Concubine of the Eastern Palace (Qing Dynasty Time Travel) - Chapter 22

Cheng Wanyun didn’t dare to disturb him. The Crown Prince rarely returned to his study these days, so she brewed a pot of peach oolong tea, placed a plate of cookies on the table, and then went outside to paint her wooden dolls.

Life in the palace was indeed boring. She couldn’t leave Yuqing Palace, and apart from walking in the Southern Garden, she wasn’t allowed to visit the Chunben Hall either. Her activity range was limited to the back hall.

She wasn’t the type to wither away from staying indoors, but she had become somewhat reclusive and spent her days finding things to do.

The previous day, she had asked Tianjin to take her rough “design” to the workshop, where she had custom-made a wooden checkers board and wooden spherical pieces. She also had the craftsmen carve a chubby tiger and a Connie rabbit based on her drawings. She specifically told them not to paint them but to polish them smooth and return them.

In the past, when she saw children in the park painting plaster dolls, she had always wanted to join in, but being an adult, she never dared to squeeze into a group of elementary school students to paint.

Now, she could finally fulfill that wish.

The checkers would take a few more days, but the simple wooden carvings were completed in half a day. They were palm-sized, and the chubby tiger was carved in a way that made it look lively and cute.

Qingxing helped her arrange the various paints on the table and brought over the brushes. Cheng Wanyun sat on the bed, mixed the paints, and focused on her artwork.

By the time Yinreng finished memorizing his lesson and came out, a round, chubby wooden tiger, licking its tail, was handed to him.

“…” Yinreng picked it up and examined it from left to right, unsure of how to appreciate it.

Oddly, the person in front of him seemed to be waiting for his praise, as if the wooden tiger itself were wagging its tail.

“Hmm…” Yinreng turned it over and noticed the words “Good Luck” written in cinnabar at the bottom. A “ugly” word almost escaped his lips, but in the end, he swallowed it and reluctantly commented, “It’s rather unique.”

“It’s a gift for you,” Cheng Wanyun said, encouraged. She handed it to He Baozhong to put into the Crown Prince’s book box. “This is a ‘turnaround tiger.’ It’s perfect for you since you were born in the Year of the Tiger. You can use it as a paperweight while writing.”

Cheng Wanyun believed in metaphysics. She always thought the Crown Prince’s fall from favor and his misfortune were closely related.

Her position had changed. She used to be firmly in the Fourth Prince’s camp when watching ‘The Story of the Qing Dynasty’, but now it didn’t stop her from hoping the Crown Prince would have a smooth life, after all, if he were deposed, he might never get to enjoy a hotpot with porridge again.

Yinreng graciously accepted the gift, but inwardly thought to himself, “I’ll just keep it in my room and display it there. If I really take it to the study and my brothers see it, they’ll probably laugh their teeth out.”

However, the peach oolong tea was quite good. He asked how many jars had been made.

Cheng Wanyun answered honestly, “There aren’t many peaches, only three jars in total.”

“The tea is nice.” Yinreng, without changing his expression, casually took all three jars. He also expressed dissatisfaction with the bamboo containers she used for the tea, calling them shabby, and promised to find her some enamel-painted or white porcelain jars, including her favorite celadon… from the Ru kiln.

“Thank you, Your Highness,” Cheng Wanyun said awkwardly, smiling. She didn’t even know how to explain that she didn’t actually have a favorite color of “celadon,” but when she glanced at the six large characters that Yinreng had gifted her, hanging on the wall, she silently swallowed her words.

Never mind, she’d just pretend she really liked it.

As a high school student in ancient times, Yinreng still had to complete a pile of assignments given by Emperor Kangxi and his three teachers in the evening. So, he didn’t stay to engage in any amorous activities. Before leaving, he pinched her cheek and instructed He Baozhong to bring her two more baskets of peaches, and to send two eunuchs to help her dry the tea. “When you have time, make some more, and I’ll take it to give to others.”

