Twenty-Three, Offspring

  On the seventh day of June, under the scorching sun, Xuan Ling and the Empress left the palace to pray for rain. The crowd saw them off until they reached the gate outside the palace. Suddenly, Huihua Madame let out a soft laugh: "This time, only the Empress from the inner palace is accompanying the Emperor to pray for blessings. I'm afraid it's not just about asking for rain from heaven, but also perhaps asking for an imperial son. Only then will the Empress be satisfied."

  Under the gaze of everyone, Lady Hua spoke such a disrespectful word, and no one dared to say another sentence. Under the bright sunlight, there was only stealthy silence.

  She suddenly turned her head to look at me, and her delicate face still had no flaws under the scorching sun. She was indeed beautiful, and strong enough. With a hint of a smile, she looked at me and continued the previous topic: "Gwangui Bun, what do you think?"

  "My mind had a hint of stagnation, and soon said indifferently: 'The ceremony of praying for rain should only be accompanied by the empress, this is national etiquette. Moreover, if the empress were truly pregnant, it would naturally be a joyous occasion for the Great Zhou, and you would also be delighted, wouldn't you?'"

  She smiled: "Of course. I think you will be happy too, Imperial Concubine."

  I gazed steadily at her: "Your Majesty's maternal virtues are renowned throughout the land; naturally, no one would be displeased except for those with ulterior motives."

  She raised her sleeve to block the sunlight, narrowed her eyes slightly, and seemed to be muttering to herself: "Your speech is getting better." She didn't say anything else, but her gaze silently and sharply swept across my cheek, with a sharp and subtle pain. Finally, her gaze fell on my slightly bulging belly, with a complex and bewildered expression.

  Xuan Ling and the Empress's first provocation after leaving the palace quietly dissipated without a sound.

  Everyone knows about Rong Hua's wife's hostility towards me.

  Thought it could be a stalemate, but unexpectedly the storm came so quickly.

  That morning, as she got up and began to dress in front of the mirror, she suddenly felt a dull ache in her lower abdomen, and her waist also felt sore and weak. When she turned around and saw herself in the mirror, she found that her face was pale and unattractive, and she couldn't help but feel a great shock.

  Lan Caihe looked somewhat flustered and hastily came over to help me lie down, saying: "Miss, what's wrong?"

  I'm afraid she's worried, although I'm also quite flustered in my heart, I still forced a smile and said: "It doesn't matter, probably because I've been busy dealing with Mrs. Huihua for several days, I overthought it."

  Miss Lin was still young and inexperienced, her face pale with worry. Cui Xi hastily came over and said: "Your Ladyship has been feeling tired and weak these past few days, why not drink some hot water and rest for a bit? I'll go invite Dr. Zhang to come immediately."

  I nodded slightly.

  Just as she stepped out of the door, an inner attendant from Empress Hui's side came over to relay a message. He was polite and courteous, but his face showed no expression whatsoever, woodenly saying: "Empress Hui requests your presence at Miao Xiu Palace to discuss some matters, please go with him, Imperial Noble Consort Yu."

  "What is it that you want me to listen to?"

  He smiled wryly: "Now that the Empress Dowager is in charge of all matters big and small in the six palaces, whatever she orders, all the ladies and young masters must go and listen."

  Li Zhu angrily said from the side, "Haven't you seen that my family's young lady is not feeling well?! The other day, the Empress Dowager even said that my family's young lady is pregnant, and can be excused from daily greetings if possible. What business could Huafu have that would require her presence here?!"

  Just as the words had fallen, another person came in from outside. It was Zhou Ninghai, the most trusted inner guard beside Lady Hua. He made a bow and got up again, his mouth already muttering in a low voice to scold the little inner guard who had just come: "Fool! You were told to invite Princess Guiguo, but you dawdled so much that you delayed things. Go to the Ministry of Punishment yourself and receive thirty slaps!"

  I understand that he is openly scolding the little eunuch, but secretly he is criticizing me. I couldn't help but accumulate a bellyful of anger in my chest, only to feel stifled and unable to speak, and I couldn't help but steal a glance at Flowing Vermilion.

  Li Zhu was about to speak, but Zhou Ninghai smiled and said to me with a respectful tone: "Our mistress knows that Your Highness is weak in body, so she specially sent me to invite you, lest those ignorant servants disturb you. Besides, it's not possible for you not to go, although according to your rank, you are only after Xin Gui Bin, but I'm afraid the other consorts don't have your noble status. If you don't go, how can Mistress Huihua manage the affairs of the harem? Mistress Huihua is in charge of the six palaces on behalf of Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, you can't disobey Her Majesty!"

