"Your Highness, we've arrived." The woman in purple lifted the curtain, and Wei Yu, supported by her, stepped down from the platform. Suddenly, a group of brightly dressed concubines appeared before them. "Your Majesty, we pay our respects!" Their voices were sweet and melodious. Wei Yu was taken aback. The head concubine, Yang Xiuyuan, smiled and said, "We were worried about Your Majesty's health, so we came early to wait for you. Is Your Majesty feeling well?"
As the saying goes, one cannot hit a smiling face. Before speaking, even if one had many worries, one should put them aside for the time being and politely defer to them. Rong Shanggong of Chengqian Palace came out to welcome the ladies and invited them to sit comfortably in the west side room of the main hall. Fragrant tea and snacks were served. For a while, the palace maids moved about in Chengqian Palace, making it quite lively.
After changing her clothes, she went to Nanxun Palace. She took the red date and ginger soup and saw that only Ziyi and Chengyi were by her side. With a bitter face, she said softly to Ziyi, "Ziyi, can you not see them and just say that I have gone to sleep?"
Zi Yi knew that she was not good at receiving guests. The previous times when concubines came to pay their respects and request an audience, she had always dismissed them by saying that the Noble Consort was taking a short rest. She shook her head and handed her a bowl of bird's nest and rice porridge. "Miss, this time is different. You left halfway through the banquet last night, and the ladies came to inquire after you. Consort Xiuyuan is the hostess, so it is only proper for you to show your face and exchange a few pleasantries. Otherwise, some people will say that you are arrogant and disrespectful, which is also a matter of the Emperor's virtue."
Wei Yu muttered, "I couldn't ask for more." When she occasionally showed her childish side in front of the two of them, Zi Yi and Cheng Yi both laughed.
Even so, after breakfast, without saying a word, he went to the west side room.
The side room on the west side was more spacious. Since Wei Yu preferred quiet, Emperor Xuande, catering to her tastes, ordered a rearrangement. The side room was moved further in, becoming her private sitting place. The main side room, now smaller and quieter, was converted into Wei Yu's study. The side room was brightly furnished, with a round, carved rosewood table inlaid with jade, and a short, carved rosewood couch. To the right was a bright yellow woolen carpet, which served as Emperor Xuande's throne for reviewing memorials. Below the steps were carved rosewood tables and armchairs, and several ancient plum and banyan trees, though not yet in season, exuding a delicate fragrance. Beaded curtains draped the floor, concealing the study's hidden secrets. At this moment, the concubines, seated in their armchairs, rose as Wei Yu entered.
Wei Yu sat down in the center. Zi Yi winked at her. Wei Yu looked down and saw that she was sitting on a bright yellow quilt. No, that's normal. The emperor had never said anything about it, so she decided to ignore it.
"Your Majesty, I, Xue Ruyao, had a brief encounter with the Imperial Concubine a few months ago in the north of the city. I wonder if Your Majesty still remembers me?" Xue Ruyao was indignant to see her sitting on the throne without any concern. This was clearly an act of arrogance and showing off her favor. However, she put on a smile and stood up respectfully.
Wei Yu smiled. "It's Consort Xue. Of course I recognize her. A woman as beautiful as Consort Xue is hard to forget." She meant it sincerely. Xue Ruyao was the first noble lady she had ever seen, and she had left a deep impression on her. But Xue Ruyao heard it as mockery. Her face flushed, and she forced a smile. "How can Ruyao accept the Imperial Concubine's praise? Your Highness's talent is renowned throughout the land. Ruyao hopes to have the opportunity to hear Your Highness's teachings often." The others hurriedly echoed her praise, and the excessive compliments overwhelmed Wei Yu. She gave a few perfunctory words and was about to thank the guests when she saw Consort Rong holding a white jade crystal bowl, steaming hot and fragrant with medicine. Wei Yu had never been so happy to see Consort Rong and her bowl of medicine. Consort Rong placed the jade plate on the imperial table and respectfully said, "His Majesty has decreed that Your Highness must drink it all. The head of the Imperial Kitchen awaits your reply."
