Chapter 51
Fireworks and lanterns abound, it did not seem as if it were nighttime . Zhuang Luoyan leaned against the seat of her steady sedan, watching the bloom of fireworks in the sky . For some reason, she recalled the words Noble Consort Shu had spoken a few days prior, that in a blink of an eye, those dazzling fireworks would vanish .
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A woman’s prime was short . The moment they were born, they were children that weren’t sensible . Once they were, before they could enjoy the naivety of a girl, they had to marry and give birth to children . Following that, the rest of their lives must be given to their husband, children, and the parents of their husband . For their whole lives, women must abide scrupulously to the Three Obediences and the Four Virtues¹, must be lenient and magnanimous . But her man could have three wives and four concubines, indulging in sensual pleasures, completely not placing her in his eyes .
Other than having a bit more of an honorable status and living in more luxury than other women, the women of the imperial harem were even more miserable . One mistake, and they would be consigned to eternal damnation . Zhuang Luoyan was a tactful person who feared death . For this reason, she played by the game’s rules, working hard to improve her living standards . At times, when one could not find a way out, one could not fight against the Heavens .
“Master, we have arrived at Taihe Hall . ” Noticing Zhuang Luoyan’s distracted appearance, Yunxi lowered her voice as she said, “Zhaorong Xu appears to be ahead of us . ”
Zhuang Luoyan snapped out of her reverie . Her gaze fell upon the approaching Zhaorong Xu . A trace of a smile appeared on her lips .
Zhaorong Xu’s appearance wasn’t stunning, but she possessed a rare delicate bearing . She also knew that her appearance wasn’t the best in the harem . As such, Zhaorong Xu purposely accentuated her good points, distinguishing herself among the other women .
Today’s Zhaorong Xu wore a pure white blouse with a wrap-around skirt made of satin . A goose-yellow cloak draped over her shoulders . It made others find her even more delicate . But the moment she caught sight of Zhuang Luoyan’s attire, digust filled her heart .
No woman liked seeing another woman look better in the color she wore . Zhaorong Xu felt unwilling, but she had no choice but to admit that Zhuang Luoyan looked perfect in those clothes . That snow-white blouse with a wrap-around skirt and a pattern of red plum blossoms, paired with a cloak made of arctic fox fur, not only made people feel tenderness toward the wearer but also did not lose out on sumptuousness . It was just right for tonight’s event .
Zhuang Luoyan looked at Zhaorong Xu and could not help but shiver . It’s so cold, yet she wore only that? She really couldn’t tell if this was beautiful and moving or simply freezing² . Who ever said Zhaorong Xu was delicate? Only those women who really wanted to look pretty could wear this little in this kind of cold weather .
“Younger Sister Chongyi Zhao . ” Zhaorong Xu nodded in an aloof manner . However, she did not stop her sedan at all, moving past Zhuang Luoyan . Once the breeze from the movement picked up, her skirt fluttered in the night underneath her cloak . Quite a sight for the eyes .
In silence, Zhuang Luoyan breathed in . Out of reflex, she pulled her fox cloak tighter around her, making sure the chill wouldn’t touch her . Then she once again sat with a graceful posture, a smile on her lips .
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They made their way to the front of Tiahe Hall . Zhuang Luoyan disembarked from her sedan . Using Yunxi’s hand for support, she took her time entering the side door . As soon as the eunuchs that announced the arrival of the masters saw her, they lowered their heads and shouted, “Chongyi Zhao has arrived!”
Zhuang Luoyan stepped foot within the hall and noticed that, sure enough, the sexes had been divided . The hall was spacious, with a stage in the middle; the men and women were seated far from each other . However, from this scene, it was apparent that separation of the sexes in this dynasty wasn’t as strict and abnormal as that of other dynasties in history . At least, in this kind of circumstance, men and women could be in the same place .
After paying respects again, Zhuang Luoyan sat in her seat . She carefully sneaked a peek at the emperor who sat in the seat of honor . Never had she expected for him to look at her as well . After a moment caught in daze, she revealed a shy smile, before dropping her gaze at the jade bracelet on her wrist . But she accidentally bumped her wrist on the edge of the table . Her smile twisted from the pain .
Feng Jin picked up a wine cup to hide his smile . At the end, he let escape a snicker .
