Concubine of the Eastern Palace (Qing Dynasty Time Travel) - Chapter 23

That night, after hearing He Baozhong’s report, Side Concubine Li calmly and indifferently kowtowed in thanks.

After sending him away, she noticed Jin Mama’s worried expression and patted her hand. “Mother, there’s no need to panic. I know the Crown Prince well. Even if he guessed it, he won’t turn against me for the child I lost. Besides, we did nothing wrong. It’s all Yang Gege’s own fault.”

The Crown Prince was a person who protected those close to him and valued loyalty above all else.

Since Side Concubine Li entered the Yuqing Palace, apart from the Jingren Palace and the Chuxiu Palace where Side Concubine Xi lived, she never socialized much with other concubines, especially with Concubine Hui, whom she kept a respectful distance from.

Side Concubine Li knew a little about Yang Gege’s background. If she were in Yang Gege’s position, she would have made sure to sever ties with the Yanxi Palace after entering the Eastern Palace. Even if there were to be communication, it would have to be extremely secretive, with no one ever finding out.

She didn’t know about Kang Haizhu passing information on behalf of Yanxi Palace, nor did she care to find out. After all, with Ling Mama watching closely, Yang Gege probably didn’t have anything that could threaten the Crown Prince.

Why did the Crown Prince assign Ling Mama to oversee the front courtyard? It was to have another pair of eyes on the rear palace. There was nothing that could escape the Crown Prince’s attention when it came to matters in Yuqing Palace, as he only ignored things he didn’t want to know. So, Side Concubine Li didn’t try to hide her tactics against Yang Gege.

She was open and aboveboard. What had she done? She simply understood how people’s hearts worked.

Yang Gege, with her high self-esteem, had entered the palace during the selection, thinking she was still the young lady from a prominent family. The Salt Commissioner of the Two Huai regions was so impressive that she thought not only at home but also among the noble families of the Two Huai regions, everyone would dote on her. She had learned the proper etiquette on the surface, but hadn’t grasped it in her heart.

She looked down on Cheng Gege, thinking her to be a small official’s daughter, but Cheng Gege was much smarter. At least she knew when to adapt.

Just as He Baozhong had left Yang Gege’s courtyard, Side Concubine Li heard cries drifting through the night air. She was already dressed and sitting quietly in the main hall, waiting calmly for He Baozhong to return.

She wasn’t in the least bit flustered. It was just like when she and Lin Gege had been at odds, but in the end, she was the one who won.

Lin Gege had once been so proud, constantly reminding others of her childhood with the Crown Prince, thinking he cared about their past. She had been laughable—just a palace maid who climbed into the Crown Prince’s bed with a few tricks and thought she was the master.

In the end, didn’t she end up being sent out of the palace to recover from illness?

She was the Crown Prince’s side concubine, and as long as she didn’t cross the Crown Prince’s bottom line, the usual rivalries and jealousies among concubines wouldn’t concern him, and he would continue to show her respect.

As expected, the task was simply to copy scriptures to calm her mind. Since the Crown Prince had given the order, she would do it properly.

Side Concubine Li instructed Chun Jian to go to the Internal Affairs Bureau early the next morning to bring back some high-quality paper, ink, and brushes. “This is my filial piety to Consort Tong on behalf of the Crown Prince. I must not be careless.”

After Jin Mama went out and returned, she brought the contents of Yang Gege’s “admonishment.”

Side Concubine Li listened and was reassured, comfortably soaking her feet and going to bed.

She had once predicted that Yang Gege had a skin disease, and now it was confirmed — all it took was a cat and a hairdresser to keep Yang Gege from turning things around.

The Crown Prince’s words were indeed sharp and harsh. If someone with a thinner skin had heard the phrase “go to the eldest prince’s residence and become a Gege,” they might have hanged themselves on the spot.

But Cheng Gege, on the other hand, was someone Side Concubine Li had misjudged. She couldn’t help but sigh that this kind of luck was something she could never match.

However, luck had its limits. Side Concubine Li lay in bed, thinking to herself. Since the Crown Prince was favoring her now, she would enjoy it for a while. It would be best if she could conceive. That way, the game she had been playing would advance, and she would gain another piece in her favor.

