Chapter 11

Chu Qingwan slept soundly and, upon waking the next day, learned that Noble Lady Du had been placed under house arrest.

She was somewhat surprised by this outcome. She had not expected that Noble Lady Du would fail to win Xu Yanhang's sympathy and, by the looks of it, had actually managed to annoy him.

Chu Qingwan pondered this as she took Songxia to the Zhaohe Palace to pay her respects. During the morning greetings, Imperial Noble Consort Zhou brought up the matter, admonishing them: "There are rules in this palace; do not disrupt the order of hierarchy."

Chu Qingwan noticed that when Imperial Noble Consort Zhou said this, she glanced at Venerable Lady He. It seemed there was a hidden meaning behind her words. By comparison, Venerable Lady He's reaction was even more surprising. Although she had only been in the palace for three days, through brief interactions, Chu Qingwan had sensed that Venerable Lady He was not a reserved person. Given what had happened yesterday, the Emperor's punishment of Noble Lady Du was, in a sense, a show of favor toward Venerable Lady He. Why, then, did Venerable Lady He show no sign of joy, and why had even her usual ostentatious behavior vanished?

Chu Qingwan did not know what had transpired last night, so she set aside her confusion.

After the morning greetings, Chu Qingwan returned to her palace as usual. On the way, she encountered Beauty Gu, who was picking flowers in the Imperial Garden with her attendants. They were not far apart, and Beauty Gu looked surprised for a moment before nodding at her: "Noble Lady Chu."

The two had crossed paths while in the Palace of Treasured Talents, but they were not close. There was no conversation; they exchanged formal salutations and went their separate ways.

Once she returned to the Yuqiong Pavilion, Nongqiu had already brought back lunch. Chu Qingwan asked Songxia, "Where did the Emperor stay last night?"

Songxia, living up to expectations, had inquired about the night's arrangements: "After the Emperor left the Changle Palace yesterday, he went straight back to the Imperial Presence and did not summon anyone to attend to him."

Chu Qingwan had asked this because of her encounter with Beauty Gu in the garden. She was puzzled; Beauty Gu was the most prominent among the new concubines, yet she seemed to have been forgotten by the Emperor.

Chu Qingwan suppressed her curiosity and waited for nightfall.

To the disappointment of the harem, the Emperor did not visit the inner quarters that night either. Chu Qingwan did not hesitate; knowing Xu Yanhang would not come, she had hot water brought in to freshen up and rest.

For several consecutive days, the Emperor stayed in the Yangxin Hall, and Chu Qingwan gradually adapted to life in the palace. So far, she was the only new concubine to have served the Emperor. While the long-standing consorts might have been able to keep their composure, the new arrivals were becoming restless.

More and more concubines lingered in the Imperial Garden after paying their respects. After all, the reason Chu Qingwan had been summoned was because she had chanced upon the Emperor there. These concubines were not unaware that it had been a coincidence, but they had no other options and were desperate to try anything.

Just as the atmosphere grew restless, the Emperor finally summoned someone for the night—not one of the new concubines, but the consistently favored Consort Yu.

Nongqiu could not help but mutter, "Consort Yu truly is favored by the Emperor."

Chu Qingwan glanced at Nongqiu through the bronze mirror, shook her head slightly, and did not respond.

Even the composed Songxia speculated, "My lady should see Consort Yu at the Zhaohe Palace today."

This was less of a guess and more of a tease, which made Chu Qingwan smile despite herself. Other than the first day they entered the palace, Consort Yu had used her second prince's poor health as an excuse to avoid the morning greetings. Everyone knew it was a ruse, but no one dared to point it out and cause Imperial Noble Consort Zhou to lose face.

Songxia’s prediction was correct; Consort Yu finally appeared at the Zhaohe Palace today. Chu Qingwan exchanged a glance with Songxia, who lowered her head, not daring to let the smile in her eyes show.

Perhaps due to having served the Emperor last night, Consort Yu’s eyes were brimming with spring-like radiance. Surrounded by a large entourage, she swept a lazy glance around the room. Seeing that the main seat was still empty, she said with a cryptic smile, "The Emperor felt pity for my exhaustion and told me to get some good rest. I almost thought I would be late for the morning greetings today."

It was unclear whether she was flaunting her favor or making a pointed remark. Those who were concerned glanced toward the main seat, but no one dared to respond. No matter how favored Consort Yu was, Imperial Noble Consort Zhou ultimately held the authority over the six palaces, and everyone feared the Imperial Noble Consort more than they did Consort Yu.

Chu Qingwan lowered her eyes and drank her tea, pretending to understand nothing. This was a battle between high-ranking figures, not something a small fry like her could get involved in.

The Zhaohe Palace was filled with Imperial Noble Consort Zhou's eyes and ears. Shortly after Consort Yu’s words fell, a sound came from the inner hall. Imperial Noble Consort Zhou walked out, supported by her attendants. Her gaze landed directly on Consort Yu, as if she were completely unaware of what had just happened, and she spoke with feigned concern: "How is the second prince? Is he feeling better?"

Consort Yu stood up along with the others to offer a salute. Before her waist was even fully bent, she straightened up and raised her eyes slightly. "Thank you for your concern, my lady. Zhou'er is already recovered."

Imperial Noble Consort Zhou seemed not to notice the perfunctory nature of the salute. She sat down calmly and, after everyone rose, her gaze naturally fell upon Noble Lady Yang.

Chu Qingwan observed the upper seats without appearing to do so and keenly sensed the shift in the Imperial Noble Consort's gaze. She had a premonition that Noble Lady Yang was about to be dragged into this. There was no helping it; Consort Yu had both a son and favor, and her only vulnerability was that the second prince was not her biological child.

