Early autumn had passed, and the flowers in the palace gardens seemed to bloom even more magnificently, especially the large peonies – brilliant purples and reds, with petals layered upon layers, curved into beautiful arcs that made for a spectacular sight even when simply admired. With fragrance wafting everywhere, these past few days the palace eunuchs and maids had been busy enough preparing to welcome the new batch of selection candidates entering the palace. Every year brought new arrivals, and every year the deep palace gained another group of nameless fragrant souls to nourish the seemingly prosperous flowers in the soil. Though it sounded somewhat terrifying, there was never a shortage of fresh flower fertilizer – there was never a lack of people wanting to fly up to the branches and become phoenixes.
Consort Shu lazily reclined on her imperial couch. Her naturally exotic features were made especially beautiful by the candlelight’s glow, and she knew her advantages well. She wore clothes of gold-threaded silk gauze jacket, with a fine jeweled headband across her forehead, and under her long sapphire blue gauze skirt, her toes were delicate and white as jade carvings.
This was a beauty who exuded indescribable allure throughout her entire being. No wonder among the annual batches of palace selection candidates, her beauty still ranked first.
Consort Shu examined her pinky nail while feeding herself peeled purple grapes from a crystal bottle beside her, one by one. The grapes were plump and lovely, her cherry lips even more delicate, and her pink tongue agile – she could eat grapes with a unique flavor that was distinctly her own.
From the crane-beaked bronze burner rose the unique incense of the Western Regions, passionate and bold, which combined with the warm candlelight made one feel transported to exotic lands.
Since Consort Chen was confined to the cold palace, Consort Shu’s days had become increasingly comfortable. Consort De and Consort Chen had fought for a lifetime, and now that Consort Chen had fallen from favor, the Fourth and Fifth Princes were still fighting each other to the death for that position.
Consort Shu had only given birth to Princess He Yi and had no sons, so naturally she had no dreams of other improper ambitions. The succession struggle was too distant for her. Living in the rear palace, Consort Shu valued more highly capturing the Emperor’s heart.
When Consort Chen was around, the Emperor’s majority attention was on her. Even with Consort Shu’s countless charms and allure, she couldn’t compete with one gentle smile from Consort Chen, one ordinary five-colored cord. In this deep palace, what Consort Shu hated most was Consort Chen – everyone knew Consort Shu and Consort Chen were natural mortal enemies. Now that Consort Chen could never turn things around, Consort Shu had lost her formidable rival and was naturally like a fish in water.
However, the matter of beauty’s decline was common in the palace after all. Though Consort Chen had fallen from favor, it was inevitable that among the new batch of selection candidates there would appear a second Consort Chen, a third Consort Chen. The selection candidates were all of flower-like age. Consort Shu might have been fortunate enough to defeat the middle-aged Consort Chen, but she absolutely couldn’t defeat a young Consort Chen.
Even so, these recent days had been much more comfortable for Consort Shu than before.
The sound of strings and bamboo instruments hadn’t yet stopped when she saw a petite figure angrily rushing in, charging straight toward the imperial couch without looking. The newcomer’s voice still carried thin anger: “Mother Consort!”
Golden skirts and jingling ornaments – who else could it be but Princess He Yi?
Consort Shu frowned slightly and waved her hand. The playing maid quickly stopped her qin and hurriedly left the hall.
Princess He Yi jumped onto the imperial couch without looking, catching sight of the qin-playing maid dressed in red. Suddenly finding that red clothing quite jarring, she said: “You, stop there.”
The maid didn’t know what was wrong and quickly stopped, kneeling down. Princess He Yi raised her chin: “This maid looks quite annoying. Drag her out and behead her.”
“Princess, spare my life!” The maid was greatly alarmed upon hearing this, not knowing what crime she had committed, but knowing that reasoning with this arrogant and domineering princess was useless. She could only kowtow repeatedly begging for mercy.
Seeing the pitiful state of the red-clothed figure kneeling before her and kowtowing desperately, Princess He Yi felt a faint pleasure in her heart and suddenly smiled cruelly: “This princess has always been merciful. Since you’re begging for mercy and you’re from Mother Consort’s palace, this princess will be especially gracious – you needn’t die. Drag her out and just chop off her hands.”
