Chapter 3
At Weiyang Palace, I explained why I had come. The young eunuch guarding the gate went inside to announce me.
Xiaolian asked anxiously, “What if the Empress refuses to see us?”
I said nothing and waited in silence.
About fifteen minutes later, the young eunuch emerged with an apologetic look. “Please return to your residence, my lady. Her Majesty has already retired for the night.”
I nodded, but I did not leave. I simply stood there in silence.
The young eunuch made no attempt to stop me. He returned to his post at the gate.
After waiting for nearly two hours, I turned to leave, and Xiaolian hurried after me.
“My lady, what are we going to do if the Empress won’t see us? Why don’t we go apologize to Consort Chun?”
I said nothing until we returned to Plum Court. Only after entering my bedchamber did I breathe a sigh of relief.
“Silly Xiaolian. It doesn’t matter much whether the Empress sees me. She wasn’t the one I was putting on this display for.”
As I spoke, I pointed toward the heavens.
The next morning, His Majesty summoned me to attend him in the imperial study.
It was common for the emperor to call a woman from the harem to serve him there, but he usually chose someone newly favored, someone currently in favor, or the Empress.
No one had ever seen him summon a Talented Lady who had not yet shared his bed.
The palace gossips had already sent servants to loiter outside the study and gather news.
I rode there in a sedan chair and followed a young eunuch inside.
The scent of the emperor’s private ambergris incense rolled over me, rich and solemn—a sweetness like amber blended with fragrant wood, ripe fruit, and a hundred flowers in bloom, all fused into a fragrance unlike any other.
With my head lowered, I walked to the center of the room and curtsied to the figure in imperial yellow bent over his writing. “This concubine greets Your Majesty.”
The man in yellow said nothing. Even the speed of his brush did not falter.
I remained frozen in my half crouch.
I had no idea how much time passed. Just as the ache in my body turned to numbness, I finally heard him speak.
“Rise.”
I slowly straightened and looked at the emperor before me.
The emperor was truly a beautiful man, and that pleased me.
A handsome face was a delight to its owner and everyone who looked upon it. Otherwise, even if I put on an act, my performance would suffer.
Still, I lowered my eyes at once so he would not see what I was thinking. This man was no easy mark. Rumor said that, to claim the throne, he had imprisoned three of his own brothers and that two imperial princes had died.
“Your name?”
The emperor’s voice held no emotion.
“Song Yao.”
I answered softly.
“Raise your head.”
His tone grew heavier.
I obeyed, though I did not dare meet his gaze. That would have been a grave offense.
“Passably pretty. No wonder the Song family sent you into the palace.
“Why did you pay your respects at Weiyang Palace instead of Jingren Palace after you arrived?”
Jingren Palace was Consort Chun’s residence, while Weiyang Palace belonged to the Empress. He came straight to the point.
His question sounded mild, but he brought his brush down hard on the rest.
I knew my only chance had come. I dropped to my knees and began at once.
“The Vice Minister of Rites appears to oppose the Song family at court, but he secretly formed an alliance with us long ago…
“Prince Rui quietly sent several chests of jewels to the Song estate six months ago.
“The Marquis Who Pacifies the Frontier has treasonous ambitions. He sought a marriage alliance and asked the Song family to place his second son in the Ministry of War.”
…
To avoid being seen, those men always entered through the Song estate’s side gate. As luck would have it, the woodshed where Mother and I lived stood right beside it.
Better them than me. If I was going to declare my allegiance, I might as well do it thoroughly.