Concubine of the Eastern Palace (Qing Dynasty Time Travel)

The location for the gathering was chosen for its open view and shaded by dense foliage. The gentle breeze from the plains caressed the tent, its direction indistinguishable but refreshing to both body and mind.

The Eldest Consort Irgen Gioro had a kind demeanor. She sat upright at the head seat, dressed in a green silk blouse embroidered with butterfly patterns, layered with a crimson robe adorned with gold double-happiness symbols. Her headpiece was set with turquoise and gold, exuding both elegance and nobility.

Today’s outing was her suggestion to the First Prince, proposing that while the men were out hunting, she could gather with the ladies from other residences for tea and conversation. The First Prince understood her intention — to use this opportunity to build better relations with his younger brothers. After all, the women accompanying the princes, whether official wives or favored concubines, held enough influence to have a say in household affairs.

Usually, the Eldest Consort maintained a dignified demeanor and refrained from associating with concubines, even managing the household ladies strictly. Therefore, the First Prince was pleasantly surprised when she took the initiative.

Gratified, he patted her hand and said warmly, “You are the First Consort; it’s a bit beneath you to mingle with concubines. You must be feeling wronged.”

Though slightly reluctant, the Eldest Consort did not feel slighted. Among the princes’ households, she was the only official wife, while the others were all secondary. What choice did she have? This rare opportunity to network was beneficial for both her husband’s reputation and her own, so why not seize it?

Still, before leaving, she made sure to wear a crimson outfit to assert her status.

Cheng Wanyun did not pay much attention to her choice of color. However, the Third Prince’s secondary concubine, Lady Tian, seated to the left of the Eldest Consort, silently rolled her eyes. With a baby face and petite frame, she wore a pastel pink robe embroidered with flowers and adorned her hair with a matching pink hibiscus flower, making her look fresh and lively.

Hmph, wearing red as if it made her superior!

As soon as the Eldest Consort turned back, Lady Tian resumed her sweet, charming demeanor.

To Cheng Wanyun’s right sat two concubines, both around her age: Lady Song of the Fourth Prince and Lady Liu of the Fifth Prince.

Lady Liu had recently been assigned by Concubine Yi to serve the Fifth Prince after the princes were collectively punished for skipping studies. She had elegant bone structure, wearing a robe of sapphire blue embroidered with chrysanthemums, paired with a cinched waist vest that highlighted her slender figure. Pretending to focus on her tea, her peach-blossom eyes were instead fixed on Cheng Wanyun with curiosity and friendliness.

Ah, so this is the one favored by the Crown Prince. No wonder she’s as beautiful as the rumors say!

Cheng Wanyun had no idea that stories about her were circulating among the princes’ quarters. Liu Gege, who was favored by the Fifth Prince, felt a strong connection to Cheng Wanyun because they shared a common background—her father was also a county magistrate.

This gave Liu Gege a special sense of camaraderie with Cheng.

In contrast, Song Gege had a delicate, refined appearance and dressed modestly. She wore a light blue silk blouse with lotus patterns, layered with a robe of the same color embroidered with clouds and cranes. Her hair was styled simply, adorned with a single pearl tassel hairpin set with agate.

Unlike Liu Gege, Song Gege had once been a palace maid serving the Fourth Prince. After the princes’ infamous escape from studies, Concubine De selected two concubines for the Fourth Prince. It was only then that he suddenly favored Song Gege, elevating her from a maid to a concubine.

However, Song Gege knew well that the Fourth Prince did not particularly care for her. He merely used her presence to avoid favoring the women sent from Yonghe Palace, pleasing neither party too much.

This awareness made Song cautious and restrained, never daring to speak or act freely. She had come to this gathering only because the Fourth Prince wanted her to attend. Otherwise, she would have preferred staying inside, quietly embroidering.

As she gazed slowly beyond the tent, she noticed the princes gathering around to roast meat, the charcoal smoke wafting with the breeze. A wave of melancholy washed over her as she sighed inwardly: ‘When will we be able to go back?’

If Cheng Wanyun knew what Song Gege was thinking, she would surely see her as a kindred spirit.

Sitting among unfamiliar faces, Cheng found even polite conversation awkward and felt her posture becoming stiff. The Eldest Princess Consort’s polite yet authoritative demeanor reminded her of dining with a superior.

