The result of Madam Yun’s severe illness was that she completely lost control over managing the household.
All the household tokens and keys were handed over to Concubine Feng. On her first day managing the household, Concubine Feng came to see Su Yuewu. As soon as she entered, she fell to her knees with a thud, crying out, “Miss!”
Su Yuewu found herself both amused and exasperated.
Because of Concubine Feng’s close relationship with her mother, Su Yuewu had never felt distant from her since childhood. However, Concubine Feng, having once been a maidservant, had ingrained the concepts of hierarchy and status deep into her bones.
She still remembered an incident from her childhood. Her mother and Concubine Feng were discussing household affairs in the inner chambers, while she and Su Yuze were playing together. A maidservant brought in a plate of pastries, and Su Yuze casually picked one up and put it in his mouth. Concubine Feng immediately rose from the couch, slapped him hard across the face, and scolded him angrily for lacking manners—how dare he eat before his legitimate younger sister had even touched the food?
Incidents like this had happened many times, and even her mother’s attempts to stop them were futile.
Su Yuewu stepped forward to help Concubine Feng up.
Concubine Feng quickly protested, “I dare not,” and stood up on her own. “I know how difficult these past two years have been for you, Eldest Miss. If Madam were still here, she would be heartbroken. That black-hearted Madam Yun actually had the audacity to think of marrying you off to her worthless nephew! After I learned of this, I sent a letter to your uncle in Qingzhou. I just never expected that before I could receive a reply, you would be selected to enter the palace.”
Concubine Feng was Jiang Fuyun’s dowry maid, having grown up with her since childhood. They were both mistress and servant and as close as sisters. She, too, harbored deep hatred for Madam Yun. However, in recent years, seeing even the Eldest Young Master switch sides, she, as an unfavored concubine, could do little but guard her son and live quietly.
But now that the authority to manage the household had been placed in her hands by the Eldest Miss’s decision, Concubine Feng suddenly realized that the Eldest Miss had not forgotten the grievances.
At least, when her mistress looked upon her children from the netherworld, she would not be too disheartened.
Over the past two years, Su Yuewu had also considered seeking help from her uncle. However, since their last meeting the year her mother passed away, they had had no further contact. She did not know how to broach the subject, nor was she certain of her uncle’s current attitude toward her, his niece.
It was better to place her hopes in the palace.
After all, that person truly regarded her as a thorn in their side, a mix of love and hatred.
Still, it was heartening that Concubine Feng had such intentions and had thought to seek help from the Jiang family on her behalf.
After speaking with Concubine Feng, Su Yuewu personally wrote a letter to her uncle, explaining her current situation. She revised the part about reminiscing several times, but in the end, she settled on a few respectful and conventional phrases of a junior addressing an elder, along with her blessings.
Three days later, the weather was clear and refreshing. The sky, freshly washed by rain, was a brilliant blue.
The Su family had learned in advance that they would be receiving an imperial edict that day. An incense table was set up in the main hall, and the entire family waited respectfully.
When the eunuch delivering the edict arrived, he stood facing south, unrolled the bright yellow brocade scroll adorned with dragon patterns, and proclaimed loudly, “The imperial edict has arrived—”
Instantly, the Su family knelt in unison.
“By the decree of the Emperor, who receives the Mandate of Heaven: The daughter of the Director of the Imperial Academy, Su Yuewu, is cultivated in scholarly virtues, dignified and graceful, gentle in nature, and endowed with grace and virtue. Therefore, she is selected to enter the inner court and is hereby enfeoffed as Consort of the Fifth Rank. She shall enter the palace on the eighteenth day of the sixth month. So it is decreed!”
Upon hearing this edict, almost everyone in the Su family was stunned, their faces filled with disbelief.
Consort?
In this dynasty, the highest rank conferred upon a maiden selected through the Imperial Selection was Noble Lady. Consort was the rank of a palace mistress!
After the initial shock, Su Ziyuan was the first to regain his composure. Overwhelmed with excitement, he led the family in expressing their gratitude. Then, he discreetly slipped the silver ingots he had prepared earlier to the eunuch. With a beaming smile, he lowered his voice and asked, “Thank you for making the trip, Your Excellency. This is a small token for your tea. Might I inquire, what is the highest rank conferred among the selected maidens this time?”
