Chapter 5
The Empress Dowager summoned the Princess Royal to the palace for a visit.
The princess gave a cold snort. Upon returning, she kicked off her gold-embroidered shoes and cursed.
“Who does she think she is? Does she really fancy herself my mother? A clan’s concubine-born daughter, fetched from some forgotten corner, with commoners’ blood in her veins—she thinks she’s a noble Empress Dowager?
“All she did was seduce Father with that sly little face!”
Then she touched the red marks on her body, hatred in her eyes. “And my husband! He actually asked me in the hall where these marks came from. Why should I tell him?”
As usual, I moisturized her skin and massaged her shoulders.
“Please calm yourself, Your Highness.
“The prince consort is the Empress Dowager’s nephew. Those words may not have been his own.”
Her eyes shifted. She understood immediately, and soon directed her hatred toward the Empress Dowager.
“So it’s that woman! Is she jealous of my beauty?”
The current Empress Dowager had been chosen from among the common people by the late emperor. She was close to the princess’s age. It was likelier that the princess envied her than the reverse.
I obediently kept silent and left her to think.
Only when she had nearly finished cursing did I speak meekly.
“Your Highness is of exalted birth and carrying a child. The weather is growing warmer too. With skin as delicate as yours, how could you be expected to exert yourself? Perhaps your servant could pay respects to the Empress Dowager on your behalf.
“Your Highness need only tend your skin and outshine the whole capital at the palace banquet.”
My words pleased her. With a wave, she agreed.
The princess had always been willful. Soon everyone knew she was staying indoors and sending a servant to pay respects in her place.
When I greeted the young Empress Dowager, she studied me, then frowned.
“Since the Princess Royal cannot come because of her pregnancy, let her rest. Prince Consort, take good care of her.”
He nodded. A vicious look flashed in his eyes as he made a suggestion. “Aunt, the princess has been married for some time, yet His Majesty’s harem is still empty. Surely that won’t do?”
The emperor’s expression changed. The Empress Dowager, however, nodded in agreement.
Seeing this, the prince consort smiled and offered to send the emperor a few beauties.
It was a jest.
Unexpectedly, the Empress Dowager agreed.
“An excellent idea. This concerns the continuation of the imperial line. See to it properly.
“If you cannot decide, have the princess help you consider suitable candidates. Bring me a list in a few days.”
On the way back, the prince consort walked with a spring in his step.
I followed behind him, lowering my head to hide my smile.
The princess surely had no idea how deep a pit her beloved husband had dug for her.