  Although he was oily and smooth, his words were reasonable. I couldn't refute him for the time being, and just as I was hesitating, he quickly added: "Princess Zhen and Concubine Duan are in poor health and can't go, all the other consorts have arrived, even Consort An is here, they're just waiting for you, Your Highness."

  In that case, I naturally couldn't shirk it anymore. Knowing that I would inevitably have to endure her scolding, but etiquette also couldn't be abandoned. Moreover, the Empress had instructed me before she left, telling me to hold on for these few days no matter what. After struggling to get out of bed and finishing dressing, I also tidied up my appearance and put on a good face. Of course, I couldn't let any sign of illness show in front of her, how could I reveal weakness?

  It's still too late after all.

  The elegant and luxurious palace of Lady Hua, with layer upon layer of golden beastly ridges, the beams and pillars all painted with auspicious patterns of blue birds soaring in the sky, those blue birds were depicted vividly as if alive, colorful and resplendent, their majestic appearance was not inferior to that of the phoenix.

  I ascended the steps with the support of Qian Yu and knelt down in front of Lady Hua.

  In the hall, a huge ice sculpture was placed, cool as water. In the purple gold hundred unity tripod next to the main hall, an unknown incense was burning, emitting a sweet and smooth fragrance that made people feel drunk, making their bones feel soft and comfortable, it's hard to describe how comfortable it was.

  Madam Hua sat upright on the chair, with a long string of pearls hanging down on both sides of her face. In her hand was a five-colored silk fan with a mud-gold peony pattern, which she gently shook back and forth. Her eyes were deep and clear, and the carefully painted distant mountain eyebrows added to her beauty. My late arrival made the already somewhat stiff atmosphere even more awkward. After I finished explaining the reason, she didn't make things difficult for me, but instead let me take a seat according to my position. Being let off so easily, I couldn't help but feel some unease.

  After saying a few words, when it was time for dim sum, everyone relaxed a bit. Ling Rong suddenly spoke up and asked: "The fragrance in the palace is very nice, I wonder what kind of incense is being used?"

  Madam Hua's eyebrows and eyes were all filled with pride, saying: "An Mei Ren's nose is good! This is a fragrance carefully prepared by the emperor for me, called 'Huan Yi Xiang', only I am using it in the harem, I suppose you have never seen it before."

  In this case, when it comes to the public, people are somewhat embarrassed and jealous, but with a noble status like hers, she naturally wouldn't care.

  Ling Rong smiled slightly and said with her head down: "The concubine's knowledge is shallow, not as good as the madam who has seen a lot and knows widely."

  After a few casual remarks, the six palaces' consorts fell silent again, quietly listening to her detailed account of palace affairs.

  My body's weakness is gradually getting better, and her words also touched on the matter of rectifying the palace: "Zhen Fei has already taken her own life in fear of punishment for Concubine Xiao Yue's affair. This palace doesn't want to bring up old matters either. However, from this incident, it can be seen that there are many people with improper intentions in this palace. Moreover, recently, the palace maids and eunuchs have been quarreling and fighting, one by one, without any regard for the law. The palace should also be rectified."

  Although Imperial Consort Jing also had the right to assist in governing the six palaces, but with Madame Huihua speaking non-stop, she couldn't even get a word in edgewise. Everyone was listening quietly like this, and Madame Huihua merely stroked her own smooth and slender fingernails, calmly changing the subject: "Being pregnant really can make one arrogant." As she spoke, she glanced at me sideways, her voice suddenly rising to become sharp and piercing: "Do you know your crime, Imperial Noble Consort Xian?!"

  I was also not paying attention to her words, suddenly such a stern and severe tone, couldn't help but be startled. Got up and bowed my head: "Madam is so angry, the concubine doesn't know where she went wrong? But please madam tell me."

  A dark and stern expression flashed across her face, and she shouted: "Today, the imperial consorts are gathered in the Mengxiu Palace to listen to the case. Guifei Zhen's family is late without reason, and they don't even look at me! Don't you kneel down!"

  This is just to give me a boost, so as to intimidate the six palaces. But actually, it's not necessary, everyone knows who is currently the most favored, and she has a rich family background, there is no need for such a move, on the contrary, it would lose people's hearts.

  I'm just pregnant, and I won't be able to serve Ling often for a while, why must she argue about who gets to spend more time with him.

  However, I remembered the queen and Xuan Ling's warnings, so I endured this temporary anger and slowly knelt down.

  Her anger had not dissipated, and she became even more severe: "Now it's like this, disregarding seniority, if a royal heir is really born, how will it be? Won't the entire harem have to follow your surname Zhen?"

