“Chapter 13: Paying Respects”

"Chapter 13: Paying Respects"

"Fuyang Palace was surrounded late at night, and no information could be gleaned throughout the palace. Before dawn, Xu Xiuyuan, accompanied by Lady Shi, left Guangyang Palace, intending to gauge the Empress's sentiments at the Fengyi Palace."

"They arrived early, finding the spacious Fengyi Palace's Mingluan Hall attended only by a few palace maids."

"Xu Xiuyuan stepped forward and sat in the second rosewood chair with carved floral patterns, to the left of the Phoenix Throne."

"After waiting a while, seeing neither the Consort's arrival nor hearing an announcement about Lady Jia's visit, she couldn't help but summon a tea-serving maid and asked, 'What time is it now?'"

"The tea-serving maid, dressed in a green shawl with slight dark circles under her eyes, bowed to Xu Xiuyuan and said, 'To answer Lady Xiuyuan, it is precisely the hour of Yin.'"

"The hour of Yin?"

"Realizing she had arrived too early, Xu Xiuyuan awkwardly dismissed the maid and turned to look at Lady Shi sitting on a lower cushion. To her surprise, she found Lady Shi with glazed eyes, her hairpin askew on her temple, already half-asleep."

"Xu Xiuyuan paused."

"Back in the days at the Eastern Palace, if she had seen Lady Shi in such a state, she would have caused a scene, forcing the Empress to punish her with tasks like copying texts, slapping her own mouth, or even grounding her for a while, ensuring she didn't get off easily."

"But ever since His Majesty's ascension, living close to Lady Shi in Guangyang Palace, Xu Xiuyuan had come to appreciate her virtues."

"Though Lady Shi seemed dull and clumsy, she always tried to flatter her. She would never dare to disobey, accompanying her in playing leaf card games when bored. Most importantly, with her average looks and background as a palace maid, she had long lost favor, making her an idle companion in the sparsely populated palace."

"With this in mind, Xu Xiuyuan picked up the tea cup from the small red lacquer table with dragon motifs, coughed loudly twice, then took a sip of tea, placing the plum-patterned porcelain cup back on the table."

"Lady Shi was now fully awake."

"Still groggy, she quickly slid from the cushion to kneel on the floor, her partially worn flower-embroidered skirt gathering around her. After a slight delay, she said, 'I have been remiss, please punish me, Lady Xiuyuan.'"

"'Get up,' said Xu Xiuyuan, not admitting she had come too early."

"Seeing Lady Shi return to her cushion, resuming her wooden expression, Xu Xiuyuan felt a sense of dullness and turned away, no longer looking at her."

"After drinking half a cup of tea, finally, the announcement of the Consort's arrival echoed from outside."

"The Consort recovers from her illness just as something happens in Fuyang Palace?"

"Xu Xiuyuan pursed her lips in secret, observing the two palace maids at the door bowing in greeting. She composed herself and respectfully bowed her head in greeting."

"'This servant greets the Noble Consort, wishing her endless peace and prosperity.'"

"Two voices echoed in succession, belonging to Xu Xiuyuan and Lady Shi."

"'Rise.'"

"A section of lilac-colored skirt with cloud patterns gracefully swept past. The snow-colored silver embroidered shawl fluttered with the steps of the approaching figure. As Xu Xiuyuan was intently observing the hem of the Noble Consort's skirt, she was called to rise and sit back in her chair, glancing upwards—"

"Not having seen her for many days, the Noble Consort's beauty remained unchanged. Though slightly diminished in vigor, she still possessed a captivating presence."

"Chunyan, the chief maid of Fengyi Palace, emerged from the inner warm chamber, smiling, 'This servant greets the Noble Consort, Lady Xiuyuan, and Lady Shi. Please wait for a moment, as the Empress is dealing with some urgent matters and will join shortly.'"

"After speaking, Chunyan bowed and exited the main hall."

"The younger maids approached to refill the tea, and for a moment, no one spoke."

"Xu Xiuyuan glanced up at the Noble Consort's indifferent expression, then down at Lady Shi, who was woodenly staring at the ground. She scoffed inwardly, picked up her green porcelain plum cup, took a sip of tea, cleared her throat slightly, and spoke:"

"'Why hasn’t Lady Jia arrived yet?'"

