Imperial Favor Chapter 18
By the time Yan Guifei walked up to Consort Liu and the others with the assistance of her servants, Tang Zhuo Zhuo had already put a smile on her face- one that didn’t reach the eyes.
“We greet Your Highness the Lady Guifei.”
Tang Zhuo Zhuo bowed briefly and frowned when she inadvertently caught sight of Consort Liu’s solicitous smile.
She couldn’t help feeling that something was amiss.
The small pavilion nearby stood directly under the sun, and the scorching heat of the sunlight came and reflected down on them without mercy. Yan Guifei waved the fan in her hand languidly, a peaceable smile on her face, and spoke softly, “I was just about to enter to give my greetings to the Empress Dowager, yet why are you all seen leaving?”
Seeing as her mother-in-law was here, Consort Liu suddenly straightened herself and quickly replied with a smile. “Imperial Grandmother rose early today and had just mentioned she was tired, thus, dismissed us.”
Yan Guifei paused in her movement and lightly nodded her head with a smile. There was a hint of distaste within her eyes.
Her Sixth Prince was splendid and capable in every way, yet Qiongyuan Emperor had to select such a slow-witted, shallow, and unlearned woman as his wife. The Liu family didn’t have many who were reliable to begin with. She didn’t hold much hope for that woman to be her precious son’s support and strength; she only prayed she wouldn’t be a hindrance.
With this line of thought in mind, Yan Guifei’s attractive eyes, clear as autumnal waters, moved to the group’s periphery and landed on the silent Tang Zhuo Zhuo. Compared to such a delicate and alluring figure as her, Consort Liu was nothing but the dust on the ground.
“I heard wind a while ago that the Crown Princess caught a cold. Is it better now?”
Though Tang Zhuo Zhuo had been asked this rather suddenly, she replied with an open smile, “Replying to Your Highness, it was not a severe illness and was taken care of with medicine.”
Yan Guifei smiled like the spring breeze upon hearing this and stepped forward to pat her fragile hands. She turned towards the maid beside her and instructed, “Send over the old ginseng and bird’s nest* from my storehouse to the East Palace anon. You are still on the mend and should nourish yourself more. Your body looks thin enough to be blown away by the wind.”
T/L/N: Are delicacies produced by swiftlets (particularly the Indian swiftlets/white-swiftlets; it’s actually their solidified saliva… they are rare and highly valued for their nutritional value including protein, selling as high as $3,000/lb.
Consort Liu, who was standing to the side, stroked the vibrant patterns on her sleeves. “Perhaps His Highness the Crown Prince prefers that type.”
Yan Guifei became annoyed with that headache-inducing, stupid woman. But now was not the time to sternly instruct her and neither did she want to bother with Consort Liu. She suppressed her anger and turned to Tang Zhuo Zhuo and the others, “The flowers within the imperial garden have bloomed at quite the right moment. You should all head there for a look now- I will be returning first.”
After saying so, she entered the palanquin with the assistance of her servants and left in the direction she had originally come.
Yan Guifei kneaded at her aching forehead, stressed and angered. That Consort Liu only knew how to open her mouth to flaunt her petty tricks; she could never understand how the Liu family ever brought up their legitimate daughter this way. Such low-class deportment could never be presented in public.
Her imperial son’s prosperity was now in decline and she watched as the Qiongyuan Emperor’s body slowly broke down as the days went by. Should he close his eyes and never open them again, then where could this mother-and-son pair possibly turn to for hope?
A concubine and her imperial son who are despised by the new emperor, and who live at the mercy of those living deep within the inner palace, could very well easily be murdered one day without a single soul knowing*. And they would never know who schemed their deaths even during their last breaths.
T/L/N: 神不知鬼不觉- is a very strong description, ‘without god’s knowledge and the spirits’ detection’, so something that not even these otherworldly beings will notice.
When Yan Guifei thought of this, the tips of her lush, pale fingers became intensely white and her normally limpid gaze now rippled with a deep-seated gloominess. She pursed her red lips and turned towards her trusted maidservant who was walking along beside her. “Ru’er, have you passed my words onto the Sixth Prince?”
