The current Emperor has been on the throne for twelve years.
In those twelve years, he has never conducted large-scale consort selections or conferred new titles. The few consorts currently in the palace were all concubines from his former princely residence.
While serving as Emperor, he only conferred the title of Imperial Noble Consort to the daughter of the Zheng family.
Initially, the Emperor intended to directly establish an Empress.
Before ascending the throne, he was the most favored prince. His marriage was not something he could decide for himself. The concubines in his residence were gifts from the late Consort Dowager, and as for his princess consort, she was chosen by the late Consort Dowager after carefully evaluating suitable families within the court, strictly assessing their family background and character before making a decision.
The previous Emperor’s sudden death caught everyone off guard.
The current Emperor ascended the throne hastily without full preparation. During the national mourning period, all feasts, music, and marriages were prohibited. At that time, the Emperor had not yet married, but the Consort Dowager had already set her sights on the daughter of the Minister of Rites, subtly making it known, which was as good as a formal arrangement. They only needed to wait until the mourning period ended to proceed with the marriage.
At that time, the Emperor was rather indifferent to matters of romance. He had a laid-back temperament and thought that relationships between men and women were merely ordinary matters. Additionally, the late Consort Dowager had always reminded him since he was young that when choosing a wife, he must marry a virtuous one. Seeking simplicity and peace of mind, he entrusted everything to the Consort Dowager, thinking, “It doesn’t matter whom I marry, as long as she isn’t unattractive.”
The Emperor himself never imagined that this momentary indifference would become a lifelong regret.
In the third year of national mourning, unable to stay idle in the palace, he traveled in disguise to the northwestern border. Amid the wild sands of the northern desert, he encountered Zheng Yungou, the daughter of General Zheng Qianye.
For the first time, he understood that relationships between men and women were far more than ordinary matters.
But it was too late.
The daughter of the Minister of Rites was entirely blameless. She had waited for him for three years, missing the prime age for marriage negotiations. While he could act recklessly, being the Emperor, with just one word, he could fulfill his desires and ruin the reputation of a young lady.
Precisely because he was the Emperor, he could not do so.
However, for the rest of his life, he swore never to establish any other woman as Empress.
There was a period of chaos in the palace, but in the end, both sides compromised and found a middle ground.
The daughter of the Minister of Rites feigned illness and retired to recuperate, and the grand wedding of the Emperor and Empress was ceremoniously canceled.
The Emperor brought Zheng Yungou into the palace on the condition that she could not be conferred the title of Empress for the time being.
The title of Imperial Noble Consort Zheng was his way of declaring her unparalleled status to the world.
His original plan was to patiently wait a few more years, until Zheng Yungou bore a prince, at which point it would be natural to formally confer her as Empress. By then, no one could say anything.
Unfortunately, fate is unpredictable. Zheng Yungou ultimately could not survive the perilous ordeal of childbirth.
—
After the midday meal, the Consort Xian attended to the Emperor, serving him tea and softly advising, “Your Majesty, you are tired. Please rest here in my quarters.”
The Emperor was indeed weary, his head aching. He let out a low hum with his eyes closed.
The Consort Xian’s delicate, jade-like fingers gently massaged his pressure points.
The Emperor remained silent for a long time, so long that the Consort Xian thought he had fallen asleep. Suddenly, he spoke abruptly, “Let’s put an end to the matter of the Xiaonan Pavilion. I don’t wish to pursue it any further.”
At the mention of the Xiaonan Pavilion, the Consort Xian became exceedingly cautious and replied, “Your Majesty is ever so merciful.”
The Emperor’s thoughts drifted back to events long past, his mood unsettled and weighed down by frustration. “After Lady Mei hanged herself, I reflected deeply—was it my neglect that made her feel unbearable, driving her to such an outrageous act…”
Adhering to the principle that His Majesty is the heavens, His Majesty is supreme, and His Majesty can never be wrong, the Consort Xian comforted him, “Your Majesty need not reflect upon yourself. It was Lady Mei who was foolish. We sisters were not born into wealthy families. By following Your Majesty, we not only escaped a life of hardship and toil but also brought blessings to our parents and brothers at home. What is there that cannot be endured? It’s just that the human heart is never satisfied, like a snake swallowing an elephant.”
