Jiang gui ren ran her hands over the silken collar of her brand-new Imperial Concubine's chaofu*. All the little pieces were dazzling. The embroidered jacket, the precious necklaces, the golden chaoguan!† She had toiled so many years for this, and it was finally happening. Was it bittersweet that His Majesty didn't personally promote her? Sure. But being part of a group promotion for The Empress Dowager's birthday celebration was better than no promotion at all. The notice of her promotion and her chaofu was delivered last week. However, she was still recovering and couldn't venture outside. Now, for the first time in a month and a half, she was leaving her rooms as the soon-to-be mistress of Xianfugong.
"Mistress," said Susu, "You're going to look so dashing when you wear this for your promotion ceremony. Not even Lian pin will be able to match you,"
Another bittersweet mouthful to swallow.
Lian pin would soon become Lian fei. She bore no children and made no merits, yet she somehow was going to be a Consort.
"His Majesty is set on respecting her family," replied Jiang gui ren, "At the very least, Xiang gui ren got nothing,"
"It's so embarrassing. Even Wang chang zai is getting a promotion!" Said Susu.
"The Empress Dowager is just showing her pity. His Majesty wouldn't dare to clean away the cobwebs between the legs of that old fish," said Jiang gui ren.
Their giggling was interrupted by a delivery of purple fabric. As a Noble Lady, purple was a color far above her station. Now, she would wear it as often as she could.
"Did Huan momo unpack all of my jewelry yet? And my good clothes?" Jiang gui ren asked, digging through the stacks of silks.
"Yes, I even convinced them to leave a few gold pieces. I tried to tell momo that you could wear kingfisher feathers, but Haun momo wouldn't listen," replied Susu.
"No matter," replied Jiang gui ren, "Once I have a son, I can send them all back home with some money. I asked Lou taiyi about my odds of having a child, and he said nothing should stop me from getting pregnant. I only have to suffer them for a bit longer,"
"You don't...." Susu dropped her voice, "You don't want to get rid of them sooner?"
Tsking, Jiang gui ren rolled her eyes, "Idiot, don't be so impatient,"
"Mistress," Yao gonggong said, coming into the bedroom, "His Majesty and Her Highness have invited you to share a meal with them and a few of the other mistresses to celebrate your promotion,"
"Shall I call Huan momo and Cui momo to help you dress?" He asked.
"Yes, quickly, quickly!"
✺
In all, The Empress Dowager had chosen 12 women to promote. The majority were first and second-class attendants. Beside Lian pin and Wang chang zai, there was Jiao gui ren and Cha chang zai. Jiang gui ren smiled as Zhang Wei led her to the chair on the other side of The Emperor. It should've been Lian pin's seat, as she was the most senior concubine at the table. The Emperor was gracious enough to let Huaguang come to the celebration. While it demonstrated how far above she was of the other women, it was so annoying. Huaguang was squirmy and fussy, crawling into His Majesty's lap and back to hers again. Whenever she tried to converse with His Majesty, Huaguang was pulled at her collar or made a mess at the table. Luckily, His Majesty appreciated Huaguang's vigor instead of finding it unkempt.
To make matters worse, Xiang gui ren arrived. An gui ren had done her duty and kept Jiang gui ren company, but Xiang gui ren still needed to visit her daily. It was awful to watch that whore gloat about how The Empress Dowager loved her gift and how happy it made His Majesty. Just looking at her was making her sicker. At least in a few days, Xiang gui ren would never be able to look down on her again.
The Empress ordered that Cha chang zai move one seat down so Jiang gui ren and Xiang gui ren could sit together.
"I'd like to propose a toast," said Xiang gui ren, "To my jiejie. No one is more deserving of becoming mistress of Xianfugong than you,"
It took everything in Jiang gui ren to keep her lips from curling in disgust. She raised her cup and sipped her wine.
