Chapter 41: Update

Chapter 41

May 1st happened to be the day for paying respects. When the consorts and lower-ranking ladies came to offer their greetings, Niuhulu.Yu Wan specifically brought Yin Zhen out. It wasn't that she prevented others from seeing the child; she would now openly show the child to everyone in front of the crowd.

"Consort De, Yin Zhen is your child. Why don’t you hold him for a while? Nanny Gui, bring the little prince to Consort De."

Niuhulu.Yu Wan said with a smile, signaling Nanny Gui to carry the child over.

Fang Yu accepted Yin Zhen into her arms.

"Consort De, you haven’t come to see the child recently. Has something been occupying you?"

After being promoted to a consort, Fang Yu now sat in a seat below Consort Hui's. Caught off guard by the question, she looked into the empress’s smiling eyes and thought to herself that the reason she hadn’t come to see the child was that she sensed the empress didn’t want her to. However, the empress’s words were also correct—it was indeed her own choice not to come. She could only reply that she had been feeling unwell lately, afraid of passing any illness to the child.

"Have you seen an imperial physician? Are you feeling better now?"

"Much better, thank you for your concern, Your Majesty." As she spoke, Fang Yu steadied Yin Zhen on her lap, using one hand to catch his mischievous hand that was trying to grab her earring.

Niuhulu.Yu Wan let Consort De continue holding the child while she surveyed those seated below her and said, "The Grand Empress Dowager has fallen ill again. Although we don’t need all of you sisters to attend to her, we should still do something. The Grand Empress Dowager has always been devout to Buddhism. I think all of you sisters can transcribe Buddhist sutras to pray for her. The more sutras you transcribe, the more blessings you will receive, and the Grand Empress Dowager will better sense your sincerity. Noble Consort Tong, Consort Rong, Consort Hui, Consort Yi, and Consort De—as high-ranking and favored consorts, you should set an example and transcribe more sutras to let the Grand Empress Dowager feel your devotion and sincerity. In fifteen days, all sisters shall submit your transcribed sutras to me, and I will deliver them to Cining Palace for the Grand Empress Dowager."

As soon as the empress finished speaking, Noble Consort Tong, sitting at the very front, objected: "Your Majesty, you ask us to transcribe sutras, but will you transcribe them yourself? Shouldn’t Your Majesty also set an example? We wouldn’t want to end up being the only ones transcribing, while Your Majesty presents our work to the Grand Empress Dowager, gaining credit for virtue while we receive nothing."

Niuhulu.Yu Wan was not angered and replied calmly, "I will of course transcribe them as well. There’s no need for Noble Consort Tong to worry. I will transcribe more than you. This is for praying for the Grand Empress Dowager’s recovery. I only hope she gets better soon. Do any other sisters have objections? If not, then let’s proceed as I’ve said."

"We obey your order."

"That will be all for today. You are all dismissed."

Fang Yu felt she hadn’t held Yin Zhen long enough. As everyone stood up to leave, she herself was reluctant to follow.

Noticing that Consort De was still holding Yin Zhen, Niuhulu.Yu Wan said, "Sister, it’s time for Yin Zhen to be fed. Let the wet nurse take him for feeding."

Fang Yu had no choice but to hand the child to the wet nurse. Once the child was taken away, she had no reason to stay and could only rise to leave.

On the way back to Yonghe Palace, Pan Liu softly remarked that Little Prince Yin Zhen had grown quite a bit.

Fang Yu hadn’t held Yin Zhen for a month, and today she also felt he had gained some weight. However, Yin Zhen seemed a bit unfamiliar with her—children under one year old don’t have much memory.

"Later, go to the Imperial Household Department to get some paper."

Pan Liu nodded in agreement.

Thinking of Ying Shan, who was pregnant, Fang Yu made another trip to Yanxi Palace. Ying Shan’s room in Yanxi Palace was even smaller than hers, and even in broad daylight, the lighting was dim. Fortunately, Ying Shan didn’t have too many belongings.

They closed the door to talk.

"Have you had any morning sickness?"

"I vomited once the day before yesterday."

Fang Yu said that during her first three months, she always craved sour things—sour plums, oranges, apricots—which helped suppress the nausea. She would have Pan Liu send some over.

"Consort Hui... does she know you’re pregnant?"

Others in the palace might not notice, but it’s hard to hide from someone living in the same palace, especially since Consort Hui is the principal consort of Yanxi Palace.

"She probably doesn’t know yet. I’m not sure whether I should tell Consort Hui."

