Kоwtоwing аnd оffеring greetings follоwеd a set рrotoсоl, thеn еvеrуone stоod in two rows accоrding tо their rаnk. If the Еmрrеss Dоwagеr hаd quеstiоns, оne simрly answerеd; if shе gavе no instructions, аfter the timе it took tо drink а сuр оf tеа, one соuld requеst lеаve.
Оnly thе Еmpress аnd twо cоnsorts could sрeak befоrе thе Emрress Dowagеr: оnе was Соnsоrt Shао, thе othеr Сonsоrt Zheng Нui. Wanwan wаs not dеерly асquаintеd with these threе ladies. In the palаce, pеoplе seldоm оpеned their hearts to one another; usually, they exchanged a nod and then forgot about it. She only knew that Empress Zhao and Consort Shao were like fire and water. The Imperial Consort had given birth to Prince Rong, while the Empress had no children, so aside from an empty title, the Empress had far less real influence than Consort Shao. As for Consort Zheng Hui, her eyes sparkled with cleverness. Though not exceptionally beautiful, she was skilled at flattery and handling affairs, and was said to be extremely well-liked in the palace.
After those who had come to pay their respects had dispersed, the Empress Dowager inquired about the Emperor's illness. The Empress replied softly, "His spirits are good one moment and bad the next, and he seems listless, not very talkative. Yesterday, I had a couch set up in the garden, thinking that with the spring scenery at its best and the weather no longer cold, I could invite His Majesty to enjoy the flowers and bask in the sun. But he was unwilling." She sighed gently. "What can be done? I am anxious, but there is nothing I can do. After much thought, since the Imperial Consort visits frequently, I believe it would be best to ask her to take the trouble to comfort His Majesty."
Wanwan couldn't help but glance at Consort Shao, who shifted uneasily, her face flushing bright red.
The women of the palace were most adept at this: speaking without harshness, smiling while delivering seemingly ordinary remarks that could be enough to ruin someone.
Since the Emperor fell ill, the Empress Dowager had been most wary of women entering and leaving the Palace of Heavenly Purity. In her words, the Palace of Heavenly Purity was a place where dragons coiled and tigers crouched; women, with their strong yin energy, would suppress the yang vigor if they frequented it, even affecting the nation's fortune. The Empress, as the mother of the nation, might occasionally inquire about the Emperor's health, but what about the Imperial Consort? How dare she disregard the Empress Dowager's decree?
The Empress Dowager remained silent. The Empress looked at Consort Shao with a faint, ambiguous smile. At first, Consort Shao seemed somewhat anxious, but she gradually calmed down, lowering her eyes and saying, "Your Highness, I don't know where this remark comes from. If we speak of worrying about His Majesty's illness, who in the palace does not worry? Whoever does not deserves death! His Majesty used to enjoy the pastries from my small kitchen, so I often have them made and personally deliver them to the Gate of Heavenly Purity. But each time, I only hand them to Eunuch Cao and stop there, never even catching a glimpse of His Majesty, let alone offering comfort. Your Highness's casual remark, if taken seriously by Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, would not only harm me but also mislead Her Majesty."
Consort Shao was no pushover. With both sides locked in confrontation, it seemed difficult for either to back down. Wanwan, still speaking in a gentle tone, slowly said, "I met Yannian in the garden the other day. He was lying by the pond, watching the ducklings swim. Recently, he has taken a tutor and hasn't been seen for a while. He has made great progress and speaks nothing like a five-year-old child. I was thinking, why not let Yannian go before His Majesty? Others may speak ten words, but none would carry the weight of Yannian's one. What does Mother think?"
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Consort Shao, hearing praise for her son, naturally felt pleased. The Empress, having been rebuffed by Consort Shao and lacking a way to save face, found the mention of the child a temporary solution to her predicament, bringing peace to both sides.This Princess Royal, though usually quiet and unassuming, sometimes shows a quick wit in moments of urgency. The Empress smoothed the bat-and-auspicious-cloud patterned knee panel on her horse-face skirt, then turned to examine her—she wore a parrot-green front-opening jacket, her hair tied in double buns, adorned charmingly with a pair of small gold frog hairpins shaped like arrowhead leaves. A foundation of excellent upbringing formed her bones, while personal character shaped her flesh; beyond her stunning appearance, there was a preciousness that permeated deep into her very being, one that seemed incongruent with her youth. Yet she was still too young, her face not yet free of childishness, but as she harbored no ill intent, her brows and eyes held an open, forthright clarity.
