Just as they were talking, the Empress entered.
Everyone rose to pay their respects.
The Empress waved her hand as she took her seat on the throne and said with a smile, “Be seated.” Then her eyes swept the room casually as she asked, “Why don’t I see Qian Jieyu?”
The room immediately fell silent.
Other than on the first and fifteenth of each month—when the Empress summoned all the consorts—no one would come to Kunde Palace without being called.
Because of this, the Empress gained a reputation for being kind and considerate, a benevolent leader of the inner palace. The praise added much to her good name.
Today, with Duan Wang returning victorious, all the princes were bound to make an appearance. Even if Qian Jieyu wasn’t favored by the Emperor, she would’ve shown up for the sake of her son, Kang Wang.
But she wasn’t here.
Consort Gui glanced sideways at Consort Shu and saw that she sat calm and unbothered, not revealing a thing.
Consort Xian looked sickly and clearly had her hands full just taking care of herself—she wouldn’t speak for Qian Jieyu.
Consort De wore an expression of surprise—whether genuine or feigned, it was hard to say.
Consort Gui rolled her eyes inwardly. Others might not know, but she was aware that there had been some dealings between Consort Shu and Qian Jieyu.
If Consort Shu spoke up for Qian Jieyu now, it would surely bring the Empress’s wrath down on Qian Jieyu. So Consort Shu wisely stayed silent.
Since Consort Gui and Consort Shu had been on better terms lately, she decided to step in.
“Qian Jieyu has always been timid and cautious,” she said mildly. “Without a summons, how could she dare come here on her own to greet Your Majesty?”
Then she turned to her maid. “Yulu, go to Qian Jieyu’s quarters and check on her.”
Yulu immediately stepped forward and bowed. “Yes, Niang Niang.”
The Empress frowned at Consort Gui for overstepping, clearly displeased, though her face remained composed. She only said, “Consort Gui is indeed thoughtful.”
“All thanks to Your Majesty’s teachings,” Consort Gui replied with a smile.
The Empress was known for being a velvet glove over an iron fist. In earlier years, Consort Gui had suffered many setbacks in their clashes—she’d only survived thanks to her exceptional beauty and the Emperor’s affection.
The composure she had today was largely because of what she’d endured under the Empress.
Consort Shu stifled a laugh. Consort Gui really knows how to get under someone’s skin.
The Empress no longer looked at her, turning her gaze to Consort Shu instead. But her attention was quickly caught by the emerald kingfisher phoenix hairpin in Consort Shu’s hair.
At a closer look, her expression instantly turned sour.
The Empress wore a seven-tailed kingfisher phoenix hairpin—being the mother of the nation, her status was naturally unparalleled.
In the harem, the four consorts traditionally wore five-tailed phoenix hairpins, but a hairpin inlaid with kingfisher feathers—this was the first of its kind.
The Empress’s hand, gripping the armrest of her throne, clenched tightly. One look, and she could tell it was a new reward from the Emperor.
With the Crown Prince’s recent return to the capital, even Consort Shu’s status had risen along with him.
Even after the scandal at the Dingyuan Marquis’ residence, the Emperor didn’t annul the marriage between Duan Wang and Duan Mingxi. After laying the groundwork for so long, the Empress and her son never expected that the old Dingyuan Marquis would request the Emperor to strip his own title and pass it directly to his grandson.
That move had come far too suddenly, and the Emperor had agreed far too readily. Before they had time to react, the matter was already settled.
Originally, with the scandal involving Qiao Wan, the Dingyuan Marquis’ reputation was in tatters. With a father like that, how could Duan Mingxi possibly be fit to marry Duan Wang? Perhaps the Emperor might have flown into a rage and canceled the engagement.
That would have been perfect—stripping Duan Wang of Duan Mingxi, his source of wealth, and turning them into enemies over the marriage. That would have benefited the Eastern Palace and herself the most.
Now, the Empress was full of regret. Back then, when the Crown Prince wanted Duan Mingxi to enter the palace as a side consort, she should’ve agreed and helped plan the matter.
But she had looked down on Duan Mingxi for growing up in a merchant’s household and thought it would shame the Crown Prince’s status.
Who would’ve thought someone like Duan Mingxi would be so capable? She never acted ostentatiously, and yet she stirred up unrest all over the capital.
What should’ve been her greatest weakness—her merchant upbringing—was something she’d managed to turn into a strength even the Emperor admired.
She was not only good at making money, but even better at spending it wisely. Every copper coin was spent where it counted.
How could there be someone like her in this world? Duan Mingxi was still so young, yet already had such skill and boldness.
She must not be allowed to continue growing, or it would only become more unfavorable for the Crown Prince.
That was why the Empress had plotted the incident with Qiao Wan.
She never expected the Dingyuan Marquis’ residence to resolve it so easily.
Though the Marquis lost great face, the old Marquis made a decisive move, requesting the Emperor to revoke his son’s title and grant it to his grandson. That maneuver was truly brilliant.
Anyone else would have begged the Emperor for mercy instead.
By now, the Empress no longer believed this was the old Marquis’ idea alone. She had no proof, but she was convinced Duan Mingxi had a hand in this, fanning the flames behind the scenes.
The Empress no longer felt like speaking, and the usually lively Consort Gui also fell silent. The hall was suddenly quiet.
Consort Shu lowered her gaze, and Consort Gui frowned slightly.
Just then, Qian Jieyu entered.
She walked in hurriedly, her face full of nervousness. Once inside, she didn’t dare look around but went straight forward to greet the Empress: “Your Majesty, this qie greets you. Wishing Your Majesty peace and blessings.”
“Rise,” the Empress said lightly.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Qian Jieyu stood up, trembling, and then greeted the four consorts.
Consort Gui looked at her with a smile and said, “Qian Jieyu, I know you’re timid and fear doing wrong, but on a joyful occasion like today, even for the sake of Kang Wang, you mustn’t shy away.”
“You’re right, Consort Gui.” Qian Jieyu lowered her head and responded quietly, not daring to say another word.
The Empress gave the Consort Gui a glance before speaking to Qian Jieyu, “If you’re ever unsure of anything in the future, have your attendants ask Lu Momo.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness,” Qian Jieyu quickly replied.
Consort Gui curled her lips but said nothing more.
The Empress had placed Qian Jieyu in Linhua Palace, where the main hall was occupied by Li Zhaoyi—also from the Empress’s own clan.
Living under Li Zhaoyi’s watchful eye, Qian Jieyu had no choice but to tread very carefully. One wrong step, and she’d be done for.
Now the Empress was pretending to be caring—how utterly disgusting.
Qian Jieyu cautiously sat below Consort De, not daring to speak and holding herself stiffly upright. Only when she heard Consort Shu and the Consort Gui laughing and chatting did she allow herself a small sigh of relief—though her back was already soaked in cold sweat.
She had known that whether she came or not today, it would still be a matter of trouble. That was why she had tried to send a message through Li Zhaoyi. Of course the Empress would have known.
But Li Zhaoyi hadn’t replied, so naturally, she couldn’t take the risk of coming uninvited.
However, Kang Wang was going to welcome back Duan Wang, so she knew she had to show up eventually. Still, she couldn’t come of her own accord, or she’d be labeled as rigid and lacking tact.
Not that she cared—staying alive was better than losing her life.
Consort De glanced sideways at Qian Jieyu with a touch of disdain on her face. A woman like her, with no family backing, what did it matter even if she had a son?
If she didn’t have the Emperor’s favor and was crushed by the Empress, she’d live no better than a dog.
