Chapter 7, Demon Peony
Tong Xi returned to the Tonghui Palace, extremely fatigued and in pain, dismissing everyone and cleansing all her humiliation alone in the hot spring. Everything was of her own choosing, all for the unique peppery fragrance of the Tonghui Palace, for the countless exquisite garments and delicacies, for the dazzling jewelry that captivated the heart, and for the sense of superiority over other women.
"Everyone, step back." The voice of the Heavenly Sovereign was chilling even in early summer
The Emperor of Tianzheng rose and adjusted the robe that had not slipped off his body. He turned to look at the woman on the ground, her lake-green garment having been pulled down to her waist, leaving her upper body a pure white, marked by the red imprints he had left. Her hair was already disheveled, with a strand falling perfectly across her chest, barely concealing the glistening red cherries. The garment around her waist covered her private areas, yet her smooth and lustrous thighs were presented before him, slightly bent due to the torn hem of her skirt.
The nails dug deeply into the flesh, ultimately piercing the ground, breaking the onion-like nails apart. One must strive not to blink, so as to prevent the tears of pain and humiliation from falling.
Mu Zhaowen was the first concubine to arrive, "This is the sachet made by this humble servant, may Your Highness be safe and sound year after year"
The Dragon Boat Festival is one of the grand celebrations of the Jingxuan Dynasty, and both inside and outside the palace are bustling with activity. Tongxi is also extremely busy, as the tributes for the Dragon Boat Festival from various provinces are being sent in like a flowing stream. The lists pass under the emperor's watchful eyes before being delivered to Tongxi, who must ensure that items are stored appropriately and that rewards are distributed to the various palace consorts as necessary
Shu Bo took out a set of dresses that had been prepared in advance for Tong Xi to wear and assisted her into the pavilion. Xuan Xuan and Shu Bo exchanged glances, indicating that the noble consort had always had a premonition, which was why she had instructed the two of them to prepare a set of clothing to bring along.
Only the Emperor can ask this way, she suddenly felt that early summer had become a bit warmer, and perhaps her position was still relatively secure
Tongxi felt a sense of relief in her heart, rejoicing for the moment that arrived late that night, as a delay, even if just a little, was still welcome
The Shangyi Bureau presented the list of proposed invitations to Tongxi, "Oh, there is also a women's dragon boat team?"
As the Dragon Boat Festival approaches, the Emperor is indeed very busy. Sister need not be anxious; on the first day of the month, the Emperor will always come to my palace, and at that time, I will certainly make arrangements for you.
The hesitation in Guantao's eyes was quite bothersome to see.
Tong Xi furrowed her brows, unable to believe that the seemingly proud and aloof Guantao would be so eager upon encountering the Heavenly Sovereign.
Tong Xi was unaware of why the Heavenly Sovereign would mention Consort Zhao at this time, and after several references to Consort Zhao today, did he not fear that it would prick his heart and create discord with his favored consort
Tongxi replied softly, "I like them all." Generally, those in the palace do not easily reveal their preferences, and Tongxi was no exception when it came to the Emperor of Tianzheng; this was a matter of habit
This day holds special significance for everyone in the imperial palace, as the Dragon Boat Festival officially begins on this day. The palace maids are allowed to wear colorful garments that they do not usually dare to wear, and they can also adorn themselves.
Tong Xi suddenly raised her head and looked at the two maids who had followed her for many years, saying: "Forget what you saw today. If it gets leaked, you will not live to see another day." Tong Xi threatened fiercely, as she loathed all of this and could not bear the thought of others knowing about it. If it were not for the fact that such events did not occur just once, she would have needed someone to clean up after her every time. Xuan Xuan and Shu Bo had long been sent to the afterlife by her.
The sunlight spilled over her seemingly ravaged body, as if battered by wind and dew, making the Heavenly Sovereign unable to look away. The usually elegant and noble consort, Hu Tongxi, even in her shyness, carried the unique grace of a lady from a prestigious family. At this moment, however, she lay on the grass like a shattered jade doll, with the enchanting peonies behind her.
Tongxi recalled some unpleasant memories and suddenly felt a bit nervous. "The peonies are blooming really early this year," she said, somewhat disregarding the hierarchy as she turned her back to the Heavenly Sovereign and walked to the edge of the Linyuan Pavilion, pretending to admire the particularly early blooming white peony in front of her
The customs of the Jingxuan Dynasty have always been open, and the restrictions on women are not very severe. However, instances like that of the Princess of Jin are still relatively rare. "I believe Concubine Zhao would also be interested."
Upon seeing the emperor, adorned in a white silk robe embroidered with golden dragon patterns and wearing a purple jade crown with nine dragons, she hesitated for a moment. The man before her was in no way comparable to the beastly creature she had just encountered. At this moment, he was once again the lofty and unattainable Son of Heaven.
