TPNCQ CHAPTER 43
It would be better to ....... cater to his needs
After watching her three brothers finish their meal and rinse their mouths, Su Limo finally shared the most important news of the day. "Yongrong, your Imperial Father and I have already discussed it. We will have your master start teaching you to read and write on the first day of the second lunar month after the New Year."
Upon hearing this news, Yongrong immediately beamed with joy. Sliding off his small round stool, he pounced into Su Limo's arms, twisting and turning like a piece of candy. Wrapping his arms around Su Limo's neck, he was incredibly clingy. "I knew e'niang would be able to do it. E'niang is the most beautiful and lovely mother!"
I really don't know where this child gets his personality of being clingy.
Occasionally, from what Shuangjiang had mentioned, the original Su Limo didn't like to be clingy either. Could it be that he was like his father, Qianlong? Could this fellow have a tendency to be clingy? No way...
Su Limo shook her head and banished this thought from her mind. It was frightening.
Su Limo stayed a while longer, watching her three brothers play before leaving with Shuangjiang. During this time, she had wanted to ask about Yongzhang and Yongqi's progress in their studies, but thinking back to her own childhood when she had hated being constantly questioned about her exam results by her parents, she instantly gave up on the idea.
Do not do unto others what you would not have them do unto you.
*
Over the past month and a half, although Qianlong had visited Jia Fei several times, he had never stayed overnight and had not had the Bureau of Ceremonies put her green name tab on the board. While Jia Fei was anxious, she dared not show any sign of it in front of Qianlong.
Although she had enjoyed the emperor's favor for many years, she still couldn't fathom his temperament. The emperor's intentions were unpredictable. But she understood the principle of not touching a tiger's whiskers. Having been released from confinement with great difficulty, she absolutely could not make another mistake and commit a taboo. Although she still couldn't figure out why Qianlong had neglected her for so many months, she didn't want to experience neglect again.
She could only take things slowly.
In this palace, besides Jia Fei, Ling Pin was also feeling anxious.
Inside the Yanxi Palace, Ling Pin sat on a brocade couch, watching the silver silk charcoal in the brazier glow and fade, much like a dying ember. She felt very uneasy.
In the past few months while Jia Fei had been confined, she had enjoyed unparalleled favor and almost exclusively monopolized the emperor's affections. Now that Jia Fei was rising again, she would inevitably take away some of the emperor's favor.
The taste of exclusive favor is so delightful that those who have experienced it would never let it go easily. Having finally reached this point, how could she easily give it up? For these reasons, Ling Pin had been unable to eat or sleep peacefully for days.
Although they were both favored concubines of the Emperor, their ranks often determined their status and honor within the palace. Even though she disliked Jia Fei deep down, Jia Fei held the rank of "fei" (妃), while she was merely a "pin" (嫔). When she saw Jia Fei, she had to curtsy and address her as her superior according to etiquette. This was the most frustrating thing for her.
The only ones who had been granted the title of "fei" without bearing a child were the deceased Hui Xian Huang Guifei, Gao shi and Xian Guifei. Gao Guifei, of the Gao clan, had a prominent family background and her father and brothers had made significant contributions to the previous dynasty, particularly in flood control projects. Xian Guifei, from the powerful Ulanara clan, had also served in the previous dynasty and had always been respectful and obedient to the Empress Fucha.
However, she had neither a prominent family nor capable brothers, nor any children. When would she be granted the title of "fei"?
At this thought, a fierce fire ignited in Ling Pin's slanted phoenix eyes. She couldn't just sit idly by.
The enemy of my enemy is my ally.
With this thought in mind, Ling Pin suppressed her emotions. When she looked up again, her slanted phoenix eyes were full of smiles, exuding infinite charm.
"Bring me the two volumes of scriptures that I handcopied," Ling Pin ordered, then, accompanied by her senior maid Linglong, headed towards the Jingren Palace.
*
Su Limo was practicing cursive script in her bedroom when she heard Dongxue announce the arrival of a visitor. A smile curled up at the corner of her lips. Ling Pin had finally come.
After entering the palace, Ling Pin paid her respects to Su Limo and presented the handcopied scriptures she had brought, saying that they were for the blessings of Jingshun before sitting down on the brocade couch. "Chun Guifei niangniang has such elegant tastes." Her voice was as sweet and melodious as an oriole.
"It's just to pass the time when I'm bored," Su Limo replied with a smile. She asked Shuangjiang to put away her writing tools and brew a pot of Snow-capped Jade Green tea.
"Practicing calligraphy shows a calm mind. Your magnanimity is something I can't learn," Ling Pin said with a long sigh, her expression slightly melancholy. "Now that Jia Fei has regained the Emperor's favor, I'm afraid I'll also have to taste the bitterness of neglect. I don't know how I'll pass the time."
Su Limo didn't expect Ling Pin to come straight to the point without beating around the bush. But she was only surprised for a moment. It was good to talk to intelligent people; they didn't waste time.
"It's precisely because my mind is not calm that I need to practice calligraphy. It's cold outside, and if your mind is too hot, you're easily confused and make mistakes," Su Limo smiled, pausing before continuing, "You are young, beautiful, and deeply favored by the Emperor. There's no need to belittle yourself with such a sad and lonely feeling. If you treat him sincerely and think as he thinks, and give him what he needs, why would you worry about not having a way forward?"
Hearing Su Limo's words, Ling Pin pondered for a moment, then repeated softly, "What the Emperor needs..."
