Chapter 320

Chapter 320 Before Xie Run left Fengyi Palace, Consort Jing said with a half-smile, "Noble Lady Xian has grown quite bold now that she has the Empress Dowager's backing." Xie Run smiled. "Consort Jing has also changed greatly from her days in the household. It seems people always change." Consort Jing responded to Xie Run's smile with one of her own, laden with meaning. "I am not like Sister Consort Shu, who has a son, favor, and striking beauty—her days are so easy..." Though Consort Jing's words praised Xie Run's good fortune, Xie Run clearly caught the fleeting glint of schadenfreude in her eyes. Xie Run furrowed her brow, puzzled. "Has anything happened recently?" She asked Dantao beside her. Dantao thought for a moment. "There have been minor squabbles among the consorts, but nothing major." Xie Run was a cautious person by nature. Hearing the ill intent hidden in Consort Jing's words, she couldn't help but overthink. "Consort Jing says she envies my easy days, but in her eyes, she's hoping for my downfall." "She praised me for having a son and favor... It's not yet time for the imperial beauty selection, so the Emperor shouldn't be cooling toward me yet. That rules out issues with favor." The attendants around her looked utterly confused. "Your Ladyship enjoys great favor and has the Fifth Prince by your side—why would you worry about being neglected by the Emperor because of the selection?" Dantao and Xiaoshu were both true ancients and could not understand Xie Run's thinking at all. Which favored consort would fear new Selection Candidates chosen by the Emperor? Especially since the Emperor valued old bonds deeply—as long as their mistress made no mistakes, there was no need to worry about being neglected. Xie Run knew of their confusion but couldn't explain it easily. She smiled and glossed over it, continuing, "If it's not about favor, then it must be about heirs." Xie Run's brow furrowed deeper. "Taotao?" Judging by Consort Jing's expression, it didn't seem like someone was plotting against her child. Rather, it was the gleeful anticipation of watching Xie Run meet misfortune. Xie Run couldn't figure it out alone, so she simply sent for Lady Lu. Lady Lu's mind worked quickly. "In this palace, aside from Her Majesty the Empress, Sister Xie holds the highest position. Who could possibly make Sister Xie unhappy?" Xie Run's face darkened. "You forget—the most honored woman in this palace, besides the Empress, is the Empress Dowager." And that Empress Dowager had never been one to stay idle. Lady Lu was startled. "Sister Xie, you don't think the Empress Dowager intends to take the Fifth Prince into her care?!" Xie Run's mind went blank for a moment, then snapped back in an instant. After a long pause, she spoke: "What you said... isn't entirely impossible." Especially given what Consort Jing had said! The more Xie Run thought about it, the more she felt Lady Lu might have hit the mark. For the Empress Dowager to contend with the Empress, she needed leverage. The Emperor appeared filial on the surface, but in secret, he favored the Empress. The Empress Dowager had likely sensed the crisis. Rather than continuing meaningless struggles, she had changed her tactics. And indeed—if she took a child to raise in her own palace, she would surely use that child as leverage to support his rise to power. But this would not be good for the Fifth Prince. First, Xie Run was already Consort Shu, deeply favored by the Emperor. The Fifth Prince benefited from this and held no low status—he had no need of the Empress Dowager's raising to add glory. Second, the Emperor disliked the Empress Dowager. This dislike was deeply rooted, one could even call it loathing. If the child were truly raised by the Empress Dowager, the Emperor would likely grow distant from him and might even come to resent the child for being raised under her influence. Xie Run said, "No matter what, I will not give Taotao to the Empress Dowager to raise!" Lady Lu was also anxious. "Sister Xie, if the Empress Dowager truly has this intention, we must prepare early!" Prepare? How to prepare? Xie Run thought about her situation and quickly formed an idea. She asked Dantao, "Whose tablet did the Emperor flip today?" The palace rules had grown increasingly strict, and the protocols for imperial nights had gradually become more elaborate. Now, whenever the Emperor went to a palace, he first flipped a tablet. Dantao: "The Emperor flipped Ritualist Hui's tablet today. He'll likely take his evening meal at Yongming Palace." Xie Run said, "Better early than late. I can only offend Ritualist Hui." "Right now, I must look out for myself first." "Xiaoshu, go to the Imperial Study and request the Emperor's presence. Tell him that Taotao and I are both uneasy and frightened." Xiaoshu received the order and went to the Imperial Study at once. Lady Lu rose. "Sister, I'll take my leave then." "Since Consort Jing gave you the hint, news must have leaked from the Empress Dowager's palace. Let me see if I can find out anything." Xie Run held her hand. "Then I'll trouble you." Lady Lu: "No trouble at all. Taotao is lively and adorable, raised at your knee. If the Empress Dowager truly took him away, who knows what his days would be like." At the thought of that possibility, Xie Run felt her heart clench with pain. Xiaoshu's trip did not bring the Emperor. It wasn't that the Emperor refused to come—rather, he was discussing important matters in the Imperial Study and did not see Xiaoshu. When Ritualist