The Job of an Imperial Concubine

(The title can also be read as “the climax.”)

Zhuang Wanqing’s demotion wasn’t a big deal for the imperial concubines. She was not favored and was also from the illegitimate line of her household. Not to mention, a favored imperial concubine had old grievances against her. Even if she was killed, other people would not be surprised. 

Zhuang Laoyan removed the pomegranate flower hairpin from her hair. Then she casually took off her gold dangling hair ornament and long earrings. Zhuang Laoyan let her fine black hair down; it draped over her shoulders. She took in her blurry reflection in the copper mirror, then rose to her feet, allowing Tingzhu and Yunxi to change her clothes into a mostly-new and wide dress.

In this imperial harem, if someone did not want others to use their shortcomings against them, then they should let the emperor see such shortcomings early on. Zhuang Laoyan had long since guarded against people using the so-called sisterly bonds to scheme against her. As such, she had told the emperor long ago that she and her sister shared a poor relationship, cutting off this possibility.

Wasn’t it normal for daughters of the legitimate line to share a poor relationship with their illegitimate sisters? What’s more, the emperor was also from the legitimate line, and was even treated unfairly by the previous emperor because of Prince Gou. For this reason, he could empathize with Zhuang Laoyan.

“Your Highness, does your honored self want to rest?” Tingzhu checked the sky for the time. It was still early, not the time for sleeping yet. However, after seeing her master’s appearance, with all her jewelry taken off and clothes changed, she did not say anything else.

 “I’m exhausted. You don’t need to bring over the evening meal,” said Zhuang Laoyan as she approached the bedside, yawning. “If someone comes, tell them I’m resting and will not see any guests.”

“Yes.” Tingzhu approached and fixed the quilt neatly. She let down the gauze curtains, retreated a few steps, and stood still.

Yunxi and Tingzhe shared a look, before the former also went to stand at the other side.

When Feng Jin arrived at Xihe Palace, he noticed that it was very still and silent there. When the eunuchs standing guard outside the doors saw him, they prepared to announce his arrival. But Feng Jin stopped them. “Is your Mistress resting? There’s no need to announce then. We will check up on her and leave.”

The eunuchs standing guard didn’t dare to speak anymore. They saluted him and retreated to the side. Watching the emperor enter the palace, they could not help but worry. They hoped that at this moment, their master wouldn’t say anything she should not say, do anything she should not do.

The further he went inside the palace, the quieter it became. Feng Jin reached the main palace hall. He saw palace maids and eunuchs standing guard by the door, and was certain Zhuang Laoyan was resting. Recalling what had happened today, Feng Jin frowned.

He understood how she felt, and also knew why the Zhuang sisters had conflict. Although he could not remember how Zhuang Laoyan looked when she had first arrived at the palace, at present he placed her in his heart. As such, he was unable to tolerate Zhuang Wanqing, this daughter of the illegitimate line, bullying Zhuang Laoyan.

He had witnessed many of the imperial harem’s shameful secrets and schemes. Wasn’t Zhuang Wanqing’s act of inexplicably falling down the stairs an attempt at framing her sister? The empress could be considered intelligent, and did not use that as an opportunity to do something she should not.

He relieved the servants who stood guard at the door from paying respects. Then Feng Jin directly entered the palace hall with soft steps. He passed by a cabinet holding many treasures and entered the inner chamber. Feng Jin waved at the two palace maids who had saluted him without a sound. Quietly, he approached the side of the bed. Lifted the gauze curtains and saw a fair face peeping from a brocade quilt embroidered with lotus flowers,

Tingzhu and Yunxi looked at each other. And Yunxi quickly brought a stool with flowers carved into it to the side of the bed. Then she curtsied and retreated. The teacup that Tingzhu had presented to the emperor was placed to the side by him.

In only around two months, the person lying on the bed had grown one size thinner. Even though she smiled very naturally in front of him, she was unable to hide the sadness in her eyes. As the emperor, he didn’t have to care about the imperial concubines’ true emotions too much. When it came to the imperial family, imperial concubines were merely playthings and tools to give birth to children. As such, even though it distressed him seeing this woman pretend to be happy in front of him yet holding much sorrow, he didn’t know to compensate her.

