Pampered Consort's Acting Awards - Chapter 43

When the cold wind blew, Qin Ling opened her eyes instantly. Her mind was chaotic. It had been like a dream but not really, and only Prince Yan’s words before his death remained in her ears—“In this lifetime, you will either end up becoming ungrateful, lonely, or be ruined by the Su family’s hand.”

Some events had dissipated like smoke, but the hunting event in the 38th year of the Yongchang era was still fresh in her memory. How could one forget that bloody night?

After Prince Yan’s leg broke, he only lived for two days, and soon after, Consort Zhuang went crazy.

Prince Cheng refused to see visitors, while Xiao Yu was praised as a virtuous person who followed the Confucious moral injunctions of fidelity in this event, gaining the cabinet’s favor.

[Confucious moral injunctions of fidelity: piety to one’s parents, respect to one’s older brother, loyalty to one’s monarch, faith to one’s male friends.]

The emperor handed over the case to the three divisions for a joint trial, but before they could investigate, Jing Changyi was found dead at home by hanging, leaving a suicide note with his confession. Soon, Concubine Jing was also found dead in the harem. Although the death of the Jing siblings was full of strangeness and doubts, this involved the battle for the throne. Not wanting to make things bigger, the monarch pointed to Jing Changyi as the scapegoat to end the matter.

Many things were unknown then. She had even guessed that the tigers’ rampage was caused by the Mu family behind Prince Cheng or Empress Dowager Chu.

She had never expected that the truth of this matter would be revealed in the 1st year of the Yanxi era.

A secret passage was discovered when the Zhen mansion was confiscated, leading to the abandoned Jing mansion. Lu Ze even found Concubine Jing’s and Jing Changyi’s names on the detailed list of the secret spies he had obtained there.

Only then did she know that Jing Changyi had belonged to her father.

Qin Ling shuddered after recalling last night’s dream and what had happened in the 1st year of the Yanxi era.

Ruined by the Su family’s hand…

Ruined by the Su family’s hand…

Had it been a prophecy?

Suddenly, a warm palm fell on her waist.

“Why are you shaking?” the man asked softly.

Qin Ling closed her eyes and forcibly erased those dreams and memories. She sighed long, turned, and quickly replied, “This concubine is fine. I’ll help Your Majesty change.”

She was about to rise, but Xiao Yu pulled her back. He said, “It’s cold in the morning at this time of the year. Just sleep a little more.”

“How could it be done…” Because she had just woken up, her voice was still somewhat husky. “This concubine is not sleepy nor cold.”

Xiao Yu stared at her.

The person in his arms was only seventeen years old. Her eyes were still clear, and her childishness was hard to hide, just like when they’d first met.

Now he was ten years older than her.

He had been too greedy, wanting to become a loving couple with her. And because he’d had the Su family power, he abided by the monarch’s and his ministers’ etiquette. Now that he thought about it, Xiao Chongzuan had been right before he died… He was ungrateful and lonely.

Thinking of this, he stretched out his hand to caress her cheek.

Qin Ling tidied up his lapel and said softly, “Yesterday, Yun’er has put his fox scarf in a box and told me that he wanted to give it to His Majesty because the weather was getting cold.”

Xiao Yu said in surprise, “He said that?”

Qin Ling nodded. “If there’s nothing urgent, can Your Majesty see him first?”

“Sure.”

The door opened with a creak, and the palace maids in charge of the night immediately bowed. “Thousands of blessings, Your Majesty.”

Xiao Yu raised his hand, signaling them to leave.

Xiao Yun hadn’t woken up yet at this hour; his quilt was messy as if he had been running on it. Xiao Yu sat on the edge of the couch, holding back a smile.

Qin Ling was reluctant to wake him up because he was sleeping soundly, but he’d been missing his imperial father recently. At least three out of ten sentences contained ‘Imperial Father’.

Every prince at this age grew up watching the emperor’s back.

