The Beloved Imperial Consort Chapter 3

The autumn of Zhanghe’s tenth year. In six months there would be a Selection. The imperial order was expected to reach each prefecture by the beginning of the new year.

Mu Xi Yao didn’t dare to resist fate, and she also didn’t want to risk being unable to reincarnate. Therefore, she made preparations ahead of time.

With her deliberate grooming, her Chief Maidservants Hui Lan and Mo Lan had gained modest knowledge of medicine and could cope well with situations that needed emergency treatment. While they weren’t well-versed in medical knowledge and couldn’t check pulses or write prescriptions, they were able to identify the most common poisons.

Maidservant of the second rank Chun Lan was literate, proficient in mathematics, and could manage daily tasks. Inside Yingshui Pavilion, maidservants of the second rank and above were all children of household servants and had signed Lifelong Contracts¹. Xi Yao had them practice the extracted first part of the health regimen scripture but forbade them from sharing it with others. After half a year of practice, everyone had more agile movements and fitter bodies. It was impossible for them to catch a cold from an ordinary cool breeze or stumble while walking.

Xi Yao was well aware that the inner yard was like a battlefield. Even the most brilliant general couldn’t fare well without foot soldiers. The Empty Fort Strategy² wasn’t Mu Xi Yao’s cup of tea. This demoness was highly capable, but she didn’t like being pushed around by others.

Neither the soul nor the spiritual item, which held no grudge against her, had come to a good end. Not to mention those blacklisted people who would emerge one by one in the near future. They had been firmly marked in her mind for a long time.

Mu Xi Yao had consumed a spiritual pill, and with the assistance of the health regimen scripture that had countless benefits for women, her mind became sharper, and her beautiful eyes became even more black and shiny. The sweet appearance of those eyes, gleaming with tears, made one’s heart itch uncontrollably. In her previous life, her figure was already shapely, and now it was even more curvaceous. As Xi Yao would put it, it had an aura of an enchantress~.

—–

Evening. The imperial palace. The Sixth Prince’s study.

Zong Zheng Lin finished reading the reports. He leaned his back against a soft chair and casually stretched his long legs. He used one hand to smooth his furrowed brows and tapped the table with the other.

Wei Zhen, who was nearby attending to him, became even quieter. Seeing the cold air emanating from His Highness, he knew that someone was in trouble.

As Zong Zheng Lin’s personal attendant who had been by his side since the age of six, Wei Zhen was naturally familiar with His Highness’s habits. Gloating in his heart, he wondered who was the poor guy that had angered His Highness but then heard a deep male voice say, “Tell Ye Kai that we will depart for Qingzhou in three days.

He was about to reply when Chief Steward Tian Fu Shan requested an audience from outside.

Tian Fu Shan was a distant relative of Zong Zheng Lin’s consort-mother³, Consort Shu⁴ of the Tian Clan. When the Sixth Prince was seven years old, Consort Shu specially assigned him Tian Fu Shan to manage the daily affairs of the prince’s household. Tian Fu Shan was honest, dutiful, shrewd, and capable. What’s more, he was trustworthy, so Zong Zheng Lin entrusted him with important tasks.

“Your Highness, where would you like the meal to be served?” Tian Fu Shan asked, pondering for a moment before adding, “Lady Kong sent a soup to the front yard for Your Highness earlier today.”

Zong Zheng Lin acted indifferently, but Tian Fu Shan could tell that His Highness was displeased.

Indeed, he heard him say, “Serve it in the study’s outer room. Make sure Kong’shi⁵learns proper behavior, and she is not allowed to leave the inner yard without permission.”

Sure enough. She was directly put under house arrest.

Lady Kong was captivating, yet had no favor. It was known throughout both the inner and outer yards of the Sixth Prince. She was a concubine arranged by Consort Shu to be bestowed to Zong Zheng Lin when he turned 15 by a nominal year of age⁶. Lady Kong had been here for a few months, serving two-three times per month. However, she wasn’t allowed to conceive. In the meantime, she could only spend her days alone in her quarters.

The other bestowed concubine was Lady Wu. She was well-behaved but had a wooden and uncharming personality. She fared even worse than Lady Kong, having only served twice in these few months. Everyone in the household regarded her as an invisible person.

When Zong Zheng Lin’s brothers learnt that he remain stern, aloof, and indifferent toward beautiful maidens, even after gaining the sexual experience, they all laughed at him for his inability to enjoy the experience. Later, under the pressure of the Sixth Highness’s imposing aura, they never mentioned his inner yard affairs again.