Perhaps as men, when facing a woman who loved them wholeheartedly, they were bound to feel a bit guilty toward said woman. For this reason, he cared a bit more about Zhuang Laoyan.

 When a person was asleep, they would let down all their defenses. Zhuang Laoyan frowned a hint. It went to show that at this moment, she wasn’t as worry-free as she seemed usually.

Sighing softly, Feng Jin reached out and lightly touched the center of her brows. Such tender skin caused his fingertip to tremble. He slowly retracted his hand. As he looked at that face, his heart softened. She was still just an eighteen-year-old girl.

He sat there in silence for a while. Then Feng Jin left without a sound. After he had stepped through the doors of the main palace hall, he glanced back. “Make for Anqing Palace.”

Gao Dezhong, who was following the imperial procession, understood at once. Today, the emperor wanted to stay overnight at Noble Consort Shu’s palace.

After Feng Jin had left, Zhuang Laoyan, who was lying on the bed, slowly opened her eyes. Before she had lain down, she guessed the emperor would come. And it seemed she had won the bet.

Sometimes, being weak might not make people take pity on a person. Being obviously weak yet feigning strength would make others find such a person more special and love them even more.

Seeing Zhuang Laoyan awake, Yunxi approached her and said, “Master, you’re awake?”

Zhuang Laoyan sat up. Massaged the edge of her brows. “How long was I asleep?”

 “Master, you didn’t sleep for long. Just now, the emperor arrived. But because he saw you asleep, he couldn’t bear to wake you up.” Yunxi placed a cushion against the back of Zhuang Laoyan. “This slave had the personal kitchen simmer some silky chicken and bird’s nest congee. Would you like to have it now?”

“The emperor came?” Zhuang Laoyan’s gaze grew a shade brighter. Then her tone immediately turned normal as she said, “Didn’t His Majesty flip the name tag of Anqing Palace though?”

Yunxi opened her mouth, yet could not utter a word. Today was the Birthday of the Flowers, yet the emperor did not give the empress any face and went to Noble Consort Shu’s palace instead. It was evident that Noble Consort Shu was very favored. Why must Master compare herself to her? And why must she wholeheartedly love the emperor?

A sigh left Zhuang Laoyan’s lips. “You’re dismissed. I’m not hungry so I don’t want to eat it.”

Noticing her appearance, Yunxi wanted to continue consoling her, but Tingzhu shot her a look. The two left the chamber without a word.

“Tingzhu, why didn’t you let me console Master?” Worried, Yunxi looked at the inner chamber. “Master is in low spirits right now.”

“What use would it be for you to console her?” Tingzhu sighed. “In some situations, it would be no use for us servants to console our master. We can only wait for Her Highness to understand that in this imperial harem, loving someone wholeheartedly… isn’t something one can do.”

In Anqing Palace, Feng Jin and Noble Consort Shu lay in bed. She gazed at the man lying next to her, a smile on her face.

“Why is Ruizi looking at Us?” Feng Jin turned his body to her, meeting her gaze.

“Your Majesty is handsome.” Noble Consort Shu smiled sweetly. “No matter how much this concubine looks at it, it’s never enough.”

 “We think Beloved Concubine is a feast for the eyes.” Then Feng Jin looked away. Lay down with his back flat on the bed. “Do you blame Us for not personally putting on a flower hairpin for you?”

“Younger Sister Zhao is new to the palace and is also younger than this concubine. So it’s only natural that Your Majesty takes care of her more. As long as Your Majesty has this concubine in your heart, this concubine is satisfied.” In a careful manner, Noble Consort Shu leaned against the emperor. “It’s terrible that someone ruined Younger Sister Zhao’s xianrong attire.”

“What else is terrible about it? Didn’t We already have the Shangyi Bureau make more clothes for her?” Feng Jin reached out. Caressed the back of her hand. “It’s getting late. Why talk about the other imperial concubines? Let’s sleep.”

“Yes.” Noble Consort Shu smiled even more sweetly. After she had heard the emperor’s words, it seemed that Zhuang Laoyan only had a bit more of his heart than Noble Imperial Concubne Yan did.

But since the emperor still had some interest in Zhuang Laoyan, she herself should just watch and not act. As for the other people who wanted to act against Zhuang Laoyan, well that wasn’t her business.

