When Nanny Zhou delivered the message to Shuangxue Courtyard, her expression was somewhat complicated. She already knew that the Princess Consort’s request for separation was no jest, but a decision she had truly made. As for the reason… The two guests in the front hall were the cause.
The Crown Prince was to take a Crown Princess, and the current Princess Consort would be reduced to a concubine.
Nanny Zhou could not say who was right or wrong in this matter. She was a matron of the Prince’s household, not one of the Princess Consort’s dowry attendants, and her loyalty naturally belonged to the Crown Prince. Moreover, the Princess Consort was merely a physician’s daughter—being allowed to remain as a concubine of the Crown Prince was already considered a lofty match.
Nanny Zhou could not say that His Highness was in the wrong.
After all, the imperial clan was supremely exalted—life and death, honor and disgrace lay entirely in their hands. When ministers were condemned and executed, they still had to kneel on the ground and respectfully thank the sovereign for his “grace.”
So what if the Emperor decreed that she be demoted from Princess Consort to mere concubine? She was still expected to bow her head in gratitude—thank the Emperor for his favor, thank the Crown Prince for his mercy.
Nanny Zhou could mouth such dutiful words, but in her heart she could not convince herself to think so hypocritically. She was an old matron of the Prince Jin’s household, having followed him when he left the palace to establish his own residence. She had seen with her own eyes how the Prince’s body wasted away day by day after being poisoned, how the imperial physicians came again and again, only to admit defeat each time. She had witnessed the Emperor’s fury and anxiety, his wrath spilling over into executions because of the Prince’s failing health. She had personally seen the Prince at death’s door, so feeble that even the maids shrank back, unwilling to approach. It was only after Xiao Qingxue entered the household that everything began to change.
Nanny Zhou had watched her toil without rest, pulling the Prince back step by step from the gates of hell. With her needles and decoctions, his spirit revived day by day. After a month, the Prince went from lying helpless in bed to slowly sitting upright; after two months, he could gradually stand again. She had personally witnessed Xiao Qingxue overseeing the Prince’s rehabilitation, guiding him step by step as he learned to walk again. For five whole months, and when the Prince finally stepped out of that room, she remembered clearly the joy on his face—and the gratitude he showed toward Miss Xiao. She also remembered vividly how the Emperor, upon hearing that the Prince could stand and walk, was filled with deep thankfulness toward Miss Xiao—she was not yet a princess consort then.
It is no exaggeration to say that at that time, both the Emperor and Empress were so grateful to Miss Xiao that they wished they could pluck the stars from the heavens and the moon from the waters to reward her.
Any request she might have made, the Emperor would have granted without hesitation. Yet Miss Xiao was without desire, uninterested in rewards.
Prince Jin was the Emperor’s most beloved son, so the Emperor’s feelings were easy to understand. Even if Miss Xiao had asked to be made a county lady, the Emperor would have agreed without a second thought.
The empress herself summoned Miss Xiao to the palace, clasped her hands with delight, and declared her heartfelt gratitude, promising to treat her as a true daughter from then on. Whatever wish Miss Xiao might voice, the empress vowed she would grant it, never going back on her word. Later, when Prince Jin developed feelings for Miss Xiao, he entered the palace to beg for an imperial marriage decree.
The Emperor felt her humble origins made her unworthy of becoming a princess consort. But the Prince argued that a life-saving grace outweighed all else, and reminded the Emperor of his past promises. He knelt for a full day and night before finally securing the decree.
Nanny Zhou believed the Prince to be a man of responsibility and gratitude, perfectly matched with Miss Xiao, whose healer’s heart embodied compassion.
Moreover, Miss Xiao was not only kind and skilled in medicine, but also beautiful.
On the very day the Prince knelt in the palace for the decree, Miss Xiao remained at the residence, doing nothing in particular—basking in the sun in the morning, sipping tea in the afternoon. She appeared utterly at ease, unconcerned whether the Prince would succeed in obtaining the marriage decree.
Nanny Zhou remembered asking her then: “Miss Xiao, are you not nervous?”
“What is there to be nervous about?” Xiao Qingxue smiled lightly, her voice calm as drifting clouds. “Marriage is destined by Heaven. If fate binds us, the wedding will naturally come to pass. If not, forcing it would be useless.”
In the end, the Emperor did agree to the marriage.
When the Prince returned to the residence, his joy was uncontainable. Though kneeling for a full day had left him utterly exhausted, and the princess consort had to apply medicine to soothe his knees, his happiness radiated from within, enveloping the entire household in its glow.
The wedding was grand and magnificent, a celebration that seemed as if it had only just taken place.
Nanny Zhou paused in her steps, gazing silently at the Frost-and-Snow Courtyard, and let out a quiet sigh.
From the imperial decree to the marriage, only two months had passed—swift indeed. And from the wedding to today… merely two short years.
Time flies; hearts change.
A sudden pang of melancholy and sorrow welled up in Nanny Zhou’s chest. She could not even say what exactly she mourned.
Such was the way of the world: women never held true voice. What was a life-saving grace worth? When gratitude burned bright, they would exalt you as a goddess of the heavens. But when gratitude faded, they would say that curing the crown prince was your honor.
When affection was deep, they wished to pluck the stars from the sky to gift you. When their hearts turned cold, they would claim women must be humble and docile, that jealousy and rivalry were petty, unbecoming of a mistress of the household.
Nanny Zhou stepped through the courtyard gate, across the stone-paved yard, and stopped outside the chamber door. “Princess Consort.”
Xiao Qingxue replied, “Come in.”
Nanny Zhou lifted her foot over the threshold, and upon raising her head, met the gaze of Mingyue, who stood at the princess consort’s side. With a soft sigh, she said, “The Crown Prince asked this old servant to inform you—Miss Mingyue is requested to come to the front courtyard.”
Mingyue frowned. “What does he want with me?”
“The eldest son of the General has brought Miss Yun to see the Crown Prince. They are speaking with His Highness in the front hall,” Nanny Zhou explained. “The Crown Prince has summoned Miss Mingyue—he wishes you to apologize to Miss Yun in person.”
“He’s dreaming,” Mingyue sneered. “Me, apologize to that arrogant little wretch? Better she go home and look in the mirror, see if she’s even worthy!”
Nanny Zhou frowned. “Miss Mingyue, Young Master Yun suggested to the Crown Prince that you committed disrespect toward your betters. Even if you are not sentenced to death by the rod, you should at least be beaten with twenty strokes. The Crown Prince said that since Miss Yun has not yet entered the palace as consort, striking her maid was only an act of loyalty to your mistress, not insubordination. He asks only that you apologize face-to-face.”
Mingyue laughed coldly. “So I should thank His Highness for his boundless mercy?”
Nanny Zhou wanted to press further, but Xiao Qingxue spoke first: “Nanny Zhou, you need not trouble yourself. Go back and tell the Crown Prince that my maid has done nothing wrong today. She owes no apology to anyone.”
Nanny Zhou fell silent for a moment, then spoke earnestly: “Princess Consort, this old servant understands how the matter of the Crown Princess has wronged you. But the Crown Prince is sovereign—his word is law. Once he enters the Eastern Palace, he will be its master, and Miss Yun will become Crown Princess. If you break with them now, I fear the days ahead will be hard…”
Behind Yun Xueyao stands the powerful household of the State General.
If conflict arises between the Crown Princess and a side consort, it is obvious whom the Crown Prince will protect. Moreover, the Crown Princess will hold authority over the Eastern Palace’s inner court. Should she bear resentment, the side consort would have no choice but to endure it.