Sensing the tension, the Eldest Consort stood up with a warm smile and said, “You are all younger than me, at an age when you should be chatting and laughing. Why sit so silently? Don’t be shy! You talk amongst yourselves; I’ll be back shortly.”

Lady Tian quickly rose as well, taking the Eldest Princess Consort’s arm with a smile. “Sister-in-law, let me accompany you.”

The two, assisted by palace maids, made their way to a smaller tent nearby to change attire.

Seeing them disappear into the distance, Liu Gege suddenly scooted her chair closer to Cheng Wanyun and whispered, “Cheng Gege, you’re so beautiful.”

Caught off guard, Cheng Wanyun blinked. “What?”

The palace women usually spoke in cryptic language; she had never encountered someone so direct since entering the palace!

Liu Gege laughed, her bright eyes sparkling.

“Shall we sit together during the meal later? Look, this little hairpin on my head—I made it myself.” She pointed to a small, finely crafted blue flower hairpin in her hair, crafted in cloisonné enamel. It was impressively lifelike.

Cheng Wanyun, captivated by the craftsmanship, marveled. If Liu hadn’t mentioned it, she would have thought it came from the imperial workshops. Clearly, Liu was a master of her craft.

“You’re amazing,” Cheng Wanyun praised sincerely.

Liu Gege grew even happier. “I have plenty more hairpins, even floral ones. What designs do you like? I’ll give you some!”

She didn’t forget Song Gege, who was sitting silently nearby. “Song Gege, do you want one too?”

Song Gege snapped back to attention and quickly waved her hand. “No… no, thank you.”

“Oh, don’t be shy! Meeting each other is fate. I was almost bored to death by myself. From now on, let’s have fun together,” Liu Gege said enthusiastically, pulling both Cheng Wanyun and Song Gege into her chatter. “Do you like playing shuttlecock? I brought so many little things to pass the time. How about we play tomorrow? Oh no, wait, silly me! Cheng Gege can’t play shuttlecock right now. But I also have spinning tops! I’m great at spinning them! Or how about—”

Song Gege, overwhelmed by Liu Gege’s boundless energy, blushed deeply and kept shaking her head. “We’ll probably have to travel tomorrow…”

“Then how about coming to my carriage to play board games or dominoes? I brought those too! Don’t worry, Fifth Master won’t be around. He’s always out riding horses anyway. I already told him to stay out all day tomorrow so we can have fun undisturbed.”

Cheng Wanyun couldn’t help but smile.

Before her were two extremes: one socially anxious, the other a social whirlwind.

Fortunately, the Eldest Consort and Lady Tian soon returned. Liu Gege’s sharp senses caught their approach before they even entered. Instantly, she slid her chair back to its original position, picked up a piece of pastry, and daintily took a quiet bite, looking calm and composed.

Song Gege blinked in confusion, still processing what had just happened.

Cheng Wanyun lowered her head to sip her tea, struggling to hold back her laughter.

The Eldest Consort and Lady Tian resumed chatting about household management and dealing with unruly servants. Song Gege’s eyes glazed over as she mentally drifted away. Meanwhile, Liu Gege finished an entire plate of pastries and drank two cups of tea, while Cheng Wanyun’s cheeks ached from suppressing her laughter. She barely sipped her tea, avoiding the outdoor food altogether.

Before their discomfort grew unbearable, servants finally delivered several large platters of grilled meat from the princes.

The Eldest Consort and Lady Tian received platters containing half a roast duck and a rabbit, neatly sliced by eunuchs and arranged on the plates. They were also served roasted eggplant with garlic, grilled tofu, and two skewers of roasted rice cakes.

Cheng Wanyun, along with Liu and Song Gege, received only rabbit, but they too were served the vegetarian dishes.

Cheng Wanyun immediately recognized the grilled vegetables as arranged by the Crown Prince. The novelty clearly surprised everyone, as they marveled at the new flavors. The garlic-infused roasted eggplant was so aromatic it was impossible to ignore.

Liu Gege, forgetting about the Eldest Consort’s presence, leaned forward to inhale deeply and closed her eyes in delight. “This smells amazing!”

