The early summer days seemed to arrive especially early. Although Empress Cao of Zhengyang Palace did not need to receive morning greetings from the consorts and concubines, she still rose early.
Empress Cao sat before her dressing table with her hair half-undone. The clear mirror reflected a face that was rather plain—unremarkable features, skin that could barely be considered fair, and nothing that could be described as beautiful.
Even the most skilled flatterer could only praise Her Majesty the Empress for her innate dignity, grace, and virtue.
Thinking again of the phrase "too plain in appearance to bewitch the sovereign," Empress Cao felt a rare sense of despondency. In truth, her face was not ugly—after all, how could a woman born into an official's family be unattractive? She was simply plain, and when compared to the plump and slender beauties of the rear palace, she fell short.
Empress Cao swept her gaze across the room. The attendants all kept their heads bowed, silent as crows. Those in the inner hall knew that whenever Empress Cao sat before her dressing mirror without bothering to do her makeup, it was a sign of her worst mood. Anyone who provoked her at such a time would face dire consequences.
After all, while Empress Cao was virtuous, respectful, and humble toward the Guanjia, and kind and magnanimous toward the consorts and concubines, she was a strict mistress to those who served her.
"Shengren," Nanny Ping looked at her mistress with concern. She knew that the Consort often tormented herself over her lack of beauty. Nanny Ping could only comfort her by saying that as the Empress, she need not compare herself to consorts who relied on their looks to serve others. Yet, after each morning greeting on the first and fifteenth days of the month, when she saw those radiant, jade-like faces, the Consort would become gloomy and despondent.
"Matron, why don’t I look like Mother? Mother is so beautiful, yet I don’t resemble her at all. If I looked like Mother, perhaps the Guanjia would favor me just as Father favored her," Empress Cao murmured wistfully, touching her face.
The matriarch of the Cao family was a classic beauty, deeply cherished by the family head. Yet, Empress Cao did not take after her mother but rather her father. At home, everyone said that a daughter who resembled her father would be blessed, and Cao Qi adored this daughter precisely because she looked like him. Empress Cao’s girlhood could be said to have been quite happy.
Raised in luxury until her marriage, Empress Cao faced many setbacks. Her first betrothal, to a son of the Li family, ended when he fled and became a monk on their wedding day. Fortunately, after Empress Guo was deposed, the court officials selected her as the nation’s mother. Yet, she still failed to win her husband’s affection. She had no choice but to be virtuous, frugal, and magnanimous, becoming an impeccable Empress.
Nanny Ping did not know what to say. She understood that Empress Cao was not really asking her, nor did she need a right or wrong answer.
After a moment of silence, Empress Cao lowered her eyes and spoke. "What news came from Funing Hall yesterday?" Empress Cao thought that, given the Guanjia’s usual favor toward Consort Zhang, it was likely another case of leniency.
Ruyi said with a delighted expression, "The Guanjia rewarded Noble Lady Zhao with a box of pearls and granted her permission to ride a sedan chair within the palace."
Empress Cao was not at all surprised. "This Noble Lady Zhao has turned misfortune into fortune. The Guanjia is truly generous for the sake of his favorite."
Ruyi smiled brightly. "Shengren, you are mistaken. The Guanjia not only rewarded Noble Lady Zhao but also punished Consort Zhang with one month of confinement. I heard that when Consort Zhang received the decree, she smashed an entire room of porcelain."
This news also surprised Empress Cao. "What's going on now? Guanjia actually has the heart to do this?" Although it was very rude for a palace consort to beat other concubines without reason, it was different when it involved a favored consort. To put it bluntly, in matters of the harem, right and wrong depended entirely on how Guanjia thought.
Take the previous emperor, for example. For the sake of Empress Dowager Liu, he first kept her outside the palace for ten years despite Emperor Taizong's reprimands, and later defied the world's disapproval to make her empress.
Looking at how Zhao Zhen had previously shown such intentions toward Consort Zhang, why would he punish her so severely now? Although Empress Cao was displeased with Consort Zhang for defying her, she could only avoid confronting her. Now, with Guanjia acting this way, she became curious.
