Chapter 24 Part 2- Hiking

Names mentioned in this chapter (which can also be found in the glossary):

-廖青青(Liào qīngqīng)- Liao Qing Qing, the female lead. 

-曦嫔(xī pín)-Imperial Concubine Xi, Liao Qing Qing’s current designation

-景礼帝(jǐng lǐ ​​dì)- Emperor Jing Li, the male lead.

–梁贵妃(liáng guìfēi)- Noble Consort Liang

-廖贵人(Liào guìrén)- Noble Lady Liao, the female lead’s paternal elder cousin. 

–蒋贵人(Jiǎng guìrén)- Noble Lady Jiang, the female lead’s “best friend”

–谢绎(xiè yì)- Xie Yi, a given name of Xie manor’s third son, also known as General Xie and Xie Zi Xing. He was the person Liao Qing Qing went on a blind date with. 

–谢将军(xiè jiāngjūn)- General Xie, refers to Xie Zi Xing. He was the person Liao Qing Qing went on a blind date with. 

Current Ranking: Noble Consort Liang → Worthy Consort + Virtuous Consort → Imperial Concubine Xi →  Lady Li of Graceful Ceremony → Noble Lady Liao + Noble Lady Jiang

Accompanied by a group of imperial guards, Emperor Jing Li continued to ascend the mountain.

If Emperor Jing Li hadn’t said he had been poisoned, Liao Qing Qing really wouldn’t have noticed it. Look, His Majesty looks handsome while climbing the mountain! Liao Qing Qing’s gaze shifted from the tall figure of Emperor Jing Li to look at Noble Consort Liang.

Noble Consort Liang still had a gentle but imposing appearance. She said, “His Majesty has great matters. We have our small matters. Let’s go.”

“Yes.” Several concubines answered.

Liao Qing Qing took a closer look. This time, the ones who came were Noble Consort Liang, Lady Ye of Bright Deportment, Lady Wu of Satisfying Deportment, plus Noble Lady Liao and Noble Lady Jiang. Including her, there were six imperial concubines surrounded by guards.

She heard that there were also mountain patrols, so it was extremely safe.

Liao Qing Qing followed Noble Consort Liang to walk forward.

A place that was not polluted was different. The air was fresh and there were all kinds of birds chirping. Occasionally, she could see a few birds flying by when she looked up. But she had never seen any of them before.

What a magical country.

She was in awe.

It is good to be outside.

She happily looked around and arrived at the Half Mountain Temple, located midway of the Wansui Mountain. The temple was small but extremely exquisite. After Liao Qing Qing and the others offered incense, they came to the temple’s back garden.

Several rows of chrysanthemums were planted in the back garden. They were very elegant.

The abbot also prepared chrysanthemum wine, chrysanthemum cakes, cornelian scented capsules, etc. for the imperial concubines.

Probably because of the Double Ninth Festival, happiness could be seen on the originally dignified Noble Consort Liang’s face.

After partaking in the vegetarian dishes and Double Ninth Festival’s pastries together, Noble Consort Liang said to Liao Qing Qing and the others, “Today is a festival. Your Majesty is certainly at the top of the mountain at this time to drink. You don’t have to hold back. There is a lot of scenery nearby. You may also go for a walk to have a look.”

After Noble Consort Liang finished speaking, no one dared to move.

Liao Qing Qing also didn’t dare to move.

Noble Consort Liang had no choice but to say, “Since you are not going, then Bengong[1] will go.”

Noble Consort Liang went ahead and left the back garden of Half Mountain temple with the palace maids.

Lady Ye of Bright Deportment followed suit.

Then, Lady Wu of Satisfying Deportment also left.

Noble Lady Liao and Noble Lady Jiang also left afterward.

When Liao Qing Qing was also about to follow them, Noble Lady Liao suddenly looked at Liao Qing Qing. She quickly averted her gaze as if she had committed a crime.

???

Liao Qing Qing’s feet immediately halted.

Caught by surprise, He Xiang asked, “Mistress, what’s wrong?”

“I’m feeling a little uneasy inside.” Liao Qing Qing said.