The others were tactful, and Yang Xiuyuan said, "Your Majesty, please take care of your health. We will take our leave now. It would be our fault if we disturbed Your Majesty's rest."
Xue Ruyao realized that the side room was not an ideal place to store the Ice Soul, and since the Emperor also resided there, if she harmed the Emperor, Zhou would benefit, and she, a mere Jieyu, would have no chance of advancement. She couldn't openly enter the study to investigate in front of everyone, and considering that she couldn't act rashly, she decided to find a way to do it discreetly to avoid suspicion falling on her later. She also couldn't underestimate the two maids beside Song Weiyu. With this in mind, she left with the others.
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From that day on, Chengqian Palace was bustling with activity every day. Whether Weiyu saw them or not, people came to pay their respects and bring gifts. With the Double Ninth Festival approaching, each palace and hall sent handmade sachets, which reached Xingqing Palace. Zhou Shi thought to herself, "When did everyone become so virtuous? Just look at them, what are they up to?" Meanwhile, Rong Shanggong and Ziyi Chengyi had finished their inspections before asking Weiyu how to handle the situation. Weiyu was reading in her study and casually said, "If they like each other, let's separate." At this moment, a palace maid came to report, "Consort Xue requests an audience."
Wei Yu put down her book. Xue Ruyao frequently came to the palace gates to pay her respects, sometimes bringing exquisite pastries and, naturally, sachets. What was she doing here? Zi Yi said that among all the concubines, Xue Ruyao's eyes were the most shifty, suggesting ill intentions, and that she should be treated with extra care. Zi Yi carefully inspected everything Xue Ruyao brought. Wei Yu, however, didn't think much of it. Even if Xue Ruyao harbored ill intentions, she wouldn't tamper with the gifts. Openly committing such a crime would only bring trouble upon herself; plotting against a favored concubine would lead to disaster. But what was her true purpose? Zi Yi wasn't in the palace today. It was said that there had been another incident with the Qinghe merchants, and Second Master Ji Zhonglian had requested to leave the capital. Zi Yi had taken leave to return to the Ji residence to see him off. What a coincidence! Was she really looking for an opportunity? Wei Yu became somewhat interested. How would Xue Ruyao deal with her? She didn't want her to be given a lover or to harm herself and then turn around and bite back. That would be too crude and too rotten. Wei Yu couldn't help but laugh and said, "Please invite her in."
Chengyi looked at her strangely, not understanding why she was smiling so brightly.
With a fragrant smile, Xue Ruyao greeted the palace maid behind her and presented her with an ancient inkstone carved with plum blossoms and magpies celebrating spring. She said, “Your Majesty, I am dull-witted. It would be a waste to use this on me. It would be a disservice to this precious treasure. Your Highness is learned and talented. Everyone in the palace knows that you have beautiful handwriting. I thought of this and decided to give it to you.”
Wei Yu glanced at it briefly and said, "It is indeed a rare item. It must be from Consort Xue's collection. It is so precious that Consort Xue should cherish it."
Xue Ruyao said gently, "As long as Your Majesty does not mind, it will be the greatest blessing for Ruyao. It is also the best that this treasure has met its true owner. Ruyao's sincerity is evident to Heaven. Please do not refuse Ruyao's sincere feelings for Your Majesty."
Wei Yu thought to herself that she insisted that I accept the ancient inkstone. Could it be that she wanted to use this to her advantage? She had to give her a chance to act. So she smiled and said, "Thank you very much, Consort Xue. Chengyi, go to the Rong Shang Palace and get the gilded silver wire-covered incense burner that was sent yesterday for Consort Xue. It's perfect for lighting incense on the Double Ninth Festival."
Xue Ruyao quickly became modest, but Chengyi was still worried. Weiyu waved her hand, figuring Xue Ruyao wouldn't resort to violence and endanger herself. After Chengyi left, Xue Ruyao saw several palace maids standing in the distance inside the room. Seizing the opportunity, she said, "Your Majesty's calligraphy is truly exceptional. I would like to admire your work. Is this presumptuous?" Weiyu smiled inwardly. She was indeed being very calculating. Well, she might as well be generous. "Please."
