The heavy scent of medicine lingered in the hall. The Empress Dowager reclined against her couch, weary eyes resting on Qi Yi, who had just changed out of his court robes. Her voice was soft: “I punished your favored consort. Do you resent me for it?”
Last night’s events had spread like wildfire. With Consort Jiang’s tearful accusations and Xu Zhengchun’s testimony, to deny it would make the Empress Dowager seem deceitful. Better to admit it outright—and gauge Qi Yi’s reaction.
“She struck the imperial heir. That was her fault first. For Mother to discipline her is not unreasonable.” Qi Yi’s tone was impartial, betraying no hint of personal feeling.
Relief washed over the Empress Dowager. As she thought, Qi Yi’s nature would not change for a few tears of Jiang Nian. At most, last night, he had softened for a moment, allowing her to lodge in Qianqing Palace.
Qi Yi was not her son by blood, but he carried the cold temperament of the late emperor. He knew well that only her powerful Zhao clan and her nephew, Zhao Jing, were true allies who could secure his throne. Jiang Nian was nothing more than a plaything. Even if favored for a time, she could never compare to the Empress Dowager and Zhao Jing.
Smiling faintly, she said: “Since Consort Jiang and Jing’er do not get along, why not assign him another mother? It would be better for both and bring harmony to the harem. You would have less to worry about.”
“Oh?” Qi Yi feigned surprise. “Then whom does Mother wish to place Jing’er under?”
The highest-ranking was Empress Wen, of the venerable Wen clan—a sworn enemy of the Zhao family. To entrust Jing’er to her would be ruinous.
Qi Yi had not yet appointed a Noble Consort. Below that were four consorts, none of whom were easy to control. The Zhao family had recently sent a girl into the palace, but she held only the rank of Guiren (Noble Lady).
After much thought, only Consort Jin seemed suitable. Jing’er liked her, and she was pliable.
“Jing’er is fond of Consort Jin. She is gentle and obedient, surely able to care for him well. Let him be entered under her name.”
Later, when the Zhao family’s women rose higher in rank, she could transfer him again.
Qi Yi was silent for a moment, then smiled faintly. “Whomever Mother chooses must surely be suitable.”
His ready agreement made the Empress Dowager beam, her brows curved like painted strokes. She was about to suggest that Qi Yi summon the Zhao family’s young woman that very night, when his tone shifted: “Jing’er has reached the age for hunting. In a while, he should accompany me to the royal hunt.”
The Empress Dowager’s face stiffened, reluctant. “There is no need to rush into hunting. Better to wait a few more years.”
But Qi Yi did not relent. “If he is of age yet does not hunt, who will believe in his claim as imperial heir?”
Tradition demanded that imperial heirs prove themselves at the royal hunt, displaying skill before the court. The crown prince must even take first place, or be deemed unworthy. Though Zhao Jing had not been named crown prince, as heir, he could not avoid it. In past years, the Empress Dowager excused him as too young. But now Qi Yi had spoken—there was no way to refuse.
Knowing the noble families watched Jing’er’s position closely, the Empress Dowager had no choice but to grit her teeth and agree. “Then let him go.”
After all, the royal hunt was unlikely to unleash beasts fierce enough to endanger lives.
Meanwhile, Jiang Nian slept long and deeply. When she awoke, the imperial table was already set with lunch. She walked over, eyes fixed on the delicious dishes, her heart stirring. Who could blame her? The Household Bureau had been sending only leftovers and cold food lately.
She thought: if she sat here first, then when Qi Yi returned, surely he would not order her out.
So she settled herself comfortably in the Emperor’s seat, unable to hide her excitement as she waited. A moment later, the sweep of a black dragon robe caught her eye. Jiang Nian immediately straightened, sitting primly.
Qi Yi entered, his steps halting when he saw her. His gaze fell heavily on Rong Chengguang, who quickly lowered his head in guilt. Few consorts were ever permitted to lodge in Qianqing Palace. Even the Empress herself attended him in Fengyi Hall. Favored consorts of past reigns, if granted one night here, were expected to rise early, dress the Emperor, and return to their own quarters.
