THE IMPERIAL CONSORT'S RISE TO POWER

———
~ Please support this site by disabling your ad-blocker ❤️ ~
______
Translator's note: Finally there are advance chapters availaible on Kofi

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 149

Gu Han’s face suddenly darkened.

The rumors had arrived with such alarming speed and suddenness that they seemed to permeate the entire harem overnight. Yet, there was no trace of their origin—a clear sign that someone had calculated this spread with deliberate intent.

Gu Han found it laughable. After her elder sister passed away, the Marquis of Rongyang’s estate had been teetering in the wind and rain. Knowing she was destined for the palace, she had been incredibly cautious, even maintaining a careful distance from her maternal cousins.

Rumors do not appear out of thin air; whoever spread them must have some form of "evidence" in hand. But Gu Han was perplexed—she had always been meticulous in her conduct. What could they possibly have against her?

Regardless of how absurd it seemed, Gu Han didn't dare lower her guard. She immediately ordered Xiao Fangzi to investigate.

The rumors didn't just reach Gu Han’s ears; they reached the Emperor’s presence as well.

In the Hall of Mental Cultivation, incense burned, mingling with the faint, elegant scent of orchids in the corner. Suddenly, the wind shifted, the white smoke spiraled, and a memorial was hurled directly at Liu An’s head, knocking his cap askew.

Liu An shivered, hurriedly straightening his cap and burying his head against the floor.

Lu Yu’s face was frost-covered, his voice icy:

"You dare bring such filth before me?"

Liu An said bitterly, "The palace is rife with this talk lately. This servant did not dare hide it from Your Majesty."

Lu Yu trusted Gu Han completely. He didn't believe a word of the gossip; instead, he worried about how she was feeling. Dropping his brush, he said coldly:

"To Yihe Palace."

Liu An hurried after him, secretly gritting his teeth at whoever had started this mess.

Upon entering Yihe Palace, Lu Yu sensed something was wrong. There was a faint, bitter scent of medicine in the hall. He shot a sharp glance at Liu An—how could such an important matter as calling a physician to Yihe Palace go unreported?

Liu An looked bewildered; he truly hadn't received word of any physicians being summoned.

Lu Yu didn't wait for an announcement. He swept aside the bead curtains and strode in, only to find Gu Han sitting on a soft couch, her face somewhat pale. She was leaning her head on one hand, flipping through records. Suddenly, she covered her mouth and let out a muffled cough.

Lu Yu’s brow furrowed instantly. He stepped forward and snatched the scrolls from her hand:

"If you're sick, why aren't you resting? Are the servants here dead?!"

Only then did Gu Han notice him. She looked up weakly, pressing a hand to her forehead, and whispered, "It’s just a slight chill from the night air. It’s no matter."

She reached for the scrolls in his hand, adding:

"These are the records the Department of Respectful Etiquette just sent over today. I must review them personally."

The records of the Department of Respectful Etiquette detailed the Emperor’s nightly visitations, which were directly tied to the imperial succession. Gu Han felt she had to be meticulous.

Lu Yu noticed an unnatural flush on her cheeks that made his heart sink. He had been busy with official duties and hadn't visited the harem for three days. How had she fallen this ill in such a short time?

He shot another glare at Liu An.

He sat down and felt her forehead. Her skin was warm—not a scorching fever, but higher than usual. Lu Yu’s face darkened further.

Gu Han took a sip of tea to refresh herself and heard him ask:

"Are the servants below not taking proper care of you?"

Having heard the rumors, he naturally suspected that the servants were neglecting her because of the gossip. But Lu Yu forgot that Gu Han now managed the six palaces. Servants might neglect anyone else, but they wouldn't dare slight her.

Gu Han gave him a playful, reproving look. "What is Your Majesty saying? The servants have always been respectful toward Yihe Palace."

Lu Yu didn't believe it. If they truly respected her, why would such rumors be allowed to circulate? He felt a surge of bottled-up anger, but seeing her holding her head in discomfort, he couldn't bring himself to be stern. Without worrying about catching her cold, he pulled her into his arms, lightly stroking her back.

"Rest for a while. I will stay with you."

Gu Han seemed about to refuse, but nestled in his embrace, sleepiness surged over her, pulling her consciousness into the dark.

Lu Yu touched the dark circles under her eyes, his gaze turning chillingly deep.

She slept deeply. When he picked her up to carry her to the bed, she showed no sign of waking. The anger in Lu Yu’s chest intensified. After tucking her in, he stepped out of the inner hall with a grim expression.

Jiunian and the others followed. Lu Yu asked coldly:

"Speak. Why did your mistress fall ill?"

She was a person who cared deeply for her health; even when losing weight, she never fasted recklessly. She never courted the cold at night and always stayed well-covered. How could she "accidentally" catch a chill when the temperature hadn't changed? Lu Yu didn't believe it for a second.

Jiunian and Xiao Fangzi exchanged a look, seemingly at a loss for words.

The atmosphere grew heavy. Lu Yu’s fingers tapped rhythmically against the arm of his chair, a sound that made everyone’s breathing tighten. Liu An was frantic, constantly signaling Jiunian with his eyes. The Emperor is clearly in a foul mood; why is the usually clever Jiunian acting so slow now?

Finally, with cold sweat nearly dripping from her brow, Jiunian said bitterly:

"Your Majesty... Her Ladyship forbade us from speaking."

