The Times Spent in Pretense

Within the imperial study in Chenyang Palace, the emperor was right in the middle of reviewing a small mountain of memorials. When he caught sight of the crown prince arriving, he was too lazy to even lift his head. “If you’re lacking money, then go find Zhao Sancai and have him open Our personal storeroom. We are busy.”

“Imperial Father.” The crown prince went forward and saluted the emperor. From the pile of memorials, he fished out the one pertaining to Lin Zhou’s reassignment. “Son-Official is not here to ask for money. Rather, Son-Official is here to file a complaint.”

“Who dares to scold you?!” Emperor Changlong set down his imperial brush, brows furrowing in displeasure. He glanced at the memorial in the crown prince’s hand. “Lin Zhou?”

“No one dares to scold Son-Official. Imperial Father has misunderstood.” The crown prince placed the memorial regarding Lin Zhou’s reassignment and transfer in front of Emperor Changlong. “Son wants to make some trouble for the Lin family. Won’t you help me?”

“What happened?” Emperor Changlong understood his son well. Normally, if someone said anything unpleasant about him, he would at most complain a little. Unless that official truly committed a big crime, he would not say these words.

“Lin Zhou truly raised a good daughter.” Then the crown prince relayed what had occurred between Lin Wan and Hua Liuli. “Son-Official thinks that Lin Wan is just a young girl. There’s no way she would know or understand the significant matters of the court. If it wasn’t for Lin Zhou talking about them in his household, how could Lin Wan dare to say such words to Commandery Princess Fushou?”

“In these peoples’ eyes, are We someone unable to accept capable subjects, someone who forgets favors and violates justice?!” said Emperor Changlong after learning the entire situation, so angry that he threw aside Lin Zhou’s reassignment papers. “In order to defend against our enemies, Yingting almost died on the battlefield. It’s enough that these people don’t recall his contributions fondly, but they actually keep hoping that We will spurn the Hua clan!”

Fury burned through Emperor Changlong’s heart toward those people who threw assumptions without a care. And with it, regret toward the Hua clan. They had defended Great Jin’s borders generation after generation, to the point where many of them perished on the battlefield. Even now, two of Hua Yingting’s sons were still stationed in the bitterly frosty Qinghan Prefecture so that Great Jin’s common people could spend their days in peace.

How rotten must one’s heart be to say such words?

“We think certain people are envious over the fact that the Hua family has accumulated so many meritorious contributions, and so can’t bear to see them do well.” The more Emperor Changlong thought of it, the more furious he grew. He and Hua Yingting had been friends since their youth. Back then, in order to stop the previous emperor from deposing the then-crown prince, the Hua family had spent an unimaginable amount of effort. Although Emperor Changlong had never declared aloud the affection he felt toward them, he had never forgotten their actions.

And now these people kept wishing he’d put the Hua family in order?

In your dreams!

Rage coursed through his veins, and when this happened, Emperor Changlong would make trouble for people. Although he was a reasonable emperor, he still had his temper. As such, Emperor Changlong placed Lin Zhou’s reassignment papers all the way at the bottom of his pile of memorials and petitions.

Then he had a sizable amount of treasures from his personal storeroom placed into a few large trunks, and had the head eunuch of the imperial palace, Zhao Sancai, deliver them to the Hua estate in person.

If people wanted him to scold the Hua family, then he would bestow the Hua family many good things.

He did not believe that those people would still think he’d make things difficult for the Hua family.

However, people’s hearts were hard to fathom. On the night of the day Emperor Changlong had bestowed things to the Hua clan, many officials learned of the news.

“While popular sentiment is with the Hua clan, there’d actually be someone who’d say that their glory days won’t last for long in front of one of their members. Goodness…” A sigh. “How could Lin Zhou raise such a stupid daughter?”

“No wonder His Majesty bestowed the Hua clan with so many things to appease them. Third Young Master Hua placed first on the spring exam, and not long from now will be the Hundred States Banquet. If we allow the envoys to hear that people insulted the Hua family, which contributed greatly to Great Jin, right after they returned to the capital, how could our entire Great Jin still have any face?”

“The Lin family’s daughter won’t be able to preserve her position as Princess Consort Ying.”