"Xiang gui ren, I can't help but feel sorry for you," said Lian pin, "You and Jiang gui ren are two peas in a pod. You both should be called Your Highness by now,"
Lian pin covered her mirth with a polite cough. Jiang gui ren fumed. Lian pin had a lot of never comparing her to a prostitute like Xiang gui ren.
Xiang gui ren bowed her head, "Jiang jiejie is of noble blood and has given His Majesty a daughter. I can't compare,"
"Yes, jiejie," said Jiang gui ren, "I hear a few doctors have come by your Jingrengong. Is there good news on the way?"
Lian pin shifted in her seat, "...No. It was just a bit of sickness from the heat,"
Jiang gui ren frowned softly, "That's too bad. Jiejie is young and healthy. I"m sure you'll be able to give His Majesty a child soon. You can come to me for advice if it ever happens,"
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
"Enough," The Empress said, "If fate allows, a child will come. There's no use in talking like this,"
When Huaguang began to cry loudly in His Majesty's arms, Jiang gui ren pulled her over,only for her to squirm and cry even louder.
"What's gotten into you?" Jiang gui ren muttered.
Xiang gui ren leaned in close, "Oh, is she sleepy? Should her nursemaid take her back?"
"Not at all," said Jiang gui ren, "She's just being fussy,"
"You should let Xiang gui ren hold her for a moment then," said His Majesty, "The Empress says Huaguang behaves with her at the A Ge Sou,"
It rankled Jiang gui ren to be reminded that Xiang gui ren could spend more time with her daughter than she did, but she passed Huaguang over anyways. Amazingly, Huaguang did quiet down in Xiang gui ren's arms.
"Maybe I'll go to Xiang gui ren for advice when I get pregnant," said Lian pin.
Jiang gui ren glared at Huaguang lying quietly in Xiang gui ren's arms. It was obvious that the momos were turning her daughter into a brat.
"Are you tired? You can sleep in my arms," Xiang gui ren whispered to Huaguang.
With a roll of her eyes Jiang gui ren let Susu refill her wine. If that bitch wanted to play nursemaid, Jiang gui ren wouldn't stop her. She lifted her cup and leaned into The Emperor's side.
"A toast to Your Majesty,"
The Emperor locked eyes with her and smiled. Just as they touched the rims together, a chorus of gasps erupted around the table.
"Huifen!" The Emperor sprang to his feet and nearly knocked Jiang gui ren over in his haste.
Xiang gui ren moaning in pain, clutching her head. Her forehead was split open, and rivulets of blood were dripping through her fingers. Huaguang was screaming in Xu niang's arms, face red and blotchy. Xu niang looked frantic, bashing her head to the ground, begging for forgiveness.
His Majesty grabbed a handkerchief and pressed it to Xiang gui ren's face, "What happened?!" He asked.
"I don't know!" Said Lian pin, "Xiang gui ren was holding Fifth Princess when she suddenly grabbed a plate and...hit her!"
It was as if the blood was draining from Jiang gui ren now. How could a two-year-old child do so much damage? Was it a trick? She and her daughter were favored, but there wasn't enough favor to return from something like this. Jiang gui ren flinched as The Emperor kicked Xu niang to the ground, not caring that Huaguang was in her arms.
"You worthless thing! How have you been raising Fifth Princess?"
Xu niang cried, "I deserve to die, I deserve to die!"
Jiang gui ren threw herself at The Emperor's feet, "Your Majesty! Forgive Huaguang. She's just a child! She didn't mean it!"
That was a mistake. The Emperor turned his rage to her."
What sort of devious child have you raised, Jiang gui ren?" He hissed, "How could you birth this beast?"
"Your Majesty, please dissipate your anger," said The Empress, stepping between them, "Take Xiang gui ren into the side hall. I'll call for Hwang taiyi to stop the bleeding,"
The Emperor nodded before turning to Xu niang again, "Get that child out of my sight!"
Xu niang scooped up Huaguang and ran off.
The Emperor followed as Xiang gui ren's limp form was dragged away. Jiang gui ren stayed collapsed on the ground.