Xue Ruyao was secretly delighted and quickly picked up the ancient inkstone. The palace maid lifted the beaded curtain and followed Weiyu into the west side room.
Along the wall are several bookshelves, and in front of the bookshelves are long tables and cabinets displaying a dazzling array of porcelain vases, bronze vessels, and more than a dozen large painted porcelain jars. Filled with scrolls of calligraphy and paintings of varying lengths, Xue Ruyao's eyes lit up. On either side of the jade desk stood a cloisonné enamel incense burner, emitting a faint scent of lavender. She moved to one side, her wide sleeves conveniently obscuring the view of the palace maids behind her. "Is this Her Highness's calligraphy?" Wei Yu nodded and reached for the scrolls. Xue Ruyao forcefully pinched the hidden Ice Soul in her sleeve, flicking her wrist to send it into the incense burner. Although she had rehearsed it a thousand times in her mind, she was still nervous, and the time was too short. She used too much force and broke off most of her index fingernail. When she pulled it back, some powder was still on it. Remembering her father and brothers saying that this substance was highly poisonous and it was best not to touch its core, she felt a slight pain in her finger, whether from the broken nail or the powder. Her expression changed. Wei Yu turned around and, seeing her pale face, a thought struck her. "What's wrong? Is Consort Xue feeling unwell?" Had she done something in that instant?
Xue Ruyao calmed down. Since there was no broken skin, she should be fine. If she hurriedly left now, it would definitely arouse suspicion. However, she did not dare to shake her fingers. She casually lowered her sleeve and smiled, "It's nothing. I was just a little dizzy. I guess it's because I got up early."
Seeing that her words were insincere, Wei Yu glanced around but found nothing amiss. Just then, she heard Cheng Yi from the outer room call out, "Your Highness, the things have been brought." She had no intention of appreciating literature with the likes of Xue Ruyao, and suddenly realized that her impulsive act had caused Zi Yi and Cheng Yi to worry. She felt it was truly willful and pointless, as if she had really been spoiled. She gave a self-deprecating smile and said, "Consort Xue, go back and rest. Your health is important."
Xue Ruyao couldn't wait to rush back to change her clothes and wash her hands, but she said very sincerely, "It's nothing, it's just that Your Highness is worried." The room was filled with a faint fragrance, but she couldn't smell the scent of Ice Soul. She didn't dare to linger any longer, so as she spoke, she turned aside, smiled without saying a word, and walked out.
Chengyi presented the brocade box. Xue Ruyao wanted to ask a maid to take it, but that would be impolite, so she had no choice but to take it herself. Chengyi, with her sharp eyes, noticed a noticeable crack in the nail of the index finger on Xue Ruyao's slender, red-painted right hand. She couldn't help but glance at it again. Feeling guilty, Xue Ruyao quickly withdrew the brocade box and bowed gracefully, saying, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your generous gift. I will take my leave and come to pay my respects another day. Please enlighten me, Your Majesty." She bowed again respectfully and left with her maid.
Chengyi glanced at Weiyu, pouting as she walked into the west side room and searched it thoroughly, leaving no corner unchecked. She checked the incense burner and the ancient inkstone, finding nothing wrong with them. Weiyu sat on the short couch, feeling somewhat apologetic. "Chengyi, we only exchanged a few words. What could she possibly do in such a short time? Perhaps she really was just trying to please me, that's all."
Chengyi went outside. "Miss, you were too careless. Sister Ziyi repeatedly told you to be extra careful, but you didn't listen and even sent me away. When she comes back, I'm going to complain." She pouted, looking very cute. "Yes, yes, I won't do it again next time. I will definitely listen to Miss Chengyi's instructions." Weiyu was in a rare good mood. How adorable Chengyi was! Chengyi stamped her foot. "Oh, Miss, I was just saying the truth." Weiyu couldn't help but smile.
