“Chapter 18: All Are Consorts”

"Chapter 18: All Are Consorts"

"On New Year's Day, it snowed all day."

"Zhu Yan didn’t leave her residence."

"In the evening, Lady Qin Zhu Zhu brought the sixth princess to Fu Hua Palace to watch the fireworks. From the top of the five-story tower, the view was vast, turning everything into a white, snowy world. The snow illuminated the night, and from a distance, one could see the figures of the eunuchs busily setting up the fireworks on the frozen Fu Rong Pond."

"The new year was the Year of the Pig."

"The fireworks were arranged in the shape of a lucky pig."

"Quite fitting for the occasion."

"'You're quite bold to bring Little Six out in this snow.' Zhu Yan looked at the sixth princess in Qin Zhu Zhu's arms, cute as a button with big watery eyes and rosy cheeks, wondering whether her redness was from being bundled up or from the cold wind, admiring Qin Zhu Zhu’s usual carefree attitude."

"The sixth princess was born in November the year before last."

"By the New Year, she was said to be three years old in virtual age, but actually just fourteen months."

"'She recently started on solid food and is so energetic, especially at night. She gets so excited by bright things, so I brought her here on purpose,'"

"Qin Zhu Zhu added, looking up jokingly, 'Besides, you have this tower, and you're the one who hates the cold most in the palace. We don’t need to worry about freezing here. This tower alone is warmer than my Frost Hua Pavilion residence in Zhong Hua Palace.' Frost Hua Pavilion was her residence there."

"Zhu Yan thought about the conditions in Zhong Hua Palace, 'Did Lady Xu Zhao Yuan cut back on your coal again?'"

"There’s nothing new this year. She's still under punishment and confined. However, recently Xu Zhaojun threw a tantrum upon hearing that all the remaining red and silver charcoal had been sent to you. I think her resentment towards you has deepened," Qu Gu observed.

"It’s just one more thing," Zhu Yan said, not overly concerned.

Seeing Zhu Yan’s reaction, Qin Zhuzhu felt anxious on her behalf, reminding her, "Ah Yan, Xu Zhaojun's six-month confinement has three months left. Don't forget, on the fifth day of the first lunar month, the Empress is hosting a banquet for the female relatives of the imperial family at Yanlai Hall. Lady of Yan Country didn't come to the palace yesterday for New Year's Eve, but it's very likely she will attend the banquet on the fifth."

The Lady of Yan Country, Xu Wangshi, is the Emperor’s maternal grandmother.

She added, "If the Lady of Yan Country pleads for Xu Zhaojun, the Emperor might not have the heart to offend her."

"The more you use one's face, the thinner it becomes."

Zhu Yan suddenly remembered that last time, through Qu Gu, Empress Liu had mentioned that Xu Liuniang of the Xu family was newly widowed. Perhaps the Xu family had other requests.

The Dayu Dynasty did not advocate widows remaining chaste.

Remarriage is common.

This thought briefly crossed Zhu Yan's mind.

As the fireworks over the West Garden's Lotus Pond ignited, Zhu Yan let go of these distracting thoughts. The brilliant lights soared into the sky, then burst apart, illuminating the entire night sky with dazzling brilliance, accompanied by the excited and joyful sounds of the Sixth Princess.

The fireworks in winter carried a warm aura.

A spectrum of colorful lights.

Shining brilliantly.

Zhu Yan felt that the fireworks were more beautiful each year, especially at the climax, when the fireworks around the Lotus Pond erupted, creating a visual feast of splendid colors that was a feast for the eyes.

"I think the craftsmen at the Ministry of Works have improved their skills in making fireworks. This year's are much more beautiful than last year's," Qin Meiren remarked as the display came to an end.

Zhu Yan did not deny it.

Exquisite craftsmanship and ingenious designs.

Are never lacking in any era.

As long as there is a demand, there will be advancement. Zhu Yan never underestimates the people of her time.

Just before leaving, Qin Zhuzhu couldn't help but advise, "Ayan, I know you don't like to hear this, but the Emperor's intentions are clear. His dedication is unique in the harem; no one can compare."

"What's there to compare?"

Zhu Yan's face fell almost instantly, "Zhuzhu, you know I don’t like hearing this. Don’t mention it again, or else, don’t come to my Fuhua Palace anymore."

Seeing Zhu Yan genuinely getting upset, Qin Zhuzhu quickly raised her hands in surrender, "Alright, alright, I won’t say it, never again."

——

After sending Qin Zhuzhu away, Zhu Yan, noticing her son Zhang Ji hadn't returned to the palace, sent someone to Fengyi Palace to inquire. After the morning's court ceremony, Zhang Ji had gone to Fengyi Palace to see the Third Prince and hadn't returned even for dinner.