  I'm not one who can't endure, but enduring in silence will only make her more arrogant. Moreover, there's Chun'er - she really didn't die for nothing. Thinking of this, how can I retreat?

  I bowed my head slightly, maintaining a humble posture: "Although the lady is angry, the concubine cannot help but speak. When Consort Xian was pregnant, both the Emperor and Empress must have taken good care of her, not for Consort Xian's sake, but for the sake of the imperial ancestral temple and the state. The concubine did not come here today without reason, even if the concubine has committed an offense today, above there is the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, the Empress as the mother of the crown prince, what the lady said about the palace following the surname Feng really makes the concubine terrified."

  Her carefully groomed face was tense, her eyebrows like distant mountains with a hint of anger, making her pair of phoenix eyes even more majestic and intimidating. Her breathing quickened slightly, and the silk fan in her hand slapped heavily onto the armrest of the chair, startling everyone into sitting up straight.

  The imperial concubine hastily mediated: "Madam has been talking for half a day and must be thirsty, why not have a cup of tea and take a break before continuing? Let Guigong also get up and speak."

  Meizhuang stared at me with intense gaze, her eyes hiding a deep blue resentment, sharp as a knife. Meihua Furen didn't notice at all, still staring at me, and finally said in a slow and deliberate tone: "A woman's virtue is paramount, Guigong Junzhi's clever words and charming appearance are an affront to authority, disrespecting the palace..." Her thin, rosy lips pursed tightly, she angrily ordered: "Punish her by making her kneel outside Meixiu Palace and recite 'Admonitions for Women' as a warning."

  "Milady, outside the sun is scorching and the granite is hard, how can we let Your Ladyship kneel there?"

  "Milady, please calm down and consider the fact that Imperial Concubine Gui is carrying the Emperor's child. If you spare her this time, it will be a good deed. If not, when the Emperor and Empress return, they might blame you for any mistakes." Ling Rong's voice was hoarse from crying, making her pleading sound even more pitiful. However, Lady Hua's face turned red with rage: "If palace rules are not strict, we must tighten them up. Even if the Emperor and Empress were here, it would be the same. Consort Yin is a good example. Are you trying to use the Emperor and Empress to threaten me?"

  Ling Rong was so frightened that her face was covered in tears, and she didn't dare to speak again. She could only keep knocking her head on the ground with a "thud thud" sound.

  "Are you going out by yourself or should I have someone escort you?" Madam Hua said, staring at me.

  My lower abdomen had intermittent mild soreness and I frowned, saying: "No need to trouble Your Ladyship."

  Zhou Ninghai smiled slightly and lowered his eyelids towards me, saying: "Please, Guifei!"

  I walked steadily to the gate of the palace, knelt down and said: "The concubine is punished because she was a first-class lady, her status is only below that of the empress, and she was ordered by the emperor to take charge of the six palaces." I ignored the respectful queen's signal to me with her eyes, nor did I want to pay attention to the sympathetic or gloating gazes around me. I slightly raised my head: "It's not that the concubine is convinced of her reprimand, justice lies in people's hearts, and it can't be determined by punishment."

  She burst out laughing: "Very well, I'll let you know that justice is in my hands, Murong Shilan, or in what you call the hearts of men!" She tossed the book onto my knees. "Read it slowly yourself! Read until I'm satisfied."

  Meizhuang couldn't care less about avoiding taboos and dignity, and kneeled before Xi Huafuren, saying: "Guan Gui Bin is pregnant, it's really not suitable..."

  The Empress Hua raised an eyebrow, interrupting Browning's words: "I see you've also healed from your wounds and forgotten the pain! Since you want to plead for her, go kneel beside me and listen to my lecture together."

  I don't want to involve Brows Village in this matter, she's just recovered from her illness, how can she accompany me on a long journey under the scorching sun? I couldn't help but glance at Brows Village and signal her not to say anything more. Turning to Lady Hua, I spoke softly: "Shen Ronghua is not pleading for the concubine's sake, please don't vent your anger on her."

  Her heavily made-up smile was full of playful colors: "If I must vent my anger on her, what can you do?!" She suddenly collected her smile and said to Zhuang: "Aren't we like sisters? You just hold the book and kneel in front of Guigong Bao, let her read it carefully and learn some discipline!"

  Meizhuang already knew that asking for mercy was hopeless, and asking again would only lead to even more humiliating circumstances. She didn't say a word, picked up the book, and extremely quickly and softly said in my ear: "I'll accompany you."

  I was overwhelmed with unspeakable gratitude and emotion, quickly nodding my head, slightly raising it once, then again, forcing back the tears that had welled up in my eyes.

