Extra 3-12: Accidentally Involved in the Fight for the Throne

After the morning court session the next day, Xiao Ze asked Ji Yanming about the two maids he had sent from Marquis Changle’s household to care for Tao Sheng.

Ji Yanming was surprised. “Did you ask Marquis Changle to send them?”

“Yes,” Xiao Ze replied. “These two maids seemed gentle and pleasing, and I thought they’d ease Tao Sheng’s worries. It’s important she stays calm and the baby is born safely.”

Ji Yanming had no idea it was part of the Emperor’s kindness. “I didn’t know this was your intention. I’ve already sent them back to Marquis Changle.”

Xiao Ze asked, puzzled, “Why?”

“I checked their zodiac signs, and they conflict with Tao Sheng and her baby, so I sent them back.”

Xiao Ze recalled that when the queen gave birth, they also checked zodiac signs for the wet nurse. He praised Ji Yanming for his carefulness, noting he should also check zodiac compatibility when choosing a midwife in the future.

Ji Yanming thanked him. “Then I’ll thank Your Majesty.”

Xiao Ze smiled and nodded.

He remembered when Tao Sheng and Ji Yanming first married, he had wanted to send more people to their household, but Ji Yanming declined. Now, Ji Yanming accepted the Emperor’s request without hesitation, showing how much he cared for Tao Sheng and their child.

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After Xiao Ze became Emperor, his wives became imperial concubines, and their children became princes and princesses. This change stirred the ambitions of many to pursue higher status.

When the autumn came, envoys from the States of Ling, Dai, and Jiang came to the capital for the Emperor’s birthday.

As part of tradition, such missions were usually led by kings. Lord Li of Ling State had come to the capital for sightseeing, bored and with no major plans. Xiao Ze personally welcomed him, and the two had a drinking contest. Xiao Ze won and declared himself the victor.

Afterward, Xiao Ze held Ji Yanming tightly, saying how royal relatives used to drink to their limits. Now, Lord Li wanted to compete with him, not knowing the dignity of an Emperor.

Lord Li didn’t have any particular motive for his visit. He just missed Tao Sheng, whom he hadn’t seen in years. He asked Xiao Ze if he could meet some of the past envoys from Ling State.

Xiao Ze found Lord Li interesting and invited Tao Sheng, Ji Yanming, and King Huan to join the banquet.

King Huan had been a figurehead when sent as an envoy to Ling, rarely interacting with Lord Li, who didn’t remember him well.

Ji Yanming had frequent contact with him, but Lord Li didn’t think much of him. He always felt the man was too clever and hard to trust. Every time they spoke, it felt like there was something hidden in his words, making it tiring to talk to him. He found him far less friendly and pleasant than Tao Sheng.

King Huan lived closest to the palace and was the first to arrive.

Lord Li started chatting with King Huan and mentioned he had missed Tao Sheng’s music for many years. Unfortunately, he hadn’t had the chance to hear it again. Now that Tao Sheng was here, he would ask her to play a song to soothe his long-standing desire.

King Huan laughed, saying, “Then I’m afraid the king won’t get his wish today.”

Lord Li didn’t understand at first and looked confused.

It wasn’t until Tao Sheng entered the palace that Lord Li saw her big belly.

Maybe because Lord Li looked so shocked, his eyes nearly popped out, even Ji Yanming couldn’t help but glance at him.

Xiao Ze thought Lord Li was overreacting. It’s normal for a woman of childbearing age to be pregnant. His behavior didn’t seem like that of a proper leader.

Later, when Lord Li learned that Tao Sheng had not only had a child but also had it with Ji Yanming, after they got married, he sighed deeply.

He thought it was such a waste that such a beautiful woman was with Ji Yanming.

There was music to liven up the banquet, and beautiful women danced.

Lord Li remembered something and bowed to Xiao Ze. “I brought a beauty with me on this trip to the capital, and I plan to present her to His Majesty.”

He then ordered his followers to bring over the Concubine Lang traveling with him.

Soon, a woman dressed in Lingguo clothing appeared. She had a slender waist and graceful steps. She was indeed a rare beauty.

Princess Wen Yi smiled and said, “This Miss Lang is the most beautiful woman in our Ling Kingdom.”

Tao Sheng smiled and joked: “The princess is exaggerating. I’ve been to Ling Kingdom twice. Although this girl is beautiful, it’s a bit much to say she’s the most beautiful woman in your country.”

Princess Wen Yi, probably used to exaggerating, replied easily: “Maybe the beauties you saw before were already married. Among the unmarried women in our country now, this Miss Lang is the most beautiful.”

Tao Sheng laughed: “That may be true. But no matter if she’s the most beautiful or not, what matters is the intentions of Lord Li and the princess. If they’re willing, that’s what matters.”

After the banquet, Ji Yanming asked Tao Sheng why she seemed so concerned about the beautiful lady Lang.

Although Xiao Ze’s concubines were interested in Tao Sheng, she had never been interested in other people’s harems.

