Chapter 5

Chapter Five

The Palace of Morning Harmony.

Today, the imperial consorts had all arrived unusually early. The hall was filled to capacity, with gentle murmurs never ceasing, and occasionally, some glanced toward the vacant seat above.

Others looked toward Noble Consort Yang, covering their mouths with worried expressions.

“I heard the Second Prince fell ill yesterday. Why didn’t Noble Consort Yang visit him?”

Yang’s face instantly fell into discomfort. She coldly glared at the speaker. “Lady Li, perhaps you should repeat your words in front of Consort Yu later.”

Everyone knew that Consort Yu would never even mention Yang in front of the Second Prince, let alone allow her to see him. Since the prince’s birth, Yang had only been permitted to visit him a few times before his first birthday at Ganquan Palace.

But Consort Yu was hateful. Once, after Yang had gone to see the prince, he developed a high fever that very night. The imperial physician diagnosed that a piece of fluff was lodged in his throat, nearly suffocating him. The palace maids at Ganquan Palace accused Yang of bringing that fluff in. Consort Yu wept bitterly, as if she were the prince’s true mother.

She even openly blamed Yang for such negligence and malice, questioning how she could be fit to be the prince’s birth mother.

Even now, whenever Yang recalled Consort Yu’s accusations, her entire body trembled. The prince was her own child—how could she have harmed him?

Since then, Consort Yu forbade her from going to Ganquan Palace. What pained her most was that the emperor tacitly approved Consort Yu’s actions.

Yang couldn’t help but suspect it was a deliberate scheme by Consort Yu to sever all ties between her and the Second Prince. Luckily, the emperor had not changed the maternal record on the jade register; otherwise, she feared she would have lost all peace of mind.

Ever since she learned of the prince’s high fever, her heart had not settled. Yet she was forbidden to visit Ganquan Palace, and now, with others fueling the fire, how could she control her emotions?

Yang wished she could tear the speaker apart alive.

Lady Li was stifled by Yang’s glare, forced to laugh awkwardly and dared not provoke further.

Though Yang outranked her, and Consort Yu would never allow Yang to take the lead because of the prince, no one in the palace dared to slight her. After all, no one could predict the future—if Yang ever regained favor, no one wanted to be caught unprepared.

As for Yang’s words? Lady Li was not so reckless as to speak of the prince’s affairs openly before Consort Yu.

Only Imperial Concubine Song and Consort He sat in the high seats. Consort He glanced at Lady Li and barely furrowed her brows.

At that moment, Zhu Qingwan and Consort Su entered the Palace of Morning Harmony together. Hearing the commotion, everyone turned to look. All present were new consorts attending their first greeting, and some clenched their cups tightly.

Zhu Qingwan followed half a step behind Consort Su and was led to her seat by a palace attendant.

She cast a subtle glance around. The seats seemed arranged according to rank. Her seat was apart from Consort Su’s, which gave her some relief.

Today she had brought Song Xia not only because Xia was more familiar with palace affairs, but also because she hadn’t fully trusted her yet and was reluctant to leave her alone in the palace.

No sooner had Zhu Qingwan settled than a measured voice sounded from above:

“So this is Consort Zhu—truly a beauty worthy of the moon and flowers.”

Zhu Qingwan looked up and saw the speaker dressed in a splendid green gown with exquisite jewelry on her head. Zhu did not know her name but judged that she was of high rank by her seat. Song Xia promptly whispered, “That is Consort He.”

Zhu Qingwan immediately rose and bowed, her cheeks faintly flushed with modesty.

“The palace is filled with beauties; this humble one is unworthy of such praise, Your Highness.”

Consort He’s eyes narrowed slightly as she took in Zhu’s shy, reddening face. After a pause, she smiled.

“Consort Zhu, no need for false modesty.”

Before Zhu could speak, Consort He shook her head with a hint of regret.

“It’s a pity about last night…”

She left the sentence hanging.

By deliberately mentioning last night, who could fail to grasp her implication?

All eyes turned to Zhu Qingwan. Though she was innocent in last night’s incident, even blameless, once inside the palace, interests always clashed. Moreover, Zhu’s remarkable beauty stirred envy among some, who were eager to watch the drama unfold.

Lady Li, as if fearing Zhu wouldn’t understand, completed Consort He’s words:

“If not for the Second Prince’s sudden high fever last night, Consort Zhu would not have waited in vain so long.”

Zhu had anticipated this moment and felt no shame.

Whoever it happened to, the outcome would be the same.

Meeting Lady Li’s gaze, Zhu smiled gently and soon let the matter drop, her delicate brows slightly furrowed.

“No one wishes to see the Second Prince suffer from a high fever. Though newly entered, this humble one understands the gravity of the situation.”

Lady Li’s expression stiffened, unable to refute her sincerity.

She did not believe Zhu’s words.

Such hypocrisy.

Before she could retort, the embroidered curtain was suddenly drawn aside, and a commanding presence entered. The voice was neither loud nor soft but struck directly at everyone’s hearts.

