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Chapter 18: Heartless (无情无义)

PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU READ ANY FURTHER. I accidentally cut off half of chapter 17 in my last post, so please read that chapter again if you read it before 10/19/19. Oh my god. I am SO sorry.

The empress had invited the imperial concubines to the Imperial Garden to admire the flowers and enjoy the shade. As Zhuang Laoyan scanned the area, a few lush and towering trees came into view. There were also a few large porcelain pots filled to the brim with ice. After paying respects to the empress, she went to find her seat.

Noble Consort Shu’s birthday would occur tomorrow. Why the empress had sent an invitation for today’s event was up in the air. Zhuang Laoyan leaned against the backrest of her seat. With Tingzhu and Yunxi fanning her from behind, she felt even cooler.

“Noble Consort Shu has arrived. Xiuyi Su has arrived.”

She turned her head. Saw the people who were announced walking together. Xiuyi Su was a few steps ahead of Noble Consort Shu. She seemed overcautious, acting as a foil to her sister. 

Shortly after they had paid respects to the empress, the rest of the imperial concubines arrived. Zhuang Laoyan paid careful attention as the eunuchs brought pot after pot of flowers over. After the imperial concubines had appreciated them all, they sent the pots back, the sound of porcelain clinking filling the air. Although there had been many species and breeds of flowers, each pot had a unique and auspcious name.

“This pot of green Moutan Peony is hard to acquire. It actually bloomed so beautifully at this time. Consort Rou, what are your thoughts?” said the empress as she looked at that particular pot of flowers. A smiled danced on her lips.

Consort Rou rose to her feet and curtsied. “It is naturally unique.”

The empress smiled yet did not answer. A wave of a hand, and another pot of flowers was brought forward. She gazed at what seemed to be a chrysanthemum that usually bloomed during the fall.

Zhuang Laoyan secretly glanced at Consort Rou. Saw the small beads of sweat clinging to her forehead. Then she smiled with her head lowered and lifted a cup of tea. Today was indeed a bit warmer than usual.

The flower appreciation event was almost over. Zhuang Laoyan also drank a lot of tea. She watched as the empress slowly set her teacup down, her lips parting to say words that had nothing to do with flowers. 

“Tomorrow is Noble Consort Shu’s birthday. Although it’s said that us women of the imperial harem cannot indulge in extravagant luxury, Noble Consort Shu has attended to His Majesty for many years. His Majesty and this palace both feel deeply appreciative of her. As such, there will be a great celebration tomorrow for Noble Consort Shu. We are all good sisters. Tomorrow, let us have a good time.” Once the empress finished speaking, she watched as the rest of the imperial concubines stood and agreed. “The flowers have all been admired. You are all dismissed.”

After Zhuang Laoyan heard these words, she performed the full ceremony again. Then she followed the other women in sending off the empress.

The moment the empress left, a few of the imperial concubines in Noble Consort Shu’s clique went ahead to congratulate her. Zhuang Laoyan watched their expressions. None of them seemed abnormal.

“That Your Majesty has kept His Majesty’s favor naturally should entail a great birthday celebration,” said Consort Xian, looking at Noble Consort Shu. “Tomorrow, I shall toast you one extra cup.”

“Older Sister Consort Xian, these words makes younger sister too ashamed to show my face.” Noble Consort Shu walked forward and reached out for Consort Xian’s hand. “Older Sister is always so good to younger sister. Let’s not say one cup, even if it were seven or eight extra cups I would still drink it with you.” 

Once Noble Consort Shu said those words, the other imperial concubines came forward to tease her. As Zhuang Laoyan watched this scene, she only had one phrase to describe it: a scene of intimate sisters. 

She was not interested in acting in this play. After Zhuang Laoyan performed a ceremony to the high-ranking imperial concubines, she prepared to leave. Who would have known that Noble Consort Shu would call out for her?

“I heard that Younger Sister Imperial Concubine Zhao’s birthday is also coming up in a few days?” Noble Consort Shu’s smile was gentle. “On your birthday, we should also toast you a few extra cups.”

Zhuang Laoyan just curtsied once more. “Regarding the cups from you sisters, even if this concubine becomes drunk, this concubine would still drink them.” What a good Noble Consort Shu. She actually mentioned in front of all these women Zhuang Laoyan’s coming birthday. If the emperor or empress bestowed Zhuang Laoyan anything, Noble Consort Shu would be known as an attentive person who remembered her fellow sisters. But if those two at the top did not have any reaction, one would fear that Zhuang Laoyan would be made a mockery of by the other imperial concubines.

Noble Consort Shu’s goal had been achieved. She did not have to speak anymore. She dismissed Zhuang Laoyan and the latter left with her expression unchanging. Once she was far away, she turned her head to gaze at the crowd of women behind her. Apart from the empress, these women made up the population of higher-ranked imperial concubines.

“Master, it looks like Jieyu Ma and Noble Imperial Concubine Yan are up ahead.” Without going too far, Tingzhu found a couple people standing behind a large field of grass and flowers. Jieyu Ma and Imperial Concubine Yan.

Zhuang Laoyan lifted her head shifted her gaze there. The expressions on the two did not fall under the category of great sisterly affection. Just as she was turning around to leave, her ears caught the sound of a resounding slap. Glancing back, she saw the first-ranked palace maid of Noble Imperial Concubine Yan retracting her hand, Jieyu Ma’s face swollen and red. 