Hui heard the news, she immediately sent someone to wait at the Imperial Study's door with freshly simmered soup—afraid that Xie Run would send someone else to lure the Emperor away. No matter how aloof and proud Ritualist Hui was, she wasn't truly indifferent to favor. In the two years since she entered the household, she couldn't be said to be especially favored, but the Emperor still visited her once or twice each month. Though she wasn't conspicuous, it was clear the Emperor did remember she existed. Once or twice a month—for an unfavored consort, that counted as being favored. For Ritualist Hui, it was quite good indeed. She also raised the Third Princess, and looked forward to those one or two days every month. Originally, when the Emperor turned up her name plaque, she was delighted, and had people prepare from early morning. But who would have thought that as the sun was about to set, she suddenly heard that someone from Bright and Pure Consort's palace had gone to the Imperial Study. Ritualist Hui was somewhat annoyed: "She's being too greedy!" "The Emperor stays in her palace for half the month! And she still has to compete with someone like me who only gets to see His Majesty once or twice a month—is she afraid everyone won't know she's favored?" "I've never had any grudge with her in the past, so why is she opposing me?!" While Ritualist Hui was furious, she was also somewhat afraid. Afraid that the Emperor would really be lured away by Bright and Pure Consort and not come to her Yongming Palace. If she couldn't see the Emperor this time, who knew when the next chance would be. Ritualist Hui was somewhat aloof by nature. Though she was angry at Xie Run for stealing her chance to serve the Emperor, she hadn't thought of using other means to compete. But as luck would have it, the Third Princess suddenly started crying today, mumbling a few words about Imperial Father between sobs. Ritualist Hui doted on this daughter the most—after all, the Third Princess was the only person in this world connected to her by blood. Hearing the Third Princess cry out for her Imperial Father, Ritualist Hui could no longer maintain her aloof pride. She immediately sent someone to the Imperial Kitchen to deliver soup to the Emperor. "The Emperor didn't see Bright and Pure Consort's people, so he must truly be busy with matters. Don't be tactless and disturb him—just wait at the door with the soup." "When the Emperor finishes his council and leaves the Imperial Study, then you step forward and mention it, so His Majesty knows he turned up my plaque tonight." Such methods of currying favor were something the old Ritualist Hui would never have done. But now she was truly angry, and on top of that, she couldn't bear to see her daughter heartbroken, so she sent someone. The news that people from both palaces had come back and forth seeking an audience with the Emperor at the Imperial Study quickly spread through the Six Palaces, drawing much discussion. Everyone thought Ritualist Hui was preparing to go head-to-head with Bright and Pure Consort. Both were doing it for their children—how could Xie Run easily give up? After her first fruitless attempt, Xie Run first sent someone to the Imperial Study to scout things out, to see when the Emperor would be free. As for the people Ritualist Hui had sent, she wasn't worried in the slightest. This was probably the confidence Xie Run had as a favored consort. Even if the Emperor were truly invited to Yongming Palace by Ritualist Hui, she could still invite him over to her own palace. But doing so would inevitably cause an ugly scene. Fortunately, the Emperor truly doted on her. When the Emperor had free time and learned that someone from Bright and Pure Consort's palace had come by, he asked curiously: "Did they say what it was about?" Eunuch Shian said in a low voice: "They said that both Your Majesty's consort and the Fifth Prince have been feeling uneasy in their hearts, and suddenly anxious for no apparent reason." Upon hearing this, the Emperor said: "Why didn't you tell me earlier?" Eunuch Shian: "It is this servant's fault. I beg Your Majesty to punish me!" In truth, the Emperor had given early orders that he was to discuss matters with Prime Minister Shen, and would see no one who came. But at a time like this, a servant like Eunuch Shian couldn't very well talk back to the Emperor, so he could only accept the blame. Fortunately, the Emperor was not an unreasonable man: "I forgot—it was I who told you not to let anyone in." "No punishment needed. Have someone prepare—I'll go to Zhaohua Palace." The Emperor had originally wanted to take the sedan chair, but he felt somewhat worried and found the sedan chair too slow, so he immediately changed his mind: "Never mind, no need to prepare." With that, he strode out of the Imperial Study. Just as he reached the door, he saw a palace maid waiting at the entrance with a food box in hand. "Which palace are you from?" "This servant is from Ritualist Hui's palace. Mindful that the weather is growing hotter by the day, and afraid that Your Majesty might forget to take care of yourself while focused on state affairs, Ritualist Hui specially sent this cooling soup to relieve the heat." "Ritualist Hui?" Reminded by the palace maid, the Emperor only then remembered that he had turned up Ritualist Hui's plaque today. The Emperor glanced at the palace maid and said in a flat tone: "No need for the soup. Go back and tell your mistress that I won't be going to her palace today. I'll visit