Chapter 100
In the main hall of the Fenghua Palace, Consort Xue wore plain robes, her hair arranged in a loose falling-horse bun without a single hairpin or ornament. No cushion had been placed on the floor, and beneath the thin brown patterned felt rug, the gold bricks radiated bone-deep cold. She had been kneeling for nearly half an hour. By now her knees had lost all sensation, though her posture remained steady—only fine beads of sweat gathering at her temples betrayed her discomfort.
Empress Feng appeared not to notice Consort Xue at all, leaning quietly on the divan with closed eyes, her slender wrist resting on a small round pillow. A palace maid knelt before her, carefully painting golden flowers on the Empress's fingernails.
Some unknown time passed before Empress Feng let out a yawn, lifting her hand to examine her exquisite nails, then smiled. "Your skill truly keeps improving... Look at this peony, layer upon layer of petals—truly exceptional."
The palace maid hastily deflected the compliment, and Empress Feng waved her off. "Go collect your reward... Oh my, is Consort Xue still kneeling?"
Empress Feng glanced at the water clock, feigning astonishment. "Didn't you arrive some time ago? Goodness... I must have dozed off. How careless of me to forget to let you rise. You've been kneeling all this time for nothing."
Consort Xue gritted her teeth, but her expression remained deferential. Lowering her eyes, she murmured softly, "Your Majesty has many matters to attend to daily. Feeling drowsy and occasionally falling asleep is only natural."
Empress Feng smiled. "I suppose so... Now that my health has improved and His Majesty has entrusted me with managing the six palaces, I truly am kept busy. You too—if I fall asleep, couldn't you have woken me? Just kneeling there like a fool."
Consort Xue's face turned pale, but she laughed quietly. "Your Majesty concerns herself daily with palace affairs and still has to attend to His Majesty's needs at the front hall. You truly labor hard. When you finally have a moment to rest, how could I be so inconsiderate as to wake Your Majesty abruptly for my own sake?"
Empress Feng shook her head, smiling, her words warm yet tinged with reproach. "You are simply too understanding... Well, what are you waiting for? Hurry and help Consort Xue to her feet!"
Only then did the handmaidens accompanying Consort Xue dare approach to assist their mistress. But Consort Xue had knelt for too long; the moment she tried to stand, she lost her balance and toppled forward. The handmaiden failed to catch her, and both crashed to the floor in a sorry state.
Empress Feng burst out laughing. Just as she was about to make another teasing remark, word came that Princess Dowager Dunsu had arrived. Empress Feng hastily composed herself and rose to greet her. Moments later, the Princess entered. Seeing the unfinished smile on Empress Feng's face and Consort Xue kneeling on the ground with an embarrassed expression, she understood the situation quite well. Lowering her eyes, she said coolly, "What are you all standing around for? Does this look presentable?"
Everyone in the palace knew that Empress Feng was somewhat intimidated by this formidable sister-in-law. Consort Xue's handmaiden, seeing an opportunity, plucked up her courage and murmured softly, "Your Highness, please forgive us. Our lady knelt for too long just now, and cannot stand steady. That's why..."
The girl left her sentence half-finished, but what more did Princess Dowager Dunsu need to hear? She cast a long, penetrating glance at Empress Feng. Empress Feng's expression faltered, and she forced a smile, waving her hand. "I didn't notice I had fallen asleep earlier and didn't realize Consort Xue had come to pay her respects. Please, do sit, Consort Xue. Rest a while."
Consort Xue cast a grateful glance at Princess Dowager Dunsu and sat down with a frown.
Satisfied with having made her point, Princess Dowager Dunsu also sat. She lowered her voice. "I just went to see His Majesty... He looked very ill. Coincidentally, I just heard of an excellent prescription for treating feverish illnesses. I'm not sure if it's good or not, so I thought I'd bring it for Your Majesty to examine."