He respected the emperor, admired him, and depended on him even more.

Qin Ling stretched out her hand to pat his back. “Yun’er.”

The sleeping little prince only frowned, clenched his fist, and let go. Obviously didn’t want to get up.

Qin Ling raised her voice and called him again, “Yun’er!”

In the end, he still slept as heavily as a little pig.

“It’s fine, let him sleep.” Xiao Yu pulled Qin Ling out and said, “I will accompany you for dinner tonight.”

The emperor had berated Imperial Physician Wei before everyone last night; this could be said to be not saving the dowager’s face. The dowager was so angry that she claimed to have a headache early in the morning, so everyone was dismissed from the morning greeting. As a result, after leaving Xiao Yun’s room, Qin Ling had breakfast in her own palace.

When she put down the golden chopsticks, she saw Zhu Xin walking over quickly, whispering, “Master, Her Ladyship Consort Liu has delivered some furs and brocades.”

What was Consort Liu doing? Did she want to slap the dowager in the face?

Qin Ling replied, “Let me take a look.”

“Here.” Zhu Lan had counted the number of furs and brocades, written them on a list, and handed it to Qin Ling, “The main maid of Yikun Palace said that since the harem has cut down expenses, these presents are from Her Ladyship’s personal storage.”

Qin Ling took a look.

Two bolts of satin for bodywear, forty sheets of blank mink fur, two bolts of satin for headwear, five sheets of Goryeo cloth, ten catties of velvet, four catties of cotton…

In total, the standards for the position of a second-rank consort.

Qin Ling pondered and said to Zhu Lan, “Help me dress. Let’s go to Yikun Palace to thank her.”

Although Consort Liu Guyang’s appearance was not outstanding, she was very talented. Unlike Li Yuan and Xue Lanyi, not only would she not compete for favor and flattery, she had always sneered at them.

Three years ago, the Kunning Palace was livelier than anywhere else in the harem. Sometimes it was Li Yuan who came to cry, and sometimes, it was Xue Lanyi who came to complain. Liu Guyang would sometimes watch the fun from the sidelines with a sneer as Su Ling comforted them one after another.

Qin Ling put her hair in a simple bun, got dressed, and walked toward Yikun Palace.

The curtain of the main hall of Yikun Palace was half-drawn, and there was a scent of books before entering.

“This concubine wishes Her Ladyship good health.”

“You’re dispensed.” Consort Liu raised her eyes and smiled. “Jieyu Qin, please be seated.”

After a while, the sound of boiling tea was heard. Consort Liu raised her hand and poured the tea for Qin Ling. “This is the Longjing tea just sent by the Shangshan Bureau. Jieyu Qin, have a taste.”

“Thank you, Your Ladyship.” Qin Ling received the cup with both hands before mentioning the presents. “This concubine doesn’t know how to repay Your Ladyship for your care.”

“You’ve worked hard to serve His Majesty and the eldest prince. It’s only right for me to care for you.” Consort Liu smiled, “Enough of these formalities. Since you’re here, would you like to play qi with me?”

Qin Ling replied, “Yes.”

Yikun Palace was filled with incense smoke as Qin Ling concentrated on playing qi with Consort Liu. Her reputation as the most-talented woman was well-deserved. After four hours, Qin Ling put down her pion and said generously, “This concubine admits defeat.”

“We only played to pass the time, it doesn’t matter whether you win or lose.” Consort Liu had also catered to her after seeing her playing seriously, and as her expression changed a few times, she couldn’t help but talk more to her.

Because they had such a good time, Consort Liu gave her a few more poetry collections before leaving.

Qin Ling had just left Yikun Palace when she happened to bump into Xue Lanyi on her way to the Qianqiu Pavilion. 

Qin Ling greeted, “This concubine greets Consort Xue.”

Consort Xue chuckled and observed her instead of telling her to rise.

But Qin Ling didn’t move at all. She was so respectful that it was hard for others to discover her flaws.

