Chapter 4 – Expressions of the Imperial Concubines ( 嬪妃衆相)

By Yue Xia Die Ying (月下蝶影)

Translated by Sleepchaser at https://sleepchaser.wordpress.com/

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THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION.

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According to palace protocol, after imperial concubines received the emperor’s

affections, they must pay respects to the empress first thing in the morning. Of

course, the emperor would sometimes pity that concubine and relieve her from

that duty.

Zhuang Luoyan had gotten herself in said situation. Last night, Emperor

Chengxuan had clearly said so himself. But she was no longer the original Wanyi

Zhuang. She had wisdom. In the imperial harem, those who acted arrogantly after

being favored would suffer a poor outcome. She didn’t have the infamous Daji’s¹

ability to completely ensnare the emperor. It’s better to not copy her anyway, for

the future of a calamitous beauty, a wanton seductress of a consort, would be full

of despair.

She dressed appropriately for her rank, not flashy yet not too plain. If one dressed

simply in a harem full of ostentatious s...o...b..ats, one would stand out. Would

catch the attention of everyone.

The empress lived in Jingyang Palace. Since this dynasty’s establishment, every

empress had resided there. The current empress was one year Feng Jin’s senior,

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and did not hold his affection. However, he treated her with respect. Therefore,

her position in the imperial harem was stable. What a pity she had only given

birth to a daughter who died at the age of two. Since then, the favored imperial

concubines stole her limelight.

Losing favor in the imperial harem was easier than receiving favor. For this

reason, every imperial concubine came to watch Zhuang Luoyan pay respects to

the empress. Their hearts trembled with unhappiness. She was obviously just a

woman with a slightly attractive face. By what means could she attain the

emperor’s affection?

“This concubine pays respects to Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty.” Zhuang

Luoyan had arrived right on time. This was considered rule-abiding. She saluted

the full ceremony. A beat later, the empress’ personal palace maids approached

Zhuang Luoyan and helped her to her feet. She glanced at the n.o.ble woman

sitting in the main seat. It seemed the empress completely forgot the icy att.i.tude

she had shown Zhuang Luoyan in the past.

“Previously, His Majesty’s personal eunuchs have informed this palace you were

relieved from paying respects. Now that you have arrived, hurry and take a seat.”

Although the empress wasn’t the most beautiful in the imperial harem, she had

the most n.o.ble aura, suitable for an empress. A smile, and she seemed proper,

benevolent, and magnanimous.

“His Majesty and Your Majesty’s compa.s.sion is this concubine’s blessing. Yet

these past couple days, this concubine felt guilty for failing to pay respects to Your

Majesty. Therefore, today this concubine has inconvenienced Your Majesty.

Asking Your Majesty, the empress not to mind,” said Zhuang Luoyan, a cold smile

settling within her heart. What ‘relieved from paying respects?’ Why did she not

say those words before she saluted the full ceremony? The only thing the

empress had competed for and won was the reputation of a benevolent and

magnamious woman. She must be itching with boredom.

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“The fact that you have done this makes this palace glow with joy.” The empress

once again called for someone to present Zhuang Luoyan a gift, encouraging the

other imperial concubines’ envy.

After a moment of conversing among themselves, the women in the room heard a

eunuch's announcement. “n.o.ble Consort Shu has arrived. Xiuyi² Su has arrived.”

Zhuang Luoyan rose from her seat. She watched as the two gorgeous women

slowly and gracefully entered the room, floating by like a cloud. The woman in

front wore a pink blouse and a wrap-around skirt. She looked to be in her

twenties. Her figure was akin to a willow, thin and flexible, her gaze filled with a

n.o.ble and arrogant air. It was clear with a glance that the emperor highly doted

on her.

The woman standing a step behind her was also beautiful. However, her presence

wasn’t as great. Upon closer inspection they looked a bit alike. She seemed

slightly afraid and respectful of the woman standing before her.

“This concubine³ greets the empress,” said n.o.ble Consort Shu as she bowed

elegantly. Zhuang Luoyan sighed in her heart. No wonder this woman was

favored. If Zhuang Luoyan were a man, she wouldn’t be able to help herself from

showering this curvaceous woman with love.

