The Beloved Imperial Consort Chapter 2

Qingzhou. Prefect Mu’s residence.

The warm early spring sunlight made its way through the layers of branches and leaves and sprinkled on the light yellow muslin pleated skirt. A dark red embroidered blanket was softly draped over Mu Xi Yao’s lap, and a faint grass fragrance lingered around the courtyard. Mu Xi Yao comfortably squinted her eyes, lying on her side with her arm lifted and propped on the couch bed. Beside her was the Chief Maidservant Hui Lan who was peeling a fragrant fruit. Its meat was slightly sweet upon consumption. It was tender and juicy, very delicious.

It had been two days since her ‘recovery from illness’. During this time, Xi Yao familiarized herself with the former owner’s nature and habits. She actually felt contempt for not being dainty enough, beautiful enough, and ~seductive enough. The recovered Xi Yao made a deliberate effort to appear more clingy and charming to those around her.

Lady Yu felt distressed about her dear daughter’s weakened body after the illness and instructed the two Chief Maidservants of the Second Miss to properly attend to their Miss’s needs. They were told to fetch anything she liked or preferred. Her needlework and homework were to be put aside for half a month so she could rest properly, and she was excused from morning greetings. Breakfast could be taken in her own quarters, but for lunch and dinner, she had to go to the main house.

Mu Xi Yao’s older sister, Mu Xi Cheng, was betrothed at a young age to Liang You Zhao, the di son of Liang Bo Wen, the Libationer of the Imperial Academy. She was usually seen doing needlework at home and in the afternoons, she would go to Lady Yu’s place to learn how to manage a household and observe Lady Yu’s arrangements with the housekeeper. As a result, she didn’t visit Mu Xi Yao’s Yingshui Pavilion often.

Since the eldest brother, Mu Jing Zhi, started his education at the age of three, he had been fond of martial arts and loathed literature. No matter how his father, Mu Jing Zhen reprimanded or whipped him, he had no interest in participating in the Imperial Examination. Instead, he only had his heart set on joining the army, hoping to achieve meritorious deeds on the battlefield to repay his parents for raising him and to provide for his clansmen. At twelve years old, he left home and joined the army. Five years have passed since then and he had become a Lieutenant Captain of the seventh rank. He was away all year round and only made it home for the New Year to reunite with his family.

When Mu Jin Zhi left home, Xi Yao was still a young, but well-behaved child. She was a chubby little ball, fair and delicate, with big eyes that were constantly gazing at you. Whenever she threw herself onto her elder brother and climbed onto him, there was no way of getting her down. She frequently followed her elder brother, calling him “big brother, big brother”. His heart fluttered at her soft baby voice. Those vivid and trustful eyes made him spoil her rotten.

Every time he came back home, there was always a large chest full of interesting and funny objects, specifically prepared for Mu Xi Yao. So far, it had contained beautiful clothes, powders, ceramics, kites, and dolls. On every Lunar New Year and her birthday, would be delivered ahead of time. He never failed to forget about it.

Mu Xi Yao lightly caressed the blanket on her lap. She appeared laid-back and nonchalant, but her brain had not stopped thinking for a moment. There will be an early Selection two years from now and she will have no choice but to participate in it. She wasn’t confident enough to deceive a monarch with her tricks. Although ancient people may not have possessed the extensive knowledge and broad horizons of later generations, they were not stupid. It would only serve her right to fall on hard times if she underrated these old geezers. Moreover, she had parents and siblings; the life of the whole household couldn’t come to harm because of her, Mu Xi Yao. Besides, the deep-rooted persistence of the remnant soul must be settled as soon as possible to avoid it affecting her identity.

As she lifted her foot to leave the couch bed, Chief Maidservant Mo Lan promptly came to arrange her dress and hairpins. Mu Xi Yao then called little servant girls in the courtyard to set up a parasol and hand her a circular fan. The group then made their way to the main house.

A few feet away, an old momo¹ bowed and said, “Greetings to the Second Miss.” She raised the door curtain while announcing to the inside with a loud voice, “Madam, Second Miss came to pay you a respect.”

“My baby is here. Come in quickly and let mother have a look at you. Are you feeling better today? Does my child feel hungry?” The woman sitting upright on the head seat was just a little over thirty, had a dignified appearance, and wore elegant clothes. She was Xi Yao’s birth mother, Lady Yu. At the moment, she ordered people to add a tasty fish soup to the table and urged them to include Mu Xi Yao’s favorite snacks and sweets.

