Yu Zi Heng

CHAPTER 3:

17

This Chén Xi is a good child, easy to raise.

At least he’s easier to manage than my pack of little monkeys.

Every day, I feed him, read to him, play war games with him on the map, solve interlocking rings, make lanterns, weed and prune the flower garden, give him a bath before bed, throw him on the bed, and that's it.

Wèi Zhāoyuán wanted him to practice calligraphy, but his little hands couldn't even hold a rabbit hair brush, so I had someone make a smaller one for him to practice tracing characters.

My mother was a calligraphy master, praised even by the late Emperor. She wrote many calligraphy scrolls for me when I was learning, and my Yù family’s monkeys used them, so Chén Xi can use them now. 

I also plan to clean up the lotus pond in Shuyue Residence, fill it with soil, and let him practice swimming. As the saying goes, the more skills you have, the better. 

Wèi Zhāoyuán's pregnancy sickness was severe, she wouldn't even leave her room, saying she had swollen up a whole circle and wouldn't even see the Emperor—this is also the tragedy of palace women, beauty fades, love fades. 

So I took Chén Xi to visit her palace a few times, but then stopped going.

Rumors spread in the palace that I was harsh towards the Third Prince, but whenever I went to greet the Empress Dowager, anyone with eyes could see that Chén Xi was getting stronger and more lively. No one could say with a clear conscience that I was abusing the prince. 

However, I am no longer at the center of gossip. Now the most eye-catching woman in the palace is Níng Bǎolín.

18

The Emperor seems to have a thing for beautiful and alluring women. 

Níng Bǎolín had a certain aloof and elegant air when she entered the palace, not as charming and approachable as Wèi Zhāoyuán, so the Emperor favored Wèi Zhāoyuán more. 

But after Wèi Zhāoyuán became pregnant, Níng Bǎolín seemed to have a breakthrough, and at the Dragon Boat Festival palace banquet, she performed a dance of Cháng’é worshiping the moon. Wearing a white feathered robe with crimson sleeves, her slender waist was even more captivating. The Emperor didn't even glance at any other woman the entire night.

What is professionalism? This is professionalism.

I sat with Chén Xi to watch the dancing and asked him, “Who's prettier, Níng Bǎolín or Ben Gong?” 

Chén Xi closed his eyes and answered helplessly, “Zhàoyí Niángniáng is prettier.”

“If Níng Bǎolín and Ben Gong fell into the water, who would you save?”

Chén Xi, “Can I not answer?” 

“No.”

“Niángniáng, you said you would teach me to swim…” 

I rolled my eyes. 

See, men are visual creatures, they all love beautiful girls.

That night, the Emperor directly took Níng Bǎolín back to the palace. I had eaten too much, so I took Chén Xi for a walk back to Shuyue Residence to digest.

“Niángniáng, I want to go see Mother tomorrow.”

“Why? Are you afraid she's sad?”

Chén Xi didn't speak again, he hung his head and pretended that there was gold on the ground.

“You can't make her happy, no one in this palace can make her happy. Xiēr, when a person puts all their joy, anger, sadness, and happiness on another person, then they won't be truly happy anymore.”

Fu Bao looked around in shock, confirming that there were no other palace eyes around. 

“But, the Emperor went to find Níng Bǎolín, can she really stop him?” 

Chén Xi mumbled, “She said, as long as I'm successful…” 

“Nonsense!”

Chén Xi was used to my occasional bluntness, but Fu Bao reminded me, “Niángniáng, we're outside…”

“Chén Xi, you know some birds, they can't fly high themselves, so they lay an egg and make it fly hard. That's fine, but to blame the egg for their inability to fly high, there's no such logic in the world.”

“Zhàoyí Niángniáng, you're scolding my mother again, I can tell.”

“Good, you can tell. Only Ben Gong and Fu Bao, heard that. If it gets out, it’s what you said!”

Chén Xi said helplessly, “Oh…”

19

Soon after, Níng Bǎolín was found to be pregnant and was promoted to Níng Pín, one rank higher than me.

At the same time, Wèi Zhāoyuán had a miscarriage, a fully formed prince.

Chén Xi put on his clothes and stood before me, expressionless, “I want to go back.”

I had raised Chén Xi for almost half a year, and he rarely took the initiative to go see Wèi Zhāoyuán, let alone mention going back. 

I took his hand, “Let's go see Wèi Zhāoyuán first.” 

After months of not seeing her, Wèi Zhāoyuán's palace was no longer as lively. Even with the miscarriage, she only received a few boxes of medicinal herbs from the Emperor and a message of condolences from the eunuch.

The Emperor didn't even come to see her. 

I heard that Níng Pín was also feeling unwell today.

Half of the imperial physicians were waiting at Níng Pín's place. 

Wèi Zhāoyuán had clearly dressed up. She had just had a miscarriage, but her hair was clean and fluffy, her eyes were still swollen, but she had applied light makeup. 

However, she had gained a whole circle, and no matter how she covered it up, she couldn't hide the feeling of faded beauty.

