She jumps off the swing, lazily stretching her slender hands.
The dew is heavy on the thin flower branch, a light sweat seeps through her shirt.
Seeing a guest, she runs away in her socks, her golden hair pin slipping off.
She leaves in embarrassment, yet pauses at the door to look back, and sniffs the green plums.
"Rouge Lips · She Jumps Off the Swing", by Li Qingzhao
Later that evening when the Emperor came to visit, Meiying still hadn't woken up. The Imperial Physician assured him that she was just exhausted and needed rest. Hongli was still anxious over one of his favorite concubine's health, finding this unusual from her past two pregnancies. He excused her from participating in the mourning ceremony as her health was more important to him. Leaving before the hour of the Dog, he journeyed back to Yangxin Hall to complete more paperwork as he waited for news about the status of Meiying. Yonghuang and Jingyi were worried as well, having trouble sleeping while she was unconscious.
For two days she didn't wake up, and slept through the death of her aunt, the Jingren Palace Empress. When Qingying went to tell her about Aunt's death with A'Rou, she found Meiying unconscious with Suyuan, Imperial Physician Qi and her children standing worriedly around her.
"What has happened to Meiying?" Qingying asked, worried that Empress Dowager also got to her as well.
"Mistress, was tired and dizzy and laid down for a nap but hasn't woken up. It's been two days and His Majesty is worried," Suyuan told her sadly, leaving out the part that she is pregnant.
"Mother Qing, is Mother going to be okay?" Yonghuang asked tearfully, not wanting his mother to die like Royal Grandfather did. He held Jingyi to him as she cried, wanting her mother's embrace.
Qingying kneeled in front of the five-old-boy, "Your mother is strong, one of the strongest people I know, she will wake up." She pulled the two children in for a hug as looked at A'Rou. "A'Rou, go inform Hailan and Lüyun about Meiying's condition. I'll stay here and make sure she's okay. Sanbao!" She called out to her personal eunuch.
"Here." The young eunuch entered, ever loyal to his mistress.
"Inform His Majesty that I won't be able to see him tonight. I'll be accompanying Younger Sister."
"Yes," he bowed before leaving.
Going into Meiying's bedchamber, she sat next to the sleeping woman and held her hand, praying that she would be okay.
The next morning, Hongli arrived at Meiying's chambers in the Prince's Residence, finding Qingying, Hailan and Lüyun there as well. Suyuan and Physician Qi were also there watching over her. Seeing some movement, everyone got excited that she might wake up seeing as the grand enthronement ceremony was the next day. Hongli sat next to her holding her hand, as her sisters stood behind him out of the way.
Clenching her eyes shut, Meiying opened them to see the relieved faces of her husband, sisters, and servants at her side. They were all smiling at her, which weirded her out. "What's going on? Why is everyone smiling?"
"You've been asleep for a few days, we were worried you wouldn't wake up," Older Sister told her gently with a smile, relieved that her younger cousin was okay.
"You worried us so, Sister Ming," Lüyun complained softly, holding her hand to her heart in relief.
"Though there is good news," Hailan announced, smiling at her friend.
"Is everything okay?" Meiying asked worriedly, looking from her sisters to her husband.
Rubbing her shoulder, Hongli smiled lovingly, "You're pregnant."
Her eyes widened in shock, looking from the Emperor to the Imperial Physician, "Physician Qi…"
"His Majesty is correct, Your Highness. You've been pregnant for two months now. I've already done some acupuncture to help stabilize the fetus, but I recommend bed rest until the first trimester passes," Imperial Physician Qi told her as he looked to the ground.
"But what about the national mourning? If I have the baby, won't it invite criticism of lack of filial piety for Your Majesty?" Meiying asked worriedly, though excited at the thought of another child, she didn't want to make it difficult for her husband.
"I've already explained to Royal Mother and the ministers the circumstances of your pregnancy. There is no ill will towards you, especially as it happened before Royal Father passed away," the Emperor assured her, easing her worries slightly as he pushed her back to the bed.
Meiying accepted his explanation but saw the look of sadness in Older Sister's eyes. She knew something else was going on. "What else happened? And don't try to hide it from me, I'll find out anyway."