Child, you don’t want me anymore, but I’ll always think of you.

It was because I didn’t protect you well. I was useless.

Will you come back to see me again?

My body is weak, but if you could be conceived in Cheng Gege’s womb… that would be fine.

Side Concubine Li closed her eyes, her hands tightly gripping the corner of the blanket, a tear slowly sliding down her cheek.

#

In the Forbidden City, as May arrived, the weather warmed up, and the “yellow fog” — what later generations would call a sandstorm — stopped. The sky finally cleared and became bright.

The red walls and golden roofs, set against a cloudless blue sky, looked incredibly lofty.

When Cheng Wanyun had first arrived in the capital, the hardest part for her to adapt to was the city’s climate. It was so dry and cold. Even in spring, it snowed often, and it felt desolate. Aside from the flower rooms, most of the trees in the Forbidden City, planted outside the palace lanes, had no flowers or leaves. In contrast, in Huizhou, along the South Lake shore, spring flowers would have already bloomed in vibrant colors, with green and red blossoms filling the branches.

She sat in the courtyard holding the cat, lost in thought. A gentle breeze blew, and she yawned along with the cat.

Since she picked up the cat, the atmosphere in Yuqing Palace had become increasingly tense. The Crown Prince had instructed He Baozhong to admonish Li Side Consort and Yang Gege, but he sent her two clever and smart little eunuchs, as well as a maid who was in her twenties and about to leave the palace. It was said that she had previously served in Ning Shou Palace and was a proper member of the Upper Three Banners of the Imperial Household.

Cheng Wanyun couldn’t help but think that her family background was probably better than hers…

Even a slight breeze from Chunben Hall could be noticed and smelled by the people below. It was no surprise that such a big move had been made. Yang Gege had completely closed herself off to rest and recover, rarely leaving her room. She was as quiet as though she didn’t exist at all.

Li Side Consort was still managing the household, with people coming and going in front of her door, but Cheng Wanyun no longer had to come and pay her respects. Even if she did, she wouldn’t be seen. Compared to before, everything had become much more low-key.

The only one unaffected was Cheng Gege. She remained quiet and unscathed.

The Crown Prince had even bypassed Li Side Consort and sent her a gift of people!

Cheng Wanyun’s rear courtyard had become the center of attention, and everyone was waiting to see how she would flourish. However, the Crown Prince didn’t enter the rear courtyard for over half a month, nor did he visit Li Side Consort or any of the Gege. Officially, he was busy preparing for the Emperor’s southern tour, but everyone knew well that the Crown Prince’s anger had not yet subsided.

The only one not greatly affected was Cheng Wanyun. When He Baozhong sent people to her, she obediently accepted them. Previously, the Crown Prince had said he was sending people to help her with the tea drying, so she allowed the two little eunuchs to do just that.

As for Hong Ying — the older maid who was about to leave the palace — Cheng Wanyun made no arrangements for her, but Hong Ying found her place on her own. Within a few days, she had won over the other maids and eunuchs, even Qingxing and Bitao were willing to submit to her.

At first, Cheng Wanyun didn’t understand what He Baozhong had chosen this person for, but later, when a few of the rougher palace maids and eunuchs made mistakes and were sent back to the Internal Affairs Bureau by Hong Ying, who then helped her select new ones, Cheng Wanyun understood.

This was the Crown Prince’s way of setting up a barrier for her.

Hong Ying was steady and reliable, with a clean background. She helped manage the group of young palace maids and eunuchs, most of whom were soon to leave the palace and get married. The Crown Prince’s intentions for her were truly thoughtful.

The fact that the Crown Prince was willing to intervene and help her discipline her servants meant that his anger was likely not directed at her. As for why he hadn’t come, it could be that he was truly busy, or perhaps…

After Hong Ying had won over the little ones in her courtyard, she chose a late night, sitting by candlelight. As she sewed, she told Cheng Wanyun a story about her family, saying that she had many brothers, all of whom got along very well, until her reckless eldest brother had accidentally killed her dog…

After hearing the story, Cheng Wanyun’s gaze fell on the cat sitting by the brazier, licking its paws.

The cat had been shaved and bandaged, but it was already much fatter than when she first picked it up. Bitao especially liked the cat and even spent her own money to buy fish for it.