But the person sent returned quickly, reporting that the Fourth Prince was not in Fengyi Palace.

Eventually, someone came back from Qianyuan Hall, bringing news that the Third Prince was no longer in Fengyi Palace. Just moments ago, Consort Wei had taken the Third Prince from Fengyi Palace back to Chengyang Palace.

"That's quite hasty."

Zhu Yan was somewhat surprised. Moving so soon after an injury wasn't conducive to the Third Prince's recovery, especially in cold weather. But then she thought perhaps Consort Wei preferred to have her son by her side for care.

The sky was overcast and gloomy.

For the next few days, the weather remained poor, and Zhu Yan stayed indoors. However, she discreetly sent Xiangcao to Beigong to check on the conditions of Lady Deng and Su Wanqing.

"...Lady Deng is indeed somewhat delirious, treating a doll as the eldest prince and coddling it. Lady Su seems normal. It's said that on the day Eunuch Xing En took her there, she struggled and made a fuss, even getting injured. Since no imperial physicians are allowed in Beigong, she calmed down after a few days and stopped making noise."

"When Xiang Cao said this, she observed Zhu Yan’s expression before continuing, 'My lady, I heard from Qu Gu that the Northern Palace is like the violent criminals' cell – once in, there’s no way out. Now that Lady Su is there, you really don’t need to worry about her.' Xiang Cao was puzzled as she had never seen Zhu Yan so wary of someone."

"Hopefully."

Zhu Yan massaged her temples. It wasn't just about the female protagonist's law; the sudden malice from Su Wanqing that day made her particularly wary.

A sworn enemy.

It seemed like a natural enmity, impossible to avoid.

Since avoidance was impossible, she had to strike first.

——

Qin Zhuzhu guessed right.

On the fifth day of the first lunar month, at the banquet in Fengyi Palace, the Lady of Yan State entered the palace.

She was carried in a palace sedan, accompanied directly to Qianyuan Hall by Princess Chongyang.

The initial meeting was quite joyful.

"The Emperor also guessed that the Lady of Yan State would plead for Lady Xu Zhao Yuan, but this time, he didn’t plan to give in. He wanted to use this opportunity to stop the Xu family from meddling in her affairs, '...When you sent her to the Eastern Palace, you claimed she was a distant relative with no close ties to the Xu family. Her conduct, good or bad, has nothing to do with the Xu family.'"

"After all, she is a Xu by birth, a member of the Xu family." The Lady of Yan State, with her silver hair but rosy and spirited complexion.

"Seeing that the old lady didn’t take his words to heart, the Emperor’s smile faded, and his tone became slightly stern as he reminded, 'Madam, before your mother passed away, she had a dying wish that no woman of the Xu family should become a concubine.' He paused for a moment, 'If you consider Lady Xu Zhao Yuan as part of the Xu family, she should never have been sent to the Eastern Palace in the first place.'"

"The Lady of Yan State, caught off guard by the Emperor bringing up this old matter, was stunned for a moment, then argued, 'Your Majesty, the palace is different.'"

"'There's nothing different. Below the Empress, all are concubines.' The Emperor only realized after uttering these words that they were what Zhu Yan had once said to him."

"The Lady of Yan State’s face stiffened, feeling uneasy. The Emperor had always respected her as an elder, and this was the first time he had spoken to her so bluntly. She remembered that the Emperor was not someone to be trifled with. She had planned to mention the matter of the sixth lady of the Xu family, but now dared not bring it up."

"The atmosphere in the hall visibly tensed."

"The Emperor never liked being influenced by others."

"Having spoken his mind today, he had no intention of retracting his words. However, seeing the fear on the Lady of Yan State's face and remembering his mother, he relented slightly, 'As for Lady Xu Zhao Yuan, from now on, Madam, you should refrain from intervening. I understand your concerns. I remember there are several young ladies in the State Duke’s mansion.'"

"'Yes.'"

"The Lady of Yan State quickly replied, 'There are five young ladies. I will bring them to the palace next time to pay respects to Your Majesty, especially the third young lady, who greatly resembles the late Empress.' The late Empress she referred to was her daughter, and the Emperor's mother, Empress Wen Zhen."

"The Emperor waved his hand dismissively, 'No need. Madam, feel free to bring them to the palace to pay respects to the Empress. The Xu family’s prosperity won’t be cut off in one generation.'"

"He paused, then said solemnly, 'The next Crown Princess will be from the Xu family.'"

"Author’s Note:"

"Update for the 4th, good night. I wish I could become a typing machine in my dreams~~"