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 16 Carved Beams after Autumn’s Passing
The Qianwan Emperor wasn’t in the imperial harem. At this time, he was still in the Imperial Study discussing matters with some of the senior ministers. The Xiwan Country envoys will be coming to the capital to pay homage, and to present their diplomatic credentials. Hence many matters have piled up on the desk and must be handled.
In all fairness, the Qianwan emperor isn’t some fatuous or debauched Emperor, although Shangguan Mingde may sometimes curse him roundly as a fatuous monarch. In truth, he actually isn’t always like that. During the previous dynasty, there would only be four morning-court assemblies every month. When the throne passed to the Qianwan Emperor, it became a daily morning court assembly. He conducted regular inspections of the ministers’ achievements and performance, and his system of rewards and punishments is transparent and clearly set out. The Imperial Court is methodical and in good order. It can be said that although as a man he truly has some moral failings; as an Emperor, he can be considered to be wise and resolute.
The Prime Minister, Xia Zheng concluded his explanation by expounding on the various arrangements for an audience for the Xiwan Country’s envoys. He raised his eyes and caught sight of the Qianwan Emperor quietly sitting behind the desk in a daze. He hurriedly lowered his head and coughed once.
The Qianwan Emperor suddenly returned to his senses，
“This subject is present.”
“The Spring imperial examinations have concluded, haven’t they?”
Xia Zheng was dazed for a moment,”…… The ringing of the giant bell just now, this subject imagines that it has concluded.”
The Qianwan Emperor nodded his head, and then unexpectedly, spoke on a totally unrelated matter,” Since this is the case, the Crown Prince isn’t young anymore but still hasn’t married. The Empress said that your youngest daughter is delicately beautiful and well-versed in etiquette. Zhen thinks that she can be betrothed to my son as a wife. What are the Prime Minister’s thoughts on this?”
Prime Minister Xia trembled once, then immediately knelt down and kowtowed nine times in accordance with ritual [1], saying,” This subject thanks his Majesty for his grace!”
If no unexpected circumstances crop up, today’s Crown Prince’s consort [2] will be the future Empress.
In actuality, such “unexpected circumstances” aren’t uncommon in the palace setting. A mere piece of dim sum pastry with a few added ingredients, or perhaps a few carefully placed words with ulterior motives – or maybe even the Emperor’s whims……could all result in this “unexpected situation” occurring. There are really too many things that could go wrong, that would result in the path leading to becoming the Empress being utterly destroyed. At the same time, the most stable approach would be to ensure that the Crown Prince ascends to the Imperial Throne.
Mingde has been constantly thinking about having the daughter of the current in-power Prime Minister Xia sit in the position of the Crown Princess consort [2]. To this end, he had no qualms about murdering Xia-zhaoyi, since if the elder sister is the concubine of the Son of Heaven, under no circumstances can her younger sister become the Crown Prince’s official consort [3].
The fact that he took the opportunity to frame Ding-guifei’s family for this act, was purely Shangguan Mingde’s style of acting like an insidious villain. For a time,the Qianwan Emperor had somewhat despised Mingde’s secret, petty little machinations. But if he really wanted to prevent them, it wasn’t as if he could really stop it – it’s not as if he could actually have Mingde dealt with. All that he could do, was, in spite of being clearly aware that Mingde looked forward anxiously to him issuing a degree to confer a consort for the Crown Prince, he instead chose not to issue this particular degree. From winter until early spring, he watched as Mingde scratched at this particular itch within his heart every day, circling around by his side every day, wanting to broach the topic but always hesitating. Unhurriedly choosing not to grant Mingde this relief.
Weren’t you playing a game of petty tricks with me? I deliberately won’t let you win in this manner.
The Qianwan Emperor had originally intended to drag out the matter for another one or two years. With one or two years of delay, he could slowly search for some misdeeds as a reason to deal with the Shangguan family. A child of a family that has entered the ranks of criminals and no longer holds any official posts will easily fall into his own hands. However, at present, since things had occurred too suddenly, and he planned to do something that would let Mingde down greatly, that might even cause that little thing to puff up his fur in anger, or maybe even try to do something drastic in desperation……Thus he had no choice but to provide a little compensation in advance to cushion it somewhat.
The Qianwan Emperor coughed once, before saying,” Beloved Minister can rise. Zhen feels that the matter with the Crown Prince should not be delayed. Find an auspicious timing [3] and hold the grand wedding ceremony then.”
Prime Minister Xia had just wanted to thank the Emperor for his grace, but suddenly Zhang Kuo separated the crystal-beaded curtains behind him and walked out. He spoke a few words in the Qianwan Emperor’s ear. The Qianwan Emperor’s expression changed as he stood up without saying a word, heading for the inner hall without taking his leave.
