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Chapter 85

After Xianrong Zhao had fainted again and an imperial physician had examined her, he sighed and said the following: Xianrong Zhao had lost a lot of blood in her last injury, and as such now had a weak body. Thus, she must recuperate properly. Otherwise, she would have headaches in the future.

Before the people of the harem received the emperor’s bestowments for Imperial Concubine Hu, the emperor sent out a second imperial decree: Imperial Concubine Hu would be demoted to a sixth-rank liangyi, moved from the side palace hall of Ruanming Palace to the back hall.

In the short span of a day, Hu Caixuan fell from a consort to an imperial concubine. Then after Xianrong Zhao had fainted, she was demoted to a little liangyi. Such an occurrence was rare in the imperial harem. And it made those of the harem afraid of Xihe Palace. If there was nothing going on, they would not make things difficult for Xihe Palace’s people. Thankfully Xihe Palace’s conduct was the same as always. Otherwise, there would be many issues in the harem.

In Xihe Palace, Zhuang Laoyan ate a cherry from a bowl that was specially chosen with care. Listening as Fu Bao mentioned some entertaining gossip of the harem, she couldn’t help but yawn. “Word has it that Liangyi Hu is now praying sincerely to Buddha?”

“That’s what the rumors say. However this slave thinks that isn’t the case.” Fu Bao hesitated for a moment. “This slave heard that the second prince, whom Liangyi Hu had fostered, was also brought to the rear palace hall of Ruanming Palace. And he isn’t close with Noble Consort Xian. The Eldest Prince, whom Noble Consort Xian fostered, got into fights with Second Prince a few times. It even startled the emperor. In all likelihood, Her Highness Noble Consort Xian is very unhappy about this.”

“It’d be strange if she could be happy.” Zhuang Laoyan set down the jasper bowl with the cherries. She changed her sitting position. Said in a lazy manner, “Since young, Eldest Prince was raised by her side. Second Prince is already a few years old, and has long since been able to remember things. Even if she raises him now, he wouldn’t be as close to her as the Eldest Prince is. Moreover, he often visits Liangyi Hu. As for Noble Consort Xian, Second Prince is merely an ungrateful thing that can’t become close to her.” The eldest prince seemed to be close with Noble Consort Xian right now. In the future, when he grew up, he would naturally think of his birth mother. Then the mother-and-son relationship between them would be affected. Thus, it’s better to raise a child that one gave birth to. Other people’s children could not compare to one’s own.

“Currently, there are only two imperial princes in the palace. And the emperor gave both to Noble Consort Xian to raise. It’s evident that she has a special place in his heart.” Tingzhu put away the jasper bowl, softly massaging Zhuang Laoyan’s shoulders. “Originally, there were rumors that Second Prince would be given to Anqing Palace’s Noble Consort Shu to raise. But in the end, he was given to Consort Ning… to Liangyi Hu for some reason. Word has it that ever since then, the relationship between Noble Consort Shu and Consort Ning cooled. Now, Noble Consort Shu must be mocking Liangyi Hu.”

Why would such an intelligent and favored woman like Noble Consort Shu want to raise someone else’s child? It wasn’t as if she couldn’t give birth. Zhuang Laoyan smiled. With her personality, during those circumstances, Noble Consort Shu probably didn’t want to raise Second Prince at all. Hu Caixuan schemed to get the child by her side. As for Noble Consort Shu, she only held a grudge toward her for scheming to take what belonged to her. She didn’t really care about Second Prince.

“Your Highness, a messenger eunuch has arrived to announce an imperial decree. Tonight, we must prepare for His Majesty’s visit,” said Yunxi with a joyful expression as she entered the room. “The messenger added that His Majesty specially said Master’s body is still weak and does not need to wait by the palace gates for the imperial sedan.”

A smile graced Zhuang Laoyan’s lips at those words. These past few days, the emperor would visit Xihe Palace at night, but taking into consideration her injuries, they did not partake in any nightly activities. But now, her injuries were mostly healed. She ought to fulfil her duties as an imperial concubine. Otherwise, if she waited too long, problems would occur with these men, these creatures governed by their lower body. Then all of her hard work would have been in vain.

Propping her chin up, she looked at the pine bonsai tree on the shelf meant for flowers. How could she give the emperor a delightful evening?