The next day, once morning court concluded, Emperor Changlong summoned the crown prince to the imperial study, so that he could join him in reading memorials. He was the emperor. His son would be the emperor in the future. As such, Emperor Changlong could not allow himself to be the only one to suffer and tire.

Father and son got along well. Although Emperor Changlong saw the crown prince slack off, he could not bear to scold him. That said, the crown prince could extinguish the flames of his anger in two to three words.

“Your Majesty, Her Highness Consort Lin has asked for an audience.”

Emperor Changlong recalled that Consort Lin was someone whose hands never lacked a book. She practically never came to the imperial study to ask for an audience. Yet today, she actually made an exception. Truly a rare occurrence.

“Allow her entry.”

Consort Lin had fair skin and good looks. A woman who was as weak as a willow tree. Once she entered the room, she saluted Emperor Changlong, steeped in propriety. “This concubine greets Your Majesty.”

To which Emperor Changlong raised a hand, indicating for her to stand. “Consort Lin, for what reason have you come now?”

She bit her bottom lip, turning her head to glance at the crown prince, expression one of awkwardness.

The crown prince arched a brow. He was a good crown prince who treated everyone fairly. He did not leave when Consort Xian had come, so now that Consort Lin was here, he too was much too lazy to leave.

That way, she wouldn’t accuse him in the future of being biased and affecting the peaceful relations of the harem.

“This concubine has come to apologize to Your Majesty.” Once again, Consort Lin curtsied. “This concubine has failed to teach my paternal niece properly. May Your Majesty please forgive this concubine.”

Not long after Lin Zhou had placed first on the Palace Exam, he took office in a different location. Thus, Consort Lin and Lin Wan did not meet privately anymore. However, since such a situation had occurred, as a paternal aunt of Lin Wan, she must come out to apologize.

What’s more, there weren’t any other people in her paternal family; she only had Lin Zhou, her elder brother. For his sake, she could not bear to see Lin Wan receive too harsh of a criticism due to what had occurred.

“You and the Lin family’s daughter don’t have any opportunity to meet. We will not blame you for this matter,” said Emperor Changlong in a consoling manner. “Don’t take to heart what happened. Return and rest well. We are well aware of the situation and know what to do.”

“Your Majesty, this concubine and my elder brother lost our parents in our childhood. And we depended on each other in our youth. In these past years, Elder Brother has only one son and daughter beneath his knees. May Your Majesty take into account his service as an honest official, and deal with Lin Wan leniently.”

“What’s there to deal with about little girls being too impulsive with their words?” Emperor Changlong’s tone held indifference. “Have Lin Zhou bring his daughter home and teach her properly, so that she knows what ought and ought not to be said. Soldiers sacrifice their lives on the battlefield. Don’t let children thoughtlessly talk drivel and upset them.”

“Yes, this concubine understands.” But as Consort Lin took in the emperor’s serene appearance, fear entered her heart.

“We and the crown prince still have matters to attend to. You are dismissed.” Emperor Changlong lifted his head. Glanced at her. “That’s right. Go and tell Mistress Lin that the marriage between Our eldest son and Young Miss Lin is unsuitable.  We think it is better to cancel the engagement.”

What she had been most worried about transpired.

Consort Lin’s complexion grew deathly pale. Eyes reddening, she said, “Your Majesty, Lin Wan is still a child. She has already understood her wrongs now. May your honored self give her one more chance—”

“Since she is a child, this indicates that marriage is unsuitable for her,” said Emperor Changlong, tone somewhat cold. “A child cannot become Princess Consort Ying.”

Translated by Sleepchaser at https://sleepchaser.wordpress.com/ If you read it anywhere else besides Sleepchaser’s wordpress, that copy was stolen.

Consort Lin was well aware of the fact that the emperor was in a state of anger. This matter not only caused him to be discontent with her elder brother’s entire family; one would fear that even she had become implicated.

“Your Majesty.” She dropped to a kneel before Emperor Changlong, quiet sobs spilling from her lips.

“Stand,” said Emperor Changlong. He sighed. “Don’t overthink it. Old Fourth is already quickly approaching the age when he will be conferred a title. How would you look if you keep crying like this?”

