Four Seasons Brocade – CH 208

Chapter 208 ☆、

“Cousin, cousin-in-law, please get up.” Yuan Rongmeng remained seated, motionless, only offering a slight gesture of support in the air. She effortlessly adopted the airs of an Emperor’s favored concubine. It was common for those who rose to prominence to use such displays to elevate their status, only to reveal their underlying insecurity.

“Find seats for the Fourth Prince and his consort,” Yuan Rongmeng instructed a nearby palace maid.

Ah Wu sat on a third of the embroidered stool, hearing Yuan Rongmeng say, “Cousin-in-law, are you feeling better? I heard you were seriously ill recently and went to the estate. Thank goodness; otherwise, I fear I would never have seen you again. Back in the Prince’s mansion, I owe my current success to your care. I know not how to express my gratitude.” Yuan Rongmeng pretended to wipe away tears.

Ah Wu quickly rose and bowed, “I dare not accept such gratitude from the Pure Consort. Thanks to Your Imperial Highness’s blessing, my health has improved considerably.”

Yuan Rongmeng did not even glance at Ah Wu, only glancing at Chu Mao with a sarcastic smile. In her eyes, Princess Qi, Ah Wu, was now like an ant; she could crush her with a snap of her fingers. However, mindful of Chu Mao, she glared at that troublesome man with resentment before saying, “Get up quickly. Kneeling is not allowed here.”

Ah Wu then rose and returned to her seat.

Yuan Rongmeng noticed the dark circles under Ah Wu’s eyes and her somewhat haggard appearance. Knowing she had suffered, she felt much better. It was a pity that Prince Qi’s mansion was impenetrable; none of the people she had sent could get any information out. Otherwise, knowing the inside story would be even more satisfying, would it not?

“It’s still early, and the weather is not hot. Why do we not take a stroll in the Imperial Garden?” Yuan Rongmeng suggested, placing her hand on the outstretched hand of a nearby palace maid and standing up.

In the fifth month, the gardenias, hollyhocks, mimosa trees, irises, peonies, climbing roses, and monthly roses in the Imperial Garden were in full bloom, their lush greenery and fragrant aroma filling the air. The filtered sunlight bathed everyone, creating a truly delightful scene.

The group ascended to the Diecui Pavilion, where palace maids and eunuchs offered tea and pastries. As soon as Ah Wu sat down, Yuan Rongmeng tugged at Chu Mao’s sleeve, saying, “Cousin, let’s go look at the flowers over there. That mimosa tree is blooming so beautifully.”

The surrounding palace maids and eunuchs all kept their eyes downcast, seemingly oblivious to everything. Only Ah Wu could notice the tight lines around Chu Mao’s lips.

Yuan Rongmeng turned back to look at Ah Wu provocatively. Ah Wu instinctively wanted to laugh, but suddenly realized she absolutely could not act that way. Ah Wu blinked her large, aggrieved eyes at Chu Mao, inwardly thinking, “Chu Mao is currently feigning friendship with Yuan Rongmeng for the sake of the throne. Once he ascends the throne, who knows how he will settle accounts with her? It’s just a pity Yuan Rongmeng does not see the situation clearly.”

Yuan Rongmeng had served so many men; how could she not know that Chu Mao was unhappy with her using her power to blackmail him? However, Yuan Rongmeng was extremely confident in herself. Besides, although she had promised Chu Mao she would not make things difficult for Ah Wu, she was certain she could kill this Princess Qi at the crucial moment. Once she was dead, all their past affection would vanish, nothing compared to the person in front of him.

Ah Wu and Yuan Rongmeng were scheming against each other, both thinking the other ridiculous and despicable, like a fool. But they still had to keep up the act. Ah Wu stared intently at Chu Mao, while Yuan Rongmeng tugged at Chu Mao’s sleeve, calling out sweetly, “Cousin.”