In Duanben House, Zhuang Wanqing wore a blouse with a wrap-around skirt that was neither new nor old. She stood there in a daze, under a banyan tree, staring at the direction of Qianzheng Palace. The Duanben House behind her was shabby and dull.

This place was practically the Cold Palace. No one would come here. No one would remember this place. It was far away from Qianzheng Palace, so much so that it was practically not part of the inner palace anymore.

“Master, time to eat,” said Xieyu, carefully approaching her.

“Eat?” Zhuang Wanqing laughed at herself. “Perhaps even the pets of the other imperial concubines wouldn’t eat those things.”

Xieyu glanced at her with worry. “Master, as long as the green hills are there, one need not worry about firewood. Your honored self shouldn’t harm your body.”

“Will anyone still be concerned whether I’m in good health?” All of a sudden, her expression became twisted. “If it weren’t for Zhuang Laoyan, that cheap thing, how could I have fallen to this state? After I first arrived at the palace, I spent a lot of energy to climb up from a lowly eighth-rank xuanshi to a mid-tier fourth-rank jieyu. Now she harmed me until I once again have nothing!”

“If it weren’t for you, why would the emperor spurn this palace? Why would the members of the harem bully this palace?”

Duanben House’s front doors creaked as they opened. Zhuang Wanqing and Xieyu glance behind them. And they caught sight of Zhuang Laoyan in a pink blouse and wrap around skirt, standing at the doorway with two palace maids, staring at her with an expressionless face.

“You already know?” A smile of ridicule spread across Zhuang Wanqing’s lips. “How funny. And I thought I was smarter than you. Who would have known you’re someone who pretends to be a pig yet eats tigers? Back then, near the incense table, you had a palace maid push me down the stone steps. And as it turned out, you stood in a position where I’d grab your clothes when I fell. Who would believe you’re the one who had me shoved? They would only mock me for being stupid, for overestimating by abilities, using such a method to frame you.”

 Zhuang Laoyan walked through the doorway, tilted her head as she looked at Zhuang Wanqing. A kind and honest expression on her face, she said, “What is Elder Sister saying? Younger Sister doesn’t understand.”

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Zhuang Wanqing sneered. Seeing that kind of appearance, she said, “Yes, you always have on this kind, honest, and ignorant look, stealing all of Father’s love. And now, you use the same tactics to seduce the emperor. It really sickens people.”

“Didn’t Elder Sister use a sweet-tempered and agreeable appearance to attract the emperor’s attention?” Zhuang Laoyan smiled with indifference. She looked at the shabby Duanben House. “It’s peaceful here. Very suitable for Elder Sister’s temperament. The best way is to have an upright heart. When you had schemed to have me fall from favor in the past, you should have anticipated that should I climb back up one day, I would definitely pay you back.”

“With what you just said, how do you know I won’t be able to climb back up in the future?” Zhuang Wanqing glared at her ruthlessly.

“Naturally, you won’t.” A smile that resembled a flower in bloom. “Did you forget what the emperor experienced in his youth? He is from the legitimate line and you are an illegitimate daughter.”

Then Zhuang Laoyan no longer looked at her. As she made her way toward the doors, she said, “Tingzhu, tell the Department of the Palace this: Elder Sister has always been fond of old things. If it’s not important, they do not need to come to Duanben House and disturb Elder Sister.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” Tingzhu bowed, smiling just like Zhuang Laoyan had.

After she had stepped foot outside of Duanben House, Zhuang Laoyan looked up at the azure sky. One step by one step. Back then, Zhuang Wanqing had caused this body’s original owner to lose favor and her life. Today, she had caused her to lose everything. This could be considered helping the original owner take revenge. 

“Zhuang Laoyan, you won’t have a peaceful death!”

Behind her rang mournful curses. Zhuang Laoyan looked back at the shabby front doors. Under the worried gazes of Tingzhu and Yunxi, she revealed a subtle smile.

Because the original Zhuang Laoyan couldn’t accept being demoted, she lost her life from a fever that wouldn’t subside. She wasn’t the real Zhuang Laoyan, so why should she be afraid of those curses?

