TJAIP Chapter 31

“Your Majesty, it’s getting late. You should rest,” Gao Dezhong stepped out from the corner, softly reminding him. “Staying up late at night is harmful to your health.”

“What time is it now?” Setting down the red imperial brush, Feng Jin glanced outside at the pitch-black sky.

“Replying to Your Majesty, it’s already the hour of the pig,” Gao Dezhong stepped forward to move the brush, noticing that the Emperor’s expression remained calm, so he said no more, quietly organizing his things and stepping aside.

“How’s the investigation into what happened outside Taoyu Pavilion?” Feng Jin walked out of the main hall, gazing at the palace lit by countless lamps, its tranquility as serene as water.

“Replying to Your Majesty, I’m not very clear on the matter, but I heard that on that night, someone saw a eunuch and palace maid carrying something towards Taoyu Pavilion. Beyond that, I don’t know much,” Gao Dezhong cautiously spoke. “I believe only Chief Steward Pan knows the details.”

Feng Jin did not comment but asked, “Has there been any movement from the Empress?”

“The Empress and the other ladies have sent many supplements to comfort Princess Zhao, but there has been no other action,” Gao Dezhong said, unsure of the Emperor’s intentions toward Princess Zhao, so he was careful with his words. “Princess Zhao hasn’t shown any signs of change either. Though she hasn’t eaten much these past two days, she still eats something daily. From what I can tell, besides paying respects to the Empress, she doesn’t seem to leave her quarters much.”

Feng Jin remained silent for a while, then sighed and waved his hand. “Make the arrangements.” After speaking, he turned and returned to his chambers.

The news of Princess Zhao being frightened and staying inside wasn’t a secret in the harem. The other ladies of the court took some pleasure in it, though they lamented that Princess Zhao hadn’t been completely disgraced this time.

The next morning, as usual, the concubines came to pay respects to the Empress. Looking at the women seated before her, the Empress smiled and spoke, “There have been many matters in the palace recently, but there’s no need to worry. His Majesty and I are overseeing everything, and any issues will be handled.” She then turned to Zhuang Luoyan, “How is Princess Zhao doing?”

“Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am no longer affected,” Zhuang Luoyan replied, rising and performing a respectful gesture. To others, however, she appeared to still be shaken.

The other concubines couldn’t help but mock her. In the harem, how many of them hadn’t been involved in matters of life and death? Yet, Princess Zhao had only seen two dead bodies and had become so frightened—how could someone like that survive in this harem?

“In my opinion, Princess Zhao is still too timid,” Su Xiuji laughed. “These deaths have nothing to do with you. Why be so afraid?”

“I’ve never seen such things before, so I must have caused you to laugh, Sister Su,” Zhuang Luoyan said with an apologetic smile.

To others, this meant she was afraid because she hadn’t encountered such things before. But what did it mean for someone who wasn’t afraid?

Shu Guifei, Zhuang Luoyan’s cousin, shook her head with exasperation. Though Zhuang Luoyan had a beautiful face, she wasn’t the sharpest. How could she say something like that?

“Why are you mocking Princess Zhao? Wasn’t it just the other day when someone saw a mouse and turned pale with fright?” Shu Guifei feigned reproach, glancing at Su Xiuji. “Stop showing off your bravery, or you’ll be the subject of ridicule.”

“Women being afraid is only natural,” the Empress said with a gentle smile. “Let’s not make fun of each other. It’s getting late, let’s go pay our respects to the Dowager Empress.”

“Your Majesty is right,” Shu Guifei smiled, though the expression seemed a bit stiff.

At the Kang’an Palace, the Dowager Empress went through the usual routine with the Empress, displaying their strong mother-in-law and daughter-in-law bond. There was no particular mention of the Ye sisters, but after asking a few questions to Zhuang Luoyan, she had the concubines kneel in respect.

Zhuang Luoyan, sitting in her palanquin, felt the weather was stifling, as though the sky was heavy with the impending change of weather. She fanned herself with her hand fan and glanced up at the dark clouds. A frown appeared on her face.

“Princess Zhao, are you feeling unwell?” Jiang Xianpin’s palanquin passed by, and noticing Zhuang Luoyan’s expression, she smiled and asked, “Did you get hot?”

“I don’t like the heat or the cold,” Zhuang Luoyan continued to wave her fan. “But what about you, Sister Jiang? Don’t you mind the heat?”

“Yes, I do mind. In the summer, it’s hard to sleep well. If there’s the slightest noise, I wake up,” Jiang Xianpin replied with a faint smile. “It’s truly a bad habit.”

“Indeed, it’s not a good habit,” Zhuang Luoyan chuckled. “But it’s best to sleep soundly at night.”

“Yes, only when you sleep well can you not hear the sounds around you,” Jiang Xianpin sighed. “But you, Princess Zhao, must have it easy.”

“How could I have it easy?” Zhuang Luoyan’s smile faded slightly. “It’s nothing special.”

Jiang Xianpin glanced at her, then looked up at the sky. “You should hurry, the rain looks like it’s about to fall.”

“Yes, we should hurry,” Zhuang Luoyan smiled back at Jiang Xianpin.

