The next day, she was to meet her mother-in-law. Dingyi felt uneasy and rose before dawn, tidied herself up, and waited in the hall for the Twelfth Master to arrive.
Sha Tong had been assigned to her as a guard, likely to prevent any trouble. Having grown up with Hongce, he was skilled in martial arts and could protect her well. During their journey to Ningguta, the two had gotten along quite well and could chat comfortably together. Dingyi didn’t treat him as an outsider and confided in him, “I’m terrified—more scared than the first time I followed my master to an execution ground. Tongzi, have you met the Noble Consort before? What’s she like? Is she easy to get along with?”
Sha Tong chose his words carefully. “The Noble Consort… well, she’s a bit particular and has a temper.”
Dingyi grew even more uneasy. “What do you mean?”
“She’s had a hard life. She was favored by the Emperor Emeritus for over three years, but once His Majesty reconciled with the Empress Dowager, she was cast aside. Imagine being treated like a treasure one day and thrown into the mud the next—anyone would be bitter. She resents that deeply, and her relationship with the Twelfth Master isn’t close either. The Noble Consort once said she didn’t expect her son to support her in the future. Words like that—how heartbreaking for the Twelfth Master! At the time, our master had just returned from Khalkha. He’d been exiled there due to his background and suffered greatly—even his ears were damaged. He came back full of grievances, hoping to pour his heart out to his mother, only for the Noble Consort to say something like that. I saw the Twelfth Master’s eyes redden as he left. What kind of mother does that?” He shook his head and sighed. “Our master has had it tough. As a child, he was placed in his foster mother’s palace, but she didn’t pay him much attention. His birth mother? She was too busy complaining and wallowing in self-pity to care for him. He grew up being pushed aside. Now that he’s met you, I know he truly cherishes you, even if he doesn’t say it. So today, if you have to endure a few harsh words, try not to take them to heart. As long as you and the Twelfth Master are happy, that’s what matters. Let others’ words go in one ear and out the other—you’ll toughen up in time.”
Listening to his long explanation, Dingyi understood that the Noble Consort was difficult to deal with, and Sha Tong was giving her a heads-up. The rest didn’t bother her much, but the fact that the Noble Consort didn’t value the Twelfth Master pained her deeply. She knew the imperial family had its flaws—in truth, noble households were no different. It wasn’t a big deal to talk about; she herself hadn’t been close to her birth mother as a child. But when it came to the Twelfth Master, for some reason, it felt especially heartbreaking.
She nodded. “I’m prepared to be scolded. For the Twelfth Master, it’s worth it. The old lady has been unhappy for over twenty years—that bitterness probably won’t ever fade.”
“Exactly!” Sha Tong said. “In principle, as a servant, I shouldn’t gossip about the old masters, but I’m just giving you a private heads-up. Back then, there were many consorts in the palace. The Emperor Emeritus had thirteen sons, not to mention those who bore no children. The Noble Consort—well, she’s just too prideful.” He chuckled. “I heard the Seventh Lord’s betrothed is also a Mongol princess. That’s something to watch out for. Prince Bao is a smiling tiger, and his daughter knows how to handle things. The Seventh Lord is henpecked—he’s probably doomed.”
Dingyi laughed. “Heaven pairs people just right. A household needs one strong hand to hold things together. If both have the same temper, the family would collapse.”As they chatted, dawn broke, and the sound of roosters crowing filled the hutong. Dingyi stretched her limbs and stepped outside to check the weather. The snow had stopped, and a faint red hue tinged the horizon—it looked like the sun would come out. Two young attendants used long poles to extinguish the lanterns, not taking them down but instead reaching up through the holes at the bottom. The poles had small copper cup-like attachments at the top, which they inverted to smother the flames, extinguishing one lantern after another. Soon, they finished and turned to give her a smile before heading off toward the back, playfully tugging at each other.
She tucked her hands into her sleeves and took a deep breath. The world was blanketed in snow, and the air was crisp and refreshing. Her circumstances were different now, and so was her state of mind. In the past, she would have been in the stables, harnessing horses and preparing the carriage for work at the yamen! Thinking back on those busy days, she felt a sense of peace. Some people, once they attain wealth, are reluctant to acknowledge the hardships they once endured, sighing with melancholy at the mere mention. But she wasn’t like that. She had a broad heart and knew how to find joy in hardship—perhaps that was the very reason the Twelfth Master had taken a liking to her!
A simple girl like her had good fortune. She lowered her head with a faint smile and was about to return inside when she caught sight of him entering the courtyard. He was dressed impeccably in his official robe embroidered with gold and silver thread, adorned with a four-clawed dragon motif, wearing a warm hat with triple-eyed peacock feathers and a fur-trimmed cape. He strode toward her with an air of confidence.
The first time she had seen him, he had also been in his official attire, and she had felt an inexplicable awe toward him—an impression that had remained etched in her memory. Standing in the dawn light to greet him, she had made up her mind: no matter how much the Noble Consort might try to make things difficult, she would not leave him. Besides, they hadn’t even met yet, and all the speculation was just empty talk. Perhaps the rumors were unfounded, or maybe the Noble Consort was actually kind-hearted.
