Chapter 4
Less than half an hour after I returned to Plum Court, two imperial decrees arrived. The first came directly to my residence and promoted me to the rank of Beauty. I was the first woman in two years to receive a promotion before serving the emperor in bed.
The second decree went to Consort Chun at Jingren Palace. In essence, His Majesty expressed concern for her poor health and ordered her to rest. For the time being, her green name tablet was removed from the nightly selection.
The two decrees set the harem buzzing, though most people were merely enjoying the spectacle of the Song family tearing itself apart.
I was washing my hands when news of the second decree arrived. Black ink was remarkably hard to scrub from the skin. During my audience with the emperor, I had made a point of displaying my hands. Since he had issued the second decree, he must have noticed.
Consort Chun had punished me by making me copy the Putuo Sutra, and the emperor had removed her name tablet. Did this mean he had accepted my surrender?
That night, the emperor summoned me to his bed. I went through every prescribed step, and only after I was carried back to Plum Court did I finally relax. Now I was truly one of His Majesty’s Beauties.
Ignoring my exhaustion and pain, I told Xiaolian to call in the young eunuch who guarded the gate.
His name, if I remembered correctly, was Xiaoyuanzi. The Imperial Household Department had assigned him to serve me.
The moment Xiaoyuanzi entered, he dropped to his knees and offered an ingratiating blessing. “Congratulations on receiving imperial favor, my lady. If you conceive a prince, a consort’s title will soon be within reach!”
“Do you belong to my father or to Consort Chun?”
My question made his whole body go rigid.
Without waiting for an explanation, I continued. “I scattered scented powder just inside the threshold of my bedchamber. You are the only person in Plum Court who carries that fragrance. You were the only one who entered my private room, so you must have left the bundle there.
“If you serve Consort Chun, then look closely at the situation. Our family has already abandoned her. She has no child and no imperial favor. If you serve my father, then you should know even better who will hold power in this palace from now on.”
Xiaolian set a bundle before him. “Take this back to the estate.”
Inside were Mother’s silver hairpin and my brother’s protective talisman. I had also added a dangling hair ornament—the gift the Imperial Household Department gave every consort after her first night with the emperor.
Xiaoyuanzi said nothing. He took the bundle and left. When he returned the next day, he knelt and reported, “The master says Concubine Song and the young master have moved into Ruyi Court.”
Ruyi Court had been Consort Chun’s courtyard before she married into the palace. This was Father’s way of taking a position: whoever proved useful would receive more.