The faint sounds drifting in made the Empress Dowager lower her gaze. These palace intrigues — she had watched them her entire life, and long since grown weary of them, having seen through them all.

“Have whoever it is come in.”

The Emperor opened his mouth but in the end did not object. He had recognized whose voice it was.

Walking in behind Yuxiang — who was barely containing her fury — was Hao Yue’s head palace maid. She first kowtowed to the two of them at the top of the room in greeting, then pressed her forehead to the floor and said through choked sobs: “This servant begs the Empress Dowager to show mercy and allow a physician to come see the consort. If she were not truly feeling unwell, she would not keep asking — please have pity.”

The Empress Dowager was in no hurry to respond. She knew this was far from over.

As expected — the moment that line of speech ended, a sharp, piercing cry from a palace maid outside came through: “Come quickly — the consort is bleeding!”

The room fell still.

The Emperor shot to his feet and immediately strode rapidly toward the door. He was halfway through it before he realized his reaction had been excessive. He turned back with an awkward explanation: “Your son lost his head for a moment — the Empress Dowager, please forgive.”

The Empress Dowager quietly regarded her eldest son. She had married the late Emperor at fifteen and given birth to him at sixteen. Though the palace held no such thing as pure feeling, she had given him the deepest, most selfless portion of what she had. She remembered when they had been mother and son in the truest sense. She remembered him declaring in his childish way that he would protect her. She remembered the first time he had become a father, how he had rushed to tell her himself, barely able to contain his joy. Once he had been full of spirit and bright-eyed — but somewhere along the way he had become as he was now, aged and worn, and looking no better than herself.

What was the use of thinking about all this. The Empress Dowager pressed down the bitterness in her heart and said lightly: “Take her back with you.”

“Empress Dowager.” The Emperor stepped forward. “It has been many years since the palace has had a prince or princess born. Your son was simply overjoyed.”

“This Dowager is happy for you too. Go — this Dowager is tired.”

The Emperor had no grounds to stay further. He took his leave.

Listening as the sound of movement outside faded from presence to absence, the Empress Dowager covered her eyes. She had spent enormous effort softening the Emperor — as long as the Emperor showed the slightest sign of relenting, this matter was not beyond recovery. But Hao Yue had chosen this very moment to stir up trouble.

After a moment, when the Empress Dowager lowered her hand, all emotion had receded. She had become once more the Empress Dowager she always was — serene and unhurried, as though no storm in the world could knock her down.

“The first day of the new year and there is already blood. If the year passes without incident, then so be it. But if something does happen—” The Empress Dowager gave a cold smile. “Remember it well. When the time comes, make sure the Emperor recalls this drop of blood from today — whether it was real or not.”

“Yes — this old servant has it noted.”

The vast palace hall was warm as spring sunlight, and yet the Empress Dowager still felt a chill all through her. She picked up her hand warmer and slipped it on, thinking of the son who had said he would dine with her, most likely having already forgotten that promise entirely.

“Your Highness — Chen Qing requests an audience.”

Chen Qing? The Empress Dowager came to herself at once and immediately had him called in.

Chen Qing had served in the Seven Lodges Division for many years — gaining admittance was not difficult for him, particularly now when he was going through proper channels, having come to deliver something on his master’s behalf.

He paid his respects, then set the red lacquered food box — very familiar to the Empress Dowager — onto the side table. He lowered his head. “The master bids this servant to kowtow to you on his behalf.”

Chen Qing knelt again in full formal prostration. “Wishing you long life and good health.”

The Empress Dowager looked at the box for a moment, then said in a husky voice: “This gift I accept. Rise.”

Chen Qing stood, and without waiting to be asked, stated his purpose directly. “The master had Fu Dong personally prepare a few of the dishes you are fond of. He says they are all light and easy on the digestion, and asks that you eat a little of each. He says he will have this servant bring more to you tomorrow.”

She reached up and touched the food box — warm to the touch. That small warmth scorched something deep within her, lifting her spirits a little. “How serious is Yanxi’s injury?”

