TJAIP Chapter 9

The ground was covered with fallen flowers, and the sunset painted the sky with a warm glow. Gao Dezong silently lowered his head, watching the emperor’s shadow stretch longer as the sun dipped lower, the light gradually fading, making the scene feel somewhat desolate.

“Your Majesty… the sky is darkening,” Gao Dezong stepped forward and gently reminded him.

Feng Jin turned his head to glance at him. Seeing Gao Dezong with his head lowered, he couldn’t help but say, “I remember when Concubine Wei was favored above all in the harem. Though I was the legitimate son, even I had to share the favor of the Emperor with my second older brother, born of Concubine Wei.”

Hearing these words, Gao Dezong lowered his head even more. He had served by the emperor’s side for a long time and knew the secrets of the harem. He had witnessed the excessive favor Concubine Wei received. It was unfortunate that…

Feng Jin turned his gaze to the withered lotus pond, recalling how he had been pushed into this very pond by his second older brother, which had caused him to fall gravely ill. His second brother was only punished with transcribing scriptures ten times. It was a pity that Concubine Wei, who had only craved power, ended up with a three-foot white silk rope, and her son, the second prince, was cast aside.

When his father lay dying, he had said that no woman in the harem had a true heart. Feng Jin had found it laughable. If one cannot recognize others’ true hearts, why expect them to show it? He had once thought that his mother truly loved his father, but after his father’s death, when his mother became the most respected empress dowager in the harem, she showed no sadness over his passing.

He had never hoped for true feelings from the women of the harem, nor did he see such feelings as valuable. In the harem, there were countless beauties; the only thing that mattered was who could serve best and thus earn favor.

Hearing such words today, he felt a bit surprised, and there was a sense of enlightenment in his heart.

His mother had once told him when he was young that the women in the harem fought not for the emperor’s love but for the power that came with his favor. Only foolish women would fall in love with the emperor, and such women could never survive in the harem.

He no longer remembered what Consort Zhao had been like when she first entered the palace, but he hadn’t expected her to be one of those foolish women.

“Tonight, the Lantern of Taoyu Pavilion will be lit,” Feng Jin said faintly, playing with a pear blossom in his hand, letting the petals fall gently to the ground.

“Your Majesty’s order, Consort Zhao, the Lantern of Taoyu Pavilion will be lit tonight,” the eunuch announced when he arrived at Taoyu Pavilion, greeting the composed Zhuang Luoyan with a smile.

“Thank you, Eunuch, for your trouble,” Yunxi said as she handed a small purse to the eunuch and exchanged some auspicious words.

The eunuch noticed the emperor’s fondness for the newly promoted Consort Zhao and spoke a few flattering words before leaving. As he exited the pavilion, he noticed that the western sky’s evening glow had gradually dimmed. Looking back at the plaque of Taoyu Pavilion, he wondered who would have expected this consort to rise again.

“Master,” Tingzhu came forward with a teacup, noticing Zhuang Luoyan sitting in front of the mirror. She placed the tea aside and said, “It’s getting late. Shall I assist you with your bath and change?”

Zhuang Luoyan gently lifted her fringe and glanced at her exquisite face. “Go ahead and prepare.”

Tingzhu hesitated but, seeing her calm expression, quietly withdrew, instructing the others to get ready.

The evening was as beautiful as a delicate cloud hiding the moon, drifting like snowflakes in the breeze.

When Feng Jin’s carriage stopped before Taoyu Pavilion, he saw a beauty beneath the lantern.

Under the lantern’s light, a beauty in a pale moon-colored robe with her hair flowing over her shoulder stood like a fragile willow in the wind. The lantern in her hand swayed slightly in the cold breeze, and with just one glance, Feng Jin was reminded of the poetic verse.

As the evening wind rose, her sleeves and skirt fluttered, and her dark hair danced in the night air. Feng Jin stepped down from the carriage and took her hand. “Your graceful brows and eyes, your brilliance, it is hard to find words to describe my beloved consort.”

Zhuang Luoyan lowered her head and smiled, a faint blush blooming on her cheeks. “Your Majesty, are you speaking from the heart, or is this a jest?”

