The summer heat was scorching. Inside Funing Hall, Dragon's Saliva Incense was burning. Zhao Zhen, who had just finished reviewing a memorial requesting the handling of a major flood in Hedong, was resting with his hand supporting his forehead.
He was exhausted. Not only was he troubled by state affairs, but his harem had also repeatedly suffered the loss of children. Just a month earlier, Princess Anshou, born to his most favored consort, Consort Zhang, had passed away.
Not only did he grieve the loss of the child, but he also worried that his beloved Consort Zhang, who was seven months pregnant, might be affected by the tragedy.
Whenever he was alone, away from the chaos outside, Zhao Zhen would often feel waves of fear.
No son!
How terrifying it was for a ruler already thirty years old.
He had no choice but to follow his father’s example and prepare a backup—Zhao Zongshi, a son from the imperial clan.
However, Zhao Zhen sincerely hoped that he would be as fortunate as his father and eventually have a biological heir.
The rustling of sleeves caught his attention. Zhang Maoze softly reported, "Guanjia, great news! Word has come from Pifang Hall that Xue Xiapei is three months pregnant."
As he spoke, he knelt and bowed. The maids and eunuchs in the hall were all astute individuals; upon hearing this, they all knelt and congratulated in unison, "Guanjia, great news!"
The Emperor now also displayed immense joy, delighted by the good news from his harem.
Xue Xiapei—she seemed to be the woman he had favored a few months ago in Consort Meng’s palace. He vaguely remembered her appearance as exceptionally beautiful, and he had elevated her from a palace maid to Hong Xiapei.
It was worth noting that those who were not particularly favored were usually only granted the title of Yushi. Hong Xiapei was even one rank above Zi Xiapei, which itself was above Yushi.
However, in the following months, the successive blows of Consort Zhang’s pregnancy discomfort and the princess’s illness and death had caused him to forget about this woman. Three months had passed, and if not for this pregnancy, he might have already pushed her to the back of his mind.
Casually, he ordered the arrangement of a carriage to head to Pifang Hall.
In Pifang Hall, Consort Meng held Xue Dongyu’s hand and said, "You probably don’t fully understand the situation in the palace yet.
Empress Cao of Zhengyang Palace, though not favored, is fortunately gentle by nature and treats consorts and palace maids with kindness. Now that you are pregnant, you need not worry. Once the Emperor’s rewards arrive, the Empress’s rewards will likely follow.
Consort Miao of Ningcui Hall shares a childhood friendship with the Emperor and has borne his only child, Princess Fukang. You also need not be concerned. Consort Miao cares only for the Emperor and the Princess and pays little attention to others.
Then there’s Consort Yu, who once gave birth to the Emperor’s first son, but unfortunately, the child passed away after just a few days. She has since grown indifferent to favor. As for others like Noble Lady Zhao and Cairen Li, with me here, you need not fear."
After listening to this lengthy introduction to Emperor Renzong of Song’s harem, Xue Dongyu couldn’t help herself. Her charming, large eyes filled with curiosity as she asked, "I’ve heard that the most favored in the harem now is Consort Zhang. What is she like?"
Consort Meng gave her a displeased look and tapped Xue Dongyu’s forehead with her slender finger. "You little girl, you’re about to become a mother, yet you’re still so impatient."
Xue Dongyu wasn’t afraid. In modern times, her brothers and sisters would also give her a hard time before fulfilling her requests.
"Dear cousin, please tell me. I heard Consort Zhang was originally a dancer from the music troupe. She won the Emperor’s heart with a single dance and has since risen rapidly."
Consort Meng, unable to withstand the persistent questioning, finally spoke: "What you know isn't wrong. In this palace, who doesn't envy her? The emperor's favor is enough to lift someone to the highest heavens. Her initial title was Jun Jun, upon pregnancy she became Cairen with rank, and when the princess was born, her mother became Meiren."
"My Jieyu title may seem one rank higher than hers, but in reality, I cannot compare with her at all."
As she spoke, a seemingly blank expression appeared on Consort Meng's face.
"So in this deep palace, what matters most isn't your position, but your standing in the ruler's heart. With love, you are adorned with pearls and jade; with disdain, you fall into the abyss."
"Now that you have a child, Guanjia will surely pay more attention. The timing of your recent favor was truly unfortunate, almost wasted, but fortunately your fortune runs deep." Consort Meng looked earnestly at Xue Dongyu's jade-like, ice-clear skin and delicate features.
Consort Meng's words came from the depths of her heart. In this deep palace, there was no second person to whom she could open up so completely.
Yet Xue Dongyu, hearing her words, fell into thought. "The extent of Consort Zhang's favor didn't surprise her—historically recorded partiality was naturally grand and intense."
