24 - Mid-Autumn Festival

Chapter 24 – Mid- Autumn Festival

Shui Shufei ’s victory in her first battle quickly spread throughout the rear courtyard. Lan Shufei still did not venture out of her courtyard citing ill health but the three Ji concubines had a change of heart. They came forward one after another saying that they had recovered from their illnesses and expressed their intention to cooperate. It seemed like they no longer want to fight against her.

Bai Yuxiao decided not to dispute with them for the time being and it was alright as long as they knew to feel fear. Since she needed manpower at this critical time, she decided to delegate tasks to them first, and after all the important matters have been settled, she would punish them accordingly.

That night, when Si Liujing came to her bedchamber, it was obvious he already knew about the whole story. As he smiled and hugged her, he said. “I was initially worried about you but didn’t think you have such abilities. I’ve underestimated you.”

Bai Yuxiao pouted and rolled her eyes at him. She knew he was referring to Madam Mei.

“This is all thanks to your good younger cousin sister.” The cousin sister they were talking about was Lan Shufei .

“Alright, alright…….it’s all my fault that you’ve been wronged. Fortunately, my Shui’er is not easy to deal with. Today I entered the palace to persuade my Consort Mother to ask Princess Zhuang to guide you. My Consort Mother agreed but I didn’t expect that before the Princess arrived, you have found a better assistant on your own.

“Can I not save myself? So many people are watching me and those in-charge are not like the servants. In everyone’s heart, there is a ruler* and if I don’t show my abacus* do you think I can control them?”

(There is a ruler in the heart means to have one’s own judgment, ideas, or thoughts.)

(Show abacus means to show one’s ability and here it means BYX must also show she has her method and the capability to calculate and counter their moves. An abacus is a calculation tool used by the Chinese and it is still being used in the modern world.)

“What I meant is that you’re worthy to be my woman. You know how to make use of the strength of others to improve your strength and speaking of this, I didn’t realize that you have such a wide network of connections. You can even make use of the people from the Shangguan Mansion!”

Bai Yuxiao knew he would ask about this, so she was prepared and had already thought about how to tell him.

“Does Wangye remember that this concubine had once angered Elder Gao Ge’s son more than two years ago?”

“Yes.” In fact, he remembered this matter because he had questioned the Chief Steward about her when he was investigating Shui’er.

“The woman that Elder Gao Ge’s incompetent son molested turned out to be a maidservant of Shangguan Mansion.”

“Oh? What a coincidence.”

“Due to this matter, this concubine is recognized as one of Shangguan Family’s people.”

“So that’s it.” Si Liujing smiled. Lifting her chin gently, he lowered his head and said in a husky voice. “Then I should thank their maid for being our matchmaker and gave me the opportunity to take you in as a concubine.”

“Yes, Wangye is very lucky to have picked up a treasure who is willing to work hard for you. Shui’er is truly envious.” She blinked her beautiful long eyelashes like the flapping wings of a butterfly and her eyes shone brightly.

Her words made him smiled and he tapped on the tip of her nose. “Are you reminding your husband to cherish you? When didn’t I cherish you? Every day when I return to the mansion when have I not come directly to you?”

Before she could reply, his lips pressed down and his tongue of fire slipped into her mouth to ravage her little clove tongue. As always he never tried to hide his desire for her.

Bai Yuxiao put her hands up against his sturdy chest to avoid his kisses and finally through a break, she said. “If your heart aches for me, why not give me a helping hand?”

“How can I help?” His voice was vague and he was sucking on her earlobe.

“Go and appease those sisters. It’s not that I want to nag you, but it’s not good for you to constantly come to my courtyard. You should also show favor to the other……..aiya!……it hurts! Don’t bite!”

“Bai Yuxiao, are there any favored concubine like you who actually drives her husband to the chambers of other women?!”

“I was just kidding! Don’t take it seriously, don’t take it seriously!” She hurriedly said with a smile as she rubbed the earlobe that was bitten.

He snorted. Sometimes he really had doubts about whether she loves him or not. If it is said she does not love him, but she risked her life for him and if it is said she loves him, she is too tolerant and has never shown any jealousy.

He used to think that the jealous faces of women were boring and disgusting but now he hopes to see her jealous expression when she fights for him.

In fact, Bai Yuxiao does fight for his favor. She fights for his favor all the time, but the way she fights for his favor is different from other women.

In the bedchamber, she values the time she spends with him, making him laugh, talking with him, letting him vent, making him relax, and changing tricks to make him feel happy. All these were done just to leave herself a unique place in his heart so that he will only remember her uniqueness.

Outside of the bedchamber, she helped him to control the rear courtyard so that he would not have to worry while showing her abilities little by little and at the same time, she wanted to let him be aware of her intentions.