The female official behind Princess Dowager Dunsu presented a medicinal prescription. Empress Feng took it and examined it. The prescription was perfectly standard—there were few proper medicinal ingredients, mostly rock sugar, mint leaves, snow pears, hawthorn, and the like. Empress Feng thought to herself that Princess Dowager Dunsu was still as cautious as ever, but her face showed only relief and gratitude. She thanked the Princess profusely, saying how thoughtful she was. Princess Dowager Dunsu shook her head. "Of course I worry about His Majesty. Didn't he seem much better just a few days ago? How did he suddenly become so much worse? He can't even get out of bed. I've only been away from the palace for a few days, and the Emperor has grown gaunt all over again. What exactly are the imperial physicians saying?!"
Empress Feng glanced at Consort Xue, her tone laden with meaning. "Your Highness does not know. A few days ago, Third Prince fell ill, and His Majesty was worried sick. That's why his condition worsened."
Princess Dowager Dunsu frowned slightly and looked at Consort Xue. "Third Prince fell ill? I wasn't aware. How is he now?"
Consort Xue's face was ashen, and she answered carefully, "Your Highness is too kind to inquire. He has made a full recovery."
Princess Dowager Dunsu nodded and sighed. "What is happening? These troubles keep plaguing the palace. Empress... the Spring Equinox is coming soon. Why not invite a renowned Buddhist monk to perform rites in the palace? It would ease everyone's anxieties and pray for blessings for His Majesty and the princes. What do you think?"
Empress Feng readily agreed. "An excellent idea."
After chatting for a while, Princess Dowager Dunsu turned to Consort Xue again and shook her head. "Consort Xue, you need to nourish yourself. One might think you were the one who is ill. You have always dressed simply, but now you look even more pitiful."
Consort Xue hastily rose when addressed by Princess Dowager Dunsu. "Thank Your Highness for your concern."
Princess Dowager Dunsu waved her off. "Among all the consorts, your rank is the highest, and His Majesty loves you best. Now that he is ill, it is precisely when he needs your care. If not for your own sake, then for the Emperor's, you should take better care of yourself. Don't let His Majesty recover while you run yourself into the ground first."
Consort Xue, who had endured countless slights today, was deeply touched by these words. Her sad face brightened, a glimmer of moisture appearing in her eyes. She nodded. "Yes."
What Empress Feng could least bear to see was this display from Consort Xue. She laughed mockingly and cut in, "Indeed. Everyone knows His Majesty's favorite is Consort Xue's tremella and lotus seed soup. His Majesty often says that anything prepared by someone else's hands just doesn't taste the same."
She deliberately emphasized the words "tremella and lotus seed soup." Upon hearing this, Consort Xue's frail frame swayed, nearly falling from her seat. Princess Dowager Dunsu furrowed her brow and looked at Empress Feng questioningly. Empress Feng sipped her tea as if she had merely been making pleasant conversation, then smiled again. "By the way, I've heard Your Highness has been arranging another marriage lately?"
Princess Dowager Dunsu smiled elegantly. "So Your Majesty has heard of it too? It's hardly a proper marriage—merely making introductions and connections."
Empress Feng pressed further. "When will she arrive in the capital?"
"No grand ceremony needed. Once both sides agree, they'll simply send someone to fetch her." Princess Dowager Dunsu thought a moment. "As for when she'll arrive in the capital... come to think of it, she should be here soon."
Empress Feng smiled dismissively. "I simply don't understand. A perfectly good girl, with family, with standing, with brothers and a mother—why must she rush to throw herself away as a concubine? It truly lowers one's status! If you don't respect yourself, yet still try to compete with others for position, how absurd."
Only then did Consort Xue realize they were discussing the marriage of Princess Kangtai of Lingnan. She understood that Empress Feng's parting words were meant for her ears. Her heart ached with bitterness. Since entering the palace, she had always been doted upon—Empress Feng had never dared treat her this way. But one misstep, and she had fallen to such a sorry state.
Seeing how poorly Consort Xue looked, Princess Dowager Dunsu dismissed her first. Consort Xue dared not leave until she saw Empress Feng's nod. Empress Feng had wanted to give Consort Xue another piece of her mind, but with Princess Dowager Dunsu present, she had no choice but to let it go.
