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Published at 30th of January 2021 05:32:35 PM


Chapter 85

After Xianrong Zhao had fainted again and an imperial physician had examined her, he sighed and said the following: Xianrong Zhao had lost a lot of blood in her last injury, and as such now had a weak body . Thus, she must recuperate properly . Otherwise, she would have headaches in the future .   

Before the people of the harem received the emperor’s bestowments for Imperial Concubine Hu, the emperor sent out a second imperial decree: Imperial Concubine Hu would be demoted to a sixth-rank liangyi, moved from the side palace hall of Ruanming Palace to the back hall .   

In the short span of a day, Hu Caixuan fell from a consort to an imperial concubine . Then after Xianrong Zhao had fainted, she was demoted to a little liangyi . Such an occurrence was rare in the imperial harem . And it made those of the harem afraid of Xihe Palace . If there was nothing going on, they would not make things difficult for Xihe Palace’s people . Thankfully Xihe Palace’s conduct was the same as always . Otherwise, there would be many issues in the harem .     

In Xihe Palace, Zhuang Laoyan ate a cherry from a bowl that was specially chosen with care . Listening as Fu Bao mentioned some entertaining gossip of the harem, she couldn’t help but yawn . “Word has it that Liangyi Hu is now praying sincerely to Buddha?”  

“That’s what the rumors say . However this slave thinks that isn’t the case . ” Fu Bao hesitated for a moment . “This slave heard that the second prince, whom Liangyi Hu had fostered, was also brought to the rear palace hall of Ruanming Palace . And he isn’t close with Noble Consort Xian . The Eldest Prince, whom Noble Consort Xian fostered, got into fights with Second Prince a few times . It even startled the emperor . In all likelihood, Her Highness Noble Consort Xian is very unhappy about this . ”  

“It’d be strange if she could be happy . ” Zhuang Laoyan set down the jasper bowl with the cherries . She changed her sitting position . Said in a lazy manner, “Since young, Eldest Prince was raised by her side . Second Prince is already a few years old, and has long since been able to remember things . Even if she raises him now, he wouldn’t be as close to her as the Eldest Prince is . Moreover, he often visits Liangyi Hu . As for Noble Consort Xian, Second Prince is merely an ungrateful thing that can’t become close to her . ” The eldest prince seemed to be close with Noble Consort Xian right now . In the future, when he grew up, he would naturally think of his birth mother . Then the mother-and-son relationship between them would be affected . Thus, it’s better to raise a child that one gave birth to . Other people’s children could not compare to one’s own .

“Currently, there are only two imperial princes in the palace . And the emperor gave both to Noble Consort Xian to raise . It’s evident that she has a special place in his heart . ” Tingzhu put away the jasper bowl, softly massaging Zhuang Laoyan’s shoulders . “Originally, there were rumors that Second Prince would be given to Anqing Palace’s Noble Consort Shu to raise . But in the end, he was given to Consort Ning… to Liangyi Hu for some reason . Word has it that ever since then, the relationship between Noble Consort Shu and Consort Ning cooled . Now, Noble Consort Shu must be mocking Liangyi Hu . ”    

Why would such an intelligent and favored woman like Noble Consort Shu want to raise someone else’s child? It wasn’t as if she couldn’t give birth . Zhuang Laoyan smiled . With her personality, during those circumstances, Noble Consort Shu probably didn’t want to raise Second Prince at all . Hu Caixuan schemed to get the child by her side . As for Noble Consort Shu, she only held a grudge toward her for scheming to take what belonged to her . She didn’t really care about Second Prince .   

“Your Highness, a messenger eunuch has arrived to announce an imperial decree . Tonight, we must prepare for His Majesty’s visit,” said Yunxi with a joyful expression as she entered the room . “The messenger added that His Majesty specially said Master’s body is still weak and does not need to wait by the palace gates for the imperial sedan . ”   

A smile graced Zhuang Laoyan’s lips at those words . These past few days, the emperor would visit Xihe Palace at night, but taking into consideration her injuries, they did not partake in any nightly activities . But now, her injuries were mostly healed . She ought to fulfil her duties as an imperial concubine . Otherwise, if she waited too long, problems would occur with these men, these creatures governed by their lower body . Then all of her hard work would have been in vain .   

Propping her chin up, she looked at the pine bonsai tree on the shelf meant for flowers . How could she give the emperor a delightful evening?  

