Chapter 61: Promotion Once Again (再度晋升)
“Xiuyi Su, why do you say such a thing?” asked Zhuang Laoyan, smiling as her gaze fell upon the other party.
Xiuyi Su looked at that pair of eyes. She didn’t know if her eyes were playing tricks on her, but under the bloom of the fireworks, those eyes carried a sense of mockery that could not be put into words.
In a very coordinated manner, the other imperial concubines watched the two. No matter which of the two was out of luck, it did not bring them any disadvantages.
“I rely noticed that Xiuyi Zhao seed not in the mood to eat, and spoke out of turn.” Xiuyi Su set down her pair of silver chopsticks, ignoring the mockery in Zhuang Laoyan’s eyes. “Could it be that I was mistaken?”
“Thank you Elder Sister for the concern. Younger Sister rely doesn’t have an appetite,” replied Zhuang Laoyan in indifference. She turned toward the emperor and empress. Indeed, the two were looking her way.
Feng Jin and Zhuang Laoyan’s gazes t. He saw that under that serene gaze hid an unspoken loneliness, and averted his own. Slowly, he said, “Xiuyi Zhao’s body is frail and she does not have an appetite. Bring her Our bowl of pheasant at strips and bird’s nest soup. Such a thing is good for the stomach.”
“This concubine thanks Your Majesty for the bestownt,” said Zhuang Laoyan, after rising to her feet.
Consort Rou laughed in ridicule. This Xiuyi Su truly overestimated her capabilities. At this mont, Zhuang Laoyan stood in the lilight. Xiuyi Su wanted to trip her up with such a small matter, but such an action would only cause herself to lose face. She looked sideways at Noble Consort Shu, whose expression was tranquil. These two really did not seem like cousins. No wonder their positions were different.
Pheasant and bird’s nest soup was made with a low fire, through simring. It was very troubleso to make. Zhuang Laoyan scooped a spoonful with a silver spoon. Drank it. Indeed, it was delicious. If she rembered correctly, this was a well-known soup served in the Manchu-Han imperial feast¹.
Noticing that Zhuang Laoyan seed fond of the soup, Feng Jin smiled. He turned to the empress and said, “We know that she’s a gluttonous person. Now that there’s a delicacy to eat, her appetite has returned.”
A smile also graced the empress’ lips. “Xiuyi Zhao enjoys culinary delicacies. No wonder Your Majesty specially bestowed her a personal kitchen and older female servants who can make gourt food.”
Still smiling, Feng Jin nodded. “She likes to eat; We cannot do anything about that. However, We cannot let her act arbitrarily regardless of the rules. Now that so older female servants have been sent to her, and she can order them around, We finally feel at ease.”
The speaker of these words perhaps had a hidden agenda, for certain rousing those who had been listening with a start. Did the emperor’s words an he was discontent that there were issues with Xiuyi Zhao’s food, and was warning those people not to ss around?
In the past, this had happened to Noble Consort Shu. Now, it was happening to Xiuyi Zhao. Was the emperor truly doting on this woman from a slightly influential family? Noble Consort Shu’s good looks and skill in dance could be considered her strong points. But what kind of thing was Zhuang Laoyan?
“How could it be that Your Majesty can’t do anything about it? It’s rely that Your Majesty is reluctant to do so,” said the empress, a smile on her face yet again. “This concubine is also fond of Xiuyi Zhao’s personality. Now wonder Your Majesty favors her.”
Feng Jin drank a mouthful of wine. Looked at the Zhuang Laoyan, who was drinking soup with her head lowered. Once more did he smile. “Yes. We cannot bear to criticize such a personality harshly.”
The empress clutched at her chopsticks, but the smile on her face did not change at the slightest.
“But her personality is still a bit childish.” The emperor set down his cup of wine. “Noble Consort Shu understands Us the most. Her four virtues² are rare in the imperial harem.”
One would fear that Noble Consort Shu was good at everything. The knuckles of the empress’ chopsticks-wielding hand grew faintly white. If Zhuang Laoyan was soone who made her unhappy, then Noble Consort Shu was soone she hated. What a pity that no matter how many new won entered the imperial harem, the person the emperor favored the most was that Noble Consort Shu.
Consort Rou, Noble Imperial Concubine Yan, Xiuyi Zhao, and Ronghua Ye were won that the emperor had favored or was favoring. Unfortunately, compared to Noble Consort Shu, they were nothing.