Lost in thought, she didn’t notice him stopping in front of her until he bent slightly with a doting smile and asked, “Why are you standing outside? Were you waiting for me?”
She smiled and admitted it, then glanced outside and asked, “Are we leaving now?”
He gave a hum of affirmation. “It’s a long journey. We’ll arrive around mid-morning, which is just right.” He looked her up and down—today, she had applied a light layer of makeup, giving her a serene and harmonious beauty. A maid brought over a cape, and he carefully fastened the collar for her, chuckling as he said, “There’s no time for breakfast now. We’ll buy some buns along the way.”
She agreed and looked up at him. There were faint shadows under his eyes—likely from worry. She reached up to rub his cheek and teased him deliberately, “Did you stay up reading those miscellaneous books again last night? You don’t look too lively!”
He laughed softly and leaned in to whisper by her ear, “You wouldn’t let me stay the night here. I’m not used to sleeping alone. If the decree comes down today, I won’t leave tonight, alright?”
Her face flushed, and she scoffed, “You men are always thinking about such things. Aren’t you afraid of being laughed at?” Though she complained, her heart was full of joy. She, too, longed to be with him day and night—she was so deeply smitten that she could never tire of looking at his face.
A eunuch came in to report that the carriage was ready and requested their departure. The two of them rode together, traveling light with only Guan Zhaojing and Sha Tong handling the reins. The garden wasn’t located within the inner city, and the journey through the streets and alleys wasn’t easy, but Hongce wasn’t in a hurry. Along the way, they passed a steamed bun shop and actually stopped to buy lamb-eye buns. The vendor was honest—the buns had thin wrappers and generous fillings, oozing with juices after steaming. Wrapped in parchment paper, they were warm to the touch in the cold weather, bringing a sense of comfort to the heart.Langrun Garden was situated between Minghe Garden and Wanquan River. Most of the royal gardens of Great Britain were concentrated south of the Forbidden City, and Langrun Garden was relatively small among them, consisting of only two main courtyards, east and west, where three Noble Consorts resided. Though modest in size, its scenery was exquisite, with artificial hills encircling the grounds and over ten gate towers and pavilions. In the depths of winter, when all things withered, the recent dredging of the waterways had brought life to the garden—where there was water, there was vitality, and the courtyards now thrived with renewed vigor.
The steward of the garden was in high spirits today, dressed in a crimson robe embroidered with longevity symbols, standing erect at the grand gate. Upon seeing a carriage approach, he hurried forward, kowtowing and lifting the curtain with a smile. "Greetings, Twelfth Master! The Noble Consort has been asking after you all morning, wondering when you'd arrive. She's been in and out several times, eagerly awaiting your presence."
Eunuchs had a way with words, capable of turning the dead into the living with their chatter. Hongce paid it no mind, accepting the words as they were. Leading Dingyi inside, he asked, "It's been a while since my last visit. How has the Noble Consort's health been?"
The steward replied, "She's well, no major ailments. Though she often suffers from headaches, as long as she avoids the cold outdoors, she's fine." As he spoke, he glanced at the young lady accompanying the Twelfth Master, assuming she must be someone important to him. He considered striking up a conversation but ultimately held back. Leading the way, he guided them around the artificial hills into the eastern courtyard, ushering them into the rear hall, Enhui Qingyu.
The deeper they went, the more nervous Dingyi became, her palms damp with sweat. Hongce glanced down at her but said nothing, simply tightening his grip on her hand as they entered the main hall.
The attending maids and eunuchs bowed in greeting, and he motioned for them to rise with a wave. The Noble Consort had been sitting with Consorts Xun and Rong, enjoying tea, but straightened upon seeing him enter. Stepping inside the threshold, Hongce swept his sleeves and kowtowed, then advanced two steps to kneel and bow deeply. "I offer my birthday wishes to you, Mother. May your days be evergreen and your halls forever in spring. Your son kowtows to you."
The Noble Consort was in good spirits today and gestured for a maid to help him up. "I'm touched you remembered. With your busy duties, making the effort to come pleases me greatly."
Hongce smiled. "Today is your joyous occasion. I should have arrived before dawn, but court duties delayed me. I beg your forgiveness, Mother." He then turned to kowtow again. "My respects to Consort Xun and Consort Rong."
The two consorts dismissed the formalities. "The Twelfth Master looks robust and spirited," they said, smiling as they glanced at the figure behind him. "It seems joy brings out the best in people. Who is this young lady? She looks quite endearing."
Dingyi dared not raise her eyes, standing quietly with bated breath. When they mentioned her, she stepped forward with flushed cheeks, curtsying to each and kowtowing to Hongce's mother. The Noble Consort motioned for her to rise, already forming an opinion. Turning to Hongce, she asked, "Is she one of your household?"
