Yu Zi Heng

CHAPTER 2:

11

When the Emperor saw me again, he was momentarily stunned. 

I could almost see the question in his eyes: who was I?

The Empress Dowager warmly invited me to sit next to her, so the Emperor and I had to face each other. The problem was, he wasn’t my type, and I couldn’t see any charm in him either! 

Awkward…

The eunuch behind the Emperor held up an embroidered piece, a work of Suzhou embroidery. The embroidery depicted the image of Péng Zǔ¹. 

Giving this kind of thing to an elderly person is a good omen, and the embroidery was exquisite, perfect for hanging in a room.

“Wèi Zhāoyuán knows that Mother Empress loves Suzhou embroidery, and it just so happens that she found a master of Suzhou embroidery in her family. She begged for it a few times, and finally obtained this embroidery to present to Mother Empress.” 

So, he's here to put in a good word for his little lover.

The Empress Dowager squinted at it and said indifferently, “Not bad.” 

“She comes from humble origins, so the things she obtains with difficulty probably won't be to Mother Empress's liking.” 

“It's not about the quality of the object, but the intention behind it. If the intention is bad, then it's unacceptable.”

“Mother Empress is exaggerating. Wèi Zhāoyuán wouldn't dare.”

The Empress Dowager smiled, then suddenly asked me, “Why did you think of coming to see this old woman today?”

Didn't Yōng mómó force me to come?!

I fawningly and obsequiously said, “I missed Empress Dowager, I couldn't bear to delay even a moment, so I rushed over. If I had known the Emperor was here, I would have dressed up.” 

“Little girls don't need to dress up, you look fine like this.” 

Hmm, I think I look pretty too, it's your son who is blind. 

Seeing that I was chatting happily with the Empress Dowager and his own matter was still unresolved, the Emperor had to forcefully interrupt, “Mother Empress, you have Yù Zhàoyí and don't need your son anymore? Your son has something to ask of Mother Empress.” 

The Empress Dowager's smile disappeared. 

“Wèi Zhāoyuán was diagnosed with a pregnancy the other day. She's young and can't even take care of herself. She wants to ask Mother Empress to arrange for someone to take care of Xiēr.” 

Tsk, this Wèi Zhāoyuán is really trying to take advantage of the situation. 

She's just a Zhāoyuán, and she doesn't come from a good background. Logically, she shouldn't be raising her own child. Like Shū Fēi back then, her eldest daughter was raised by the late Empress.

It's one thing to raise her child herself because of the Emperor's favor, but now she's pregnant with her second child, and she wants to send her eldest son to the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager is of such high status. What kind of status would her child have?

Wèi Zhāoyuán has quite the appetite.

“Logically speaking, someone of Zhāoyuán's status should not be raising a prince,” the Empress Dowager said. “I used to think she was naive, but now that she has realized, it's not too late.”

The Empress Dowager suddenly smiled at me.

A strong sense of unease rose in my heart.

“Zǐ Héng is the head of the Nine Concubine, the entire Yù family is known for their integrity, they are perfect for raising a prince. The Third Prince will be raised by Zi Heng.”

“Mother Empress…”

“The Emperor trusts me, so send Xiēr to Shuyue Residence. If he doesn't trust me, then I won't bother.”

The Emperor's face was ashen.

The Empress Dowager was calm and composed.

Yōng mómó was beaming. 

I was speechless.

Reality teaches us that in the palace, we shouldn't run around; otherwise, we might easily end up with a son!

12

I finally remembered what the Empress Dowager said to me at Yu Hua Temple!

Now I understand why the Empress Dowager took a liking to me!

... 

“I've heard that ever since you arrived at your uncle's house, seven younger brothers have been born one after another. This shows that what others say about you bringing misfortune to your family is not reliable; instead, you're a lucky star.”

“Empress Dowager, you're joking. My uncle has been at war for many years, and my aunt passed away long ago without him remarrying, so the back house has been unsettled.” 

“General Yu was seriously injured four years ago. I heard that you brought in the divine physician from Nán Huāng² to save your uncle?”

“Thanks to heaven's mercy.” 

“Back then, when the Grand Minister requested to retire, you stopped him at the ten-mile pavilion and wouldn't let him leave. You forced him to leave his second son behind to be a teacher for your younger brother?”

“My younger brothers are naughty; I couldn't help it. I just wanted to find them a good teacher.”

“I heard that the young General, at twelve, used a clever plan to burn the supplies of the Yānyún Què of the Tujue and achieved great military merit. But how did I hear that it was you who sent him to the border to let him experience life?”

