“Your Ladyship, this hairpin is truly beautiful.”
The maid attending to Lady Nara’s hair carefully inserted the newly delivered red-gold buyao into her freshly styled coiffure.
It was one of the ornaments issued by the Imperial Household Department according to the regulations for the rank of imperial consort.
“Have you confirmed who received promotions this time?”
Resting one hand against the dangling hairpin, Lady Nara looked at her reflection in the bronze mirror.
The maid hurried to answer.
“I’ve heard that four women were elevated to the rank of consort: Lady Gorolo has become Consort Yi, Lady Uya has become Consort De, Lady Magiya has become Consort Rong—and Your Ladyship will rank first among them.”
Consort Hui raised an eyebrow and gave a soft snort.
“This Gorolo woman truly relies on her beauty and the Empress Dowager’s favor. She’s risen quickly enough.”
A hint of amusement flickered in her eyes.
“I wonder whether our Sister Rong is furious about it. What about the others?”
The maid lowered her voice.
“Noble Consort Tongjia has been elevated to Imperial Noble Consort. Noble Lady Niohuru has been promoted to Noble Consort. In addition, Lady Daijia has been elevated to Consort Cheng for raising the Seventh Prince.”
Consort Hui immediately lost interest in admiring her new hairpin.
Biting her lip lightly, displeasure flashed across her face.
“Imperial Noble Consort for Tongjia, Noble Consort for Niohuru—it truly pays to have a powerful family.”
She scoffed.
“And that Daijia woman. She’s only been promoted because she’s raising a prince.”
Her senior maid signaled for the others to withdraw.
After the room had emptied, she spoke softly.
“Your Ladyship, please don’t be upset. You’re now the foremost among the four consorts, and the First Prince is growing more capable by the day. There may yet be opportunities for advancement.”
“As for Lady Gorolo, she’s too flamboyant. Sooner or later, she’ll invite trouble upon herself.”
“The two noble consorts have yet to bear children, so there’s no need to worry about them.”
“And Consort Cheng has likely reached the limit of her advancement. After all, everyone knows about the Seventh Prince…”
Consort Hui took a deep breath and slowly calmed herself.
“You’re right.”
As long as Yinzhi remained alive, he would always be the emperor’s eldest son.
No one could change that.
Then she let out a quiet laugh.
“Besides, someone else’s dream of becoming empress has failed yet again.”
At that thought, Consort Hui’s irritation faded instantly.
With her family background, reaching the rank of consort was already the highest position she could realistically attain—unless Yinzhi one day had the opportunity to rise further.
Tongjia, however, was another matter entirely.
She had entered the palace dreaming of becoming empress.
Yet she always fell one step short.
First there had been Empress Heseri.
Then Empress Niohuru.
Now, though no one in the harem outranked her, and though she carried herself as though the position of empress already belonged to her, she had only become Imperial Noble Consort.
And there was still another Noble Consort beneath her.
Just then, a burst of energetic footsteps sounded outside, followed by a young eunuch’s clear announcement.
“The First Prince has returned!”
Before the words had fully faded, Yinzhi swept through the curtains in a dark sapphire robe.
The joy on the young man’s face was impossible to miss.
“Mother!”
Consort Hui’s heart softened instantly.
She raised a hand to stop the servants from bowing and stepped forward with a smile.
“What brings you back so early today? Have you already finished your lessons at the Imperial Academy?”
Yinzhi crossed the room in a few quick strides.
After giving her a proper bow, he straightened, his eyes shining brightly.
“I heard the good news first thing this morning. I asked my tutor for leave and came back immediately!”
“Mother, you’ve been promoted to Consort Hui! The foremost among the Four Consorts!”
As he spoke, his gaze fell upon the buyao in her hair before sweeping over the newly changed furnishings appropriate to her new rank.
His voice brimmed with pride.
“I knew it. You’re so wonderful—Father Emperor was bound to remember your merits.”
Looking at her tall, handsome son, Consort Hui felt her eyes grow warm.
She reached out to straighten his collar.
