Volume One, Chapter Nine: Empress Chenfei Is Truly a Matriarch

The emperor stayed continuously in Jingyang Palace for three days. On the day in between, which happened to be a day of rest, he simply did not leave the palace at all. If it hadn’t been for the court assembly the next morning, he probably wouldn’t have come out today either.

Hu Guangfu busied himself passing clothes to Xiao Xuanyu, while his disciple Zhang Shun and several young eunuchs knelt on the ground, carefully arranging the dragon boots and robes for Xiao Xuanyu. Xiao Xuanyu was accustomed to caution and never allowed others to handle such intimate tasks. Moreover, most of those allowed into the main hall were consorts who had accompanied the Imperial Consort Chen; who could know if they harbored ill intentions?

Over the past few days, Hu Guangfu had come to understand the situation clearly: the Imperial Consort Chen was a formidable matriarch, yet the emperor doted on her excessively.

The rustling sound of dressing stirred the woman lying on the bed. She frowned slightly, then half-sat up. Her long, jet-black hair framed skin as white as freshly fallen snow. Several eunuchs quickly lowered their heads, pretending to be blind.

Iris, who had been waiting nearby, placed a pillow behind Pei Yueshu to make her more comfortable. “Your Highness, do you have a headache again?” she asked softly.

Pei Yueshu closed her eyes without replying. Xiao Xuanyu approached with concern, gently touching her forehead, paying no mind to her not rising as customary to assist him in dressing.

“It’s all my fault for waking you. Go back to sleep a little longer. I’ll return at noon to have lunch with you.”

In these past nights, Xiao Xuanyu often stayed up late. He had thought Pei Yueshu would be cold toward him, at least for the month of mourning for Yu Hechuan, keeping her distance. But to his surprise, she complied quietly.

Having regained what he longed for, Xiao Xuanyu’s mood had been pleasant these days. Even if Pei Yueshu remained indifferent, he was content to coax her.

Hu Guangfu had grown used to this and no longer made a fuss, following Xiao Xuanyu out of Jingyang Palace.

Pei Yueshu had not slept well these nights; memories from the past three years replayed in her dreams.

“Your Highness, please sleep some more,” Iris urged.

Pei Yueshu shook her head. “What kind of rules do those people outside follow?”

“According to Eunuch Hu, they were personally selected by His Majesty,” Iris replied.

Jingyang Palace was originally attended by sixteen palace maids and twelve eunuchs. The previous reign was the same, all staff appointed by Xiao Xuanyu. But this time, half had been replaced. Some spies from rival factions, unknown even to Xiao Xuanyu, were not present here.

Pei Yueshu silently marveled: perhaps those dismissed were the emperor’s spies planted by Huo Chi, now sent to watch her. It seemed her strategy was perfect — until she safely bore this child, Huo Chi would continue to protect her.

After a while, Pei Yueshu lay down again.

Meanwhile, Kunning Palace was bustling. At this hour, all consorts were to pay respects to the Empress. For two consecutive days, no new consorts appeared.

“What audacity! According to custom, new consorts must visit the Empress after their first night with the emperor. The Imperial Consort Chen didn’t come yesterday, and today, even after His Majesty left for court, she still hasn’t come. Clearly, she holds no regard for Her Highness,” said Consort Xue, appointed to the emperor by the Empress Dowager. The Dowager was particularly close to Empress Ji, so Xue spoke on her behalf.

Unfortunately, no one responded to her indignant words.

Empress Ji maintained the demeanor of the principal wife, sipping tea as if no one else were present. Sitting on either side of her were Consort Xiang and Consort Zhao, with Consort Huo beside Consort Zhao. None of the three showed any reaction.

“The tea in Your Highness’s palace is truly fragrant. It must have been brought from Runan,” said Consort Xiang with exquisite beauty—thick, dark brows, bright eyes, adorned in splendid robes and jewelry, radiating an indescribable allure and nobility.

“If you like it, I shall have someone package some for you to take back,” Empress Ji replied coldly. Only concubines needed to wear heavy makeup to seek favor.

Originally, Xiang Jiashan was not so, but having heard rumors that the emperor favored bright and striking beauties, she had tailored herself accordingly. The emperor indeed preferred her Guangyang Palace, but Empress Ji regarded this with disdain.

“Thank you, Your Highness,” Consort Xiang said without rising, glancing upward to confirm that Nurse Qiongfang was absent. It seemed some drama was about to unfold. She masked a smile behind her tea.

“If there’s nothing more, I shall take my leave,” Consort Zhao stood, bowed, and left with her maids after a slight nod from Empress Ji. Her expression had been cold throughout.

The palace knew Consort Zhao was not proud or angry over Imperial Consort Chen’s favoritism; it was simply her nature to maintain a stern face, even before the emperor, and she kept distant from other consorts.

Consort Huo frowned slightly, seemingly preoccupied and not paying attention to the conversation.

The most embarrassed was Consort Xue. Her words defending the Empress fell like a stone thrown into the sea—initially loud but stirring no ripple.

Except for those four, other lower-ranking consorts knew their positions were beneath Pei Yueshu’s. With the emperor having so publicly welcomed her and allowed her to stay so long in the palace, it was clear Imperial Consort Chen’s status in the harem would rise.

They were not as foolish as Consort Xue.

“Consort Huo, what’s troubling you today?” Empress Ji’s lips curved into a rare smile.

Troubling her? Of course, she knew. The position of the Huo family’s young master had been seized by a bastard. She didn’t know where the legitimate mother and brother of Huo Yuanyao had been banished, but she was anxious. The Xiang and Huo families coveted the status of their daughter as Empress and had suddenly sent their legitimate daughters into the palace to claim a share.

Though Ji Yiling ranked above them, in the emperor’s favor, she was the least cherished.

She loathed Huo Yuanyao’s coquettish airs, always acting vulnerable like Xi Shi. Now that Huo Yuanyao genuinely had troubles, Ji Yiling was delighted to see her humiliated.

“Nothing,” Consort Huo suddenly brushed her lower belly, forcing a slight smile. “I haven’t had much appetite these days, and my period is late. It’s truly distressing.”

Empress Ji and Consort Xiang both straightened their backs, while the other consorts bowed their heads low, trying to minimize their presence.

“Then you must summon the imperial physician,” Empress Ji said, clenching her hand hidden in her wide sleeve.

The emperor still had no heir. Would she allow this lowborn woman to claim victory first?

“No need to trouble Your Highness. I shall have someone summon the physician after returning to my palace,” Huo Yuanyao retorted, wanting to strike back. She wasn’t entirely confident she was pregnant.

But Empress Ji had already ordered her chief palace maid, Ming Xia, to fetch the imperial physician.

Before the physician arrived, a commotion among eunuchs was heard outside.

Empress Ji set down her cup, sending someone to investigate. Soon, a palace maid came in quietly.

“The Lin attendant in the east wing of Qingyin Pavilion is near death.”

Empress Ji thought it was bad luck but dismissed it as just a lowly servant brought from outside. Even if she died in the palace, it would only sully its grounds.

Yet as the head of the harem, the Empress had to visit, lest Xiang Jiashan accuse her of mistreating palace sisters.

She dismissed the consorts and had no time to bother with Huo Yuanyao. In any case, if this child were born, she would never let it live.

“Your Highness, Nurse Qiongfang of the Empress’s palace has arrived,”

Shortly after Pei Yueshu lay down again, Nurse Qiongfang appeared at Jingyang Palace, carrying a bowl of medicinal soup, accompanied by four palace maids, her demeanor fierce.