Su Ziyuan still felt uneasy, fearing that the Emperor might have capriciously granted high ranks to all the selected maidens, leaving him with empty joy.
After all, given what his daughter had done, it was already unexpected that the Emperor would overlook her past and accept her into the palace. How could she possibly be granted such a high rank exclusively?
But if it were true, this daughter would prove to be of great use in the future.
The eunuch calmly tucked the silver ingots into his sleeve and replied with a smile, “You are too kind, sir. The highest rank conferred in this Imperial Selection is that of Consort. To become the mistress of a palace upon entering the court—what an extraordinary honor! Consort Su will surely enjoy great blessings in the future.”
Having accepted the silver, he naturally chose his words carefully, omitting any mention of Minister Lin’s daughter also being granted the rank of Consort.
After all, he hadn’t been asked how many Consorts there were, had he?
Sure enough, Su Ziyuan’s eyes crinkled into slits as he smiled. “Thank you for your auspicious words, Your Excellency. We have prepared some refreshments and tea. You must be weary from your long journey—please have some before returning to the palace.”
The eunuch politely declined, and Su Ziyuan personally escorted him to the gate.
In contrast to Su Ziyuan’s visible delight, Su Yuewu remained much calmer. She leisurely turned her head and, as expected, saw Su Yuewan clenching her fists, her face contorted with jealousy.
“What’s the matter? Does my appointment as Consort displease you, Second Sister?”
Su Yuewan’s expression stiffened, and she immediately composed herself, adopting a pitiful and innocent demeanor. “Sister, you… you wrong me. My mother is still confined to her sickbed—how could I possibly smile? If you are upset about this, I can only apologize.”
“Alright, A Wu, this is a joyous occasion. Don’t dwell on such trivial matters with your sister,” Su Yuan interjected.
He had long forgotten their unpleasant disagreement days earlier and patted her shoulder with a smile. “A Wu has grown up and truly made something of herself. In the future, Father’s and my official careers may very well rely on your support.”
Su Yuewu took two steps forward, distancing herself from Su Yuan, and ignored his words entirely. Instead, she blinked playfully at Su Yuewan and deliberately said, “Since Concubine Yun is gravely ill, she should hear some good news to lift her spirits.”
She raised her voice and called over a second-tier maid, instructing, “Go quickly and inform Concubine Yun of my appointment. Let her rejoice—perhaps her illness will improve.”
Su Yuewan was startled and tried to stop her, but the maid had already received the order and left without giving her a chance to speak.
Her face paled slightly. Her mother had not yet recovered, and hearing such news would likely worsen her condition. What was to be done?
“Brother…” Su Yuewan’s eyes welled with tears as she bit her lip and looked pleadingly at Su Yuan. “The physician said Mother’s Heart Malady requires peace and quiet—she must avoid extreme joy or sorrow. I beg you, Brother, ask Sister to spare Mother’s life.”
Su Yuan was already sulking over Su Yuewu’s earlier disregard, and now he directly reprimanded: “A Wu, you think you’ve grown wings just because you’ve become a palace consort? What are you showing off at home? Did I teach you this from childhood? Hurry and call her back—if Concubine Yun has an accident, I’ll see what you do!”
“Outrageous! Who allows you to speak to Consort Su like this?”
Instead of his sister’s reply, Su Yuan heard Luzhi’s calm yet firm voice. He paused briefly, then incredulously pointed at his sister’s personal maid and scolded: “Scoundrel! Who gave you the audacity to defy your superiors?”
“Of course, I gave it.”
Su Yuewu spoke unhurriedly, her light gaze resting on Su Yuan’s face, the emotion in her tone even cooler than during their last meeting: “Brother, the imperial decree has been issued. I am now the Emperor’s consort. Not only you, but even if Father came, he would have to perform the kneeling salute to me. I am magnanimous and do not constrain you with etiquette, but that does not mean you can still point fingers at me as before.”
Just as her words ended, there was a “thud” sound. Su Yuewu instinctively turned to look and saw Su Yuze, who had remained silent, suddenly kneel on both knees, respectfully bowing his head to her with a solemn and earnest expression: “Greetings to Consort Su.”
Su Yuewu: …