Happy new year, all! We are actually only back for two chapters. I didn’t know this, but Odyssey is overseas from the 12-22 January. I will be away 25Jan-9Feb. Sorry! There will be one bonus chapter released tomorrow as that has been edited already, but the other bonus will have to wait. We will hopefully be back on 16Feb.
Translator: Jalyss
Editor: Odyssey
Chapter 51
The imperial noble consort spoke softly and very gently. Yinzhen’s ears twitched. His eyes gradually widened and he nodded heavily. The uneasiness on his young face disappeared and turned into pure joy.
He called his mother, his black eyes sparkling. “Your son knows, and your son will be good to his sixth younger brother!”
“Mother can rest assured,” the imperial noble consort said warmly, stroking her hair. She then looked at the withering flowers and trees outside the window with a happy expression.
After looking for a long time, her eyes flickered, and she said casually, “In that case, mother would like to ask you something. Is Yinzhen closer to his second older brother or his sixth younger brother now?”
Yinzhen was stunned for a moment. He clasped his fingers together and thought for a while before saying seriously, “Second older brother treats me as his younger brother, and I treat sixth younger brother as my younger brother. Mother, this cannot be compared.”
The imperial noble consort was surprised. She then curved her lips and smiled. “Yes! You are right, they indeed cannot be compared.”
The fourth prince understood the saying that there was a difference between a king and his ministers.
It had been a year since he entered the study room. He had already memorised the ‘Three Character Classic’ and ‘The Rules For Students’ thoroughly, as well as concepts such as filial piety, brotherhood, etiquette, and justice. These were the teachings that masters often talked about.
Yinzhen wrung his fingers and hesitated. “Second older brother… Would second older brother really think so?”
No, that was not the case. His second older brother never put on a condescending air. He not only enlightened him and played with him, but also gave him a pony. How could he treat his younger brother as a courtier, as mother said?
“Your second older brother is still young. Who knows how it will be…” The imperial noble consort swallowed the unfinished words, smiled calmly, lowered her eyes. Her smile revealed a bit of ridicule. “But with Lord Suo here, it won’t necessarily be the case.”
Her voice was very soft, and it disappeared in the hall.
The imperial noble consort understood Yinzhen’s personality. This child was stubborn. He was quite stubborn when he decided on one thing at a young age and would not be easily shaken. But it didn’t matter. As time went on, Yinzhen would eventually understand what she meant, and gradually become more distant from the crown prince!
“You just need to keep mother’s words in mind.” The imperial noble consort took Yinzhen’s hand lovingly and smiled slightly. She suppressed her cough and said, “Look at me. We have almost finished eating. I shouldn’t mention these things. Wet Nurse Zhen, go get a plate of chestnut cake. Make sure it is hot, so it will be easy on the fourth prince’s stomach.”
Wet Nurse Zhen was standing aside respectfully. When she heard the order, she quickly responded and left with a smile.
***
Consort Hui had been very anxious these past few days.
It had only been a few days since the noble consort gave birth to the tenth prince. The palace affairs were still handled by the three consorts. As Consort Rong would trip her up from time to time, her words were full of pressure. The errands that had been so easy in the past were no longer so. It was very annoying.
Next to her was Consort Yi, who was watching the fun. The makeup and clothes Consort Yi wore every day made Consort Hui’s already haggard face look even worse. She was obviously seven or eight years older, but she looked like someone two generations before Consort Yi.
When had Consort Hui ever been so angry? As soon as she returned to the palace, her expression darkened.
In her early years, when Mrs. Nala was still a concubine, she lost a prince who died in infancy and also experienced some twists and turns. Since the birth of Yinti, she had been promoted to a consort, and she was still the first of the four consorts. With the help of Ming Zhu, she had been pampered for many years. It was not an exaggeration to say that it had been smooth sailing.
This time, she was caught off guard.
The emperor personally gave her a grace. In the past, Consort Hui would have been delighted, but Imperial Concubine Wu had just come over to her side. Now, she had to preside over the fifth princess’s one month ceremony. Not only did she fail to fulfill her promise to help her get out of house arrest, but she ended up taking over the duties of the fifth princess’ mother. This was really…
All her plans were messed up!
Consort Hui was in the spotlight and everyone was glaring at her, but there was no room for her to reason.
Yinti had complained to her, asking why should she care about the other side of Yonghe Palace? It was a thankless job, and she could only get a superficial reputation.
“Imperial Concubine Wu has made imperial father disgusted. It’s not like mother doesn’t know that she can’t stir up trouble anymore. Besides, there is eighth younger brother in the Yanxi Palace. If mother has to look after Moyaqi, can mother handle it?” The eldest prince murmured. When he saw his mother’s ugly expression, he smiled and finally stopped talking.
Consort Hui glared at her son. Her liver hurt with anger, and she waved her hand and drove him out.
…
Who could she blame? Should she resent the emperor? Blame the empress dowager?
Consort Hui would never dare to do this, so she had to dispel the depression in her heart and try her best to arrange the ceremony.
Soon it was Moyaqi’s one month ceremony. It was still dark, so Consort Hui got up early, dressed carefully for an hour, then got on the sedan chair and went to Yonghe Palace.
There was no sound in Yonghe Palace. It was desolate at first glance. Consort Hui squinted for a long time, and then ordered the people around her, “Make an announcement.”
