The houses where imperial princes had lived were no worse than the Eastern and Western Six Palaces, and moreover, they were situated on high ground, so even during rainy seasons there would be no flooding. Therefore, although the Eastern and Western Five Residences of Qianqing Palace had been uninhabited for twenty years (there were no underage princes during the final years of Hongwu, the four years of Jianwen’s reign, and the eleven years of Yongle’s reign), the buildings remained in good condition. With just a little tidying up, these thirty-plus members of the Korean women’s troupe could move in with their luggage.

When it rained continuously in the Eastern and Western Six Palaces, one could practically see the sea – every house became an unbeatable sea-view room.

The only drawback was being too far from His Majesty.

However, Emperor Yongle wasn’t fond of women, and spent most of his time on personal military campaigns, not even being in the palace, so distance didn’t really matter.

To solve the housing problem, Noble Consort Zhang and Hu Shanwei personally went to inspect the Eastern and Western Five Residences. The houses were indeed good houses – they had been treated with charcoal and incense to drive out dampness and moisture. There were also many houses, with each person able to be allocated at least one large courtyard, actually living more spaciously and comfortably than in the Eastern and Western Six Palaces.

Another advantage was that the Imperial Garden was right in the middle of the Eastern and Western Five Residences, so if the consorts felt stifled, they could come stroll, play, and tour the gardens at any time.

After inspecting the entire area, Noble Consort Zhang nodded repeatedly. “The imperial family has its own imperial dignity. If we crowd a bunch of consorts into one courtyard, it would be like a country landlord’s compound, improper and unseemly. It’s just that consorts have never been housed here before, so I need to ask His Majesty’s opinion.”

Noble Consort Zhang was a woman with her own opinions. She respected Hu Shanwei, but wasn’t like Noble Consort Guo from the Hongwu reign who followed Hu Shanwei’s advice blindly.

However, having such a leader actually made Hu Shanwei more relaxed than before – because power meant responsibility. During the Hongwu reign, Noble Consort Guo had almost completely delegated authority to the Six Bureaus and One Department. When encountering every problem, she would ask like Di Renjie, “Yuanfang, what do you think?” then take the advice and use it. Hu Shanwei had to consider all aspects, because once something went wrong, Hu Shanwei had to take full responsibility.

Now Noble Consort Zhang would think things through herself first when encountering issues, consider all aspects thoroughly, and when raising objections, she could always find reasons and feasible solutions, sharing responsibility with the Six Bureaus and One Department. With this kind of leader, Hu Shanwei found her work much easier.

Hu Shanwei nodded. “Yes, this servant awaits Noble Consort’s news before reassigning quarters.”

Noble Consort Zhang went to ask Emperor Yongle. Without a second thought, Emperor Yongle immediately agreed. “Since there are ready-made good houses, let’s make use of them. Consorts don’t necessarily have to live in the Eastern and Western Six Palaces. In any case, we’re moving the capital. The imperial city and palace walls in Beijing have already been surveyed and measured, and the blueprints have been drawn and sent over. If this palace complex gets damaged, so be it – there’s no need to repair it, as it would waste money and people’s labor.”

“Yes, your consort will arrange it immediately.”

Having received the highest instruction, Noble Consort Zhang withdrew. Emperor Yongle looked at the blueprints of the new capital city.

From the blueprints, the new capital city and imperial palace were planned to be perfectly square and orderly, just like Jack Ma’s facial structure.

The new imperial palace was rebuilt based on the ruins of the former Yuan Dynasty palace, with the foundation and basic layout already in place. Emperor Yongle’s gaze fell on this spot – the former Prince Yan’s mansion had been built by enclosing part of the Yuan Dynasty palace. From age twenty, he and Empress Renxiao had lived there for over twenty years, husband and wife united in heart, governing Yan territory and laying the foundation for the later Jingnan Campaign.

Emperor Yongle’s fingertip gently rubbed the location of Prince Yan’s mansion, murmuring, “Miaoyi, we’re going home.”

Emperor Yongle was the master of this palace, but he felt no sense of belonging. When Huang Zicheng was dying, he had pointed at his nose and cursed him: “Even thousands of years from now, Your Majesty will never escape the word ‘usurper’.”

Emperor Yongle felt that the northern Yan territory was his true home, and this palace was just temporary lodging. He had no emotional attachment to it – if it broke down, so be it. He’d make do with living here. There was no need to spend money and effort on renovating a rented house.