The Emperor briefly remarked, “Flattery.”
The Consort Xian observed his expression and judged that his mood might have improved somewhat. She became less cautious and replied with a smile, “Your Majesty, you wrong me. Everything I said is the truth.”
The Emperor fell silent again, opening his eyes to gaze out the window, lost in thought.
The Consort Xian, being a clever woman, avoided provoking the Emperor’s temper and decided to bring up something cheerful. As it happened, there was such a matter at hand.
“In a few days, it will be the Third Prince’s birthday. As in previous years, we will hold the Lantern Festival according to custom, hiding reward money in the lanterns for the children. This way, the common people can share in the joy, and it also helps accumulate blessings for the little one. What does Your Majesty think?”
The Emperor’s expression softened slightly, and he agreed.
The Consort Xian continued, “During last year’s Spring Festival, the Third Prince received a painting and loved it dearly. It depicted the grand scene of our royal family hunting. I had craftsmen carve figurines based on the painting. They are nearly finished and will be ready as a birthday gift for the Third Prince.”
This was no secret; the Emperor had long been aware of it.
The Consort Xian had arranged for the Imperial Guards to assist, and they were the Emperor’s most trusted confidants.
Since the Emperor did not forbid it, it was considered tacit approval.
The Consort Xian understood this well and knew she had handled the matter correctly.
However, she overlooked one point.
The first day of the twelfth lunar month was not only Li Fuqiu’s birthday.
Mentioning one naturally led the Emperor’s thoughts to the other.
The Emperor’s mind drifted, and he spoke slowly, “Ten years ago, two children were born in the palace on the same day…”
The Consort Xian froze, her breath catching. The conversation had circled back again.
“… Yungou’s premature labor was unexpected for me. By sheer coincidence, the two children were born on the same day. In truth, the first child I saw that day was carried out from Lady Mei’s chambers. He was so tiny. Thinking back, it’s not surprising. His mother spent her pregnancy in constant fear and anxiety. That he was born frail was only to be expected.”
The Consort Xian sighed, “Your Majesty still cannot let go of this matter?”
The Emperor patted her hand and said, “I know full well that royal bloodlines must not be confused, but I still spared that child’s life. I told myself it was because he might be useful. That traitor hid too deeply, and I could never track him down. Keeping the child might lure him into the open.”
The Consort Xian replied, “I understand. That’s why I have kept watch all these years, but unfortunately, I have yet to discover anything suspicious.” After a moment’s hesitation, she asked, “Your Majesty ordered the Xiaonan Pavilion to be sealed off. Does this mean you truly do not intend to investigate further?”
The Emperor sat upright and said, “No more investigating. It’s been ten years. At least we met once. I will grant him a swift end. Have someone from your palace, the best at making pastries, prepare a plate to send over on his birthday.”
Sitting on the throne day after day for over a decade, his appearance had changed little from the past, still as elegant and handsome as a clear breeze and bright moon. Yet his scheming had deepened, making him inscrutable.
The Consort Xian responded dazedly, “Yes.” No sooner had the words left her mouth than a small green porcelain bottle was handed to her.
A label from the Imperial Medical Institute was affixed to the bottle, with the name of the medicine elegantly inscribed in plum-blossom calligraphy: Peacock Gall.
—
Gao Yuexing had never seen Lady Xu alive before.
In Li Fuxiang’s study, there was a painting of her, though the depiction was vague, emphasizing mood over realism, and it differed from her true appearance.
Walking onto the martial training ground with the princess, Gao Yuexing realized that, as Lady Xu was the princess’s concubine mother, it was proper to approach and pay respects upon meeting her.
Currently, the children in the palace are not differentiated by legitimate or illegitimate birth. Strictly speaking, only the Third Prince can be considered “half-legitimate.” The reason he’s only considered “half-legitimate” is that Zheng Yungou’s title of Empress was a posthumous conferment, which lacked full legitimacy.