“Consort Zhu truly is of noble lineage—far more dignified and courteous than some who cannot even show their faces.”

Lady Li’s face changed abruptly.

Zhu narrowed her eyes slightly and turned toward the voice. A woman supported by palace attendants entered, wearing no heavy makeup or lavish jewelry, her face pale and showing signs of a sleepless night.

Yet her bearing was imposing, her noble features radiating a rare elegance. She cast a slight sidelong glance at the assembly. No one dared meet her gaze, and Lady Li lowered her head in submission.

Zhu immediately recognized her as the favored Consort Yu.

Once Consort Yu took her seat, everyone rose in respect. She nodded faintly.

“You may all rise.”

Just as Zhu thought the matter was over, Consort Yu suddenly curled her lips in a cold smile and said indifferently:

“If Lady Li cannot keep her tongue in check, I won’t hesitate to teach her the palace rules properly.”

Lady Li turned ashen with fright and hurriedly rose.

“I shall keep Your Highness’s instruction in mind.”

Instinctively, Lady Li glanced at Consort He, who could only suppress a surge of frustration.

“What a troublemaker!” she thought.

Consort He controlled her emotions and smiled faintly, speaking in defense of Lady Li:

“She’s just clumsy with words; Consort Yu need not stoop to her level.”

Consort Yu glanced at Consort He but said nothing more, only smiling enigmatically. Lady Li quickly sat down, no longer daring to speak recklessly.

Zhu watched silently as the skirmish unfolded. Consort Yu had just arrived at the Palace of Morning Harmony but already knew who had stirred trouble. Whether she overheard by chance or was informed, no one knew.

The hall grew quiet. Consort Yu, looking weary, leaned lazily against her seat.

Zhu wondered silently—was the Second Prince really ill last night?

After a moment, sounds came from the inner chamber as the curtain was pulled aside and Noble Consort Zhou finally arrived, fashionably late. Raising her eyes, she saw the hall full of consorts paying their respects. Her smile deepened as she took her seat.

“Today is the first greeting for the new consorts. I have no special instructions, only this: keep your place and bear children for the imperial lineage—that is the most important.”

The group of new consorts rose in response.

Consort Yu’s eyes flickered with subtle mockery at Noble Consort Zhou’s manner.

With the Empress’s seat vacant for so long and Zhou holding palace authority for years, perhaps she had confused herself with the Empress, forgetting she was but a consort.

The prince had just recovered from his fever. Growing impatient with Zhou’s pretense, Consort Yu lazily pressed her fingers to her brow.

“If Noble Consort has finished speaking, I shall take my leave. The Second Prince is unwell, and I must return to care for him.”

Zhou paused, tilting her head toward Consort Yu, who showed no fear. After a moment, Zhou withdrew her gaze and said neutrally,

“Then Consort Yu should return early.”

Consort Yu dabbed her lips with a handkerchief, bowed slightly, and turned to leave.

Zhu noted the quiet confrontation and lowered her eyes to hide her expression.

Noble Consort Zhou controlled the palace, and Consort Yu had a favored son. The two were evenly matched, which explained why Consort Yu showed no fear.

Zhu did not overlook the figure at Cining Palace, for it was thanks to her that Zhu had entered the palace.

Thus, the palace was truly a three-way balance of power, with factions subtly restraining one another.

Zhu toyed with her cup, sensing the situation was more complex than it appeared.

Not to mention the always reserved Imperial Concubine Song.

Thinking of Song, Zhu looked up toward the high seats. Imperial Concubine Song wore a dark blue-green gown, its color somewhat dull. As the eldest consort, especially with new consorts arriving, her silence was all the more conspicuous.

After Consort Yu’s departure, the atmosphere in the hall stiffened. Noble Consort Zhou sipped her tea, and Consort Su glanced up, hesitating before covering her mouth.

“Consort Yu truly treats the Second Prince as her own. I noticed the dark circles under her eyes—she must have stayed awake all night.”

Noble Consort Zhou looked at her coldly.

No one else spoke, so Consort Su sighed softly.

“I hear the prince is very affectionate toward Consort Yu—a true mother and son bond.”

Yang’s hand trembled as she gripped her cup, her skin pale.

Noble Consort Zhou noticed and smiled faintly.

“Who would say otherwise?”

She let the matter rest and dismissed the consorts after a few more words.

Outside the Palace of Morning Harmony, Zhu saw Consort Su waiting. Her eyes darkened slightly—she did not like others making decisions for her.

After a moment, she composed herself and said to Consort Su,

“Since I have just entered the palace and wish to explore, I will not return with you.”

Consort Su studied her for a long moment before softly replying,

“Very well.”

Zhu exhaled and led Song Xia toward the Imperial Garden.

Behind them, someone watched silently.

Yang frowned. “What are you looking at?”

The woman withdrew her gaze. In the warm sunlight, her face remained pale. She spoke softly,

“Just looking around.”