Chapter 32: Seeking Favor

Chapter 32: Seeking Favor

With Min Jieyu bedridden from her fall, Wan Selected Attendant confined and out of the emperor's favor, and the Noble Consort ill from summer heat and temporarily removed from the roster, a series of events left Xu Xiu Yuan enjoying her strolls around Tai Ye Pool once again.

As the weather grew hotter, the Astronomical Bureau submitted a report, and the emperor, concerned about locust plagues in the north and floods in the south, specially appointed Minister Xu Da from the Ministry of Works as the imperial envoy to inspect water conservancy projects.

Xu Da was Xu Xiu Yuan's uncle, hence when she invited the emperor to join her at Tai Ye Pool that evening, the emperor readily agreed.

Xu Xiu Yuan dressed meticulously, wearing a light green gauze dress with cloud borders, a piaose embroidered skirt with joint lotus patterns trailing the ground, draped in a ten-patterned brocade floral cloak, and donning a pearl lotus crown, with her makeup in the fashionable pearl hibiscus style complementing her striking face.

Accompanied by the beauty, Xiao Sheng was in good spirits, laughing and talking with Xu Xiu Yuan as they boarded the specially crafted dragon boat by the Palace Stewardship. They enjoyed the gentle evening breeze, admired the budding pink lotuses in Tai Ye Pool, and finally stopped to rest in Zhao Yue Pavilion.

Unlike Feng Lai Pavilion built over the waters of Suo Yue Pond, Zhao Yue Pavilion was located on the banks of Tai Ye Pool, surrounded by semi-transparent gauze curtains, concealed by artificial hills and dense bamboo clusters. One had to walk along a stone path and around several bends to see the scenery inside.

Therefore, both the emperor and Xu Xiu Yuan were surprised to find someone already in the pavilion.

Clearly a woman, dressed in a light pink plain silk robe, she was reclining on a wooden armchair in the pavilion, resting. From Xiao Sheng's angle, only half of her snow-white face was visible.

The palace maid by her side, startled, immediately knelt to greet them, "I am Yin Zhu, greeting Your Majesty and Noble Lady Xu."

Xu Xiu Yuan, following a step behind the emperor, changed her expression and scolded, "Where did this maid come from to disturb His Majesty and my leisure? Leave at once!"

Hearing the commotion outside, a eunuch quickly knelt and begged for forgiveness, "I have neglected my duty in clearing the path to the Moon Gazing Pavilion. I deserve death! Please, Your Majesty and Consort Xu, punish me!"

Startled, Yin Zhu shivered and quickly attempted to help up the woman seated in the pavilion.

"Yin Zhu?"

The woman, awakened by the noise, sat up groggily. Seeing her maid's frantic gestures, she turned her head, only to notice two additional figures in the pavilion.

She instantly bowed, "Xie of Yu Fu Palace's Moon Embracing Pavilion, greets Your Majesty and Consort Xu."

"Consort Xie?" The Emperor scrutinized her, her appearance differing from the ethereal beauty of the Noble Consort and the innocent charm of Feng Pingping. Consort Xie possessed an aggressive, bold face, with upturned eyes and a brazen demeanor, like a flourishing begonia.

A flicker of admiration crossed Xiao Sheng's eyes as he recalled her vague image from the palace selection, "Ladies of the Taiye Pond are free to roam; please, be seated."

Hearing this, Consort Xu's brows furrowed, she cast a suspicious glance at Consort Xie, "Why is Consort Xie here in the Moon Gazing Pavilion? Did you know in advance about His Majesty and my visit to Taiye Pond?"

Accusing her of spying on the Emperor's whereabouts to gain favor.

Barely seated, Consort Xie quickly knelt again, "I dare not! Ever since entering the palace, I've been ill. Only yesterday, the imperial physician declared my recovery from a cold, so I thought to see the beauty of Taiye Pond. Please, Your Majesty, understand my innocence."

"Well then, it's fate. Please, sit and speak," Xiao Sheng gestured for Yin Zhu to help Consort Xie, while Consort Xu clenched her teeth in frustration.

Consort Xie, not wishing to overstay, respectfully said, "I've disturbed Your Majesty and Consort Xu's leisure. It's improper for me to linger."

With a brief glance at the Emperor and noticing no objection, she sighed in relief and respectfully exited, taking her rosewood pipa with her as she left.

As they left the Moon Gazing Pavilion behind, Yin Zhu, holding a pipa, looked around cautiously. Seeing no one else on the palace path, she whispered to Consort Xie, "My lady, will His Majesty really visit the Moon Embracing Pavilion?"

Consort Xie's lips curved slightly, replying softly, "Not today."

Yin Zhu, well aware of her mistress's precise actions, waited patiently and heard Consort Xie continue, "Nor tomorrow."

