However, the Empress was blissfully unaware.
The Emperor had not visited Jiaofang Hall for a long time, and she was determined to perform well and strive for his attention.
"Your Majesty..."
The Empress stepped forward slowly and called out in a gentle voice.
She planned to be a good wife, to be the cultured companion who added fragrance to his study, grinding ink for him as he wrote.
Zhao Junyao glanced at her but paid her no heed.
Thinking he had acquiesced, she was thrilled, yet her hand trembled.
Her gorgeous sleeve brushed against the inkstone. With a flick, ink dripped onto the floor, and then it was everywhere.
In a panic, the Empress backed away, even stepping in the ink multiple times. In the end, with another tremble of her hand, she snapped the ink stick in half.
"Your... Your Majesty..." the Empress stammered.
Zhao Junyao glanced at her, paused for a moment in silence, then issued a direct order.
"The Empress must be tired! Li Shengan, see the Empress back properly!"
Li Shengan responded, "Yes!"
Then he said to the Empress, "Empress, this is the Imperial Study. Please, it would be best if you returned."
Albeit reluctant, the Empress had no choice but to leave.
The turmoil caused in the Harem by the Little Prince’s untimely demise quickly subsided.
What the women were most concerned about was whom the Emperor had recently favored.
If not themselves, then they’d find a way to attract the Emperor’s gaze and make him dote on them.
In any case, no matter what happened, what truly captured their attention was still that most esteemed man under Heaven!
With the Noble Consort fallen from grace, the Empress reigned supreme in the Harem.
The others were still fine, but Consort Yun was restless.
Without her backer, she became much more restrained in the Empress’s presence.
Meticulous in her morning and evening greetings, she was faultless.
Each day, the Empress, high and mighty, watched as the Harem members respectfully saluted her and flattered her in ever-changing ways.
The sense of loss from losing the Emperor’s favor soon vanished from her heart.
It was raining outside again.
Several bouts of autumn rain fell, and before they even had a chance to wear their new autumn clothes, they already needed to switch to warmer layers.
When everyone came to pay respects, they had to wear a thin quilted jacket underneath and then cover it with a thick cloak to stay warm.
Xia Ruqing arrived neither early nor late and just took her seat.
She kept her head down, pretending to be invisible.
Once everyone arrived, she followed the crowd to greet the Empress.
The Empress looked rosy and radiant, smiling as she greeted everyone.
"Rise, all of you!"
"Thank you, Empress!"
The Empress then said with a smile, "Please take your seats. It’s getting cold; everyone be careful not to catch a chill!"
Then she turned to ask Yu Lan, "Are the winter garments from the Ministry of Internal Affairs ready? Have they been distributed?"
Yu Lan answered, "Replying to Your Majesty, they have all been distributed!"
The Empress looked around and saw that everyone seemed to be wearing theirs, and she laughed with relief.
"That’s good..." After sipping some tea, the Empress led a conversation for a while.
Suddenly, her gaze landed on Consort Yun.
"Consort Yun’s outfit is quite lovely!"
With that one sentence, everyone’s attention was drawn to her.
Consort Yun stiffened, forced a smile, and stood up awkwardly.
"Thank you, Empress!"
The Empress smiled and naturally shifted her gaze to Honored Lady Xi and Honored Lady Lan, who were beside Consort Yun.
"Oh..." The Empress mused. "With all the bustle, this palace nearly forgot... You two have been lodging with Consort Yun in Yaoyue Palace, which really is a bit cramped... There are plenty of places in the palace; it’s not as if there isn’t enough room... You should... move somewhere else. Honored Lady Lan can go to Zhaohua Pavilion, and Honored Lady Xi to Lijing Pavilion..."
Zhaohua Pavilion was where Xia Ruqing had previously resided.
Someone looked at Xia Ruqing with ill intention.
Xia Ruqing herself didn’t feel anything. Anyway, just don’t come to Qingya Residence; that’s fine! Lijing Pavilion is Honored Lady Hu’s place. She’s been left to her own devices in the Cold Palace, so it’s obviously impossible for her to come out...
As for the others, they all froze for a moment.
It took a good while for both Honored Lady Xi and Honored Lady Lan to get up and express their thanks.
Only to hear the Empress say again, "Next year is the grand selection. New faces will enter the palace; naturally, they need guidance... It would be the same to have the newcomers stay with Consort Yun for guidance... Sister Consort Yun, what do you think?"
Consort Yun was furious, but she still had to grit her teeth and stand up.
"Yes, thank you, Empress..."
The Empress smiled with satisfaction.
"Enough. This palace still has to pay respects to the Empress Dowager. You all may return..."
With that, she got up and, taking Yu Lan’s hand, entered the inner chamber.
Everyone stood up to pay their respects, then dispersed.
"Your Majesty," Yu Lan began, "the Empress Dowager... isn’t she refusing visitors?"
The Empress sneered coldly. "What does it matter whether she sees visitors or not? I am the Empress, her legitimate daughter-in-law. It is only right and proper that a daughter-in-law shows respect to her mother-in-law..."
In other words, whether she sees me or not is her concern; whether I visit or not is my own. No matter what, my virtuous reputation is of utmost importance.
Yu Lan seemed to understand and added, "Then, Your Majesty... about Consort Yun..."