Chapter 358: The Ownership of the Empress Position
Yuan Shi quickly entered.
Carrying a child on her back—it was Xie Shikang, already over two years old but still unable to walk. His gaze was somewhat vacant as he woodenly played with his own fingers.
"Greetings, Princess Consort of the Pacifying West." Yuan Shi knelt to pay respects, only rising after Yun Chu spoke. She sat stiffly on the chair, her face full of worry. "Chu... Princess Consort, I came to ask you—is that Consort Wu from the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace dead?"
Ever since she learned that Ping'er had become the Crown Prince's woman, though worried, she had been mostly happy because whenever she sent someone to deliver a message to the palace, Ping'er would give some silver—five taels, ten taels, along with some jewelry—enough for the family to live for several months. They could even hire a doctor to treat Kang Ge'er, making life much easier.
But these past two days, when she sent someone with a message, that person said Consort Wu had died.
She didn't believe it and hurried here to ask Chu'er.
"She went missing at the imperial mausoleum—not sure if she's dead or not," Yun Chu said, looking at her. "Why does Madam Xie ask this?"
"N-nothing," Yuan Shi stammered. "Then... could you help inquire about An Ge'er's whereabouts? He hasn't returned for over a month."
An Ge'er hadn't given the family any silver, and there was no news from Ping'er either. As an old woman with three grandsons to care for, how was she supposed to manage?
Yun Chu's fingers twisted slightly.
So Xie Shi'an had returned to Jizhou without informing Yuan Shi.
She paused before speaking: "I also heard from a servant who knows Xie Shi'an that they seemed to see him boarding a boat, apparently heading back to Jizhou."
Yuan Shi was incredulous: "He never wanted to return to the old residence—why would he go back alone? What would he do there? Why didn't he take us with him?"
"That I don't know," Yun Chu said lightly. "Although the capital isn't far from Jizhou, it still takes several days of travel. With young children at home, it's not easy to manage. Madam Xie, why not have Wei Ge'er return to Jizhou first to check? If everything is settled there, your whole family might truly be able to return to Jizhou."
Yuan Shi was from Jizhou and dreamed of going back.
But fearing Yun Chu's people might have been mistaken, she hurried home and told Xie Shiwei to quickly make a trip to Jizhou.
Xie Shiwei was already eleven, nearly twelve, and taller than Yuan Shi.
Upon hearing that Xie Shi'an had returned to Jizhou, he immediately said: "Elder brother must want to monopolize the farmland and manors back home! I'm also a member of the Xie family—I can't let him have his way! Grandmother, quickly give me travel expenses—I need to go back and see!"
Yuan Shi urged: "Your elder brother is also doing this for the family's livelihood. Don't compete with him over everything. After you return, if everything is settled there, write a letter. I'll bring Yun Ge'er and Kang Ge'er along to go back..."
No matter what she said, Xie Shiwei just nodded.
Yuan Shi hurried to the housing agency, planning to sell the Xie family's capital residence once matters in Jizhou were settled...
In the blink of an eye, it was early spring March.
The assassination attempt at the end of last year had passed, and the capital had returned to its former prosperity and bustle.
Changes in the imperial court's situation also affected the rear palace. With the Empress deceased and the six palaces leaderless, the Emperor handed the phoenix seal to Consort Yun, who now managed the rear palace.
Among the people, rumors spread that the Emperor intended to make Consort Yun the Empress.
Firstly, Consort Yun came from the Yun family, was the Yun family's legitimate eldest daughter, and her family background was not lacking.Second, Consort Yun had given birth to the Eighth Prince, and with her status elevated by her son, she was worthy of the Empress position.
Third, there truly was no other woman in the harem who could match the position of Empress.
Every spring, the Empress would organize a flower-viewing banquet, so Consort Yun followed the old practice and also held one.
Yun Chu brought Changsheng along to the palace to enjoy the flowers.