Ah Wu inwardly scoffed at Yuan Rongmeng’s shamelessness. She was clearly a wild child, brazenly engaging in such immoral acts with such arrogance. Yuan Rongmeng, however, felt a strange satisfaction at Ah Wu’s gloomy face, like chewing ice on a sweltering summer day. She had indeed kept her promise and had not made things difficult for Ah Wu, but she could not blame anyone else for her own anger.

Yuan Rongmeng was delighted by Ah Wu’s humiliating silence. “Cousin,” she said, “I have something to tell you.”

Chu Mao rose expressionlessly. Yuan Rongmeng turned back, smiled at Ah Wu, and quickly followed.

Ah Wu took the round fan from the maid and slowly waved it while watching the scene unfold. Yuan Rongmeng wanted to lean on Chu Mao’s shoulder, but he stopped her with a raised hand. After saying something, Yuan Rongmeng pouted and stood still, whispering beside Chu Mao.

“Cousin, the Emperor’s health is deteriorating. Although I am with him every day, he…he has not favored me. I…I still…” Yuan Rongmeng said shyly.

“I promised you I would do it. There are spies everywhere in the palace. Do not cause any trouble,” Chu Mao said coldly.

“Cousin, the Emperor trusts me greatly now, so why do we not…” Yuan Rongmeng did not finish her sentence, but both were intelligent enough to understand each other’s meaning at a glance.

“He is my father,” Chu Mao said coldly.

Yuan Rongmeng awkwardly fell silent.

Ah Wu, of course, could not hear their conversation, but seeing the two standing side-by-side so intimately, she narrowed her eyes, a nameless resentment rising within her. When she first came up with this idea, Chu Mao had righteously berated her for toying with feelings; was he not now using Yuan Rongmeng?

Soon, a palace servant announced that the Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Princes and their consorts had come to pay their respects. Only then did Yuan Rongmeng restrain herself. A banquet was held at the Huayue Shuanghui Pavilion at noon, followed by a theatrical performance at the Miaoyin Pavilion in the afternoon. Fireworks were planned outside the Huayue Shuanghui Pavilion that evening. Yuan Rongmeng’s nineteenth birthday celebration was extremely grand; even Empress Tian and Consort Xiang had to show their respect and came to watch the performance with smiles.

While at the banquet, Ah Wu secretly glanced at the Longqing Emperor when no one was looking. She saw that her uncle from her past life, with his graying temples, appeared old and frail, his muscles stiff. She had never seen him smile; ever since Ah Wu could remember, her uncle had always looked like this. She had initially thought that all rulers were like this—expressionless, stiff-muscled, and unfathomable. But now, looking closely, she was shocked. The Longqing Emperor seemed to radiate a deathly pallor; he was practically a walking corpse.

Then she looked at Yuan Rongmeng. His eyes were fixed on her, yet not on her; it was as if he were searching for something through her face. Ah Wu naturally thought of Empress Xiaozhen.

Judging from this expression alone, Ah Wu would have assumed that the Longqing Emperor was extremely fond of Empress Xiaozhen. But everyone knew the story that followed: Empress Xiaozhen’s death was utterly tragic. Not only was her family destroyed, but also her only child was left alone and helpless, and she herself could not even find peace in her grave.

Upon returning from the palace, Chu Mao went straight to the bathing room. Yong-Mei came out carrying his clothes, and Ah Wu asked, “What are you doing?”

“His Highness ordered these clothes to be burned,” Yong-Mei replied, her eyes lowered.

Ah Wu was stunned. She had not expected Chu Mao to despise Yuan Rongmeng so much. It was truly remarkable that he could endure such things for the sake of the throne. As Ah Wu was removing her earrings, she saw, from the mirror, Chu Mao emerge and stand firmly behind her.

“Your Highness,” Ah Wu turned to look at him.

Chu Mao wore a grass-green robe with a dark daffodil pattern, which made him appear as upright as a pine tree in the snow. Unfortunately, he was still bent over by the weight of power, like a pearl covered in dust, making him unpleasant to behold.

