Chapter 67: Birthday Banquet

Chapter 67 Birthday Banquet

Yin Zhen returned to the capital three months later. He came to pay his respects to her the very next day after his return. The moment Fang Yu saw him, she noticed he had visibly lost weight; he looked much thinner and utterly exhausted. The disaster relief mission must have been extremely arduous.

"Since you've returned safely, I won't ask too many questions. I can see your chin has sharpened from the weight loss. I just hope you take good care of yourself now that you're back. Your health is what matters most."

Yin Zhen agreed, saying he would make sure to build himself back up.

When it came to matters of the court, Fang Yu knew she couldn't intervene. Her wisdom was insufficient to serve as Yin Zhen's strategist, so she refrained from showing off and only offered him some motherly reminders. After that, the mother and son shared a meal together, and Yin Zhen left once they finished eating.

With Yin Zhen back safely, Fang Yu felt a sense of relief. But perhaps just when things were looking up, one morning as she pushed herself up from bed, a crisp snap sounded—her wrist had fractured from that simple motion. It was an ordinary movement, but due to her advanced age, her bones had become brittle, leading to the fracture.

The servants at Jingren Palace quickly summoned an imperial physician. The physician fixed her wrist with two small wooden splints, applied medicinal herbs, and wrapped her right hand in thick layers of gauze.

Many people came to visit her.

When Yin Ti visited, Fang Yu deliberately put him to work—peeling oranges, pouring tea, and fetching water. As a prince, he had been waited on by servants since childhood. Though his attempts at serving were somewhat clumsy, she didn’t mind; after all, he was her own child.

"Mother, why don’t you ask Sixth Brother to come and serve you instead?"

Fang Yu leaned against the headboard and deliberately put on a stern face. "What, tired already? You’ve only served me for two days and you’re already complaining. All those years raising you wasted."

"Not tired, not tired at all. I’ll do whatever you ask, Mother."

Fang Yu hid a smile as she had Yin Ti read to her from a historical text, *Strategies of the Warring States*, occasionally asking him to explain certain passages. Yin Ti was able to clarify them for her, proving far more literate than the "useless" Yin Zhu—at least he wasn’t illiterate.

Kang Xi walked in on this scene of maternal affection and filial devotion.

"Your Majesty…"

Yin Ti turned and, upon seeing his imperial father, stood up to pay his respects.

"What’s going on here?"

"Your servant had Yin Ti read to me."

Kang Xi had assumed Consort Wuya had Yin Ti reading those frivolous romance novels and was about to admonish her. But when he took the book into his hands and realized it wasn’t, he couldn’t help remarking, "Your son should be attending classes at the Imperial Study."

"Oh, is that so? Yin Ti, return to your studies at the Imperial Study. There’s no need to come tomorrow. I have people here to attend to me; don’t worry."

After two days of being ordered about, Yin Ti was finally relieved of his duties. He knew perfectly well that his mother, the older she got, the more childlike she became—she just wanted to tease him, not actually have him serve her.

"In that case, Mother, if there’s nothing else, I'll get going."

Fang Yu waved her injured hand to signal Yin Ti’s dismissal.

"Your hand is injured; why are you lifting it?"

Seeing the Emperor’s concern, Fang Yu smiled. "Your Majesty, I’m fine. There’s no need to worry."

"These injuries take time to heal; how can you be fine? It seems to me the servants at Jingren Palace have grown too old. I’ll have the Imperial Household Department send over some younger servants."

Fang Yu glanced at Pan Liu, who was standing nearby. Pan Liu likely was nervous upon hearing the Emperor’s words. Fang Yu smiled and said, "Those old servants have been with me for many years. I’m used to having them around. Still, I will request two younger servants from the Imperial Household Department so that Your Majesty won’t say there’s no one to attend to me."

What Fang Yu actually had in mind was to get two younger servants for Pan Liu and Xiao Fangzi to manage. They were getting on in years and weren’t as nimble as they used to be; it would be better to have younger servants run errands outside.

"As you wish. How long did the physician say it would take to recover?"

"At least two months."

Seeing that Consort Wuya had injured her right hand, Kang Xi couldn’t help but feel distressed. He instructed her to leave everything to the servants from now on and not to lift a finger herself. He then summoned all the servants of Jingren Palace and reprimanded them for failing to take proper care of their mistress.

Fang Yu knew better than to plead on their behalf at that moment. Doing so would only worsen their situation—they might even be expelled from the palace. It was best to let the Emperor vent his anger.

"You’re too indulgent with these servants."