“Uneasy?” He Xiang hurriedly inquired, “Are you not feeling well, Mistress?”

“No,” Liao Qing Qing responded.

“Then you are…” He Xiang’s face was filled with worry.

“There is nothing wrong with my body.” Liao Qing Qing frowned slightly and said, “I just feel that something is going to happen.”

He Xiang asked, “What is it?”

Liao Qing Qing looked at He Xiang with trepidation.

He Xiang looked confused. “This maidservant[2] doesn’t understand.”

Liao Qing Qing thought about it and said, “He Xiang, we’d better not leave. Just stay here. We can view the mountains and streams here anyway.”

“This maidservant will comply with Mistress’ orders.” Upon seeing this, He Xiang nodded and said, “Whatever Mistress wants this maidservant to do, this maidservant will accompany Mistress.”

Liao Qing Qing smiled when she heard that, and nodded her head.

Both she and the original owner had no friends in this imperial harem. The only thing that comforted them was that He Xiang was always loyal to her.

This was already better than good.

Subsequently, He Xiang stayed with Liao Qing Qing in the back garden of Half Mountain Temple.

Although her harem intrigue skills were not comparable to Emperor Jing Li’s, she was in no way a fool. This was such a good opportunity right now. The three of them, Noble Consort Liang, Noble Lady Liao and Noble Lady Jiang, would be sorry for themselves if they did not do something bad to her.

What bad thing would they do?

Liao Qing Qing really couldn’t figure it out.

In that case, she wouldn’t make a move.

Let’s see what these three people were up to!

She leisurely sat in the back garden to enjoy the Double Ninth Festival’s pastries and chrysanthemum tea, during which a monk from the Half Mountain Temple came to serve her tea and pastries. There was nothing out of the ordinary.

This made her wonder a little.

Is she overthinking?

No.

It’s better to think too much than if something goes wrong. 

Her life is at stake!

She pulled her mind back from the scenery of Wansui Mountain. She looked around the back garden and saw that the backdoor was open.

At a glance, the cascading mountains outside the courtyard could be seen.

The continuous undulated clouds and mist with the chirping of the birds from time to time.

Like a celestial realm on earth.

“Mistress, it’s so beautiful here!” He Xiang sighed with emotion and said.

Liao Qing Qing reached out to pull He Xiang’s arm and said, “Be careful. It is a ravine below. If you were to fall down, breaking your leg is the lightest injury.”

He Xiang’s heart felt warm. She said with a smile, “Mm … Mistress, you should be careful too.”

Liao Qing Qing nodded and raised her eyes to look at the distance. If there were no soldiers doing their patrolling, it would really feel like a paradise on earth.

She closed her eyes to breathe in the fresh air.

Suddenly she smelled smoke, she opened her eyes and asked, “What is that smell?”

He Xiang asked in response, “What, what smell?”

“Don’t you smell it?” Liao Qing Qing asked.

He Xiang sniffed carefully.

Liao Qingqing looked around for a while and saw unusual clear smoke rising from the nearby premises, she immediately asked He Xiang, “What’s going on there?”

“Mistress, that’s smoke from the kitchen’s chimneys.”

Smoke from the kitchen’s chimneys?

Liao Qing Qing stared at the thick smoke rising from the kitchen’s chimneys.

At the corner of her eyes, she caught a glimpse of a tall figure heading towards their way.

It is Xie Yi!

It is actually Xie Yi!

Her heart tightened and she hurriedly asked He Xiang, “Is the kitchen right over here?”

He Xiang nodded. “It’s over here.”

“There’s so much smoke, right? Is it noon? Is it time to cook?”

“Mm. In a moment, His Majesty should be heading this way.”

“His Majesty is heading this way?”

“I think so.” He Xiang responded, “Mistress, you forgot that His Majesty is going to have his meal here at noon.”

“That’s bad,” Liao Qing Qing abruptly said.

He Xiang’s face also turned solemn. “What’s wrong?”

“General Xie is coming over to patrol.”

“Normally, General Xie would patrol.”

“He’s different!”

When Liao Qing Qing finished her sentence, she wanted to go towards the back garden. When she raised her eyes, she found that the door leading to the front yard was closed. It was as if someone had sealed the exit on the outside.

