Consort Li followed closely behind, stepping out into the biting wind that sent a chill through her body. She shivered, watching the Emperor’s back as he paused just at the doorway.
She was still wearing her dance attire.
Her gaze abruptly shifted, landing on the woman beside her, the panic and confusion in her eyes hardening into sharpness.
Song Shutang and Lu Ping reacted a moment too late, and could only offer a hurried curtsy before quickly following in Pei Hengyu’s footsteps.
A trembling maid draped an outer robe over Consort Li’s shoulders. “Mistress, it’s cold outside. Let’s go back in.”
Even with ten heads, she wouldn’t dare ask what had happened. But with the Emperor already gone and Consort Li’s visibly displeased expression, the maid swallowed hard.
“Wretched woman!”
After a long pause, Consort Li spat out these two words venomously.
She turned and went back inside. Moments later, the sound of shattering porcelain echoed from within.
The Emperor did not take his sedan chair, walking ahead on foot.
Song Shutang and Lu Ping followed at a distance, exchanging glances. Neither knew what had happened, nor dared to approach.
When they had stepped out earlier, the look Pei Hengyu gave her had been too profound and inscrutable, leaving her bewildered.
But… she had clearly seen the attire Consort Li wore when she emerged. Her gaze subtly fell on the Emperor’s retreating figure. So… the Emperor liked such revealing styles?
Any stir within the palace could not escape the notice of those who paid attention, especially when it concerned the Emperor.
By the very next day, news had spread throughout the palace that the Emperor had visited Consort Li’s quarters but left again within half an hour.
It happened to be a day for paying respects. Chongqian Palace was already bustling before the appointed hour.
Even Consort Zhen arrived early today. The empty seat opposite and below hers belonged to Consort Li.
An eerie silence settled over the room until the Empress emerged. After everyone paid their respects, the atmosphere eased slightly.
The Empress, naturally sensitive to such shifts, was also aware of the previous night’s events. Her eyes swept casually downward, noting Consort Li’s absence.
But though she had no intention of mentioning it, someone else broached the subject first. “Is Consort Li unwell today? Why is she absent for the morning greetings?”
The speaker was Jing Zhaoyi, who resided in the main hall of Yongan Palace. Yesterday, her maid had personally witnessed the imperial carriage heading to the side hall.
She offered the opening, and someone quickly picked it up:
“Sister Zhaoyi, you should know best, being the mistress of Yongan Palace.”
Jing Zhaoyi maintained her gentle, unhurried demeanor. She took a sip of warm tea and said, “Speaking of which, it was my oversight. I rose a little late this morning and did not wait for Consort Li, coming directly to Her Majesty the Empress instead.”
This was clearly an excuse. According to palace regulations, the lower-ranking Consort Li was supposed to pay her respects to Jing Zhaoyi first before accompanying her to Chongqian Palace.
As they spoke, an announcement came from outside the hall: Consort Li had arrived.
As the beaded curtain parted, a wave of fragrant scent wafted in first. Consort Li appeared frail and pale, her eyes slightly red and swollen, forcing a weak smile:
“This concubine is late today. I beg Her Majesty the Empress for forgiveness.”
In the past, Consort Li had enjoyed some favor. Thus, though her rank was not high, she often appeared before others in splendid attire, rarely looking as she did today.
For a moment, everyone in the room turned their gaze toward Consort Li, unable to suppress their curiosity about what had actually happened. If it was merely that the Emperor had not stayed overnight at Wuchao Hall, such incidents had occurred before and hardly warranted such a dramatic display.
Empress had only asked out of courtesy, yet Consort Li immediately began weeping as if drenched by a spring rain, recounting the whole story—though, of course, mixing truth with falsehood.
Her main objective was to shift the focus from the embarrassment of the Emperor leaving to the attention of the palace women on Song Shutang, the palace maid serving in the Imperial Presence.
Sure enough, after she finished speaking, some of the women present changed their expressions. If the Emperor had left for her once, there could be a second or third time.
Jing Zhaoyi smiled and said, “If it truly is for the reason Consort Li mentioned, Empress—”
“Why not let us all meet this girl?”
But even as she spoke, Jing Zhaoyi’s words held more mockery toward Consort Li than genuine interest in Song Shutang.
A mere palace maid—what kind of storm could she possibly stir up?
Many shared Jing Zhaoyi’s sentiment. Rather than feeling threatened by this unknown maid, what felt more pressing were the Candidate Maidens who would soon enter the palace.
As soon as Consort Zhen brought up this topic, she effortlessly redirected everyone’s attention.
Song Shutang was unaware of what had transpired in Chongqian Palace. Last night, the Emperor had stayed alone in the Imperial Presence, and she had been on night duty. Today was her day off.
