Yan Zigu wanted to check the Crown Prince’s pulse.
After asking around, she learned that not even the Eastern Palace—or the Imperial Medical Office—kept detailed medical records of the Crown Prince. His pulse records and medicine records were sent directly to the Emperor. Only the Emperor and the imperial doctors who examined the Crown Prince knew his exact condition.
Everyone knew the Crown Prince was weak, but how weak? Could he be treated? No one knew.
Yan Zigu turned to Liu Qiaoqiao, picked a few good dishes, and went to eat with Qing Luan.
Qing Luan looked at her and said, “You never come without a reason. What’s up?”
“Good sister,” Yan Zigu sat down. “I’m really worried. If I don’t ask someone, I’ll die from stress.”
“Eat first,” Qing Luan smiled.
“Eat first?” Yan Zigu said. “I’m about to explode, can’t I tell you first?”
Qing Luan laughed. “If you’re about to explode, tell me first. Don’t rush eating.”
Qing Luan had her own table, separated by a screen. Yan Zigu looked around—no one else was in the hall.
She leaned closer and whispered, “What’s really going on in the Eastern Palace these days?”
“What do you think is going on?” Qing Luan asked.
Yan Zigu told her about yesterday in the Imperial Rear Garden with the Third Prince. “I feel the Third Prince is disrespectful to the Crown Prince.”
“Oh, you mean that,” Qing Luan relaxed. “Before we talk about the Eastern Palace, let me explain the current situation of the princes and the imperial consorts. You weren’t in the capital before, so you probably don’t know.”
“The young Fourth Prince and Fifth Princess aside for now, let’s start with the Eldest Prince—the eldest. He’s already left the palace to establish his own household. His birth mother was just a minor concubine when she conceived him. After raising him, she was promoted to Jieyu. When the Eldest Prince was given the title Crown Prince, she was promoted again. Now she’s a Zhaoyuan. She has never been favored, and the Eldest Prince also doesn’t please the Emperor much.”
“The Third Prince is the son of the Imperial Noble Consort. She now controls six palaces and holds real power. The Third Prince is clever and knows how to please the Emperor. He’s often by his side. Everyone in the palace knows: he doesn’t have the title of Crown Prince, but he has the power of one.”
“The Crown Prince…” Qing Luan sighed softly. “The Empress and the Emperor were a loving young couple, but unfortunately their children didn’t survive. Before the Crown Prince, the Empress had two pregnancies that didn’t last. The Emperor didn’t want the Empress to be under too much pressure, so the Eldest Prince came first. Later, when the Empress conceived the Crown Prince, she stayed in bed the whole time.”
“Even being so careful, the Crown Prince was born premature and weak. The Empress blamed herself and often cried.”
“Actually, the Emperor wanted to name him Crown Prince right after birth, but the Empress refused. She felt his body was too weak for such a title. People thought he wouldn’t survive long, but surprisingly he grew up safely. The Empress exhausted herself and later passed away after falling ill.”
“The Emperor named him Crown Prince while the Empress was critically ill. Maybe he hoped it would bring luck. But after that, the Emperor was too saddened to appoint another empress.”
“So the Imperial Noble Consort became the most favored?” Yan Zigu asked. “On the day of selection, there was also a Consort Shu. Who was she?”
“Consort Shu was also favored. She was childless but already held her rank,” Qing Luan recalled. “Even the Imperial Noble Consort was promoted only after giving birth to the Third Prince. Consort Shu had her position early.”
“Because she had no child, the Emperor even placed the young Fifth Princess under her care, letting her raise the child.”
“Among the young consorts, Wang Jieyu, who served often, had previously been favored. Zhaoyi, who gave birth to the Fourth Prince, had less access to the Emperor, so her favor declined after childbirth.”
Yan Zigu nodded, then asked about the woman who followed the Third Prince yesterday. “Her clothes don’t look like palace attire.”
“When princes reach marriage age, arrangements are made. Yesterday, she was the daughter of Minister Hu of the Council of State,” Qing Luan said.
“A high-ranking official?” Yan Zigu asked, already knowing what the Council of State was. She just wanted to show that she was careful with appearances for outsiders.
“People in court call him Vice Chancellor,” Qing Luan said.
“The Third Prince has strong candidates for his bride, so who will the Crown Prince marry?” Yan Zigu sighed.
“The Crown Prince is legitimate, but weak and without maternal protection. Now it’s marriage age. The Imperial Noble Consort only arranges things for the Third Prince. About the Crown Prince, the Emperor has his own plans.”
“The Emperor doesn’t know the character of the girls,” Yan Zigu said.
“Some speculate the Emperor doesn’t want the Crown Prince to marry at all. If he’s destined—” Qing Luan swallowed her words, “why ruin a good family’s daughter?”
Yan Zigu understood roughly. Qing Luan added, “Don’t worry. You won’t be in the palace long. Even if the Crown Prince has misfortune during your term, the Emperor isn’t cruel enough to punish anyone for it.”
“I’m not worried about that,” Yan Zigu waved her hand. “Don’t say such things. The Crown Prince is healthy.”
Yan Zigu wasn’t exaggerating. She checked his pulse yesterday—he had some congenital weakness, weak lungs, but nothing life-threatening. With proper care, he could live a long life.
The previous court favored the Crown Prince’s health. Someone behind the scenes must have been stirring trouble.
But who could it be?
On her way, someone stopped her, saying it was the Imperial Noble Consort’s request.
Yan Zigu went to Yulu Hall, half-confused, wondering if it was to apologize for the Third Prince’s rude words yesterday. If so, she could retract her judgment—maybe the Noble Consort wasn’t bad.
But the Noble Consort only asked if she was adjusting well to the Eastern Palace and if anything was uncomfortable. She said Yan Zigu’s grandfather had served the court faithfully; if she became a palace maid, she must not suffer, lest she disappoint a loyal family.
Yan Zigu bowed her head, thinking it was her duty to serve the Emperor properly.
The Noble Consort gifted her a flower crown.
Yan Zigu thanked her.
Back in the Eastern Palace, Qian Ming tried to be sarcastic. No wonder Yan Zigu had been so confident—it seems someone influential was guiding her. “Even if you listen to the Noble Consort, it’s only a short triumph. If you actually get close to the Crown Prince, the hardships will come later.”
“Stop talking nonsense. Who got close to the Crown Prince?” Yan Zigu said. “My father is Second Rank Minister, my grandfather is General of the State. I know etiquette, I know shame. Who would use such evil tricks? Don’t put your filthy thoughts on others.”
“I’ve been here a long time. The Night watch never enters the Crown Prince’s chamber. You’re noble. You’re impressive. So what did you do last night?”
“I stayed to watch the Crown Prince so he wouldn’t have a fever. I suggested going to the Imperial Rear Garden. If he caught a chill there, I couldn’t take responsibility. Everything I do is clear and proper. Nothing to hide,” Yan Zigu said.
“Since you’re so worried, fine. From now on, I won’t do night watch. I’ll do daytime duty. I’ll stay far from the Crown Prince. You don’t have to worry about me.”
Yan Zigu said this angrily.
Back in the room, Liu Qiaoqiao saw the flower crown on Yan Zigu’s desk. “Only palace maids of rank Si Zheng and above can wear a flower crown. Yours is really noticeable.”
“The Noble Consort gave it to me. What can I do? I can’t refuse.” Yan Zigu slumped her shoulders. “The Noble Consort… she’s not a good person.”
“If she didn’t care, it would be fine. But if she asks you to wear it publicly, you’ll need to consider when and where it’s proper,” Liu Qiaoqiao warned.