She looked bewildered, and Hongce's expression turned cold as he gave her hand a firm squeeze. "It doesn't matter. No one can stop us. If they provoke me, I'll just go back and hold a banquet for our wedding. We don’t need the court’s approval—I’ll decide for myself."
His anger actually made Dingyi feel reassured. She didn’t add fuel to the fire, only saying, "Don’t be so impatient. Speak more tactfully, and let’s take things one step at a time. After all, she’s your mother. It wouldn’t be good to turn against each other." She glanced outside, finally daring to look directly at her mother-in-law. The Noble Consort wasn’t old at all—in her forties, well-maintained, she appeared to be just over thirty. She wore a ginger-yellow satin gown embroidered with orchids and longevity motifs. Despite the deep winter, the lined robe didn’t look bulky; it draped loosely around her waist, exuding grace. Her face was beautiful too—not the stereotypical Mongolian features one might imagine, but perfectly balanced, dignified and elegant. Only someone like her could have given birth to a son as handsome as the Twelfth Master.
"Your mother is truly beautiful. The inner palace really is a realm of beauties—all the Noble Consorts are quite lovely."
At a time like this, she still had the leisure to marvel at such things. He knew she was deliberately pretending not to care, not wanting to burden him. The more she acted this way, the more his heart ached for her, and the more determined he became to fight for her. She had suffered too much in the past, and even after following him, she still couldn’t walk openly in the sunlight. He would feel too ashamed if he failed her.
He took a deep breath, gradually calming down, and led her over the threshold to the steps to greet them. In a low voice, he said, "The Empress knows a bit about us. I expect she’ll mediate. Regardless of the outcome, you don’t have to humble yourself. If this princely title requires groveling to keep, I’d rather give it up."
He was speaking in anger. She wanted to console him, but the entourage had arrived, so she stepped aside and stood quietly with her head bowed.
A swath of Red Gold-Threaded Round Flower Robe hem slid into her line of sight as the Empress stopped before her. After a slight pause, her voice carried a cheerful tone as she asked Hongce, "Is this the girl you mentioned? What was her name again?"
Dingyi hurriedly knelt and kowtowed. "This servant is Dingyi, wishing Her Majesty the Empress boundless blessings and peace."
The Empress was very amiable, reaching out to help her up. "We’re all family here—no need for such formality. I heard the Twelfth Master speak of you last time and admired you greatly. Now that I’ve met you, we must have a good chat." She turned and pointed to the noblewomen accompanying her, smiling. "These ladies in Embroidered Dragon Robes are all Princess Consorts. I’ll introduce them to you later. You’ll be seeing each other often, so it’s best to get acquainted early."
The Noble Consort was almost at a loss for words. This Empress had always been skilled at handling delicate situations with ease, quietly drawing people into her circle. Had the palace already made plans, just waiting for the decree? She, the mother, was still alive—how could they disregard her like this? She didn’t believe the Empress was helping the Twelfth Master; rather, she suspected she was deliberately making things difficult for Hongce. Other Princess Consorts came from powerful families—why should her son settle for less? If she stayed silent and let them act recklessly, wouldn’t Hongce be the one to suffer in the end?The Noble Consort smiled and took over the conversation, saying, "The Empress flatters her too much. I’ve just given my word—this girl can be taken in by Hongce as a Concubine at most. Having her serve is one thing, but treating her as an equal is inappropriate. It would only lower everyone’s dignity." As she spoke, she dismissed those around her, "Granny Li, go check if the western quarters are ready. The Imperial Theatre Office has prepared Court Music today, which will later be moved to the Hall of Beneficial Reflection. That place is elegant, a fine spot for listening to music."
Despite the Noble Consort’s efforts to divert the conversation, the first half of her words carried too sharp a tone. The Princess Consorts and noble ladies present caught the implication and discreetly observed the girl’s reaction. An ordinary person might have burst into tears upon hearing such words, but she remained composed, her expression unchanged. Only the faintest twitch at the corner of her lips betrayed her emotions. At first, her face flushed red, but gradually the color drained away, leaving her pale and bloodless.
Hongce, however, was powerless. Though he tried his best to shield Dingyi, his poor hearing left him oblivious to his mother’s words, spoken with her back turned to him. Judging by Dingyi’s expression, it couldn’t have been anything pleasant. Anger flared in his chest—his mother could be harsh, but while it was one thing to treat outsiders so, was this how a mother should treat her own son? Bringing Dingyi here had clearly been a mistake, subjecting her to such humiliation. If that was the case, why stay any longer? Gripping her elbow, he said, "With all my sisters-in-law present, it’s improper for me, a man, to linger among them. I’ve already paid my respects for Mother’s birthday, and I have pressing duties to attend to. Delaying official matters would be unwise. I’ll leave the rest to my royal sisters-in-law and take my leave now."
