Chapter 17: Birthday (生辰)
This chapter is sponsored by Anon C., Thessaliad, S.W., and K.A. Thanks a bunch! Also I accidentally posted only HALF of this chapter previously, so if you read this chapter before 10/19/19, then please read it again.
During the season in which the emperor disliked visiting his concubines, he actually went to see Imperial Concubine Zhao twice. Though the first time, he had initially flipped Noble Imperial Concubine Yan’s name tag, before making for Taoyu Pavilion.
The women in the imperial harem could not come to a consensus as to why, or how they felt about the matter. However, the one who had been the most unwilling to accept the situation was perhaps Noble Imperial Concubine Yan. She was one of the most favored women in the harem. Never had she thought that after the emperor left her Linyue Pavilion, he would seek another person.
Zhuang Laoyan understood that, at the moment, she had attracted the unblinking attention of the imperial harem. That said, compared to Noble Consort Shu and Noble Imperial Concubine Yan, she was insignificant. For this reason, she was not afraid of becoming the target of everyone. Not to mention that when an imperial concubine received the emperor’s favor, there wouldn’t be many people stupid enough to cause trouble for her. But if she lost the emperor’s affection, then that was a different story.
The temperature during the morning could not be considered cool. Yet as an emperor, Feng Jin needed to pay attention to his own appearance. The imperial robes were made from high-quality silk, but as Zhuang Laoyan stared at them, she couldn’t help but pity him. Look at that emperor. The layers upon layers he’s wearing. Who knew what kind of appearance he had under those clothes after all that sweating and heat?
Feng Jin turned around and saw the concern and worry in Zhuang Laoyan’s eyes. Then he smiled. “Beloved concubine, what is it?”
“Reporting to Your Majesty, this concubine is just worried that the weather is hot outside. Although Your Majesty looks powerful and elegant in the imperial robes, it is still a bit too hot for this.” The moment those words had left Zhuang Laoyan’s lips, she felt she had misspoken. In fact, these imperial robes were made of silk from the three large cities of Su, Hang, and Shu, and weaved by the most skilled weavers in said cities. Even if the imperial robes were actually uncomfortable, she as a member of the imperial harem had no right to give her opinion on it. Not only her, but perhaps even the empress did not have the right to interfere. Although she possessed the memories of someone from the ancient times, Zhuang Laoyan’s innermost nature lacked the ancient folk’s veneration and awe toward the imperial clan’s heavenly might.
“Beloved concubine’s words are reasonable.” Feng Jin did not seem to act as if her words had been wrong, though. He lifted his arms to let the palace maids fix and adjust the accessories hanging from his waist. “It’s just that as the emperor, one cannot for the sake of temporary pleasure forget to exercise propriety.” Especially since who knew how many people, even with their hands stained in blood, could not wear these imperial robes.
“It was this concubine that was ignorant.” Zhuang Laoyan released a breath of relief in her heart. Whether the emperor truly had not realized her misspeak earlier or not, at least for now it seemed he would not fault her for that.
“Beloved concubine cares for Us deeply. We know your intentions.” Feng Jin clasped his hands behind his back. He smiled as he stared at Zhuang Laoyan. “We will leave now. You don’t have to send me off. It is currently hot outside. After sleeping for a bit more, you should not sleep any longer.”
Zhuang Laoyan usually accepted the emperor’s good intentions. At times, she would show her reluctance in having him leave, aware it brought the emperor much joy to see this action of hers. Today she did not have to specially send off the emperor.
In her previous life, she had watched a television drama in which Huang Taiji, the founding emperor of the Qin Dynasty, extremely favored his Consort Chen¹. The reason was because among so many women, Consort Chen was the only one who treated him as her husband and not the emperor. In Zhuang Laoyan’s eyes, an emperor was the most difficult type of man to wait upon. During the Han Dynasty, the way Chen Jiao had treated Liu Che, Emperor Wu of Han, was also the way a wife would treat her husband. Unfortunately, she was eventually thrown into the Cold Palace, with the only things accompanying her her tears.
