Chapter 53 (No further information)
Duan Cairen never expected that, instead of getting Cuiwei Pavilion, Emperor Yuanming would actually make her move to Xiangxue Pavilion.
Xiangxue Pavilion was more spacious than Cuiwei Pavilion and closer to Chuigong Hall. Apart from the Second Princess Xiao Jiatang, there were two other concubines of lower rank who lived in the east and west side halls, attached to Consort Zhao.
The Zhao sisters entered the palace together as imperial concubines and both bore children. Now, Consort Zhao has offended Emperor Yuanming for some unknown reason, and Fuqing Palace is guarded by guards, preventing her from entering or leaving at will.
However, the second prince, Xiao Yunjue, was still raised by Consort Zhao and went to school as usual.
When Consort Duan was still at her maternal home, she had heard of Consort Zhao's great reputation. Consort Zhao had caused quite a few laughs in the capital, and Consort Duan was subconsciously afraid of her, never daring to offend Consort Zhao.
Palace maids Bai Qin and Zhi Zi were busy preparing early in the morning when Consort Duan became anxious. "Bai Qin, stop preparing! Help me to the Chui Gong Hall. No, I need to see the Emperor." As she spoke, she got up and walked outside.
Lady Duan, born into a noble family, was of high status and had a strong sense of pride, unable to tolerate the slightest grievance. Once she made a decision, she demanded absolute obedience, allowing no one to have a say.
"This servant will fetch a thick robe for you, Lady." Bai Qin hurriedly put down the trunk and took out a hood: "Zhi Zi, quickly prepare an umbrella and wooden clogs."
After a flurry of activity, the two men, holding umbrellas and supporting each other, escorted Consort Duan to the Chuigong Hall. Following the grand court assembly, Emperor Yuanming was busy in his study. Upon hearing that Consort Duan had come to request an audience, Huang Liang's brows furrowed deeply.
The empresses and concubines were not allowed to enter the main hall of the imperial court under normal circumstances, and they were not permitted to approach the imperial study without being summoned. Grand Academician Wei happened to be there; he was a learned man, and famously strict and upright. If he were to witness this, he would surely offer a remonstrance and admonishment to Emperor Yuanming.
Consort Duan's pregnancy was a different matter altogether. If it concerned the imperial heir, and Emperor Yuanming were to blame her, he would be in a difficult position to explain himself.
Huang Liang was caught in a dilemma. After pondering for a moment, he instructed Zhang Shan to stand guard at the door while he went to the palace gate to see Consort Duan in person.
"Is there something urgent, my lord?" Huang Liang bowed and asked politely.
When Consort Duan saw that it was Huang Liang who came out, she could tell from his words that he wanted to stop her from seeing Emperor Yuanming.
It's easier to see the King of Hell than to deal with his underlings. Huang Liang, relying on being the most trusted person in the Emperor Yuanming's inner circle, took advantage of her low rank and short time in the palace to bully her.
Duan Cairen felt uneasy. She dared not fall out with Huang Liang, and involuntarily raised her hand to place on her lower abdomen, saying, "Huang Daban, I must see the Emperor and speak to him in person."
Huang Liang was extremely astute. Just by observing Duan Cairen's actions, he knew that she was angry. A shadow crossed Huang Liang's eyes, but he remained calm and respectful with a smile, saying, "His Majesty is discussing matters with the officials in the Imperial Study. If you have anything urgent to report, I will go and inform him on your behalf."
Duan Cairen was anxious and couldn't worry about anything else at the moment. She nodded and said, "Go quickly!"
Huang Liang agreed, "Lady Duan, please go to the Duo Palace later." He turned and walked towards the Imperial Study. The corners of his mouth drooped, and his face was clouded with gloom.
This year was the year of the imperial examinations, and Emperor Yuanming was discussing the matter with several prime ministers, grand secretaries, and the Minister of Rites in the Council of State Affairs. He saw Huang Liang peek in from outside the door, his brow furrowed slightly, and he asked, "What is it?"
Huang Liang replied in a moderate voice, "Your Majesty, Consort Duan has urgent business to report to Your Majesty in person."
Emperor Yuanming glanced at Grand Secretary Wei subconsciously, cursed Huang Liang in his heart, coughed, and, considering the unborn child in Consort Duan's arms, stood up and walked outside.
Grand Secretary Wei's thick eyebrows were furrowed, his face serious. Emperor Yuanming caught a glimpse of this and quickened his pace. Huang Liang hurried after him, saying, "Your Majesty, Consort Duan is waiting in the main hall."