Emperor Xuande had just stepped into the west wing when he saw Wei Yu's stunning smile. He looked at her in bewilderment. Wei Yu noticed someone was there and turned around. She was still smiling. Gao Qing suddenly jumped, thinking to himself that this was truly a smile that could launch a thousand ships. He waved his hand, signaling Cheng Yi and the palace maids to leave.
Emperor Xuande moved and cupped Wei Yu's face in his hands, lowering his head slightly to touch her forehead. "My beloved consort, smile again, smile again for me to see."
Before he could speak, a look of bewilderment crossed his face, and his smile froze. Emperor Xuande was deeply frustrated. From childhood, he had been the pride of the nation. Before and after he assumed power, all sorts of beauties and gentle ladies had groveled at his feet, begging for his favor. But Wei Yu was different. Perhaps at first, he was only captivated by her unique intelligence and purity, by the melancholy and innocence in her eyes. But as he fell deeper and deeper into her heart and began to cherish this young woman, he discovered that there was a thick door in her heart. He wanted to enter but had no way to begin. When he pressed her, she would retreat and erect even stronger walls, leaving him completely helpless.
The emperor's pride and self-respect would not allow the woman he loved to disregard his feelings. He wanted to possess her body and her heart exclusively. He stared intently at Wei Yu, and suddenly his hands moved down to her ribs, his fingers sliding up and down in a caress.
"Haha...hahaha..." Wei Yu laughed uncontrollably, dodging left and right, laughing until tears streamed down her face. She pleaded, shrinking into his arms, her words barely audible, "No, haha...no more." Looking up, she saw the Xuande Emperor's dark eyes, a flame igniting within them. Looking down at herself, her jade-colored crepe sleeve was askew, revealing a large expanse of fair and pink skin on her chest. She gasped, her voice already muffled by his kiss. The Xuande Emperor tightened his arms around her, not allowing her to struggle, his hands grasping her softness. Wei Yu's fingers clasped rapidly between his, her voice fragmented: "No, not here."
Emperor Xuande bent down and hugged her, saying, "My poor little thing." He gently held her in his arms, patting her back tenderly, listening to her heart pounding.
The result of a night of indulgence was that Wei Yu slept until noon the next day. Zi Yi had already returned, and Cheng Yi told her that Xue Ruyao had entered the study the day before. She had informed Gao Qing, and Gao Qing immediately searched the side room and the west wing again, finding nothing amiss. However, Cheng Yi was uneasy about Xue Ruyao's relieved expression when she left yesterday. Zi Yi also felt something was wrong, but there was clearly nothing wrong. Just then, a head maid from Yonghe Palace came to pay her respects. Xue Ruyao was only a Jieyu and did not yet have a female official position, so the head maid came to say that Jieyu was ill, and the head of Kunyi Palace had already summoned the imperial physician to examine her, so she could not come. Zi Yi was very puzzled. Could it be that Xue Ruyao was really unwell yesterday? Was that why she looked like that when she left?
In the Qianqing Palace, Gao Qing ordered a young eunuch to bring the medical records from the Yonghe Palace. He was shocked to find that Xue Ruyao had inexplicably developed a high fever. When asked about the cause of her illness, she said that yesterday, Xue Jieyu had run into Consort De after leaving the Chengqian Palace. Consort De had a fit of anger and scolded Jieyu. Jieyu was so angry and anxious that she caught a chill and fell ill when she got back.
This illness came on very strangely, Gao Qing thought to himself, "I hope she hasn't done anything stupid. Even the heavens fear the emperor's wrath." Gao Qing looked at the gloomy sky, feeling a vague unease in his heart.
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Xue Ruyao's illness was truly severe; it wasn't until ten days later that she could barely get up. Leaning against the soft couch, she drank her medicine in small sips, still somewhat unwilling to give up: "During my illness, has anyone come to visit?" The palace maid hesitated for a moment, then said, "The noble lady of Chengqian Palace sent a head maid, bringing the finest bird's nest." She slumped back. When she was favored, even a slight cough would immediately attract concern; such was the nature of snobbery. Now, not being mocked was already a sign of politeness. She sneered, "They must have all gone to Chengqian Palace." The palace maid was her confidante, brought from her own family; she didn't need to hide anything. "Indeed," the palace maid said indignantly, assuming she meant the concubines had all gone to Chengqian Palace to present sachets, "I heard even Consort De went."
