Chapter 26: The First to Serve the Emperor

“Is Dr. Wen worried that Zhang Yuanpan might discover your improper use of medicine and fear being reprimanded?” the Empress said.

Wen Shichu could not refute this. “As Your Majesty says, I have only recently entered the Tai Yi Yuan, and indeed…”

“Rest assured, Zhang Yuanpan is kind-hearted and skilled. He will certainly not be overly harsh. Moreover, if you truly have shortcomings, he can provide timely guidance to help you improve your medical skills. Don’t you agree?”

At this point, if Wen Shichu did not agree, he would be ungrateful.

“Your Majesty is thoughtful and thorough. I thank Your Majesty.”

The Empress handed the scissors to Jian Qiu, her gaze inadvertently drifting toward Nian Shilan, clearly saying:

Well?

Is this move of mine not wise enough?

Nian Shilan snorted inwardly:

[Putting on a show for me again. But fine, let’s see how that bitch Zhen Huan can feign illness this time!]

If someone were to discover that she was feigning illness to avoid the Emperor’s favor, it would be a crime of deceiving the Emperor, and both the Zhen Family and the Wen Family would suffer.

After Wen Shichu left Jingren Palace and reached Long Street, he thought for a moment and then went to Suiyu Pavilion.

The Empress naturally knew that the Emperor would come today. She had intended to keep Consort Hua for a meal and even specifically told her that Jingren Palace had prepared duck soup today.

Nian Shilan did not avoid the Emperor’s favor, but she absolutely refused to compete for it, especially with the Empress.

She wanted to wait quietly for her brother to return, so that the whole family could leave this wretched place together.

Nian Shilan declined, “Thank you for your kindness, Empress. Yikun Palace lacks nothing in food or clothing, so I will not trouble you.”

[His appearance isn’t even as refined as Xiao Xiazi’s. Seeing him is less enjoyable than playing chess with Songzhi.]

The Empress couldn’t help but frown. Other things aside, saying the Emperor was inferior to a eunuch was truly going too far.

But once she said it, it did seem to be true.

[When you’re loved, willfulness is endearing. When you’re not loved, it’s just being unreasonable. Even if I stayed here, what good would it do? Could I somehow produce a child for myself?]

[But since you’re trying so hard to curry favor with me, I do want to remind you of something…]

The Empress held her breath, waiting, but only heard her say:

[Never mind.]

The Empress: “…” Why stop at such a critical moment?

Nian Shilan remembered that the Empress had asked the Emperor if he wanted to go to Yikun Palace, so there was no need for her to ask again.

She also felt that she had no real connection with the Empress and that it was unnecessary for her to say anything more.

[Never mind. If the Empress wants to test the Emperor’s intentions, let her. After all, the Emperor is thinking of his Wanwan and can’t wait to settle in Suiyu Pavilion. He wouldn’t come to me anyway, so testing him is just annoying.]

After Consort Hua left, Huichun, thinking that the Empress always cared most about the Emperor’s meals, came over and said:

“The small kitchen is already preparing dinner. Would Your Majesty like to go and check?”

“I trust you all to handle things well.” She didn’t want to worry about it anymore.

The Empress glanced at the Green Chrysanthemum beside her. “Send it back to the Flower House.”

“Your Majesty, this Green Chrysanthemum is rare. Since it has been sent over, why not keep it?” Huichun said.

“I have no interest in keeping something that belongs to the Green Noble Lady.”

The Green Noble Lady’s thing?

Where did the Green Noble Lady come from?

Huichun was utterly confused: Could it be that the flower’s name is “Green Noble Lady”?

Jian Qiu didn’t care about that. She looked at the Peony beside her, which was the Empress’s favorite. “Later, have someone fertilize the Peony. It will bloom again next year.”

“His Majesty the Emperor has arrived—”

Hearing Jiang Fuhai’s announcement, the Empress fixed her gaze on the book in her hands. The daylight had not yet faded.

She was unwilling to rise immediately to greet him, so she pretended not to notice. Only when the Emperor drew near did she act as if suddenly awakened, standing up to perform the proper courtesies.

“Greetings, Your Majesty. I failed to notice Your Majesty’s arrival and was remiss in welcoming you. I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness.”

