Pifang Hall was located on the left side of the imperial palace, quite a distance from Empress Cao’s Zhengyang Palace. If Xue Dongyu had to walk there on foot, it would have taken at least half an hour. Sitting in the sedan chair, she secretly felt relieved.
Exiting Chuifang Gate, they proceeded straight along Ruyi Lane, passed through the imperial garden, and soon arrived at Zhengyang Palace—the journey took no more than a quarter of an hour.
Stepping down from the sedan chair, she was met with scorching sunlight that made the bluestone pavement in front of the palace feel hot underfoot.
Consort Meng called out to Xue Dongyu, “Sister, come in quickly—the sun is too harsh.” Xue Dongyu hurried to follow.
Zhengyang Palace had been the residence of the empress since the founding of the dynasty. It was grand and imposing, with countless green plants and flowers in its courtyards. Solemn and dignified palace maids and eunuchs moved about in an orderly manner, giving it the dignified atmosphere befitting the main palace.
Empress Cao was not favored by the Emperor, and her family had long lost its influence. Thus, she could only maintain a gentle and dignified demeanor, always appearing virtuous and magnanimous toward the consorts.
The two arrived neither early nor late. Only a few consorts of lower rank were already seated. Xue Dongyu followed Consort Meng in performing a grand bow to the Empress: “Your humble consort pays respects to the Empress. May the Empress enjoy boundless fortune and peace.” After the formalities, everyone took their seats in order.
Following the guidance of a palace maid, Xue Dongyu sat in a position toward the back on the right side.
She looked up and saw a woman in lotus-colored clothing ahead of her. Her appearance suggested she was in her late twenties, dressed simply, but her eyes were particularly striking.
Noticing Xue Dongyu’s gaze, the woman smiled and said, “You must be Lady Xue. Lady Xue, you’ve been resting more often during your pregnancy and rarely move about the palace. My surname is Wang, and I am a few years older than you. I reside in Diyu Pavilion.”
Palace rules were strict. Those below the formal rank of Guiren could address each other as “Lady,” while consorts with official ranks naturally addressed each other by their titles.
Lady Wang appeared to be a consort from earlier years. Her seat was not far from Xue Dongyu’s, suggesting she was likely a Jun Furen or Guo Furen.
Xue Dongyu replied, “Greetings, Lady Wang.” Sitting together, it would have been awkward to remain silent, so they chatted idly about the weather and jewelry.
Consorts arrived one after another. Xue Dongyu looked at the room filled with elegantly dressed women, each a vision of spring, and couldn’t help but envy the Emperor’s good fortune.
Consort Miao was delicate and petite, like the girl next door, yet with the added gentleness of motherhood. Consort Yu was tall and slender, her neck as white and elegant as a swan’s, with distinct features that carried an air of aloofness and pride, as if detached from worldly affairs. The other consorts each had their own unique charm.
Ugh, that old lecher, she thought. Why didn’t my transmigration go all the way and let me become the Emperor directly?
Unbeknownst to her, the consorts present were also observing her. At the sight of Xue Dongyu, many were startled—such a beauty, yet the Guanjia had neglected her for so long. No wonder he had taken an interest in her again once she became pregnant.
They all knew that in his younger, more spirited days, the Guanjia had once shown genuine affection for the harem.
Nowadays, the Guanjia was like a pool of water—gentle yet indifferent. Many of those present had not seen him for a long time. That was why Consort Zhang’s favor stood out so conspicuously.
Subtle, scrutinizing glances fell upon Xue Dongyu, making her inwardly uneasy. Yet, she could only pretend nothing was amiss and continue chatting with Lady Wang.
Lady Wang, while half-heartedly conversing with Xue Dongyu, also felt curious. This Lady Xue did not seem like a simple character, remaining composed under so many watchful eyes.
Fortunately, she had long abandoned any ambition to compete in the harem. Even when facing the palace’s current rising favorite, her intentions were purely conversational.
