Red Chamber 19
The red marks on A Yuan’s body quickly faded completely, but the rash had indeed appeared, leaving everyone quite tense. The Flora and Fauna Office not only moved all the flowers in the courtyard overnight but also cut down all the willow trees in the Western Six Palaces and the Imperial Garden.
They were afraid that the willow catkins might cause A Yuan further discomfort.
A Yuan: “…”
Sorry, willow trees.
She truly hadn’t expected the biggest victims to be the willow trees.
Everyone assumed that Noble Consort Lin had called for the Imperial Physician because she had come into contact with willow catkins while passing through the Imperial Garden during the day, completely burying the truth about the musk rash.
Shui Cong’s move not only demonstrated his concern for A Yuan but also threw shade at Consort Dowager Zhen. If it weren’t for Consort Dowager Zhen summoning His Majesty’s noble consort for greetings, would she have needed to call for an Imperial Physician in the middle of the night?
So, Consort Dowager Zhen’s slap wasn’t undeserved.
The news spread quickly, and the Candidate Maidens in the Rear Three Palaces felt quite sour. Since entering the palace, they had never laid eyes on His Majesty’s face, yet Noble Consort Lin had managed to earn the Emperor’s affection, causing such a stir within the palace. Some of those willow trees were even older than the Emperor himself, yet they were now cut down for Noble Consort Lin.
That Noble Consort Lin truly must be a seductress!
Why not cut down all the willow trees in the entire Imperial Palace?
Despite their jealousy, they dared not show it on their faces. As the only officially titled imperial consort, Noble Consort Lin was far more esteemed than they, who remained nameless and without status.
Moreover, because they had not been summoned for many days, the palace servants had already begun to grow lax and negligent.
How could they not feel anxious?
The court had also heard rumors. The ministers had learned that His Majesty had thrown a fit for his beloved Noble Consort Lin.
It was time for the once-every-five-days Grand Court Assembly.
During regular court assemblies, only civil and military officials with actual duties were required to attend. However, during the Grand Court Assembly, those hereditary nobles who held only honorary positions also had to attend, providing them with both the venue and time for gossip.
After all, they were all idlers, usually quite busy and rarely able to gather together.
Now that they were gathered, they immediately huddled together and began gossiping: “…I wonder what Noble Consort Lin looks like, to have earned His Majesty’s favor like this.”
“How many of those selected to enter the palace are truly stunning beauties? Most are merely dignified and elegant women.” As he spoke, his laughter grew particularly grating: “His Majesty is young and has never seen a real beauty.”
This was a jab at the young Emperor.
“Say what you will, but do not slander His Majesty.” The frail Shi Yu coughed softly, his voice tinged with weakness.
The others immediately turned to him, ready to retort, but upon seeing it was Shi Yu, their tones softened: “Brother Shi, if you’re unwell, why not take leave? Why brave the cold wind so early in the morning to attend court?” After all, he held no real position anyway.
If they were in his condition, they would have long taken to their beds and refused to get up.
[Openly slacking off.jpg]
Shi Yu clasped his hands in salute, but before he could speak, a tickle surged in his throat, triggering a violent coughing fit. Instantly, the group of young and old idlers forgot about their gossip. One held Shi Yu’s hand, another patted his back, fearing that Lord Shi might lose his breath and pass away right there in the hall… The venomous tongues of the Censorate would surely unleash their fury upon them then.
Concepts like “the deceased is to be respected” paled in comparison to the safety of imperial authority.
Shi Yu finally managed to suppress his coughing, trembling as he pulled out a handkerchief to cover his mouth. After catching his breath with a few hurried gasps, he spoke again: “Gentlemen, if there is anything to discuss, let us speak privately. This is hardly the place to discuss matters concerning His Majesty’s Imperial harem. Moreover, spring has arrived, and attending court no longer requires braving the harsh winds.”
Several members of the hereditary nobility curled their lips at his words but offered no rebuttal.
Soon, the Grand Court Assembly began, and the atmosphere instantly turned solemn. However, this solemnity did little to affect the group of hereditary nobles; they found it rather dull, even soporific.
Shi Yu’s attention began to wander after listening for a while.
Noble Consort Lin…
He recalled that during the Imperial consort selection, his aunt had once asked him to make arrangements in the palace for a Candidate Maiden, who also seemed to have the surname Lin… Could it be this very Noble Consort Lin?
At this thought, Shi Yu lost all interest in the court proceedings, enduring the remainder of the assembly with growing impatience.
Once dismissed, he pushed through the crowd and seized Jia She’s arm: “Marquis En.”
