Her gaze was cold, yet the corners of her mouth curved upward—even from a distance, one could sense the clear hostility.
So she’d earned a grudge, had she? Hua Chun raised an eyebrow, not particularly concerned—when interests fundamentally clashed, becoming enemies was only a matter of time. She’d simply meet each move as it came.
Once the fox-fur cloak was finished, Hua Chun wore it at once to pay respects to the Empress Dowager. Noble Consort Wu naturally went too, though she was still wrapped in her old cloak, the one without a single hair of fur left, and coughed lightly twice upon entering the main hall.
“Such cold weather, and you’re not wearing more?” The Empress Dowager frowned at her, taking her hand with concern and squeezing it. “It’s ice cold.”
Noble Consort Wu smiled faintly, saying quietly, “My new cloak isn’t finished yet. The old one seems to have gotten a bit damp—this concubine didn’t notice.”
The Empress Dowager frowned, glancing at the cloak on Hua Chun. “How is it still not finished?”
Noble Consort Wu said quietly, “There’s a proper distinction between ranks. This concubine naturally wouldn’t dare have hers made ahead of Consort De’s—it could only begin once Her Highness’s was complete, so…”
This was clearly aimed at the business with the white fox fur—how petty. The cloaks could easily have been made simultaneously; the Bureau of Apparel certainly had enough hands for it. She’d deliberately insisted on having hers made afterward, and even wrapped herself in a shabby old cloak to win sympathy. Such tactics—surely the Empress Dowager could see through them and wouldn’t be swayed. Hua Chun shook her head at the thought.
“Have the Bureau of Apparel finish it today,” the Empress Dowager said. “If Noble Consort catches a chill, there’ll be no good outcome for them!”
Hua Chun: “…”
Well, of course—after all, there was the Empress Dowager’s own precious grandchild in that belly; softening her heart was only to be expected.
Noble Consort Wu smiled and sat down gently to one side, her gaze falling on Hua Chun’s belly across from her. “Your Highness’s belly has grown rather large already—all the more reason to be careful.”
“This consort is well aware,” Hua Chun nodded. “As long as no one harbors ill intentions toward it, this consort is certain to safely deliver an imperial heir.”
Her belly was actually quite sturdy. Unlike in television dramas where a single fall meant miscarriage, she’d taken a tumble before and come out completely unscathed; even eating something that upset her stomach hadn’t disturbed the baby, and that time she’d sprinted on foot all the way from Huiming Hall to Zichen Hall, not even her vital energy had wavered.
As long as no one deliberately kicked her belly or tried to poison her, Hua Chun figured this “sturdy belly” of hers ought to be fine.
The Empress Dowager turned to glance at her too, her expression somewhat complicated. Given that the bloodline had yet to be confirmed, she didn’t dare grow too joyful, lest it lead to heartbreak later. Still, looking at Consort De’s round, full belly, perhaps it really would be a sturdy baby boy.
“Empress Dowager!” A eunuch came in from outside, holding a scroll of correspondence. “A letter from His Majesty—word of a great victory over the Wokou raiders at the front.”
Hua Chun startled, instinctively standing up, staring at the letter, unable to resist the urge to lean in for a look even as the Empress Dowager took it.
Noble Consort Wu remained seated, only watching with curiosity.
Hearing the news of victory, the Empress Dowager smiled, taking the letter and opening it—but her smile gradually faded.
“What’s wrong with His Majesty?” Hua Chun wanted to look but feared offending the Empress Dowager, so she could only hold her belly and hop about anxiously to the side.
“Prince Xi’s reinforcements were trapped on a mountain road. His Majesty personally led troops to the front and was slightly wounded. Given the presence of Wokou raiders in the Qiu Mountain region, fifty thousand troops are to be dispatched in support.”
Hua Chun startled. “Is the injury severe?”
Noble Consort Wu spoke up too, though what she asked was, “Wasn’t there already word of a great victory? Why send reinforcements still?”
