Hua Chun watched the spectacle from the sidelines, gazing at Huo Pin’s contorted expression, her mouth opening slightly, but she said nothing.
Although yesterday’s tea had ended up in her hands entirely by accident, having the nerve to drug the Emperor took real courage—no wonder the Empress Dowager was so wary of her. Hua Chun had originally expected the Emperor to punish her somewhat, but instead, he’d raised her rank.
The Emperor’s mind really was hard to fathom.
This morning at court, she’d thought it over carefully—Yuwen Jie was, first and foremost, an emperor, and second, something of a womanizer. Judging by the sheer number of consorts in his harem, he was the type to easily develop interest in just about anyone, but never stayed devoted for long.
Thinking about it this way, she felt she’d finally made sense of what happened yesterday. The mark on her neck was likely just a momentary whim on the Emperor’s part—perhaps, upon realizing she was a woman, he’d been surprised and decided to sample a taste, found it unremarkable, and simply hadn’t taken things any further.
As for protecting her—that was simply necessary. Take today’s court session, for instance—with her there, how much easier things were for Yuwen Jie! Whenever a minister said something inappropriate, she’d summarize and rephrase it before reporting it up, proposing solutions and singing the Emperor’s praises all at once—truly an exemplary chancellor. Without her, the Emperor would surely be thrown into disarray for a good while.
So, viewed from a purely practical standpoint, it made perfect sense why the Emperor was pretending he’d discovered nothing at all.
If the Emperor wanted to keep up the pretense, it would only benefit her, so Hua Chun decided she’d play along dutifully to the end.
“Your Majesty hasn’t visited this concubine’s quarters in quite some time,” Huo Xianrou said, half joking, half aggrieved. “Now that I’ve just moved into my new palace, won’t you come take a look?”
“I’ll go when I have time,” Yuwen Jie said without looking up.
Such an obvious brush-off naturally didn’t sit well with Consort Huo. She glanced sideways at Hua Jinghua and said, “Consort Shu has been in the palace for quite some time now and hasn’t received much favor either. Isn’t it a bit inappropriate for the Chancellor to keep tying up Your Majesty with state affairs all the time?”
Hua Chun kept her head down and said nothing. The Emperor was right there, after all—it wasn’t her place to speak up. As the saying goes, when there’s an eave to hide under, use it—there was no need to keep charging ahead recklessly; it was her own shoulders that would get soaked.
She stayed silent, and the Emperor said nothing either. The two of them sat by the table reviewing memorials as if they had jointly decided to simply ignore Consort Huo’s presence.
Her eyes darkening slightly, Huo Xianrou, realizing she’d found no traction here, pursed her lips and said, “This concubine will take her leave, then, and go see Sister Shu.”
“Mm,” the Emperor responded.
Huo Xianrou bowed and, once out of the Purple Dawn Hall, made her way straight toward the Palace of Eternal Peace.
Hua Xunyue had been in the palace for half a month now, but aside from the very first night when she’d attended the Emperor, she hadn’t been able to see him since.
She still had to keep up appearances for the Hua family, claiming she was greatly favored, sending back all the rewards she’d received the first time. But in truth, Hua Xunyue felt quite miserable inside, unsure how she was supposed to attract the Emperor’s attention.
If the Emperor frequently visited the harem, that would be one thing, but even so, it had been a long time, and aside from hearing he’d gone to see Consort Hui a few times, he hadn’t even gone to Huo Xianrou’s palace. As a newly arrived consort herself, what could she possibly do?
Just as she was growing anxious, a palace maid from outside entered and said, “My lady, Consort Huo has arrived.”
A mere Zhaoyi rising to Consort so quickly—Hua Xunyue didn’t dare look down on her, and hastily had her shown in.
Huo Xianrou’s face carried a hint of melancholy. The moment she saw her, she sighed. “This concubine pays respects to Consort Shu.”
“No need for formalities.” Hua Xunyue looked at her curiously. “What’s happened?”
Huo Xianrou hesitated, twisting her handkerchief, and glanced at the attendants beside Hua Xunyue. Understanding the hint, Hua Xunyue had everyone withdraw.
