The Job of an Imperial Concubine

When Zhuang Laoyan woke up early the next day, the emperor had already finished dressing. Noticing her awake, he adjusted his mink cloak. “It’s snowing outside. Stay indoors today.”

“It’s snowing?” Zhuang Laoyan stuck her head out of bed. And she noticed that the window was shut tightly. It was warm inside, however. As such, she said, “Your Majesty, don’t worry and go to court. This concubine will be careful.”

Feng Jin nodded. Left Xihe Palace. Gao Dezhong, who was waiting for him outside, approached him and said in a low voice, “Your Majesty, just now, people from Changtian House came to pass on a message. They said Wanyi Qian has fallen ill and wants to see Your Majesty.”

“If she’s sick, then have someone summon an imperial physician. We are busy with governmental affairs and cannot go for the time being.” Expressionless, Feng Jin boarded his personal sedan. He did not even bestow Changtian House anything. After hearing what he had said, Gao Dezhong dropped his head at once. He was well aware that the emperor no longer held any interest in Wanyi Qian. It was evident that it was useless for a woman just to have a beautiful face. Just look at Consort Zhao. Even though she was pregnant, she could draw the emperor to her side every day. Now that was considered having great measures.

He looked back at Xihe Palace. The little eunuchs there had already started sweeping away the accumulated snow. It showed how lively Xihe Palace was. Wanyi Qian’s thought patterns were a mystery. Her beautiful face was truly wasted.

Within Changtian House, Wanyi Qian endured as she swallowed some bitter medicine. As she looked at the court eunuch who was rushing into the room, she asked, “Is the emperor coming?”

“Responding to Master, Eunuch Gao said that His Majesty has been busy with governmental affairs as of late, and fears that he cannot come over,” said the court eunuch very carefully, before dropping his head low.

“Busy with governmental affairs?” Wanyi Qian forced a smile. Mocked herself as she said, “His Majesty makes for Xihe Palace every day. When my Changtian House, which neighbors it, wants him to come, then he’s busy governing.”

When the servants in the room had heard those grievances, each of them trembled with fear as they fell to a kneel. Such words should not be spoken, and they should not hear them.

“Why are you all so scared like this?” Wanyi Qian looked at the kneeling servants. Sneered as she wiped the corners of her mouth. “Stand up. This isn’t Xihe Palace. There aren’t many people observing our moves.”

“Master, Her Majesty the empress has instructed people to deliver some tonics,” said a palace maid in a soft voice as she stood outside the curtain. “Her Majesty the empress said to rest well.”

Wanyi Qian looked at the indistinct silhouette of that palace maid. Her expression grew ever more indifferent. “Reward her.” What’s a bit of tonic even worth? Or could it be that she herself actually coveted such insignificant things? Presently, the entire palace rushed about just for Zhuang Laoayan. Even Noble Consort Shu had to avoid her. For the empress to bestow her the tonics was merely to keep up her virtuous act.

When the palace maids and court eunuchs within the room heard their master’s sudden cold tone, trembles ran through their bodies for some reason.

Once winter arrived in the capital, snow would fall intermittently. Sometimes, it would snow heavily during the night. Then the next day, it would be bright and sunny. The sun seemed dazzling, yet did not make anyone feel warm.

Zhuang Laoyan stood at the doorway, watching the rays of the sun illuminate the pure white snow. She exhaled, her breath hot and visible like a cloud. Then she turned and said to Yunxi, “This palace heard that Wanyi Qian fell ill a few days ago. Have some people bestow her some things.”

“Rest assured, Your Highness. Fu Bao has already carried out that task,” replied Yunxi, supporting her. “This slave has heard that a few days prior, Wanyi Qian requested to see the emperor. Yet, His Majesty declined her. This slave fears she blames Your Highness for this.”

“Would there only be a few women in the harem blaming me?” A smile graced Zhuang Laoyan’s lips. She handed over the lukewarm handheld brazier to Tingzhu, exchanging it for a new one. “Since they blame this palace, it’s proof that His Majesty cares about me. The women of the harem who had never been targets of envy are truly the lamentable ones.

“This palace is not afraid of people blaming me. Rather, it’s that people do not.” Zhuang Laoyan narrowed her eyes as she looked in Changtian House’s direction. “Once a person holds grievances, they would make mistakes. The harem does not need women who make mistakes.”

When Yunxi and Tingzhu heard these words, they understood some of it but not all. But they quickly stopped reflecting on this topic. For they discovered the emperor’s bright yellow procession approaching Xihe Palace in the snow.

They seemed to understand what their master meant. In the imperial harem, nothing can compare in importance to the emperor’s favor. If the emperor genuinely cared about their master, it’s useless no matter how those other women scheme. For the emperor was the true master of the harem. If he genuinely wanted to protect someone, no one can land a hand on said person.

