The Beloved Imperial Consort Chapter 179

“Are you saying that Lady Mu gained the upper hand over He Lian Min Min again?” He Lian Wei Rui, dressed elegantly, looked markedly different from her last appearance of an aloof beauty, her eyes reflecting a refined elegance. Seated cross-legged in the sedan chair on her way to the Flower-viewing Banquet, she listened to Xue Qin relay the latest news from the Sixth Highness’s residence.

“A servant girl from Lady Qi’s courtyard said that initially, the Principal Consort did not consent, but later, His Sixth Highness himself made a visit. The following day, the Chief Steward had sought several renowned master craftsmen to draft some designs.”

He Lian Wei Rui’s eyes darkened. Mu’shi truly knew how to coax the Sixth Highness into granting her wishes time and again. That woman monopolized all his favor just with that foxy face of hers. This particularly vexed He Lian Wei Rui.

With equally striking beauty and sharp intellect, why could Mu’shi effortlessly enjoy what she, He Lian Wei Rui, sought in vain?

After today, they will both be the prince’s Cefei. Holding the same status, it remained to be seen who would have the last laugh. As for her, she was already well-prepared.

“Be smart in Yaohua Palace later, and steer clear of disputes. Today is merely about selecting some additional concubines and shufeis – things not worthy of mention. Just observe and leave it at that.” He Lian Wei Rui held those in the prince’s residence who could not enter genealogy records in great contempt. The matters that Zong Zheng Han promised should have already reached the emperor’s ears.

“Mistress, we’ve arrived at the palace gates. This servant understands.”

He Lian Wei Rui carefully tidied her dress, smoothing out the wrinkles, and with a smile, she gracefully exited the sedan chair. Holding onto Xue Qin throughout the walk, the woman’s slender waist and delicate steps made her appear as an ethereal beauty from afar, her smile glowing with youthful charm.

The Flower-viewing Banquet over there was in full swing, with lovely ladies, vibrant cherry blossoms, and green willows. It required considerable effort from the Imperial Noble Consort, who was in charge of the selection.

Meanwhile, in Danruo Courtyard, Mu Xi Yao had just finished the last bite of the deboned snow cod prepared by Hui Lan, still craving more.

“Momo, the kitchen truly deserves a generous reward this time. The snow cod’s flesh is tender and smooth, and its liver is both beneficial for the eyes and nourishing. It’s just a pity that the portion is too small for regular consumption. Such a shame…” Mu Xi Yao set aside her chopsticks and bowl and rinsed her mouth with Mo Lan’s assistance. While washing her hands, she turned back to Zhao Momo with a couple of rueful comments.

“Mistress always comes up with tricky demands. You’re well aware of the rarity of this snow cod, yet you frequently mention it in front of His Highness. Today, you received the long-desired fish feast, and still, you complain it’s not enough. This old servant thinks just smelling the aroma of the soup is already supremely delightful.”

The snow cod mostly inhabits the Donglu Gulf of the Two Dynasties and is only the size of a palm. The only place in Great Wei where the cod is found is near the Qingjiang Crossing in the South Sea. This time, the Mistress received seven of them, specifically requested by His Highness from the Grand Prince of Yi, and transported all the way from the south. The Mistress has relished the fish to her heart’s content; however, the person who delivered the cod must now make their way back alone.

Such a great effort was made, all to deliver snow cod to win a smile from the Mistress. His Highness’s dedication even moved onlookers like Zhao Momo.

Observing the envious glances from those around her, Mu Xi Yao raised her hand and discreetly covered her pouting lips with a silk handkerchief.

When had the Sixth Highness ever been truly generous without expecting something in return? The big boss always demanded payback for any ‘favor’ he granted. Mu Xi Yao felt that the compensation she paid for good food and drink exceeded the effort the boss himself invested in. The flirting, push and pull, and playful bantering involved were not things to be discussed with others.

“If remembered correctly, the Flower-viewing Banquet should be ending soon?” Glancing at the water clock, Mu Xi Yao’s eyes gradually revealed a smile.

“Mistress, the flower note you had Commander Wei secretly deliver to the Chen family, could it be too late? With only half a day to prepare, it might not meet expectations.” Mo Lan couldn’t understand why her Mistress hadn’t sent it earlier and instead waited until this morning to bring out a piece of paper with blue clouds and spring trees nonchalantly.

“Being too well-prepared will only make it seem deliberate. To move that person, without a bit of urgency and panic, how can we dispel their suspicions?”

