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Chapter 108

“Your Highness, Her Highness Noble Consort Shu has arrived,” said Tingzhu, rushing into the room. Noticing that Zhuang Laoyan was in the middle of reading, she continued in a softer voice, “At this moment, Noble Consort Shu is sitting in the main hall. This slave informed her that your honored self is still napping, but she is unwilling to leave.”

Yunxi furrowed her brows. Shifted her gaze to Zhuang Laoyan, worried. “Your Highness, could Noble Consort Shu be here because of her family’s matters?” Her Highness and Noble Consort Shu have never been friendly toward one another.

Zhuang Laoyan set down her book. Arched a brow. “Other than this reason, what else could it be? She has never stepped foot into my Xihe Palace before. Let’s go and see her.”

“Shall this slave help you dress and groom?” asked Yunxi, after noticing how simple Zhuang Laoyan’s outfit was; she only had on two white-jade hairpins. Yunxi could not help but add, “It’s a mystery what Noble Consort Shu wants to do.”

“No need.” Zhuang Laoyan touched her temples. Accepted the handheld brazier Tingzhu had proffered. “This is fine.”

Within the main palace hall of Xihe Palace, Noble Consort Shu sat in an arabesque chair looking at the all sorts of decorations and furnishings around. Her complexion was pallid, face thin. She was not in the mood to drink the tea the palace maids had presented her, merely leaning against the back of her chair and gazing at the doorway. She had come to Xihe Palace after exhausting all her other options; indeed this was her last hope.

The emperor refused to meet with her. Even the empress put on an appearance that read “the harem must not interfere with politics.” The only other person in the imperial harem who could meet with the emperor was Zhuang Laoyan. A bitter laugh escaped Noble Consort Shu’s lips. Never had she imagined a day when she would fall to this state. The most favored woman of the harem, Noble Consort Shu, actually needed to politely ask a consort a favor. By tomorrow, this joke would spread through the entire rear palace.

But what could she do? If something bad truly happened to her father and elder brother, what could her mother and younger brother do? The relatives that had originally relied on her father were itching to separate their families from hers. There was no way they’d be willing to come out and plead for leniency for her father and elder brother. Even Su Wenqian, that stupid woman, did not want to get too close to her right now.

At this point, she could see clearer than during any other time. Since long ago, she knew that the emperor was heartless. But she never expected him to be heartless to this degree. She had served him for many years. Even if she did not make any meritorious contributions, she had at least worked hard. Yet, the emperor had not considered her at all when trying her father and elder brother.

After a long time had passed without Zhuang Laoyan in sight, Noble Consort Shu shifted her gaze to the palace maid serving tea at her side. “Is your master still resting?”

It wasn’t yet time for the noon meal, but two hours had passed since breakfast. Perhaps it was a lie that Zhuang Laoyan was napping, and she merely did not want to meet with her.

“May Your Highness, Noble Consort Shu, please forgive me. This slave does not know,” replied the palace maid in a soft voice, saluting her.

Noble Consort Shu laughed coldly. She picked up the warm cup of tea. Looked at the cyan picture of a grapevine on it. All of a sudden, she recalled the child in Zhuang Laoyan’s womb. If she had a child right now, perhaps she would not have fallen into such a sorry state.

“Her Highness Consort Zhao has arrived!”

A bit surprised, Noble Consort Shu turned her head to the entrance. And she caught sight of Zhuang Laoyan coming in with the support of a palace maid. She wore a loose dress with wide sleeves, dressed up in a way even plainer than a cairen would. It was evident that she had yet to change clothes.

“This concubine felt tired after returning from Jingyang Palace, so went to take a nap. This concubine did not know Your Highness the noble consort had taken the trip here. May Your Highness please forgive me.” Zhuang Laoyan faintly bent her knees. Naturally, she would not perform a full curtsy in her state.

Noble Consort Shu said, “No need to be so polite, Consort Zhao. This palace was the one disturbing you.” After Zhuang Laoyan had taken a seat, she continued, “This palace came today to ask a favor. May Consort Zhao lend a slight hand.”

Zhuang Laoyan had not foreseen that the always-tactful Noble Consort Shu would get right to the point. She sat in a distracted manner for a moment before saying, “Your Highness the noble consort is too serious. If even your honored self is unable to accomplish this task, how could this concubine be of any help? Your Highness the noble consort must cease it with the jokes.”