Gao Yuexing maintained her usual quiet and obedient demeanor, speaking little but quietly observing.
What surprised Gao Yuexing was that Lady Xu took the initiative to show her attention.
Lady Xu waved her over with a kind expression and said warmly, “What a well-behaved young lady. Your name is Gao Yuexing?”
Gao Yuexing curtsied gracefully and said, “I pay my respects to Lady Xu.”
Lady Xu casually removed a jade ring from her waist and placed it in Gao Yuexing’s hand. “Your mother’s embroidery skills are remarkable. I’ve benefited from her guidance on a few occasions, so we could be considered to have a half-mentorship connection. If you have free time, do visit my Rouqi Pavilion. If there’s anything you’d like to eat, let me know, and I’ll have the small kitchen prepare it for you regularly.”
Gao Yuexing sensed that there was something unusual in these words.
Lady Xu was explicitly inviting her to visit Rouqi Pavilion for a private conversation, making her intentions remarkably clear, almost overly so, as if afraid Gao Yuexing wouldn’t understand.
Had Gao Yuexing not been in the position of a child, their communication would likely have been much smoother.
Gao Yuexing readily agreed on the spot.
Lady Xu walked away, turning back three times with every step.
Gao Yuexing could hardly restrain herself from following immediately, but with the Princess present, she couldn’t make her intentions too obvious.
The Princess, watching Lady Xu’s departing figure, muttered something strange under her breath. Just as Gao Yuexing was about to ask for details, attendants from Chunhe Palace arrived, saying that Consort Xian was looking for the Princess everywhere and was growing anxious.
The Princess gave a quick farewell and hurried off with the attendants.
Perfect timing.
Now left alone in the martial training grounds, Gao Yuexing glanced around and, seeing no one paying attention to her, turned and followed Lady Xu’s steps toward Rouqi Pavilion.
Lady Xu had not expected Gao Yuexing to arrive so quickly.
She had just returned to her chambers and changed clothes when an attendant reported that Miss Gao was already waiting outside.
Lady Xu stood and paced uneasily for a moment, dismissing the servants in the room and assigning her trusted aides to guard all the doors and windows. Only then did she invite Gao Yuexing in.
“Oh dear, I haven’t even had time to prepare refreshments. Miss Gao, how about some flower tea for now?”
Eating or drinking wasn’t the point.
Gao Yuexing hadn’t rushed over for a mere snack.
She took a sip of the flower tea, but it tasted like nothing. The tea was too hot, leaving her tongue red and slightly numb.
Gao Yuexing lightly licked her teeth, keeping her expression composed.
Lady Xu’s hospitality seemed a bit hasty.
For a noblewoman of her rank, this lack of decorum was surprising. Clearly, she was flustered.
What was she so nervous about?
Gao Yuexing glanced around the empty flower garden. The setup here wasn’t simple.
Lady Xu, in a gentle tone, made small talk. “Miss Gao, are you finding life in the palace comfortable?”
Gao Yuexing replied that it was very comfortable.
Lady Xu casually brought up various other topics. As a mother, she understood that coaxing a child required patience; one had to first win the child’s favor and trust before delving into the real conversation.
Gao Yuexing, too, kept her patience and played along. She wasn’t a child anymore and understood that interpersonal dealings rarely progressed in a straight line; there was always a need for subtlety and tact.
The tea went from scalding hot to lukewarm.
Finally, Lady Xu seemed ready to broach the main topic. “Everyone in the palace knows that the Third Prince’s birthday is in two days. As one of his elders, I rarely go out, so I’m not sure what the Third Prince likes these days. I worry that the gift I prepare might not suit his tastes, so I thought I’d ask you…”
The first half of her statement was logical and well-founded, even convincing upon closer consideration. But just as she reached the end, Lady Xu abruptly changed the subject and asked a completely unrelated question:
“Who are the people frequently seen around the Third Prince’s palace?”