"Ah?" Yin Zhu was momentarily taken aback before Consort Xie chuckled, "Silly Yin Zhu, how could His Majesty personally visit the pavilion of a mere Sixth-Rank Beauty?"

"I was mistaken," Yin Zhu realized, expecting that it should have been the Feng Luan Chun En carriage coming to pick them up.

Xie Beauty, with her striking beauty and a demeanor of effortless grace, was indeed favored by the emperor the next day. He even showed rare compassion for this newly favored concubine, allowing her a day's rest before visiting Feng Yi Palace.

Yet, Xie Beauty was not one to overstep her bounds and arrived early at Feng Yi Palace to wait.

With the Noble Consort ill, Xu Xiu Yuan was the only high-ranking consort sitting at the head. She found Xie Beauty, kneeling and serving tea to the Empress, displeasing and believed the Emperor would have stayed longer at Guang Yang Palace if not for her.

However, the Empress, seated on the throne, was accepting the tea from Xie Beauty. Xu Xiu Yuan restrained herself and did not act out.

"Alright, Xie Beauty, you've worked hard last night. Please rise," the Empress said, sipping the tea and setting down the cup, "From now on, serve His Majesty well and soon bear him heirs."

"Yes," Xie Beauty replied, a hint of shyness on her face, "I will heed the Empress's teachings."

Seizing the moment after the tea ceremony, Xu Xiu Yuan said, "In my view, Xie Beauty should indeed listen carefully to the Empress’s teachings today, otherwise, you might lose the privilege to visit Feng Yi Palace."

Only ladies of rank from Selected Attendant and above were entitled to visit Feng Yi Palace daily to greet the Empress. As just a sixth-rank Beauty, Xie Beauty was only allowed after having served in the emperor's chambers. Xu Xiu Yuan's words were a blatant mockery.

The Empress remained expressionless, while Xie Beauty seemed frightened, not offering any retort, and simply bowed, "I will heed Noble Lady Xu's teachings."

Xu Xiu Yuan felt like punching cotton, her frustration intensifying. She was about to say more when the Empress said indifferently, "Enough, the Emperor’s birthday feast is on the seventeenth of June, the noon banquet will be held in Zi Ji Hall, attended by princes and ministers. The evening banquet will be a family affair in Qian Nian Hall. If you have any talents to present, notify Chun Yan at Feng Yi Palace in advance."

"Yes," came a chorus of respectful replies.

Perhaps in response to Xu Xiu Yuan's words, or simply coincidentally, the emperor favored Xie Beauty for three consecutive days, promoting her to a fifth-rank Noble Lady and soon after, bestowing her the title "Li."

Rising from a sixth-rank Beauty directly to a fifth-rank Noble Lady, bypassing the rank of Selected Attendant, Li Noble Lady suddenly became the most outstanding among the new ladies, second only to Min Jieyu.

"Li?" Jiang Hui lightly fanned herself with a cat pouncing on a butterfly embroidered bamboo-handled fan, sitting by the window, and softly articulated the word "Li."

Sitting opposite her, holding her child, was Cheng Ping Grand Princess, who had submitted her tab to enter the palace. She scoffed, "Just a trinket for pleasure."

"Mother is becoming increasingly outspoken," Jiang Hui teased.

"If my son can’t even hold his ground in Yao Hua Palace, it’s better he returns home with me early," the Cheng Ping Grand Princess said with a faint smile.

"Ah—yiyah—" The child seemed eager to join in the conversation between his mother and grandmother, babbling happily, delighting the Cheng Ping Grand Princess who showered him with kisses.

After a moment of affection, she continued, "Ever since the demise of Yuan Hui Crown Prince and Yi Ci Empress, the Cheng En Marquis House has been on the decline, with the men in the family unable to hold their ground, eventually relying on the women."

"With Chang Le Prince in place, the Cheng En Marquis House shouldn’t be doing too poorly," Jiang Hui commented lightly.

Chang Le Prince, the legitimate son of Yuan Hui Crown Prince, was just over ten years old and had been titled Prince. Upon ascending the throne, Xiao Sheng changed his title to Chang Le, a gesture with clear implications.

Disinterested in this, the Cheng Ping Grand Princess shifted the topic, "There's news from the Hong Lu Temple. Surrounding tributary states plan to visit for the Emperor's birthday celebration. The Xiongnu are also sending envoys."

"The Xiongnu?" Jiang Hui asked in surprise, "What about father then...?"

"Earlier this year, the Xiongnu attempted to seize Zhen Bei Pass, capitalizing on the Emperor's recent ascension. Fortunately, the northern frontier army was valiant, and your father timely led reinforcements, preventing their success."

"The old Chanyu of the Xiongnu died, and now his younger son has ascended the throne. He intends to send envoys to renew diplomatic relations, reportedly bringing a princess for a marital alliance," the Cheng Ping Grand Princess explained.