==Chapter Four==
The capital, the imperial palace.
Within Yanfu Palace, vermilion pillars stood silently, and glazed tiles gleamed with a cold, hard light under the sky, devoid of any warmth.
Inside the hall, a beautiful woman sat upright in her seat. Her luxurious palace attire could not conceal the restlessness between her brows. Holding a round fan in her delicate hand, she swayed it lightly from time to time, yet the fan barely moved, failing to stir even a breeze. Instead, it made the hall feel increasingly stifling.
Tong Guifei’s brows were slightly furrowed, her lips pressed into a thin line. Her gaze swept faintly over the two women seated opposite her, her patience already worn thin.
Lin Meiren sat across from Tong Guifei, forcing an awkward smile and not daring to speak. Tong Guifei tapped the fan handle lightly against her palm, the soft sounds echoing in the quiet hall, making one’s heart tense involuntarily.
Lin Meiren stole a glance at Ruan Pin beside her, who was still wiping away tears. Ruan Pin wept with grief and humiliation, but in Lin Meiren’s heart, she only thought Ruan Pin was oblivious to the situation—couldn’t she see that the Noble Consort was displeased?
Yet Lin Meiren dared not speak.
In the palace, aside from The Empress, Tong Guifei held the highest rank. Moreover, she had the eldest son under her care. The Empress’s health had always been frail, and the Emperor had explicitly ordered Tong Guifei to assist The Empress in managing the six palaces, further elevating her status to one of unparalleled nobility.
Given her own standing, it was difficult for Lin Meiren to align herself with Yanfu Palace. However, upon entering the palace, she had been assigned to Jingyang Palace, coincidentally sharing it with Ruan Pin.
And since Ruan Pin was Tong Guifei’s subordinate, this connection had allowed Lin Meiren to board the ship of Yanfu Palace.
In her opinion, Ruan Pin was far from clever. Ruan Pin possessed striking beauty and had garnered some affection from the Emperor after entering the palace. Once favored, it was easy to become arrogant, and Ruan Pin was no exception. Yet, in this harem, in terms of favor, Ruan Pin could not compare to Yang Zhaoyi and the Virtuous Consort.
But Ruan Pin did not see it this way. Relying on the backing of Tong Guifei, she often harbored resentment toward Yang Zhaoyi and the Virtuous Consort.
Today was no different. After paying her respects, Ruan Pin had quarreled with Yang Zhaoyi, who scolded her for lacking propriety and forced her to kneel under the scorching sun for an hour. Now, humiliated, she was tearfully complaining to the Noble Consort.
Tong Guifei grew irritated at the sight of Ruan Pin’s weeping and said impatiently:
“All this crying and wailing is unbearable!”
Scolded, Ruan Pin instantly fell silent. Though her voice ceased, her tears flowed even more uncontrollably.
After a while, still shedding tears, she spoke with great grievance:
“Your Highness, this concubine did not wish to trouble you, but Yang Zhaoyi is too arrogant. She holds no authority to assist in managing the six palaces, yet knowing full well that this concubine is Your Highness’s subordinate, she still humiliated me in such a manner. Clearly, she holds no regard for you.”
These words of provocation only vexed Tong Guifei further.
Yang Zhaoyi was already highly favored. Aside from the Virtuous Consort, who could slightly surpass her, who else could rival her in terms of imperial favor? Moreover, as the principal position of her own palace, how could she tolerate Ruan Pin’s provocations?
Yet Ruan Pin was a fool, thinking that with a bit of favor, she could challenge Yang Zhaoyi.
Still, as her own subordinate, Tong Guifei could not simply abandon her, no matter how annoyed she felt. After a long pause, she finally said:
“Enough, wipe away those tears.”
Tong Guifei swayed her fan and abruptly dropped a piece of news: “Word has come from outside the palace that the imperial carriage will soon return. If you have the ability, ask the Emperor to avenge you. Don’t expect me to clean up every mess for you.”
Upon hearing this, Ruan Pin's eyes lit up, and she exclaimed with delight:
"Is the Emperor really returning to the palace?"
