The Job of an Imperial Concubine

Chapter 50: Attending the Banquet (陪宴)

“Have you finished investigating yet?” Zhuang Laoyan sat in a chaise lounge, gaze falling upon Fubao. On her face was not a sliver of happiness about carrying the emperor’s child.

“Reporting to Master, this slave discovered that this Imperial Physician Mao has been an imperial physician for many years. Apart from reading pulses and treating illnesses, he does not have any contact with other masters. It was originally not his duty to read your honored self’s pulse. Rather, because something happened to the family of another imperial physician, Imperial Physician Mao was switched to that shift without any warning.” Fubao hesitated for a moment, before saying, “What’s more, he has not checked Master’s pulse in the past. If some people were scheming against your honored self, they would not use him.” 

Zhuang Laoyan frowned. Fubao made a lot of sense. The physicians who checked her pulse in the past had all been fixed. If someone wanted to scheme in this regard, they would have used those other imperial physicians and not Imperial Physician Mao.

“Master, why is your honored self suspicious…?” Yunxi looked at Zhuang Laoyan’s lower abdomen and said in a softer voice, “Perhaps your honored self is truly with child. After all, last month—”

“How could it be this easy?” Zhuang Laoyan sneered. “The things I ate recently were all cold. If I truly were pregnant, would my body have no reaction to them?” Furthermore, in the perspective of a woman, the joy of having a child could not be hidden. Yet, after she had heard the imperial physician’s diagnosis, she did not feel happy at all. Instead, suspicion had filled her heart. Once someone had the instinct to feel suspicious instead of happy, there could only be one explanation: her pregnancy was fake.

Yunxi carefully ran over her thoughts, and in an instant, she paled. At this moment, everyone in the palace knew that Master was with child. But if Master truly wasn’t pregnant, then…

Only Yunxi and Fubao were present in the room. Tingzhu was monitoring the servants cooking in the little personal kitchen. Zhuang Laoyan gazed at the pale faces of the two. All of a sudden, she smiled.

Yunxi and Fubao shared a look. Yunxi smiled as well. “That Master is with child is an extremely joyous event. Us slaves will definitely be careful in our service.”

If the other party didn’t know when they were being plotted against, then it was a conspiracy. But if the other party knew, then it was merely a joke.

In the coldest time of the year, even if the eunuchs diligently shoveled the snow, the paths would still be wet and slippery. Outside the empress’ residence, Noble Consort Shu sat steadily in her sedan, glancing at the approaching Chongyi Zhao. Once she was close, she disembarked from her sedan and saluted to Noble Consort Shu. In a gentle voice and a smile, Noble Consort Shu said, “No need to be so ceremonious, Younger Sister Chongyi Zhao. Currently, you are pregnant and should be more careful about your body.” Then she climbed down her own sedan with the support of a palace maid. Once she was three steps away from Zhuang Laoyan, she paused. “It’s cold today. Her Majesty the empress should have relieved you from paying respects since you are with child.”

“Her Majesty the empress is compassionate and has already relieved this concubine from paying respects.” Upon Zhuang Laoyan’s face was a joyful smile. “It’s just that there’s not much to do during the day in winter, so this concubine and the other sisters have come to pay respects to Her Majesty the empress. To have a little chat is also good, and this way, this concubine can abide by protocol as well.”

Noble Consort Shu had on her usual smile. “Younger Sister Chongyi Zhao is respectful and virtuous. No wonder His Majesty and Her Majesty are so fond of you.” Then she turned around and entered the main doors of the empress’ residence, a trace of coldness appearing in her smile.

Using Yunxi’s hand for support, Zhuang Laoyan slowly followed. The smile on her face still carried the elation of a pregnant woman.

“Noble Consort Shu has arrived. Chongyi Zhao has arrived.”

As soon as the people present inside heard the eunuch’s voice, they all whipped their heads toward the doorway. Furthermore, most of the gazes converged on Zhuang Laoyan, who was behind Noble Consort Shu.

