Chapter 22: Legend of Zhen Huan, An Lingrong

The next day, the three of them traveled to the palace together.

Even without the explicit permission of the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, or the Empress, concubines were required to pay their morning respects at the Jingren Palace, even if they were pregnant. Li Siqi and Noble Lady Fuca fared reasonably well, but Xia Dongchun, suffering from morning sickness and other ailments, looked weak and listless.

"Changzai Jing, why don't you ask the Empress for leave?" Noble Lady Fuca said, unable to hide her concern. "The weather is only getting colder; I'm afraid you won't be able to hold up."

"Being pregnant has made me feel like a patient," Li Siqi teased. "Now you've truly become a sick cat. Let's see if you can still be so fierce."

"An Lingrong, you are such a bully, always picking on me," Xia Dongchun glared at her, though she no longer engaged in her former arrogance. Compared to how foolish and aggressive she had been upon first entering the palace, her temper had mellowed significantly.

"Do you want to be excused from morning calls?" Li Siqi raised an eyebrow at her. "If you follow my advice, the Empress might just exempt you herself."

"Really?" Xia Dongchun looked suspicious. "You aren't lying to me?"

"Why would I lie to you?" Li Siqi rolled her eyes. "What good would that do me?"

"Alright," Noble Lady Fuca interjected. "Noble Lady Xin, stop teasing her. Just tell her."

Li Siqi leaned in and whispered her plan into their ears. Xia Dongchun looked incredulous. "Just... like that?"

"You are quite the mischievous one," Noble Lady Fuca covered her mouth to hide her laughter. She turned to the others and added, "Though it's a bit of a devious idea, it should work. If you aren't afraid of people gossiping, you can try it."

"I don't care what they say," Xia Dongchun muttered. "As long as I don't have to get up so early every day, I can get a bit more sleep."

The other two shared a knowing smile.

When they arrived at the Jingren Palace, several concubines had already gathered. After exchanging greetings, they took their respective seats. As Li Siqi held a higher rank than Xia Dongchun, they swapped their usual positions. Soon after, the remaining concubines arrived.

Once Noble Lady Xin entered, she looked specifically toward Li Siqi. Li Siqi met her gaze and saw a flicker of gratitude in her eyes. Understanding her silent message, she smiled back.

Before long, everyone had arrived except for Consort Hua. The Empress finally emerged with her usual air of authority. The concubines rose to pay their respects. Wearing a gentle smile, the Empress commanded, "Rise, sisters."

"We thank the Empress!" After thanking her, everyone sat down.

"We have had many joyous occasions in the palace lately," the Empress said, her gaze landing on the noble ladies. "Yesterday, Noble Lady Wan, Noble Lady Xin, and Changzai Jing were all confirmed to be with child. I offer you my congratulations."

The three rose again to curtsy and thank her. "We thank you, Empress."

"There is no need for such formality, please sit," the Empress said graciously. "The Emperor has promoted Noble Lady Xin and Noble Lady Xin, and bestowed titles upon Noble Lady Hui, Noble Lady Yu, and Changzai Jing. These are the Emperor's graces. I hope you will take good care of the heirs so that we may welcome several princes into the palace next year."

"Empress, there is no guarantee they are all carrying princes," Consort Qi said, her voice dripping with jealousy as she dared to challenge the Empress. "They could just as easily be princesses. In my opinion, it is better to wait until the children are born."

A heavy silence fell over the room. Everyone looked toward the Empress, whose expression stiffened, leaving her unable to retort.

Just then, Consort Hua's voice rang out from the entrance. "Consort Qi is right. We won't know if they are princes or princesses until they are born. If they all turn out to be princesses, wouldn't that be a slap in the face for the Empress?"

Consort Hua walked in, stroking her stomach with an air of arrogance. She scanned the room and snorted. She offered a perfunctory curtsy to the Empress and flicked her handkerchief. "I greet the Empress."

Without waiting for the Empress to speak, she sat in an empty chair. Ignoring the others, she immediately targeted Zhen Huan. "I heard that yesterday, Noble Lady Wan, you suggested to the Emperor that you be promoted to Concubine Wan? And that you even demanded to live in the main hall on the basis of your status as a noble lady?"

Zhen Huan straightened her back, lifted her chin, and replied righteously, "Returning to Consort Hua, this is a grace bestowed upon me by the Emperor. Besides, I am not the only one to occupy a main hall while holding the rank of noble lady." She glanced toward Noble Lady Tian (Fuca) and Noble Lady Yu (Borjigit), who had been assigned to main halls upon their arrival.

"And who do you think you are, Noble Lady Wan?" Consort Hua sneered. "Are you trying to compare your family background to that of the Fuca or the Borjigit clans? I wonder how thick your skin must be to think that the daughter of a fourth-rank Han-banner official can be mentioned in the same breath as them. It seems your ambition is quite grand, wanting to surpass them."

"I would not dare," Zhen Huan said, harboring secret resentment while maintaining a respectful facade. "I only follow the Emperor's arrangements. The Emperor must have felt I was qualified to reside in the main hall to grant my request. I see no need to compare myself to anyone. After all, everyone is different."

"What a sharp-tongued Noble Lady Wan," Consort Hua mocked. "It seems you truly have no regard for the concubines from the Manchu and Mongolian banners, believing that the Emperor's favor allows you to trample over them. I shall wait... I shall wait to see you suppress the concubines of the Manchu and Mongolian banners."

"Consort Hua, Noble Lady Wan meant no such thing," Shen Meizhuang could no longer remain silent. She spoke up for her friend. "We all know the nobility of the Manchu and Mongolian banners. Since we are all the Emperor's concubines in the harem, we should primarily follow the Emperor's will."

"Noble Lady Hui, you are indeed a good sister to Noble Lady Wan," Consort Hua laughed coldly. "I understand your meaning now—no matter the family background, the banner, or the official rank, nothing is as important as the Emperor's favor. As long as you have that, you dare to do whatever you please."

"Consort Hua, you are joking," Zhen Huan said, her face paling as she lowered her head. "I am content with my lot and would never dare overstep."

"You, content with your lot?" Consort Hua stood up and curled her lips in a sneer. "In this entire palace, I see no one more formidable than you. Perhaps one day, you will even pull the Empress from her phoenix throne and take it for yourself."

"I would not dare!" Zhen Huan turned pale and knelt on the floor. This was too grave an accusation, one she could not afford to bear.

"Consort Hua, watch your tongue," the Empress said, though she was seething internally. She maintained her imperial dignity. "Noble Lady Wan is a newcomer and is bound to be inexperienced. If you are willing to guide her, that is a good thing. But you should not say things that shouldn't be said; every concubine must know her place."

Consort Hua rolled her eyes. "I just like to speak the truth. Even if the Empress doesn't like hearing it, I won't change. Besides, everyone knows the Emperor loves my temperament; I hope the Empress will be indulgent."

The Empress gave her a cold look, then turned her gaze to the woman still kneeling on the floor. "Noble Lady Wan, rise."