On the road to Qingzhou, servant Ye Kai steadily drove the carriage. The commander of guards, Yan Cheng Zhou brought along two bodyguards, and they followed the carriage while riding on a horse.

Wei Zhen arrived at Qingzhou City ahead of time to prepare for His Highness’s arrival and settlement.

During the trip, everyone was dressed in plain clothes, looking respectable enough to pass as a gentleman from a wealthy family on an outing.

Zong Zheng Lin was sitting in the carriage, his left hand holding the scroll he was reading, and his right hand holding the Silver Needle of the Gentleman Mountain⁷. He brought the tea to his lips, took a sip, and then moved it away to play with it.

What a great Provincial Governor of Qingzhou. He was accepting bribes even while in the capital city, and after being reassigned outside the capital, he suppressed The Three Bureaus⁸, engaged in secret communication, and colluded with the Regional Commander regarding the transport of tribute grain.

He believed he was being discreet, but the Crown Prince had already taken notice of him. In the past, he intentionally let him go, waiting for the right moment to catch him red-handed, so that he could pull out all the grasshoppers hung on the rope⁹. The Crown Prince considered the First Prince as a nail in the eyes and a thorn in the flesh¹⁰. They fought against each other in the imperial court and continued to cross swords outside of it. This time, the Crown Prince will undoubtedly use this opportunity to suppress the First Prince and the faction of the Noble Consort Li, as well as cut off his shu brother’s money road so that he won’t have any spare finances to oppose him.

Zong Zheng Lin was fully aware of the difficulties inside and his role as the Crown Prince’s tool. The Crown Prince was unwilling to come out and offend people so early. He was also afraid that creating a big fuss would draw attention to himself and make his siblings wary of him, leading them to join forces against him.

Therefore, Zong Zheng Lin, the cold-faced prince, had to bear these concerns on behalf of the Crown Prince. As a member of the Crown Prince’s faction on the surface, he naturally had to obey his orders and do his job. Wasn’t this why Yuancheng Emperor groomed him to be the Crown Prince’s aide? In that case, he should be an obedient son and perform his duties well. However, it was hard to tell who was scheming against whom.

The purpose of their trip to Qingzhou was for the Provincial Governor, Guo Jian Ping.

The carriage arrived in Qingzhou and each of them went about their own business.

Zong Zheng Lin freshened up and rested in a courtyard that was arranged for him in advance, leaving all of his tasks for the next day.

In the evening, when he had some free time, he took Wei Zhen along to Juxian Tavern for dinner and to investigate the situation of the people there.

Today, Xi Yao, accompanied by Lady Yu, was invited as a guest to the residence of Lady Ceng, the wife of the Assistant Brigade Commander. Since Mu Xi Cheng was betrothed, she remained in her chamber, while Mu Xi Ting, being aware of her status, rarely went out with her di mother.

Mu Xi Yao was pleased to be the only one going as it was more convenient. Putting her among young ladies was like putting a fish back into the water. Being only twelve years old, she was younger than most of the present noble ladies. She looked sweet, yet simple-minded, and her voice was soft and gentle. When she spoke, it made people feel fond of her from the bottom of their hearts.

This woman was never conscious of herself being thirty years old. She only knew that if there was a benefit, whether by righteous or foul means, she had to squeeze out as much benefit as she could. Nobody would mind having a good reputation and valuable connections.

After the banquet ended, Xi Yao again started to cling to Lady Yu, asking for milk cake from Juxian Tavern. The truth was she was interested in the liveliness outside and was thinking of taking a stroll on the way there. It was impossible for Lady Yu not to know what she was thinking about, so she tapped her forehead. After giving her consent, Lady Yu got into the palanquin. Mu Xi Yao subsequently headed toward the city’s west.

Zong Zheng Lin was sitting inside the box on the second floor. His seat was placed by the window. He leisurely sat there, with a teacup in his hands, recuperating.

Wei Zhen, as usual, wore a serious expression and stood in silence, maintaining a one-step distance from his Master.

Both master and servant were quite accustomed to this type of interaction, but outsiders might find it too cold.

From downstairs, the soft voice of a girl could be heard. Obviously, its owner was quite pleased. In the autumn evening, the girl’s voice was sweet and carried a hint of warmth. It was a very pleasant sound to the listener’s ears.

Zong Zheng Lin turned his gaze downward and caught only a glimpse of a fair hand putting down the curtain of the palanquin before it slowly disappeared into the distance.