Tong Xi blushed, biting her lip, not wanting anyone to hear, fearing the worst of being caught, which would make her feel utterly ashamed, leaving her with no face to continue living. She resented the Heavenly Sovereign for never treating her as a consort, failing to give her the respect she deserved, and instead engaging in such acts in a place other than the bed.
After allowing the Heavenly Sovereign to ruthlessly ravage her body once more, she finally rose after a long while
After she left, Tongxi called Qi Yun, "Aunt, has anyone special been close to my elder sister recently?"
Without a moment's hesitation, Qi Yun replied, "One day in the Imperial Garden, I encountered the Empress Dowager's maid, Jin Xiu, who seemed to have exchanged a few words with Miss Guan Tao's maid, Rong Yan"
Tong Xi saw the cold light that flashed in Guan Tao's eyes
Guantao was dissatisfied but felt helpless. She did not believe that the Heavenly Sovereign could forget her. The palace maid from the Empress Dowager's side mentioned that the favored concubine intended to request the Emperor to arrange a marriage for her, indicating that this sister might not genuinely be helping her after all
What does the princess think of the women's dragon boat team
Tong Xi slightly opened her eyes, unable to see the countenance of the Heavenly Sovereign due to the backlight, and felt that it was indeed inappropriate for her to be seen in such a state. "Your Majesty..." she could only boldly request the Heavenly Sovereign to summon Xuan Xuan and Shu Bo to attend to her first
Tong Xi was momentarily at a loss. She had heard of the women's dragon boat team participating in the folk dragon boat races of the Jingxuan Dynasty, but the royal dragon boat races had never been seen before. However, being young, she was quite fond of these novel things. She had never met the Princess of Jin before. "Let me report back to His Majesty before making a decision."
Starting from the first day of the fifth month, the palace has the "Dragon Boat Festival". Every day, there are dragon boats playing in the Taiye Pool. By the fifth day of the fifth month, each royal residence will send out a dragon boat team to compete in the Taiye Pool, and the emperor and empress will go to the Riverside Palace to watch the races
She has no complaints
Your Highness. In the eyes of Xuanxuan and Shuboke, there were only tears of heartache
Tongxi felt a surge of joy in her heart, seeing that the Heavenly Sovereign did not seem to oppose it. "I believe that the dragon boat race is fundamentally an event of blessing, and the participation of the Princess of Jin is also a reflection of her sincere intentions."
Tongxi glanced at it; it was exactly the plum blossom shape she liked, embroidered with the design of a phoenix dancing in the nine heavens. It seemed that this Concubine Zhao had put some thought into it. "Sister Concubine Zhao is quite considerate." Regardless of how sincere Mu Zhaowen's feelings were, Tongxi felt that her superficial efforts were impeccable, showing none of the foolishness of those women who, having received a bit of favor, become oblivious to their own insignificance.
Tong Xi took half a step back, lowering her head. Here, under the broad daylight and outdoors, it was not like the last time in his study.
Tong Xi's heart tightened, and she could only allow the following Xuan Xuan and Shu Bo to withdraw, leaving only her and Emperor Tianzheng in the entire pavilion
No need, on the first day of the new year, the Emperor will come to the Tonghui Palace. Let's first see if Guantao has any value that warrants attention. Tongxi noted that the Tianzheng Emperor had not inquired about Guantao in recent days, and she did not want to waste her efforts in vain, only to end up being proven a joke.
I believe it would be more appropriate to change it to "Hurry to the Bamboo Pavilion for appreciation."
After Tongxi finished washing up, she leaned against the bed and asked, "Did you see the Emperor today, sister?" Guantao could no longer contain herself and burst in.
Yesterday, the Imperial Concubine composed a poem about the peony: "The peony enjoys the favor of spring, how could it ever envy the peony? How many days can the wheat harvest last, and the Grain Rain is only slightly cold. The jealousy often arises like the wind, and the delicate makeup seems to fade. The hibiscus washes silk alongside, forever lamenting the waves that separate us." I believe that 'the jealousy often arises like the wind, and the delicate makeup seems to fade' is slightly more exquisite than 'the charm of the peach and plum blossoms, the fragrance seizing the brocade breeze.' What does the Noble Concubine think?
Tong Xi lowered her head and waited outside the hall for a short while, when Jiang Deqi came out and said, "Your Highness, the Emperor requests that you wait at the Linyuan Pavilion."
The Empress's recollection of when she stepped outside is somewhat hazy; she only knows that when her mind became clear again, it was at the moment when Xuanxuan and Shubo exclaimed, "Your Highness".
