Chapter 13
Chapter 13
[Prince Consort, the Princess Has Been Beaten to Death – 12]
Following the incident in which Empress Miao was driven from the palace, the emperor appeared to have learned a lesson. He visited the harem less often. Of the thirty nights in a month, he spent most in Taiji Hall. He went to the Empress’s palace on the first and fifteenth, then visited only a very small number of other consorts with any frequency.
With Noble Consort Qin stripped of rank and sent to the cold palace, Consort Shu Chang became the greatest beauty in the harem. Emperor Gaozu visited her several times each month-not often in itself, but conspicuous beside his treatment of the other palace consorts.
After being rebuked on the day Empress Miao returned, Consort Shu Chang behaved cautiously for some time. When the emperor visited, she served him with exquisite care and tender affection. As the days passed and the emperor never mentioned the incident again, remaining mild and pleasant rather than cold and severe in her company, her thoughts gradually began to stir.
Consort Shu Chang kept many singing girls in her palace. After dinner, Emperor Gaozu was in no hurry to retire. He reclined against a bolster and rested while Consort Shu Chang summoned the singers to perform music. Seated beside him, she cracked walnuts with a delicate little silver hammer.
The evening breeze drifted through the half-open window, and the atmosphere could hardly have been more harmonious. Seeing the emperor at ease and apparently in an excellent mood, Consort Shu Chang nestled closer, pressed her cheek into his palm, and called softly, “Your Majesty.”
Emperor Gaozu gave a small hum. Looking down at her, he asked gently, “What is it?”
Consort Shu Chang was silent for several moments before cautiously saying, “A few days ago, Her Majesty sent people to seize several eunuchs and palace maids from this subject-consort’s residence. She said they were involved in colluding with people outside the palace and had them confined in Yeting Prison.”
Emperor Gaozu showed no reaction. He merely said, “Oh. And then?”
Consort Shu Chang could not read his thoughts, and unease crept into her heart. Yet now that she had begun, she could not bear to stop halfway. Raising her face, she pleaded, “Your Majesty, the eunuchs are one thing, but those two palace maids have served this subject-consort for years…”
Emperor Gaozu picked up a walnut kernel and ate it slowly before replying in the same mild voice. “This is a matter of the harem. It does not fall under Our authority. You should appeal to the Empress. Enough. Say no more.”
A flash of anger crossed Consort Shu Chang’s eyes. “This subject-consort did go, but Her Majesty said that no eunuch or palace maid implicated in collusion with outside officials could be pardoned. They must enter Yeting Prison for punishment. She would not listen to this subject-consort’s pleas at all!”
Emperor Gaozu sighed and sat upright. “Then tell Us, Consort Shu: were those eunuchs and palace maids involved in the case of collusion with outside officials? If you vouch that they were not, then as soon as that is verified, We will order their immediate release and reprimand the Empress for mismanaging the harem.”
Consort Shu Chang’s beautiful face paled. She stammered, unable to conceal herself. Only after a long while did she say, “Can Your Majesty not make a single exception for this subject-consort?”
Emperor Gaozu stared at her for a moment. Without saying a word, he put on his boots, rose, and left.
Consort Shu Chang panicked at the sight and hurried after him. “It is so late. Where is Your Majesty going?”
Emperor Gaozu said nothing. He removed her hand and departed for Taiji Palace. When the imperial procession had gone halfway, he summoned a eunuch beside him and ordered, “The Empress should not yet have retired. Go to Fengyi Palace and convey Our decree. Lady Chang has behaved disrespectfully. Strip her of the rank of Consort Shu, demote her to Zhaoyuan, and confine her for three months.”
The eunuch’s heart tightened. He answered respectfully and hurried to Fengyi Palace with the decree.
Empress Miao had indeed not yet retired. She was surprised when she heard the message. Remembering that Consort Shu Chang had visited to plead her case yesterday and that the emperor had gone to her palace today, she guessed what had happened. With a quiet sigh, she dismissed the eunuch and sent one of her female officials to proclaim the decree at the palace where Consort De Chang and Chang Zhaoyuan lived together.
