Chapter 73: Palace Intrigue

Chapter 73: Palace Intrigue

"Back when Cui Xing ranked as a top scholar and was selected to marry the princess, he realized he could never take another concubine in this life."

"Princesses of this dynasty have always been domineering."

"Not to mention, Chongyang is not only the Emperor’s beloved daughter but also the sister of the Crown Prince. Even if he had the courage, he wouldn't dare. Five years into the marriage without a child, even his mother wouldn’t dare utter a word, let alone facing the Emperor’s demand for an heir."

"The Princess should think about how she’s going to explain to the Emperor in three months."

Princess Chongyang turned pale and said firmly, "What explanation? If it comes to it, we both have issues. If my imperial brother really pushes me, I'll go to the imperial mausoleum and weep to our parents."

"If all else fails, we'll just go to our fief," Chongyang said through gritted teeth.

The fief couldn't compare to the bustling capital.

Especially since Chongyang was someone who greatly enjoyed lively atmospheres.

Seeing her even bring up going to the fiefdom with such determination, Cui Xing realized she might be genuinely frightened and advised carefully, "Stay calm these few months. After three months, we'll plead guilty to the Emperor. He's busy with many affairs and won't dwell on our trivial matter. As long as you behave properly and refrain from overstepping bounds, if we really go to the fief, I will accompany you."

"Of course, you must accompany me," Chongyang said, lifting her head with due reason.

Cui Xing looked at her helplessly, "Is that all you took from what I said?"

"I get it, I get it."

Chongyang, not wanting to hear any more of Consort Cui Xing's nagging, agreed, "I'll stay quietly at home recently, not going anywhere. Is that satisfactory?"

"That's best for the Princess," Cui Xing sighed in relief. He didn't dare to glance at the two young women, fearing Chongyang's jealousy. Once this matter was smoothly resolved, he planned to persuade Chongyang to send the women back to the Deng family.

He just prayed that the Emperor's scolding of Chongyang for offering the beauties wasn't out of anger over Lady Zhu.

——

After the imperial return to the capital, it was heard that Lady Zhu was left at the traveling palace and did not return. Many in the harem were excited, some even taking pleasure in her misfortune, speculating how Lady Zhu offended the Emperor to be left behind.

No matter how splendid, the Emperor only visited the traveling palace once a year.

With Lady Zhu, the favored one, absent from the palace, it was beneficial for everyone. Some who had been in the palace longer still remembered the exclusive favor Lady Zhu received when she first arrived.

In the harem, when one person is exclusively favored, it means no favor for the others. Nobody wanted to return to those days.

"Only Empress Liu of Fengyi Palace felt uneasy."

"Everything was fine when she left the palace; she wondered what Lady Zhu had done to upset the Emperor this time."

"The night the Emperor returned to the palace, he did not visit Fengyi Palace. The next day, during the sixth prince's third-day bathing ceremony, she sent Liu Zhongshi to Qianyuan Hall to inform the Emperor. He merely responded with acknowledgment and left all arrangements to the Empress."

"He did not attend the sixth prince’s bathing ceremony in the inner palace."

"There were no rewards given either."

"Unable to sit still, Empress Liu personally visited Qianyuan Hall that night."

"Upon her arrival, she found the fourth prince wailing and creating a scene before the Emperor, crying for his mother. The Emperor sat, face cold, without comforting him or allowing Zhong Fumu and Ping Le to step forward. He simply sat on the floor with the fourth prince, who cried himself into a tearful mess, his voice hoarse from shouting."

"Empress Liu’s heart softened at the sight, and as she approached to pick up the fourth prince, she heard the Emperor’s stern voice, 'Leave him be, let him cry.'"

"'Your Majesty.'"

"Empress Liu looked up at the Emperor and, drawing nearer, noticed his face weary and his eyes bloodshot, as if he hadn’t slept for days. With surprise in her heart, she clasped her hands in front of her and bowed respectfully, then advised, 'Your Majesty, autumn has arrived, and the golden brick floor is cold at night. It’s easy for the fourth prince to catch a chill this way. Let me take him to the couch.'"