She couldn’t believe the cooks at the palace retreat were so skilled—the aroma alone was even better than anything in the imperial kitchens!

The eunuch delivering the food smiled warmly and announced, “Greetings to the esteemed ladies. These vegetable dishes were specially ordered by the Crown Prince and prepared by the palace kitchen. The princes themselves personally grilled the meat. The Crown Prince mentioned that balancing meat with vegetables adds a unique flavor to the meal. Please enjoy, Eldest Consort, Lady Tian, and esteemed Gege.”

The Eldest Consort rewarded the eunuch with a smile. “Is this eggplant? What an interesting preparation.”

Lady Tian narrowed her eyes and added, “No wonder everyone praises the Crown Prince for his thoughtful care…”

Though she only spoke half a sentence, everyone except Cheng Wanyun understood her implication.

Back in the palace, they had heard rumors that the Crown Prince’s meals were often personally prepared by a certain favored concubine, forcing the secondary concubine Li to retreat in frustration without any recourse. Lady Tian had firsthand experience with the Crown Prince’s peculiar habits when the Third Prince once instructed her to send eunuchs to learn how to make chicken wraps from the Yuqing Palace chefs. He even tried brewing his own peach oolong tea, muttering, “Second Brother treasures that tea, so I’ll just make it myself.”

Furthermore, even with Cheng Gege pregnant, the Crown Prince insisted on bringing her to Rehe.

Such actions might go unnoticed by men, but palace women were keenly attuned to these dynamics. The Eldest Consort had fought hard to suppress rival concubines since her marriage, while Lady Tian had clawed her way up from the status of a concubine herself. In their backcourt rivalries, as long as no lives were lost, the princes rarely intervened.

Therefore, the Crown Prince’s overt care for Cheng Gege evoked mixed feelings of envy and bitterness. It was clear he wouldn’t leave her unattended in the palace, insisting on keeping her close to protect her personally.

Women confined to the backcourt were especially sensitive to signs of favoritism. The Eldest Consort and Lady Tian became more vigilant, resolving to tighten control over their own concubines. Meanwhile, the concubines of other princes gazed at Cheng Wanyun with a mixture of admiration and longing.

Everyone had heard of Cheng Gege before but was meeting her in person for the first time.

Now, the distinctive grilled vegetables and meats before them provided tangible proof of her favored status beyond mere rumors.

Notably, while her plate appeared similar to the others, the preparation of the dishes was clearly different. The rabbit on her plate was evidently seasoned with a spicy mala flavor, unlike the honey-glazed versions everyone else received.

Even the vegetable selection seemed tailored to Cheng Gege’s personal tastes.

The Eldest Consort felt a pang of sourness in her heart—how remarkable that the Crown Prince remembered the culinary preferences of a concubine! Looking at her own plate of roast duck, she found it increasingly unappealing. She had always disliked duck for its gamey flavor, but the First Prince never remembered. After bearing three daughters, he quickly retreated to the company of concubines, blaming her for failing to produce a son.

The mere thought soured her mood further. She only picked at the eggplant before setting her chopsticks down.

Lady Tian, on the other hand, had no such frustrations. Her father was a skilled scribe, and she had been educated from a young age, sharing a passion for law and calligraphy with the Third Prince. After successfully securing her title as a secondary concubine, she held authority over the concubines in her household, who relied on her permission to even meet the prince monthly. Thus, she looked down on both the Eldest Consort and the other concubines with quiet disdain.

She had an equal disdain for everyone—none of them were worth her respect!

Yet not a hint of it showed on her face. She chatted pleasantly with the Eldest Consort, her words refined and elegant, making others feel at ease.

When the Eldest Consort set down her chopsticks, Song Gege quickly followed suit and resumed her daydreaming.

Liu Gege, however, paid no attention to such formalities and focused solely on her food, eating until her plate was spotless.

Cheng Wanyun couldn’t help but smile at the sight of the juicy, spice-coated roasted rabbit before her. Perhaps the Crown Prince remembered her mention of craving spicy rabbit head and rabbit cubes and had this prepared for her.

Despite the custom of remaining silent during meals, Liu Gege slid her chair closer to Cheng Wanyun, her lively eyes silently conveying her delight—every glance practically shouting “delicious!”