"Your Majesty, it really wasn’t their fault. I was the one who carelessly put pressure on it. It has nothing to do with anyone else. It’s just that I’m not young anymore."

Kang Xi thought these servants were fortunate to have a mistress like Consort Wuya protecting them. If he were to truly punish them, Consort Wuya would be furious with him. He decided not to press the matter further and simply urged Consort Wuya to rest well before returning to review memorials.

"Farewell, Your Majesty."

After the Emperor left, Fang Yu lay down for an afternoon nap.

During the New Year period, Fang Yu’s hand was still recovering. She truly began living a life where she was waited on hand and foot.

The palace kitchen staff also went out of their way to prepare various kinds of bone broth for her, adhering to the principle of "like cures like."

By the beginning of March, after the New Year celebrations, Fang Yu’s hand had fully recovered, and she was no longer in any discomfort. The Emperor’s birthday, the Longevity Festival, was just a few days away.

Fang Yu instructed the embroiderers to make a spring robe for the Emperor. Her own needlework had never been skilled, so she didn’t take on the task herself.

Yin Zhu and Yin Ti specially came to ask her what they should give the Emperor for his birthday. Over the years, Fang Yu’s gifts to the Emperor had been rather perfunctory—after all, the Emperor lacked nothing. Sometimes she would simply sew a pouch for him; other times she would pick something out from the imperial storeroom.

This year, however, was the Emperor’s fiftieth birthday, so she couldn’t be too casual. Fang Yu told Yin Zhu and the others to choose carefully and put some thought into it, warning them not to be slipshod. As for what to give, she couldn’t offer any suggestions and left it to them to decide.

By March 18th, two days before the Emperor’s birthday, all the birthday gifts had been registered and sent to the palace in advance.

Fang Yu specifically asked for the registry and found that the gifts from the princes were all lavish and abundant. Even Yin Zhen had sent a long list of presents. Everyone was trying to win the Emperor’s favor, and it was impossible to tell who had given the most or the most valuable gifts, as all were extravagant and numerous.

With so many gifts, the Emperor probably wouldn’t be able to examine each one individually.

On March 20th, the day of the Emperor’s birthday, the palace began preparing for the banquet early in the morning. Even half the staff from the rear palace kitchens were called away.

Fang Yu still woke up naturally. The banquet wasn’t scheduled to start until nearly noon, so after waking, she leisurely drank a bowl of rice porridge.

"Has Virtuous Consort and the others risen yet?"

Pan Liu replied, "They’re all awake, probably doing their makeup now."

As the principal consort of Jingren Palace, Fang Yu was to lead the other consorts of Jingren Palace to the Qianqing Palace for the banquet. They couldn’t afford to be late today.

Fang Yu also took rare pains with her appearance, adorning her hair with various pearls and hairpins. When the time came, she led the consorts of Jingren Palace to Qianqing Palace.

This year, the Emperor’s birthday banquet was attended by a great many people. Men and women were seated separately—the women in the rear hall of Qianqing Palace, and the men in the front hall.

Fang Yu took her seat, and soon officials’ wives came over to chat with her. She conversed amiably with them. Some of the wives mentioned their unmarried daughters, hinting and praising their qualities.

Fang Yu understood their intentions. Even though Yin Zhen and Yin Zhu were already married with primary consorts and had concubines, some still wished to marry their daughters into Yin Zhen’s or Yin Zhu’s households. Moreover, there was still Yin Ti, who had neither a primary consort nor any concubines.

But regardless of which son it was, she had no desire to interfere. She could only respond vaguely. As an imperial consort, those officials’ wives naturally didn’t dare press too insistently.

Once the banquet began, Fang Yu focused on enjoying the meal. For the past three months, she had needed to be fed by others. Now that she could finally eat on her own again, she was delighted. The injury to her hand had made her realize anew that without hands, one truly could do nothing.

The Emperor and the princes were all in the front hall, separated from the rear hall. She had no idea what was happening there and simply concentrated on eating happily.

Until suddenly, a commotion arose in the hall. A servant came in to announce that the Emperor had been poisoned. Everyone in the rear hall was shocked.

The Empress Dowager, seated at the highest position, questioned the servant who had entered to deliver the news, her expression grave: "Is what you say true?"

"This servant wouldn’t dare lie."

Fang Yu's heart also skipped a beat. As the Empress Dowager rose, the consorts and concubines hurriedly followed. However, the Emperor had already been moved to the bedroom of the Palace of Heavenly Purity, and the entrance was heavily guarded by the palace guards. No one except the imperial doctors was allowed to enter.