"What's wrong with you all?" After Consort Xue left, Princess Dowager Dunsu frowned deeply and lowered her voice. "Empress, strictly speaking, I have no right to comment on inner palace affairs. But given the generational difference, I am your husband's elder sister-in-law, so I'll take the liberty of offering some advice... Consort Xue is merely a consort, no matter what. She can never surpass Your Majesty. You've seen with your own eyes how much His Majesty favored her in the past. Now that His Majesty is unwell and cannot give her his full attention, Your Majesty acts this way... Those who know will say Her Majesty the Empress was merely teaching Consort Xue a lesson. But those who don't will think Your Majesty is bullying a former favorite while His Majesty lies ill. If you earn a bad reputation, once the Emperor recovers, he may very well come to settle scores with you. Why bring this upon yourself?"
In the past, Empress Feng would have remained silent. But now she had righteousness on her side, and she was growing bold. She laughed coldly. "Your Highness need not worry. Even if His Majesty knew, he would not blame me. What Consort Xue has done, she knows best herself."
Princess Dowager Dunsu was puzzled. "What do you mean?"
Empress Feng smiled. "Nothing of consequence. By the way... Your Highness hasn't visited the palace in ages. Stay for midday meal, I shall have them prepare—"
Princess Dowager Dunsu shook her head. "No, my eldest daughter hasn't been well these past two days. I'll visit her on my way out of the palace."
Empress Feng was curious. "What's wrong with Fen'er?"
Princess Dowager Dunsu's eyes sparkled with amusement. She paused before saying, "She's pregnant again."
Empress Feng laughed. "Wonderful news! The young couple are so harmonious. Fen'er's womb is truly blessed—several sons already, and this one is probably another boy."
Princess Dowager Dunsu smiled and shook her head. "She and her husband are hoping for a daughter. Let them hope."
Empress Feng offered her congratulations and had someone fetch two bolts of fine brocade from the treasury for Princess Dowager Dunsu to take. Princess Dowager Dunsu did not linger, and after a short conversation, she took her leave.
"Is everything arranged?" After leaving Fenghua Palace, Princess Dowager Dunsu walked slowly along the Floating Light Pond in the imperial garden, supported by her trusted female official. She lowered her voice. "Under no circumstances must anyone else find out."
The female official lowered her eyes. "Your Highness may rest assured."
Princess Dowager Dunsu laughed mockingly. "Look at the way she was acting earlier... Let her enjoy her triumph for a few more days."
The female official smiled. "Your Highness, please mind your step... Past that corridor, Consort Xue is sitting in that pavilion."
Princess Dowager Dunsu nodded. "Help me over there."
At the Crown Prince's residence, Qi Xiao received Princess Dowager Dunsu in the warm pavilion. He smiled. "The weather is unfavorable. I should have come to pay my respects. Instead, I trouble Your Highness to make repeated trips."
Princess Dowager Dunsu handed her embroidered phoenix fur hand warmer to the accompanying nanny, sat down, and accepted the hand warmer Qi Xiao offered. She smiled and teased him. "Oh no, you mustn't. This residence must hide some wonderful treasures. Several times I wanted to visit, and you stopped me, claiming you were still ill and afraid of contagion. Now that you need something from me, suddenly you invite me over."
Jiang Deqing heard this and his expression faltered, barely keeping his composure. Treasures? Indeed, a treasure—but that treasure had returned to Lingnan just two days ago. That was why his young master dared to invite Princess Dowager Dunsu over now.
Qi Xiao's smile did not waver. "Your Highness jests. I truly did catch a chill those days and didn't dare let Your Highness come near."
Princess Dowager Dunsu teased him a bit more, then turned to her attendants. "I have words for the Crown Prince. All of you, step out. No one is to enter."
The room emptied. Princess Dowager Dunsu sipped her tea and lowered her voice. "As you asked, I told Consort Xue everything, word for word. But... I'm not sure how much she actually took to heart."
Qi Xiao smiled faintly. "It matters not. Your Highness delivered the message. The rest is my responsibility."
Princess Dowager Dunsu frowned, her voice dropping. "What truly happened? Consort Xue is not a rash person. Though she can be restless at times, always vying with Empress Feng, she has never done anything truly improper. This time she actually devised such a desperate ruse. Does she think the Emperor is a fool to be deceived?"