—–

Another half month had passed and Zhong Zheng Lin had finished the matters in his hands. He only needed to return to the capital to make a report.

He had planned to leave for the capital the day after tomorrow. Zong Zheng Lin’s subordinates were all well-trained and capable of carrying out important tasks. In Qingzhou, only one person knew that the Sixth Prince of Great Wei had been there for several days and was about to be involved in a major case.

Mu Xi Yao took Mo Lan and two other servant girls with her to Cuizhu House to look through zither manuals.

She chose a cyan-colored bamboo flute to give as a return gift to Mu Jing Zhi when he returns home for the New Year.

Out of blue, Mu Xi Yao gained a lot of little items. This woman was slow to catch on but realized the need to deepen her relationship with her brother and consolidate the revolutionary front[8]. Mu Xi Yao practiced zither, but Mu Jing Zhi was only fond of the flute. It was true that her elder brother had joined the army, and it was hard to say whether he would become an important official in the future. However, a parental home was a woman’s backing in establishing herself in the inner courtyard. So, she occasionally expressed admiration for him and used her old trick of fluttering her eyes at him to completely capture her elder brother’s heart, who had a sister complex. It was simply too necessary! This content belongs to thehlifestyle.com, if you see this translation elsewhere, it’s been stolen!

As Mu Xi Yao left Cuizhu House, she inadvertently lifted her eyes and coincidentally caught a glimpse of a man attired in blue-green garments a few meters away.

It was as if lightning struck her, but naturally, it was not her who was dumbstruck, but the obsession of the original soul that had reacted too strongly.

Being a vengeful person, Mu Xi Yao immediately recognized the man. She wouldn’t forget him, even if it cost her life.

She slightly narrowed her eyes and stood still for a moment. Even Mo Lan who stood behind her didn’t notice her change in mood. Mu Xi Yao then called for them, turned her back to the man, and left. Her elegant and graceful figure and lithe steps drew people’s attention.

Upon entering the cosmetics shop, her mood appeared to be cheerful. She let Mo Lan and the little servant girls choose what they wanted. However, completely different thoughts occupied her mind. She secretly vowed to make fool of Zong Zheng Lin, to enchant him until he lost his mind. She will forcefully turn the tragic supporting female character into a sweetly pampered female lead. Furthermore, she will give birth to and raise more than three buns, completely fulfilling the wishes of Mu Xi Yao from her previous life.

If she couldn’t become his favorite consort in this lifetime, she would pay with her life! Isn’t it so? If she couldn’t fulfill her wish, she wouldn’t be able to be reincarnated and would become a wandering vengeful spirit. Wasn’t it like losing a life? Therefore, whoever was ignorant enough to cause her troubles, irritate her and prevent her from climbing up the ladder to success, will become her mortal enemy. Even death couldn’t change this fact!

Zhong Zheng Lin had Ye Kai following him. Suddenly, he turned his head as if sensing something. He only saw a young girl’s back who possessed a unique charm and slender, willowy build. In the blink of an eye, she entered the cosmetics shop.

Ye Kai watched as His Highness turned around with his expressionless handsome face. He didn’t know why he suddenly looked back just now and didn’t dare to ask, only following him closely.

Translator’s notes: 

[1] Lifelong Contract refers to a contract signed between a servant and their master, where the servant has committed to serve the master for their entire lifetime, and cannot break the contract.

[2] The Empty Fort Strategy refers to a strategy, that involves using reverse psychology and luck to deceive the enemy into thinking that an empty location is full of traps and ambushes, hence, inducing the enemy to retreat.

[3] Consort-mother refers to the way how were imperial consorts addressed by their children.

[4] Consort Shu refers to an imperial consort’s rank. Shu is a title that translates to “Pure”. For a clearer picture of the ranking system, see section Ming Dynasty here

[5] Shi is used in Chinese names to indicate the person’s family name.

[6] Nominal year of age is a Chinese concept that refers to a person’s age in a lunar calendar, which is based on the cycles of the moon and is typically one or two years behind the Gregorian calendar.

[7] A Silver Needle of the Gentleman Mountain refers to a yellow tea from Junshan Island.

[8] Three Bueaus refer to the Bureau of Salt and Iron Monopoly, Tax Bureau, and Census bureau (source).

[9] Grasshoppers hung on the rope refers to a Chinese idiom that means everybody is in one boat.

[10] Nail in the eyes and thorn in the flesh refers to a Chinese idiom meaning irritation and impedimen.  

List of TBIC Character

Relationship Diagram  (by Sith Kazar)