Chapter Thirty: The Empress Dowager's Intentions

Life in the palace passed both slowly and swiftly. Each day, she found some small thing to occupy her time, and before she knew it, another day had slipped by. Yet, once her duties were finished, the hours seemed to drag again. Still, perhaps because she was blind, her days felt endlessly cyclical, and she found little reason to dwell on it.

Nothing changed for her. The hush of the inner palace seemed only to deepen, yet Ji Wuqing continued to take his meals and sleep at Anxue Palace every day. It was clear the queen enjoyed an unrivaled favor, holding the exclusive affection of the king.

Yet to Xuexue, it seemed that Ji Wuqing was not truly enamored with her; rather, she served as a convenient shield. She could sense his distaste for the concubines of the harem—perhaps they were too eager, too calculating, and their affections for him lacked sincerity.

By contrast, she was utterly transparent before him—so much so that he kept this deposed princess at his side and even raised her to the rank of queen. At times, she found it baffling. What kind of man was Ji Wuqing, truly? He was always gentle and considerate toward her, the very image of a perfect husband, but what lay beneath that exterior?

Late at night, he would sleep behind her, his arm draped gently across her neck in a protective, almost possessive embrace. He seemed to sleep soundly, yet she could not help but sigh softly. Perhaps life had become too tranquil lately—so peaceful that she found herself pondering matters simply to fill the emptiness in her heart.

“Hm… Why that sigh?” Suddenly, the man behind her nuzzled his face into her neck, his voice thick with sleep, its sound vibrating against her skin.

“You startled me. I thought you were asleep,” she replied, surprised. Her senses were usually keen, yet with him by her side, she could never tell if he was awake or dreaming.

“Xue’er, why are you always so distant with me?” he murmured, voice drowsy, the question tinged with the haze of sleep.

“You are the king, and I…”

“Enough. Just tell me what’s troubling you. I don’t want to hear those formalities. And you haven’t been able to sleep, have you?” His breath warmed the back of her neck, tickling her as he spoke so close.

His tone was almost childlike in its petulance.

“I don’t know why—I just can’t sleep. Perhaps it’s because I have nothing to do during the day, unlike Your Majesty who is always so busy.” She could find no other reason.

It always felt as if something was missing in her heart.

“Oh? Are you saying you’re bored?” He seemed to have discovered something, and added, “If you’re bored, I can find something for you to do.”

“Hm?” She was puzzled.

“Make a nightgown for me.”

…What kind of request was that? She didn’t even know how to sew!

“Xue’er, what do you think?” he asked.

“Your Majesty, let us just sleep.” She could try making him a nightgown, but it seemed far too intimate.

“Very well, let’s sleep.” Ji Wuqing did not press her, but contentedly held her as they drifted off, as if simply having her in his arms was enough.

At dawn the next morning, the sky was gray and heavy with clouds. Xuexue rose early to help Ji Wuqing dress, smoothing out the folds of his black dragon robe. It was only when performing these tasks that she became truly aware of the difference in their heights—she had to stand on tiptoe just to reach his shoulders and finish arranging his garments.

“Xue’er?” he called, opening his arms as he watched her busy herself. His voice was low, laced with quiet pleasure.

She looked so meticulous, her eyes hidden beneath her bangs, not yet dressed herself except for a simple outer robe, her long hair cascading around her slender frame in a gentle, homely manner.

“What is it?” she asked, head lowered, hands still moving as she spoke in mild confusion.

She could feel his gaze fixed intently upon her.

“You really won’t consider making me a nightgown? I would dearly love to wear something made by your own hands,” he said wistfully, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as he observed her earnest expression.

A nightgown? She’d probably end up making him a burial shroud! Well, that was hardly amusing.

“If it is Your Majesty’s command, of course I will obey,” she replied, nodding. She never forgot that he was the king.

“It’s not a command or an order. It’s entirely up to you, my dear.” Ji Wuqing pursed his lips. “Besides, I can tell you don’t really want to make me a nightgown, do you?” His tone carried no reproach, only a hint of resignation.

She considered how to pass the time—perhaps she should do as Ji Wuqing wished and make him a nightgown. However, before she could dwell on the matter, the Empress Dowager sent someone from Huizhai to fetch her.