Before Zhuang Laoyan could finish paying respects, the empress had He Yu support Zhuang Laoyan to a seat that had been prepared since long ago. Her tone seemed reproachful and affectionate. “His Majesty and this palace have already relieved you of paying respects. The child in you is important, so there is no need to abide by these etiquettes.” 

“His Majesty and Your Majesty are affectionate but this concubine dares not forget protocol.” Zhuang Laoyan smiled. “Moreover, Your Majesty is compassionate. This concubine and my child want to share some of Your Majesty’s good fortune.”

At the sound of those words, the empress smiled as she praised her a little and bestowed a few things to her, her manner benevolent and magnamious. As if she were looking forward to the child in Zhuang Laoyan’s lower abdomen to the extreme.

Zhuang Laoyan sighed in her heart. The empress was even better than Noble Consort Shu at acting out a show. In this world, which woman would be happy that other women were pregnant because of their own husband? It’s merely because of her status that she had to be magnanimous and good-natured, whether she was willing or resigned or not.

Whether or not the other imperial concubines in the room were happy, they all congratulated Zhuang Laoyan. Even if they were envious, they could only imply things in their speech. No one would actually say anything bad. After all, if something happened, who could shoulder the responsibility?

“Chongyi Zhao was originally a person with good fortune. If she shares some of the good fortune of Her Majesty, the empress, wouldn’t she be even more lucky? In all likelihood, she will give birth to a son for His Majesty. This concubine will congratulate you in advance,” said Noble Imperial Concubine Yan, before smiling. Then she turned her head to the silent Shurong Ye. “Shurong Ye, what do you think?”

Who present didn’t know that after Shurong Ye had miscarried, she became reticent? Whether these words of Noble Imperial Concubine Yan were to provoke Shurong Ye or to jinx Chongyi Zhao was anyone’s guess. When it’s all said and done, Shurong Ye’s child didn’t last long.

“Naturally, Chongyi Zhao is blessed.” Shurong Ye shot an indifferent glance at Noble Imperial Concubine Yan, then switched to a bland smile.

However, Noble Imperial Concubine Yan felt slight chills after that look. She no longer continued that conversation, fearing the imposing manner of Shurong Ye’s gaze. She had looked down on this unfavored Shurong Ye in the past.

“Many thanks to Shurong Ye for the auspicious remarks.” How could Zhuang Laoyan not discern Noble Imperial Concubine Yan’s intention? It’s merely that she was not pregnant in the first place, so these jinxes wouldn’t work on her.

Currently, her period was late, and she had been diagnosed as “pregnant” just a while ago. Those people who had planned this trap for her wouldn’t jump out so quickly. If she appeared too urgent, it would make them suspicious. Not to mention, the emperor wasn’t stupid.

As for why her period was late, she would need people to investigate her small personal kitchen with a careful eye. Who knew if the food she ate contained things that were “very nourishing¹?”

“The fact that Chongyi Zhao is with child is a happy event.” The empress didn’t care that the words of the imperial concubines held hidden meanings. “Today is the eighth of December. There will be a banquet in the evening. During the period of Chen², the crown prince of Changfeng Country, Sha Duoka, will come to pay homage. Those sisters who receive His Majesty’s imperial edict to attend the banquet will need to prepare early on. Although this Changfeng Country is small, we cannot forget our manner as a vast and magnificent nation.” 

The imperial concubines sounded their agreement one after another, and began to wonder whether they could attend the banquet. After all, this was not only about the emperor’s favor, but also about reputation.

Zhuang Laoyan hadn’t returned to Xihe Palace for long, when an eunuch arrived with an imperial decree. The contents read that she would attend the banquet.

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After she sent off the eunuch with the imperial decree, Fubao arrived to report. “Master, this slave has inquired around and found that apart from the empress, those who received an invitation to the banquet numbered six: Noble Consort Shu, Consort Xian, Consort Rou, Consort Ning, Zhaorong Xu, and your honored self. Even Linyue Pavilion’s Noble Imperial Concubine Yan did not get an invitation.”

“Master, the only ones attending that are not in the consort rank are Zhaorong Xu and your honored self. His Majesty’s favor toward your honored self is evident,” said Yunxi with a smile. “Perhaps… it will be extremely lively tonight.”

