Shen Yanshui had Quanshou place the two potted gold-rimmed daphnes in the courtyard, somewhere visible right as one entered the gate—not so obviously neglectful, but also unlikely to cause any further trouble.
Unless someone’s constitution was especially sensitive.
“My lady, shall I have breakfast brought in?” Chunping entered the room and stepped forward, bowing with a smile to ask.
Shen Yanshui’s eyes brightened, and she set the matter aside for now. “Go ahead. Those dishes you suggested yesterday all tasted quite good. From now on, order one or two extra dishes beyond the ration allowance each meal for a while—I want to try them all first.”
As a Zhaoxun, her ration allowance wasn’t much—only two meat dishes, two vegetable dishes, one soup, and a portion of fruit per meal. Not even enough to fill her stomach.
Though there was a hint of a smile in Chunping’s brow, she still answered steadily, “This one hardly deserves such praise. When this servant used to work in the Shangshi Bureau, I overheard bits of gossip about which chefs in the palace had which specialties. As long as it pleases my lady, that’s all that matters.”
Shen Yanshui smiled and nodded, then had Qiuru open the money box and send someone to fetch breakfast early.
Chunping, standing to the side, said with a smile, “My lady, I’m afraid that silver won’t be needed today. The people serving in this palace are the type to flatter the powerful and trample the weak. You were only favored last night—how could the kitchen staff possibly accept our silver now?”
And sure enough, just as Chunping had said, when Dongyi and Quanshou came in carrying two food boxes, their faces were full of smiles they couldn’t suppress.
Dongyi, being young, wasn’t exactly flighty, but she wasn’t particularly composed either. Running into this, her joy showed openly on her face. “My lady, the kitchen staff not only didn’t take our silver today, they even sent extra dishes especially for you—so many that one box couldn’t even hold them all!”
Shen Yanshui smiled faintly but said nothing for a moment.
Watching the two of them carrying the ostentatious three-tiered, eight-sided rosewood mother-of-pearl food boxes engraved with the five-blessings pattern, Chunping couldn’t help but frown.
“My lady has only been favored for one day, and you two are already carrying on like this. It’ll only make others think our lady has gotten carried away the moment she gained favor, and think less of her.”
Quanshou startled, lowering his head and stammering a little. “This one—Quanfu already spoke to me about it just now. This servant won’t dare do it again.” Earlier, when he’d been scolded, he hadn’t taken it too seriously, and compared to Quanfu, who was younger than him, he’d even harbored a bit of resentment.
But Chunping was different. Before coming to serve their lady, she’d already been doing better than the rest of them, having come from the Shangshi Bureau, and now she was someone trusted at their lady’s side. He immediately tensed up, thoroughly cowed.
Seeing this, Dongyi’s face paled with fright too, and she dropped to her knees. “This servant begs forgiveness—I, I know I was wrong!”
Shen Yanshui slowly straightened up and looked at the two of them, saying quietly, “Call everyone else in.”
Before long, everyone had gathered. Shen Yanshui’s expression turned solemn. “Aside from what I said yesterday, I’ll add one more thing today—I won’t tolerate that kind of arrogance in my household.”
“Not to mention that your lady has only been favored for a single day—who knows what tomorrow holds. And even if I were favored for a few more days, so what? Flowers don’t stay in bloom a hundred days, and people don’t stay fortunate a thousand. You all should understand that principle better than I do.”
“Yes, this servant will keep it firmly in mind.”
Once she finished speaking, everyone’s expressions inevitably varied. Chunping and Quanfu’s faces looked fairly composed, even somewhat relieved.
After all, acting low-key was always more reassuring than being loud and showy. black lotus novel Translations | BLACK LOTUS NOVEL
As for Dongyi, being young and inexperienced, she’d always been at the very bottom of palace life. The moment someone flattered her, she couldn’t help getting carried away.
That was only human nature—like someone who’d been poor and looked down on for years suddenly winning the lottery, unable to resist showing it off everywhere.
Shen Yanshui understood, and had even expected as much beforehand. Looking around at everyone’s reactions, she was fairly satisfied.
Chunping had served in the Shangshi Bureau, a place full of social dealings, so she’d seen plenty and acted steady, not flighty. Quanfu had someone to guide him, was clever, and wasn’t lacking in tact.
Quanshou wasn’t particularly bold, but he was honest and obedient enough—after this, he should remember the lesson.
Xia’an and Qiuru, though not as composed as Chunping, seemed decent enough for now. Dongyi, though, being the youngest, had the most restless temperament.