As soon as Chén Xi and I appeared, Wèi Zhāoyuán stretched out her hand, painted with red nail polish, and frantically called out, “Xiēr! My Xiēr! Come here, Mother can't live without you! Come back!”

Chén Xi paused, still wanting to go, I pulled on his collar and asked him softly, “Do you still want to go?”

“She's my mother!”

I was helpless, a child being too kind was not a good thing. 

I asked Wèi Zhāoyuán from a few zhang away, “Wèi Zhāoyuán, what would the Emperor think if he saw you like this?”

Wèi Zhāoyuán's eyes were filled with tears, “The Emperor won't come, he won't come…”

I thought, how useless... 

I've never liked weak people, like the garrison troops who fled during the battle of Liang, the prefect who committed suicide by jumping into a well, the governor who fled in fear of punishment...

Back then, my father covered my eyes so I wouldn't see the carnage, and he kept saying to me, “Father would rather die than admit defeat, you must never admit defeat!”

Chén Xi is so weak, it's largely because of Wèi Zhāoyuán's influence. 

This is a good opportunity, I need to give Chén Xi a good lesson.

“Chén Xi, wait three months, then you can go back, Ben Gong won't stop you.”

20

In less than three months, Wèi Zhāoyuán was out on Lake Tai with some palace maids when she happened to encounter the Emperor and Níng Pín on their outing. Wèi Zhāoyuán was no longer the delicate figure of her youth; she wore a ginger-colored tunic with a blue gem necklace, looking voluptuous and charming, straddling the line between maiden and woman, captivating the Emperor's gaze.

Níng Pín had originally arranged for a dance to be performed by the Shùyù Pavilion as an offering to the Emperor, but Wèi Zhāoyuán, having recently learned the pipa, offered to accompany her.

Her rounded, graceful fingers played the pipa, and it stirred the Emperor's heart as well. 

When the Emperor looked at Níng Pín beside him, though she was pregnant, she still appeared weak and pitiful, which paled in comparison to Wèi Zhāoyuán's myriad charms.

That night, Wèi Zhāoyuán was favored again. 

The next day, Wèi Zhāoyuán sent a palace maid to fetch Chén Xi.

Chén Xi asked me, “Was this your idea, Niángniáng?”

“Yes.”

“Why do this?”

“To let you see the truth.”

A multitude of emotions flashed across Chén Xi's small face, and in the end, he smiled in understanding, “You win, Niángniáng; I won't go back.” 

No one who has seen strength will willingly accept mediocrity.

Yu Zi Yu doesn’t want it, and neither does Chén Xi. 

All children are the same; they can be taught.

21

Wèi Zhāoyuán's return to favor meant it was time to settle some scores.

She had been favored even when the late Empress was still around. After the Empress passed away, many of the remaining women in the palace were aging, while Wèi Zhāoyuán was in her prime, vibrant and blooming, and she had also given birth to the Third Prince, which led to years of exclusive favor.

The Empress had left in disgrace, and the Emperor was psychologically affected by her downfall, likely reluctant to establish another Empress. 

Thus, the palace muddled through for two years. The Empress Dowager had been enduring, but even clay figures have their limits; her patience had finally run out.

She had given Shū Fēi a chance, but Shū Fēi was extravagantly wasteful and ultimately couldn't stand out.

She had also given Xián Fēi a chance, but Xián Fēi prided herself on her aloofness and made enemies everywhere, which was foolish.

Now that I and Níng Sānniáng had entered the palace, it was essentially a signal from the Empress Dowager—there was no need for an Empress for the time being, but new concubines could be welcomed!

Níng Sānniáng was a clever woman. Just after her grandfather from the Níng family was stripped of his official position, she entered the palace. In terms of beauty, talent, and family background, she surpassed Wèi Zhāoyuán in every aspect. 

Wèi Zhāoyuán was in a frenzy, one moment wanting to have the Empress Dowager raise Chén Xi, the next moment entangling herself with the Emperor to have another child.

At that time, she appeared to be flourishing, but in reality, she was already at the end of her tether. 

In the palace, she had many enemies, and while she was pregnant, they plotted against her—first she gained weight, then she miscarried. Her beauty faded, and her loss of favor was inevitable.

It was so obvious who had harmed Wèi Zhāoyuán. If she still couldn't figure it out, then she had truly lived in vain for so many years.

Shū Fēi had a son and held power in the palace, so she had no need to harm her; Xián Fēi was disdainful and indifferent, so she wouldn’t bother either. Níng Pín merely saw Wèi Zhāoyuán as a stepping stone and a shield, relishing in watching her struggle.

The choice lay between Xú Pín and Róng Pín.

22

Xú Pín had been severely humiliated by Wèi Zhāoyuán in the past, mocked for her accent and had the Emperor stolen away from her during her birthday banquet in front of the entire palace.

So when everyone assumed that Xú Pín was behind the recent troubles, it was particularly shocking when Róng Pín was discovered to have drugged Wèi Zhāoyuán's snacks.

After all, Róng Pín had been like a transparent person in the palace.

