Wen Yunmian closed her eyes slightly. This Jun Chenyu truly was unpredictable. Since he hadn’t explicitly ordered her to attend the bedchamber, it certainly wasn’t a genuine summons.
Could he still be suspicious about yesterday’s incident?
No, this matter of aligning with factions among the clans was also extremely troublesome. She needed to find an opportunity to properly admonish her father and distance themselves from the Qin Clan.
This morning required paying respects to the Empress, so Wen Yunmian prepared early and went to Feng Yi Gong. Upon arrival, she was surprised to find many concubines already present.
Noble Lady Wei and others wore unpleasant expressions. After all, since entering the palace during this period, apart from being summoned once by the Emperor, they had been directly escorted out of Chaoyang Palace and hadn’t seen the Emperor again since.
Meanwhile, the news of Wen Yunmian’s six summons in one night had spread throughout the palace. Wasn’t this a blatant slap in the face to the other concubines?
Who could possibly view her favorably?
Xian Fei curved her lips. “I heard that the day before yesterday, His Majesty summoned the Noble Consort to Chaoyang Palace, yet she returned without attending the bedchamber. I thought His Majesty had some urgent matter, but who would have guessed he went to see Sister Yun instead.”
“It’s also said that Sister Yun was drunk and was personally carried back to Peony Pavilion by His Majesty. And during her last attendance, water was called six times—truly enviable. Which sister in the entire palace has ever received such exceptional favor?”
Noble Lady Yu glanced at Imperial Consort Shu and, seeing her expression turn extremely sour, immediately slammed her teacup heavily onto the table.
Noble Lady Yu spoke up promptly. “Yun Guiren, the palace has always upheld strict rules. If His Majesty flips someone’s plaque for the night, that person should attend the bedchamber. How can we allow a seductress like you to break the rules, using tricks in the middle of the night to lure His Majesty away?”
Wen Leyan, who had been sitting at the very back, immediately perked up upon hearing this. “Empress, if such improper conduct spreads in the rear palace, inciting concubines to imitate and compete for favor, what should be done? We must swiftly suppress this behavior.”
From the moment she entered the palace today and saw the various concubines arriving early at Feng Yi Gong alongside Imperial Consort Shu, she knew a battle was inevitable.
“Empress, please judge wisely. This Concubine believes that the world belongs to His Majesty. Since the women of the rear palace rely on the Emperor, where His Majesty wishes to go is naturally beyond the control of us concubines. Our purpose is to comply with the Emperor’s will and bring joy to His Majesty’s sacred heart.”
Wen Yunmian adopted a fragile, pitiable demeanor, casting a charming glance. “Just now, Noble Lady Yu and Lady Le suggested that His Majesty could be tempted by such improper conduct. Are they implying that the Son of Heaven lacks the ability to distinguish right from wrong?”
Both Noble Lady Yu and Wen Leyan were taken aback. Noble Lady Yu, usually eloquent, now seemed as if she had swallowed a bitter pill. Glared at fiercely by Imperial Consort Shu, she opened her mouth but ultimately said nothing.
Imperial Consort Shu’s face turned ashen, her stunning beauty turning sinister. “Yun Guiren is glib-tongued and twists logic. Does the Empress not intend to intervene? Or perhaps Her Ladyship secretly condones such behavior?”
The Empress, holding a jade-handled ruyi scepter on her lap, stroked its surface and cast a faint glance at Imperial Consort Shu. “Is Imperial Consort Shu attempting to manipulate His Majesty’s thoughts? If This Consort recalls correctly, Sister is quite adept at such tactics yourself. Could it be that Sister also deliberately schemed to seduce His Majesty back then?”
Imperial Consort Shu narrowed her eyes slightly, glaring at the Empress with resentment and malice.
The Empress smiled and looked at Wen Yunmian. “Enough, the floor is cold. There’s no need to kneel any longer. Rise and reply.”
“Thank you, Your Ladyship.” Wen Yunmian rose gracefully, offering the Empress a bright smile, her eyes clear and untainted by any impurity.
The Empress was momentarily taken aback. Having spent so long in the rear palace, it had been ages since she had seen such a genuine, heartfelt smile—pure, radiant, and utterly captivating.
After a brief pause, she too returned a gentle, soft smile to Wen Yunmian.
Before leaving Feng Yi Gong, Wen Yunmian had Yun Yang seek out Suo Chun. “Greetings, Auntie. This is some plum preserves prepared by my mistress for Her Ladyship. I hope you will accept them.”
Suo Chun, who understood the Empress’s preferences, knew that since tasting the plum preserves, Her Ladyship’s spirits had improved considerably. After a moment’s thought, she accepted them with a smile. “Thank Yun Guiren for me.”
When the plum preserves were presented in the bedchamber, the Empress was momentarily stunned. “She is thoughtful indeed. The journey from Jiangnan is long, and sending plum preserves is no easy task. I shall remember her kindness.”
“This servant believes Yun Guiren is a clever one. With the Emperor’s favor currently upon her, even Noble Lady Wei cannot compare. Perhaps she feels she has become too conspicuous and has come specifically to seek Your Ladyship’s protection.”
Leaning weakly against the bed, the Empress smiled faintly. “She is not being clever.”
Suo Chun did not understand. “Then why would she go to such lengths to curry favor with Your Ladyship?”
The Empress’s gaze softened as she placed a plum preserve in her mouth, alleviating the bitterness on her tongue. “She is not currying favor with This Consort. This Consort feels as though she recognizes me somehow—there is an inexplicable sense of familiarity when I look at her. When she gazes at This Consort, her eyes are filled with sincere tenderness, as if she brought these plum preserves simply to ease a little of the bitterness in This Consort’s mouth and heart.”
Suo Chun insisted, “But who in this world acts without any ulterior motives? Your Ladyship must not be deceived by her.”
The Empress laughed self-deprecatingly. “After spending so long in this devouring rear palace, even you no longer believe there exists genuine sincerity in this world—sincerity that seeks nothing and only wishes for your well-being.”
Suo Chun was struck silent, and after a moment, she bowed her head quietly.
On her way back, Wen Yunmian heard that Wen Leyan had not left Feng Yi Gong but had instead turned to plead with the Empress, likely also concerning the matter of attending the bedchamber.
Yun Fei muttered, “That Lady Le truly spares no effort. If the Empress truly helps her, who knows how arrogant she will become after attending the bedchamber.”
Wen Yunmian’s brow lifted slightly. “The Emperor will not summon her to attend the bedchamber.”
Yun Fei was surprised. “How can you be so certain, Mistress?”
“Because she has brought this upon herself.” Wen Yunmian smiled at her. After last night’s incident, if the Emperor was wary of her, how could he not be wary of Wen Leyan as well?
Upon returning, Wen Yunmian removed her moon-white mink cloak, which Yun Yang took to hang up. Yun Fei had Eunuch Ming bring in the warmed silver-thread charcoal brazier. The bright, cozy room grew warm and inviting.
After drinking a cup of hot tea, Wen Yunmian resumed practicing her calligraphy. She was just writing, “Those in high positions are not arrogant, thus they remain lofty without peril; they exercise restraint and caution, thus they remain full without overflowing,” when she heard Yun Fei’s voice call out from outside, “Who is in the side chamber?!”