“Silly child. This is His Majesty’s grace.”
“And it’s also because you’ve been diligent in your studies and never caused me worry.”
Yinzhi scratched his head, his cheeks turning slightly red, though his expression only grew more pleased.
“Then I’ll study even harder from now on. I won’t let anyone make Mother suffer.”
After a brief pause, Consort Hui asked quietly,
“How have things been between you and the Crown Prince lately?”
The smile vanished from Yinzhi’s face.
“So-so.”
“The Crown Prince is the heir apparent. You and he are not the same.”
Yinzhi lifted his chin stubbornly.
“How are we different? He’s the legitimate son, and I’m the eldest son.”
“We’re both Father Emperor’s sons. What’s so different about that?”
Consort Hui’s expression changed immediately.
Grabbing his arm, she lowered her voice.
“You must never think that way.”
“The Crown Prince’s position has long been established. You mustn’t show any dissatisfaction.”
“Although I’ve been promoted to consort, we still need to act carefully.”
Yinzhi pursed his lips.
“Mother, I know we need to be cautious in the palace.”
He quickly changed the subject.
“Let’s not talk about other people anymore. Come see the gift I prepared for you.”
The young eunuch behind him stepped forward, presenting a large brocade-wrapped box with both hands.
Consort Hui looked at the sizable package, delight filling her face.
“You came to see me—that’s more than enough. Why did you go to the trouble of preparing a gift as well?”
Refusing assistance from the servants, she opened the box herself.
“Ah—!”
She staggered backward several steps in shock.
A large wolf’s head stared directly at her from inside the box.
Yinzhi hurried forward to steady her.
“Mother, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
“I hunted this wolf during the autumn hunt. Since today is such a joyous occasion, I had it brought here for you.”
Still shaken, Consort Hui pressed a hand to her chest.
“You child. It would have been enough to send the pelt. Why did you bring the wolf’s head as well?”
Yinzhi grinned broadly.
“The fur is glossy, and the hide is incredibly durable. Turning it into a cloak would be a waste.”
He looked around the room with satisfaction.
“Your chambers have just the right amount of space. Once it’s displayed beside your couch, you can sit next to it.”
“It’ll look incredibly impressive!”
“…”
“…”
“Your intentions are appreciated, but I don’t think that’s necessary.”
She pointed firmly toward the box.
“Why don’t you take it back with you?”
Yinzhi immediately panicked.
Grabbing her sleeve, he shook it gently.
“Mother, this is the first time I’ve ever hunted such a large wolf. I specifically chose it to celebrate your promotion. Please keep it!”
Consort Hui looked at him helplessly.
“I already appreciate the thought behind it. That’s enough for me.”
“But Mother, I really think—”
“No.”
Her expression hardened.
“Either the wolf’s head goes, or you do.”
Yinzhi froze.
“Once it’s displayed in the center of the room, it’ll look so imposing!”
Consort Hui pinched the bridge of her nose.
“I am Consort Hui, not the Queen of Bandits.”
“Mother!”
“The door is that way. You may see yourself out.”
She pointed toward the entrance with an expression that clearly brooked no argument.
Yinzhi stamped his foot, pouting deeply.
“Do you really dislike my gift that much?”
But seeing her stern expression, he didn’t dare insist further.
“Fine. I’ll go.”
He had arrived full of excitement.
He left utterly dejected.
On the way back, he still couldn’t understand.
“I think it looks great. Isn’t it impressive?”
The young eunuch following behind answered cautiously.
“Your Highness, a wolf’s head really isn’t suitable for an indoor display.”
“Her Ladyship’s chambers are filled with elegant furnishings. The wolf’s head is a bit too fierce.”
Yinzhi pouted.
“I think it looks impressive.”
“It’s much better than all those fancy, delicate decorations.”
Knowing he couldn’t change the prince’s mind, the eunuch could only sigh.
“Your Highness, let’s just head back. Her Ladyship truly won’t accept the gift.”
Yinzhi let out a long sigh.
“Women’s thoughts are so hard to understand.”