The Job of an Imperial Concubine

By the time Feng Jin had arrived at Xihe Palace, the sky was already dark. The imperial sedan stopped by the front doors. He disembarked and looked at the red lantern Gao Dezhong was holding. Asked Fu Bao, who was waiting at the entrance, “Is your master asleep?”

Bowing, Fu Bao replied, “Your Majesty, Her Highness said she napped too much during the noon, so isn’t sleepy now. She is still awake.”

How could Feng Jin be unaware that Zhuang Laoyan was merely waiting for him to arrive? Helplessly shaking his head, he said, “Nevermind. No need to announce Our arrival. We will enter directly.”

Within, Yunxi hung an additional lantern. Ever since her master had become with child, all the gorgeous flowers inside Xihe Palace were removed. Incense and other things were all stored away. These days, her master only wore a sachet of mint on her body. A refreshing scent when taken in.

“Your Highness, every day your honored self always reads for less than an hour. Would His Majesty truly know?” After leading a few palace maids inside the room to inspect the surroundings, Yunxi made her way to Zhuang Laoyan’s side. She removed the lampshade. Snipped off a bit of the candle’s wick. She smiled as another palace maid brought the scissors far away, before taking hold of a copper basin a palace maid had presented to her. Yunxi dropped to a crouch. As she helped Zhuang Laoyan remove her slippers, she said, “It’s this slave’s first time hearing that such a thing is possible.”

“This palace also does not know where this palace has heard this information from. But after the fetus is two to three months in development, if the mother reads books to it for a little less than an hour a day, and the fetus listens to music and hears its father tell it stories for about an hour each too, it will be very intelligent after birth,” said Zhuang Laoyan, recalling in an absent-minded manner the prenatal education her friend from her previous life had mentioned.

She also heard that friend say this: Many women who weren’t yet prepared to be mothers remained uninterested in things like prenatal education. People who were still happily single would not inexplicably think about having brats. Women were mysterious creatures. Before they had children, they might not feel much toward them. But once they had children, women would find any child adorable and lovable, and their own would be the greatest treasure.

After listening to this view, Zhuang Laoyan had immediately snorted in a disdainful manner. But now, she approved of it. Closing the book, Zhuang Laoyan shifted her gaze to her abdomen. Sank her feet into the basin of warm water. She felt slight regret toward not properly studying prenatal education back then.

“Since Your Highness has worked so hard, His Highness will definitely be intelligent.” Soft in her actions, Yunxi massaged the arches of Zhuang Laoyan’s feet. She was moved emotionally. Her Highness used to bathe every day. But now, because of the fetus, she only does so every two to three days. Her change in routine was due to the words of the imperial physician. That pregnant women should not bathe daily for it harmed the fetus. “Two days ago, His Majesty bestowed two musicians to Xihe Palace. This slave has heard that one is skilled in the guqin and the other skilled in the flute. Since listening to music is good for His Highness, how about we summon the musicians here tomorrow to perform?”

“Then should We come here often to tell Our child some stories?” said someone with a low, male voice. Zhuang Laoyan raised her head. And she caught sight of Feng Jin entering the room in large strides. When she stood to salute him, he reached her in a few steps, helping her back onto a round stool.

“You’re soaking your feet, so why are you moving around?” Feng Jin softly held Zhuang Laoyan’s shoulders. Took Yunxi’s place in wiping dry her feet. Then he picked her up all of a sudden and carried her to the bed. After Feng Jin tucked her in, he said, “You are pregnant right now. You don’t have to abide by those convoluted and overelaborate protocols in private.”

In a careless way, he picked up the book Zhuang Laoyan had been reading. To his surprise, it was one of the Four Books and Five Classics, the “Doctrine of the Mean.” Feng Jin could not help but smile. It was truly rare to see her so serious. In the past, he had never witnessed his beloved concubine reading such things.

“You might be able to put in order the whole country, kingdoms and clans, decline rank and merit-pay and tread on bare swords, yet still be incapable of actualizing the mean,” said Feng Jin when he carelessly flipped to a page. He laughed. “Beloved Concubine is learned.”

“Is Your Majesty teasing this concubine?” Indeed, Zhuang Laoyan wanted her child to learn the Doctrine of the Mean. Within the imperial harem, mastering how to play a pig to eat a tiger was a great skill.

Feng Jin closed the book. Carelessly threw the Doctrine of the Mean aside. “Our child does not need to learn the Doctrine of the Mean. He is different from other people. From birth, he can look down at others from high above. The Doctrine of the Mean gives strength to insufficient people. Our son will naturally lack nothing.”