When the maid heard the first half, she was just feeling relieved, but unexpectedly hearing the latter part, she nearly fainted. Losing both hands, for a music slave in the palace who made her living playing qin, having her hands chopped off would ruin her entire life – it would be better to just die.
But Princess He Yi showed no sympathy for the maid’s collapsed expression, waving her hand as several guards dragged away the maid who had suffered this unexpected disaster.
The other maids and eunuchs in the hall all lowered their heads, pretending not to see the scene before them. No one wanted to become the next plaything caught by this moody princess.
Throughout this entire scene, Consort Shu reclined on her imperial couch watching without speaking to stop it, even with a faint smile at the corners of her lips, seeming quite satisfied with this cruel game and even finding it somewhat interesting. Such an expression appearing on a beauty’s face was truly frightening.
“What’s wrong with you?” she asked Princess He Yi. “Who provoked you again?”
This question was fine not to ask, but once asked, Princess He Yi’s expression immediately changed as she bit her lip hatefully: “Mother Consort, will you kill Jiang Ruan for me?”
These shocking words made Consort Shu only frown: “Princess Hong’an? What, did she make you unhappy?”
“More than just unhappy?” Princess He Yi said. “I won’t mention how she spoke for that little bastard Xuan Pei last time and threatened me. This time, I actually heard from people in the imperial study that Prince Jinying petitioned the Emperor for a marriage decree – he wants to marry that bitch! The little eunuchs outside all heard it. Mother Consort, how can I swallow this anger!”
Princess He Yi’s resentment toward Jiang Ruan had been building for a long time, ever since their first meeting. Jiang Ruan’s alluring appearance had left a shadow in Princess He Yi’s heart, and by some twist of fate she had even become Princess Hong’an. In He Yi’s eyes, Jiang Ruan was just an unloved daughter of a minister’s household – how could she compare to her, a true princess of royal blood? Last time, because Consort Shu had warned her not to cause trouble for the time being, she hadn’t pursued the Xuan Pei matter further. If all these things could still be endured, Xiao Shao petitioning the Emperor to marry Jiang Ruan touched He Yi’s bottom line. Just thinking of this point made He Yi want to cut Jiang Ruan into a thousand pieces and ensure she could never be reborn!
“Xiao Shao petitioned to marry Princess Hong’an?” Consort Shu’s expression paused. “Is this true?”
“Absolutely true,” Princess He Yi said grievously. “Mother Consort, how is such a lowly woman worthy of Prince Jinying? Why should Prince Jinying marry her? Mother Consort, please go kill her for He Yi.”
Consort Shu looked at Princess He Yi. He Yi’s features resembled hers, naturally carrying a kind of exotic beauty. At this moment, that beautiful face was contorted with expression, completely destroying that beauty. Although daughters couldn’t be used as chips in succession struggles, Princess He Yi had grown up pampered in her hands. No one understood Princess He Yi’s feelings toward Xiao Shao better than Consort Shu.
Consort Shu had seen the Emperor’s regard for Xiao Shao. Though the Emperor also doted on Princess He Yi greatly, Consort Shu knew clearly that the Emperor would never bestow Princess He Yi in marriage to Xiao Shao. Princess He Yi’s feelings were probably destined never to be fulfilled.
Now that Xiao Shao had someone he was interested in, Princess He Yi was indeed this agitated. Consort Shu’s beautiful red lips curved. Xiao Shao’s beloved was actually Princess Hong’an. She looked at her daughter and sighed inwardly. She should have stayed far away from this matter and made Princess He Yi avoid it too. But seeing Princess He Yi’s expression, she found herself unable to say those words.
Because Princess He Yi’s current feelings, she had once felt exactly the same way. Watching helplessly as the one you love flies together with his beloved, while the one in his arms is not you. That jealousy, loss, madness, hatred, the desire to perish together with the other person – those feelings expanding in your heart, almost ready to explode.
She had endured it then, but should she make her daughter walk her old path?
“Without Princess Hong’an, there would be others,” Consort Shu reminded He Yi. “He will always marry someone – that person won’t be you.” As a mother, rather than weaving an impossible dream for Princess He Yi, Consort Shu preferred to clearly tear apart the truth for her to see.
“Then I’ll find ways to kill them all. Whoever he likes, I’ll kill,” Princess He Yi’s expression flashed with alarming madness. “His princess consort can only be me.”
