship’s indulgence."

Ye Xiurong came quickly and left just as fast. Gu Han arched an eyebrow as she watched the other woman’s departing back. Previously, everyone’s attention had been fixed on the Empress or Consort Shu. Now, she realized that this Ye Xiurong was truly a clever one.

She was tactful and sufficiently low-profile. This visit was merely to test the waters; once she had her answer, she left without lingering or causing trouble.

Gu Han went to the side hall to see the Princes. They had woken early, their eyes darting around. Upon seeing her, they cooed and waved their arms at her. Seeing that everything was ready, Gu Han said: "Let's go."

Yesterday, a message had come from Cining Palace saying the Empress Dowager missed the Princes and wanted her to bring them today. Gu Han had no reason to refuse, and she also hoped the Princes would grow closer to the Empress Dowager.

When Gu Han arrived at Cining Palace, not only were the Empress Dowager and Zhou Bin present, but she also saw the Eldest Princess. As the eldest of the Emperor's children, the Princess was barely seven years old, but she looked even younger than the Eldest Prince. Despite it being nearly August, she was dressed in very thick layers.

This was Gu Han’s first time seeing the Eldest Princess. She looked very much like the late Ling Zhāoróng—which is to say, she also bore a resemblance to Gu Han’s eldest sister, Gu Tang. Gu Han was stunned for a moment, her emotions turning subtle.

It was quite strange that someone with no blood relation could look so similar.

Gu Han knew she shouldn't project her feelings based on looks, but she couldn't help but keep her eyes on the Princess. Perhaps sensing the gaze, the Princess looked at her curiously. Due to her health, she was very quiet; after one look, she obediently withdrew her gaze.

Her biological mother was Ling Zhāoróng. Even if she possessed only a fraction of her mother's wit, she could understand her current precarious situation.

She currently had no adoptive mother and could only rely on the Empress Dowager. She sat in her seat wearing warm-colored fine cotton silk, looking quite endearing and innocent. This appearance easily won the favor of her elders.

Gu Han had always had a good relationship with the Empress Dowager. Before she could finish her bow, the Empress Dowager stopped her, took the little Princes to her side to play with them, and said with a smile:

"You have raised them well."

Gu Han smiled modestly: "It is the wet nurses who are diligent."

In truth, the moment she saw the Eldest Princess, Gu Han became curious about the true purpose of this visit. The Empress Dowager could not possibly want to see Ze'er and An'er just for the sake of it. Sure enough, after some small talk, the Empress Dowager toyed with her prayer beads and shook her head:

"I have felt my energy failing lately, and looking after the Eldest Princess has become a bit much for me."

Gu Han didn't immediately grasp the intent. She remained silent and looked up, catching a strange expression on Zhou Bin’s face. She arched her brow imperceptibly, looked at the Eldest Princess, and then back at Zhou Bin.

After a short pause, it finally clicked why the Empress Dowager had summoned her.

The Empress Dowager wants Zhou Bin to raise the Eldest Princess?

Zhou Bin was not favored and didn't care much for the Emperor. She could live comfortably in the palace now because the Empress Dowager was still around. But the Empress Dowager was old; she feared that once she passed, Zhou Bin would have no one to rely on.

The Eldest Princess was frail, her mother was gone, and her maternal family had no standing. As long as the Princess was smart, she would treat Zhou Bin like her own mother. After all, the Zhou family behind Zhou Bin was not to be trifled with.

Ling Zhāoróng had likely calculated this long ago. That was why the Empress Dowager had personally visited Kunning Palace that day.

Gu Han didn't know what to say. She felt that the Empress Dowager was much more cold-blooded than the Emperor. She wasn't bound by blood ties; she only cared for those she deemed important, which included the Emperor and Zhou Bin. Her grandchildren, however, were not among them; she seemed to intentionally keep them at a distance.

Gu Han could almost understand the Empress Dowager, yet not completely. However, she had to admit that the Empress Dowager had considered Zhou Bin’s future very carefully.