The Empress smiled gently, "Princess Chang speaks rightly. His Majesty dotes on Prince Rong; no one else’s favor compares to his." Then, turning to the Empress Dowager, she said, "I heard from the Nurse Matron that Your Majesty has not slept soundly these past two nights. Our presence here may disturb Your Majesty’s peace. If Your Majesty has no further instructions, we shall take our leave." As she spoke, she bowed to the Empress Dowager. Seeing the Empress Dowager give a slight nod, she retreated backward out of the Warm Pavilion of the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility.
Wanwan followed them out. She had originally intended to ask the Empress Dowager for permission to visit The Emperor but had been unable to speak up due to the earlier unexpected interruption. Xiao You supported her as they walked along the narrow passageway. The Palace of Compassion and Tranquility was not far from the Palace of Heavenly Purity—once past the Prosperous Ancestral Gate, it would be visible—but without permission, she still dared not visit rashly.
Among their generation, there were not many siblings. In their early childhood, they had gotten along exceptionally well. She and Second Brother were born to the same mother. After Consort Xu passed away, she was placed under the Empress Dowager’s care and had lived with Brother since she was six. Among the imperial princes, there were open and hidden rivalries, but toward her, a little sister who posed no threat, they were all protective and affectionate. Now that Brother was ill, she could not visit him. Though separated by only two palace walls, it felt no different than being separated by the entire Forbidden City.
Xiao You tugged gently on her arm, "Your Highness, let’s return. Mama Zhang said she would make sugar pastry treats for us."
Wanwan hummed in acknowledgment and was about to step into her sedan chair when The Empress ahead suddenly stopped, looked at her with a smile, and beckoned her over.
Truthfully, she had always been reluctant to involve herself with those imperial consorts. Women in the palace were accustomed to scheming; most of the time, even a glance or a gesture carried an ulterior motive. Empress Zhao lacked the magnanimity of the former Empress Tuoba, nor did she possess the kindness of Empress Kehedun. She was the most common type of person in this world—mediocre, yet vengeful over the slightest grievance.
Wanwan understood all this clearly, yet she had no choice but to show respect. She took a slight step forward, "Does Sister-in-Law The Empress have something to say?"
Since she did not approach, Empress Zhao showed no offense but instead moved closer herself, examining her with a pleasant expression, "How old is Princess Chang this year?"
Wanwan did not understand her intention but still answered earnestly, "I will turn fourteen in June."
The Empress drew out an "Oh," "Fourteen is a wonderful age, like a flower in bloom. Thinking back to my own youth, I cannot help but lament how time spares no one." As she spoke, she took Wanwan’s hand—a princess’s hand, the most noble of hands, with slender fingers like red plum blossoms on white snow, so delicate that the veins beneath the skin were faintly visible.
But Wanwan found this excessive familiarity rather uncomfortable. Unaccustomed to others’ forced displays of intimacy, she subtly withdrew her hand and replied with a smile, "Sister-in-Law is in the prime of life; why such melancholy? Why ask my age? Are you planning to celebrate my birthday?"The Empress covered her mouth with a light laugh. "Who celebrates their birthday at fourteen? Wait another two years, and your sister-in-law will arrange a feast for you—we’ll make merry for three full days." Then she shifted her tone, adding, "What I was thinking is, the day after tomorrow, would you come to my palace for a little tea gathering? No outsiders, just the two of us sisters. Don’t think that just because I’m the Empress, those below me are in awe—I have to set an example myself, so I can’t get too close to them. If we’re talking about equals, it’s really you and me. You’re a Golden Branch and Jade Leaf, and a sensible one at that. From now on, we sisters-in-law should visit each other more often—it’ll be a support for both of us in the palace."
This sudden outpouring of sincerity left Wanwan quite astonished. The Empress had been married to her eldest brother for over a decade. Even when her brother was still a prince, the Empress would often come to the palace to pay respects to the Empress Dowager, but she had never been particularly warm toward Wanwan. Later, when her brother became The Emperor and Empress Zhao took charge of the central palace, their relationship remained just as distant, with little interaction. Today, for some unknown reason, there had been a slip-up, and such earnestness was truly baffling.