Qi Xiao smiled faintly. "There is something I forgot to tell Your Highness... It was I who, through someone else, let slip to Consort Xue that His Majesty has consumption."
Princess Dowager Dunsu froze, then understood everything. She exclaimed, "So that's it... That's why she was so desperate to have Qi Hua killed. She feared that before the Emperor passed, he would first destroy you and pass the throne to Qi Hua. If Qi Hua ascended... neither she nor her son would stand a chance."
Qi Xiao nodded. "What I told her was hurried, so her thinking was rushed too. She acted impulsively, and the Emperor saw through it immediately. Fortunately, she had some courage and insight. No matter how suspicious the Emperor was, no matter how Empress Feng pressed her in secret, she simply denied all knowledge and cleanly distanced Qi Qi from everything. But what of it? The Emperor doesn't believe her. She knows in her heart that this time she has made a mortal enemy of Empress Feng's faction. If Qi Hua ever takes the throne, her fate is sealed."
"Tch!" Princess Dowager Dunsu laughed coldly. "As if Qi Hua will ever take the throne! Don't make me laugh. The Emperor only put her back in charge because he had no one else to turn to. I've never seen anyone so shortsighted—getting so worked up over something so small. You should have seen how Empress Feng is acting, drunk with her little triumph. With an attitude like that, she still wants to rule as Mother of the Nation? Still wants to be Empress Dowager? Dream on..."
Qi Xiao chuckled softly. "Let her dream. Regardless of her reasons, Consort Xue did attempt to poison someone. The Emperor is deeply suspicious and will never attend to her again. Now he only keeps this matter quiet for the sake of imperial dignity. But he has secretly instructed his loyalists in the cabinet to steadily marginalize the Xue family. In the coming months, there will be fewer and fewer Xue officials at court. Consort Xue... will come to understand."
Princess Dowager Dunsu smiled and nodded. "Of course. As long as she's not a fool, she should realize that turning to help you is the right path. At the very least... you can preserve her life and her son's."
She laughed and shook her head. "I never imagined you could tolerate those two."
Qi Xiao smiled faintly. "It's not a matter of tolerance. When that incident happened years ago, Consort Xue was still unmarried and uninvolved. I have no reason to hold grudges against her. Since then, over these dozen years, she has only been competing with Empress Feng and Qi Hua, but she never dared to plot against me... Whether she was truly afraid, or was simply waiting for Qi Hua and me to destroy each other, she ultimately never crossed that line. If she can behave obediently from now on, there's no harm in sparing her and her son."
"But..." Qi Xiao paused. "That is the limit of it."
Princess Dowager Dunsu sighed. "Blood is blood... Alright, let's not discuss this. I'll take my leave now. I'll tell your uncle-in-law that I came to visit your cousin. After all these hours, I still haven't seen her yet."
Qi Xiao smiled. "I cannot go pay my respects personally. Please convey my congratulations to my cousin on my behalf. Jiang Deqing..."
Jiang Deqing hastily responded.
Qi Xiao continued, "Open the treasury. Take a box of golden-threaded bird's nest, two bottles of guilinggao jelly, two white jade ruyi scepters, and twelve bolts each of fine silk in all seasonal colors. Also instruct the southern estate—every few days, send some乌骨鸡 black-bone chickens to my cousin. This must not be delayed."
Princess Dowager Dunsu laughed repeatedly. "My, my... What great fortune she has, that you think of her so fondly."
Qi Xiao smiled. "She is my only cousin, as dear to me as my own sister. How could I not think of her?"
Princess Dowager Dunsu was deeply touched. If Qi Xiao successfully ascended the throne in the future, aside from settling that old grievance, his sense of gratitude would surely lead him to treat her children even better.
Princess Dowager Dunsu put on her cloak and murmured with a smile, "Very well, I'm off. If there is any further news from Consort Xue, I will send someone to inform you immediately."
Qi Xiao nodded. "Thank you, Your Highness."
After seeing Princess Dowager Dunsu off, Jiang Deqing could not help but ask, "Your Highness... from the very beginning, when you had Physician Liu deliberately leak the matter of the consumption to Consort Xue... had you already planned to use her later?"
Qi Xiao smiled but did not answer.