013 A Seed of Trouble Sown

The next morning, after the Emperor had departed, Qiu Ronghai soon arrived at Cuiwei Palace with a large array of rewards. When he came, I was still sweeping the floor. Qiu Ronghai’s gaze barely lingered on me before he went straight to greet Zhang Bitong.

“Congratulations, Your Ladyship,” he said.

Zhang Bitong was already dressed elegantly and seated upon a chair. Joy brings out the best in people, and it seemed as though she had entered a second spring.

“Eunuch Qiu, you are most considerate,” she replied.

Qiu Ronghai bowed and said, “Your Ladyship is too kind. Today, His Majesty was in excellent spirits, and even we servants benefited from his favor. All thanks to Your Ladyship! You may not know, but when I came over, the palace maids were all talking about your dance last night. They said it was breathtaking, something that belongs only in the heavens!”

Zhang Bitong’s complexion brightened further at his flattery. She signaled to Yunqing, who immediately brought out a pouch of silver, intending to slip it to Qiu Ronghai.

He quickly declined. “Your Ladyship, you are too generous.”

“Eunuch Qiu, do you find the gift too light?”

“I wouldn’t dare. I am only carrying out His Majesty’s orders and would not dare to accept anything more from Your Ladyship.”

Zhang Bitong stood up, picked up a string of pearl necklaces from among the rewards, and held it before Qiu Ronghai. “You don’t care for the silver? Then how about this?”

Qiu Ronghai, seeing what it was, immediately knelt. “That was a gift from His Majesty to you, Your Ladyship. I dare not take it.”

“My own belongings you won’t accept, nor those bestowed by His Majesty. Eunuch Qiu, you are indeed upright and incorruptible!”

“Your servant is terrified!”

“Hmph. Some days ago, when I gave you something and asked for your help in having His Majesty visit me, not only did you refuse, but you also encouraged him to go to the Empress instead. You know well that the Empress and I are sworn enemies.”

At this, my grip on the broom tightened. Whether or not Zhang Bitong bore a grudge against Qiu Ronghai, he was, after all, someone close to the Emperor. His words carried more weight than all the whispered advice of the other consorts put together. It was understandable that he was beholden to the Empress. But now that Zhang Bitong had just been promoted to Zhaoyi, it was unwise for her to make enemies. Qiu Ronghai had surely earned his position through no small measure of skill.

I glanced at Yunqing, who seemed a bit anxious herself. She promptly changed the subject, saying, “Eunuch Qiu, you’ve worked hard. Now that you’re here in Cuiwei Palace, I haven’t yet served you tea. Your Ladyship, you’ve been busy these past days; please, take a seat and rest.”

Anyone clever enough would have caught Yunqing’s intention. But Zhang Bitong, oblivious, simply shoved the pearl necklace into Qiu Ronghai’s hands, startling him so much his legs shook.

“I said take it, so you shall. If you don’t help me in the future, I’ll tell His Majesty that you took what he personally bestowed upon me.”

“Yes, yes, your servant understands. Your servant…”

For a moment, Qiu Ronghai was at a loss for words.

“Who is that kneeling there?” A woman’s voice sounded. I looked up to see several young women approaching, each accompanied by a maid holding a gift box.

They must be the new arrivals, with Lin Tanwei at the forefront. After being rebuked by the Empress the previous night, she clearly knew to adapt and had come to pay respects to Zhang Bitong. These new arrivals were certainly not simple.

There were five in total, but I did not see Sister Xiao Ruo among them.

“Greetings, my ladies,” Qiu Ronghai said, still kneeling.

“So it’s Eunuch Qiu. Why are you kneeling here?” Lin Tanwei’s eyes fell on the rewards and she added, “Your Ladyship enjoys boundless favor. We newcomers can only envy you!”

“Eunuch Qiu, remember what I said. You may leave now,” Zhang Bitong said, her face filled with pride at the sight of the young consorts coming to pay their respects.

“Your servant takes his leave.”

After instructing his attendants to set down the gifts, Qiu Ronghai quickly withdrew.