“Jia Fei is mostly focused on her sons. What the Emperor needs is a woman who can devote her undivided attention to him, rather than being distracted by trivial matters, having improper thoughts, or developing inappropriate ideas. You’ve always been good at understanding the Emperor’s wishes. You should know how to handle this,” Su Limo smiled and subtly hinted again, seeing that Ling Pin didn’t seem to grasp her meaning. “By the way, I heard you’ve been studying poetry recently. How is it going? The Emperor is quite knowledgeable about poetry. If he can guide you, you’ll improve much faster than anyone else.”
Su Limo had made her point very clear. She was almost directly telling her four words: “Cater to his interests.”
Qianlong was a literary man. He wrote over 40,000 poems in his lifetime—more than Li Bai. Although none of his poems appeared in the required ancient poetry for middle and high schools, he also enjoyed appreciating calligraphy and paintings and stamping them with seals, followed by writing thousands of words of commentary… He was quite lonely and probably needed a confidante to share his artistic pursuits and keep him company.
“As the New Year approaches, there are many trivial matters to attend to. If you had a confidante to chat with from time to time, to temporarily forget the hustle and bustle of the outside world and immerse yourself in the romance of poetry… perhaps you could achieve twice the result with half the effort.” Su Limo smiled and took a sip of tea.
Upon hearing this, Ling Pin understood. The last time the Emperor had shared a good poem with her, she hadn't been able to appreciate its beauty and couldn't respond, which had dampened the Emperor's mood. She had since decided to study poetry seriously, and now was the perfect time to put her skills to use.
Ling Pin took a sip of tea and said with a smile, "The tea in niangniang's palace is truly refreshing. Even though it's the same Snow-capped Jade Green tea, my tea-making skills still lack something."
"You’re too modest, my sister," Su Limo replied with a soft smile.
It must be said that Su Limo admired Ling Pin’s submissive, humble, and adaptable nature. She doubted that any other concubine in the palace could learn to cater to the Emperor's preferences as well as Ling Pin.
Those from noble families were often too proud to engage in such flattery, but Ling Pin had no powerful family background and was originally a palace maid. She had learned the skills of observing people's expressions and understanding the social hierarchy from the experienced palace maids and eunuchs, otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to become a palace head at such a young age and also gain the Emperor's favor.
In this palace, beautiful women were never in short supply.
*
On the twenty-third day of the twelfth lunar month, after several gloomy days, snowflakes finally began to fall.
The big stone in Jia Fei's heart finally landed.
“It must be freezing outside,” Dongxue shook off the snow from her body, took the food box from Bailu, and entered the bedroom. As she set the table, she said, “Niangniang, I just went to the imperial kitchen to fetch the meal, and I saw Xiao Hezi, who serves the Emperor, leading a few people carrying rewards, seemingly heading towards Chunxi Palace. Later, I asked someone from the imperial kitchen who had gone to fetch the meal with me, and it turned out that Jia Fei had been causing a scene in the Plum Garden today, which attracted the Emperor. Afterward, the Emperor ordered someone to put Jia Fei's green name card on the board.”
“Do you know why?” Shuangjiang asked doubtfully.
“Some people said that Jia Fei's first chance encounter with the Emperor was in the Plum Garden during a snowy day. Others recognized that the clothes she was wearing seemed to be the same sea-red palace gown she wore back then.” Dongxue pondered and continued.
“Old feelings are hard to let go of. Seeking plum blossoms in the snow is quite interesting.” Su Limo got up from the brocade couch, sat at the table, and began to eat.
Jia Fei has started playing the emotional card. In three days, Ling Pin will surely make her move.
With the freezing cold and slippery snow, I'll just stay in this warm and cozy bedroom, eating melons and listening to stories. Of course, I also need to encourage the hardworking Ling Pin.
*
That night, Jia Fei was taken to the Fengluan Palace by the carriage. The next day at noon, Qianlong accompanied her for lunch.
In the afternoon, the snow stopped, and the Imperial Garden was transformed into a world of glazed ice and snow, with white snow and red plum blossoms blooming against the frost.
Estimating the time, Ling Pin thought that the Emperor should have finished with the court affairs and would come to the harem, so she asked the senior maid Linglong to invite the Emperor to the Yangxin Palace. She herself waited quietly in the Tanxue Pavilion, the best spot in the Imperial Garden for admiring plum blossoms, while brewing wine.
A beautiful woman waiting, admiring plum blossoms in the snow, with wine and poetry as companions—how could Qianlong miss such a beautiful scene?
From afar, Qianlong saw Ling Pin brewing wine in the pavilion. With a small red clay stove and slender hands, she exuded an elegant charm.
"The plum wine smells so good," Qianlong stepped into the pavilion and said, his peach blossom eyes soft and affectionate.
After Ling Pin stood up to greet him, she picked up a glass cup, poured a cup of wine, and handed it to Qianlong. Watching him drink it all in one gulp, she smiled sweetly and said, "These are white plum blossoms that I dried last winter. I thought that I would definitely use them to brew wine when I had the chance to admire the snow with Your Majesty. So this is the first time this winter. Your Majesty, please tell me if it tastes good."
"It's mellow and has a sweet aftertaste. It's much more flavorful than tea for brewing wine. Ling Pin is thoughtful." Qianlong said as he poured himself another cup and drank it all in one go. After two cups, the chill he had felt all the way here had completely dissipated, and his body felt warm. He could hear the sound of ice melting into water, drop by drop, which was quite interesting.
"If Your Majesty enjoys it and thinks fondly of me, I'll be very satisfied." Ling Pin said as she looked at Qianlong, her eyebrows and eyes filled with charm. "Such a beautiful scenery must be accompanied by poetry. I've personally copied some poems. Your Majesty, please take a look. If you happen to like any of them, please give me some pointers. It would help me understand the meaning of the poems better."
Qianlong took the sheet of paper. The small, neat characters seemed to have a faint, subtle fragrance, as if it came from the ink. The smile in his eyes deepened....