As soon as they entered the banquet hall, Changsheng was called away by Miss Qiu, and the two chatted with beaming smiles.
Yun Chu felt deeply gratified. The little girl who once couldn’t speak and was afraid of strangers had now established her own connections within this circle.
She felt entirely at ease letting Changsheng socialize on her own and, without staying by her side, went to speak with Consort Yun.
“Aunt, why do you still look so weary?”
Consort Yun replied, “There are many women in the harem, and with them come endless disputes. Every day, it’s one issue after another. I truly admire the Empress.”
Since taking charge of the Empress’s seal, her life had been anything but peaceful. People constantly came to her with complaints. At first, she patiently listened, but later she simply settled matters by reprimanding both sides equally. These past few days, the number of people seeking her out had finally decreased somewhat.
Yun Chu asked quietly, “Aunt, do you have any intention of becoming Empress?”
Consort Yun smiled faintly. “Although I have no personal ambition for it, whether for the sake of my son, you, or the Yun family, I must strive for it. If I cannot secure the position myself, I will not let anyone else take it either.”
Only by becoming Empress could she gain greater authority. Perhaps one day, if the Emperor traveled south, she could accompany him to visit her son.
If the Emperor were to die, she would become Empress Dowager, and her power would be even greater. Then, under the pretext of retirement, she could directly reside in her son’s fiefdom.
Moreover, if she were Empress Dowager, Yin Fei would not be able to become one and could not pressure Chu’er as a legitimate mother-in-law, forcing her to fill Chu Yi’s harem.
The Yun family might grow even more powerful, but so what?
With a clear goal in mind, the Yun family no longer feared accusations of overshadowing the sovereign.
From every perspective, she had to contend for the position of Empress.
Even if she couldn’t secure it, she would not let it fall into someone else’s hands.
Consort Yun looked up and saw someone entering, her expression instantly cooling. “Consort Jin has arrived. I’ll go greet her.”
Since Li Jingshu saved the Emperor last year and moved into the palace, she had remained there, disregarding the rumors outside, and continued to reside in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
“Consort Yun,” Li Jingshu greeted with a smile. “The flowers this spring are truly beautiful.”
Consort Yun replied warmly, “If Consort Jin likes them, you may choose a few pots to take back with you after the banquet.”
“Thank you, Consort Yun.”
Li Jingshu’s face was full of smiles, but deep in her eyes lay a chilling coldness.
Since the Empress’s death, the Emperor had shown her no further affection. Not only had she failed to secure the position of Empress, but she could hardly even enter the harem.
A month ago, the Emperor suggested she leave the palace and bestowed a large residence upon her. She wept bitterly and pleaded for a long time before he rescinded the order.
This incident made her realize that a man’s affection for a woman is not everlasting.
If she did not take the initiative to do something, she would be driven out of the palace and become the laughingstock of the entire realm.
She had spent a fortune to seek out a sorceress from the Western Regions and purchased two gu insects.
The pair of gu insects, male and female, were to be consumed by a man and a woman. As long as the man held even the slightest affection for the woman, the gu would take effect.The Emperor had been taking the Gu worm for a month now—it was time to test its potency.
Li Jingshu settled into her seat, leisurely sipping her tea.
Yun Fei was surrounded by a group of palace consorts.
"Sister Yun Fei, it’s improper for Consort Jin to reside within the palace."
"She was initially here to recuperate from her injuries, but now that she’s healed, shouldn’t she leave the palace? Sister Yun Fei, could you speak to the Emperor about this?"
"Yes, Sister Yun Fei. Nowadays, you’re the only one who can still get a word in with the Emperor."
"…"
Yun Fei merely smiled without responding.
Although she disliked Consort Jin as well, she had no intention of being the one to stick her neck out.
From the Emperor’s attitude, it was clear he had no plans to bring Consort Jin into the harem. Given time, he would grow tired of her—why bother saying anything and risk displeasing him?
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