"Today is the Double Ninth Festival, isn't it? The Imperial Concubine is ill. Is there still a banquet at the Daming Palace?" A smile played on her lips. Her illness wasn't entirely unjustified. "Consort De, just wait, it will be your turn." She smiled sinisterly. If Consort De hadn't caused trouble that day and forcibly taken away the incense burner, she wouldn't have been delayed so long before returning home to find her fingernail broken. She had frantically washed her hands and still developed a high fever that night. She had only been exposed to a little bit, and it was fortunate that she was usually healthy. That Song Shi was extremely frail and must be barely clinging to life. She couldn't help but laugh, then looked up at the palace maid who was looking at her strangely. "Master, what did you say? The Imperial Concubine isn't sick."
"What?!" Xue Ruyao sat up abruptly and grabbed the palace maid's wrist: "What did you say? Not sick? You bitch, you dare to lie to me? I'll beat you to death."
The palace maid was so frightened that she knelt on the ground. "Master, it's not that I'm lying to you. The old head maid came yesterday to ask if you were going to Chongrenfang to see the lanterns tonight. I saw that you were delirious from illness, so I went back without permission. Please forgive me, Master."
Xue Ruyao was stunned for a moment, then said, "Never mind, look how scared you are. I'm delirious from my illness. Get up."
Just then, the faint sound of music drifted on the breeze. "Is the banquet at Daming Palace starting?" she murmured to herself. Every year on the Double Ninth Festival, Daming Palace held a grand banquet. The Emperor and Empress Dowager would host a grand feast for high-ranking officials, ministers over sixty years of age, and noblewomen. Consorts of the rank of Xiuyuan and above could attend. Lanterns were also displayed throughout the country to show respect and filial piety to the elderly. This summer, she had entered the palace with great ambition, hoping to make a good impression on the Double Ninth Festival and bring glory to the Xue family. Who knew that while her beauty remained, she had been discarded like a silk fan.
The wind rustled through the trees, casting shadows, and the sky grew dark. The mistress and servant felt a deep sense of desolation. "Did everyone in the palace go to see the lanterns?" the maid asked. She forced a smile and replied, "Not everyone went. Some made their own lanterns and entertained themselves."
Xue Ruyao stood there for a while, completely baffled. Why was Wei Yu alright? If her father and brothers had lied to her, then how could her illness be explained? "Go ahead, let them have some fun. Don't make it so lifeless," the maid said timidly. "Reporting to your mistress, they've all gone to Duanmen. It's an imperial decree from the Empress Dowager that allows all maids, except those attending to their mistresses and taking turns guarding the palace, to go to Duanmen to see the lanterns."
Enraged, Xue Ruyao grabbed the medicine bowl and smashed it over, cursing, "What a shameless wretch without a master!" Her chest felt like it was about to burst, she couldn't catch her breath, and her eyes rolled back as she fainted.
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In a side hall of the Daming Palace, the attendants in purple and orange robes were undressing without saying a word. The banquet had ended, but Emperor Xuande was still in the main hall discussing state affairs with several important ministers. Before the banquet, Emperor Xuande had suddenly issued an edict, bestowing the title of Duke of Anguo upon his newlywed eldest son, Jinghao, and ordering him to continue his studies at the Yuqing Palace. At the same time, he announced the abolition of hereditary titles, declaring that all members of the imperial family and relatives of nobles would be granted titles and rewards based on military merit, the imperial examinations, or strategic achievements. The Zhou aunt and nephew were naturally displeased, but dared not cause trouble at the banquet. Anticipating that conservative ministers or noble relatives might make trouble after the Double Ninth Festival, Emperor Xuande had kept his trusted ministers behind.