Chapter 28 Startling by Each Step
2404 Words
Section 1
Bufei was eating chestnuts and said meaningfully, “These chestnuts must be peeled of one layer, then another before you can eat the flesh. What a bother.”
Rongrong replied casually, “Indeed. But if His Majesty finds it troublesome, he only needs to open his mouth and I will peel them for him.”
Bufei asked, “What does peeling chestnuts rely on?”
Rongrong suddenly felt a chill—Bufei seemed to be saying more than idle words.
She fixed her gaze on his face and replied softly, “Actually, it's simple. The chestnut is already in your hand, so others will naturally find it hard to take. You have to peel it slowly, you can’t rush. If you lack patience and peel it poorly, you'll only suffer yourself.”
Bufei was clearly pleased and said joyfully, “Rong’er is clever. Haste makes waste.”
Rongrong didn’t respond further and continued peeling the chestnuts.
She thought to herself: The former court is in chaos, and the Fourth Prince seems restless. Fortunately, General Wu, the father of Consort Jin, remains loyal to Bufei.
Though Consort Jin and Beauty Li live in the same palace, she has never made trouble for me. Now that Ouyang Quan is in the palace, if Consort Jin would say a few kind words about him to her father, wouldn't Ouyang Quan’s career progress more smoothly?
Bufei stretched lazily and said, “Let’s rest. I’m tired.”
Rongrong stopped him gently, smiling, “Your Majesty, the imperial physician said…”
Before she could finish, Bufei grew impatient. “Again with the imperial physician. Must even being with my own wife be approved by a doctor? What kind of pathetic emperor does that make me?”
Afraid to anger him, Rongrong spoke gently, “Your Majesty hasn't visited Consort Jin’s palace for some time. I imagine General Wu would be very pleased if she, like me, were to conceive a royal heir.”
Bufei paused slightly. He understood what Rongrong meant, and sighed, “But I want to stay with you, Rong’er.”
Rongrong consoled him sweetly, “The daffodils in Consort Jin’s palace are in bloom. Your Majesty should go and have a look.”
He looked somewhat moved and said, “Daffodils blooming this time of year? I must see them.”
At last, Bufei left for Consort Jin’s palace.
Rongrong stood in the now-silent palace, dazed. Was she truly concerned about her pregnancy, or had she simply grown weary of guarding against the person beside her even while she slept?
Section 2
Rongrong stood in the now-silent palace, dazed. Was she truly concerned about her pregnancy, or had she simply grown weary of guarding against the person beside her even while she slept?
The next morning, as Rongrong was still washing up, Xiao Lizi reported that Consort Jin was waiting for her in the main hall. She quickly finished getting ready and headed there.
Consort Jin wore a light goose-yellow palace robe made of fine wool, her hair arranged in a simple yet elegant falling-horse bun. Her face was radiant, clearly in a good mood.
Seeing Rongrong approach and attempting to bow, she hurried forward to lift her up and said, “Sorry to disturb you so early, sister.”
Rongrong replied, “The weather is cold. I don't know why, but I've been increasingly sleepy these days.”
Concerned, Consort Jin took her hand and asked, “Has your headache returned lately?”
Rongrong answered, “The fox fur hairpin gifted by Sister Consort Hui works wonderfully. I’m just sleepy.”
Consort Jin smiled, “Then you should wear it more often.”
Rongrong chuckled, “It’s such a precious thing—I wouldn’t dare wear it often. I only bring it out when I feel unwell.”
Consort Jin nodded, then seemed to remember something. “His Majesty said you liked the daffodils blooming in my palace, so I’ve brought you two pots.”
Rongrong happily had Lin Xi accept them. The flowers were large and beautiful, petals sparkling with dewdrops—just like the phrase “so delicate they seem to bow their heads.”
She quickly thanked Consort Jin.
Consort Jin said, “I heard your brother came to the palace yesterday?”
Rongrong nodded. Consort Jin added, “My father loves meeting promising young men. When we have time, we should introduce them.”
Rongrong felt delighted but kept a humble expression, “My brother is young and rash—I fear he might offend the general.”
Consort Jin patted her shoulder and smiled, “My father is straightforward and not strict about formalities.”
