Chapter 63 Zelang

Chapter 63 Zelang

The New Year celebrations in the palace were pretty much the same as those outside, only more grand and lavish. Starting from the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, the Twelve Bureaus of palace eunuchs and the Six Palace Offices were all bustling with activity—distributing hair ornaments, cosmetics, rouge, and various foods, preparing New Year utensils, and pasting peachwood talismans as well as paintings of the God of Fortune, demon quellers, and Zhong Kui.

Even in front of the beds, gold and silver treasures, Tibetan prayer wheels, and dragon pendants woven from yellow paper coins were hung.

Throughout the palace, the sounds of the grand ceremonial music could be heard intermittently, with the melodies of *sheng* and *xiao* flutes ceaselessly lingering in the air—all rehearsals for the upcoming New Year festivities.

Standing on the steps of Langhua Hall, A Wu could see the extravagant translucent horn lanterns, like enormous pieces of colored glass, inside which massive candles burned.

Candles had always been precious commodities. Even when the Jingxi Emperor rewarded officials, he would include candles. Ordinary scholarly households could not afford candles and had to make do with oil lamps. Yet here, they were extravagantly lit all night long.

A Wu couldn’t help but feel a pang of heartache at the sight. That evening, she mentioned it to the Jingxi Emperor.

The Jingxi Emperor smiled at her. "A Wu is worrying over my silver now. What a frugal lady you’ve become."

A Wu flushed at his words and mumbled, "That’s not it at all!"

Even if money were saved, it wouldn’t be hers. She simply couldn’t bear to see such fine things wasted so extravagantly. How many candles must the palace burn through during a single New Year celebration?

The Jingxi Emperor pulled her closer and explained, "I understand your thoughts, A Wu. It is indeed somewhat wasteful, but this only happens during the New Year festivities. At that time, not only will civil and military officials and noblewomen from the court attend, but also envoys from various vassal states and foreign states will come to pay tribute. This is a matter of Great Hui’s dignity."

A Wu suddenly understood.

The Jingxi Emperor continued, "The same logic applies to the ladies in the rear palace. Though I no longer visit them, their presence here makes up the numbers and maintains decorum."

A Wu nodded. "It’s like when a magistrate holds court—there must at least be two rows of bailiffs standing on either side to make it look proper!"

The Jingxi Emperor chuckled. "More or less."

He then added, "But you’re right. In the future, we can be slightly more frugal during festivals. Cutting back a little in the palace could save tenfold outside."

A Wu tilted her head. "It’s like Nan Qiongzi’s peonies—when those above indulge, those below go wild."

The Jingxi Emperor praised her, "A Wu, your studies these days have not been in vain. You’re growing wiser."

A Wu’s eyes lit up. "Really? Does Your Majesty think I’m becoming more learned?"

The Jingxi Emperor nodded firmly.

A Wu immediately pressed her luck. "Then can I stop studying from now on?"

The Jingxi Emperor pressed his lips into a smile, his expression tender.

A Wu immediately sensed trouble.

Sure enough, the Jingxi Emperor said, "No."

A Wu huffed and immediately lost interest in speaking to him.

Against this man, rebellion was pointless; uprising would be crushed. She had no way to resist.

*Sigh*!

The Jingxi Emperor then said, "There’s some news. Would you like to hear it?"

A Wu eyed him warily. "Good or bad?"

The Jingxi Emperor paused briefly. "It’s probably good news...?"

A Wu urged him, "Come on, out with it!"

The Jingxi Emperor said, "During the New Year, according to tradition, all the imperial consorts get promoted. You are currently a Noble Lady of the sixth rank. If the review passes, you should be promoted to the sixth rank, but we’ll make up a reason to bump you straight up to Wan Yi. Although Wan Yi is also just the fifth rank, it is the highest position within that rank."

A Wu listened, naturally pleased. She knew she would definitely be promoted and that the Jingxi Emperor would give her a little favor, but hearing him say it outright still thrilled her.

