After the willow shadows and darkening flowers comes another village.

Emperor Hongwu closed one door for Mu Chun while opening another window. This caused Mu Chun’s mood to fluctuate like dandelions in the autumn wind—sometimes on the ground, sometimes in the sky.

The Twelve Guards of the Imperial Army consisted of: the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Standard Bearer Guard, Front Golden Crow Guard, Rear Golden Crow Guard, Left Yulin Guard, Right Yulin Guard, Prefecture Army Guard, Left Prefecture Army Guard, Right Prefecture Army Guard, Front Prefecture Army Guard, Rear Prefecture Army Guard, and Left Tiger Guard.

The twelve guards were stationed at various gates throughout the imperial city’s forbidden areas and were not subject to the Ministry of War’s jurisdiction, only obeying Emperor Hongwu’s commands. But Emperor Hongwu handled ten thousand affairs daily and had no energy to personally direct the training, patrols, defense, and combat of these people, so he had to choose someone trustworthy to command the Imperial Guards.

Marquis Gongchang Guo Ying could lead troops in external campaigns and guard cities internally. He had considerable prestige in the military and could control the twelve guards. When Mu Chun served as commander of the Right Yulin Guard, he was only responsible for security in the eastern five quarters of the imperial city. Now as Guo Ying’s deputy general, he made several rounds of all the gates inside and outside the imperial city daily—it was just bad luck that he never encountered Sister Shanwei by chance.

Moreover, now most of those around him were Guo Ying’s people, not as convenient as before for finding Hu Shanwei. Mu Chun worried about not being able to hide his little secret and instead harming her, so he focused mainly on familiarizing himself with imperial city defense without daring to act rashly.

With Hu Shanwei restored to her original position, Chen Er’mei from the Imperial Kitchen Bureau used her official duties as an excuse to host a welcoming banquet. Old acquaintances like Jiang Quan and Huang Weide all came, with only Shen Qionglian absent, sending a jar of fine wine through a palace maid.

After four years, everyone was accustomed to Shen Qionglian’s aloof temperament and didn’t mind. During the feast, as cups were raised and conversation flowed, Hu Shanwei learned that Chen Er’mei had written home asking her family to help Huang Weide find her relatives. After three years of effort by the Chen family, there were results. The Chen family had found Huang Weide’s home in Panyu County, Guangdong.

The Huang family had never moved. After the war ended, Huang Weide’s parents had waited at their old residence for their daughter, hoping she would remember the way home, until their deaths.

Now almost all the Huang family members were dead, with only one young niece surviving. The Huang clan took advantage of the extinct household, seizing the orphan girl’s house and fields, and under the pretext of arranging her marriage, sold her as a child bride.

The Chen family found the orphan girl and redeemed her at ten times the original price. She was now being raised by the Chen family, who were teaching her to read and write.

Huang Weide had accumulated some wealth during her years in the palace and entrusted it all to Chen Er’mei to transfer to the Chen family as the niece’s redemption money, foster care, and education expenses, boarding the niece with the Chen family.

Upon hearing this, everyone sighed with emotion. Hu Shanwei was also moved. The world was vast, and everyone had their own life—she couldn’t demand that everyone revolve around her. Huang Weide was indeed her student, but Huang Weide also had her own life. Hu Shanwei was merely someone who played the role of teacher in her life. In Huang Weide’s past and future, there would be people more important than herself participating.

A kitchen maid who encountered war and displacement in childhood, was trafficked and sold, but still read by the fire under the stove and refused to give up learning even when using charcoal as a pen—her future certainly wouldn’t be limited to being my student, Hu Shanwei.

I’ve only been an official in the palace for a few years, yet unknowingly developed a self-centered consciousness, magnifying my own contributions several times over to weigh others’ efforts, treating others with an attitude of granting favors. This thinking is too ridiculous.

Having clarified these thoughts, the resentment in Hu Shanwei’s heart immediately dissipated, and she felt enlightened. She raised her cup to toast Huang Weide: “I wish you well after suffering, finally reunited with family.”

Huang Weide wiped away tears and drained her cup in one gulp, sighing: “Indeed, one should never give up hope at any time. Self-pity and lamenting one’s bitter fate is completely useless. If I hadn’t steeled my heart to study poetry and books diligently, I wouldn’t have become your disciple, wouldn’t have met Chen Er’mei through this, and couldn’t have entrusted her to help me find relatives. The moment I received news of my niece was more joyful than receiving a name from Empress Xiaoci.”

Huang Weide’s original name was Mei Xiang—a standard slave name.

