The news of the pacification of the Maoping rebellion quickly spread as the grand court assembly concluded.
Naturally, word reached the inner palace as well, since Duke Jin’an had even sent messengers with gifts for the Empress Dowager and the Empress.
“That little beast!”
In the palace, the Imperial Consort had been fuming for a long time. The shattered tea bowls on the floor had already been cleared away, but everyone still tread carefully.
“How dare he send gifts without including one for me?”
The eunuch followed her helplessly as she paced back and forth.
“Your Highness, it was merely a small local trinket…”
“It’s not about the value, but the courtesy,” the Imperial Consort retorted, her eyebrows raised in anger. “That little beast has always known how to win people over since he was young, pleasing everyone. Even during the years when Prince Qing was injured, he never once neglected his courtesies toward me. How could he have forgotten me this time?”
“Indeed, it doesn’t seem right. Duke Jin’an is always so meticulous with etiquette – could the messenger have simply forgotten?” the eunuch remarked with a frown.
The matter was truly peculiar. By all reasoning, Duke Jin’an shouldn’t have acted this way.
“Peculiar? Not necessarily,” the Imperial Consort sneered. “He didn’t behave like this before, but now he does. It’s because his wings have hardened. He’s left the palace, he’s handling affairs of state, he’s leading troops, he’s won a battle – he’s grown capable. And most importantly…”
She paused mid-sentence.
“He’s gained a reputation.”
“Your Highness, what kind of reputation is this?” the eunuch said with a light laugh.
“How can you say it’s not?” the Imperial Consort retorted, her eyebrows raised sharply. “It is a reputation! Everyone now knows that this ‘Child-Bestowing Prince’ isn’t just about granting heirs – he can also wage wars and handle official duties!”
“Your Highness, what does it matter?” the eunuch replied, somewhat helplessly.
The Imperial Consort was growing increasingly prone to anxiety, especially when it came to news about Duke Jin’an. Even the most trivial updates, which should have been inconsequential, seemed to unsettle her.
It appeared that Master Gao’s advice before his departure – to keep a close watch on Her Highness – was not given lightly.
She really was becoming somewhat…
“What does it matter?”
The Imperial Consort turned to look at him.
Though she did not attend court sessions, she could well imagine the Emperor’s delight. In her mind, she seemed to hear his booming laughter…
“…We always knew Duke Jin’an would live up to my high expectations.”
“Minister Chen actually rebutted His Majesty, saying he shouldn’t speak that way,” the eunuch hastily added.
The Imperial Consort turned and spat in disdain, as if aiming for his face.
“But the Emperor said it anyway. Whether he’s allowed to say it or not, that’s what he thinks in his heart,” she stated.
Why was she surrounded by such fools?
The eunuch offered an awkward, placating smile.
“It’s already April – why hasn’t the matter of appointing the Crown Prince been finalized yet?” the Imperial Consort said.
“Oh, that was actually brought up,” the eunuch quickly replied. “The Secretariat has approved it, but His Majesty said it should wait until the Maoping disaster and unrest are fully resolved before further discussion.”
“Further discussion? Why further discussion? What is there even to discuss?” the Imperial Consort pressed anxiously.
“Her Majesty the Empress mentioned that April is the Empress Dowager’s birthday, so it would be fitting to hold a grand celebration together,” the eunuch explained.
“The Empress?” The Imperial Consort’s eyebrows shot up. “She spoke? Since when does she offer opinions?”
The eunuch gave an awkward smile.
“Your Highness, it seems the Empress’s health has improved quite a bit. The day before yesterday, she even went to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager,” he said.
She’s well enough to go out now?
“How is it that I didn’t know about this?” the Imperial Consort exclaimed, both shocked and furious. “How could such an important matter escape my notice?”
Since when could things happen in the inner palace without her knowledge?
Was it the Empress? Had that woman already regained control over the inner court?
“Oh no, no, that’s not it,” the eunuch quickly reassured her. “Your Highness, you were busy meeting with Prince Ping, and it’s such a rare occasion for you to share a meal with His Majesty and the Prince. We didn’t dare disturb you with such trivial matters. Besides, Her Majesty the Empress only stayed for a short while. She came and left in a sedan chair, and when entering or exiting, she was supported by her maids. She even gave the Empress Dowager quite a start – Her Dowager Majesty thought it might be a final rally before…”
The Imperial Consort couldn’t hold back a snort of laughter but quickly composed herself and scowled at him.
“Don’t talk nonsense!” she chided. “How can you say such things?”
The eunuch chuckled sheepishly.
