Su Yunshu’s face turned somewhat pale.
She had slender willow-leaf eyebrows, a pointed chin, and narrow shoulders. Pale and thin, with a perpetually listless expression, she appeared frail even when not ill.
At this moment, she covered her lips with a handkerchief and coughed lightly twice, ignoring Noble Lady Cheng’s words, yet her eyes gradually welled up with glistening tears.
Everyone thought to themselves: Here we go again!
It was always like this—just a few words that didn’t suit her, and she would start crying.
In a place like the imperial harem, a battlefield of fame and fortune, who didn’t speak with hidden barbs and engage in verbal sparring? But she was like a fragile crystal doll, needing to do nothing but shed a few tears to achieve what others had to strive for with great effort.
Who wouldn’t feel stifled by this?
In the past, they had tolerated it out of fear that she was the Empress Dowager’s niece, but now, who would still give her that face?
The first to speak was Consort Zhang Xian, who said coldly, “On such a fine day, why are you crying as if mourning? Did Noble Lady Cheng say anything to you? She merely asked about your illness. If you can’t even bear to hear such words, I suggest you report to the Empress Dowager, seal your palace doors, and live by yourself.”
These words voiced the pent-up frustrations of many.
Noble Lady Cheng chimed in, “Exactly! Fortunately, all the sisters are here as witnesses. Otherwise, if Consort Su were to cry before the Empress Dowager, I’d be unable to clear my name even if I jumped into the Yellow River.”
Su Yunshu could no longer ignore these people. She gripped the armrest of the rosewood chair tightly, looked up at Consort Zhang Xian, and said with restrained anger in her reddened eyes, “Consort Xian, my illness has not yet fully healed. I forced myself to come today only to meet the newly entered sisters. As for whether I cry or not, that is my own affair, and I do not blame anyone else.”
As she spoke, the tears in her eyes fell in quick succession. Her personal maid, well-practiced in this, handed her a handkerchief and whispered words of comfort.
Everyone was long accustomed to this and simply ignored her, turning to other topics.
“Have you heard? Last night, His Majesty did not choose a consort and instead stayed in the Palace of Earthly Tranquility.”
Noble Lady Cheng started the conversation, and no one paid any further attention to Su Yunshu, all eagerly discussing the matter.
“Who hasn’t heard? With new consorts entering the palace, His Majesty didn’t summon any of them but went to Her Majesty the Empress instead. I’m afraid…” Noble Lady Liu covered her lips and chuckled meaningfully, “He didn’t fancy any of them.”
Consort Zhang Xian fiddled with her nail guard, her tone seemingly casual. “I heard the selection of consorts this time was decided by Her Majesty the Empress Dowager. It’s no surprise if they don’t suit His Majesty’s taste. I only hope they will behave themselves and not resort to despicable means to gain favor, like that wretched woman in the Cold Palace.”
She was referring to the recent attempted poisoning of the eldest princess.
The incident was ultimately traced back to Lady of Handsome Fairness Wei, who was stripped of her title and sent to the Cold Palace by His Majesty.
Noble Lady Cheng shared the same palace with Virtuous Consort Zhang Xian and relied on her for survival. She quickly chimed in, “Your Highness, rest assured, they would never dare. After that incident with the Wei commoner, His Majesty personally replaced all the palace attendants serving the princess with capable people from the imperial presence. He even gave the princess the protective jade pendant he had worn for many years. With such obvious affection, who would dare lay a hand on the princess again? Even if someone were bold enough, they would need the capability to do so!”
Virtuous Consort Zhang Xian responded with a noncommittal hum.
She wasn’t worried about her daughter being targeted again, as Noble Lady Cheng had said—her daughter’s surroundings were now heavily guarded, leaving no room for anyone to take advantage.
But if His Majesty cared for their daughter so much, why hadn’t he simply ordered the Wei woman executed?
Though filled with resentment and anger, she dared not voice these thoughts, fearing the emperor’s authority.
