Chapter 24: The Affection That Cannot Be Obtained

Entering the harem is like plunging into the depths of the sea.

The emperor had always harbored deep resentment toward the regent and the Xiao family.

If Jiang Chuyue entered the palace, the emperor would surely torment and humiliate her, causing her to wither away before long. To torment Jiang Chuyue was to indirectly torment the Xiao family.

The empress thought for a moment, then nodded: “Feasible.”

It was already late, night had fallen. The empress first sent someone to escort Shangguan Yun out of the palace. The night in the harem of the Qing Kingdom was eerie and chilling. Sitting inside the sedan chair, Shangguan Yun gazed at the cold, towering palace walls.

She thought with glee: Once Jiang Chuyue enters the palace, this harem will be her grave.

Shangguan Yun smiled smugly.

But as she smiled, she suddenly rested her chin in her hand and muttered: “Actually, Jiang Chuyue is quite innocent… She doesn’t even bear the surname Xiao, yet she suffers for the Xiao family. Besides, her riding skills are truly impressive.”

The thought had barely surfaced when Shangguan Yun quickly shook her head, talking to herself: “The Shangguan family and the Xiao family are mortal enemies. I can’t pity her.”

…

That same night, the empress went to see the emperor.

Under the shroud of night, muffled sobs of a woman came from within the emperor’s bedchamber. Before long, a concubine with tattered clothes and a faint breath was carried out by eunuchs.

The empress glanced coldly at the unconscious woman, who had been tortured beyond recognition.

A sneer touched the empress’s lips.

She stepped into the emperor’s chamber.

The emperor’s collar was wide open as he leaned back in his chair, drinking. The air was thick with the scent of wine and blood. The empress knelt: “Your Majesty, this concubine greets you.”

The emperor looked up impatiently: “What, are you here to serve in bed too?”

The empress smiled: “Your Majesty, I heard that General Xiao has a younger sister, blessed with beauty and a gentle, obedient nature. I thought such a good girl would be most suited to serve Your Majesty. Why not issue an edict to bring her into the palace as a concubine?”

The emperor said impatiently: “Xiao Ji is just a rough military man—his sister is probably some sword-wielding shrew! I’ve no interest in shrews.”

The empress was momentarily stunned.

In the past, whenever the emperor heard of a minister’s beautiful daughter, he would go to great lengths to bring her into the palace.

But lately, he seemed to have changed—no longer summoning beauties.

The empress said: “Your Majesty, General Xiao’s sister is stunning. If you saw her, you would surely like her.”

The emperor drawled irritably: “Out—”

The empress bit her lip and could only leave in defeat.

Inside the bedchamber, the emperor drank heavily again. Lately, his mind had been full of the peerless beauty he had glimpsed in a carriage on the street.

But their meeting was fleeting, and though he sent men everywhere to search, she could not be found.

He thought of her day and night, but he could not draw, and so could not capture her beauty on paper. The more he failed to obtain her, the more restless and obsessed he became.

The emperor swore to himself that no matter the ends of the earth, he would find her and make her his.

…

Elsewhere, the news that Concubine Jiang (the Tenth Madam) was pregnant shook the entire Xiao residence.

This was the first child of the Xiao family’s generation—naturally precious.

Even the usually cold Madam Dowager Xiao softened, ordering the elegant East Courtyard’s main house to be prepared for Jiang to rest and nurture her pregnancy.

Tonic supplements flowed into Jiang’s courtyard like water. The family physician visited daily, fearing the slightest mishap.

Jiang had become the most favored person in the Xiao household.

That night, beneath flickering candlelight, Jiang lounged on a chaise, her fingers brushing her still-flat stomach. With a child, she now had boundless glory and wealth.

“Madam, the General is here,” Dujuan whispered.

Jiang made to rise, but Xiao Ji strode in and gently pressed her shoulder: “Lie down, don’t move.”

Jiang’s cheeks flushed, and she obediently reclined again, her eyes shimmering: “I’ll listen to the General.”