Every year, the menu for the Dragon Boat Festival banquet must be presented to the emperor for his approval, and he naturally knows, "Is there anything regarding the dragon boat race?"
Tongxi rubbed her head, wondering how they could possibly wait until the first day of May to ask the Emperor for a decision. What Tongxi feared the most was meeting the Heavenly Ruler.
For a moment, I was reminded of the poems about peonies and Chinese herbaceous peonies. It seems that the woman before me is also someone who changes with the seasons. When the peony blooms, it is the unrivaled queen of flowers; when the Chinese herbaceous peony blossoms, it is so enchanting that there is no need to envy the peony, demonstrating a profound understanding of reality.
As the footsteps of the Heavenly Sovereign approached closer, Tongxi felt as if she could hardly breathe.
The days swiftly pass by in the hustle and bustle of preparing for the festival, and before one knows it, the first day of May has arrived.
From the moment the Heavenly Sovereign firmly grasped her shoulders, she knew her premonition had once again proven accurate. "Your Majesty, this, this goes against the ancestral family teachings, not to mention..." Tongxi had already retreated to the edge of the flower bushes, with no further retreat possible.
Xinxia has grown more wary of Mu Zhaowen. Although such a person does not possess an arrogant pride, they are indeed the best survivors in the harem. However, how could Tongxi know that Mu Zhaowen, having crossed over, does not remember every poem of the predecessors? She has merely chosen the one that resides in her heart, without considering any contradictory matters.
Finally, Tongxi felt the intense convulsions of the Heavenly Sovereign Emperor a few times, which indicated that he had come to a stop. Her mind finally relaxed, and she felt dizzy all over.
The difficulty lies in the fact that Tongxi can never understand whether the Heavenly Sovereign is speaking seriously or teasing.
It is necessary to first select the list of items favored by the Empress Dowager and send it to the Changxin Palace, as this is the Emperor's grace. Additionally, Tongxi herself must prepare rewards for each of the palaces.
Today, Tong Xi wore a lake green brocade palace dress, adorned with a snow-white and dark gold embroidered chrysanthemum pattern on the bodice. In early summer, she appeared much more refreshing, beautifully accentuating her tall and graceful figure. A gold peony-shaped pendant was attached to her forehead, making her stand out in the eyes of the Heavenly Sovereign, as stunning as the enchanting lotus of Wu Xiu and as beautiful as the brocade of the Shu River
Tongxi looked up in surprise, wondering if this poem, which carried a sense of sorrow for the spring and autumn, was considered inauspicious by His Majesty. She felt a wave of anxiety rise within her.
Your Highness, would you like this servant to keep an eye on Miss Guantao?
The Linyuan Pavilion is situated adjacent to the Hanguang Lake, a small body of water located to the left of the Hanyuan Hall. However, the scenery is exceptionally elegant, with willow branches densely hanging down to the ground or playfully fluttering on the water's surface. Sunlight filters through the willow branches, casting a gentle glow on the water, reducing the harshness and adding a touch of softness. Tongxi rarely visits this place, but the momentary beauty of the lake and mountains allows her to relax a bit from her tension
The Heavenly Sovereign leaned down, "Hmm?" inquiring about what she had just wanted to say
Tong Xi did not understand why she was blushing, so she quickly composed herself. For a moment, she recalled the peonies that had long since withered, and upon looking at the peonies before her, she was inspired to compose a poem: "In leisure, I admire the bamboo pavilion, admiring the pearl-like blossoms to the fullest. The leaves have already lost their green, while the flowers have only half unfurled their red. Their charm rivals that of the peach and plum blossoms, and their fragrance surpasses the silk and brocade. Whenever spring wanes, the beauty of blossoms is everywhere the same."
When the concubines of the third rank and above came to pay their respects to Tongxi, she, as usual, bestowed some jade leaves, five-colored willow, hairpins, and other auspicious items for blessings.
"What does the imperial concubine seek from me?" The voice of Emperor Tianzheng came from behind. Tongxi quickly knelt and bowed, her pair of royal blue brocade boots adorned with cloud patterns stopping in front of her.
"Inappropriate." The Heavenly Sovereign furrowed his brow
The Heavenly Sovereign nodded slightly and said, "Then it shall be permitted."
Tong Xi opened her eyes wide, is this flirting? She had never imagined that such words would come from the mouth of the Heavenly Sovereign, and his expression was so serious, as if saying this was perfectly natural.
Tong Xi instinctively struggled, she did not want it, she did not want a second time. The Heavenly Emperor sensed her struggle, fixing both of her hands above her head with one hand, while the other hand pressed against her roundness. Tong Xi felt an overwhelming sense of humiliation wash over her, causing her mind to come to a halt.
