chapter 4

According to palace protocol, after imperial concubines received the emperor’s affections, they must pay respects to the empress first thing in the morning. Of course, the emperor would sometimes pity that concubine and relieve her from that duty.

Zhuang Laoyan had gotten herself in said situation. Last night, Emperor Chengxuan had clearly said so himself. But she was no longer the original Wanyi Zhuang. She had wisdom. In the imperial harem, those who acted arrogantly after being favored would suffer a poor outcome. She didn’t have the infamous Daji’s¹ ability to completely ensnare the emperor. It’s better to not copy her anyway, for the future of a calamitous beauty, a wanton seductress of a consort, would be full of despair.

She dressed appropriately for her rank, not flashy yet not too plain. If one dressed simply in a harem full of ostentatious showboats, one would stand out. Would catch the attention of everyone.

The empress lived in Jingyang Palace. Since this dynasty’s establishment, every empress had resided there. The current empress was one year Feng Jin’s senior, and did not hold his affection. However, he treated her with respect. Therefore, her position in the imperial harem was stable. What a pity she had only given birth to a daughter who died at the age of two. Since then, the favored imperial concubines stole her limelight.

Losing favor in the imperial harem was easier than receiving favor. For this reason, every imperial concubine came to watch Zhuang Laoyan pay respects to the empress. Their hearts trembled with unhappiness. She was obviously just a woman with a slightly attractive face. By what means could she attain the emperor’s affection?

“This concubine pays respects to Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty.” Zhuang Laoyan had arrived right on time. This was considered rule-abiding. She saluted the full ceremony. A beat later, the empress’ personal palace maids approached Zhuang Laoyan and helped her to her feet. She glanced at the noble woman sitting in the main seat. It seemed the empress completely forgot the icy attitude she had shown Zhuang Laoyan in the past.

“Previously, His Majesty’s personal eunuchs have informed this palace you were relieved from paying respects. Now that you have arrived, hurry and take a seat.” Although the empress wasn’t the most beautiful in the imperial harem, she had the most noble aura, suitable for an empress. A smile, and she seemed proper, benevolent, and magnanimous.

“His Majesty and Your Majesty’s compassion is this concubine’s blessing. Yet these past couple days, this concubine felt guilty for failing to pay respects to Your Majesty. Therefore, today this concubine has inconvenienced Your Majesty. Asking Your Majesty, the empress, not to mind,” said Zhuang Laoyan, a cold smile settling within her heart. What ‘relieved from paying respects?’ Why did she not say those words before she saluted the full ceremony? The only thing the empress had competed for and won was the reputation of a benevolent and magnanimous woman. She must be itching with boredom.

“The fact that you have done this makes this palace glow with joy.” The empress once again called for someone to present Zhuang Laoyan a gift, encouraging the other imperial concubines’ envy.　　

After a moment of conversing among themselves, the women in the room heard a eunuch’s announcement. “Noble Consort Shu has arrived. Xiuyi² Su has arrived.”　　

Zhuang Laoyan rose from her seat. She watched as the two gorgeous women slowly and gracefully entered the room, floating by like a cloud. The woman in front wore a pink blouse and a wrap-around skirt. She looked to be in her twenties. Her figure was akin to a willow, thin and flexible, her gaze filled with a noble and arrogant air. It was clear with a glance that the emperor highly doted on her.

The woman standing a step behind her was also beautiful. However, her presence wasn’t as great. Upon closer inspection they looked a bit alike. She seemed slightly afraid and respectful of the woman standing before her.

“This concubine³ greets the empress,” said Noble Consort Shu as she bowed elegantly. Zhuang Laoyan sighed in her heart. No wonder this woman was favored. If Zhuang Laoyan were a man, she wouldn’t be able to help herself from showering this curvaceous woman with love.

As Noble Consort Shu completed the full ceremony and kowtowed again, the eunuchs announced that Noble Imperial Concubine Yan had arrived.

