Chapter Seventy-Three: The Gathering of the Imperial Consorts

In Anxue Palace, joy lingered in the air. The faces of the palace maids and eunuchs were bright with smiles, for their mistress had recovered from a grave illness and was now able to walk outside her chambers.

After breakfast, Xue Xue, accompanied by Little Creek and Little Li, strolled through the gardens. A group of palace maids followed quietly behind, heads lowered in silence, their presence underscoring the dignity befitting a queen.

Beside her, Little Creek and Little Li played and chased each other, painting a scene of pure happiness.

“Your Majesty, Consort Jade and the other consorts have come to pay their respects,” a young eunuch announced, running forward and kneeling at a respectful distance.

Yu Zhi, standing behind Xue Xue, consulted her and then replied to the eunuch, “Invite the ladies to join us in the garden.”

Today was not a customary day for greetings, and everyone in the palace knew the queen preferred peace and quiet, seldom allowing visits to Anxue Palace. Yet today, they arrived together, their intentions unclear.

Yu Zhi, uneasy, confided her doubts to Xue Xue. “Your Majesty, we must be careful. I fear these ladies do not come in kindness.”

“There’s no need for worry. I have only just recovered; they are here to see how I am,” Xue Xue replied, shaking her head. Though she had been absent from the palace for some time, she understood well the nature of people.

Soon, a procession of beauties entered the elegant garden. Each was dressed in dazzling finery, each more radiant than the flowers, though lacking the fresh, unspoiled charm of the blossoms themselves.

She stood there, her orchid-colored gown trailing slightly across the ground, covering her tall shoes. Her long black hair cascaded past her waist, harmonizing beautifully with her jade sash.

Jade Xiao, upon entering the garden, immediately noticed Xue Xue—a woman of refined and graceful beauty, impossible to ignore. Her aura seemed innate; even standing still, she commanded the attention of all.

“Your Majesty, we pay our respects!” The group approached, bowing gracefully before Xue Xue. Their voices, clear and melodious, blended in a pleasing harmony.

At the front, Consort Jade stood out—not for her looks alone, but for the subtle elegance of her antique style. With classical beauty and an air of leisure, she would be a perfect gem with a bit of refinement.

Behind her was Lady Yan, whose three-month confinement had ended—the same Lady Lu Xi Yan who had been locked in the Cold Palace. She appeared much thinner, no longer the spotless, innocent goddess she once seemed.

Then came Lady Qin Jade, Lady Xi, Lady Jin, and the beauties selected by the Empress Dowager. In truth, though Ji Wu Qing carried the reputation of three thousand beauties in the harem, there were fewer than twenty consorts in the palace.

It was a respectable number, but insignificant for an emperor.

“Please rise,” Xue Xue said, waving her hand with calm indifference, yet maintaining the regal bearing of a queen.

Anxue Palace’s maids had already prepared tables, chairs, and refreshments in the garden for the consorts to rest.

“We did not come to disturb your recovery, Your Majesty. Hearing you were well again, I brought my sisters to visit you,” Consort Jade said gently, sitting beside Xue Xue.

“Isn’t that so? I heard, Your Majesty, that last night you personally went to Hui Zhai and brought His Majesty back to Anxue Palace,” Lady Jin said in a mocking tone. She was dressed so extravagantly it bordered on excess, yet she seemed oblivious, openly expressing her dissatisfaction.

No one could bear the queen’s solitary dominance, not even the Empress Dowager, who wished others would share in her favor.

Lady Jin, thinking scornfully, grew angrier. Even if the Empress Dowager wanted the consorts to share the queen’s affection, it had nothing to do with her. Though she was the Empress Dowager’s distant niece, the dowager had given her no special consideration, favoring Consort Jade instead.

Alas, neither side benefited, for the blind queen interrupted their plans.

“Oh, Jin, you must mind your words. The queen visited the Empress Dowager out of filial duty, not for the reasons you imply…” Lady Qin Jade feigned surprise, covering her mouth as if she had heard something scandalous.

Lady Qin Jade was born to be charming, though her charm was insufficient; her gestures seemed artificial and affected.

“Sister Qin is right. I misspoke. Please do not blame me, Your Majesty,” Lady Jin mimicked fear, though her tone was less than sincere.

