Held in the Lonely Castle Chapter 19

 

 Held in the Lonely Castle  

 Chapter 19

Translated by : DANMEI HEAVEN

   Praying for Rain

Within half a day, news of Miss Fan's affair had spread throughout the six palaces. Previously, many of the palace's adopted daughters had been taken by the emperor, but those were all raised by the late emperor's consorts. Among the younger girls, according to palace rumors, Miss Fan was the first to "receive the emperor's favor," so the concubines eagerly exchanged gossip, waiting to see how the empress would handle it.

After returning from the Guan Jia Hall, the empress resumed her usual demeanor as the nation's mother, unflappable and composed, handling palace affairs as usual. At the evening banquet, she described Lady Gao's hair-pinning ceremony to the emperor and then casually mentioned Miss Fan, saying that Miss Fan was growing older and she could no longer bear to let her adopted daughter leave the palace, so she asked the emperor to keep Miss Fan by his side so they would not be separated.

Her words were calm and composed, which actually made the emperor somewhat embarrassed, but in the end, he went along with it, "granting her request."

Thus, the empress assigned a separate residence to Miss Fan, increased the number of palace maids in her quarters, and discussed related matters with the palace secretary and chief steward, selecting an auspicious day for the emperor to formally confer a title on her.

The six palaces were abuzz with discussions, and many versions of the story's origins and progression emerged. One version claimed that the empress had adopted Miss Fan with the intention of diverting Lady Zhang's favor, and Miss Fan's "seduction" of the emperor was also orchestrated by the empress. Many people heard that I had glimpsed some of the events in Rouyi Palace and eagerly questioned me. I remained tight-lipped, and they even begged me to at least describe the empress's expression upon learning of the matter, asking if she had been pleased at the time. I gave no response, even to Lady Miao, only saying, "I didn't see."

Whether this matter was within the empress's expectations is unclear to me. The only certainty is that the drop of water was not rain from the sky. But I wouldn't mention this to others, and I think the current empress wouldn't deign to explain or prove anything to others.

Before the title was even conferred, the emperor frequently visited Miss Fan's quarters. There were many speculations about her rank. When the emperor took concubines, they were usually initially titled as attendants, with slightly more important ones concurrently titled as county or commandery ladies, not among the fifth-rank inner noblewomen, and later slowly promoted. But now, palace rumors said Miss Fan was from a good family and the empress's adopted daughter, so the emperor and empress intended to give her a higher rank, starting as a talented person or noble lady, or even possibly a fourth-rank beauty.

When this matter was brought up, most of the concubines were visibly delighted, almost as if they were optimistic about the outcome. The reason wasn't hard to guess—they were all waiting to see the new beauty surpass the old one.

Lady Zhang was made restless by these rumors and often waited behind the court hall for the emperor. After several times, the emperor bluntly told her not to come again. When the news spread, it became another laughingstock in the six palaces.

Presumably, Lady Zhang hadn't given up seeking countermeasures. The people in her quarters were particularly busy those days, often seeing Granny Jia or eunuchs from her quarters shuttling between the inner and outer palace, their faces grim and hurried.

"She probably wants to consult with Minister Jia again," Lady Miao said privately. "But this time, the emperor taking a new favorite was suggested by the empress, and Fan Guanyin is from a good family. Even if Minister Jia remonstrates, the emperor has reason to refuse and ignore it."

Her words weren't wrong, but the prolonged drought since last winter brought a new variable to the matter.

Rulers have always feared natural disasters. Whenever disasters occurred, ministers would submit memorials demanding the emperor reflect on his actions, claiming his governance mistakes had triggered the heavenly changes.

By March, there was still no rain, and the emperor grew increasingly anxious. He avoided the main hall, reduced his meals, and frequently prayed for rain in the palace, trying every rain-praying method, even leading palace maids and eunuchs in burning incense on their arms, but still no rain fell.

Prime Minister Jia Changchao then remonstrated, saying there were too many women in the palace and requested the release of palace women to mitigate the disaster. The emperor agreed and, upon returning to the palace, ordered the palace register to be brought out, selecting some less favored women to be released.

On the day of the rain-praying ceremony, the emperor personally wrote the prayer as usual. As he picked up the brush, Lady Zhang suddenly stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I heard that prayers should be written with the blood of the supplicant to show sincerity. I have been deeply favored by Your Majesty for many years but have no way to repay. Today, for the rain prayer, I beg Your Majesty to use my blood to fulfill my long-standing wish to share Your Majesty's burdens."

