Everyone Wants To Harm Me - Chapter 86

After the New Year passed, Lan Yue’s belly gradually began to show. Third Aunt was personally appointed by His Majesty and entered the palace by imperial decree to take care of her.

It was Third Aunt’s first time in the palace. When Lan Yue married Prince Xin, she had only attended the ceremony at the prince’s residence. Whether she had heard rumors or imagined it herself, she believed the palace was full of deception and danger, with everyone plotting against her daughter and unborn grandchild. Especially me—on the day she arrived, I went to greet her out of respect, since she had looked after me for many years and was my elder, but she treated me like a mortal enemy, guarded at every turn, and didn’t even let me see Lan Yue.

I could naturally see through her thoughts. Since childhood, I had been the pampered daughter of the household, adored by all, while Lan Yue was the pitiful little cousin living under someone else’s roof. Of course she believed I must have looked down on them. Now that the roles were reversed—Lan Yue soaring to the skies to become a princess consort living in the Eastern Palace, and me wearing mourning clothes, chanting sutras all day, having missed the chance to marry the golden son-in-law Prince Xin, and even willing to marry an eleven-year-old child for wealth and status—I must be furious. Lan Yue, by virtue of her child, would only rise higher in status. On the surface, I might act warm and polite, but in truth, I must be consumed with jealousy and hatred. She was determined to protect her daughter and not let me find any chance to harm her, to drag her down from the clouds back into the mud.

But if I asked myself honestly—if I hadn’t been cherished and protected by Aunt since I was little, and had to survive in the cracks like Third Aunt and Lan Yue—wouldn’t I also have been this paranoid, always wary of everyone? Let alone a hard childhood—just when I had first been parasitized by the Mojin Gu and suddenly saw the hidden malice in the people around me—I had nearly broken down, believing the whole world wanted to harm me.

Fortunately, I had Aunt. Fortunately, at that time, I met Yu Chongrui.

Even though Yu Chongrui had returned to Luoyang, we kept in touch less frequently. We couldn’t write to each other anymore, and since parting during Shangyuan, it had been over a month without meeting. The most frequent way I saw him now was by reading images from others’ minds—scenes related to him.

And most of the time, it was bad news.

I learned from his political enemies that since he had gone to Zhending Prefecture for disaster relief, the new laws he tried to implement in Gyeonggi Province, as well as several projects he had launched, had all stagnated due to resistance and difficulties promoting them among the local people. Last summer, heavy rains had caused floods, and it seemed all the rain for the year had been spent. From the beginning of spring until the Waking of Insects, there had been no rain around Luoyang. In addition to strengthening the embankments for flood control, Yu Chongrui had been overseeing the Yellow River project, which included plans to build dams upstream and dig canals downstream for irrigation. However, due to an incident in the river project last year, all of these plans had been halted. That spring, due to the drought, he submitted a petition requesting the restart of the river project, hoping to take advantage of the dry season to dredge the silt, lower the riverbed, and divert the Yellow River water into canals. This would not only fertilize the land but also reduce the risk of floods and dam breaches the following year.

Many opposed this proposal, and it couldn’t be carried out due to a lack of funds in the treasury. The Yellow River flowed rapidly, and to build a dam upstream of Luoyang and dig a canal downstream would require a massive effort. It would take at least five to ten years to see results. Mobilizing troops and resources for such an enormous project would only worsen the already tight treasury. If a natural disaster like the Taihang earthquake happened again, how would we provide relief?

The Emperor had kept the memorial, but without rain, spring plowing couldn’t take place, delaying the farming season. This would make that season another lean one. So the Emperor decided to visit Qinghe Garden in late February to climb the mountain and pray for rain.

Qinghe Garden had originally been a forbidden garden in the previous dynasty. It was located in the northwest of Luoyang, covering an area of 1,000 hectares, extending dozens of miles from east to west and north to south. The garden spanned across the Yellow River and its tributaries, connecting with Wangwu Mountain to the north. The landscape, with high mountains and low rivers, resembled a small country. During Emperor Wu’s reign, troops had been stationed there for training. The mountains were moved, and rivers were filled to simulate the terrain of Yan and Ji for repeated exercises. The Northern Expedition had successfully driven the Xianbei people out of the north of the Great Wall, reclaiming lost territory. For decades afterward, the nine provinces enjoyed peace and prosperity, unaware of war. When Prince Yong rebelled, Luoyang deployed troops to the south, and Qinghe Garden became a place for animal husbandry and hunting once again. Due to its diverse terrain, the garden was also used for ceremonies like field registration, silkworm raising, fishing, and hunting by the emperor and empress.

The Jitian Ceremony, which was supposed to be held in the first month of the lunar year, had been skipped the previous year due to the emperor’s fall at the end of the year. Though he had recovered enough to move normally, he wasn’t as strong as before and couldn’t plow the fields. However, due to the lack of rain for more than a month, it seemed as though heaven was not in harmony.

