Chapter 305

Chapter 305 Everyone turned their gazes in unison toward the door. It wasn't out of curiosity about Consort Jing, but rather about this Noble Lady Xian. First she saved the Retired Emperor, and now she had leaped up to become Noble Lady Xian, ranking third among the imperial consorts in the harem. So many of the old retainers from the Prince Jing's mansion who saw her would have to address her as "Elder Sister." Before the women of the Prince Jing's mansion's rear courtyard had moved into the palace, it was this Noble Lady Xian who had been serving at the Emperor's side all along, and it was said she was quite favored by His Majesty. Just then, Consort Jing and a beauty with delicate brows and eyes, red lips, and black hair entered gracefully. This beauty had a touch of cinnabar red dotting her brow, which, combined with her ethereal temperament, made her seem like a celestial maiden who had descended into the mortal world—elegant and pure. Consort Jing, who was traveling with her, had never been particularly outstanding in looks to begin with, and after being disfigured by the Eldest Young Master, there was now even more of a scar on her face. Now whenever she went out and about, she had to use a thick layer of powder to cover it up. What had been a seven-out-of-ten appearance was pressed down to a five. Standing together with this beauty today, she suddenly appeared far more ordinary. The two of them bowed to the Empress at the same time, and another round of ceremonial greetings followed. The Empress asked in a calm voice, "How is it that the two of you sisters came together?" Noble Lady Xian: "I happened to run into Elder Sister Consort Jing along the way, so we joined up to come pay our respects to Your Majesty the Empress." The Empress: "That makes sense. The Bicui Palace where you reside and Consort Jing's Yongning Palace are on the same route. I'm afraid you'll be running into each other every day when you come to pay your respects in the future." Consort Jing raised a hand to touch her hair, feigning nonchalance as she said, "This concubine loves to sleep in, not being as diligent as Noble Lady Xian. I'm afraid we won't easily run into each other." Her words clearly indicated she didn't want to build any connection with Noble Lady Xian—indeed, she seemed somewhat displeased with her. But then again, that was to be expected. With Consort Jing's appearance damaged, how could she be willing to walk alongside a beauty as lovely as Noble Lady Xian every day? If the Emperor happened to be at Fengyi Palace one day and saw the two standing together, he would likely become even more satisfied with Noble Lady Xian and even colder toward Consort Jing. Noble Lady Xian lowered her head, looking very good-natured: "If I could see Elder Sister Consort Jing every day, that would naturally be a wonderful thing. If not, then this concubine simply doesn't have that fortune yet." The Empress had no interest in their little dispute, only asking, "Are you satisfied with your residence at Bicui Palace? If there's anything you lack, just send someone to let me know." "Many thanks for Your Majesty the Empress's kindness. This concubine grew up in the countryside, and being able to enter the palace to broaden my horizons is already the greatest fortune. I find everything wonderful and am satisfied with everything." "Then that is a good thing." The Empress had only asked as a matter of routine. Before long, Concubine Yang also hurried in, her face full of shame: "This concubine has arrived late, and begs Your Majesty the Empress to mete out punishment." This was the first grand occasion after Prince Jing's ascension to the throne where the entire harem came to pay respects to the Empress. For Concubine Yang to be late on the very first day meant either she was being extremely arrogant, or something unexpected had happened. The Empress was not a domineering or unreasonable person, so she asked calmly, "Did you encounter something on the way?" Concubine Yang said helplessly, "This concubine encountered some trouble while passing by Zhonghua Palace and soiled my dress, so I had to turn back halfway to change." Many people cast glances toward Lady Hua. After all, Zhonghua Palace was her residence. Everyone subconsciously suspected whether it had something to do with Lady Hua. But in truth, Concubine Yang had simply been unlucky. Outside Zhonghua Palace grew a grove of trees. The Retired Emperor's Noble Lady Yi had loved raising birds, and when she was favored, she kept a flock of birds outside Zhonghua Palace. Hua Yu had moved in but hadn't had anyone deal with them. When Concubine Yang passed by Zhonghua Palace, a flock of birds flew overhead, leaving quite a bit of bird droppings on her newly made dress. Because the new dress was brightly colored, the stains were extremely conspicuous, so she could only count herself unlucky and go back to change. The Empress nodded slightly: "You haven't arrived that late. It's not a big matter." Concubine Yang's eyes showed gratitude: "Many thanks for Your Majesty the Empress's leniency." Since this was the first time they were all paying respects together, no one said anything offensive. The Empress first asked about the various princes and princesses. This was also customary. The princesses had all been raised well, standing in a row and being brought by their wet nurses to pay respects, looking very auspicious and joyful. As for the princes... there were only the slow-witted First Prince and the plump, fair Fifth Prince and Sixth Prince left—truly a pitiful sight. The Empress's expression turned worried: "The Emperor does not have many heirs. I can only hope that all you sisters will be blessed in your wombs and bear many children for the Emperor. I will certainly petition the Emperor to grant you titles." "An abundance of heirs for the Emperor is the fortune of the Great Yu Dynasty, and also the fortune of our harem." A group of people