Translator: 🍓SassyStrawberry | http://www.sassystrawberry.com
Project: Phoenix Totem (凤凰图腾） | Author: Huaishang (淮上) | Rating: Mature
Trigger Warnings: Non-con, rape, underage, grooming, age gap, abuse of authority, problematic gong, harem politics, depression, suicide, murder, death.
Tags: Abusive obsessive love, Imperial Court and aristocracy, Strong x Strong characters, Jianghu grievances
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Chapter 13 Before Concubine Chu’s Hall
Mingde wasn’t sure if he was at home to study, or whether he was under house arrest; The Qianwan Emperor actually endured not summoning him. All the way until the beginning of Spring, when the Spring Civil Examinations were approaching, the Chief Examiner Ding Huang submitted the name register of examination candidates to the Imperial Study. At a glance, the Qianwan Emperor caught sight of the four characters that made up Shangguan Mingde’s name at the top.
Then Qianwan Emperor used his fingers to stroke these four characters, an unreadable expression on his face. After a while, he said,:” Beloved minister [1] has worked hard. After you’ve marked the scripts, send the scripts of the top three successful candidates [2] to Zhen to have a look.”
It was not that there wasn’t precedent for the Emperor to personally review the papers, but to read so many at a time – that indeed has not happened before. Ding Huang hurriedly asked,” Does your Majesty wish to read all of them, or should this subject sieve out the excellent essays to send to your Majesty for your perusal?”
The Qianwan Emperor asked him in return,:” Should Zhen not personally review the future talents who will be the pillars [3] of my court?”
Ding Huang made haste to kneel,” This subject will obey as ordered!”
Zhang Kuo silently stood by the side in attendance. Once Ding Huang left, he used his eyes to signal the palace maids. The palace maid hurriedly served up a bowl of ginseng soup. Zhang Kuo received it, carefully delivered it to the table, and said,” Your Majesty.”
The Qianwan Emperor abruptly came out of his reverie,:” En?”
Whilst pouring the ginseng soup, Zhang Kuo also requested for instructions,” Which palace niangniang’s plaque [4] does the emperor wish to turn over tonight?”
The Qianwan Emperor looked at the jade official correspondence displayed before him. The imperial harem of this Emperor currently in his prime, could not be considered to be plentiful [5]. Even at its largest, there had only been twenty-odd people; Later, Empress Mingrui passed away, the Guifei died, the Zhaoyi died; even the four consorts have not yet been appointed. Coupled with some who have left or gone away, the current harem only numbered ten-odd people at this time.
Among these ten-odd people, there were some whose status was extremely low, some who were out of favor, and some who had been neglected and left alone. If one considered only those who were more regularly called upon to attend to the Emperor at night, there were no more than the occasional one or two people.
“Zhang Kuo ah,” The Qianwan Emperor muttered to himself for a while, then suddenly smiled.:” You tell me if Zhen formally selected new concubines [5] in front of Mingde, what would that child do?”
Zhang Kuo respectfully bowed,:” To respond to the Emperor’s question, Mingde-gongzi’s martial arts are improving by the day. The Emperor had better not take such a risk.”
The Qianwan Emperor laughed heartily at this,:” Zhang Kuo, you really understand that little one……That’s true, he is so protective of the Empress – truly a filial and dutiful son of his life is rarely seen, even through the ages.
The Emperor stood up,:” So be it. Let’s go have a look at what the Empress is up to!”
Since she had been placed under house arrest, the Empress set up a Hall of Quiet Peace within the Warm Winter Pavilion. Every day she would recite sutras to Buddha, it was said she was praying for peace for the Imperial Court. The discord between the Qianwan Emperor and this Empress was an open secret known to the entire court. The Empress had no children, neither did she have strong family support from her maiden family, nor was she young and beautiful. She’d already been placed under house arrest several times, and everyone felt the untenability of her position as Empress. Yet strangely enough, no matter how desolate and lonely her position as Empress was, she continued to sit in this position without any signs of moving or being ousted.
Those who didn’t know better would think that the Emperor and Empress were deeply in love and affection. Those in the know would feel that the Emperor’s harem was lacking and he hadn’t found yet beauties to his liking, and hence sent their own daughters into the palace. Some time ago, coincidentally when Mingde had gone into seclusion for his studies, the deceased Ding-guifei’s family sent over their younger daughter born of a concubine. Her looks were extremely lovely and charming, and she was soon conferred the title of zhaorong [6], When the Qianwan Emperor arrived at the main door of the Empress’ Hall of Quiet Peace, he heard Ding-zhaorong’s youthful and showy laughter,:” What presents has the Empress-niangniang prepared for the Emperor’s birthday? What is this, is it a hand-copied Prajnaparamita Sutra? This is the first time that I’ve ever seen a handwritten scripture, would Niangniang bestow it upon me to have a look?”