After parting ways with Jiang Xianpin, Zhuang Luoyan returned to Taoyu Pavilion, and before she had time to sit down, the heavy rain began to pour down. She leaned against the window, flipping through a poetry collection, though her attention was focused on the rain.

“Master.” Ting Zhu came in holding a plate of sliced ice-cold watermelon. Seeing Zhuang Luoyan leaning by the bed, she couldn’t help but gently remind her, “It’s windy, don’t let your clothes get wet.”

“It’s cooler this way,” Zhuang Luoyan waved her hand dismissively, taking a piece of watermelon. The cold sweetness seemed to refresh her from the inside out.

“Master, what do you think Jiang Xianpin meant with her words today?” Ting Zhu hesitated before speaking. “I feel like she was hinting at something.”

“She can hint all she wants, but it’s only meaningful if others can understand it,” Zhuang Luoyan replied with a faint smile, wiping her lips. “I’ve always slept soundly at night. What does Jiang Xianpin know about it?”

“Indeed, before you were startled, you slept soundly,” Ting Zhu laughed. “I must have misunderstood.”

Zhuang Luoyan had always thought that things like walking in the rain were a bit foolish. However, when she saw the emperor coming in the rain, she realized it wasn’t just foolish—it was very foolish.

As the emperor, Feng Jin didn’t get wet, but those serving him certainly did. Zhuang Luoyan had the servants take care of them, while she sat beside the emperor by the window.

The window offered a view of the small garden outside Taoyu Pavilion, but beyond that, all that could be seen was the red walls and green tiles, shrouded in mist.

“Are you looking at this?” Feng Jin picked up the poetry book Zhuang Luoyan had been holding earlier and smiled. “I didn’t know my beloved consort was such a talented poet.”

“Your Majesty is teasing me,” Zhuang Luoyan pointed to a poem. “This one about flowers and rain made me feel like falling asleep. You know I don’t like these things, yet you tease me.”

“It seems I misunderstood my beloved consort,” Feng Jin casually set the book aside. “Now, tell me, what are you skilled at?”

“Although I’m not an expert, I know a little of everything. If you ask me what I excel at, it must be the fact that I’m versed in many things.”

“I’m afraid you might not excel at anything,” Feng Jin lightly laughed, pulling Zhuang Luoyan closer to sit beside him. “If you ask me, your greatest skill is eating, drinking, and sleeping.”

“Are you saying I’m like a pig?” Zhuang Luoyan pouted. “Even if I am a pig, I’m a beautiful one, treasured and adored.”

“The arrangements at Xihe Palace are almost complete. The auspicious day is in two days, so you should move there then,” Feng Jin gently cupped her cheek with his hand. “If anything is unsatisfactory, have the Imperial Household Department adjust it. There’s no need to inform anyone else.”

Zhuang Luoyan’s heart fluttered. Was the emperor truly fond of her, or was he testing whether she would become arrogant with favor? Moving to a palace was a great honor, and if she complained about anything, she would be out of her mind.

“I haven’t seen it yet. How do you know I’ll be dissatisfied?” Zhuang Luoyan smiled and lightly tugged at Feng Jin’s sleeve. “Earlier, you teased me about being good at eating, drinking, and sleeping. As long as those three things are satisfied, I’ll be happy no matter where I live.”

“When I said that, you admitted it eagerly. Could it be that I’ll be stingy with your food?” Feng Jin chuckled. His smile didn’t seem entirely sincere to Zhuang Luoyan, but she smiled and responded, “Now that you’ve said it like that, I’m sure you won’t skimp on my food.”

“You’re perfect just as you are,” Feng Jin suddenly said, seeing her puzzled look. He kissed her cheek, then turned toward the window. “The rain has lightened. I should return to the palace now.”

With that, he stood and walked a few steps, turning back to look at Zhuang Luoyan, who was dressed in simple robes, her hair in a neat bun. “My consort doesn’t need to be humble. It’s not difficult to have outer beauty, but true beauty is something that can’t be learned.”

Zhuang Luoyan watched as the emperor left Taoyu Pavilion, her thoughts whirling. After he disappeared, she shook her head. Was he trying to flatter her? Why use such roundabout words? But what was the emperor here for today?

“Master, I just saw the emperor leave Taoyu Pavilion,” a young maid whispered to Jiang Xianpin. “It seems His Majesty truly cares for Princess Zhao.”

“Yes, he’s paying quite a bit of attention to her now,” Jiang Xianpin’s face showed a hint of mockery. “Two years ago, he visited the sick Shu Guifei on a snowy day. Last year, he went to comfort the distressed Yan Guifei at midnight. Early this year, when Ning Fei’s mother passed away, the emperor spent several nights with her. Now he’s visiting the frightened Princess Zhao. She’s enjoying some of the emperor’s favor.”

The young maid was confused, unsure whether Jiang Xianpin was mocking Princess Zhao for not being favored or sympathizing with her brief moment of attention.

Seeing the maid’s confusion, Jiang Xianpin said indifferently, “Leave now. There’s no need to inquire about Princess Zhao’s matters anymore.”

She’s just a foolish woman, destined for this fate.