Feng Jin was a man. During the day, he liked when his women dressed beautifully. But come night, he did not want to smell the scent of rouge. As such, each time he held Zhuang Laoyan in his arms, he felt especially content. She wore no makeup, with only the sweet scent of fruit on her body. Thus, when he was aroused, he always felt the most satisfied.

He had clearly wanted to take into consideration the injuries that the person in his arms had received in the past. Yet, he couldn’t control himself, losing himself in the haze of lust and desire. Once they had enjoyed themselves, he reached out and drew her close to his chest in an embrace. Caressed her fair and satiny back. Not a word escaped his lips.

Lying on the emperor’s chest, Zhuang Laoyan drew circles on his shoulder, appearing to rely on him, appearing sweet. Her fair and tender finger seemed to unconsciously and lightly travel to the back of his ear, sliding slowly to his neck.

All of a sudden, Feng Jin grabbed the fingers that kept moving about. Voice hoarse, he said, “Beloved Concubine’s hand is so disobedient. We have to properly punish you.”

Feigning anger coquettishly, Zhuang Laoyan said, “Your Majesty scratched this concubine’s back until it was itchy. This concubine is just paying you back.”

“We think you are being disobedient, still looking for an excuse.” Then he smiled lightly and kissed the tip of her nose.

“Your Majesty…” muttered Zhuang Laoyan, their breaths intermingling. Moonlight streamed through the window, allowing him to see her eyes clearly. People said a woman’s coquettish glance could bewitch others the easiest. Yet, the pair of eyes before him, which carried not a trace of the intention to charm, caused him to feel as if shocks were running through his heart.

Which man didn’t want his woman to regard him as her god? As the only man in her heart? What a pity that there were too many women in the harem. Feng Jin was very clear on and understood well how the harem worked, yet never had he expected to find someone who purely trusted him and relied on him. But he also didn’t think that once he found a woman who gave him these things, this trust and reliance, this person would have a special place in his heart.

In the end, he didn’t want to part with this trust, and so could only pamper her this much.

He went forward to kiss her moist lips. Then he turned over and pinned her to the bed.

Only those present at the time, Feng Jin and Zhuang Laoyan, knew the difference between when a man and woman made love and when the emperor and an imperial concubine made love.

Early in the morning, Feng Jin woke up in a daze. Eyes yet to open, he sensed a light and quick touch on his ear. His heart softened. A short while later, he opened his eyes as if he had just woken up. The person lying next to him still had her eyes closed, as though she were still asleep.

Once he lifted open the gauze curtains, it didn’t take long before palace maids and court eunuchs came forward to serve. From the corner of his eyes, he gazed at the person on the bed who feigned rousing in a dazed manner. With a light smile on his lips, he said, “Your body is still weak. You don’t have to stand and serve.”

In a well-behaved manner, Zhuang Laoyan sat in bed and watched as the emperor changed into a set of formidable and bold dragon robes. Once the emperor was fully dressed, she then seemed to snap back to her senses.

Her action pleased the emperor. She watched as he left with a smile. Following that, she got off of bed and saluted him, respectfully sending him on his way. Once she could no longer see him, she yawned in an indolent manner. She smelled the scent on her body; it carried a hint of flowers. Apparently, after she had fallen asleep from exhaustion last night, the emperor had people bathe her.

When it came to post-coital affection, Emperor Chenxuan scored high marks.

After getting up from lying in bed in a way that smashed all etiquette with a hammer, Zhuang Laoyan slowly moved to a sitting position. “Servants, change my clothes.”

Spring mornings always made people feel unspeakably refreshed. After Gao Dezhong had walked a far distance from Xihe Palace, he noticed that the emperor had yet to mention whether or not to send birth control medicine there. And he said, “Your Majesty, should we give Her Highness Xianrong Zhao…”

Knowing what Gao Dezhong wanted to say, Feng Jin replied with a tranquil expression, “Xianrong Zhao’s body is weak and cannot take medicine that is too nourishing. If We favor her during these days, there is no need to give her birth control medicine.”

“Yes, this slave will remember.” Gao Dezhong was frightened, yet did not show this on his face at all. He looked back at Xihe Palace. Perhaps there would be great changes occurring in the future.