Fang Yu hadn’t had much interaction with Consort Hui. Among the palace consorts, Consort Hui’s character was the hardest for her to decipher. Noble Consort Tong, needless to say—young, made a consort not long after entering the palace, and from a powerful family, she showed little deference even to the Empress. Consort Rong, the eldest, seldom involved herself in palace trivialities and had a gentle personality. Consort Yi, consistently favored, had a somewhat arrogant and domineering temperament, but her family background wasn’t as strong as Noble Consort Tong’s, so her arrogance was comparatively milder. Her emotions were easily readable. As for Consort Hui, having given birth to the eldest prince, she remained relatively low-key in the palace. When thinking of Consort Hui, Fang Yu’s impression was vague—she hadn’t done anything particularly notable.

Consort Jing and Consort An, needless to say—neither favored nor with children, they lived quietly in the palace without contention, staying out of trouble and never stepping forward in disputes.

"Since you live in Yanxi Palace, you could subtly let Consort Hui find out."

Consort Hui was essentially Ying Shan’s direct superior. It would be easy for a direct superior to make things difficult for a subordinate. If Ying Shan waited three months to announce it, Consort Hui would surely realize she had intentionally concealed the pregnancy—after all, going three months without noticing missed periods would be hard to believe. Most women in the rear palace were well aware. Telling Consort Hui in advance would at least prevent her from feeling deceived for so long, a subtle way of demonstrating loyalty.

"Alright, I understand."

"Don’t keep it hidden for too long. Let everyone know when it’s time."

No one in the rear palace was a fool. Besides, Ying Shan held a relatively low rank, wasn’t particularly favored, and hadn’t offended anyone in the palace. Even if she were carrying the emperor’s child, it was unlikely anyone would take great risks to harm her unborn baby.

After staying at Yanxi Palace for a while, Fang Yu left.

She didn’t mind transcribing Buddhist sutras—she considered it practice for her calligraphy. When Pan Liu returned with the paper from the Imperial Household Department, she began transcribing. Since the empress only said to submit them in ten days without specifying how much to transcribe, she proceeded at her own pace, not spending days and nights transcribing for hours on end.

She stopped when she felt tired.

Fifteen days later, it was again time to pay respects to the empress. The empress brought Yin Zhen out once more, letting Fang Yu hold him for a while.

The consorts and lower-ranking ladies of the rear palace submitted their transcribed sutras to the empress, who began reviewing them. After looking them over, she said to Fang Yu, "Sister, you’ve transcribed a bit less than everyone else. Don’t focus solely on attending to the emperor; you should still fulfill your duties. Look how much the other sisters have transcribed. For you to have transcribed only this much is rather unbecoming. Especially since you are the most favored mistress in the palace, you should have set an example. It seems you haven’t done so."

Noble Consort Tong, now aligned with the empress, joined in the criticism: "Consort De is so favored, busy attending to the emperor—how could she find time to quietly transcribe sutras and pray for the Grand Empress Dowager? Her eyes are only on the emperor; she probably doesn’t even regard the Grand Empress Dowager highly. We’ve worked hard praying for the Grand Empress Dowager, while Consort De only thinks about serving the emperor. She lacks sincerity."

This sudden accusation made Fang Yu frown. The empress and Noble Consort Tong were trying to put her on the spot, making her a target of envy among the palace women. Before she could respond, Consort Duan spoke up in her defense.

"Consort De was only summoned to serve once in these fifteen days. How can she be busy serving the emperor? If I recall correctly, wasn’t Noble Consort Tong summoned twice? If anyone is busy serving the emperor, it should be Noble Consort Tong. I’ve seen Consort De transcribing sutras after dark. When it comes to transcribing sutras, some people work faster, others slower. Does transcribing slowly mean one’s heart isn’t sincere? If we really go by that, among so many people, only one could be the fastest and transcribe the most. Would that mean everyone else’s hearts are insincere, not genuinely praying for the Grand Empress Dowager? Your Majesty said sincerity is what matters. I believe Consort De is sincerely praying for the Grand Empress Dowager. Your Majesty previously said we should bear children for the emperor. To bear children, one must serve the emperor. How has serving the emperor become a fault? Is it wrong to serve the emperor, or is it that someone can’t stand others being favored, their jealousy and pettiness overflowing?"

"Consort Duan, you... who’s jealous?" Noble Consort Tong snapped.

Consort Duan wasn’t intimidated and continued, "I wasn’t referring to Your Highness. Your Highness was summoned twice in these fifteen days, more than anyone else here. You are the one who is favored. If anyone is jealous, it should be us being jealous of Your Highness."

