After returning from the Chongzheng Hall, Consort Xian had barely caught her breath in her own Changning Palace when Consort Gui and Consort Shu came to pay a visit.
That very night, Consort Xian fell seriously ill. The physicians from the Imperial Medical Bureau stayed by her side the entire night.
When the Emperor heard the news, he sent Ding Zhao to check on her.
“The imperial physicians say Consort Xian has long been burdened with suppressed emotions. Today she suffered another blow, and her body simply couldn’t take it—she’s been feverish and semi-conscious all night. Please rest assured, Your Majesty, the Empress and Consort Gui are both staying in Changning Palace to look after her,” Ding Zhao reported with a bow.
The Emperor remained silent for a long while after hearing this.
Indeed, ever since Yu Wang had been exiled to a remote post, Consort Xian had grown noticeably quieter, rarely stepping beyond the gates of Changning Palace.
He hadn’t expected that she was still holding it in her heart. He thought she had long since let it go.
Then he recalled what happened with Guangxiang Marquis’s household, and the image of Consort Xian weeping on the floor of the Chongzheng Hall resurfaced in his mind.
She hadn’t argued her case, nor had she lashed out in anger at Duke Cao’s household.
Now that he thought about it, because she hadn’t said anything and only cried like that, the Emperor felt even more guilt welling up in his chest.
Truthfully, Consort Xian had served him for many years—not without affection.
“Go to Changning Palace,” the Emperor said, rising to his feet.
“Yes,” Ding Zhao quickly followed.
Consort Xian’s illness came on fiercely. She remained unconscious for three full days. The Emperor flew into a rage, and everyone at the Imperial Medical Bureau was on edge.
Consort Shu and the Consort Gui exchanged glances. The Consort Gui immediately stepped forward to advise.
“Your Majesty, seeing Consort Xian in such condition, perhaps it would be best to summon Yu Wang back to the capital.” Her eyes reddened as she spoke. “Consort Xian has always been dutiful and reserved in the palace. This time, she has truly suffered.”
Though she hadn’t named names, the Empress’s expression darkened.
A veiled jab—who wouldn’t understand what she was implying?
But the whole matter with Duke Cao’s household had happened without her knowledge. If she had known, she would never have allowed it.
Now it had blown up like this—how was it supposed to be resolved?
The Empress stepped forward too and softly said, “Your Majesty, this incident began with my nephew. He was young and foolish—being fond of beauty is not a crime in itself—but he acted thoughtlessly and ended up hurting others. He regrets it deeply. After what’s happened to Consort Xian, I find it difficult to be at peace. I ask that Your Majesty recall Yu Wang to the capital—perhaps seeing her son again will help ease her burden, and she might recover.”
The Empress spoke with sincerity, but her phrasing—ease her burden—also subtly painted Consort Xian as overly emotional.
Consort Shu immediately stepped forward. “Your Majesty, Yu Wang has been away from the capital for months. During this time, Consort Xian has stayed secluded in Changning Palace, reflecting on her own failings. She’s always blamed herself for not raising her son properly. Now with this matter stirring up fresh grief, how could she bear it?”
She looked up at the Emperor and, seeing the deep shadow in his dark eyes, softened her tone even more. “Your Majesty, you must take care of your own health. If Consort Xian were to know that you had fallen ill because of her, she would only blame herself more.”
Consort Xian’s face was pale, eyes closed, showing no sign of waking.
The Emperor sighed. “Ding Zhao.”
“I am here.”
“Summon Yu Wang back to the capital immediately.”
“Yes.”
The Empress’s smile froze for a moment, but she quickly composed herself and said, “Your Majesty’s affection for Consort Xian is deep. When she wakes, she’ll surely be comforted.”
The Emperor did not respond. His eyes remained fixed on Consort Xian.
Consort Shu and the Consort Gui exchanged a meaningful look. The long-delayed arrival of Consort De was careful and quiet—she didn’t dare disturb anyone, only looked around in confusion, unsure what had happened.