No sooner had the female official departed than Chang Zhaoyuan smashed everything breakable in the inner hall to pieces.
Consort De Chang was both angry and distressed. She tried to stop her. “Elder Sister, what are you doing?!”
“Do not call me Elder Sister. I should be calling you that!” Tears stood in Chang Zhaoyuan’s eyes, but they could not soften her sharpness. Her lips curled mockingly as she bowed. “Greetings, Consort De.”
Consort De Chang trembled with anger. “Elder Sister!”
“Why are you still pretending?” Chang Zhaoyuan sneered. “My mother was a Noble Consort, born to a distinguished family. Your birth mother was only Mother’s hairdressing maid. Now you have finally risen above me. Are you happy?”
“What nonsense are you saying?!”
Unable to endure another word, Consort De Chang raised her hand and slapped her. Chang Zhaoyuan’s expression changed abruptly. Looking profoundly humiliated, she covered her cheek and glared at her sister with undisguised viciousness.
Consort De Chang swept her gaze around the room, displaying for once the authority of one of the Four Consorts. “All of you, leave! Guard your tongues and do not spread wild stories outside. However little favor I may enjoy, I can still deal with the people under my own roof!”
The palace maids and eunuchs felt a jolt of alarm. Whatever schemes had been stirring in their minds died at once. They lowered their heads and withdrew.
Only then did Consort De Chang turn back to Chang Zhaoyuan. Tears streamed down her face. “Elder Sister! The former dynasty has fallen. Both our mothers are beneath the earth. What meaning is there in dwelling upon those old matters? People of a fallen state drift without roots, yet our blood comes from the former imperial house. Do you know how deeply that invites suspicion? Did we not enter the palace as consorts to preserve the Chang Family’s bloodline and keep the new dynasty from tearing it out by the roots? The palace gates are locked, and we can rarely see our kin. Only the two of us share the same blood. We should be clinging to each other for survival; how can we still find room to suspect one another?”
Chang Zhaoyuan had never expected the younger sister she always looked down upon to say such a thing. Shame and remorse filled her, but she refused to show either. She turned her face away and said coldly, “What a performance.”
“Every word comes from my heart. I hope Elder Sister will remember them.”
Consort De Chang wiped her tears with a handkerchief and continued her counsel. “Our emperor is no fool. Even if he was confused for a time, he has corrected himself now. The Crown Prince has been appointed, and that choice will not lightly change. Even if it did, as women of the former dynasty, could either of us become the mother of the heir? Her Majesty is virtuous and kind. We need not seek merit; we need only avoid mistakes. Then each of us may live peacefully as a Consort Dowager and offer the Chang Family some protection, fulfilling the purpose for which we entered the palace. If Heaven blesses us with a son or daughter to rely upon in the future, that would be even greater fortune…”
Chang Zhaoyuan sneered. “There is nothing left now.”
“That isn’t true.” Seeing her elder sister’s despair, Consort De Chang tried to persuade her. “His Majesty only demoted you to Zhaoyuan. You are still one of the Nine Concubines; he did not reduce you to a commoner. If he truly meant to be cruel, he could have ordered you out of the main hall and sent you to live elsewhere. He left you here because I am here, so we sisters can look after each other.”
Chang Zhaoyuan’s heart ached, and tears began to fall.
Consort De Chang took her hand and said gently, “It is only three months. They will pass quickly. Her Majesty is mild and generous. She will not deliberately make things difficult for you. As for His Majesty…”
She paused briefly before continuing. “Judging by the recent actions of the Son of Heaven, the Reigning Emperor shows every sign of becoming an enlightened sovereign. Unless you truly violate one of his deepest taboos, he will not be excessively heartless. Elder Sister, you are young and beautiful. Learn from this lesson, and you will always have a chance to regain his favor.”
Through tear-filled eyes, Chang Zhaoyuan looked at the younger sister she had always despised. Her thoughts turned several times. Finally, she sighed and gave a small nod.
