Thus, when the emperor and his ministers arrived with their families at the palace residence and began settling into their accommodations, no one saw Li Fuxiang.
Even Noble Consort Xian was puzzled for a while.
Gao Yuexing, having entered her own quarters, quietly sat in front of the vanity and began redoing her hair.
In the mirror, she could see Fu Yun bustling about tirelessly. Gao Yuexing picked up a hairpin herself and styled her hair into a flowing zhuiyun bun.
When Fu Yun finally finished her work and turned around, she laughed with a gasp, “My dear girl, where did you learn this? You’re not even of age yet; this hairstyle is inappropriate.”
Gao Yuexing replied, “Who cares if it’s appropriate? I’ll undo it in a bit.” She dabbed some rouge onto her lips, turned to Fu Yun, and asked, “Sister Fu, do I look pretty?”
That day, Gao Yuexing had applied her own makeup, and the vibrant colors perfectly accentuated her already striking features.
Fu Yun felt that even saying “pretty” fell short.
When Gao Yuexing grew a few years older, who could imagine how breathtaking she would be?
Smiling, Fu Yun studied her and said, “Our Miss Gao will certainly lead a life of unmatched wealth and fortune.”
Gao Yuexing looked at her own face in the mirror and thought to herself, still a little childish.
Age, after all, was something that couldn’t be rushed.
One by one, Gao Yuexing removed the hairpins, letting her hair fall freely. Fu Yun stepped forward, taking the comb and gently redoing her hair.
Then she wiped off her makeup.
The person in the mirror transformed instantly, from a noble and striking peony to a playful, fresh-faced begonia.
She was once again a delicate and lively little girl.
Suddenly, Fu Yun brought up a topic. “A few days ago, I happened to hear the princess and Noble Consort Xian discussing your coming-of-age ceremony. It seems Madam Gao already has plans in mind.”
At the mention of her mother, Gao Yuexing realized it had been some time since she had seen her family. Although there had been some discord between her parents before she left home, her mother had always kept her in her thoughts.
Gao Yuexing said, “Mother and Sister haven’t mentioned anything about it in their letters. Did you hear what Mother has in mind?”
Fu Yun replied, “It seems she has invited the wife of Grand Tutor Liu.”
Quite the display.
Gao Jing was a scholar.
Among scholars across the realm, none would dare show disrespect to Grand Tutor Liu. When Grand Tutor Liu retired to the countryside, he once held lectures there. News of his teachings attracted scholars from thousands of miles away, all eager to hear his wisdom.
For Gao Jing to plan such a grand coming-of-age ceremony for his daughter was only natural and fitting.
Such joyous news, of course, couldn’t be hidden from the emperor. At the Xiaoshan Palace Residence, the emperor, idly chatting over tea with a few trusted ministers, mentioned that Gao Jing’s eldest daughter was soon to be married. The emperor praised Gao Jing for his excellent parenting, saying that both his daughters were refined and exceptional.
All present knew that the second daughter of the Gao family had already been decreed by imperial edict to marry Prince Xiang as his principal consort. One minister, eager to please the emperor, remarked, “The daughters of the Gao family were handpicked by Your Majesty. How could they be anything but extraordinary? In all of the capital, there are few who can match their talent and beauty, let alone their family background.”
Since Gao Jing was not present, they spoke more freely about Gao Yuexing.
The emperor laughed heartily and said, “The second daughter of the Gao family, graceful and intelligent—let me tell you, she’s more than fit to be a princess consort. In my view, even empress wouldn’t be beyond her.”
…
A deathly silence fell.
Every minister at the table froze simultaneously, exchanging uneasy glances filled with uncertainty.
What did this mean?
The emperor had deliberately brought up the topic.
Either he was hinting at his intention to establish an empress, or he was implying something else entirely.
The emperor was already past forty years of age, while Gao Yuexing had not yet come of age. Moreover, Gao Yuexing had already been promised to Prince Xiang as his princess consort. The emperor was not so reckless, and none of the ministers dared entertain such a scandalous idea.
Upon deeper consideration, it could only mean something else entirely.
Gao Yuexing was the future wife of Prince Xiang. If the emperor declared she was fit to be empress, then what did that imply about Prince Xiang?!
The news spread like wildfire through every corner of the Xiaoshan Palace Residence, leaving some elated, others anxious, and many caught in a tumult of mixed emotions.
The happiest of all was Li Lanyao, who was genuinely delighted for both Li Fuxiang and Gao Yuexing. What was wrong with boundless power? In the imperial family, it was far better to stand at the pinnacle of power, dominating all others, than to be trampled upon as a mere subject.
Noble Consort Xian was, of course, also overjoyed.
As Li Fuxiang’s nominal mother, she knew that if Li Fuxiang were to inherit the throne one day and wished to honor a living dowager empress, that could only be her. She had never dared dream of such prestige.
Meanwhile, Gao Jing let out a long sigh as he gazed out the window, and Madam Gao sat motionless on the bed, at a loss for words. Her heart felt hollow and uncertain.
Their Gao family was about to produce an empress.
Their obedient, well-behaved youngest daughter was about to leave their protection entirely.
The road to the imperial throne was one they could not help her navigate. She would have to rely on herself for everything.
