For countless brothers-in-law throughout the world, brothers-in-law are notoriously difficult to deal with. Because there’s an unwritten rule: when a brother-in-law beats his sister’s husband, the husband cannot fight back.

For instance, Duke Weiguo’s second son Xu Zengshou, in his capacity as brother-in-law, borrowed money from three Ming princes and was actually able to force these three princes to hide in their palace’s Bingzi Treasury.

Similarly, though Mu Ying was beaten into a pig’s head by Feng Cheng, no matter how angry he became, he couldn’t fight back against Feng Cheng.

Feng Sheng desperately held onto Feng Cheng while Mu Sheng quickly dragged his father away and fled. After the Mu family’s celebration banquet became a domestic violence feast, the Feng family’s celebration banquet also became a domestic violence feast, with the perpetrator becoming the victim.

Mu Ying, a world-renowned hero and commander-in-chief of the third northern expedition, had suffered such humiliation and could only swallow his broken teeth with blood.

Thus, the feud between the Feng and Mu families deepened further.

Imperial Guard informants reported the domestic violence banquet battle situation to Mao Qiang, who secretly memorialized it to the Emperor and Empress. The Emperor and Empress secretly sighed – the imperial marriage arrangement had been a mistake, turning in-laws into enemies.

Emperor Hongwu sighed: “Duke Ying Feng Guoyong died in battle at thirty-five. I pitied his young children who weren’t yet adults and wanted to arrange things well for them. Mu Ying was an outstanding child with no parents and a simple family background. At the time, everyone said it was a good match, so I betrothed Feng Shi to him. How could I have foreseen today’s scene?”

Empress Ma comforted her husband: “What’s done is done – regret serves no purpose. This is a family matter between the Feng and Mu families. Let them resolve it themselves. We shouldn’t interfere anymore, lest we make things worse. Today Feng Cheng seemed to vent his anger on behalf of his nephew Mu Chun, but ultimately this grudge will still be blamed on Mu Chun, widening the father-son rift further. Sigh, even clear-minded officials find family disputes hard to judge. We can’t manage so much – let’s handle our own household matters first. Consort Sun’s illness – the imperial physicians held consultations at Qianqing Palace and all said medicine is ineffective, that it depends on Heaven’s will. What should we do?”

Mentioning Consort Sun’s condition also brought worry to Emperor Hongwu’s face. He asked: “How long do the physicians say she can last?”

Empress Ma sighed: “With careful nursing, she can hardly survive this winter. If unlucky, she’ll be gone in three months.”

Emperor Hongwu said: “I plan to enfeoff Sun Shi as Noble Consort. What does Zitong think?”

Among harem consorts, “noble” was the highest rank. The former Noble Consort had been Hu Shi, but now Hu Shi had been demoted to commoner status. The Noble Consort position was vacant, waiting to be filled.

Empress Ma was delighted: “This subject-consort first thanks His Majesty on behalf of Sun Shi. This is wonderful news – perhaps this joyful event will cure Sun Shi’s illness.”

Emperor Hongwu’s face also showed joy: “Let’s hope so. Quickly have the Ministry of Rites draft the ennoblement edict.”

Throughout ancient and modern harem history, consorts like Sun Shi who simultaneously earned the genuine affection and respect of both Emperor and Empress were rare.

It was respect and affection, not mere favoritism. Sun Shi’s current honor related to her background and life experiences.

Sun Shi came from a Yuan Dynasty official family – a refined lady of good breeding. During the chaos at the end of the Yuan Dynasty, the Sun family fled as refugees. Her parents died en route, leaving only Sun Shi and her elder brother to depend on each other.

To survive, her brother sought refuge with warlord Ma Shixiong. Seeing Sun Shi’s beauty, gentleness, education, and refinement, Ma Shixiong considered her a valuable commodity and future political capital. So he… adopted Sun Shi as his daughter, keeping her at home while awaiting the right price.

