In the evening, Shen Tingjiao hosted a banquet at Anqing Palace for the civil and military officials. For a time, Yin Zhuli had not been staying in the palace. Shen Tingjiao had intentionally given her some space, not pestering her too much, which granted her a period of significant freedom.
This visit to the palace occurred at the end of the fifth lunar month. The waters of Penglai Pond were clear and gentle, and the lotus flowers were blooming once more, their fragrance drifting far and wide. After this cycle of departure and return, the flowers bloomed as they always had, yet the people and their affairs had changed completely. She stood with her hands behind her back beneath an old banyan tree by the pond, as passing ministers continuously exchanged pleasantries with her. Now that the King had pardoned their past offenses, their hostility toward Yin Zhuli had vanished without a trace.
On the surface, at least, Yin Zhuli was an easygoing person. She had no reason to make things difficult for them, and eventually, she followed the crowd into Anqing Palace with practiced humility. Anqing Palace was adjacent to the Imperial Garden and featured a water pavilion with upturned eaves like pecking birds and long bridges spanning the waves; the scenery was truly pleasant.
According to the customs of palace banquets, officials of the third rank and above were seated within the hall, while those below the third rank were seated outside. Yin Zhuli entered the hall. By rank, she was the Right Prime Minister, one level below He Jian, but as she was also the Empress, her seat was placed at the very front.
Shen Tingjiao did not even bother ascending the imperial throne. He stood directly beside Yin Zhuli’s low table, first speaking on the key points of the legal code’s revision and offering words of encouragement and praise to the ministers. Once the feast began, he sat down right next to Yin Zhuli. He had changed his incense today; his bright yellow robe was embroidered with dragon motifs at the collar, and the hem featured intricate patterns of waves and mountains. A jade belt cinched his waist, and he looked elegant and refined, possessing a noble and magnificent aura.
Yin Zhuli was busy chatting with Sun Qian, who sat nearby, about the labor service for the city walls. Shen Tingjiao waited for a long time and became quite displeased—this woman had been back in Chang'an for over a month, yet she hadn't come to the palace to see him even once! Now that he was actively showing her favor, she completely ignored him! But as angry as he was, his ministers were all present, so he could not lose his temper.
Sun Qian and Yin Zhuli moved from labor service to warhorses. He was a veteran official from the previous dynasty; it was he who had opened the city gates when Shen Wanyan entered Chang'an. Usually upright and honest, he held great prestige in the court. Such men generally had stubborn tempers; he often compared himself to the ancient general Lian Po and frequently challenged the younger generation to contests of riding and archery. Yin Zhuli appreciated his keen eye for judging horses and would consult him whenever she had the chance. Though she often received a cold shoulder, she didn't mind in the least.
Sun Qian grew spirited whenever horses were mentioned, speaking with such enthusiasm that spittle flew everywhere. Even when He Jian came over to pull him away, he wouldn't budge. He talked for a full hour until the banquet concluded. Shen Tingjiao sat on his throne, drinking in silence without saying a word. It wasn't until the banquet was dismissed that he finally let out a cold snort. "Yin Zhuli has shown contempt for imperial authority. Deduct one month of her salary!"
Yin Zhuli was baffled. "Where exactly did I show you contempt?"
Shen Tingjiao did not answer, instead flicking his sleeves and departing in a huff.
The next day, Shen Tingjiao hosted another palace banquet, again inviting the officials. Out of boredom, Yin Zhuli spent an hour playing *shefu* with several ministers. On the third day, Shen Tingjiao hosted yet another banquet. The officials were now filled with resentment—the distance from various government offices to the palace varied, and everyone had to enter the palace for the morning court, then return in the afternoon for the banquet. A banquet lasted an hour, and after being jolted home slowly in their official palanquins, they had no time left to get anything done!
Shen Tingjiao didn't care. On the fourth day, he hosted another banquet, leaving the ministers in tears as they ate.
By the fifteenth day, when he invited them again, the crowd couldn't take it anymore. These were clever people; if they couldn't endure it, they had to plot a way to save themselves! They gathered to discuss for a long while, and reflecting on the time someone had their salary docked, they began to sniff out the truth. Could it be—the King was sexually frustrated?! Everyone was quite pleased by this realization—it was high time for a Crown Prince.
He Jian analyzed the situation over and over and concluded that they had to give the King a hand. Yuan Dongcheng was particularly skilled in this area: "Prime Minister He, I have a bottle of 'Drip-Dew Peony.' Once added to the wine, hmph... I guarantee the King will be satisfied!"