Lu Yu’s expression didn't change. He said tonelessly, "So, I can no longer command you?"

At those words, every servant in the hall dropped to their knees. Jiu nian’s face turned deathly pale. She didn't dare answer that and hurriedly cried:

"This servant wouldn't dare!"

She bit her lip and finally confessed: "Lately, rumors have been rampant. Her Ladyship sent people to investigate, but we couldn't find a single trace of the source. The day she heard the news, she was consumed by fury. The physician said Her Ladyship has 'stagnant energy in her heart' (郁结在心), which allowed the cold to take hold."

Lu Yu’s face turned completely frigid. The look he gave Jiu nian was icy:

"Why wasn't this reported sooner?"

Jiunian lowered her head even further.

Lu Yu immediately knew the reason, it all came back to one thing: Her Ladyship forbade it.

He was a little annoyed with Gu Han, but that annoyance turned into helplessness. He knew how stubborn she was. Since she entered the palace, even when she was bullied, she rarely sought his help. She was like that when her rank was low; she was only more so now.

Lu Yu channeled all his fury toward the person behind the rumors. He ordered Liu An:

"Investigate. I do not believe these rumors appeared out of thin air!"

Liu An immediately took the order.

Gu Han was sick; Lu Yu would not let the rumors continue.

"Pass the word: whoever dares to wag their tongue about the Noble Consort again shall have their tongue cut out!"

The words carried a bone-chilling cold. No one dared treat them as a mere warning. Liu An was shaken; he knew that the Noble Consort’s illness had thoroughly enraged the Emperor.

Once the Emperor’s word went out, the rumors died down instantly. A few who tried their luck were indeed silenced by having their tongues removed. The bloody scene shocked the palace into silence; those who had previously discussed the matter wished they were mute. With such ruthless efficiency, the palace was suddenly very quiet.

In Yihe Palace, Jiu nian helped Gu Han sit up. Jiu si, seeing her mistress hadn't recovered her color, was indignant:

"Wait until I find out who's talking nonsense. I'll give them a piece of my mind!"

Gu Han saw her righteous fury and found it slightly amusing. "When we find out who it is, do you think it will be your turn to punish them?"

She had tasked Xiao Fangzi with investigating, but after three days, there was no progress. Gu Han knew the person behind this was hiding deep—it could only be one of a few people. She didn't care who it was, but she knew that if she didn't strike back, her authority in the palace would plummet. She couldn't allow that.

If she couldn't find out, someone else could.

Liu An didn't dare slack off. After several days of searching, he finally found a lead. When he reported back to the Emperor, he was covered in cold sweat.

"Your Majesty... this servant found that the rumors first originated from Yian Palace."

Yian Palace.

Even though Yao Xiurong now lived in the main hall, whenever anyone mentioned Yian Palace, they only thought of one person: the formerly favored Concubine Wei.

Lu Yu’s expression didn't flicker. Clearly, he had expected this.

The Hall of Mental Cultivation was silent for a long time. Finally, Liu An heard the Emperor ask calmly:

"Tell me, why would she do this?"

Lu Yu’s trust in Concubine Wei had once been second only to his trust in the late Ling Zhāoróng aa. But when did that trust begin to vanish? Perhaps it was the moment he saw the flash of joy she couldn't hide when she first assisted in managing the harem. He realized then that everyone has selfish desires and ambitions. If the late Empress’s supposed lack of desire made him suspicious of her grander schemes, why would he think Concubine Wei was truly indifferent to fame and wealth?

Liu An didn't dare answer.

To him, it was obvious. It is easy to go from poverty to luxury, but hard to go back. The Emperor had once held Concubine Wei so high she could rival the Empress. Now, because of Noble Consort Zhao, she had been cast back to the bottom. How could she not hate her? Moreover, she had given the Emperor a piece of her heart. When a person is jealous, any action seems "reasonable."

Though it was Concubine Wei’s own fault she was in this position because of her failed plot against the Noble Consort, people rarely reflect on their own mistakes. As sensible as Concubine Wei was, she likely couldn't get past this hurdle.

However, Liu An had one doubt:

"Does Your Majesty truly not doubt Noble Consort Zhao even a little?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, he felt the Emperor's gaze turn sharp and cold.

Liu An bowed his head, swallowing hard. He didn't dare ask again. But if Concubine Wei dared to spread such a rumor, she must have some form of leverage. Liu An guessed it, and the Emperor surely understood it too.

From above, the Emperor’s voice came, icy and piercing:

"If I ever hear a word of doubt regarding the Noble Consort from your mouth again, you need not serve by my side."

Liu An held his breath.

The atmosphere was stifling. After a long while, Lu Yu lowered his eyelids and spoke calmly:

"I want to see her."

Who was "her"? The Emperor didn't say, but Liu An knew. He stole a look at the Emperor. The Emperor claimed to believe the Noble Consort, yet he must have some sliver of doubt, or he wouldn't demand to see Concubine Wei. But the Emperor had forcibly suppressed that doubt, even forbidding anyone else from questioning her.

Liu An couldn't tell which was more profound: the Emperor believing her implicitly, or this forced suppression of doubt.

At the same time in Yihe Palace, Gu Han received a small slip of paper. She stared intensely at the handwriting, which looked hauntingly familiar.

Xiao Fangzi was also in the hall. He turned the paper over and over and finally said:

"It is the Young Master's handwriting."

Her suspicion confirmed, Gu Han’s heart sank to the very bottom.

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.