“Not entirely so,” Princess Consort Rui sighed. “Perhaps it is simply a matter of one’s position shaping one’s duties. When His Highness was only a prince, frail in health and without the qualifications to contend for the heir apparent, he had fewer concerns. After all, a prince and a crown prince are not the same.”
“As a prince, he could live freely, choose one companion for life, and grow old together in harmony. Without ambition, a couple could enjoy a peaceful, happy existence.”
“But once seated as crown prince, it means he will one day be emperor. An emperor not only has countless affairs to manage, but must also worry about the stability of his throne. He must balance power at court, win ministers to his side, suppress overly dominant factions, surround himself with loyal officials and generals… With so many concerns, naturally he cannot devote his energy to his wife. It is not his intention, but an unavoidable reality.”
Princess Consort Rui spoke earnestly: “You surely wish for him to rule the realm. Then you must accept that he will one day take many women into his household. This is inevitable. High rank and great power bring corresponding responsibilities—he cannot think only of himself.”
Mingyue translated it inwardly: The meaning was that if His Highness never became crown prince, he could spend his life with his princess alone, grow old together in happiness, without other women intruding.
If the crown prince one day becomes emperor, then the harem will be filled with countless beauties, and no matter how the princess might wish to vie for his favor, she could never prevail. For the ruler of a nation, state affairs must always come first; he cannot devote too much time or energy to private affections. If you wish him to spend more time with you, to have eyes and heart for you alone, then do not let him be crown prince—give that title to another. I would not mind if my husband had three wives and four concubines.
It was a masterful tactic of sowing discord, spoken entirely in the tone of consolation, so that no suspicion would arise. If her young lady’s mind had been as foolish and impulsive as that of the crown princess, she might truly have been taken in.
Xiao Qingxue held her teacup, gaze drifting to the window. “Power is indeed important.”
To forsake power for love is sheer folly—whether for a man or a woman, it is a hopeless kind of foolishness.
Thus she bore no resentment toward Pei Ziyan’s choice. She would not quarrel with him in hysteria, nor languish like a wronged wife.
Last night, lying in bed, she reflected. Faced with such a situation, many betrayed women would sink into helpless despair—though some could accept it calmly, for in a system of male supremacy, gentleness and submission are prized as feminine virtues.
But Xiao Qingxue felt neither despair nor resignation. What allowed her to remain so composed, rational, and confident in choosing to part ways with Pei Ziyan was the power she herself possessed, and the forces standing behind her. In truth, it was not a clash between two people, but a clash between power. Only, Pei Ziyan had yet to realize the extent of hers. And if he did… Xiao Qingxue smiled faintly. What of it?
If one seeks love, it should not be tainted by other concerns; if one seeks power, then love should not be used as an excuse.
She turned to Princess Consort Rui and said evenly, “I understand his actions. I have never once resented him.”
Princess Consort Rui faltered. Never resented him? Then what was all this talk of divorce these past two days for? Could it be that she truly meant to separate from him?
“I only feel that the affection has suddenly faded,” Xiao Qingxue said lightly, as though it were nothing. “When I agreed to marry him, perhaps it was not out of true love, but simply out of being moved—moved that he was willing to kneel for a whole day and night just to win me. And also because I felt a certain…” Her voice trailed off, refusing to go further.
A certain pity? The compassion of a healer toward her patient—or perhaps only because he had appeared so often in her dreams, entangling her thoughts for half a year, until she mistakenly believed fate had bound them together. But time quickly proved that fate might exist, yet it was fragile, easily severed.
“The Crown Prince will never agree to divorce you,” Princess Consort Rui said coolly. “He must marry the crown princess, but he will not tolerate anyone challenging his authority. Imperial power cannot be provoked. For you to propose divorce to the heir apparent is tantamount to trampling royal dignity underfoot. The fact that he has not turned against you already is only out of gratitude for the life-saving kindness of those two years. Once that debt fades with time, if you continue to press him, the one to suffer will be you.”
Xiao Qingxue gave a soft hum. “I have my own assurance.”