“…” It was true that one should never be too proud; it would have been better to secretly enjoy it by herself.

Cheng Wanyun mentally cursed Aisin Gioro’s arrogance, but her physical motion of kneeling to thank him became more natural with time. She sadly thought to herself that she had once again become that person who, when assigned an important project by a leader, inwardly cursed the leader’s ancestors but still smiled and promised to live up to expectations—a true office worker.

Self-inflicted misfortune is hard to avoid, with long noodles of tears that can never be wiped away.

The eunuchs brought over the sedan chair, and just as Yinreng was about to put on his wooden sandals and leave, he suddenly heard a cat’s meow.

He froze and looked in the direction of the sound.

Cheng Wanyun’s warm room had a pear flower cabinet, and the sound of the cat came from inside it.

“You’re keeping a cat?” Yinreng’s smile faded from his face.

Cheng Wanyun almost immediately noticed his sudden change in mood. The cold, slightly angry tone was something she had never heard from him before, and it frightened her so much that she almost wanted to kneel and apologize right away.

The Crown Prince hated cats? No one had told her!

“This cat… I found it today in the Southern Garden,” Qingxing immediately opened the pear flower cabinet and brought the cat out. Cheng Wanyun, carefully observing Yinreng’s expression, answered cautiously, “It was lying in a thicket, barely alive, and I couldn’t bear to leave it, so I brought it back.”

The Crown Prince stepped forward to look at the cat but remained silent.

This was indeed a problem of having no one around, Cheng Wanyun thought. None of the eunuchs or palace maids in her service had stayed in the palace for more than five years, so their knowledge of the Crown Prince and the affairs of the Yuqing Palace was limited.

She had so many fish and turtles in her courtyard, yet the Crown Prince had never shown any displeasure. Occasionally, when in the mood, he would even play with the fish alongside her. Yang Gege had raised her pets for so long, yet she had never seen the Crown Prince get angry about it.

The Crown Prince remained silent, and Cheng Wanyun grew increasingly anxious. Everyone in the room seemed to wish they were as still as statues, their heads nearly buried in their chests.

Even Qingxing, holding the cat, couldn’t help but start trembling slightly.

After a long pause, Yinreng finally spoke: “This cat originally belonged to Yang Gege, didn’t it? Aren’t you going to return it?”

Cheng Wanyun was stunned. Was he angry because he thought she had taken someone else’s cat?

“I found it today and thought I should save its life first, so I haven’t gone to ask Sister Yang about it yet,” Cheng Wanyun said. She didn’t want to say anything bad about Yang Gege, so she lowered her head and added, “If it’s inappropriate, I’ll return it later…”

“No need,” Yinreng replied, glancing at the cat with a complex expression. “Yang Gege isn’t a person who likes cats. It’s badly injured, so just keep it here and take care of it.”

After saying that, he turned and left, leaving Cheng Wanyun confused and somewhat frightened.

Had she angered the Crown Prince?

Moreover, the way he spoke at the end sounded a bit strange. His comment about Yang Gege seemed to suggest that he knew all about her abandoning the cat and perhaps even had a poor opinion of her. It didn’t seem like he was angry with her.

After analyzing it, Cheng Wanyun felt like she hadn’t done anything wrong. Seeing Qingxing’s still pale face, she gently reassured her, “It’s fine, just take the cat back.”

Tianjin also nervously approached and whispered, “Gege, should I ask Zheng Taijian about it?”

“Don’t inquire about it outside for now,” Cheng Wanyun thought that the Crown Prince knew everything about the Yuqing Palace, and if she proactively asked whether the Crown Prince disliked cats, it would only make her seem guilty. “We’ll talk about it another time, when the opportunity arises.”

Yinreng, silent, returned to Chunben Hall, with He Baozhong trailing behind. He subconsciously tightened his body, trying to make himself as inconspicuous as possible, hoping the Crown Prince wouldn’t notice him and take out his frustration on him.

