Chapter 353

Chapter 353 Yueya'er was just bringing in hot water, smiling as she said, "Milady, we only just passed Frost's Descent yesterday, and today it suddenly turned cold." "The Imperial Observatory said winter would come early this year, and there's fear of snow disasters. His Majesty has already ordered the common folk to prepare in advance." "You only had the Imperial Household Department stock up on extra charcoal and dried goods yesterday, worried there wouldn't be enough during the New Year rush—how could you have forgotten already today?" Xie Run teased with a smile, "Isn't that so? My memory's getting worse by the day?" Just then, a young palace maid in charge of meal delivery stepped forward, her smile brimming with joy: "Congratulations, Milady, congratulations! Imperial Physician Xie has cured Consort Meng's eye ailment, and His Majesty has specially promoted Imperial Physician Xie to the rank of Principal Sixth Grade Deputy Director of the Imperial Medical Academy. The decree has already been issued." Ordinary imperial physicians were Eighth Grade, Deputy Directors were Sixth Grade, and the highest was the Fifth Grade Director. A few days prior, one Deputy Director had resigned and returned to his hometown, leaving a vacancy, and the competition within the Imperial Medical Academy had been fierce. No one expected it to ultimately fall to a newcomer like Xie Jiang. As for that Consort Meng, she wasn't anyone particularly important, but she had a good elder sister—Consort Ling of the Retired Emperor. Consort Ling had once enjoyed the Retired Emperor's favor and had also cared for the Emperor during his childhood. Because Consort Ling had passed away early, the Emperor transferred that respect onto Consort Meng. However, that was also a matter of long ago. Though Xie Run wasn't clear on all the intricate details behind it, she knew full well that the Emperor's promotion of Xie Jiang was by no means simple. She could only marvel that Xie Jiang truly was a woman holding the protagonist's script. Her speed of promotion in officialdom was even faster than Xie Jing's, the future Grand Secretary. The Fifth Grade Director of the Imperial Medical Academy was the ceiling for most people there, but it was by no means the end of Xie Jiang's rise. Xie Run was genuinely delighted and immediately said, "Have someone open the storehouse, select some rare medicinal herbs and prescriptions, and quietly send them to the Xie residence." "Though it's a happy occasion, it's best not to make too big a show of it, lest people think the Xie family is getting arrogant with pride." With so many cautionary examples before her, Xie Run didn't dare let herself get carried away in the slightest. After giving the orders, Xie Run had a few bites of breakfast before heading to Fengyi Palace to pay her respects. On the way, she suddenly remembered something and asked Dantao, "Wu Baolin's pregnancy is at eight months now, isn't it?" Dantao calculated carefully and said, "Indeed, eight months." "She's a fortunate one too. Apart from her own earlier antics, this pregnancy has caused not a single ripple of trouble. She's managed to carry it safely to eight months." Recalling it, Xie Run couldn't help but feel a bit emotional. This was far smoother than things had been back in the prince's residence. Back then, in the residence, it was hard just to carry a child past the first three months. If anyone hadn't weathered a few storms, that would have been abnormal. Dantao smiled and said, "Come to think of it, Hua Zhaorong is also three months along now, so her pregnancy should be considered stable." "The Empress has allowed her to skip the morning greetings until her pregnancy is secure. I wonder if she'll come today." Xie Run spent her days listening to Lady Lu's gossip about the harem to pass the time. Naturally, she was curious now—would Hua Yu dare to rely on her favor and skip paying respects to the Empress? The moment she arrived at Fengyi Palace, Xie Run heard the sound of many people laughing and chatting. Consort Jing spotted Xie Run and said with a smile, "Sister Consort Zhaode, you've finally arrived. I hear His Majesty has promoted your elder sister to Sixth Grade Deputy Director. We've all been waiting to congratulate you!" Once she spoke, the others didn't dare say much. Xie Jiang had indeed become a Sixth Grade Deputy Director, but that rank wasn't particularly high anywhere. Especially since Consort Jing's entire family was distinguished and noble—her words were clearly meant to mock Xie Run. Xie