“Of course, it is from my heart,” Feng Jin took the lantern from her hand, refusing to let the palace servant take it, holding her hand with one and the lantern with the other, slowly walking inside. The softness of her palm felt so comforting that his words grew gentler, recalling what had been said to him earlier. “It’s cold tonight. How could my consort stand outside?”

“Your Majesty is my husband. I don’t want you to see only a few mute lanterns when you arrive at Taoyu Pavilion,” Zhuang Luoyan’s voice gradually softened. “I also want to wait for your return.”

Hearing this, Gao Dezong, following behind, slowed his steps. This remark from Consort Zhao was a breach of etiquette. According to her rank, she was just a concubine, so how could she speak of “returning”? But since the emperor didn’t react, Gao Dezong kept his silence.

As they continued, Gao Dezong, almost instinctively, looked ahead and saw the emperor help Consort Zhao step over the threshold, and she smiled at him.

If Yan Guifei’s smile could topple cities, then Consort Zhao’s smile contained boundless sincerity. Gao Dezong, remembering words he shouldn’t have heard, suddenly felt pity for her.

In the harem, is there anything more pitiable than a woman who has truly given her heart?

When they reached the door to the inner chamber, Gao Dezong stopped and closed the door behind them. He stepped back and stood on the stone steps, gazing at the red lanterns hanging in the corridor. Tonight, the lanterns hung in the pavilion, but who could know where the red candles would shine in the future?

Zhuang Luoyan sat on the bed as Feng Jin stepped inside. Noticing his gentle expression, it was clear he didn’t mind her treating him like an ordinary husband. She breathed a sigh of relief, glad she hadn’t miscalculated this risk. If she could return to her previous life, she would surely write a bestseller on the art of manipulation. But sadly, those who “time-travel” rarely have a return ticket, especially not someone like her, who worked for a company in the dairy industry with questionable ethics.

“What’s this? You were just saying you were waiting for my return, but now you’re silent?” Feng Jin smiled softly, “I don’t want you to remain silent when I’ve just returned.”

“How would Your Majesty know what I think?” Zhuang Luoyan tugged at the sleeve of his robe, feeling a bit agitated. “I am happy that you came, but my words were reckless, and my heart is uneasy.”

Feng Jin paused and then smiled. “I am your husband, and you wait for my return. What is wrong with that?”

Her hand, which held onto his robe, trembled slightly, and the tremor seemed to reach his heart, making it skip a beat. He noticed the joy and excitement hidden in her eyes. He gently stroked her soft hair.

Once a heart is moved, one loses their clarity. And once one loses clarity, there is no pain. She was merely a foolish woman who had fallen for him, pretending to deceive herself. A little more favor to her would be enough to fulfill her sincere heart.

Perhaps it was because he knew the woman in his arms had feelings for him, or perhaps it was due to her soft, intoxicating figure, but that night, Emperor Feng Jin found great satisfaction. The woman in his arms had already fallen into a deep sleep, yet her hand unconsciously rested on his chest.

According to the rules, even though a consort may spend the night with him if he favors her, she should sleep properly. Yet, this Zhao Consort had clung to him, which was somewhat improper.

However… Feng Jin smirked slightly. Such trivial rules, as long as no one else saw, he didn’t mind these small things. Fortunately, the other women in the palace weren’t like this, so he would let her be.

Who says that emperors are made by hard work? Zhuang Luoyan thought to herself that the emperor had an incredible amount of energy. When she woke up in the morning, she saw Emperor Chengxuan already dressed, squinting as he looked at her. Thankfully, his outward appearance was good, or it might have ruined the mood.

When Feng Jin turned back to look at the bed, he caught Zhuang Luoyan gazing at him foolishly. He walked to the side of the bed and sat down, asking, “My love, are you awake?”

“Your Majesty,” Zhuang Luoyan feigned struggling to get up, then fell back down weakly. As expected, Feng Jin stopped her from getting up. “You’re tired from last night. No need to get up and serve me.” After saying a few more words, he turned to leave.

Just as he stood up, his dragon robe was pulled by her soft hand. He turned back to see Zhao Consort gazing at him, and couldn’t help but ask, “My love, are you feeling unwell?”