What kind of son leaves after merely kowtowing on his mother’s birthday? It was a sign of impending conflict. The Empress, unwilling to see things escalate, sought to mediate. Avoiding the issue wouldn’t help—sitting down to talk things through would lead to a happier outcome for all.
She urged him to stay, "What official business is so urgent that you can’t spare another moment? Wait a while longer—I still have some private words to share with Dingyi." With a faint smile, she took Dingyi’s hand and drew her close. Left with no choice, Hongce had to remain for the time being.
The noble ladies, initially gathered together, soon dispersed in small groups to stroll through the gardens. The Noble Consorts walked ahead, while the Empress and Dingyi lagged behind. Dingyi remained respectful and reserved, silently supporting the Empress without speaking. The Empress glanced at her and said softly, "Enduring a little hardship for the one you love isn’t so bad, is it?" Dingyi lifted her shimmering eyes to meet hers. The Empress smiled. "A great man must know when to yield and when to stand firm—so must a woman. I was worried you might shed tears earlier, but thankfully you didn’t. Otherwise, the Noble Consort would have had another reason to criticize. Crying in front of her on her birthday—she’d call it bad luck, making things even harder for you."
This was the Empress, a figure so lofty she seemed to dwell among the clouds. For her to speak so intimately was overwhelming. Dingyi replied, "This humble one will remember Your Majesty’s teachings. To be honest, I anticipated such challenges before coming today. Now that I’ve faced them, at least I was prepared. The Twelfth Master must have spoken of me to you, and I am deeply humbled. My life has not been easy, but meeting the Twelfth Master was a stroke of fortune. I know my place and do not crave any lofty position. So if the Noble Consort disapproves, it’s only natural. I bear no resentment."The Empress murmured in agreement, then turned her gaze to the withered leaves barely clinging to the branches, sighing wistfully, "Who wouldn't feel inadequate marrying into the Yuwen family? Back then, I was merely a female official in the Bureau of Integrity, with no strong family background. My father was a fourth-rank capital official—fourth rank, which counts for nothing in the capital. It was only by relying on my husband's favor that I climbed step by step to where I am today. There were setbacks along the way; it wasn't smooth sailing. I too felt disheartened at times, but in the end, I persevered. You must believe that this imperial family is the most humane of all dynasties. There are always a few masters who hold true feelings in their hearts—they don't indulge in fleeting passions. When they meet the right one, they commit for life. And you, you're even luckier than we were. The Twelfth Master has no one by his side; you won't have to compete with other women. What's yours is yours—just think, what a tremendous blessing! So no matter how much you're slighted, you must endure it. Endure, and eventually, the clouds will part. I'll find an opportunity to mediate for you both. The Noble Consort may not accept you right away, but that's no matter. We have time—she'll come around gradually."
The Empress spoke with such warmth and sincerity that Dingyi felt deeply moved. She curtsied and said, "Your Majesty speaks to this humble servant from the heart. How could I possibly defy you? I shall follow Your Majesty's instructions in all matters."
The Empress smiled as she studied her. "Such a delicate girl. When the Twelfth Master told me you used to assist the Headsman by holding his sword, I truly couldn't picture what that must have looked like."
Dingyi also smiled, lowering her head. "It was merely a means of livelihood, a laborious job. Small tasks were manageable, but over time, it became unbearable. Like being a bricklayer—laying bricks isn't so bad, but carrying them is exhausting. I could never keep up with the others."
The Empress clicked her tongue sympathetically. "How pitiful. I've never done such rough work myself. Women and men are fundamentally different—we can never match their strength in physical labor."
As they chatted, the group arrived at the western quarters. Though Langrun Garden wasn't large, it boasted 135 rooms, occupied by only three consorts, making the space quite spacious. The consorts often passed their idle hours at Yisi Hall. What was once a study had long ceased to function as one, having been converted into an opera house. The performers on stage struck their poses, and as soon as the audience arrived, they began singing the Kunqu Opera pieces "Lotus Pond Offering Auspiciousness" and "Celebrating Longevity for Ten Thousand Years."
The noblewomen found their seats to enjoy the performance, while the Empress invited the Noble Consort into an inner chamber for a private conversation. Once seated, they exchanged pleasantries. "Today marks Your Highness's birthday. The Emperor is occupied with state affairs and couldn't attend, so he sent me to offer his congratulations," the Empress said, rising to perform a double curtsy. "May Your Highness enjoy eternal youth like the Jasper Pool and bask in the auspicious light of longevity."