A quarter of an hour had passed, and all the consorts who should have arrived were already present. Empress Cao sat high in the main seat, her gaze sweeping over the third empty position to her left, a hint of chill in her eyes.
Noble Lady Zhao, seated diagonally in front of Xue Dongyu, deliberately raised her voice. "The time for morning greetings is almost over, yet Consort Zhang still hasn’t arrived. Though she is with child, she should not disrespect the Empress. Lady Xue is also pregnant, yet she is not like her."
Hearing herself dragged into the matter, Xue Dongyu hurriedly replied, "Consort Zhang is eight months pregnant, which is different from my situation."
As soon as she finished speaking, a young eunuch announced loudly, "Consort Zhang has arrived!"
Noble Lady Zhao’s face turned pale with panic, and the other consorts fell silent.
Consort Zhang was the most favored in the palace, and her temper matched the extent of her favor. In the past, when such incidents occurred and she found out, no one had escaped unscathed.
The timing was so precise that most knew Consort Zhang would not let the matter rest.
Amidst the crowd, a beautiful woman appeared. Her belly was swollen, yet her limbs remained slender, and she was dressed entirely in a single color scheme.
Her palace attire, in the gradient hues of a sky after rain, was worth its weight in gold inch by inch. Her delicate brows resembled autumn waters, and her jade-like skin was accompanied by the gentle breeze of autumn. The emperor’s favor had bestowed upon her unparalleled beauty.
Supported by attendants, Consort Zhang placed her hands on her belly and glanced at Empress Cao. "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I am in a delicate condition and cannot perform the proper courtesies."
Without waiting for Empress Cao’s response, she walked to her seat on her own.
Empress Cao replied with calm indifference, "You are with child and need not attend morning greetings. How could I blame you?"
Disappointed at not seeing Empress Cao lose her composure, Consort Zhang shifted her gaze.
First, she fixed her eyes on Xue Dongyu, then turned to Noble Lady Zhao. Consort Zhang’s eyes were beautiful, seeming to hold affection in every glance, yet Noble Lady Zhao trembled with fear.
Noble Lady Zhao sat trembling in her seat, not daring to lift her head.
Consort Zhang sneered, "I wondered who dared to arrange matters on my behalf. So it’s Noble Lady Zhao. Let me see what kind of mouth you have, that it spews nothing but nonsense."
With a smile still on her face, Consort Zhang stood up and approached Noble Lady Zhao. She reached out and lifted Noble Lady Zhao’s chin.
Suddenly, she slapped her. The entire hall of consorts was startled. No one had expected Consort Zhang to dare such an act in Zhengyang Palace. No matter how favored she was, she was merely a fourth-rank Meiren.
Xue Dongyu was also taken aback, but Consort Zhang acted as if nothing had happened. She wiped her hands with a handkerchief, as if Noble Lady Zhao’s face had dirtied her jade-like hands.
The humiliating gesture, combined with the pain on her face, brought tears to Noble Lady Zhao’s eyes.
She knelt in disarray and pleaded to the Empress, "Even if I were at fault, it is for the Empress to punish me. How dare Consort Zhang strike me?"
Consort Zhang replied disdainfully, "I struck you because I felt like it. Why should I care if you were at fault?"
Empress Cao remained unmoved. "Consort Zhang is with child and is easily agitated. Noble Lady Zhao also spoke out of turn. However, violence has no place in the inner palace. Consort Zhang is to return to her palace and copy the palace regulations once."
Clearly, Empress Cao was showing favoritism toward Consort Zhang, but Consort Zhang neither expressed gratitude nor took her leave. She simply turned and walked away.
Faced with such blatant disrespect, Empress Cao’s face turned pale with anger, the veins on her fair hands bulging.
The consorts below remained as quiet as mice. Noble Lady Zhao continued to weep pitifully. Xue Dongyu had never imagined that her first morning greetings would turn into such a spectacle, and she dared not draw attention to herself.
An oppressive silence filled the palace chamber. After a while, Empress Cao seemed to have regained her composure and, with a sense of disinterest, dismissed the concubines.