“I presume you are unwilling to help.” Noble Consort Shu’s expression proved calm, yet Zhuang Laoyan felt she had already sunk into despair.

“Ever since you regained the emperor’s favor, I had thought the emperor only regarded you as a fresh and novel experience. Yet, more than two years have passed, and while many people lost favor or died, you went from a little wanyi to a Consort Zhao.” A bitter smile slid across Noble Consort Shu’s face. “It’s to the point where even though I’m no longer as favored as in the past, the emperor visits your palace more and more. For the child in your womb, he dispatched many people to your side. Who knows how many schemes he blocked for you?”

When Zhuang Laoyan heard such words, she had this impression: Noble Consort Shu had not come here to ask her to plead leniency for her family. Rather, she had come to vent her feelings. But as Zhuang Laoyan listened to her tranquil tone when speaking, she felt cold and miserable for some reason.

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“The words of Your Highness the noble consort are too serious.” The smile on Zhuang Laoyan’s face gradually dimmed. “How does Your Highness the noble consort know if this concubine didn’t envy you? This concubine had just turned seventeen when entering the palace. The emperor doted on me for a few days, and this concubine thought he understood my feelings. Thus, this concubine grew happy to the point of forgetting my manners. Later on, this concubine learned that the emperor had only treated me as a novel experience.

“At that time, this concubine only saw His Majesty favoring you. Loving you. And this concubine thought, if this concubine’s situation could be half as good as yours, then this concubine will be satisfied.” A trace of a bitter smile appeared on Zhuang Laoyan’s face. “Afterward, this concubine learned how to mask my feelings. And the emperor gradually treated me better. But during the night, fear always enters my heart. Once the emperor no longer favors me, what’s to be done?”

After quite a while of silence, Noble Consort Shu suddenly laughed, low to the ears. To the point where she even shed tears in the process. “So that’s how it is. So that’s how it is. No wonder you, the only legitimate daughter of the Zhuang family, entered the palace back then. Surprisingly, it was due to this reason.” She cut a regretful and sympathetic figure as she looked at Zhuang Laoyan. “Now that you’ve entered such a place, hopefully there won’t be a day when you regret it.”

Disbelief flashed through Noble Consort Shu’s eyes as she gazed at the woman before her. How could there be a woman stupid enough to enter the imperial harem all for the emperor’s sake? If she married an ordinary person, she could become the proper wife. Could become the master of the inner courtyard. Why come to such a place for a man she didn’t understand?

Back then, the Su family’s influence was in decline. Since her childhood, Su Ruizi had learned how to dance, and so they sent her to the imperial palace. She exhausted all her means to obtain the emperor’s favor. Then, unconsciously, she started to regard this man as her savior. Just when did she give up? Was it during the time Zhuang Laoyan grew more and more favored? Was it when Zhuang Laoyan became with child? Or had she not given up yet?

Between the two of them, who was the most pitiful? Perhaps herself, who had already lost. But whether Zhuang Laoyan would become the next her proved anyone’s guess. And she was uninterested in thinking about it.

At the entrance of the main hall, Feng Jin stood with his hands clasped behind him. A few court eunuchs and palace maids knelt by his side. These people were currently shivering from fear. Although they did not want to hear the secret conversation between the imperial concubines, no one dared to even twitch. They only hoped that when the emperor recalled this later, he wouldn’t want their heads.

“If you don’t desire too much, then you’ll be easily satisfied. And you won’t feel regret.” Zhuang Laoyan fell silent for a moment, before continuing, “When I first entered the palace, it was only to be a bit closer to the emperor. Now… I’ve already received the Heavens’ grace.”

This was the first time Zhuang Laoyan had addressed herself as “I” in front of Noble Consort Shu. However, Noble Consort Shu paid no mind to it. She took in the patient camaraderie in the other party’s eyes. Forced a laugh. Even though she was an imperial concubine, she was still a woman, and wanted more things. She wanted the emperor to treat her well, wanted the emperor to be sincere in his feelings toward her. Were these extravagant hopes? Why were the Heavens so unfair toward women?!