Seeing the atmosphere becoming somewhat melancholy, Chen Er’mei immediately raised her cup with a smile: “For you, it’s an unforgettable major event, but for me it was just a small favor. We all decided to enter the palace as female officials, spending most of our lives in the court. This fate is hard-won—we should support each other, learn from each other’s strengths and compensate for weaknesses. None of us will marry in this lifetime, right? Anyway, when we’re old, we’ll have money and status, aging with dignity. When we retire from the palace, we’ll live together in our old age and compete to see who lives longest.”

Chen Er’mei deliberately lightened the mood. Huang Weide immediately responded: “Good! By then we should all become stubborn old relics.”

Jiang Quan laughed: “By age, I’m the oldest—in the future, you’ll all come to see me off.”

Everyone laughed and clinked cups together: “Cheers to being stubborn old relics!”

That night, host and guests enjoyed themselves thoroughly, finishing the entire jar of fine wine Shen Qionglian had sent.

The eighth day of the eighth month was Empress Xiaoci’s birthday in the afterlife, the tenth was the anniversary memorial, and five days later would be the Mid-Autumn Festival on the fifteenth. But the harem had not yet emerged from mourning the empress. Imperial Consort Guo Ning summoned Imperial Consorts Guo Hui and Da Ding to discuss matters together:

“Mid-Autumn is a major festival that was usually celebrated grandly in the past, but now it’s too close to Empress Xiaoci’s afterlife birthday and anniversary memorial. His Majesty has no mood for celebration either. I suggest we observe this festival simply—cancel all celebrations and only hold an imperial family banquet. What do you two think?”

Imperial Consort Guo Hui said: “Imperial Consort Ning speaks correctly—simple is better.”

The wooden beauty Imperial Consort Da Ding dared not move, saying woodenly: “I’ll follow what my two elder sisters decide.”

Imperial Consort Guo Ning said: “Then this matter is settled.”

With important matters decided, Imperial Consorts Guo Hui and Da Ding hastily requested leave and returned to their respective palaces, closing their doors and not venturing out.

Imperial Consort Guo Ning said to Hu Shanwei: “If only the Six Bureaus and One Department were all like these two consorts.”

Hu Shanwei wasn’t as relaxed as Imperial Consort Guo Ning: “His Majesty appointed these two to assist Your Ladyship in managing the harem, but they follow Your Ladyship’s lead completely without offering any suggestions—this isn’t good. If anything goes wrong, it’s all Your Ladyship’s responsibility. If things go well, they’ll naturally share some credit.”

Imperial Consort Guo Ning slapped the table and rose: “These two appear quiet and unassuming usually, but unexpectedly they’re both playing excellent calculations.”

“Please calm your anger, Your Ladyship,” Hu Shanwei advised. “Given Imperial Consorts Hui and Ding’s backgrounds, if they weren’t somewhat shrewd, they would have lost their footing in the harem long ago. What Your Ladyship should do is boldly delegate authority, throwing matters to them to handle and requiring them to make their own decisions. For example, for the Mid-Autumn family banquet, have Imperial Consort Hui responsible for the feast and Imperial Consort Ding responsible for the riddles and entertainment, while Your Ladyship only coordinates from behind.”

Imperial Consort Guo Ning was uneasy: “I’m not confident. What if these two mess something up? This is the first major festival I’m organizing.”

Having just gained power and repeatedly suffering setbacks, Imperial Consort Guo Ning desperately wanted to accomplish something impressive to demonstrate her abilities and show Emperor Hongwu her worth.

Hu Shanwei advised Imperial Consort Guo Ning to abandon her habit of coveting credit: “Given Imperial Consorts Hui and Ding’s personalities, they’ll probably handle everything according to precedent and absolutely won’t attempt anything fancy—His Majesty has no interest in celebrating, so no matter how well it’s done, no one will appreciate it. Your Ladyship is new to this position—not making mistakes is already meritorious. The future is long. Wait until next year when Empress Xiaoci’s twenty-seven-month mourning period ends and the imperial family removes mourning dress—then Your Ladyship can make grand celebrations.”

Hu Shanwei spoke frankly, each sentence hitting Imperial Consort Guo Ning’s heart. Imperial Consort Guo Ning felt Hu Shanwei indeed had real substance, but was definitely hurt by her words.

Imperial Consort Guo Ning said: “I understand the reasoning you speak of. ‘Not making mistakes is meritorious’—that’s how Noble Consort Li handled things before. But I’m different from Noble Consort Li. I have an illustrious family background and have borne a prince—must I also learn from Noble Consort Li’s example?”

Imperial Consort Guo Ning felt hurt by Hu Shanwei, while Hu Shanwei felt angered by Imperial Consort Guo Ning! With this kind of thinking, harem authority would be ruined sooner or later!