Her forehead crinkled. Zhuang Laoyan did not know what kind of conflict stood between Noble Imperial Concubine Yan and Jieyu Ma. However, Noble Imperial Concubine Yan was acting too excessively.

Once again, Zhuang Laoyan attempted to leave. But then she saw someone approaching. Her expression immediately changed. She adjusted her appearance. Walked a few steps over to that person. “This concubine greets Your Majesty.”

The moment Noble Imperial Concubine Yan saw the emperor’s procession, her expression changed drastically. She no longer cared about Jieyu Ma. She lifted the ends of her dress and knelt next to Zhuang Laoyan. “This concubine greets Your Majesty.”

Jieyu Ma, with a swollen and red face, also knelt down before the emperor. She glanced at Noble Imperial Concubine Yan, pleased with herself. “This concubine greets Your Majesty.”

Feng Jin reached out to support Noble Imperial Concubine Yan and Imperial Concubine Zhao to their feet. “Beloved concubines should rise.” Then his gaze fell upon the swelling on Jieyu Ma’s face. His eyes narrowed. His next words were nonchalant. “It is hot outside. Why have beloved concubines gathered here?”

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“Reporting to Your Majesty, the empress had invited this concubine to admire the flowers. We were just leaving,” said Noble Imperial Concubine Yan, her voice gentle like a caress. “However, we did not know we would meet Your Majesty here.” 

“The empress is thoughtful.” Feng Jin released Noble Imperial Concubine Yan’s hand. Then, with his free hand, he lightly patted the back of Zhuang Laoyan’s own. “You should all return to rest.”

“Your Majesty…”

“Does Jieyu Ma have something to say about Our words?” Feng Jin slowly glanced at Jieyu Ma, as if he did not see the redness on her cheek. 

“This concubine… will return.” Jieyu Ma’s face grayed, as though she lost all vitality. 

Zhuang Laoyan looked down at the hand that was held in Feng Jin’s grasp. From her inner self came a chill. In the past, Jieyu Ma had received the emperor’s affections. Yet now, she had fallen to such a state. It was apparent that the emperor was extremely heartless. Everyone who said that hookers were heartless, that actors were immoral, were really wronging those groups. 

She lifted her head and saw the look of pleasure toward oneself gleaming in Noble Imperial Concubine Yan’s eyes. Zhuang Laoyan then averted her gaze. Kept her head low again. She stared at the defined joints of his hand and the neat and pretty fingernails of her own.

Feng Jin saw the appearance of Imperial Concubine Zhao lowering her head, and only saw her as being shy. Then he released her hand. “Beloved concubine should rest early tonight.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Zhuang Laoyan curtsied. “This concubine will return.”

“This concubine will return,” said Noble Imperial Concubine Yan.

Feng Jin nodded. He let them leave. After the three were far away, his smile vanished. 

“For the next two years, Noble Imperial Concubine Yan shall not be promoted.” Feng Jin clasped his hands behind his back. He turned around and resumed walking. “We will send a pot of water lilies to Imperial Concubine Zhao.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Gao Dezhong realized that the emperor did not once mention Jieyu Ma, and felt assured that this Jieyu Ma was unwanted now.

A few moments after Zhuang Laoyan returned to Taoyu Pavilion, she heard the manager of Qianzheng Palace arrive. She rose from her seat and went outside to see him.

“This slave greets Master Imperial Concubine Zhao,” said Gao Dezhong, standing to perform a ceremony of greeting as soon as he saw her. “His Majesty has sent a pot of water lilies for your honored self to enjoy. Where would master want this to be placed?”

After Zhuang Laoyan received his greeting, she let the servants bring the gift into her residence. Once she had tea served to Gao Dezhong, she said, “I have troubled Eunuch Gao to come here. It is certainly hard to endure such hot weather.” Then she had Yunxi hand over a pouch of money.

Gao Dezhong briefly refused once, before accepting it. He took a sip of tea and smiled. “Master Zhao is exaggerating. This slave is performing a task for His Majesty. It is originally my duty. Your honored self’s words can overwhelm this slave with special favor.”  

“His Majesty will definitely regard Eunuch Gao’s faithfulness highly,” said Zhuang Laoyan. Then she no longer continued to say such pleasantries. A smile bloomed on her lips. “That His Majesty remembers this concubine is this concubine’s blessing.”

Gao Dezhong treated Zhuang Laoyan extremely courteously. After a few more words, he rose to his feet to return. Zhuang Laoyan did not ask him to stay as well. She personally send him off a few steps, then returned to her inner chamber.

The water lilies were held in a porcelain pot with a pattern of blue flowers. It complemented the half-bloomed water lilies and their leaves, making them look even more refreshing. Zhuang Laoyan reached out to brush her fingers against the petals. Received a cup of water from Tingzhu’s hand. As she poured some water onto a flower, she said, “This water lily is really beautiful.”

Yunxi took in the image of the flower, before lowering her head.

The author has something to say:

Here’s the first chapter. I came home late today. Sorry about that~

The second chapter will definitely come out even later. Everyone will be able to read it tomorrow morning. *covers face*

Translator Notes:

LOL rip Noble Imperial Concubine Yan. No promotion for two years. ZL on the other hand…

Okay, last chapter a lot of your guys were confused about the author notes and thought it was me that was sick. I am fine! Haha, though I appreciate your concern. Author notes will come before the translator notes, and will be clearly designated.

Edit: I typoed and wrote that the next chapter would be on November 2 before. Sorry for the scare LOL.

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