Consort Wan’s face revealed embarrassment. She unconsciously clutched her handkerchief, feeling both aggrieved and resentful.
Consort Xian was always like this—she wouldn’t spare even a glance for those of lower rank.
Consort De, seeing her approach, had the maids prepare tea and teased lightly, “Little sister, what a rare guest! What brings you to me today?”
They were similar in age and rank, but Consort De deliberately called her “little sister” to assert superiority.
Consort Xian’s features were dignified, her brows and eyes radiating a certain authority. She did not take offense at the title.
“You seem even more radiant now that Consort De oversees the six palaces,” she remarked.
Hearing this, Consort De couldn’t hide her pride, though she maintained a poised expression. “Little sister, you may not know, managing the palace affairs is exhausting—each task is a headache. Thankfully, the emperor trusts me, otherwise…”
Her tone was clearly affected, and even Consort Wan found it grating.
Consort Xian smiled faintly, continuing, “Indeed, I’ve heard the Empress Dowager will soon return. I wonder what the emperor plans to do then.”
She sipped the hot tea, her eyes flickering with subtle amusement.
Once the Empress Dowager returned, the empress would gain a powerful backer.
The emperor had not publicly punished the empress, but authority over the palace might shift depending on the situation.
Consort De’s gaze darkened slightly. She clearly understood the subtext in Consort Xian’s words—exactly what she had been worrying about.
The empress was jealous. The emperor had entrusted Consort De with palace authority, possibly because he feared the empress. If the empress regained her power, Consort De might be the first target.
“Consort Xian, have you come to inform the Empress Dowager of this matter?” Consort De asked. A matter of no concern wouldn’t normally merit a special visit.
Consort Xian smiled but said nothing, merely glancing at the attendants beside her.
Consort De understood, and with a few brief words, sent Consort Wan away, dismissing the attendants.
“Consort De, the empress lost power because she crossed the emperor’s favored concubine. Over the years, you’ve seen how much favor Rong Zhao Yi enjoys. Should she give birth to a prince, how do you think the emperor will react?”
Consort Xian spoke plainly.
Consort De fell silent, contemplating. The emperor had taken the phoenix seal from the empress because of Rong Zhao Yi. If Rong Zhao Yi bore a son, not only would Consort De’s authority be threatened, the Crown Prince’s position could also be undermined.
A serious threat indeed.
Though she thought this, Consort De concealed her feelings. “Why tell me this, little sister? Do you have some purpose?”
“I am straightforward and dislike beating around the bush. Rong Zhao Yi enjoys too much favor—does it sit well with you?” Consort Xian replied, setting down her teacup, producing a faint clinking sound as it met the table.
Their eyes met, an unspoken understanding passing between them.
Upon leaving Chuxiu Palace, Consort Xian adjusted her robes as she settled onto the sedan chair. The maid Cong Mei whispered, “Mistress, are you truly going to ally with Consort De?”
Consort Xian merely smiled enigmatically. “Is she worthy? The emperor entrusted her with authority, and she thinks she’s capable. I only warned her not to get too proud. The child in Rong Zhao Yi’s womb, the empress… they unsettle her greatly.”
Her attendants had nothing to do with it.
Consort De, being too conspicuous and ambitious for the rank of Noble Consort, was simply dreaming of the position.
Inside Kunning Palace, Hua Shu and Consort Hui were playing chess when the topic of the Empress Dowager’s return came up.
“Mistress, once the Empress Dowager returns, you’ll have the chance to reclaim palace authority,” Consort Hui said.
Hua Shu placed a chess piece carefully. “Forcing the issue might only earn the emperor’s resentment.”
She had not planned to rely too heavily on the Empress Dowager this time. In fact, she needed to keep a proper distance.
Hua Shu glanced toward the window. “You think those schemers outside are already making moves?”
Consort Hui seemed to realize something and became concerned. “Then you must be cautious, Mistress.”
Ambition outside was dangerous; one misstep and the consequences could be dire.
“You’re right. We must be cautious,” Hua Shu said, holding a chess piece and turning to Consort Hui. “But hiding won’t solve anything. We must wait for the right moment. One move will determine life or death.”
She placed her piece down. Consort Hui looked at the board, surprised—she had lost.
“Mistress is brilliant. I feel ashamed in comparison,” she said.
Hua Shu smiled faintly, exuding the presence of someone in power, unchallengeable.
She wanted to see how the outside drama would unfold—it would be most entertaining.
On the eve of the Empress Dowager’s return, Chuze left the imperial study, feeling troubled.
The empress had voluntarily surrendered the phoenix seal, and he had allowed Consort De to manage the palace.
This was meant to ensure the empress behaved obediently.
Yet, the empress had not committed a major offense. The controversy in court was mostly out of respect for the Hua family; he did not wish to depose her.
So the question was, how would he return the authority?
If the Empress Dowager returned and insisted on speaking for the empress, he would be put in an awkward position.
The empress had grown stubborn and refused to plead or admit fault.
How could he forgive her?
Lost in thought, he walked out of the palace. Li Sheng followed quietly, sensing the emperor’s troubled mood and not daring to disturb him.
The bright moon illuminated the palace, and faint music of a zither could be heard.
Chuze looked up, puzzled by the sound.
Li Sheng noticed the emperor’s movement, listened closely, and hesitated before saying, “Your Majesty, it seems to be coming from Kunning Palace.”
Kunning Palace?
Chuze thought for a moment and continued forward. The zither music was lively and melodious, soothing the nerves, coaxing away his frustration.
Walking with hands behind his back, he found himself unconsciously drawn in.
Just as he reached a crucial moment, the music suddenly stopped.
Chuze raised an eyebrow, displeased. His wide dragon robe slightly lifted, hand resting over it. “The skill… really isn’t refined.”
Li Sheng’s mind stirred. Many palace women were skilled with the zither—Consorts Shu, De, and Rong Zhao Yi all were exceptional.
Tonight, the empress was playing. As a mere servant, he couldn’t judge the quality, only that it was pleasant.
Yet Chuze, master of the zither himself, both disdained her skill and felt compelled to come.
He didn’t know why, but his steps led him to Kunning Palace.
At the door, the junior eunuchs guarding it saw the emperor and trembled, kneeling to call out, but Chuze silenced them.
Li Sheng gestured for them to withdraw.
The emperor’s mind was unfathomable; none could predict it.
As it happened, he did not announce his arrival nor enter, merely peering through the gap in the door.
The zither music began again, sporadic and imperfect.
The empress was practicing, clearly struggling at times.