Mu Xi Yao, who was nearly thirty in reality, never understood what it meant to act youthful or restrain herself. So, she put on a charming smile and paid her respects. She then went to hold Lady Xu’s arm while acting spoilt. She asked shamelessly: “Mother, were you thinking of me? Xi Yao missed you so much. I was even thinking about the walnut biscuits from here this morning~” Her voice was so sweet that Lady Yu grinned from ear to ear. She gently stroked Xi Yao’s tiny head, asking if she was still feeling unwell and if her servants were attentive enough. Shortly after, an announcement came from outside that the Eldest Miss had arrived.

As Mu Xi Cheng entered the room, sure enough, she saw her little sister glued to their mother, acting all smart and well-behaved. She properly paid her respect to Lady Yu and then walked toward them while laughing at Mu Xi Yao for not behaving like a young lady. She even rolled her eyes at her, implying: “You play. Keep playing.” Mu Xi Cheng knew that Mu Xi Yao played the smart and lovable child in front of their parents and elders, but excitedly followed Mu Jing Zhi and made trouble behind their backs. A wild monkey since childhood. There were countless occasions when she took the blame in her stead.

As they were joking around and having a good time, Concubine Wu arrived with Mu Xi Ting to courtly pay their respects. Concubine Wu greeted everyone and then sat down next to the head seat, listening to Lady Yu and the two di Misses’ conversation. From time to time, she would give a few replies to make the conversation more lively.

Concubine Wu wasn’t favored, but she was remarkable in understanding her place and duties. Therefore, Lady Yu treated this shu daughter well and never reprimanded her harshly. Mu Xi Ting enjoyed the same privileges as the di daughters in terms of clothes, jewelry, discipline maidservants², and needlework teachers. Lady Yu’s equal treatment of people and generosity in showing concern and care for children earned her even greater respect from Sir Mu.

After finishing their meal, Concubine Wu and Mu Xi Ting went back to have an afternoon rest. At this time, Mu Xi Yao started to talk, first praising herself for finally growing up, making Lady Yu and her elder di sister burst out laughing. She then proposed taking lessons in zither, painting, calligraphy, needlework, and culinary arts in another half month.

Lady Yu was surprised to hear such a declaration from this little restless monkey’s mouth. Mu Xi Yao held her chin high, immensely pleased with herself. She waved her hand and said: “All the peerless beauties in the folktale I read yesterday were like that. How can I lose to them?”

Lady Yu fell down from laughing while Mu Xi Cheng covered her mouth and laughed until she forgot how to breathe. Lady Yu always indulged her youngest daughter and immediately gave her consent and instructed her to not just play around this time and take her lessons seriously. In the evening, she mentioned this amusing incident to Sir Mu, who stroked his beard with eyes glinting with smiles.

Half a month later, in the morning, Xi Yao practiced calligraphy and painting. After a nap in the afternoon, she practiced needlework and culinary skills and tirelessly polished her zither playing in the evening. In modern times, she was a descendant of a scholarly family. She had grandparents who put their heart and soul into her upbringing. Thanks to this fine education, she was provided with the foundation that enabled her to easily manage the four arts³.

The troublesome thing was that Mu Xi Yao had no talent nor the basic skill for needlework. Even the former owner fared better than her. She could only get by. After all, the previous owner had at least practiced, unlike this pampered only child who has never touched a needle before.

After a month of joy and laughter, Mu Xi Yao was taking an afternoon nap and having a nice dream when a sudden voice in her head roused her. She was still groggy and only later did she realize that it was again the jade pendant’s doing.

Well, Mu Xi Yao really disliked that pendant. When she called for it, it played dead, and when she didn’t call it, it became trouble. It either caused her headaches or disrupted her dreams. This content belongs to thehlifestyle.com, if you see this translation elsewhere, it’s been stolen!

“What’s there to yell about?!” When this woman woke up in a bad mood, she had to throw a fit first.

This jade pendant also felt wronged! What’s all of this?! Instead of saving its original owner, it met a shrew! Not only did it lose its face by accepting the new master in such a dire state, but it was also disliked. Yet, when the jade pendant could finally let out a sigh of relief and reveal an important matter, it was scolded after just a few calls. The pendant felt truly sad, but knowing the importance of the issue, it had no choice but to suffer in silence.

However, some people were even more urgent. This woman fiercely commanded: “Let’s not talk about you causing me headaches and fever for now. Quickly, send me back!”

“There’s no spiritual power. It’s impossible to send you back.”

“When can you recover?”

“Not anymore. Do you think that tearing a time-space is such an easy feat?”