Hongli sighed as he looked towards Qingying, struggling with what to say to his pregnant concubine. She stepped forward and kneeled next to the bed, holding her Younger Sister's hand. "Meiying, Aunt passed away while you were sleeping."
"What…? How? She was healthy when I last saw her," Meiying asked as tears filled her eyes, feeling the pain of losing a loved one all over again. "No… She can't be dead. She can't be!" She sobbed as she clutched at her chest, feeling her heart pounding.
"Meiying, you must calm yourself. You and your pregnancy are still unstable, and we don't know the cause of it. I can't lose you too," Hongli told her, gently pulling her into his arms as she sobbed into his chest. Qingying rubbed her hand up and down her Younger Sister's back, holding back tears of her own. Seeing that she wasn't calming down, the Emperor gestured for Physician Qi to give her a calming drought to settle her nerves and let her rest.
"Why does everyone keep dying?" She kept asking over and over quietly, until the medication kicked in and she fell asleep with silent tears on her cheeks.
Laying her down gently, the Emperor rearranged the covers before leaving her bedchamber, Qingying behind him to see that Yonghuang and Jingyi returned after visiting their siblings with the Momos. They had tears in their eyes as they heard their mother's sobs for Jingren Palace Empress. Though they had never met the woman, as she was detained and locked inside her palace before they were born, their mother had told them stories about her: her pride, her elegance, among other things. They thought their mother emulated her well, and to see her break down like this was heartbreaking.
"Physician Qi, Suyuan, I leave Concubine Mei in your hands. Ensure her and the baby's health and safety. I'll visit her after the enthronement ceremony tomorrow." Hongli told them before leaving. Qingying and the others leave as well their mood somber at the pain in their Younger Sister's eyes. The Momos take the children back to their rooms to rest and play with their toys.
Three days after Yongzheng's thirteen year, nine (lunar) months and three-day reign, Hongli ascended the Hall of Golden Chimes as Emperor Qianlong. Thus begins the reign of Emperor Qianlong, in Qianlong's first year in reign. At that time, he honored the late emperor as Great Emperor. Also, entitling his birth mother of clan Niohuru as Sage Mother, Empress Dowager. And his principal wife of clan Fuca was entitled as Empress.
During the Grand Enthronement, Empress Dowager was temporarily moved to Shoukang Palace, home of the Royal Consort Dowager, much to her frustration. She knew it was because of Jingren Palace Empress, though couldn't show her displeasure. She knew the renovations of Cining Palace was just a way to show his displeasure for her part in the Late Empress' death. Entering the palace, she immediately went to her residence, seeing that at least the decorations were proper for an Empress Dowager.
When her son's empress and consorts came to visit, they were dressed in formal attire appropriate for the auspicious occasion. The only one not present was Meiying, who was still in bedrest, much to the confusion of Langhua, Xiyue, Yuyan and Qiying. Wanyin was told by Lüyun what had transpired, since they were close.
The remaining eight women kneeled in front of the Emperor's mother in respect. Empress was on the right with Xiyue, Yuyan and Hailan on her side, while Qingying sat to the left with Lüyun, Qiying and Wanyin on her side.
"Greetings to Your Highness the Empress Dowager," Empress started as her greeting went first.
"Greetings to the Empress Dowager," the other seven repeat together.
"Rise," Empress Dowager commanded from her spot above them.
"Thank you, Empress Dowager," all eight said.
"Sit." The eight women got up and took their seats with help from their maids, looking at the Empress Dowager as she said with a smile, "I used to be an Imperial Concubine, and would rush to greet the Empress Dowager and the Royal Consort Dowager. Today, in the blink of an eye, I have become the Empress Dowager, looking at how young you are, and pretty like flowers."
"Empress Dowager, you are the beautiful peony which has blossomed, unlike we who are young and impatient. Just some unsightly reeds," Xiyue said, causing everyone but Qingying to giggle.
"You are good with words."
"Thank you to the Empress Dowager for your compliments," Xiyue bowed her head before looking back up at the older woman. "I'm not that smart. May the Empress Dowager please guide me."
"Today is the day that His Majesty ascended to the throne and you came back here to greet me. I have some instructions too." Empress Dowager continued to speak, "His Majesty is young and there are many concubines here. In the future, regardless of how many concubines there are, I don't want to see any dirty stuff. Behave yourselves."