Seeing that Dongyi and Quanshou had both started trembling uncontrollably from fear, Shen Yanshui didn’t press further.
“No matter the situation, when you’re out there, remember to act steadily and keep a low profile—don’t show off, don’t stir up trouble.
But us not wanting to stir up trouble doesn’t mean we’re afraid of it either. If anyone bullies you out there, just tell me about it—I won’t let you be bullied for nothing.”
“All of you, get up. No need to kneel.”
“Yes! Thank you, my lady.” Hearing their lady’s words and her softened tone, Dongyi and Quanshou let out a breath of relief. Seeing that their lady truly didn’t intend to punish them, the two hurriedly kowtowed in gratitude.
After sending everyone else out, Shen Yanshui kept Chunping and Quanfu behind. Eating breakfast, she looked at the two of them with a smile and said, “Do you think I’m making too big a deal out of this?”
“This servant wouldn’t dare say so.” The two of them quickly bowed and shook their heads.
Quanfu said respectfully, “The tree that stands tallest in the forest is the first to be broken by the wind. My lady is wise.”
Chunping answered earnestly, “Correcting things early lets people know what’s proper and what isn’t—that’s for the best. Otherwise, it might bring trouble and resentment down on my lady later on.”
Though the servants in the palace had lives cheaper than grass, sometimes even small figures could serve a crucial, even unimaginable purpose. Being kind to others was always better than making enemies on every side.
Listening to the two of them, Shen Yanshui grew even more satisfied, saying with a smile, “It’s nothing unusual that the kitchen staff, seeing I’ve been favored, sent an extra plate or two of fresh food. But in everything, we need to keep a scale in our hearts—we can’t let a bit of flattery make us forget our place and become a laughingstock.”
“Yes, this servant understands.”
After the two bowed and withdrew, Chunping noticed Dongyi still looking uneasy, so she called her into the room.
Dongyi’s eyes were red-rimmed, her voice thick with tears. “Sister Chunping… I know I was wrong. It’s just that yesterday, when I went to fetch the meal, I ran into the palace maids and eunuchs fetching meals from the courtyard next door, and the kitchen staff needled me with a few remarks. Today, hearing a few kind words, I just couldn’t help feeling happy. I really know I was wrong, I won’t dare do it again…”
Chunping hadn’t expected there to be more to the story. Her expression turned serious. “It’s good that you know you were wrong. Our lady is generous and kind-hearted and didn’t punish you, but you need to be even more careful and steady when you’re out there from now on. Food shouldn’t pass through anyone’s hands but our own people’s—understand?”
Dongyi nodded vigorously, stumbling over her words. “I’ll remember it all!”
At the main hall of Haoyue Studio, closest to the Yuehua Gate, the interior furnishings were exquisite and opulent, gold and jade wares visible everywhere. Even the shimmering brocade that money couldn’t buy outside the palace had been laid out as soft cushion covers and embroidered into pillows—enough to show just how lavish it was.
The four pots of gold-rimmed daphne, however, had been placed far off in the courtyard.
Although there was a nanny sent by the Empress at her side, and an imperial physician came every other day to check her pulse for safety, Chu Liangdi didn’t really believe the Crown Princess would try anything through these flowers. Still, out of caution, she’d had them placed far away.
“My lady, that Consort Shen…” A palace maid at Chu Liangdi’s side suddenly spoke up softly.
Chu Liangdi gently rested a hand on her belly, first frowning slightly, then said indifferently, “What’s the rush? It’s only been a day. There was bound to be someone new eventually—if not her, then someone else.”
Of the four new consorts, that Wu Chenghui was clearly the type who’d claw her way to the top at first glance. No matter how beautiful she was, she wasn’t worth worrying over.
As for Liangyuan Zhang, who led the group, and Liu Fengyi, whose petty scheming showed plainly on her face, Chu Liangdi didn’t think much of them either.
As for that Zhaoxun Shen, Chu Liangdi let out a light laugh. “What a pity…”
The senior maid at her side, holding up a teacup, hadn’t caught her murmured words and said with a smile, “What matters most right now is the little imperial grandchild in my lady’s belly. As long as my lady safely delivers a healthy little grandchild, the good days are still ahead—by then, even Her Majesty the Empress will surely look at my lady with new regard.”
Chu Liangdi stroked her belly with a face full of tenderness, wearing a smile brimming with certainty. “Physician Zhao has already confirmed it—the child in my belly is definitely the little imperial grandson, no doubt about it. Once my child is born…”
As she spoke, her face glowed with pride, and she patted her belly gently. “My child will surely be brilliant. He’ll need to make something of himself later, and grind that sickly little wretch into the dirt…”
“Your Highness, Her Majesty the Empress has already asked twice for the little prince to be brought over so she can see him. We’ve already declined twice—if we refuse again this time… I’m afraid it might upset Her Majesty.”