Later, Ma Shixiong brought his troops to join the already powerful Zhu Yuanzhang. To demonstrate sincerity, he presented his adopted daughter Sun Shi as an important gift to Zhu Yuanzhang as a concubine.

At that time, Zhu Yuanzhang already had his legitimate wife Ma Shi, yet Ma Shi and Sun Shi got along harmoniously like sisters. Why?

This related to Empress Ma’s background and life experiences.

Empress Ma came from a wealthy landowner family. Her father was a generous, chivalrous man. After her father’s death during the chaos, her widowed mother fled with her daughter, seeking refuge with her late husband’s old friend Guo Zixing. Guo Zixing adopted Empress Ma as his daughter, raising her in the Guo household, also planning to use her as future political capital to win over subordinates. Guo Zixing later married Ma Shi to his most capable subordinate, Zhu Yuanzhang.

Seeking refuge everywhere, living under others’ roofs, the wandering life of displaced people in troubled times – who understood Empress Ma’s unwillingness and melancholy better than Sun Shi? Their backgrounds were strikingly similar, creating mutual understanding and sympathy.

During Emperor Hongwu’s campaigns for supremacy, Empress Ma was his capable assistant while Sun Shi was Empress Ma’s good helper. The two cooperated seamlessly, stabilizing the rear, allowing Emperor Hongwu to fight without worries.

Moreover, Sun Shi bore Emperor Hongwu his first daughter – eldest daughter Princess Lin’an.

At that time, Emperor Hongwu already had four sons: eldest Zhu Biao, second Zhu Xi, third Zhu Gang, and fourth Zhu Di. The oldest, Zhu Biao, was five, while the youngest, Zhu Di, had just reached his first month. The house was full of sons.

Therefore, the first daughter brought her father exceptional joy. The mother’s status rose due to her daughter’s value, causing Sun Shi to stand out among Emperor Hongwu’s many concubines and earn his special regard.

Later, Sun Shi bore the seventh imperial daughter, Princess Huaiqing. She had two daughters total but bore no princes.

What about Empress Ma? She later bore two imperial daughters, Princess Ningguo and Princess Anqing, but no princes.

Without princes, there were no conflicts of interest, no competing for favor in the harem, no mutual undermining or stepping on each other to climb up.

Without princes, neither Empress Ma nor Consort Sun had to scheme for their sons’ futures. They wholeheartedly revolved around their husband Emperor Hongwu. Emperor Hongwu wasn’t stupid – he could feel these virtuous wife and beautiful concubine’s devotion, thus showing them exceptional respect and affection.

So Empress Ma and Sun Shi were remarkably alike, like looking at themselves in a mirror. Whether during the difficult, turbulent years of her husband’s struggle for supremacy or the luxurious, lavish palace life after Ming’s founding, the two understood and pitied each other mutually – they were sisters and confidantes.

If Sun Shi died, Empress Ma could imagine how lonely and desolate future palace life would be, without even someone to talk to.

Sun Shi was already head of the Western Six Palaces, commonly called the Western Palace Lady. Now ennobled as Noble Consort, her status became even more honored. In the harem, after Empress Ma came Noble Consort Sun.

Once the edict was issued, the harem immediately bubbled with excitement. Consorts from the Eastern and Western Six Palaces all brought generous gifts to congratulate Noble Consort Sun at her Yikun Palace in the Western Six Palaces.

Only Noble Consort Sun, bedridden for half a year, seemed infused with invisible life force when the ennoblement edict arrived. She could actually stand, walk around, and receive guests!

Learning of this, Consort Li of Changchun Palace in the Western Six Palaces smiled “ha ha ha” outwardly while crying “wah wah wah” inwardly.

Because Consort Li had adopted the little princess, the washing ceremony and full-month hair-cutting naming ceremony had made Changchun Palace more lively and eye-catching than ever before this month.

