Volume 9 Evening Glow of the Eastern Palace
As soon as the Crown Prince spoke these words, the murmurs that had been on the verge of boiling over instantly ceased. Everyone held their breath, quietly awaiting the Emperor’s response.
“Ah, yes.” The Emperor, as if awakening from a dream, quickly understood the Crown Prince’s intention and followed his lead. “I promised you yesterday to transfer Wu Zhenzhen to the Eastern Palace. Later, Minister Shen requested an audience, and once he arrived, he stayed for a long time. I forgot to inform the Empress, the Chief of Palace Surveillance, and the Director of Palace Food. But it’s not too late. With so many people gathered here today, it’s the perfect occasion to announce this matter…”
He adjusted his posture, preparing to make the formal announcement, when Zhao Ai suddenly stood up and bowed to him. “Father, regarding the transfer of Head Chef Wu to the Eastern Palace, was her opinion sought beforehand?”
The Emperor cast a questioning glance at him, then after a moment replied, “No.”
Zhao Ai earnestly said, “Female officials are people, not objects. Head Chef Wu has served you diligently for so long. Now that she is to be assigned a new master, could her feelings be considered by first asking her wishes?”
The Emperor fell silent for a moment, then turned to Zhenzhen. “Head Chef Wu, are you willing to go to the Eastern Palace to serve the Crown Prince?”
From the conversation between the Emperor and his sons, Zhenzhen could easily discern the goodwill they extended to her. She understood that the Crown Prince’s move was meant to show everyone that she had long been valued by the Eastern Palace and that the Emperor had never intended to bestow her upon Lin Hong. Therefore, she was not Lin Hong’s would-be discarded woman but had a brighter future ahead.
Thus, she bowed to the Emperor, suppressing the surge of emotions within her, and replied in as steady a voice as possible, “This humble servant comes from a lowly background. To be deemed worthy by the Crown Prince and given the opportunity to serve in the Eastern Palace is an immense fortune. How could I possibly be unwilling?”
In this way, the Crown Prince had picked up the fragments of her shattered self-esteem, scattered by Lin Hong, and rescued her from a fate drowned in gossip and slander. She resolved to repay this kindness a hundredfold.
The Emperor also seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. Sitting upright, he solemnly declared, “By imperial decree: Promote Head Chef Wu to the position of Supervisor of Meals, effective immediately. She is to proceed to the Eastern Palace and take charge of the Crown Prince’s meals and beverages.”
Zhenzhen raised her hands to her eyebrows and performed a deep bow of gratitude to the Emperor. After a moment, she lifted her head, forcing a smile, yet a single tear, impossible to hold back, traced a path along the curve of her upturned lips and silently marked the ground with a damp circle.
Seeing that Lin Hong still knelt silently in the hall, the Empress Dowager addressed him, “Court Gentleman for Spreading Righteousness, I grant your request. Later, you may go to the garden and select an ancient plum tree. Whichever one you choose, inform the Palace Garden Commissioner, and he will have it sent to your residence.”
Lin Hong kowtowed in gratitude for the Empress Dowager’s favor. She allowed him to rise and withdraw. Then, with a glance at Zhang Zhibei, he understood her intention and immediately ordered the musicians to play. Soon, the hall was filled once more with the sound of sheng melodies and the fluttering of dancing sleeves, restoring the scene of peace and prosperity from earlier.
Lin Hong took advantage of the lively atmosphere of toasts and drinking games to leave his seat and quietly slip out of the hall. Just as he descended the jade steps, he heard someone behind him call out, “Lin Hong.” He turned at the sound but had yet to see the person clearly when that individual struck like lightning, landing a punch on the left side of his jaw below the cheek.
Lin Hong steadied himself, raised his head, and met the furious gaze of Zhao Ai, who was glaring at him.
Zhao Ai swung his fist again, intending to strike him once more, but several eunuchs who had rushed over restrained him, some holding his waist and others pinning his arms.
Lin Hong used his sleeve to wipe away the trail of blood from the corner of his mouth, then bowed deeply to Zhao Ai with clasped hands. Silently, he retreated a few steps before turning and walking away.
He understood the reason for Zhao Ai’s anger perfectly well. He had no desire to explain anything, nor did he wish to retaliate against the violent blow. He knew that compared to what Zhenzhen had endured that day, this pain and humiliation were utterly insignificant.Just as Liu Luowei had said, ever since learning that Zhenzhen was Zhang Yunqiao's daughter, every encounter with her had become a torment. He struggled to suppress his desire to be near her, yet reason constantly warned him, forcing him to keep his distance. Her smile, her embrace, her affectionate gaze, and the soft whispers in his ear all turned into honey-dipped keys. The moment he tasted sweetness, the unlocked memories of childhood flew out page by page, cutting his heart until it bled.