“In reply to the Empress Dowager — the master ran a fever through the night. Shao Yao and the eldest young miss attended him with great care, and the fever broke by morning. He is much improved now, and before long he will come in person to pay his respects.”

“That the fever was real I believe. That those two looked after him through the night I also believe. But ‘much improved’ — there’s probably some water in that account.” The Empress Dowager looked at him. “Tell me the truth.”

“Yes — Shao Yao says the master must rest in bed for some time and will have to endure some suffering, but as for his life, for the moment it appears to be out of danger.”

That was more or less what the Empress Dowager had guessed. She let out a sigh and turned to give instructions to Yuxiang: “Go fetch that set of pearl ornaments. Oh yes — Shao Yao likes that jade bead pair of mine. Bring both of them and let Chen Qing take them back. Call it this Dowager’s New Year gift for the two of them.”

“Yes.”

At this moment, Rulan Palace too was abuzz with activity — though amidst all the bustle, the delight on the faces of the palace attendants was plain to see.

After nine years, the palace had once more been graced with an imperial consort carrying the blood of the imperial family. Whether it was a prince or a princess, this was a momentous joy. For those in Rulan Palace it was especially so — and catching a glimpse of the Emperor personally spooning medicine to feed the consort, they were all the more certain of this.

Hao Yue obediently drank down the bowl of medicine to secure the pregnancy. She dabbed at the corner of her mouth and seemed on the verge of saying something.

The Emperor was in excellent spirits and smiled to see her like this. “Say it.”

Hao Yue lowered her eyes. Without any rouge or powder, her face was full and glowing with the vitality of youth — and in its current pallor it had an air of fragile vulnerability. The Emperor, who had always had an eye for beauty, felt his heart soften two degrees further.

“If you have something to say, say it. I will see to it for you.”

“This consort has suffered no grievance and cannot speak of being seen to. It’s only that…” Hao Yue lightly cradled her abdomen and raised her head, her eyes luminous as rippling water. “It’s only that this is a child I have longed for so dearly, and I worry that I lack the fortune to keep it. I take the liberty of asking if Physician Shao Yao might be assigned to attend on this consort — Your Majesty need not worry, I would never have ulterior motives. I only think that a female physician is more convenient, as you would agree, wouldn’t you?”

The Emperor’s eyes narrowed, but he did not accede. “The Imperial Medical Academy has physicians who specialize in this area. You need not concern yourself — they would not dare be remiss.”

“But Your Majesty, this consort trusts Shao Yao more.”

“So do I.” Thinking of his niece who had stormed in yesterday and hadn’t spared him so much as a glance, the Emperor was uncertain whether he felt more vexed or more helplessly resigned. “Yet she is not merely a physician — she is also a commandery princess. You would have a commandery princess attend upon you day and night in a station of personal service?”

Hao Yue bit her lips — biting them even paler. “This consort would not dare think that way. It’s only that this consort is truly so worried…”

“I understand. Rest easy — I will make the arrangements. No one will treat you lightly.” The Emperor turned and gave instructions to Lai Fu: “Elevate Hao Yue to the rank of Consort; raise her treatment two grades.”

“Yes.”

“This consort thanks the Emperor for his grace.” Hao Yue bowed from the bed. The Emperor pressed her back to lie down. “Keeping yourself well and giving me my prince or princess — that is the best thanks you could give.”

“Yes — this consort will certainly do so.”

Hao Yue stifled a yawn. The Emperor, seeing this, lingered no longer. “Rest well.”

Hao Yue caught his sleeve. “This consort will sleep just a little while — will you come back later?”

“I will.” The Emperor nodded, much pleased with himself. “Come dine with you — how does that sound?”

“Lovely. This consort will wait for you.”

The Emperor touched her face, and in high spirits took his leave with long strides.

The smile on Hao Yue’s face slowly faded. She had intended to keep this a secret for a little longer — she had not expected that today she would be forced to bring the child into the open this way. What a pity that her goal had not yet been achieved. Now that she knew the leader of the Seven Lodges Division was actually the Shizi — if she could get Shao Yao in her grasp, and then use the child as leverage to seize something over her, would Gu Yanxi — given his deep sibling bond with Shao Yao — come to her and beg?