When Yunxi, who was waiting at the side, heard the emperor’s words, her brows twitched ever so slightly. At once, she dropped her head even lower. Whether or not his words held another meaning, it was not something she should allow herself to think of.

“The child has yet to be born. How does Your Majesty know if it’s a boy or a girl?” said Zhuang Laoyan, changing the subject. “If it’s a princess, will Your Majesty dislike her?”

“We will like her if she is a princess as well.” Feng Jin reached out and caressed Zhuang Laoyan’s hair. He smiled. “Whether boy or girl, We will like them.” A pause. “But We will definitely have you give Us a son.”

Hearing these words, Zhuang Laoyan reached out and poked his chest. Snorted.

Feng Jin allowed the palace maids to remove her shoes. Pulled Zhuang Laoyan into his arms. Leaning against the headboard of the bed, he said, “How about We tell Beloved Concubine a story?”

Zhuang Laoyan raised her head and looked at the emperor. She seemed to have never heard the emperor tell stories before, and could not help but nod.

“Long, long ago, there was a person named Pangu. He was taller than a mountain, with more hair than trees in a forest…”

Zhuang Laoyan fell into a daze. This story wasn’t being told to her, was it?

“With a chop of his axe, Pangu separated the sky from the earth…”

Forgive Zhuang Laoyan for growing more and more sleepy. But the emperor was too monotonous when telling this myth. Instead of telling a story, that monotonous tone was more in line with reading a textbook aloud dully.

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Before Feng Jin finished a story, he saw that the woman in his arms had already fallen deep into slumber. He could not help but smile. What was that about not being sleepy? Didn’t she fall asleep in a flash?

Zhuang Laoyan roused from the sound of water. She opened her eyes. Caught sight of the emperor sitting at the side as he washed his face. She rubbed her eyes. “What time is it?”

Seeing her dazed appearance, Feng Jin wiped his hands dry. A smile on his lips, he made his way to the side of the bed. “Did We wake you up from Our noise? Go and sleep some more. It’s still early.”

Zhuang Laoyan closed her eyes. Indeed, she was somewhat tired. Since the emperor had said those words, she’d do as instructed.

When he noticed that Zhuang Laoyan was back asleep, Feng Jin’s movements grew even more quiet. As he left the room, he indicated to all the servants to make less noise in their actions. Once he was outside Xihe Palace, Feng Jin didn’t purposely silent his movements anymore. He said to Gao Dezhong, who followed the imperial sedan, “Gao Dezhong, have people search for some interesting stories. Mm… and they have to be suitable for children.”

Gao Dezhong was startled. At once, he recalled what Consort Zhao had said yesterday evening when he was outside the door. He quickly sounded his affirmation, determined to carry out this task well. This way, he could curry favor with both the emperor and Consort Zhao.

Sitting on a sedan, Noble Consort Xian watched from afar as the emperor’s sedan left from Xihe Palace. The corners of her lips moved. In a cold tone, she said, “His Majesty indeed cares greatly for Consort Zhao.” The one in Xihe Palace is pregnant, yet he visits her so often. It’s clear that the other women of the harem aren’t as noble as Zhuang Laoyan.

The servants serving by her side dared not comment. They could only lower their heads in succession. Seeing their appearances, Noble Consort Xian felt even more unhappy, ice cold as she said, “Hurry up toward the empress’ residence. What are you being so slow for?”

Within Jingyang Palace, the empress entered the palace hall and sat down in the seat of honor. As her gaze fell upon Noble Consort Xian, the first person to arrive to pay respects, an insincere smile slid across her lips. “Never had this palace thought Noble Consort Xian would arrive this early today. This palace roused a bit late and caused you to wait so long.”

“It was this concubine who arrived early, disturbing Your Majesty’s rest.” Noble Consort Xian received the teacup a palace maid had presented to her. Took a light sip. “The tea at Your Majesty’s is as fresh and tasty as ever.”

The empress smiled. She did not answer to the other woman’s attempt at currying favor. This good Noble Consort Xian had a different manner previously. Now that she saw Consort Zhao with child, the princes she had been raising earlier were no longer the most honorable, and she quickly returned to fawn over the empress.

She wants to return and fawn over me, but would I give her the chance? Does she really see an empress like me as a guardian lion statue at the palace front gates, something anyone can touch whenever they want?

Noble Consort Xian saw the indifference the empress held toward her. That said, her features did not reveal any embarrassment. She merely lowered her head as she took sip after sip of tea. A moment later, imperial concubines arrived one after the other to pay the empress respects.

“Consort Zhao has arrived.”