After much thought, she still couldn't figure it out. Nanny Ping chimed in, "Your Majesty, after all, you are the mistress of the harem. Why bother with them? These little songbirds become arrogant and domineering when they gain their master's favor for a while, but once they lose that favor, they're still at the mercy of others."
"Consort Zhang has been favored for more than a day or two. Moreover, she is now pregnant and about to give birth. There are few children in the palace—look at how the eldest princess is doted on. If she gives birth to a prince, it will be even more extraordinary."
Even though she knew Nanny Ping was comforting her, Empress Cao felt a moment of happiness, though she still spoke this way.
Nanny Ping said, "Being able to give birth is one thing, but being able to survive is another. Look at the Princess Anshou she gave birth to before. Guanjia often doted on her, but what good did it do? She didn't even live to her first birthday." These words were vicious. If others heard them, they would hardly believe they came from someone in the empress's palace, known for its gentleness and kindness.
Empress Cao showed no change in expression. Instead, she sighed, "At least she can give birth. Being able to give birth is a blessing. I'm afraid I don't have that blessing." Empress Cao touched her own belly. Guanjia came once a month or even less frequently, and when he did, the two of them simply slept. Even if she dared to conceive, Guanjia wouldn't acknowledge it.
A glint flashed in Nanny Ping's eyes. "So, Your Majesty, you must also think for yourself. If the mistress has no children, isn't adopting the child of someone beneath her also a path?"
"I've thought of that, but where is the suitable candidate? Take Consort Zhang—her rank is high, and she is favored. It's possible that as soon as her child is born, she'll be promoted to Jieyu or even a second-rank consort. She would never be willing to give her child to me." Empress Cao said with difficulty.
"Your Majesty has forgotten. Lady Xue, who arrived yesterday, is also three months pregnant. Her rank is low, and although she has caught Guanjia's eye, she hasn't yet established her footing. Isn't she the most suitable candidate?"
Empress Cao pondered for a moment, then shook her head. "Lady Xue's status is too low. What kind of good child could she give birth to? The harem is vast, and children will come eventually. Let's wait and see."
Nanny Ping said, "Your Majesty is right to consider this carefully. The child raised by Your Majesty would have a different status."
Empress Cao took a sip of tea and, seeing that the tea leaves in the bowl were well-brewed, gave Shunxin an approving glance. Seeing her mistress in a better mood, Nanny Ping quickly signaled the hairdresser to come and style her hair.
Empress Cao knew her looks were not as good as others'. To embody dignity and show her simplicity, she often wore dark colors, adorned only with gold and silver jewelry, and typically wore fresh or artificial flowers in her hair. Thus, she was quickly dressed and ready.
Outside, the table was already laden with a full spread of food, from north to south, from the skies to the land. There were even seven or eight types of porridge alone. After all, the empress's provisions were not something a Jun Furen could compare to. Yet, the person dining seemed to have little appetite.
Empress Cao was a typical noblewoman who advocated for eating sparingly to maintain her figure, and she herself had little appetite. After just a few bites of candied ginger shreds and half a bowl of red rice porridge, she called for the dishes to be cleared away.
After breakfast, Empress Cao attended to her routine palace duties when suddenly a Xiao Huangmen came to report, "Your Majesty, Guanjia's imperial carriage is heading this way. Please prepare to receive him."
Upon hearing this, not only was Empress Cao delighted, but the attending palace maids were also overjoyed. It had been over a month since Guanjia last visited Zhengyang Palace. The Emperor's arrival brought immense joy even to the Empress herself, and the entire Zhengyang Palace seemed to come alive with the news.
As Guanjia stepped through the palace gates, accompanied by the eunuch's announcement of "His Majesty has arrived," Empress Cao bowed deeply.
"Rise," Zhao Zhen said casually as he passed by Empress Cao without stopping.
Guanjia and the Empress sat across from each other with a small table between them. Empress Cao respectfully offered a cup of tea and asked with a smile, "Has Guanjia come here to discuss something?" She knew she was not favored, so Guanjia's visit to Zhengyang Palace was certainly not for romantic purposes.