Below the rank of Zhaoyi, imperial concubines did not have a title, only referred to by their last name. The sole exception was this Noble Imperial Concubine Yan. Born Xue Zhenyao, she had the title of “Yan” bestowed to her while still in those lower ranks. Word went that she first met the emperor in a plum blossom forest, and she had smiled at him then. He found it so prepossessing, so special, prompting him to give her the title of “Yan.” Not long after, she was promoted from one of the lowest ranks to a ronghua. Then from a ronghua directly to Noble Imperial Concubine Yan. The emperor clearly favored her and then some.

Just a glimpse of her standing by the doorway and it was obvious her beauty eclipsed that of Noble Consort Shu. Not to mention, her actions were very alluring. As soon as she had stepped foot within the room, she swept her gaze through the other imperial concubines. Then she finally approached the empress to pay respects.

The empress’ attitude toward her was the same as her attitude toward Noble Consort Shu. Zhuang Laoyan could not determine how the empress felt about these two favored imperial concubines, what her intentions for them were. If it weren’t for Noble Imperial Concubine Yan’s relatively humble birth, she would have an even higher rank.

“Today it is quite lively at the empress’ abode.” She turned to Zhuang Laoyan with a smile. “Isn’t this the Younger Sister Zhuang who hasn’t been seen for a while?” Breathtakingly gorgeous her eyes might be, when her gaze had met Zhuang Laoyan, her attractive smile seemed cold to the latter.

“Responding to Older Sister, it is indeed this concubine.” Zhuang Luayan stood to curtsy, a smile dancing on her lips.

“I heard that you had been sick prior. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the time to visit you,” said Noble Imperial Concubine Yan. “Have you recovered now?” Then she smiled at Noble Consort Shu. “Older Sister, look at Younger Sister Wanyi’s small face. It looks like it has gotten a lot thinner.”

“Younger Sister Wanyi indeed has lost weight. Although she has said she recovered, it’s better to take care of oneself,” said Noble Consort Shu, watching Zhuang Laoyan with warm smile. Her voice was a spring breeze, soft and gentle. “If you require anything, let the empress or us older sisters know. Don’t treat yourself poorly.”

“This concubine thanks all the older sisters. There’s nothing that I lack. This concubine feels remorse in having the older sisters worry.” Zhuang Luoyan sat back down and immersed herself in thought. If these women actually saw her as a younger sister, as one of their own, why would they keep calling her by her rank? They were merely reminding her of her low status, and not to let one instance of favor get to her head.

“This palace is relieved that all of you are in harmony. Prior to this meeting, Kang’an Palace⁵ had delivered an imperial order canceling today’s act of paying respects. If you sisters have no other business, you may leave.” The empress waved her hand.

Since the empress had said this, the rest of the imperial concubines wouldn’t shamelessly stay. They all made to leave Jingyang Palace. Upon leaving, they would reveal their true face.

The honest women who had no hope of receiving the emperor’s affection left quietly. Those who loitered around were the ones with intentions in their hearts.

“Wanyi Zhuang received favor, yet the one who’s most happy should be Jieyu Zhuang. Have I said it correctly?” Jieyu Ma’s voice was neither loud nor soft. The people around her all heard. It was common knowledge that Jieyu Zhuang entered the palace two years before Wanyi Zhuang. In fact, Wanyi Zhuang was the Zhuang family’s legitimate daughter. Jieyu Zhuang was just a daughter born from a concubine, and once Wanyi Zhuang had arrived, she was not respectful to her older sister. Now, Jieyu Ma purposely said these words in order anger them both. 　

Never had Jieyu Zhuang thought that her sister would have a chance to claw back up. Although she had hoped this wouldn’t happen, it was a matter between the two of them. She didn’t want someone like Jieyu Ma, whose father was a low-ranked official, to mock them. Her smile was cold enough to freeze. “Does the fact that my younger sister can make the emperor happy cause Jieyu Ma misery?”　

Jieyu Ma’s face tightened. Her words were encased in ice. “You two certainly share a great sisterly bond.” 　　