Last night, His Majesty had not stayed in Qianqing Palace, and Consort Jiang did not wake until nearly noon. He dared not take it upon himself to rouse her—if she felt wronged and returned to weep in His Majesty’s arms, his own head would hardly be safe. Between losing his head or being beaten with boards, he knew well enough which was lighter. Fortunately, His Majesty said nothing and simply stepped inside.
The moment Jiang Nian saw Qi Yi, her eyes lit with a smile, but when she met his cold gaze, fear crept in. She could only follow proper etiquette, rising to bow with formality: “Your concubine greets Your Majesty.”
Qi Yi ignored her, sat down, and let the attendants serve the meal. He was not particular—neither favoring nor disliking any dish. Ordinarily, this was nothing remarkable, but to Jiang Nian it seemed dull. People all have likes and dislikes, especially with food; if every dish were blandly acceptable, would that not rob life of one of its pleasures?
She dared not voice such thoughts. Standing for long, her calves began to ache, yet Qi Yi continued eating without speaking to her. After glancing left and right in hesitation, Jiang Nian finally sat down.
Qi Yi did not stop her. Relieved, she picked up her chopsticks and took a bite of her favorite dish. It was fragrant, flavorful—far better than anything from her small kitchen in Fu Garden.
Perhaps she was truly hungry, for she forgot all decorum, eating eagerly while commenting to Qi Yi:
“This one is delicious, but since Your Majesty dislikes sweets, next time they should add a little less sugar.”
“This one is the best, though why is there scallion? Your Majesty dislikes the taste of scallion—how could the imperial kitchen forget even that?”
“And this one…”
The attendants were stunned. They had served His Majesty for years without ever noticing him dislike any dish, so they always prepared a little of everything.
Had another consort spoken, they would not have been so shocked. But wasn’t Consort Jiang supposed to be on poor terms with His Majesty? How could she know his tastes so well?
Noticing their stares, Jiang Nian realized how improper her words were. Even Qi Yi paused, his gaze dark and unreadable as it fell upon her.
Flustered, she wondered why she had spoken at all. Until recently, her memories of Qi Yi had been hazy, yet after spending the night in Qianqing Palace, those blurred recollections had begun to sharpen.
“Your Majesty, three palaces remain vacant. Where shall Consort Jiang be housed?”
The voice broke the tension. Rong Chengguang entered with a register from the Household Department. Jiang Nian glanced at the chosen palaces and frowned—they were far from Qianqing Palace. To see His Majesty, she would have to walk a long way.
Before Qi Yi could respond, her brows knit and her tone grew anxious: “Your concubine does not wish to live in those palaces.”
The air in Qianqing Palace chilled instantly. Rong Chengguang froze, not daring to lift his head. Was Consort Jiang displeased because the palaces were not far enough from His Majesty, and thus angry? But these were already the finest, most distant options the Household Department could offer. Or did she truly prefer the dilapidated Fu Garden over these?
He stole a glance at His Majesty—who had remained unmoved even when provoked by the Chancellor earlier that day—but now radiated a chilling, oppressive aura. Regret struck him; he should have arranged the residence earlier and sent Consort Jiang away. Now, she might not even keep her whole body intact.
Qi Yi lifted his lids, his voice cold and hard: “Then where do you wish to live?”
Jiang Nian looked around Qianqing Palace, met Rong Chengguang’s deathly-pale gaze, and ventured cautiously: “Can I stay in Qianqing Palace for a few days?”
Stay in Qianqing Palace? Rong Chengguang’s heart dropped back into place, relief flooding him. Thank heavens she had not spoken some treasonous words as before.
Qi Yi set down his chopsticks. For the first time, he looked straight at Jiang Nian, his gaze sharp and penetrating, as though to strip her bare.
But Jiang Nian’s attention was caught entirely by his striking face. Under such direct scrutiny, her fear mingled with shy embarrassment. Her heart beat uncontrollably fast—yet before joy could take root, a mocking voice cut through: “Did you not once say you would rather live in a pigsty than take half a step into this filthy Qianqing Palace?”