Feng Jin was a man . During the day, he liked when his women dressed beautifully . But come night, he did not want to smell the scent of rouge . As such, each time he held Zhuang Laoyan in his arms, he felt especially content . She wore no makeup, with only the sweet scent of fruit on her body . Thus, when he was aroused, he always felt the most satisfied .   

He had clearly wanted to take into consideration the injuries that the person in his arms had received in the past . Yet, he couldn’t control himself, losing himself in the haze of lust and desire . Once they had enjoyed themselves, he reached out and drew her close to his chest in an embrace . Caressed her fair and satiny back . Not a word escaped his lips .   

Lying on the emperor’s chest, Zhuang Laoyan drew circles on his shoulder, appearing to rely on him, appearing sweet . Her fair and tender finger seemed to unconsciously and lightly travel to the back of his ear, sliding slowly to his neck .   

All of a sudden, Feng Jin grabbed the fingers that kept moving about . Voice hoarse, he said, “Beloved Concubine’s hand is so disobedient . We have to properly punish you . ”  

Feigning anger coquettishly, Zhuang Laoyan said, “Your Majesty scratched this concubine’s back until it was itchy . This concubine is just paying you back . ”  

“We think you are being disobedient, still looking for an excuse . ” Then he smiled lightly and kissed the tip of her nose .  

“Your Majesty…” muttered Zhuang Laoyan, their breaths intermingling . Moonlight streamed through the window, allowing him to see her eyes clearly . People said a woman’s coquettish glance could bewitch others the easiest . Yet, the pair of eyes before him, which carried not a trace of the intention to charm, caused him to feel as if shocks were running through his heart .   

Which man didn’t want his woman to regard him as her god? As the only man in her heart? What a pity that there were too many women in the harem . Feng Jin was very clear on and understood well how the harem worked, yet never had he expected to find someone who purely trusted him and relied on him . But he also didn’t think that once he found a woman who gave him these things, this trust and reliance, this person would have a special place in his heart .    

In the end, he didn’t want to part with this trust, and so could only pamper her this much .   

He went forward to kiss her moist lips . Then he turned over and pinned her to the bed .  

Only those present at the time, Feng Jin and Zhuang Laoyan, knew the difference between when a man and woman made love and when the emperor and an imperial concubine made love .   

Early in the morning, Feng Jin woke up in a daze . Eyes yet to open, he sensed a light and quick touch on his ear . His heart softened . A short while later, he opened his eyes as if he had just woken up . The person lying next to him still had her eyes closed, as though she were still asleep .   

Once he lifted open the gauze curtains, it didn’t take long before palace maids and court eunuchs came forward to serve . From the corner of his eyes, he gazed at the person on the bed who feigned rousing in a dazed manner . With a light smile on his lips, he said, “Your body is still weak . You don’t have to stand and serve . ”  

In a well-behaved manner, Zhuang Laoyan sat in bed and watched as the emperor changed into a set of formidable and bold dragon robes . Once the emperor was fully dressed, she then seemed to snap back to her senses .

Her action pleased the emperor . She watched as he left with a smile . Following that, she got off of bed and saluted him, respectfully sending him on his way . Once she could no longer see him, she yawned in an indolent manner . She smelled the scent on her body; it carried a hint of flowers . Apparently, after she had fallen asleep from exhaustion last night, the emperor had people bathe her .   

When it came to post-coital affection, Emperor Chenxuan scored high marks .     

After getting up from lying in bed in a way that smashed all etiquette with a hammer, Zhuang Laoyan slowly moved to a sitting position . “Servants, change my clothes . ”  

Spring mornings always made people feel unspeakably refreshed . After Gao Dezhong had walked a far distance from Xihe Palace, he noticed that the emperor had yet to mention whether or not to send birth control medicine there . And he said, “Your Majesty, should we give Her Highness Xianrong Zhao…”  

Knowing what Gao Dezhong wanted to say, Feng Jin replied with a tranquil expression, “Xianrong Zhao’s body is weak and cannot take medicine that is too nourishing . If We favor her during these days, there is no need to give her birth control medicine . ”  

“Yes, this slave will remember . ” Gao Dezhong was frightened, yet did not show this on his face at all . He looked back at Xihe Palace . Perhaps there would be great changes occurring in the future .   