“Cousin.” Recognizing Shi Yu, Jia She quickly steadied him by the arm. “You are so gravely ill; it would be better to request leave and rest.”
Shi Yu coughed a few more times before waving his hand dismissively. “It’s nothing. It has been many days since I last paid my respects to Aunt. Today, with the Grand Court Assembly concluded and no pressing matters at home, I shall accompany you back.”
Jia She naturally agreed.
The two boarded the carriage of Rongguo Mansion together. On the way, Shi Yu inquired about Jia She’s marriage prospects: “Now that your mourning period for your late wife has ended, it is time to consider remarrying.”
The topic of marriage soured Jia She’s mood. “Mother has introduced a few candidates, but they are mostly from minor families, far inferior to Madam Zhang.”
He and his first wife, Madam Zhang, had been deeply harmonious, sharing an exceptionally close bond.
However, Madam Zhang had been chosen by his grandmother while she was still alive. As his mother and grandmother were at odds, his mother had always been critical of Madam Zhang, favoring the second branch of the family instead. Later, when his eldest son drowned, the shock caused Madam Zhang to suffer a difficult childbirth that damaged her health. She lingered on her sickbed for years before passing away, leaving behind only their sole surviving child, Jia Lian, who was now five years old and being raised in Rongqing Hall.
Now that the mourning period had ended, it was time to arrange a second marriage.
Madam Zhang had come from a distinguished and upright family; her grandfather had even held a second-rank official position. If not for his father being the Rongguo Duke, such a marriage would have been beyond his reach. By convention, a second wife was expected to be of lower status than the first. Yet, the candidates his mother introduced were all daughters of seventh- or eighth-rank minor officials. As a First-Class General, how could he face others if he married such a secondary wife?
The more he thought about it, the more he felt his mother’s favoritism.
Jia She’s mood grew increasingly gloomy, and he felt a reckless impulse to simply give up.
After all, he was already a wastrel in his mother’s eyes, far less capable and filial than his younger brother, Jia Zheng. What was the point of striving? He already had a son to inherit the title and a vast family estate…
Shi Yu was well aware of his aunt’s partiality and offered some consolation: “At least consider Lian’er. He is growing older and will need proper guidance.”
Thinking of his son, who had been spoiled beyond reason by his mother, Jia She’s mood darkened further.
That brat had been raised to be closer to the second branch, barely exchanging a few words with his own father.
Upon entering Rongguo Mansion, Jia She headed straight to his study, not even considering accompanying Shi Yu to pay respects to Old Madam Jia. As a result, when Old Madam Jia, who had been waiting in Rongqing Hall for some time, saw Shi Yu enter alone, her face turned as dark as storm clouds.
“Where is that unfilial wretch?” Old Madam Jia asked Shi Yu.
Shi Yu sat in the chair, holding the tea brought by Yuanyang, and gently reassured, “Marquis En likely rose too early for today’s Grand Court Assembly and grew weary on the way. He has probably returned to rest by now.”
Old Madam Jia was well aware that her nephew was covering for Jia She. After all, family scandals should not be aired in public. She closed her eyes, suppressing the anger in her heart, then looked at Shi Yu and asked, “How is your health these days?”
Shi Yu shook his head. “Still the same as before.”
“Then you should rest properly. After years of marriage, your wife is finally with child. Whether it’s a boy or a girl, it is your own flesh and blood. If anything were to happen to you, how would they manage as a widow and orphan?” Old Madam Jia still cared deeply for this nephew. “Even if your second and third brothers are willing to help raise the child, they have their own children to care for. How could they manage everything perfectly?”
“You worry too much.”
Shi Yu gave an awkward chuckle at the reprimand. Among the three Shi brothers, he was the only one with any sense—his two younger brothers were pure warriors. If he didn’t worry, who would?
Not wanting to be scolded further by his aunt, Shi Yu quickly changed the subject. “Aunt, have you heard about Noble Consort Lin in the palace?”
Old Madam Jia frowned. “Not much.”
With no one from Rongguo Mansion currently serving in the court, Jia She was only qualified to attend the Grand Court Assembly once every five days, and Jia Zheng couldn’t even enter the gates of Taiji Hall. As a result, they had little knowledge of palace affairs.
“A few days ago, Noble Consort Lin developed a rash due to willow catkins, and His Majesty ordered all the willow trees in the Western Six Palaces and the Imperial Garden to be removed.”
“Such favor?” Old Madam Jia frowned. “Are you suspecting that Noble Consort Lin is the Candidate Maiden whom Ruhai entrusted to us in his letter?”