The entire chamber of ministers was stunned by this. Zhang Kuo immediately stood forward, and flicked his horsetail whisk, as he solemnly announced,” All the assembled courtiers present listen to the decree – If you have any matters of importance, they will be discussed tomorrow. Today’s court session is adjourned——”
This “to be discussed tomorrow” was Zhang Kuo’s own addition. In truth, if there were any truly urgent matters, they could have them sent into the palace in the afternoon. However, Zhang Kuo expected that, once the Emperor saw Mingde, he would not be easily persuaded to leave. Thus, to expect that the Emperor would be in the mood to handle official matters in the afternoon was rather unlikely.
The palace staff gathered around the Zhengtai Palace’s inner hall, serving medicine and helping him drink water. Suddenly the Qianwan Emperor kicked open the door with a loud bang, actually bursting into the room with no warning.
The palace staff hurriedly prostrated themselves,” May the Emperor live and reign for ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand of ten thousand years [4] !”
The Qianwan Emperor waved his hand impatiently to indicate that they should dispense with the formalities. What ten thousand years, someone is on the verge of dying here – still speaking of ten thousand whatever years!
Ah-Zui, who generally accompanied the Crown Prince, had just arrived at the entrance to inquire about the situation. Upon seeing that the Qianwan Emperor was inside, she halted her actions abruptly. Unexpectedly, a corner of her scarlet dress fluttered outwards and was still seen by the Qianwan Emperor. Just as she wanted to evade notice, she heard the Emperor call out from inside,” Shanggong come in!”
Ah-Zui hurriedly entered and bowed for blessings,” This maidservant greets his Majesty……”
The Qianwan Emperor interrupted her words,” Where’s the Imperial Physician? He’s already lost consciousness, but he’s been covered by such a thick quilt – are they trying to suffocate him? You’re an experienced senior female official in the palace, how is it that you don’t know what to do?”
Ah-Zui thought in her heart – I hadn’t even entered the room yet, what does this have to do with me? She hurriedly knelt down and said,” This bunch of slaves [5] aren’t sensible – this maidservant will personally care for Mingde-gongzi. The Emperor has numerous official matters to deal with, why don’t……”
The Qianwan Emperor again interjected,” Zhen cannot remain by his side?”
Ah-Zui hurriedly replied,” This maidservant wouldn’t dare (imply that)!”
Within the Crown Prince’s palace, she was considered to be equivalent to a steward. The Empress treated her almost like a daughter. The Emperor generally found her behaviour more brave and resolute than the Crown Prince, and thus didn’t criticize her any further. Ah-Zui personally replaced the brocade quilt with snow mink furs. Upon witnessing this, the Qianwan Emperor questioned her impatiently,” Isn’t there anything lighter?”
Ah-Zui hurriedly responded,” This maidservant will go and fetch over your Majesty’s fire fox [6] fur.”
The senior Eunuch at the Qianwan Emperor’s side was startled by this. Even before he could issue a reminder about the inappropriateness, his arm was tugged by Ah-Zui, and they both hurriedly withdrew.
In a short while, the fire fox fur was brought over. Ah-Zui was about to change the covering for Mingde, when she heard the Qianwan Emperor snort, and say,” Zhen will do it myself.”
The Emperor who had never waited upon anyone before, then carefully – without taking the sleeping Mingde, removed the blanket slowly bit by bit and wrapped him in the fire fox furs. Ah-Zui flicked over a hurried glance and saw the marks of bruising on Mingde’s shoulder blades – some of which had traces of blood seeping through. She involuntarily gasped in horror.
How is this attending to him in his bedchambers [7] – This is practically a deliberate attempt to despoil someone to death.
The Qianwan Emperor wrapped Mingde completely in the fox furs, then picked him up in his arms. He stood up and strode outwards. The Chief Eunuch hurriedly followed along, asking,” Where does the Emperor intend to go?”
The Qianwan Emperor replied indifferently as he walked,” From now onwards, he will stay in Zhen’s personal chambers.”
The Chief Eunuch was about to cry out about the disregard for the proper system, but his mouth was stoppered by the Emperor’s next words. The Emperor paused before the dragon sedan, turned, and told him in a whisper,”……everything is to be arranged in accordance with the official rank of the Fengxian [8] Palace.”
The Chief Eunuch was stupefied.
Phoenix Immortal Palace official rank…… that is the treatment accorded to the current Empress.
Ding Huang bent at the waist and lowered his head as he entered the Qingzhen Palace, at first glance, he seemed to see a child in the Emperor’s arms, but he quickly lowered his head without looking at the situation closely.