The empress turned to look at the emperor . Then she shifted her gaze to Zhuang Luoyan, who was sitting quietly . Brows raising a shade, she smiled . “Your Majesty, it’s cold today . Chongyi Zhao rushed here from Xihe Palce and is also with child . How about we bestow her a cup of hot milk tea to warm her body?”
“Let’s go with what the empress says . ” Feng Jin suppressed his smile, not sparing Zhuang Luoyan a glance .
The empress’ smile did not change . She beckoned for a palace maid to prepare the milk tea, before saying to the imperial clan members present and other imperial concubines, “Since Chongyi Zhao is now with child, she must be very careful . ”
Everyone present sounded their agreement one after the other . Those who had given birth before talked about what pregnant women should take note of .
Zhuang Luoyan wore a bashful smile as she diverted their questions and statements, gritting her teeth in her heart . The empress was increasing the hostility she obtained from others .
Receiving the hot milk tea from the palace maid, Zhuang Luoyan rose to her feet and faced the emperor and empress, giving her thanks . She took a sip without the slightest hesitation . The milk tea tasted normal . There shouldn’t have been any special ingredients added to it .
Shortly after, Changfeng Country’s Crown Prince Sha Duoka led his envoys to the great hall . After they performed the full ceremony of paying respects, one of the envoys read aloud the tribute list . The name of every gift was very auspicious, but upon closer inspection, one would know these things weren’t anything special .
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Zhuang Luoyan sized up the crown prince of Changfeng Country . He wasn’t tall or short, fat or skinny . He also had a plain appearance . He was the crown prince of a country, but in Feng Jin’s presence, he seemed too deferential, not at all possessing the proper imposing manner of a crown prince .
“No need to be so ceremonious, Crown Prince . ” Feng Jin waved his hand . “Give him a seat . ”
“Many thanks to Your Majesty the emperor . ” Then Sha Duoka saluted toward the imperial concubines, before cautiously taking his seat . He did not even dare to have his eyes wander .
Zhuang Luoyan’s gaze fell upon Crown Prince Sha Duoka’s every movement . For some reason, she felt that this crown prince wasn’t as mediocre as his appearance would suggest . With so many countries bordering his own, for Changfeng Country to survive was evidence of their ability and means .
Right now, this crown prince gave off a deferential and cautious air . But maybe his heart harbored other intentions .
As a crown prince, that Sha Duoka could put aside his position and bow and submit for the sake of his country to this degree, so much so that he let go of all his face, was a very fortunate thing for his citizens .
“Crown Prince has arrived in a very opportune manner . Today is the eighth day of the twelve month . On an ordinary day, We and all the beloved ministers would be very busy . Seldom would there be time to hold a banquet . Crown prince need not be too courteous tonight . ” Feng Jin did not wait for Sha Duoka to respond . A clap, and dancers, singers, and musicians filed into the hall . All of a sudden, the banquet bustled with noise and excitement .
The sound of pipa was melodious, singing voices resembling sounds of nature . Spry and lively dances . Zhuang Luoyan couldn’t help but admit that the people the palace raised truly were skilled . At the very least, their dances were more aesthetically pleasing than the so-called classical dances of her previous life .
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“Sir Zhuang, word has it that Chongyi Zhao is with child . This humble official will congratulate you in advance . ”
Assistant Minister Zhuang looked at the official before him who had just spoken . Smiling insincerely, he picked up his wine cup . “Conceiving for His Majesty is Chongyi Zhao’s duty . Sir Su is too polite . ” Although this person could not be considered a high-ranking official, he was a member of the side branch of the Su family . He wasn’t sincere in his congratulation .
That official’s expression soured . Assistant Minister Zhuang’s words were modest at the surface, but beneath, wasn’t it mocking Noble Consort Shu for not fulfilling her duty? Who didn’t know that Noble Consort Shu had been favored for many years yet never became with child? “You’re too kind . Not just anyone can conceive for the emperor . Chongyi Zhao sure enough is in her most favored moment . ”
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“Sir Su is too serious . His Majesty is merely treating her kindly . ” Assistant Minister Zhuang took a light sip of wine and no longer continued this topic of conversation . At present, his younger sister was pregnant . How many people had their eyes on the Zhuang family was anyone’s guess . He would not just give away information that could be used against them .