Rongrong said, “That would be a great honor for us.”
Then Consort Jin leaned in and whispered, “You know full well who His Majesty listened to when he decided to visit my palace.”
Rongrong whispered back, “Then I must rely on Sister to look after me in the future.”
Section 3
Rongrong whispered back, “Then I must rely on Sister to look after me in the future.”
Consort Jin nodded, sipped her tea, and said lightly, “As your elder sister in the palace, it’s only right I look after you.”
Then she giggled and added, “But you are now the Emperor’s favorite. Why would you need me to look after you?”
A faint smile crossed Rongrong’s lips. “Your Highness’s third prince is clever and promising. When His Majesty relies on him in the future, your prosperity will be boundless.”
Consort Jin’s eyes sparkled slyly. “The third prince is still young. If your child is a prince, he might be even more brilliant. And although the Crown Prince isn’t the Empress’s biological son, she has raised him with great care—he’s not inferior to the third prince.”
“You’re too modest, Sister,” Rongrong said calmly. “I have no desire for power. I only hope for my child to be safe. If it’s a prince, I will teach him to respect his elder brothers. If it’s a princess, I will teach her to support her husband in helping the third prince.”
Unconsciously, Rongrong stroked her growing belly, her eyes full of maternal tenderness.
Consort Jin seemed convinced and squeezed Rongrong’s hand, saying with mock casualness, “If your child is as lovely as you, I shamelessly ask to be his godmother.”
Rongrong was secretly delighted. “With you as his godmother, even I, as his mother, would feel proud.”
She sighed in relief—under Consort Jin’s protection, this child would be safe.
Consort Jin said, “In that case, this child is mine too. His uncle must be well promoted by his grandfather—my father.”
Rongrong quickly bowed to express her thanks.
A few days later, Rongrong and Consort Jin arranged for Ouyang Quan to be summoned to the palace. At the same time, Consort Jin had General Wu summoned as well.
Since consorts were not allowed to meet officials privately, Consort Jin sent her maid to Rongrong’s palace and told Lin Xi, “A few days ago, Noble Consort Rong kindly praised my embroidery despite my clumsy hands. She said the pattern was good. Please go to Xianfu Palace and bring it over so I can embroider something for the little prince.”
Section 4
Since consorts were not allowed to meet with officials privately, Consort Jin sent her maid to Rongrong’s palace and said to Lin Xi, “A few days ago, Noble Consort Rong kindly praised my embroidery despite my clumsy hands. She said the pattern was good. Please go to Xianfu Palace and bring it over so I can embroider something for the little prince.”
Rongrong understood that Consort Jin wanted Lin Xi to carry a message, so she purposely said aloud, “Go now, Auntie. Study carefully—don’t let loose threads prick my child.”
After Lin Xi left, I gave Ouyang Quan some instructions: “Once General Wu recommends you, brother, your career will rise swiftly.”
But Ouyang Quan didn’t look particularly excited. “General Wu now controls most of the court’s military power. But according to the Eighth Prince, our Imperial Guard and his personal force are at odds.”
I frowned slightly. “You’ve only been in the capital a few days—how do you know these things?”
Brother Quan said proudly, “The Eighth Prince may be younger than you, but he’s steady and shrewd. For some reason, he trusts me deeply. On my second day after taking office, he personally met with me and encouraged me. By the fourth day, he had promoted me to be his personal aide. And once you're a personal aide, everything is shared.”
Rongrong didn’t know what to think. The Eighth Prince and General Wu were evenly matched in strength—if Ouyang Quan could win the favor of both, that would be ideal.
She asked, “What do you think we should do?”
Ouyang Quan replied, “Now that I’ve joined the Eighth Prince, it would be inappropriate for General Wu to promote me. But I appreciate your intentions.”
Part 5
Rongrong hurriedly covered Ouyang Quan’s mouth. “Brother, have you gone mad?”
Realizing he had spoken out of turn, Ouyang Quan quickly changed the subject. “Sister, you need not worry about who supports you. The Eighth Prince often speaks of your virtuousness, and I’m sure His Majesty thinks even more highly of you.”