Just as the little eunuch stationed at the door wanted to announce his arrival, the Qianwan Emperor waved his hand to stop him, and stood by the door, straining his ears to listen.
From the exquisite phoenix ceramic-glazed moon gate, came the sound of the Empress’ voice firm and steady reply,:” It is rare to see young girls showing interest in such a thing. If younger sister [7] wishes to have a look, then take it.”
Ding-zhaorong picked it up delightedly, and flipped through it, speaking praises as she turned the pages,:” The Empress-niangniang’s calligraphy is really beautiful. This younger sister can also write in the flower hairpin small script [8] style, but it is greatly inferior to Niangniang’s calligraphy. Such a diligently prepared lavish gift, his Majesty is sure to find it pleasing.”
The Empress smiled slightly at this,” What else is there to do in the inner palace? Just some calligraphy, and painting – it’s merely a little drawing to while away the time. If younger sister has nothing to do, you can also practice a little, you’ll also be able to master it in time.”
Ding-zhaorong covered her mouth as she smiled,:” Aiya! It’s fine if the Empress laughs at me, but how would I have the time to engage in such quiet self-cultivation? The Emperor comes over every day, I don’t have a moment of free time at all; Yesterday the envoys from various countries presented themselves for an audience. I had originally thought that I could relax at leisure for one day, but I was unexpectedly summoned by the Emperor to attend him at the banquet……”
The Empress frowned slightly, wanting to say something. But upon seeing her innocent and artless appearance, she couldn’t bring herself to speak further.
Ding-zhaorong however, had sharp eyes. Upon seeing the Empress’s creased brows, she immediately got up in a panic,:” Niangniang, what’s wrong? Are you uncomfortable? Should I summon the Imperial Physician?”
The Qianwan Emperor gave Zhang Kuo a look, and Zhang Kuo immediately announced loudly,:” The Emperor has arrived–”
The bright yellow flags stood erect by both sides of the Phoenix doorway, as the Qianwan Emperor strode into the palace. The Empress and Ding-zhaorong hadn’t expected for him to suddenly appear out of the blue [9] and were speechless with astonishment.
Ding-zhaorong immediately knelt down, tearing up beautifully like pear blossoms covered in raindrops [10] as she threw herself over,:” Your Majesty! Your Majesty, it’s bad! This concubine-subject has unknowingly misspoken and angered the Empress into illness!”
The Empress’s expression was solemn as she rose to her feet,” This concubine-subject pays her respects to the Emperor.”
The Qianwan Emperor waved dismissively to the Empress to sit down, then personally supported the Ding-zhaorong who had wept to the point of being drenched in tears. He spoke to her warmly,” The Empress is the mother of the nation, and is extremely magnanimous. How could she be offended by some unwittingly misspoken words?”
He lifted his gaze towards the Empress,: ”Isn’t that so?”
The Empress’ teeth were tightly gritted, and from between the gaps of her teeth was forced out a word “Yes.”
“Then that’s fine,” The Qianwan Emperor helped Ding-zhaorong to sit on a chair, asking delightedly and in high spirits,:” Zhaorong is leisurely enough to come to visit the Empress, so what did you speak about?”
Ding-zhaorong smiled shyly,” This concubine-subject saw that the Empress-niangniang’s hand-copied scriptures are very beautifully written, and is ashamed of her own inferiority.”
“Is that so?” The Qianwan Emperor stretched out his hand to pick up the book of scriptures and casually turned two pages before setting it down,” Since the Empress has so much free time, it would be better to look after the Imperial Harem and manage the people. It’s still better than spending so much time in believing in gods and ghosts. Gods and ghosts are originally beliefs of superstitious and pedantic people. Your noble self is the mother of the nation, how can you also believe in such things?”
The Empress had been criticized to the point that she could barely keep her composure, and could only reply quietly,” This concubine-subject will remember it.”
The Qianwan Emperor carelessly tossed away the book of sutras, unexpectedly it bumped into the long-necked ceramic glaze water bottle displayed on the table. With a crash, the water bottle overturned and the water quickly soaked through the book’s pages, causing the handwriting to become blurred.