  It was nearly noon, the sun's rays were scorching and oppressive, suddenly coming out of the cool and pleasant Miaoxiang Palace, I felt a wave of heat rushing towards me, enveloping all the pores on my body.

  It wasn't until now that I understood why Mrs. Huihua didn't make a move early in the morning, but waited until this moment when the sky was clear and cool, which wasn't too easy for me to deal with.

  A light and soft skirt clings to my legs, the scorching heat from the brick floor rises up to my heart, making me feel extremely uncomfortable from my knees down to my toes.

  Madam Hua sat comfortably at the entrance of the hall, with ice sculptures placed beside her chair. She still felt hot and ordered four maids to fan her from behind. Then she turned to the eunuch beside her and said, "Move the chairs of those young ladies to the corridor, let them take a good look. Not following palace rules and looking down on me will bring them no benefits!"

  The women in the palace are most fond of protecting their skin, how could they bear to let the scorching sun shine on even a single spot of their carefully maintained snow-white and delicate complexion, as if it would cost them their lives. Moreover, they are also the most pampered and privileged, how could they possibly sit under the scorching sun with me? However, Madame Hua's strict orders dare not be disobeyed, I fear that we will have to kneel together. As a result, everyone is crying and looking miserable, daring to be angry but not daring to speak.

  I couldn't help but smile wryly in my heart, thinking that Mrs. Hua was indeed very thoughtful. She had already gained favor and yet still wasn't satisfied, letting those delicate beauties become dark-skinned from the sun, while she herself remained pale and pampered like snow. When Xuan Ling returned, his eyes would naturally only see her, a beauty as white as jade.

  Everything gradually quieted down, the sun shone brightly on the granite floor in front of the temple, which was originally black and shiny, reflecting light like a solidified ink, under the scorching sun, it emitted a dazzling white light.

  It was already known that it was impossible, and I and Mei Zhuang knelt face to face in that mass of white light. She held the book up in front of me and had me read it word by word. The reflection was intense, the book was old and damaged, and reading it word by word was extremely laborious.

  The Empress Dowager couldn't bear it and wanted to persuade her again, but Lady Hua turned around and glared at her fiercely: "Kneeling for half an hour to recite the 'Admonitions for Women' won't kill you! If you speak out of turn again, I'll have you kneel too." The Empress Dowager had no choice but to remain silent.

  After finishing reading it once, Lady Hua still refused to give up and coldly spat out two words: "Read again."

  I had to start reading again, worried about Baochai's safety and the well-being of her unborn child. I thought of speeding up my reading several times, but how could Lady Shi let me? As soon as I read a couple of words quickly, Baochai was hit with a loud thud by the ruler - it was originally used by Master Xishi to punish naughty children, and now it had become an instrument of torture in Lady Shi's palace. The crisp sound of the "slap" on her skin left a deep red mark. Baochai endured the pain silently, not uttering a word, as sweat dripped down her face. I knew that once she started sweating, the wound would hurt even more.

  Madam Hua didn't dare to lay a hand on me, but seeing Mei Zhuang suffer in my place made her heart bitter and hard to express, even more so than if I had been scolded myself. All I could do was watch with wide eyes, reading slowly word by word, dragging out the time.

  After an unknown period of time, my legs had gone numb. I only felt the stinging sweat pouring down from my face, sticking to my temples and hair. The clothes on my back and sleeves were wet and dry again, with white flower-like marks appearing.

  I repeatedly recite: "I am dull and stupid, with a nature that is not sensitive, relying on the leftover kindness of my ancestors and the teachings of my mother and teachers. ... The sacred grace has been bestowed upon me, and I have been humbly awarded gold and purple, which is truly not what I had hoped for. My son can take care of himself now, so I no longer worry about him. But it pains me that my daughters are at the age when they should be married off, yet they have not received gradual training or teachings on wifely duties, and I fear that they will lose their dignity in other families and bring shame to our clan."

  "The Weak First: In ancient times, when a girl was born after three days, she was laid on the lower part of the bed, and played with tiles, and then informed. Lying on the lower part of the bed shows her weakness, being inferior to others.

  Husband and Wife Second: The way of husband and wife is to match yin and yang, communicate with the divine, believe in the vast righteousness of heaven and earth, and follow the great principles of human relationships."

  Is it the cicada's chirping or the sound of Ling Rong still knocking on my head, my brain is dizzy, so noisy, buzzing in my ears.

  Third, the distinct natures of yin and yang, and the different behaviors of men and women. Yang is virtuous with strength, yin is useful with gentleness, men are noble with robustness, women are beautiful with weakness... It seems that the sun is too big, the characters I see are sometimes large and sometimes small, swaying gently like ants crawling in groups.