The highest authority for those serving in the Imperial Presence was the Emperor himself. On rest days, there was no need to report for duty, making it much more relaxed than in Yeting.
By the time she woke up, it was already afternoon. She leisurely ate some pastries, freshened up, then took her sewing basket and continued embroidering the pouch.
During her illness over the past few days, she hadn’t felt energetic enough to focus on it.
The afternoon passed in a flash, and the pouch was soon finished. Just then, there was a knock at the door.
“Who is it?”
“Miss Song, it’s me.”
Song Shutang’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. She stood up and opened the door.
The palace maid was Min’er from Consort Li’s palace. As soon as she saw Song Shutang, her eyes nearly overflowed with admiration. The woman’s features were as delicate as a painting, and when she glanced up, her gaze seemed to ripple like water.
Suppressing her surprise, Min’er forced a smile and introduced herself, finally saying:
“Consort Li requests your presence.”
In just one day, Song Shutang found herself at Wuchao Hall for the second time. Min’er led her directly into the inner chamber.
Song Shutang bowed in greeting, “I pay my respects to Consort Li.”
On the soft couch, Consort Li watched the woman’s graceful figure and said coldly:
“Look up.”
Her tone was vastly different from the gentle, affectionate voice of the previous day. Instinctively, Song Shutang grew alert, but she complied and raised her head.
Unlike Pei Hengyu’s scrutinizing gaze at Luoxing Tower, she could easily discern the hostility in Consort Li’s eyes.
As Consort Li took in the woman’s appearance, the storybook in her hand tightened abruptly. It wasn’t until the edges pressed red marks into her palm that she snapped back to reality. Her expression shifted several times before she forced a cold smile.
Song Shutang remained in her bowing posture. Unless her mistress permitted her to rise, she could not stand up.
Time ticked by. After about half an incense stick’s worth of time, Song Shutang’s legs began to ache and tremble, and fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead. By now, she understood—this was Consort Li’s way of tormenting her.
Such was life in the palace: a higher rank could crush those beneath.
However, Song Shutang’s expression remained unchanged, though her eyes grew somewhat colder. “I wonder why the Meiren summoned this servant? Matters before the Imperial Presence are busy, and I fear Eunuch Lu Ping will soon reprimand me.”
Now that she was a palace maid serving before the Emperor, even beating a dog had to consider the master’s face. While she claimed to fear Lu Ping’s reprimand, in reality, it was also about considering who stood behind Lu Ping.
Sure enough, upon hearing this, Consort Li’s expression shifted slightly, followed by a hint of anger:
“Why didn’t you remind me? Miss Song is still kneeling.”
Min’er was taken aback and quickly admitted her fault: “It was this servant’s oversight. Please calm your anger, Mistress.”
Only then did Consort Li say, “Rise.”
Watching the master and servant put on their act, Song Shutang simply stood up, neither humble nor arrogant. “Thank you, Meiren.”
“I’ve long heard that a pleasing person has arrived by the Emperor’s side, excelling in every way.”
With a glance from Consort Li, Min’er went to fetch something from the side. “The maids around me are clumsy. They’ve been struggling with this embroidery pattern for several days without figuring it out. I beg to seek Miss Song’s guidance.”
Consort Li spoke with a smile, but her words set off alarm bells in Song Shutang’s heart. She was merely a maid, yet the Meiren referred to her as a “pleasing person.”
She had always conducted herself properly before the Emperor, never doing anything to draw attention.
Min’er brought the item before her and immediately began explaining the problem, then thrust the embroidery pattern into her hands.
Accompanied by a faint, sweet fragrance.
Already on guard, Song Shutang glanced at the object in her hand. The issue Min’er mentioned was trivial—just a few stitches could fix it—but she refrained from making any changes.
With a smile, she pushed the item back, briefly explained how to proceed, and said:
“This servant’s skills are lacking. If the Meiren still has doubts, it would be better to summon the embroidery hall’s matrons for guidance, so you may feel more at ease.”
Her words were tactful and avoided responsibility. Though displeased, Consort Li glanced at Min’er and simply nodded, allowing Song Shutang to leave.
Upon exiting Yongan Palace, she realized the sky outside had grown dim. The western horizon was ablaze with fiery red sunset clouds stretching across the sky—time had indeed been delayed for quite a while.
Today’s incident had come suddenly, entirely beyond Song Shutang’s expectations. She had considered the possibility of confronting the masters of the rear palace, but not now.
Lost in thought, she walked back until she neared the imperial garden. From a distance, she spotted the imperial procession heading her way. Surprised for a moment, Song Shutang stepped aside and curtsied in greeting.
However, the imperial carriage halted before her. The Emperor lifted the curtain with a finger, glanced down at her briefly, and then let it fall again.
“Let’s go.”
The carriage resumed its journey, and Lu Ping waved his hand, signaling for Song Shutang to follow.