As n.o.ble Consort Shu completed the full ceremony and kowtowed again, the

eunuchs announced that n.o.ble Imperial Concubine Yan had arrived.

Below the rank of Zhaoyi, imperial concubines did not have a t.i.tle, only referred

to by their last name. The sole exception was this n.o.ble Imperial Concubine Yan.

Born Xue Zhenyao, she had the t.i.tle of “Yan” bestowed to her while still in those

lower ranks. Word went that she first met the emperor in a plum blossom forest,

and she had smiled at him then. He found it so prepossessing, so special,

prompting him to give her the t.i.tle of “Yan.” Not long after, she was promoted

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from one of the lowest ranks to a Ronghua. Then from a Ronghua directly to

n.o.ble Imperial Concubine Yan. The emperor clearly favored her and then some.

Just a glimpse of her standing by the doorway and it was obvious her beauty

eclipsed that of n.o.ble Consort Shu. Not to mention, her actions were very

alluring. As soon as she had stepped foot within the room, she swept her gaze

through the other imperial concubines. Then she finally approached the empress

to pay respects.

The empress’ att.i.tude toward her was the same as her att.i.tude toward n.o.ble

Consort Shu. Zhuang Luoyan could not determine how the empress felt about

these two favored imperial concubines, what her intentions for them were. If it

weren’t for n.o.ble Imperial Concubine Yan’s relatively humble birth, she would

have an even higher rank.

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“Today it is quite lively at the empress’ abode.” She turned to Zhuang Luoyan with

a smile. “Isn’t this the younger sister Zhuang who hasn’t been seen for a while?”

Breathtakingly gorgeous her eyes might be, when her gaze had met Zhuang

Luoyan, her attractive smile seemed cold to the latter.

“Responding to older sister, it is indeed this concubine.” Zhuang Luoyan stood to

curtsy, a smile dancing on her lips.

“I heard that you had been sick prior. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the time to visit

you,” said n.o.ble Imperial Concubine Yan. “Have you recovered now?” Then she

smiled at n.o.ble Consort Shu. “Older sister, look at little sister Wanyi’s small face.

It looks like it has gotten a lot thinner.”

“Little sister Wanyi indeed has lost weight. Although she has said she recovered,

it’s better to take care of oneself,” said n.o.ble Consort Shu, watching Zhuang

Luoyan with warm smile. Her voice was a spring breeze, soft and gentle. “If you

require anything, let the empress or us older sisters know. Don’t treat yourself

poorly.”

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“This concubine thanks all the older sisters. There’s nothing that I lack. This

concubine feels remorse in having the older sisters worry.” Zhuang Luoyan sat

back down and immersed herself in thought. If these women actually saw her as a

younger sister, as one of their own, why would they keep calling her by her rank?

They were merely reminding her of her low status, and not to let one instance of

favor get to her head.

“This palace is relieved that all of you are in harmony. Prior to this meeting,

Kangan Palace⁵ had delivered an imperial order canceling today’s act of paying

respects. If you sisters have no other business, you may leave.” The empress

waved her hand.

Since the empress had said this, the rest of the imperial concubines wouldn’t

shamelessly stay. They all made to leave Jingyang Palace. Upon leaving, they

would reveal their true face.

The honest women who had no hope of receiving the emperor’s affection left

quietly. Those who loitered around were the ones with intentions in their hearts.

“Wanyi Zhuang received favor, yet the one who’s most happy should be Jieyu

Zhuang. Have I said it correctly?” Jieyu Ma’s voice was neither loud nor soft. The

people around her all heard. It was common knowledge that Jieyu Zhuang

entered the palace two years before Wanyi Zhuang. In fact, Wanyi Zhuang was

the Zhuang family’s legitimate daughter. Jieyu Zhuang was just a daughter born

from a concubine, and once Wanyi Zhuang had arrived, she was not respectful to

her older sister. Now, Jieyu Ma purposely said these words in order anger them

both.

Never had Jieyu Zhuang thought that her sister would have a chance to claw back

up. Although she had hoped this wouldn’t happen, it was a matter between the

two of them. She didn’t want someone like Jieyu Ma, whose father was a

low-ranked official, to mock them. Her smile was cold enough to freeze. “Does the

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fact that my younger sister can make the emperor happy cause Jieyu Ma misery?”

