Chapter 34: Power Over the World

Arriving with the intent to demand justice, he departed in delight, buoyed by the spring’s sweet birdsong. Confronted with You Daidai, he found himself at a loss, unsure how to proceed.

As Daidai had said, this storm was all thunder, no rain—a gentle apricot blossom drizzle that would not wet one’s clothes.

In the depths of the lotus pond, their passion had run its course, leaving Daidai soft and languid in his arms, reluctant to move. Helpless, he had to carry her out himself.

On the cloud staircase behind the palace, after the river had cleared and the sea had calmed, the Noble Consort stood quietly, her hair half-damp, droplets gathering on the crane-shaped hairpin. She must have been waiting there for a long time.

Watching the small boat emerge from the lotus pond, a solitary speck on the vast waters, she felt as if a grain of sand had lodged itself in her heart—not being a river clam, she could not transform this irritation into a pearl. Only one way remained to reclaim her joy: to rid herself of the cause.

Ji Ye saw the Noble Consort upon the cloud staircase. Carrying Daidai aboard the painted barge, he was about to set her down, but Daidai refused, clinging to his neck and nibbling at his skin with her sharp teeth.

He winced at the sting and slapped Daidai’s bottom, unashamedly displaying affection, treating those around them as mere furniture.

Indeed, the attendants truly were walking ornaments; when the emperor favored a consort, they always served nearby and were no strangers to such scenes.

With the rain and breeze, the picturesque boat drew closer. The Noble Consort stirred her stiff limbs, cleared her throat, and stepped forward with a smile, her embroidered shoes nearly touching the water.

“Your Majesty, My Lady, good afternoon.” Her salute was impeccable, her attitude respectful, but her head did not bow; instead, her gaze, moist with tears, lingered on Ji Ye, as though she had suffered a great injustice she must endure.

Qiu Yun lowered her head with a cold sneer; Chun Mo glanced askance, snorting in disdain.

Daidai paid her no mind, her teeth still grazing Ji Ye’s neck.

“Is there a reason for your visit, Noble Consort?” Ji Ye did not set Daidai down, his manner toward the Noble Consort distant, lacking warmth—let alone any hidden tenderness.

Hidden hands clenched tight within her sleeves, tension stretched taut in her heart. She knew she had truly angered him.

Yet, she had acted only to protect herself, to survive more comfortably in the harem. Where was the fault in that?

Among the women of the harem, whose hands were clean?

A Ye, have you begun to favor one over another?

“Knowing Your Majesty is burdened with affairs of state, I’ve brought pine mushroom chicken soup for you,” the Noble Consort replied softly, her voice ethereal, as if choked by sorrow.

“Summer’s heat makes soup too warming,” Ji Ye ascended the cloud staircase, passing her with a mild remark.

Her delicate form trembled. She cast a stubborn glance at Ji Ye, tears glimmering in her eyes.

Ji Ye paused, lowering his gaze. “Very well, leave it then.”

The Noble Consort brightened. “Your Majesty, would you care to drink it while it’s hot?”

Turning hurriedly, she poured a small bowl from the insulated porcelain container, offering it with both hands, her eyes pleading, wholly ignoring Daidai.

Ji Ye held Daidai in his arms; to accept the soup would mean setting her down. He made no move. Their gazes met, exchanging a silent dialogue Daidai could not fathom.

He stood tall and handsome; she was gentle and graceful—they matched perfectly, a pair made by heaven. Daidai, wedged between them, seemed nothing but an obstacle, unable to join their communion even while in his embrace.

Daidai was unconcerned. Her nose twitched, and while the Noble Consort gazed at Ji Ye with tearful focus, Daidai easily took the chicken soup from her hands, famished after their exertions.

Draining it in one gulp, Daidai smacked her lips, eyes burning as she stared at the porcelain container held by the palace maid.

“Bring it here, let me drink it,” she said, peering over Ji Ye’s shoulder at the maid.

Qiu Yun’s brows knit in confusion but she said nothing.

Chun Mo’s lips curled, her eyes twitching from repeated signals to Daidai. Anxiety gnawed at her; she longed to shout: My Lady, the Noble Consort is openly seducing His Majesty! She has no regard for you—punish her, punish her!

She had long disliked the Noble Consort; the Imperial Consort was brazen, at least a straightforward villain. The Noble Consort, however, caused Daidai to suffer in silence, leaving outsiders thinking Daidai was simply unreasonable—a woman far more hateful than the Imperial Consort.

Seeing the Noble Consort stunned, Ji Ye gave a mocking laugh and looked away, hugging Daidai closer. “Since My Lady enjoys the soup, let it be your offering to her. I have state affairs this afternoon and ministers coming and going; Noble Consort, return to your own pavilion and finish copying the scriptures before seeking me again.”

The Noble Consort’s delicate face, beautiful only upon repeated glances, flushed pale and then red, tears gathering in her eyes as she stubbornly looked away. She knelt, saluting their departure.

Chun Mo exhaled, feeling instantly refreshed.

The emperor’s attendants passed the Noble Consort, led by Chun Mo, proud and upright, their loyalty to Sweet Spring Palace evident.