But since the other party meant no harm, it wouldn’t do to refuse outright. She murmured her agreement, "I’m only afraid I’ll trouble you, sister-in-law…"
The Empress’s smile grew even warmer. "What kind of talk is that? Even ordinary families gather often—why should households like ours be so cold? If you hold me in regard, I’d be overjoyed. How could I possibly resent you? Then it’s settled—the day after tomorrow, I’ll sweep the courtyard and await the grand arrival of Princess Chang."
The Empress boarded her Sedan Chair, contentedly departing, while Wanwan, unable to make sense of it all, returned to Cultivating Virtue Palace in a daze.
The palace attendants in charge of clothing had long been waiting. They changed her into a spring robe, removed her jewelry, and loosely gathered her hair at the nape of her neck. She took a book and sat by the window to read, but after just two pages, she grew restless. Setting the book facedown on the table, she rose and went to the corridor to feed the goldfish.
Mama Zhang arrived carrying a white jade tray, on which sugar wafers were neatly arranged, tastefully adorned with two sprigs of crabapple blossoms. Her daily question was nearly the same: "Your Highness, did everything go well at the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility today? Did anything interesting happen?"
The Palace Attendant and Eunuch Wu Qi, who was serving nearby, snorted. "Something interesting did happen, but who knows if our mistress took it to heart?"
Wanwan and Xiao You exchanged wide-eyed glances. "Something interesting? No…"
Wu Qi wore an expression of having expected as much. "I said it—no matter how elaborate the scheme, it’s completely lost on our mistress. All that effort wasted."
Taking advantage of Nanny Li’s absence, Xiao You kicked him in the calf. "Who’s stopping your mouth? Can’t you just speak plainly?"
Wu Qi, having suffered the kick, accepted his misfortune and stepped aside before saying, "It’s a shame you’re a girl—how can you not know this? Asking someone’s age out of the blue, if it’s not just idle chatter, means matchmaking is in the works. And who is Empress Zhao?" He paused, looking around, and lowered his voice. "She’s the type who’d lick even a salt-alkali patch of land—how grating! We’ve never seen her be particularly close to our mistress before. Today, with that silver tongue of hers, cozying up and inviting her for tea—I’m afraid she’s up to no good."This time, Xiao You was taken aback. Unlike eunuchs, palace maids couldn’t go just anywhere in the Forbidden City. They entered the palace in their early teens and were assigned to a specific place, where they would remain for the rest of their lives. Except for a few who had the chance to accompany their mistresses on outings, most were confined to their own small corners, with no opportunity to see the world, let alone understand the subtle, indirect ways women communicated.
Still, having someone propose a match was something most girls would be thrilled about. Xiao You clapped her hands excitedly. "Just yesterday we were talking about it, and today good fortune comes knocking!"
Mama Zhang listened carefully to the details and remained silent for a long while after hearing the story. Only after handing the tray to Xiao You did she speak. "An invitation for refreshments the day after tomorrow? At the Palace of Earthly Tranquility? But I heard the day after tomorrow is Empress Zhao’s family reunion day. With the whole family gathering, why would she invite an outsider?"
Xiao You looked puzzled. "But Empress Zhao said, 'Just the two of us sisters'..."
"She’s probably coaxing Her Highness to go so they can size her up!" Wu Qi, ever sharp, cut in decisively. "In my opinion, we shouldn’t go. What kind of person is our mistress? She’s not some ordinary girl who can be sent off eagerly to the Palace of Earthly Tranquility! If they want to meet, it should be a lineup of potential Imperial Consorts for Her Highness to choose from."
Wanwan fell silent. Someone like her might have been overlooked since childhood, but as she grew older, she had become a prized catch. Especially in Great Ye, where she was the only Imperial Princess of her generation. Gradually, all sorts of people would start making moves—this was something she had come to understand after her mind had fully matured. She just hadn’t expected Empress Zhao to start scheming so soon... A faint sense of sorrow suddenly washed over her. In this imperial harem, so many people could dictate her life. A life seemingly built with gold and jade was, in truth, nothing more than this.
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