Unlike the constant rivalry between Consort Hui and her son, things in Consort Rong’s palace were much warmer.
The brazier in the hall burned brightly.
Consort Rong reclined on a couch, listening to a maid read from a storybook.
Four-year-old Yinzhi, dressed in a little brocade robe, shook off his wet nurse’s hand and ran toward the warm chamber on his short legs.
Clutched in his hand was a wrinkled sheet of paper.
When he reached Consort Rong’s side, he said in a sweet childish voice,
“Mother, I want to listen too.”
Consort Rong smiled and patted the space beside her.
“Come here, good child. Sit with Mother.”
Yinzhi climbed onto the couch and curled up in her arms, listening seriously to the story.
Once the maid finished a section, Consort Rong sent him away.
She could listen to such storybooks herself, but they weren’t appropriate for a young prince.
Yinzhi wasn’t upset about missing the rest.
Instead, he handed over the sheet of paper.
“Mother, I prepared a gift for you.”
Consort Rong unfolded it.
Several crooked characters were written across the page.
The brushstrokes were childish and uneven, but it was obvious how much effort he had put into it.
“You wrote this very well,” she praised warmly.
“Much better than I could when I was your age.”
Yinzhi’s eyes immediately sparkled.
Puffing out his chest proudly, he said,
“The nanny told me that Mother has become Consort Rong.
Your son wishes to congratulate Mother.”
After speaking, he slid off the couch and carefully performed a proper bow.
Consort Rong’s heart instantly melted.
She carefully smoothed out the paper and pressed it against her cheek.
Then she picked him up and kissed his forehead.
“Our Yinzhi is such a good boy.
Mother has received your congratulations.
I’ll have this mounted and framed immediately, then hang it beside my bed so I can look at it every day.”
Yinzhi wrapped his arms around her neck and giggled.
His nose brushed against the jeweled flowers in her hair.
Holding him close and looking into his bright eyes, Consort Rong’s smile deepened.
“Mother, am I too heavy?
Is carrying me tiring?”
“Not at all.”
She stroked his hair.
“Next year you’ll begin attending the Imperial Study.
By then, even if Mother wants to carry you, I won’t be able to.”
“Then I won’t go to the Imperial Study.
I’ll stay in the palace and keep Mother company.”
“Silly child, what nonsense are you saying?”
Her voice remained gentle as she straightened a few stray strands of hair.
“You’re a prince.
One day you’ll shoulder responsibilities to the nation.
How can you spend your life attached to this small world within the harem?
You must study hard in the Imperial Study.
Only by studying well can you earn your Imperial Father’s notice.”
“Then I’ll practice my calligraphy today!”
Yinzhi immediately became excited.
“I’ll work hard and go to the Imperial Study as soon as possible.
Then Imperial Father will notice me!”
He was about to run off when Consort Rong caught hold of him.
“I wasn’t planning to tell you this so early.
But since you’ll soon enter the Imperial Study, there are some things you must remember.”
Her tone became unusually serious.
Yinzhi looked up at her.
His obsidian-black eyes shone brightly.
Gripping her sleeve, he nodded vigorously.
“I’ll remember.
Whatever Mother says, I’ll listen.”
Consort Rong lowered her voice.
“When you enter the Imperial Study, no matter what the Eldest Prince or the Crown Prince says or does, do not involve yourself.”
Her fingers gently smoothed his shoulder.
The warning in her voice was unmistakable.
“They have their own affairs and their own boundaries.
You need only focus on studying and practicing your writing.
Do not touch other matters.
Do not ask about them.
Remember that.”
Yinzhi blinked.
He clearly didn’t fully understand.
Still, seeing the seriousness in his mother’s eyes, he nodded firmly.
“I’ll remember.
I won’t involve myself in the affairs of the Eldest Prince or the Crown Prince.”
Only then did Consort Rong relax slightly.
She rubbed the top of his head.
“Good.
That’s Mother’s good child.
As long as you take care of yourself, that will be enough.
Now go practice your calligraphy.”
Yinzhi looked at her and performed a proper bow.