That official still wanted to say something . However, he saw the palace maids carrying bowls of Laba congee³, and could only keep quiet with reluctance . He watched as they served the fine Laba congee .
When there were no more disturbances, Assistant Minister Zhuang glanced at his younger sister who was sitting close to the emperor’s seat . After barely one year in the imperial harem, his originally headstrong sister seemed to have changed a lot . She was very unfamiliar .
He knew early on that the imperial harem was a very difficult place to live . In the past, his sister had lost favor, yet he could do nothing . Now that he saw her regain favor, he did not know whether to worry for her or be happy for her .
It was at this moment that the empress suddenly said, “This year’s Laba congee has been cooked meticulously . Chongyi Zhao ought to eat more of it . Pregnant women should eat more beans as it is good for their health . ”
The heart of Assistant Minister Zhuang trembled . With these words, the empress wanted to push his sister into where the wind and waves were the fiercest . The imperial harem was complicated . His younger sister had only been pregnant for a little over a month⁴…
Zhuang Luoyan raised her head and looked at the empress, yet only revealed a smile .
“The empress need not be so careful,” said Feng Jin . “You hold so much care for her, yet have you forgotten that you also love to eat these things? Those waiting upon Chongyi Zhao are all meticulous . In a little while, We will send another two older female servants knowledgeable about pregnancy to Xihe Palace . You mustn’t tire yourself out . ”
In the view of outsiders, these words illustrated his concern for the empress and also expressed his favor toward Chongyi Zhao . Truly the most suitable . However, the empress held the impression that the emperor cared about the child in Chongyi Zhao . At the very least, he wasn’t as indifferent to this compared to when other imperial concubines had been pregnant .
“So Your Majesty the emperor’s imperial concubine is with child,” said Sha Duoka after rising to his feet . “Your Majesty the emperor has the Heavens’ blessing . This subject greatly admires . ”
What’s there for you to greatly admire when an imperial concubine was pregnant? Zhuang Luoyan was astonished by Crown Prince Sha Duoka’s boot-licking that crossed even the lowest bar . She lowered her head and hid the twitching corners of her mouth .
This crown prince truly was without an equal in this respect .
“My actions do not request for help from the heavens and earth . They only rely on a clear conscience . ” Feng Jin faintly smiled . It appeared he did not accept this instance of boot-licking . “Crown Prince Sha Duoka looks too highly on Us . ”
“Your Majesty the emperor’s mind is broad . This subject is narrow minded . ” Sha Duoka fawned on Feng Jin to the utmost, yet did not seem the slightest bit embarrassed, still continuing with his flattery .
Feng Jin arched a brow . He was not interested in this kind of boot-licking . He shifted his gaze slightly, and caught sight of his beloved concubine Chongyi Zhao’s expression… It seemed this beloved concubine of his also did not like Changfeng Country’s fawning . The corners of his mouth raised . Feng Jin set down the wine cup . No wonder those kinds of words had left her lips that night . Truly was interesting .
The empress followed Feng Jin’s line of sight . Saw Chongyi Zhao who was eating the Laba congee with her head lowered . Her hand that was holding the silver spoon stilled for a moment . In a flash, her expression went back to normal and she averted her gaze .
Noble Consort Shu’s maidservant Lingsha saw that her master had yet to touch her bowl of Laba congee, and called out softly, “Master?”
Noble Consort Shu looked down, gaze falling upon the bowl of sticky congee . As if she had lost her appetite .
“It seems like Noble Consort Shu’s appetite isn’t so good today?” Consort Xian glanced at her . Wiped at the corners of her lips . “Actually, I find this year’s Laba congee more delicious than that of last year . ”
“If Consort Xian likes it, then eat more of it . ” Noble Consort Shu scooped up a spoonful of congee . A smile blossoming on her lips, she said, “Today, this palace does not have much of an appetite—”
“Master!”
At that cry of fear, Noble Consort Shu looked in the direction of the voice and saw Chongyi Zhao holding her stomach, collapsed onto the table . Red stained her arctic fox cloak, and upon the white, the red seemed even more conspicuous .
Her hand holding the spoon slightly trembled .