The gates of Jingmen Palace opened, and a fast horse carried the news back to the capital. The emperor’s exact words were relayed verbatim to Consort Dowager Hui.
Consort Dowager Hui ordered a chair to be brought and sat beneath the veranda, gazing toward the eastern wing. The setting sun bathed the western eaves in a golden glow, spilling over to coat the eastern hall’s door with a fleeting brilliance, soft and resplendent.
But the light was brief. Within moments, it was swallowed by the encroaching darkness of night.
Behind Consort Dowager Hui stood an old maidservant, older than Consort Dowager Hui herself, her gait unsteady with age.
But this elderly servant, Mingchun, was the only person Consort Dowager Hui could confide in.
Consort Dowager Hui said, “Mingchun…”
Mingchun responded softly, “This servant is here, Your Highness.”
Consort Dowager Hui told her, “Mingchun, do you know? The exposure of that child’s identity has rendered all my efforts meaningless.”
Mingchun consoled her, “Life is unpredictable, Your Highness. You’ve done everything within your power. Please try to let it go.”
Consort Dowager Hui murmured, “Do everything within your power, then leave the rest to fate…” Her gaze remained fixed on the dilapidated eastern wing. She truly felt old now, and even the resentment in her eyes seemed tinged with helplessness.
Consort Dowager Hui began to reminisce, “I remember when that child was five years old. One night, he ran to me in a panic, saying that bad people were after him. He said he was scared and begged me to stay with him… But I hardened my heart and had him sent back.”
Mingchun listened quietly, understanding that Consort Dowager Hui needed her to serve as a silent presence at this moment.
Consort Dowager Hui continued speaking to herself, “All the rotten intrigues of the harem, I’ve observed with cold detachment for a lifetime. Meng Zhaoyi’s petty tricks—compared to the schemes of my sisters back then—are far inferior. She may fool a young emperor, but she can’t deceive me.”
When Li Fuqiu was placed in front of her, Consort Dowager Hui finally found an outlet for her long-harbored ambitions.
She didn’t just want to be the Empress Dowager.
She wanted to trample the emperor beneath her feet.
Her plan was already set: to raise that child into a crippled pawn, eliminate all other potential heirs to the throne, leaving the emperor without any other bloodline to choose from. Once the emperor died, absolute power would fall into her hands.
As for Li Fuqiu’s true identity, she held it firmly in her grasp and could dethrone him at any moment.
But who could have predicted that everything would unravel because of a little girl?
When Gao Yuexing entered the palace at the age of six, Consort Dowager Hui took one look into her eyes and knew she was a clever, sharp child.
But she was just a child. No matter how intelligent, her abilities had to be limited. Consort Dowager Hui had dismissed her as a toothless young fox, unworthy of concern.
That was her mistake.
That seemingly toothless young fox had pushed Consort Dowager Hui’s grasp on the throne far out of reach.
Years ago, when Fu Yun had babbled nonsense in her presence, trying to deceive her, Consort Dowager Hui had seen through it instantly. Fu Yun wasn’t clever enough for such cunning.
That was Consort Dowager Hui’s first glimpse of Gao Yuexing’s brilliance.
The emperor favored Prince Xiang as heir and Gao Yuexing as his consort—how could such a union be easy to contend with?
Now the emperor was already suspicious.
Consort Dowager Hui knew that if she didn’t act soon, her path would lead to certain death.
Better to take one final gamble than to sit and wait for the end.
Suddenly, there was a commotion outside Jingmen Palace. Mingchun stepped out to investigate and returned to report, “Your Highness, Meng Zhaoyi requests an audience.”
Consort Dowager Hui’s lips curled in disdain as she spat, her voice icy, “What nonsense. Even if I’ve reached a dead end, it’s not up to a mere concubine to show me pity.”
The courtyard of Jingmen Palace was silent, the gates wide open. Consort Dowager Hui’s words echoed clearly, reaching Meng Zhaoyi’s ears.
Meng Zhaoyi’s body swayed slightly as she stood there, still holding the soup she had personally prepared.
Mingchun sighed and had no choice but to step out again to salvage Consort Dowager Hui’s dignity. She said, “Thank you for your effort, Lady Zhaoyi. Please hand the soup to me. The Consort Dowager has been unwell recently; please don’t take it to heart. In fact, she had already set aside some bird’s nest for you. Please wait here a moment while I fetch it.”
Meng Zhaoyi declined twice, but Mingchun’s insistence left her no choice but to comply and wait outside.
When Mingchun returned to the courtyard, the chair beneath the veranda was empty—Consort Dowager Hui had already gone back inside on her own.
Mingchun followed her in, lifting the curtain as she entered. Shortly after, she came back out carrying a box of red bird’s nest. Handing it to Meng Zhaoyi, she said, “After all, age takes its toll, unlike the vigor of youth. For a woman who has borne children, it’s crucial to nourish the body properly.”
Here, Mingchun paused deliberately, then emphasized her next words: “The days ahead are still long.”
Meng Zhaoyi bowed respectfully toward Jingmen Palace, expressing her gratitude, then handed the bird’s nest to the palace maid beside her. Turning slowly, she left the palace, her steps unhurried.