Moreover, because Emperor Hongwu valued offspring and visited the little princess whenever free, Consort Li enjoyed “first access to the moon” and received several nights of imperial favor in succession. This nourishment made Consort Li’s eyes shine brightly, her skin glow like pearls, appearing ten years younger!

Indeed, having a child made all the difference. Consort Li had thought her life was over, but this month’s earth-shaking changes stirred her previously calm heart into crashing waves.

If only I could bear a prince…

Since this thought arose, Consort Li’s worries obviously increased. She could no longer remain “virtuous,” especially upon hearing Sun Shi’s ennoblement as Noble Consort. Jealousy flew about like reed flowers over the lake.

Why her? Just because she’s ill? I’ve worked hard raising the little princess, barely sleeping full nights, while she lies on her sickbed and becomes Noble Consort?

All the Eastern and Western Six Palaces went to Yikun Palace to congratulate her, leaving Changchun Palace’s entrance cold and deserted. Just then, the little princess woke up needing to be changed, crying loudly and frequently spitting out the nipple, refusing to nurse.

Since her full month, the little princess obviously slept less and needed play time. Her big eyes rolled around, always wanting to go out. Unlike before, when the wet nurse could quiet her just by offering the nipple for nursing and sleeping.

Infant cries are extremely penetrating. The already ill-tempered Consort Li became increasingly irritated and scolded the palace staff: “How are you attending her? Why is she always crying?”

The palace staff said: “The little princess seems to want to be carried out for a stroll.”

Consort Li: “Then carry her out.”

The wet nurse said tremblingly: “The sun is harsh now with lingering summer heat – we fear the little princess can’t bear it. Usually we only take her out strolling in the early morning and evening.”

Never having raised children, Consort Li could only listen to those with experience. With the little princess crying incessantly, Consort Li couldn’t stay in Changchun Palace another moment: “Prepare gifts. This palace will go to Yikun Palace to congratulate Noble Consort.”

Consort Li had barely left when the sixth prince, Prince Chu Zhu Zhen, arrived at Changchun Palace to see his sister.

A month ago, when his birth mother and maternal grandfather’s family had trouble, Prince Chu rushed from Zhongdu Fengyang to handle his birth mother Hu Shuren’s funeral.

Because Hu Shuren was demoted for crimes, the funeral was extremely simple. Prince Chu couldn’t wear mourning clothes for his mother or even send her coffin to the imperial mausoleum for burial!

Prince Chu had to buy a burial plot and inter his mother there. The Hu family was condemned for rebellion and palace disruption. Prince Chu dared not question this even slightly. At sixteen, the Chu Prince’s mansion built outside the palace was completed. He would soon leave the harem to live in the prince’s mansion, preparing to marry his princess consort and establish his own household.

Therefore, though Prince Chu felt grief in his heart, he couldn’t show it on his face. He was a prince – if the Hu family rebelled against their Zhu family, how could he show even half a sympathetic thought?

He only pitied his sister, who lost her mother right after birth.

Prince Chu cherished his sister. After finishing studies at the Great Hall each day, he would visit Changchun Palace to see her.

Today Consort Li wasn’t there, and the little princess kept crying. Four wet nurses took turns but couldn’t soothe her.

“Let me.” Prince Chu heard his sister’s cries from far outside the palace. He ran in, washed his hands, and took the swaddling clothes.

Perhaps due to the special blood relationship between siblings, the little princess immediately stopped crying when Prince Chu held her. She wrinkled her nose and made little humming sounds like a kitten being affectionate.

The wet nurse smiled: “The little princess missed her brother.”

Prince Chu coaxed his sister to sleep and wanted to stay longer when Female Historian Cai from Emperor Hongwu’s entourage came looking, saying the Emperor summoned him.

Qianqing Palace, Imperial Study.

While reviewing memorials, Emperor Hongwu asked: “Did you see your sister? How is she?”

Prince Chu said: “She’s been rather noisy lately.”

