Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Consort Xiang sent over another set of newly made clothes for Tun’er. The designs were fresh and amusing, and in private, I rather liked dressing Tun’er in them. I truly did not know how Consort Xiang came up with so many ideas.

After looking the clothes over, I had Yuanluo take them away and carefully inspect them for anything amiss. Although I trusted Consort Xiang, there was never any harm in being a little more cautious. On this point, Consort Xiang agreed with me wholeheartedly.

If I ever forgot to mention it, she would bring it up herself. She was very prudent now. When she had first entered the residence, she had not been like this at all. She had been a pampered young lady from a good family, always wanting to compete with Lady Xue.

Only later, after she offended His Majesty once and was punished for it, did her temperament quiet down. She stopped blindly trying to push herself into His Majesty’s presence and instead took to visiting me.

I could guess a little of what she was thinking. It was nothing more than realizing His Majesty was not exactly a good husband, so she might as well obediently attach herself to the principal wife and seek protection. I thought it was quite good that she could understand this. Added to her skill with needlework, after observing her for more than half a year, I felt she was acceptable.

Her current rank as Consort was something I had requested for her when titles were first granted. She had come from His Majesty’s former princely residence, and her family background was decent as well. A higher consort rank would have been a little too much, but Consort suited her perfectly.

In winter, one was always too lazy to get up, but unfortunately, I was greedy for a reputation as a virtuous wife. I could not very well cancel the morning greetings.

Only, just after I rose, someone from Lady Xue’s side came to say that she was unwell and would not be coming today.

I thought it over. Yesterday, His Majesty had spent the night at her place. Forget it. She was weak to begin with, and it was snowing besides. Let her do as she pleased.

But before I had even finished getting ready, His Majesty sent a young eunuch over with a message, saying that early this morning, His Majesty had conferred the rank of Attendant Chen upon Lady Chen.

“Was it not the Noble Consort who attended His Majesty last night?” I asked.

The young eunuch gave an awkward smile. “The Noble Consort was indisposed, so she had Lady Chen serve in her place.”

I waved him off and had the young eunuch withdraw, but in my heart, I understood. Lady Xue was likely not coming today because she felt uncomfortable about it. Lady Xue had always been in poor health, but in all these years, I had never once seen her allow another woman to serve His Majesty in her stead. Most likely, someone had grown ambitious and taken advantage of an opening.

During morning greetings, Lady Chen came as well. I looked her over. I had originally thought she must be some extraordinarily beautiful girl, but seeing her now, she was merely a pretty, modest sort of beauty. Compared with Lady Xue, there was still a wide gap. I truly did not know how she had caught His Majesty’s eye.

I imagined everyone else was curious too.

That evening, I heard that His Majesty had gone to Lady Xue’s palace again, only to be shut out. In this entire palace, only Lady Xue would dare do such a thing.

I had no idea what was going on between those two. His Majesty went over for two or three days in a row, yet never managed to see her. Perhaps to spite Lady Xue, His Majesty summoned Lady Chen for several days instead. It was truly unpleasant.

In the end, His Majesty was the first to lower his head. He came to me and asked me to reconcile things with Lady Xue. I did not dare argue with him, and only said I would do my best.

“I trust the Empress,” he said.