“Do not take Yuan Rongmeng to heart,” Chu Mao said, placing a hand on Ah Wu’s shoulder.

Ah Wu thought for a moment, thoroughly disliking Yuan Rongmeng’s attitude of treating Chu Mao like he was hers to be possessed, and pouted, “There are too many people and too much gossip in the palace; Your Highness should be more cautious.”

Chu Mao suddenly smiled brightly, leaning down to kiss Ah Wu’s pink lips, like peach petals. “Give me a little more time; she cannot threaten you for long.”

Ah Wu looked at Chu Mao thoughtfully. From his tone, it seemed that tolerating Yuan Rongmeng was not about appeasing her to get her to speak to the Longqing Emperor, but rather out of fear of her threatening her.

“Did Your Highness promise her something?” Ah Wu finally asked, already guessing a lot from Yuan Rongmeng’s behavior today.

“Whatever I agree to with her is just a temporary measure,” Chu Mao said. “Your knees must hurt from kneeling today; I will massage them for you later.” Chu Mao pulled Ah Wu up and pressed his lips to her forehead, saying, “Ah Wu, I will not let you suffer like this again.” Chu Mao sighed softly; he had not expected that Ah Wu kneeling before others would sting his eyes so much.

Ah Wu had not felt wronged at first, but hearing Chu Mao’s words, she felt a pang of sadness. Kneeling before Yuan Rongmeng was indeed unbearable for her.

After Ah Wu emerged from the bathing room, Chu Mao carried her to the bed, lifted her thin gauze trousers, and gently rubbed her knees with ointment.

Ah Wu felt the atmosphere was too ambiguous and remarked, “This ointment smells quite nice, unlike ordinary liniments.”

Chu Mao smiled faintly. “I know you cannot stand the smell. I got it from He Nianfang; his family has a lot of good things passed down through generations.”

Ah Wu’s heart skipped a beat. Judging from Chu Mao’s tone, he and He Nianfang were very familiar, and He Nianfang had always specialized in treating the Longqing Emperor. It seemed Chu Mao’s control over the Forbidden City was deeper than she had imagined.

For the first time, Ah Wu wondered if sending Yuan Rongmeng into the palace had been a completely unnecessary step.

Seeing that Ah Wu’s knees were bruised from kowtowing, Chu Mao could not help but lean down and kiss them. He then took Ah Wu’s fingers in his hand and whispered, “Ah Wu, I will do everything in my power to ensure you never kneel before anyone again, including myself.”

Ah Wu looked into Chu Mao’s eyes. His eyes were bright and deep, and the unwavering determination within them moved her deeply. A feeling rose within Ah Wu that she was being cherished like a treasure by someone else, and that this person was not related to her by blood. Ah Wu’s eyes stung, and she could no longer hold back her tears.

Chu Mao lowered his head and kissed away Ah Wu’s tears. Her eyes were like a summer lake shrouded in mist, her skin as tender as flower petals glistening with morning dew. Ah Wu’s beauty was undeniably breathtaking, and such beauty usually would only lead to one result.

Although Ah Wu was touched by Chu Mao’s words, they were merely sweet words, far from enough to make her willingly lie beneath him, at his mercy. Ah Wu was also annoyed by his nimble fingers and skillful tongue, which made her body increasingly weak and powerless. Moreover, she could not understand why, in such a pleasant atmosphere, Chu Mao wanted to do something so unromantic again. If only he had said a few more sweet words!

Taking advantage of the opportunity when Chu Mao was undressing himself, Ah Wu rolled over and nimbly jumped off the bed.

T/N: If you’re reading this as we translate, you might notice a change. We mistranslated. Consort Shu is shufei which, after double checking, means “Pure Consort,” a concubine rank in the Imperial harem below the Noble Consort. We already went back to fix the previous chapters.