“Recently it’s been cold and cheerless. I also want some liveliness.” Zhuang Laoyan set down the handheld brazier on the small table. “I recall that Shangyi Bureau³ sent a beautiful and tight white blouse with a wrap-around skirt. A pattern of red plum blossoms upon a white background should be perfectly suitable for tonight’s event. Pair it with the snow-colored fox cloak the emperor bestowed. It will definitely give off a noble and distinguished air.”

“Nothing can be more beautiful than a few dashes of vibrant red upon white. This slave’s eye cannot compare to Master’s.” Yunxi bent her knees. “This slave will prepare this for your honored self immediately.”

“No need to hurry. The banquet is during the night. It won’t be too late to prepare after the noon meal.” Zhuang Laoyan rose to her feet and approached the jade lotus lamp, standing before it. “The more in a rush we are, the easier accidents can happen. It’s better to be careful at all times.”

“Understood,” said Yunxi with a smile, retreating.

 As Zhuang Laoyan brushed her fingertip over the leaves of the jade lotus lamp, a chill filled the bottom of her heart in an instant. However, as cold as the lotus leaves felt, the satiny sensation made others comfortable. It was already such a free life. What more could one want?

She pushed open the window. Cold air blew against her face, so stinging that Zhuang Laoyan lightly closed her eyes. Yet, the smile on her face could not be blown away.

 “Master, Chongyi Zhao will attend the banquet tonight.”

“Really?” In the dark, the person responding paused, before saying, “It’s hard to avoid complexity when eating at a banquet. If she ate something wrong and suffered a miscarriage, she could only blame her fate.”

“Who could Chongyi Zhao blame for not possessing the fortune to have a child?”

“Indeed. Who could she blame? In this imperial harem, there won’t be a lack of unfortunate people.”

“The wind and cold frosted up the window. A good husband takes up arms to rush the front. This concubine will wait three years⁴ followed by another three. Today we reunite…”

Listening to the singer’s graceful and subdued singing voice, Feng Jin closed his eyes to rest. Even after Gao Dezhong had arrived, he did not open his eyes.

Gao Dezhong looked at the singer who was stroking the pipa lightly. Then glanced at the emperor. He moved to the side without a sound.

“You’re all dismissed,” said Feng Jin quite a while later, opening his eyes and waving. His gaze carried exhaustion. He looked at Gao Dezhong, who was standing in the corner. “Any results?”

“Reporting to Your Majesty, Imperial Physician Mao does not have any connection with Chongyi Zhao. And previously, he did not have any connection to other masters. Master Zhao truly is with child.” Gao Dezhong found Chongyi Zhao very fortunate. Otherwise, how could she have gotten pregnant in just one try?

“Since this is the case, send a Yuyi⁵ to her tomorrow to check her pulse. After all, this is Our child. There’s no harm in being careful. After the new year, it will be time to promote some of the imperial concubines. Chongyi Zhao will be one of them.”

Feng Jin thought for a moment. “Tomorrow, send some palace maids and eunuchs who are talented in cooking delicious nourishing supplements to Xihe Palace. We remember that back when the empress had been pregnant, she had no appetite. If we prepare people now, then her body won’t be harmed later.”

“Understood. This slave will remember this,” said Gao Dezhong, agreeing to everything.

“Mm.” Feng Jin nodded. “Tonight have the people attending Chongyi Zhao be extra careful in their service. Since the harem is so populated, someone might bump into her.”

“Yes.” Gao Dezhong understood the emperor’s intention. He hoped Chongyi Zhao’s good luck would make it so that she could successfully and safely give birth. There were no good people in the harem. It seemed the emperor also desired for Chongyi Zhao to safely give birth.

A sigh left his lips. Fortunately, Chongyi Zhao had a worry-free paternal family. Or else, who knew what would happen?

The author has edited this chapter a few years after the novel was published. This translation was done with that edit. 

I love ZL’s levelheadedness. She knows exactly what needs to be done. And wow, can anyone guess who’s the person talking in the shadows?

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