Consort Shu stared at Princess He Yi for a while before giving a mocking smile, not knowing who she was laughing at, saying in a cloying voice: “You really do like him very much.”
Princess He Yi bit her lip without speaking. Ever since she first saw Xiao Shao, she had fallen for that cold youth. All these years she had followed in his footsteps, but Xiao Shao had never looked back at her even once. She was a princess beloved by the Emperor, of royal blood, born devastatingly beautiful – where was she inferior to an unloved minister’s daughter? What was so good about Jiang Ruan that Xiao Shao would set his heart on her? Just thinking of Xiao Shao and Jiang Ruan together made Princess He Yi go mad with jealousy, wanting to immediately rush over and tear apart Jiang Ruan’s face, trampling her into the dust.
“No need to be so dejected,” Consort Shu played with her fingernails. “Though that old thing the Empress Dowager protects her, it’s not completely without solutions. Princess Hong’an’s prominence is too great – when someone’s prominence reaches its peak, they must head downhill.”
“Mother Consort…” Princess He Yi’s eyes lit up.
“Isn’t this an opportunity right now?” Consort Shu smiled. “Jiang Xinzhi was defeated and his whereabouts unknown. If he really became a prisoner, Princess Hong’an would be finished for life. Her current position in the palace is already awkward – this is the best time to strike.”
“Mother Consort, what should we do?”
“Collaborating with enemies, treason,” Consort Shu looked at the grapes in the crystal plate before her, smiling very happily. “These are serious charges.”
…
Xuan Li’s hand holding the teacup trembled slightly, and several drops of tea splashed out onto the table before him.
“Xiao Shao petitioned the Emperor for a marriage decree?” he called out.
“Reporting to Your Highness, this is absolutely true,” the person below kept his head down.
“What a Prince Jinying!” Xuan Li snorted coldly, slamming the teacup heavily on the table, immediately feeling an inexplicable anger in his chest. This frustration came strangely – even when Jiang Ruan had rejected him earlier, he hadn’t been this furious. He had originally thought it was because Jiang Ruan was young and didn’t understand matters. Now with her repeated rejections of his goodwill, he had found it strange. He considered himself among the most gentle and outstanding of all the princes in the palace – why did Jiang Ruan treat him coldly each time? Now it seemed she had probably been secretly involved with Xiao Shao all along!
Thinking that Jiang Ruan had already been involved with Xiao Shao, Xuan Li felt increasingly depressed. In fact, if he could exchange one Jiang Ruan for Xiao Shao’s support, just by saying a few words to help Xiao Shao’s marriage petition, perhaps Xiao Shao would owe him favors in the future. He always considered maximum benefit when doing things – this was the best approach. With Xiao Shao’s support, what was Xuan Hua to fear?
But somehow, his heart was currently very troubled. Logically, Xuan Li hadn’t had much interaction with Jiang Ruan and shouldn’t have developed deep feelings. But for some reason, now hearing news of Xiao Shao’s marriage petition felt like something that originally belonged to Xuan Li had been snatched away, filling his heart with unwillingness. As if Jiang Ruan naturally should have been his, as if things shouldn’t have developed like this.
After a pause, Xuan Li slowly gripped his teacup tighter: “Stop him.”
“This…” his advisor hesitated. “If there’s no major issue, it’s best not to fall out with Prince Jinying.”
Though Xiao Shao was known as a rebellious minister, he didn’t seem to have much influence in court, but civil and military officials knew clearly that Xiao Shao was the Emperor’s confidant – otherwise why would the Emperor have protected him in every way for so many years? Xiao Shao’s Imperial Guards were also fearsome enough. Currently Xiao Shao hadn’t declared which faction he supported, maintaining neutrality was best. If they angered Xiao Shao and he chose any faction, it would have enormous impact on the court’s power structure.
“Fool,” Xuan Li said. “Target Princess Hong’an.” His gaze fell on the tea leaves floating up and down in his cup, his eyes suddenly flashing with darkness. “With Jiang Xinzhi’s defeat, Jiang Ruan’s position is already awkward. The slightest mistake could be fatal.” He seemed to think of something, his expression gradually relaxing. “If we pin some crime on her, with Father Emperor’s intolerance for any grain of sand in his eyes, wanting to marry Prince Jinying would be pure fantasy.”
