Chapter Eighty-Three: The Birthday Cake

That day, after finishing dinner in the Empress's palace, Zhu Youxiao asked for a Chinese chess set, intending to play a few games with her. Since he was completely ignorant of Go, chess was his only option. As they played, the Empress said with a smile, "Tomorrow is Consort Duan’s birthday. She would like to invite Your Majesty to dine with her." The air grew thick with jealousy, though, unfortunately, Zhu Youxiao remained oblivious.

"Oh, a birthday? I wasn't aware. You are truly thoughtful, Empress. In the future, you must tell me your birthdays in advance so I can prepare accordingly."

"What kind of preparations would the Emperor make? Do tell, I am quite curious."

Zhu Youxiao chuckled. "You will find out tomorrow, Empress. I must go make arrangements now; I shall return shortly."

Zhang Yan watched him walk away with a forced smile, gritting her teeth. She decided then and there that she would not allow him near her that night.

Zhu Youxiao, however, was entirely unaware. He summoned the head of the Imperial Kitchen and spent a long time explaining what a "cake" was. As for the recipe, he didn't really know it himself, simply instructing them to add eggs to flour and steam it like a bun. While there was no whipped cream, they did have candied fruit, which he ordered to be placed on top. As for the candles, that was simple enough.

When he returned to the Empress's palace, Zhang Yan had already gone to bed, claiming a stomachache. When Zhu Youxiao offered to summon an imperial physician, she declined, saying she just needed rest and urged him to go sleep at Consort Duan’s quarters.

It was only then that the realization dawned on him: the Empress was jealous. Yet, he still could not fathom what he had done to provoke it. He decided to stay, and after washing up, he climbed into bed, pulled the Empress into his arms, and asked, "Baozhu, where does it hurt? Let me soothe it for you."

Zhang Yan ignored him, turning her back. Zhu Youxiao took the opportunity to gently massage her abdomen. Zhang Yan froze; she was notoriously sensitive, a fact he had known for a long time. As his hands moved slowly upward, her stomach pain vanished, replaced by a different kind of sensation. Zhu Youxiao felt a surge of triumph. After their intimate encounter, he tidied up and asked her why she had been jealous of Consort Duan.

"I am not! How could I be jealous of Consort Duan?"

"None of that. I told you, when we are alone, drop the 'Your Majesty' and 'Imperial Consort' formalities. Address me as I do you, or call you Baozhu. What is really going on? Speak!" As he spoke, he gave her a light tap on her hip, causing her eyes to mist over with desire as she cast him a sidelong, sultry glance.

"I haven't recovered yet, don't tempt me. Give me an honest answer." Zhu Youxiao panicked, quickly declaring that he was currently in no state for further battle.

Zhang Yan scoffed lightly. "You never think of anything else. Baozhu is not jealous; I was just thinking that tomorrow Consort Duan turns sixteen. I still have half a year to go."

Zhu Youxiao understood. She was referring to the age he had set for when they could safely conceive. He comforted her softly, promising that the half-year would pass quickly and that she would surely bear him a healthy child. He finally managed to lull her to sleep.

The next afternoon, the head of the Imperial Kitchen delivered the cake. Pleased, Zhu Youxiao rewarded him with silver and had word sent for the Empress and Consort Wang to join them at Consort Duan’s palace.

Assuming the others had arrived, he carried the cake to Consort Duan’s chambers himself. The three women were discussing why the Emperor had gathered them. Consort Duan blushed and whispered, "The Emperor once told us the story of Ehuang and Nüying; could he be thinking of...?" In truth, Zhu Youxiao had previously suggested that she and Consort Wang share a bed with him. Now that the Empress was included, she wondered if he meant all four of them. Sharing a bed with Consort Wang was one thing, but with the Empress involved, it was impossible for her to agree. The thought made her blush even deeper.

Zhu Youxiao arrived just in time to overhear this, feeling quite delighted. He knew it was a tall order, as imperial sleeping arrangements were strictly recorded, and such an act would surely invite criticism from the ministers.

He stepped inside, lifted the cake, and announced, "Ta-da! The cake is here!" He set it on the table. The three women stared at the strange creation. Zhang Yan asked, "Your Majesty, what is this for?"

"This is a birthday cake, meant to be eaten on one's birthday." Zhu Youxiao explained the meaning of the candles, the numbers, and the ceremony in detail. He then taught them the birthday song, and soon, the melody of "Happy Birthday" echoed through the palace.

After the birthday wish and blowing out the candles, Zhang Yan asked, "What did you wish for?" Consort Duan blushed, and Zhu Youxiao quickly interjected, "You mustn't say it, or it won't come true." Consort Wang laughed, "Even if Sister Duan won't say it, I know what it is."

That night, Zhu Youxiao stayed at Consort Duan’s. Having turned sixteen—the age the Emperor deemed fit for pregnancy—she was filled with sweetness. She was particularly attentive, and after their intimacy, she kept her legs raised, refusing to let Zhu Youxiao move. When he asked why, she shyly smiled and said, "This is a method the Lady of the Imperial Birth taught us; she says it increases the chances of conceiving."