The news that Consort Xian had fallen gravely ill and Yu Wang was being summoned back to the capital spread like wildfire.
Mingxi pondered the situation carefully. She suspected it might be related to what happened with Yunyi. Clearly, the palace consorts had timed this perfectly.
Yu Wang’s return was quicker than expected, surprising even Mingxi.
But given how suddenly the situation with Yao Yunyi had unfolded, such opportunities didn’t come often. That Consort Xian could seize it—well, that was her ability.
However, if He Wanyi returned to the capital along with Yu Wang, then Yu Wangfei had better be cautious.
Still, Mingxi figured Yu Wangfei would be prepared. She only hoped the woman could carry this pregnancy safely to term.
Duke Cao’s household had lost all face this time. Li Weisu’s reputation was utterly ruined. What respectable family in the capital would dare marry their daughter to him now? Just hearing his name made people avoid him like the plague.
Duchess Cao cried over the situation—twice. But Li Weisu himself didn’t seem to care. In any case, it hadn’t been his idea; it was something the family pushed him into.
Now that things had blown up and he had taken a beating, the family ought to compensate him. A good wife? He figured he’d still get one eventually.
Meanwhile, the fallout from the incident caused tensions to simmer within Duke Cao’s household, with different branches harboring different agendas.
Back at Mingxi’s residence, she received a letter from Xiao Muchen.
She hadn’t heard from him in quite some time and had been anxious. Now, reading his words, her face lit up with joy.
There had been a great victory in Yuxiang City. The enemy commander Qinan had been driven back to his own territory. Not only that, they had seized a large amount of Qinan’s food supplies and treasures.
The messenger also delivered another official report to the court. The Emperor, having been overwhelmed by recent domestic matters, was in low spirits.
But Xiao Muchen’s triumphant dispatch delighted him.
Duan Wang had achieved a great victory.
The news spread across the court like wildfire.
One could imagine the mood of the Empress and her son. As for Consort Shu, who had been holding her breath all this time, she could finally relax. Clutching the letter of peace from her son, she laughed and cried at the same time, then rushed off to see the Emperor.
The Emperor was in high spirits. Seeing her like that, he asked, “Aifei, what’s wrong?”
“Your Majesty, I received a letter from Duan Wang. Knowing he’s safe and victorious, I couldn’t contain my joy and had to come see you,” Consort Shu said, covering her smile with embarrassment.
The Emperor pulled her to his side with a laugh. “Aifei has given me a fine son.”
“If it weren’t for Your Majesty’s guidance, he wouldn’t have the glory he enjoys today.” She dabbed at her tears with a handkerchief. “Remember when he was young and bruised all over from martial training? I once begged Your Majesty to exempt him. Thinking back, I feel so ashamed. Luckily, Your Majesty refused me.”
At that, the Emperor also recalled the past and chuckled. “You have the heart of a loving mother. How could I not know? Let me see—what did Chen Er write to you? The letter he sent me was all about military affairs.”
Consort Shu handed over the letter and gently said, “How could a letter from a son to his mother be the same as one to his father? As a mother, I can’t help but worry and nag a little. He didn’t want me to fret, so he wrote more to ease my mind. But Your Majesty is his ruler and father—he wouldn’t dare be careless. Naturally, state matters come first. Besides, his memorial to you is for court officials to read. If they saw him being sentimental, wouldn’t they laugh at him?”
“They wouldn’t dare!” The emperor was in such a good mood that he couldn’t help but feel a little pleased with himself. After reading Consort Shu’s letter, however, a faint bitterness crept into his heart.
Thankfully, the boy at least remembered to send his regards to his royal father at the end of the letter.
He had been away for so long—it was time to return.
Thinking of this, the emperor looked at Consort Shu and said, “In that case, we should set the wedding date. What do you think, Aifei?”
“I’ll follow Your Majesty’s decision. I’ll go along with whatever you say,” Consort Shu replied with a radiant smile, her face lit with joy.
The emperor looked at her and felt even more delighted.
Consort Shu had always been like this—never dampening his mood, no matter the occasion.