“Then your son will take his leave.”
Consort Rong nodded.
She watched as he turned around.
His small back was perfectly straight.
Accompanied by attendants, he gradually disappeared down the covered corridor.
Only when his figure vanished from sight did the palace servants quietly close the chamber doors.
Consort Rong slowly returned to her couch.
A maid stepped forward and began gently massaging her shoulders.
“Your Highness, aren’t you worrying too early?”
“What choice do I have?”
Consort Rong sighed.
“The Eldest Prince is only nine years old.
The Crown Prince is only seven.
Yet they’re already constantly at odds.
By the time Yinzhi enters school next year, who knows what things will be like?
As long as he remains safe and healthy, I’ll be satisfied.”
Her personal maid gently rubbed her back.
“Your Highness, please don’t worry.
The Third Prince is sensible and quiet.
He’ll know how to protect himself.”
Consort Rong merely shook her head.
Her gaze remained fixed on the end of the corridor where her son had disappeared.
In her eyes lay the unique clarity and concern possessed by women of the inner palace.
In the Forbidden City, the safety of a prince was the most extravagant wish of all.
Only Consort Hui and the Eldest Prince couldn’t see it.
In the Emperor’s heart, the only children truly precious above all others were the ones born to that woman.
“Your Highness, today is a joyous occasion.
Should we arrange several banquet tables and celebrate properly?”
Consort Rong smiled faintly.
Yet her eyes remained calm.
“No.
It’s merely a promotion in rank.
Within the deep palace, keeping a low profile is the safest path.
What have the others been doing?”
The maid replied,
“Consort Hui and Consort Yi both held banquets in their palaces.
As for Consort De, she merely instructed the Imperial Kitchen to prepare ingredients.
Apparently she’s making something called teppanyaki.
It’s hardly something suitable for formal occasions.”
Consort Rong let out a quiet laugh.
“Hardly suitable for formal occasions?
Yet she’s still ranked ahead of me.”
Her personal maid immediately tugged lightly at her sleeve.
“Your Highness, be careful.
Walls have ears.”
“Forget it.”
Consort Rong waved a hand.
“Besides, Defei’s promotion was exactly what I expected.”
Her voice remained calm and emotionless.
No joy.
No resentment.
Nothing.
The matter of Changsheng all those years ago had ultimately driven a wedge between her and the Emperor.
Looking outside, Consort Rong’s thoughts drifted far away.
For a moment, she lost herself in memory.
Back then, tragedy followed tragedy within the palace.
The crying of one child would barely cease before another funeral banner was hung.
One by one, her children had died.
In the entire palace, only the Eldest Prince Baoqing and her own Changsheng remained alive.
At the time, seeing the dreadful state of affairs, the Emperor had privately discussed sending both boys out of the palace to be raised elsewhere.
He had hoped that beyond the palace walls they might escape the darkness and grow up safely.
But how could she bear it?
No matter how dark the palace was, she could still watch over her child every moment.
She could hold him in her hands and protect him herself.
How could she entrust him to strangers?
Yet no matter how careful she had been…
She still couldn’t keep him alive long enough to be formally entered into the imperial genealogy.
Even after Yinzhi was born, the distance between her and the Emperor never truly disappeared.
The Emperor blamed her.
The Grand Empress Dowager resented her.
But who had ever understood the pain in her own heart?
“Your Highness…”
A servant’s soft voice pulled her back to reality.
Bitterness clouded her eyes.
Her fingers tightened slightly.
After all these years, the wound still ached whenever it was touched.
“I’m tired.”
She rose slowly.
“Tell the Imperial Kitchen to prepare extra food and distribute it among the servants.
Also reward them with silver.
Today’s promotion is a happy occasion.
Let everyone share in the good fortune.”
The servant immediately bowed.
“This servant will make the arrangements at once.
Please rest easy, Your Highness.”
Consort Rong nodded.
Supported by a maid, she slowly walked toward the inner chambers.
The turbulent emotions of moments ago disappeared beneath a veil of weariness.
All that remained was the calmness forged by long years spent within the deep palace.