"Thank you, Empress Dowager, for your advice. We will remember this in our hearts." The eight women responded together.
"Your Highness," Empress Dowager turned her attention to the new Empress, Fuca Langhua. "A few dowager consorts and I are already staying in Shoukang Palace. The six palaces to the east and west will be prepared soon for you to live in. As the Empress, stabilizing the inner palace is your responsibility."
"I understand," Empress said with an incline of her head. "After His Majesty's ceremony, I will allocate the six palaces among the many Imperial concubines. I will do a good job in this matter. If I don't understand something, I will still need Your Highness the Empress Dowager's guidance."
Empress Dowager nodded her head with a smile before turning her attention back to the rest of the women, "Other than this, there is still something else. It's a long tradition to place prominence over the first son and the son of main wife. The Emperor already has First Prince Yonghuang of concubine birth and Prince Yonglian of his main wife. Having another son is also very important."
"The first son born of the Emperor upon his ascension will be deemed an auspicious sign and a great honor." Empress elaborated for everyone else.
"Thus,you must do your best to provide the Emperor with the first-born son after his enthronement." Empress Dowager decided not to announce Meiying's pregnancy, knowing how most of the concubines would react and His Majesty had asked her not to.
"Yes," the eight women affirmed.
After the enthronement ceremony, the Emperor went back to Yangxin Hall to change before heading out to see Meiying. Empress came after changing outfits from greetings to the Empress Dowager to more informal wear. They were currently discussing Empress Dowager.
"Empress Dowager has entered Shoukang Palace. Is there anything she's unhappy with?" Hongli asked his wife as they walked past his study. Sulian and Wang Qin were behind them.
"Everything's fine. Although Shoukang Palace is smaller, the decor is considered elegant," Empress told him as they got nearer to a couple of seats. "But once the renovation at Cining Palace is done, Royal Mother should move in there immediately."
"I know that you're filial," the Emperor assured her, but didn't agree with her verbally. "By the way, did the Empress Dowager give Qingying a hard time?" He sat down as his wife stood in front of him.
"She didn't," Empress told him. "Why would she give her junior a tough time?"
"This is good then." He grabbed a cup of tea as he looked at his wife, "Be seated, Langhua." As his wife sat next to him, he asked, "Langhua, do you know why this is Yangxin Hall. Do you know how it got its name?"
She looked around, as if for a clue before softly laughing, "I'm not aware."
"When Royal Father was alive, he would always mention a phrase by Mengzi," Hongli explained before quoting, "'To cultivate your mind, begin by reducing your desire.' Hence he named it 'Yangxin Hall.' A person's desires, once they increase, the rights and wrongs increase too."
"Your Majesty is sitting in the high seat," Langhua smiled at her husband. "The kingdom is yours. So it's natural to reduce your ambition in order to cultivate your mind, but everyone from low to high depend on Your Majesty. We put all our aspirations on you, so how can we reduce our desire?"
"Thus, I hope that you will manage the inner palace well to make all the unprovoked right and wrong disappear, so that the inner palace can be at peace," the Emperor placed his hope on her much to her embarrassment.
"I understand. It's just that I'm not capable. I'm afraid that I may not do well," she admitted to him.
"How can this be so? You are virtuous and generous. If you put your mind to it, you will only do well. To add further, if there's anything you don't understand, you can consult Royal Mother."
"Your Majesty's instructions for me, I will remember this in my heart and won't dare to forget. Also…" Empress trailed off, not sure how to ask the question.
"Yes?" Hongli asked.
"About Sister Meiying, is she alright? We didn't see her today in our greetings to Empress Dowager."
"Ah, yes, I forgot to mention this to you but the Enthronement took my time," the Emperor gave a small laugh. "Meiying is pregnant, over two months along. The Imperial Physician has ordered her to rest, until the first trimester ends."
Though smiling on the outside, inside the Empress was panicking and knew she had to tell the others right away once she left. Curtseying, she said, "Congratulations, Your Majesty. Hopefully Concubine Mei can deliver a healthy prince or princess for you." Seeing his nod, she decided to leave and stood up, saying, "Your Majesty, you have exhausted yourself for the whole day. You should sleep early."
"You as well, Empress."