The imperial procession entered the side hall of Qixiang Palace—Changning Hall.
But the moment she stepped into the courtyard outside Changning Hall, Song Shutang sensed something amiss. Not even a single person was outside to welcome the Emperor.
Lowering her gaze, she followed the Emperor’s steps. As Lu Ping announced, “The Emperor has arrived,” they entered the main hall.
Changning Hall was not large, and Song Shutang guessed that the mistress residing here must hold a relatively low rank. Indeed, she later learned this was Kang Baolin’s bedchamber.
Within the cramped space, it was now packed with people. Upon seeing the Emperor arrive, they instinctively bowed and made way.
“Greetings to the Emperor.”
After the rear palace members paid their respects and received the Emperor’s permission to rise, Consort Zhen, standing at the forefront, spoke:
“Your Majesty, Kang Baolin is three months pregnant.”
This was the reason everyone had gathered here.
The harem had long been without joyful news, yet Kang Baolin was found to be with child.
“Oh?”
Song Shutang noticed the Emperor’s expression relax slightly. Though there was no direct smile, his tone had already lifted a little.
Consort Zhen said, “It has been a long time since such good news came from the harem, only…”
Listening to the tone, Pei Hengyu then glanced around, faintly noticing Kang Baolin’s absence. “Where is she?”
The person who reported to the Imperial Presence only mentioned that Kang Baolin was with child, saying nothing else.
Upon hearing the news, the Emperor happened to have no pressing matters at hand and came directly.
Consort Zhen then briefly explained the situation. It turned out that in the afternoon, they had all been playing leaf cards in Consort Zhen’s palace. Kang Baolin lost too many rounds and became overly agitated, causing her to faint. It was only after summoning the imperial physician that they discovered her condition.
Speaking of this, Consort Zhen’s eyes shifted slightly. Every month, imperial physicians examine the consorts to ensure their well-being. Yet Kang Baolin had concealed her pregnancy through the first three months. Had it not been for today’s accident, it might have remained undiscovered.
Pei Hengyu frowned slightly. “What did the imperial physician say?”
After speaking, as if unwilling to wait for Consort Zhen’s reply, he rose directly and headed toward the inner chamber. As the curtains closed, silence suddenly fell outside.
Song Shutang kept her head lowered the entire time, letting these words flow past her ears. This was also her first time seeing Consort Zhen.
Consort Zhen was the biological niece of the current Empress Dowager and the Emperor’s cousin. Since the Emperor’s days in the princely estate, she had been a secondary consort, and now she was raising the only imperial heir in the palace.
On ordinary days, she also assisted the Empress in managing the harem’s trivial affairs. In the harem, it would not be an exaggeration to say she was “second only to one.”
Sensing a gaze upon her but unsure whose it was, she could only maintain a slight curve at the corners of her mouth, remaining neither humble nor arrogant.
With just one glance, Consort Zhen recognized Song Shutang’s identity, but she only looked once before withdrawing her gaze, fixing it on the inner chamber.
Kang Baolin remained unconscious. Her personal maid stammered as she described Baolin’s current condition.
“Why was this only reported now?”
The Emperor’s face was cold as he looked down, his imposing aura fully unleashed. The maid trembled:
“My mistress… my mistress has always had irregular monthly cycles, so she never paid it any mind…”
The Emperor raised his hand, and the maid dared not continue. He turned and left the room.
Consort Zhen’s gaze shifted between the Emperor and the inner chamber door. “Your Majesty?”
The Emperor did not look at anyone. “Baolin Kang has contributed by carrying an imperial heir. She is hereby promoted to Cairen.”
He spoke word by word, finally lifting his eyes to look at Consort Zhen:
“Consort Zhen, the Empress is occupied with many matters. The fetus in Cairen Kang’s womb shall be entrusted to your care.”
On the way back to the Imperial Presence, the Emperor did not take his sedan chair, walking ahead instead.
Lu Ping was most skilled at reading expressions. Seizing the opportunity, he smiled and congratulated the Emperor:
“Calculating the timing, Cairen’s pregnancy likely began last December, when auspicious snow fell from the heavens. Now it seems a blessing has descended.”
The flattery was perfectly timed, and the Emperor relaxed a bit, chuckling as he scolded:
“You’ve always been good at flattery.”
“This servant only speaks the truth.”
It was the fourth year of his reign. The long-awaited joyful news brought considerable comfort to the young Emperor, especially since it was a low-ranking consort who was with child, easing yet another of his worries.
Rarely allowing his emotions to show, he turned and saw the woman behind him with downcast eyes. Uncharacteristically, he asked:
“What’s the matter with you today?”
Perhaps it was Song Shutang’s imagination, but she felt the tone was not as icy as before. She pursed her lips, her eyes and brows tinged with fragility:
“My legs hurt.”