Let the once brilliant flowers bloom as they may – all shall be given over to broken wells and ruined walls. This place is not my home.

Emperor Yongle was full of longing for the new palace, where he had beautiful memories of over twenty years as a devoted couple with Empress Renxiao. That was truly his home. He didn’t notice the disappointment in Noble Consort Zhang’s eyes when she withdrew, nor her slightly trembling voice.

Actually, Noble Consort Zhang’s attitude toward this matter concealed ulterior motives, carrying a testing intent: the Eastern and Western Five Residences were where underage princes lived.

Emperor Yongle’s immediate approval without a second thought could only indicate one thing: the emperor was certain that no new princes would be born in the palace… Whether boys or girls couldn’t be predicted, but simply put, no new babies would be born in the palace at all.

Only this could explain why the emperor summoned her to attend him at night but never touched her.

Noble Consort Zhang was a proud person. Zhang Kardashian was completely confident in her figure and appearance, yet sharing the imperial bed, the emperor in his prime remained unmoved.

It wasn’t her problem – it was the emperor’s problem.

The emperor was only in his forties, could take to the battlefield and fight, never heard coughing year-round, and was in good health – it wasn’t a physical problem.

Then… it was that the emperor didn’t want to touch her, didn’t want to conceive children.

Not only that, Consort Quan, who attended him with no less frequency than herself, also showed no signs in her belly. It was probably for the same reason – the emperor didn’t touch Consort Quan either.

When the emperor summoned Consort Quan to attend him, he really was just listening to her play the flute.

Having glimpsed this cruel truth, like having a basin of ice water poured over her head, Noble Consort Zhang’s heart turned completely cold.

“Move on to Changchun Palace.” In despair, Noble Consort Zhang decided to find Consort Quan to pierce through that layer of pretense. If Consort Quan was in the same situation as her, she would completely give up hope. If Consort Quan had experienced actual intimate attendance, then she still had hope.

Hearing that Noble Consort Zhang was coming to her palace, Consort Quan quickly ordered the palace servants to make preparations and went to greet her at the palace gates.

Consort Quan was the primary resident of Changchun Palace. She lived in the main hall, while several side halls housed six other Korean-born consorts. With Noble Consort Zhang’s grand arrival, Consort Quan was followed by six “sisters,” all bowing to Noble Consort Zhang together.

Looking at Consort Quan gracefully bowing, for some unknown reason, Noble Consort Zhang had always viewed Consort Quan as a rival, either ignoring or suppressing her, but seeing Consort Quan again today, all feelings of disgust vanished from Noble Consort Zhang’s heart.

Noble Consort Zhang said, “Rise. All of you withdraw – I have words for Consort Quan.”

The six “sisters” exchanged glances, thinking Noble Consort Zhang had come to cause trouble for Consort Quan.

Consort Quan said, “You may all withdraw.”

Looking at Consort Quan’s calm and composed expression, the disgust that had just disappeared from Noble Consort Zhang’s heart returned: she most detested this expression of Consort Quan’s – clearly just a vassal state consort with no foundation, yet always appearing confident and treating everything as insignificant clouds.

Noble Consort Zhang said, “Aren’t you afraid of me?” Those six sisters didn’t even dare look at her directly!

Consort Quan replied, “Since Noble Consort took charge of the harem, you have handled everything fairly, rewarding merit and punishing faults. This sister has done nothing wrong recently, so why should I fear Your Ladyship?”

Consort Quan was truly eloquent.

Noble Consort Zhang felt inferior and could only speak directly: “Sister attended His Majesty five times this month.”

Consort Quan lowered her head, seeming somewhat bashful. “Thanks to His Majesty’s favor, he doesn’t despise this sister’s willow-like appearance.”

You call yourself willow-like! Then everyone else in this palace must be a bunch of dog-tail grass!

Hypocritical, truly hypocritical!

Noble Consort Zhang wanted to test whether Consort Quan truly “attended” the emperor or, like herself, just chatted under covers, but Consort Quan seemed impervious to pressure, making it difficult to pry open her mouth.

Noble Consort Zhang decided to approach from a different angle, asking, “Sister is in the bloom of youth, and His Majesty often summons you to play the flute. Surely sister will have good news soon.”

Consort Quan played dumb while knowing perfectly well, “What good news? This sister doesn’t know.”

Noble Consort Zhang, a tiger general’s daughter, simple and direct, simply reached out and pointed at Consort Quan’s lower abdomen. “Doesn’t sister want to bear a child?”

