Ink Burns

Chapter 264 Qinghui (Part 2)

The Imperial Ancestral Temple is about half an incense stick's worth of walking distance from the Inner Palace. The carriage stopped at the inner gate of the Forbidden City, and the eunuch of the Imperial Painting Department led the way to the Qinghui Hall of the Inner Palace. Before even reaching the covered walkway, one could hear the lively conversations inside. Several middle-aged women's voices, some gentle, some brisk, and some dignified, drifted down to the ground through the glazed windows.

Shan Yue bent down and picked up the few words.

"Prince Yong is so filial that even when he travels to famous mountains, he remembers to send us freshly made Fuding white tea by express courier. I brewed some yesterday and had it. I must say, it tastes quite different from the Biluochun and Longjing teas we usually drink."

The sound of this pipe is quite youthful, light and airy, like a sharp note floating from a string.

Then a woman's voice let out a muffled chuckle: "Biluochun and Longjing are both green teas that are pan-fried and roasted, and they are meant to be fresh and strong; Fuding white tea comes from southern Fujian and is made by sun-drying and withering, and it gets better with age. The two are completely different and cannot be compared. If Consort Zhen's only purpose in speaking is to flatter the Empress Dowager, then I would advise you to keep quiet."

The sound emanated from deep within the throat, low and faint, filled with a noble sarcasm.

"you--"

The young woman's voice suddenly rose and then fell back down in a muffled voice, admitting defeat: "It is the Noble Consort's teaching that is correct."

“Speaking of Prince Yong, one can’t help but think of Prince Rong.” Another unfamiliar female voice, with a friendly smile, said, “I heard that His Highness Prince Rong has been studying very hard these days. At such a young age, he can write parallel prose and great articles. If he were outside, he would surely be a prodigy who would shock the court and the public.”

"We've been sisters for decades. You can take official words with a grain of salt, but you're not allowed to say them to please me." The noble female voice carried an air of pride.

"Oh dear—" The woman's voice followed immediately: "If I wanted to make you happy, I would just read aloud the Grand Tutor's comments about our prince. Why bother racking my brains to come up with something myself!"

Laughter, like that of beautiful women, immediately came from inside.

To date, we have not heard from Empress Dowager Fang, and judging from the current situation, the Noble Consort still holds the highest prestige in the harem.

Shan Yue lowered her eyes.

A moment later, the voice of the Noble Consort rang out from the inner room: "Why hasn't Madam Xue arrived yet? Xue Xiao holds a high position and wields great power, so everyone avoids his sharp edge, and even this Madam has become precious?"

The eunuch from the Imperial Painting Department hurriedly curtsied and reported from behind the screen, "Your Highnesses, Madam Xue has arrived!"

"Xuan."

It was still the voice of the Imperial Concubine.

Shan Yue gathered her skirts and entered, finally seeing this group of women who held the most "noble" positions in the empire.

Shan Yue kept her eyes lowered, but out of the corner of her eye she secretly saw the layout: In the main hall of Qinghui Palace, the person in the main seat was the Empress Dowager Fang, wearing a dark crimson silk robe with a cross-collar and dark floral pattern. Apart from a red gold button with a butterfly and flower pattern on the lapel, she wore no other ornaments. She should be the oldest person there, with fine lines around her eyes and mouth. Her lips were slightly pursed, and her gaze was fixed on the ground. She did not make eye contact with anyone and revealed a kind of compassion for the world.

To her lower left was Consort Qiao, the most favored concubine of the late emperor. She was very well-preserved, wearing a honey-colored phoenix-patterned skirt with gold embroidery and flowers, revealing a pair of shoes adorned with a string of green jade. Her small chin was held high, exuding an air of pride that had never suffered and an innocence that did not match her age.

Next to them were two or three former imperial concubines, whose attire was not particularly outstanding, but who were young and had lively expressions.

The harem of Emperor Yongping was unremarkable and uneventful; it turned out that the same cast was still performing the same drama.

