Yu Zi Heng

CHAPTER 8:

42

On Chen Xi's first day of school, I was busy dealing with a mishap at the Imperial Workshop and was unable to send him off, so I entrusted Yong mómó with the task.

I expected him to complain to me when he returned, but the little guy looked glum and was buried in his studies, refusing to eat.

“What's wrong?”

Chen Xi shook his head and sighed deeply.

“Ben Gong will go if you don't want to talk.”

Chen Xi tossed his book aside. “They're not human! They're simply not human!”

The people he was referring to were most likely my chubby but prodigious brother, Yu Zi Chen, the sickly but eloquent prodigy, Han Ran, and Chen Yuan, who was already showing signs of becoming a handsome young man and could write beautiful calligraphy.

Chen Xi continued to mutter under his breath: “If there was Xi, why was there Ran? If there was Xi, why was there Chen? If there was Xi, why was there Yuan…” (T/N: Basically, he was just complaining for why need the others when there's him, ‘Xi’)

“You might as well tell everyone not to be born.”

Chen Xi looked at my belly, saying with a hint of anticipation, “It's not bad to have a stupid one.”

Fu Bao just happened to bring in a cup of hot goat milk.

“See, your Aunt Fu Bao isn't smart either.”

Fu Bao: “Niangniang, I can hear you.”

“Don't interrupt. Fu Bao isn't smart, but which smart person in the Ministry of Internal Affairs doesn't fear her, which one dares to disobey her?”

Fu Bao proudly raised her round face.

Chen Xi calmly analyzed: “That's called ‘riding on the back of a tiger.’”

Chen Xi then looked at me. “Mother, you're so smart. You must have never been second in your studies, right?”

I…

I've never been second.

I'm not worthy…

“Actually, you can't judge a hero by their study.”

Chen Xi nodded. “I understand. You're like me, we're both at the bottom.”

Can this school even function properly anymore?

43

For the sake of Chen Xi's mental and physical health, I specially held a small banquet, inviting all the little monkeys from the study room.

A group of boys came after school, all wearing short robes of dark blue with embroidered cranes, which I had ordered from the Bureau of Imperial Workshops. They carried small book bags; Chen Yang's companion and Chen Xi both carried two! And they swarmed towards Shuyue Residence.

Chen Yuan was the eldest brother, so he led his younger brothers in greeting me. I took a closer look, what a motley crew of students, tall and short, fat and thin...

At the table, Chen Yuan started eating first, and the others followed suit. Even a mischievous boy like Chen Yang was quiet.

According to Chen Xi, Chen Yang had been thoroughly disciplined these past days.

Initially, he fell asleep during class, and the teacher punished him by hitting his palm. He had his companion take the punishment for him while he rested, with a palace maid fanning him and a small watermelon for him to eat. He was living the good life...

But within two days, his companion rose up.

Shū Fēi's nephew was a peculiar character. After his sister, Shū Fēi, rose to prominence, his father had quickly abandoned his first wife and married a beautiful young woman. The son of his first wife—Jiang Changsheng—had returned to his maternal uncle's home with his mother.

He went begging.

Yes, he cut his hair, lay down on the ground, and went begging.

How embarrassing for Shū Fēi's nephew to be begging. People in the capital watched and laughed for a long time.

Shū Fēi found out about this last year and hurriedly had her brother find her nephew.

Thankfully, he was found, otherwise, Jiang Changsheng would have almost become a leader of beggars.

It was said that Jiang Changsheng was quite successful at begging. After several scuffles, he had become the leader of the beggars in the Changping District.

Could he possibly be intimidated by Chen Yang?

So, after several incidents, whenever Chen Yang made a mistake and caused him to be punished, if he got hit twice, Chen Yang would be hit four times. If he was punished by copying a page of a book, Chen Yang would have to copy an entire book, and he would block Chen Yang from going to the toilet.

When Chen Yang complained to Shū Fēi, Jiang Changsheng knelt down and told Chen Yang, “I'll kneel for this long today, and you'll kneel double that tomorrow.”

Chen Yang broke down.

The foolish fear the reckless.

