Chapter 14

It was never hard for the Noble Consort to win back favor. She had a spoiled, imperious temperament, and Pei Qi-being the Son of Heaven-couldn’t possibly be the one to lower his head. So long as she figured that out and took the first step, Pei Qi would take the second and the third for her.

That was a privilege the Son of Heaven bestowed.

And also, favoritism.

Of course, Pei Qi came to see me the next day as well. His expression was a little complicated. I was still drowsy, and just like always, I looked up at him and smiled.

“Your Majesty is here.”

When he saw I wasn’t angry, his face eased. Then he seemed to think of something and asked,

“Do you know where I went yesterday?”

I didn’t understand why he was asking. “Naturally. Your Majesty went to the Noble Consort’s place yesterday.”

“And what do you think?” he pressed.

I went along with him. “It’s a good thing. Your Majesty has gained a beauty; this concubine congratulates Your Majesty.”

His expression abruptly turned ugly. “I went to another woman, and you’re that pleased?”

I shot back, “Is Your Majesty not pleased?”

If he weren’t, how could he have stayed there from night until dawn?

Sure enough, he choked on his words.

Then he turned and left without looking back.

Truly strange.

The Noble Consort had regained favor, yet she could no longer keep it all to herself. Pei Qi acted as though he had forgotten me; he often spent the night in the Noble Consort’s palace, and from time to time he would also go to other Concubines. But he never once went to the Empress.

Because in his eyes, the Empress was stiff and dull.

For a while, the Imperial Harem seemed to return to what it had been like before the Noble Consort came.

No one cared about the Empress, left out in the cold and ignored.

And no one cared about a Concubine who had once been doted on, only to lose that favor.

Only, I couldn’t help wondering how many pieces of porcelain inside the Noble Consort’s Palace were still unbroken.

People really can’t keep things bottled up.

Bottle them up long enough, and something will happen.

I counted the days and went to attend one of the Empress’s small gatherings. On her table, she had Squirrel Mandarin Fish set out for me, even deliberately nudging it toward my side.

I stared at it and stared-

and before I could stop myself, I started dry heaving.

The Empress was so startled she went pale, blurting out in alarm,

“What’s the matter? Are you alright?”

I didn’t take it too seriously and simply waved a hand. “Maybe I’ve just eaten it too many times.”

She nodded and had someone clear it away.