"You can all withdraw," The Empress said, "The mood's been spoiled,"
Susu helped Jiang gui ren to her feet as the other women exited the courtyard.
"Jiang gui ren," said The Empress, "Make yourself scarce,"
✺
An gui ren's spirits soared as Weiwei recounted the events at His Majesty's promotion meal.
"What about Jiang gui ren?" An gui ren asked.
"She's locked in her rooms," Weiwei replied, "There's no word if His Majesty will take back her promotion,"
An gui ren sighed. Jiang gui ren really did have all the luck. Her child damn near bludgeoned Xiang gui ren, and she was still becoming an Imperial Concubine. An gui ren didn't have much of an idea when she started to fuss with Huaguang. At best, the girl would embarrass Jiang gui ren and have her lose a bit of face. It seemed the scare tactics made Huaguang go above and beyond. It all meant nothing in end. Jiang gui ren was going to be a mistress, and An gui ren was not.
As she continued her stroll, An gui ren spotted a large group of servants clustered together, giggling and whispering.
"Has there been any good gossip lately, Weiwei?" She asked.
"Not that I've heard. We're still talking about Fifth Princess going crazy," replied Weiwei.
An gui ren hurried over to the group, watching their backs shift with laughter.
"How absurd!" Weiwei said.
The servants jumped and at the sight of An gui ren, dropped to their knees.
"An gui ren is here and you won't even acknowledge her! She should report you to The Emperor right now!" said Weiwei.
"We beg your forgiveness! Please have mercy on us!" A eunuch cried.
"I don't know," said An gui ren, "Is it really worth it to spare such useless things like you?"
The servants began to beg for lives with renewed fervor.
"Alright, alright. I'll forget about this if you tell me what's so interesting these days. What were you chatting about just now?"
The servants fell silent and glanced at one another. It was something juicy then.
"I recognize every one of your uniforms. One word and you'll lose your heads," Said An gui ren.
A brave maid spoke up, "It was...A'Fen from the ice house just came from visiting her new baby sister and told us about the rumors in the capital about First Princess,"
"First Princess?" Said An gui ren, "What about her?"
"I don't want to dirty your ears with this sort of talk," said the maid.
An gui ren rolled her eyes, "Spit it out already,"
"They're saying First Princess is...keeping company with the eunuchs here," said the maid.
"What?" Asked An gui ren, "How can anyone believe that?"
"Some palace eunuch from the palace was bragging about it in a brothel. Apparently First Princess' underwear and love tokens are hidden in a eunuch's room,"
"Which eunuch?"
The maid shook her head, "Nobody knows,"
An gui ren shook her head, "And this is all over the capital?"
"Even the gêgês are talking about it,"
"You're all dismissed," said An gui ren, "Don't you dare speak more of this,"
She tugged Weiwei down the road, "Hurry! We have to see His Majesty,"
Finding The Emperor was a struggle, and when she did, An gui ren waited outside his doors for almost an hour.
"An gui ren, His Majesty has no time to see you. Please, return to your palace," said Zhang Wei.
"Wei gonggong, this is important. Announce me, please," she begged.
When it looked like he wouldn't budge, she added, "It's about First Princess," An gui ren said.
Zhang Wei stared at her for a moment longer before sighing, "Fine then,"
The Emperor was sitting behind his desk, missives nearly covering the entire surface. An gui ren's heart began to race. It had been some time since she and His Majesty were alone like this. He hadn't flipped her tag in almost a year.
"This concubine wishes–"
"Speak quickly and withdraw. I don't have time for nonsense today," The Emperor said.An gui ren paused before quietly finishing her greeting. The Emperor was still in a bad mood because of Xiang gui ren's injury.
"Your Majesty, I have something to report,"
––––––––––––
*chaofu: Court attire for women of Imperial Concubine status and above
†chaoguan: Hats worn by consorts have two tiers of dongzhu pearls and phoenixes topped by a cat eye stone