Her heart swelled with joy. Having entered the palace not long ago and always favored by the Emperor, she now felt deeply wronged and was certain the Emperor would stand up for her.
Tong Guifei saw through her thoughts and found it amusing. Did Ruan Pin truly believe the Emperor would punish Yang Zhaoyi on her account?
But Tong Guifei said nothing. After all, the reason she sought to win Ruan Pin over was precisely because of the favor she enjoyed. As long as Ruan Pin remained in favor, Tong Guifei could tolerate her foolishness.
Moreover, while this woman was somewhat foolish, she was at least obedient.
Upon learning that the imperial carriage was returning to the palace, Ruan Pin stopped crying, cast aside her grievances, and hastily took her leave, eager to return and prepare.
Tong Guifei did not stop her.
Lin Meiren had come with Ruan Pin and naturally left with her as well.
Once the hall was quiet again, Tong Guifei rubbed her aching temples. Qiuchan immediately stepped forward to help her rise, sighing softly:
"Ruan Pin is truly exhausting."
The impatience Tong Guifei had shown in front of Ruan Pin vanished from her face, replaced by a calm demeanor. "It's good that she can stir things up," she said coolly.
Being able to cause a stir meant she had spirit and some measure of favor. Those without favor or status could never make waves, no matter how much they tried.
Qiuchan, who always understood her mistress's thoughts, did not dwell on Ruan Pin and instead asked softly:
"Does Your Ladyship truly intend to ignore today's matter?"
Tong Guifei had already walked into the inner hall. She sneered, "Even when beating a dog, one must consider its master. Yang Zhaoyi dared to punish Ruan Pin so brazenly, showing she holds no regard for me."
Speaking of Yang Zhaoyi, Tong Guifei's expression involuntarily revealed a trace of disgust.
Among all the imperial concubines in the rear palace, Yang Zhaoyi was the one Tong Guifei despised the most.
Hailing from a distinguished family in Jiangnan, Yang Zhaoyi had cultivated a delicate, fragile demeanor, often shedding tears as if everyone had wronged her. Relying on the Emperor's favor, she looked down on everyone.
Moreover, after her miscarriage, with no culprit found, she grew suspicious of everyone and became increasingly overbearing. As if feeling guilty, the Emperor indulged her even more.
Tong Guifei's expression grew somewhat indifferent. She glanced outside through the window and remarked casually:
"The weather is growing hotter. I wonder if Zhongsheng Hall has enough ice."
Qiuchan smiled and replied, "As the heat rises, ice consumption increases. I'm afraid it won't be sufficient."
Neither mistress nor maid elaborated further, as if the topic had merely been mentioned in passing. Yet, as Tong Guifei assisted in managing the six palaces, her casual remark about the ice shortage would naturally mean less for some.
Yanxi Palace.
Yang Zhaoyi listened as her palace maid reported that Zhongsheng Hall had been increasingly slow in delivering ice these past few days. Her gentle demeanor faltered, and though her lips curved into a smile, her voice turned cold:
"She truly thinks of herself as the Empress."
In this heat, less ice made the days unbearable.
Yuelan fanned her mistress, noticing the chill in her tone, and grew indignant. "Does Zhongsheng Hall dare to slight Your Ladyship, taking advantage of your gentle nature?"
Yuelan offered a suggestion:
"Shall I go to Zhongsheng Hall?"
Yang Zhaoyi shook her head, declining Yuelan's proposal.
Yuelan was surprised and puzzled. "Are we just going to let this go?"
Your Ladyship has always been the type to claim three parts even when you have no reason, so enduring such grievances without a word is hardly your nature.
Yang Zhaoyi faced the bronze mirror, raising her hand to touch her hair bun. The woman in the mirror mimicked her movements, and she smiled softly, saying, "I have heard that His Majesty will soon return to the capital."
Yuelan instantly understood her mistress's intention, her eyes lighting up:
"This servant understands what Your Ladyship means."