Cheng Gege really is something. Why pick up someone else’s cat? Isn’t this just provoking the Crown Prince on purpose? There’s probably no future for her now…

“Go find out how that cat ended up with Cheng Gege,” Yinreng, intending to write, found himself unable to focus. He set his brush down heavily, his face darkened as he motioned for He Baozhong to come over. “Once you know, report back immediately.”

“Yes, Your Highness!” He Baozhong quickly left.

He already detested Yang Gege using the cat to cause trouble, and now seeing it with Cheng Gege only made him angrier. If this was all part of a deliberate scheme, he would track down those behind it.

How much more of this would there be?

“What? Cheng Gege picked up that cat?” Side Concubine Li, who was sitting and reviewing the accounts, suddenly heard from Mama Jin that the Crown Prince had gotten angry at Cheng Gege.

“Indeed, Cheng Gege is really foolish, picking up anything she sees…” Mama Jin, while adding water to grind ink, said with a tone of schadenfreude. “Now it’s all over, the Crown Prince will definitely start to dislike her from now on!”

Side Concubine Li pondered for a moment, then sighed and shook her head.

At this point, she didn’t actually wish for Cheng Gege to fall out of favor. In the back hall of Yuqing Palace, there were only three women left. Aside from her own poor health, the balance of power would shift. If Cheng Gege lost favor, wouldn’t that strengthen Yang Gege?

She was still hoping for Cheng Gege’s pregnancy.

“Fortune and fate,” Side Concubine Li muttered. She knew Jin Hu, who had been appointed as a side concubine three years ago when she entered Yuqing Palace. She naturally had more advantages than both Cheng and Yang Gege, and the servants in Yuqing Palace had all eagerly sought to please her.

Though it had taken some effort to gain control over the palace, there were things that she was able to learn quicker than others.

That was how she soon found out that the Crown Prince despised cats, and she also learned the secret behind it. It made sense now why there were wild cats in other palaces, but none at all in Yuqing Palace.

For catching mice, even Mama Ling had to use dogs. This arrangement had worked in her favor.

If Yang Gege wanted to raise a cat, Side Concubine Li would happily encourage it, knowing full well that the Crown Prince would become annoyed the moment he saw it.

She also knew about Liu’er secretly letting the cat go. If the cat died quietly over time, and with Yang Gege in a more subdued position, the Crown Prince might eventually remember the good things about her. But keeping the cat now, and with a few subtle remarks, would ensure that the Crown Prince would completely despise Yang Gege sooner or later.

Things had been fine before. When the Crown Prince heard about Yang Gege abandoning the cat, though he didn’t say anything, Side Concubine Li knew it was all working out. Now, if the cat were to die quietly in Yuqing Palace, the Crown Prince would despise Yang Gege for the rest of his life.

Unexpectedly, the cat turned out to be fierce. It was bitten half to death by the dog but still managed to escape, only to be picked up by Cheng Gege.

Never mind, Cheng Gege is useless, and Yang Gege shouldn’t expect anything good either. She just needs to remain patient and take care of her health. When the time comes for the Autumn Selection by the Imperial Household Department, she can bring in a few new people.

“Tell Kang Haizhu to work harder,” Side Concubine Li said casually, flipping through the account books. “Also, the other day, Father sent over a box of premium purple lingzhi mushrooms. I heard that Xi Pin’s illness has flared up again recently. You should personally deliver it to her. If Xi Pin asks about the Crown Prince, just tell her the truth.”

Mama Jin understood and agreed.

#

He Baozhong quickly found out.

Eunuchs are everywhere, and they all tend to curry favor. As the highest-ranking eunuch in Yuqing Palace, He Baozhong didn’t need to run errands to gather information. His quarters were in the outer eaves corridor of the side hall of Chunben Hall, a row of three connected rooms where he lived alone.

During the day, he stayed close to the Crown Prince, not leaving his side. At night, he mostly rested on the footstool under the Crown Prince’s bed, and it was only when he was sick that he would stay in his large quarters.

