Chapter Seventy-Four: Reaping What One Has Sown

The smile from the Lady of Xiliang seemed somewhat abrupt; she covered her mouth with one hand, as if truly amused by Lady Yan’s words.

“What do you mean by this, Lady?” Lu Xiyan couldn’t help but frown, clearly displeased with the Lady of Xiliang’s reaction. “Is there something so funny here?”

“It was rude of me,” the Lady of Xiliang replied, her tone unrepentant. “However, what Lady Yan said does strike me as odd. If we all know we lack the King’s favor, why bother bringing in others who will be just as neglected? Would it not be wiser to think of ways to serve His Majesty properly instead?” Her words were blunt, yet cut to the heart of the matter.

“I quite agree with the Lady of Xiliang,” sneered Consort Jin, her tone lacking in respect. “None of us here have ever received the King’s favor. Or is it, Lady Yan, that you wish to live your whole life in such lonely isolation?”

Consort Jin and Lu Xiyan had long been at odds—though her rank was now beneath Lu Xiyan’s, she refused to yield.

“Consort Jin, how dare you!” Lady Yan snapped at her. Her voice was stern, but it was clear she was straining to keep her composure, clinging to the dignified image she had built over time.

“Surely such a magnanimous lady as you would not take offense at my thoughtless words,” Consort Jin replied, bowing with feigned humility.

“Of course, I sympathize that your beauty is ruined, Consort Jin; I would never blame you,” Lu Xiyan suddenly interjected, her words causing Consort Jin’s face to darken at once.

She was reminding her—reminding her that she was a woman whose beauty was lost. Without beauty, how could she ever hope to win favor?

“I see that Lady Yan and Consort Jin are quite talkative,” Xuexue remarked with a leisurely tone, resting her head on one hand. She did not adopt the air of a queen; it was more as if she were making a casual suggestion. “Perhaps you two could be assigned to the same palace, giving you ample opportunity to converse.”

At this, Lady Yan and Consort Jin fell immediately silent.

“Lady Yan’s proposal certainly raises an issue, but it isn’t for me to decide. Such matters must be put to the Empress Dowager and to His Majesty himself. Let us discuss it again another time.” Xuexue, her interest waning, gave Lu Xiyan’s suggestion a brief and dismissive conclusion.

“A proposal?” A pleasant, masculine voice drifted in, deep and magnetic, tinged with curiosity.

The sound startled everyone. They quickly rose to their feet, hastily straightening their attire. Yet their efforts were in vain—when he entered, his gaze rested on only one person.

“Your Majesty, we pay our respects!”

He entered from outside, passing lightly among the assembled consorts. His plain black robe did nothing to diminish his air of authority and nobility. He headed straight to Xuexue’s side, reaching out to help her up. “You’ve only just recovered, why are you still out here in the cold?”

Though it sounded like a rebuke, his tone was full of tenderness and indulgence.

“It’s nothing. A little sunlight does me good,” she replied, slightly uneasy at his public affection.

“You’re always so stubborn.” The King tapped her forehead in gentle exasperation, then turned a stern gaze on a nearby maid. “Why has no one brought your mistress a cloak?” With that, he quietly drew Xuexue closer to him.

“It was my oversight. Please forgive me, Your Majesty,” Yuzhi and the other young maids and eunuchs dropped to their knees to beg pardon.

“Let it not happen again,” Ji Wuqing said, then finally addressed the assembled consorts. “You may rise.” His tone was cool—gone was the warmth he had shown Xuexue.

“We thank Your Majesty.”

The consorts bowed their heads, not daring to move recklessly, awed by the King’s presence. They could all sense that the Queen was truly favored—hers was the sole, unrivaled position in the palace. What was even rarer was that all of the King’s affection seemed reserved for her alone.

“So, what was it you were discussing with the Queen just now? I find myself quite interested,” Ji Wuqing remarked, sweeping the room with a gaze so calm and indifferent that cold sweat broke out on many foreheads.

“Your Majesty, you may not know,” Consort Jin began with feigned sweetness, her eyes lowered, “but Sister Yan just now suggested to Her Majesty that the harem be expanded, to find confidantes who could serve you well.”

Everyone knew the Queen was the King’s favorite; Lady Yan’s suggestion could only breed his displeasure.

“Oh?” Ji Wuqing paused, a smile playing about his lips, though the single syllable betrayed his mood. “How thoughtful you all are, always so concerned for my well-being.”