Therefore, someone like an emperor would want women to treat him like their husband the most. Not only that, but the women must obediently look to him in awe at times when they should be venerating him. This went to show that men were more fickle than women. In Zhuang Laoyan’s opinion, if anyone ever said that a woman’s heart was hard to understand, she would slap them in the face.
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After laying in bed for a while, Zhuang Laoyan went to pay respects to the empress. She still arrived at Jingyang Palace earlier than she had yesterday, and the moment she stepped foot within, there were only Consort Xian and two other imperial concubines present. Consort Xian did not have a glamorous appearance, but gave off a friendly aura. A glance, and others would feel that the title of “Xian²” suited her well.
“Imperial Concubine Zhao attended to His Majesty last night. Why have you arrived so early today?” The empress had Heyu pour tea for Zhuang Laoyan. She smiled gently. “Such an adorable person. This palace’s heart clenches with tender love while looking at you.”
“It’s because this concubine could not sleep and so decided to come early and chat more with Your Majesty, the empress.” Zhuang Laoyan smiled. “Could it be that this concubine disturbed Your Majesty’s peace?’
“This is not the case at all,” said the empress. “These days, the weather has grown hotter. This palace wakes earlier than usual. That you are able to come here earlier gives this palace another person to speak with at this time.”
Both Consort Xian’s tone and smile were gentle as she looked at Imperial Concubine Zhao and said, “Your Majesty, the empress, Younger Sister Imperial Concubine Zhao is an intelligent person. Why don’t we tell her what we have been talking about before?”
Zhuang Laoyan’s hand that was holding the tea cup slightly trembled. She quickly brought a smile to her lips. “Why is Your Majesty, Consort Xian laughing at this concubine? This concubine has a low status and doesn’t know what matters this concubine can decide.” She quickly threw her status out, so that if something bad occurred, she could avoid being trash talked for having such high ambitions with such a low status.
“It’s not really that big of a thing. It’s just that in a few days, Noble Consort Shu’s birthday will arrive. This palace is thinking of how to plan a good celebration for her.” The empress smiled. “Noble Consort Shu is an honest person. She does not want something too extravagant and does not want to make arrangements. Tell me, what kind of words are those?”
Perhaps the empress felt worried that if she made the birthday celebration too big, others would say it was too sumptuous. That if she made the birthday celebration too simple, others would say it was inappropriate for Noble Consort Shu’s status, that she was wronging her. For this reason, the empress was discussing this topic with Consort Xian and the others. However, she was only trying to give the impression she was thoughtful toward Noble Consort Shu’s birthday celebration.
Seeing the empress’s beautiful gaze aimed toward her, Zhuang Laoyan set down the teacup. On her face, a reluctant expression. “Reporting to Your Majesty, the empress, this concubine has not entered the palace for long. There are many things that this concubine is ignorant of.” She noticed that the empress smile had dimmed. “Noble Consort Shu has attended to His Majesty for many years. Looks like His Majesty will often think of her.”
Once the empress heard those words, her smile immediately brightened a little. “That’s true. His Majesty indeed will often think of her.” Then she glanced at Imperial Concubine Zhao in a satisfied manner. “Today, Shang Shan Department³ came up with two new types of dim sum. They have been delivered here since long ago. Heyu, hurry and bring some over for Consort Xian and Imperial Concubine Zhao to try.
“If they are to your taste, I will inform Shang Shan Department to send some to your residences.” The empress took a sip of tea. Those soft and white fingers were even more beautiful than the fine china teacup with a pattern of green flowers.
“Your Majesty, the empress is asking for an audience.”
Come noon, Feng Jin sat in a soft couch listening to the new songs from the music and dance department. Once he heard the eunuch’s message, he lazily opened his eyes. “Allow her entrance.”
Seeing the empress enter, Feng Jin told her to forgo the ceremony of greeting. With a smile, he supported her to a seat to listen with him. “These are the new songs from the music and dance department. The empress should enjoy it together with Us.”