Run smiled and took her seat. "Just now, on the way here, I was talking with my attendants about Hua Zhaorong, thinking that since she's now over three months pregnant, her pregnancy should be stable." Consort Jing glanced sidelong at Xie Run, not understanding why she'd suddenly brought up Hua Zhaorong. Then she heard Xie Run say unhurriedly, "Consort Jing and Hua Zhaorong both entered the prince's residence around the same time. Now that Hua Zhaorong is with child, I wonder when we might hear good news from Consort Jing?" Consort Jing's face turned ugly in an instant. This was no different from openly bringing up her disfigured appearance. In the past, when faced with Consort Jing's sharp-tongued remarks, Xie Run always deflected them with ease, brushing them aside lightly. Because of that, Consort Jing had grown increasingly reckless, assuming Xie Run had no temper at all. Now, suddenly struck where it hurt by Xie Run, she couldn't recover for a long while. She secretly glanced at those below, imagining that the consorts who were either lowering their heads or chatting were all discussing and laughing at her. Blood rushed from her feet to her head, nearly driving her to lose her composure with rage. Consort Jing gritted her teeth and said, "I am naturally not as favored by His Majesty as Consort Zhaode. But Milady gave birth to the Fifth Prince and has enjoyed the Emperor's grace ever since—how is it there's still no sign of another pregnancy?" "My appearance is marred, and I don't enjoy His Majesty's affection, so I've never conceived." Consort Jing stared covertly at Xie Run's belly. "Consort Zhaode is different from me, though. With no news for so long, wouldn't it be better to take pity on the sisters below and give them something to rely on for the rest of their lives?" Xie Run smiled and said, "Consort Jing speaks every day of how your marred appearance keeps you from His Majesty's favor—are you implying that His Majesty is a man who only cares for looks?" "Before, no one wanted to say anything, afraid of embarrassing you, but today I can no longer hold back." Xie Run glanced at her. "At least we all came from the same household together. Back when we were in the prince's residence, even when Consort Jing's face was intact, she wasn't particularly favored by the Emperor." "This shows that the Emperor is clear-eyed and sharp-eared, valuing virtue and cultivation far more—not the kind of person who prizes appearance as Consort Jing claims." Xie Run's words, delivered in an exceptionally gentle tone, each carried a hidden blade. This enraged Consort Jing so much that she stood up, pointing at her with a trembling finger: "You..." Xie Run cast a sidelong glance at Consort Jing, and Dantao had already stepped forward to rebuke: "How dare you!" Dantao was just about to scold Consort Jing on Xie Run's behalf when someone called out: "The Emperor has arrived!" Everyone in Fengyi Palace was slightly startled, then bowed in greeting: "We pay our respects to the Emperor." The Emperor had apparently come straight to Fengyi Palace after court, still wearing his court robes, radiating immense authority. The Emperor strode in and sat directly at the head seat. "Arguing noisily in Fengyi Palace at this early hour—what kind of decorum is this?!" His voice was soft, carrying no hint of reprimand, yet it naturally instilled fear in all who heard it. Consort Jing instinctively explained: "Your Majesty, this concubine was not arguing—it is Consort Zhaode who is bullying others!" As she spoke, she made a show of wiping her tears, turning slightly to conceal the scarred area of her face. In truth, the scars on her face had already faded considerably. The Emperor was also at some distance from her; unless he stared closely, he might not have noticed. But precisely because she covered it like that, it reminded the Emperor of the scars he had seen on her face before. Trying to cover up only made it more obvious—that was exactly what this looked like. The Emperor said with interest: "Go on, tell me—how did Consort Zhaode bully you?" "If what you say is true, I will surely see justice done for you." Xie Run cast a rather helpless look at the Emperor. She thought to herself that the Emperor must be in a good mood today, and now he was stirring up trouble for his own amusement. Consort Jing, however, seemed to have received a decree, her momentum instantly rising several notches. "Consort Zhaode mocked this concubine for being less favored than Hua Zhaorong, who was fortunate enough to bear the Imperial