To use the phrase “great sisterly bond” to describe the two’s relationship was a huge joke. Zhuang Laoyan knew Jieyu Zhuang didn’t like her. Of course, who would be close to a person who kept butting heads with her, who was worse than her in everything but beauty, and who was an arrogant legitimate sister to boot?　　

Jieyu Zhuang’s expression grew dark. No longer did she respond to Jieyu Ma.

Meanwhile, Zhuang Laoyan turned to look at Jieyu Ma. Sliding across her own lips was an expression that at one glance seemed like a smile, and at another shook off the earlier impression. She said, “Jieyu Ma has entered the palace for many years. So shouldn’t you be aware that all of us sisters share great sisterly bonds?”

“You!” Jieyu Ma’s expression sank. Zhuang Laoyan had pressed a blade upon her Achilles’ heel. She was not getting any younger. She was considered to have entered the palace early. However, Jieyu Ma was stuck as a mid-rank fourth-rank jieyu. Compared to these women who looked like flowers, she had already passed her prime.

“When we are talking, a low-ranked wanyi like yourself should not interrupt.” Frigid did Jieyu Ma’s gaze become. “Someone slap her mouth.”

“Master…” said one of Jieyu Ma’s servants, voice coming out in a frail whisper. Her whole body trembled, too afraid to move.

“Younger Sister had lost manners,” said Zhuang Laoyan. “Hoping that Older Sister forgives. Because Older Sister had said we shared a sisterly bond, I dared to say such things, not knowing that you instead had this intention.” She bowed, watching as Jieyu Ma’s expression sank even further. Her smile did not falter.　　

“It’s been a while since we last met, yet Wanyi Zhuang’s mouth has become all the more skilled,” said Virtuous Imperial Concubine⁵ Jiang, standing a distance away as she viewed this show. Her voice was soft as she said to Imperial Concubine Wang at her side, “Who knows if her tricks have improved though?”

Imperial Concubine Wang studied Jieyu Ma’s unsightly expression. “Whether Wanyi Zhuang’s tricks improved I don’t know. However, this Jieyu Ma has been in the palace for a long time. Did her intelligence rot?”　　

The three of them had entered the palace on the same day. This Virtuous Imperial Concubine Jiang was a proper 4th-rank concubine. Imperial Concubine Wang was as well. Only Jieyu Ma was of the mid-tier 4th-rank. Thinking back to three years ago, when Jieyu Ma had held the emperor’s affection, Imperial Concubine Wang smiled.

Jieyu Ma could not order her servant to slap Zhuang Laoyan. Ignoring the fact that they were standing right outside Jingyang Palace, even if they were somewhere else, a Jieyu telling a servant to slap a Wanyi who recently received favor proved an idiotic move. It would paint her in the light of a jealous and immoral person. She would be merely giving herself trouble.

Although Jieyu Ma lacked intelligence, she hadn’t fallen to the point of pure stupidity. She quickly calmed. Glanced hatefully at Zhuang Laoyan. Then she spun on her heel and left, her palace maids trailing her.

The imperial concubines who had stayed for the show soon departed. In just a few moments, the only ones remaining were Jieyu Zhuang and Zhuang Laoyan.

“During that bout of sickness, younger sister had missed you,” Zhuang Laoyan said, a fake smile tugging on her lips. Back when the empress disliked the original owner of this body, Jieyu Zhuang had fueled part of that dislike.

Jieyu Zhuang stared Zhuang Laoyan straight in the eye. The latter’s eyes were so prepossessing that it made the former jealous. She sneered. Reached out for a maidservant’s hand to support herself. Smiling coldly, Jieyu Ma said “Why must Younger Sister act in such a way?” As mentioned before, Jieyu Zhuang had entered the palace two years earlier than Zhuang Laoyan. Since she was born from a concubine, she was still a mid-rank 4th-rank Jieyu after suffering for several years. Yet because of her status as a legitimate daughter, her arrogant little sister was made a mid-tier fifth-rank guiji right from the start. Then after a night of the emperor’s affection, she was promoted to a proper fifth-rank wanyi. The difference was night and day.　　