Seeing the situation escalating, the empress intervened: "Alright, that’s enough arguing. Consort Duan is right. What matters is that all sisters transcribe the sutras with sincerity. It doesn’t matter how much or how little is transcribed. No one is jealous of anyone. I believe the sisters of the rear palace are magnanimous and kind-hearted, not given to jealousy. I will present these sutras to the Grand Empress Dowager for her review. If there’s nothing else, you may all take your leave."

Everyone stood to leave. This time, Fang Yu quickly handed Yin Zhen to the wet nurse and left along with Consort Duan and the others.

On the way back, Fang Yu smiled and looped her arm through Consort Duan's: "Thank you for speaking up for me. I really wouldn’t have known how to respond otherwise."

Consort Duan glanced around and said in a low voice, "The empress is targeting you. You need to be more cautious around her from now on."

Fang Yu had also sensed the empress’s displeasure with her lately, but as the empress, there was often little she could do—especially since Yin Zhen was still being raised in the empress’s Kunning Palace.

"Don’t worry, I’ll be careful."

"Still calling me ‘Your Majesty’? You are now Consort De as well. You shouldn’t address me as ‘Your Majesty’ anymore."

"Then I’ll call you sister. I will always remember your kindness to me, sister."

Consort Duan smiled. People’s hearts are made of flesh, after all, and bonds are formed through interaction. She hadn’t spoken up for Consort De because she was favored and she wanted to curry favor, but because their relationship had grown closer and they had become good friends.

Arm in arm, the two walked back to Yonghe Palace.

A couple of days later, Fang Yu suddenly heard that Yin Zhen had fallen ill. Anxious, she disregarded the empress’s recent difficulties from two days prior and hurried to Kunning Palace with Pan Liu and Hong Ye, hoping to see Yin Zhen.

"Your Majesty, I heard Yin Zhen is ill. I’ve come to see him."

"Yin Zhen is indeed ill. Children easily fall sick. I’ve already had the imperial physician examine him. There’s no need for you to worry, sister. Yin Zhen is asleep now and should not be disturbed. You can come another time."

"I won’t wake him. I just want to take a look at him by the bedside."

The Empress gently refused, "Walking will inevitably make some noise. Since Yin Zhen has finally fallen asleep, let him rest well. Don't worry, dear sister. With me here, nothing will happen to Yin Zhen."

Fang Yu immediately understood that the Empress simply did not want her to see Yin Zhen. During the previous two morning greetings, when the Empress brought Yin Zhen out for her to see, she had thought that the Empress did not mind her visiting Yin Zhen. It turned out that the Empress was only pretending to be compassionate in front of everyone, making it seem as though she was kind-hearted and not intentionally preventing her from seeing Yin Zhen. In private, when they were alone, the Empress used various excuses to keep her from seeing Yin Zhen.

"If that's the case, then I shall take my leave."

Unable to see Yin Zhen, Fang Yu had no choice but to leave Kunning Palace. Upon returning to Yonghe Palace, she summoned Xiao Fangzi and asked him to find Xiao Shunzi. Since Xiao Shunzi served by Yin Zhen's side, he should know how Yin Zhen was doing.

Half an hour later, Xiao Fangzi returned to report.

"Madam, Xiao Shunzi said the little prince had a fever two days ago and vomited once while feverish. Today, the fever has subsided a bit. The Empress summoned the imperial physician three times for the little prince and had the physician stay at Kunning Palace to watch over him. The little prince should be fine now."

For a child under one year old, even a minor illness must be taken seriously. Though Fang Yu heard that Yin Zhen was not in serious danger, her heart remained unsettled.

"Is the Empress treating the little prince well?"

"Xiao Shunzi said the Empress treats the little prince very well and asked you not to worry."

Fang Yu sighed. She was caught in a dilemma. If the Empress refused to let her see the child and she forced a confrontation, it would only make it harder for her to see the child in the future. At least now, the Empress maintained appearances by bringing the child out during morning greetings. If she truly became hostile with the Empress, the Empress might not even bring the child out during morning greetings.

The Empress had done nothing wrong in caring for Yin Zhen—she was diligent and thorough. The Emperor would not return the child to her without reason.

"Madam, the little prince will surely be fine."

"Let me be alone for a while. All of you may leave."

Fang Yu stayed in her room by herself for a long time. Over the next few days, she did not go to Kunning Palace, though she heard that the Emperor had visited.

On the evening of May 6th, the Emperor summoned her to attend him and asked why she had not gone to see Yin Zhen.