Shi Yu nodded. “After all, she shares the surname Lin and hails from Gusu.”
Old Madam Jia frowned in thought for a moment, then shook her head. “Let’s not concern ourselves with it for now. Candidate Maidens from common backgrounds rarely attain high ranks. Even if it is her, she is merely a noble consort. We can consider it when she becomes the mistress of a palace. Moreover, the Retired Emperor is still watching. Back then…” She pursed her lips and sighed deeply. “We must still be cautious.”
Their past investment had been a mistake—they had abandoned Jing, the most promising among them. Now, with the younger generation not yet grown, they couldn’t afford any more setbacks.
Shi Yu felt reluctant. This was a rare opportunity to establish a connection with His Majesty.
Since Old Madam Jia was unwilling, he didn’t press the matter. After bidding farewell, he returned home and stayed in his study all day. Only when the sky turned dark did he finally make up his mind to send a letter to Yangzhou.
If the path through Rongguo Mansion was blocked, he would approach Lin Ruhai directly.
In the palace, A Yuan was unaware of the ripple effects her recent illness had caused in the court and the Imperial harem. Now fully recovered, she had persuaded the Emperor to allow the Flora and Fauna Office to send fresh flowers and plants again.
Spring brought a variety of blooms.
Perhaps to curry favor with the imperial consort, the young eunuch from the Flora and Fauna Office also brought some goldfish fry, which were placed in the peace vat in the center of the courtyard. Two bowl lotuses were planted as well, expected to bloom by summer.
The peace vat was originally set up to quickly extinguish fires in case of emergencies. Now, with fish inside, it would never lack water.
Aunt Jin had been keeping an eye on the Imperial Hospital for several days but found no suspicious activity from Imperial Physician Zhao. Instead, she unexpectedly discovered that Ningshou Palace had summoned an imperial physician.
“Could it be that the Retired Emperor has fallen ill?”
A Yuan’s hand trembled slightly as she fed the fish, causing the fish food to slip from her fingertips and fall into the pond. Over a dozen fish swarmed toward it, each one tiny and delicate. Several fish opened their mouths wide to bite at the same piece of food, resembling a golden-red flower blooming in the water.
“I haven’t received any news about it,” Aunt Jin shook her head.
As someone aligned with the Retired Emperor, she would surely have been informed if he had fallen ill, so it couldn’t be him. “Most likely, it’s some consort in Ningshou Palace who is unwell.”
A Yuan sneered, “What a coincidence.”
The Emperor had just ordered the willow trees cut down, and now Ningshou Palace was summoning an Imperial Physician. What were they trying to imply?
“If it really is because of those willow trees, then the one who’s ill in Ningshou Palace must not be very clever,” Aunt Jin also scoffed. No matter how domineering the Retired Emperor was, he wouldn’t openly confront the Emperor.
The conflict between father and son was always kept in the shadows.
“Master, Eunuch Youfu has come to deliver a message. His Majesty summons you to Qianqing Palace to attend the bedchamber.”
Just as the two were speaking, Bao Qin approached.
A Yuan looked up at the sky. It was already dusk, and it seemed she wouldn’t be returning tonight. Attending the bedchamber would take the entire night.
“His Majesty treats you so well,” Aunt Jin said sincerely. She truly thought the Emperor was commendable. With so many Candidate Maidens in the rear palaces waiting to be summoned, he remained devoted to her master alone. Even when she had developed a rash a few days earlier, he hadn’t avoided her.
In truth, A Yuan also found it strange. Since she had been unable to attend the bedchamber for days due to the musk rash, it would have been normal for the Emperor to summon other Candidate Maidens. Yet, he visited Yongshou Palace every day, showing no intention of summoning any newcomers.
Could it be that the Emperor was truly a romantic at heart?
A Yuan found that hard to believe.
She could sense that the Emperor liked her, but not to the extent of exclusive favor. Rather than liking her, it seemed the Emperor was more interested in Lin Ruhai behind her. Most likely, the Emperor’s people had already begun secretly making contact with Lin Ruhai.
But it didn’t matter. She didn’t need the Emperor’s love, only his favor.
A monarch’s true affection was poison. Those who greedily sought it often met tragic ends. Now that she had the advantage, she was determined to claim all of the young Emperor’s firsts—his first time becoming a man, his first time becoming a father, his first time having both sons and daughters… When there were enough firsts, even if she wasn’t special, she would become special.
She had already begun to notice some unusual changes in her body.
Perhaps her wish would soon come true.