“This really isn’t something this concubine ought to say,” seeing that everyone had left, Huo Xianrou finally spoke gently. “But seeing how quiet and cold your palace has been, with His Majesty never coming by, this concubine simply couldn’t hold back any longer—I had to come tell you the reason.”
Ever since entering the palace, Hua Xunyue had stayed within the Palace of Eternal Peace and had barely any idea where the Emperor spent his time. Hearing this, Hua Xunyue frowned. “What reason?”
“His Majesty has been tied up by Chancellor Hua this whole time,” Huo Xianrou said helplessly. “This concubine originally thought that, since you’re from the Hua family, even for your sake, the Chancellor would help share His Majesty’s burdens so he could visit the harem more often. But what this concubine has witnessed is exactly the opposite.”
“Chancellor Hua hasn’t just been using his injured hand as an excuse to have His Majesty review memorials alongside him—he frequently stays overnight at the Purple Dawn Hall as well. It’s admirable that he’s so devoted to the nation and its people, but as a result, His Majesty gets dragged along with him and naturally has no way to come see you.”
Hua Xunyue frowned, her expression darkening. “Has Elder Brother really become so petty and small-minded, deliberately making things difficult for me? Back when the matter with Consort Hua reached the Hua residence, this palace still spoke up on his behalf, saying he surely wouldn’t deliberately trouble his own sister. To think I was the foolish one after all?”
“Isn’t that just it?” “This concubine also thought the Chancellor seemed like an upright, principled man, and never imagined… Is the relationship between Consort Shu and the Chancellor not very good?”
It wasn’t good, but Hua Xunyue wasn’t foolish enough to say so in front of an outsider, and merely pressed her lips together. “The Chancellor is probably just in a temporary falling-out with this palace. Blood is thicker than water, after all.”
“Ah, let’s hope so.” Huo Xianrou shook her head. “I do hope you get to see His Majesty again soon.”
Hua Xunyue nodded. “Thank you.”
Huo Xianrou smiled, chatted with her a while longer, then rose to take her leave, heading off to her next destination.
Hua Liuying, dressed in plain white, sat in the Youyang Palace looking pale and haggard. Shiyu came in lifting her skirts and said, “My lady, today Consort Huo was elevated to Consort rank and has moved to the Palace of Eternal Fortune.”
Her eyes flickering slightly, Hua Liuying turned to look at her. “Why was she promoted?”
“This servant doesn’t know—no one does,” Shiyu shook her head. “His Majesity said to promote her, and so it was done.”
“He’s always like that,” Hua Liuying sighed. “When he favors someone, there’s no reason at all. When he grows cold toward someone, it’s the same—no reason at all.”
It had been so long now, and she still hadn’t figured out why the Emperor had cast her aside.
Shiyu shook her head in agreement as well, then said quietly, “This servant has noticed that although the Third Miss holds a high rank, she doesn’t seem to be particularly favored either. His Majesty has hardly visited the Palace of Eternal Peace even twice.”
“With looks like hers, it would be strange if she did earn the Emperor’s favor!” Hua Liuying laughed coldly. “Even if this palace can’t see the Emperor for a long while, once this palace turns things around, there certainly won’t be any place left for her!”
Bold words, but true nonetheless. Shiyu nodded, and was about to say more when they heard a palace maid outside announce, “My lady, Consort Huo has come to pay her respects.”
Pay her respects? Hua Liuying frowned—Huo Xianrou was far more favored than she was, currently at the height of her glory. Why would she come pay respects here in the cold palace?
Before she could figure it out, the woman had already stepped right in, warmly and affectionately taking her hand. “This concubine pays respects to Consort Hua.”
Looking her over, Hua Liuying gave a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Consort Huo graces us with a visit—to what do we owe the honor?”
“This concubine has some happy news to share, and came specially to tell you about it.” Huo Xianrou said with a smile. “After all, my lady is also from the Hua family—surely you’ll be pleased to hear it.”
Startled for a moment, Hua Liuying looked at her. “What news?”
“Isn’t Consort Shu currently out of favor?” Huo Xianrou said. “The Chancellor has been working himself to the bone over it too, speaking well of Consort Shu before His Majesty every single day—it surely won’t be long now before His Majesty comes to favor her greatly. And once Consort Shu gains favor, as her elder sister, my lady, you might well be pardoned and brought back out as well, mightn’t you?”