Heir, and also said this concubine accused the Emperor of being lustful... Heaven have mercy, how would this concubine dare to speak such reckless words?" "It is clearly Consort Zhaode who maliciously speculated and deliberately slandered me!" The Emperor's narrow, elongated eyes held a hint of amusement as he glanced at Xie Run: "Consort Zhaode, is what Consort Jing says true?" "Since Your Majesty says we were arguing, then naturally I did not agree with what Consort Jing said, which is why we came to words." Xie Run spoke softly and unhurriedly, not rushing to defend herself, a faint smile curving at the corners of her lips. "Consort Jing said that it was because her appearance was marred that she no longer received the Emperor's favor." Xie Run smiled lightly. "Those words clearly accuse the Emperor of judging people by looks—as if you stopped favoring her only because her beauty was gone." Xie Run looked at the Emperor with a slightly aggrieved expression: "This concubine could not bear to see Your Majesty wrongfully accused, so I merely said that even when Consort Jing's face was intact, the Emperor was not particularly doting on her—and that is what angered her." "Moreover, where would those words leave the other sisters in the palace? It would be as if they are not favored because their looks are lacking." The others had been watching the drama on the sidelines, but now they were caught in the crossfire, their expressions turning awkward. To be fair, there wasn't a single ugly woman in the Emperor's harem at present. Each had her own charm, and their temperaments varied. None of them would admit that it was because they weren't beautiful enough that the Emperor didn't favor them. In the entire harem, only Consort Jing brought up her face day after day—yet she only allowed herself to speak of it, and would fly into a rage the moment anyone else mentioned it. Xie Run had been quiet all along, but now that she had the chance to speak, she simply let it all out. "Consort Jing also said that this concubine has long enjoyed the Emperor's favor, yet since giving birth to the Fifth Prince, I have not conceived again—which has been hard on the sisters below who rarely get to see Your Majesty." Xie Run gracefully bowed to the Emperor. "This matter is indeed this concubine's inadequacy, and I am ashamed before Your Majesty's grace." The Emperor smiled and raised a hand toward Xie Run. "What Consort Jing said is also true." Both Xie Run and Consort Jing looked up at the Emperor with slight surprise. Consort Jing felt a flicker of joy, thinking that this time the Emperor would take her side and speak a few fair words to vent her frustration. But unexpectedly, the Emperor's gaze fell on Xie Run, and his tone shifted: "However, this is not your fault. These past days, I have been busy with matters of the court and have not visited you at Zhaohua Palace for some time." "If the harem could welcome another Imperial Heir, I imagine Imperial Father and Mother would be most gratified." Xie Run: "..." That was rather sudden. The Emperor had been busy with court affairs lately—on the first and fifteenth of each month he had to attend to the Empress, and on ordinary days he had to elevate Hua Zhaorong, only occasionally finding time to sit for a while at Zhaohua Palace. Even so, that was a hundred times better than the other desolate palaces. The others were indeed somewhat dissatisfied that Hua Zhaorong and Xie Run monopolized the Emperor's favor, hoping to get a share of it themselves. Now, thanks to Consort Jing's interference, not only did the Emperor not think of going to anyone else—he instead felt even more pity for Consort Zhaode. The other consorts were frustrated, and Consort Jing was even more stunned, unable to recover for a long while. Consort Jing was so furious that she blurted out what was on her mind: "Your—Your Majesty, you are far too partial." The Emperor's face darkened, his smile vanishing in an instant. His indifferent gaze fell upon Consort Jing, frightening her so much that her legs went weak. Consort Jing hastily crouched in a salute, lowering her head to admit fault: "This concubine misspoke, I beg the Emperor's forgiveness." Just then, the Empress emerged supported by attendants, slowly offering the Emperor a salute. "Your Majesty, this consort has arrived late." In truth, the Empress was not truly late. There was still a while before the appointed time for paying respects. The exchange between Xie Run and Consort Jing in Fengyi Palace had lasted but a moment. Yet since the