The Jingxi Emperor continued, "The Crown Princess is pregnant and is expected to give birth around mid-year. I'll have a grandchild, and on that occasion, the entire palace will celebrate. We’ll use it as a reason to promote you two more ranks, bringing you to the third rank. For now, you’ll be placed in the position of Xiu Yi."

What?

A Wu looked at the Jingxi Emperor in confusion. The Crown Princess giving birth—and she gets promoted?

The Jingxi Emperor nodded, "I will be overjoyed at the birth of my first grandchild, whether it’s a grandson or granddaughter. As a result, I’ll promote my consort. Is there any problem with that?"

A Wu: "..."

It could be like this?

If the Crown Princess found out, wouldn’t she be livid?

She flashed a radiant smile, hooked her arms around the Jingxi Emperor’s neck, and covered his sharply defined jawline in eager kisses. "Of course, there’s no problem! Long live the Emperor, ten thousand years! (the traditional imperial cheer) The Emperor is always right!"

In her heart, she understood—he was dead set on promoting her. If he wanted her promoted, he’d just use any excuse to make it happen!

She quickly calculated: although Xiu Yi was the lowest position within the third rank, no matter what, she’d still be among the third-rank consorts, on the same level as Zhao Yi and Zhao Yuan.

With the Emperor favoring her, the next promotion opportunity wouldn’t leave her in the third rank. He’d likely leap her straight to the second rank—wouldn’t that make her a full concubine?

She’d truly be a bona fide favored concubine!

*****************

As the year-end approached, the Jingxi Emperor grew busier.

The busy Jingxi Emperor couldn’t make it to Langhua Palace. Between New Year rituals, ancestral temple ceremonies, and foreign envoys, he had more than enough to occupy him.

A Wu was also busy—decorating Langhua Palace, then running off to discuss New Year plans with Consort Hui and Meng Zhao Yi. Consort Hui still had family outside the palace, and during the New Year, her brothers had sent her some homemade dried meat through palace servants. She shared some with A Wu, who ate it with relish.

Meng Zhao Yi, however, seemed downcast. Consort Hui quietly told A Wu that she’d heard—Meng Zhao Yi’s childhood sweetheart had come to the capital. Apparently, he was there for business and had pulled strings to send her a message, asking if she lacked anything in the palace.

Meng Zhao Yi’s eyes reddened. She was so upset that she barely wanted to come out.

A Wu was surprised. "She likes that childhood sweetheart?"

Consort Hui hastily covered her mouth in alarm. "Don’t go saying things like that!"

Their luxurious palace life came from... their status—they were the Emperor’s consorts. They dared not speak carelessly, or they might die without knowing how.

A Wu lowered her voice. "...I was just a little curious."

Seeing no one outside, Consort Hui finally told her the truth. It turned out Meng Zhao Yi and that childhood sweetheart had been close since youth, having a secret romance. Unfortunately, her father was a scholar, and though humble, saw themselves as scholars. They looked down on the other family’s merchant background and were unwilling to agree to the match.

Afterward, she couldn’t find a suitable match—too high for some, too low for others—so her family arranged for her to enter the palace. Who knew she’d have such luck, rising to the position of Zhao Yi?

A Wu: "How cruel..."

That Old Emperor—never does any good, breaking up lovers.

He doesn’t even summon her, so why keep her there?

Consort Hui: "We are women who have entered the palace gates, living lives of leisure and luxury. I, for one, am quite content. If I were at home, where would I get so much silver, fine silks and delicacies? How could I support my parents and help my family? Who knows what kind of household I’d marry into, bearing children and serving in-laws? In the palace, though there are many restrictions and we can’t leave, His Majesty treats us with relative kindness. The palace has strict rules, but once you learn them, you won’t come to much harm."

A Wu listened and naturally felt her words made sense, but thinking of Consort Meng, she still felt pity for her.

Soon it was the actual Lunar New Year. The crackling of firecrackers filled the air as the entire populace rejoiced. Both palace ladies and noblewomen from outside had to enter the palace. A Wu, now serving by the Empress Dowager’s side, was becoming more prominent.