Curtseying to her husband, she announced, "I'm taking my leave."
The next morning, Empress met with Empress Dowager to discuss the ranks for the different consorts. Both times that she sent them to her were rejected without explanation, leaving the younger woman confused. So, she came to her to get her opinion.
"Royal Mother, the ranks for the consorts. You sent them back both times. Did I do something wrong?" Langhua asked worriedly.
"How did you write this? How did you amend this? You're the Empress. You must be thorough in everything," Empress Dowager reminded her, giving her daughter-in-law a meaningful look.
Catching the message, she tentatively asked, "Are you discontented with Lady Ula-Nara's and Lady Yehe-Nara's ranks?" Reading the silence, she kneeled in forgiveness, "It's my fault for not reading Royal Mother's desire sooner. May Your Highness the Empress Dowager please guide me."
"I know I can't do anything about Lady Yehe-Nara's rank, she has two children and another on the way. She must at least be a Consort." Empress Dowager grumbled to herself, knowing that she couldn't go after the young woman who was part of the royal clan. So, she decided to focus on the other object of her ire, "Where is Lady Ula-Nara?"
"She has been keeping vigil for three days at Jingren Palace," Empress answered. "Today should be the ceremony."
"Shouldn't she be here today?" Empress Dowager muttered to herself before turning to her most trusted servant, "Fujia."
"Empress Dowager, Mistress Qing is already here." Her servant answered.
"Let her in then." Fujia clapped her hands and a young maidservant guided Qingying inside with A'Ruo behind her. "Empress, take a seat."
"Yes."
As Qingying got closer, she kneeled down in front of the two women. "Greetings to Empress Dowager and Your Highness the Empress."
"The Jingren Palace funeral is finished?" Empress Dowager asked.
"My aunt was sent to the consort burial site this afternoon," Qingying said dully, still grieving for her relative.
"Empress Ula-Nara is your's and Meiying's aunt. Based on custom, you both should mourn for three years, but I will excuse Meiying because she is carrying a royal heir." Seeing the look on Qingying's face, she continued, "Let's do this. You don't need to go to your aunt's tomb. Why don't you just stay in the Emperor's old manor from before he was enthroned? You're not allowed to leave the manor without a decree and mourn for your aunt there for three years."
"Why must she mourn for three years?" The Empress was surprised at the Empress Dowager's decision.
"This will depend on how filial she is," the older woman told her daughter-in-law with a hard stare at one of the concubines she wanted to separate from her son. With Qingying not having any children, it is easier to be rid of her than Meiying.
"For the Empress Dowager's allowing for me to carry out my filial devotion at the old manor, I thank you. And I thank you for excusing Meiying from carrying out the customs while she's bedridden." Qingying told her, looking Empress Dowager in the eyes.
Meiying was still bedridden when the Emperor sent a message that he would dine with her tonight, his mind on Qingying's current predicament. The other concubines were loading their possessions onto carts to move to the Forbidden City. The majority of the concubines were excited at the next adventure in their lives, while Hailan and Lüyun were sad at the fact that Qingying was staying behind to mourn her aunt.
The concubines watched as Meiying gingerly stepped outside her room, hanging onto Suyuan and her personal eunuch, Huizhong as they carried her over to the sedan that will take her to the palace. Wearing a creamy yellow with light blue bordered changyi with pink flowers on it with a matching light blue underdress, she decided to forgo with a white Longhua collar around her neck. Her nail guards were on her ring fingers and little fingers and her hair was worn in the liangbatou style with decorations. Xiyue and Yuyan whispered to each other, wondering what was wrong with her since the Empress hadn't told them about her pregnancy yet. Lüyun and Wanyin go over to her to help as they lift the curtain to let her in.
Whispering thank you to the two women, Mingyue quickly sat down and listened as Suyuan directed other servants to gently gather her things to relocate to the Inner Palace. Once everything was done and everyone had packed their belongings, the caravan moved through the city to the palace. Her children were already in the palace, having moved there yesterday during the enthronement ceremony. Placing a hand on her belly, feeling the slight swelling, she knew her and her child's lives were in danger. Having the first son after the Emperor's ascension would gain her more enemies from those in the harem. But she'll protect her children no matter the cost, no matter who gets in her way.