Before the words were fully spoken, she drew a dagger and slashed her left arm.

Seeing the blood flow, the emperor was shocked and grabbed her arm, pressing the wound and calling for someone to bandage it. Lady Zhang gently pushed him away, insisting on having a cup brought to collect some blood before allowing the wound to be dressed.

The emperor was deeply moved, repeatedly comforting and praising her. Lady Zhang just smiled and said, "If I can share Your Majesty's burdens, what does my flesh and blood matter?" Then she softly urged him to write the prayer quickly.

The final step of the ceremony was summoning the palace women to be released, demonstrating the emperor's sincerity in accepting the advice to reduce the palace staff. After the chief steward called the names one by one and the women performed their farewell rites, Lady Zhang stood shakily and bowed to the emperor, saying, "This drought has lasted unusually long. If the released women are only those who are dispensable, it would hardly show Your Majesty and the six palaces' sincerity in praying for rain. My adopted daughter, Lady Xu, has always been dear to me, but now that heaven has sent this disaster, I am willing to sever our mother-daughter bond and release Lady Xu from the palace, hoping this will move heaven to send rain and dispel the disaster for the kingdom."

As soon as she finished, two other concubines who were close to her also stepped forward and bowed, expressing their willingness to release their adopted daughters. The emperor pondered, silent for a long time. The other concubines present who had adopted daughters were on edge, and soon, more knelt to echo the sentiment, one after another, all expressing their willingness to part with their daughters. Most likely, more than half of them didn't truly wish to, but in such a setting, not following the crowd would make them seem unwilling to make any sacrifice, as if they weren't loyal to the emperor and the country.

Lady Zhang smiled faintly, patted her chest slightly, and said to the emperor, "Congratulations, Your Majesty. Now the six palaces are united, all willing to part with their adopted daughters. Heaven will surely respond and send rain soon." Then she turned leisurely to the empress and asked softly, "Empress, am I not right?"

The empress didn't answer but turned to the emperor and bowed slightly, saying, "Your Majesty, now I have only one adopted daughter in the palace. Whether she stays or goes is entirely up to Your Majesty."

The emperor silently clasped his hands behind his back and looked at the sky, his expression grave. After a long pause, he said, "I will discuss this with the prime minister tomorrow before making a decision."

The outcome of the discussion with Minister Jia was predictable. With Jia Changchao's strong support and even encouragement, the emperor issued an edict to release the empress's adopted daughter, Miss Fan, Lady Zhang's adopted daughter, Lady Xu, and more than a dozen other young women from the palace.

The final farewell was extremely sorrowful. Many mother-daughter pairs hugged and wept uncontrollably. After performing her farewell rites before the emperor, Miss Fan rushed to the empress's feet, prostrating herself and crying, "Mother, I was wrong..."

The empress pulled her up, wiped her tears, thought deeply, and finally could only sigh, embracing her tearfully.

During Lady Xu's farewell, a minor incident occurred. She had been kneeling blankly, and when Granny Jia saw her not moving, she reminded her to bow to the emperor. Unexpectedly, Lady Xu suddenly became agitated, turned, crawled a few steps on her knees, grabbed Lady Zhang's skirt, and wailed, "Sister, why are you driving me away?"

Lady Zhang was startled. Upon realizing what was happening, she put on a sorrowful expression and said, "Sister can't bear to part with you either, but if we don't part with those close to us, how can the rain..."

"No! Sister never liked me!" Lady Xu didn't want to hear it, crying and complaining, "Your favorite was always Youwu... After you gave birth to her, you hardly looked at me... I thought, after Youwu was gone, you might treat me better, but you still ignored me, treating Sister Zhou better than me..."

"Youwu..." Lady Zhang seemed pricked by the name, murmuring the two words, then suddenly grabbed Lady Xu's arms, almost viciously pinching her, her eyes flashing with malice, "It was you, it was you all along..."

Lady Xu screamed in pain and struggled desperately. Granny Jia, seeing the situation was dire, hurried over to separate them, pulling Lady Xu into her arms, covering her mouth with one hand, and covering up, "This child is too upset, her mind is a bit confused. Let's skip the ceremony for now." Then she repeatedly signaled to Lady Zhang with her eyes.

Lady Zhang paused, gradually calmed down, and forced a thin smile, saying softly to Lady Xu, "Silly child, if sister doesn't like you, who else can she like? You go back now, and sister will visit you later."

With Lady Zhang's approval, Granny Jia half-carried, half-dragged Lady Xu out. Lady Xu struggled, shaking her head, her mouth covered, making "uh-uh" sounds but unable to utter a word, tears streaming down Granny Jia's fingers.

