Hearing this, the Empress Dowager actually felt rather pleased—giving someone a gift was meant to earn their gratitude, and here Noble Consort Wu hadn’t even come by yet, while Consort De had come first.
So she said, “Come sit, then. Those with child ought to be treated more preciously—an old woman like myself has no need for fine white fox fur.”
“That’s not true at all, Empress Dowager,” Hua Chun said with a smile. “You’re still young, with such a healthy glow to your skin—paired with the color of white fox fur, you’d surely look all the more radiant. The weather has turned cold; if you don’t have some clothes made first, how could this consort possibly feel at ease?”
“Ah.” The Empress Dowager’s gaze softened, and she patted her hand. “You’re so thoughtful. Have Yuejian go ask the Bureau of Apparel how much white fox fur remains—if there’s extra, have a set made for me too.”
“Yes.” Yuejian went off to see to it. Hua Chun quietly let out a breath of relief, then stayed to chat idly with the Empress Dowager.
Ordinarily, the routine formalities of paying respects were rather dull, with nothing but polite small talk exchanged. This time, though, was different—Hua Chun told the Empress Dowager quite a few jokes related to the ancient world, making her laugh heartily.
“You really are a thoughtful child,” she said. “Taking the trouble to find me some amusement, too.”
“With His Majesty away, there’s nothing else to do in the palace anyway,” Hua Chun said. “If it can bring the Empress Dowager some joy, then this consort has done a bit of filial duty on His Majesty’s behalf.”
The Empress Dowager nodded, her expression turning noticeably kinder.
“Empress Dowager.” Yuejian had returned, but what she held in her hands was a length of yellow fox fur.
Startled slightly, the Empress Dowager frowned. “Yellow fox fur is considerably inferior to white fox fur—why did you bring this back? Does the Bureau of Apparel have no white fox fur this year?”
“White fox fur is hard to come by. There was only one pelt in storage from last year,” Yuejian said quietly. “Just now this servant went to ask, and was told it’s already been taken by Noble Consort Wu.”
Her expression shifting slightly, the Empress Dowager glanced at Hua Chun.
Hua Chun lowered her head. “This consort isn’t picky. Yellow fox fur is fine too—as long as it’s fox fur, it will be warm.”
There was a proper distinction between high and low rank—Consort De was the foremost consort of the harem; having her use yellow fox fur while a mere noble consort used white fox fur, would that be proper? After some thought, the Empress Dowager said with a smile, “Perhaps Noble Consort Wu took it by mistake. She’s sensible enough not to overstep like that on purpose. Yuejian, go remind her, and have her give the white fox fur to Consort De.”
“Yes,” Yuejian agreed. Beside her, Rui’er said quietly, “Aunt Yuejian, this servant will go with you.”
“All right.” With a gentle smile, Yuejian took her along and left.
The Empress Dowager watched their retreating figures for a moment before saying, “You’re rather clever, aren’t you.”
There was more meaning behind those words, but Hua Chun didn’t panic—the Empress Dowager was, after all, an old hand at these things; it was only natural she’d see through certain matters clearly.
“This consort meant no ill will, nor any wish to compete with anyone for anything,” she said. “Favor may sometimes overshadow rank, but the proper order between high and low mustn’t be overstepped. If Noble Consort Wu someday ascends to the position of Empress, this consort will have no objection to whatever she wishes to have. But while she remains merely a noble consort, this consort cannot help but feel wronged, and speak up a bit more.”
“I understand,” the Empress Dowager said with a nod. “You truly are sensible—more considerate of the bigger picture than I would have expected. No wonder the Emperor dotes on you to such a degree.”
Her words were proper and measured, never sharp, her eyes full of sincerity—conversing with someone like this was pleasant, and stirred no resentment. Even though she’d realized Consort De had come over this matter of the white fox fur, the Empress Dowager didn’t take it too much to heart.