…
Consort Shu Chang had gone over the Empress’s head to plead with the emperor for eunuchs and palace maids imprisoned in Yeting Prison. For that, she was stripped of her rank as Consort Shu and demoted to Zhaoyuan. The incident thoroughly warned many palace consorts, especially those who had been growing restless ever since Lady Qin was sent to the cold palace. The faint agitation that had begun to stir in the harem vanished, and silence settled over it once more.
Empress Miao was neither petty nor jealous. Her eldest son was Crown Prince, her second son was growing into a strong young man, she had the emperor’s trust, and her maternal family remained powerful. She had no reason to feel insecure or deny a place to the palace consorts and their sons and daughters.
When Chang Zhaoyuan completed her three months of confinement and accompanied Consort De Chang to pay respects at Fengyi Palace, Empress Miao did not make matters difficult. She exchanged a few pleasant words with them and spared Chang Zhaoyuan any embarrassment.
Chang Zhaoyuan was startled. Then genuine respect rose in her heart. She truly settled down and caused no more trouble.
Empress Miao also made a special search for the jade pendant, but in the end she found no trace of it.
Without a definite answer, the shadow of suspicion remained in Emperor Gaozu’s heart, leaving him uneasy.
Since he could not identify the culprit, Emperor Gaozu decided to strike first and cut off any possibility of that future tragedy. When he went to spend the night in Empress Miao’s palace, he said, “There is little need to worry about the boys. They are sturdy. When they grow up, they will be made princes and establish residences outside the palace. They will not suffer much. But the girls require greater care. We must raise and teach them properly.”
Empress Miao did not understand. “What does Your Majesty mean?”
“As imperial princesses, golden branches and jade leaves, they should possess the bearing of princesses and never allow others to slight them. They enjoy honor within the palace, and once they marry, they must not be allowed to suffer grievances.” At this point, Emperor Gaozu rubbed his chin in embarrassment. “If one of them encounters a witless Prince Consort like… well, like I was before, she would be pitiful indeed.”
Empress Miao laughed. Seeing his embarrassment, she kindly refrained from teasing him. After considering his words for several moments, she nodded. “Your Majesty truly has the heart of a loving father.”
Emperor Gaozu smiled. “Jiaojiao should be all right. Her temper is not one that will swallow resentment in silence. Jingrou and Lanhui, however, are too gentle and reserved. Remember to give them more guidance…”
Empress Miao frowned, already developing a headache. “I wish Jiaojiao would settle down and learn from her sisters instead of running wild every day. You have never seen the three of them together. Jingrou and Lanhui are so gentle, speaking softly and sweetly like flowers. Who would not adore them? Jiaojiao is a wild monkey brought to life. She takes three stairs in a single stride without worrying that she might split her trousers. Every word she says is a shout-you can hear her from outside the palace gates!”
“That is precisely what makes her delightful.”
Emperor Gaozu could not help laughing. “I conquered this realm because I wanted my children to live safely and happily. If they are all bound hand and foot until each becomes a wooden puppet, what would be the point? I would rather have outside officials call the princesses overbearing than see them praised to the heavens as models of feminine virtue. We need not care about such empty proprieties. We need only hope that our children live joyfully.”
Empress Miao was a woman and knew a woman’s suffering. She had daughters of her own and naturally did not want them to endure such pain. Hearing the sincerity in her husband’s words, she answered solemnly, “I understand what you mean. Leave it to me.”
Emperor Gaozu nodded in satisfaction and told his old companions, “With this precaution in place, surely no tragedy will happen in the future.”
Liu Che said, “If the Prince Consort possesses a functioning brain.”
Li Shimin said, “If the princesses remember Empress Miao’s teaching.”
Zhu Yuanzhang said, “If Old Li manages to keep the dynasty stable.”
Emperor Gaozu asked, “Shi Huang, why are you not speaking?”
“We have thought about it for a long time and still cannot understand the Prince Consort’s reasoning.”
Ying Zheng’s thick brows drew together in bewilderment. “Anyone who no longer wants their nine clans may send them to Us to repair the Great Wall. Why insist on disposing of them in such a wasteful fashion?”