CH 9

Translated by: Jellylynn

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Names mentioned in this chapter (which can also be found in the glossary):

-廖青青(Liào qīngqīng)- Liao Qing Qing, the female lead. 

-廖容华(Liào róng Huà)- Lady Liao of Lovely Countenance, the female lead’s previous designation.

-曦嫔(xī pín)-Imperial Concubine Xi, Liao Qing Qing’s current designation

-廖氏(Liào shì)- Liao Shi, referring to Liao Qing Qing. 

-景礼帝(jǐng lǐ ​​dì)- Emperor Jing Li, the male lead.

-荷香(Hé ​​xiāng)- He Xiang, the female lead’s maidservant

-福生(fú shēng)- Fu Sheng, the emperor’s chief eunuch. 

-福公公(fú gōnggong)- Eunuch Fu, referring to Fu Sheng.

-梨声阁(lí shēng gé)-Lisheng Pavillion, the place where the female lead resides.

–廖淑姬(Liào shū jī)- Pure Concubine Liao

–蒋芳仪(Jiǎng fāng yí)- Lady Jiang of Fragrant Ceremony, the female lead’s “best friend”

–范太医(Fàn tàiyī)- Imperial Physician Fan, Emperor Jing Li’s most trusted  Imperial Physician

Current Ranking: Noble Consort Liang → Worthy Consort + Virtuous Consort → Imperial Concubine Xi → Lady Liao of Lovely Countenance → Lady Jiang of Fragrant Ceremony → Pure Concubine Liao

Emperor Jing Li looked at Liao Qing Qing in astonishment.

Liao Qing Qing’s face was filled with bewilderment.

Emperor Jing Li abruptly stood up.

Liao Qing Qing was startled and said, “Your Majesty, you—”

Emperor Jing Li’s handsome face tensed and said, “I[1] suddenly remembered that there are unfinished matters.”

“???”

“Have a good rest, Lady Liao of Lovely Countenance. I will take my leave!”

“???”

Without waiting for Liao Qing Qing to respond, Emperor Jing Li suddenly marched with large strides out of Lisheng Pavilion and entered the imperial carriage.

He swiftly returned to Zhengqian Palace and immediately sent someone to call for Imperial Physician Fan.

“This subject greets Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live and reign for ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand of ten thousand years.” Imperial Physician Fan was born from a family of imperial physicians, whose fealty was only to the Emperor. He carried a medicine box and paid his respects as soon as he entered Zhengqian Palace.

Emperor Jing Li said, “Imperial Physician Fan, please rise quickly.”

“Yes.”

Emperor Jing Li glanced at Fu Sheng. Fu Sheng understood and immediately led the group of palace maids and eunuchs to leave.

Only then did Emperor Jing Li look at Imperial Physician Fan.

Imperial Physician Fan took a step forward and said, “Your Majesty, this humble subject[2] will be reading your pulse.”

Emperor Jing Li nodded.

Imperial Physician Fan read Emperor Jing Li’s pulse with utmost importance. He was the only person who knew that Emperor Jing Li had an unspoken illness. For so many years, other than routinely requesting to read Emperor Jing Li’s pulse, he had been devoted to researching various diseases.

The most important thing was to cure Emperor Jing Li’s unspoken illness.

After so many years, his medical skills were making great breakthroughs. He had even written a medical book. However, he still did not cure Emperor Jing Li. This had always been a knot in his heart and his obsession.

Now Emperor Jing Li’s condition was actually improving.

He looked at Emperor Jing Li in surprise.

Emperor Jing Li asked, “How’s it?”

Imperial Physician Fan quickly asked, “Your Majesty, this humble subject will boldly ask which divine physician is treating your Majesty?”

“There is no divine physician,” Emperor Jing Li answered.

Imperial Physician Fan was even more surprised.

“There is no other physician except you.” Emperor Jing Li asked, “How’s my condition right now?”

Imperial Physician Fan said, “Congratulations, Your Majesty. Your Majesty is healing.”

“Healing?” As expected, it was just as he had thought.

Imperial Physician Fan said, “Yes.”

“Which aspect of me is getting better?”