“Master, should we tell Noble Lady Zhuang to talk less?” asked Tingzhu.

“It’s fine. In any case, she is still this palace’s elder sister, right?” A sigh escaped her lips. “Let’s return. This matter will be settled like so.”

The peach blossoms were in full bloom during March. In Jingyang Palace, the empress held a black chess piece in her hand, smiling at the emperor who sat across from her. “Your Majesty’s skill in chess is growing better and better. This concubine already cannot keep up.”

“Caifu, why must you underestimate yourself?” Feng Jin blocked the path of a black piece with his white piece. “We remember in our youth, you were very skilled in chess. And We were far behind you in skill.”

“In these years, Your Majesty has improved. Yet this concubine has remained the same. As such, this concubine can no longer win against Your Majesty.” The smile on her face dimmed by many shades.

“People must always improve.” Feng Jin looked at the chess board. The odds of winning were already near nonexistent for the black pieces. Somewhat dully, he averted his gaze. “If We don’t make progress, then wouldn’t We still be like that youth in the past?”

The empress smiled. However, she felt bitter in her heart, which she found hard to express. When she had still been the crown princess consort, the emperor only had her by his side. Later on, the amount of women in the estate grew, and the emperor visited her less and less. Afterward, her daughter died, and after that, she conceived yet miscarried. Before she knew it, the emperor already had a crowd of beautiful and charming imperial concubines at his side.

“Your Majesties the emperor and empress, the Department of the Palace came to report that Duanben House’s Noble Lady Zhuang has passed,” said Heyu softly after entering the room.

“Noble Lady Zhuang?” For a moment, Feng Jin actually could not recall who that was.

“Your Majesty, Noble Lady Zhuang is Xianrong Zhao’s elder sister,” said the empress. “Because she offended Xianrong Zhao during the Birthday of the Flowers, your honored self demoted her and moved her to Duanben House.”

Feng Jin nodded. “Since that’s the case, let’s follow precedent in the burial rites.”

“Your Majesty, shall we promote her posthumously?” All of a sudden, the empress sympathized with that Noble Lady Zhuang. She had used every possible method to scheme against her younger sister of a different mother. But after she died, the emperor only remembered her due to her sister. It truly was pitiable and lamentable. 

“Since she was punished due to offending a superior, she committed a crime. There’s no need to promote her posthumously.” Feng Jin rose to his feet. “Have the burial rites follow the protocol for a noble lady.”

“Understood.” The empress did not dare to speak too much.

In Xihe Palace, Zhuang Laoyan was admiring the peach blossoms the emperor had sent her, when she heard that Zhuang Wanqing had died. Such a thing surprised her.

“Died?” A pause, and she said, “Does the emperor intend to promote her posthumously?”

“Responding to Master, this slave heard that the emperor said she had committed a crime, and therefore would not be promoted posthumously,” said Tingzhu.

After a moment of thought, Zhuang Laoyan said, “Help me change clothes.”

No matter what, Zhuang Wanqing had a surname of Zhuang. As her younger sister, there were some things she ought to do.

So… rant mode. I was almost was unable to post a chapter for you guys today. WordPress is really pushing their garbage block editor, when even the admin page redirects you to the block editor instead of the classic editor now. At first, I was like screw it, I’ll just try to make do, right? But the effin block editor DOESN’T SAVE MY WORK. It just keeps telling me “Error, cannot save.” Holy shit.

Luckily, I finally found a workaround, or I’d either be late with chapters, or unable to post on WordPress.com anymore. Man, I’m so frustrated. 

Anyway, I feel like the death of ZL’s sister was very poignant and pitiful. I still don’t like her, but she really just went out without a sound. The emperor also didn’t remember her, until someone mentioned ZL, who she really hated. So ironic.

For those of you still interested in advanced chapters please read this post carefully! There are still four advanced chapters this month! Get them while they’re hot.

 as long as the green hills are there, one need not worry about firewood: Meaning there will be a day when you can turn things around.

The best way is to have an upright heart: 端正本心方为上策. The name of Jieyu Zhuang’s new residence is 端本斋, which gets its name from the above saying. It’s hard to see that resemblance in English, though.demoted: I think author forgot that ZL wasn’t demoted in the first chapter. She was still a Wanyi.