Ruyi’s Royal Love in the Palace (Arc1 Chp10 Pt3)
Chapter 10: Consort Zhe [1]哲 (zhé) means wise/sagacious and is the same character associated with philosophy/philosophers. (Part 3)
Translator: Tygris, [redacted]
TLC: [redacted]
English proofreader: 247Reader
While Wang Qin’s mouth was busy effusively expressing his thanks, his eyes were grazing across Lianxin’s face. Lianxin turned red, and she quickly retreated. Wang Qin then said, “There is still one more matter. Last night, the snow continued the entire night. The Emperor recalled that last year, the Eldest Prince’s birth mother passed away at qiandi, and repeated the words ‘What a pity’ many times.”
The Empress displayed an expression of regret. “Zhuying was Bengong’s younger sister of the same Fucha Clan and had served the Emperor for a long time. Who knew that she would pass last year after a bout of sickness? She did not even have the opportunity to enjoy a single blessed day residing in the palace.” Saying thus, she picked up her handkerchief to dab at the corners of her eyes.
She then slowly continued, “Zhuying is the Eldest Prince’s birth mother. Back then, at qiandi, she was only a gege and did not have a high position. Now, though she lacked fortune and has passed away, the Emperor cannot fail to grant his grace and bestow a name upon her. For the sake of the Eldest Prince, she might even be created a Noble Lady or Concubine.”
Wang Qing responded respectfully, “Empress Niangniang has a kind heart. Last night, the Emperor said that he will posthumously honor her as Consort Zhe, and that the ceremony will be held in another few days. Additionally, Bao’hua Hall [2]Bao’hua Hall is located past the Zhao’fu Gate behind the Yuhua Pavilion (The Pavilion of Rain and Flowers). It is a hall in the Buddhist/religous area of Zhongzheng Hall specifically dedicated to the Buddha. Map of Forbidden City in English and Chinese. On the English map, Zhongzheng Hall is not labeled, but it is the structure between The Pavilion of Rain and Flowers and The Pavilion of Extended Spring. will hold a shamanistic ritual. [3]Shamanism during the Qing dynasty – Wikipedia Empress Niangniang is invited to take care of these matters.”
The Empress stiffened slightly, but she maintained her gentle smile. “It is still the Emperor who is comprehensive in his thoughts and has already considered this matter. Then you should report back to the Emperor, Consort Zhe and Bengong are sisters, [4]This first reference to sisters means ‘women married to the same man’. and she was also a younger sister from Bengong’s clan. Bengong will order people to conduct her promotional ceremony with all propriety.”
Wang Qin smiled. “Understood. This servant will retreat.”
Only after seeing Wang Qin exit with her own eyes did the Empress’s smile coagulate at the corner of her mouth, like a flower frozen by frost, giving off a slight aura of cold.
Suoxin understood the Empress’s concerns. She quickly brought up fresh tea, and quietly said, “When the day is cold, it is easy to become too heated. [5]火气 (huǒ qì) is a term that refers to both the Traditional Chinese Medicine concept of inflammation , redness, swelling, and irritability as well as a metaphor for anger. This is a tribute white chrysanthemum from Jiangnan, recently bestowed by the Emperor. This is good for reducing heat. Niangniang, try some.”
The Empress accepted the offered teacup, but did not drink, only steadily saying, “Bengong is the Empress, the Mistress of the Six Palaces. What is there to be angry about?”
Suxin took a glance at the Empress, then said tactfully, “Niangniang speaks correctly. Actually, the reason that the Emperor has bestowed such grace upon Consort Zhe is related to Empress Niangniang. If Consort Zhe and Niangniang were not of the same family and were not both daughters of the Fucha clan, then even if she birthed the Eldest Prince, what value would that hold? Concubine Chun birthed the Third Prince. Is it not the case that the Emperor only gave her the position of a Concubine?”
The Empress gave a faint smile. “Consort Zhe and Bengong are of the same clan, but she served the Emperor since the early days, and at the very least, there were some mutual feelings between her and the Emperor. That is also why she was the first to give birth to the Eldest Prince.”