Cheng Wanyun nearly burst out laughing again.

Still, she found the meal somewhat hard to swallow. It felt like one of those awkward team-building dinners where participation was mandatory!

Finally, the gathering ended. He Baozhong summoned a young eunuch to escort her. Cheng Wanyun immediately stood up and politely bid farewell to the Eldest Consort, Lady Tian, and the two Gege. Most exchanged standard pleasantries, but Liu Gege sincerely grasped her hand with genuine reluctance. “Cheng Gege, it’s rare to be outside the palace. Let’s meet up again soon.”

Cheng Wanyun, finding Liu Gege’s straightforward personality amusing, agreed without hesitation. Since Liu Gege was affiliated with the Fifth Prince, there was no need for caution.

As for Song Gege… oh, she was still lost in thought.

Some of the princes rode back on horseback, while the Eldest Consort and her group took sedan chairs. The Crown Prince resided at the Bakshi Camp Palace, while the other princes stayed further away at separate lodgings, so they parted ways early.

Since the Bakshi Camp Palace was only a two-quarter-hour walk from the deer park, Cheng Wanyun and her escort returned on foot.

Once back with the Crown Prince, Cheng Wanyun finally breathed a sigh of relief. Reaching for his hand, she found his palm warm and slightly flushed from the several cups of mare’s milk wine his brothers had insisted he drink. His hand felt like a comforting source of warmth in the crisp autumn chill—perfect for warming her own hands.

Without hesitation, she pulled his hand toward her and clasped it with both of hers.

Yinreng chuckled. “Didn’t the attendants give you a hand warmer?”

“The warmer is heavy and stiff. Your hand is much more comfortable.” Cheng Wanyun leaned into him, her smile sweet and radiant.

Yinreng relented, allowing her to hold his hand as they strolled leisurely, occasionally commenting on the wildflowers and grass by the roadside. Cheng Wanyun also spotted numerous tea stalls, small roadside stands, and peddlers carrying goods. They lingered just outside the imperial guards’ perimeter and seemed reluctant to leave. Surprisingly, their businesses thrived, with small groups of customers gathered at almost every stall.

Cheng Wanyun was amazed at their boldness—following the imperial entourage and setting up shop along the way!

Yinreng, however, was unsurprised. “They’re just local villagers. The Emperor decreed that the hunting expeditions shouldn’t disturb the common people. Besides, with us bringing Eight Banner officers, soldiers, princes, attendants, and guards—thousands of people marching together—there’s a huge demand for food and supplies. So naturally, merchants flock to sell their goods.”

These peddlers followed the imperial convoy from afar, setting up tents and booths whenever the court camped or stopped at a palace, creating an atmosphere similar to a bustling town market.

Cheng Wanyun, itching with curiosity, wanted to explore.

Being outside the palace was rare, and she felt like she had suddenly entered a vibrant, lively world. Everything fascinated her. Opportunities like this would be scarce once they returned to the palace.

Clinging to the Crown Prince’s arm, she shook it gently. “After dinner, can we go for a stroll?”

Yinreng, softened by her coaxing, instructed He Baozhong to find plain civilian clothing and bring a pouch of copper coins. The coins were easy, but the clothes posed a challenge. He Baozhong had to sheepishly ask Echu to send someone on horseback to a nearby town to purchase some from a tailor shop.

By the time the clothes arrived, they had finished their meal and were rested.

Cheng Wanyun styled her hair in a simple bun and removed all her hairpins and ornaments. After some effort, she dug out a plain silver hairpin from the bottom of her jewelry box—the same one she had brought when she first entered the palace. Dressed in a modest cotton blouse and skirt, she resembled an ordinary commoner.

Yinreng wore a long blue robe with a dark-colored outer vest, looking every bit like a refined scholar.

Cheng Wanyun couldn’t help but cover her mouth and laugh.

“Madam,” Yinreng said with mock seriousness, taking her hand, “I just received my pay yesterday, and my purse is full. Let’s have a proper outing today. What would you like to buy?”

Playing along, she waved a handkerchief and teased, “Since you’re so generous, I’ll have to think carefully. As they say, children choose; adults take it all! So how about cosmetics, jewelry, clothes, and shoes—let’s get a bit of everything, alright? No being stingy!”