He had considered explaining things clearly to her and cutting off all contact, but he feared that such a gentle parting would only leave lingering hope for both of them. Zhenzhen’s emotions burned fiercely, and in her presence, he was never resolute enough. If she were to seek him out again, weep before him, or suddenly embrace and kiss him, he feared he would disregard filial duty and morality, plunging once more into the path of suffering.
Thus, he dragged on day after day in indecision until the Empress Dowager brought up the marriage proposal again, leaving him no room to avoid it. After hearing the Empress Dowager’s question, he was still considering how to gently decline the marriage. But when Liu Luowei offered the jade bracelet to Zhenzhen, and he saw her silence, he understood that the bracelet had wounded her. So be it, he thought. He might as well use the "Plum Blossom Wife and Crane Son" to hurt her thoroughly. She might hate him, but then she would also give up on him, look ahead, and seek a better future than he could offer.
He walked indifferently toward the plum grove, thinking that this was likely the best outcome possible under the circumstances.
"Second Great King, please calm your anger! Today, the imperial clan and relatives are gathered here—do not let them witness a spectacle!" The palace attendant holding Zhao Ai by the waist pleaded repeatedly.
Zhao Ai was still panting heavily, but his raised hand gradually lowered.
Summer storms arrive without warning. One moment, the sun blazed fiercely; the next, a wild, galloping gust of wind swept through, scattering the sunlight in an instant. Large raindrops, carrying the scent of earth and greenery, began pounding the ground.
As Zhao Ai endured the rain’s assault, he suddenly thought of Zhenzhen: Where was she? Still inside the hall?
He strode back into the hall, scanning the surroundings but finding no trace of Zhenzhen. Immediately, he turned and rushed outside, plunging into the increasingly dense curtain of rain. He questioned the palace attendants he encountered about Zhenzhen’s whereabouts, then hurried into the garden to search for her.
Zhenzhen had slipped away quietly before Lin Hong left the hall, wandering aimlessly through the vast Gathering Scenery Garden, unsure of where to go. After wandering alone in a daze for a while, she felt the rain begin to fall, but her mind was too muddled to think of seeking shelter.
Three or five young palace attendants came running toward her, holding lotus leaves over their heads to shield themselves from the rain. One of them, seeing Zhenzhen standing there blankly, handed her a lotus leaf and said kindly, "Sister, the rain is going to get heavier. You should find a roof to shelter under quickly."
Zhenzhen took the leaf, and the young attendant continued running toward a distant pavilion. Looking at the lotus leaf in her hand, Zhenzhen’s tears began to fall like rain. She buried her face in the leaf and wept loudly, like a child, releasing the sorrow and grievances she had suppressed for so long amidst the flashes of lightning and rumbles of thunder.
She cried like this for a long while until someone suddenly approached and snatched the lotus leaf from her hands.
Zhenzhen looked up and saw Zhao Ai, drenched just like her.
"What nonsense did you agree to?" he demanded loudly, his voice cutting through the wind and rain as he stared intently at her. "Do you even know that agreeing to enter the Eastern Palace means agreeing to become the Crown Prince’s concubine?""So what?" Zhenzhen retorted coldly, raising her chin. "Now I can even give my life to him, let alone become a concubine."
"You should marry me!" Zhao Ai roared, unable to contain himself any longer.
Zhenzhen was startled, meeting his gaze directly, momentarily at a loss for words.
"Come to me," he extended his hand toward her. "I will make the stormy skies part before you."
Instead, she took two steps back. "Your Highness should return. Do not let others see and misunderstand."
He was filled with emotions he longed to express, but she gave him no chance to speak. Frustrated and anxious, he suddenly embraced her and leaned in to kiss her lips.
Zhenzhen swiftly turned her head aside, and his kiss landed below her ear.
She pushed him away forcefully, then raised her hand and slapped him hard across the face before quickly stepping back to put distance between them.
Zhao Ai moved to follow her but saw several figures approaching with umbrellas. The leading eunuch stopped before Zhenzhen and bowed slightly. "Lady Wu, the Crown Princess has sent me to find you. The carriage to the Eastern Palace is ready. Please return with me."
Recognizing him as Yang Zicheng, the current chief eunuch of the Eastern Palace, Zhenzhen nodded and returned the greeting.
Yang Zicheng signaled for a palace attendant behind him to hold an umbrella over Zhenzhen and escort her away. Then he bowed deeply to Zhao Ai, retreating respectfully several steps before following Zhenzhen's party.
Zhao Ai stood alone in the endless rain, watching Zhenzhen gradually fade from his sight. His eyes grew misty, indistinguishable whether from rain or tears.
Zhenzhen accompanied the Crown Princess to the Eastern Palace. The Crown Princess selected an exceptionally elegant courtyard for her to reside in and assigned two maids to serve her. After Zhenzhen had bathed and changed, the Crown Princess personally visited the small courtyard.
