Chapter 9

July 1st, Tong Jiahe rose early to wash and dress.

On the first and fifteenth of every month, the concubines would pay their respects to the Empress Dowager at Ciren Palace. The lesser consorts from the rear palace were also expected to accompany their leading ladies.

The few lesser consorts of Chengqian Palace waited outside from early morning, watching as palace maids filed in to tend to the Noble Consort, while Miss Pu Yu was busier than ever, barely touching the ground.

Only after the Noble Consort was ready did they set off together for Ciren Palace.

Upon arrival, the Noble Consort took the seat of honor, followed by several women of the pin rank, and lastly the unestablished lesser consorts. Once the greetings were completed, Tong Jiahe carefully observed the gathering of beauties.

It had to be said, Emperor Kangxi’s harem was vast, and the array of slender and plump figures was dazzling to behold.

That day, Kangxi had come to Chengqian Palace only after leaving Yonghe Palace. As the master of balancing favor within the harem, Kangxi could visit several concubines in a single day, which was no evidence of anything in particular.

Tong Jiahe’s gaze inadvertently swept over Consort De, who keenly noticed and returned a polite, standard smile to the Noble Consort.

Their eyes met briefly, a tacit understanding passing silently between them.

“Where is Consort Yi? Why hasn’t she arrived yet?”

Someone spoke, and all eyes turned toward Consort Guoluo.

Consort Yi and Consort Guoluo were sisters; naturally, the one who could stand behind Consort Yi at Yikun Palace was her.

“Consort Yi is clever; surely she is inside attending to the Empress Dowager’s grooming,” said Consort Xi.

Consort Xi was last in rank among the pin consorts, with less favor and status than Consort Yi, and often made snide remarks about her, which everyone was used to.

The Empress Dowager doted on Consort Yi’s fifth son and treated her kindly.

Whether this was due to Consort Yi’s own talent or favor shown out of respect for the fifth prince was the Empress Dowager’s business. Only a jealous woman like Consort Xi would dare to question the Empress Dowager’s decisions so openly.

The light teasing from others seemed unheard by Consort Guoluo, who smiled silently in response.

Perhaps out of boredom from waiting, the previously shy glances aimed at Tong Jiahe grew bolder. She noticed several gazes glued unwaveringly to her.

After the Noble Consort fell ill from losing her position, many in the palace had hoped to see some drama, but the few lesser consorts of Chengqian Palace were like quails—no matter how others tried to pry, not a single word escaped their lips.

Now, with the Noble Consort finally appearing, the concubines exchanged looks. After long eye contact, no one dared approach to add to the Noble Consort’s misfortune. With the position of Empress vacant, Noble Consort Tong was now the foremost among the concubines.

Borjigit glared fiercely at the Noble Consort, gritting her teeth but powerless.

Tong Jiahe paid no heed to Borjigit, gently asking Consort Su, who looked unwell today, if she would like some hot tea.

Consort Su declined softly.

With so many eyes on the Noble Consort, she did not want to trouble her further.

Sitting below Tong Jiahe was Consort An Li, who was surprised to see the Noble Consort. She had thought the Noble Consort’s background made her disdain these lesser consorts, yet she was close with someone like Consort Su, who shared a similar origin.

Having given the Noble Consort a thorough glance, Consort An noticed several seats were empty today. Besides the ailing Consort Duan, Consort Hui was also absent.

Usually, Consort Hui was always among the earliest to arrive at Ciren Palace, making her absence unusual.

“I’m late, I’m late!” A palace maid lifted the curtain as Consort Hui hurried in.

After a few steps, she stopped and beckoned someone behind her, smiling, “What’s there to be shy about? Come meet the other sisters.”

Upon hearing a sudden intake of breath from somewhere, Tong Jiahe looked curiously in Consort Hui’s direction.

Behind Consort Hui followed a delicate beauty dressed in pale pink banner attire, so fragile it seemed a breeze might scatter her. She trailed uneasily, unable to raise her head.

Consort Hui was the last to arrive, and now all eyes focused on this previously unseen beauty.

“This is my palace sister, Consort Wei. After giving birth to the eighth prince, her health has been weak, but she has just recovered recently,” Consort Hui’s voice was bright. “Today is a good day; I brought Sister Wei out to introduce her so everyone can mingle.”

Consort Wei was extraordinarily beautiful, a rare sight in the palace. At the moment Consort De glimpsed her, she understood why Consort Hui had kept Wei hidden for so long, not even allowing her to appear at the eighth prince’s full-month banquet.

At last, all could see the legendary peerless palace maid whose scandalous advances had caused such a stir back then.