I kept my head slightly lowered, not daring to look at him deliberately. Once he had left, I turned my gaze back to the room.

“And you are…? Ah, forgive my poor memory. Every year, new faces come to the palace, and every year, the new ones become old. Many I’ve never even met. Sometimes, when I see a strange face, I wonder if it’s from the year before, or even from two years ago!”

At these words, the young ladies looked momentarily awkward, but Lin Tanwei quickly stepped forward. “How could we compare to you, Your Ladyship? Not only have you borne the Ninth Prince, but you also enjoy the Emperor’s favor. You are the model we sisters look up to and hope to learn from. We’ve specially prepared some small gifts today, and beg you not to be stingy in sharing your wisdom!”

“Yes, indeed!” the others chimed in.

“Oh, and this must be Lady Tan? Didn’t you visit the Empress yesterday? Then you can skip my place—after all, the Empress is truly the mistress of the harem!”

Lin Tanwei replied at once, “Yesterday, as newcomers, we didn’t know the rules. The eunuchs and matrons in charge said we should pay respects to the Empress, so we simply followed along. But today, we are here to visit you, Your Ladyship, and hope you won’t be offended. Perhaps you would accept this…”

She opened a brocade box she had brought and presented it to Zhang Bitong. “My father spent a great sum to acquire these pearls from the Southern Seas.”

Zhang Bitong’s eyes lit up, but she demurred. “Such precious things—I could hardly accept.”

Lin Tanwei closed the box and placed it directly on the table. “A fine sword befits a hero; only someone like Your Ladyship is worthy. Perhaps you could make a pair of earrings from these—surely they would look exquisite and make your beauty all the more striking.”

Zhang Bitong touched her own face and smiled. “Since it’s your kind gesture, I can hardly refuse. Yunqing, accept it.”

“Yes, Your Ladyship,” Yunqing replied, taking the box.

Then, as if just remembering her manners, Zhang Bitong said, “Please, sisters, sit down. I nearly forgot to serve you tea. Lanyan, Lanyan, what sort of maid are you? Can’t you see we have guests? Why haven’t you brewed any tea?”

“Yes, I was remiss. I’ll go at once,” Lanyan replied.

She hurried off, and I quickly set aside my broom to follow. “Sister Lanyan, let me help you.”

“Good! I was just worrying I couldn’t manage alone. So many guests, and I need to fetch more cups. Who knows where Hongxiu has gone,” she grumbled.

Following her, I said, “Our mistress is truly impressive now.”

Lanyan’s face showed pride. “Isn’t she? Even we servants walk with our heads high. This morning, I ran into a maid from Kunning Palace and gave her a good scolding—she didn’t dare say a word in response.”

I nodded, pretending not to understand. “Sister Lanyan, I’m rather slow. Our mistress is favored now, and it’s only natural the new ladies wish to curry favor with her. But surely there are other consorts above her?”

“Of course,” Lanyan replied. “Apart from the Empress, there used to be three consorts above. The Virtuous Consort has passed, while the Worthy Consort, though mother to the Fourth and Sixth Princes, has long devoted herself to Buddhism. The Gentle Consort has only a daughter and is getting on in years—her title is just for show now.”

“The late Virtuous Consort?”

“Oh, that was the current Crown Prince’s mother. She was the first consort to bear a royal son and thought she would enjoy endless glory. But unexpectedly, she passed away when the Crown Prince was only six, leaving him to be raised by the Empress. The Crown Prince is gentle and refined—a true heir.”

“Sister Lanyan, you’re so knowledgeable!” I said, though my mind was elsewhere. So Jiang Yun’s mother was the Virtuous Consort—that explained how he became Crown Prince.

Since the three senior consorts held little real power and were of advancing years, they no longer competed for favor. No wonder the Empress and Zhang Bitong were deadly rivals—the power struggle in the harem was between them. It remained to be seen what storms the arrival of the new ladies would stir up.

“All done here—you needn’t help further. I’ll serve the tea myself.”

“Thank you, Sister Lanyan.”