Tao Sheng replied: “When the beauty came in, the Queen whispered to me that this girl has very seductive eyes, and it’s suspected she’s been specially trained.”

This made Tao Sheng think of the spy princess movies she had seen before. She asked Princess Wen Yi a few questions to test her.

Ji Yanming remembered the beautiful lady Lang. While she was good-looking, he didn’t think she was very smart.

He somewhat doubted the Queen’s judgment.

“No matter what trouble Lady Lang might cause in the palace, it’s the Emperor and Empress’s business. You’re not well right now, so don’t worry about it,” Ji Yanming said.

Tao Sheng nodded: “Yes, I know.”

They had already been through big storms, like the Crown Prince being deposed and Prince Rui being killed. A young beauty wouldn’t cause any trouble.

Tao Sheng thought this matter would have nothing to do with her, but soon it became connected.

When Tao Sheng went to the palace to talk to the Queen Mother, she ran into people from the Eastern Palace who were looking for her. They said the Prince had arranged for them to wait and invited her to the palace.

After the King of Chu ascended the throne, the Queen’s eldest son Xiao Lang naturally became the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace.

Tao Sheng is Xiao Lang’s music teacher. She used to be a palace tutor, and they had a good relationship.

Xiao Lang noticed early on that Lord Luo was well-suited to be his life mentor. After becoming Crown Prince, he would talk to her regularly and ask her advice on matters regarding his father.

Later, Ji Yanming was promoted to Grand Guardian of the Eastern Palace. Because Xiao Lang and Tao Sheng were close, Ji Yanming guided him more. This led to a strong relationship between the two key ministers, Ji Yanming and Lord Luo, who had influence over the palace. Even if some ministers had plans to support other princes, they had to think carefully.

Xiao Lang knew Tao Sheng was unwell and shouldn’t move too much, so he arranged a sedan chair and invited her to the East Palace. However, before they could talk, Xiao Lang’s younger brother Xiao Ming rushed to see her first.

Xiao Ming, who had just turned ten, was upset. His father wanted to set up a house for him and choose a wife. Xiao Ming didn’t want to get married, set up a family, or leave his brother.

As the saying goes, behind every carefree young master, there’s an elder master who handles serious matters.

Just as Tao Sheng was calming Xiao Ming down, Xiao Lang’s personal eunuch came in to report strange movements in Concubine Zhe’s family.

Xiao Lang smirked and said, “In the past, Concubine Zhe respected my mother the most. Now she has a third brother, and her family just got a title. It’s likely she will try to gain things she shouldn’t have. It’s better to wait and see until things get worse.”

Tao Sheng thought about it and realized that Xiao Lang must have been spending more time with Ji Yanming recently, because his tone sounded just like Lord Ji’s. It seemed Xiao Lang had learned bad things from him instead of good ones.

But she couldn’t say it directly, so she sighed and asked Xiao Lang, “Your Highness, did you invite me here today to discuss Concubine Zhe and her son?”

“That’s not it,” Xiao Lang replied. “The Governor of Yunnan and Guizhou sent a new beauty, Lady Jin, into the palace a few days ago.”

In the previous dynasty, the rule for the emperor to mourn was for days instead of months, and it lasted 27 days. Later, after the establishment of the Great Zhou, the mourning period was extended to three years for the emperor’s father. However, this regulation caused issues, as Guangzong in poor health had no descendants. So, it was later changed to a one-year mourning period, like for other officials.

Xiao Ze, the current emperor, had a small harem. Normally, a beauty contest would be held after the mourning period, but Xiao Ze was focused on the Great Zhou’s development and wasn’t interested. So many people sent beauties to the palace, including Lord Li and the Governor of Yunnan and Guizhou.

Xiao Lang added, “It is said that Lady Jin lives in the same palace with Lady Lang sent by Ling State.”

Tao Sheng nodded. She had heard of this too.

Logically, both of them were just beauties. Being in a separate palace was a privilege. Lady Jin benefited from Beauty Guanglang, and Xiao Ze did this partly to honor Lord Li.

Xiao Lang continued, “These two beauties are a little restless.”

“Restless?” Tao Sheng was shocked. “What do you mean? Did they do anything to you?”

This was serious. As one of the prince’s teachers, Tao Sheng had to act quickly.

Xiao Lang lowered his head to drink tea, choking at Tao Sheng’s words. He coughed for a long time and waved his hands. “It’s not what you think. They… seem to want to harm you. They even went to Xuanzheng Hall to make trouble.”

Just then, Fu Lai from Xuanzheng Hall arrived and said the emperor had prepared a sedan chair and invited Lord Luo to go to Xuanzheng Hall.

Xiao Lang looked like he wanted peace.

Tao Sheng hadn’t experienced such a scene in a while, and her heart raced.

In the Xuanzheng Hall, Concubine Lang and Lady Jin were kneeling and crying, accusing Tao Sheng of behaving poorly in front of Xiao Ze.