The Noble Consort’s servants, on the other hand, felt as if they had swallowed a fly; they were accustomed to being respected throughout the palace—when had Sweet Spring Palace ever been so assertive?

His Majesty’s heart was still with Jade Harmony Palace; they all looked to the Noble Consort, awaiting her to reclaim her standing.

The Noble Consort remained silent, casting a chilly gaze at Daidai. When their eyes met, she felt she saw a cold snake—stealthy, patient, storing venom, now mature enough to strike.

She felt chilled but grew stronger in adversity.

Her gaze was as icy as any.

Leaving River Clear Sea Calm, she did not return to her own pavilion but went instead to a secluded, inconspicuous rock garden. After waiting a while, a palace maid arrived—none other than Xiao He, Jin Cui’s attendant.

“Good afternoon, My Lady.”

“No need for ceremony. Step forward and report,” the Noble Consort commanded beneath the willow and azalea.

Xiao He, cowed by the Noble Consort’s presence, stilled her limbs, then quietly recounted what had occurred in the lotus pond.

“As His Majesty went by boat with only Chief Li, Madam inferred the truth from subtle clues.”

“What clues? Speak plainly.” Prepared though she was, the Noble Consort was unwilling to let it go, determined to uncover the raw truth.

Xiao He trembled, her voice quavering: “My Lady’s lips were slightly swollen with bite marks, her manner languid, her brows and eyes filled with spring, her phoenix robe rumpled, and both had that scent. There were sounds during that half hour.”

Jin Cui was a chronicler, tasked with recording the emperor’s favor toward his women, including locations and frequency. The lotus pond tryst was forbidden from the records; though she dared not note it, she was well-versed in the signs of intimacy.

The Noble Consort closed her eyes, jealousy raging like a wildfire, consuming dry wood and erupting skyward.

“You may go.”

She summoned all her strength to suppress her sudden anger, waving Xiao He away.

“You Daidai, I truly misjudged you, letting you grow beneath my very eyes and learn to seduce men? Wretched creature!” The final curse was low and bitter, her jealousy far surpassing that of the Imperial Consort. Yet no one heard it. In that moment, her venom was so intense even a snake would have yielded.

The Noble Consort entered the palace before Daidai, a year after the Imperial Consort, and was of the same age as Ji Ye, four or five years older than Daidai. When Daidai entered the palace at maturity, the Noble Consort had already established herself, skilled in intrigue, having discerned Daidai’s character through several encounters. She had never regarded Daidai as a true threat, but from now on, that would change.

Upon returning to her pavilion, she immediately ordered a fragrant bath. She submerged herself in the tub, holding her breath until she burst through the water’s surface with a gasp, as if returning from the brink of death.

Clinging to the rim, she panted violently, having walked to the edge and back, regaining her composure.

Rising, droplets and petals slid down her graceful body. Attendants stepped forward in an orderly fashion—one with a large towel for her body, another for her hair. With a dozen maids bustling about, she soon resumed the gentle, spring-like demeanor befitting her title.

Every movement, every word, was worthy of the “Noble” in her rank.

Seated high on the main hall’s chair, she bowed her head in thought. Nearby, a maid sensed an opportunity and flattered, “My Lady, what troubles you? Speak, perhaps I can help ease your worries.”

“You?” The Noble Consort cast her a sidelong glance, then adjusted her posture, beckoning her to sit at her feet. “Perhaps. Then tell me, is the Imperial Consort foolish or clever?”

“With respect to My Lady, she is surely foolish,” the maid replied without hesitation.

The Noble Consort laughed softly. She did not expect insight from the maid, but as an old servant loyal beyond doubt, she reclined, ordering her to massage her legs. “The Imperial Consort is not foolish. Her schemes are endless and never repeated—like last time, when she lured the snake to its doom, an idea I could never devise.”

“She’s reckless, bold, careless, and disdains cleaning up afterward. If I had a dowager aunt backing me, a useless empress, and held the second highest rank, I’d be bold too. Alas, both she and I stumbled before that ‘useless’ empress. Quietly, she not only removed all Sweet Spring Palace’s spies but caught us both off guard, earning His Majesty’s sympathy and monopolizing his favor. Such cunning is remarkable.”

“You are right, My Lady. You see through the empress at a glance,” the maid continued to flatter.

Everyone loves praise, but the Noble Consort, still smarting from her loss, grew increasingly irritated, kicking the maid and rubbing her temples. “If you cannot speak well or read the room, keep silent.”

“Yes, My Lady.” The maid hastily crawled forward, picking up the gemstone hammer to resume massaging.

Having vented her anger, the Noble Consort felt much relieved, tapping the armrest as she pondered.

Lu Xiangjun was not one to suffer in silence; now that the empress had shown her claws, Lu Xiangjun would surely retaliate doubly. All she needed was to give her a pretext—Lu Xiangjun’s mind would easily devise a scheme against the empress.

Since ancient times, it is the passionate woman who is betrayed by the heartless man. A Ye, do not blame me for turning cold—I have my reasons. From the moment you could not give me your only heart, I withdrew my love. Rather than loving you with soul-wrenching pain, I would rather bear a prince, become empress dowager, and wield power over the world!

But you must not love another!

Your love must belong to me alone!