A head of smooth and fine black hair was arranged into an exquisite and luxurious hairstyle . Coupled with delicate hair ornaments and a splendid brocade gown, these were the things pampered concubines should have . Zhuang Laoyan had no interest in dressing up as a special person, one who was obviously a favored concubine yet insisted on simple and bland clothes . Such behavior in the harem would certainly court disaster .   


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In front of the emperor, the imperial concubines could put on any appearance . As long as the emperor liked such a style, of course . But in the presence of other imperial concubines, one ought to dress according to one’s rank . Even if one pretended to be special, no one would appreciate it . Rather, it would only lure hatred and definitely had no benefits .     

Nowadays, those higher in rank than Zhuang Laoyan grew less and less . On the contrary, Zhuang Laoyan grew even more careful . Of the women who had climbed to such high ranks, which one could be simple?  

In the imperial garden, she coincidentally encountered Noble Consort Xian and her entourage . Behind her were a few imperial concubines who lived in the side and rear halls of Ruanming Palace . One glance, and Zhuang Laoyan noticed the Hu Caixuan with a wooden expression .   

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“Greetings to Your Highness Noble Consort Xian,” said Zhuang Laoyan, approaching to salute her .  

Noble Consort Xian rushed to support her to her feet . “Younger Sister is still unwell . There’s no need for these empty courtesies . ” 

“Greetings to Your Highness Xianrong Zhao,” said the lower-ranked imperial concubines behind Noble Consort Xian one after the other . Moreover, they stood two steps apart from Hu Caixuan .   

“No need to be so ceremonious . ” Zhuang Laoyan seemed to not have seen Hu Caixuan, merely smiling as she said to Noble Consort Xian, “This concubine thanks Your Highness for the deep care . ”  

“Ah you with that personality of yours . We’re all sisters here, so there’s no need for exchanging such pleasantries in the first place . ” Noble Consort Xian took Zhuang Laoyan’s hand . Smiled . “Right now, we are heading to pay respects to Her Majesty the empress . Why don’t we go together?”

“Then this concubine will disturb Elder Sister for a moment . ” Zhuang Laoyan naturally would not reject her offer . On the road to their destination, the two chatted and laughed . Very soon, they had traveled a good distance . When they were almost at Jingyang Palace, she ran into Zhaorong Xu, with Noble Lady Qian following along .     


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Another round of mutual greeting . Those present knew that in the past, Zhaorong Xu took advantage of the situation to borrow servants from Xihe Palace and embarrass Xianrong Zhao . Now, Zhaorong Xu had lost favor, and everyone wore a calm expression as they waited for this good show to begin .   

Zhuang Laoyan noticed her sickly appearance, and said with a tone of deep concern, “Your Highness’ complexion isn’t good . Recently, the weather has changed very quickly and often . Your Highness must take better care of your health . ”  

“Many thanks for Xianrong Zhao’s concern . This palace is fine,” replied Zhaorong Xu with indifference . “Your body is weak, so you should also take better care of yourself .  The weather changes so often, that no one knows when it will be hot or cold . ”  

“Your Highness is correct . ” Zhuang Laoyan smiled . “That’s why we must properly prepare our clothes for the situation . This way, we don’t have to worry about whether it would be hot or cold . Otherwise, the one harmed would only be ourselves . ”    

“Xianrong Zhao’s words are right,” said Noble Consort Xian . “If one gets sick in such weather, it wouldn’t be good . ”

Zhaorong Xu’s complexion changed a hint . In the end, she could only say, “Your Highness is correct . ” Nowadays, Noble Consort Xian wanted to form connections with Zhuang Laoyan, and naturally would not care about a zhaorong who had lost favor like herself . Although her rank was higher than Zhuang Laoyan’s, in the eyes of the imperial harem, how could she compare to Zhuang Laoyan?  

Her legs trembled a shade . She almost couldn’t keep standing . Someone approached her from behind to support her . “Your Highness, watch your step . ”  

Casting an indifferent gaze at Noble Lady Qian, the person supporting her, Zhaorong Xu withdrew her hand . Gave her hand to her own personal attendant . “Noble Lady Qian should also be more careful on the road . ”  

“Yes . ” Noble Lady Qian took back her hand, expression one of calm . Such beautiful looks appeared especially dazzling in the early morning .   

A smile blossomed on Zhuang Laoyan’s lips as she watched this scene . Yet, not a trace of a smile existed in her eyes . This Noble Lady Qian did not seem simple as well .

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