Consort Quan crossed her hands, shielding her abdomen like a protective barrier, still maintaining her meek expression. “As a harem consort, bearing children for the imperial family is a consort’s responsibility. However, children are Heaven’s arrangement and cannot be forced. If there are any, naturally that’s good. If not, this sister is in the Great Ming palace, blessed with His Majesty’s favor and Noble Consort’s care. This sister is very satisfied with her current life and dares not ask for too much.”

Flawless. Every word was carefully considered before being spoken, without loopholes or flaws.

Noble Consort Zhang wanted nothing more than to reach out and tear off Consort Quan’s hypocritical mask, rip open her belly, and find her true thoughts.

Someone like Consort Quan couldn’t be probed with words.

To force her to speak the truth, one would have to reveal one’s own cards first.

Noble Consort Zhang suddenly grabbed Consort Quan’s hand.

“Your Ladyship, you…” Consort Quan looked puzzled, but after a brief moment of confusion, she didn’t struggle forcefully or resist Noble Consort Zhang. She just allowed Noble Consort Zhang to grip her hand, like a snake seizing its prey, tightening its coils.

“I’m asking you—” Noble Consort Zhang stared at her intently. “When you attend His Majesty, does he… has he ever…”

Really touched you.

These five words were heavy as a thousand pounds, stuck in her throat – they wouldn’t go up or down. Noble Consort Zhang felt like she was choking on a bone, about to suffocate.

“Your Ladyship? Noble Consort?” Consort Quan showed concern, yet even at this moment, she still didn’t struggle, allowing Noble Consort Zhang to grip her hand painfully.

Noble Consort Zhang leaned close, almost face to face, nose to nose. “Why don’t you struggle? Why don’t you resist? Don’t you feel pain? Are you a puppet? And your face—”

Noble Consort Zhang freed one hand, gripping Consort Quan’s delicate chin and pulling at a layer of skin. “Is your face painted skin? Always wearing this mask of unflappable composure – whether in wealth, honor, disgrace, or humiliation, you remain so calm. How do you manage it? Aren’t you tired?”

Consort Quan allowed the Noble Consort to grip her chin, silent as a gentle little lamb. Facing the butcher’s sharpening blade, she seemed oblivious to danger, calmly eating her last mouthful of “execution grass.”

Has His Majesty really touched you?

No good.

Even pushing herself to this point, Noble Consort Zhang still couldn’t ask this question.

Noble Consort Zhang was too proud – generations of her family had been high court officials, and even through dynastic changes, the Zhang family’s wealth and status remained unaffected. She was truly of aristocratic birth, and her pride wouldn’t allow her to ask such a degrading question.

Noble Consort Zhang released her grip, still maintaining her tough stance, warning Consort Quan, “Don’t speak of today’s events to anyone.”

Noble Consort Zhang practiced martial arts, was skilled in archery, and good at riding and shooting. Consort Quan was delicate and weak – her left hand already bore several finger marks from being gripped.

Consort Quan didn’t even furrow her brow, even making excuses for Noble Consort Zhang. “These days many new people have arrived in the palace. Noble Consort is too tired and somewhat irritable – this is normal. This sister is useless, only able to play the flute to amuse His Majesty, lacking the ability to share Noble Consort’s burdens. This sister already feels guilty and will not speak of this to anyone.”

Keep pretending! I’ll just see how long you can keep it up!

Noble Consort Zhang snorted coldly and strode away.

Consort Quan watched Noble Consort Zhang’s upright figure and proud bearing, couldn’t help but sigh deeply, showing a look of pity. Suddenly feeling some pain in her chin, she looked in the mirror and saw that the tender skin on her chin had been scratched by Noble Consort Zhang’s grip. To conceal it, Consort Quan applied powder to her chin to cover the injury.

Noble Consort Zhang returned to Yanxi Palace. Cao Siyan had requested Hu Shanwei to come over. Noble Consort Zhang relayed Emperor Yongle’s meaning: “Clean up all the rooms in the Eastern and Western Five Residences. Ensure each person gets at least one separate courtyard – don’t crowd them together. Assign each person palace servants according to their allowance, and don’t treat them poorly because of their origins. Harem consorts should all be treated equally.”

While heartbroken and sad, she still had to manage the eating, drinking, and daily needs of these concubines. Noble Consort Zhang felt that this harem authority she had once dreamed of didn’t seem so meaningful after all.