Rui’er, for her part, felt thoroughly vindicated. Following Yuejian to the side hall to have Noble Consort Wu hand over the white fox fur she’d “taken by mistake,” she could hardly contain her delight, practically wishing she could roll her eyes twice at the maid who’d fought her over the fur earlier that day.
“What Aunt Yuejian says makes sense. It really was this consort’s mistake,” Noble Consort Wu said through gritted teeth. “Take it back to Consort De, then, and offer her my apologies as well.”
“Noble Consort, you flatter this servant with such words,” Yuejian said with a nod. “A momentary slip, that’s all. The Empress Dowager often says that anyone who recognizes a mistake and doesn’t repeat it is still a good person.”
“…This consort understands.”
Rui’er suppressed a laugh, following Yuejian out of the side hall, and once outside couldn’t help but say, “Aunt Yuejian, you’re amazing. That maid was so arrogant earlier today when she was fighting me over the fox fur, and yet in front of you, she didn’t dare say a single word.”
Yuejian smiled, saying quietly, “This servant’s confidence all comes from my mistress. It’s not that I’m impressive—it’s the Empress Dowager who is impressive.”
“That’s true too,” Rui’er nodded. “It’s just a shame my mistress isn’t tough enough, always getting bullied.”
“How could that be,” Yuejian shook her head. “Your mistress will surely become the toughest one in this harem one day.”
Huh? Rui’er blinked, looking at Yuejian’s back ahead of her. “Why do you say that?”
“No particular reason. I simply think Consort De conducts herself appropriately, and knows how to bide her time and conceal her strength,” Yuejian said, a smile curving her lips. “I have a good eye for judging people, always have.”
This much was true. Rui’er, back when she was a lowly palace maid, had heard of it—back when the Empress Dowager had merely been an unfavored Talent, Yuejian, despite being a first-rank palace maid, had pledged her loyalty unto death, and step by step had helped raise the Empress Dowager to her position, achieving the unshakable status she now held.
That her own mistress had earned such praise from her was rather unexpected too—Rui’er had always felt her mistress lacked favor, kept a low profile, and had no influence in the harem at all.
Back in the main hall, the Empress Dowager and Consort De were chatting happily. Seeing the white fox fur had returned, Consort De respectfully took it with both hands and presented it to the Empress Dowager. “There’s only the one pelt of fox fur—let it be made into a cloak for the Empress Dowager, then. This consort thinks yellow fox fur is quite fine too.”
The Empress Dowager raised an eyebrow. “This is the authority I established for you—won’t you wear it to show people?”
“There’s no need,” Hua Chun said with a shrug. “Whatever rules ought to be understood, Aunt Yuejian will surely have already taught her. For this consort to wear it as well would be pressing the advantage too far. Peace and stability are a blessing in this palace, so let it be for the sake of this consort’s and Noble Consort Wu’s unborn children—please, Empress Dowager, accept this fur.”
Her admiration for her deepened further. The Empress Dowager suddenly realized that Hua Chun seemed to be exactly the sort of woman she’d always been looking for—generous and gracious, kindhearted, capable of helping the Emperor with matters of state, and with no greed for fame or fortune.
Why had she only realized this today? Someone like this—wasn’t she rather similar to Hua Jinghua? And a woman, at that.
The kindly light in her eyes grew warmer still. The Empress Dowager reached out to take the white fox fur, and said to Yuejian, “Give Consort De that emerald hairpin from my dressing table as a reward.”
“Yes,” Yuejian agreed, going to fetch the hairpin. Hua Chun accepted it with both hands and bowed in thanks.
This trip hadn’t been for nothing—the Empress Dowager was clearly much more lenient toward her now. Though there was surely still some lingering suspicion in her heart, before the Emperor’s return, she would likely do her best to protect her.
Letting out a breath of relief, Hua Chun happily headed back to rest. But just as she reached the entrance to the side hall, she turned and saw Noble Consort Wu across the way, clutching her belly.