“This subject Ding Huang greets the Emperor! May my Emperor [live and reign for ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand of ten thousand years!”
A sharp glare from the Qianwan Emperor interrupted his speech, and was followed by a lowered voice, as he gestured to the desk in front of him,” Present it here.”
Ding Huang hastily bent over and placed the examination scripts onto the desk to be presented. As he approached, he caught sight of the youth in the Qianwan Emperor’s arms. The slight body was wrapped in fire fox furs, and only the tip of his nose was exposed – with a frightening pallor, seemingly on the cusp of breathing his last at any time.
The Qianwan Emperor seemed to be extremely afraid of disturbing the child, as he tried to silently unfold the examination script. Ding Huan spoke quietly,:” Reporting to your Majesty, the Imperial College official, Xie Hongjie-daren has already reviewed this script, and did his utmost to appoint this examinee as the Tanhua [9]. However, this subject read that person’s essay regarding his views on public affairs, and was extremely fearful [10]……”
The Qianwan Emperor stared motionlessly at the handwriting on the examination script, the skeletal form of the slender gold script [11]. Even though the name on the examination script had been sealed and obscured, he could still identify the person who had written it.
“Absurdity, prodigal extravagance with public funds, clumsy administration, headstrong stubbornness, fatuous muddleheadedness, cruelty and tyranny, violation of the natural order of human relations, unfit as an example to the world……” The Qianwan Emperor read the script softly, word by word. He sneered,” —— A truly resounding litany of eight crimes.”
Ding Huang lowered his head deeply.
The Qianwan Emperor closed the examination script. At the beginning, it had also been at this same desk – that he had hugged that person from behind, and held his hand as he instructed him in calligraphy, one stroke at a time. The weather had also been like this, the climate of early spring, but the air as chilly as late autumn. The firmament of the heavens outside Qingzhen Palace was tall and vast, but there wasn’t even a single bird soaring through the sky.
How little had that child been then? That delicate and thin hand with its fine bones, held within the palm of his own hand – seeming as if with only a little effort, he would be able to crush those bones into powder and absorb them into his own flesh and blood.
With such excellent calligraphy, and brilliant literary talent. Currently, each and every stroke of his brush delineates accusations of his crimes: Absurdity, prodigal extravagance with public funds, clumsy administration, headstrong stubbornness, fatuous muddleheadedness, cruelty and tyranny, violation of the natural order of human relations, unfit as an example to the world……
Mingde slept completely ignorant of this. His head rested in the Qianwan Emperor’s bosom, as he breathed shallowly. His inhalations were slight, the gentle airflow tickling the hollow of the Emperor’s neck.
The Qianwan Emperor put down the examination script, and responded indifferently,” This person writes well.”
Ding Huang’s heart trembled.
“In this case, appoint him as the Tanhua then.”
Ding Huang raised his head to look at the Qianwan Emperor. The lofty Son of Heaven’s expression was solemn and grave, one wouldn’t be able to discern his real emotions.
Ding Huang kowtowed nine times in accordance with ritual, and withdrew with great ceremony,” This subject accepts the decree——！”
Perhaps his voice was too loud, and the youth within the Qianwan Emperor’s embrace suddenly coughed. The Qianwan Emperor abruptly hugged him, and hastily told Ding Huang,” You can go.”
Ding Huang lost no time in hurrying out the door. As he closed the door, his last view was of the Qianwan Emperor hugging the person in his arms tightly, one hand touching the other person’s face, as he murmured,” How is it that you’re still coughing……be good…… are you thirsty? Do you want to drink some water……”
On a particular night during early spring, in the seventeenth year of the Qianwan Emperor’s reign, the Imperial Hospital was suddenly broken into by an imperial bodyguard bearing the Emperor’s edict. The Chief Imperial Physician Wang Junyi tottered as he hurriedly put on his clothes, and was immediately grabbed hold of by someone.
“The Imperial Hospital is to receive the edict: Immediately enter the palace!”
The Imperial Physicians on duty were driven into the waiting carriages like a herd of ducks. They travelled as swiftly as lightning for ten minutes, so when the carriages stopped, the resulting jolt nearly broke their old bones. Wang Junyi shivered as he descended the carriage and saw that it was the Qingzhen Palace of the Qianwan Emperor’s own private residence. The lamps were lit brightly in the night, and a loud clamour of people’s voices could be heard.
The palace maids whispered secretly under their breaths: It was that niangniang who had attended to the Emperor in his bed chambers, that had suddenly taken ill……spitting up mouthfuls of blood, the sweat soaking through several sets of bedsheets……
However exactly which palace’s niangniang it was, no one could tell for sure. Wang Junyi clutched his walking stick, as he led a gaggle of startled Imperial Physicians into the palace to meet the Emperor. The Qianwan Emperor sat in the enormous dragon bed in the inner chambers, one hand lifting the bed curtains. His countenance was gloomy and touched with a tinge of flustered alarm.