Fang Yu saw Yin Zhen and the others waiting outside. She approached Yin Zhen and quietly asked what had happened. Yin Zhen said he had only heard that the Emperor had been poisoned, but he did not know how it had happened.

Perhaps everything had unfolded too quickly, and no one knew what was going on. With so many people at the birthday banquet, chaos ensued after the incident, making it impossible to promptly understand the situation.

Poisoning was no small matter, and an attempt on the Emperor’s life was an even graver offense. The Palace of Heavenly Purity was soon placed under strict lockdown. Someone had ordered the arrest of a group of servants, and an imperial doctor emerged, instructing the Crown Prince to take charge, claiming it was the Emperor’s order.

The Crown Prince quickly stepped forward, first ordering the ministers and their families attending the banquet to leave, then instructing the consorts and lower-ranking concubines to return to the inner palace. Finally, he summoned soldiers from the Commander of the Guard to guard the imperial palace.

Fang Yu returned with her attendants to the Palace of Great Benevolence. Upon returning to her room, she realized her hands were cold and clammy—she was afraid something would happen to the Emperor.

"Your Highness, have a sip of hot tea to warm yourself."

"Pan Liu, do you think the Emperor will be alright?"

"Your Highness, the Emperor will surely be fine. He is blessed by heaven and protected by the Buddha. Nothing will happen to him."

Pan Liu’s comforting words eased her heart a little. The Emperor was not at an age where such misfortunes should befall him; he would surely overcome this and be safe.

Tears streamed into her mouth, and she realized she was crying.

"Your Highness…"

"I’m alright." Fang Yu wiped away her tears herself, unsure why she was crying.

By the next day, Fang Yu still hadn’t heard any news of the Emperor’s recovery. Her heart was restless and anxious, hanging in the balance. She could only console herself with the thought that no news might be the best news.

The Palace of Heavenly Purity remained under strict lockdown. Only the Emperor’s trusted aides and the Crown Prince were allowed entry; even Yin Zhen and the others were barred.

This state of affairs lasted half a month before news finally arrived that the Emperor was out of danger. Fang Yu laughed through tears.

Soon after, the Emperor summoned her to the Palace of Heavenly Purity. Seeing that he looked largely unchanged from half a month ago, Fang Yu breathed a sigh of relief.

"Were you worried sick these days?"

"Since you knew I was worried, Your Majesty, you shouldn’t have frightened me like this. Your Majesty, let me see—are you truly recovered? What did the imperial doctors say? Has the poison been counteracted? What kind of poison was it?"

"It’s been counteracted. I’m fine now, so don’t worry."

Fang Yu looked the Emperor over carefully. Aside from being a bit pale, he hadn’t lost much weight. She said angrily, "How could I not worry? Your Majesty, do you know I haven’t been able to sleep at all these past two weeks? I couldn’t eat or rest properly. Since you were fine, you should have told me earlier."

Kangxi didn’t want to say too much, fearing she might overthink things. After all, this involved imperial court matters. In truth, he hadn’t been poisoned—it was the food taster who had been poisoned. He had only faked being poisoned to find who was behind it. He should have told her, but he feared she wouldn’t be able to keep it to herself, so he hadn’t.

Kangxi held Wuya Shi close, knowing she was genuinely concerned for him.

"Your Majesty, are you really alright now?"

"Really, I’m fine. Look at me—I’m perfectly healthy. Don’t worry. I’ve told you I’ll live a long life and grow old with you."

"Your Majesty, please don’t scare me like this again. I can’t handle such frights."

"Alright, I promise you."

Fang Yu knew the Emperor didn’t want to say more, so she didn’t press further. It was better to play the fool sometimes—not everything needed to be spelled out. She knew it must be related to court matters. After all, she was the mother of Yin Zhen and the others, who were imperial princes inherently tied to court affairs. Since the Emperor didn’t want to tell her everything, she pretended not to know and didn’t ask. All that mattered was that he was safe and sound.

Kangxi leaned down to kiss Wuya Shi, not letting her evade him.

Fang Yu wondered to herself: Hadn’t he just recovered from poisoning? How could he still be thinking about such things? Had he really been poisoned, or was it all a ruse?

Afterward, Fang Yu grew even more puzzled. The Emperor didn’t seem like someone who had just recovered from poisoning but rather like someone who had never been poisoned at all. Still, she didn’t voice her doubts.

After the Emperor recovered, the Forbidden City went back to normal as if nothing had happened. No one saw the Emperor punish anyone, and no one ever found out who was behind the poisoning.