Emperor Yuanming entered the main hall, and Consort Duan rose and rushed towards him, curtsied, and called out "Your Majesty!" as tears streamed down her face.
"Sit down quickly." Emperor Yuanming reached out to help Consort Duan up and down, looking her over. "If you need anything, just have someone come and report it to you. It's raining outside, be careful not to slip and fall."
"Your Majesty, I am in a great hurry and must speak to you in person."
Duan Cai Ren sat down in the chair, wiping away her tears. "Xuexiang Pavilion is Sister Zhao's palace. Sister Zhao has served the Emperor for many years and has made a great contribution by giving birth to the Second Princess. I have only recently entered the palace and am of low rank. If I move in, what will Sister Zhao think? The other sisters will only think I am arrogant. I beg Your Majesty to rescind your order. I... I will not move in for now."
Emperor Yuanming's expression slowly changed, and he looked at Consort Duan in disbelief: "Your urgent matter is that you will not change your palace for the time being?"
Consort Duan said, "I'm afraid Sister Zhao is packing her bags. I was afraid that she would be busy for nothing, so I hurriedly came to ask Your Majesty for permission."
Anger surged within Emperor Yuanming, but he suppressed it and asked, "Aren't you afraid?"
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty is afraid!" Duan Cairen choked, biting her lip, her eyes brimming with tears, and said, "Your Majesty cannot be such an ignorant person. There is also the Second Princess in front of Sister Zhao. Cuiwei Pavilion is not as spacious as Xiangxue Pavilion. I am afraid that I will wrong them."
Emperor Yuanming saw that she was afraid, yet she kept saying she wouldn't move. Previously, when Consort Lin and Consort Zhao were pregnant, they had never been as troublesome as she was.
"Consorts are not allowed to move around in the imperial court, and they are not allowed to approach the imperial study without being summoned. Considering that you have only recently entered the palace and are not familiar with the rules of the imperial court, I will not pursue the matter for the time being."
Emperor Yuanming stood up and said impatiently, "Go back now, don't think nonsense, and take good care of yourself!" After saying that, he left without looking back.
When Consort Duan saw that Emperor Yuanming no longer mentioned moving elsewhere, and even more so, never once mentioned Fanying Pavilion, it was clear that he was displeased. She dared not say anything more and returned to Cuiwei Pavilion with a belly full of grievances.
As Duan Cairen left the main hall, the eunuch running errands from Cuiwei Pavilion anxiously peered out. As soon as Duan Cairen stepped out, the eunuch hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Cairen, the Xiangxue Pavilion has already packed up all the valuables and moved them over. Consort Zhao and the Second Princess are waiting in Cuiwei Pavilion."
Consort Duan lifted her skirt, stamped her foot, and said angrily, "Why are you moving so fast! Oh no, oh no, you must quickly return to Cuiwei Pavilion and tell Consort Zhao that there is no need to move her palace. She and the Second Princess will still live in Xiangxue Pavilion."
The eunuch replied, and hurried back to deliver the message. Lady Duan, wearing wooden clogs, was afraid of slipping on the slippery cobblestone road, so she walked very slowly, taking a full three times the usual amount of time to return to Cuiwei Pavilion.
"Are these Consort Zhao's trunks and valuables?" Consort Duan asked, pointing to the row of trunks against the wall as she entered the side hall.
The palace maid guarding the trunks replied, "Your Excellency, these are Consort Zhao's trunks and valuables. The Second Princess is unwell, and Consort Zhao waited for a long time without seeing Your Excellency return, so she had to leave with the Second Princess first. Consort Zhao asks Your Excellency to take a look at these trunks. She will come back to retrieve them after she has inquired about the Emperor's decree."
Consort Duan's heart skipped a beat; Consort Zhao must be furious. After all, they had gone to great lengths to move in, and before they had even entered the house, they were being made to move back. Even the most good-natured person would likely feel resentful.
The spring rain was falling incessantly. Having walked all the way with trepidation, carefully avoiding falling, Duan Cairen was already exhausted.
"Bai Qin, go to Xuexiang Pavilion and tell Consort Zhao that it's inconvenient to travel due to the rain. I'll personally visit Consort Zhao to apologize after I've rested."
Bai Qin accepted the order and went to Xuexiang Pavilion. Granny Xie came out and said politely, "Her Majesty is taking care of the Second Princess and cannot spare any attention. Her Majesty said that all favors, whether thunder or rain, are the Emperor's grace. Consort Duan is pregnant with the Emperor's child. If anything were to happen to her, how could Her Majesty bear the consequences? Please, Consort Duan, take good care of yourself."
