The Empress understood at once. Princess Royal De’an was reproaching Pei Ziyan for breaking his word, treating promises as if they were mere trifles. On this point, she had no defense.
Back when Pei Ziyan insisted on marrying Xiao Qingxue, he had indeed sworn before her that in this lifetime he would cherish only Xiao Qingxue, and never take another wife.
But isn’t the situation different now? By marrying Yun Xueyao, the Crown Prince could secure his position as heir, and only then would he be able to protect Xiao Qingxue more effectively. Why couldn’t she see that? Besides, how could a man’s promises ever be taken as absolute truth?
The Empress knew well the temperament of Princess Royal De’an: once she set her mind on something, only a benefit that truly moved her—such as Xiao Qingxue’s ability to treat her illness and thereby win two years of reprieve—could sway her. Other threats or inducements were useless.
Thus the Empress had to settle for a lesser plan: to approach Xiao Qingxue directly, offer her certain advantages, and persuade her to continue treating Princess Royal De’an.
After the princess departed, the Empress sent her chief nanny with two palace maids to summon Xiao Qingxue. The three arrived at Prince Jin’s residence, but they were denied an audience—Xiao Qingxue was under house arrest.
Carrying the Empress’s decree, they went to Shuangxue Courtyard. Nanny Zhou, who managed the inner quarters, entered to report to Xiao Qingxue, but the reply that came back was: “Her Ladyship does not wish to see anyone.”
The chief nanny from Fengyi Palace said sternly, “We come bearing the Empress’s command. The side consort has no right to refuse.”
Yet Xiao Qingxue still would not receive them.
The doors of Shuangxue Courtyard remained tightly shut. The guards dared not force them open, and the matron called out for a long time.
At last Mingyue opened the door, coldly declaring: “My lady is in no mood for visitors. Leave!”
With a sharp bang, she slammed the door, leaving the matron’s face flushed with fury, unable to recover her composure.
That insolent maid was truly audacious—she even dared to turn away those sent by the Empress herself!
The nanny shouted at the door: “The Empress has issued a decree. Does Her Ladyship mean to defy it?”
Inside, silence reigned.
Pei Ziyan was at court and not in the residence. Most of the household staff owed favors to the side consort and would not strike at her while she was vulnerable. Even Nanny Zhou merely stood aside, offering respectful persuasion and repeated apologies. But faced with the closed door, she made no move, nor did she order anyone to break it down.
Defying an imperial decree was wrong, and so was showing disrespect to one’s superiors.
Seeing the side consort’s attitude, the chief nanny clearly did not wish to press further. After all, she was only a nanny—she could hardly lay hands on a consort, and the prince’s guards would never dare rough‑handle her.
If the side consort defied the decree, then the fault lay with her. The Empress would naturally see to her punishment.
The nanny withdrew with her attendants. As she left, she cast a cool glance at Nanny Zhou and remarked, “The side consort’s temper is truly admirable.”
Nanny Zhou could only smile apologetically: “Her Ladyship is under house arrest. I hope you might speak a word in her defense before the Empress.”
The nanny gave a cold snort and swept away. Back at the palace, she reported the incident in full.
The Empress could scarcely believe it. “She dares defy my command?”
The nanny replied respectfully, “The side consort’s excuse was that the Crown Prince has confined her, forbidding her to step beyond Shuangxue Courtyard.”
The Empress drew a deep breath, her eyes darkening. “In that case, bring her maid Mingyue into the palace. I want to see whether she can still cling to her ridiculous principles.”
To secure her son’s position as heir, she had no choice but to resort to harsh measures. Xiao Qingxue would obey—whether willingly or not. Otherwise, she would be left to bury that arrogant maid herself.
The Empress summoned the eunuch Taoxi, ordering him to take men to Prince Jin’s residence and seize Mingyue. Her voice was icy: “If she dares resist, kill her without hesitation.”
Taoxi led four young eunuchs, all accustomed to practicing martial skills together. In their minds, five against one maid was more than enough. And with the Empress’s decree, even the Crown Prince’s guards would not dare intervene.
But someone arrived ahead of them—Princess Consort Rui.
The court’s situation was unsettled. Though the Emperor had named a Crown Prince, the other princes had vied for power for years, each with his own faction. None would abandon their ambitions because of one heir whose foundation was still shaky.
Moreover, over the matter of the Crown Princess, Xiao Qingxue and the Crown Prince had quarreled bitterly, even offending the yet‑unwed Crown Princess. The two consorts were now openly at odds, and certain princes eager for the throne were bound to exploit the opportunity.
Prince Rui was the son of Consort Xian, backed by Duke Ding’s household. As long as the marriage alliance between the Duke’s family and Princess Royal De’an’s household went through, the Su clan would naturally fall into Prince Rui’s camp. With Princess Royal De’an exerting her influence, the Duke’s family would soon reclaim military command. And when that day came, what would it matter if the Crown Prince married Yun Xueyao?
That arrogant, overbearing daughter of the Yun family had neither the refinement nor the bearing of a noblewoman, and her wits were hardly sharp. Though her marriage to the Crown Prince might appear to secure him military support, the trouble Yun Xueyao would cause in the future would surely outweigh any benefit she could bring.
Led by the steward to the inner courtyard gates, then escorted inside by a matron, Princess Consort Rui at last saw Xiao Qingxue.
The Crown Prince had ordered Shuangxue Courtyard guarded, forbidding the consort to leave—but he had not forbidden visitors from entering.
This was not Princess Consort Rui’s first visit to Shuangxue Courtyard, but it might well be her last. As she stepped into the courtyard, she carefully studied its furnishings and layout, noting the layers of guards stationed within and without. Clearly, matters had grown tense—the entire courtyard was encircled.
Entering the room, she saw Xiao Qingxue seated by the window with a book. With a soft sigh, she spoke with a trace of pity: “Why has His Highness stationed so many guards outside? Is he afraid you’ll pack up and flee in the night?”
Xiao Qingxue lifted her eyes from the page and smiled lightly, unconcerned: “After all this bustle, I’m tired. To stop and rest a while—it’s rather pleasant.”
Princess Consort Rui assumed she was merely consoling herself. Taking a seat by the couch, she said with quiet melancholy: “I understand your mood. Feeling unwell these past days is only natural. But men—power is what matters most to them. For us women, our greatest role is to support our husbands and raise children… Qinxue, true feelings are useless. Affection always fades. A few days of temper is fine, but don’t truly provoke the Crown Prince. If he loses patience, the outcome will be hard to mend.”
Mingyue, standing beside her mistress, cast her a sidelong glance.
One had to admit: women born into great houses were rarely truly foolish.
Princess Consort Rui’s words sounded like comfort, yet every line was a subtle provocation.
She knew perfectly well that Xiao Qingxue valued sincerity, yet deliberately claimed sincerity was worthless, that affection never lasted. Wasn’t this just telling her that the Crown Prince’s love and promises could not be trusted?
Fortunately, her mistress had long since seen through it.
Mingyue treated the consort’s chatter as idle diversion, a way to pass the time, and cared little whether her intentions were good or ill.
“You’re right.” Xiao Qingxue set down her book, lifted her teacup, and sipped with a faintly mocking tone. “A man’s sincerity cannot be relied upon. Their promises are as casual as drinking water. To expect them to keep their word—that’s harder than climbing to heaven.”