Fang Yu continued her peaceful life in the inner palace. Not long after, Nala Panwen became pregnant. If the child in her womb was born safely, it would be Yin Zhu’s second child. Previously, Yin Zhu’s chief consort, Wanyan Shi, had given birth to a son.

Since Yin Zhu still lived in the palace, Fang Yu went to the Imperial Princes' Residence to check on Nala Shi. Nala Shi was two months pregnant, but her belly was still flat.

Having miscarried before, Fang Yu advised her to be careful during the first three months and avoid excessive movement.

Now that Nala Shi was pregnant, she and Yin Zhu ought to live harmoniously. Nala Shi nodded obediently.

After speaking with Nala Shi, Fang Yu went to see Wanyan Shi and her child, Hong Kun. Hong Kun was already two years old. Though he couldn’t speak very fluently yet, he had already learned to walk.

Hong Kun resembled Yin Zhu in appearance—both looked a bit easygoing.

Yin Zhu returned from outside and, seeing his mother playing with Hong Kun, joined them.

"Where have you been this time?"

"Mother, I went out of the palace."

Fang Yu looked at her carefree son and couldn’t help but say, "Didn’t your imperial father assign you to the Ministry of Works?"

"The Ministry of Works doesn’t have much to do anyway. Besides, the ministers there are enough to handle things. I don’t understand the work of the Ministry of Works. Earning money is more important. Mother, I’ve opened another restaurant."

Fang Yu sighed helplessly. Yin Zhu was a prince—equivalent to a rich heir parachuted into a company. Those who wanted to take charge and understand the business would seize the opportunity to learn and familiarize themselves with the operations, like Yin Zhen did when assigned to the Ministry of Revenue. He worked diligently and built good relationships with the officials there so he could eventually take control. Clearly, Yin Zhu was the kind of rich heir who wanted no part in management—he probably just wanted to collect a salary. He had no interest in overseeing the Ministry of Works and left everything to his subordinates.

"Do you only want to run your restaurants?"

"Yes, that’s how I can earn money. Like Fourth Brother, I want to live outside the palace. Once I’ve earned enough money, I can leave the palace and establish my own residence. Mother, even though I’m a prince, the people in the Ministry of Works don’t listen to me. Why should I bother? Isn’t it better to do what I want?"

Fang Yu decided to let it be. It was fine if he remained a rich heir who only collected a salary. After all, the Emperor had no expectations of Yin Zhu, so why should she push him to strive for more? The Emperor had plenty of ambitious sons—he didn’t need Yin Zhu to be one of them.

"Hong Kun, let’s not learn from your father. He never studied properly since he was young. We must study hard."

"Mother, saying that will ruin my image in Hong Kun’s eyes."

"What does it matter what I say? I’m only speaking the truth."

Yin Zhu knew his mother had recently broken her hand. Hong Kun wasn’t light either, so after letting her hold him for a while, Yin Zhu quickly took him back to prevent her from straining her hand again.

"Mother, did the Emperor tell you what happened that day with the poisoning?"

"Your imperial father didn’t say anything."

Yin Zhu muttered weakly that the Emperor was tight-lipped.

"What? Do you know something?"

Yin Zhu said he only asked because he didn’t know the truth. What puzzled him was that such a major incident had resulted in only a few servants being executed, with no one else punished.

"Alright, since you don’t know, don’t ask too many questions. Your imperial father has his considerations."

Fang Yu had a feeling it might be related to the Crown Prince. Only when the Crown Prince was involved would the Emperor hesitate so much.

"You play with Hong Kun. I’m heading back now."

Yin Zhu, holding Hong Kun, saw his mother off from the princes' compound.

Fang Yu had just returned to Jingren Palace when she saw the Imperial Noble Consort in the courtyard chatting with Virtuous Consort.

"Noble Consort De, you're finally back."

"Your Majesty, is there something you need?"

Without waiting for an invitation inside, the Imperial Noble Consort walked in on her own and had the palace maid behind her bring out several boxes of unknown items.

"This is top-grade red bird's nest, blood swiftlet nest. I heard you often say you're getting old, so I specially brought this for you. Blood swiftlet nest is excellent for beauty and skincare. They say if you eat enough of it, you can even stay young forever."

Some time ago, Fang Yu had fractured her wrist, and she knew it was due to her age. So, when chatting with the other consorts and concubines in the inner court, she might have mentioned feeling old.

She smiled wryly at the Imperial Noble Consort. After spending more time with her, she realized the Imperial Noble Consort wasn’t as arrogant and domineering as she had thought.

