Chapter 8
“From today onward, Changqing Palace will receive no visitors. Say that I am unwell. Decline every banquet and formal audience on that ground. Rourou, stay here with me for a while. Study, and don’t go outside. Will you?”
I did not understand what Mother intended, but I trusted her instinctively. I simply nodded. “Yes.”
All the way back, I had been rehearsing how to explain the bracelet’s disappearance if Chi Yan asked. It seemed I would not need that explanation anytime soon.
A few days later, Mother and I were playing backgammon on a couch when Aunt Chen entered. Seeing us lounging there, taking turns and laughing, she hesitated.
Mother captured two of my pieces, then glanced sideways at her. “What is it?”
“The rumors outside are so vicious. How much longer does Your Highness intend to shut yourself away?”
Mother raised her brows. “Vicious in what way?”
Aunt Chen was exasperated. “They say Your Highness has grown spoiled by favor and narrow-minded. That the moment you heard Consort Shu was pregnant, jealousy turned to hatred and you made yourself ill with rage.”
“What else?”
“Some say you’re pretending to be ill because you cannot bear to see her give birth to a prince.”
“What else?”
“And… some say that despite enjoying such unequaled favor, you still cannot conceive an imperial child. It must be…”
“It must be what?”
“That you’re too old to bear children. And… that you’re ill-fated, destined to produce a girl every time you spread your legs.”
Mother nodded. “I see. You may go. Oh, and keep the servants in order. They are to spend less time outside. Unless it is necessary, they are not to go anywhere. We have our own kitchen here. From now on, they needn’t even visit the imperial kitchens. Prepare all our meals here.”
“Your Highness?” Aunt Chen looked bewildered. “His Majesty hasn’t visited for so long. He must have heard you’re jealous. Since Consort Shu announced her pregnancy, everyone from the empress to the lowest-ranking consorts has sent lavish gifts. Only we have shut our doors. Never mind gifts—you won’t even visit her, and you’ve refused every feast. His Majesty cares so deeply about having children, and he still has no son. How can this attitude please him?”
Mother smiled and looked calmly at Aunt Chen. “Will you obey me or not?”
Aunt Chen flinched and dropped hastily to her knees. “Forgive me, Your Highness. I only…”
“You have committed no offense.” Mother’s expression remained mild. “Don’t waste time on this. Simply do what I told you to do.”
Aunt Chen bowed respectfully and withdrew, trembling.