“Nevermind. Just pretend that this palace never came today,” said Noble Consort Shu, standing. She knew that this woman would not seek out the emperor for her. And she herself would never adopt a true begging stance before Zhuang Laoyan.

Zhuang Laoyan watched as Noble Consort Shu rose to her feet. Following that, she slowly stood as well. After a moment of hesitation, she said, “Your Highness the noble consort, take care.”

Noble Consort Shu glanced back at her. Raised her chin. She seemed to have regained her proud yet reserved appearance of the past. Then she turned and left through the door.

In silence, Zhuang Laoyan watched as her figure disappeared from the doorway. A sigh left her lips. Perhaps the emperor had already been unhappy with Assistant Minister Su after he had tried impeaching her elder brother. The members of the Su family relied on Noble Consort Shu to do too many evil things. The emperor was likely clear on this fact. However, he kept restraining his emotions, and the dam finally broke at the end of the year. It was to the extent that the emperor did not keep even a sliver of sentiment and face for the Su family, and ignored Noble Consort Shu’s many requests for his audience. Was it possible that he no longer wanted to hold up the aloof Noble Consort Shu?

All of a sudden, Zhuang Laoyan’s expression changed. She turned her head, looking at Yunxi. Whispered into Yunxi’s ear, “Find a way to have people ask around about the Zhao family.” She suspected that the emperor wanted to make a move on them.

When she stepped foot outside the main palace hall, she discovered that the palace maids by the entrance all wore strange expressions. And she understood what was going on. Zhuang Laoyan used Yunxi’s hand as support. Revealed a trace of a smile.

It seemed that the emperor had come earlier. Recently, he had the habit of not letting the servants announce his arrival. Who knew how much he had heard of their conversation?

Within the imperial study, Feng Jin picked up a memorial. After a few looks, he set it back down. “Gao Dezhong, We recall that Consort Zhao’s mother comes from a prestigious house?”

Gao Dezhong was caught in a daze. Following which, he replied, “Your Majesty, this slave is ignorant of this matter.”

Feng Jin nodded. After a moment of hesitation, he said, “In a few days, summon Mistress Zhuang to the imperial palace to visit Consort Zhao. After Consort Zhao gives birth to a prince, Mistress Zhuang shall be conferred the position of First-Ranked Honored Lady.”

To which Gao Dezhong emblazoned these words into his heart. He knew that the emperor was showing high regard toward Consort Zhao. Otherwise, with Sir Zhuang’s rank and position, Mistress Zhuang could not be promoted into a First-Ranked Honored Lady.

“Send out these memorials.” Feng Jin pushed said red memorials to the side. “If anyone in the future seizes the chance to try and pry information from you, just say that We are not in a good mood due to certain officials in the court preying on the people.”

The members of the Su family had already been dealt with, and now the emperor mentioned certain officials… Gao Dezhong’s heart leaped. He lowered his head. “This slave will remember Your Majesty’s order.” Did the emperor finally decide to completely settle accounts?

The first thing he thought of was the empress’ Zhao family. And also, the empress dowager’s Ye family. In the past two years, the Ye family’s power had already been suppressed. They were no longer a threat. The only possible threat was the Zhao family.

It seemed that in the future, this harem would become Consort Zhao’s.

Power RanksIn case you guys need a reminder.

The story is not over yet! I believe there is one (?) more big scheme to be revealed in the main story… Then we have our extras ?

Btw, I got word back from the nursing program I applied to, and I’ve been officially accepted. Woohoo! My schedule will become more hectic starting this fall, but you guys don’t have to worry about late chapters; that’s what my stock is for hahaha! (Plus my patrons would skin me). I’ve translated 113/121 chapters for TJOAIC so far, average about 1 chapter a week, 2 when chapters are short (~2.5k raw characters). After that, I will devote my spare translating time to TSP, so if you’re interested at that time, do check the novel out!

Next release is Saturday, July 17, 2021.

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Thirty-second chapter of The Times Spent in Pretense is out! You can read it here. It’s weekly now!

By the way, I have a new BL novel project, with my own summary below:

By the emperor’s decree, Fu Ming is to marry Jin Yi and become his male wife. The initial reception is cold. Can the two sort things out between them, the winter departing and the snow thawing?

If you’re interested, you can find it here.

Also, plugging me and my friends’ website focused on BL! Click here if you’re interested.