The Job of an Imperial Concubine

In Zhuang Laoyan’s opinion, it didn’t matter who the mastermind was. What was important was this: crushing all thoughts of making a move against her. She glanced at the kneeling Noble Consort Xian and Wanyi Qian. Expressionless, she played with an orange, slender fingers streaking across its glossy skin, leaving behind ugly marks.

Noticing her action, Feng Jin came to the conclusion that she felt afraid. His gaze when looking at Wanyi Qian grew even more severe. “We want to know when you started fostering these thoughts.” He browsed through the medicinal books that had been presented to him. On top was a harmful prescription.

“Chinese marlow seeds, safflower, Chinese blister beetles, centipedes, dried fruit of immature trifoliate oranges, Shengnan tubers…” As Feng Jin read through each medicinal ingredient, the expressions of the imperial physicians in the room changed more and more. If such a drug was taken orally, it would cause the drinker to immediately fall half dead. And of course, the fetus would die. But if this drug was placed in the room, nothing would happen should Zhuang Laoyan stay in said room for a short period. Long-term exposure, on the other hand, was a different story. Even if the child was born, they would most likely be disabled. Such a scheme truly proved vicious.

Before the imperial physicians could even finish sighing with emotion, they heard the emperor say to them this:

“Tell Us. If no one discovered this tainted soil, what would have happened?”

For a moment, they looked at each other in dismay. In the end, they shifted their gazes to Imperial Physician Mao. He was a highly-skilled practitioner of gynecology, and Her Highness Consort Zhao always had him examine her pulse. They couldn’t go wrong with him being the one to respond.

“Reporting to Your Majesty, such a drug can cause an abortion. Chinese blister beetles and centipedes are highly toxic. Frail pregnant women must absolutely avoid them. Although Chinese marlow seeds aren’t poisonous, they can induce labor.” Imperial Physician Mao felt helpless. He could only step forward and kowtow. “If such things were in contact with Her Highness Consort Zhao for a long period, even if we could preserve the fetus, the child would be extremely disabled once born.”

“What a good experienced and knowledgeable Wanyi Qian.” Feng Jin gripped the book in his hand so hard that a sound of his action rang out. Quite a while later, he threw the book in front of Wanyi Qian, staring at her with cold, apathetic eyes. “There is actually such an ugly heart hidden under this beautiful face. We really were mistaken about you.”

The corners of Wanyi Qian’s lips twitched, yet she was unable to say anything. Indeed, she had been the one behind this scheme. Never had she imagined it to go so smoothly. The only unfortunate thing was that someone discovered the tainted soil after it had already entered Xihe Palace.

The empress sat there in disbelief. Why would Wanyi Qian do such a thing? She did not have any children, so whether or not Zhuang Laoyan did shouldn’t matter to her. Even if Zhuang Laoyan’s child died, what benefits did that bring Wanyi Qian?

“Wanyi Qian, why did you do this?” The empress frowned. “Don’t you know the punishment for conspiring to murder an imperial prince?”

“This concubine naturally does.” Wanyi Qian sneered. “Of all the women in the imperial harem, it’s not just me who wants that child gone. Perhaps even you do, Empress.”

“Shut up!” In one swift motion, Feng Jin swept his cup off the table, sending it flying through the air at Wanyi Qian. It smashed against her forehead, leaving behind a gash. Drenched in tea, she cut an extremely miserable figure.

Feng Jin had once heard that fetuses had souls. If they heard people say they were not welcome in the world, the fetuses might truly not be born. Furious, he jabbed a finger toward Wanyi Qian. “The whole world awaits Our child. It’s a malicious woman like you that has no use existing!”

The whole world awaited it?

As soon as Noble Consort Xian heard these words, her complexion changed. All of a sudden, she raised her head, yet she only saw normal expressions on the faces of the empress and Consort Zhao. She clenched her teeth. Dropped her head in the end.

The empress saw that the emperor’s expression appeared ordinary, and said, “You’re wrong. This palace wishes Consort Zhao to give birth safe and sound.” Expression serene, she looked at Wanyi Qian, but her tone was unprecedented in its gravity. “This palace is already barren. If someone in the harem becomes with child, it’s a good thing in this palace’s eyes. Wanyi Qian, your thoughts only represent your own opinion. How could you know what other people think?”