“Replying to Your Majesty, Your Majesty is getting better in all aspects. But—”

“But what?”

“But this humble subject does not know how Your Majesty’s health is getting better?”

“Perhaps it’s because I am still in my youth.”

Youth?

Imperial Physician Fan had studied many diseases over the years. He knew that the world was full of wonders and the human body held endless mysteries. It was not unheard of to overcome diseases because he was young.

It’s just that Emperor Jing Li’s feat is a bit miraculous!

Could it inexplicably be because Emperor Jing Li has a heavenly fate?

Imperial Physician Fan was dumbfounded. However, he had to believe that Emperor Jing Li’s body was recovering itself. He needed to go back and do some research; but right now, he still needed to remind Emperor Jing Li.

Hence, Imperial Physician Fan said, “Although Your Majesty is young but for the sake of ruling the country, Your Majesty’s body had been harmed by poison before. Even though this subject had already detoxified for Your Majesty, your body still had been harmed. Now, the heavens have blessed Your Majesty and Your Majesty’s body is improving. This subject thinks that Your Majesty mustn’t be careless. For the time being, Your Majesty still shouldn’t engage in ‘cloud and rain’[3] matters. Your Majesty’s body should be the priority.”

Emperor Jing Li nodded his head after hearing this. “Imperial Physician Fan is right.”

“Then, this humble subject will prescribe a few medicine to calm your mind, to aid Your Majesty to sleep.”

“No need. I have been sleeping extremely well lately.”

“Your Majesty sleeps very well?”

“Yes, if there’s no disturbance at night, I have no dreams all night.”

Imperial Physician Fan was overjoyed and said, “Congratulations, Your Majesty. As long as Your Majesty can sleep with ease, your head ailment can also be relieved.” Emperor Jing Li always had trouble sleeping.

Emperor Jing Li nodded and said, “Then, Imperial Physician can take your leave. Like before, today will also be considered as a routine request to read the pulse.”

“Yes, this subject obeys Your Majesty’s decree.”

Imperial Physician Fan closed the medicine box, bowed to Emperor Jing Li and departed  Zhengqian Palace. He only had one thought swirling in his brain.

How did Emperor Jing Li get better?

Is it really because he is young?

It’s obviously not because he’s young! Emperor Jing Li clearly knew that it was the effect of Liao Qing Qing. Liao Qing Qing was selected to enter the palace. It was reasonable to say that he had seen her long ago, but he had never discovered her uniqueness.

It was only when he was in the imperial garden that he felt the difference in Liao Qing Qing, who had no knowledge of her own healing abilities.

Could this be the gift from heaven to him for governing the Great Wei Dynasty?

The thought of this warmed his heart. Additionally, when he thought about his poisoned body getting better, he couldn’t help feeling excited.

Apparently, this was all because of Liao Qing Qing.

He couldn’t contain himself. He turned around and went straight to the imperial study room. He lifted the vermilion brush. After contemplating for a moment, he smoothly wrote the word “Xi”[4] and then prepared an imperial decree.

A few moments later, Fu Sheng steadily carried the decree straight to Lisheng Pavilion and said in a loud voice, “The imperial decree has arrived!”

In Lisheng Pavilion, Liao Qing Qing, who was confused about Emperor Jing Li’s matter, heard the announcement of the arrival of the decree; thus she became even more confused.

Why is there another decree?

What has happened?

What did she do wrong?

What is this temperamental Emperor Jing Li up to again?

Liao Qing Qing was apprehensive for a while, then she took He Xiang with her to respectfully  listen to the decree.

Fu Sheng recited loudly, “Announcing His Majesty’s edict. The edict states ‒ Lisheng Pavilion’s Liao Shi[5] possess a heart that is as pure as an orchid with a high moral character, which I am extremely fond of. She will be promoted to Imperial Concubine and her title will be Xi. End of the Emperor’s decree.”[6]

Imperial Concubine Xi?![7]

Promoted again!

He Xiang was so shocked that she couldn’t utter a word.