Everyone turned to look at Consort Zhao. She wore a wide-sleeved dress, entering the room at a leisurely pace with the support of her palace maids. The majority of those present dropped their heads to signify their respect. Noble Consort Xian set down the teacup that had been in her hand, smiling as she watched the other party take a seat to Consort Rou’s right.

“Younger Sister Consort Zhao’s complexion seems good today,” said Noble Consort Xian, a smile still blooming on her lips. “It seems the prince who has not been born yet will be sensible.”

“Thanking Noble Consort for the auspicious remark.” Zhuang Laoyan smiled as well. She received the procured cup of tea. It was tea containing honey and the red dates that had been sent over as tribute. Following that, she aimed her smile toward the empress, picking up the tea cup to moisten her lips.

“Your Majesty the empress truly cares for Younger Sister Consort Zhao. That tea seems different from the ones we have,” said Noble Consort Xian. “It makes sense. Younger Sister is currently with child. She is different from us.”

Zhuang Laoyan smiled as she watched Noble Consort Xian attempt to make others hostile toward her. She set her tea cup down. Said with indifference, “That Her Majesty the empress shows concern and care for this concubine is my fortune. May Your Highness Noble Consort Xian not tease this concubine.”

“If Your Highness the noble consort is fond of that tea, why not have some brewed in your own palace?” said Consort Rou, sneering. “Your noble residence lacks nothing. It’s unnecessary to envy Consort Zhao.”

Noble Consort Xian could not stand that look of hers. Her tone grew colder by some degrees as she said, “Consort Rou is truly good at listening. This palace was merely praising Her Majesty the empress for being so caring and considerate toward Consort Zhao.”

“Her Majesty the empress cares for all the imperial concubines. The entire harem knows this,” retorted Consort Rou in a normal tone. Google search 𝙛𝒓𝙚e𝚠𝐞𝚋𝙣𝚘𝐯𝗲𝚕. c𝚘𝓶

“Noble Consort Shu has arrived. Xiuyi Su has arrived.”

With the arrival of the two women of the Su family, the conversation between Noble Consort Xian and Consort Rou was interrupted. The empress watched on with apathy as the two Su family women saluted her. Once they sat down, she said, “The weather is growing ever more frigid. Thank you for coming to pay respects to this palace. Consort Zhao especially should not be arriving so early. You are pregnant right now. It’s fine even if you do not come.”

“Your Majesty treasures this concubine so. How could this concubine grow arrogant from the favor?” Zhuang Laoyan rose to her feet to salute the empress again. “This concubine is only two to three months pregnant. There is no need to be so careful.”

“Hurry and take a seat,” said the empress. A sigh left her lips. “You’re still young, so are unaware that one absolutely must not be careless during the first three months.” Recalling Consort Zhao’s previous miscarriage, the empress did not add anything more, afraid that it would make her broken-hearted. Instead, she said, “It’s frigid today. This palace has thought about it, and has decided that for winter this year, you all only need to pay respects once every three days. So that you won’t be tired coming and going from here.”

The moment everyone heard this, they attempted to decline. But when they noticed how resolute the empress appeared, they could only accept her decision in a helpless manner.

Once she had stepped foot outside of Jingyang Palace, Xiuyi Su snorted coldly. “What’s this about truly caring for us? More like she truly cares about Consort Zhao. In previous years, no one ever saw her decrease the frequency of paying respects to once every three days. What a sham benevolence.”

Regardless of how much Xiuyi Su grumbled, Noble Consort Shu’s expression proved grave. The empress’ cherishing treatment toward Zhuang Laoyan this time proved somewhat frightening. It really did not resemble the empress’ style. If Zhuang Laoyan gave birth to a prince, and the emperor intended to cultivate him, wouldn’t that make Zhuang Laoyan and the empress equals?

Unable to comprehend the empress’ intention, Noble Consort Shu wrinkled her brows. No matter what, she needed to be more careful in the future. The empress might be unwilling to make a move, but other people would manipulate things from behind the scenes. All she needed to do was watch the show with a cool eye.

Come noon, the emperor bestowed many things to Jingyang Palace. Jade and antiques flowed into the palace like running water, stirring envy in the hearts of many.

But those intelligent knew the following: The emperor was praising the empress for her decision in the morning. From this, it could be seen what kind of position Consort Zhao held in the emperor’s heart.

“You might be able to put in order the whole country, kingdoms and clans, decline rank and merit-pay and tread on bare swords, yet still be incapable of actualizing the mean.”

– The above was translated by A. Charles Muller. I took no part in it.

Feng Jin and his monotonous reading XD

Noble Consort Xian used Boot Lick on the empress!

It was ineffective.

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