Even so, without him needing to instruct anyone, the room was always cleaned and guarded by small eunuchs, and no one dared to occupy it.

By the time he arrived, the charcoal, hot water, fruits, and candied treats were all prepared.

While lying in the room, letting the young eunuchs serve him while he smoked, things were naturally handled without him having to do much.

Two little eunuchs were massaging his legs, one eunuch was lighting his tobacco, and there were others almost fighting to serve tea and water. He Baozhong was so annoyed by the noise in the room that he waved his hand, saying, “What’s with all of you? Is everyone so idle? Go outside, go outside, I can’t even have a smoke in peace.”

After sending half the people away, he waited for the ones who were gathering information to return. Once they did, he didn’t stay long and quickly got up to rush back to the main study in Chunben Hall. He was off to handle some business, but the Crown Prince couldn’t be left unattended.

He hurried back, panting, and indeed saw that the person attending the Crown Prince was the tea servant and head eunuch, Ya Tou. He Baozhong gritted his teeth inwardly, but kept his smile on his face, “Master, I have returned.”

Ya Tou was fair-skinned, with red lips and white teeth, and a graceful figure. He was skilled in brewing tea and always made a good impression in front of the Crown Prince. He was He Baozhong’s number one source of trouble.

“Ya Tou, you may leave,” the Crown Prince said without raising his head, turning another page of his book. “Remember to keep Cheng Gege’s tea separately. It’s been raining a lot lately, and we wouldn’t want it to get moldy.”

“Yes, Master.” Ya Tou took the tray and backed out, standing upright only once outside the door.

Just then, He Baozhong entered, and the two brushed past each other, making He Baozhong look like a white dough ball next to Ya Tou.

Suppressing a laugh, the Crown Prince said, “He Baozhong, have you gained weight again?”

He Baozhong laughed and waddled over, joking, “This body of mine is loyal to me, and no matter how much I try to shake it off, it won’t leave.”

“With your two meals a day, plus three servings of snacks, never missing one, it’s no surprise you’ve gained weight,” the Crown Prince chuckled and shook his head. “How did the task I gave you go?”

He Baozhong had already caught the sweet scent of the peach oolong tea in the room, so he had a good idea of what had happened. He promptly reported, “Replying to the Crown Prince, I have inquired and confirmed everything. Cheng Gege went to appreciate the flowers today, and it just happened that it started raining heavily. She took shelter by the Pavilion and accidentally found the cat.”

“As for how the cat was injured… I heard from the little eunuch who was mowing the grass in the South Flower Garden that the cat had been hiding there for several days. They had set traps and cages but hadn’t caught it. Coincidentally, there was a rat infestation in the storeroom, which had ruined a lot of satin. The head eunuch asked Side Concubine Li for advice. Side Concubine Li consulted Mama Ling, who had the cat-catching dogs brought in. But before they could catch the rats, one of the dogs attacked the cat instead. The cat and the dog fought, and the cat ran off. Side Concubine Li didn’t want to get involved and had someone tell Yang Gege. Yang Gege said that the cat was dirty and should be put down. Later, Cheng Gege found it.”

“And there’s something else I found out…” He Baozhong paused, glanced at the Crown Prince’s expression, and seeing him nod slightly, he swallowed and lowered his voice. “Yang Gege often has a eunuch from the Imperial Household Department, surnamed Kang, come to do her hair. Although this Kang eunuch is just a minor servant in the Imperial Household, he often goes in and out of the Yanxi Palace, and he has some connections with Consort Hui…”

The Crown Prince snapped the book shut with a loud “clap.”

He Baozhong immediately fell silent, his head lowered.

A long time passed before he heard the Crown Prince’s cold, emotionless voice: “How many years have passed, yet the people in the palace are still like this? Not only do they treat people like cats and dogs, but the lives of cats and dogs are considered even less valuable. They are just toys for amusement and to win favor. Once they are no longer of any use…”

He didn’t continue.