Wang Junyi took the lead in kneeling in a trembling, unsteady fashion,” This old subject greets……”
“Fine, fine. Beloved Minister Wang, quickly come over and see what’s wrong with him!”
Wang Junyi hobbled forward hastily with his walking stick. The translucent mermaid silk embroidered with golden thread bed curtain somewhat obscured the features of the person inside. He could only see a hand hanging outside of the bed curtain, slender and weak looking, the shape of the bones clearly jutting out.
Wang Junyi uttered. “Pardon my offense”, and lightly placed that hand on the gold lacquered platter, resting two fingers on the pulse for a while. The Qianwan Emperor stared at him closely the entire time, before finally asking,” How is he?”
Wang Junyi hesitated for a moment, before replying slowly,” To respond to the Emperor, this noble person’s pulse is weak and rough, it looks to be a ailment caused by deficiency……”
The Qianwan Emperor nearly lifted his leg to kick him out,” What’s the point of saying this! Send another physician!”
The Imperial Physicians filed over one by one, each of them taking the patient’s pulse. They all prevaricated between a disease caused by insufficiency, or a deficiency in qi and blood, Wang Junyi wrote a prescription with some difficulty, which was a gentle and nourishing tonic to supplement one’s blood. The Qianwan Emperor understood that these Imperial Physicians only understood being conservative – seeking to escape blame and avoid committing a mistake. When he read the prescription he was so angry that he flung it to the ground.
“Is Zhen raising you – this group of old things just to diagnose and advise recuperation for a deficiency in both qi and blood? Deficiency in qi and blood will cause someone to vomit so much blood? Each and every one of you is all useless!”
The person behind the bed curtain suddenly started coughing, and the coughing fit got more and more violent. Afterward, the person curled up into a ball, as the Qianwan Emperor hurriedly pressed him into his arms and wiped the corners of his lips. Each swipe was a handful of blood.
“You’re a group of well-provided-for, comfortable Imperial Physicians! Can’t you even figure out the cause of coughing up blood? Whatever the situation, you just toss the phrase deficiency in qi and blood to prevaricate with Zhen. Each and every one of you just wants to go home, isn’t it!”
“Emperor,” A man at the back of the group of Imperial Physicians suddenly knelt down,” This subject is bold, and requests for the Emperor to allow this subject to have a look at this noble person’s complexion. I wonder if it can be permitted?”
Wang Junyi turned around without warning, and shook his walking stick at him,:” Hu Zhicheng! How dare you be so bold as to disregard the proper organizational structure!”
This middle-aged Imperial Physician named Hu Zhicheng was always pushed aside by the rest of the Imperial Physicians and had long been accustomed to it. His manner was neither haughty nor obsequious as he knelt down to speak,:” With regards to this subject’s death penalty, I beg the Emperor to determine.”
Had it been during ordinary times, the Qianwan Emperor would definitely share Wang Junyi’s sentiments: This man was really too bold. However, at this time the Qianwan Emperor really couldn’t be bothered with it, he waved his hand and said,” Look then, as long as you’re able to come up with a proper cure, there’s no harm in looking! You come up.”
Hu Zhicheng thanked the Emperor for his grace and went forward to carefully lift aside the bed curtains.
The Qianwan Emperor sat by the bedside, one arm holding Mingde close. His arm circled around him, hugging him on his own knee. This embrace was so tight that it took Hu Zhicheng some time to discern Mingde’s face from within the mess of bedding. It actually wasn’t a concubine, but a young boy who was a teenager at best.
That young boy was very beautiful. It could be said that he was more beautiful than most concubines in the Imperial Harem. Within this sort of youthful clear and bright looks was intermixed gorgeous brilliance – akin to a wisp of brightly colored blood in a pool of clear water.
Hu Zhicheng lowered his head as he spoke,” This subject deserves to die ten thousand times.”
The Qianwan Emperor’s voice was still a little unsteady,” Were you able to discover anything?”
“This subject deserves to die ten thousand times,” Hu Zhicheng said,” Excessive sweating at night, coughing up blood, low fevers in the afternoon, his face rosy as a peach blossom……this subject suspects that this noble person is suffering from tuberculosis [12] .”
May I have the password? It is good to see you back. I hope all is going well for you.
Debra ________________________________
Hi SassyStrawberry,
Can I get the password for Phoenix Totem? I have enjoyed your translations and would like to read this most recent chapter.
Thank you for all the translations you do for us,
Debra ________________________________