Taiji Palace.
“Your Highness, this Consort Gu is really going too far.” Mingcui was furious, the scissors in her hand snipping the flowers in the pot one by one.
“Mingcui, these are my flowers.”
Mingcui threw down the scissors. “Your Highness, the Emperor rarely comes to the harem. Every time he comes, Consort Gu snatches whatever she wants. Usually it’s fine, but tonight, the fifteenth day, she even caused a scene in the Changsheng Hall. I really can’t stand it—Consort Gu is far too arrogant.”
Empress Wang only let out a light laugh. “Mingcui, it’s the Emperor’s choice whom he favors. As long as these women make him happy, it doesn’t matter who they are.”
Mingcui still didn’t understand why her lady never fought for anything. “Your Highness, if this continues, Consort Gu’s tail will reach the sky.”
Empress Wang removed her hairpin and tapped her on the head. “You’ll ruin yourself with that mouth someday.”
“I’m just defending you, Your Highness. You are the Empress, the principal consort. Consort Gu has always been disrespectful. I must report her to the Emperor, so he can properly discipline her.”
“Discipline whom?”
The Emperor appeared suddenly, catching everyone off guard. The Empress, already preparing to rest, was in her loose gown.
With the Emperor here, her attire was utterly improper.
She hurriedly took the outer garment from her maid and bowed. “Your Majesty, I did not know you would come tonight. Forgive me for the lack of preparation.”
“It is I who disturbed you.” The Emperor reached out his hand.
The Empress placed hers in his. “It is my failure in oversight that allowed my staff to speak recklessly.”
The Emperor didn’t need to clarify; he knew exactly who she meant.
“Your Majesty, reviewing the memorials must have been tiring. I had the Imperial Physician prepare a remedy for fatigue and made a scented sachet for you.”
The Empress handed over the sachet.
The Emperor looked at it and smiled. “Empress, you are truly honest. Had it been anyone else, they would surely have claimed they made it themselves.”
“I dare not deceive.”
The Emperor raised an eyebrow at her composed expression; he honestly didn’t quite understand this Empress.
When his father was alive, an edict had been issued, making her the Crown Princess.
At that time, he had been curious about this future wife.
He had wanted to speak with her sincerely, but she clearly had no such intention.
Virtuous and gentle, known throughout the harem for being fair and non-competitive.
She managed the harem well, though not enthusiastically enough to be flawless.
But he did not like chasing after someone indifferent.
“Several jars of rare Shaohua white jade lotus and golden peony lotus have arrived from Qingzhou Prefecture.
I recall that the flower-viewing banquet was usually arranged by Consort Gu. This year, the Empress cannot avoid it.”
Empress Wang rose. “Your Majesty’s instructions are noted. I will not disappoint your expectations.”
“I remember you studied in the Jing family’s study in Qingzhou when you were young. You should be familiar with the Jing family.
Lord Jing Xuan will soon assume office.”
Jing Family.
Empress Wang understood why the Emperor had specifically mentioned the flower-viewing banquet.
“Lord Jing has just returned to the capital. His family is unfamiliar with the city. I will naturally take care of his household.”
“Very well. There are few people of the Jing family in the capital. I heard from Princess Zhao Jia that the wife of Minister Shen of the Ministry of Personnel is also a Jing. It’s fine to invite her as well. Sisters should have companionship.”
“I understand.”
“Then I will not disturb the Empress from resting.”
“Remember, you are the Empress of the Da Qian. If anyone dares to defy, you must act with decisive force. Today, I will teach you how to handle it.”
“Proclaim my edict: Consort Gu, for defying authority, shall be docked one year’s salary, confined to Xingqing Palace for three months, and required to copy the Female Conduct and Female Discipline one hundred times as a warning to others.”
Watching the Emperor leave, Empress Wang could finally relax her posture.
Compared to her ease, Mingcui, her personal maid, almost cried. “Your Highness, why didn’t you take this chance to keep the Emperor here? The Emperor clearly has feelings for you.”
Empress Wang shook her head, patting Mingcui’s head. “You worry too soon; the Emperor’s feelings are not as straightforward as you think.”
“Our Emperor, leaving Consort Gu behind to come see you, and punishing Consort Gu for you—doesn’t that show he cares?”
Empress Wang smiled, impenetrable to others, but she understood her husband well.
It wasn’t that he was standing up for her; he was simply using her to discipline Consort Gu.
The Emperor remained uninvolved.
“I heard Lord Jing Xuan’s youngest daughter sent a screen to the Emperor.”
“Yes, otherwise the Emperor wouldn’t remember Lord Jing.”
“It seems a new arrival will soon enter the palace.”
Empress Wang saw through it. When the late Emperor issued the edict, her mother nearly cried from worry.
Her mother didn’t want her to enter the royal family; royal life was harsh.
Her mother wanted her father to plead on her behalf. How could that happen?
She had to comfort her mother, explaining that marrying into the Eastern Palace wasn’t so bad.
Unfortunately, before she came of age, the late Emperor passed, and she entered the palace early.
She had long expected she wouldn’t be the only one by the Emperor’s side, so she did not force things—she would simply fulfill her duties.