The maidservant replied back with utmost reverence, “My lady can rest assured, His Highness says he will heed all in accordance to my lady’s will.”
It was only then that the frown on Yan Guifei’s face eased. Immense, ruthless determination came over her well-cared for appearance. And as the fractured rays of sunlight fell on her slender fingers, she suddenly felt a little absentminded.
Having resided within the Inner Palace for over a decade, lived a neverending nightmare day after day, and constantly worried that despite her high position, all the splendor and wealth would become just a mere dream, she feared that the moment she wakes from this, she and her imperial son would be left to bite the dust once again.
Those days of being haunted by fear, when will they end?
T/L/N: 提心吊胆- ‘suspending the heart and gut(doubles to mean ‘courage’ as well’, kind of like ‘having guts’)’ so living in fear and on edge.
Yan Guifei seemingly thought of something and opened her eyes to asked with an air of nonchalance, “The matter I had instructed for, has it been properly handled?”
The maidservant speedily ducked her head and glanced quickly from side to side at her surroundings. Then, she dipped her head in a slight nod and whispered, “Everything has been prepared- His Highness himself, saw to it, so my lady can be at ease.”
It was then that Yan Guifei allowed a minute smile to show on her face.
She could no longer rely on Qiongyuan Emperor. No matter deeply she expressed her affections and no matter much favour he bestowed on her, nothing could compare to the position Empress Yuan had in his heart.
Huo Qiu was the only offspring from Empress Yuan. When he was young, while the other princes went to the academy to be educated, he was different. The Qiongyuan Emperor took it upon himself to teach the child.
He was named the Crown Prince from birth and learned about all the inner workings through the Qiongyuan Emperor, becoming capable in both literary and martial arts. This thoroughly crushed her son into a dismal gloominess*; even now, the Qiongyuan Emperor didn’t even spare his sixth prince a glance.
T/L/N: 黯淡无光- An ‘intense darkness without a sliver of light’
Seeing as the Qiongyuan Emperor was nearing death and yet insisted on cleansing the imperial courts of enemies even if he had to brace for every breath, in order to leave Huo Qiu with a prospering and flourishing world. The difference in treatment was so stark that no one could possibly endure the injustice.
To have such a good reputation bespeak of the Crown Prince’s governing of the nation, what a good Crown Prince indeed!
T/L/N: 美名其曰 is a neutral idiom, having a ‘good name/reputation’. It can be used as a compliment or derogatory statement.
Despite being old however, the Qiongyuan Emperor commanded great respect and prestige. Even the few veteran ministers who were interested in supporting her imperial son obediently retracted their claws, pretending to be more loyal and deferential than anyone else. When Yan Guifei saw this, she was so angered that it physically hurt her heart.
Fortunately, after tonight, anyone with a discerning eye would see what choice they should make.
This was also a rare opportunity for them to regain some influence!
Seeing the palanquin move further away in the distance, Tang Zhuo Zhuo turned to the other discomfitted prince consorts and spoke, “Come, let’s head to the garden and admire the flowers. I’m afraid I won’t be able to withstand the weather once the sun has fully risen.”
The Third Prince Consort replied with a smile, “It is as the Crown Princess says. This consort noticed a pavilion up ahead, so let’s head there to rest our feet.”
Consort Liu had yet to reign in her zeal. She lifted her eyes and fiddled with her brightly painted cardamom coloured fingernails as she spoke up with a nonchalant* voice, “Amongst all of us, of course the Crown Princess has the final say.”
T/L/N: 不咸不淡- ‘Neither salty nor bland’
Tang Zhuo Zhuo was too lazy to bother with verbally clashing with her and headed towards the pavilion.
Consort Liu’s lips flattened into a hard line as she followed from behind, a gleam of unconcealed gloating flashing across her eyes.
She, of course, knew a little of the scheme the Sixth Prince and Guifei had come up with. Yet the more she knew about it, the more she felt complacently pleased.
On what grounds did that Tang Zhuo Zhuo have to suppress all of them that way? The one to have received much praise before marriage was her and the one to have received honour and respect after marriage was also her.