Tong Xi doubted whether she had misheard; was the Heavenly Sovereign joking with her? She firmly believed that the cold and indifferent Heavenly Sovereign would not do such a thing. For a moment, she did not know how to respond, and the flush on her face spread once again
I believed that the noble consort has always favored peonies, yet I did not expect her to also have a fondness for Chinese peonies. As the ancient saying goes, the peony is the king of flowers, while the Chinese peony is the minister of flowers. I wonder if the noble consort would be inclined to compose a poem for the Chinese peony.
By the time evening arrived, when the eunuchs at the palace gate announced the emperor's arrival, the entire Tonghui Palace finally settled down. Many of the palace maids had been granted permission by Tongxi to go to the Taiyi Pool to enjoy the dragon boats and dragon lanterns, leaving only a few people in Tonghui Palace.
Tong Xi smiled slightly, and without needing to hear those words, she could guess the meaning behind Du Gu Yuan Feng's intentions. The other day, when she took the initiative to bring up Guan Tao's marriage, it was likely to sow discord, making Guan Tao believe that she was being kept in the dark and that there were plans to expel her from the palace.
She only heard the sound of the fabric tearing, and felt a chill in her chest. Although all the teachings of propriety instructed her that she should sternly admonish and counsel the Emperor, she lacked the courage to oppose the Heavenly Sovereign. He was her benefactor, the source of all her wealth, honor, and glory; she was not devoid of desires.
This year, the Princess of Jin has formed a women's dragon boat team and wishes to participate in the competition. We kindly ask for Your Majesty's decision. Tongxi secretly glanced at Emperor Tianzheng and found him to be equally interested, showing no signs of displeasure
The jealousy of the wind and dew indeed highlights the beauty of the peony, and the Zhaofei truly possesses great literary talent. Tongxi recalled the peony poem by Zhaofei from a few days ago and found it amusing, but she felt it was inappropriate to say anything in front of Emperor Tianzheng; regardless of her true feelings, she had always been free of jealousy.
The Shangyi Bureau's Shangyi Road: "This was submitted by the Prince of Jin's residence. The Prince of Jin has not been in good health, so the Princess of Jin organized a team of women to participate in the dragon boat race." Shangyi was also uncertain about the meaning of the favored concubine, but since the Prince of Jin's residence is now entirely under the authority of the Princess of Jin, she did not dare to offend her and took the risk to submit it.
Tong Xi dawdled for quite some time before, under the urging of Aunt Qi Yun, she went to the Hanyuan Hall to meet the Heavenly Ruler, who mostly handled state affairs there.
As his gaze fell upon her bloodied lips, the atmosphere began to darken. Then, noticing the bloodstain in her palm, he suddenly pressed his lips against her cherry-red lips, catching her off guard
Qi Yun and the palace maids had long prepared the five-colored silk threads for the master’s use. As soon as Tong Xi got up, she instructed someone to send these five-colored silk threads, known as Changming Liao, to the masters of each palace. This item is widely believed to possess the ability to ward off disasters and evil.
Tongxi inquired again about the shape of the zongzi used for the Dragon Boat Festival banquet. Emperor Tianzheng chose the small pagoda shape. As for the filling, he hesitated for a moment. The list that Tongxi provided included both savory and sweet options. The sweet fillings included lotus seed paste, red bean paste, chestnut paste, and jujube paste; the savory fillings included salted meat, roasted chicken, egg yolk, dried shrimp, shiitake mushrooms, mung beans, and char siu.
Tong Xi received particularly many gifts from Mu Zhao Wen
The Empress Dowager enjoys sweet foods; let us order some lotus seed paste. The Empress Dowager prefers the filling with winter mushrooms. The Emperor Tianzheng gradually selected a few, "What flavor does the Noble Consort like?" The Emperor Tianzheng suddenly raised his head and asked
Once these matters are decided, a large number of chefs will be hired from outside the palace to work overnight to prepare the rice dumplings
The preparations here have been completed, and the Imperial Kitchen has sent over the menu for this year's Dragon Boat Festival banquet, along with the designs for the zongzi to be served this year. The type of filling required for the zongzi will also depend on the Emperor's decision
"Just the day before yesterday, the Empress Dowager composed a poem saying that the peony is enchanting yet lacks grace. Today, it seems that the poem of the Noble Consort is more fitting: 'Jealousy arises frequently, and the delicate makeup reveals a desire to fade.' It would likely be even more exquisite when applied to the peony." The Emperor Tianzheng gazed at the peony on Tongxi's forehead and remarked.
Long live Your Majesty. This humble servant is here to seek Your Majesty's guidance regarding the Dragon Boat Festival and the evening banquet. Tongxi had to exercise great restraint to prevent the Emperor from noticing the tremor in her voice