The days flowed past like water, and soon it was the sixth month.

In mid-sixth month, the Imperial Eldest Son celebrated his seventh birthday. The Emperor issued an edict for the Bureau of Astronomy to select an auspicious day, formally establishing the Imperial Eldest Son as Crown Prince. Congratulations resounded throughout court and country. In early seventh month, court was suspended for three days. All high ministers, dukes, marquises, and titled ladies attended in formal array to participate in the grand ceremony of establishing the Crown Prince.

Several of the Xu family daughters-in-law held official titles. Though the Grand Madam was elderly and Madam Xu in poor health—they still dared not neglect such an important occasion. First Young Madam volunteered to remain home managing household affairs and looking after the children. The remaining five female family members, old and young, all dressed in full formal attire. On the morning of the first day of the seventh month, they entered the palace early to take their places, standing left and right outside Kunning Palace waiting with the other titled ladies from within and outside the palace.

Though awnings and gauze canopies had been erected outside Kunning Palace, the weather was sweltering. With so many people crowded in one large courtyard, everyone perspired somewhat. Yet starting with the palace ladies, not one person uttered an idle word. The outer titled ladies naturally didn’t dare be presumptuous either. Though numerous, outside the hall it remained utterly quiet. Only the hall’s music could be heard rising and falling intermittently, and the shrill voices of the eunuch supervisors faintly carrying outside, commanding bows and rises.

Though Fourth Young Madam and Fifth Young Madam were entitled to enter the palace, their ranks weren’t high enough to stand with the Grand Madam and other first-rank titled ladies. Seventh Miss glanced at the two elders and, seeing the Grand Madam’s spirits seemed good, felt half her worries relieved.

Madam Xu had spent the past month managing nothing and concentrating on recuperating. Her health had actually improved considerably. Though her face still bore a trace of sickly sallowness, she looked much healthier than in previous years. The Grand Madam standing not far away, however, had a pale and wan complexion, constantly pulling out her handkerchief to wipe sweat, showing weakness—after all, having lived in Jiangnan for nearly twenty years, when did she normally have to exert herself this way? Only the capital’s noblewomen, who had to mobilize for the Empress Dowager’s, Imperial Consorts’, and Empress’s birthdays, festivals and holidays, or major court celebrations—entering the palace seven or eight times a year—now appeared calm and composed, revealing not the slightest impropriety.

Compared to the densely packed outer titled ladies, the palace ladies on Kunning Palace’s left side were far fewer. Because the Crown Prince had no brothers, the Emperor’s several brothers who were married had all gone to their fiefs, and even the uncles’ generation of enfeoffed princes hadn’t received orders to return to the capital. Thus among the palace ladies, Noble Consort Niu headed the group, followed by Sixth Miss, then three or four young women who were either ravishingly beautiful or elegantly pretty—and no others. Though these young matrons more or less had relatives among the outer titled ladies, starting with Noble Consort Niu, they all lowered their eyes without speaking, observing their noses while their noses observed their hearts, fully displaying the bearing of imperial consorts. Seeing this made the outer titled ladies feel an ineffable yearning: such bearing seemed to create an unbridgeable chasm between the imperial family and the ministers below.

Before long, ceremonial music resounded grandly from within the palace. Over ten eunuchs and palace attendants surrounded and escorted a magnificently dressed young boy out of Kunning Palace’s main hall. All the titled ladies lowered their eyes demurely, not daring to meet his gaze. Because Seventh Miss stood on the inner side of the crowd, she could actually secretly lift her eyelids to observe the Crown Prince’s features.

This was an extremely refined little boy who didn’t much resemble his mother. By Seventh Miss’s imagination, he should favor the current Emperor somewhat, but his expression more resembled the Empress. Though maintaining a stern face, he still exuded warmth. He first turned to smile at the palace ladies, then tilted his face to wave at Second Miss among the outer titled ladies before being gently persuaded by the eunuchs to take a middle-aged woman’s hand and exit Kunning Palace.

Madam Xu smiled faintly and said softly in Seventh Miss’s ear, “The Crown Prince has quite an amiable temperament.”