Inside Xiefang Hall, Nanny Zhou earnestly and patiently urged in a low voice, “The imperial physicians have also said that Her Majesty’s illness comes from overwork and exhaustion—there’s no risk of contagion. The little prince’s health has improved a bit recently, so it should be fine.”
Hearing this, the Crown Princess refused without the slightest hesitation, frowning. “Mother Empress has been ill for so long without recovering. Knowing full well that Zhang’er has been frail since birth, all the more reason to care for his health. What if he catches a chill from the wind out there? What if he catches her illness?”
“Besides, Mother Empress has long disliked me for failing to give His Highness a healthy child. And now she’s bestowed new consorts on the Eastern Palace—surely she’s hoping those women will bear His Highness an heir soon. Since that’s the case, why bother troubling my son?”
Nanny Zhou’s old face creased with worry, and she tried to persuade her further. “Your Highness…”
“Nanny, there’s no need to say more. Right now, that lump of flesh in Chu Liangdi’s belly is the treasure in Mother Empress’s heart. It’s only been a few months, and already the rewards flow to that Chu Liangdi like water, trampling on my dignity to build up that wretched woman’s standing.”
The Crown Princess said coldly, “I’d love to see just what exactly comes out of that belly of hers.”
Seeing how deep her resentment toward the Empress ran, and how stubbornly she refused to soften, Nanny Zhou had no way to persuade her further.
……
“This concubine pays respects to Mother Empress. May Mother Empress enjoy boundless fortune and peace.” Once the Crown Princess stepped into Kunning Palace, she lowered her head and bowed respectfully in greeting.
Seated above was a figure in plain purple everyday robes with wide sleeves, her face bare of any makeup. Even so, it wasn’t hard to see the outstanding beauty she must have had in her youth—only now, her face was pale and worn with exhaustion.
The Empress’s eyes, which had originally carried a hint of expectation, dimmed slightly upon seeing her and the group behind her.
“Where is Zhang’er?”
This was the first time the Empress hadn’t immediately told her to rise. The Crown Princess felt all the more that the Empress was deliberately making things difficult for her, and her sense of injustice deepened, making her tone unconsciously stiffen.
“In reply to Mother Empress, the physician said Zhang’er’s illness hasn’t fully healed yet, and it’s not advisable for him to go outside for fear the chill might enter his body. This concubine didn’t bring Zhang’er along—please forgive this concubine, Mother Empress.”
Watching her, unable to hide her indignation even with her head lowered, the Empress closed her eyes, then waved a hand, dismissing her—out of sight, out of mind. · B L A C K L O T U S Novel Translations
The Crown Princess’s expression stiffened slightly. She’d come to pay respects and tend to the Empress’s illness, only to be sent away within moments of entering. If word of this got out, wouldn’t her reputation and dignity be utterly ruined?
Her expression strained. “Mother Empress…”
The Empress’s face remained cold and expressionless. “The Eastern Palace’s consorts now have someone with child, and she needs your careful attention. For these next few months, there’s no need to come pay respects to me every day.”
Hearing this, the Crown Princess’s expression shifted slightly, but overseeing the Eastern Palace’s heirs was indeed her duty as Crown Princess.
The Crown Princess lowered her head. “Yes, this concubine will keep it firmly in mind. It’s only that with Mother Empress’s health not yet recovered, and His Highness the Crown Prince busy with state affairs, paying respects and tending to your illness is simply a daughter-in-law’s filial duty. Otherwise, this daughter-in-law truly cannot rest easy.”
The Empress frowned, and Nanny Fan at her side said with a smile, “Her Majesty is certainly aware of the Crown Princess’s filial devotion. It’s only that the physicians have said Her Majesty needs to rest quietly these days, and keeping her spirits at ease is what matters most.”
The Crown Princess’s expression didn’t change, but her palms clenched tight. Was this old hag implying that her coming to pay respects was instead upsetting the Empress’s mood?
Nanny Fan, seeming not to notice her expression at all, continued smoothly and unhurriedly, “With His Highness the Crown Prince having so few children right now, the Crown Princess should also take good care of her health, so she may soon bear His Highness another heir as well.”
The Empress raised a hand to press at her temple. “Nanny Fan speaks well. From now on, once every ten days will do. Crown Princess, you may go.”