Noticing the direct and unabashed gazes probing Consort Wei, Consort Hui did not try to shield her.

Consort Wei was timid and shy. Bringing her out now was to show that raising the eighth prince close to her was the best path for them both.

“Truly, appearances can be deceiving. The delicate Sister Wei, once thought unlikely to bear children, has given birth to such a lovely eighth prince,” someone began to speak with veiled barbs.

“We are all sisters here; Sister Wei must share any insights she has with us,” another chimed in.

Consort Wei had never seen such a scene before. When she was a palace maid, these concubines were her superiors—none to be trifled with. Now that she was a lesser consort, she still dared not...

“The Empress Dowager is about to come out,” Tong Jiahe interrupted the circle of scrutiny.

The Noble Consort’s words carried weight, and the clucking concubines quieted immediately.

Consort Hui was momentarily taken aback but smiled and added, “If I’d known you all liked Sister Wei so much, I’d have brought her out sooner with all sorts of potions and remedies.”

Several concubines friendly to Consort Hui laughed and joined in the conversation. After Consort Hui sat down, Consort Wei stood cautiously behind her.

Despite the Noble Consort’s presence keeping most at bay, some could not help but steal glances at Consort Wei. Such beauty was naturally intimidating.

Among the concubines, Consorts Yi and De were the most favored, and neither was liked by Consort Hui. Elevating Consort Wei was equivalent to blocking the paths of Consorts De and Yi, which pleased Consort Hui immensely.

The Empress Dowager appeared only after the incense had burned for a while.

Tong Jiahe led the concubines in paying their respects.

Once everyone was seated, the Empress Dowager inquired individually about the princes and princesses raised by certain favored concubines but deliberately passed over Tong Jiahe.

Everyone then understood that the matter of the fourth prince remained unsettled.

After asking about her grandchildren, the Empress Dowager was satisfied.

Consort Su looked worriedly at the Noble Consort, but the Noble Consort calmly led everyone to withdraw.

—

Yikun Palace.

Consort Yi slammed two porcelain vases to the floor. The palace maids nearby dared not even breathe; a few braver ones secretly glanced at Consort Guoluo.

The Noble Consort was bedridden, and the Emperor had personally visited her, leaving no doubt among the women of the harem that the Emperor intended to reconcile with her.

Consort Hui, one of the earliest concubines to serve Kangxi, had learned to read the Emperor’s intentions well over the years. Knowing the Emperor would not punish the Noble Consort, she boldly ventured to Chengqian Palace to visit her.

“Consort Hui was just fretting over no chance to speak with the Noble Consort, but then Chen accidentally created the opportunity. When sleep comes, someone offers a pillow—Nala should thank Yonghe Palace’s lady properly for this. They’ve spent years cozying up to fools without schemes or skill.”

Consort Yi was so angry she struggled to catch her breath. “And Consort Hui isn’t innocent either. Seeing her age advancing and unlikely to gain much favor with the Emperor, she resorted to base tactics by pushing Consort Wei forward.”

“What a frail beauty! There’s no one in our palace who can compare,” Consort Yi’s eyes reddened as she threw her handkerchief to the ground and stamped on it fiercely.

Consort Guoluo, Consort Yi’s sister, naturally understood the reason for her sister’s outburst.

In terms of charm, no concubine in the palace could outshine Consort Yi. Now, with someone like Consort Wei, a fragile beauty, suddenly emerging, Consort Yi naturally feared for her favored position.

Consort Hui had the eldest prince and Consort Wei’s eighth prince close by; Consort De had the fourth prince and now the sixth prince as well; and her own fifth prince was with the Empress Dowager. If she lost favor, she would truly have no way to raise her children.

Zhongcui Palace and Yonghe Palace had joined forces to scheme against the Noble Consort, and she had been caught in the crossfire.

“Sister…” Consort Yi buried her face on Consort Guoluo’s shoulder, crying with tears like a falling pear blossom. “My child, when will my child be back with me?”

Yinqi was her firstborn, her heart and soul. Though she held the position of palace mistress, she could not raise her child by her side. Just thinking of Yinqi made Consort Yi’s heart bleed.

Since entering the palace, she had resented her family and herself.

If her family were not of the bondservant banner, Yinqi could have been raised with her from birth. If she had risen faster after entering the palace, becoming a pin consort before Yinqi’s birth, her son could have grown up beside her.

Consort Guoluo was silent for a long moment, then gently embraced her, comforting her as she had countless times before, calling her name again and again.

“Nalan Zhu, don’t cry. Soon, very soon.”

“Nalan Zhu, you will have another child soon.”