chapter 16

Zhuang Laoyan chose a secluded area for her stroll in order to avoid the other imperial concubines. Never had she thought she would still come across some here. In fact, it was someone she knew.

Ever since the emperor had demoted Consort Yuan to Imperial Concubine Lin, the woman asked for permission to lock herself in her residence for one month. Therefore, Zhuang Laoyan did not think she would meet the other party in this location. After she had been demoted to an Imperial Concubine, Lin Zhixi no longer carried her previous noble aura. She wore a simplistic muslin dress. Even her gaze had grown dull, lacking the liveliness of the past. It seemed her demotion burned away her spirit.

Zhuang Laoyan recalled that the day Consort Rou, Lin Qingyin, had first entered the imperial palace, she started off as a low-ranking liangyi. Whereas Lin Zhixi had already held the position of a proper second-ranked zhaoyi. However, because Lin Qingyin had the same last name as Lin Zhixi and caused the limited supply of the emperor’s affection to become even less for each woman, Lin Zhixi often made trouble for her.　　

Nowadays, Lin Zhixi had dropped in rank and Lin Qingyin was Consort Rou. Who would have known that the circumstances in the past would be reversed?　　

“How is Older Sister Imperial Concubine Lin faring?” Zhuang Laoyan’s gentle smile seemed like a mocking sneer in Imperial Concubine Lin’s eyes.

“How could I be doing better than Younger Sister Imperial Concubine Zhao?” Imperial Concubine Lin performed half the ceremony of greeting, face expressionless. Seeing Zhuang Laoyan courteously avoiding her ceremony, she tilted the corners of her lips into a smile of ridicule. The women in the imperial harem were beautiful and held noble bearing. One could not discern the slightest hint of imperfection from their ceremony and propriety. But the things done in the dark? In what situation could such things be brought to light?　　

“I have heard that His Majesty treasures younger sister. From the start, he has rewarded much jewelry. It could even be said that you are currently the most favored in the imperial harem.” The moment Imperial Concubine Lin said these words, the mocking smile on her face grew sharper. In the past, she had also been the most favored once. Now, she had lost all favor before even reaching old age, unable to salvage even her rank. Who knew whether her circumstances in others’ eyes was a laughable spectacle. 　　

“Younger sister absolutely cannot shoulder the phrase ‘most favored in the harem.’” Indeed, Zhuang Laoyan dared not use this phrase to describe herself. Those who did would not have a good outcome. She’d rather live out her days in relative peace in the imperial harem. This phrase was unsuitable for her. 　　

Imperial Concubine Lin glanced at Zhuang Laoyan without commenting. She saw that the other woman did not seem happy about having this phrase, ‘most favored in the imperial harem,’ used to describe her. And Imperial Concubine Lin became more on guard. This kind of person whose face would not reveal a hint of joy was the most frightening in the entire inner courtyard. In the past, who had told her that this Imperial Concubine Zhao was brainless?

Had it been the empress, Noble Consort Shu, Consort Ning, Consort Xian, or Shuyi Ye, who had already been demoted to a ronghua? Imperial Concubine Lin smiled bitterly. Other people could see that the Lin family and Zhuang family did not see eye to eye in the imperial court. However, who was the stupid person who instigated her to make trouble for Imperial Concubine Zhao?　　

“‘Most favored in the imperial harem…’” Imperial Concubine Lin smiled, her exhaustion apparent. “Who is and who isn’t?” In the imperial harem, those who had their time in the limelight numbered many, but how many were able to stay in the limelight until the end?

Zhuang Laoyan realized that Imperial Concubine Lin’s gaze was strange. But it did not seem as if it were full of loathe toward Zhuang Laoyan. It also did not make her feel uneased. Rather, she felt Imperial Concubine Lin was despondent and frustrated that her aspirations had been thwarted. Zhuang Laoyan gave her a few more looks. And then she realized that without all her jewelry, Imperial Concubine Lin was extremely beautiful. It’s just that her skin wasn’t as tender as that of a younger woman. 　　

“Today is your turn to smile. Tomorrow, it will be another’s. How would you know your future?” In that moment, Imperial Concubine Lin lifted her tired eyes to meet Zhuang Laoyan. “I don’t regret losing. Do you think you’ll be the one laughing in the end?”

Zhuang Laoyan held her gaze without a word.

Imperial Concubine Lin sneered. She averted her gaze. Pointed at a patch of grass and flowers. “One month ago, I remember that there were Chinese Herbaceous Peonies blooming magnificently there. Now, the ones in bloom there are balsam¹. Who can say which flower is better?”　　

Turning her head, Zhuang Laoyan came to see many rows of balsam. Then she tilted her head and smiled without a word.

“I’ll be watching you,” said Imperial Concubine Lin, suddenly moving right next to her. Within her exhaustion hid also vicissitude and madness. “I want to see you go from being the most favored in the harem to how I am now. And perhaps… you’ll be in an even more sorry state than me.” Then, with a low laugh, she left holding the hand of a palace maid for support.

Zhuang Laoyan turned her head to see the back of her figure. Furrowing her brow, she wondered if she should have let Imperial Concubine Lin know that not once had she ever compared herself to a flower.