But with witnesses and physical evidence, the case against Róng Pín was undeniable; she was demoted to the Cold Palace, and the Róng family was implicated as well.

The Emperor felt he had wronged Wèi Zhāoyuán and wanted to elevate her status.

Coincidentally, Níng Pín was about to give birth, and he was waiting for the arrival of a prince, envisioning both of his favored consorts being promoted together—how wonderful that would be!

Three months later, Níng Pín gave birth to a little princess, and the Emperor eagerly instructed the Internal Affairs Office to draft her title.

Who would have thought that the Empress Dowager would directly issue a decree:

“Yù Zhàoyí has contributed to the upbringing of the Third Prince, henceforth promoted to the rank of Third-Class Guì Pín, and bestowed the title ‘Yí.’”

Receiving this decree, I happily bit into a piece of melon sent by the Internal Affairs Office. “The Empress Dowager is quite mischievous; the Emperor wanted to give this title to Níng Pín.”

Fu Bao's face lit up, “This praises our master for her graceful demeanor.”

Yōng mómó also came to congratulate me, “Congratulations, Niángniáng! The Third-Class rank comes with the authority to assist in managing the harem. The Empress Dowager has high hopes for you!”

?

The melon in my mouth suddenly lost its sweetness...

Chén Xi and the little eunuchs returned from playing cuju, all sweaty.

Chén Xi wanted to greet me, but when he saw my expression, he hesitated, standing at the door looking pitiful.

I glanced at him.

Chén Xi widened his eyes, trying to look more adorable.

“Your mother is getting promoted.”

Chén Xi asked, “…Which mother?”

I gritted my teeth, “Both of them!”

Setting down the melon, I ordered Fu Bao, “Prepare the ceremonial retinue; I need to go thank the Empress Dowager!”

23

This time when I went to see the Empress Dowager, she was accompanied by the elegant Shū Fēi and her two daughters. 

The two little girls were playfully entertaining the Empress Dowager, and the atmosphere in the hall was filled with joy.

I adjusted my expression before entering, cheerfully thanking her for the promotion.

Shū Fēi constantly praised the Empress Dowager for her kindness towards me, though her eyes revealed a deep-seated wariness.

The Empress Dowager, however, paid no mind, saying, “I have something to say to Zi Heng. Shū Fēi, you can take the children back first.”

The way she addressed Shū Fēi and then referred to me as Zi Heng showed her favoritism was almost palpable. 

As the mother and daughters left, the eldest princess glanced back at me; despite her young age, there was already a glint of resentment in her eyes.

Tsk…

Once they were gone, the atmosphere in Cínīng Palace quieted down. The female officials had prepared tea and quietly retreated, leaving only the Empress Dowager and me in the hall.

The Empress Dowager poured me a cup of tea and leisurely sipped from her own, her movements graceful and unrestrained, reminiscent of the Wei and Jin dynasties—who would have guessed that this woman once came from humble beginnings as a butcher's daughter, entered the palace as a maid, bore five daughters and one son, and outmaneuvered the noble ladies of powerful families to rise to the position of Empress Dowager?

Yet, despite being such a woman, she never showed favoritism or bias when it came to others of similar low birth, like Shū Fēi or Wèi Zhāoyuán.

It's clear how deeply the palace grinds down on people's hearts and minds. 

“The late Empress left too soon. I'm not afraid to say things that might upset the dead. The Empress would have been fine as a noblewoman from a prestigious family, but she was a terrible Empress.”

I kept quiet, like a chicken.

“Shū Fēi entered the palace at a young age. Though she was from a noble family, she had never truly experienced hardship. She confined herself to her future, thinking that extravagance and luxury would garner respect. Hah, she ended up being a failure.” 

Shū Fēi, out.

“As for Xián Fēi, her studies made her stupid.”

Indeed. 

“Now, under Shū Fēi and Xián Fēi, you are the one.” 

I quickly flattered her with a smile, “Empress Dowager, I truly have no great ambitions…” 

“No great ambitions? You went through great effort to find teachers for the Yù family children? You used all the inheritance your parents left you to raise the families of military personnel? You sent your younger brother, who grew up with you, to the battlefield of Yàn Yún Què, where the bones of the dead are piled high? Zi Heng, judge people by their results. I won't be wrong about you.” 

“But, if what I do disappoints you, Your Majesty?”

If Fu Bao were here, she would have rushed forward to cover my mouth.

But, I had been holding back these words since before entering the palace. 

As my father said, “My men are willing to die for me without any regrets, not because I am General Yù, but because I can give them tangible rewards, promotions, titles, and the opportunity to secure their wives and children!”

What about me? I was inexplicably thrown into the whirlpool of the palace. What can I get? 

The Empress Dowager smiled faintly, a hint of youthful charm flashing in her eyes, “It's fine if I suffer for the benefit of Dà Yè.”

It's fine if I suffer for the benefit of Dà Yè? 

It's fine!

I bowed deeply to the Empress Dowager, “Zi Heng will do my utmost.”

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