Upon seeing this, Ding-zhaorong was so flustered that she again wanted to get to her feet,:” Empress-niangniang! This……”
The Empress reached out to pick up the book of sutras, carelessly setting it aside. She replied placidly,:” If it’s ruined, then it’s ruined. Younger sister needs not to be alarmed, it’s not as if it’s anything valuable.”
Ding-zhaorong was too timid and dared not speak. Instead, it was the Qianwan Emperor who turned towards her, as if his mood was entirely unaffected, asking with great interest,:” What has the Beloved Consort eaten today?”
Ding-zhaorong very cautiously peeked at the Empress, then carefully placed her fingers together as she showed him. Crystal dumplings, Prawn dumplings, tangyuan etc. She pointed out each one and enumerated the skill of the kitchen staff, discussing the aesthetic designs, and critiquing the flavor. After speaking for a long while, the Empress’ expression gradually got uglier. The Qianwan Emperor, however, acted as if he was entirely unaware of it, embracing his consort and teasing her in the Empress’ Buddhist hall for quiet cultivation. On the contrary, he seemed to become even happier.
He disliked this Empress, they were truly an ill-matched, resentful pair.
Actually, the Empress was fine. Of course, she was virtuous and magnanimous and had never manipulated or plotted against the imperial harem’s various concubines. She would never carp on them or make irresponsible comments, even when Shangguan Mingde had been sent to the Qianwan Emperor’s **.
But it was just that the Qianwan Emperor found her an eyesore. The more Mingde went out of his way to defend and guard her, the more he detested and abhorred her.
Ding-zhaorong spoke happily, her face pink-cheeked and bashful as she coquettishly cooed,” Emperor, it is late, why don’t……”
The Qianwan Emperor suddenly came to his senses, abruptly rose to his feet, and spoke frostily,” The Empress may take her leave to rest then.”
The Empress stood without saying a word, then bowed for blessings, her expression extremely terrible. But of course, no one would take notice of her. The Qianwan Emperor tugged at Ding-zhaorong intending to leave, when suddenly from his side extended a hand, this hand properly and uprightly held out a tray outlined in gold, and on it was placed two cups of West Lake’s Dragon’s Well tea.
The Qianwan Emperor’s gaze swept across, only catching a glimpse of an imperial bodyguard with his head lowered, then asked impatiently,:” What is this for?”
That imperial bodyguard lifted his gaze and smiled, refined and even gentle as he replied,” –This subject on behalf of the Empress, is serving tea and sending off the guests!”
The Qianwan Emperor abruptly froze in place.
This Imperial bodyguard was actually a disguised Shangguan Mingde whom he hadn’t seen for over half a month.
Ding-zhaorong hurriedly looked towards the Qianwan Emperor, then turned her head to look at Mingde. Her first impression was, ‘this imperial bodyguard is very good-looking’; This person was no more than a teenager and needless to say, his appearance was like a painting. Between his eyes was a unique sense of underlying feeling, it was somewhat indescribable; Somewhat cold, a little solemn, and his gorgeous features were excessively dazzling to an almost perverse level.
He was different from everyone whom she’d met in this imperial harem, but she couldn’t explain how he was different, just that there was a difference. Everyone in the palace is respectful and cautious. This person is ruthless and tyrannical, concise and agile in speech and actions, yet aloof and remote, like a sharp needle that stabs at others.
The Qianwan Emperor suddenly retreated half a step, and asked in a low voice,:”……Sending off which person? Who is a guest?”
If Mingde at this time, dared to say anything about “sending you off, you’re the guest”, the Qianwan Emperor could not guarantee that he would not commit any unreasonable or excessive actions.
Mingde smiled at this, and this smile brought a shining brightness, and even a limpid clarity to his expression,” – That’s right, all under the Heavens is the monarch’s territory [11], hence the Emperor would naturally be the master. Anyway, since we can’t send off the Emperor, then this subject can drink up this ‘sending-off guest tea’ by myself.”
He picked up the cup and lifted his head to take a sip, when the Qianwan Emperor snatched away the teacup, gulping down the remaining tea from the part of the cup where Mingde’s lips had touched.
With a ‘crash’, the Qianwan Emperor carelessly flung the priceless green jade antique cup onto the ground. He advanced forward then grabbed onto Mingde’s arm, dragging him before the Empress. He pointed his finger at her nose as he asked,” As a dignified Empress, do you need to rely on him in order to vent your frustrations on such trivial [12] matters? Since this is the case, then you shouldn’t be occupying this position! You might as well have him be the Empress!”