Conferred a title?　

Once Consort Lin heard that the emperor would confer her son a title, she was certain that he wouldn’t take out his anger on her and her son due to Lin Wan’s situation.

“This concubine was momentarily unable to keep my emotions in, and allowed Your Majesty to witness a joke.” She wiped dry the corners of her eyes. A palace maid supported her to a stand. “This concubine will inform Eldest Sister-in-Law of Your Majesty’s decision.”

The crown prince took in Consort Lin’s appearance, one of smiling through tears. And he thought, It’s still Liuli who looks better. She’s pretty no matter what expression she’s wearing.

When Mistress Lin arrived at the palace to pick up Lin Wan, her gaze fell upon her taciturn daughter. And she could not help but sigh. “Your father isn’t in a good mood today. Once you return home, properly apologize to him. Don’t make him unhappy again.”

Not a word left Lin Wan’s lips.

“If I had known you would cause so much trouble after entering the palace, then I wouldn’t have allowed you to go two days ago.” Seeing her daughter remain silent, Mistress Lin criticized herself, saying, “It’s my fault. I should have reminded you to stay away from Commandery Princess Fushou. A household like theirs would naturally raise delicate children. If you fight with her, the only person eating losses will be yourself.”

“A household like theirs?” At that moment, Lin Wan’s emotions grew turbulent. “What kind of household does she even have? Father used to be the governor of Yongzhou Prefecture. I’m not worse than that person! So why do I always fall short of her in everything?!”

Lin Wan’s outburst frightened Mistress Lin. She fell into a daze for a moment. Once she realized what her daughter had uttered, she kept wiping away her tears as she said, ”What are you saying? Your father and I suffered so much to raise you. I never thought you would actually think like this.”

Hearing her mother’s sobs, Lin Wan grew silent once more.

Mistress Lin sobbed the whole way back. It wasn’t until the carriage stopped in front of the Lin estate’s main doors did she wipe dry her eyes. Then she turned her head and repeatedly urged Lin Wan not to anger her father again.

Head lowered, Lin Wan followed behind Mistress Lin. Once they stepped through the doors, she noticed that it was incredibly quiet inside. The servants trembled with fear as they stood in the corners. Her father sat in the reception chamber, a grave expression on his face.

Her footsteps stalled; she hesitated before going forward.

However, Lin Zhou merely cast her a glance. The picture of disappointment, he got up to leave. He did not utter even a word of reproach.

Lin Wan watched as her mother chased after him. She took a seat on an ice-cold chair.

“Are you hungry?” Not long after, her elder brother, Lin Sen, arrived carrying a tray of pastries.

LIn Wan shook her head. “I don’t have an appetite.”

“You should still eat a little.” A moment of hesitation, then Lin Sen added, “Early this morning, news spread saying that Dad’s transfer papers were put at the bottom of the list  in the imperial study. Who knows when his case will be revisited? Father isn’t in a good mood right now, so don’t take it to heart.”

Bitter laughter spilled from Lin Wan’s lips. She remained silent otherwise.

Within Lincui Palace, Consort Xian sighed again and again. She touched the hair by her temples, and could not help but complain to Prince Ying, saying, “Sooner or later, you will anger this palace into having a head full of white hair.”

“If your honored self agreed back then to have Commandery Princess Fushou become my princess consort, then I wouldn’t be a bachelor right now.” Following that, Prince Ying  muttered, “This can’t be blamed on me…”

“Back then, you agreed with me,” said Consort Xian. “Who would have known that Lin Zhou would teach such a daughter?”

Even if His Majesty were suspicious and jealous of the Hua family, one shouldn’t say these kinds of things right now. Wouldn’t that just be slapping His Majesty’s face?

“Oh my son, and I thought it was hard for poor civilians to marry a wife. Never had I thought that a prince like you would find it so difficult too.”

Mother and son sighed.

One because of not having a daughter-in-law.

The other for not agreeing to take Hua Liuli as his wife back then.

Author’s Note：

Crown Prince: I am a person who pays particular attention to things. Especially when it comes to fairness.

The imperial concubines: ???