Fortunately, no one brought up inappropriate topics, and everyone was amiable.

A Wu even met the young madam of the Duke of Yingguo’s household—the Crown Princess's birth mother—who greeted her with a smile.

Though A Wu suspected the woman must hate her guts.

The first day of the new year was the Yuan Dan Festival. A Wu rose before dawn, lit incense, set off firecrackers, and ate dumplings.

Palace maids and eunuchs filed in to offer New Year’s greetings, kneeling and reciting auspicious phrases. A Wu gave them extra silver rewards and distributed lucky money envelopes.

During festivals, these palace maids and eunuchs already received various rewards, but those from A Wu were especially appreciated, prompting them to kowtow in gratitude.

A Wu told them to loosen up and skip the formalities. Soon, everyone was tossing door bolts on the courtyard ground in a game called "Dropping Gold." A Wu joined in, and they all had great fun.

Though she held noble rank, A Wu was unpretentious and treated the maids and eunuchs of Langhua Palace kindly. Under her, they often received imperial rewards, making them grateful to serve such a lucky lady.

Amid the merriment, Fu Tai arrived. With his hands tucked in his sleeves, he watched A Wu and the servants hopping about, chuckling warmly.

Fu Tai was thirty-five this year, having climbed the ranks step by step. Seeing these young eunuchs reminded him of his own youth, and watching A Wu play with them warmed his heart, though with an undercurrent of sadness.

Fated to have no children, he sometimes wondered what it would be like to have offspring. How wonderful if they were like A Wu.

Of course, he knew such thoughts were just daydreams—treasonous thoughts worthy of execution.

Noticing Fu Tai, A Wu ran over cheerfully and handed him a lucky money envelope. "Eunuch Fu, a blessed New Year to you!"

Fu Tai hastily accepted it and bowed deeply. "Ah, this humble servant thanks the Noble Lady. You are truly blessed, and receiving your red packet brings me fortune too."

He then got to the point: the emperor had been swamped these past days with unending ceremonies and rituals, couldn't get away. He would visit her in a couple of days but, thinking of her, had sent New Year gifts.

Though he called them "some items," they filled three large chests, carried into the courtyard by young eunuchs. A Wu had them distributed among her subordinates, shared with Noble Lady Hui, Consort Meng, and a few other close acquaintances, keeping the rest for herself to enjoy gradually.

Among the gifts was pepper-and-cypress wine. That evening, Noble Lady Hui and Consort Meng happened to visit. Still downcast, Consort Meng joined the other two in drinking the wine. A Wu inadvertently drank too much and turned in early.

The wine packed a delayed punch, leaving her lethargic the next day. Too lazy to get up for the Empress Dowager's morning audience, she slept in.

When the Jingxi Emperor arrived at Langhua Palace, he found it adorned with colorful silk lanterns, the door curtains replaced with soft moonlit autumn gauze, and the floors covered in plush floral carpets.

By the window inside the chamber stood over a dozen pots of vibrant flowers, including two rare orchids just sprouting flower spikes, their fragrance adding to their charm.

Amid the New Year bustle—with court affairs, royal clan obligations, and endless ceremonies—he had feared neglecting her. To compensate, he had instructed the Six Palace Offices to prioritize Noble Lady Ning’s needs. The servants had followed through properly, evident in Langhua Palace’s meticulous decorations.

Palace maids and eunuchs approached silently, heads bowed, not daring to look up.

Clearly just returned from the grand court assembly, the emperor wore a nine-beaded gold-and-jade crown, his majestic yellow robe embroidered with landscapes and imperial symbols draping majestically, filling the modest Langhua Palace with imperial grandeur.

Yi Lan lowered her head and whispered timidly that the Noble Lady was still asleep, made to wake her.

The Jingxi Emperor asked softly, "Did she drink pepper-and-cypress wine last night?"

His hushed tone made the servants even more cautious. They confirmed in low voices, adding that she had retired late.