Back at Cuiwei Pavilion, Bai Qin reported back truthfully. Duan Cairen leaned against the cushions, her slender fingers gripping the brocade quilt tightly, her eyes blazing with anger, almost grinding her teeth to powder.
Consort Zhao avoided meeting him, making polite but unhelpful remarks. She used Xiao Jiatang as a pretext and deliberately mentioned the prince, implying sarcasm and ill intentions.
Whether she gives birth to a son or a daughter is unpredictable. If she ends up giving birth to a princess, she will still have to respect Xiao Jiatang as her elder.
It's one thing for Consort Zhao to be angry, but Jiang Ling is truly despicable!
By what right does she occupy Fanying Pavilion all to herself, and use the Guan Shangqin Bureau to fob her off with a few leftover potted plants that others had already chosen?
"Bai Qin." Duan Cairen snorted coldly and said, "Go to the Shangqin Bureau and tell them that it's raining and the room is dark, so we need to light candles. We ran out of beeswax last night, and we don't have enough white wax either. I feel a tightness in my chest from the smell, so I need to get more beeswax and some fresh mint to help me feel better."
There are fixed rules regarding lamps and candles, and the Lamp Office does not deduct any expenses from Cuiwei Pavilion. Although requesting extra beeswax would be against the rules, it is understandable given that Consort Duan is pregnant.
The garden has never grown mint. At this time of year, only the Imperial Hospital has dried mint. For Lady Duan to ask Director Shangqin for fresh mint is asking the impossible.
Bai Qin looked at Duan Cairen's gloomy face, opened her mouth, but ultimately said nothing, and went to the Shangqin Bureau's residence to find Qin Shanggong.
Qin Shanggong was checking accounts in the main room. After hearing Bai Qin's words, she neither agreed nor refused outright. Instead, she said tactfully, "I'm really sorry, I don't have these on hand right now. Go back and apologize to Consort Duan. Please wait a while, and I'll go and find them for her right away."
Bai Qin went to Cuiwei Pavilion to report back. Qin Shanggong tidied up the account books, took a walk around, and then went to Fanying Pavilion to report back to Jiang Ling.
Rainy days are cold and damp, and Jiang Ling dislikes this kind of weather the most, so he sits in front of the incense burner roasting oranges.
As Qin Shanggong entered the room, he was greeted by a warm and sweet aroma that instantly lifted his spirits.
Jiang Ling smiled and waved to her, saying, "Don't be so polite, come and try my roasted oranges."
"Thank you, Lady Jiang. I've come at the perfect time; my mouth is in for a treat."
Qin Shanggong sat down opposite Jiang Ling, ate a segment of orange, and smiled, "It's really sweet. I've always felt that the aroma of this roasted orange far surpasses those precious spices from foreign lands. My beauty not only knows how to eat, but also how to enjoy life. I've learned a lot from following you."
"I'm just bored." Jiang Ling didn't particularly like the taste of roasted oranges, but since Qin Shanggong did, he gave her the whole orange. "Is there trouble at the Imperial Bedchamber Bureau?"
"Yesterday, Consort Zhao's Xuexiang Pavilion said she was going to move her bedchamber overnight and received twice as many lamps and candles from the Lantern Bureau. Shortly after breakfast this morning, the people from Xuexiang Pavilion began moving boxes and trunks to Cuiwei Pavilion."
Qin Shanggong began by recounting the story of Consort Zhao and Consort Duan exchanging palaces, and then continued with Consort Duan's journey to the Emperor's presence.
"If Consort Duan wants beeswax, even if it's lit for twelve hours straight, the Lamp Master can easily get it. But I'm afraid that if Consort Duan smells too much beeswax, she'll feel chest tightness, so I didn't dare send Baiqin to the Lamp Master to get it."
Qin Shanggong glanced at Jiang Ling's expression, sighed, and said, "As for fresh mint, this servant dares not speak too definitively. In the warmer south, there is no shortage of fresh mint at this time of year. If Your Majesty were to issue an order to have it rushed to the capital, and this servant were to immediately decline, it would be an overstepping of authority."
"Consort Duan looks down on Xiangxue Pavilion and can't afford to offend Consort Zhao. She can afford to offend me, but she's eyeing Fanying Pavilion. Since she's relying on the Emperor's favor to cause me trouble at every turn, and now she's carrying a royal heir, I dare not provoke her."
Jiang Ling sneered repeatedly in anger, threw down the fire tongs, and said, "We should both stay away from each other and avoid getting involved in trouble. You come with me to find the Emperor!"
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