The Yuancheng Emperor’s secret guards had better keep their eyes open; it would be a pity if they missed the elaborate schemes she had meticulously prepared.

Tell Wei Zhen to release the first wave of news. And don’t forget about tonight’s… big show.” Mu Xi Yao’s eyes shone brightly, her anticipation growing stronger.

She would first collect the interest owed, and once she finished her postpartum confinement and entered the palace to pay respects, she would ensure that Zong Zheng Ying properly experienced the ‘white lotus,’ leaving it etched in her memory.

In Yaohua Palace, as the Imperial Noble Consort was making her final review of the register in hand, she hadn’t yet reached halfway when she heard a loud announcement at the entrance that the Yuancheng Emperor had arrived.

She placed the register on the nearby red sandalwood short-legged table and elegantly rose, walking gracefully toward the palace entrance.

“Chengqie greets Your Majesty.” Though her figure wasn’t as slender as that of a younger woman, she possessed an allure unique to mature women.

The Yuancheng Emperor held her arm, helped her rise, and together they walked into the house and took seats in the heated chamber.

“Are these the people Aifei¹ picked for the Eighth?” Spotting the opened register on the desk, Yuancheng Emperor casually picked it up and started flipping through it.

“By assigning this task to Chengqie, Your Majesty has shown Chengqie great trust, but it has also put Chengqie in a tough spot. Among the young ladies from noble families this time, there is no lack of outstanding ones, far more than a mere handful. Aside from the Second Miss from He Lian House, whom His Eighth Highness personally requested, the rest were chosen by Chengqie for their comparatively more notable qualities. Chengqie is aware of her shortcomings in judgment, which are far inferior to Your Majesty’s ability to recognize true gems. Perhaps Your Majesty could help take a look and see if these ladies are satisfactory and ensure they would not dishonor His Eighth Highness’s status?”

The Imperial Noble Consort, occupying the role of step empress in the palace, was naturally well-versed in the arts of courteous flattery. Her words, though intimate and humble, were mere formalities; even if the people she selected were more than appropriate, the final decision would still rest with the person before her.

“Since Aifei has personally reviewed them, Zhen trusts your judgment. Aifei must be tired today; why don’t we settle early? Copy the register and send it to the imperial study tomorrow.'”

Having roughly glanced at the register, Yuancheng Emperor found it fairly satisfactory. Apart from the maiden from the He Lian House, whom the Eighth had personally asked for, who was a bit too spirited, the other ladies were quite acceptable.

A few days ago, there had been a commotion over this girl in the Empress Dowager’s palace, and not long ago, the Fourth’s consort and the little Fourth exchanged heated words because of her. The Yuancheng Emperor was well aware of all these matters through his spies.

It was good that she was just a woman with the heart to climb dragons and attach to phoenixes². The Eighth should be able to keep her under control. She will be granted the position of Cefei, not through a marriage decree but through an imperial edict issued by the Imperial Noble Consort, to avoid placing the Sixth’s Consort, He Lian’shi, born of the principal wife, in an awkward position.

The Yuancheng Emperor clearly remembered that the He Lian House had produced two daughters eligible to enter the genealogy records. Naturally, distinctions between their statuses had to be made. Since these two daughters would be separated into different places, He Lian Zhang would not easily show favoritism. Such a loyal minister can better please the emperor.

As the Imperial Noble Consort tended to Emperor Yuancheng in changing and washing up, she felt a sense of relief at last. The Emperor appeared to have given his approval. All that was left was to send the registry tomorrow and finalize it with the seal. Once a few imperial edicts were issued, her duties would be deemed successfully fulfilled.

At this moment, neither of them could have anticipated that the next morning, two major incidents would cause uproar in Shengjing. Not only would the Yuancheng Emperor’s face darken like ink, but it would also cause the Imperial Noble Consort’s recently settled heart to rise with anxiety once again.

In the Shuxiang House, Zong Zheng Ying summoned two little officials³ to play zither and sing songs. Seeing how fair-skinned and pretty they were, the Fourth Princess couldn’t help but wish she could redeem them and keep them in her separate residence.

The more she was enticed by the little officials before her, the deeper her hatred for Zong Zheng Lin grew. If he hadn’t had something on her, she wouldn’t have hastily sent people away. Among those, the one she found it hardest to part with was an opera singer from the Changsheng troupe. The way he sang and moved his waist – Zong Zheng Ying’s body subtly tingled at the memory. This content belongs to thehlifestyle.com, if you see this translation elsewhere, it’s been stolen!