Whether she was unwilling or not, hated her situation or not, Jieyu Zhuang had hoped that once her little sister lost favor, she would be kicked into the Cold Palace⁶. And she had hoped this little sister would disappear in the imperial harem without a sound. However, Zhuang Laoyan had clearly lost favor before. Had clearly caused the empress unhappiness. Why was it that after one night, the emperor became fond of her again? Even the empress’ attitude toward her had changed.

Was it because Zhuang Laoyan was slightly more beautiful than herself? Because of her better birth?!

Zhuang Laoyan could make out the thick hate in Jieyu Zhuang’s gaze. She lowered her eyes, reached out a hand to Yunxi for support. “Today Younger Sister feels a bit tired and will go on ahead.”　　　　

Gaze locked on Zhuang Laoyan as she departed, Jieyu Zhuang said in a somber voice, “Any news on Taoyu Pavilion?”

“Master, according to the grapevine,” Xieyu whispered, “the head eunuch Gao Dezhong brought six capable servants to Taoyu Pavilion in the morning. Apparently, His Majesty felt Taoyu Pavilion was in need of more servants. Having the original amount had wronged Wanyi Zhuang.”　　

“Wronged?!” Jieyu Zhuang’s frigid smile was truly frightening. “Which wanyi doesn’t have the same amount of servants? Yet it was only her that was wronged?” Once those words left her lips, Jieyu Zhuang had the sinking suspicion that something was off. She grudgingly suppressed the unhappiness threatening to overtake her heart. Then she turned around and left for her residence.

“Master, eldest miss is…”

“Yunxi, she is not the eldest miss. She is Jieyu Zhuang. Don’t forget that.” A light smile once again slid across Zhung Laoyan’s lips. In the imperial harem, there was no such thing as a real sister.

Later in the evening, what the other imperial concubines had feared was about to occur.

“Does Your Majesty want to flip a nametag?” Gao Dezhong said as he brought some eunuchs with him into the room. Seeing Feng Jin hard at work, he had kept his voice low.

The red imperial brush⁷ in Feng Jin’s hand stilled. He glanced at the nametags lying on the tray before him. At first, he reached out for a jade nametag, which read “Anqing Palace’s Noble Consort Shu, Su Ruizi.” But as his finger brushed against the cool of the jade, he suddenly paused. He reached for and flipped a wooden nametag.　　

As Feng Jin resumed his work, Gao Dezhong shot a glance at the nametag. He brought the other eunuchs out of the room.

“Announcing the emperor’s choice. Have Taoyu Pavilion prepare for tonight.”

Daji: (妲己) Dájǐ was the favorite consort of King Zhou of Shang, the last king of the Shang dynasty in ancient China. She is portrayed as a malevolent fox spirit in legends as well as novels. Because of her, the emperor became muddleheaded, and his dynasty fell. For this reason, she is only called by her real name in history books, and not by her more respectful consort title.

Xiuyi: (修仪) Xiūyí. A rank of imperial concubine. Since the author mixes and matches ranks from different dynasties, I can’t tell you exactly how high this rank is. But it’s definitely lower than a Consort and probably higher than a Wanyi (Zhuang Laoyan’s rank).

This concubine: (臣妾) Chénqiè. Although Chenqie also means “this concubine” like pinqie, which is the form of “this concubine” used in this novel until now, chenqie is used by higher-ranked imperial concubines when they are speaking with a superior. I believe it’s from the rank of Consort and above.

Kangan Palace: (康安宫) Kāng ān gōng. If I had to guess, this would be the empress dowager’s palace. The emperor’s palace is Qianzheng Palace in this novel.

Virtuous Imperial Concubine: (贤嫔) Xián pín. I’m not sure if this is an actual rank, or if the 贤 (xian), which means virtuous, is her title.

Cold Palace: (冷宫) Lěnggōng. The place where imperials concubines who had committed a crime were sent. A place where they must repent and lacked any form of luxury.

imperial brush (御笔) Yùbǐ. This brush was used only by the emperor to write comments in his officials’ memorials.