When youth passes, it is easy to grow old, and just depending on appearance is too unreliable. She is not a great beauty, so she does not rely on her looks but depended on being different from other women. In the future, no matter how many more beauties would be added to the rear courtyard of the royal mansion, all she needs to do is to focus on Si Liujing by giving him what he wants, make him love her so much that he is unable to let her go and become an irreplaceable woman.

She does not know how long his doting love can last. She only knows that she should grasp every moment to get along with him while he still cherishes her. As long as every step she takes is steady, why should she fear she will not be as stable as the mountain in the future?

Si Liujing smiled as if he had thought of something and said. “ Benwang knows of a way to block this secret arrow for my beloved concubine.”

Bai Yuxiao became vigilant and looked at him cautiously. Every time he suddenly addresses himself as ‘Benwang’ , he would have a purpose and his smile seemed to look a little weird………

“How?”

He lifted his eyebrows. “Want to know?”

She nodded vigorously with a look of expectation.

“Then we will have to see whether you can serve Benwang and make him happy tonight.”

Che! Want to use this trick to appease her? She won’t be fooled!

“Then this concubine doesn’t want to know.” She deliberately retreated and insisted not to fall into his trap.

“It’s up to you. Benwang is also tired, so let’s take a good rest tonight.” After speaking, he lay down on the outer side of the bed and closed his eyes to sleep.

Bai Yuxiao was stunned and stared at him suspiciously. After waiting for a long time, she was still wondering whether if he would suddenly pounce on her when she heard the sound of his steady breathing. Only then did she realize that he had fallen asleep.

Had he really put away his intention and let her off so easily?

She suddenly felt a little uneasy. After all, when had he ever refrained from pressing her down on the bed and tossing her around for a while before going to sleep with satisfaction?

Suddenly, she could not sleep anymore and wondered whether he had begun to get tired of her. She felt a little regretful and her heart was a little unsettled but she did not dare to disturb him and could only lay down beside him obediently. The whole night, she slept lightly while doubts filled her heart.

After tossing and turning for a long time, she eventually fell asleep. Si Liujing who was sleeping beside her slowly opened his eyes and his lips curled into a smile in the darkness.

Her upset expression meant that she cares and if she cares, then it’s good. He had deliberately left her in suspense just to see her heart. Now that he had seen it, he felt satisfied and he closed his eyes again. This time, he truly fell asleep.

In the end, Bai Yuxiao did not get to know what Si Liujing was going to do to help her block the secret arrow. She did not ask and neither did he mention it again. After that, she forgot all about it because she was busy with the rear courtyard.

During the Mid-Autumn Festival, the full moon symbolized reunion. After participating in the ceremonies welcoming the cold Autumn full moon, everyone went home to reunite with their families to celebrate while all the Princes and royalties stayed behind to celebrate the festival with the imperial family. All the Princes brought their main wives to attend the Mid-Autumn Banquet and the Princes who had yet to marry brought along their concubines with the rank of Cefei. As for the concubines who had ranks of Shufei and below, they had to stay behind in their respective residences for the celebration.

At this time, Bai Yuxiao was in Ling Wang Mansion overseeing the preparations for the ceremony to worship the moon. The big incense table was fully covered with mooncakes together with other various offerings and some fruits were even cut into lotus shapes as offerings. Everyone was waiting for the Wangye to return to the mansion from the imperial family banquet and join all his concubines for the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Bai Yuxiao had returned to Yaorong Pavilion to take a bath first. After putting on loose clothes, she combed her hair into a bun with a ponytail and lazed on the embroidered couch.

Now she can finally heave a sigh of relief and take a good rest.

She closed her eyes to relax her mind while Zhaolu helped to massage her shoulders and legs. If she did not have to wait for the Wangye to return and perform the ceremony of worshipping the moon, she would have long gone to bed for a good sleep.

“Young Miss had worked hard, so Young Miss must take a good rest after this.”

“Yes, I’ve been very busy the last couple of days, and after this, I can finally relax for a few days. What is the time now?”

“A quarter into Hai Shi*.”

(Hai Shi is the time between 9.00 pm to 11.00 pm and a quarter into Hai Shi should be around 9.30 pm.)

“The Wangye should be back any time now, right? Bring me a cup of cooling herbal tea to help energize my mind.”

“Yes.”

Sitting up, Bai Yuxiao took over the cup from Zhaolu and drank the iced sweet fragrant osmanthus tea.

Suddenly, they heard Shuang’er’s hurried footsteps coming into the courtyard and her voice was heard before she made an appearance.

“Young Miss! Young Miss!”

Zhaolu exclaimed with joy. “The Wangye must have returned!”

Bai Yuxiao answered with an ‘Um…….” and continued to drink the tea until Shuang’er ran into the courtyard.

“Young Miss, something amazing happened! Today in the palace, Wangye told the Emperor that Young Miss is pregnant and requested that Young Miss be granted the title of Cefei !”

‘Poof!’

Osmanthus tea sprayed out from Bai Yuxiao’s mouth.