“This... My elder brother was riding his horse in the capital and injured someone. If my uncle were to discipline him, he'd probably be half-dead, so I secretly sent him to the border.” 

“Last year, you competed with the governor of Gānsù for the Chén King's residence, claiming it was for your uncle's convenience in attending court. Do you know that the governor's residence in the capital is cramped, and his concubines can only sleep on the floor?”

“I... I bought it according to legal procedures!”

“Hahaha, Zi Heng, I truly like your personality!”

You like my personality? 

I’d be a fool to believe you! 

I see it now; you just want me to be your family's nanny!

I don’t like you anymore, Empress Dowager!

You are no longer the mother to me without blood relation!

13

Actually, before I brought down the Táng family’s heir and the Chén family’s young lord, I was quite the catch in the marriage market of Dà Yè. The ladies of high society liked me just like the Empress Dowager did, leading me to believe I was truly adorable.

To put it in the words of the wealthy circle: Yu Zi Heng, a natural-born matron.

But no matter how skilled I was at managing the household or educating my younger brothers, it all depended on whether the son could endure it!

In this regard, the Empress Dowager had a very high-minded attitude toward fighting against fate; she would rather her son die than have chaos in the harem.

14

When the Third Prince, Chén Xi, was sent to Shuyue Residence, Wèi Zhāoyuán came with the Emperor to intimidate me.

They were a family of three, father and son showing affection and warmth, while I stood there, a bit out of place. 

Wèi Zhāoyuán was both crying and making her eyes sparkle, showing reluctance to part with her son while subtly flirting with the Emperor. Her skills as a palace concubine were truly impressive, her professional ethics were top-notch. 

Before, when Xú Pín said that Níng Bǎolín resembled Wei Zhaoyuan, I didn't think much of it. Maybe back in Cíníng Palace, the concubines had to maintain their noble and dignified demeanor. But seeing Wèi Zhāoyuán's childish manner and charming ways today, it's true that she has some similarities to Níng Bǎolín.

The Emperor favored Níng Bǎolín for a while, but he still went to Wèi Zhāoyuán's place more often. The palace gossip said, "Níng Bǎolín comes from a noble family, but she's still not as seductive as someone who learned from Shùyù Pavilion!"

Personally, I don't care much about family background. What's important is whether the concubines are virtuous or not.

But Wèi Zhāoyuán, she's just... a bit too much.

Let's put it this way, if she were in my uncle's back house pulling this kind of stuff, I would send her to the countryside within three days.

The palace needs an Empress. It's too chaotic!

15

The Emperor looked at my Shuyue Residence and instructed me, “Even though you are raising Xiēr, you should still bring him to see his mother often, don't sever the bond between mother and son. Mother Empress always praises your noble character, you should understand even without me saying it.” 

“Yes.” 

“Xiēr, if you're not used to it, tell your personal mómó. You are my son, no one can overpower you.”

“Your Son understands.”

Wèi Zhāoyuán tearfully grasped my hand, “Yù younger sister, you must understand a mother's heart…”

Younger sister? I am the head of the Nine Concubine, even if I am younger and more tender than you, you should call me older sister and give me half a bow!

I'll keep this in mind since you're favored for now!

Finally, after sending off the Emperor and the whiny Wèi Zhāoyuán, I asked Chén Xi, “Third Prince, what do you usually do in the afternoons? What do you eat for dinner?” 

Before Chén Xi could answer, his mómó spoke up, “Our Third Prince in the afternoon…”

“Did Ben Gong ask you?” 

The mómó shut her mouth instantly.

“Third Prince, remember, as the master, when facing others, only let your servants relay messages when the other party is not worthy of speaking to you. Ben Gong am a Zhàoyí, you are a prince without a rank, and you should be able to speak for yourself now.”

Chén Xi was only three years old, with large, round eyes, just like Wèi Zhāoyuán, overly delicate, like a pretty little girl. 

“I want to... practice calligraphy in the afternoon, and I want to eat light food for dinner.” 

I looked at his pomegranate-sized hand, then at his thin, small frame.

“You like writing?” 

“Mother concubine said I should write ten pages of large characters every day.” 

Such a small person writing ten pages of large characters every day, his hand would be ruined within five years.

“Oh, what a coincidence. Ben Gong’s Shuyue Residence is in a bit of a mess today, your things haven't been settled yet, it's too chaotic to write. Wait for the servants to tidy up, come with Ben Gong to the flower garden to get rid of bugs.” 

“But…” 

“Fu Bao, go prepare a short-sleeved outfit for the Third Prince.” 

“Yes, Niangniang.”