“Lady Qin Jade, Lady Jin, with your banter, I almost thought I was listening to a comic recital,” Xue Xue replied, her expression unchanged, her tone light.

She had no intention of engaging with them, and only offered a perfunctory response.

Upon hearing this, Lady Qin Jade and Lady Jin were left speechless, exchanging glances full of embarrassment, until Consort Jade stepped in to smooth things over.

“Lady Qin Jade and Lady Jin must have spoken out of turn because they haven’t seen Your Majesty for so long. It’s my fault for failing to manage the harem affairs, making Your Majesty laugh,” Consort Jade said warmly. “Aside from visiting you, the main purpose today is to return the authority of the harem to Your Majesty. While you were ill, I managed affairs on your behalf. Now that you are recovered, I should step back and enjoy some leisure.”

Xue Xue’s expression did not change. She had already learned from Yu Zhi that Consort Jade had managed the harem, but had not expected her to bring it up so deliberately and in front of the others.

“Consort Jade, you have worked hard. But as I have just recovered, I may need you to continue for a while longer,” Xue Xue said, not declining out of politeness, but because she had yet to understand the situation in the harem, and had no interest in managing it herself.

What mattered most was Consort Jade’s true intention.

Perhaps her intentions were irrelevant; what mattered was Xue Xue’s own state of mind.

“This… may not be appropriate, Your Majesty,” Consort Jade objected.

“In my opinion, Consort Jade should follow the queen’s wishes and allow her more time to recuperate,” Lady Xi spoke unexpectedly, her words neutral, not favoring anyone.

Lady Xi was known for her gentle nature and seldom spoke in the harem, so her support of the queen surprised many.

Thus, the management of the harem remained temporarily with Consort Jade. Xue Xue, as queen, seemed genuinely unconcerned with her rightful authority.

This stirred envy and resentment in the others. With the emperor’s favor, did power itself become irrelevant?

“Your Majesty, I have something I am unsure if I should say,” Lady Yan, who had remained silent, spoke softly.

All eyes turned to her—the woman who had spent three months in the Cold Palace. It was hard to tell if they were mocking her or simply interested in the spectacle.

“Lady Yan, perhaps you should be careful not to utter anything disrespectful,” Lady Jin laughed coldly, her hatred for Lu Xi Yan evident.

Her face had improved greatly, but faint scars remained; anyone close could still see the marks. All thanks to Lu Xi Yan!

“Lady Jin, you worry too much. I understand propriety, unlike you,” Lady Yan replied sharply, her innocence and naivety gone.

A trip to the Cold Palace had taught her harsh lessons—one must be ruthless, lest others take advantage.

“You…” Lady Jin realized she was being mocked for her lack of manners.

Indeed, it was plain to see: Lady Yan held a higher rank than Lady Jin, who was merely a concubine. If someone with a harsher temperament were present, Lady Jin might have been slapped.

Xue Xue listened to their bickering, saying nothing, only showing a hint of fatigue.

“That’s enough. Her Majesty is only just recovered. Lady Yan, say your piece and do not waste time,” Consort Jade commanded, her demeanor imposing, her gaze towards Lady Jin unreadable.

“Thank you, Consort Jade,” Lady Yan replied. “Though I know it’s not my place, there are too few women serving His Majesty in the harem. Shouldn’t a selection be held soon?”

Her words stirred the thoughts of all the consorts. Was it simply that there was nothing else to do in the palace, so they sought something to occupy themselves?

Xue Xue gave no response, her face expressionless, revealing nothing of her thoughts.

The selection of consorts was a taxing affair, and those chosen merely added to the number of mouths to feed, their titles empty and meaningless.

This thought gave her a headache; she was not inclined to undertake such troublesome tasks.

“Since you know it’s not your concern, Lady Yan, why bring it up?” Seeing Xue Xue silent, Consort Jade asked.

“Consort Jade, are you unaware? The harem is already small—Lady Qi was expelled, and of the ten beauties selected by the Empress Dowager, only seven remain, none earning His Majesty’s favor,” Lady Yan replied, her words neutral, not targeting Xue Xue.

“If that is so, do we consorts have no hope at all?” Lady Xi laughed suddenly.

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