In actuality, the Empress hadn’t expected that Mingde would disguise himself as an imperial bodyguard outside her palace, but she still mutely knelt down.
“Kneel, kneel, kneel! All you know to do is to kneel! Other than kneeling, is there anything else you can do? Nothing but a useless piece of trash!”
The Qianwan Emperor’s words had just fallen, and Mingde suddenly went down on his knees,” Emperor please calm your anger.”
Ding-zhaorong panicked and hid behind the gold-inlaid red-lacquered pillar, and couldn’t help glancing over at Mingde. This youth may have been kneeling and pleading for the Emperor to calm himself, but inexplicably, she felt that this youth was actually smiling – a mocking, disdainful, ruthless little smile.
The Qianwan Emperor stretched out his hand to hold his lower jaw,” So what are you begging for now?”
“This subject is pleading for the Emperor to cease his anger ah,” Mingde said,:”– You are a dignified Emperor, do you have to reproach the Empress so severely in order to vent your anger over such trivial[11] matters?
These words were spoken in an incomparably gentle and kindly tone, one might even say that he was as gracious and tactful as a good woman.
Ding-zhaorong’s head buzzed at this. No one would dare speak to the Emperor in this manner unless they wanted to go to the Meridian gate for their nine clans to be exterminated.
Sure enough, the Emperor’s expression distorted at this. In that instant, it was like an illusion had formed in other people’s minds, as if in the next moment he would move the hand currently holding on to Mingde’s jaw to the upper part of his neck, and would ruthlessly grasp his neck tightly.
“Shangguan Mingde,” The Qianwan Emperor forced these words through gritted teeth,” – Did you think that because the Spring Civil Examinations start tomorrow, you’ve already set one foot out of the capital?”
“This subject does not dare.”
“Do you believe that Zhen can immediately withdraw your right to participate in the examinations?”
Mingde responded with,” How could this subject not believe it.”
The Qianwan Emperor didn’t move as he stared at him for a moment, the gloom in his gaze could penetrate bone. Like the focused predatory gaze of a wild beast on its prey prior to a hunt. Shangguan Mingde knelt meekly, allowing his lower jaw to be pinched tightly, his long eyelashes downcast as if he didn’t have the slightest idea that he was about to be ripped to shreds.
Then Qianwan Emperor half-knelt, as he raised Mingde’s lower jaw. He then exerted strength and pulled the other’s upper body over, almost entirely in his embrace.
“Mingde,” he asked,” Are you threatening me?”
Shangguan Mingde smiled at this,” How would this subject dare.”
“Then what are you doing this for?”
“This subject acknowledges his error.”
“You are acknowledging what error?”
“This subject has already said it,” Mingde smiled gently and softly as he spoke,” – This subject, upon seeing that the cuckoo intended to occupy the magpie’s nest [13], and the imperial harem’s debauchery. I couldn’t resist educating Ding-zhaorong on the Empress’ behalf, on who is the true mistress of the Imperial Harem, and the mother of the nation. Unexpectedly I have delayed the Emperor from showering his favor upon Ding-zhaorong, it is truly a sin.”
To put it bluntly, this person was petty and vindictive, and now that he’d been provoked by a trifle, he would certainly not forget to pay it back. Perhaps there have been a few concubines who have challenged the Empress both openly and secretly over the years, and there may have even been more foolish and naive people than Ding-zhaorong. But unfortunately for her, Ding-zhaorong ‘s innocent flaunting display had been noted down by Shangguan Mingde.
The Qianwan Emperor smiled despite being furious,:” Good, good! The beloved subject is so assiduous in his duty, how can Zhen not reward you?”
The Qianwan Emperor suddenly tugged Mingde up, one hand grabbing onto his arm with an iron-like vise. He then dragged Mingde to the entrance of the main hall, uncaring of whether he was following or not. Ding-zhaorong was flustered and at a loss by this, suddenly hearing a chair bang behind her. She turned to look and saw that the Empress had gotten to her feet, then again fell limply into the large, luxurious jade seat.
Ding-zhaorong quivered as she opened her mouth to speak,” Empress……His Majesty, he……”
The Empress snapped,:” What are you just staring blankly for!” Her voice had completely lost its usual mildness and dignified manner, and might even give the illusion of savagery.
Ding-zhaorong’s legs went weak, and she hurriedly stumbled and crawled as fast as she could out of the Great Hall, desperately trying to keep up.