As soon as he said this, Chen Yu’s face turned pale. "The King might be satisfied, but aren't you afraid Prime Minister Yin will pitchfork you to death?"
Yuan Dongcheng shrunk back and tucked away his Drip-Dew Peony. The group deliberated for a long time before He Jian finally came up with a daring plan.
That day, Yin Zhuli invited Zhao Yu, Chen Guangtian, and others to enter the palace for the banquet together. They all claimed they had unfinished business and told her to go ahead. When she arrived at the palace, she felt something was off. Usually, by this time, some people would have already arrived. Sure enough, when the feast began, she and Shen Tingjiao were the only two people in the entire hall. Even Chen Zhong and Chao Xi saw which way the wind was blowing and slipped away.
Yin Zhuli stood in the hall, staring blankly at Shen Tingjiao. Without any other distractions, Shen Tingjiao finally cast his imperial dignity to the ground. "Hmph!"
Yin Zhuli glanced at him sideways. "They’re the ones who didn't show up. Why are you huffing at me?"
Shen Tingjiao’s eyes reddened, and he charged at her like a bull, intending to pin her to the ground. But was Yin Zhuli so easily pinned? He ended up pressed against a low table, with Yin Zhuli looking utterly impatient. "Ninth Lord, even if you've become the Emperor, you still have to be reasonable. Clearly, they are the ones who didn't come today. At most, you can just fine them a month's salary tomorrow! No, fine them two months! I only slept for an hour last night and I still showed up, yet they dared to skip!"
Shen Tingjiao struggled but couldn't break free. Finally, he gave her a kick. "Shut up! Come here!"
Yin Zhuli looked down and saw his cheeks flushed like rosy clouds. She finally realized what was happening. "Holy... no way. You’ve been hosting banquets for half a month just for this?" She wailed, "Shen Tingjiao, can you be any more childish? If you wanted it, just say so! You’ve made me as busy as a spinning top for two weeks!"
Shen Tingjiao ignored her; at a time like this, attending to business was more important. He had been holding back for over three years; how could he restrain himself now? But Yin Zhuli felt quite helpless. "I really only slept for an hour last night, and I haven't even had dinner yet."
Shen Tingjiao flipped her over and pressed her onto the low table, reaching out to peel off her clothes. "What do you want to eat? Give the order first. By the time I'm finished, your food will be ready!"
Yin Zhuli wrapped her arms around his neck, a wicked smile playing on her lips. "Your Majesty is so fast; I'm sure the imperial chefs won't even be done by the time you are." Shen Tingjiao was greatly incensed and buried himself against her.
The next day, the Jiayu Emperor was late for the morning court. Seeing him sleeping soundly, Yin Zhuli didn't let Chao Xi wake him. She and the ministers waited in the hall for a full hour, but everyone was beaming with smiles, wearing expressions of mutual understanding between men. When the Jiayu Emperor finally appeared for court, he didn't look the least bit embarrassed. Now that Yin Zhuli was back, it seemed his skin had grown thicker as well...
From then on, Yin Zhuli mostly stayed in the inner palace. In the morning, she attended court with Shen Tingjiao; after court, she went to the Ministry of Revenue; in the afternoon, she inspected the Yin family businesses, attended social engagements, or wandered about; and in the evening, she returned to the palace. This schedule remained very consistent.
If the Jiayu Emperor’s doting on her had been somewhat principled before, then two months later, the Emperor became utterly decadent!
It was the height of summer in the sixth lunar month. Yin Zhuli had a poor appetite and spent her days drinking iced plum juice, unable to eat much else. Fortunately, there was plenty of fruit in the sixth month. Shen Tingjiao ordered people to rush deliveries of bayberries, lychees, and mangosteens by fast horse. After they were chilled on ice, she could manage to eat a little.
In mid-June, she began to grow lazy, no longer going to the Ministry of Revenue on time. Shen Tingjiao doted on her, thinking that since the weather was so hot, it was just as well if she didn't go out. He ordered Zhao Yu to deliver the documents requiring her attention to the palace every day. Zhao Yu knew she was the apple of the King's eye and naturally served Yin Zhuli with all his heart, providing detailed reports daily.
Despite staying in the palace to rest and nourish herself, by the end of June, Yin Zhuli had still lost a significant amount of weight. Shen Tingjiao grew anxious and finally sent for the imperial physicians. When the Imperial Academy of Medicine heard they were to examine Yin Zhuli, they didn't dare be careless; over a dozen of them arrived carrying their medical kits.