I followed her back, waiting outside as she carried the tea inside. Laughter soon rang out from within.

“Thank you, Sister,” Lin Tanwei said, sipping her tea. “Is this top-grade Sparrow’s Tongue?”

“Oh? You recognize it?” Zhang Bitong replied.

Lin Tanwei smiled. “Don’t laugh—but my father once traded in tea leaves, so I picked up a little knowledge. If you enjoy tea, I’ll have my father send some Meijiang Crisp Leaves next time—I’m sure you’ll like them.”

“You are so attentive and well-informed. No doubt you will soon win the Emperor’s favor.”

“Whether I do or not depends on fate. But you and the Emperor are truly a match made in heaven—we can’t help but envy you.”

From their conversation, it was clear that Lin Tanwei had inherited a bit of a merchant’s savvy. She knew how to navigate relationships and how to speak to please others. In time, she might well surpass Zhang Bitong in prominence—a woman not to be underestimated. Compared to her, the others paled.

After some small talk, Zhang Bitong asked, “If I recall, wasn’t there another Noble Lady granted a title in this round?”

Lin Tanwei quickly replied, “That would be Noble Lady Lan. She’s new to the palace and not feeling well, so she’s resting in her quarters.”

“Just resting?”

“Yes.”

“Then a physician should be sent to check on her. It’s nothing if she’s ill herself, but if His Majesty visits and falls ill, that would be serious.”

“You are so thoughtful, Your Ladyship. None of us considered that.”

“I’ve been here a few years longer and know His Majesty’s habits. Serve him well, and you’ll understand in time.”

“Thank you for your guidance, Your Ladyship.”

The conversation continued in this vein, with the new consorts never missing an opportunity to flatter Zhang Bitong. I no longer listened closely.

At last, Lin Tanwei and her group departed, with Yunqing escorting them to the palace gates. They left, all so young and radiant, like flowers blooming in spring.

Yunqing returned, and Zhang Bitong’s expression changed again. “Go see whether Noble Lady Lan is truly ill or merely feigning. If she is feigning and hasn’t come to pay her respects, she’s deliberately slighting me. If she is feigning illness but has visited the Empress, then she’s my enemy. If she’s genuinely ill, that’s another matter. She’s the Prime Minister’s daughter—since the Emperor chose her and granted her the title of Noble Lady at once, it’s clear he intends to favor her soon.”

“Yes, I’ll go right away.”

“Wait—let the others go farther before you leave.”

“Yes, Your Ladyship.”

“But this time, now that I have regained favor, I will not fade into obscurity again,” Zhang Bitong said, spotting me outside. “Xiao Xiaozi, come in.”

I entered and knelt before her. “What are your orders, Your Ladyship?”

“I know you have some cleverness about you,” she said. “Yunqing, reward him with two thick winter garments and some silver.”

“Thank you, Your Ladyship, thank you!” While silver was nothing unusual, winter clothes were even more precious.

“No need to thank me—it’s your due. Serve me loyally, and I’ll see you well rewarded.”

“I will be utterly loyal to Your Ladyship.”

“Very good. Now, tell me: what other means do you have to keep the Emperor coming to Cuiwei Palace?”

Zhang Bitong was truly greedy! Didn’t she fear becoming the sole favorite and thus the target of the entire harem?

Yet it wasn’t my place to analyze the situation. I could only hope Yunqing would intervene.

Yunqing, ever wise, had already intended to speak up during the earlier exchange with Qiu Ronghai. Now she said, “Your Ladyship, there’s no need to be anxious. With so many new arrivals in the palace, both His Majesty and the Empress Dowager hope for him to bestow his favor widely. It would be wiser to wait before taking any further action. Otherwise, not only will the Empress Dowager be displeased, but you’ll also stir envy among the other consorts, uniting them with the Empress against you—a dangerous prospect.”

That was exactly my thought as well.

Though Zhang Bitong was not pleased, she took Yunqing’s words to heart. Suddenly, she looked outside and called, “Xuan’er, where are you going?”