Liu Chan slept until the next morning.
After she woke up, Zhen Zhu informed her about Xiao Lin’s visit the previous evening. “It seems the Emperor still cares about you.”
Although the young mistress did not serve the Emperor for the night, and the Emperor did not stay overnight, he had waited until the young mistress gradually fell into deep sleep before leaving.
Liu Chan nodded. “I know.”
Of course she knew.
The scheming at Shou’an Palace that day had drained much of her energy. These past few days, she had been eating less and sleeping more to conserve her strength. Moreover, she had only been feigning sleep yesterday evening.
The moment Xiao Lin stepped through the door, she had sensed it.
Soon, news of Xiao Lin’s visit to Yuqiong Residence to see Consort Liu spread throughout the rear palace, drawing the attention of the palace staff.
However.
When those from the Office of Internal Affairs leaked word that Huang Jiu, the eunuch serving the Emperor, had instructed that no Green Head Placard be made for this Consort Liu, the discussions abruptly ceased.
No Green Head Placard meant no chance to serve the Emperor.
A minor consort who couldn’t serve the Emperor, let alone receive favor, was destined to live out her days in loneliness within the palace.
When Zhen Zhu entered the room carrying the wooden tray with lunch, she wore an expression of hesitation, as if wanting to speak but holding back.
Liu Chan was currently arranging a bouquet of lilies freshly delivered from the flower room. Turning her head and noticing her maid’s troubled expression, she chuckled softly. “It’s just the two of us in the room. If there’s something to say, speak up.”
“Young mistress, there’s news in the palace that today the Emperor instructed the Office of Internal Affairs not to make your Green Head Placard,” Zhen Zhu said hesitantly.
Since Miss Liu was conferred as Da Ying, palace rumors had never ceased. Initially, it was thought that the Emperor’s visit yesterday indicated his favor toward Consort Liu, but no one expected…
Fortunately, there weren’t many people in Yuqiong Residence, and she was the only one serving Consort Liu closely. She had stubbornly kept these messy matters from reaching her young mistress’s ears.
The young mistress was new here, and whether it was the Imperial Kitchen or other places, everyone was still cautiously watching and waiting.
But once the news spread that the young mistress had no Green Head Placard… they would likely start bullying her.
Having spent a long time in the palace, even though Weiyang Palace had never fallen out of favor, she had witnessed how palace staff would kick someone when they were down when consorts elsewhere lost favor.
After speaking, Zhen Zhu looked toward her young mistress, who was still fiddling with the flowers, uncertain whether to give her a warning so she could mentally prepare…
“I know.” Liu Chan set down the flowers and turned to look at Zhen Zhu. “Let’s eat first.”
By the time she walked to the table, Zhen Zhu had already set out four dishes and one soup.
For noble ladies of the sixth rank and below, the standard was four dishes and one soup, though the ingredients varied depending on their rank.
Truth be told, the meals delivered to her these past few days had been quite good, even reaching the standard of a Cai Ren.
Probably… this would be the last meal exceeding her rank.
The fact that Xiao Lin hadn’t given her a Green Head Placard, based on her previous “preparations,” was surely not due to dislike but rather because he was waiting.
He was waiting for her to take the initiative.
But if she, Liu Chan, were to quickly come around and throw herself at him, how would she be any different from the others?
Since he wanted to wait, then let him wait a little longer.
She wasn’t in a hurry.
She could use this period of so-called “not serving the Emperor and not receiving favor” to observe the hearts of those in the rear palace, so that in the future, she could establish a reputation for holding grudges and seeking revenge.
Liu Chan finished her meal unhurriedly and looked up to see unconcealed distress on Zhen Zhu’s face.
Without imperial favor and with a low rank, one would live worse than even the maidservants of favored consorts.
Yet her schemes were something she couldn’t share with Zhen Zhu.
Seeing Zhen Zhu’s genuine concern, Liu Chan thought for a moment before offering comfort, “Regarding the Green Head Placard matter, His Majesty has privately assured me. Don’t worry too much – it will be restored in due time.”
As these words were spoken, she indeed saw Zhen Zhu’s eyes light up.
In surprised delight, Zhen Zhu asked, “Is what you say true, my lady?”
“Mm.” Liu Chan nodded with a smile.
In Weiyang Palace…
Jing Guifei, who had received the same news, stared incredulously at Xia’er who had brought the information. “Are you saying the Imperial Hospital sent her Child-avoidance decoction several days ago?”
Watching Xia’er nod, a chill ran through her fingertips.
Jing Guifei slumped back, disappointment washing over her face. “His Majesty prevents her from conceiving, and now forbids the Office of Internal Affairs from preparing her Green Head Placard. How then can I possibly adopt her child?”
The incident during the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet had already angered the Emperor and earned her the Empress Dowager’s reprimand.
Yet she had endured it all.
These past days, she had been filled with anticipation for Liu Chan to quickly conceive, only to be told now that it was all in vain.
“Your Highness, it appears Consort Liu is already finished,” Xia’er said, perplexed. “If you desire a child, we could seek other consorts. It doesn’t necessarily have to be Consort Liu.”
Previously, it had always been Chun’er who attended Jing Guifei, and in many matters, Jing Guifei trusted Chun’er most.
Now that Chun’er had been sent to the Laundering Room, it was finally her chance to rise.
Though inwardly pleased, Xia’er cautiously offered advice: “Your Highness, there are several junior consorts in the palace. If any of them were to bear a child…”
“No.” Jing Guifei cut her off without hesitation. Stroking her sharp, long nail guards, she shook her head. “The Empress Dowager only permits me to raise a child from the Liu family.”
In these matters, only Chun’er truly understood her.
With Chun’er no longer by her side, she felt ill at ease everywhere and reluctant to speak much with others.
Jing Guifei stared at the doorframe in the distance, her thoughts already wandering.
Currently, she had only two paths forward.
Either help Liu Chan resume serving the Emperor.
Or select another daughter from the Liu family to enter the palace.
Yet neither path was easy. The former required the Emperor’s willingness, while the latter… the Empress Dowager might not agree, and employing this method again would likely involve great risk.
Narrowing her eyes, Jing Guifei commanded, “Go inform the palace staff – they are not to provide Yuqiong Residence with anything of quality. Make their conditions as wretched as possible.”
She needed to make Liu Chan suffer thoroughly, until she would willingly come begging.
Then, when she helped Liu Chan resume serving the Emperor, wouldn’t her success be more assured?
Xia’er quickly praised, “Your Highness’s plan is excellent. It’s quite normal for palace staff to kick someone when they’re down. Lower-ranked consorts always need to seek protection from higher-ranked ones – surely Consort Liu will be no exception.”
After a moment’s thought, she added, “Though merely having servants bully her lacks certain… finesse. Perhaps this servant could incite Talent Sun, who has conflicts with Consort Liu. I believe Talent Sun would be willing to serve Your Highness.”
“You’re quite right.” Jing Guifei’s eyes brightened.
Chun’er couldn’t return now.
She would need to cultivate another trusted palace maid. Although there were four first-class senior maids in Weiyang Palace, she dared not trust them all.
Jing Guifei looked at Xia’er and said, “If this matter succeeds, I will reward you handsomely. Do you understand?”
Her goal was to make Liu Chan willingly seek her patronage!
Xia’er felt a surge of joy in her heart. “This humble maid is willing to go through fire and water for Your Highness.”
With that, she hurried away to issue instructions to various departments.