Even if a woman resembled a flower, she should bloom for the sake of her own beauty. Why should she compare herself to another person? If one loved oneself more, once the flower had wilted, wouldn’t having less regret be better?

Just as Zhuang Laoyan was about to leave, she heard a soft rustling behind her. As she turned around for a glance, Zhuang Wanqing, whom she had not spoken with in a while, actually came into view.

“Elder sister.” Zhuang Laoyan lowered her gaze, as if she were a younger sister conforming to propriety.

“Imperial Concubine Zhao.” Zhuang Wanqing slowly performed a ceremony of greeting. “Just now, I saw Older Sister Imperial Concubine Lin smiling as she left that way. Younger Sister Imperial Concubine Zhao, were you and her chatting happily before?”

Everyone in the imperial harem knew that Lin Zhixi and Zhuang Laoyan were antagonistic to one another. Zhuang Wanqing’s prior words were full of ridicule toward her.

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“Younger sister has heard that elder sister and Elder Sister Imperial Concubine Lin have chatted happily multiple times.” Zhuang Laoyan said this knowing that the previous Consort Yuan, Lin Zhixi, had bullied Zhuang Wanqing in the past. Now that Zhuang Wanqing had seen Lin Zhixi in such a state, who knew what was on her mind right now?

Never had it crossed Zhuang Wanqing’s thoughts that Zhuang Laoyan would say such things. After a moment of daze and shock, she said with an unsightly expression, “Why must you be sarcastic with me?”

“Wasn’t elder sister the one who said such things first?” Zhuang Laoyan smiled. “Elder Sister, why have you forgotten?”

“I actually don’t want to contend with you,” said Zhuang Wanqing, a bitter smile on her lips. “Since I was a child, I was not held in much regard in our household. Later, when I was sent to the palace, my mother finally had some importance. Yes, I am of the illegitimate line. My looks also can’t compare to yours. For this reason, once you entered the palace, my mother’s days in the estate became hard to endure again.

“I used to hate you. Hated that although you were beautiful, you were stubborn and stupid, always giving me trouble.” Zhuang Wanqing’s expression grew sad, as if she were reminiscing. “However, my mother is no longer around. I don’t have a reason to compete anymore. Although you and I are not close, we are still daughters of the Zhuang family in the end. The days in the imperial harem are hard to pass. I don’t want to compete and deal with harem intrigue alone.”　　

As soon as Zhuang Laoyan had heard those words, she lifted her head and carefully watched her sister. Saw that Zhuang Wanqing did not show discomfort under her gaze. Once more did she smile. “Elder Sister, what are you saying? Us sisters will naturally help each other.”

“For Younger Yister to think this way, I will be at ease.” Zhuang Wanqing revealed a faint smile. Then she lowered her voice. “You must be careful of Noble Consort Shu and Consort Ning.” Once she finished saying those words, she scanned the area, eyes darting left and right. Then she quickly left.

“Master, that…” Yunxi was a servant girl from the Zhuang estate that came as part of her master’s dowry. Therefore, she knew the extent of the feelings between the Zhuang family’s legitimate daughter and illegitimate daughter. It was unclear if Zhuang Wanqing’s recent actions were for the sake of forming a good relationship with her master or something else entirely.

“She said a bunch of things, but none of it held substance.” An emotionless smile tugged on Zhuang Looyan’s lips. Naturally she would not believe that Zhuang Wanqing was trying to form an alliance. If she had actually wanted to form an alliance, she wouldn’t have acted so calm and confident. Not to mention, who in the imperial harem did not need to be careful? Especially against the favored Noble Consort Shu and the one who always knew what to say and do in front of the emperor, Consort Ning?

Zhuang Wanqing was only a little jieyu. In the imperial harem, her position was unstable. Even if she had followed a high-ranking imperial concubine, she would only be a chess piece. Although she deliberately expressed good will to Zhuang Laoyan, no matter her intention, Zhuang Laoyan would not consider it as truth.

“Then what should we do?” Yunxi asked in a soft voice.

“What do you mean what should we do?” Zhuang Laoyan bent down to pluck a balsam flower. “What’s wrong with sisters chatting a little when they cross paths?”

Yunxi gradually widened her eyes. Was her master’s action right now implying that nothing had happened today? That she rejected Jieyu Zhuang’s offer?　

“Let’s return. I’m tired.” Zhuang Laoyan did not want to have anything to do with Zhuang Wanqing. Not to mention that Zhuang Laoyan was currently supposed to be a brainless imperial concubine who truly loved the emperor.

In this world, piglike allies weren’t the most frightening of all things. The most frightening things were those allies who wore pigs’ clothing while pointing a dagger at one’s back. There was no way that Zhuang Wanqing would be sincere in her offer to be allies. And Zhuang Laoyan did not believe in the nonexistent sisterly affections of the imperial harem. Such friendships were the same as those formed in business: unreliable.

“Reporting to Your Majesty, the interior supervision eunuchs have asked for an audience.” Gao Dezhong saw that the emperor had lowered his head as he reviewed memorials, and softly reminded him. Even so, most of the time the emperor would refuse to see them.