"After speaking, she saw a flicker of consideration in the Emperor's eyes, though he remained silent."

"Therefore, Empress Liu directly approached the fourth prince, Zhang Ji, and coaxed, 'Fourth prince, you are a good boy. Don’t sit on the floor; let your mother take you to the couch.' She then picked up Zhang Ji."

"This time, Zhang Ji did not struggle or throw a tantrum."

"He didn’t want his father to hold him, and his father actually didn’t, nor did he allow Fumu or Ping Le to do so."

"'Mother.'"

"Zhang Ji cried out, leaning into Empress Liu’s embrace, his chubby hands tightly clutching her robe as he sobbed, 'Tian Tian wants his mother. Father is a bad man, he won’t let Tian Tian see his mother.'"

"'Tian Tian, stop crying now, look at you, your face is all tear-streaked.'"

Empress Liu gently wiped the tears from Zhang Ji's face with a handkerchief, soothing, "Crying like this, your mother won't recognize you. Tian Tian is a good child, go with Fumu first to wash your face and change clothes, alright?"

Empress Liu then touched his sweat-soaked back and hair, calling in Zhong Fumu to take him away. Seeing that Zhang Ji was willing, she felt slightly relieved and instructed Zhong Fumu, "Wash the Fourth Prince thoroughly with warm water from head to toe."

Zhong Fumu promptly agreed. Seeing the Emperor made no objection, she quickly took the Fourth Prince away.

"The Fourth Prince has always been the Emperor's favorite. The Emperor's reaction after the Fourth Prince angered him terrified all of us in service."

"After everyone left, Empress Liu watched the Emperor's gaze linger at the door through which the Fourth Prince had exited. She spoke up, 'Si Lang is still a child. Naturally, he cries when away from his mother. Why take his actions to heart, Your Majesty? Should any harm befall him, not only would Your Majesty grieve, but so would Sister Ayan.'"

"'She would grieve?'"

"The Emperor scoffed coldly and rebuked, 'She's heartless, abandoning even her son.'"

"It's been five whole days now."

"No news has come from the traveling palace. Meanwhile, Ah Ji has thrown tantrums three times. I managed to calm him down the first two times, but tonight he was inconsolable, screaming to see his mother and throwing himself on the floor."

"Already irritable and frustrated, I lost patience with Ah Ji's disobedience. I hardened my heart, letting him roll and cry until he was too exhausted to continue."

"'What brings the Empress here?' the Emperor asked Empress Liu."

"Empress Liu, believing Ayan wouldn't abandon her son, was puzzled by this thought when the Emperor questioned her. She quickly remembered her purpose, 'Your Majesty, since returning to the palace, you haven't yet seen the Sixth Prince...'"

"'The matters of the harem are for the Empress to manage.'"

"Upon hearing this, the Emperor interrupted Empress Liu. With Ah Ji already a handful, he had no desire to see a newborn child. 'Follow the rules where they exist, and in their absence, make your own decisions. I trust your judgment,' he said."

"'For the name of the Sixth Prince, choose from the list previously prepared by the Ministry of Rites. Register it with the Directorate of Imperial Clan Affairs after his first birthday.' So far, among my six sons and eight daughters, the names of the eldest two were chosen by my late father. The rest were selected by the Ministry of Rites."

"Only the name of the Fourth Prince, Ah Ji, was personally chosen by me."

"Unexpected, yet not surprising."

"Empress Liu could only agree, noticing the Emperor's disinterest in the harem affairs. She tactfully refrained from mentioning promotions among the concubines, instead offering, 'If Your Majesty is too busy, you may send the Fourth Prince to my palace, and I shall take care of him.'"

"For now, there's no need. I intend to temper his nature first," the Emperor, knowing the Empress was better suited to care for children, did not relent. Any other prince or princess would do, but not Zhang Ji.

He couldn't bear to see Zhang Ji suffer the slightest grievance.

With Zhang Ji in his sight, he felt more at ease.