“Naturally, soone like Noble Consort Shu is hard to co by,” said the empress dryly, picking up on Feng Jin’s topic of conversation. She shifted her gaze to the acrobats on stage, as if she found the performance of those acrobats extrely interesting. As if she couldn’t help but be engrossed in the performance.
Noble Consort Shu, who sat by the side as she ate with her head lowered, smiled lightly. Such a smile carried an unspoken sweetness.
Once the congee and plates of fruit had been served, Shangshi Bureau removed the dishes. What was left to do was drink tea and eat light refreshnts as they watched the music and dance performances, until the period of Zhi³and the new year arrived. Then the emperor issued a bestownt decree.
Zhuang Laoyan hugged the handheld brazier and lazily watched as the national-level performance wrapped up. Afterward, she watched as the emperor bestowed so capable high-ranking officials auspicious-sounding dishes and calligraphy of the “fortune” character, then bestowed things to the imperial clan mbers. It really gave off the sa feeling as when people gave out red packets.
“His Majesty decrees: it has been many years since We ascended the throne. The beautiful imperial concubines by Our side shall be promoted.
“Consort Xian shall be promoted to Noble Consort Xian; Virtuous Imperial Concubine Jiang shall be promoted to a noble imperial concubine; Xiuyi Zhao shall be promoted to a xianrong; Ronghua Ye shall be promoted to a righteous imperial concubine; Cairen Kong shall be promoted to a wanyi…”
As each na was said, so felt happy and so felt sad. And the most embarrassed person was Noble Imperial Concubine Yan.
The promotion list wasn’t secret. As such, the Departnt of the Palace had long since spread the news. They had asked around and were clear on which masters were to be promoted. However, the Noble Imperial Concubine Yan who should have been promoted was not. Everyone found it a joke.
Zhuang Laoyan also felt surprised. Previously, when she had read the promotion list, Noble Imperial Concubine Yan was supposed to be promoted to a chongyi⁴. So why was her na absent from the list now? What did she do to violate one of the emperor’s taboos?
“Originally, this decree was to be announced after the year’s end. But We are in a good mood today and announced everything together. The specifics will be managed by the Ministry of Rites and the Departnt of the Palace. The Bureau of Astronomy will select an auspicious day for the promotion ceremony.” Feng Jin rose to his feet. Raised his head a hint. And everyone knelt down in succession, calling out “Long live Your Majesty” three tis.
Afterward, fireworks filled the sky, the red light nearly swallowing the entire capital whole.
Kneeling, Zhuang Laoyan sneaked a peak at the emperor who stood in a lofty manner. In a flash, she found that his figure had grown taller and larger. He truly was… a strong and healthy, hard-to-predict-and-capture monster, whose overbearingness radiated from him.
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The lively banquet finally concluded. One after the other, everyone took their leave. The only thing that continued were the fireworks that filled the sky. Zhuang Laoyan sat in a sedan that swayed slightly, watching the flickering fireworks above. All of a sudden, sothing cold fell on her face.
“Your Highness⁵, it’s snowing,” said Yunxi, looking up at the sky. She said to the eunuchs carrying the sedan, “Be more careful.”
At present, Zhuang Laoyan was already a mid-tier second-rank xianrong. And she could now refer to herself as “this palace” to people of lower ranks. The servants also had to call her “Your Highness,” and could no longer refer to her as “Master.”
Zhuang Laoyan grunted in acknowledgent. “It’s snowing quite nicely this year. This year’s harvest should be good.” She blinked. The snowflakes that had lted on her lashes brought sowhat of a chill.
“Your Highness is knowledgeable about this?” asked Tingzhu with a smile. “This slave’s family has a saying: one would rather use three layers of quilt, so that one can use buns as pillows⁶ the coming year.”
Once Zhuang Laoyan had heard those words, she smiled. Such a phrase was a folk saying she had heard during elentary school. To hear it now really made her feel that she had transmigrated.
She couldn’t help but raise her head again. Among the dark sky, the fireworks carried an unspoken beauty and attractiveness. She let out a deep sigh. A year had passed like that.
On the first day of the new year, the principal consorts of high-ranking officials and imperial clan mbers ca to pay respects. On that day, the emperor slept over at the empress’ Jingyang Palace.
On the second day of the new year, the emperor stayed at Linyue Pavilion’s side hall. The newly-promoted Cairen Zheng had serviced the emperor that night.