"Your Majesty, I’m afraid that if I see him, I’ll want to bring Yin Zhen back. But the Empress treats Yin Zhen very well, and I cannot do that. As long as I know Yin Zhen is safe and well, that is enough. The Empress will surely take good care of him."

Kang Xi somewhat understood Wuya Shi's feelings. Each time she went to see the child, she could only look at him, and after the visit, the child would remain in Kunning Palace. Each visit left her saddened. Rather than endure that repeatedly, it was better not to see him at all to avoid the heartache.

Kang Xi kissed her and said, "Then let’s have another child. Any children you bear from now on will be raised by your side. I will work hard tonight to get you pregnant."

"Your Majesty, don’t joke."

"I am serious."

That night, Kang Xi was relentless, taking her twice and releasing everything inside her, hoping she would conceive quickly and bear another child.

...

On May 8th of the eighteenth year of Kang Xi's reign, good news spread through the palace: Noble Lady Qin was over three months pregnant, and Consort Yi was over two months pregnant.

Fang Yu had Ying Shan take the opportunity to announce her pregnancy as well. Ying Shan was in the earliest stage, likely just over a month along.

With three consorts pregnant at once, it was said that the Grand Empress Dowager was so pleased upon hearing the news that her illness nearly vanished. The Emperor’s lineage was growing.

Fang Yu had a good relationship with Noble Lady Qin and went to visit her. This was Noble Lady Qin’s first pregnancy, and she was not yet showing, her limbs still slender.

"I heard the Fourth Prince had a fever. Is he better now?"

"He should be fine."

Noble Lady Qin sighed. "Your child cannot be raised by your side. Mine probably won’t be either."

"Sister, don’t overthink it. The most important thing is to give birth safely."

Noble Lady Qin nodded in agreement.

After leaving Noble Lady Qin’s quarters, Fang Yu also went to see Ying Shan. Ying Shan was still in the early stages of pregnancy, and the imperial physician said her pregnancy pulse was not yet distinct.

"Consort Yi and Noble Lady Qin are both pregnant. I’m not worried about anyone targeting my child now."

Consort Yi and Noble Lady Qin held higher ranks than Ying Shan. If anyone wanted to harm the imperial heirs, Ying Shan would not be the first target—those above her would bear the brunt.

Since Consort Yi and Noble Lady Qin could not attend to the Emperor, his favor was distributed among other consorts in the harem, including several young ladies who had entered the palace the previous year during the selection.

Fang Yu also received more favor. Originally attending to the Emperor two or three times a month, it now increased to four or five times.

"Your Majesty, no more."

"So many in the harem are pregnant. Adding one more of yours wouldn’t matter."

Though pleasurable, it was exhausting. At times, she grew weary of it. The Emperor was determined to have her conceive quickly and bear another child, pouring himself into her each time. But she was still troubled by the matter of Yin Zhen and was not as enthusiastic about this.

She lay still, waiting for the Emperor to finish.

"What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing."

Kang Xi noticed her distraction and pinched her cheek, applying a bit of force.

"Hmm..." Fang Yu groaned in pain.

"So delicate. I went to see Yin Zhen today. He is fine now."

"Is he still ill?"

Kang Xi said he had recovered, no longer feverish, and could eat, drink, and sleep normally. The wet nurse said Yin Zhen’s appetite had returned. Only when Yin Zhen was mentioned did her eyes light up. Clearly, she worried about the child but forced herself not to visit. He didn’t know what to say about that.

"That’s good."

"Yin Zhen is a strong child. Don’t worry. It’s common for children to fall ill. The Crown Prince was often sick when he was young."

The Crown Prince was only four years old, still very young. Knowing that Yin Zhen had recovered, Fang Yu felt slightly more at ease and began to respond to the Emperor. She wrapped her arms around his neck and actively kissed him.

"Your Majesty has been remarkable this year, getting so many pregnant at once."

"So I believe I can certainly get you pregnant too."

"Then Your Majesty must work harder tonight."

Soon, the two were entangled again.

The night deepened, and the bedchamber gradually grew quiet.

...

Over the next six months, during each morning greeting, the Empress would bring Yin Zhen out for Fang Yu to see. But whenever Fang Yu wished to see Yin Zhen privately, the Empress would refuse, claiming Yin Zhen was asleep. With only two morning greetings per month, she had only two opportunities to see Yin Zhen each month.

Fang Yu grew wiser. After the morning greetings, she would stay and play with Yin Zhen for a while. Even when the Empress’s servants hinted that she should leave, she remained, sometimes staying for an extra half-hour or even an hour, and occasionally for half a day.