The emperor motioned for them to withdraw. He circled the red sandalwood screen, approached the bed, and drew aside the curtains to see A Wu sleeping soundly.

In slumber, she looked serene and pure, her skin like flawless snow with a faint rosy glow on her cheeks—the blush on fine porcelain.

The Jingxi Emperor lowered his eyelids, gazing quietly at the porcelain-skinned maiden.

In the imperial New Year's court gathering at the Golden Luan Hall, seated upon the imperial throne, he had looked down through the curling incense smoke at the princes, ministers, and officials of the six ministries and nine courts, surveying the boundless heavens and earth, the grandeur of mountains and rivers.

He was long accustomed to such scenes, his thoughts often dwelling on the eternal foundations of the empire and the strategies of imperial rule.

No matter how splendid the lantern displays or how beautiful the women of the inner palace, he regarded them as passing indulgences, never giving them a second thought.

He had little patience for the weak, often frustrated by his son’s indecisiveness and excessive soft-heartedness.

As for a woman like A Wu, he wouldn’t have liked her either—too delicate, needing to be cupped gently in his hands, as if she might vanish at the slightest misstep.

With his mind preoccupied by court affairs, he had no leisure for such things.

Yet when he saw A Wu, everything changed.

He gazed at her for a long while, noticing her fingertips resting outside the brocade quilt, and reached to tuck them back in.

But once he held them, he couldn’t bring himself to let go. Her smooth, slender hand nestled in his large palm, sending a pleasant shiver through him.

At this moment, his mind drifted slightly, but today was busy, and he had only stolen a brief moment to see her.

Just then, as if sensing something, A Wu’s lips twitched slightly, mumbling drowsily before she licked them.

The Jingxi Emperor: "..."

He smirked—was she dreaming of a treat?

He extended a finger, lightly tapping it against her lips.

Sure enough, like a baby bird, she parted her rosy lips with eyes still closed, chasing his finger like a hungry chick.

Though freshly washed, he didn’t want her to mouth it, so he withdrew, then curled his finger to playfully brush her cheek.

In her sleep, A Wu sulked adorably, whimpering softly.

Unable to bear it, the Jingxi Emperor gently stroked her cheek with his palm to soothe her.

Yet her skin was so soft, it felt like she might melt under his fingers, that he found himself reluctant to stop.

Then, as if responding to his warmth, A Wu nuzzled into his palm.

His freshly washed palm carried the clean, refined fragrance of imperial soap, which the sleeping lady seemed to like—her eyelashes fluttering lightly, a soft smile gracing her lips.

Like an affectionate kitten, she nuzzled softly against the Jingxi Emperor’s palm.

His palm tingled, his chest warming.

His gaze lingered on her face, now tinged pink, even more captivating.

His breathing deepened as he bent down, dotting feather-light kisses over her flushed skin.

Though he knew he should leave—many duties awaited—he found himself unwilling to withdraw.

The underfloor heating in Langhua Hall seemed warmer, the air sweeter, sapping his usual discipline and making state documents feel dull.

Holding this little lady, kissing and teasing her, he’d happily waste the day away.

Then, unbidden, thoughts of the Crown Prince surfaced.

At this point, he could understand the Crown Prince. If he were in that position, he would surely risk his life to protect her.

So what if they were father and son? A woman like A Wu was meant to be claimed, held in his hands, treasured like a jewel—never to be desired by anyone else.

Just then, the eunuchs outside reluctantly spoke up, reminding him that it was getting late.

The Jingxi Emperor forced himself to withdraw his hand. As he did, A Wu reached out instinctively, as if trying to grasp something.

He stopped mid-step, about to leave. He tilted his head slightly, gazing at those rosy fingertips.

Her fingers stretched, grasping weakly at nothing before finally relaxing and falling limp.

Didn’t want him to go?

The Jingxi Emperor remained silent for a moment before finally speaking to the eunuch waiting outside the hall: "I still have business here. I will go later. Inform them first."