Jieyu Ma’s face tightened. Her words were encased in ice. “You two certainly

share a great sisterly bond.”

To use the phrase “great sisterly bond” to describe the two’s relations.h.i.+p was a

huge joke. Zhuang Luoyan knew Jieyu Zhuang didn’t like her. Of course, who

would be close to a person who kept b.u.t.ting heads with her, who was worse than

her in everything but beauty, and who was an arrogant legitimate sister to boot?

Jieyu Zhuang’s expression grew dark. No longer did she respond to Jieyu Ma.

Meanwhile, Zhuang Luoyan turned to look at Jieyu Ma. Sliding across her own lips

was an expression that at one glance seemed like a smile, and at another shook

off the earlier impression. She said, “Jieyu Ma has entered the palace for many

years. So shouldn’t you be aware that all of us sisters share great sisterly bonds?”

“You!” Jieyu Ma’s expression sank. Zhuang Luoyan had pressed a blade upon her

Achilles' heel. She was not getting any younger. She was considered to have

entered the palace early. However, Jieyu Ma was stuck as a lesser 4th-rank Jieyu.

Compared to these women who looked like flowers, she had already pa.s.sed her

prime.

“When we are talking, a low-ranked Wanyi like yourself should not interrupt.”

Frigid did Jieyu Ma’s gaze become. “Someone slap her mouth.”

“Master…” said one of Jieyu Ma’s servants, voice coming out in a frail whisper.

Her whole body trembled, too afraid to move.

“Younger sister had lost manners,” said Zhuang Luoyan. “Hoping that older sister

forgives. Because older sister had said we shared a sisterly bond, I dared to say

such things, not knowing that you instead had this intention.” She bowed,

watching as Jieyu Ma’s expression sank even more. Her smile did not falter.

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“It’s been a while since we last met, yet Wanyi Zhuang’s mouth has become all

the more skilled,” said Virtuous Imperial Concubine⁵ Jiang, standing a distance

away as she viewed this show. Her voice was soft as she said to Imperial

Concubine w.a.n.g at her side, “Who knows if her tricks have improved though.”

Imperial Concubine w.a.n.g studied Jieyu Ma’s unsightly expression. “Whether

Wanyi Zhuang’s tricks improved I don’t know. However, this Jieyu Ma has been in

the palace for a long time. Did her intelligence rot?”

The three of them had entered the palace on the same day. This Virtuous Imperial

Concubine Jiang was a proper 4th-rank concubine. Imperial Concubine w.a.n.g was

as well. Only Jieyu Ma was of the lesser 4th-rank. Thinking back to three years

ago, when Jieyu Ma held the emperor’s affection, Imperial Concubine w.a.n.g

smiled.

Jieyu Ma could not order her servant to slap Zhuang Luoyan. Ignoring the fact that

they were standing right outside Jingyan Palace, even if they were somewhere

else, a Jieyu telling a servant to slap a Wanyi who recently received favor proved

an idiotic move. It would paint her in the light of a jealous and immoral person.

She would be merely giving herself trouble.

Although Jieyu Ma lacked intelligence, she hadn’t fallen to the point of pure

stupidity. She quickly calmed. Glanced hatefully at Zhuang Luoyan. Then she spun

on her heel and left, her palace maids trailing her.

The imperial concubines who had stayed for the show soon departed. In just a

few moments, the only ones remaining were Jieyu Zhuang and Zhuang Luoyan.

“During that bout of sickness, younger sister had missed you,” Zhuang Luoyan

said, a fake smile tugging on her lips. Back when the empress disliked the original

owner of this body, Jieyu Zhuang had fueled part of that dislike.

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Jieyu Zhuang stared Zhuang Luoyan straight in the eye. The latter’s eyes were so

prepossessing that it made the former jealous. She sneered. Reached out for a

maidservant’s hand to support herself. Smiling coldly, Jieyu Ma said “Why must

younger sister act in such a way?” As mentioned before, Jieyu Zhuang had

entered the palace two years earlier than Zhuang Luoyan. Since she was born

from a concubine, she was still a lesser 4th-rank Jieyu after suffering for several

years. Yet because of her status as a legitimate daughter, her arrogant little sister

was made a lesser 5th-rank Guiji right from the start. Then after a night of the

emperor’s affection, she was promoted to a proper 5th-rank Wanyi. The

difference was night and day.

