“Consort Shu is here — sit and join us,” the Empress said cheerfully, unusually warm in demeanor.
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Consort Shu responded, leading Mingxi and Kang Wangfei to take their seats.
The Empress didn’t even spare them a glance, turning her head to continue speaking to Consort Gui: “These young ladies are all highly esteemed in the capital, from excellent families. I’ve already shown them to His Majesty, and he’s quite pleased. In a bit, you can take a look yourself — if you favor anyone, just let me know.”
Hearing this, Consort Gui’s smile almost cracked.
So the Empress had handpicked a few girls for her to choose from, and she was supposed to be grateful for it?
Every one of these families was either closely allied with Duke Cao’s household or attached to the Eastern Palace.
But Consort Gui wasn’t someone to be trifled with. She immediately said, “Thank you for Your Majesty’s trouble, but I’ve already pleaded with His Majesty for special favor: this time, Jin Wang should choose the one he personally likes.”
The smile on the Empress’s face faded slightly as she said coolly, “Marriage has always been a matter of matchmaking and parental command. Consort Gui, you shouldn’t be too willful, lest you harm Jin Wang.”
“Your Majesty!” Consort Gui clenched her handkerchief, her voice rising slightly. “You are right, but haven’t I already sought His Majesty’s permission? How is that not following parental command? Or does Your Majesty think otherwise?”
The Empress’s face darkened. “Consort Gui, mind your words!”
Consort Gui gave a light laugh. “Please don’t be offended, Your Majesty. I simply wish for Jin Wang to find someone he truly likes. When Your Majesty chose the Crown Princess for the Crown Prince, didn’t His Highness also nod in agreement?”
The Empress hadn’t expected Consort Gui to contradict her so openly before so many court ladies, and her expression turned even colder. She said sharply, “Since that’s how you feel, Consort Gui, then do as you wish. No need for me to waste effort only to be deemed meddlesome.”
“Your Majesty is too harsh. If I have misspoken, please forgive me. After all, as a mother, I only hope for my son’s happiness. Considering how Jin Wang’s previous marriage ended… I truly feel for him.”
Her words were loaded with meaning—who here couldn’t hear it? Jin Wang’s former wife was the daughter of Xingan Marquis, who was closely aligned with the Crown Prince. Consort Gui was clearly implying she feared the Empress might plant another spy beside her son.
The noble ladies present exchanged glances. None had expected the palace infighting to be so fierce now. In the past, even among the four main consorts, they would at least maintain appearances before outsiders.
Consort Gui briefly locked eyes with Consort Shu before quickly looking away.
Consort Shu then spoke slowly, “Her Majesty’s kindness is deeply appreciated. Still, Jin Wang has not yet recovered from his grief; letting him choose someone he truly cares for might make his future days smoother, wouldn’t you agree?”
If the Empress hadn’t installed He Wanyu—a spy—beside Jin Wang before, would things have turned out so badly? They’d already harmed him once; they should show mercy this time.
The Empress glanced at Consort Shu coldly. “Consort Shu, don’t only worry about Jin Wang. Today, pick two concubines for Duan Wang’s household as well.”
Consort Shu’s smile didn’t falter. She said sweetly, “Duan Wang once begged His Majesty to grant him a marriage with a promise: no concubines for ten years. A gentleman’s word is as binding as four horses pulling a carriage. It was His Majesty’s decree. If Your Majesty can persuade His Majesty otherwise, I will naturally obey. But His Majesty’s words are sacred—I would not dare to suggest otherwise.”
At these words, the Empress’s face nearly twisted with anger.
“Consort Shu,” she said sharply, “I know Duan Wangfei has some family wealth, but you and your son don’t need to grovel over such worldly matters.”
Such words were openly insulting.
Consort Shu’s face darkened, though she forced herself to smile and said softly, “Your Majesty, what do you mean? Duan Wangfei’s wealth is her dowry—her private property. It has nothing to do with me. I have served His Majesty for many years. Are you implying, Your Majesty, that His Majesty cannot even afford to support his own concubines?”
At this moment, Consort Xian and Consort De arrived, each bringing their daughters-in-law. As they entered, they could immediately feel the tense atmosphere.
They paid their respects to the Empress and quickly found seats.
Yu Wangfei, now heavily pregnant, was carefully settled with a cushion under the Consort Xian’s instructions. Meanwhile, Qi Wangfei sat beside Consort De, her face stiff, clutching her handkerchief tightly, silently observing the scene.
Now that all the key figures had arrived, the Empress ignored the previous unpleasantness and led everyone on a garden stroll.
The ladies, each with their daughters, selected colorful silk threads and began the Qiqiao needle-threading competition.
In this tradition, the girl who could quickly and smoothly thread five-colored threads through nine-needle holes in succession would be declared the winner.
Standing beside Mingxi, Kang Wangfei whispered, “This is terrifying.”
Mingxi glanced at her calmly. “Why be afraid? There will only be more of this in the future.”
Kang Wangfei: …
Her Fourth Sister-in-law could say such ruthless things in such a calm tone—her little heart was trembling.
Thinking about how future palace banquets would be full of these undercurrents, she could hardly breathe, but she knew she must not back down.
Kang Wang already had little presence at court. As his wife, she had to do her part to support him.
Just then, Kang Wangfei nudged Mingxi. “Look.”
Mingxi followed her gaze and saw Zhenbei Wangfei leading Li Peilan and a young girl with an unfamiliar face through the crowd.
The young girl frowned slightly, struggling to manage her threads, her hands clumsy. She whispered something to the Wangfei, and Li Peilan sneered and said something sharply, making the girl’s eyes well up with tears.
Zhenbei Wangfei glared sternly at Li Peilan, then bent slightly to murmur a few comforting words to the girl, who finally managed a small smile.
Kang Wangfei whispered, “That girl is Zhenbei Wang’s concubine-born daughter, Gan Ying.”
Mingxi’s heart stirred. “Gan Li isn’t here today—is it because they’ve settled her marriage?”
Kang Wangfei nodded. “I heard she’s been betrothed to General Fan Gaolang, one of Zhenbei Wang’s commanders. He’s said to be very capable in battle.”
Mingxi nodded slightly. “Good.”
Avoiding the whirlpool of the palace could change Gan Li’s fate for the better.
But seeing Gan Ying here today, Mingxi narrowed her eyes. She wondered what the Empress was planning for her.
Zhenbei Wang’s household had already offended the Empress because of Gan Li. They couldn’t afford to oppose her again over Gan Ying.
At that moment, the first girl to complete the threading emerged—and to Mingxi’s shock, it was Duan Huirou.
What was she doing?
Was she stupid?
Seeking the spotlight at a time like this?
Suppressing her anger, Mingxi noticed the grim-faced Madam Xiao beside Huirou, who had clearly failed to stop her.