Time flew, and on the Mid-Autumn Festival of August 15th, the Emperor first attended the grand feast of the former court with his son, Zhang Ji. Only in the evening did he return to the inner palace for the family banquet at Fengyi Palace.

Empress Liu's heart settled when she saw the Emperor's arrival; it was his first visit to the inner palace in four days. Beside him, the fourth prince, Zhang Ji, looked thinner, pouting and scowling just like the Emperor.

The sight of the Emperor brought joy to the concubines present.

However, this joy was short-lived.

The reason being, Consort Chu Li was absent.

Empress Liu reported that she was too ill to rise, "I visited her this morning. I fear her condition is quite serious. Your Majesty, if you have time, perhaps visit her. She wishes to see you."

"Why see me? I'm not a physician. If she's sick, let the physician attend to her. If she dies, let the Empress handle the funeral. What can I do by going there?"

Everyone was shocked at these words.

Although it was well-known that Consort Chu Li had fallen out of favor, no one expected her to be so thoroughly discarded by the Emperor.

Empress Liu sighed inwardly, regretting her mention. She hadn't anticipated that the Emperor would completely despise Consort Chu Li because of her sister's issue. She thought that since Chu Li wasn’t implicated initially, the Emperor might still have some affection for her. Clearly, one couldn't expect sentiment from the Emperor.

Later, when Xing Cairen, accompanied by her daughter, the seventh princess, came to toast the Emperor, she was proud of her three-month pregnancy.

The Emperor glanced at her coldly, "What? Think you've accomplished something? Which woman can't bear children?"

His words left Xing Cairen flustered and soon in tears.

Seeing the Emperor's mood darkening further, Empress Liu, fearing he might say something more unpleasant, not just for the foolish Xing Cairen but also for the child in her womb, quickly interjected, "On such a joyous festival, no more crying. Return to your seat."

She then signalled Liu Gugu to personally assist Xing Cairen.

Afterwards, Empress Liu dared not let anyone else toast the Emperor individually. She led everyone in a collective toast before dismissing them early.

"That night, the Emperor stayed in Fengyi Palace with Zhang Ji."

"After soothing his son to sleep, the Emperor returned to Empress Liu's chamber and suddenly remarked out of the blue, 'Why do I find that everyone in the palace is a fool?'"

"Empress Liu, stifling her inner retort - that the Emperor always chose women for their looks, never their intellect - gave a diplomatic reason, 'It is often said that pregnancy brings three years of foolishness. Perhaps it's due to their pregnancies, affecting their mental and physical capabilities.'"

"'Why isn’t Yan foolish then?'"

"Empress Liu was at a loss for words, certain that Zhu Yan hadn't returned because she chose to stay at the traveling palace, which explained the Emperor’s unusual behavior. She then suggested, 'Your Majesty, shall I personally go to the traveling palace and bring Zhu Yan back?'"

"'No need. If she wants to stay, let her stay there.' The Emperor was still visibly upset about it, his tone turning noticeably harsher."

"'Your Majesty mentioned before about conferring Zhu Yan as a consort. How can we hold the ceremony if she's in the traveling palace?'"

"'We won’t hold it.'"

"The Emperor replied irritably, 'I'll simply issue a decree and have senior officials announce it at the traveling palace.' Zhu Yan never liked participating in these ceremonies and grand events anyway."

"Empress Liu nodded and then proposed, 'This year has been filled with joyous news in the palace. Apart from Consort Qin and Consort Su, Consort Liu and Consort Xing are also three months pregnant, and Lady Xu has given birth to the sixth prince. I was thinking of promoting everyone's rank. What does Your Majesty think?'"

"'Let’s not rush. We’ll discuss it after the children are born.'"

"'Considering the sixth prince has already been born, perhaps we could promote Lady Xu first, for the sake of the sixth prince.'"

"'Let's defer the others to the end of the year or even next year.' The Emperor was reluctant to combine Zhu Yan's promotion with others. Another reason was his concern about Zhu Yan’s independent and jealous nature. He feared she might reject the decree and send it back, leaving him embarrassed."

"Author's note:"