Sure enough, Imperial Noble Consort Zhou wore a look of concern and, as if remembering something, remarked: "I heard that during the time the second prince had a high fever, Noble Lady Yang was so worried she could not eat."

Consort Yu’s expression immediately turned cold.

Noble Lady Yang glanced at Consort Yu and lowered her head, looking bitter and helpless, playing the part of a pining mother who could do nothing, while casting expectant glances at Imperial Noble Consort Zhou. Seeing this, Consort Rong could not help but feel a headache coming on.

Chu Qingwan covered her lips with her hand. It was obvious to anyone with eyes that Imperial Noble Consort Zhou was simply using Noble Lady Yang as a stepping stone to irritate Consort Yu. Why was Noble Lady Yang so eager to be used?

Imperial Noble Consort Zhou looked at Consort Yu with disapproval: "Noble Lady Yang is, after all, the second prince's birth mother. Blood is thicker than water. It has been so long—are you still going to prevent her from seeing him?"

The phrase "blood is thicker than water" was nothing short of grating to Consort Yu. Her expression darkened immediately: "The Imperial Noble Consort speaks lightly. If it were not for the princess being harmed to the point of near-death, the Imperial Noble Consort surely could not empathize with me."

Seeing Consort Yu speak so recklessly, Imperial Noble Consort Zhou’s face clouded over as she sternly rebuked: "Consort Yu, watch your words!"

Imperial Noble Consort Zhou had been in the palace for years and had only one child, a princess. She had always held the eldest princess in the palm of her hand, treating her like a precious treasure. How could she tolerate such a curse against her daughter?

Consort Yu only let out a cold laugh, looking at Imperial Noble Consort Zhou with derision: "You cannot bear to hear a single word, yet you expect me to treat the mastermind who nearly harmed Zhou'er with equanimity?"

Imperial Noble Consort Zhou was choked by these words. She knew Consort Yu’s Achilles' heel; if truly provoked, Consort Yu would not give anyone face. After all, the Emperor would always back her up. At this thought, Imperial Noble Consort Zhou felt a spike of resentment.

Noble Lady Yang finally couldn't take it anymore: "I did not harm the second prince!"

Toward the Imperial Noble Consort, Consort Yu could only be sarcastic, but toward Noble Lady Yang, she did not need to hold back. She snapped: "Shut your mouth! Do not let me hear you say the words 'second prince' again. You are not worthy to mention him!"

Noble Lady Yang turned deathly pale.

Consort Rong finally couldn't stand it and sighed: "Consort Yu, that incident years ago was certainly not Noble Lady Yang’s intention. Why must you target her like this? It only hurts those close to you and gladdens your enemies."

The phrase "hurts those close to you and gladdens your enemies" made some people’s eyes flash, though they quickly lowered their gazes to hide them. Seeing the high-ranking figures arguing, the people around were so terrified they dared not breathe, and like Chu Qingwan, they kept their heads down, fearing they would catch the attention of either lady.

Consort Yu looked at Consort Rong, her eyes flickering, and she sneered: "You are birds of a feather, so naturally you don't think she is at fault. They say even a tiger does not eat its cubs, but how do you know she isn't the type of person who would harm her own child for her own benefit?"

Her tone became increasingly meaningful: "Remember, one cannot judge a book by its cover."

Consort Rong frowned, not understanding what Consort Yu meant.

Noble Lady Yang was utterly outraged: "It was enough that you slandered me before the Emperor, but now you want to dump such filth on me, wanting nothing more than to make it impossible for me to move a step in this palace. How exactly have I offended you to make you hate me so much?!"

Consort Yu felt she was asking the obvious, and her eyes turned icy: "What is your status, that you dare point your finger at me and question me?"

Seeing things falling into total chaos, Imperial Noble Consort Zhou furrowed her brows. She was happy to see Consort Yu and Noble Lady Yang at odds, but that didn't mean she wanted to see them causing a scene in the Zhaohe Palace. She raised her voice: "Enough! Look at where you are—is this a place for such insolence!"

The room fell silent. Noble Lady Yang finally calmed down due to the rebuke, lowering her head in defeat, her back breaking out in a cold sweat. Unlike Noble Lady Yang, Consort Yu simply pushed aside the teacup at her side and stared coldly at her, clearly implying that this matter was far from over.

Imperial Noble Consort Zhou rubbed her temples, feeling that Consort Yu was becoming increasingly disrespectful, emboldened by the Emperor's favor. Although she had started the affair, she was too tired to manage the grudge between the two and said with a headache, "That’s enough. Since neither of you can be peaceful, you may all go."

Chu Qingwan had enjoyed a good show, and the tea in her mouth had even begun to taste better. Seeing the gathering disperse, she quickly set down her cup and, like the others, silently retreated from the Zhaohe Palace.

Once outside, she noticed that the others were moving very slowly. Knowing why, she slowed her own pace as well. Sure enough, Consort Yu’s mocking laughter rang out from ahead: "Noble Lady Yang, you were so high and mighty in the Zhaohe Palace just now—why are you silent now?"

Noble Lady Yang was held down by attendants and forced to kneel on the ground. In the public eye, she looked incredibly pathetic. She looked up at Consort Yu with hatred, but no longer had the courage to retort.

Consort Rong watched this scene with a frown. She knew clearly that she could not stop Consort Yu. If she dared to speak up, she would likely meet the same fate as Noble Lady Yang.

Chu Qingwan took it all in. She did not know Consort Rong well, as Consort Rong had been in the palace for years, and they had had almost no contact outside. Seeing this scene, Chu Qingwan could not help but frown. She felt that Consort Rong associating with Noble Lady Yang was truly unwise.