The term "household" referred to a girl who had been taken in—either a maid or a commoner—but without formal status. Unwilling for her to be seen as such, Hongce replied, "No." Bowing slightly, he continued, "Upon my return from Ningguta, I petitioned His Majesty for permission to marry. She is the Princess Consort I intend to wed. Today, taking advantage of your happiness, I brought her to kowtow to you, Mother. I hope you find her pleasing."The Noble Consort knew that twenty name plaques had been reserved in the palace for arranging marriages among the Imperial Clan, and surmised this was one of them. She scrutinized the girl from head to toe—dressed in Manchu attire, not overly adorned, standing straight as a ramrod with good posture. Her features were clear and bright, every detail exquisite and moving, her beauty beyond reproach. Nodding slightly, she measured her words, asking, "Whose daughter is this? What's her name? How old is she?"
This step was inevitable. Hongce, fearing she might falter, answered first, "Her name is Dingyi—'Ding' as in stabilizing the nation, 'Yi' as in harmony in home. She'll turn nineteen this New Year, born in the Year of the Sheep. Originally from a scholarly family, but sadly, her parents passed early, and she's had a hard life. She doesn't have many relatives—her brother is a merchant for the imperial household, trading in the outer provinces, and her uncle serves as an official in the capital, working in the Hanlin Academy on ceremonial and sacrificial matters."
This was already an embellishment. Rujian had merely acquired a coal-mining operation, hardly a merchant for the imperial household. As for her uncle, his rank wasn't high, and they weren't even in contact. Dingyi suddenly felt a pang of guilt. Even with the polish, her background remained shabby—how could she ever match this royal lineage?
Sure enough, the Noble Consort wasn't particularly enthusiastic, and the two other consorts beside her remained silent, sipping tea one sip after another, their eyes peering over the rims of their cups with an air of spectatorship.
Dingyi stood there, sweat seeping through her undergarments, clinging to her skin, rendering her immobile. It felt like an eternity before the Noble Consort finally spoke, her tone cool and detached: "She'll do. She's qualified to be a Concubine."
A buzzing filled Dingyi's ears. She clenched her teeth and kept her back straight, not letting anyone see her unease. Though all were called Princess Consorts, the slightest difference in rank meant a world of disparity. Below the Principal Wife was the Secondary Wife, and below the Secondary Wife was the Concubine. Concubines didn't require imperial conferral—they were barely a step above maids. People might politely address her as Concubine, but in truth, she'd be little more than a servant-concubine, with no real status to speak of.
She had anticipated this outcome beforehand, and it wasn't far off. Yet, despite her preparation, disappointment was inevitable. It wasn't the rank she cared about, but a person—slowly, she'd grown selfish, wanting exclusivity, unwilling to share. Still, she remained pragmatic. With her background, aiming high had always been a pipe dream. She'd once said she was willing to be his mistress, and that resolve hadn't changed. If the marriage arrangement fell through, she wouldn't enter Prince Chun's mansion as some Concubine. She'd stay in Wine and Vinegar Bureau Alley, out of sight and mind, keeping things small and unobtrusive, not causing him any trouble.
She accepted it quickly, but Hongce absolutely could not. Unhurried, he said calmly, "Mother misunderstands. What I seek is an imperial decree from His Majesty, an official conferral by the court—not some nameless, titleless Concubine. In this lifetime, I won't take a second woman. I only wish to live quietly with one until old age, so I must choose someone I truly love. Marrying blindly out of duty only leads to a resentful union, a lifetime of misery—who would share that burden with me?"
This stoked the Noble Consort's anger. She wanted to lash out but hesitated with others present. Today was her birthday, and she didn't want to end it on a sour note. Glancing at the girl again, who stood silent with clenched teeth, the sight reminded her of Murong Jinshu.What nonsense about loving someone and staying devoted to one person—this Yuwen family rhetoric made her sick to hear! Occupying such high positions yet yearning for a lifetime with only one partner, wasn't that a joke? Every noble consort present here was a victim of marriage. The pain forced upon them by the previous generation hadn't even faded, and now this generation produced lovesick fools who kept insisting on having only one—wasn't that just rubbing salt in her wounds! Her son, the most distinguished among all the imperial princes, ended up marrying some girl from an insignificant family—how would that look to others? The young might be blinded by emotions, but she couldn't indulge his whims. She might not be able to control a man's thoughts, but she still had the final say over her son. Her patience had been tempered over decades, and she knew there was no need for confrontation now. She would simply let it sit—without her approval, who would dare arrange this marriage for him?
As the sun rose higher, rhythmic clapping sounded at the palace gates. Looking up, she saw the Empress leading a procession of noblewomen. The Noble Consort said quietly, "I don’t wish to discuss this matter further today. If you have any filial piety, let this be the end of it and cheerfully accompany me to the banquet. If you have no regard for me or are displeased, you may leave now—I won’t pretend to keep you." With that, she cast a sidelong glance at Dingyi and rose to greet the visitors.
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