Chapter 106

In no time at all, news that the emperor had specially bestowed gifts to Consort Zhao’s paternal family spread through the entire rear palace. Envy filled the imperial concubines’ hearts, yet who told Consort Zhao to fall pregnant? Not to mention, she also knew how to retain the emperor’s heart. The emperor willingly pampered her like so. So they could only watch on in envy.

Come New Year’s Eve, the emperor bestowed the Zhuang family a calligraphy scroll with the character for fortune. And also, dishes of food with auspicious names. However, the women of the imperial harem found such actions strange. That said, the servants treated the people of Xihe Palace with even more respect.  

On New Year’s Day, the imperial concubines must pay respects to the three highest-ranked people of the harem. Because Zhuang Laoyan was growing heavier in pregnancy, she was relieved of too much movement. To the point where she did not even have to kowtow, merely needing to make an appearance as the party drew to a close.

Previously, every influential family and official thought they understood the problems the emperor faced. After all, the emperor had few sons. Now, the pregnant Consort Zhao already possessed his favor. Furthermore, her background was decent. Because she was with child, she would be even more careful, and if the child is a prince, then the Zhuang clan would flourish in the future.

Zhuang Laoyan held a bowl of walnut and peanut milk, taking slow slips of it. After a good while, she had only finished half the bowl. She looked outside the window at the snow that grew ever more heavy. Not wanting to finish it, she put the bowl down. “Take this away.”

Yunxi, who stood at the side, hurried to pick up the bowl and hand it over to a little palace maid. Then she carefully adjusted the cushion behind Zhuang Laoyan. “Your Highness, do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?”

“I’m fine.” Zhuang Laoyan supported her waist as she slowly rose to a stand. The larger her fetus grew, the more pain she felt. During the night, the movement of the fetus caused her to suffer from poor sleep. During the day, she could not sit or lie down for long. Although her four limbs were not swollen, her feet would occasionally cramp up, practically painful enough to cause tears.

Recently, the kitchens cooked a lot of soup that used bones as a base. And she drank so much of them that whenever she thought of soups, she felt like vomiting. It was the third day of the new year today, yet what she felt wasn’t the joy of the new year, but an unspeakable restlessness and irritability.

Yunxi was aware that women would easily anger once pregnant, and so supported Zhuang Laoyan with care as she said, “Your Highness, this slave has heard that new circus performers have arrived at the palace. How about we summon them to the side palace hall to perform for your honored self?”

“Alright.” Zhuang Laoyan nodded. Suppressing the restlessness and irritability in her heart, she allowed Yunxi to arrange for the performance.

Shortly after, the circus performers arrived. They were all intelligent; knowing that Consort Zhao was pregnant, they all wore strange outfits and did not perform anything thrilling. Instead, they performed an interesting comedy from the civilian realm.

Not long after the performance started, they saw Consort Zhao burst out laughing. Thus, the performers became even more energetic. The Music Bureau raised numerous singers, dancers, and all sorts of performers. To be able to perform in front of a master was the greatest fortune. As circus performers, they originally were looked down on regarding their trade. Now that they received Her Highness Consort Zhao’s attention, weren’t they so proud and elated?

The circus performers that came from the civilian realm were more flexible and lively than the performers raised in the Music Bureau. After Zhuang Laoyan finished watching the performance, her mood improved by an immense degree. She said to the leader of the troupe, “You people have performed quite splendidly. When you leave, think up more interesting stories. This palace will summon you again next time.”

The moment the leader had heard these words, he grew overjoyed. A bang as he dropped to a kneel, kowtowing in thanks again and again.

“No need to keep kowtowing. You’ve worked hard.” Zhuang Laoyan indicated for them to stand. Then she had Yunxi reward them with money and light refreshments. “Years ago, this palace watched many circus acts outside the palace. They used their lives and bodies to make money. Suffered to put on a good show. We outsiders won’t be able to understand that.”

The circus performers were so moved that they grew incoherent with speech. They felt that Consort Zhao had a soft and benevolent personality. No wonder the emperor doted on her so much.

“Your Highness, news came just now. The emperor threw Noble Consort Shu’s elder brother into the Sky Prison.” At this moment, Tingzhu rushed to enter the room, gasping for breath. “Right now, Noble Consort Shu is kneeling in front of Qianzheng Palace’s main entrance, requesting to see the emperor.”

“What?!” Zhuang Laoyan stood, surprise painting her features as she looked at Tingzhu. Noble Consort Shu only had one elder brother from the legitimate line, the one who tried to impeach Zhuang Laoyan’s elder brother in the past. Why did the emperor throw him into the Sky Prison at this time? It was the third day of the new year, and court had yet to resume. How large of a crime did this Sir Su commit to provoke such an order from the emperor?