rose and bowed in unison, "This concubine thanks Your Majesty the Empress for her instruction." Among them, Fang Yuan'er, who had lost her son, felt immense heartache. Meanwhile, Talented Lady Wu, who was currently pregnant, quietly covered her lower abdomen, her heart full of hope but not daring to show a trace on her face. After asking about the children, the Empress then asked Talented Lady Wu: "How is your health now?" Talented Lady Wu: "In reply to Your Majesty the Empress, this concubine is not yet three months pregnant and has no discomfort for now. The imperial physician also said this concubine is in good health and only needs to rest well." The Empress said with satisfaction, "In the entire harem, you are the only one with child, so you should be given special attention. I will have the imperial physician come every other day to take your pulse and ensure the little prince is safe and sound." Talented Lady Wu lowered her head shyly: "This concubine thanks Your Majesty the Empress for your thoughtful care." The Empress had always been magnanimous and willing to grant favors to those beneath her: "As long as you safely deliver the child, I will certainly petition the Emperor to raise your rank." Talented Lady Wu suppressed the excitement in her heart and expressed her gratitude. The Empress then proceeded to greet the others one by one. Seeing that the time was about right, she led the group to Cining Palace to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager. According to protocol, consorts below the rank of Imperial Concubine were not qualified to enter Cining Palace to pay their respects. Today was a momentous occasion, so an exception could be made for all to go to Cining Palace and pay respects to the Empress Dowager, absorbing some of her blessings. When the group arrived at Cining Palace, however, they saw Mama Liu, who served the Empress Dowager, come out and say: "The Empress Dowager was unwell last night and slept late. She has not yet woken up. I'm afraid the Empress will have to wait a while." Upon hearing this, everyone was somewhat surprised and bewildered. On this grand occasion—the first time the consorts of the Six Palaces were to pay respects to the Empress Dowager after the Emperor's ascension—there was an auspicious time for everything. The times for everyone to pay respects to the Empress and then to the Empress Dowager had been coordinated in advance, with not a moment's error. Yet on such an important day, the Empress Dowager happened to oversleep. As the daughter-in-law, the Empress naturally could not say anything, and she understood the Empress Dowager's temperament well enough. This incident, as it unfolded before the Empress's eyes, came as no surprise to her at all. The group stood in hushed silence at the gates of Cining Palace, waiting for the Empress Dowager to wake. When the Empress Dowager had been Noble Consort Rou, she had longed to become the most honored woman in the harem, worshipped by all. She had fallen out of favor for many years, suppressed by the former Noble Consort Chen, and had held in her resentment for a long time. Now that she had finally risen to prominence, the first thing she did was to suppress the Empress's authority, letting her know who truly ruled the harem. Today's affair was not merely a conflict between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, but the first battle between the Empress Dowager and the Empress for dominance in the harem. Such incidents would only increase in the days to come. The longer the wait, the more composed the Empress became. She was already thinking about how she would spread word throughout the Six Palaces tomorrow about her filial devotion to the Empress Dowager. The other consorts, who did not know the Empress Dowager well, fell into deep thought. Was today's behavior from the Empress Dowager a sign of displeasure with someone? The Empress was pondering tomorrow's matters when she suddenly noticed movement beside her. Tinghe said softly: "Your Majesty the Empress, the Emperor has arrived!" The Empress glanced sideways and saw the Emperor in his dragon robe and imperial crown. She quickly bowed in greeting. Xie Run and the others following the Empress also bowed and paid their respects. With so many people present, Xie Run quietly kept her eyes lowered, counting ants, and did not deliberately look at the Emperor to make herself seem special. In contrast, Lady Hua and Noble Lady Xian both raised their glistening eyes to gaze at the Emperor. Lady Hua had endured much polishing at Prince Jing's residence and no longer dared to overstep her bounds. Noble Lady Xian, being new and holding a high rank with considerable favor, had fewer such reservations. Before the Empress could speak, she took the initiative to ask softly: "The morning air is chilly—why hasn't Your Majesty added another layer of clothing?" The moment she finished speaking, she felt numerous gazes fall upon her and belatedly realized her behavior was somewhat presumptuous. Times had changed. In the past, when the harem was empty, she could freely express concern for the Emperor without anyone saying a word. Now that there were many consorts in the harem, her question instantly made her a target. Moreover, since the Empress had not spoken, her actions—regardless of protocol—appeared audacious. The Emperor's gaze swept casually and finally landed on Noble Lady Xian, who was walking ahead. "I don't find it cold at all. Rather, you should remember to wear more clothes." Noble Lady Xian responded slowly: "I thank Your Majesty for your concern." In the past, the Emperor would have exchanged a few more words with her, asking why she was outside, why she hadn't worn more clothes, whether she was comfortable at Bicui Palace... Such words held little meaning, but they were the Emperor's affection for her. Now that the harem had grown crowded, the Emperor naturally could not show her such detailed care