On the third day of the new year, the emperor bestowed many treasures, toys, and jewels to Cairen Zhen. Furthermore, he reprimanded the Noble Imperial Concubine Yan who had deliberately tried to make trouble for her. At this mont, Cairen Zhen stood in the lilight.
“The snow has finally stopped.” Zhuang Laoyan held Tingzhu’s hand for support, walking slowly on the green stone path that had been swept clean. Many flowers of the imperial garden had already withered away. Luckily, there were so long and green sprigs. As such, the garden still had so green to it.
“Lao’er, this imperial garden is truly beautiful. In a few months, when all the flowers have blossod, who knows how beautiful it’d be?” said soone with a lodious voice from behind the flowering shrubs. The tone carried a trace of arrogance.
“Master, during the winter, there aren’t many flowers. But during other seasons, it is truly a sight for the eyes.”
Zhuang Laoyan arched a brow. Upon seeing this, Tingzhu, who was by her side, softly asked, “Who’s there?”
A mont later, a woman in red appeared. Standing among the snow on a winter day, she looked especially bright and beautiful.
Once the woman in red realized Zhuang Laoyan’s identity, she rushed to pay respects, saying, “This concubine greets Xianrong Zhao.” No matter how one saw that red attire, it was conspicuous.
Zhuang Laoyan examined her. And she realized this was the dancer who had been promoted during the new year eve’s feast. If she rembered correctly, this woman should be called Ei?
“Cairen Zhen may rise,” said Zhuang Laoyan, extending a hand and lifting it faintly. She looked around. “Why did you co take a stroll through the garden in such cold weather?”
But Tingzhu was discontent. How could this Cairen Zhen change the na of her personal maidservant? And how could she choose the sa na as her master’s?
“It’s boring to stay inside. So this concubine ca outside for a walk. Never had this concubine expected to encounter Your Highness,” replied Cairen Zhen in a careful manner. “Did Your Highness co to admire the scenery too?”
A cairen must not ask a higher-ranked imperial concubine what she was doing. Zhuang Laoyan did not reproach her for this, and instead replied in a tranquil manner, “Her Highness Consort Ning invited this palace for so tea. This palace felt bored recently as well, and decided to attend for this reason. However, this palace is not one to admire the scenery at this ti.”
All of a sudden, Cairen Zhen said, “So it was like so. This concubine did not receive an invitation, so was unaware of this.”
Smiling, Zhuang Laoyan did not respond.
Once Zhuang Laoyan and her entourage were far away, Cairen Zhen said sowhat enviously, “I wonder when I can be this respected?”
Lao’er watched the figures of Xianrong Zhao’s entourage mbers with care. “This slave has heard that Xianrong Zhao is one of the most favored people in the imperial harem.”
After Cairen Zhen had heard those words, her gaze grew even fiercer.
“That Cairen Zhen is truly lacking manners,” said Tingzhu, furrowing her brows a shade. “How could we allow such a lowly cairen who makes such a big fuss to stay in the harem?”
“How is she any of our business?” Zhuang Laoyan smiled as she glanced back. That set of red clothes upon the snow appeared like fire. “Today, if I won’t chase after this matter, then tomorrow she would commit an even greater wrong. Who knows what would happen on that day?”
If it had been soone else Cairen Zhen had offended today, it wouldn’t be excessive to cane her. But Zhuang Laoyan didn’t want to be the one making this move. At the very least, she did not know how much novelty the emperor still found in Cairen Zhen, and didn’t want a stroke of bad luck.
She wasn’t Noble Imperial Concubine Yan, extrely confident in oneself. So much so that she had forgotten that the emperor was the most important person in the imperial palace.
“Hmph. She’s truly worthy of being from a cheap background, not even knowing the basic protocol of the palace. She even dares to call her personal attendant ‘Lao’er!’ Truly audacious!” Tingzhu said, cold enough to freeze.
A soft chuckle escaped Zhuang Laoyan’s lips after Tingzhu had finished speaking. Who knew how long that Cairen Zhen could stay arrogant?
First of all, let tell you how good it feels now that our girl ZL can call herself “this palace.” YEAHH BABY. Also, I’ll get that power ranks sheet updated soon…
This Cairen Zhen is on the road to downfall. She’s too ambitious and too impatient. Not to ntion, she actually nad her servant girl the sa na as ZL!
For those of you still interested in advanced chapters please read this post carefully! There are three fresh advanced chapters this month, so if you pledge for a tier that gives 4 chapters, you’re basically my suga daddi.
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