Chapter 11

Page (1/3)

The sleeve of Sang Qingyun was empty, and all that was visible was a slender, pale wrist—no trace of the jade bracelet she had been given that very morning. It was the finest piece brought as tribute at the start of the year, yet she still did not like it.

Xie Yanheng cast a cold glance, then withdrew his gaze indifferently, absentmindedly tapping the armrest with his fingers. Over the years, many gifts and rewards had been bestowed upon her in the imperial court, yet he had never seen her favor any of them. He was not particularly surprised.

Although Sang Qingyun came from the common folk, she was well-versed in literature and poetry, with tastes far above the mundane. Yet such silent rejection still displeased Xie Yanheng somewhat. He knew full well that any other woman in the harem would have been overjoyed with his gifts, not so unappreciative as she was.

After a few breaths, he lightly raised a finger. “The Second Prince is ill; you shall accompany me to attend to him.”

With that, Dai Zheng hurried to give orders to set the imperial carriage in motion, signaling Sang Qingyun to join the procession. Reluctantly, she stepped into the line.

Within the twelve palaces of the harem, the four southern palaces held the highest status, closest to His Majesty. Yet the Phoenix Palace, as the residence of the Empress, stood apart from the six eastern and western palaces, positioned on either side of the Throne Hall alongside the Longevity Palace where the Empress Dowager resided, presiding over the other consorts from afar.

Thus, the Phoenix Palace was not far from the Palace of Diligent Governance. Once past the Jianzhang Gate, a short walk to the left led to its grand entrance.

The Second Prince was unwell, and several imperial physicians had been summoned. As Sang Qingyun walked ahead with the crowd, she could hear the chaotic footsteps and bustling activity within before even reaching the gate.

A eunuch announced loudly, “His Majesty has arrived!” The imperial carriage landed steadily, and Xie Yanheng was the first to enter.

Sang Qingyun’s status forbade her from entering; she stood quietly at the doorway, listening to the faint sounds from within.

The Second Prince had been healthy, but the unpredictable weather of early spring had taken its toll. Especially since the Empress had the Second Prince attend the study with the Crown Prince, the mornings were chillier than usual, and the constant going back and forth had left the young child vulnerable to a cold in these past two days.

His Majesty had two sons and one daughter: the Crown Prince Xie Jingzhao, born of Noble Consort Yu; the Second Prince Xie Jingyu, borne by the Empress; and a princess born to Concubine Nie.

The Crown Prince was five, just beginning his studies, but the Second Prince was still only four, far too young to be sent to the study.

However, Sang Qingyun had no power over these matters. She could only stand silently in the corridor, overhearing the Empress, usually so dignified, now broken and crying beside the bed, lamenting her failure to fulfill her duties as a mother and blaming herself for the child’s illness.

A mother’s heart was always tender. Even Sang Qingyun felt her own heart twist, let alone His Majesty.

Xie Yanheng sat beside the bed, watching the Second Prince with eyes closed, sweat beading on his small brow. The pain the child endured was hard for any father to bear.

Fortunately, the physicians diagnosed the cold as causing a high fever but not severe. With timely medicine and proper rest, recovery was expected.

This brought some relief to His Majesty.

It also meant the Second Prince should cease attending the study for now and focus on recuperation until he was older.

Xie Yanheng reached out to touch the feverish forehead and lowered his eyes to the Empress. Despite everything, he could not help but speak gently. “The imperial physicians say Jingyu’s condition is not grave. Your Majesty need not blame yourself so harshly.”

“You govern the six palaces and raise the children. As Empress, you have fulfilled your duties. There is no need to strive for perfection in all things. The Noble Consort also shares responsibility over the harem. In your spare time, you may instruct her; this will ease your burdens.”

At the mention of the Noble Consort, the Empress’s sorrow deepened, her expression darkening.

Page (2/3)

She remained bowed at the bed’s side, unwilling to rise. Though her eyes were on her child, her gaze was resolute and unyielding. “To instruct the concubines and raise the imperial children is my sworn duty. If Jingyu has fallen ill, it is because I have failed. His Majesty’s concern is due to my neglect. As Empress, I am ever mindful of my responsibilities, striving for perfection in all things, stabilizing the harem, and easing His Majesty’s worries. I dare not shirk even a fraction.”

Hearing this, Xie Yanheng’s brow furrowed slightly, losing interest in further discussion. He said lightly, “Your Majesty has always been virtuous.”

Outside the hall, Sang Qingyun listened and sighed quietly when His Majesty ceased speaking.

The Empress was strong-willed and would not yield easily. She adhered strictly to rules and doctrine, forbidding even those close to her, including herself, from overstepping.

Even in her dealings with His Majesty, she often spoke frankly, regardless of timing, lacking tact and tempering, much less warmth between husband and wife.

Such a nature was more befitting a court censor than a consort beside the Emperor.

Yet fate was often beyond one’s choosing or understanding.

Today, upon hearing of the Second Prince’s illness, His Majesty rushed to see him, showing care even in words toward the Empress. Though she disliked the Noble Consort and opposed her gaining power, she should not embarrass His Majesty at such a moment, lest she lose more than she gains.

But Sang Qingyun had no standing to intervene or advise.

Inside, Xie Yanheng sat for a while longer, and seeing the Second Prince was no worse, he planned to leave without even dining at the Phoenix Palace.