The Commissioner of the Imperial Academy was very cautious—he let Physician Qiu perform the initial diagnosis. He had his own calculations—this Empress Wenxu had always been as strong as an ox with a hearty appetite. If something had suddenly gone wrong, it would be fine if it were a minor issue, but if it were serious... whoever did the diagnosis would be the one to suffer.
Physician Qiu was also as tense as if facing a great enemy. In his heart, he prayed to the Buddha and Guanyin, calling upon every deity in the heavens—this ancestor must not have anything wrong with her! Then, he placed his hand on Yin Zhuli’s wrist. Immediately, he knew he had struck gold. "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Empress! This is a great joy, a monumental joy! Her Majesty is with child!"
Shen Tingjiao reached out to stroke Yin Zhuli’s still-flat belly. His expression was very calm, but his next words made even Chao Xi realize he had lost his mind: "Qiu Zhongfa, you are rewarded with a thousand catties of gold! From this day forward, you are promoted to the Director of the Imperial Academy of Medicine!"
Qiu Zhongfa was so happy he didn't know what to do with himself. He had only recently been promoted to imperial physician and was the most junior among the ten doctors, which was why the Commissioner had pushed him forward as a scapegoat. Who would have thought it would be a blessing in disguise? Beside him, the Commissioner’s heart turned green with regret...
The news of Yin Zhuli’s pregnancy quickly spread throughout the court, and all the ministers were overjoyed. Yin Zhuli, however, was troubled. She had been living in Shen Tingjiao’s sleeping quarters, but now that she needed to nurse her pregnancy, she naturally had to choose a separate palace. Shen Tingjiao was willing to follow her every whim; he would even move out himself if she asked. This was Yin Zhuli’s first pregnancy, and while she was used to being the center of attention, having the entire palace treat her like a fragile glass lamp made her feel restless. "How about... I go back to the Yin estate for a few days?"
Hearing this, Shen Tingjiao frowned. "Who has ever heard of an Empress going to her maiden home to nurse a pregnancy? Stay obediently in the palace. I shall grant Old Madam Yin the right to enter and leave the palace at will, so it is convenient for her to visit you. How does that sound?"
Yin Zhuli didn't argue further. In truth, she still didn't feel anything unusual. Was she really pregnant just like that? She hoped it wasn't a misdiagnosis...
In the end, Yin Zhuli chose Zhaohua Palace. Empress Dowager He personally arranged the rooms for her; she had given birth herself and had experience in these matters. Moreover, she had been longing for a grandson for ages, so she naturally did everything herself. The old friction between her and Yin Zhuli was temporarily set aside.
Yin Zhuli didn't want to fight her either. No matter what, she was Shen Tingjiao’s biological mother. Even if she lost badly, she would still be the Empress Dowager. But if Yin Zhuli lost, she would lose her life and her family's fortune. Thus, in the face of the Dowager's overtures of peace, Yin Zhuli did not go looking for trouble. The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law actually began to live in harmony.
After court, Shen Tingjiao would accompany Yin Zhuli, even moving his work to Zhaohua Palace to review memorials. Even during the two hours he was at court, he feared she would get bored and stir up some new trouble, so he brought Tianxin and Qingwan into the palace to keep her company.
Under everyone’s care, Yin Zhuli finally grew plump and sturdy. The King handsomely rewarded all the serving palace staff. Even the lowest-ranking maid in Zhaohua Palace walked with her head held high, feeling quite prestigious.
Empress Dowager He and Old Madam Yin spent their days in prayer and fasting, and the Jiayu Emperor ordered a general amnesty for the realm. The impending arrival of the imperial child brought joy to all of Great Xing. The palace was bustling with activity every day, and a smile was etched onto every face.
Tomorrow will only get better and better, will it not?
***
**Glossary**
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
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安庆宫 | Anqing Palace | A palace used for banquets and official functions.
蓬莱池 | Penglai Pond | A scenic pond within the imperial palace grounds.
孙虔 | Sun Qian | An elderly, prestigious official and expert on horses.
射覆 | Shefu | An ancient Chinese game of guessing hidden objects, often played at banquets.
滴露牡丹 | Drip-Dew Peony | A fictional aphrodisiac or tonic mentioned by Yuan Dongcheng.
丘仲发 | Qiu Zhongfa | The physician who diagnoses Yin Zhuli's pregnancy.
太医局 | Imperial Academy of Medicine | The department of imperial physicians.
昭华宫 | Zhaohua Palace | The palace Yin Zhuli chooses to reside in during her pregnancy.
嘉裕帝 | Jiayu Emperor | Shen Tingjiao's regnal title.
文煦皇后 | Empress Wenxu | Yin Zhuli's title as Empress.
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