He couldn't beat Jiang Changsheng.

So, he dared not make any mistakes in the study room anymore.

Chen Xi was just as unlucky.

He was even worse off than Chen Yang.

If he made a mistake, Han Ran would take his punishment. But Han Ran was so frail that a strong wind could blow him over!

Chen Xi and Chen Yang instantly felt a kinship.

44

The meal was quite strange.

Yu Zi Chen loved to eat, and as soon as the dishes were on the table, he couldn't stop talking. When Chen Yuan saw that the braised pork was a bit far from him, he specifically picked vegetables for Yu Zi Chen.

Seeing this, Chen Xi thought, “I should learn this too. If I befriend my high-achieving companion, my homework will be sorted.” He immediately picked a piece of green vegetable for Han Ran.

When Chen Yang saw his brothers treating their companions so ‘respectfully,’ a competitive spirit ignited in him, and he served a bowl of soup to Jiang Changsheng.

When Fu Bao came in to serve, she was shocked at the sight, her mouth hanging open.

After dinner, I brought out a Go board for them to play with. Yu Zi Chen kept winning against Chen Yuan, while Han Ran continuously beat Chen Xi. Eventually, Chen Xi suggested that Yu Zi Chen and Han Ran face off, but they ended up in a stalemate that was impossible to resolve.

Chen Yang, feeling bored, insisted on playing a throwing game.

Chen Xi probably thought he excelled at it, so he dragged everyone into playing.

In the end, aside from the three brothers of the Chen family, the companions all scored perfectly on their throws.

Yu Zi Chen said, “You know me; it's a family tradition.”

Han Ran added, “You all… cough cough… know me too. I was sick at home and had nothing else to play with… cough cough…”

Jiang Changsheng chimed in, “You guys… oh, you don’t know? I’ve taken over a begging business at a gambling den.”

The Chen brothers, at the beginning of their studies, quickly learned that there are always people beyond people, and that life outside the palace could be just as unpredictable.

45

It has been a long time since I last saw Shú Pín.

After the arrival of younger consorts, her imperial favor diminished, but thanks to her adorable third princess, she still managed to maintain her footing in the palace.

I've said it before, Ning Sanniang is a remarkable woman. Her remarkable nature lies in the fact that we both know she doesn't care for the Emperor at all, she doesn't bother to compete for favor, and she doesn't care about gold, silver, jewelry, or silks. Yet, she has managed to transform herself into the perfect consort, a woman who appears jealous, charming, and alluring.

She approached slowly, her bearing unmistakable. 

“I came only to tell you something. The Emperor intends to establish a new Empress.”

Oh? That's strange. I thought after the death of the previous Empress, the Emperor would never choose another. 

“It's not you, nor me. It's Jìn Zhāoyúan.” 

I remained silent, waiting for her to continue.

“I've been wondering how long you could maintain your composure. I didn't expect you to remain so calm even now.”

I smiled, deliberately not using her title, but calling her Ning Sanniang—when I first heard of her talent at thirteen, and read her poetry, I thought, if I ever met this woman, I must call her Sanniang.

“Ning Sanniang, let's make a bet—if the Emperor wants to establish an Empress, it can only be me.”

Ning Sanniang was startled. A glimmer of moisture appeared in her alluring eyes. She laughed bitterly, “No need to bet. I've lost…”

“I envy you, not having to live for your family. Be careful. The women of the palace have been biding their time for too long.” 

“Thank you.”

Before leaving, she said to me, “My childhood name is Ting Tong. When you become Empress, call me by that name again.”

In the tenth year of Tianshou, October, the first snow of the capital arrived early.

Jìn Zhāoyúan, Liǔ Bǎoyí, Qián Shúyí, and Sīmǎ Měirén were successively found to be pregnant. The Emperor and Empress Dowager were overjoyed and bestowed great honors upon the six palaces.

Liǔ Bǎoyí was promoted to Liǔ Pín, Qián Shúyí to Qián Zhāoyí, and Sīmǎ Měirén to Sīmǎ Jiéyú.