If it were her, once her elder brother married and had children, she would likely value his children above others as well.

Gu Han understood the intent, but the only hurdle was that Zhou Bin’s rank was too low to raise an Imperial heir.

Zhou Bin’s previous promotion was based on her merit in caring for the Empress Dowager. A single merit couldn't easily lead to another promotion. Thus, this visit—the Empress Dowager wanted her to broach the subject to the Emperor.

Gu Han’s thoughts raced. She had always been on good terms with Zhou Bin. Despite the world's prejudices, a princess wouldn't affect the political balance. There was only one concern: if Zhou Bin was promoted and then happened to give birth to a prince, it would be a significant threat to her and Ze'er.

But Gu Han met Concubine Zhou’s eyes and gave a small, pursed smile:

"It was my lack of consideration. The Empress Dowager is right; it is not ideal for the Eldest Princess to remain in Cining Palace indefinitely. However, there are currently few suitable candidates in the harem to raise her."

Speaking to this point, Gu Han paused and looked at the quiet Princess:

"The Princess is growing older; the matter of an adoptive mother should consider her own opinion. I wonder if the Princess has a preference?"

In reality, this question was moot. Ling Zhāoróng had protected the Princess too well, so she had hardly ever seen the other concubines until she moved to Cining Palace and met Zhou Bin a few times.

By letting her "choose," they weren't actually giving her options.

Sure enough, the Princess gave Zhou Bin a look of adoration. She bit her lip and lowered her head, knowing she shouldn't speak out, so she remained silent.

But that reaction was enough.

The Empress Dowager looked at Gu Han. Gu Han spoke up at the appropriate moment:

"The Eldest Princess has been raised indoors for years; it is rare for her to be close to anyone. It would be most suitable for Zhou Bin to raise her."

The Empress Dowager had always known Gu Han was a smart woman. Hearing this, a smile finally graced her face, though she still shook her head:

"But Zhou Bin’s rank is too low. It is against the rules for her to raise an Imperial princess."

Gu Han sighed in her heart, but she showed none of it on her face. She knit her brows in deep thought before finally saying:

"Currently, I am managing the harem, and the Eldest Princess calls me 'Consort Mother Zhao.' I ought to find a suitable place for her."

The implication was that she would personally speak to the Emperor about this.

The Empress Dowager patted her hand, relieved:

"You have been in the palace for less than three years, and now the heavy burden of the harem rests on your shoulders. You have worked hard."

"To be able to share the burdens of the Empress Dowager and the Emperor is my honor."





Walking out of Cining Palace, Gu Han tiredly pinched the bridge of her nose. She knew that her smooth journey had been partially aided by the Empress Dowager. She was not ungrateful.

She looked down at the sleeping Ze'er and An'er, her lips slightly pursed. After a moment, she shook her head silently.

She valued Ze'er and An'er immensely. Today, the Empress Dowager had used them as a "shield," making them supporting characters for the Eldest Princess. Gu Han looked up, the expression in her eyes momentarily unreadable.

Her procession was only halfway back when someone caught up to her.

Gu Han lifted the patterned curtain and saw an awkward-looking Zhou Bin. She raised an eyebrow, her expression having already returned to normal:

"Why aren't you in Cining Palace accompanying the Empress Dowager? Why have you run out?"

Zhou searched her face carefully. Confirming there was no lingering resentment, she let out a hidden sigh of relief and returned to her usual self:

"I haven't been to your palace in a long time. I'll head back with Your Ladyship."

Gu Han didn't refuse. Once they reached Yihe Palace, Zhou Bin awkwardly revealed the truth:

"Actually, I sensed my aunt’s intention a few days ago. But I didn't expect her to ask you to do it."

Gu Han was silent for a while before asking: "The Empress Dowager wants you to raise the Eldest Princess. But what about you? What do you think?"

Zhou Bin peeked at An'er and said softly after a long pause:

"I am willing. The palace is lonely; it’s a good thing to have someone to keep me company."

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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