He Baozhong sometimes thought that the Crown Prince was quite strange. He was born and raised in the imperial city, and palace matters like this were nothing new. Yet, he suddenly showed so much compassion. He made a big deal out of a cat, and if this were to reach the Emperor’s ears, he would probably be criticized for being weak and sentimental.

The Emperor favored the Eldest Prince because the Eldest Prince was the traditional Manchu warrior—he was the type to ride horses, eat big meals, and drink heavily. Although the Eldest Prince’s manners were rough, the Emperor saw this as a sign of grandeur.

It was the spirit of the Manchu.

So even if the Crown Prince’s cat was injured, it would only be a small punishment with a big lesson.

In comparison, the Crown Prince had little interest in horsemanship or archery. If the Emperor hadn’t insisted that every prince practice riding and archery, the Crown Prince would have preferred to study history and practice calligraphy with the Third and Fourth Princes.

The Crown Prince had once cried to the point of nearly fainting over a cat, which made others criticize him for being petty.

What’s more, the Crown Prince still held a grudge against the Eldest Prince for so many years and refused to reconcile. Everyone thought it was because the Crown Prince was intolerant, and some officials even believed that if the Crown Prince were to become Emperor one day, he might not be open to receiving advice from the officials because of his temper.

In the end, some even worried about the future of the Qing dynasty.

He Baozhong had seen just how difficult it was to be the Crown Prince. First, you couldn’t make any mistakes, couldn’t say anything wrong, and couldn’t act out of line. Second, you had to satisfy everyone—the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, the concubines in the harem, your brothers, and both civil and military officials, not to mention the common people.

Everyone was watching you, so you had to keep your back straight and never slack off, making sure everything you did was the best.

And the hardest part was that no one cared how hard it was for you. All they saw were the benefits of being the Crown Prince, and some even wanted to pull you down and take your place.

“He Baozhong.”

“Your servant is here.” He Baozhong shook off his random thoughts, knelt down, and said, “Your Highness, you have orders.”

“Go deliver a message to Yang Gege,” the Crown Prince’s tone was calm, but He Baozhong was startled, “Tell her that her cat has been sent to Cheng Gege, so she need not worry. Also, ask her if she thinks the people in Consort Hui’s palace are more useful than those in the Yuqing Palace. If so, she should say it early. My eldest sister-in-law is always virtuous and kind. If she wishes, I can send her to my elder brother’s residence to be a Gege, it’s just a matter of saying a word.”

The Crown Prince only referred to himself as “solitary” when he was particularly displeased.

Hey, this was like asking him to slap Yang Gege twice in the face and then stomp on her dignity!

He Baozhong was excited and quickly responded, “Yes, Your Highness. I’d love to do that.”

“After you return from Yang Gege, go and pay respects to Side Concubine Li,” the Crown Prince continued. “Tell her that Consort Tong’s health hasn’t improved, and I’m very concerned. Ask her to copy scriptures daily for Consort Tong’s well-being, to help calm her mind.”

What kind of nonsense is it to wake someone up in the middle of the night to pay respects?

He Baozhong understood that the Crown Prince was warning Side Concubine Li to behave.

“Your Highness, should I select a eunuch to dry the tea for Cheng Gege?”

The Crown Prince threw a book at him: “Hurry up and leave, stop playing your little tricks.”

No chance for testing.

“Yes, yes, I’ll leave right away.” He Baozhong hurriedly rushed out.

Once outside, He Baozhong walked with his hands clasped behind his back, chest out, and ready for action, striding towards the rear palace.

But in his mind, he was wondering—did the Crown Prince really need him to personally select the eunuch for drying the tea? What exactly was the Crown Prince trying to do? Was he trying to protect Cheng Gege or keep an eye on her?

He also thought about the few tea jars that Ya Tou had taken, grinding his teeth as he thought it over. No, he still decided to play the part of a good servant!

But selecting between these two eunuchs who both had to please Cheng Gege while also winning the Crown Prince’s favor… it wasn’t going to be an easy task.