Liao Qing Qing couldn’t figure out the reason. She had gotten up this morning as usual, ate a lot, drank a lot, and slept more at noon. But she had only listened to a few sarcastic comments from Pure Concubine Liao and Lady Jiang of Fragrant Ceremony. Of course, she would always retaliate by doing the same and angered them till their faces turned red.

Then, Emperor Jing Li came. He disregarded the consequences and subdued Pure Concubine Liao and Lady Jiang of Fragrant Ceremony. He held her petite hands and suddenly said some caring words to her.

To be honest, she was touched.

This feeling had not yet dissipated, and Emperor Jing Li suddenly left. A short while after he left, he gave an imperial decree.

Promoted again?!

It was said that it is difficult to survive in the imperial harem. Why is she promoted like a rocket? This… This… Could this be to cause me to fail due to excessive praise?

That’s not right.

A small shrimp like her with no power and background can just be killed directly. It’s so troublesome to flatter her!

“Imperial Concubine Xi, please receive the decree.” Ever since he noticed that Emperor Jing Li treated Liao Qing Qing differently, Fu Sheng treated Liao Qing Qing with extra respect.

Liao Qing Qing returned to her senses and received the decree.

Fu Sheng immediately bowed to Liao Qing Qing and said, “This servant[8] congratulates Imperial Concubine Xi. Congratulations to Imperial Concubine Xi.”

“Eunuch Fu is too polite.”

Fu Sheng smiled and said, “His Majesty also asked this servant to bring some rewards over.”

After saying that, Fu Sheng waved his hand behind him. A group of servants carried trays covered with red silk. Amidst Fu Sheng’s recitation, various rewards were brought to the hall of Lisheng Pavilion.

What ten thousand words flowing brocade box, glaze-coloured hundred flowers cloisonné vase, Chinese giant redwood carved silk mountains and rivers screen and so on, resulting in half of Lisheng Pavilion to be filled with valuable items.

After Fu Sheng left with a group of servants, He Xiang looked at these rewards with a surprised expression and led the palace maids to bow to Liao Qing Qing.

Liao Qing Qing waved her hand signaling them to get up, and then looked at the dazzling array of rewards.

He Xiang stepped forward and said, “Mistress, His Majesty really thinks highly of Mistress. He promoted your rank and rewarded you again.”

“Yeah,” Liao Qing Qing casually responded.

He Xiang said again, “There are so many rewards this time. All of which this maidservant[9] has never seen before.”

“I haven’t seen them before either.” Although they were good things, it could only be placed in the palace to look at. As a socialist successor with the traditional Chinese virtue of frugality, Liao Qing Qing liked these luxuries. However, it was a pity that she couldn’t, so she pragmatically said, “It would be nice if it was food!”

Emperor Jing Li, who had just stepped into Lisheng Pavilion, almost lost his footing when he heard these words.

[1] 朕(zhèn)- I (imperial) or we (imperial use).

[2] 微臣(wēichén)-This humble subject/this small official. It’s a self-humbling term used by government officials and officials in feudal courts.

[3] 云雨(yúnyǔ)- Cloud and rain. It refers to sexual intercourse.

[4] 曦(xī)- Xi means sunrays (at dawn).

[5] 廖氏(Liào shì)- Liao Shi. ‘Liao’ is Liao Qing Qing’s surname. ‘Shi’ refers to the clan/maiden name. In ancient times, a married woman was known by her maiden name followed by a ‘Shi’ after it.

[6] 钦此(qīn cǐ)- ‘End of the Emperor’s decree’ symbolise that the Emperor himself issued an edict here. In ancient times, the Emperor’s decisions, orders and such to be crowned with the word ‘钦’ to show nobility and respect.

[7] Since Liao Qing Qing was granted the title ‘Xi’, she will have a higher rank compared to those of the same ‘Imperial Concubine’ rank. From my understanding, this granted title will stick with her unless she becomes Empress or Empress Dowager, and other people would not call her by her family name ‘Liao’ with her designation anymore.

[8] 奴才 (núcái) – self appellation of bondservant when addressing the royalty or one’s master/your humble servant.

[9] 奴婢[núbì]- I; your humble servant (term of self-address used by servants, maid-servants and eunuchs when addressing the emperor, minister, concubines, etc.)