A head of smooth and fine black hair was arranged into an exquisite and luxurious hairstyle. Coupled with delicate hair ornaments and a splendid brocade gown, these were the things pampered concubines should have. Zhuang Laoyan had no interest in dressing up as a special person, one who was obviously a favored concubine yet insisted on simple and bland clothes. Such behavior in the harem would certainly court disaster.

In front of the emperor, the imperial concubines could put on any appearance. As long as the emperor liked such a style, of course. But in the presence of other imperial concubines, one ought to dress according to one’s rank. Even if one pretended to be special, no one would appreciate it. Rather, it would only lure hatred and definitely had no benefits.

Nowadays, those higher in rank than Zhuang Laoyan grew less and less. On the contrary, Zhuang Laoyan grew even more careful. Of the women who had climbed to such high ranks, which one could be simple?

In the imperial garden, she coincidentally encountered Noble Consort Xian and her entourage. Behind her were a few imperial concubines who lived in the side and rear halls of Ruanming Palace. One glance, and Zhuang Laoyan noticed the Hu Caixuan with a wooden expression.

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“Greetings to Your Highness Noble Consort Xian,” said Zhuang Laoyan, approaching to salute her.

Noble Consort Xian rushed to support her to her feet. “Younger Sister is still unwell. There’s no need for these empty courtesies.”

“Greetings to Your Highness Xianrong Zhao,” said the lower-ranked imperial concubines behind Noble Consort Xian one after the other. Moreover, they stood two steps apart from Hu Caixuan.

“No need to be so ceremonious.” Zhuang Laoyan seemed to not have seen Hu Caixuan, merely smiling as she said to Noble Consort Xian, “This concubine thanks Your Highness for the deep care.”

“Ah you with that personality of yours. We’re all sisters here, so there’s no need for exchanging such pleasantries in the first place.” Noble Consort Xian took Zhuang Laoyan’s hand. Smiled. “Right now, we are heading to pay respects to Her Majesty the empress. Why don’t we go together?”

“Then this concubine will disturb Elder Sister for a moment.” Zhuang Laoyan naturally would not reject her offer. On the road to their destination, the two chatted and laughed. Very soon, they had traveled a good distance. When they were almost at Jingyang Palace, she ran into Zhaorong Xu, with Noble Lady Qian following along.

Another round of mutual greeting. Those present knew that in the past, Zhaorong Xu took advantage of the situation to borrow servants from Xihe Palace and embarrass Xianrong Zhao. Now, Zhaorong Xu had lost favor, and everyone wore a calm expression as they waited for this good show to begin.

Zhuang Laoyan noticed her sickly appearance, and said with a tone of deep concern, “Your Highness’ complexion isn’t good. Recently, the weather has changed very quickly and often. Your Highness must take better care of your health.”

“Many thanks for Xianrong Zhao’s concern. This palace is fine,” replied Zhaorong Xu with indifference. “Your body is weak, so you should also take better care of yourself. The weather changes so often, that no one knows when it will be hot or cold.”

“Your Highness is correct.” Zhuang Laoyan smiled. “That’s why we must properly prepare our clothes for the situation. This way, we don’t have to worry about whether it would be hot or cold. Otherwise, the one harmed would only be ourselves.”

“Xianrong Zhao’s words are right,” said Noble Consort Xian. “If one gets sick in such weather, it wouldn’t be good.”

Zhaorong Xu’s complexion changed a hint. In the end, she could only say, “Your Highness is correct.” Nowadays, Noble Consort Xian wanted to form connections with Zhuang Laoyan, and naturally would not care about a zhaorong who had lost favor like herself. Although her rank was higher than Zhuang Laoyan’s, in the eyes of the imperial harem, how could she compare to Zhuang Laoyan?

Her legs trembled a shade. She almost couldn’t keep standing. Someone approached her from behind to support her. “Your Highness, watch your step.”

Casting an indifferent gaze at Noble Lady Qian, the person supporting her, Zhaorong Xu withdrew her hand. Gave her hand to her own personal attendant. “Noble Lady Qian should also be more careful on the road.”

“Yes.” Noble Lady Qian took back her hand, expression one of calm. Such beautiful looks appeared especially dazzling in the early morning.

A smile blossomed on Zhuang Laoyan’s lips as she watched this scene. Yet, not a trace of a smile existed in her eyes. This Noble Lady Qian did not seem simple as well.

“The weather changes so often, that no one knows when it will be hot or cold.”

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