Wanyi Qian stared disbelievingly at the empress. What barren? However, the empress was no longer looking at her, as if the thing she had just said were simply a trivial matter.

It wasn’t just Wanyi Qian. Even Noble Consort Xian and Zhuang Laoyan were shocked. No one had ever mentioned the empress being barren before. Since the empress said this in front of so many people today, was she trying to tell everyone that her position was merely a hollow one? That the next emperor would not share blood with her?

The gaze in which Feng Jin looked at the empress grew a sliver surprised. After a moment in a daze, he said, “Caifu, there’s no need to be like this.”

To which the empress smiled in a relaxed manner. “Your Majesty, what’s the point of hiding something that will be known sooner or later?”

Sooner or later? Zhuang Laoyan found something off about those words. But when she saw the calm and resigned face of the empress, she understood. Perhaps the empress’ words weren’t only for the empress’ children, but for the Zhao family as well.

As it turned out, the empress had already been clear on the situation and accepted it. Zhuang Laoyan turned to look at Feng Jin. All of sudden, she thought, Maybe it’s because of the empress’ tactful behavior that the emperor did not eradicate the Zhao family. Otherwise, why did the emperor call the empress by her name?

Plucking the confederate rose, yet letting the leaves remain; asking one’s husband which is prettier, the flower or oneself. As Zhuang Laoyan remembered this poem by Bai Juyi, she felt slightly moved. Averted her gaze so that she could not see the indifferent smile upon the empress’ face.

Silent, Noble Consort Xian stood at the side. She did not know why the empress had said such words, but she was aware that she should not be hearing them.

“We understand,” said Feng Jin, complicated emotions appearing on his face. But only for a moment. Then his expression returned to normal: expressionless. He looked at Wanyi Qian. “Wanyi Qian has malevolent thoughts, premeditating to harm an imperial prince. She shall be bestowed three chi of white silk.”

Wanyi Qian rushed to raise her head and look at Feng Jin. Just as she was about to say something, a court eunuch with great observation skills muzzled her.

Such a sight startled Noble Consort Xian. Although the emperor wasn’t the amorous type, if an imperial concubine committed a crime, they would for the most part receive a demotion in rank or be thrown into the Cold Palace. But to one’s surprise, the emperor wanted Wanyi Qian’s life right now! In a flash, she looked at Zhuang Laoyan’s abdomen in an envious and reverent manner. Just how important was this child to the emperor?!

“Support your master back to rest.” Feng Jin glanced at Zhuang Laoyan, who sat at the side. “Don’t worry. We will make it up to you.”

Zhuang Laoyan cast a glance at the muzzled Wanyi Qian. Then, in an obedient manner, she used Yunxi’s hand for support as they withdrew from the main palace hall. Once they had stepped foot outside its entrance, her complexion gradually returned to normalcy.

A few days ago, rough labor servants had been transferred between every palace. Zhuang Laoyan had long since recorded the new arrivals, watching to see who would exploit whom. If they had not figured things out right now, the mastermind would naturally be happy. And if the situation was allowed to progress, there were people to take the fall.

The mastermind’s sole regret was perhaps this: They had not expected her to discover their plan so soon. Soon enough, they did not have the time to get rid of all the evidence. When her thoughts came to this point, Zhuang Laoyan sneered. She would not make things difficult for other women, but she would not allow other people to make things difficult for her either.

If Wanyi Qian had not acted, then she also would not have fallen into Zhuang Laoyan’s long-since-prepared trap. She lifted her head and gazed at the sky. All of a sudden, she smiled. “Yunxi, how many people in the harem do you think are waiting to watch a good show?”

But Yunxi dared not continue on this topic of conversation; she simply said, “Your Highness, as long as your honored self is well, there’s no need to worry about anything else.”

“This palace naturally would not worry,” replied Zhuang Laoyan, smiling still. In a place like the imperial harem, she had never allowed herself to overthink. She simply performed her duties, classified as the professional ethics of an imperial concubine. In her previous life, she did her job well, and in this place, she would of course comply with its rules.