Someone called out, “Consort Hui has arrived—”. Yonghe Palace’s doors slowly opened. The group waited for a long time, but no maid came out to greet them.
Consort Hui’s face darkened slightly. Ying’er was dumbfounded, and then she became displeased. “Consort, they are so rude! Is this what the hospitality in Yonghe Palace is like?”
“That’s all…” Consort Hui shook her head and stopped her attack. “Imperial Concubine Wu is still reflecting, so We can’t criticise her harshly.”
After saying that, Consort Hui sat upright on the sedan chair and sighed softly. Imperial Concubine Wu was blaming her.
She calmly ordered, “Go and fetch the fifth princess. Remember to be careful! The fifth princess cannot be exposed to the wind. If there is even the slightest mistake, We will hold you accountable.”
When Ying’er and Yan’er saw that the Consort was not ready to get off the sedan, they shuddered. Then they quickly led the palace attendants inside Yanxi Palace.
***
The main hall of Yonghe Palace seemed to have not been ventilated for a long time. It was filled with a strong medicinal smell.
This was the end of the house arrest. Ying’er saw Imperial Concubine Wu for the first time. She looked almost the same as before, but the feeling she gave people was quite different.
In addition to the snow-white tunic, she was wearing an ocher-coloured robe, which did not give off a gentle feeling. Her clear and beautiful face was like dust, reflecting layers of cloudiness. Her face was pale with a tinge of green, and an aura of mystery lingered.
“Imperial Concubine Wu, don’t make things difficult for this servant.” After entering the inner room, facing Imperial Concubine Wu’s oppressive gaze, Ying’er paid her respects in a neither humble nor overbearing manner. She then said with a slight smile, “The wives have entered the palace. They must want to see the fifth princess. Consort Hui is waiting for this servant to return. Today is the fifth princess’ one month ceremony. How can we make the emperor wait?”
Imperial Concubine Wu, who was lying on the couch, straightened up after hearing this. She stared at Ying’er for a long time, finally closed her eyes, and said in a hoarse voice, “…let the nanny bring Moyaqi.”
There were sounds of rustling footsteps before the bright red bundle was gently placed in Ying’er’s arms.
Ying’er carefully opened the bundle and saw that the little princess’s face was rosy and that she was sleeping soundly. She breathed a sigh of relief, and her smile was sincere. “Thank you, Imperial Concubine, for being considerate of this servant! Our Consort said that the Consort will certainly give the fifth princess a glorious one month ceremony, and that there won’t be any damage at all. Therefore, Imperial Concubine can just relax.”
“Relax?” Imperial Concubine Wu looked at the baby with reluctance. When she heard this, her almond-shaped eyes gradually became cold and stern as if she had heard a joke.
“How can We relax?” she asked with a sneer. “We have a message for you to ask your Consort. Does she still remember the promise she made? We did our best, but she did such a thing… She has taken advantage of others. Is she not afraid of being struck by lightning?!”
Ying’er’s expression changed instantly.
“Imperial Concubine Wu has misunderstood.” She suppressed her anger and explained in a good voice. “The emperor has bestowed a grace. How can Consort Hui refuse? As for the promise, the Consort will keep her word.”
Imperial Concubine Wu turned a deaf ear to her explanation and just sneered. “As expected of the head maid of Yanxi Palace, she has such a powerful mouth that she can turn black into white. Fine, We will keep Our eyes open and see if Moyaqi comes back, and if Consort Hui helps Us get out of this predicament?”
After that, she looked back at the baby in Ying’er’s arms and said softly, “After the one month ceremony, if Our child is sick… just wait. Consort Yi is not someone who is easy to mess with…”
Ying’er resisted the creepy feeling in her heart. She forced a smile and nodded, then quickly retreated.
…
Consort Hui heard Ying’er’s words on the way back to Yanxi Palace. She held Moyaqi’s hand and paused. Her mouth flattened. “Is she threatening me?”
“Consort, Imperial Concubine Wu’s condition is not right…” Ying’er said as she walked. Her tone was low and fearful. “It’s like she’s acting like she is in a life or death situation!”
Consort Hui frowned. She didn’t expect Mrs. Wuya to be so arrogant.
But she couldn’t ignore it!
Those who were barefoot were not afraid of those who wore shoes. Mrs. Wuya looked like she could no longer stand up. She had nothing to lose if she went crazy. The anger in her heart was rising steadily. Did she really think that she couldn’t control someone who had been rejected by the emperor?!
“Stabilise her first, and then we can make long-term plans.” Consort Hui closed her eyes and said coolly, “The most important thing right now is the one month ceremony. Put the rest aside. We have been delayed in Yonghe Palace for too long, and they may be impatient! Just speed back quickly.”
“Yes.”
***
One could tell from the emperor’s satisfied look that Consort Hui clearly put her heart into the fifth princess’ one month ceremony.
The meal on the table was very rich, and Yun Xiu was satisfied with it. After returning to the palace to eat, she ordered someone to bring Yintang over. She was smiling, ready to tease the little baby who looked the same every day.
In that room, before the nanny came in, Rui Zhu quickly opened the curtain and reported, “Consort, the master has sent someone to send news. The master is about to be promoted, and his official position in Shengjing has changed, but… …”
Yun Xiu’s smile fell little by little.
“Going to the capital? The Vice President of the Ministry of Civil Personnel?”
That was the Nala family’s territory, under the command of Ming Zhu, the Minister of the Ministry of Civil Personnel!
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