her another day." With that, he strode away. The palace maid watched the Emperor's departing figure, filled with chagrin and fear. If she went back like this, she would surely not escape punishment. And her mistress would likely be heartbroken too. When Ritualist Hui heard that the palace maid had failed to invite the Emperor, and that the Emperor had still gone to Zhaohua Palace, she felt a moment of disappointment. But after the disappointment passed, she became even calmer. "I was too hasty." "Bright and Pure Consort rarely does things to curry favor. For her to suddenly go to the Imperial Study to request the Emperor's presence today—she must have important matters to ask of His Majesty. How could the Emperor not go see her?" Though she said this aloud, she still felt somewhat humiliated inside. She knew she couldn't compare to Bright and Pure Consort's place in the Emperor's heart, but the Third Princess was, after all, the Emperor's own flesh and blood—and now even seeing the Emperor once was difficult. Ritualist Hui was miserable for most of the night, and only fell into a shallow sleep in the latter half. The person Xie Run had arranged to keep watch at the Imperial Study returned before the Emperor himself. "Reporting to Your Ladyship, as soon as His Majesty left the Imperial Study, he headed straight for our palace." Xie Run was somewhat surprised—after all, this was the first time she had enjoyed the privilege of being a favored consort. She glanced toward the side chamber. Inside, several maids and Nanny Xu were playing with Taotao. Taotao was laughing with pure joy, his laughter crisp as silver bells, full of liveliness. Xie Run felt a bit troubled. After all, the reason she had invited the Emperor to Zhaohua Palace was that she had claimed both she and Taotao were feeling restless and anxious. Xie Run stared at her son for a long moment, then sighed. Taotao was only a little over a year old—there was no way Xie Run could teach him to put on a worried expression. Especially this silly boy—the moment he saw his mother looking at him, he grew even happier. Xie Run: "..." The moment the Emperor entered, he saw this scene. Xie Run was dressed in simple, elegant attire, chin resting on her hand, staring at Taotao with a deeply worried expression. Her chubby son was beaming with innocent joy, laughing so wide his gums showed, revealing the few teeth that had just come in. "It's rare to see you so downcast. Has something happened?" The Emperor's words startled Xie Run back to her senses. She suddenly rose, reaching out as she rushed toward the Emperor, closing the distance in two steps and throwing herself into his arms. Her sleeves fluttered as she cast aside all shame, her voice soft and aggrieved, so plaintive it made one's heart melt. "Your Majesty!" The Emperor's cold, stern aura melted in an instant as he raised a hand to encircle her waist. "Who has made my beloved consort suffer such a great grievance?" Xie Run had only felt that surge of grievance the moment she saw the Emperor. Once she came to her senses and realized she had rushed into the Emperor's arms in front of everyone, she felt a little embarrassed. She lifted her head from his chest and asked softly, "Your Majesty, I heard that the Empress Dowager wishes to take Taotao into her care?" The Emperor's face, which had been wearing a smile, changed instantly. He lowered his voice in reproach: "Nonsense!" Realizing his tone had been a bit harsh, he softened his voice: "Where did you hear such idle rumors?" Xie Run raised her eyes to gaze at the Emperor, her voice gentle and lilting: "The Empress Dowager has always wished to share Your Majesty's burdens. It's not impossible." The Emperor was momentarily struck speechless, then it suddenly dawned on him... this was actually quite possible. He knew his mother's temperament better than anyone. With no one above to rein her in, she could stir up trouble like a stick in a cesspit, making everyone miserable. "You suddenly sent someone to the Imperial Study to find me—I take it this is about that matter?" Xie Run nodded obediently. "I've been so worried. And when I see Taotao, so innocent, laughing to himself without a care... it only makes me worry more." Just thinking about her son being taken away by the Empress Dowager made her heart ache terribly. The more she thought about it, the worse she felt. Her eyes instantly reddened, looking utterly pitiful. "Your Majesty, I have never asked anything of you before—only this one thing!" "Taotao has been raised by my side since he was born. I cannot bear to part with him, nor am I willing to give him to someone else to raise..." The Emperor took Xie Run's hand and led her to sit on the cool bench. "Rest assured, you've raised the child so well—no one can take him from you." Xie Run figured she had already been bold, so she might as well be bolder still, leaning directly against the Emperor's chest. "Your Majesty must keep your word!" she said in a muffled voice. With no one else able to see her, she found it easier to act coquettish. "If anyone takes Taotao away from me, I'm afraid I'll cry by Your Majesty's ear every single day, until I give you a headache from all my weeping." The Emperor laughed. "I rarely see you cry. If you're willing, it wouldn't be out of the question..." The Emperor leaned down and whispered a few words in Xie Run's ear. Xie Run's cheeks flushed crimson in an instant. She pushed against the Emperor's chest. "Your Majesty is becoming more and more improper by the day."