She just couldn’t stand that look of hers, the way she made light of everyone around her!
Tang Zhuo Zhuo could naturally feel the presence of those scorching eyes piercing her from behind. She silently pursed her lips and waited until she was seated on the stone bench before she inconspicuously wiped the sweat from her palms.
This pavilion was within the imperial garden; a person sitting within could easily admire the bursting, vibrant purples and bright reds of the blooms outside, all the while enjoying the cooler air and sip on tea. It was indeed a choice of place.
The palace maids brought forth superb Longjing* tea and served it to each of them. Before Tang ZHuo Zhuo could even speak a word, Consort Liu removed the tealid and her facial expression instantly became awry. She immediately confronted the maidservant who had served it with a deliberately ambiguous air about her. “How come Longjing tea was served? The tea I have always enjoyed is the Junshan Silver Needle*!”
T/L/N: 龙井- also known as Dragon Well Tea, a type of green tea produced in Hangzhou, the capital city of Zhejiang Province.
君山银针- a type of yellow tea produced in Junshan Island of Hunan Province and among the ten Chinese Famous Teas.
The palace maid hastily threw herself on the ground to admit her mistake. It was the Third Prince Consort, gentle in temperament, who lightly patted Consort Liu’s hand and said, “My good younger sister*, things within this palace can’t be compared to one’s own family residence. Why should you have a dispute with a mere palace maid?”
Consort Liu became even more zealous in her anger as she looked upon Tang Zhuo Zhuo’s face, who was as calm as a still well. The words she spoke next became increasingly reckless and without second thought. “Imperial sister-in-law is quite mistaken. This Longjing tea is one that the Crown Princess particularly favours. The palace is filled with those who pander to those above and trample those below*, what worth are the rest of us prince consorts?”
T/L/N: 扒高踩低/捧高踩低- ‘crawl to the higher, step on the low’
The Third Prince Consort’s expression changed at those words.
This Consort Liu, was there something wrong with her brain? With her loud ranting in a palace rampant with observers, a single wrong word could bring on the displeasure of the noble consorts*. And yet, she actually dared to speak this way.
T/L/N: 贵人- she’s referring to the highest ranking consorts of the emperor, who are superior to all of them. Guifei is the highest within that category.
She even dragged her and Tenth Prince Consort into this trouble. The Sixth Prince may have abundant ambition and courage, but he remained strictly true to his duties. If he were to be dragged through the mud because of this one instance, where could he possibly go and present his grievances to?
Tang Zhuo Zhuo and Consort Liu assessed each other, the former gently uncovering her own tea to observe the floating tea leaves within. She then smiled brightly and personally helped raise the prostrated palace maid back on her feet. She raised an eyebrow and said, “This Longjing tea was infused well, and fits quite well with my taste.”
Consort Liu’s eyes widened at that moment, looking as if she had been slapped in the face. She suddenly felt as if she couldn’t remain sitting tall.
Tang Zhuo Zhuo didn’t shy away from her and even smiled at the consort as she let go of the tealid she had pinched between her smooth, white fingers. The tealid fell to the tabletop, twirled unsteadily on its surface before falling off and shattering into several pieces the moment it hit the floor.
Consort Liu’s eyes twitched a few times. But before she found a chance to open her mouth and speak, she saw Tang Zhuo Zhuo’s demeanor turn cold in a snap; that image was quite similar to Huo Qiu.
“Consort Liu, if you want to be unreasonable and make a scene, then perhaps consider what kind of place this is first? Did you think this place is like the prince’s residence where they turn a blind eye even when you perpetrate outrages?”
Tang Zhuo Zhuo’s facial expression oozed nonchalance, yet the words she spoke were akin to a lethal, sharpened knife. Those who heard it instinctively felt a chill down their backs.
Consort Liu and Tang Zhuo Zhuo were used to opposing each other. This was the first time she became so enraged hence, she was quickly becoming short of breath. But the dangerous gleam in her eyes could not be leashed or suppressed, even when the anger became stuck in her throat indecisively*.