"The Noble Consort silently sipped her tea, and Lady Shi continued to be lost in thought. After a pause, as if realizing the neglect of her own position, Lady Shi lifted her gaze from the embroidered bat pattern on the wool carpet and said softly, 'I'm not sure, perhaps she was delayed on the way.'"

"Disdainful of her meaningless remark, Xu Xiuyuan turned away and directly asked, 'Does the Noble Consort know anything? I heard that last night, there was some unrest in Fuyang Palace.'"

"Jiang Hui set down her tea cup, smiled faintly, and said, 'Lady Jia was ill yesterday, she might have informed the Empress and taken leave.'"

"As Xu Xiuyuan was about to ask more, a group of palace maids paved the way, and the Empress finally arrived in the main hall of Mingluan Palace."

"'This servant greets the Empress, wishing her endless peace and prosperity.'"

"With only three concubines present, the spacious hall echoed sparsely with their greetings."

"'Please, be seated.'"

"The Empress took her seat on the Phoenix Throne, first expressing concern for the Noble Consort, who had been ill for some time, and for the frail Crown Prince, Xiao Lang."

"'Is the Noble Consort feeling better? As spring approaches, the weather changes frequently, especially in the mornings and evenings. With the Crown Prince being frail, the Noble Consort must take extra care of him.'"

"'Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am well now,' Jiang Hui replied gently. 'Xiao Lang is still vulnerable to the cold. When he is a bit older, we will come to Fengyi Palace to pay our respects.'"

"'There's no hurry. The health of the Crown Prince is paramount. He is still a baby under half a year old, and it's always better to be overly cautious.'"

"The two conversed softly, completing the ritual of harmonious interaction expected of the concubines."

"Then, the Empress's expression turned solemn as she coldly stated, 'Yesterday, there was an unfortunate incident at Fuyang Palace. Lady Hu has passed away. By imperial decree, due to her misconduct and causing chaos in the palace, her consort title is revoked, and she will be buried as a commoner.'"

"Lady Jia is dead?"

"Jiang Hui felt a stir inside, yet maintained an indifferent expression."

"With Lady Jia having a princess by her side, and the Emperor known for his sentimentality, Jiang Hui had assumed that at worst, Lady Jia would be demoted to a commoner and confined to the Cold Palace. But to think she had actually died?"

"Usually, the funeral of a concubine is conducted with higher protocols, and sometimes even posthumous honors are bestowed to demonstrate the royal family's benevolence. Yet, Lady Jia was not only denied posthumous honors but also stripped of her consort title and demoted, indicating the Emperor's deep disdain, disregarding even the reputation of her daughter, the princess."

"What exactly happened last night in Fuyang Palace? What did Lady Hu do to enrage the Emperor so much that he looked furious and intended to visit Yaohua Palace late at night, only to ultimately return to Jianzhang Palace?"

"While Jiang Hui pondered, Xu Xiuyuan was shocked by the news. She knew well that the 'water incident' in Fuyang Palace was a pretext - her Guangyang Palace was far from Fuyang Palace, but if it had truly flooded, wouldn't there be officials from the Penal Bureau involved?"

"Despite her thoughts, Xu Xiuyuan dared not voice a question: What had Lady Hu done to be condemned by the Emperor for misconduct and causing chaos in the palace?"

"Having delivered the news, the Empress noticed the silence below and continued, 'As for the Second Princess, she will henceforth be raised in Fengyi Palace.'"

"Upon hearing this, Xu Xiuyuan urgently raised her head, 'The Second Princess? Your Majesty, is this also by the Emperor's decree?'"

"She had longed for a child for many years, never even having news of a pregnancy, and was quite eager to foster a child."

"The Empress, aware of her longing, nodded slightly, dashing Xu Xiuyuan's hopes."

"Xu Xiuyuan fell silent, and the hall quieted down again. The Empress surveyed the room, her gaze sweeping over the mostly empty rosewood chairs, before announcing a third matter."

"'The selected maidens from various provinces have arrived in the capital. After the final selection, they will reside in the Chuxiu Palace. They will be taught by instructors appointed by the Inner Palace Bureau. I hope you all refrain from visiting Chuxiu Palace unnecessarily, to avoid any unnecessary incidents.'"