The eunuch outside was clearly startled. Today was a major event—civil and military officials, as well as imperial relatives, were all waiting outside. How could there be any delay?

But—

The eunuch swallowed his words and replied, "As you command."

The Jingxi Emperor took her soft hand in one of his, while the other gripped her slender waist, kneading gently. Her skin was soft as fresh tofu.

A Wu’s face flushed deeper, her waist twisting slightly as she let out breathy little moans.

She was being coy, tempting him.

The Jingxi Emperor inhaled sharply, a reckless thought crossing his mind.

It was fortunate that he had taken A Wu, that he had placed her in the palace.

Otherwise, with the Crown Prince’s hot-blooded and impulsive temperament, it would have been disastrous. He would have been lost in pleasure, helpless to resist, and in the end, might have even ruined the Great Hui’s empire.

***********

Time was running short, but the Jingxi Emperor couldn’t resist temptation.

He leaned over her, his dragon robe riding up slightly, draping over her lush curves.

His dark gaze fixed on the young woman beneath him, who was already reacting in her sleep.

The golden-threaded hem of his dragon robe brushed lightly against her delicate collarbone. She reached out with slender fingers, grasping it, her lips parting in soft sighs.

Her lashes fluttered—as if she were about to wake, yet still lost in dreams.

The Jingxi Emperor bent down, pressing lingering kisses to her cheeks before whispering in her ear, "A Wu."

A Wu pressed against him like an eager kitten.

A low chuckle escaped him as he cupped her face, kissing her gently while moving against her.

Her thick lashes trembled, her eyelids fluttering before they opened.

Her gaze was hazy and dazed, briefly meeting the man above her before she clutched the hem of his dragon robe and closed them again.

She was clearly lost in pleasure, eyes half-closed, humming with delight.

The Jingxi Emperor’s heart utterly melted, yet time was too tight—he wanted to rush, yet linger over her.

He wanted to mark her with a part of himself, to brand her as his forever.

In the next life, we'll still be entangled, never to part.

He even wondered why there was a Yong Tianze in this world, why he ruled the empire, and why he was seventeen years older than her.

Because he was meant to govern the world, possess all its riches, and spoil her rotten with love.

Only the power of an emperor could keep her close without hesitation.

He knew it was wrong—that he was one step away from being a lust-blinded fool of an emperor—but... A Wu was just too precious. He couldn’t bear to let go; he was hopelessly obsessed with her.

Among the ninety million people of Great Hui, there was only one A Wu, and because of her, he could no longer gaze upon his empire with cool detachment.

With her by his side, his heart would race.

Unable to resist, he bent down and coaxed in a whisper, "A Wu, call me Zelang."

A Wu was already awake—or at least drowsily half-awake. Hearing him speak, she lifted her hand to cling to his arm but didn’t utter a word, only giving a soft little whimper.

The Jingxi Emperor pressed, "Call me Zelang."

A Wu wriggled her hips slightly, as if protesting.

The emperor stilled above her, looking down at her intently before locking eyes with her and saying in a tone that brooked no argument, "A Wu—"

It was an order, one that allowed no refusal.

A Wu whispered stubbornly, "No."

Jingxi Emperor: "Why?"

A Wu insisted faintly, "Just 'Your Majesty,' or 'Emperor.'"

The Jingxi Emperor began moving again, though his gaze never left A Wu’s face.

Between kisses, he murmured, "A Wu, then call me Daddy."

A Wu went rigid with shock, startled so thoroughly that her drowsiness vanished.

What the hell?!

Her bleary eyes snapped open, staring up at the Jingxi Emperor above her.

His handsome, imposing features were shadowed in darkness, his expression unreadable.

After a confused pause, A Wu understood.

In the northern common folk, concubines or household servants often addressed their masters as "Daddy" and the mistress as "Mother." Even some vulgar storybooks depicted such customs.

Calling him "Daddy" was, in truth, an act of submission to the master of the house?

A Wu's face burned, the wine’s warmth surging within her, stirring something dark and uncomfortable in her chest.

No way would she call him that!