Chapter 3

Chapter Three

After paying respects to Consort Su, Chu Qingwan finally found a moment of leisure. The Imperial Kitchen delivered her lunch, and Song Xia subtly reminded her that this was the first day the new consorts entered the palace, which was why the kitchen personally sent the meal. From tomorrow onward, each palace would have to collect their meals directly from the kitchen.

The day had been taxing, with the constant strain of travel and anxiety. After lunch, Chu Qingwan rested briefly before rising to listen as Song Xia recounted the current affairs within the palace.

Eight women had entered the palace in this selection, and Song Xia had long prepared, having learnt in advance the residences assigned to each new consort.

Among them, Consort Gu was housed in the Baoxiang Tower, part of Yufu Palace, while another, Lady Du, resided in the Yuhua Pavilion of Changle Palace. Notably, the principal occupant of Changle Palace was Empress Song.

At these words, Chu Qingwan straightened slightly.

Mentioning Empress Song required a brief overview of the current imperial offspring: the sovereign had only two sons and one daughter.

Empress Song’s background was unremarkable. She had been a palace maid serving the current emperor before his ascension, two years his senior. Initially a mere concubine, she was later elevated to the rank of Liangdi. When the emperor took the throne, she was promptly granted the third-rank title of Zhaoyi. Though long out of favor, no one dared neglect her in the palace.

Her significance lay in being the mother of the emperor’s eldest son. The emperor had reigned six years, and his eldest son had just turned seven. Perhaps due to her humble origins, Empress Song was generally low-key and reserved. The emperor seldom visited Changle Palace and showed little concern for the eldest son.

In contrast stood Consort Yu, the last concubine to join before the emperor’s ascension. From the moment she entered the palace, she had been favored. Currently, she was nurturing the second prince in Ganquan Palace, making it the liveliest place in the harem.

Chu Qingwan sensed something and looked up at Song Xia.

Song Xia lowered her voice slightly. “The mother of the second prince is Noble Consort Yang.”

When Noble Consort Yang gave birth to the second prince, she held only the rank of Meiren. The newborn was immediately taken to Ganquan Palace, and Noble Consort Yang was swiftly elevated to the position of Guifei, just two ranks shy of the palace’s principal occupant. Yet this slight gap prevented her from personally raising the heir.

“Ma’am, I’ve heard that Consort Yu dislikes any mention of Noble Consort Yang in the presence of the second prince,” Song Xia added.

Before entering the palace, Chu Qingwan had heard rumors of Consort Yu’s favored status but was unaware of such intricate secrets within the court.

Suddenly, Chu Qingwan’s eyes widened as she softly uttered, “Imperial genealogy?”

Song Xia shook her head subtly.

Chu Qingwan realized that as long as the second prince’s genealogy remained unchanged, no matter how much Consort Yu forbade mention of Noble Consort Yang, the prince’s biological mother would always be Noble Consort Yang.

For Consort Yu, no matter how devoted she was to the second prince, one day her efforts might only serve another’s benefit. It was no wonder she was so wary of Noble Consort Yang.

As for the lone princess, she was the daughter of Noble Consort Zhou, who had accompanied the emperor for many years. Before the old palace, she managed the imperial kitchen; after the emperor’s ascension, she oversaw the six palaces. Currently, with no principal consort, all concubines were required to pay respects to her daily.

Upon mentioning Noble Consort Zhou, Song Xia instinctively lowered her voice and glanced cautiously around. Only then did she remember that Long Qiu was guarding outside, ensuring no one could overhear their conversation, and she raised her voice again.

Chu Qingwan observed Song Xia’s reaction carefully, realizing that Noble Consort Zhou had long held considerable power in the palace, so much so that even servants like Song Xia were cautious when speaking of her.

This was not surprising, as Noble Consort Zhou was known to have openly clashed with the Empress Dowager.

Song Xia emphasized the three principal consorts, focusing especially on Noble Consorts Zhou and Yu. Chu Qingwan absorbed all the information, though how much she believed remained uncertain.

Today, being the new consorts' first day in the palace, barring unforeseen events, the emperor would choose one to spend the night with. As evening approached, all palaces waited with bated breath. Even the palace elders eagerly anticipated the imperial decree.

Lanterns shone brightly in the gentle rain, illuminating the palace grounds. A tense, secretive anxiety swiftly spread throughout the harem.

***

Chu Qingwan awaited news as well. By dusk, Yuqiong Garden was already prepared. Having bathed, she sat before her dressing table, gently wiping her damp black hair strand by strand.

Her head bowed, cheeks flushed with the warmth left by the bath. The summer’s thin gauze clung to her skin, yet through the collar of her robe, the subtle hues of spring still lingered. She did not pause in her careful grooming.

Song Xia glanced at her mistress, exchanging a look with Chi Chun. Seeing Chi Chun shake her head silently, they hesitated before choosing quietude.