Emperor had arrived and the Empress had not, that constituted lateness. The Emperor asked in a flat tone, "When paying respects at Fengyi Palace on ordinary days, is Consort Jing always this arrogant?" "Today she even dared to fault me. I suspect that on ordinary days, she holds even the Empress in no regard." Consort Jing's face turned deathly pale with fright: "This concubine has not, this concubine would never dare. I beg the Emperor and Empress to see clearly." The Empress glanced at Consort Jing, unwilling to stir up trouble, and merely sighed quietly. "Consort Jing has been living ever more narrowly these days." The Empress: "In the past, she has never shown disrespect toward me, though her tongue does tend to run loose. It cannot be counted as a great offense." The Empress could understand Consort Jing. When one feels stifled in the heart, must one not find relief in a few sharp words? Yet understanding was one thing; the Empress would not pity her. The Emperor smiled ambiguously: "In this harem, stirring up trouble with one's tongue is also a grave crime." Consort Jing's body went limp, nearly collapsing to the ground. "This concubine knows her error, I beg the Emperor and Empress for leniency." A scolding was a light matter; if she were demoted in rank, Consort Jing would have nowhere to weep. She had long lost imperial favor. If her rank were lowered, she feared she would never have another chance to rise again in this lifetime. The Empress said nothing. The Emperor said flatly, "When I originally bestowed upon you the character 'Jing'—serenity—I thought you virtuous and wise, able to endure and remain tranquil. As it now appears, you are unworthy of this title." "Transmit my decree: strip Consort Jing of her title, and confine her to house arrest for half a month." Consort Jing said weakly, "This concubine thanks the Emperor for his great grace." On ordinary days during the respects, it was Consort Jing who was acerbic and cutting toward the other consorts and concubines. Now, Xie Run and Consort Wen, both holding the Fei rank, were mild-tempered and would not bicker with her. Those of lower rank who could not argue back simply swallowed their grievances, while those who could argue found themselves suppressed by her rank. Everyone had been nursing a belly full of resentment. At this moment, hearing that Consort Jing had been stripped of her title, many secretly rejoiced. They had thought today's excitement would end there. Unexpectedly, Concubine Yang, who had remained silent all along, suddenly stepped forward. "I pay respects to the Emperor and Empress. This concubine has joyful news to report to the Emperor and Empress, and begs permission to speak." The Emperor and Empress showed little expression on their faces. "Speak." The others, however, vaguely sensed something amiss. Then they heard Concubine Yang say in a gentle voice: "This concubine is already pregnant for over three months. Because the imperial physician said the fetus is fragile in the first three months and it would not be good to announce it abroad, I waited until the pregnancy was secure before daring to tell the Emperor and Empress." The Emperor smiled. "You have thought very thoroughly." In the Emperor's eyes, being able to conceive and safely carry the child to three months was a skill in itself. He had never been stingy with promotions and rewards for those with ability. The Empress also chimed in from the side, "Concubine Yang only served Your Majesty once or twice in the past two months, and yet she already carries a three-month pregnancy. She is indeed most blessed." "Since she is a person of fortune, Your Majesty ought to bestow a reward." The Emperor glanced at the Empress, his expression somewhat complicated. After years of marriage, the Empress could now read his thoughts with increasing accuracy. He had just been struck with the notion and was about to find an excuse to bestow a reward when the Empress had already proactively handed him a ladder. Such cooperation—proficient and familiar, yet lacking in closeness. The Emperor: "Then promote Concubine Yang to Lady of Handsome Fairness, and bestow a pair of jade ruyi. As for the rest... the Empress may arrange as she sees fit." The bestowal of the jade ruyi came about because the Emperor, seeing that Concubine Yang's pregnancy was timely and wishing to spread festive cheer, recalled that the palace had newly acquired a pair of jade ruyi of excellent quality. As for the rest, the Emperor could not be bothered to expend the effort to think further.