The Noble Consort hurried to assist her, laughing. "Your kind thoughts are more than enough. How could I possibly accept such formal gestures from the Empress?"The Empress still helped her sit down and replied, "It's only proper. You're the elder, and we're the younger generation. In our own family, we don't stand on ceremony about status, only closeness." The palace maids brought in tea, and Dingyi received it, curtsied to present it, then stood to one side without sitting. The Empress glanced at the Twelfth Master and, while skimming the tea foam, said to the Noble Consort, "Not only does our Emperor remember your birthday, but when we went to Changchun Garden the other day, we heard the Emperor Emeritus mention it too. He recalled how you love Rouge Goose Breast and had Chief Steward Hua prepare some. He might even come personally to congratulate you later! The Emperor Emeritus hasn't forgotten you after all. As he's grown older, his heart has softened, always remembering old affections. Once when the imperial kitchen reported the menu, he suddenly asked for brush and ink to write down the names of all the consorts he'd been close to—and yours was first on the list."
As she spoke, a distant look came over the Noble Consort's face, as if countless memories had been stirred. After a long moment, she snapped out of it, somewhat embarrassed, and covered by saying, "At our age, why bring this up? The Emperor Emeritus must be sixty this year! It's been four or five years since I last saw him—at the last imperial birthday celebration, I caught a distant glimpse. He's truly aged."
The Empress smiled faintly. "He's certainly older, but his health remains robust. At sixty, he still looks like he's in his forties."
Ah, women—if they've ever loved someone, mentioning that person always brings a faint ache to their hearts. The Noble Consort had originally been a princess of the Khalkha Sain Noyan tribe. At fourteen, when her tribe formed a marriage alliance with the court, she was sent to the Central Plains and entered the palace as a Noble Consort. For three years, she basked in imperial favor, her heart full of admiration and reverence for that founding emperor. Then, after three years, he faded from her life as if he'd never existed. She didn't hate him—she even found excuses to justify his heartlessness—but she hated the woman who had taken him away. In her view, if not for Murong Jinshu, he would never have become like that. Even after their final rupture, he still made that woman his empress. That vixen had destroyed the entire Great Britain harem, building her happiness on others' suffering. When men grew foolish, it was always because of the woman behind them, so she particularly loathed those demons who urged men to favor them exclusively. It was almost pathological—she couldn't bear to watch scenes of deep affection. In her eyes, Murong Jinshu and even the current Empress Su were the same: self-satisfied women who cared nothing for others' lives.
But the Empress had brought good news, and suddenly the Noble Consort didn't dislike her so much. The Emperor Emeritus still remembered her—this was joyous news beyond measure. He recalled her birthday and might even visit. For a moment, she felt as if she were dreaming... After over twenty years of longing, he was so near yet so far. If one day she could hear him call her name again, this life would be enough.
Joy brings instant vitality, and that radiance shone from her heart to her face. Seizing the moment, the Empress said, "If the Emperor Emeritus comes to the garden, we could mention the Twelfth Master's matter to him. I believe he would agree."Noble Consort glanced at Dingyi, neither approving nor denying. Since she didn't outright refuse, it meant there was still room for negotiation. The Empress continued, "We who belong to the imperial family have endless delicacies to eat and silks to wear—what more could we desire? It's simply about having someone who truly cares for us. You have your concerns, and Twelfth Master has his plans. After all those years of experience abroad, he's no longer naive. Since he's come to see you today, he must have thought it through carefully. Why not let him make his own decision, Noble Consort? Facilitating a good marriage would also be a blessing for you."
Perhaps happiness makes one more forgiving, for the previously unyielding Noble Consort seemed to soften slightly. Still, she didn't give full leeway, clasping her hands and saying, "Since the Empress has spoken, I can't be entirely inflexible. Very well, let's not speak of a Concubine—let's raise it one level and grant her the title of Secondary Wife. But as for Principal Wife, that's still out of the question." She sighed. "Her background is too low—what would outsiders think? Even among the families of imperial princes, she would lag far behind those of Secondary Wife rank, let alone Principal Wife. It's not for my sake, but I fear he might be ridiculed in the future! Right now, he's only focused on love and affection, but when he lacks support later, he'll realize the wisdom of my words today."
Dingyi was indifferent either way. She had prepared for the worst, so any leniency was unexpected. Twelfth Master, however, was displeased, sitting silently in the armchair with a furrowed brow.
The Empress remarked that young people often lacked foresight, but by pushing bit by bit, the outcome wouldn't be too bad. Since she was already a Secondary Wife, how far could Principal Wife be? She signaled Dingyi with her eyes, "Hurry and thank Noble Consort for her grace!"
Dingyi complied, kneeling at the footstool and kowtowing. From above, Noble Consort's voice drifted down leisurely, "This child suits my taste—quiet and composed. She doesn't weep over grievances or rush to complain to her man. She has backbone. Very well, this year has an intercalary month, and spring begins in the twelfth month. I think the day of Lichun is auspicious. Empress, please trouble yourself to request an edict from the Emperor on my behalf. Since it must be done sooner or later, let the marriage be arranged by year's end so everyone can set their minds at ease."
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