As she spoke, the protocol officer guided them and the ceremony official announced the palace ladies’ entrance for audience. Everyone immediately quieted further. After the palace ladies finished their obeisance and filed out, the outer titled ladies entered for audience and congratulations. With Second Miss as class leader, she declared, “Your servant, Lady Sun, congratulates the Central Palace…” followed by a long string of words. Everyone simply followed in bowing and rising before withdrawing outside the hall again, guided by the protocol officer to exit through the western gate.

Such a grand ceremony was even more solemn than the Empress’s birthday. Only Second Miss was kept by the Empress for conversation. The Empress Dowager received Lady Niu and her daughter-in-law into Cishou Palace, and Imperial Consort Xu received the Grand Madam and Madam Xu into Ningshou Palace. Beyond these, no other palace ladies were kept in the palace for conversation. Seventh Miss had already walked halfway when a young eunuch sent by Imperial Consort Xu found her and invited her to “enter Ningshou Palace to attend the two elders.”

Such a task had previously been Fifth Young Madam’s exclusive privilege. Fourth Young Madam deliberately glanced at her before gently pushing Seventh Miss with a smile. “Sixth Sister-in-law, go quickly. We know how to get home.”

Fifth Young Madam’s expression remained normal. She even smiled at Seventh Miss and instructed in a low voice, “Grandmother and Mother are elderly. Standing so long is tiring. Sixth Sister-in-law, keep watch and don’t let the elders succumb to the heat and fall ill.” Only then did she take Fourth Young Madam’s arm and slowly follow the crowd toward the palace exit.

Without this level of composure, how much less worry would she have? Seventh Miss also sighed inwardly. She smiled at the young eunuch and, under everyone’s envious gazes, diverged from the path and proceeded leisurely toward Ningshou Palace.

#

When Seventh Miss entered the eastern hall, the three elders had naturally already taken their seats. Seeing Seventh Miss enter, they all broke into smiles. Imperial Consort Xu beckoned with a laugh. “You child are truly too simple-minded. Though I forgot to instruct you, with two elders ahead, shouldn’t you still follow to attend them? If the young eunuchs hadn’t run so fast, would you have gone home on your own?”

Her tone was intimate, greatly surprising the Grand Madam and Madam Xu. The Grand Madam glanced at Seventh Miss in amazement before smiling at Imperial Consort Xu and saying affectionately, “I hadn’t expected Lady Yang would suit Your Ladyship’s temperament so well! After meeting only a few times, you already favor her so.”

Imperial Consort Xu glanced at Seventh Miss and smiled with pursed lips. “It’s also that Lady Yang knows how to conduct herself. How could I not like her when I see her?”

Seventh Miss couldn’t help but exchange a glance with the Grand Madam.

Indescribable thoughts flickered through the Grand Madam’s eyes.

She was getting old after all. In the future, the task of entering the palace would certainly fall to Seventh Miss. Seventh Miss would be the only family member Imperial Consort Xu could see. If she didn’t even like Seventh Miss, how would she pass the endless days in the deep palace?

Her gaze toward Seventh Miss grew somewhat warmer. She affectionately patted Seventh Miss’s shoulder. “Good! That Your Ladyship favors Lady Yang is her good fortune!—This child is indeed meticulous.”

She rarely praised Seventh Miss so.

Which of these noblewomen in the eastern hall wasn’t shrewd? How could they not discern the Grand Madam’s thought process? Madam Xu glanced at Seventh Miss with a breezy smile. Seventh Miss lowered her eyes, working hard to show a bashful expression.

Seeing the harmony among these three generations of in-laws, Imperial Consort Xu smiled with satisfaction. “For a family to be so harmonious is the greatest blessing in the world. I can rest assured in the palace!”

The three generations of in-laws all froze almost imperceptibly before breaking into smiles. “Your Ladyship speaks truly!”

The deep palace was forbidden ground, and they were meeting temporarily under the pretext of paying respects to the Central Palace—they couldn’t stay long. After a few more words, the Grand Madam led them in rising to take their leave. But Imperial Consort Xu said, “It’s fine. I’ve already sent someone to wait outside Cishou Palace. When Lady Niu leaves Cishou Palace, you can depart. No rush.”