Entering the palace was a major event. Shan Yue dressed according to her rank, and it was rare for her to wear the indigo auspicious robe of a third-rank lady. Her attitude was extremely respectful, and she knelt down and kowtowed: "This concubine, Liu, greets Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, Your Highness the Noble Consort, Your Highness the Consort, and Your Highness the Concubine Zhen."

It was still the Noble Consort Qiao who called out.

The Noble Consort smiled as she looked at Shan Yue: "Since ancient times, even heroes have found it hard to resist the charms of a beautiful woman. Imperial Censor Xue, oh no, Lieutenant General Xue, had such a formidable reputation, yet now he's been completely won over by Madam Liu—"

Turning to Empress Dowager Fang, she said, "Sister, as you know, I've never liked the painting style of the Imperial Painting Bureau. It's too craftsman-like. If they were to paint our faces, they would all look like they were made from the same mold. So I asked the Imperial Painting Bureau and the Ministry of Rites to consider recommending someone. And now, our Lady Liu is known for her talent. Back in Songjiang Prefecture, her reputation for painting was known throughout the city. Since marrying into the capital, she has earned a lot of praise as the 'Jade Plate Lady.' After discussing it, we decided to have her give it a try. What do you think, Sister?"

If they really wanted to consult Empress Dowager Fang, they would have done so long ago. The painters had all entered the palace, so why ask? Why ask if hindsight is any better?
Shan Yue lowered her head even further.

After a long while, Empress Dowager Fang finally spoke in a low, hesitant voice: "...Just try doing as you say."

The Noble Consort's smile was radiant. She clapped her hands, and a series of eunuchs entered in single file, carrying dozens of pots of chrysanthemums in various shapes and sizes. Some had jade petals and golden hearts with emerald stems and heavenly fragrance, while others had petals like hanging pearls and delicate tassels, or deep black in color, simple and elegant.

"I have always admired Qiu Ying's 'Spring Morning in the Han Palace.' You first paint a 'Chrysanthemum Appreciation After Autumn Clearing' of the concubines of the Zhaode Dynasty. If it is good, then I will entrust you with painting the portraits of the concubines that will be passed down through generations." The Noble Consort asked with great interest, "Madam Liu, what do you think?"

Shan Yue readily agreed, and respectfully lowered her eyes: "It's not that I particularly love chrysanthemums among flowers, but that there are no more flowers after this one blooms. Your Majesty's beauty surpasses even the reclusive scholar among flowers with golden stamens and flowing rosy clouds."

Consort Qiao looked up and laughed: "I don't love the noble spirit of chrysanthemums. What I love is their confidence in 'when I bloom, all other flowers wither,' their ability to secure victory one step ahead of others."

One step behind? A sure-fire victory?

Prince Rong? Unlike the previous words that were full of competitiveness, this one involved the struggle for the throne, which was far too provocative.

Shan Yue glanced at the Empress Dowager Fang, who sat upright at the head of the table, in the corner of his eye.

Empress Dowager Fang remained silent with her head down, her hands tucked into her sleeves, moving back and forth as if she were reciting sutras with prayer beads.

Also.

Only someone with this kind of personality could survive being caught in the crossfire of "Qingfeng".

Within three days of the painting being completed, Shan Yue could tell that the "portrait" was clearly a mere prop for the Noble Consort Qiao—Qiao was the most enthusiastic, running around busily, dressed in the most splendid attire, and firmly occupying the central position in the painting; as for the others, they were all supporting characters, including Empress Dowager Fang.

Consort Qiao had been planning this for a long time, truly desiring a painting that could be passed down through generations. She was anxious and eager to have it. Court paintings were usually completed in ten-day periods, but Consort Qiao only gave Shan Yue fifteen days to paint. Shan Yue had no choice but to stay in the inner palace and wait for orders at any time.

By the fifth day of painting, the weather was gradually getting cooler.