The Empress Dowager had been far from idle these days, as if departing from her previous life of seclusion.

Once Xuexue was dressed, she set out for Huizhai with her attendants. Her robes were far more elaborate than what she wore in Anxue Palace—an exquisitely crafted silk gown, elegant and refined, befitting her serene temperament.

As she entered Huizhai, she found, as expected, not only the Empress Dowager present, but also the concubines, already assembled. Clearly, something significant was afoot.

Indeed, once she was seated, the Empress Dowager addressed the gathering.

“I have summoned you today because I have an announcement. Every three years, there is to be a selection of new concubines. This year marks the third, and it is time to expand the harem,” the Empress Dowager declared.

She wore plain attire, her hair simply coiffed and adorned with a black jade hairpin—none of the splendor or ornament one would expect from an empress dowager. Yet, despite the gentle light in her eyes, the commanding presence befitting her status was in no way diminished.

At these words, the assembled concubines each harbored their own thoughts.

For Xuexue, the matter of selecting concubines was met with indifference. The palace was said to house three thousand beauties, but including herself, Ji Wuqing’s harem consisted of only six consorts. Not a large number, though certainly not few in her mind.

Quality, not quantity, was what mattered.

But the Empress Dowager clearly did not share this sentiment.

Lady Jin, upon hearing the news, could not help but glance at Xuexue. Though she privately disliked this blind woman, her priority now was to prevent the selection from going forward.

She had been in the palace for three years, and her youth was fading. Unfavored now, she would have even less chance to be noticed once new beauties arrived. Better to let the blind queen enjoy favor than to lose it to some seductive newcomer.

Thus, if the blind queen opposed the selection, the Empress Dowager would be powerless. The queen, after all, was the true mistress of the harem, and the Empress Dowager had long since withdrawn from palace matters.

Moreover, the imperial wedding had only just passed, and for the Empress Dowager to already be arranging for new concubines was a blatant slight to the queen.

Yet, after waiting for some time without hearing the queen’s response, Lady Jin grew anxious.

“Your Majesty, has the queen been informed of this matter?” If the Empress Dowager had not told the queen in advance, it meant she intended to act alone—a slight no queen should tolerate.

“Xue’er is virtuous and generous. It is only fitting for a queen to help the king expand his harem,” the Empress Dowager replied, gazing at Xuexue with a kindly smile.

She gave no clear indication whether the queen knew or agreed, but her satisfied expression suggested the queen not only knew, but supported the plan.

What? The blind queen actually…

“Her Majesty the Queen is our example. Of course, she always puts the king’s needs first, and adding new beauties to the harem is a wonderful thing,” chimed in Lady Qinyu, her face wreathed in smiles.

She was naturally alluring, and her docile manner won many hearts. Lady Qinyu did not think far ahead; she simply disliked the blind queen. If new concubines entered and divided the queen’s favor, so much the better.

After listening to them, Xuexue finally spoke in a gentle voice.

“My first duty is filial piety. Since Mother has gone to such pains for the king’s sake, I have no reason to object,” she said softly. “It’s just that this is the first I’ve heard of the selection, so I may not understand the customs. I must trouble Mother to handle these arrangements.”

Her words made it clear: she had not known of this beforehand.

“Your filial heart is appreciated, but if you have any objections, you may speak. You are, after all, the mistress of the palace,” replied the Empress Dowager, all benevolence and reason.

“Since Mother has already proposed the matter, you must have your plans. I am willing to follow your wishes. Please, take full charge of the selection,” Xuexue replied, neither refusing nor endorsing the plan, but deftly returning the troublesome matter to the Empress Dowager.

She had no interest whatsoever in the selection of concubines.

Such things were always a bother.

“Do not worry, Xue’er. The selection is not troublesome at all. In fact, these young ladies have already been chosen from among the daughters of officials across the land. They are educated and knowledgeable, versed in the ways of the world. There are only ten of them, and they are already in the palace, waiting for you to meet them and assign their ranks, so they may serve the king well.”

Hearing this, Xuexue, however indifferent, could not help but admire the Empress Dowager’s thoughtfulness toward Ji Wuqing. Her method was unmistakably decisive—she had already chosen the beauties and brought them into the palace. The matter was already settled.