Though the Imperial Consort’s position was also exalted, ultimately she still had to watch the Empress Dowager’s expression in everything. The Grand Madam couldn’t help but sigh slightly, though she didn’t show it on her face, only saying happily, “Very well. Being able to see Your Ladyship a bit longer is this old woman’s fortune.”

Seventh Miss glanced at Madam Xu and tugged her sleeve.

Madam Xu immediately understood and stood with a smile. “I’ve stood so long, I’d like to ask Your Ladyship to lend me a couch for a nap.”

No matter how good the relationship between aunt and sister-in-law, it couldn’t compare to mother and daughter. Especially since the Grand Madam normally lived in Duke Pingguo’s manor, many things couldn’t be said in Madam Xu’s presence.

That Seventh Miss could think of this showed not only her meticulous consideration but also her frank magnanimity—she didn’t fear the Grand Madam gossiping about them behind their backs with Imperial Consort Xu.

Imperial Consort Xu’s gaze toward Seventh Miss grew even warmer. She didn’t stand on ceremony but smilingly instructed the palace attendants, “Quickly prepare the bed and help Sister-in-law rest.”

Seventh Miss also withdrew from the eastern hall under the pretext of attending Madam Xu. She entered the western hall’s warm chamber with Madam Xu. The two sat facing each other drinking tea until palace attendants reported: “Lady Niu has left Cishou Palace.”

Everyone immediately bustled about. When Seventh Miss and Madam Xu emerged from the side hall, Imperial Consort Xu was also helping the Grand Madam out. Both mother and daughter’s eyes were red. The Grand Madam was still saying softly, “You’re an Imperial Consort now. Don’t constrain yourself too much. Whenever you feel troubled, send someone to call us into the palace to talk… Since you want to handle that matter, handle it well! As long as you’re happy, the family is content with everything.”

Imperial Consort Xu wiped her eyes and smiled with effort. “I know everything—Mother should also take good care of yourself…”

She personally escorted the three to the palace gate. When Seventh Miss walked far away and looked back, she could still see Imperial Consort Xu’s figure standing before the dark red palace walls, not moving for a long time.

Not long after, news spread from the palace: Imperial Consort Xu had received a dream revelation. She dreamed of Noble Consort Zhou who had passed away years ago, asking about the Emperor and Crown Prince’s wellbeing. Hearing of this dream, the Emperor wept profusely, unable to eat or sleep day and night, crying out that he had failed to show filial piety to his birth mother and was tormented by this constantly, sighing deeply and repeatedly.

The Xu family had operated in court for many years—how could they not have one or two private friends? With this opening, before long, the Censorate submitted a memorial impeaching the Minister of Rites for neglect of duty, failing to submit a petition after the Emperor’s succession to request an honored title for Noble Consort Zhou, thus leaving the Emperor burdened with the sin of unfilial conduct.

Previously the Minister of Rites had turned a blind eye simply because the Empress Dowager took precedence, but now that the Emperor had performed so, anyone with any intelligence knew how to handle matters. Thus after various maneuvers, in mid-seventh month, Noble Consort Zhou finally received the title of Empress.

Posthumously enfeoffing an empress—though the person was gone, the proper ceremonies couldn’t be omitted. The titled ladies had to endure the scorching sun once more to pay respects in formal array at the eastern side hall of Xianfu Palace where Noble Consort Zhou had once resided. Though the Empress Dowager was indisposed and didn’t appear, the Imperial Consort was beaming with joy. She led the palace ladies in performing the rites inside the hall before the outer titled ladies. After the ceremony dispersed, she pulled Seventh Miss and the others to Ningshou Palace to talk.

Because the weather was truly oppressive, both the Grand Madam and Madam Xu had suffered varying degrees of heat exhaustion. This time only Seventh Miss and her three sisters-in-law attended. Imperial Consort Xu showed no favoritism, holding each one’s hand and carefully inquiring after everyone at home, instructing each with a few words before smilingly dismissing Seventh Miss’s several sisters-in-law. “After all, you’ve come in on a joyful occasion. It wouldn’t be proper to keep you for a meal. Consort Ning just sent word that she’ll come shortly to speak with Lady Yang. You others may leave first.”