If she were to enter the back garden right now, Xie Yi would come over to inquire about the security issues. If she happened to bump into Noble Lady Liao and the others, then… The next thing she heard was the sound of imperial concubines talking from the front yard.

This is a disaster!

She suddenly understood the intent of the three, Noble Consort Liang, Noble Lady Liao and Noble Lady Jiang.

Noble Consort Liang must have learned about her past from the two of them, Liao and Jiang!

Regardless of the original owner or her, her behaviour and demeanor after entering the imperial harem were such that one could not pick out the slightest fault.

The only thing that could cause criticism was the blind date with Xie Yi.

But the blind date happened before the concubine selection.

This matter was not a big deal in the Wei Dynasty.

After all, in order to increase the population, the great ancestors and the late Emperor had been encouraging widows to remarry. Moreover, they all married more than one widow.

The matter of “blind date” couldn’t be harmful to Liao Qing Qing.

Emperor Jing Li didn’t mind it.

But if she were to have a “clandestine meeting” with a man she went on a blind date… That would be unfaithfulness!

Unfaithful to Emperor Jing Li!

A dead end!

A fatal move!

Noble Consort Liang’s move is too vicious!

Liao Qing Qing panicked.

What to do? What to do?

Go back to the back garden?

No way!

She went back to the back garden with her first foot. Xie Yi must have thought that Noble Consort Liang and the others were also in the back garden. He would enter candidly and inquire of the security situation.

It turned out that she was the only imperial concubine here.

The other imperial concubines would come back and see the two of them “alone”. That’s a “clandestine meeting”!

Should she stand still?

She also can’t do that!

Looking at Xie Yi coming straight towards her place, and that they would soon meet. What is the difference between this scene and a “private meeting” in the eyes of Noble Lady Liao and the others? They will definitely throw dirty water on her and Xie Yi as much as possible.

Meanwhile, Noble Consort Liang will definitely help them.

Even if Emperor Jing Li believed them this time, then what about next time?

This matter would definitely be a ticking bomb for her and Xie Yi in the future. 

It is possible that one day it would explode.

No, she won’t give Noble Lady Liao and the others a chance!

A single courage to fight welled up in her heart.

Her eyes darted and saw the soldiers across the ravine.

The soldiers on patrol had seen her.

She calculated the time and distance in her mind.

F*ck!

I’ll put everything at stake!

She suddenly tugged at He Xiang’s wrist.

He Xiang was startled. “Mistress.”

“Mistress will make it up to you later.”

After Liao Qing Qing finished her sentence, she turned around to leap towards the ravine.

He Xiang also fell along with her. The sudden turn of events caused her to scream.

This sound startled all the soldiers who were on patrol.

They all turned to look this way.

Noble Lady Liao, who had just entered the back garden, heard the scream.

She was stunned at first. Then, there was happiness in her heart.

Success?

Is it successful?

It definitely succeeded!

Maybe His Majesty had returned from the top of the mountain and coincidentally saw the adulterous pair Liao Qing Qing and Xie Yi, which caused Liao Qing Qing to scream in fear.

What a wonderful event!

Noble Lady Liao thought and felt extremely excited.

She said a sentence ‘what sound is it? Let’s quickly take a look.’ Then, she speedily untied the rope on the courtyard door, pushed open the door and quickly walked towards the back garden door.

At a glance, she saw a group of people circling around the back garden.

She also saw Xie Yi, who had an ugly expression.

She felt overjoyed.

It seemed that it was successful.

She and Noble Lady Jiang looked at each other and revealed a smug smile. Then, they heard an anxious voice, “Qing Qing! Qing Qing!”

It’s His Majesty’s voice?

Only His Majesty’s voice…

How come it is not quite the same as they imagined?

[1] 本宮 (Běngōng) – I, the one who owns this palace. Such as the queen will call herself ‘the palace’, and the princess with the official title can also call herself ‘the palace’.

[2] 奴婢[núbì]- I; your humble servant (term of self-address used by servants, maid-servants and eunuchs when addressing the emperor, minister, concubines, etc.)