Chapter 4

Chapter Four

When Chu Qingwan heard footsteps outside, she already sensed how the night’s bedchamber arrangement would turn out. Yet, when the news truly arrived, she could not help but press her lips tightly together.

After all, this was the very first day she had officially entered the palace, and it was impossible for her to remain completely calm.

Moreover, Chu Qingwan was somewhat surprised by the outcome; she had thought it would be Consort Gu who would attend the emperor tonight. Regardless of her inner thoughts, her foremost duty now was to prepare to receive the imperial summons.

Her hair had dried, and Chu Qingwan exhaled softly. Turning to the bronze mirror, she whispered, “Arrange my hair.”

What she meant by “arrange” was merely to pin up her hair. The reflection revealed a woman of delicate complexion. After a moment’s hesitation, she decided against applying any additional makeup. Chichun, sensing her intention, took a box of fragrant balm and carefully anointed the nape of her neck. The scent was light and subtle, barely there.

As Chu Qingwan prepared for her night at the emperor’s side, word spread through the other palaces of the inner court.

At Chahe Palace, Consort Zhou had spent the day managing accounts and was rubbing her sore neck, half-supporting her forehead as palace maids massaged her. Upon hearing the report, she recalled the woman she had seen during the selection, and was not surprised, offering only a faint smile.

Meiying, who had been massaging her shoulders, hesitated and asked, “Your Highness, I don’t quite understand...”

Outsiders assumed that the position of Talented Lady Chu was arranged by the emperor himself, but that was not the case. Apart from Consort Gu’s rank, the emperor had not intervened in the selection at all; the entire process was handled solely by the consort.

Meiying had seen Talented Lady Chu, so she could not comprehend why, given that the Chu and Jiang families were of equal status, the consort would grant the rank to Chu and not Jiang.

Thinking of Talented Lady Chu’s striking appearance, Meiying felt a pang of worry.

Consort Zhou closed her eyes slightly. Though she did not see Meiying’s expression, she knew what her attendant was concerned about.

“What good is beauty? Who in this palace isn’t a rare beauty?” she said.

Besides, what she wanted was precisely the kind of vivid, eye-catching beauty Talented Lady Chu possessed.

Incense burned in the hall, tendrils of smoke rising from the censer. Consort Zhou thought of the Empress Dowager at Cining Palace, known for her scheming to seize palace power, and sneered coldly.

“She wishes to use this batch of new concubines to stir trouble and wrest control, but she does not realize that as long as the emperor does not want her to have power, no matter what she does, it is all in vain!”

Meiying’s expression shifted slightly when the Empress Dowager was mentioned. She glanced around cautiously and motioned for the others to withdraw.

Once the hall was empty except for the consort and herself, Meiying sighed.

“Your Highness, why hold a grudge against her? In the end, the emperor is on your side.”

No matter what, the Empress Dowager was still an elder. If outsiders overheard the consort’s words, the accusation of filial impiety would be enough to suffocate her.

Consort Zhou’s expression remained dark as she recalled how this selection had come about, and she was filled with frustration.

Several months ago, a major incident had occurred—the Concubine Rong, six months pregnant, was suddenly caused to miscarry. The Empress Dowager used this as an excuse to accuse her of failing to manage the inner court, attempting to seize power from her. Fortunately, the emperor calmly rejected the Empress Dowager’s move.

When that plan failed, the Empress Dowager conjured another: pointing out the emperor’s lack of heirs, she proposed an early selection of imperial consorts.

The emperor had just rejected the Empress Dowager’s affront; he could not deny her a second time, thus this selection was arranged.

Don’t think she was unaware—Talented Lady Du was the Empress Dowager’s chosen pawn. Consort Gu was only an accident. Under such circumstances, Consort Zhou naturally would not stand idly by. Hence, there were two Talented Ladies in this selection.

Seeing her consort’s troubled face, Meiying forced down her own worry and comforted her.

“The emperor summoned Talented Lady Chu to attend him tonight. That suits your Highness’s wishes.”

Meiying recalled how the consort had arranged for Talented Lady Chu to be in Zhaoyang Palace and whispered, “Consort Su is always clever. She will surely understand your intentions and help your wishes come true.”

Consort Zhou let out a soft breath, a fleeting shadow of bitterness crossing her brow.

“If Consort Su were not so useless, I wouldn’t have to trouble myself so much.”

She had painstakingly elevated Consort Su to her rank, only to find her useless, unable even to win the emperor’s favor. His visits to Zhaoyang Palace had grown increasingly rare.

Had she known this, she would never have wasted time on Consort Su.

***

Zhaoyang Palace.

When the officials from the Office of Imperial Affairs first arrived, Changchun Pavilion had already received the news. Consort Su fell silent for a moment, then glanced sideways. The people of Yuqiong Garden must be preparing to welcome the emperor, and the sounds of their excitement drifted over.

Being in the same palace, Consort Su could keenly feel the liveliness next door, which only made her own pavilion seem colder and lonelier.

She had a foreboding that this scene might become a frequent occurrence in the future.

Her eyes darkened briefly. After a long pause, she glanced at the cautious Qingli and spoke softly:

“It’s late. Rest now.”

***

Chu Qingwan was unaware of the thoughts in other palaces. Standing at the gate of Yuqiong Garden awaiting the imperial summons, the night air was cool. Chichun draped a pale cloak over her shoulders, and the faint moonlight seemed to enhance the delicate grace of the woman before the palace.

The lotus lanterns at the corners of the walls gradually dimmed. Chu Qingwan wrapped her cloak tighter, frowning slightly at the stillness outside the gate.