Rongrong teased, “That’s only because the Eighth Prince didn’t have the heart to criticize your sister to your face. On one hand, he pitied you, knowing it would embarrass you. On the other hand, he feared offending such a talented man like you.”
Ouyang Quan chuckled, “Rong’er, you’re going to be a mother soon—how can you still be so mischievous? Do you really think your brother is so dull that he can’t tell if someone is sincerely praising you or just trying to flatter me?”
Rongrong didn’t respond. She wasn’t particularly concerned and simply assumed Ouyang Quan was joking to comfort her.
After Ouyang Quan left, Lin Xi returned from Xianfu Palace.
Rongrong asked, “Did you see General Wu?”
Lin Xi replied, “At first I thought the same—that if Consort Jin summoned me to her palace, even if General Wu didn’t see me, Her Ladyship would at least give me a message to bring back. But as it turned out, she merely handed me a pattern and sent me away.”
As she spoke, she pulled a handkerchief from her sleeve and handed it to Rongrong.
But Rongrong had no interest in looking at the design on the silk; she was far more worried that someone might discover the truth and try to harm Ouyang Quan.
Frustrated, she carelessly tossed the handkerchief onto the table. Lin Xi let out a soft “huh?” and picked it back up. “My lady, look at this.”
Seeing how serious Lin Xi was, Rongrong took the handkerchief from her. It was just an ordinary piece of cloud brocade embroidered with a plum blossom—nothing particularly special. Rongrong said, “It’s just a plum blossom. Consort Jin knows I like them.”
Lin Xi said, “My lady, turn it over and see.”
Rongrong did as instructed. On the other side, there was another plum blossom, nearly the same color as the silk itself—one wouldn’t notice it without close inspection.
It was a rare double-sided embroidery technique from Jiangnan. The two blossoms were perfectly aligned, with no hint of misalignment. It looked like a single blossom, with the reverse side merely being the back of the same flower.
Consort Jin had deliberately had the reverse side made so subtly. Rongrong began to suspect her intentions.
Bu Bu Jing Xin – Chapter 28, Part 6
Consort Jin had deliberately made the reverse side subtle—Rongrong could somewhat guess her intentions.
Sure enough, not long after, around 3 to 5 a.m., Rongrong was instructing Xiao Lizi to have the Imperial Kitchen prepare a light dinner.
Outside, Xiao Dong announced, “Her Ladyship, Consort Jin, has arrived—”
Rongrong tidied her hair and garments, and said courteously, “Sister, you’ve come. Please stay and join me for dinner.”
Consort Jin smiled and said, “I heard His Majesty say your palace's dishes are especially appetizing. Let me see whether it’s His Majesty being partial or your cook truly being talented.”
Rongrong replied, “You’ll know as soon as you try, Sister.”
Clearly, Consort Jin had something to say to Rongrong, so she dismissed the attendants.
Then she asked, “Sister, what did you think of the embroidery Lin Xi brought back?”
Feigning innocence, Rongrong answered, “It’s very pretty. You’re too kind, Sister. I’ll be sure to thank you on behalf of the child.”
Although she had suspicions, she didn’t dare confirm them openly. If Consort Jin denied being the child’s godmother, what would she do?
Rongrong felt uneasy, uncertain of how Consort Jin would respond.
But Consort Jin smiled calmly and said, “If double-sided embroidery is done well, I do love it. Don’t you think so, Sister?”
At once, Rongrong’s heart calmed. “Yes, Sister. I completely agree.”
After a moment’s thought, she quietly added, “My father said that now that the Eighth Prince values Young Master Ouyang, all he needs to do is discreetly remind him of your brother’s talents. The Eighth Prince is astute—he’ll surely favor him even more. Your brother only needs to proceed carefully.”
Rongrong nodded. “Yes. If anything happens in the future, my brother will be in a better position to help.”
Consort Jin agreed, “If the Eighth Prince genuinely supports your brother, that’s ideal. And if there’s ever a shift in power, your brother could then report to my father—earning even more recognition from the Emperor.”
Rongrong thought, The Eighth Prince is loyal—why would anything shift? She began to doubt Consort Jin’s motives.
But seeing no hint of scheming behind her smile, Rongrong wondered if perhaps she was just overthinking things.
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