Assurance? Princess Consort Rui frowned, irritation rising. What did she mean by that? What assurance could she possibly have?
She sighed. “If you think about it from your position, had the Crown Prince’s health not recovered so quickly, it would have been best for him to remain a mere prince. Only…”
“For me, the fact that he was so swiftly named crown prince is the best outcome,” Xiao Qingxue smiled faintly. “It allowed me to see human nature all the sooner.”
Princess Consort Rui: “…”
Did she even understand what she herself was saying? If she wished to preserve her position as principal wife, then she needed only let Pei Ziyan’s health continue to decline. Was she not a healer? A slow-acting poison slipped into the crown prince’s meals would weaken him day by day, until he no longer had the strength to remain heir apparent. Naturally, the title would pass to another.
As long as Pei Ziyan remained merely Prince Jin, he would have no reason to marry the Yun family’s daughter. In that way, Xiao Qingxue’s place as his consort would be secure.
Princess Consort Rui longed to speak plainly, yet feared such words would be too obvious. She suppressed the impulse and said instead, “We women are taught from birth to be humble and obedient, to regard our husbands as heaven itself. If you are unhappy, it is fine to sulk for a few days, but when the time comes, you must reconcile. Do not truly anger the crown prince, or you will lose his favor, and life will grow far harsher.”
“Princess Consort,” came Nanny Zhou once more, standing at the threshold to report, “Her Majesty the Empress has sent Eunuch Taoxi, commanding that Mingyue be brought into the palace.”
Princess Consort Rui was startled. The Empress was striking at the consort’s maid? She had no wish to be entangled in this mess and was about to rise when she saw Xiao Qingxue’s expression shift. Turning to Mingyue, she asked, “Do you wish to go?”
Princess Consort Rui was dumbfounded.
Mingyue shook her head without hesitation. “No.”
Xiao Qingxue said calmly, “Nanny Zhou, tell Eunuch Taoxi that Mingyue does not wish to go.”
Princess Consort Rui was left speechless. Could it be done like this?
Nanny Zhou was clearly taken aback. “Princess Consort, this is an imperial decree from Her Majesty. Eunuch Taoxi has orders to bring Mingyue into the palace without fail…”
“Mingyue does not wish to go,” Xiao Qingxue replied evenly. “That is all you need to say.”
Nanny Zhou’s expression grew complicated. She glanced at Mingyue, then at Xiao Qingxue’s serene face, and could only answer, “Yes.”
Princess Consort Rui knew she could not remain any longer. Who could say whether Xiao Qingxue might shift the blame onto her? She had no wish to incur the Empress’s resentment.
Princess Consort Rui rose to her feet. “Then I shall take my leave.”
Xiao Qingxue said calmly, “Take care.”
As Princess Consort Rui turned, she could not help but offer a reminder: “The Empress’s decree cannot be defied. Mingyue is but a maidservant—if you persist in this attitude, I fear…”
For the Empress to dispose of a mere maid would be the easiest thing in the world.
Xiao Qingxue smiled. “Thank you for your concern, Princess Consort Rui. I have my own assurance.”
Assurance again. What assurance could she possibly have?
Princess Consort Rui frowned, irritation flickering, and departed with her attendants.
When Nanny Zhou went out to meet Eunuch Taoxi, she did not repeat Xiao Qingxue’s words verbatim, but instead spoke tactfully: “Mingyue caught a chill yesterday. She is bedridden and cannot rise…”
“Nanny Zhou,” Eunuch Taoxi sneered coldly, “we act under the Empress’s command. Today we must take her into the palace. Whether she lies in bed, clings to her last breath, or is already dead, we will carry her body there if need be. Otherwise, it is defiance of the decree—can you bear that responsibility?”
Nanny Zhou’s face changed. “I dare not, I dare not. Please, Eunuch Taoxi, wait a moment while I speak again with the princess consort—”
“No need.” Taoxi shoved her aside. “I will go myself.” With that, he led four eunuchs straight into the inner courtyard.