Meanwhile, Jìn Zhāoyúan and I were both promoted to the rank of Consort (妃 - Fēi). 

Thus, the four Consorts of the palace were complete:

Xián Fēi, Shū Fēi, Yí Fēi, and Jìn Fēi.

Jìn Fēi's rapid promotion from Zhāoyuán to Fēi made it clear to everyone that the Emperor was paving the way for her to become Empress. 

The Empress Dowager suddenly decided to go to Xishan to pray for half a year, taking Yong mómó with her. 

In the eyes of the court ladies, this was tantamount to abandoning me. 

Having entered the palace for so long, I have only been summoned to the emperor's bedchamber twice, yet I have risen to the rank of one of the four Consorts. Many in the palace attribute this to the Empress Dowager's favor.

The Emperor spent the night at Jìn Fēi's place, even during her pregnancy.

It seems he has truly fallen in love with her. Among the countless beauties in the palace, he has chosen only her…

Is that really the case?

I sipped my warm goat's milk, watching the heavy snow fall outside.

46

Shen Ying, I don’t know where he got this rule from, but he made the students do winter training during the coldest three months.

In the dead of winter, a bunch of little monkeys were shivering as they practiced their punches in the training ground.

Han Ran and Shen Ying were by the fire, but their faces were paler than the students who were freezing in the snow. Han Ran had cleverly escaped all of Shen Ying’s classes by virtue of his frail health, and they had become unlikely friends.

Shen Ying had been dragged for miles across an icy lake when he saved the late Emperor, and his legs had been ruined. Ever since I could remember, Shen Ying had been confined to a wheelchair.

Han Ran stood, and Shen Ying sat, and they were exactly the same height.

I couldn’t help but think that when Shen Ying was young, he must have been as tall and handsome as Shen Duo.

I brought the kids some hot soup, which they could drink after their practice. Han Ran moved a small stool for me, and then pulled out a few roasted sweet potatoes from the brazier on Shen Ying’s lap.

So, the three of us sat together in the falling snow, eating roasted sweet potatoes and watching the children practice their punches, having a great time.

Chen Yuan and Yu Zi Chen sparred, going back and forth, sending snow flying everywhere. Chen Yang, on the other hand, was pinned to the ground by Jiang Changsheng, unable to move, like a silly roe deer that had fallen headfirst into the snow.

When Chen Xi saw us eating roasted sweet potatoes, he was unhappy and wanted to come over and eat with us. Shen Ying reached out and scooped up a ball of snow from the ground, throwing it at him. Chen Xi dodged it, but Chen Yang, who had just escaped from Jiang Changsheng's clutches, was hit directly.

Chen Yang was stunned, wondering when the world had become so cold.

Before starting school, he was still the little darling who was surrounded by love and attention.

“I… I’ll fight you!”

A snowball fight erupted just like that.

Chen Yang led the charge, Chen Yuan attacked from behind, and Jiang Changsheng, trying to play the role of a mantis catching a cicada, was swept away by Chen Xi and Chen Yuan's barrage of snowballs.

Han Ran, eating his roasted sweet potato and watching the snowball fight, suddenly sighed, “If only there were a beautiful girl, life would be perfect.”

I thought, am I not a beautiful girl?

I secretly scooped up a snowball, ready to give Han Ran a taste of his own medicine.

But then, the unfilial son, Chen Xi, shouted, “Mother’s attacking! Brothers, charge!”

Chen Yang, in his foolishness, followed suit, “Han Ran is easy to push over! Quickly protect our side’s Han Ran!”

Jiang Changsheng, determined to oppose Chen Yang, said, “Dare to touch Yí Fēi, I’ll deal with you!”

Chen Yuan attacked Chen Xi again.

Yu Zi Chen shouted, “Those who offend my elder sister will be punished, no matter how far away they are!”

Han Ran watched everything nervously and carefully handed me the roasted sweet potato he had just peeled. “You… you want some?”

Shen Ying glared at me, as if he was blaming me for scaring the children.

I…

I happily threw a snowball at my unfilial son, who was leading the charge and looking silly.

I was throwing snowballs when you guys weren’t even born!