The Emperor flicked his prayer beads, signaling for her to rise, then sat down and asked, “What are you reading so intently?”

“Nothing of great importance.” Knowing the Emperor’s suspicious nature, the Empress simply showed him the book’s cover. “Principles of Correct Diet.”

“What made you think of reading this?” The Emperor glanced at it.

“As the seasons change, I thought of finding a few dietary recipes to help regulate Your Majesty’s health. I didn’t realize I’d become so absorbed.” The Empress sat beside him. “Your Majesty has come quite early today.”

“I finished my tasks for the day and came straight away.”

The Emperor accepted the tea offered by Jian Qiu, took a sip, and remarked casually, “I heard Consort Hua came to see you. Why is she not here?”

Not only did she come—

She nearly stayed for a meal, but fled upon hearing you were coming, didn’t she?

The Empress smiled gently. “Consort Hua came to discuss palace affairs with me. It is precisely because of her assistance in managing matters that I have the leisure to read such idle books.”

Perhaps out of old habit, she followed the conversation’s flow and asked, “Starting today, the new consorts may serve in the bedchamber. Does Your Majesty still plan to visit Consort Hua tonight?”

The Emperor’s hand paused slightly as he set down the teacup lid. “Is the Empress testing my intentions?”

The Empress suddenly recalled Consort Hua’s words and, in that moment, understood her meaning.

But in all honesty, this time she truly had no intention of testing him.

She even sincerely hoped he would go to Consort Hua.

“I dare not presume to guess Your Majesty’s will.” Best to send him off now, lest he stay for a meal and ruin her appetite. The Empress raised her hand. “Let us invite Your Majesty to select a consort.”

Xiao Xiazi, standing to the side, clapped his hands. Xu Jinliang from the Jing Shi Fang entered with his apprentice, carrying the selection trays.

As the Emperor made his choice, the Empress instinctively glanced at Xiao Xiazi. Remembering Nian Shilan’s words, the corners of her lips curved upward.

Aren’t all the women in the various palaces as beautiful as flowers?

Yet the eunuchs in the rear palace are not as pleasing as those serving before the Emperor.

His Majesty truly understands the principles of balance in nurturing life—compensating for what he himself lacks in appearance by selecting attractive attendants.

While the Empress was lost in thought, the Emperor gazed at the selection tray.

Although the Sun Family is related by marriage to the Nian Family, the Sun Clan woman entered the palace selection without seeking the Nian Family’s influence. This shows Sun Zhuhe still has some sense, knowing he is my subject.

Sun Miaoqing has also been quite restrained since entering the palace, not taking advantage of her connections to visit Yikun Palace in advance.

She even seems intent on distancing herself from the Nian Family.

Even if Consort Hua is aware of certain matters, she is, after all, merely a woman and cannot easily influence Nian Gengyao’s decisions. The Emperor would not allow the Nian Family to grow too powerful based solely on a few words from Nian Shilan’s heart.

Moreover, promoting the Sun Family, while partly due to the Nian connection, is not entirely because of them.

Sun Miaoqing’s brother, Sun Zhuhe, can still be of some use.

Setting down his teacup, the Emperor remarked tactfully, “I heard that during today’s joint palace audience, one of the new consorts was particularly eloquent? Even Consort Qi was no match for her.”

How swiftly news travels in the palace.

“Consort Qi has the most amiable and generous temperament. She enjoys joking with everyone and would yield to anyone.”

This statement could be taken as a jest or as a veiled criticism.

The Empress had originally intended not to expose the Emperor’s implication, letting him choose whomever he pleased.

But once the words left her mouth, she felt it was inappropriate.

Sun Miaoqing, reborn and well-prepared, was ambitious. Rather than choosing her, the Empress would prefer Zhen Huan, as at least Consort Hua was clear about her future movements.

The Sun Clan was an unknown variable, far too uncertain.

The Empress could not simply stand by, but Zhen Huan had contracted the epidemic, and the Tai Yi Yuan had already reported it to the Jing Shi Fang. Her Green Head Plaque had not been placed on display.

“Attendant Sun is clever and will surely win the Emperor’s favor,” the Empress said, following the Emperor’s lead, then added, “However…”

“What is it?”