At this moment, Cheng Wanyun realized why Li Side Consort and Yang Gege had been so severely reprimanded, and how she herself had become involved in such a storm.

As Hong Ying finished speaking, she suddenly looked up and asked her, “My elders all believe that the dog was just an animal, and they told me I shouldn’t let a mere animal come between me and my family. Do you think I was wrong?”

The candlelight reflected in her eyes, making it seem as though there were two small flames burning within them.

#

In Chunben Hall, Yinreng received the first letter sent back by Ling Shijin.

Suoetu and Mingzhu’s party had been riding hard towards the northern border, but Mingzhu suddenly proposed a detour east of the Karkhar River to gather intelligence on Galdan’s movements. During this time, Suoetu and Mingzhu had minor quarrels every three days and major ones every two days, but neither could prevail. The embassy adopted Mingzhu’s suggestion, and when they reached the Inner Zasak Mongol region, the scouts confirmed that Galdan was indeed launching a large-scale invasion of the Karkhar Mongols. The crossing of the Karkhar River towards the route to Nibu Chu was blocked. As a result, the embassy had to change course and follow the original route through Heilongjiang to Nibu Chu.

Having learned of Galdan’s movements in advance, Suoetu immediately expedited the report to the Kangxi Emperor, while also leading the group to hasten their journey to Nibu Chu.

After reading the letter, Yinreng couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief.

In his dream, Suoetu had been startled and helpless when he heard the news about the Karkhar Mongols. He was so eager to distance himself from Sha’e that he carelessly revealed his last line of defense. Now, with the embassy learning of Galdan’s rebellion in advance, and with Mingzhu present, they would likely have the upper hand in the upcoming negotiations.

Galdan… His Imperial Father would never tolerate this again. The Qing Empire would soon prepare for war.

Yinreng thought for a moment when Ling Mama entered with Hong Ying. “Your Highness, Hong Ying has come to report.”

“Hong Ying, no need for formalities,” Yinreng rose and greeted her, not in the casual manner he would with ordinary palace maids, but with a hint of respect. “For someone as capable as you, it really is a pity that you are here with me.”

Hong Ying smiled. “Your Highness overstates it. Cheng Gege is doing just fine. These last two years in the palace have been peaceful, and I’m grateful for Your Highness’s kindness.”

Yinreng gestured for a young palace maid to bring a small stool for Hong Ying to sit on, offering her tea.

Hong Ying had previously served Empress Hesheri and later moved to Ning Shou Palace. After the Crown Prince grew up, he secretly gathered those who had served Empress Hesheri. Although everyone was scattered across the palace, the Crown Prince still had people keeping an eye on them. These connections had never been severed. Ling Mama, knowing that the Crown Prince had something private to discuss with Hong Ying, quietly took her leave.

Once everyone else had left and the intricately carved door closed softly, Hong Ying spoke up. “Your Highness, the question you asked me to inquire about—I asked.”

Yinreng responded with a nonchalant “Oh?” His expression remained unchanged, but his hand, holding the enamel bowl, trembled slightly, almost imperceptibly.

“Cheng Gege said, if the punishment is not inflicted on oneself, one naturally does not know the pain,” Hong Ying mimicked Cheng Gege’s righteous tone. “That dog was a gift from your mother. Besides, you’re still so young. How could such a confused elder not blame the person who killed the dog, but instead ask the victim to show generosity? Bah! If it were me, I would have immediately taken all the valuable things from their home and asked them, ‘Hey, we’re family, and you’re still angry over such trivial things?’”

“The lives of cats and dogs are worthless, but does that mean human life is any less important than grass? If one feels so noble that they can trample and oppress other lives, how can they be certain that, when they fall from grace, others won’t do the same to them? Hong Ying, you are not wrong. You are not wrong at all. Those who do evil will eventually meet their own downfall. Wait and see!”

Yinreng smiled, starting with a low chuckle that gradually grew into loud laughter, until tears were streaming from his eyes.

Hong Ying knelt and bowed her head, then withdrew.

The room was empty, and Yinreng did not want anyone to come in and attend to him. He leaned back, lying on the heated brick bed, slowly raising his hand to cover his eyes.

He thought no one would understand, but it turned out someone did.

