Chapter 7: Sometimes, I'm Actually Quite Clever Too

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Yuan Peipei pondered throughout the night and finally devised a way to warn the Emperor to be cautious of the male lead. She quietly penned a letter, revealing the Southern Prince’s secret faction in the south and his plans to rebel. Seizing an unguarded moment, she slipped the letter into the door of the Imperial Study and then fled, fearful of being seen.

Only after distancing herself far enough to ensure no one had noticed did she exhale in relief. Patting her chest, she muttered, “That scared me to death. Luckily, there were no guards in front of the Imperial Study today.” She glanced around, feigning nonchalance, and slowly made her way back to the Palace of Radiant Silks.

Inside the Imperial Study, Duke Dugu Jin held the letter, its handwriting unmistakably familiar, and couldn’t help but smile wryly. “She just slipped this in?” he asked.

The shadow guard beside him, utterly loyal and trustworthy, nodded. “Yes, Consort Rou was very careful to avoid the guards. After slipping the letter in, she fled immediately.” He too found the consort’s clumsiness baffling.

Would the Emperor fail to recognize his own handwriting? And would there truly be no guards in front of the Imperial Study?

Dugu Jin studied the letter’s contents, initially incredulous, but memories of how Peipei had twice helped him evade danger soon surfaced.

“Take men personally to the south. Investigate the Southern Prince’s movements. Remember, do not alert anyone,” Dugu Jin ordered.

The shadow guard bowed. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

Dugu Jin concealed the letter in a secret compartment nearby, then stood by the window, gazing southward. “Southern Prince, do not betray my trust.”

Peipei, proud of her flawless plan, hummed a tune as she returned. Cui Zhi and Lan Xin, curious at seeing their mistress so joyful, asked, “Your Highness, what has happened?”

“Are you expecting the monthly allowance?” Lan Xin inquired.

Peipei lifted her chin proudly. “Even better than receiving the monthly allowance. Oh, you wouldn’t understand. My parents say I’m foolish, but sometimes, I’m quite clever.”

Cui Zhi and Lan Xin grew even more curious, but Peipei said nothing. Even in her clumsiness, she knew that news of rebellion was best kept to as few as possible.

Maid Huiyuan came again. “It’s truly difficult to see Consort Rou. The Empress Dowager misses her and requests your presence.”

Caught off guard, Peipei had no excuse and followed her to the Palace of Benevolent Tranquility.

“Your servant pays respects to the Empress Dowager.”

The Empress Dowager’s face was grim. “Consort Rou, do you harbor discontent towards me?”

“Your servant dares not,” Peipei replied, too frightened to look up.

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The Empress Dowager scrutinized her for a moment. “Very well. Since that is so, my health has been poor lately. You shall stay tonight to attend to me.”

Peipei dared not refuse. “Yes.”

This was the plan the Empress Dowager and other consorts had devised: keep Peipei in the Palace of Benevolent Tranquility while the other consorts sought to capture the Emperor’s attention.

The first to act was Consort Ning. With a single cold glance, she silenced the other consorts, who dared not compete and turned away.

“Hmph!”

Consort Ning waited along the usual path to the Hall of Diligent Governance for a long time before finally seeing Duke Dugu Jin’s figure and hastened forward.

“Your servant pays respects, Your Majesty.”

Dugu Jin stood with hands clasped behind his back. “What business do you have?”

Consort Ning rose as well. “I specially had my father hunt a fresh young deer and had the kitchen prepare Your Majesty’s favorite smoked venison, along with a nourishing soup. Your Majesty might wish to taste it?”

Consort Ning’s father commanded significant forces; mentioning him now was a subtle reminder.

Dugu Jin clenched his hands behind his back tightly but showed no expression. “Very well.”

Consort Ning beamed with pride. Tonight, she intended to win the Emperor’s favor and conceive the heir. With a royal son, her status would rise immeasurably, and combined with her father’s military achievements, the position of Empress would be within reach.

Dugu Jin absently approached Consort Ning’s table, which was laden with delicacies, but he had no appetite.

“The general has always been an excellent hunter. This time, he’s been thoughtful,” Dugu Jin remarked as he sat.

Consort Ning hurriedly poured wine for him. “Your Majesty, we are all family. When my father brings good game, it is only right to offer it to you.”

Quite the family, indeed.

Dugu Jin sipped the wine, tasted the venison, nibbled some vegetables, but his appetite waned.

“I still have court affairs...” As he rose, dizziness overcame him. “Bold Consort Ning! You dare poison me!”

Consort Ning knelt, her expression pained. “I have served long in the palace, Your Majesty has never favored me. I only desire a child so that I may not be lonely hereafter. I beg Your Majesty’s fulfillment.”

She rose, supporting Dugu Jin towards the inner chamber...

Back at the Palace of Benevolent Tranquility, Peipei suddenly felt unease, as if something were about to happen. Her chest ached deeply.

Heartbroken, tears streamed down her face.

Her sobs grew louder and more plaintive.

“Wuwuwu...”

The Empress Dowager had just fallen asleep but was disturbed by the crying. “What is it?”

A maid answered, “It’s Consort Rou crying.”

The Empress Dowager scowled. “Tell her to be quiet. Has she been wronged in my palace?”

But Peipei’s crying was beyond what most could soothe.

She sobbed “wuwuwu” yet knew she was disturbing the Empress Dowager, so she knelt before her.

“Your servant... was disrespectful... Please forgive me, Empress Dowager... wuwuwuwu...”

The Empress Dowager’s head ached from the noise.

“Silence!”

Her shout terrified Peipei.

She had dared to cry in the Empress Dowager’s palace.

Would the Empress Dowager behead her?

She did not wish to die.

So she cried all the more fiercely.

“Wuwuwu...”

All night long, the Palace of Benevolent Tranquility was unrestful.

The Empress Dowager was exhausted and weary but helpless.

It was her own decision to keep Peipei there.

Maid Huiyuan whispered to the Empress Dowager, “I have heard that the second daughter of Chancellor Yuan’s family cries often and cannot be comforted when she does.”

The Empress Dowager now deeply regretted it. Why had she kept this weeping child in the Palace of Benevolent Tranquility?

“Send her away! Let her return to the Palace of Radiant Silks!” It was dawn, and she had not slept.

Peipei knew she was troublesome and bowed. “Your servant takes her leave.”

She was still sobbing as she left.

The Empress Dowager clutched her temples. “Oh dear! What sin have I committed? She shall come here less often in future—crying, crying, a bringer of misfortune!”

Maid Huiyuan promptly helped the Empress Dowager back to bed. “Yes, I will arrange it.”

On her way back to the Palace of Radiant Silks, Peipei happened upon Consort Shu and others paying respects to the Empress Dowager.

Seeing Peipei crying, they laughed.

“It seems Consort Rou has learned about the Emperor’s favoring of Consort Ning last night. But such things—crying won’t help. Yesterday was Consort Ning, tonight will be someone else. The Emperor belongs to all, not just you alone!”