The Crown Princess, Lady Qian, had a round face, gently curved brows and eyes, and smiling crimson lips, giving her an approachable appearance. As soon as Zhenzhen bowed, she gestured for her to rise, then invited Zhenzhen to sit opposite her on the tea couch. Speaking kindly, she said, "To be honest with you, sister, earlier the Emperor intended for the Crown Prince to take you as a concubine. After the Empress learned of this, she spoke with me first, praising your character and temperament highly. Although I reside in the Eastern Palace, I have heard of your deeds and have long admired your talents. I was delighted to learn you would enter the Eastern Palace. But then I later heard from the Crown Prince that you loved another and were unwilling to accept the Emperor's decree, which saddened me for some time. Unexpectedly, today brought this opportunity, and now we can reside together in the Eastern Palace for a long time."
Seeing such overt friendliness, Zhenzhen couldn't help but wonder how much of it was genuine. She thought, what woman wouldn't feel jealous upon learning her husband intended to take a concubine? The Crown Princess's words were likely masking her jealousy, a deliberate test. Thus, she replied, "This humble servant has long heard of the deep affection between the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess, which is why the Crown Prince has been unwilling to take concubines. I harbor no presumptuous thoughts. Entering the Eastern Palace is solely to serve the Crown Prince's meals by the Emperor's command. I will naturally regard the Crown Princess as my mistress, serving you diligently and without the slightest neglect.""There's no need for such formality between us, sister." The Crown Princess sighed, her expression downcast. "I know you might not believe me, but I truly wish for the Crown Prince to take a concubine... Do you remember the incident with Meng Yunxiu? Last October, I gave birth to the Crown Prince's first son. The child came out feet first, causing me immense suffering—three days and nights of agony. Though he was finally born, my body was severely damaged, and I suffered from persistent postpartum bleeding. The imperial physician urged me to rest and recuperate patiently, advising that I must not share a bed with the Crown Prince for at least a year. The Crown Prince had refrained from taking concubines during my pregnancy, and now with this situation, I felt deeply ashamed. So, I thought to ask him to take Yunxiu, but I never expected it would lead to that incident. Fortunately, you were clever enough to devise that punishment for Yu Ruier, which settled the matter. Looking back now, perhaps it was fate that brought you into connection with the Eastern Palace through this."
Zhenzhen finally understood the hidden circumstances behind the Meng Yunxiu incident. It seemed that at the time, the Crown Princess was eager for the Crown Prince to take a concubine, but the palace attendants in the Eastern Palace, seeing the Crown Princess as gentle and kind, often acted defiantly or overstepped their bounds. Unwilling to promote from among them, the Crown Princess had strongly recommended Meng Yunxiu to the Crown Prince.
The Crown Princess later confirmed this: "I can also guess that His Majesty sent you to the Eastern Palace because he thinks I am too weak to manage those under me. I admit it—as a daughter, my parents sheltered me too well. I had never encountered such troublesome matters in the Eastern Palace before and didn’t know how to handle them. I originally hoped Yunxiu could assist me, but I inadvertently harmed her... This made me realize that I truly need someone strong to help manage the Eastern Palace’s affairs. And since you were chosen by His Majesty and Her Majesty, I trust your character. So, I sincerely hope you can set aside your reservations, join me in caring for the Crown Prince, and help manage the Eastern Palace’s affairs to ease his burdens."
At this point, the Crown Princess took Zhenzhen’s hand and spoke candidly: "Every word I’ve said today comes from the heart, without pretense. I earnestly hope you will grant my request and serve the Crown Prince on my behalf. From now on, we shall address each other as sisters. I will not treat you unfairly and will give you the highest status I can offer. Whatever you need, just tell me, and I will provide it for you."
Zhenzhen looked up and met her gaze. "So, like His Majesty and the Empress, you also think it would be best for me to become the Crown Prince’s concubine, and you would be pleased to see it happen?"
"Of course," the Crown Princess replied with a smile. "You needn’t have any reservations. Though you may not like the Crown Prince now, after spending some time with him, you’ll come to understand that he is a truly wonderful person, and you’ll be willing to stay by his side."
Seeing Zhenzhen remain silent, the Crown Princess reassured her: "You needn’t worry. For now, just serve as the palace dietician; there’s no need to attend to him at night. After some time, when you and the Crown Prince have grown fond of each other, I will choose an auspicious day for him to formally take you as his concubine and report it to His Majesty, requesting that he grant you the title of Lady of the Commandery."
"Why wait for an auspicious day when today is as good as any?" Zhenzhen responded immediately, looking directly at the Crown Princess and calmly stating her decision. "Since everyone thinks this is a wonderful arrangement, I am willing to attend to the Crown Prince tonight."
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