This time, the rain prayer was held with full sincerity. Besides the people from the Taichang Temple, civil and military officials, imperial relatives, and concubines all accompanied him. Concubine Shu and Consort Xian performed the rituals of silkworm raising and mulberry picking on behalf of the empress.

(Translator’s Notes: The Jitian Ceremony was a state-level agricultural ritual in which the emperor personally plowed the first furrows of the season to mark the beginning of spring farming.)

The Central Palace had been without a master for more than ten years. In previous years, my aunt had accompanied the Emperor during the Jitian Ceremony. That year, someone else took over. Did he ever think of her and sigh at how things had changed?

My aunt had been gone for over half a year. Aside from me copying scriptures in front of her spirit tablet at the Buddhist temple every day, fewer and fewer people seemed to mention her, and the Emperor hardly seemed to think of her.

Aunt, once a consort, could be replaced by Concubine Shu, Consort Xian, and countless other beauties. I had inherited her “Mojin Gu.” In the Emperor’s heart, had she gradually faded and been replaced by these people?

To this day, I had never heard the Emperor say that he felt guilty for my aunt or responsible for her death. He was the emperor. Everyone was expected to serve him with unwavering loyalty. Even seeking death for escape was considered treason.

Lan Yue’s body had become heavier, and she couldn’t endure the fatigue of the journey. She couldn’t accompany Prince Xin and could only see him off at the palace gate to bid farewell to him.

The Emperor kindly asked, “Do you know if it’s a boy or a girl?”

Concubine Shu replied, “It’s just over four months. The imperial physician says it’s too early to tell. But among the common folk, there’s a saying—‘sour cravings for boys, spicy cravings for girls.’ The Princess Consort craved sour foods and her belly is pointed rather than round. I believe there’s a high chance it’s a little imperial grandson.”

The Emperor laughed and said, “Good, good! Concubine Shu will be away from the palace this time, but it will be at most ten days or half a month. Please make good arrangements for Princess Xin’s daily life!” He smiled warmly, but when he turned to Prince Xin, his eyes were stern and cold.

I have already provided my brother with an heir. But if it turns out to be a girl—or if the child dies young—that too is Heaven’s will.

See? People could always find excuses to justify their unjust actions. Prince Xin had said before that he still had half a year, but he might have been too optimistic.

I saw Prince Xin look unhappy after parting with Lan Yue—he must’ve grasped His Majesty’s real intent behind those questions.

The only good news was that Yu Chongrui was part of the entourage. I could at least look at him from afar.

It had been over a month since he returned from Zhending Prefecture, but he hadn’t gained any weight. Was it because Feng Yuan didn’t take good care of him, or was he too worried and tired?

It was a pity that we could only see each other from a distance. After the emperor left the palace, the Emperor and the officials were at the front, and the palace ladies followed behind. After a long distance, I couldn’t see him anymore.

Princess Yongjia and I rode in the same carriage, and the princess naturally noticed my disappointment. She mischievously smiled and told the eunuch beside the carriage, “Go to the front and call Minister Yu over. Tell him that I invited him.”

I couldn’t help but stare. The princess was so straightforward, not even trying to hide her intentions?

The eunuch took the order and hurried to the head of the procession. Soon, he really brought Yu Chongrui over. He rode slowly beside the carriage, and the princess said to him, “This is my first time out of the city since returning to Luoyang. The road is long and bumpy, and I’m nervous. Can you accompany me?”

Princess, what kind of excuse is that…

There were no walls around the carriage, just gauze curtains to block the light and wind, allowing us to see the scenery outside. Yu Chongrui glanced through the gauze curtain into the carriage and replied, “The princess ordered, no one dares to disobey.”

The princess asked again, “How long will it take to get to Qinghe Garden?”

Yu Chongrui said, “The carriage is slow, it’ll take about three or four hours.”

“Three or four hours? So it won’t take a whole day on the road? Luckily, Minister Yu is by my side, otherwise I’d be bored to death.” The princess sighed impatiently, then turned and winked at me.

For those three or four hours, although I couldn’t face him directly or speak to him, I was happy just to see him through the gauze curtain and listen to his horse’s hooves and words.

I sat in the carriage, watching his figure.
He sat upright on his horse, looking ahead. He only turned around once when the princess spoke.

I wondered if he saw me clearly…

The Princess suddenly asked me, “County Princess of Liangxi, when you lived outside the palace, did you often go out of the city?”

“Ah? I…” I snapped back to reality, retracting my gaze, and hesitantly answered, “At home, the rules aren’t as strict as in the palace. My family has a garden in the northern suburbs, so I would visit often.”

The princess grumbled, “Why didn’t you say anything when I didn’t ask you?” The princess asked knowingly.