Truly, having people in court made things easier. With a casual word, Imperial Consort Xu kept Seventh Miss to speak privately, and the excuse was so dignified. Though the sisters-in-law felt uncomfortable, they couldn’t say much. They could only smile, rise to take their leave, and leave the space to Imperial Consort Xu and Seventh Miss.

Once the three left the room, the smile on Imperial Consort Xu’s face became much more genuine. She eagerly pulled Seventh Miss into the eastern side hall and dismissed the servants.

“Niece-in-law is still the clever one.” Imperial Consort Xu’s attitude toward Seventh Miss had grown noticeably warmer. “Your idea was excellent, and the timing perfect… Just one step more and I think the Emperor would have acted himself.”

Of course, arrangements by the Emperor versus cooperation by the Imperial Consort produced different effects. The Imperial Consort had essentially seized this favor for herself, yet everyone was pleased.

Seventh Miss smiled with pursed lips and exchanged modest words with the Imperial Consort. “Little Qi just thought of it casually. After all, it’s Aunt’s experienced methods that could arrange everything so naturally!”

Imperial Consort Xu smiled complacently. “Though your aunt has been quiet these years, after all, with age comes cunning. If I’d really done as you suggested and bluntly proposed posthumously enfeoffing Noble Consort Zhou, everyone would have been too embarrassed.”

She took the opportunity to instruct Seventh Miss on a few more points before raising a new topic. “Actually, I kept you here also to consult you on something. The Emperor intends to have Prince An raised in our Ningshou Palace. Niece-in-law, you have a good head—help Aunt consider whether I should accept.”

Prince An was only five years old this year, a young prince born two years before the late Emperor’s death. Though enfeoffed as prince from birth, he was still young and had been raised in the Forbidden City all these years. Though the Emperor couldn’t be said to dote on him, he hadn’t neglected his provisions either.

Seventh Miss immediately smiled and sincerely congratulated Imperial Consort Xu. “This is the Emperor’s filial devotion toward you… You should accept with confidence!”

Imperial Consort Xu also smiled with relief. She joyfully patted Seventh Miss’s shoulder. “Good! Though I was thinking the same, with niece-in-law’s affirmation, Aunt has even more confidence!”

She sighed to Seventh Miss, “I used to think we consorts had it so hard, with the Empress always ahead of us in everything. But if Prince An can enter Ningshou Palace, I feel the Empress has it even harder.”

Both childless, yet the Imperial Consort could raise Prince An in Ningshou Palace. When Prince An grew up and went to his fief, he could bring his foster mother to live in the enfeoffed territory. The Imperial Consort’s days would be much easier then. Unlike in the Forbidden City where palace prohibitions were strict and life was truly dull.

But the Empress Dowager could only reside alone in Cishou Palace. No matter how much honor, how could it compensate for deep palace loneliness?

The favor the Emperor was returning could be said to be utterly thorough. No wonder the Imperial Consort was so warm toward her—without Seventh Miss, this favor wouldn’t have fallen to her.

Seventh Miss pondered casually while observing the Imperial Consort again, confirming that the affection in the Imperial Consort’s eyes was indeed genuine.

Just now, while the Imperial Consort was still immersed in wild joy, her own favor was most valuable…

She slowly spoke. “Speaking of which, there’s something I’ve always wanted to ask Aunt’s help with, but the timing wasn’t right then… Now that the Crown Prince has been established, Little Qi will presume to speak…”

Imperial Consort Xu immediately focused intently on Seventh Miss.

“Speak.” She urged. “What do you need Aunt to help with—silly child, you should have said so earlier!”

Seventh Miss looked at the Imperial Consort and smiled faintly.

Leaving Ningshou Palace, she made a detour to Jingren Palace to speak briefly with Sixth Miss before being sent out of the Forbidden City by attendants from the reluctant Sixth Miss.