No one cared about Jin Hu’s life, just as no one cared about his feelings. Even the Emperor cared more about how he should behave as the Crown Prince, rather than who he truly was, apart from his title.

But after all these years, someone finally said, “You are not wrong. You are not wrong at all.”

Two days later, He Baozhong came in, grinning, and said, “Your Highness, the Emperor has received some white sand loquats from Suzhou. They taste excellent, and he specially sent a basket for you to try.”

Behind him, a young eunuch carried a small basket filled with carefully selected loquats. Each fruit was round and large, neatly arranged with leaves underneath. It was just the right season for loquats, and they looked very inviting.

“How many baskets did the palace receive in total? Who got what?” Yinreng asked.

“The loquats spoil easily and cannot be bruised. After picking, there were only three baskets left. The Emperor gave half a basket to Imperial Noble Consort Tong Jia, one basket to the Empress Dowager, kept half a basket for himself, and the last basket was brought to Yuqing Palace. The other princes didn’t even get any loquat leaves,” He Baozhong replied, raising his neck proudly.

This was the unique privilege of Yuqing Palace.

Yinreng listened, then simply smiled faintly. If he just kept this basket of loquats for himself, would the Emperor really be satisfied? Even rewards were a test—this was his life. He instructed, “Just keep one bowl for ourselves, and send the rest to the other princes. Let Eldest Brother help distribute them among the younger brothers.”

“Your Highness?” He Baozhong stared in surprise, “Give them all away? And let Eldest Brother distribute them?”

The deepest thorn in Yinreng’s heart had already been pulled out, and he no longer cared about such trivial gestures meant to win others’ favor. If it were usual, he wouldn’t have spared Eldest Brother this face; he would have had someone distribute them himself. But now, he couldn’t be bothered with such schemes.

“Send them out now. The bowl we keep, let’s give half to Side Concubine Li,” Yinreng stood up, “The other half, take it to see Princess Cheng Gege.”

He Baozhong almost dropped his eyes to the ground in shock. Heavens, it was nearly June, and the Crown Prince finally remembered to go to the back courtyard.

For these past days, the Crown Prince had been holed up in his room reading and writing. Unless summoned, he hadn’t gone anywhere, and He Baozhong feared he was wearing himself down.

All the servants knelt and waited as the Crown Prince walked past. They lay on the ground, watching the back of his heels, seeing him enter the back hall, not turning left or right, walking straight through another door, and then down the long corridor…

It was Cheng Gege!

The gatekeeper, who had nearly dozed off in the sunlight, jumped up in shock when he saw the bright yellow hem of the Crown Prince’s robe appear at the end of the corridor. He immediately ran in and loudly announced.

“The Crown Prince has arrived!” His voice almost cracked.

It felt like the New Year had just passed.

Cheng Wanyun was both amused and helpless. It had been such a long time since she’d seen the Crown Prince. She was surprised to see how much taller he’d grown. His features were still the same, but he seemed to have matured more, with a more defined jawline.

As for the reason the Crown Prince had come to see her—it was that half bowl of “rare” loquats. Cheng Wanyun couldn’t resist counting them. There were exactly eight. Well, such a small amount could easily be counted on her fingers.

She couldn’t help but glance at the man who had immediately sprawled on her chaise lounge, comfortably munching on preserved plums.

The excuse was a little too flimsy.

Cheng Wanyun was about to say something when the cat suddenly strutted in, its tail held high. Seeing an unfamiliar person lying on the chaise, the cat immediately arched its back and puffed up its fur.

“Meow!” It even dared to hiss.

Yinreng looked up, curiously eyeing the cat, which looked almost identical to Jin Hu. However, he could clearly tell that this was a completely different cat—if it were Jin Hu, it would have hidden under the bed the moment it saw a stranger, refusing to come out.

This cat was more fitting of the name Jin Hu—majestic, bold, and even a little fierce.

No wonder it survived fighting with a dog.

“What’s this cat’s name?”

Cheng Wanyun froze, casting a sly glance at Bitao, who wore an expression that screamed “I told you not to pick such names, but you insisted.”

“Mm?”

Cheng Wanyun awkwardly smiled, “Its name… is Mi Mi.”

Yinreng: “…”