Six months later, Noble Lady Qin was eight months pregnant, Consort Yi was seven months along, and Ying Shan was six months pregnant.

On November 1st of the eighteenth year of Kang Xi's reign, after the morning greetings concluded, Fang Yu stayed to play with Yin Zhen. At one year old, Yin Zhen had begun learning to speak. After hearing a word or two repeated a dozen times, he would try to mimic them. He had also learned to roll over and crawl.

"Come to your mother, Yin Zhen, crawl over to your mother, come on."

Fang Yu clapped her hands, signaling for Yin Zhen to crawl toward her, but Yin Zhen just stared at her, then turned his head and crawled in another direction on all fours.

In the corner of the main hall of the Qianqing Palace, there were some potted plants. Yin Zhen crawled over and tugged at the flowers.

"You want to play with the flowers, don't you? Mother will take you for a walk in the Imperial Garden, okay? Come, Mother will take you to the Imperial Garden."

Fang Yu picked up Yin Zhen and was about to head outside when she was stopped by Nanny Gui.

"My Lady, you cannot take the little prince to the Imperial Garden. It's cold outside, and you might freeze him."

Fang Yu gave Nanny Gui a cold glare. Nanny Gui wasn’t really afraid of Yin Zhen catching a cold; she was just afraid that Fang Yu would take him away. They only allowed the mother and son to stay within the confines of the Kunning Palace, under their watchful eyes.

However, it was indeed cold outside in November, and a young child shouldn’t be exposed to the chilly wind. After collecting herself, Fang Yu decided not to take Yin Zhen to the Imperial Garden and continued playing with him in the main hall.

Suddenly, a servant from the Kunning Palace came to report that Attendant Nala was bleeding.

Fang Yu was shocked. Ying Shan was bleeding? She handed the child to the nurse and hurried to the Palace of Eternal Happiness with Pan Liu.

Ying Shan was indeed bleeding. She was only six months pregnant. Consort Hui came over and told Fang Yu that they had already summoned the court physicians and midwives. Since there were three pregnant consorts in the palace at the same time, all at similar stages, several midwives were staying in the palace.

"How is she?"

"You can go in and see."

Fang Yu entered the room and was immediately hit by the smell of blood. Ying Shan lay weakly on the bed, her face pale.

"My Lady, please save my lady," Ying Shan’s personal maid, Xiao Xue, sobbed.

Fang Yu went to the bedside and lifted the blanket, only to see that Ying Shan’s Manchu gown was stained red with blood. She had lost a lot of blood, and it seemed the child could not be saved. Her eyes met Ying Shan’s.

"My child can’t be saved, can it?"

"The court physicians will be here soon. They will save the child." Fang Yu knew Ying Shan wanted the child and could only comfort her this way.

But Ying Shan still couldn’t keep the child. Several court physicians arrived, took one look, and immediately said the child could not be saved. They had to deliver the baby early, as a six-month fetus could not survive.

With the help of the midwives, Ying Shan painfully delivered a stillborn child. After giving birth, she lost consciousness.

Fang Yu stayed by her side. After everyone else had left, she asked Xiao Xue how Ying Shan had started bleeding.

"I don’t know, My Lady. After returning from paying morning greetings, my lady said she was tired. She had woken up early and wanted to take a nap. But while she was sleeping, she started bleeding."

"What did she eat for breakfast?"

"She didn’t eat anything unusual, just her usual meals. She felt fine after eating. My Lady, do you think there was something wrong with the food?"

Fang Yu knew nothing. The Empress had given birth prematurely at seven months, and after her premature delivery, a thorough investigation was conducted, but nothing was found. A few servants were executed, but it was still unclear whether Ying Shan had been harmed or if it was due to her own health.

The Empress had already ordered a full investigation, but Fang Yu felt it would be difficult to find anything. The child was already lost, and Ying Shan, who was the least far along, was the one who had suffered.

The Emperor only sent Liang Jiugong to offer a few words of consolation. Fang Yu thought the Emperor could be quite callous at times. He seemed indifferent to those he didn’t care about—not coming for births, not coming for miscarriages. This was perhaps what people meant when they said emperors were merciless. At times like this, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of empathic sadness.

It wasn’t until dark that Ying Shan woke up. As soon as she awoke, she burst into tears, wailing loudly. Fang Yu tried her best to comfort her, but it was of little use. Ying Shan cried for a long time before crying herself back to sleep.

In the end, Ying Shan’s miscarriage was attributed to what the court physicians called "weak maternal constitution and unstable fetus," leading to premature birth.