"But she hadn't expected that in Emperor Renzong of Song's harem, besides the official female lead, there existed so many different women."
"All the glory and disgrace of the palace women depended so vividly on one person. Everyone in the palace envied Consort Zhang, but what about Consort Meng?"
Over these past few days, the Consort Meng she had seen was a leisurely person fond of flowers and plants. She had never heard of her contending for the emperor's favor, as if she had already detached herself from love and hate. Had she once envied the beloved Consort Zhang like this too?
Xue Dongyu was not a fearless woman with rebellious spirit. What could one expect from a homebody landlady?
If she had any ambition, what she received after graduation wouldn't have been a house but a startup fund.
So was this child now in her belly equivalent to her house? A guaranteed profit?
Consort Meng, sitting nearby, examined Xue Dongyu inch by inch with her gaze, her eyes subtly shifting. Her cousin had truly changed a lot.
In her heart, her cousin Xue Dongyu had previously been rather undeveloped—this referred to her mentality, not her appearance.
Originally, upon receiving the family's message to look after this cousin who, due to her family's decline, had to enter the palace to preserve their wealth, she had been hopeful.
She knew the family didn't need her to excel in the palace, only to have someone there. Years of life without favor had worn down the spirit of this once talented beauty of Bianjing. She longed for someone to accompany her.
At first sight of Xue Dongyu, she knew her cousin would gain favor. "One inch of autumn waves, a thousand hu of bright pearls still seem few"—how could one not love a beauty as radiant as spring light in the palace halls?
But after brief contact, Consort Meng discovered her cousin's still tender and immature mentality.
There should have been time for guidance, but who could have anticipated Guanjia's sudden visit plucking this flower, with no further favor shown?
She had thought her cousin would also wither silently with her in the lonely palace.
Fortunately, heaven granted her wish. Consort Meng raised a smiling face, selected a white sugar almond cake, and slowly ate it.
The hall fell quiet for a moment. Outside the door came the voice of a Xiao Huangmen announcing that Guanjia was about to arrive. Consort Meng, while methodically instructing her subordinates to prepare for the reception, rewarded the Xiao Huangmen with a sealed envelope.
The tea favored by Guanjia had long been prepared by skilled palace maids specializing in tea service. As for pastries and the like, Guanjia had no particular preferences; it was merely a routine matter.
Before the two stepped out, Consort Meng examined Xue Dongyu’s attire.
Her thick, long hair was secured with a jade hairpin, adorned with small silk flowers in white, blue, and green, and she wore no makeup.
She wore a jade-white embroidered plum blossom jacket with a small front opening, a long skirt in a soft hue, and a light blue outer robe. Her natural beauty was her greatest asset.
Consort Meng nodded. “No need to add anything else. There isn’t enough time—let’s go out to welcome His Majesty.”
At the forefront was a bright yellow soft jade sedan chair carried by four bearers, adorned with tassels strung with pearls and fine jade that shimmered brilliantly in the sunlight.
Xue Dongyu let out a soft sigh. Only Bai Xing, who was supporting her, could sense the slight trembling of Xiapei’s body, a sign of her nervousness.
Anxious, Bai Xing whispered into Xue Dongyu’s ear, “Xiapei need not be nervous. Guanjia is benevolent, and Xiapei is with child. Even if there were any mistakes, you likely wouldn’t be blamed.”
How could she not be nervous? Xue Dongyu thought. In her previous life, she had never even met a mayor; the highest-ranking official she had encountered was her university president.
Moreover, this was the father of the little one in her belly. Having been single all her life, wasn’t she allowed to feel a bit nervous in front of her child’s father?
The sedan chair halted. Zhang Maoze, the attendant, lifted the curtain, and a figure clad in bright yellow emerged. Xue Dongyu bowed in greeting, her lowered gaze first meeting a pair of black boots with white soles.
A gentle yet authoritative voice spoke. “Rise.”
She lifted her head slightly and finally saw the true face of Emperor Renzong, praised in historical records for his noble bearing. Perhaps due to a life of privilege, he did not look like a man in his thirties but rather appeared to be in his twenties—handsome, with refined features and a tall, elegant stature.
Xue Dongyu breathed a sigh of relief. In the days to come, she had always hoped that her nominal husband and ruler would not be an ugly, fat-faced man. Such trivial torments would have been too painful.
Her heart eased, and a smile appeared on her face.
Guanjia was momentarily taken aback by this smile. So this was Xue Xiapei—her smile was like rain gently breaking through delicate pear blossoms. He had no memory of such a smile from her before, so pitiful and endearing.