Lady Jin mentioned that she had personally made ginseng soup for His Majesty, but Lord Luo talked with him for almost an hour, making the soup cold and not being summoned.

Xiao Ze frowned. Tao Sheng was supposed to help Ji Yanming dry books that day, but Xiao Ze had pulled her aside, so were they blaming Tao Sheng or him?

Lady Lang then shared an incident when the Queen invited them to watch an opera and made steamed yogurt with sugar for everyone. Tao Sheng, a minister, ate a whole bowl, leaving the concubines with less. She hadn’t acted properly.

The Queen frowned and said, “The steamed custard that day was made because Tao Sheng was pregnant. You were just taking advantage of her. Even if she had ten bowls, she should’ve been served.”

Lady Lang mentioned that two days ago, they stood by Feiyun Pavilion, but Lord Luo didn’t come over to pay respects, nor did he say hello. As concubines, they felt it was wrong for Lord Luo to ignore them.

Lady Jin, a distant cousin of the Governor-General of Yunnan and Guizhou, had been raised to believe being an imperial concubine was glorious. Even the Governor-General had to acknowledge her as his superior.

Lady Lang was also used to seeing Lord Li’s favorite concubine act recklessly, even disregarding Princess Wen Yi.

Tao Sheng was just a fourth-rank official, a court lady in the harem, so why would she ignore them like that?

On their way back to the palace, the two encountered the rare, friendly Concubine Zhe, who had given birth to the third prince.

After hearing their complaint, Concubine Zhe suggested they ask the emperor and empress for judgment.

Tao Sheng overheard this and wondered, “When have I ever ignored these two beauties?”

She had always respected the Empress and the concubines and didn’t intentionally ignore anyone.

“You still say that!” Lady Lang cried angrily. “We were by the bamboo forest that day, and you passed by.”

Tao Sheng suddenly understood.

No wonder she thought she saw something strange in the bamboo forest from afar. It wasn’t bamboo, but two women in green clothes.

Lady Jin was frightened, her face pale. She clutched Xiao Ze’s robe, refusing to let go. “We didn’t mean to be ignorant. Concubine Zhe said this was palace rule, so we came to Your Majesty for justice.”

Xiao Ze quickly calculated in his mind.

He had been able to stabilize the court thanks to Tao Sheng and Ji Yanming. If he believed the slander and turned against Tao Sheng, Ji Yanming and the Luo family wouldn’t support him, and he’d be alone with no real supporters.

These two beautiful women were from Ling State. One was from Yunnan and Guizhou, so they didn’t know what was happening in the capital. However, Concubine Zhe had been with the Emperor for many years, and her actions now seemed really sinister. She seemed to want to take over the government and support the third prince to become the Emperor.

When Xiao Ze thought about what could happen because of this, he broke out in a cold sweat.

Luckily, he was smart and realized the conspiracy early on, so no disaster occurred.

It was time to act and deal with Concubine Zhe and her son.

Soon, everyone in the capital knew about the commotion caused by Lang and Jin in the Xuanzheng Hall.

People found it strange that someone would dare to criticize Lord Luo in front of the Emperor. His Majesty trusted Lady Luo, and he always tried to find ways to reward her. Now, she was going to the Emperor to cause trouble—this was asking for trouble.

At this time, both Concubine Zhe and the third prince were in trouble. The Emperor decided to send the third prince away to a remote area, and Concubine Zhe would go with him. They would no longer live comfortably in the capital.

Xiao Lang hadn’t expected the fight for the throne to end so quickly.

Thinking back to what Mr. Luo had said to him, he even thought maybe she had set a trap to help him and bring down Concubine Zhe and her son.

This made Xiao Lang admire Mr. Luo even more.

This incident wasn’t serious, but it caused a big stir. It became a joke among the wealthy families in Beijing, giving people something to laugh about after dinner.

This is a story for later.

Tao Sheng’s life during her pregnancy was generally relaxed, but the Emperor wasn’t idle. He sent her books about famous officials from history to read, afraid that Tao Sheng would get too comfortable at home and lose her fighting spirit. He wanted her to help him with his great plans for the future.

Tao Sheng accepted the books and read them from time to time, but Ji Yanming, worried she’d tire out from reading too much, didn’t want her to read them.

So, Ji Yanming took away the books the Emperor sent and instead bought Tao Sheng interesting storybooks to entertain her.

Tao Sheng had a habit of reading novels quickly. If she didn’t finish a book in one sitting, she would be anxious.

One night, Tao Sheng secretly got up to read by the light of a lamp, but Ji Yanming caught her. He realized it was tiring for her to read these long novels, so it would be better for her to read the biographies of famous officials instead, as they were easier to pause.

In the end, Ji Yanming gave up on the storybooks and brought out the biography that Xiao Ze had sent for Tao Sheng to read.

Xiao Ze and Ji Yanming argued a lot over how to care for Tao Sheng, but Xiao Ze eventually won.

Tao Sheng’s pregnancy passed peacefully.

In the winter, Tao Sheng gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl, which made Luo Xin and the others very happy.