The empress swept her gaze through some of the musicians. And paused when she saw a beautiful woman among them. She smiled as she accompanied the emperor in listening for a while. After the song finished, she said, “Today this concubine, Consort Xian, Imperial Concubine Zhao, and a few other discussed Noble Consort Shu’s birthday. This concubine is thinking about arranging Noble Consort Shu’s birthday celebration. Nevertheless, Imperial Concubine Zhao reminded this concubine that Your Majesty will reward Noble Consort Shu. For this reason, this concubine is unauthorized to take the reigns.”
“You are the empress. For such things, you are qualified to decide what to do.” Feng Jin waved a hand to dismiss the music troupe. Once the musicians had retreated, he said, “Noble Consort Shu is already a noble consort. There is no higher of a rank to promote her. We will reward her something else. That you remember to help arrange her birthday celebration is already hard to come by. However, refrain from making it too extravagant. After all, she is only an imperial concubine.”
“Understood. This concubine knows what to do.” The empress revealed a hint of a smile. She found the emperor’s actions to her tastes. She felt happy that no matter who he favored, he wouldn’t embarrass her.
“Right.” Feng Jin’s brows were slightly furrowed. “If We remembered correctly, Imperial Concubine Zhao’s birthday is also during this month. However, her rank is low. Promoting her a rank and preparing a banquet will be enough. The rest is unnecessary.”
The empress’ smile did not falter as she agreed. But once she had left Qianzheng Palace, her smile dimmed. The emperor’s last words made it seemed like he did not care about Imperial Concubine Zhao’s birthday, but the intentions behind his words were heavier than those for Noble Consort Shu.
Promoting a rank, arranging a banquet, and the rest was unnecessary?
For the imperial concubines, was there anything more important than being promoted? Imperial Concubine Zhao was only a low-ranked imperial concubine. For there to even be a banquet for her birthday was already a generosity bestowed by the emperor. To promote her was a huge generosity.
“Your Majesty, the road ahead is slippery. Your honored self must take caution,” said Heyu in a soft voice.
The empress lifted her head and looked at the flat and dry stone tiled path before her. She smiled. “Indeed caution should be exercised.”
In reality, the emperor held a bit of interest toward Imperial Concubine Zhao. She should not interfere for now. In the past, weren’t Consort Yuan, Noble Consort Shu, and Noble Imperial Concubine Yan more favored than this Imperial Concubine Zhao? And which of them were able to pass her? This was merely the situation of the new replacing the old.
However, the emperor actually remembered Imperial Concubine Zhao’s birthday. Looked like she had told him before. This person’s schemes were truly… shallow. Even if the emperor would remember her birthday after she told him, then what about the next? Or the year from that?
It was merely exchanging temporary glory for temporary loneliness.
How would the emperor be a person who would take the initiative to ask an imperial concubine for her birthday, and even remember it too?
The author has something to say:
Maybe it’s because I had been kneeling too much and staying up too late that I got sick these past two days. Like throwing up and shitting myself. My back and shoulders ached. Today I was finally feeling a lot better. Once I got online, I realized there was a wave of resentment coming in. *cries* I really wasn’t failing to update on purpose.
In order to make up for those days, I will update twice tomorrow. Really twice. Unless there’s a huge storm and I lose electricity. Even losing internet won’t stop me from updating twice tomorrow. (I’m letting you guys know that tomorrow I’ll need to return to my hometown. However, in order to avoid losing internet, I will use broadband. And also bring a blood-sucking net card T-T)
In order to make up for those days, I will update twice tomorrow. Really twice. Unless there’s a huge storm and I lose electricity. Even losing internet won’t stop me from updating twice tomorrow. (I’m letting you guys know that tomorrow I’ll need to return to my hometown. However, in order to avoid losing internet, I will use broadband. And also bring a blood-sucking net card T-T)
Translator’s Notes:
I AM SO SORRY EVERYONE. I accidentally only posted HALF of chapter 17. I don’t even know what happened. Here’s the rest omg…
“This went to show that men were more fickle than women. In Zhuang Laoyan’s opinion, if anyone ever said that a woman’s heart was hard to understand, she would slap them in the face. ” Lmao ZL is too much.
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