“Allow them to enter,” said Feng Jin without lifting his head from his work. After he finished reviewing the memorial in his hands, the moment he looked up, he saw an eunuch carrying a tray of name tags over, head bowed. He looked at the tray without a trace of emotion. Reached out for Taoyu Pavilion’s name tag. “Let’s go with Imperial Concubine Zhao.” 　　

The interior supervision eunuch left without a word. Gao Dezhong also followed him out. He told a useful eunuch by his side to announce the emperor’s intention to Taoyu Pavilion. Just last night, the emperor had visited that residence. Today, he also flipped Imperial Concubine Zhao’s name tag. Truly a rare thing to occur.

“Your Majesty, the empress, tonight the emperor has also picked someone to visit,” said Heyu, approaching the empress’ side. “According to hearsay, the emperor will be going to Taoyu Pavilion.”

“Didn’t he visit Linyue Pavilion for Noble Imperial Concubine Yan last night?” The empress set down the book of Buddhist scriptures in her hand. She calmly said, “Taoyu Pavilion’s Imperial Concubine Zhao is an adorable person. That His Majesty visits her a few times is normal.” Not to mention that this person in the imperial harem could not be considered the most favored. It was not worth using her power as the empress to advise the emperor from seeking Imperial Concubine Zhao after he only saw her a few times. And risk bringing forth the emperor’s unhappiness.

Heyu saw the empress’ expression and knew that she did not mind what had occurred. She silently retreated. 　　

The empress continued to read the Buddhist scriptures without looking up. A smile even graced her lips. Whether it was because the Buddhist scriptures erased her negative emotions or something else was anyone’s guess.

The number of times Feng Jin had frequented Taoyu Pavilion could not be considered a lot. However, whenever he came here, he would have a different experience. Imperial Concubine Zhao wasn’t like the other women in the imperial harem, talented in literature or the arts. That said, in the moments he shared with her, Feng Jin felt relaxed. Sometimes he thought, when a person missed another, would everything they did be for that person they missed? Was that why he felt relaxed and comfortable whenever he visited Taoyu Pavilion?　　

Once the palanquin arrived at Taoyu Pavilion, Feng Jin lifted the door flap. And he saw the figure of a woman in white under the moonlight, gracefully bowing. In her hair was a single jasper hairpin. A lazy and passionate hair arrangement.

“Beloved concubine may stand.” As he approached her, Feng Jin smelled the same faint and refreshing scent of mint. And his restlessness suddenly decreased by a magnitude.

The two entered the doors together. The ice placed in the residence served to cooled the entire space. Feng Jin sat by a window, pulling Zhuang Laoyan into his lap. “We remember that beloved concubine and Jieyu Zhuang are sisters. Are you two close?”

“Your Majesty is often busy, yet still remembers the small detail about us sisters. This concubine finds it surprising.” Zhuang Laoyan spared no effort in making her adoration not seem too obvious yet still allowing for the emperor to notice. “This concubine and Elder Sister share the same father but have different mothers. It’s just that since young, this concubine and Elder Sister were not raised together. And the time spent with Elder Sister was short. Furthermore, Elder Sister is more sensible than this concubine. Father uses Elder Sister to encourage me to do better. When I was young, I wasn’t sensible and fought a little with Elder Sister. Thinking back to it, I should not have done so.”

Once Feng Jin heard these words, he said, “Legitimate and illegitimate are different. That you and her don’t share a good relationship is normal.”

Abashed, Zhuang Laoyan lowered her head, a smile growing on her lips. She did not speak again.

She understood what the emperor meant. As the emperor, he naturally would not want to see the women in the imperial harem form alliances. Especially since the emperor had been a prince of the legitimate line. Back then, there had been a prince that, because of his mother’s extremely favored position, acted very arrogantly. That Feng Jin had said those words just a moment ago was not surprising at all. Of course, whether there was another meaning behind those words, she could not be sure. But she could at least understand this: she could not be too close with Zhuang Wanqing. Today, Zhuang Wanqing had found her and gave her an offer of alliance. Now, the emperor mentioned this. It was uncertain whether this was a coincidence or a warning.

Feng Jin saw Zhuang Laoyan’s shy appearance and waved his hand to dismiss everyone in the room. Then he carried her in a princess hold to bed.　　

The person in his arms was akin to the moon, skin as white as snow. Such a poem could not do the beauty justice. With a hand, Feng Jin caressed the smooth skin, before rolling over in satisfaction. He breathed in the faint fragrance from the other party’s body. “Beloved concubine’s hands are soft as clouds, skin smooth and glossy, eyebrows beautifully arched, teeth even and neat! A smiling expression and a beautiful face!”

Zhuang Laoyan pretended to by shy, hiding her head in the emperor’s chest. She lamented in her heart. It truly didn’t matter what kind of man a person was. Once they were in bed they would all say the most pleasant of things.

Why was a great and righteous emperor using such poems to flirt with a woman? Looked like even the emperor was the kind of man who hid his deep-rooted bad habits.