Not only Chu Qingwan, but Baoxiang Tower was also waiting for news.

Consort Gu idly toyed with ornaments on her dressing table, her gaze frequently drifting to the door. When no one came to inform her, she withdrew her eyes sadly. Her maid, Pei Lan, couldn’t help but comfort her:

“Lady, there is no need to worry. You are the highest-ranked new consort this time; the emperor will surely come to Baoxiang Tower tonight.”

Pei Lan’s words were confident, but Consort Gu dared not fully trust them.

She was nervous and uncertain whether the emperor would visit Baoxiang Tower. In truth, she and the emperor were already acquainted—after all, he was her maternal cousin. Before his ascension, they had met several times, but those circumstances were very different. At that time, he was merely a prince, and her mother was the younger sister of the late emperor’s mother.

Being her mother’s only child, Consort Gu had received much attention from various princes, though the emperor had always been gentle, if not particularly attentive.

Consort Gu understood the motives behind these princes’ attentions: they sought to curry favor with her mother through their maternal uncle. Her mother had remained neutral, only lending subtle support when the heir was established.

She owed the emperor no favors and had even avoided him to prevent trouble. She had heard from her mother that the emperor was vindictive. Would he truly bear her no grudges?

Consort Gu’s face tightened in worry.

She was indifferent about entering the palace; as a member of the royal family, any marriage alliance was fitting. It was her mother who chose for her to enter the palace.

Lowering her head, she recalled her mother’s words—

“Once inside, if your cousin favors you, accept it. If not, remain obedient. Considering how I once treated him kindly, he should at least grant you a life of wealth and honor.”

Seeing her obedient nod, the Grand Princess tapped her forehead and rolled her eyes in exasperation.

“How did I raise you to be so quiet? Otherwise, I wouldn’t have sent you to the palace.”

Consort Gu understood her mother’s reasoning.

Her mother often said, “Men are all the same; power and wealth in your hands are far more reliable.”

Her biological father had died early, found in a river at dawn, after leaving the courtyard of a concubine.

Her mother, the current Grand Princess, had once been a consort. She had chosen Consort Gu’s father, a man of low status. After giving birth, her mother’s health worsened and she could no longer bear children. Harmony in the Grand Princess’s household suddenly shattered.

The consort’s return home grew increasingly late. After a period of silence, the consort was found dead at dawn.

From then on, the Grand Princess’s residence was filled with nightly revelry.

Consort Gu held no strong opinions about this. Compared to her biological father, who had always scorned her for being a girl, her mother’s love was paramount.

Yet she was not her mother. With no emperor brother to protect her, she knew her gentle disposition might not suffice in times of crisis.

Thus, she obediently entered the palace, harboring no illusions about love.

She knew the palace was no sanctuary.

***

But her mother had promised that her cousin would at least grant her a life of privilege.

She did not trust the current emperor but trusted her mother.

Consort Gu’s mind wandered without end. When no news arrived from the Imperial Household Department, she was not disappointed, though her maids were anxious. Pei Lan’s face was full of remorse, causing Consort Gu to smile wryly:

“Why such a face? The emperor is merely not coming tonight.”

Pei Lan lowered her head dejectedly. “But today is the first day for the new consorts. You hold the highest rank among them. I fear that tomorrow, during the greetings, you might be ridiculed by the others.”

Her words trailed off, but Consort Gu understood. Though soft-hearted, she saw clearly:

“If they mock me over a single night’s favor, such people do not deserve our attention.”

***

In the Hall of Mental Cultivation, a man bent over state affairs. The candlelight suddenly dimmed. He barely regained his senses and glanced outside; darkness had fully fallen.

Someone entered, startled to see this, and nervously rekindled the candle.

The man turned his head slightly; in the flickering light, his profile was sharp and refined, exuding both elegance and nonchalance.

“What time is it?”

Wei Ziming, seeing no rebuke, dared not relax and replied respectfully:

“Your Majesty, it is already the third quarter of the tenth hour.”

Xu Yanheng gave a barely perceptible nod.

Wei Ziming’s breathing softened. After a moment, he hesitantly reminded, “Your Majesty, today is the day the new consorts entered the palace.”

His voice faded as the room seemed to grow colder.

After a long pause, the emperor’s cold voice finally came. Wei Ziming left to announce the decree. Only after the attendants had exited did he dare wipe the cold sweat from his brow.

***

Hearing footsteps outside, Chu Qingwan suddenly lifted her gaze, meeting her reflection in the bronze mirror. For a moment, she heard her own heart pounding.

Chi Chun, seeing her mistress finally cease wiping her hair, breathed a silent sigh of relief, glancing at the cloth, now wrinkled from tight grasp.

Long Qiu rushed in, unable to contain her excitement:

“Lady, the Imperial Household Department has sent word: tonight, Yuqiong Garden will be the place of the imperial rendezvous!”