When Tingzhu had said the first word of the news, the circus performers rushed to withdraw. Thus, the entire side palace hall only had Zhuang Laoyan’s people. She furrowed her brows, somewhat puzzled. For about a year, although the Su family had grown more arrogant, they would not go as far as to lose propriety. Since the emperor acted on the Su family in such a way, it was tantamount to humiliating Noble Consort Shu. The hierarchy and structure of the harem would change.

“Are there any news from Qianzheng Palace?” Gradually, Zhuang Laoyan’s brows relaxed. “And have there been any movements from Jingyang Palace?”

“The whole rear palace knows about this news. However, the emperor refuses to see Noble Consort Shu, and contrary to expectations, Her Majesty the empress’ side hasn’t made any moves. The way this slave sees it, the servants of Jingyang Palace have been quiet.”

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To which Zhuang Laoyan muttered, “Tell our palace’s servants not to be careless with their speech or move about carelessly. As long as they wander about, send them back to the Department of the Palace.”  

“Rest assured, Your Highness. Just a while ago, Fu Bao had already given out these instructions.” Tingzhu hesitated before continuing, “However, just now this slave came across the eldest prince outside, and secretly heard him mocking Noble Consort Shu.”

Noble Consort Xian and Noble Consort Shu had never gotten along. Since Noble Consort Xian raised Eldest Prince, she had likely influenced him. Yet, were the words Eldest Prince had said the result of others’ instigation? Or was this the result of him losing his cool?

“What does he have to do with us?” Zhuang Laoyan sneered. “Right now, there are many people wanting to take advantage of a crisis for personal gain.”

The hearts of Yunxi and Tingzhu trembled. They sounded their agreement in a low voice.

On the fourth day of the new year, Noble Consort Shu once again requested an audience with the emperor, kneeling before Qianzheng Palace for four hours. Still, the emperor refused her request.

On the fifth day of the new year, Noble Consort Shu requested to see the emperor once more, imploring with all her heart. At the end, the emperor had his imperial guards drive her away.

Court resumed on the sixth day of the new year. Noble Consort Shu remained in Anqing Palace, the emperor having dispatched people to keep watch over her. Unable to leave her residence, Noble Consort Shu reportedly knelt at the main doors of Anqing Palace, cutting an extremely sorry figure.  

On the seventh day of the new year, the snowstorm finally ended, allowing the imperial concubines to pay respects in Jingyang Palace. Among the Su family cousins, only Xiuyi Su attended. The most beautiful woman in the harem, Noble Consort Shu, had been absent due to falling ill.

Sitting on an arabesque chair, Zhuang Laoyan listened to the imperial concubines all around as they chatted, not a word leaving her lips.

“Perhaps Noble Consort Shu’s mood isn’t quite good right now.” Noble Imperial Concubine Yan smiled, rejoicing in others’ misfortune. “Has Xiuyi Su paid a visit to Her Highness Noble Consort Shu?”

“Noble Imperial Concubine Yan has just come out of mandatory seclusion. Why is it that you still have not learned proper manners?” Zhuang Laoyan arched a brow, casting a glance at her with the beautiful corners of her eyes. She was obviously smiling, but such a smile carried a trace of contempt. “How about this palace asks Her Majesty the empress to resume your seclusion for a few days?”

“You!” Noble Imperial Concubine Yan’s expression changed at once. But she could not do anything to Zhuang Laoyan. In both position and favor, she could not compare with her. What’s more, she had been punished because of Zhuang Laoyan in the past. Now, as she looked at that aloof and remote appearance of the other party, she felt oppressed yet did not dare to utter a word.

“Consort Zhao is right. A little noble imperial concubine like you actually dared to comment on the situation of a noble consort. It is truly poor in etiquette.” The empress took a sip of tea. “Since that’s the case, your name tag will be removed from the selection for one month as punishment.”

Zhuang Laoyan smiled at the empress as she dropped her head. “Your Majesty the empress is wise.”

Witnessing this scene, Xiuyi Su on one hand hated Noble Imperial Concubine Yan, this bitch, for saying such unpleasant things. On the other hand, she hated that it had been Zhuang Laoyan for putting the other woman in her place. In the end, Xiuyi Su could only take in two deep breaths, remaining silent to the surprise of others.

The empress looked at the women sitting below her. Raised her teacup. “It’s still cold right now. You may withdraw.”

And everyone obeyed. Once she had stepped foot outside the main doors, Noble Imperial Concubine Yan noticed that none of the other imperial concubines stayed close to her. Face ashen, she looked at Zhuang Laoyan, who was sitting on a departing rickshaw. And she snorted coldly. “Just because she’s pregnant, they are so biased toward her and allow her to use rickshaw. Everyone else is using sedans, even Noble Consort Xian!”

There were people all around to hear her words. And when they did, they moved even farther from her. The little palace maid supporting her grew so frightened that her face turned white. The emperor had bestowed that rickshaw to Consort Zhao himself. Regarding her master’s words, was she complaining about the emperor’s imperial decree?