Whether she was unwilling or not, hated her situation or not, Jieyu Zhuang had

hoped that once her little sister lost favor, she would be kicked into the Cold

Palace⁶. And she had hoped this little sister would disappear in the imperial

harem without a sound. However, Zhuang Luoyan had clearly lost favor before.

Had clearly caused the empress unhappiness. Why was it that after one night, the

emperor became fond of her again? Even the empress’ att.i.tude toward her had

changed.

Was it because Zhuang Luoyan was slightly more beautiful than herself? Because

of her better birth?!

Zhuang Luoyan could make out the thick hate in Jieyu Zhuang’s gaze. She lowered

her eyes, reached out a hand to Yunxi for support. “Today younger sister feels a

bit tired and will go on ahead.”

Gaze locked on Zhuang Luoyan as she departed, Jieyu Zhuang said in a somber

voice, “Any news on Taoyu Pavilion?”

“Master, according to the grapevine,” Xieyu whispered, “the head eunuch Gao

Dezhong brought six capable servants to Taoyu Pavilion in the morning.

Apparently, His Majesty felt Taoyu Pavilion was in need of more servants. Having

the original amount had wronged Wanyi Zhuang.”

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“Wronged?!” Jieyu Zhuang’s frigid smile was truly frightening. “Which Wanyi

doesn’t have the same amount of servants? Yet it was only her that was

wronged?” Once those words left her lips, Jieyu Zhuang had the sinking suspicion

that something was off. She grudgingly suppressed the unhappiness threatening

to overtake her heart. Then she turned around and left for her residence.

“Master, eldest miss is…”

“Yunxi, she is not the eldest miss. She is Jieyu Zhuang. Don’t forget that.” A light

smile once again slid across Zhung Luoyan’s lips. In the imperial harem, there was

no such thing as a real sister.

Later in the evening, what the other imperial concubines had feared was about to

occur.

“Does Your Majesty want to flip a nametag?” Gao Dezhong said as he brought

some eunuchs with him into the room. Seeing Feng Jin hard at work, he had kept

his voice low.

The red imperial brush⁷ in Feng Jin’s hand stopped. He glanced at the nametags

laying on the tray before him. At first, he reached out for a jade nametag, which

read “Anqing Palace’s n.o.ble Consort Shu, Su Ruizi.” But as his finger brushed

against the cool of the jade, he suddenly paused. He reached for a and flipped a

wooden nametag.

As Feng Jin resumed his work, Gao Dezhong shot a glance at the nametag. He

brought the other eunuchs out of the room.

“Announcing the emperor’s choice. Have Taoyu Pavilion prepare for tonight.”

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1. Daji: (妲己) Dájǐ was the favorite consort of King Zhou of Shang, the last king of the Shang dynasty in

ancient China. She is portrayed as a malevolent fox spirit in legends as well as novels. Because of her, the

emperor became muddleheaded, and his dynasty fell. For this reason, she is only called by her real name

in history books, and not by her more respectful consort t.i.tle.

2. Xiuyi: (修儀) Xiūyí. A rank of imperial concubine. Since the author mixes and matches ranks from different

dynasties, I can’t tell you exactly how high this rank is. But it’s definitely lower than a Consort and

probably higher than a Wanyi (Zhuang Luoyan’s rank).

3. This concubine: (臣妾) Chénqiè. Although Chenqie also means “this concubine” like pinqie, which is the

form of “this concubine” used in this novel until now, chenqie is used by higher-ranked imperial

concubines when they are speaking with a superior. I believe it’s from the rank of Consort and above.

4. Kangan Palace: (康安宮) Kāng ān gōng. If I had to guess, this would be the empress dowager’s palace. The

emperor’s palace is Gangzheng Palace in this novel.

5. Virtuous Imperial Concubine: (賢嬪) Xián pín. I’m not sure if this is an actual rank, or if the 賢 (xian),

which means virtuous, is her t.i.tle.

6. Cold Palace: (冷宮) Lěnggōng. The place where imperials concubines who had committed a crime were

sent. A place where they must repent and lacked any form of luxury.

7. imperial brush (御筆) Yùbǐ. This brush was used only by the emperor to write comments in his officials’

memorials.