Her mistress has always been favored. Now that the Emperor is not in the palace, her rank cannot compare to that of the Noble Consort. No matter how much she protests or expresses dissatisfaction, she gains nothing.
But once the Emperor returns to the palace, things will be different.
If Her Ladyship were to feel unwell due to the neglect from Zhongsheng Hall, it would be uncertain who would suffer the consequences then.
The news of the imperial carriage's return to the palace could not be concealed. Undercurrents surged within the palace, and Kunning Palace naturally received the news as well.
The Empress often suffers from poor health, but her access to information is anything but slow. In fact, she knows even more than others.
Inside Kunning Palace, Chaolu spoke respectfully:
"Yanfu Palace mentioned that the First Prince has been feeling stifled by the heat lately and requested a large amount of ice. Zhongsheng Hall had no choice but to reduce the allotment for Yanxi Palace."
These words were cleverly phrased. The allotments for each palace and hall are fixed. Even if Yanfu Palace requested more, it would not be possible to prioritize reducing Yanxi Palace's share unless someone specifically instructed it.
The Empress wore simple palace attire, her black hair casually tied up. She lowered her eyes faintly, leisurely flipping through letters. Upon hearing the news reported by the palace maid, she merely smiled:
"Let them stir up trouble as they please."
She was reading letters sent from outside the palace, her gaze lingering on a particular line for a moment.
Chaolu slightly raised her head: "Your Majesty, what is it?"
The Empress set down the letter and calmly shook her head:
"It's nothing. It's just that the Emperor is bringing a woman back to the palace from Wuzhou."
Chaolu fell silent for a moment. She observed the Empress's expression before cautiously asking, "Has His Majesty mentioned how he plans to arrange for her?"
For the Emperor to specifically mention her in a letter, it seemed he was particularly satisfied with this woman.
But who knew what rank the Emperor intended to bestow upon her?
The Empress lowered her eyes. Sunlight filtered through the window, casting a glow on her brows, making her expression difficult to discern. Only her calm voice could be heard as she instructed:
"Tell Zhongsheng Hall to prepare Yuzhao Palace."
After a pause, she added, "Arrange it according to the specifications for a Meiren."
Chaolu couldn't help but look up in astonishment.
A Meiren?!
It must be remembered that during the last grand selection, the highest rank among the several imperial concubines who entered the palace was only that of a Meiren.
The highest rank for a newcomer entering the palace was likely just that.
What virtue or ability did this woman favored by the Emperor possess to enter the palace directly as a Meiren?
The Emperor is sometimes exceptionally stingy with the ranks of his consorts, and at other times remarkably generous, making it impossible to discern his true intentions—truly, the Emperor's heart is unfathomable.
As if sensing Chaolu's astonishment, the Empress glanced at her, a faint smile touching her lips:
"She is a woman from the Shen family of Jiangnan. The current Wuzhou Zhifu is a member of the Shen family, and this Shen Meiren is the cousin of that Wuzhou Zhifu."
The highest-ranking official from the Jiangnan Shen family in the court has reached the second rank. For a woman from their clan to enter the palace and receive the rank of Meiren is only reasonable.
Chaolu kept her doubts hidden in her heart, wondering why, if the Shen family had a suitable woman, she did not participate in the selection during the last grand recruitment.
Puzzled as she was, Chaolu wasn't so foolish as to ask outright. She carefully observed Her Ladyship's expression and, seeing that she appeared calm and unaffected by the news, felt somewhat reassured. She respectfully curtsied and withdrew to carry out the instructions at Zhongsheng Hall.
With Zhongsheng Hall preparing a new palace, the news naturally couldn't be kept secret.
—A new consort was about to enter the palace.
This news was like a drop of water falling into boiling oil, instantly causing an uproar and stirring a commotion throughout the rear palace.
After all, this was the first imperial concubine to enter the palace outside of the grand selection since His Majesty ascended the throne—how could it not attract attention?!
Author's Note:
Daughter: Shen Meiren returns to the capital!
Xiao Qi: Don't make a fuss.
[Who's making a fuss?!]
[Daughter's residence: Changle Palace—Yuzhao Hall]