He could also tell that this smile came from the heart, carrying the purest joy of a person. His heart softened involuntarily. Had she missed him so much during their long separation that she was this delighted to see him?
With this misunderstanding in mind, his tone grew even gentler. “It’s so hot outside. Why didn’t you wait indoors? Be careful not to get sunburned.” Consort Meng replied, “It is only proper to welcome Guanjia.” With that, the three of them entered the room.
After exchanging a few pleasantries with Consort Meng, Guanjia tactfully took his leave, leaving the two of them alone in the hall.
Guanjia sighed softly. “You’ve suffered these past few days. I heard you were ill for a while. Are you feeling better now?”
His tone was gentle yet firm. Listening to him, Xue Dongyu almost thought there had been some affection between them. In reality, the two had only met once.
Xue Dongyu knew that the Emperor could never be at fault. She quickly lowered her head, feeling flustered by the close proximity that pushed her social anxiety to its limits. Nervously, she whispered, “It’s nothing serious.”
Guanjia watched as the beauty’s slightly flushed cheeks, glistening with fine beads of sweat, made her appear even more adorable. Her shy, lowered gaze left him speechless. She truly was still just a young girl!
His voice grew even softer as he inquired about her recent diet and daily life. In the brief, honest, and sometimes amusing replies of the young beauty, he found a rare sense of relaxation.
Men, after all, always enjoy the admiration of women. However, within the palace, women adhere strictly to etiquette and propriety, so even their admiration is often restrained.
After conversing for quite some time, the Emperor received news: Consort Zhang was unwell and longed for his return.
Guanjia chuckled at this, knowing it was Consort Zhang acting coy. He was inclined to visit his favored consort but felt somewhat conflicted.
Xue Dongyu lowered her gaze. "Guanjia should go. Consort Zhang is with child. With Your Majesty by her side, she will fear nothing."
Hearing this, the Emperor prepared to leave. Slender fingers tugged at the sleeve of his robe as he turned, meeting a pair of eyes glimmering with delicate light. "You will come back, won't you?"
He knew that his three months of neglect had left her fearful. Without a word, he simply nodded.
Exiting the hall and boarding the Imperial Sedan, Zhao Zhen found himself thinking of another woman for the first time on his way to Consort Zhang's Ninghui Hall. He beckoned.
Zhang Maoze, ever perceptive, stepped forward and bowed, awaiting instructions.
Guanjia spoke: "Xue Xiapei, gentle, virtuous, serene, and diligent in her duties within the inner palace, has contributed to the imperial lineage. She is hereby conferred the title of Jianning Jun Furen."
Zhang Maoze promptly acknowledged the order and quietly withdrew from the sedan, his mind in turmoil. Jun Furen? This was only one rank below the formal position of Cairen, separated only by Guo Furen. Though it seemed incomparable to Consort Zhang's status, it was an extraordinary favor compared to the other women in the rear palace.
The ranks of the imperial consorts in the dynasty were as follows:
First Rank: Guifei, Shufei, Defei, Xianfei.
Second Rank (Imperial Concubines): Taiyi, Guiyi, Shuyi, Shurong, Shunyi, Shunrong, Wanyi, Wanrong, Zhaoyi, Zhaorong, Zhaoyuan, Xiuyi, Xiurong, Xiuyuan, Chongyi, Chongrong, Chongyuan.
Third Rank: Jieyu.
Fourth Rank: Meiren.
Fifth Rank: Cairen.
Sixth Rank: Guiren.
Below these were positions without formal rank: Guo Furen, Jun Furen, Jun Jun, Xianjun, Hong Xiapei, Zi Xiapei, Yushi.
Promotions within the rear palace of this dynasty heavily favored imperial favor. Initial titles were generally without rank unless one came from an exceptional family background, but with favor, advancement could be swift.
Consort Zhang was a living example—a dancer by origin, yet she rose to the formal Fourth Rank of Meiren in less than three years.
In contrast, someone like Cairen Li, the daughter of an official who entered the palace through the grand selection, was initially titled Xianjun. Even after becoming pregnant, giving birth to a daughter, and losing that daughter, she only reached Cairen. It was clear she would merely accumulate seniority from then on—though this was the norm for most women in the palace.
It seemed this newly titled Jianning Jun Furen could not be underestimated. Although imperial offspring were scarce, pregnancies did occur from time to time.
Yet this Guanjia, while appearing gentle, was in truth profoundly detached. Even if a woman he did not favor became pregnant or bore a child, it would not move him—his concern was solely for the continuation of the lineage.
Thus, he had not paid much attention when the former Xue Xiapei became pregnant. Now, however, he would have to tread carefully.