Then he saw Zhao Consort pull out a small sachet from the pillow and hand it to him. “Your Majesty has given me so many things. Everything I have is yours. This sachet was the one I prayed for at the temple before coming to the palace. The head monk said it would bring peace and good fortune, so I’m giving it to you.”

The sachet was embroidered with the character for “blessing.” While the fabric was fine, it looked somewhat plain compared to the palace silk, yet it was small and delicate. Feng Jin placed it in his sleeve. “I understand your intentions, my love. I must go to court now. You should rest a while longer.”

Once outside Taoyu Pavilion, Feng Jin sat in his royal carriage and took out the sachet from his sleeve. He looked at it for a while before putting it back and not tying it to his waist.

Zhuang Luoyan lay in the bathtub, allowing the palace maid to massage her shoulders and waist before changing into a clean gown. She then, accompanied by Tingzhu and Yunxi, went to the Empress’s Jingyang Palace to pay her respects.

The Empress was the legitimate daughter of the Zhao family. To become Empress, wasn’t just because of the emperor’s affection, but because of the Zhao family’s power. Fortunately, though the Zhao family was influential, they weren’t arrogant, so even though the emperor didn’t dote on the Empress, he also didn’t neglect her, and the Empress managed the harem well.

However, Zhuang Luoyan felt that no matter how proper the Zhao family was, rulers often preferred concentrated power. The emperor probably still had plans regarding the Zhao family; it was only a matter of time.

After the eunuchs announced her arrival, Zhuang Luoyan entered the main hall. Several other consorts were already seated inside. She respectfully approached the Empress and paid her respects. The Empress did not make things difficult for her and, after the formalities, granted her a seat.

“Zhao Consort, you are a little late today,” said Ruo Fei, her voice as pleasant as ever.

“I am guilty, and I ask the Empress to punish me,” Zhuang Luoyan said as she stood up, but only to ask the Empress for forgiveness.

Ruo Fei’s expression slightly changed. Seeing that the Empress did not show any anger, she cast a sidelong glance at Zhuang Luoyan.

The Empress smiled gracefully. “Zhao Consort doesn’t need to be so formal. You serve the emperor with great effort and still came to pay your respects to me; you are well-mannered.”

Yan Gui Fei smiled softly as she watched this scene, sneering inwardly. The Empress did not need to listen to Ruo Fei speak. Zhao Consort had truly made a good show of things.

“The Empress is kind and does not blame me. I am ashamed,” Zhuang Luoyan said, again bowing towards Ruo Fei. “I also thank Ruo Fei for the palace silk. The pattern of the thousand-fold Wei purple flowers is exquisitely embroidered.”

Thousand-fold Wei purple was a rare flower, symbolizing high status, and its pattern on palace silk was a luxury only granted by the emperor or the Empress. Ruo Fei sending Zhuang Luoyan such a gift seemed to be stepping beyond her boundaries, and one could only wonder where that left the Empress.

When Ruo Fei heard Zhuang Luoyan’s words, she realized her previous actions had been inappropriate, and feared it would upset the Empress.

“The emperor has given the palace silk to Ruo Fei. She is generous and kind. Since it was given to you, you should accept it properly,” the Empress said with a gentle smile, giving Ruo Fei a look. “We all serve the emperor; it is something you deserve.”

Ruo Fei’s face turned pale. She stood up and bowed. “I have been rude, and I ask the Empress to punish me.”

“Let us not speak of manners between us. You are too cautious,” the Empress said, covering her mouth with a handkerchief as she laughed. “Please, sit down.”

Ruo Fei sat down with a pale face but did not dare to speak further.

Zhuang Luoyan lowered her gaze, watching the polished floor. The Empress had such a deep strategy. She didn’t explicitly blame Ruo Fei, but she was telling her that no matter how favored Ruo Fei was, in the presence of the Empress, she was no different from any other consort of her rank. The Empress, as the principal wife, would always be above everyone else.

What a soft knife: it couldn’t kill, but it made life worse than death.

Looking at Ruo Fei’s pale face and the other consorts who maintained their smiles, Zhuang Luoyan withdrew her gaze. Women in the harem were experts at hiding their true intentions.