The Empress gave a despondent sigh. Gazing at the carefully crafted children’s clothing sent over by the Imperial Household Department that was piled upon the couch, she continued, “Thinking upon this matter, Bengong feels somewhat sore at heart. Back then, Bengong was married to the Emperor as his Primary Consort, but the Emperor only visited Ruyi’s and Xiyue’s living quarters often. As time went on, Bengong enjoyed only minimal favor, and there was no one to rely on below my knees. [6]A way to refer to one’s children, i.e. she did not have any children at that time. Before Bengong had even begun to worry, Bengong’s mother, already anxious, forcefully stuffed in Zhuying, saying that as a member of Bengong’s clan, once she gave birth to a child, it would be equivalent to Bengong having a child.”
Suxin responded sympathetically, “This matter… Niangniang has suffered.”
“In the end, after Zhuying entered the [Prince’s] Residence, [7]Aka after she entered the Emperor’s group of women. she became pregnant with the Eldest Prince within just a few months. Though Bengong’s heart was full of gratification, there was also some bitterness. Luckily, later on, the Heavens were clear-eyed, and the Emperor became more and more caring towards Bengong, which was how the Second Prince came to be.” The Empress lovingly stroked those pieces of children’s clothing, her heart sore. “It was just that the legitimate son not being the eldest son unavoidably caused Bengong to lose face.”
Suxin spoke, “Though both are of the Fucha clan, Consort Zhe’s identity cannot be compared to Niangniang’s. No matter what, back at qiandi, she was but a gege.”
The Empress shook her head, her brows slightly knitting together. “Let us not mention her identity for now. Just the fact that the Emperor gave her the position of a Consort must put one on guard. ‘The mother is honored by the son’, and ‘the son is honored by the mother’ [8]母凭子贵，子凭母贵 (mǔ píng zǐ guì, zǐ píng mǔ guì) is a proverb meaning that a mother becomes noble because her son is noble and a son becomes noble becomes his mother is noble, i.e. that the son’s status directly impacts the mother’s and vice versa. are traditions left by our ancestors. Currently, Noble Consort Hui and Consort Xian both are childless and Concubine Chun is of a low position. Other than Bengong’s Second Prince, it is the Eldest Prince’s identity that is the most noble. Since olden times, when determining a Crown Prince, it would be either the legitimate son or the eldest son. If Yonglian was the eldest legitimate son, then that would be much better.”
Suxin scrambled to advise, “No matter what, Consort Zhe is already gone. No matter how competent the Eldest Prince may be, as a child without a mother, what waves can he make? Niangniang is the legitimate Empress sitting in the main palace.”
The Empress took a mouthful of tea, and deeply sighed. “One hopes that all matters may be as one wishes. Bengong already caused Consort Zhe to be lacking in fortune. [Bengong] cannot have the Eldest Prince be lacking in fortune as well. Remember, there must be many many people serving and caring for the Eldest Prince. Under no circumstances can this motherless child be neglected.”
Suxin did not completely understand. “Niangniang? Is this to favor him in the same manner as the Third Prince?”
The Empress gave a slight smile, her expression dignified. “The Empress Dowager and the Emperor often praise Bengong as a virtuous Empress. Bengong naturally needs to live up to these two words. But the Third Prince is still young. Being spoiled from his swaddling days will naturally determine his temperament. The Eldest Prince is older, and back at qiandi he was personally guided by the Emperor for a period of time. Would it not go against the Emperor’s wishes if we were to begin to spoil and protect him at such an age, letting him be as naughty as he wants? A mother with a lack of fortune is the most likely to give birth to a child with a lack of fortune. No matter how many people are serving him, it would be insufficient. Only with many people, can there be chaos and disarray.” [9]手忙脚乱 (shǒu máng jiǎo luàn) is a phrase describing being flustered and not knowing what to do and doing things in a panic and without order.
Suxin understood and immediately smiled in response. “This servant understands.”