December 8th was the day of the Laba Festival. The emperor led others to offer sacrifices to the gods above and to their ancestors. A banquet was also held in the palace. Imperial clan members and those imperial concubines with some rank could attend. The emperor had already bestowed Laba congee to the imperial clan members and officials he regarded as important before midday. And now, these people had arrived. Those able to attend the banquet were people who commanded much respect.

There were numerous elements of etiquette to be followed during the banquet. As such, Zhuang Laoyan was specially relieved from abiding by those protocols. She merely needed to appear and sit where the other imperial concubines were seated.

The Laba congee had been simmered to the point where it was very sticky and thick. Just by sitting there, she could smell the sweet fragrance from the bowl. The older female servants serving at her side first used a ladle to test the flavor. A short moment later, Zhuang Laoyan picked up a spoon and had some of the congee. Because a small brazier sat underneath the tray holding the bowl, the congee remained warm. Still, Zhuang Laoyan did not find it appetizing.

After she had become pregnant, she preferred sour and spicy foods. Afraid that her fetus would suffer from excessive internal heat, Zhuang Laoyan would have a small bowl of goose egg pearl soup. However, she was very fond of its taste. It was better than the taste of greasy eight treasures congee made in a big pot.

After she ate a few spoonfuls in a careless fashion, there was not much of the originally tiny amount of congee left in the bowl. Apparently, the people who arranged the banquet had inquired in advance about her preferences. Perhaps this congee had been made with her just having a few careless bites in mind.

Putting down the white porcelain spoon, Zhuang Laoyan accepted the tea Tingzhu had presented to her. Rinsed her mouth with it. She wiped the corners of her lips dry and leaned against the back of her chair, waiting for the banquet to conclude.

“Is this not to Your Highness’ liking?” asked Noble Imperial Concubine Jiang, who sat to her right. Then, with a lower voice, she asked with worry, “How about we have the servants bring over a plate of pickled plums to suppress the nausea?”

“It’s fine. Don’t worry.” Zhuang Laoyan smiled at her. “It’s just that I’m not too fond of sticky foods. Once I return to my palace, I’ll have the kitchen staff make other things.”

Noble Imperial Concubine Jiang also knew it was better not to act ostentatiously during this banquet. She nodded. “It’s fine like this too. If Your Highness does not feel well, you should take your leave earlier. His Majesty will not blame you, so take care of yourself.” At present, Noble Imperial Concubine Jiang had aligned herself with Zhuang Laoyan. Naturally, she did not want anything to happen to Zhuang Laoyan and the child in her womb.

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“I ate a bit before coming here. So I’m not hungry at the moment.” Zhuang Laoyan glanced at the emperor and empress, who were sitting in the highest position. “It’s snowing today. His Majesty might not have us stay for too long.”

After these words had left her lips, she looked across the room at the seating below. There sat Mistress Zhuang. Although she could not see this Mistress Zhuang’s expression clearly, Zhuang Laoyan could sense the woman looking in her direction every once in a while. What a pity that the original owner of her body had already passed away, rendering these feelings of a warm and caring mother in vain.

Once the banquet came to an end, Feng Jin rose to his feet from the seat of honor. Looking at all the officials sitting below, he said in a deep voice, “It is getting late. Everyone withdraw.”

As soon as Gao Dezhong, who was stationed behind him, heard those words, he advanced one step and shouted, “Kneel!”

In a flash, every official present at the banquet dropped to a kneel. The entire hall was deathly silent. Zhuang Laoyan, whom the emperor had relieved from kneeling, stood at the side with her head lowered. Deeply moved, she thought, This is the might of the imperial power.

“Kowtow!

“Kowtow once more!

“Rise!

“Long live the emperor!”

After the court ministers decorously kneeled and sent off the emperor and the imperial concubines, they slowly stood and left.

Mistress Zhuang used her daughter-in-law’s hand for support. Before she boarded the carriage, she looked toward the rear palace, reluctant to leave. “Her Highness Consort Zhao is with child presently. I wonder how things are for her in the harem?” Back when Zhuang Wanmei had entered the palace, her bitch of a mother grew ferocious for many days. Now, the two of them were dead, yet her daughter was still stuck in that quagmire of an imperial harem.

“Rest assured, Mother. A few days ago, when Daughter-in-law participated in a banquet held by Count Guangning’s estate, the womenfolk treated me with much courtesy. It is all because of Her Highness Consort Zhao’s nobility that they gave me some face.” The Zhuang family’s daughter-in-law supported her mother-in-law onto the carriage, before accompanying her onboard. She lifted the window curtain for the older woman so that the latter could see in the direction of the rear palace. “Nowadays, Her Highness is with child and has His Majesty’s favor. Mother should relax.”