Consort Qiao still held her head high like the most beautiful swan in the lake, trying her best to show off her most prized left profile. Empress Dowager Fang held her prayer beads and closed her eyes to rest. The other two, Consort Zhen and Consort Zhuang, were in the corner, one cutting chrysanthemums with scissors and the other whispering with lowered eyes. They could only yawn secretly when Consort Qiao was not paying attention.

Before Consort Zhen could finish yawning, she caught a glimpse of something out of the corner of her eye, and her eyes widened instantly. She cried out in a shrill voice, "Madam Liu, Madam Liu—you, how come you are bleeding so much!"

The protagonist of the painting, Consort Qiao, was startled by the shrill sound and her shoulders trembled. Just as she was about to reprimand him, she turned her head and saw that Liu Shi, who was sitting three zhang away, was pale and bleeding profusely from her body. The bright red blood slowly flowed down the expensive rosewood three-legged stool.

This stool is probably no good!

No, this set of four stools is unacceptable!
This set of stools was a tribute from Yunnan. The wood is of good quality and the color is excellent. She has had it for many years!
Consort Qiao felt a surge of anger: This Liu family member is truly unlucky!
"What...what's going on?" It was Empress Dowager Fang who spoke first.

Shan Yue bent over, clutching her stomach. Cold sweat beaded on her forehead and neck, and her lips were bloodless. She tried to open her mouth but to no avail. Apart from the tears that slid down her cheeks, she could not express anything else.

"Summon Imperial Physician! Summon Imperial Physician!" Empress Dowager Fang cried out in a hoarse voice.

"Summon the Imperial Physician! Summon the Imperial Physician!"

The urgent cries from the Imperial Medical Academy echoed from the ground floor to the third floor.

"Summon the Imperial Physician to Qinghui Palace!"

Qinghui Hall!
The Empress Dowager's Residence!

The current head of the Imperial Medical Academy, Lin, grabbed his medicine kit and rushed out, shouting, "He Shuiguang! He Shuiguang! He's got a job!"

Immediately following, a wheat-colored boy in a gray uniform, like a little fox ready to pounce, darted to the side of the academy director.

As Lin Yuanzheng led Shui Guang out, they were blocked by a snow-white whisk that emerged from behind the wall. A figure with a smile in his eyes and brows stepped out.

"Supervisor Wu!" Lin Yuanzheng looked closely and finally recognized the person.

Wu Min smiled and flicked her whisk, then calmly greeted Lin Yuanzheng, "Lord Lin, where are you headed?"

They're shouting for help up ahead!
Lin Yuanzheng was extremely anxious: "Qinghui Palace! I don't know if it's the Empress Dowager, or which noble lady is unwell, but I've just summoned the imperial physician."

"Oh?" Wu Minru seemed not to understand, her gaze casually falling on the young man beside Lin Yuanzheng: "This must be Lord Lin's beloved disciple?"

The eunuch spoke in a long, drawn-out manner, with the last syllable drawn out.

We need to rescue people up ahead!

Lin Yuanzheng didn't dare to retort, and simply nodded: "Yes, yes. His surname is He, and he's only been working for me for three months."

Wu Min smiled and said, "Since he is Lord Lin's beloved disciple, he must also be a highly skilled physician. Lord Lin, our Imperial Hospital has been quite turbulent these days, with many people coming and going. Sometimes you should give young people a chance to show their talents."

Lin Yuanzheng, an honest man his whole life, couldn't understand the intricacies of the conversation. He paused for a moment, his goat horn beard twitching, making him look a bit dazed.

What do you mean?
This Grand Eunuch Wu is considered the most important person in the inner court; we can't just stop him from speaking for no reason, can we?
Lin Yuanzheng tried hard to think, but his brain had been idle for too long and he just couldn't come up with a solution.

Wu Min smiled even more warmly, and spoke more clearly: "In some insignificant situations, you can just ask this Physician He to give it a try. If he diagnoses wrong, someone will take the blame for him—do you understand?"