In contrast, Miss Fan and the others left calmly, without resistance, but all covering their faces and weeping. They rode out of the palace gate in more than a dozen carriages, their fragrant dust billowing, sorrowful sounds trailing, thus driving out of the imperial city.

Watching them fade into the distance, I suddenly remembered that the women leaving the imperial city all left in tears.

Or perhaps, there are exceptions. I thought.

Like Qiu He, when she leaves the palace in the future, she will surely be full of joy, because the life she yearns for will unfold before her like a scroll, containing countless beautiful scenes and delightful things, waiting for her to savor one by one.

And then there's the princess. She was born in the palace but will not grow old there. One day, the emperor will find her a son-in-law and send her out of the palace in grand style... Our dynasty's scholars are numerous, elegant, and erudite. The emperor, residing in the court, sees nothing but the finest talents of the time. In the future, when choosing a son-in-law for his only daughter, who knows what outstanding man he will select... When the princess leaves the palace to marry, her heart will surely be filled with joy...

I was lost in thought, gazing into the distance, not noticing someone approaching until she waved her hand in front of my face several times. Focusing, I saw it was Qiu He.

"What are you staring at?" she asked with a faint smile, her eyes still red from crying for Miss Fan earlier. "Why the sigh?"

"Ah?" I asked blankly, "Did I sigh?"

Several days after Miss Fan and the others left the palace, there was still no rain. The emperor, in anger, demoted Jia Changchao to the military governor of Wusheng, magistrate of Daming Prefecture, and concurrent pacification commissioner of Hebei, banishing him from the capital.

The day before the dismissal was announced, Granny Jia exhausted herself shuttling between the inner and outer palace but ultimately achieved nothing. The details of Jia Changchao's dismissal were later revealed by those who had been watching her busy movements.

It turned out that after releasing the palace women, the emperor still didn't receive the awaited rain. He privately discussed with the censor Li Jianzhi, who said, "Your Majesty has tried almost all rain-praying methods, only the ancient 'dismissal of the three dukes' from the Han disaster records remains untried."

Due to the Fan Guanyin incident, the emperor was already quite displeased with Jia Changchao. Hearing this, his desire to dismiss the prime minister grew stronger. He then asked the opinion of the censor-in-chief Gao Ruona, who bluntly said, "The imbalance of yin and yang lies in the prime minister's responsibility."

The remonstrance official Hong Fan concurred, mentioning Jia Changchao's repeated quarrels with Wu Yu in court, saying, "When ministers are not solemn, the rain does not fall in season."

The emperor slapped the table and stood up, immediately ordering the drafting of the dismissal edict, having the Hanlin Academy write the dismissal decree.

When the Hanlin Academy drafted important edicts, they first locked the academy gates to prevent leaks, known as "locking the academy." Granny Jia had originally bribed one or two eunuchs serving close to the emperor. When the eunuchs saw the emperor summoning ministers to discuss Jia Changchao's matter, they immediately notified Granny Jia.

Granny Jia and Lady Zhang were extremely anxious and wanted to contact Jia's faction, but the court had already adjourned, and those ministers had left the palace. Granny Jia found an excuse to leave the palace but was stopped by Mr. Zhang Maoze, who said it was too late, and she wouldn't return before the palace gates closed, so she couldn't leave now. Granny Jia left resentfully, later went to the Hanlin Academy gate to observe but was chased away by the guards. After struggling until dawn, she returned to the academy, only to see the gates wide open, the Hanlin academician holding the edict high, striding past her under her watchful eyes, entering the Chuigong Hall to face the emperor. About half an hour later, the dismissed Jia Changchao dejectedly emerged from the hall...

And after his dismissal, rain fell continuously for several days.

These events were vividly described by the concubines, usually eliciting laughter from listeners. Only the princess, upon hearing it, quietly asked, "Will Sister Fan return?"

Lady Miao didn't answer, summoning Qingzi and Xiaoyan to accompany the princess to play in the courtyard.

"Those sent out in the name of praying for rain, how can they return?" Lady Miao said after the princess left, addressing the surrounding concubines.

Lady Yu also sighed, "Thinking about it, poor Guanyin. Who would dare marry a woman who has served the emperor? In the future, she can only become a nun."

"Exactly," Lady Miao said absently, adjusting the flowers in the vase beside her. "Like a beautiful peach tree, just blooming its first flower this spring, only to be chopped down for firewood."

(To be continued)