Half an hour passed. The palace maids of Yuqiong Garden grew from excited to anxious, exchanging uneasy glances as the hall fell completely silent.

Perhaps it was truly cold. Chu Qingwan’s fingertips clutching her cloak turned white.

After a long while, hurried footsteps approached from outside. A sudden uneasy feeling surged in her heart.

When she saw the approaching figure was a young eunuch, Songxia quietly reminded her, “That is Little Eunuch Zhou from the emperor’s side.”

Chu Qingwan’s heart sank sharply.

She watched as Little Eunuch Zhou drew near, his face apologetic.

“The Second Prince has suddenly developed a high fever. The emperor was summoned by Consort Yu’s people to Ganquan Palace. I was sent to inform Talented Lady Chu that you need not wait tonight.”

Her tightly clenched hand relaxed. Chu Qingwan was at a loss for how to feel. After a moment of silence, she lowered her eyes and whispered:

“I understand.”

Her eyes dimmed little by little, stirring both pity and regret. The smile on her face was forced but gentle as she asked:

“How is the Second Prince? Is he gravely ill?”

Zhou Lishun hesitated, mindful that matters concerning imperial heirs required discretion.

“The imperial physicians have just arrived. I do not know the situation,” he replied vaguely.

After Zhou Lishun left, the entire Yuqiong Garden was deathly silent. Everyone held their breath, afraid that this newly arrived Talented Lady might vent her anger on the servants.

Chu Qingwan cast a faint glance at them before turning back into the hall, followed by Chichun and two others.

Nongqiu’s face fell as she looked at her mistress with concern, her voice low and sullen.

“If he’s not coming, why didn’t they send word earlier? Mistress wasted so much time waiting.”

Chu Qingwan frowned. “Choose your words carefully.”

He was the Son of Heaven; all favors and punishments were his grace. No one was allowed to complain.

Nongqiu immediately silenced herself, covering her mouth tightly, not daring to speak further.

Songxia, seeing that her mistress still retained her composure, felt relieved. She stepped forward, loosening the cloak and kneeling to massage her mistress’s aching legs.

“Consort Yu has never before used the Second Prince to intercept the emperor’s favor. Perhaps tonight the prince’s fever is real. Since this concerns the imperial heir, it is natural for the emperor to worry. Mistress, do not take it to heart.”

After all, the Second Prince was not Consort Yu’s biological son. If she used him to compete for favor, it would be a matter of disgrace, but worse would be incurring the emperor’s dislike.

Chu Qingwan lowered her eyes to Songxia, understanding her counsel not to act rashly.

“I know where the limits lie.”

Whether the Second Prince truly had a fever or not, since the news came from Consort Yu, it was best for her that the emperor went to Ganquan Palace.

Otherwise, provoking Consort Yu’s displeasure would be worse for her.

Having just entered the palace and without the emperor’s favor, she had no way to compete with Consort Yu, whose rank was higher. Consort Yu did not even need to lift a finger—just a few words passed down would be enough to make her suffer.

Yet this one incident meant that when she went to Chahe Palace to pay respects tomorrow, there would be no peace.

Chu Qingwan’s gaze drooped wearily.

“I’m tired. You all may go rest.”

Chichun looked at her mistress with concern. No matter how rational her words, this was her first disappointment, and her heart was surely troubled.

Chu Qingwan caught Chichun’s glance and met it with a slight shake of her head.

This was only the first day in the palace; it meant nothing. She was not so fragile as to be undone by this small setback.

***

By the next morning, news of the previous night’s bedchamber incident had spread throughout the inner court. None of the new consorts were pleased. Knowing the emperor had again gone to Ganquan Palace, many envied and wished to tear their handkerchiefs in frustration.

One complained, “She’s enjoyed favor for so many years. Is there really no one who can take her down?”

Someone nearby quickly pulled her back. Her face was still pale, and hearing this, she only groaned, “Lower your voice.”

Consort Yang bowed her head in silence.

She knew her rank was low and that not bearing an heir was a longstanding rule. Yet Consort Yu forbade anyone from mentioning her in front of the Second Prince. How could her heart not harbor resentment?

Chu Qingwan, harboring her own burdens, had not slept well all night. She woke early and asked Chichun to cover the dark circles beneath her eyes with powder. Only after carefully checking in the bronze mirror and ensuring no flaw did she relax.

No matter what she thought inside, she would never allow others to see her weakness.

Just as she finished preparing, Songxia entered with a subtle expression. Chu Qingwan asked, puzzled:

“What is it?”

Songxia answered, “It’s Consort Su. She sent someone to ask if you are ready.”

Since entering the palace, this was the first time Chu Qingwan felt a headache coming on.

She was no fool and understood exactly what this summons from Consort Su meant.

Songxia had mentioned that Consort Su was always among the earliest to pay respects at Chahe Palace. Chu Qingwan had deliberately delayed, hoping to avoid encountering Consort Su there, but had not expected Consort Su to wait for her.

And she had no reason to refuse. Since they shared the same palace, it was only proper to attend Chahe Palace together.

Outside Yuqiong Garden, Chu Qingwan saw Consort Su. She smiled at her.

“Though Zhaoyang Palace is not far from Chahe Palace, Talented Lady Chu should try to arrive earlier next time to avoid giving the impression of disrespect to Consort Zhou.”

Chu Qingwan pretended not to understand the subtle insinuation and lowered her face shyly.

“I only entered the palace last night and had trouble falling asleep. That is why I was late this morning.”

Consort Su noticed the faint blush on her face but said nothing further, smiling as usual.