Yinreng laughed until his stomach hurt. “Where did you hear that nonsense?”

Laughing and chatting, they stepped out together. Guards and attendants, all in disguise, dispersed into the crowd.

It was twilight, and the setting sun cast a red glow over the sky while a crescent moon peeked over the treetops. Stalls lined both sides of the road, crowded with merchants and buyers, even more bustling than before. Yinreng wrapped an arm protectively around her shoulders, holding a lantern in the other hand, as Cheng Wanyun eagerly examined the simple trinkets and goods that seemed crude and unimpressive to him.

His palace life had rarely allowed outings, and even when he did leave, it was for official duties, leaving no time to wander. Visiting a street market was a novel experience for him as well.

They purchased clay figurines, candied hawthorns, and a box of rouge. At one booth, a storyteller had drawn a crowd around a worn wooden table. Cheng Wanyun tugged Yinreng to stop and listen for a while. The storyteller, with his captivating voice, told humorous tales that had the audience erupting in laughter time and again.

Cheng Wanyun was truly overjoyed.

She never imagined she would have the chance to leave the palace and explore a market. The experience not only opened her eyes to a vibrant world but also dispelled the lingering worries and anxieties she had carried since becoming pregnant.

In that moment, she felt fully alive and unafraid.

That night, as they lay in bed, she couldn’t resist slipping into the Crown Prince’s blankets. Hugging him tightly, she showered him with kisses until he gently pushed her away, gasping. Any more, and he wouldn’t be able to hold himself back.

Unexpectedly, she leaned close to his ear and kept whispering thank-yous, unable to stop herself from biting his earlobe lightly.

She always thought the Crown Prince had adorable ears—small, round earlobes, soft and pleasant to touch. During their more intimate moments, a bite to his ear always made him move with renewed intensity.

This time, that familiar nibble left Yinreng both frustrated and restless. Grabbing her firmly, he pulled her into his arms, wrapping her tightly against him.

Cheng Wanyun wriggled slightly but stopped when she heard him rasp hoarsely, “Please, enough, my dear ancestor.”

His tone carried a hint of gritted teeth, and Cheng Wanyun immediately behaved herself.

Once she stayed still, Yinreng gritted his teeth and pulled a copy of ‘The Heart Sutra’ from under his pillow, reciting it twice.

When he finally calmed down and turned to look at her, she was already fast asleep, snuggled against his arm and softly snoring.

Yinreng: “…”

Exasperated, he glared at her, but she remained blissfully unaware. At one point, she even rolled to the other side of the bed, kicking her blanket to the foot of the mattress. With a helpless sigh, he pulled the blanket back up and tucked her in tightly before planting a gentle kiss on her forehead.

Unable to fall asleep, Yinreng decided to sit up and read for a while. But the cabinet only held ‘The Travels of Xu Xiake’, ‘Records of the Grand Historian’, and an assortment of storybooks. He randomly picked one and started flipping through it.

What began as a quick glance stretched longer and longer. Intending to stop after fifteen minutes, he instead found himself captivated, reading the entire book in one go. By the time he finished, yawning and groggy, it was already close to midnight.

Realizing they had to depart by midday and ride for half a day, Yinreng quickly extinguished the candle and forced himself to sleep.

Half-asleep, he felt as though he were falling from a great height, plunging into an endless abyss of darkness beneath his feet. Startled, he didn’t wake but instead sank deeper into a dream.

He soon realized—he was dreaming again.

Memories surfaced of when he had decided to bring A Wan along. Everyone had thought his indulgence in her had crossed the line, to the point of irrationality. Yet he alone understood that beyond his affection and favoritism, there was a hidden, selfish reason buried deep within his heart—one connected to these strange dreams.

He wanted to know whether the dreams would continue once they left the inner chambers, the Yuqing Palace, the Forbidden City, and even the capital itself.

Was the dream tied to the place or to the person?

Now it seemed his suspicion was confirmed. The dreams had nothing to do with their location. Though previously confined to the inner quarters, the dreams followed him even hundreds of miles away from the capital.

The one constant triggering these visions was A Wan. Only with her by his side did he dream of the future.

In the chaos of his dreamscape, clarity struck him like lightning.