Noticing her dim smile, Yunxi came to the conclusion that she was in low spirits. So she said consolingly, “Now, His Majesty bestowed… punished Wanyi Qian. In the future, no one in the harem will dare to act in such a savage manner. Once the little prince is born, everything will be fine.” Imperial Physician Mao already said that there is an extremely high chance Her Highness is carrying an imperial prince. It’s just that Her Highness ordered everyone to not speak recklessly, so other people don’t know this.

Zhuang Laoyan glanced at Yunxi. Sighed. “You, girl, are worrying too much. This palace is fine. When we return, have people send over a bowl of goose egg soup. This palace wants to have some.” Imperial Physician Mao had said that although goose eggs weren’t something rare, they could reduce internal heat, and detoxify and nourish the body. Goose eggs were also good for both mother and child. Thus, every few days, Zhuang Laoyan would have a bowl of goose egg soup.

Yunxi remembered this carefully.

In the main palace hall of Xihe Palace, Feng Jin looked at the muzzled Wanyi Qian, whose face was panic-stricken. And he said in an apathetic fashion, “We don’t care what you think, but conspiring to murder Our son is intolerable. Servants, drag her out. And make sure her execution is far from Xihe Palace.”

Hearing these words, Gao Dezhong rushed to order the servants to drag Wanyi Qian away. Then he followed them out. Said to one of the leading court eunuchs, “You should know what to do. His Majesty regards Consort Zhao and her unborn child with much importance.” And he threw a silver ingot at him.

The court eunuch leading the rest immediately understood the implications. Gao Dezhong wanted them to draw the deceased spirit away, so as to avoid it colliding with the people of Xihe Palace. He was quick-witted and did not accept the money, swiftly changing topics by saying, “Rest assured, Gonggong. This little one will definitely accomplish this task in a beautiful manner. Even when this person who tried to kill an unborn child enters the underworld, she cannot wash away this crime!”

Satisfied, Gao Dezhong nodded. Once the leading eunuch withdrew with a fawning expression, Gao Dezhong snickered. Watched as people dragged Wanyi Qian away in a way similar to hauling livestock. Then he said to the little eunuch next to him, “Do you know what this is called?”

The little eunuch hurried to nod and bow with his back low. “This little one doesn’t know. May Gongong enlighten this little one.”

Gao Dezhong shifted his gaze away from its prior target. Said with indifference, “This is what we call courting disaster.” Following that, he ignored the little eunuch and made his way to the main palace hall with his back hunched, leaving the little eunuch somewhat puzzled. Everyone knew that Wanyi Qian courted death by conspiring to murder an imperial prince. So why did Gao-gonggong say it in a way that confused others?

Wanyi Qian had been dragged off, and the servants who had been in the palace hall were all driven outside. Only Xiao Xizi, who had run the errands for Wanyi Qian, was dragged outside and bludgeoned to death by sticks, unable to spout even a word of grievance.

Once all the servants from the Department of the Palace had cleared off, Feng Jin turned to the empress. “Eldest Prince is no longer that young, and should move out into his own residence in the imperial palace. Look for and prepare a suitable place for him.” The implication to his words was the following: Noble Consort Xian must not involve herself with the eldest prince’s matters.

Eyes red, Noble Consort Xian said, “Your Majesty, this concubine and Eldest Prince share a mother-and-son bond—”

“You only raised Eldest Prince for a few years. You are not his imperial mother nor are you his birth mother. So what’s this talk about a mother-and-son bond?” Feng Jin cast her an apathetic glance. Caught sight of her wronged appearance. Annoyance sparked in his heart. “If you have forgotten the rules, have the older female servants instruct you properly. You don’t need to concern yourself with this matter. Just hand it over to the empress.”

For a moment, Noble Consort Xian could not utter a word; she could only choke with emotion. “At Your Majesty’s command.”

“From now on, you will be the sole person in charge of these matters, Empress.” Feng Jin rose to his feet. “You handle these matters, and We will feel assured.” Then he left, servants following after him.

The empress hurried to stand and see him off. Once the emperor was gone, she smiled in an insincere manner at the disappointed Noble Consort Xian. “This palace also should return. Why don’t Noble Consort Xian leave with this palace? After all, this is Consort Zhao’s residence. We should not disturb her rest.”

At these words, Noble Consort Xian smiled. “Yes.” Yet this smile was bitter to the extreme.