Turning back to look at the two men, dressed plainly,  her interest suddenly waned, her mind only filled with the other’s flirtatious provocations. Past affections surged in her heart, contrasting sharply with her current desolate state.

“Leave!” Zong Zheng Ying rose from the lounge chair, her hand sweeping a vase from the table. The brightly blooming orchids inside scattered, their petals trembling a few times before finally bowing down.

After the two made a clumsy exit, Zong Zheng Ying listlessly sank back into the lounge chair, silently wallowing in desolation amid the chaotic mess of the chamber.

“Your Highness.” A disguised servant girl from the princess’s residence cautiously peered inside. All she could see was a mess on the floor and the silhouette of a woman’s beautiful profile reflected on the brocade screen. That command of dismissal earlier had indeed come from her mistress in a fit of rage. The chief maid trembled.

“Gentleman Yu from Shuxiang House requests an audience.”

‘Gentleman’ here referred to a steward. Among the seven gentlemen of Shuxiang House, Gentleman Yu possessed the most beautiful appearance, which had long made Zong Zheng Ying covetous. Sadly, Shuxiang House had established clear rules: the gentlemen did not entertain guests but only greeted and saw off visitors. This policy caused all who sought pleasure here, both men and women, to look to the heavens and sigh deeply, resenting the shrewd owner behind the house for tantalizing their interest.

“Please come in.” Zong Zheng Ying, shaking off her earlier gloom, stood and walked around the brocade screen. Upon seeing the tall and slender figure opposite her, dressed in fine clothing, she stared at him as if under a spell.

“Your Highness,” The man known as Gentleman Yu had a clean, fair face, with peach blossom eyes that were slightly upturned and thin lips under a straight nose. If it weren’t for his eyes being overly feminine, he would certainly be the most sought-after handsome man currently.

“Yu Ge’er⁴.” Zong Zheng Ying moved forward swiftly and reached out to pull on the other person’s sleeve.

“Your Highness, Yu Ling has come on urgent matters.” Taking a small step to the side, he effortlessly avoided the woman’s touch. His peach blossom eyes appeared to smile but not quite, his deep brown irises radiant and mesmerizing.

“It’s hard for Yu Ge’er and A Ying to meet. Why again is it for some other matter?” Zong Zheng Ying was annoyed. Every time she tried to get close to this man, he intentionally avoided her. Regrettably, she couldn’t use force, or else he would be her exclusive property sooner or later.

It was unknown who actually stood behind the Shuxiang House; after all these years, no one had dared to touch it. Despite her efforts to investigate, she received secret warnings, nearly resulting in a fatal incident.

“Just now, Yu Ling caught a glimpse of someone in the hall who, from behind, looked much like the prince consort.” Unwilling to entangle further with the woman in front of him, a single sentence was enough to provoke her anger.

“Is Yu Ge’er talking about the prince consort?” Zong Zheng Ying’s eyes widened with anger and disbelief. “Where is he now?”

“My lord, please be gentle; this servant can’t take it.”

“Behave, let your lord inside, and have some pleasurable time.”

“My lord, such vigor you have, your wife at home is truly blessed. This servant wishes he could go with you.”

“Uh, my lord, a bit faster.”

“A Lian is understanding and discerning, unlike that shrew at home – stiff as a harridan, being with her is simply unbearable.”

Sounds of lovemaking filled the room. Zong Zheng Ying, having stood outside the door for a long time, listened to the lewd and vulgar noises inside until her eyes nearly burst with rage, the nail guards on her hand forcefully snapping.

Her mind was a mess, echoing only with the man’s heavy panting and low growls. And that word ’stiff’ pierced her heart sharply, overwhelming her with fury.

“Yang Guo Kang!” With a loud bang, Zong Zheng Ying kicked open the private room’s door with her red riding boots, her long whip lashing toward the entangled pair on the brocade bed without any regard.

“You wretch! How dare you seduce the prince consort? Today Bengong will have you cut into a thousand pieces!”

Zong Zheng Ying’s furious shout instantly silenced the bustling Shuxiang House. The pleasure-seekers in the main hall were all stunned. The sharp reprimand from the second floor just now seemed to mention ‘prince consort’ and… ‘Bengong’?

Translation notes:

[1] Aifei is a term Emperors use to address their consort and concubines and literally means “dear consort”.

[2] To climb dragons and attach to phoenixes is a idiom that means currying favor with the rich and powerful in the hope of advancement.

[3] Little officials refers to male courtesan/male prostitute.

[4] “er” in name is used to refer to a young man in a somewhat informal or affectionate manner.

Relationship Diagram  (by Sith Kazar)

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