I pursed my lips, unable to refute or defend myself.

“The scenery outside is still better. It must be more beautiful in March.” The princess turned to look outside again. “I heard that many senior officials in the court have gardens in the northern suburbs. Does Prime Minister Yu have one too?”

Yu Chongrui replied, “Your Majesty gave it to me last year. It’s next to Duke Peng’s house.”

“Oh? What a coincidence.” The princess turned back to me and asked, “I haven’t heard the County Princess mention it.”

I said, “The garden had no owner before. It was quite wild and interesting, and I often went there for fun. After Your Majesty gave it to Prime Minister Yu, it became inconvenient for me to visit.”

Yu Chongrui said from outside, “It’s my fault for disturbing the County Princess’s enjoyment.”

The princess smiled, “I think this garden is a place of destiny. I must visit it if I get the chance.”

With the princess serving as a bridge, even though we couldn’t meet, I could still say a few words to him through the curtain.

Unfortunately, the good times didn’t last long. Just as we had barely left the city, someone ahead called out, “Your Majesty has been searching for Minister Yu but couldn’t find him. It turns out he’s here to protect the princess.”

The voice sounded familiar, and when I lifted the curtain slightly to look outside, I saw it was Shao Dongting.

Yu Chongrui had no choice but to bow slightly to the Princess and say, “His Majesty summons me. I dare not delay. Please forgive me for no longer being able to accompany you.”

He glanced at me through the parted curtain. I watched helplessly as he turned and rode back to the front, his figure soon blocked from view.

Shao Dongting really was… infuriating!

The princess stuck her head out and called after him, “Master Shao, please stay.”

Shao Dongting pulled the reins and walked parallel to the carriage, asking, “Yes, Your Highness?”

The princess looked up and smiled charmingly at him. “I specially invited Minister Yu to accompany me on the journey. Since you’ve taken him away, shouldn’t you stay behind and make up for it?”

I saw Shao Dongting blush slightly. He bowed his head and said, “I am willing to serve the princess.”

Isn’t that just what he wants? I felt a bit annoyed, but I knew the princess must have her reasons, so I didn’t say much.

Shao Dongting accompanied the princess’s carriage along the way. She asked him a few questions whenever she saw something strange, and he answered politely.

When we arrived at Qinghe Garden, the princess met the Emperor, who asked, “The last time the consort selection was not concluded, I thought Yongjia’s marriage was still undecided. We never settled your marriage proposal before. I thought fate hadn’t arrived yet. But it seems you’ve been in constant contact with Chongrui for the past six months. Could it be that you favor him?”

The princess sighed. “Although Minister Yu is good, he does not understand romance. He is always talking about civil and state affairs. He is not as romantic, sensible, gentle, and charming as the champion. Alas! It makes me feel torn, unable to make a choice. Why can’t women have three wives and four concubines like men?”

The Emperor sighed and laughed. “So even Yongjia is troubled by love. But there can only be one prince consort.”

The princess replied, “Then I must carefully investigate and compare. I can’t afford to marry the wrong person this time.”

When talking about the princess’s previous marriage, the Emperor seemed guilty and regretful. He moved closer to her and said, “Take your time to choose, carefully. No matter who you like, I’ll support you.”

I had been worried the princess’s actions with Yu Chongrui would cause misunderstandings. The princess always used her relationship with Yu Chongrui to help me, but what if the Emperor took it seriously? How would it end? Just now, the princess had an idea and found a countermeasure, but in doing so, Shao Dongting might think the princess had fallen for him and was now trapped in his web.

Qinghe Garden covered a vast area, with only a few palaces near the south entrance. The altar for praying for rain was set up on the top of Cone Mountain in the northwest part of the garden, twenty miles away from the palace. The auspicious time, as predicted by the Taichang Temple, was the second quarter of the morning the next day. Therefore, after arriving in the afternoon, the Emperor only rested for a while before heading for Cone Mountain. He set up camp at the foot of the mountain for the night and climbed the mountain to pray for rain under the stars at the hour of Yin.

Perhaps because of the Emperor’s sincerity in praying for rain, even before the altar was opened, a few spring thunders could be faintly heard in the mountains to the north, and the east wind suddenly rose.

At this time of year in previous years, the fields and mountains were already dotted with new green. But this year was extremely dry, and the new seedlings had yet to sprout. The mountains were still bare and lifeless, with only the dead branches and fallen leaves from the previous year.

I saw palace servants holding lanterns and torches, busying themselves around, and I couldn’t help thinking: the weather was dry, and so many people were carrying open fires up the mountain. If someone were careless, wouldn’t it be easy to cause a forest fire?

Perhaps I shouldn’t have spoken too soon. I had just fallen asleep in my tent when I was suddenly awakened by the sound of spring thunder. Then I heard someone beating a gong and shouting, “There’s a fire! There’s a fire!”