The scorching summer afternoon makes one drowsy.
After lunch this day, the Emperor originally planned to take a nap but, after some thought, decided to visit the Virtuous Concubine.
The Changyin Hall, where the Virtuous Concubine resides, is the closest to the Emperor’s Lingxin Palace, which highlights her status in the Emperor’s heart.
Upon arriving at Changyin Hall, a chorus of greetings arose. The Virtuous Concubine had a gentle and graceful appearance, with a delicate temperament. She seemed somewhat frail, appearing fragile and eliciting sympathy. She greeted the Emperor at the door, her voice soft and tender: "Greetings, Emperor."
Before the Emperor could speak, she raised her head, her eyes like water, gazing at the Emperor longingly, with admiration written on her face and eager anticipation in her eyes.
"Beloved concubine, rise." Clearly, the Emperor was fond of such a display; he quickly helped the Virtuous Concubine up, "Have you eaten, beloved concubine?"
"I have, and the weather is hot, Emperor, please take care of your health. I had Bai He make mung bean soup, thinking to send it to you later." With a gentle smile, the Virtuous Concubine sat down with the Emperor, her eyes brimming with tenderness, "The Emperor must have just eaten, perhaps he would like some fruit to cool off first? After that, would you like to take a nap here?"
"No, there are matters to attend to this afternoon." The Emperor gently patted the back of the Virtuous Concubine’s hand, "In a few days, I shall take you to a cooler place."
"Thank you, Emperor." The Virtuous Concubine was just about to rise and bow when the Emperor held her back, signalling her to sit, "I shall visit you again tonight."
The Virtuous Concubine nodded happily.
At this moment, a palace maid brought up a platter of fruit. The Virtuous Concubine used a small silver fork to pierce a piece of diced watermelon, bringing it to the Emperor’s mouth.
The Emperor ate it and immediately frowned.
"Emperor?" The Virtuous Concubine called out, anxiously unsettled.
"What’s wrong with this watermelon?" The Emperor, whose food and drink were always the finest, instantly sensed something was off upon tasting the less-than-fresh watermelon.
"What’s wrong?" The Virtuous Concubine was stunned, looking at the Emperor puzzled and anxious, "Is the watermelon not sweet? Then don’t eat it, please have some light tea instead?" The Virtuous Concubine picked up the teacup and offered it to the Emperor.
The Emperor looked at the plate of watermelon, then at the teacup with its bland tea. He remained silent for a while.
"Emperor, what’s, what’s wrong?" The Virtuous Concubine asked worriedly.
The Emperor smiled, reaching out to gently touch the Virtuous Concubine’s face, "Nothing’s wrong, I just remembered some matters that need addressing. You rest first."
After saying that, the Emperor quickly stood and left briskly.
"Respectfully seeing off the Emperor." A string of voices echoed behind him as the Virtuous Concubine and a group of palace maids bowed to bid farewell.
The Emperor didn’t even sit in his palanquin, walking angrily towards the Zhaoyang Palace where the Empress resided, with the Chief Eunuch following closely behind. He understood, the Virtuous Concubine was setting her eyes against the Empress, suggesting that the Empress sent the less-than-fresh watermelon.
The Emperor’s heart was filled with fury. He finally realized something was amiss. These days, the fruits he ate were ordinary, and the tea he drank was also plain. The Virtuous Concubine was favored by him, so many times good things were given to her, and he would join her to relish them. Yet recently, it seemed he hadn’t enjoyed any good things, hence nothing was given to the Virtuous Concubine. Today, when he ate the stale watermelon at her place and saw the insipid tea, he understood where the problem lay.
The Emperor’s diet and residence were managed by the Palace Supervision Office, while the Empress controlled the palatial affairs within the harem. Including the concubines’ allocations, food, and necessities, all were overseen by the Empress. Sometimes, good items offered by tributary states were also at the Empress’s discretion. In summary, the Empress of the Great Zhou Country held the highest authority in managing the harem’s affairs.