The Empress Dowager raised her eyes, glancing at Hua Chun, then sweeping her gaze over Noble Consort Wu, and lowered her eyes. “The letter doesn’t say how serious the injury is, but the Wokou raiders came from who knows where, in great numbers, and charged straight at the Emperor. I think we should have Huo Zichong lead troops to bring His Majesty back to the capital.”
Hua Chun nodded. “The Empress Dowager is wise. The Wokou raiders won’t gain any advantage on Great Liang’s territory, and they can’t possibly seize any cities—they can only be trying to harm His Majesty. His Majesty ought to return to the capital while the rest continue the pursuit and wipe out the raiders. As for the matter of reinforcements, this consort thinks—Yanjing is far from Qiu Mountain, and distant water can’t put out a nearby fire. Prince Xi’s fief, on the other hand, is right nearby; his troops on the mountain road could change course. As long as the Prince offers rescue in earnest, it would be much closer than sending troops from Yanjing.”
“That’s sound reasoning,” the Empress Dowager nodded, her expression somewhat wistful. “But Xi’er…”
“This is exactly the moment for Prince Xi to step forward,” Hua Chun said. “Otherwise, with Wokou raiders appearing right beside his fief, plenty at court will surely grow suspicious of him. To clear the Prince’s name, the Empress Dowager could issue a decree ordering Prince Xi to send fifty thousand troops. This way, he not only gains credit for rescuing His Majesty, but also clearly distances himself from the raiders. What do you think?”
Noble Consort Wu was stunned, never having expected Consort De to be so glib. Seeing the Empress Dowager about to nod in agreement, she hastily spoke up. “Wouldn’t this be somewhat improper?”
The Empress Dowager looked up at her. “What’s improper about it?”
“This concubine feels… there seem to be many misunderstandings between the Prince and His Majesty. I fear his rescue effort might not be wholehearted, and this could put His Majesty in even greater danger.”
Hua Chun snorted. “Noble Consort Wu, you certainly have some nerve, daring to question the brotherly bond between His Majesty and the Prince in front of the Empress Dowager?!”
She knew this woman was trying to speak up for Prince Xi, the trouble was she’d gone about it so foolishly—practically smearing Prince Xi’s name in the process.
The Empress Dowager was also somewhat displeased, glancing at her and saying, “You’d best focus on your pregnancy.”
Noble Consort Wu gritted her teeth and fell into aggrieved silence. But then she heard Hua Chun continue, “With the Empress Dowager’s decree, the Prince will surely comply. Besides, though the Prince and His Majesty aren’t especially close, they’re still bound by blood, both your own sons, Empress Dowager. You ought to trust them.”
“Mm.” The Empress Dowager was persuaded, nodding. “Yuejian, go draft the decree on my behalf, ordering Prince Xi to send fifty thousand troops in reinforcement, to be certain to reach the Emperor within a day of receiving the decree.”
“Yes.” Yuejian agreed and withdrew. Hua Chun immediately continued praising the Empress Dowager. “With you in charge, the brotherly bond between His Majesty and the Prince can only grow deeper still.”
Sighing faintly, at the mention of Prince Xi, the Empress Dowager was genuinely at a loss too, unsure how to put it into words—after all, he was her most doted-upon youngest son. Knowing he had some faults, she could only shield him, unable to tell others.
The Empress Dowager’s decree soon reached the fief. Upon hearing its contents, Yuwen Jie’s eyes brightened slightly.
“Why would the Empress Dowager issue such a decree?” Huo Zichong was astonished. “Ordering Prince Xi to send reinforcements?”
The Empress Dowager, who had always protected Prince Xi, must have vaguely suspected some tangled connection between the Wokou raiders and the Prince as well—yet she’d gone and ordered him to send troops. Wasn’t that slapping his own face?
A faint smile curved the Emperor’s lips, and his tone carried a trace of pride he himself hadn’t even noticed. “Because the Empress Dowager has a remarkable woman by her side.”
“Huh?” Huo Zichong didn’t catch on at first, until he saw the look in the Emperor’s eyes, and suddenly understood.