“Your Highness, what do you mean by this? The Emperor intends to bring Lord Jing’s daughter into the palace?”
“The Emperor’s thoughts should not be guessed lightly.”
“Madam Fang, I thought you wouldn’t come.”
“How could I miss Princess Zhao Jia’s gathering? In the past, it’s been about cuju or polo, but today’s tea party suits your style better.”
“Are you saying I’m not elegant?” Zhao Jia teased.
“Oh, this pretty young lady—whose family is she from? Is she married?” Madam Fang immediately noticed the woman beside Zhao Jia.
Her light green strapless dress was embroidered with purple crepe myrtle, paired with a soft yellow outer robe.
She seemed to light up the entire room.
Her hair was simply adorned with a jade comb and gold-threaded floral pins on both sides, enhancing her small, delicate face.
Zhao Jia laughed, knowing Madam Fang’s old habits. “This is my younger sister, Jing Miaoyi of Qingzhou.
As for marriage…”
“Greetings, Eldest Princess.”
Everyone turned to see a woman approaching, dressed in bright yellow robes with cloud motifs, her hair adorned with twelve dangling ornaments, radiating grandeur.
She was the late Emperor’s first daughter, the Emperor’s eldest sister. Her first husband was the former Military Governor of Yuanyang, Lord Xuanping. After his death, she recommended his deputy as the new governor, effectively commanding a military region.
Her second husband was the youngest Prime Minister, Cui Hao. Though divorced, she had successfully maintained her political standing.
The court was now split: one faction for the Gu party, the other for the Eldest Princess.
Seeing the murderer again, Jing Miaoyi’s body trembled.
The pain from the poisoned wine still burned in her bones, causing cold sweat on her face.
She forced down her rising anger, hands clenched under her sleeves.
“Miaoyi, are you all right?” Zhao Jia saw Jing Miaoyi’s pale expression and worried.
She shook her head.
It was only that seeing the murderer had agitated her.
Their conversation drew the Eldest Princess’s attention.
“Princess Zhao Jia, the woman beside you looks familiar. She’s from the Jing family of Qingzhou, isn’t she?”
What seemed like an offhand remark drew everyone’s gaze to Jing Miaoyi.
The Qingzhou Jing family had not appeared in the capital for three years.
“Princess, I didn’t expect you to have leisure to attend my gathering.” Zhao Jia disliked the Eldest Princess; she had never liked her during the late Emperor’s reign.
This woman was cunning, vengeful, and narrow-minded.
When the late Emperor praised Princess Rongxing, she secretly pushed her into a lake.
In the freezing water, Princess Rongxing struggled for a quarter-hour while the Eldest Princess watched. Only when she saw Princess Rongxing in danger did she jump in to save her.
Princess Rongxing, clever and beautiful, never recovered fully from the incident.
Meanwhile, the Eldest Princess was lauded as heroic.
At the time, Zhao Jia, only three or four years old, had been frightened sick, almost becoming mentally impaired herself.
“Have I been too busy lately?” The Eldest Princess seemed oblivious. “Future gatherings will be frequent.”
“This young lady is the only daughter of Lord Jing Ji, former Prefect of Qingzhou, Jing Miaoyi.
She truly resembles her father.
I was once acquainted with your father. Unfortunately, he was greedy enough to meddle with tea taxes. Truly regrettable. But seeing you safe and sound eases my heart greatly.”
“What!” Someone in the crowd exploded. “The daughter of a criminal dares come here? Princess Zhao Jia, whom have you invited to this gathering?”
“Not only that…”
“She is also the former wife of Minister Shen of the Ministry of Personnel. Back then, Minister Shen risked his career to marry her, giving her a path to survive. Now, she forced him to divorce her—a man of such integrity. Her father was a corrupt official. How can she be anything but trouble?”
The crowd began whispering among themselves.
“Speaking of which, I heard the Duke of the State was injured. Minister Shen’s adopted son was supposed to care for him personally. The lady insisted on going herself, hoping to sleep with the Duke. She clearly overstepped. Minister Shen, even being soft-hearted, could not tolerate it, and thus issued a divorce.”
“Shameless woman, daring to appear so boldly here.”
“Indeed, she has shamed the entire Jing family of Qingzhou.”
“You…” Zhao Jia clenched her fists, ready to act.
Jing Miaoyi shook her head. Since she dared attend, she had anticipated this reaction.
“Thirsty?” Jing Miaoyi asked calmly, motioning for Baozhu to serve tea.
The green-clad woman froze. “You… what are you doing?”
“I just saw you talking too much and feared you might be thirsty.” Jing Miaoyi glanced at her. “And you are…?”
“This is the daughter of Grand Scholar Sun of the Imperial Academy,” Zhao Jia said coldly.
“Grand Scholar’s daughter? How ignorant I was. I didn’t know the Grand Scholar was so familiar with the households of court officials, as if present himself. Grand Scholar Sun is truly capable. Why does the Emperor even need Censor-in-Chief to supervise officials?”
“You… what nonsense. This is just gossip.”
“Oh, so it’s hearsay. The Grand Scholar teaches Imperial students. Perhaps it is part of educating them.”