"Since it’s top-grade blood swiftlet nest, could Your Highness really part with it all for me?"

"Of course not all of it. I still have more back in my quarters—this is just a portion. Do you know how rare and precious blood swiftlet nest is? Why would I give it all to you? Just take it. I see you’ve gotten quite a few wrinkles—you really have aged. The Emperor favors you because you’re beautiful. If your beauty fades, he might not like you anymore."

"Wouldn’t that be just what Your Highness wants? If the Emperor no longer favors me, and Your Highness is younger than me, perhaps the Emperor will come to like you."

"Who cares if he likes me? I don’t care about my cousin’s affection anymore."

Regardless, this was a kind gesture from the Imperial Noble Consort, so Fang Yu sincerely thanked her: "Alright then, I’ll accept it. But how should I prepare this blood swiftlet nest?"

"Just simmer it plain with some rock sugar and longan. That’s how I eat it."

Fang Yu joked with the Imperial Noble Consort: "After eating it, will I really have fewer wrinkles? Will I look ten years younger?"

"Not ten years, but perhaps three years younger."

Fang Yu laughed: "Your Highness has given me such precious blood swiftlet nest. I’m so grateful, I don’t know how to thank you."

The Imperial Noble Consort replied awkwardly: "I’ve got plenty. It’s just giving you a few boxes."

Fang Yu smiled and held the Imperial Noble Consort’s hand: "I know Your Highness is worried I might fall out of favor. Don’t worry, I’ll do my best to maintain the Emperor’s favor."

"Who... who’s worried about you falling out of favor? You’re already over the hill—it’s only natural you’d fall out of favor. Even flowers don't bloom for a hundred days. You’ve enjoyed enough favor over the years—do you really think you can keep the Emperor all to yourself for a lifetime?"

"I wouldn’t dare. In a few days, I’ll suggest to the Emperor that he hold a consort selection and bring some young ladies into the palace."

The Imperial Noble Consort rolled her eyes: "A selection? As if the Emperor would listen to you."

The Emperor hadn’t held a selection for many years. Most eligible young women were instead married off to imperial clan relatives and never had the chance to enter the palace.

Fang Yu invited the Imperial Noble Consort to stay for a meal and told the kitchen staff to prepare several extra dishes.

A few days later, Fang Yu had someone stew the blood swiftlet nest. She had a bowl but didn’t find it particularly special. She never put much stock in anything that could restore youth, but since it was a kind gesture from the Imperial Noble Consort, she didn’t want to disappoint her.

In early May, Virtuous Consort took ill. Fang Yu went to her room to visit her. Perhaps because those who are ill tend to be more vulnerable, Virtuous Consort, who had never said a bad word about the Eighth Prince before, began to weep and complain about his lack of filial piety.

"Yin Si is ashamed of me because of my humble background. He thinks I’m not as noble as Consort Hui. He only wants to get close to Consort Hui and doesn’t care about me, his birth mother. Yin Si is afraid others will know I’m his real mother and refuses to be close to me. He’s unfilial—he wants to sever ties with me. I wasted my time giving birth to him."

Hearing this, Fang Yu didn’t know how to comfort Virtuous Consort. After all, the Eighth Prince was her son. If Fang Yu agreed and spoke poorly of him, once Virtuous Consort recovered, she might hold a grudge, thinking Fang Yu shouldn’t have said such things about him.

As for whether the Eighth Prince truly looked down on Virtuous Consort, Fang Yu had no way of knowing. She only knew that over the years, the Eighth Prince rarely visited Virtuous Consort.

"Sister, don’t say that. The Eighth Prince must be a filial child. He might not know you’re ill. If he knew, he would surely come to see you. The Emperor has praised him as a talented and capable young man—how could he look down on you? He must be in a tough spot."

Hearing this, Virtuous Consort suddenly changed her tone and began to blame Consort Hui, accusing her of driving a wedge between her and her son, preventing the Eighth Prince from visiting her. She said Consort Hui was malicious and that the Eighth Prince, being young and powerless, had no choice but to obey Consort Hui and remain under her control.

Fang Yu thought to herself that it was a good thing she hadn’t spoken ill of the Eighth Prince. Matters between mother and son were best left to them—outsiders shouldn’t interfere.

Virtuous Consort continued to rant about Consort Hui for a while. Seeing how emotional she was, Fang Yu could only advise her to calm down, emphasizing that her health was the most important thing and that she should focus on recovering.

After leaving Virtuous Consort’s room, Fang Yu sighed to herself.