in public. Noble Lady Xian knew this in her heart, but she could not yet adapt, and lowered her head with some disappointment. The Emperor paid no attention to her small disappointment. His gaze then fell on Xie Run, and he could not help but add a reminder: "Bright and Pure Consort, you fell ill twice just a few days ago. Your constitution is still weak—remember to dress warmly." Xie Run felt a strange sensation upon hearing the Emperor address her as Bright and Pure Consort, still not quite accustomed to it. She said warmly: "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I will." Xie Run's attitude was neither overly eager nor cold, just as she always presented herself in public. After asking this, the Emperor finally looked at the Empress: "I recall this is the time to pay respects to Mother. Why are you still standing outside with everyone, Empress?" The Empress cast him a sidelong glance, knowing full well the Emperor was asking what he already knew, yet she had to play along. "Just now, Mama Liu from Mother's side said Mother did not sleep well last night and is still resting. I did not dare disturb her, so I deliberately waited a while longer outside." The Emperor nodded slightly: "In that case, I shall wait with you." "No matter how great the matter, it cannot delay Mother's rest." Xie Run lowered her eyelids, and upon hearing the Emperor's words, nearly laughed out loud. The Empress Dowager had the Empress lead the Imperial Concubines of the Six Palaces to wait outside Cining Palace—a mother-in-law versus daughter-in-law confrontation meant to suppress the Empress's momentum. But with the Emperor standing there, tomorrow might earn him a fine reputation, while word of the Empress Dowager making the Emperor and Empress wait outside Cining Palace would surely spread through both the court and the harem. Then everyone would gossip that the Empress Dowager was harsh, deliberately tormenting the new Emperor and Empress. And the Empress Dowager had a track record—she had repeatedly made trouble for the Emperor on behalf of the late Prince Su. Any old-timers in or out of court with some seniority knew well that the Emperor had never been favored by the Empress Dowager. This would only deepen suspicion that the Empress Dowager intended to deliberately grind down the imperial couple. Having just become Empress Dowager only to earn a bad reputation—how could she then contend with the Empress for power? The Emperor had clearly seen through the Empress Dowager's intentions and was deliberately helping the Empress. The couple shared an unspoken understanding, standing together outside the gates of Cining Palace. When the gatekeepers saw the Emperor himself waiting outside, they panicked and rushed to report. The Empress Dowager had not yet dressed, lying lazily on her couch with hair loose, and gave a light snort: "Let the Empress wait outside. I'll speak once I've finished dressing." Nanny Liu urged, "Your Grace, if we keep them waiting much longer, we may miss the auspicious hour." "Making the Empress wait a while longer is no great matter, but missing the auspicious hour would not bode well for Your Grace." The Empress Dowager hesitated only a moment before perfunctorily replying, "I know." But she said not a word about dressing. Having finally become Empress Dowager—the most honored woman in the harem—she naturally wanted to enjoy the privileges of her position. Her first order of business was to suppress the Empress's arrogance and take over management of the Six Palaces from her hands. Back when she was still Noble Consort Rou, she had dreamed of becoming Empress Dowager. But she hadn't become Empress Dowager to idle away her years in Cining Palace—she wanted to savor the experience of the Six Palaces paying homage, of no one in court or harem daring to defy her. Today's morning audience was only the beginning. The Empress Dowager had already devised countless schemes to torment the Empress, waiting only for the Empress to beg for mercy and humbly plead with her to take over harem affairs. The Empress Dowager was basking in pleasant thoughts when a palace maid came bearing news. "The Emperor has come to pay his respects to Your Grace. Seeing that you had not yet risen, he and the Empress are waiting together outside the palace gates." Noble Consort Rou clenched her teeth upon hearing this: "Just as they say—once a son takes a wife, he forgets his mother. He always protected the Empress, and now that he's Emperor, he's helping her against me!" Noble Consort Rou was not particularly clever, but she knew that as a mother-in-law she could torment her daughter-in-law, yet as Empress Dowager, she absolutely could not torment the Emperor. Her honor and shame now all derived from the Emperor. Noble Consort Rou forced out a smile: "Fools! You let the Emperor wait outside like this?!" "The morning dew is heavy—if the Emperor catches a chill, ten of your heads won't be enough to pay for it!" At her scolding, the attendants around her fell to their knees in terror. Noble Consort Rou: "Hurry and invite the Emperor in?!" The maid delivering the message was none too bright either, and now panicked, she blurted out, "If I invite the Emperor into Cining Palace, should I also invite the Empress?" Noble Consort Rou's smile could no longer hold. She asked coldly, "What do you think?" The maid who was questioned lowered her head, trembling: "This slave... this slave does not know." Noble Consort Rou pointed at the maid: "You need not serve in Cining Palace any longer. I keep no fools by my side." Before the maid could beg for mercy, she was dragged away. Nanny Liu hurried forward to intervene. "Your Grace, you cannot!" The Empress Dowager: "You wish to plead for this fool?" Nanny Liu explained, "The Emperor and Empress have only just come to pay their respects today, and if you dismiss the messenger maid right after, word may spread that you bear ill will toward the Emperor."