Shortly after, a eunuch’s drawn-out announcement echoed: “Her Majesty the Empress has arrived—”
Everyone rose to their feet. When Empress Tao emerged from the inner chamber in her phoenix robes, they immediately curtsied and greeted, “Your servants pay respects to Her Majesty the Empress!”
To receive the newcomers, Empress Tao was dressed in dignified splendor today. Her crown was intricately carved and adorned with gold, pearls, and kingfisher feathers. The bright yellow satin robe was embroidered with phoenixes and auspicious patterns, shimmering brilliantly in the morning sun.
After being assisted by a palace maid to sit on the phoenix throne, she placed her hands gently on her knees and spoke warmly, “You may all rise.”
Consort Su was the first to stand, her eyes red as she returned to her seat, clearly having just wept.
Under normal circumstances, Empress Tao would have inquired, but today she did not. Instead, she smiled and turned to Virtuous Consort Zhang Xian, asking, “How has Rong Qing been these past few days?”
Rong Qing was the title of the eldest princess.
Virtuous Consort Zhang Xian hurriedly replied, “Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Rong Qing is much better. The imperial physician said it was fortunate the poison in that bowl of milk was not heavily dosed. Although the princess will be weak for a while, she won’t suffer any lasting illness. Had there been even a little more, the toxicity could have invaded her meridians, leaving her bedridden for life or causing permanent disability.”
As she spoke, her emotions briefly got the better of her, and she exclaimed indignantly, “I truly don’t know how I offended that Wei commoner to make her poison my daughter like this. Your Majesty, harming the imperial heir is a capital offense! Why did His Majesty…”
“Virtuous Consort.”
Empress Tao’s gentle yet authoritative voice cut off Virtuous Consort Zhang Xian’s nearly treasonous words.
Only then did Virtuous Consort Zhang Xian snap back to reality, realizing what she had almost said. Fear washed over her, and she glanced gratefully at the empress. “Your Majesty, I… I lost my composure.”
“Your maternal love is evident, and I understand. But His Majesty is not only Rong Qing’s father but also the emperor of Great Zhao. Rewards, punishments, and judgments follow their own logic, which we women of the inner palace should not presume to discuss.”
Virtuous Consort Zhang Xian lowered her gaze, a cold smirk tugging at the corner of her lips.
What logic? It was all because of that Wei woman’s brother.
The imperial family was heartless; even a biological daughter came second to political considerations.
She replied perfunctorily, “I understand, Your Majesty.”
The hall fell silent for a moment.
Suddenly, Consort Lu, who had remained quiet until then, spoke up abruptly, “Your Majesty, it seems there’s an argument outside the palace doors.”
…
Outside the Phoenix Ceremony Gate.
“Su Yuewu, are you deliberately opposing me? I’m disciplining my own people—what business is it of yours?”
Lin Yue was dressed today just as she had been on the day she entered the palace, wearing a peach-red skirt made of Shu brocade. Though the hairpins on her head were fewer, they were still eye-catching and ostentatious.
At this moment, she glared at the two people opposite her with gritted teeth, the fury in her eyes almost enough to burn them to ashes.
This morning, when she came to pay respects to Her Majesty the Empress, she had originally intended to find Chen Yanqiao to go together. Who would have thought she would see that little wretch chatting happily with Su Yuewu!
Lin Yue was instantly consumed with rage and went up to slap Chen Yanqiao.
She had some restraint, knowing that today was the day to pay respects to the Empress, so she didn’t use much force. She merely wanted to remind Chen Yanqiao to remember her own status and not think that just because she had entered the palace, she could grow wings and become arrogant. However, when she tried to drag her away, she was stopped by Su Yuewu.
“Consort Lin’s person?”
Su Yuewu stood there, looking at her with a faint, mocking smile. “As far as I know, Agreeable Lady Chen seems to come from a respectable official family and is not a servant or maid from any household. Consort Lin, do tell, how exactly is she considered your person?”