Xiao Ji placed his hand on her belly.

There, his flesh and blood was growing.

A strange, almost unfamiliar emotion spread in his chest—he felt a little dazed.

In the candlelight, Jiang’s long black hair spilled over her shoulders, her pale silver nightgown making her skin glow like snow. In her brows and eyes, there was a faint resemblance to… her. Xiao Ji’s gaze darkened, and an absurd thought flitted through his mind.

He clasped Jiang’s hand tightly, his voice hoarse: “Promise me—you will give birth to this child safely.”

Jiang smiled softly, her fingers tightening around his: “I understand. I will give you a lively child.”

Outside, a crescent moon hung in the night sky. Moonlight spilled across the window lattice. Xiao Ji held Jiang close, but his gaze lingered on that moonlight far longer than it should have, his thoughts drifting away.

…

Jiang Chuyue still held the authority of housekeeper.

Knowing Jiang was pregnant, Jiang Chuyue had specially ordered many medicinal herbs for pregnancy care, and the food sent to Jiang’s courtyard was prepared with care.

This was Xiao Ji’s first child, and since he valued it greatly, Jiang Chuyue naturally wanted to avoid any mishap.

One afternoon, Jiang Chuyue was reviewing account books in her room when Baozhu entered, sounding displeased: “Miss, Madam Jiang’s maid Dujuan came again. She says Madam hasn’t been sleeping well and wants golden-thread bird’s nest to help her sleep.”

In the entire Xiao household, only Jiang Chuyue’s courtyard had golden-thread bird’s nest.

Half a box remained.

Jiang Chuyue set down her brush: “Let her in.”

Dujuan entered with an air of arrogance.

Some days ago, Dujuan had spoken rudely, and Jiang Chuyue had ordered her to be flogged ten times. Dujuan had not reflected on her behavior—instead, her resentment had grown.

Now, with Madam Jiang pregnant, Dujuan felt emboldened again.

She offered a perfunctory salute and said haughtily: “Second Miss, please give me the bird’s nest quickly so I don’t waste time.”

Jiang Chuyue looked at her calmly: “Pregnant women should not overindulge in rich tonics—it can make the baby too large to be delivered. Tell Madam to eat properly; excess leads to harm.”

Dujuan’s eyes widened, her voice rising: “Second Miss, my lady is pregnant! You’re mistreating her—if the General finds out, he’ll be angry.”

Jiang Chuyue tilted her head slightly: “What, do you want another ten strokes?”

Dujuan’s face paled. She gritted her teeth and retreated.

Baozhu poured Jiang Chuyue tea, fuming: “Madam Jiang is getting more arrogant by the day. She pretended to be meek when she first entered the residence, but now she acts like the mistress, even trying to take your things.”

Jiang Chuyue lowered her eyes, her fingers gently tracing the rim of the cup, her voice barely audible: “Because my brother likes her.”

Love makes one arrogant.

Before Madam Jiang entered the residence, Xiao Ji never lingered long with any concubine.

But after she arrived, she nearly monopolized his favor—she had gained his love.

In truth, Jiang Chuyue envied Madam Jiang—for gaining Xiao Ji’s love.

Jiang Chuyue also wished for such a singular, undivided love, like that between her late parents, who saw only each other and were parted only by death.

But it was just a fantasy.

She knew loving Xiao Ji was like a moth flying into the flame, but she could not control her heart. She had fallen for a man who would never love her—and so she was doomed never to receive that unique, exclusive affection.

Night fell over the capital. After dinner, Jiang Chuyue took a walk in the courtyard.

The crabapple blossoms were nearly gone, drooping on their branches. The early summer night was stuffy, and she fanned herself for relief.

“Greetings to Second Miss.” A servant from outside the moon gate bowed respectfully.

Jiang Chuyue paused mid-fan: “What is it?”

The servant replied: “Second Miss, the General sent me to get bird’s nest from you. Madam Jiang hasn’t been sleeping well and wishes to drink bird’s nest to help her sleep.”