Hu Shanwei wasn’t the traditionally gentle and persuasive type who patiently guided others. She was better at shock treatment, speaking directly:

“Yes, Your Ladyship is indeed different from Noble Consort Li. When Noble Consort Li managed the harem, General Marquis Gongchang Guo Ying commanded the Twelve Guards of the Imperial Army. Now that Your Ladyship manages the harem, the twelve guards immediately gained an additional deputy general—Xiping Marquis heir Mu Chun. This is the difference. Your Ladyship, you should be even more careful than Noble Consort Li.”

Imperial Consort Guo Ning’s expression changed dramatically. She covered her chest and said in a low voice: “Impudent! How dare you discuss state affairs! Harem interference in government means execution—the iron tablet still stands on East and West Long Streets.”

Hu Shanwei recalled Empress Xiaoci’s teaching: Harem affairs are closely related to and mutually influence the front court.

Hu Shanwei said: “The harem has plenty of yes-men. Why did Your Ladyship invite me back? If Your Ladyship regrets it and considers me a disaster, then send me back to Xiaoling Mausoleum to feed deer.”

With these words, Hu Shanwei swept her sleeves and left. Imperial Consort Guo Ning’s stubbornness made her feel that Imperial Consort Guo Ning was about to become the second Noble Consort Li who died without understanding why—killed by her own actions. The mastermind behind the scenes wanted to push Imperial Consort Guo Ning into power, then let her dig her own grave.

It must be so—this fit the perpetrator’s consistent style: meticulous planning, interlocking schemes, flawless execution.

Seeing Hu Shanwei reach the door, Imperial Consort Guo Ning shouted loudly: “Stop!”

Hu Shanwei halted. She had been acting all along, giving Imperial Consort Guo Ning a strong dose of medicine. Imperial Consort Guo Ning had lived comfortably too long and was nearly useless, having only ambition—a complete naive fool.

Someone wanted Imperial Consort Guo Ning to dig her own grave, but Hu Shanwei refused to let Imperial Consort Guo Ning destroy herself through foolishness. She wanted to see what methods the opponent would use—only when the opponent acted would she have a chance to strike back.

Imperial Consort Guo Ning asked: “Can you help me become Noble Consort and Empress?”

Hu Shanwei turned around, shook her head, and answered cleanly: “No.”

Imperial Consort Guo Ning showed a disappointed expression.

Hu Shanwei looked steadily at Imperial Consort Guo Ning: “I can only help Your Ladyship with one thing—managing the harem. Everything else, I cannot do.”

Having spoken to this point, both Imperial Consort Guo Ning and Hu Shanwei had laid their cards on the table. Imperial Consort Guo Ning had lofty ambitions, but managing the harem was the foundation for achieving this goal.

After staring at each other for a long time, Imperial Consort Guo Ning clapped and laughed: “No wonder you could stand toe-to-toe with Shanggong Cao—truly evenly matched opponents. I trust you, and you must fulfill your promise.”

Imperial Consort Guo Ning did as Hu Shanwei suggested, dividing and delegating authority. Imperial Consorts Guo Hui and Da Ding repeatedly declined, saying they had never handled such matters and would listen to elder sister’s directions.

Imperial Consort Guo Ning said: “His Majesty wants you two sisters to share my worries, so I won’t be polite. We’ve been sisters for many years, celebrating Mid-Autumn annually. Even if you haven’t eaten pork, you’ve seen pigs run. The banquet goes to Sister Hui, the riddles and entertainment to Sister Ding—it’s decided. You two sisters should quickly consult with the Six Bureaus and One Department to organize things. The festival is in three days, and I’m counting on you both.”

The Mid-Autumn imperial family banquet proceeded exactly as Hu Shanwei predicted—conventionally and properly. Emperor Hongwu missed Empress Xiaoci and showed little interest. Finally, according to past custom, court poets composed commemorative poems. Emperor Hongwu selected Shen Qionglian’s Mid-Autumn poem as the best and bestowed rewards.

Shangyi Cui was delighted and led Shen Qionglian forward to express gratitude. Shen Qionglian was already showing signs of intoxication. After receiving the reward, she refused to leave, waving her small hand: “Bring paper and brush—I can write more.”

Hu Shanwei laid out paper, and Shen Qionglian picked up the brush without hesitation, writing: “Shangyi leads me near the dragon bed, imperial brush personally inscribes fragrant ink. Fortunate to have my name called first, bathed in grace I dance to thank the sovereign.”

After four years as a court poet, Shen Qionglian had long figured out Emperor Hongwu’s tastes. Her writing was clear and easy to understand while perfectly suited to the occasion, exactly matching Emperor Hongwu’s aesthetic preferences given his cultural level. The dragon countenance was greatly pleased, finally showing a smile at the end of the Mid-Autumn family banquet: “Instructor Shen has heaven-sent talent. The princes at the Grand Academy are just learning the ‘Book of Documents’—let Instructor Shen teach them the ‘Wu Yi’ chapter.”