T/L/N: She wasn’t sure whether should entirely unleash it and give Consort Liu a good verbal lashing or contain it.
“One can let go of the fact that you were deliberately being provocative more than once; I did so in honor of Imperial Grandmother’s grand birthday celebration today and thus, is to be an auspicious day. I also did not want to bother with being fussy with you. To think you would still harass someone with unreasonable demands!”
Consort Liu widened her eyes in a look of disbelief and straightened herself to speak in a loud voice. “How have I* been deliberately provocative, harassing people with unreasonable demands?”
T/L/N: It is to note in the nuance of Chinese language, that Tang Zhuo Zhuo has been addressing herself as ‘ben gong’ (本宫) in order to express her authority as the Crown Princess. Consort Liu is supposed to address herself as ‘this consort’ in deference to Tang’s status, but here, she uses the general term ‘wo’ (我). She’s not showing respect.
Tang Zhuo Zhuo snorted coldly, her eyes fixed on the still gently, steaming tea. When she turned her gaze back to Consort Liu, her eyes had become hazy without a sliver of warmth but instead was filled with disdain and contempt. Yet the words she spoke next were well grounded and justified.
“You said this tea was not to your satisfaction, then just simply tell the palace maids to exchange it for another type, yet you persistently grasped onto me and refused to let go.”
“We were also served Longjing within Imperial Grandmother’s palace chambers just now and yet, why were you seen drinking it with such elation? I also requested Longjing to be served in reflection of Imperial Grandmother’s choice, and yet you slander me with such ferocity?”
Tang Zhuo Zhuo casually lifted her teacup to her lips to moisten her throat, the smile in her eyes was full of ridicule. She held her gaze on Consort Liu and continued, “If you still find the Longjing tea so displeasing in your eyes, then when Imperial Grandmother wakes up again, why don’t we have the elderly be judge for us, what do you think?”
The fiery blaze of Consort Liu’s anger was seemingly put out by a basin of cold water; not even a spark of it was left. Her face had become pale white and lips lips quivered minutely. Under the gaze of Tang Zhuo Zhuo’s cold smile, she shamefacedly muttered, “Crown Princess is surely eloquent with words, this consort* is put to shame.”
T/L/N: Yup, and now Consort Liu goes back to addressing herself submissively~
After saying this, she quickly rose from her seat and left the pavilion with a frosty appearance, her maidservant trotting quickly to catch up behind her. Tang Zhuo Zhuo finally closed her eyes with a sense of satisfaction.
Still want to crush her like a pliable persimmon? A person like Consort Liu could not be treated with good grace. The more she tried to ignore her, the more that woman thought she feared her, and the more preposterous and contemptuous she became.
She should have torn her thick-skinned brazeness to pieces- only then would it give her pause.
The Third Prince Consort slowly relaxed at this moment though as she looked back at Consort Liu’s retreating figure with worry, she turned to Tang Zhuo Zhuo and spoke, “Your Highness, there were many eyes and ears around. Guifei had just left, should loosed-lipped people spread this incident….”
Tang Zhuo Zhuo spread out her hands before her and smiled innocently, “You have also witnessed this whole incident, it was obvious that she insisted on pressing in.”
She can’t possibly be expected to still preserve the reputation of her own enemy, right?
And as for Guifei…. Even if she knows, so what? Brazenly go and report it to the emperor himself or perhaps the Empress Dowager?
If that prince consort gained more attention* than the Imperial Grandmother because of this incident, she reckoned that Yan Guifei would have a headache from anger again.
T/L/N: This is in a negative sense, as in Consort Liu will be under scrutiny because she’s under the spotlight.
Perhaps she would want to find a way to comfort herself.
Join our Discord for fun and spoilers! || Support Phoenix Walk for the price of a coffee!
ANNOUNCEMENT
Hello! Aurum here!! Phoenix Walk will be dropping this novel due to low staff interest and viewership. Thank you all for supporting the novel till now – we had a good run. If you would like to pick up this novel, please contact me through Discord! I hope that you keep supporting Phoenix Walk through our other novels~