“Is there anything I can’t say in front of you, Your Highness?” he flattered ingratiatingly.
The Imperial Consort relaxed slightly, though her expression remained troubled.
“Your Highness, there’s no need to worry. Even if you do nothing, Prince Ping will still become the Crown Prince and, in time, the Son of Heaven. Even if the Empress recovers her health, she will only hold an empty title of honor in the inner palace. In reality, won’t you still be the most esteemed?” the eunuch quickly reassured her with a smile.
That was true, of course, but…
“As long as Prince Ping remains unappointed as Crown Prince for even a day, my heart cannot rest easy,” the Imperial Consort said, clasping her hands as she gazed out the door.
Master Gao was right – Her Highness has truly fallen into a mental trap.
“Tell our people outside the palace that I do not wish to see Duke Jin’an return to the capital,” the Imperial Consort said slowly. “And I no longer want to hear any more good news about Duke Jin’an.”
She emphasized the word “good.”
Such a shocking statement and its underlying meaning did not startle the eunuch – it only made him hesitate with doubt.
“Your Highness, isn’t this a bit too rushed? Perhaps we should proceed more gradually…” he whispered.
“Gradual? What ‘gradual’! We’ve already been gradual for ten years – isn’t that enough?” the Imperial Consort snapped, her eyebrows raised and teeth clenched.
Not daring to say more, the eunuch hurriedly acknowledged the order.
“Let me make this clear to you,” the Imperial Consort continued slowly. “I know what all of you are thinking. You’re all focused on being thorough, on being cautious. But some things in this world simply do not allow for such deliberation. Miss one step, and you’ll miss every step that follows. Do you all think Duke Jin’an is not worth a second thought? That crushing him would be easy?”
“I would never dare,” the eunuch replied, quickly bowing his head.
The Imperial Consort let out a cold, mocking laugh.
“You dare,” she said. “But have any of you stopped to think? It’s been ten years now. Time and again, we’ve tried, yet each attempt has somehow failed at the most opportune moment. The poisoned food was treated by that fame-seeking Doctor Li. The hunting trip was interrupted when Prince Ping showed up halfway, making it impossible to act. Finally, when he left the palace and the journey offered a perfect chance, a group of travelers camping overnight appeared and together killed the wolves… His luck is just too strong, his fate too resilient.”
She turned her head to look at the eunuch.
“His luck is too strong, his fate too resilient – and it keeps getting stronger and more unshakable. Trying to crush him now is probably not as easy, nor as simple, as you all seem to think.”
The eunuch nodded, his expression turning solemn as he acknowledged her words.
“Your Highness’s consideration is most thorough,” he said. “I will immediately send someone to carry out your orders.”
He paused briefly before continuing.
“As for the matter of the Crown Prince, we cannot afford further delays. I will go and consult with those high officials at once.”
The Imperial Consort nodded.
“It’s not that I am impatient – it’s that all of you have been underestimating the enemy,” she stated.
The eunuch bowed his head in agreement.
“I shall go pay a visit to the Empress,” the Imperial Consort declared. “With such wonderful news, how could I not offer my congratulations?”
The eunuch promptly called for attendants to help her change into formal attire.
Watching as the Imperial Consort departed, surrounded by her maids and eunuchs, the eunuch straightened up and shook his head.
Still, there was something rather peculiar about it all.
Could this minor breach of etiquette by Duke Jin’an be connected to the Empress’s sudden improvement in health?
The thought crossed his mind, but he shook his head again and chuckled.
What connection could there possibly be? And even if there were one, what would it matter? No matter how much the Empress’s health improves, she remains only the Empress. No matter how much the Duke curries favor with the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, or how many merits he earns, he is still only a Duke.
Apart from drawing more envy and resentment upon themselves, and making others even less tolerant of them, it truly brings them no benefit at all.
Perhaps, with the appointment of the Crown Prince drawing nearer, they are desperately trying to win a little more goodwill from the Emperor to secure some extra protection for the future.
Looked at that way, they really do seem like grasshoppers after autumn – or a final rally before the end.
The eunuch smiled to himself and walked away.
Meanwhile, at Desheng Pavilion – despite it not being evening – waves of laughter could be heard from within.
Inside the luxurious private room, seven or eight guests sat crowded around the table, each accompanied by a courtesan. Among them, the most striking was undoubtedly Lady Zhu seated beside Cheng Si-lang.
Her hair was loosely styled, adorned only with a single jade hairpin. Her makeup was similarly understated, as if she had rushed over in such a hurry that there had been no time for elaborate preparation.