The Empress knew their relationship was formal and distant, but she did not expect him to be so unwilling to stay with her, not even for a meal while their son was ill.

She longed to ask His Majesty: if the Noble Consort were ill instead, how would he behave? Surely not leaving so quickly, perhaps even staying until forced to go.

For the Empress, the weight she held in His Majesty’s heart seemed less than that of the Noble Consort—an irony too great to bear.

Tears fell silently, but she swallowed back any words of resentment. “I—see Your Majesty off.”

Once seated in the sedan chair, Xie Yanheng pondered for a moment, glancing thoughtfully at Sang Qingyun.

Before he could speak, from afar appeared Qian Ning, the Noble Consort’s personal maid, kneeling outside the Jianzhang Gate, waiting. Seeing His Majesty emerge, she hurried forward with a pitiful expression: “Your Majesty, the Noble Consort is unwell. She requests Your Majesty visit Yao Hua Palace.”

At the Phoenix Palace’s gate, Qian Ning showed little regard for the Empress’s dignity.

The Noble Consort was still relatively well; her sudden illness was scarcely believable as coincidence.

Moreover, it was common knowledge the Noble Consort and Empress were at odds. Though the Noble Consort feigned harmony before His Majesty, he was not oblivious.

Having just visited the Empress’s palace to see the Second Prince, His Majesty’s swift summons to the Noble Consort was glaringly conspicuous.

Sang Qingyun raised her head subtly, noting His Majesty’s slight frown as he asked calmly, “When did she fall ill? Have the physicians examined her?”

Still kneeling on the cold palace path, Qian Ning immediately burst into tears at His Majesty’s question. “Your Majesty, the Noble Consort felt unwell this morning. The physicians have been summoned and are preparing medicine. Though resting, she has been concerned for Your Majesty. I could not bear it, so I took the liberty of summoning you. I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness for my impertinence.”

Xie Yanheng said nothing, his expression as calm as ever. “Go to Yao Hua Palace.”

There was no surprise that following the Phoenix Palace, the imperial carriage proceeded directly to Yao Hua Palace. The Noble Consort’s favor was well known.

Any fine tributes received by the Phoenix Palace were never without a share for Yao Hua Palace; sometimes the converse was true. Beyond gifts, His Majesty never withheld grace or favor; the Noble Consort always received the most.

Born into the Empress Dowager’s maternal clan, Ji was His Majesty’s childhood acquaintance and held an extraordinary status.

Page (3/3)

The Emperor’s cousin, Ji was the only legitimate daughter, pampered and cherished from birth. Such lineage made her unmatched within the palace.

In the years Sang Qingyun had served in the palace, she had often overheard gossip: had the late Emperor not decreed the marriage, the Noble Consort’s position as Empress would have been inevitable. Who else would have claimed it?

Others said that even if the Noble Consort was not Empress, her weight in His Majesty’s heart was incomparable. As long as she lived, she was the unshakable favored consort, the very center of the Emperor’s affections.

Had these words been told to Sang Qingyun before, she might have believed them. But after years by His Majesty’s side, she knew some things were never as simple as they seemed.

Though the Noble Consort’s favor was at its peak, was her position truly unassailable? Was the Emperor truly attached to her?

If he cherished her so deeply, why had he not visited her once this month? What was the meaning of that sandalwood fan, both overtly praised and covertly disparaged?

He was more fickle and inscrutable than imagined.

Yet on the night at the Star-Picking Tower, both she and the Noble Consort were present. If His Majesty truly disliked the Noble Consort’s overstepping, what of her?

Surely His Majesty could not tolerate the Noble Consort’s transgressions but tolerate her own failings.

She was neither so significant nor special.

With these thoughts, Sang Qingyun instinctively rubbed her wrist a few times, breathing easier upon feeling the bare skin where no bracelet adorned.

—

Within Yao Hua Palace, the gilded and painted halls were unusually silent today. No one dared raise their voice. The incense burners, once wafting fragrant smoke like a maiden holding the moon, now filled the air with the bitter scent of medicine.

Given the Noble Consort’s former favor, such a scene was unthinkable. But since the newcomer’s arrival a month ago, His Majesty had not once set foot in Yao Hua Palace. The Noble Consort’s melancholy had begun to affect her attendants.

Since the imperial physicians left, the Noble Consort had lain on her bed, despondent. Though Qian Ning had gone to summon His Majesty, the Noble Consort remained unsure whether he was angry with her or had ceased to love her, his absence leaving her heart unsettled.

Everyone in the palace said she was the most cherished consort, His Majesty’s favorite. She had always believed it too.

Yet somehow, despite her cousin’s kindness, she felt anxious and uncertain.

Until the herald’s shout at the palace gate, “His Majesty has arrived!” brought a glimmer of disbelief and joy to her brow.

She hurried to rise and greet him. At the courtyard, seeing His Majesty truly arriving, tears fell softly.

The Noble Consort struggled to compose herself as she bowed. Her lips trembled as she spoke, “Your Majesty… I greet you.”

Amidst the palace’s blooming flowers and warm spring breeze, none of it seemed to touch the two of them.

Xie Yanheng lowered his eyes, his tone soft yet tinged with a chill: “The Noble Consort is unwell and should not be exposed to drafts. The attendants closest to her are hereby punished—six months’ salary suspended as a warning.”

Page (3/3)