The consorts sensed danger at once; Lady Yan quickly dropped to her knees. “I dare not presume, Your Majesty. Please advise me.”

“There’s nothing for you to fear in expressing your good intentions,” he said, his tone unreadable, making the atmosphere all the more tense. “Since you are so considerate, I notice the maid at your side is quite pleasing. Perhaps I should elevate her rank.”

At these words, Lady Yan’s face turned ashen. She stammered, her lips losing all color.

“Your Majesty, I—”

“What, are you unwilling?”

“I dare not. If she is favored by Your Majesty, it is her fortune,” she forced out a smile, her hand on the floor unconsciously clenching tight.

“Very well. Hear my decree: Lady Yan is virtuous and thoughtful, recommending her own personal maid for the King’s service. Such sincerity is rare. I shall grant her wish. Lady Yan’s maid is to be named Lady Yun, and shall reside in the side hall of Yanxi Palace.”

There was no mistaking that this was a public humiliation for Lady Yan.

“Thank you for Your Majesty’s graciousness…” Lady Yan offered thanks in disgrace, turning to the maid behind her. “Lianxiang, why are you not giving thanks?”

She had no way to back down now, and her plight was plain entertainment for the rest of the harem.

“Thank you, Your Majesty…” stammered the young maid behind her, bowing hastily, her features passable if not striking. Though she had never imagined she would so quickly rise to the status of mistress, a glimmer of joy flashed in her eyes.

The title of Lady Yun might be lowly, but for a maid it was an immense favor.

The outcome was clear for all the harem to see—the King was slapping Lady Yan’s face and silencing her, leaving her unable to voice her grievances.

In the end, Lady Yan left in disgrace with her personal maid, unable to respond to the mocking stares of those around her. She could not fathom how she had come to such a sorry state.

“Oh my, why are you in such a hurry to leave, Sister Yan? I haven’t even had the chance to congratulate your maid—she’s soared to the top in a single leap, and may one day stand equal with you. Truly, a fine thing,” Consort Jin called after her, unwilling to pass up the opportunity to gloat.

“That’s none of your concern. You’d best mind your own affairs, Consort,” Lu Xiyan replied, irritated. Had Jin not spoken out before the King, things would never have turned out this way for her.

“How hurtful, Sister! I only mean to follow your example, and secure a bright future for those by my side.”

Watching Lu Xiyan’s embarrassed retreat, Consort Jin finally let out a delighted laugh.

Meanwhile, Imperial Consort Yu, about to step into her palanquin, overheard their exchange and caught sight of their expressions. A trace of weary understanding crossed her face, but she said nothing as she allowed the maids to help her into the sedan.

How could women like these be worthy of the King, worthy of remaining by his side to serve him? Let alone hope for his affection?

The thought made her smile, though whether she laughed at them or herself, she could not say.

“Your Grace, please wait!” A woman’s urgent voice called out from behind, tinged with both curiosity and a timid note, as though stopping the Consort’s palanquin had been a decision mulled over for some time.

The palanquin slowed to a halt, and a slender hand gently lifted the jade curtain, revealing the Consort’s dignified and delicate features. With a slight raise of her eyes, she looked out, her beautiful gaze filled with curiosity.

A young woman in a lotus-patterned court gown hurried over with her maid and bowed respectfully by the side of the palanquin. “Your Grace, I wished to thank you for your care some time ago, but have never found the proper occasion. Forgive my boldness today.”

The girl kept her head low, her manner betraying her unease, clearly afraid of incurring the Consort’s displeasure or being thought impolite.

“You are Lady Yun of Jingyan Pavilion?” the Consort asked gently, raising her eyes to the girl.

She was a plain-featured young woman, appropriately poised—rather pleasing to the eye.

“Yes… I am Lady Yun. I did not expect Your Grace to remember me.” Lady Yun looked up in surprise, then quickly dropped her gaze again at the Consort’s gentle expression.

“As for your thanks, it isn’t necessary. Now that I oversee the harem, it is my duty to maintain order; I cannot allow palace servants to lose their discipline,” the Consort replied lightly, watching Lady Yun with a hint of caution at the girl’s sudden approach.

“You are right, Your Grace. Though it is your duty, to me it was a great kindness,” Lady Yun replied, bowing formally.

“You are thoughtful,” the Consort nodded, but said no more.

After only a few words, Lady Yun waited respectfully for the palanquin to depart. Surrounded by attendants, the ornate palanquin slowly moved away, its four bearers lifting it high as its delicate curtains fluttered in the breeze.