16

Ignoring the indignant mutterings of Chén Xi's personal mómó, I took him to loosen the soil, weed, and sprinkle lime. After returning to my room to wash up, I didn't follow Wèi Zhāoyuán's dietary instructions for dinner. What a joke, she eats lightly for her figure, how can a child eat like an adult? 

I encouraged Chén Xi, “Ben Gong’s older brother was only three pounds when he was born, everyone said he wouldn't survive, but he ended up being able to eat a lot. By the time he was ten, he was taller than me. You eat well, and you can grow into a strong man too.” 

“Are you talking about Little General Yu? I heard that he has superhuman strength and went to war at the age of ten.”

Chén Xi's eyes sparkled, children all have this admiration for heroes. 

“Those are just rumors. He was twelve when he went to the border, but he does have the merit of fighting off hundreds of enemies.” 

“If I eat a lot, can I become like that?” 

Yù Zǐ Yú was tall and strong because my uncle was tall and strong. As for Chén Xi, look at your fragile mother, then look at your skinny father... I don't think it's likely.

“If you don't eat properly, then definitely not.”

Chén Xi was frightened and quickly ate a few bites of rice.

After dinner, Chén Xi's room was also tidied up. I took him to see his bedroom.

“Leave two of the paintings, put the rest away. Xiēr, you need to understand that paintings aren't for showing off, it's more interesting to appreciate them according to the time and scene. Move that bonsai to the outer room, it's blocking the feng shui. Find the stone-green bed curtains from the storeroom, it's still hot and you don't need a crimson one…” 

As I gave instructions, the servants in Shuyue Residence tidied up in an orderly fashion. Just as I finished speaking, Fu Bao brought in a cup of hot goat's milk. 

Chén Xi was given chrysanthemum tea to help with digestion.

The servants finished re-arranging the bedroom. I asked Chén Xi, “Do you like this arrangement? If you don't, we can change it tomorrow. Remember next time, if you're not satisfied with the arrangement, tell Ben Gong then. Don't wait until Ben Gong finish and then speak up, it's a waste of manpower and resources.” 

“...I like this room.” 

“Who usually stays up when you sleep?” 

“My personal attendants.”

I said to his personal mómó, “This is your first day here, you might not be used to it. Ben Gong will assign a palace maid to stay up with you, and after you get used to it, you can take turns. If there's an emergency, find Fu Bao, don't go out, wandering around.”

“Respectfully reporting to Niangniang,” this mómó learned her lesson this time, she was much more respectful towards me, “The Third Prince usually has two mómó, two palace maids, and a eunuch staying up at night. Now that so many people have been reduced, this servant is afraid the Third Prince won't be used to it.”

I chuckled, “Since you asked, Ben Gong will explain it to you. No matter how many people are assigned in the palace, Shuyue Residence will never allow transgressions. A prince without a rank is legally assigned one teaching mómó, two wet nurses, two palace maids, and one eunuch. Looking at your conduct, the Third Prince has far more than these servants. That's disrespecting the palace rules, it's a great disrespect.”

“This servant dares not!” 

I asked the Third Prince, “Do you think Ben Gong is right?”

“I... don't know.” 

“Ben Gong will teach you something today. People follow the rules of the place they are in. Without rules, there's chaos. We agreed that you should only have one person staying up at night, so even if you cry, only one person will stay up.” 

“But my older brothers all have many servants staying up.”

“Others break the rules and you follow them, hoping to get away with it because everyone else is doing it. Do you even act like a prince?” 

Chén Xi's face flushed red.

I've been disciplining my little monkeys for years, one Chén Xi is simply not enough for a snack. After scolding him, I pinched his face, “Go to sleep early, Ben Gong will make you a qilin-shaped rice cake tomorrow morning. Ben Gong specially had someone carve the mold at the border, it's very lifelike, you can use cherry juice to paint the eyes yourself then.”

“Really?”

“Really.” 

Chén Xi quietly went to bed. 

Before leaving, I added, “If you miss your mother, don't hide in bed and cry by yourself. I'll take you to see her tomorrow.”

“Hmm.” Chén Xi answered, his voice a bit nasal.

________________

Glossary:

¹Peng Zu is a legendary figure in Chinese mythology, often regarded as a symbol of longevity and wisdom. Believed to have lived for over 800 years, he is associated with Taoist teachings on health and well-being. His image is frequently used to represent the pursuit of a long and healthy life in Chinese culture, appearing in art, literature, and religious practices as a wise old man.

²Nán Huāng (南荒): Southern Wilderness, a mythical region in ancient China often associated with exotic and powerful healers.

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