A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 427: Chapter 427: Power Almost Ruined Her

The Lantern Festival had passed, and the year was now thoroughly behind us.

The Fourth Year of Jiayuan had become history, and now it was the Fifth Year of Jiayuan.

In the blink of an eye, the Emperor had been on the throne for nearly five years.

Zhao Junyao’s initial inexperience and youthful naivety were no more.

In their place was an increasingly steady and seasoned grasp, and an Emperor’s bearing that grew ever more striking.

In this dynasty, men needed power to thrive.

With power, with the right to command the land and to issue orders, came a swelling pride that made a man ever more dashing.

Confidence and vitality radiated from within.

Conversely, without it, a man became increasingly debauched, cynical, talented but unrecognized, and perhaps discontent throughout his life, eventually dying in poverty and obscurity.

Thinking of the ancient poetry I had studied in modern times, how many great poets were there who were not recognized for their talents? If they had power and could realize their ambitions, their fate would surely have been different! Alas... there are no ifs.

「The first month passed quickly.」

After the New Year, imperial edicts were issued, but there was still little of note at court, just some everyday trifles. There was no need to bring them up in the throne room.

So, Zhao Junyao had far fewer petitions to deal with.

What used to take a day to review now only took half a day to finish.

He spent his time reading books, practicing calligraphy, or taking his brothers to the martial arts training grounds for a bout.

One way or another, Zhao Junyao was quite busy.

The Empress’s health had not improved, and the power in the Harem still rested with the Noble Consort—as life carried on.

However, the Empress seemed not the least bit anxious. Because as long as she didn’t recover, the Emperor had to visit her every few days. For no particular reason. If one must delve deeper, perhaps it was because she and the Emperor were husband and wife. No matter how fond he was of Consort Xian Pin, in a hundred years, when they lay in the same grave, it would still be with her. Therefore... the Empress had no complaints. The power would come sooner or later, but the Emperor’s favor was not always available. She needed to make the best of this time to mend their marital relationship. She had to strive to conceive a child, or at the very least, promote Honored Lady Jiang. She was clever too; with the proper grooming, she would surely be no less capable than Consort Xian Pin. In the future... banding together could also be an advantage. Even if the Noble Consort’s faction secured a Prince, she would not be afraid!

Thinking this, the Empress felt even more that she had been foolish before. Only obsessed with power, nearly letting it ruin her in the end. Better to consider how to vie for favor instead. Though it might sound unbecoming for an Empress to vie for the Emperor’s affection while other Consorts did the same. But she was sick, after all. When sick, the Emperor’s visit signified a deep, conjugal love, not a fight for favor! This was her first time treading this path, and the Empress had already tasted its sweetness. It seemed that in the future, she had found an additional way out. In the end, the corners of her lips curled up in a satisfied smile.

「For Zhao Junyao, the Empress was ill.」

Visiting her was an act of compassion; not doing so would mean neglecting their relationship. Favoring a concubine to the detriment of the wife was a major taboo. Be it emperors, officials, or even commoners in the streets, none could favor a concubine over the wife. If discovered, as long as the principal wife was willing, she could report it to the Yamen! A man could have concubines, but for a concubine to ride roughshod over the principal wife was unacceptable! It violated the natural order of seniority. Those who entered the household before you were naturally ’elder sisters’; those who entered after were naturally ’younger sisters.’ A harmonious Harem meant prosperity for the household. Should these rules be violated, the favored concubine was not likely to survive. By law, she could be charged with seduction and—according to gossip—would be lucky to escape with her skin intact! These were deterrents substantial enough!

Zhao Junyao was well aware of these rules.

He knew that if the Empress was ill and he neglected her, opting instead to constantly visit Lady Xia, it wouldn’t be favoring her but dooming her. Zhao Junyao did not wish for Qingqing to be seen as a calamity upon the nation. Therefore, he had to visit the Empress, and do so frequently. At the very least, he had to visit the Empress more frequently than he visited Qingqing. In this way, she would be safe.

Zhao Junyao thought so and was very satisfied.

「The Empress saw the Emperor coming more and more frequently.」

And her heart grew even happier.

However... if she knew that the Emperor was visiting her only to lessen the animosity towards his little concubine and reduce the risk for her, who knows what she would think.

Of course, Zhao Junyao would never say such a thing! He wouldn’t even show a hint of this intention.

His schemes were inscrutable, his methods practiced.

Unless he wished it, no one could pry into his inner thoughts.

「On the day of Er Yue Er, when the dragon raises its head,」

Zhao Junyao, as usual, went to Jiaofang Hall.

Having rested for so long, the Empress’s complexion was good.

The Imperial Physician diagnosed that there was nothing seriously wrong with her body, but... if you’re ill, you need to lie in bed and recover.

So the Empress hardly ever got out of bed.

Zhao Junyao came over as usual.

As he entered, the Empress, feigning weakness, did not get up but lay on the bed, going through the motions of greeting him.

Zhao Junyao’s face remained expressionless as he sat on the kang bed to one side.

A Palace Attendant served tea. He habitually picked up the cup but did not drink.

The tea here at the Empress’s was never right, either too strong or too weak, either too hot or too tepid; he didn’t much care for it.

After the routine courtesy inquiries were made, the air fell into silence.

The Empress lay there, trying hard to think of how to bring up her own matters.

Zhao Junyao just sat there, waiting out fifteen minutes. Leaving immediately after arriving didn’t seem right, so fifteen minutes it was.

”Your Majesty...” the Empress began, her eyes eager.

Zhao Junyao glanced at her, saying nothing.

The Empress continued, ”This consort has been in the palace for many years, yet has not borne Your Majesty a son or daughter, for which I feel ashamed!”

After much thought, this was the best opening statement!

Zhao Junyao watched her indifferently, his mind already made up.

As expected, the Empress began to lament. Tears streamed down her face, her voice pitiful and tragic, her tone mournful and laced with sorrowful complaint. Endless tears, immeasurable heartache, boundless helplessness, and unending grievances.

What a show of restraint and magnanimity from a principal wife who had endured so much suffering. What a portrayal of an Empress who understood the bigger picture, followed the rules, and had fallen ill from her tireless efforts for the Royal Family. By the end, Zhao Junyao even felt that if he didn’t let her raise two or three sons, he’d incur divine wrath, struck by five thunders. Tsk tsk, such acting skills. If it weren’t for knowing the schemes she had cooked up in secret, he probably would have been fooled.

At this moment, Zhao Junyao simply watched coldly as she performed.

In the end, once the Empress had finished speaking, Zhao Junyao smiled faintly.

”Having the Empress manage the Harem diligently all these years has allowed Us to have no worries about domestic affairs and secure the state!” he said. ”We must thank the Empress!”

You’re pouring out your grievances? Fine, I’ll just lavish you with compliments. See, We know you are very wise; We are grateful. But... isn’t this what all Empresses throughout history have done? Could it be that you wanted to use your wisdom to barter for something?

As expected, the Empress had no good way to proceed.

She could only respond with an anxious and uneasy expression, ”These are all things this consort should do!”

The role of the Empress is yours willingly; if you find it laborious, why not let someone else take it?!

The Empress had nothing to say.

Zhao Junyao praised her a few more times, consoled her with kind words, and had someone bestow some gifts.

Finally, he took his leave, successfully stifling the Empress’s words before they could be spoken.