Chapter 303

Chapter 303 Upon seeing Xie Run, Concubine Lu respectfully performed a bow. "Your servant greets the Bright and Pure Consort. May the Bright and Pure Consort be at peace!" Xie Run was playing with Taotao when she saw Concubine Lu bowing. She smiled helplessly. "We haven't even entered the palace yet, and you're already keeping your distance from me?" Concubine Lu did not hide the smile on her face. "Your servant wanted to offer congratulations to you in advance, Sister, and also share in the joy myself." She made no effort to conceal her happiness. Xie Run said, "If we're going by the rules, you shouldn't call yourself 'your servant.' You should refer to yourself as 'this concubine.'" Concubine Lu laughed. "Your servant never dreamed in her wildest imagination that she would one day become a person of the palace." After all, back then, her greatest wish had simply been to no longer be a maidservant that anyone could bully. Xie Run asked, "How is the packing in your courtyard coming along?" "The palace's carriage procession is already waiting outside the residence. It's better to finish packing early so we won't be rushed when the time comes." Concubine Lu replied, "Your servant doesn't have many belongings. I've already finished packing." "Then why have you come here?" "Just to chat with you for a bit, Sister Xie." Xie Run had Nanny Xu take Taotao away. If Concubine Lu had come to see Xie Run, she would surely be talking about today's conferral of titles, and it would be hard to avoid discussing others. Nanny Xu had only recently come to Xie Run's side, and Xie Run was not yet fully at ease with her. Only when the room was left with just their own people did Concubine Lu speak. "Sister Xie, do you think the Emperor's choice of title for each of us carries some hidden meaning?" "Consort Sun became Consort Jing, and Consort Li became Ritualist Hui. One has family connections, the other has a child—their titles and ranks are fitting enough." "I originally thought the Emperor had grown weary of Fang Yuan'er, but he still gave her the position of Lady of Appearance." Concubine Lu had assumed that, given how Fang Yuan'er's clever scheming had led to the death of the Third Young Master, Prince Jing would never grant her a high rank. Yet now he had still given her the position of Lady of Appearance among the Nine Concubines. There was no one in the "Bright" (Zhao) tier, and among the "Ritual" (Xiu) tier, only Ritualist Hui, who had a daughter, ranked half a step above her. Given Fang Yuan'er's current state, the position of Lady of Appearance was already a promotion beyond what she deserved. But then the Emperor had also bestowed upon her the character "Gong" (respectful). That character would be a fine addition to anyone's title—except Fang Yuan'er's. When applied to her, it became rather interesting. Was the Emperor trying to tell Fang Yuan'er to be respectful toward someone? And who was worthy of Fang Yuan'er's respect? Among those in the inner quarters, Fang Yuan'er had never thought much of anyone, relying on her favor and rank as she did. There was no one who merited her respect. So did that mean the Emperor wanted Fang Yuan'er to be respectful toward him? In other words, was he implying that Fang Yuan'er had not been respectful enough toward the then-Prince Jing in the past, and was now using this character to remind her of that? Everyone thought back to what Fang Yuan'er had done before, and the more they thought about it, the more they felt Prince Jing was warning Fang Yuan'er about something. This was similar in effect to how Jiang Baobao, whose character had nothing to do with dignity or grace, had become Beauty Duan (Dignified). Jiang Baobao's temperament was known throughout the entire prince's residence, so there was no need to dwell on that. Fang Yuan'er receiving this title had piqued the curiosity of all the women in the residence. Concubine Lu had always been fond of gossip, and now more than ever, she couldn't resist the urge to find someone to chat with. That was why she had come to Spring Mountain Courtyard. Concubine Lu asked, "But why would the Emperor give her 'Gong' as her title?" Though she had her own speculations, Concubine Lu also wanted to get some confirmation from Xie Run. Xie Run said, "...I'm not too clear on these matters either." "The Emperor knows the women of the inner quarters well. Whatever arrangements he makes, he has his own reasons." Concubine Lu did not press further and instead changed the subject. "Concubine Ye and Concubine Wu entered the residence at the same time, but since Concubine Wu is now pregnant, why is her rank still the same as Concubine Ye's?" Concubine Lu had thought that Concubine Wu would at least rank slightly higher than Concubine Ye. Xie Run smiled. "When have you ever seen the Emperor give anyone special treatment?" "The promise of promotion upon pregnancy was made back then because Concubine Han and Concubine Li were bestowed by the Empress Dowager and were not of low status. That was why such a commitment was given." "But the residence never had such a rule before." "Once Concubine Wu safely delivers her child, the Emperor will probably promote her then." The main reason was that, as things stood, Concubine Ye and Concubine Wu were not too far apart in favor and status within the inner quarters, so it wasn't worth Prince Jing making an exception. Concubine Lu also realized this. "I was mistaken in my thinking." "Even though she's only a Cairen, if she gives birth to a child, a position as Lady of Beauty is all but guaranteed. Then, with her child elevating her status, she could even rise to Imperial Concubine or Lady of Handsome Fairness." At this point, a hint of envy crept into Concubine Lu's eyes. She had neither favor nor children. To have obtained the position of Lady of Beauty was already the greatest honor, and she feared it would be difficult to rise any further in the future. Concubine Wu might not seem as well-off as her now, but with that child in her belly, she would likely leave Concubine Lu in the dust before long. As she spoke, a trace of worry appeared in Concubine Lu's eyes. "When the Emperor was still the Prince, the women in the inner quarters weren't many, but they weren't few either." "But now that he has become Emperor, they seem especially few. I'm afraid it won't be long before the court officials urge the Emperor to expand his harem... Sister Xie, your position today was hard-won. You should be careful." If the Retired Emperor had passed away, the Emperor might have to observe mourning for one or three years, during which no new women would likely enter the palace, giving the old members of the inner quarters some breathing room. But unfortunately, the Retired Emperor was still alive. At this moment, everyone would be wholly focused on the matter of the new heir, and the more so, the more they would urge the Emperor to quickly take consorts and multiply. Concubine Lu herself had no hopes, so she harbored no particular thoughts on the matter. But Xie Run was different. The higher one stood, the colder it grew at the summit—watched by all, and the most perilous. New women entering the palace to share the favor would strike Xie Run the hardest. She appeared surrounded by splendor and showered with grace, yet if that favor were to be diluted, the people beneath would not hesitate to surge forward and tear her apart. Concubine Lu was worrying on Xie Run's behalf. Xie Run knew it herself. A faint smile lingered on her face, unmarred by any hint of gloom despite two consecutive bouts of illness. "Concubine Lu, do you think the Emperor favors those who vie for attention and compete for his grace?" Concubine Lu immediately thought of Jiang Baobao and hastily shook her head. "Naturally, he does not!" There were few means of competing for favor within the household. Not because they were incapable, but because Prince Jing did not indulge such behavior. With no leverage in the contest for favor and no way to climb higher, everyone turned instead to striking at others from the shadows—dragging down those above them, or those with whom they had grievances.