Mu Xi Yao’s face darkened. After a silent contemplation, her tone calmed down: “Are there any spiritual cultivators here?”

“You also know about cultivators? However, that’s an ancient thing. At the present, there’s only scarce spiritual energy left. Spiritual orthodoxy already ceased to exist. I’m also just a spiritual item. I was given to my owner as a guardian spiritual jade by a great cultivator from ancient times. A spiritual item of the highest quality.”

Mu Xi Yao felt like she saw the pendant raising its tail like a dog.

“Are you even useful?”

It wasn’t her imagination; the pendant could understand her emotions and sighed in despair.

“Currently, there’s not a big use of me. You can keep me close to avoid poisons from the mortal realm and to protect yourself. In this life, due to my forced intrusion, I have suffered severe damage. Most of my functions will never recover. The space I carry has reduced from the size of a courtyard to a chest. his is the consequence of reversing time and space.”

The spiritual jade pendant sounded sorrowful. It was unable to contain its grief. Nevertheless, it heard the woman ask, in a voice more injured than it, “That space is only the size of a chest? Can I still get inside? What about the spiritual spring, fruit trees, and spiritual beasts?”

The spiritual jade pendant pulled a long face. This woman. You are thinking too much. Even if the jade pendant was intact, it was still only a spiritual and not an immortal item. Disregarding the woman’s weird self-talk, it instructed her: “Not only the jade pendant is damaged, but I am also about to dissipate. All the sealed power inside the jade pendant has been used up. Time has also changed. Naturally, the spiritual item is unable to exist. I only came to tell you about an important matter. Put an end to this karma.”

Mu Xi Yao knew that the highlight was coming, so she listened seriously and paid special attention to the conversation.

“There are jade scrolls inside the space. Since you don’t have spiritual knowledge, you are unable to use them. But there’s a health regimen scripture, which was bestowed to the Master by his teacher while practicing cultivation. It’s especially useful for women’s appearance. You can freely take the pills inside the bottle. There are almost none left. There are only four kinds, one for each. Losing spirituality and sustaining serious damage, the jade will inevitably be reduced to the lowest level of spiritual tool. It will warn its owner about danger, but it will be powerless to protect its owner. You have to be especially careful.

Now, you are Mu Xi Yao. Since you are capable of snatching this chance, then you should be a person of fortune. But as you have merged with the remnant soul, her grudge, resentment, love, hate, and regrets, which brought her this karma, will all be passed on to you. As time goes on, it will affect the purity of your soul. It must be settled in this lifetime. Otherwise, robbing someone else’s chance, yet making no acts and further tainting your own soul, will result in you being trapped in this place, unable to reincarnate after you die. Alright, time’s up. Take care.”

Before Mu Xi Yao could react to the farewell of the spiritual jade pendant, it completely dissipated. The last spiritual tool from ancient times had reached the end of its road.

Although Mu Xi Yao resented the transmigrating deity for being heartless and not sending her back, she knew that one shouldn’t dwell on things that couldn’t be undone. She tried to take out the health regimen scripture. She put it aside once she realized that she could understand what was written there and proceeded with differentiating the pills. Skin Nourishment Pill……..Youth Maintenance Pill……..Holy Spirit Pill (a holy medicine for curing poisons)……..Body Fragrance Pill. Uh-huh. Very well. Mu Xi Yao was pleased.

Over the next year, Mu Xi Yao did what was expected of her, spending her days in her maiden quarters. She consumed all the pills except for the Holy Spirit Pill.

After a year, her face bloomed. Following the health regimen from the scripture, her body grew taller, promising a slender build. The gradual nurturing of the pills made Mu Xi Yao, who was originally only delicate, gradually develop a charming aura. Although she wasn’t breathtakingly beautiful, she still possessed beauty that was like an exquisite jade with a lovely fragrance that attracted people’s love and affection.

Mu Xi Yao knew many secrets that could astound the world, but she kept them to herself. Only she will know about them in this lifetime.

There were no additional pills. Since the health regimen scripture had a greater effect on women, she decided to use only the first half of it to improve the physical fitness of Sir Mu and Mu Jin Zhi. She told them she found it accidentally while picking up a novel at a bookstall.

She privately coaxed Lady Yu and shoved the other half about maintaining a youthful appearance into her hand, advising her and Mu Xi Cheng to practice it as their pastime.

Translator’s notes: 

[1] Momo refers to an old female servant.

[2] Discipline maidservants refers to maidservants whose task is to teach young ladies of the household proper etiquette.

[3] Four arts refer to zither, go, calligraphy and painting. These four arts represent the accomplishments of a well-educated person.

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