“The heart of the emperor is hard to fathom. Today, he would pamper you. But how he would treat you tomorrow lies as a mystery. The hearts of those in the harem prove complex. Her Highness has a pure nature. In the past, when she had received the emperor’s cold shoulder for a period, I had feared…” Mistress Zhuang could not continue and utter such inauspicious words. She could only sigh. “Release the curtain. The more I look in that direction, the more I find it difficult to bear. So long as Her Highness lives safe and sound, I won’t ask for anything else.”

The daughter-in-law of the Zhuang family dropped the curtain in command. Then, she consoled her mother-in-law. When she married into the Zhuang family, this little sister-in-law had already entered the imperial palace. Word had it that she didn’t have a soft personality. Originally, after news spread that the emperor had treated her coldly, everyone in the Zhuang estate trembled with fear. Her father-in-law’s concubine had even indulged in Schadenfreude. Later on, this little sister-in-law received the emperor’s favor, and that concubine of her father-in-law passed away. The Zhuang estate grew genuinely peaceful as a result.

She understood her mother-in-law’s concerns. At present, although her little sister-in-law had the position of consort and carried an imperial prince, being close to the sovereign could be as perilous as lying with a tiger. If she lost his favor, she would be consigned to eternal damnation.

The group returned to the Zhuang estate. Early the next day, they received the emperor’s bestowment.

Despite the fact that there weren’t many gifts, the one who had come to announce the imperial decree was a personal court eunuch of the emperor. Accompanying him were people from Xihe Palace. After the Zhuang family had received the decree, they grinned from ear to ear as they asked the messengers to stay for tea and stuffed pouches of money into their hands.

Fu Bao looked at Sir Zhuang and Mistress Zhuang, who had personally accompanied him to sit. He said with courtesy, “Sir Zhuang, there is no need to be so polite. Before this slave had set out, Her Highness told me to pass on a message: Her Highness is doing well. Sir and Mistress need not worry. Please take care of yourselves.”

Mistress Zhuang wiped away the tears in the corners of her eyes. “Many thanks to Her Highness for the concern. May Gongong pass on our regards. As long as Her Highness is well, we will be perfectly satisfied.”

Fu Bao noticed that Mistress Zhuang’s eyes were red, consoling her a bit. The eunuch who had announced the imperial decree sat at the side; he was Gao Dezhong’s apprentice. Throughout the whole duration here, he was all smiles, not at all arrogant. And he stood and said, “Word has it that there is a pretty and excellent plum blossom tree in Sir Zhuang’s garden. Is it possible to have some people lead this slave there for a look?” This was to give these people a chance to speak privately.

Sir Zhuang rushed to tell his eldest son to personally accompany that court eunuch to the garden. Then he stuffed another large pouch of money into that court eunuch’s hands.

The people of the Zhuang family were well-versed in etiquette. Not once did they inquire about anything they should not. They only asked how Zhuang Laoyan was every day, if anyone had given her trouble, and whether the fetus was healthy.

Fu Bao answered each of the questions and then added, “His Majesty stayed overnight at Her Highness’ residence last night. He said that Her Highness has not seen her parents in a long time. He also said that it was not easy for your honored selves to raise Her Highness, and so had people announce an imperial decree early in the morning here. Furthermore, he specially had this slave come along. This is the grace of His Majesty.”

Mistress Zhuang slipped a large wad of banknotes into Fu Bao’s hands. “That His Majesty cares about Her Highness is Her Highness’ fortune. The entire Zhuang family kowtows in thanks for His Majesty’s imperial favor. May Gongong bring these banknotes to Her Highness. The expenses of the palace are great. May Her Highness not wrong herself.” Although she knew that her daughter lacked nothing, she wanted to give her daughter more things. Only then could she have peace of mind.

Fu Bao had no other choice but to receive the banknotes. Then he said a few other things before standing. “Sir and Mistress, this slave ought to return to the palace. This slave has been here for too long, which isn’t good.”

Sir Zhuang and Mistress Zhuang could only personally see off the crowd of people. As she watched the carriage drive farther away, Mistress Zhuang once again shed tears.

You guys just know that Wanyi Qian gonna get a rude awakening soon XD

Also, what a wholesome ending to the chapter! I really liked how supportive our girl ZL’s parents are.

Since I’m too lazy to make it a tl note, Zhuang Wanmei was ZL’s elder sister from the illegitimate line. She was Jieyu Zhuang.

Chapter Supplement:

Honestly, I don’t find these appetizing at all.

Next release is Saturday, June 26, 2021.

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Thirty-first 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.