  "The fourth chapter of Women's Conduct: A woman has four virtues. The first is womanly virtue, the second is womanly words, the third is womanly bearing, and the fourth is womanly work."

  The lower abdomen feels heavy and sinking, the mouth is dry and tongue is parched, the body feels both sore and soft, as if all energy has evaporated along with the water in the body.

  Meizhuang looked at me with concern, Jingfei's anxious voice reminded: "It's already been half a time."

  "Chapter 5: Rituals, a man has the right to remarry, but a woman does not have the ritual of marrying twice. Therefore, it is said that a husband is like heaven... Chapter 6: If a husband finds his ideal partner in one person, it is called eternal bliss; if he loses his ideal partner in one person, it is called eternal regret."

  The ice cubes in Mrs. Hua's bowl clinked softly, like the wind chimes on the eaves, tempting me all the time. She held a piece of ice in her mouth and murmured indifferently: "Not in a hurry, read for another minute."

  "What if something happens? I'm afraid even you can't afford it! Ah, Sister Gu's face has turned white! Madam!"

  Lady Hua sneered: "Is she pretending to be so elegant and refined just for me? I think she's quite good already!"

  "The seventh [chapter] of Harmony with Uncle and Aunt: A woman's being favored by her husband is due to the love of her aunt and uncle; The love of her aunt and uncle is due to the praise of her uncle's sister... Modesty is the handle of virtue, obedience is the conduct of a wife. These two things are enough for harmony. The poem says: 'No evil in him, no blame on her.' This is what it means."

  My body aches all over, with cramping pain spreading like a snake, as if something is slowly leaking out of my body. The sun is so big, why do I feel cold? That bright white light seems to be piercingly cold, like snowlight.

  I really want to lean on someone, is it Browning who's calling me? "Xuan'er?! Xuan'er?! What's wrong with you?!"

  Sorry, Mei Zhuang, it's not that I don't want to answer you, I'm just really out of energy.

  Why is there a man's hem appearing beside me? Ah? Xuan Ling, have you come back? Si Lang! Si Lang! Quickly save me! —No, he doesn't have the bright yellow color on his body, and that attire isn't the emperor's attire. I struggled to lift my head, crimson silk plain robe, white jade fish dragon buckle belt... It is, it is the usual attire of a close prince. It's him, Xuan Qing! I remembered, Empress Dowager was bedridden with illness recently, he lived in the carved moon and cloud pavilion on Tai Ye Pool to conveniently ask about her condition day and night, also because he hadn't gotten married yet, to avoid suspicion with the palace ladies, so he resided by the lake. However, going to Empress Dowager's palace, Consort Huihua's Miao Xiu Palace was a must-pass place.

  His sudden appearance frightened the imperial consorts so much that they scattered like birds and beasts, rushing into the inner palace.

  Qinghe King, are you arguing with Lady Huihua? Fool! With so many imperial consorts around, don't you know to avoid suspicion? You must be crazy, intruding into the palace. Behind Lady Huihua is the powerful Yunnan King, and among all brothers, Yunnan King dislikes you the most, why bother?!

  Alas! I'm beyond caring! My belly hurts so much, it's as if someone's claws are stirring up my internal organs, stripping away the warmth of my body, that warm, flowing sensation, gushing out.

  My eyes seem to be veiled by a thick layer of white fog, and my eyelashes have become layers of blurry gauze. Xuan Qing, your expression is so angry and urgent, are you quarreling with her? Alas! You've always been gentle.

  Meizhuang, Ling Rong? Why are you both so scared again? Meizhuang, you're crying. Why? I'm just tired and a little hurt, don't be afraid. Si Lang, Si Lang is coming back quickly!

  Look, Si Lang is holding me in his arms, his clothes tightly pressed against my face. He scooped me up horizontally and walked with me on the long, winding corridor of Yong Lane. It was that day when apricot blossoms were falling like rain from the sky. His hands were so strong, taking me away from Miao Xiu Palace. Lady Huihua sneered in anger, but why did her face also look so frightened?... Ah! Si Lang must have scolded her...... Mei Zhuang, you're crying, do you want to chase after us? I'm so tired, I just want to sleep for a bit.

  But... but... Shirō, why does your face look so much like Genji today? I couldn't smile... it must be my eyes playing tricks on me.

  "Guì bǐn!......" Before my last consciousness was lost, Si Lang, I only heard you calling me like this. Your voice is so deep and painful, yet restrained. There are scorching hot tears falling on my cheeks, are they yours? This is the first time you've cried for me. Or perhaps, this is just my ignorant misconception...