47

On my way back to the palace, I encountered the procession of Princess Xiankang.

Chen Xi and the others hadn't finished their lessons yet, so I greeted them and told them to come to Shuyue Residence for a barbeque after school before returning to the palace.

I always preferred to walk within the palace. When I met Princess Xiankang, she was leaning back in her sedan chair, looking languid. Although she was almost fifty, she was still a stunning beauty.

She looked at me sideways and then chuckled lightly, “Yí Fēi, what an elegant hobby you have, strolling in the snow. If I were younger, I might have such a disposition as well.”

I ignored her and continued walking.

Princess Xiankang coldly remarked, “Is it that Yí Fēi cannot recognize me, or does she think there is no one in the Duke of Le's residence?!”

“The legitimate daughter of the Duke of Le, granted the title of princess at the age of one, renowned for her beauty, to the point that the late Emperor once sighed, ‘How I wish she were a daughter of the Chen family.’ Later, she married the Marquis of Jingyang, Jin Zhun, and bore a daughter named Jin Fei, who is in our palace now— Princess, Ben Gong not only recognizes you, but Ben Gong also knows your family background very well.”

“Then why do you act as if you don't see me?”

“Princess, your title descends with your husband. The Marquis of Jingyang is a second-grade noble, so you are merely a second-grade noblewoman. Even by rank, you are only a third-grade princess. Ben Gong am one of the four Consorts, holding a unique title as a first-grade noblewoman. You see Ben Gong, yet you neither pay your respects nor behave appropriately, but instead speak nonsense. Ben Gong pretended not to notice for the sake of the Duke of Le's reputation, yet you still question Ben Gong. Ben Gong would like to ask how the Duke of Le raises his daughters, and how the Marquis of Jingyang raises his wife?”

Princess Xiankang trembled with anger, speechless.

Perhaps she had never faced such humiliation in her life.

What made her even more furious was that the palace attendants carrying her sedan chair, seeing me angry, were so frightened that they all knelt down, letting her down from the chair.

She still sat in the chair, having to look up at me.

I said, “Send a message down: Princess Xiankang is disrespectful to a noblewoman and has committed a serious offense. She is forbidden from entering the palace for three months. If she offends again, please summon the Marquis of Jingyang to the discipline office to receive her.”

“You are so bold!”

“Disrespecting the four Consorts is an even greater offense, and her salary will be docked for six months.”

I had no intention of continuing to quarrel with her, so I issued my orders and left.

However, three days after Princess Xiankang was sent away in disgrace, Jìn Fēi summoned her again, claiming she missed her mother due to feeling unwell.

Jìn Fēi held a banquet in her palace, inviting all the pregnant women in the palace and the most favored concubines at that time, making it quite a lively affair.

I was rushing to the study to discuss the upcoming examinations with the princes' teachers when something unfortunate occurred at the banquet.

The youngest, Sīmǎ Jiéyú, accidentally ingested some safflower in her food and unfortunately had a miscarriage.

________________

Okay, here are some concubine ranks in Chinese (This give me so much headache): 

- 皇后 (Huánghòu): Empress (Highest rank)

- 貴妃 (Guìfēi): Noble Consort (Second highest)

- 妃 (Fēi): Consort (Third highest)

- 嬪 (Pín): Concubine (Fourth highest)

- 昭儀 (Zhāoyí): Noble Consort (Rank varies, often below 貴妃 but above 妃)

- 昭容 (Zhāoróng): Noble Consort (Similar rank to 昭儀)

- 修容 (Xiūróng): Consort (Rank below 妃)

- 婕妤 (Jiéyú): Lady (Lower rank)

- 美人 (Měirén): Beauty (Lower rank)

- 才人 (Cáirén): Talented Person (Lower rank)

- 貴人 (Guìrén): Noble Person (Lower rank) 

The exact ranking and usage of these titles could vary slightly across different dynasties and even within the same dynasty at different times. The relative positions of 昭儀 and 昭容, for example, are not always consistently defined. It's best to consider the context of the specific historical period or fictional work when interpreting these ranks.

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