Only after the birds on the tree had quieted down did Consort Xue open her mouth and say lightly, “Jieyu Qin, it’s been ten long years since I entered this harem. Without stepping carefully, one would’ve gone down the high walls of this inner palace already. You’re pampered now because he hasn’t tasted all your flavors. Living here is like entering a market affair; you may not know how deep it goes, but you must know whose tea you can drink.” Consort Xue smiled. “Looking from the previous dynasties, which flower in the harem can last more than a hundred days? There will be another election in three years, and newcomers will enter the palace one after another. The land of the Great Zhou Dynasty is vast. How can you be sure that the emperor will not find a second you in this world?”

Consort Xue definitely knew how to provoke the womenfolk in the harem the best. She deliberately said, “You’re not the first ot be favored in this harem, and you won’t be the last. Consort Li was even more favored back then. His Majesty doted on herm, even her maternal family back in Goryeo had heard of it. But what about now? She feared that the king of Goryeo will send another princess here. She ends up in a situation where she can only use means to invite favors, which is enough to show that temporary favors are useless.”

Qin Ling replied, “This concubine heeds the advice.”

“There will be an imperial examination as soon as the spring breeze arrives.” Consort Xue smiled and said softly, “You should think about what I mentioned last time. Don’t regret it.”

Consort Xue turned to leave, and Qing Yue whispered, “Your Ladyship, you made your words so clear… Aren’t you afraid that she will bite back?”

“Hand in the fist basket to avoid the fishy smell. Consort Li and Consort Liu had stretched their hands to her, who knows who she will choose?”

Qing Yue said, “But she’s raising the eldest prince after all. His Majesty will definitely act in her favor.”

Consort Xue sneered. “Her father is a grand historian with no real power, while her elder brother is a merchant who participates in the martial examination halfway. With the Qin family’s ability, His Majesty will not do anything excessive unless he wants to be called an incapable ruler. That senior from the Liu family is as stubborn as a damn rock; totally unreliable. And what can Consort Li do? Once the empress dowager acts, if she doesn’t take refuge in me today, she will beg me in the future. The Su family committed treason, so the eldest prince’s status is embarrassing. Do you think His Majesty will let his only son choose the Qin family as his maternal family? How old is the eldest prince?”

Qing Yue bowed and answered, “This slave is stupid.”

Consort Xue brushed her hair from her temples. “Let’s go.”

Qin Ling returned to Jingren Palace and lay directly on her bed. She suddenly felt that being a consort was more relaxing than being an empress. She could go everywhere.

The only benefit of being an empress was that she hadn’t had to pay respect to Xue Lanyi.

After a while, the eldest prince entered through the door.

The sound of footsteps traveled at a breakneck speed.

With his hand on the bed, he lifted his leg to climb up, grabbed Qin Ling’s lapel, and called ‘Mum’ repeatedly.

Qin Ling sat up, pulled him over, and was immediately met with a warm mass of flesh.

Xiao Yun told her, “Momo said Imperial Father came to see me.”

Qin Ling replied, “Mm.”

Because he hadn’t actually seen his father, Xiao Yun became a little annoyed. He said with clenched fists, “I didn’t hear…”

Qin Ling rubbed his hair and said, “His Majesty will come to accompany you for dinner.”

Xiao Yun’s eyes lit up instantly, “Really?”

Qin Ling tapped the tip of his nose with her index finger and said helplessly, “Yes.”

The sky was dyed red as the sun set, and the bare branches rustled in the wind. When it was time for dinner, Xiao Yun raised his head and said, “Mum, I’m hungry.”

Unexpectedly, as soon as his words fell, news came from Eunuch Sheng. “His Majesty has something important to deal with, so he won’t be able to come for dinner.”

Hearing the words ‘something important’, Qin Ling suddenly remembered the matter of Su Huai’an. Her face suddenly turned solemn.