Consort Wu glared at Yang Jieyu’s retreating figure, silently cursing her.
She had left so grandly the night before, only to return disappointed—surely she would be ridiculed for it.
“Master, at least the Emperor remembered you, which is why he summoned you for night service. Yesterday was an unusual day, so even the Emperor had no choice but to go—after all, there were many incidents in recent days.”
Lian’er supported her gently, trying to soothe her.
Consort Wu didn’t want to hear such reasoning. Flustered, she swung her embroidered handkerchief and strode out.
With the Virtuous Consort out of favor, the Empress back in power, the number of attending concubines was noticeably higher. Except for Consort Rong, all other palace women were present.
Consort Xian sat at the head, glancing at Consort Shu opposite her with a faint, ambiguous smile.
“Consort Shu, long time no see. You appear weary.”
Their family backgrounds were similar, but Consort Shu liked to act gentle and magnanimous, winning the Emperor’s praise.
Consort Xian had never liked her.
Consort Shu lifted her eyes briefly to meet hers, then bowed them again.
“I cannot compare to Consort Xian. With so much recent turmoil in the palace, you seem quite cheerful.”
Her words immediately placed Consort Xian at a disadvantage.
Consort Xian’s smile faded. “Consort Shu speaks cleverly. Naturally, a clever tongue is necessary to win the Emperor’s favor. After all, the palace has many beauties and heirs, yet few, like Consort Shu, are so articulate.”
Her words were meant to stab at Consort Shu’s heart.
Consort Shu’s eyes flashed coldly. “In speaking, it seems Consort Xian still has the edge. No wonder you bore two formidable princesses. You’re right—so many beauties in the palace, Consort Xian ought to worry about her favor.”
Recently, among high-ranking concubines, Consort Xian was the least favored.
Hearing Consort Shu’s words, her face reddened in anger. She instinctively pressed her fingertips into her palm, the slight pain helping her restrain herself.
Yet she could not speak a word.
At this moment, regaining the Emperor’s favor was paramount—only then could she hope to bear a son.
Consort Hui sat to the side, accustomed to hearing these pointed exchanges.
At that moment, the newly reinstated Empress entered.
Dressed in imperial phoenix-embroidered ceremonial robes, she exuded grace. All concubines stood, greeting her in unison.
The sound echoed through the hall.
Hua Shu waved her sleeve and sat, not allowing them to remain standing. The concubines looked puzzled. What was the Empress intending?
In the silent tension, Consort Xian spoke first.
“Empress, what is your meaning?”
As she spoke, she straightened and lifted her gaze toward the Empress.
Hua Shu casually glanced at her, then looked at the group of concubines below.
“Consort Xian, what is my meaning? You presume to question me? Truly, there is no hierarchy in this harem.”
Her words were icy, leaving no room for courtesy.
Consort Xian’s face flushed red; she had not expected the Empress to reprimand her publicly.
Hua Shu lifted her hand slightly. Behind her, Madam Wen led the maids to each concubine, holding a small booklet of palace regulations.
“Today, I advise all of you: understand the palace rules, respect decorum, and do not cause trouble. Should I become aware of any misconduct, there will be no leniency.”
Hua Shu’s voice was soft yet clear in the hall.
“These palace rules must be studied diligently, copied repeatedly, and remembered. In the golden month of August, when presenting your respects, submit your copies to Kunning Palace.”
The concubines’ faces fell.
The Empress was issuing a subtle punishment.
Hua Shu paid no attention to their thoughts. Feeling fatigued, she intended to retire.
Once inside her chambers, a warm sensation surged through her abdomen—cramping painfully.
Hua Shu nearly lost her balance. Yun Yue noticed and quickly supported her, concerned.
“Your Highness, are you unwell?”
Hua Shu pressed her hand to her abdomen, frowning. Could it really be that time?
Yun Xiu, attentive, saw her expression, quickly calculated the dates, and realized it was indeed the time. She hurried to prepare water.
“Yun Yue, support the Empress to rest—her menstruation has begun.”
The room grew busy. Hua Shu lay on the bed, clutching the covers, writhing in discomfort.
She had never realized how exhausting this was.
The maids cleaned her, changing her into fresh garments. Yun Xiu brought medicine.
Hua Shu had always been prone to cold in her constitution; severe pain required treatment.
After taking the medicine, she felt somewhat better, leaning against the bed. The exertion had left her sweating, her face pale.
She was momentarily lost in thought—female coldness could affect pregnancy.
But for now, there was no time to dwell; she could only recuperate gradually.
The concubines, having received the palace rule book, were filled with resentment.
Concubine Wan stirred her handkerchief and approached Consort Xian. Since the Virtuous Consort was gone, she needed a new ally.
“Consort Xian, what do you think the Empress means?”
Upon speaking, she was met with a sharp glance from Consort Xian, displeased.
“What else could it mean? When she was out of favor, we failed to pay respects, secretly mocking her. Now that she’s back in power, she is taking revenge.”
Hearing this, Concubine Wan’s gaze fell on Consort Wu, who was passing by.
“Yesterday, the Emperor summoned Consort Wu early for night service. But later, he still went to Kunning Palace. This time, the Empress only made her copy the rules. Next time… who knows what measures she might take?”
Though a little simple-minded, Concubine Wan’s observation was fair.
Consort Xian’s expression shifted. She had managed to remove a rival once, only to have the Empress wield it as a cautionary example—how could she accept that?
“Consort Wu.”
Consort Xian spoke. Wan quickly had her brought over.
Consort Wu was beautiful, with a good figure, timidly standing before them and greeting them.
Having cried, she looked rather pitiable.
Consort Xian reached out, lifting her chin, inspecting her. Satisfied, she said, “Consort Wu, the Emperor cares for you. You simply lacked the opportunity. Today, the Empress not only fails to console you, but also makes you copy the rules. If the Emperor knew, how heartbroken he would be!”
Hearing this, a thin veil of tears welled in Consort Wu’s eyes. Her grievance filled her heart.
Consort Xian smiled lightly and left gracefully.
Consort Wu remained, dabbing her tears with no satisfaction, and instead of returning to her chambers, she took another path.
In Caiyun Palace,
Madam Wen led her party inside. Maid Songshi blocked the way, asking,
“Madam Wen, my master is unwell. What brings you here?”
Seeing Songshi’s proud demeanor, Madam Wen could not help but snort inwardly.
No matter how favored, a concubine of humble birth was still just that before the Empress.
Acting so high and mighty all day, thinking herself untouchable.
“We come by the Empress’s orders. Knowing that Consort Rong is unwell, she is concerned and requested the Imperial Physician to check her pulse. Furthermore, Her Majesty commands that everyone in the palace be familiar with the rules, copying them to submit to Kunning Palace.”
Madam Wen finished speaking. Songshi immediately refused.
“Madam Wen, my master is unwell, the Emperor has cared for her. Surely the Empress does not wish her to copy the…”
Before she could finish, Madam Wen interrupted, eyes stern.
“The Empress is merciful and considerate, instructing the Imperial Physician to care for Consort Rong. She specifically said Consort Rong need not copy the rules. But for fairness and palace order, she commands the maids to read them aloud daily. I hope the lady will understand.”