…
Empress Dowager Yide heard in the palace about how Jiang Ruan was greatly respected among Prince Jinying’s household servants and was naturally very satisfied. When chatting with Nanny Yang, she mentioned this matter, saying: “Shao always does things properly. He must have shown some intentions usually, otherwise how could the servants see the situation so clearly?”
Nanny Yang also praised this, but suddenly thought of something and shook her head: “It’s just unknown what His Majesty thinks. This servant heard that His Majesty still has some dissatisfaction with the Princess.”
“Who knows what grievance there was in a past life,” Empress Dowager Yide said. “I understand his meaning, but since Shao has petitioned me, even if the Emperor resents me, I must arrange this marriage. It’s just that with Shao’s personality, he will certainly handle things properly. I’m afraid before I even speak clearly with the Emperor, Shao will have thought of solutions himself.”
Empress Dowager Yide’s prediction was correct. Just the next day, when the Emperor was having “casual conversation” with Governor Yao, Governor Yao immediately changed his expression. A few days ago when the Emperor hinted at marriage between the Yao family daughter and Prince Jinying, Governor Yao had been delighted, but this day he shook his head repeatedly, saying his young daughter was poorly educated and unworthy of Prince Jinying’s young heroism. He even fabricated excuses about Miss Yao being bedridden and probably unable to recover for a year or two.
Such obvious refusal and fear, the Emperor naturally saw through, angrily thinking it must be Xiao Shao’s doing. Who else in Great Jin besides Xiao Shao, who was bolder than the heavens, could frighten a dignified coastal governor into such a state? His methods were as efficient as always, completely without delay. With Governor Yao’s attitude, he definitely wouldn’t change his mind in the future.
The Emperor was frustrated. The Yao family daughter had been the most suitable candidate, but Xiao Shao had ruined it himself. If he had other ideas in future, Xiao Shao would definitely use the same methods. As for exactly what methods Xiao Shao used to make the Yao family change their minds, the Yao family certainly wouldn’t say.
Coastal Governor Yao wiped sweat from his forehead, watching the Emperor’s expression change repeatedly while his own heart tightened accordingly. They say accompanying an emperor is like accompanying a tiger – one should stroke along the fur, but today he had gone against the tiger’s wishes. However, he truly had no choice. In fact, the Yao family daughter was his precious pearl and pride – he felt no man in the world was worthy of his daughter. When the Emperor proposed marriage between the Yao family and Prince Jinying’s household, Governor Yao was immediately tempted.
First, both the Yao family and Prince Jinying’s household were loyal to the Emperor without taking sides. In these chaotic times in court, if they married into Prince Jinying’s household, even if the Fifth or Eighth Prince seized the throne in future, they wouldn’t dare easily move against these two families. Second, Governor Yao was a man of vision and naturally saw that Xiao Shao was no ordinary person. Though his current activities were hidden, one day he would amaze everyone. His literary and military talents were rare in Great Jin, making him well-matched with his daughter.
Such a good marriage – Governor Yao had been secretly pleased when the Emperor proposed it. But just the night before last, someone had placed a letter in his study. It contained nothing else but secret affairs Governor Yao had conducted since taking office. Every official family had secrets, but this letter was clever in that the events described were vague and fragmentary, capturing exactly the most imagination-provoking parts. Originally minor matters, but arranged according to this letter, they appeared life-threatening. Governor Yao believed that if this letter flew to the Emperor’s study, even if the Emperor spared his life for years of loyalty, the Yao family would never be able to establish itself in court again.
This was masterful framing, yet everything written was factual. It precisely grasped the Yao family’s weaknesses, leaving Governor Yao with no power to fight back.
The letter’s demand was simple – make the coastal governor abandon any thoughts of marriage alliance with Prince Jinying’s household.
Governor Yao wasn’t a fool – he had a good idea who was behind this. Thinking of this, he felt both angry and helpless. Well, since the other party looked down on his family, there was no point in having Miss Yao suffer grievances at their household. Governor Yao could only express to the Emperor his intention not to marry Miss Yao to Prince Jinying. After all, in-laws could be found again, but if the household truly faced disaster, everything would be lost.