The weather in May was already quite hot. Even with the spacious imperial carriage and plenty of ice, Zhao Zhen had still broken into a sweat after coming in from the blazing sun outside. Glancing at the steaming hot tea in the Empress's hands, he felt even warmer just looking at it, so he casually took it and set it aside.
Guanjia said, "During this morning's court session, several ministers proposed that the imperial court lacks an heir and that a new selection of consorts should be held."
Hearing this, Empress Cao was reluctant. Most of the palace consorts came from minor official families, and even the few who were favored posed no threat to her position. However, if a new selection were held and women from prominent noble families entered the palace, it would not bode well for her.
She forced a smile and asked, "What is Guanjia's opinion?"
Zhao Zhen paid no attention to Empress Cao's expression and continued, "In March, the flooding in Shandong required a large sum from the treasury to resettle refugees and provide disaster relief. Now it's already May, and the south has seen little rain. The treasury must also prepare for a potential drought. Holding a selection of consorts is costly—how can we prioritize my personal affairs over the welfare of the people?"
Empress Cao was inwardly pleased but still felt obliged to offer a polite objection. "Even so, wouldn't this be unfair to Guanjia?"
Guanjia replied indifferently, "What unfairness is there for me? The selection of consorts is merely for the continuation of the imperial lineage. Consort Zhang and Jun Jun Xue are both pregnant. For the sake of the imperial heirs, I must ask the Empress to take good care of them."
"Guanjia speaks too seriously. This is my duty. I think the two ladies must be weary from their pregnancies. Why not instruct the Twenty-Four Bureaus to improve their daily provisions so they can rest and nurture their pregnancies in peace?" As long as there was no selection of consorts, Empress Cao was generous in her suggestions.
Guanjia nodded with a smile. "The Empress is thoughtful. However, Jun Jun Xue still resides in Consort Meng's Pifang Hall. Although they are related and Consort Meng is gentle by nature, the space is rather cramped. Since Jun Jun Xue is still in the early stages of her pregnancy, let us arrange for her to move to another palace."
Empress Cao agreed without hesitation, as it posed no harm to her. "Guanjia is right. Has Guanjia already decided on a place?"
"Yanhui Hall is suitable. It has spacious courtyards and plenty of room for movement," Zhao Zhen said, having already made up his mind.
Yanhui Hall was one of the most magnificent palaces in the imperial compound, having been renovated just two years prior. With its beautiful scenery, proximity to Taiye Pond, and comfortable temperatures in both winter and summer, it had historically been the residence of favored consorts. Before Empress Dowager Liu entered the palace and was enfeoffed as Empress, she had lived there.
Empress Cao understood immediately that Guanjia had already made up his mind. Gritting her teeth against the inner discomfort, she suppressed it and said, "Since Jun Jun Xue is with child, this is indeed appropriate. However, Yanhui Hall is a palace of consort rank, so Jun Jun Xue would likely only be able to reside in the side rooms. Perhaps we could grant her special permission to stay in the side hall."
She knew that Xue Dongyu had won Guanjia's favor. Otherwise, with so many pregnancies in the palace before, Guanjia had never brought up such a matter. If she opposed it now, Guanjia might be displeased. Since she had to agree, it was better to be generous and grant her some preferential treatment.
Before her words had fully settled, Guanjia calmly said, "There's no need for special permission. Just promote Xue to Cairen."
The Empress's smile froze on her face. She hesitated, about to speak, when Guanjia suddenly stood up and said, "That's settled then. There are matters in the court. I must go."
In the palace, the conferral of titles for consorts below Guiren, who hold no official rank, only requires an oral decree from Guanjia or the Empress. However, formal consorts with official ranks must be granted titles through the Empress's official edict.
Zhang Maoze cast a sympathetic glance at the Empress. After seeing Guanjia admiring the moon with Lady Xue last night, he had known that Lady Xue held some place in Guanjia's heart. Upon returning to the palace, Guanjia had written on paper, "Beneath the moon, by the willow's head, we met as dusk descended." Though he was a eunuch, he was still a man—how could he not understand?
As the imperial entourage departed and the figures faded into the distance, Empress Cao murmured bitterly, "Another Consort Zhang? How is it that the flowers in this palace never cease to bloom?"