“Lady Zhu was so eager to see Si-lang that she didn’t even bother dressing up properly,” the officials around them teased.
Lady Zhu covered her mouth with a light laugh, her eyes sparkling and lively. With every glance, her gaze was captivating enough to enchant one’s soul, yet it remained steadfastly fixed on Cheng Si-lang, evoking both envy and admiration from everyone in the room.
“I thought you were still injured and wouldn’t be going out, sir. I’ve been feeling so listless and bored all this time. Your arrival was so sudden, I’m truly…” Lady Zhu spoke with a hint of playful reproach, gently shaking Cheng Si-lang’s arm while raising her hand to partially cover her face. “I’m utterly embarrassed. Si-lang, please allow me to go and freshen up.”
The room erupted in laughter once again.
Few truly believed such words – after all, it was unlikely that a courtesan would appear before a guest without any preparation. It was simply a matter of choosing the right appearance for the right guest.
But what did it matter if they knew she was putting on an act? Everyone came here precisely to enjoy the courtesans’ elaborate performances and efforts to please. Such understanding and charm were, after all, the true pleasures of life.
In contrast to the joyous laughter and tender affections at Desheng Pavilion, the expression of Young Master Gao, who had returned to Prince Ping’s mansion with the prince, remained somber – even as singing girls before him performed with alluring grace.
“Your Highness, didn’t my father advise you against keeping singing and dancing girls?” Young Master Gao said, somewhat distractedly.
Before Prince Ping could respond, the chief steward of the mansion quickly stepped forward and bowed.
“Young Master, these are not kept performers. They are specially rehearsing songs and dances for the Empress Dowager’s birthday celebration. His Highness maintains his integrity, and we servants would never dare act recklessly,” he explained.
“Enough. How could I have the mind for such things? I can hardly keep up with my studies as it is,” Prince Ping said impatiently. “Don’t you start sounding like your father, treating me as some frivolous, easily corrupted idler.”
Young Master Gao quickly smiled in acknowledgment.
“Your Highness studies with such diligence. The court officials all say that if you were to take the imperial exams this year, you would surely rank within the top ten,” he said with a laugh.
This was exactly what Prince Ping loved to hear, and his expression softened considerably.
“I did attempt some of those exam questions – they weren’t particularly challenging,” he remarked.
Young Master Gao immediately raised his wine bowl.
“This humble one toasts the Jinshi-to-be,” he said.
Prince Ping was amused and let out a mock scoff.
“A pity it’s not the ‘Jinshi wine’ from Immortal’s Abode,” he replied, joining in the jest.
At the mention of Immortal’s Abode, Young Master Gao’s smile instantly froze.
“Immortal’s Abode,” he said through gritted teeth, downing the wine in one gulp. “It houses immortals indeed – truly capable of deceiving others.”
Immortal’s Abode belonged to the Cheng family, and Prince Ping was naturally aware of the recent conflicts between the Chengs and Young Master Gao.
“That Lady Cheng certainly has far-reaching influence,” he remarked coolly. “Even Duke Jin’an treats her as an honored guest and entrusts her with the care of Prince Qing. She strides in and out of Prince Qing’s mansion as she pleases, and even the Empress Dowager’s attendants dare not question her – in fact, they risk being scolded by her if they do.”
Upon hearing this, Young Master Gao seemed unable to contain his anger any longer and slammed his wine bowl heavily onto the table.
“Your Highness, the imperial family has been far too indulgent toward her,” he said. “A mere young lady – she’s practically turning into a charlatan. Who knows? It might not be long before the Emperor summons her to the palace to refine elixirs, seek the Dao, or consult on immortality.”
This girl was not only close to Duke Jin’an but was also rumored to be capable of curing that fool, Prince Qing. If she truly caught the Emperor’s eye and he started following her advice unquestioningly – with Duke Jin’an already a constant thorn in his side – adding a “Divine Lady” into the mix would surely spell the end of any peace for him!
Prince Ping frowned, unable to hide his disgust.
“Is there no one who can deal with a mere young lady?”
Young Master Gao continued to seethe.
A mere young lady…
Prince Ping looked up at Young Master Gao and suddenly smiled.
“Why would there be no one?” he said. “A mere young lady must still submit to her father and husband. All we need to do is find her a husband to keep her in line.”
A husband?
Young Master Gao was taken aback and looked up at Prince Ping.
“Who would dare marry her? Didn’t the Empress Dowager…” he began, frowning.
Prince Ping stared at Young Master Gao for a moment.
“Others may not dare, but you – surely you are not afraid?” he said, raising an eyebrow.