Emperor Hongwu grunted: “Children after their full month sleep less and need to be carried out to play more.”

Prince Chu said: “Your son will tell Consort Li.”

Emperor Hongwu said: “You’re sixteen – time to start a family. I’ve chosen Wang Shi, the legitimate eldest daughter of Marquis Dingyuan Wang Bi, for you. The marriage edict will be issued tomorrow. The Imperial Observatory is calculating birth characters to set the date. Go to the Chu Prince’s mansion and prepare well for marriage.”

Marquis Dingyuan Wang Bi was from Fengyang, a founding general of Great Ming.

Moreover, Wang Bi’s two sons, Wang De and Wang Zheng, were both brave warriors. Wang De was enfeoffed as Marquis Anyuan and Wang Zheng as Marquis Xiting. The Wang family had three marquis titles in one household.

Prince Chu was stunned. He thought that because of his maternal grandfather Hu Mei’s palace rebellion case, his father would hate him by association and no longer favor this son. He never expected his father to arrange such a good match.

“What? Are you dissatisfied?” Emperor Hongwu put down his brush.

Prince Chu was overwhelmed with mixed emotions and knelt: “Your son… your son kowtows thanking Father Emperor’s great kindness.”

Emperor Hongwu’s betrothal arrangement for Prince Chu also carried compensatory and consoling intentions. He personally helped up his sixth son: “Remember, you are my son, a noble prince of Great Ming. Your glory comes from your father. Never forget this, understand?”

Prince Chu said: “Yes, your son respectfully remembers Father Emperor’s teachings.”

Emperor Hongwu patted his son’s shoulder: “Wang Shi was carefully chosen for you by the Empress. Go thank your mother empress.”

Prince Chu went to Kunning Palace.

In Kunning Palace, Empress Ma was delighted to learn of Noble Consort Sun’s improved condition and told the reporting Cao Shanggong: “People become spirited during happy events – the ancients did not deceive me!”

Cao Shanggong thought: Noble Consort Sun’s worsening illness was too coincidental – neither early nor late, but worsening right after Hu Shuren was demoted from Noble Consort and her clan exterminated. She was even moved to Qianqing Palace for joint physician consultations.

In this palace, everyone had their place. The Noble Consort position had just become vacant when Consort Sun immediately fell seriously ill. Was this coincidence or a strategic retreat to advance?

However, given Empress Ma and Consort Sun’s deep friendship, Cao Shanggong as a confidant dared not speak directly and could only agree: “Noble Consort Sun is blessed by heaven – indeed joyful events cure illness.”

Empress Ma said: “Quickly discuss Noble Consort Sun’s ennoblement ceremony with the Six Bureaus and One Department. There must be no errors.”

“Yes.” Cao Shanggong accepted the task. The Noble Consort ennoblement ceremony was a major event both Emperor and Empress took very seriously, different from the little princess’s washing ceremony and full-month celebration. It required mobilizing troops and holding a grand affair, needing the Six Bureaus and One Department to coordinate arrangements.

The seven heads of the Six Bureaus and One Department sat down for a meeting.

Like modern society hundreds of years later, when subordinates met alone, meetings invariably began by discussing the bosses’ gossip.

Cao Shanggong asked Wang Shangshi of the Imperial Food Bureau: “There are no outsiders here. Ru Siyao is your subordinate. Give us the truth – is Noble Consort Sun’s illness real or fake?”

Wang Shangshi: “The real cannot be fake, the fake cannot be real. This matter has both truth and falsehood. The illness is real, but as for other aspects, it’s inconvenient for me to say.”

The implication was that faking illness was quite likely.

The beautiful Cui Shangyi rolled her eyes at these words: “The Noble Consort ennoblement ceremony is mainly handled by our Bureau of Rites. In this heat, the difficulty doubles. The higher-ups open their mouths while we run our legs off below. We just finished the little princess’s full-month hair-cutting naming ceremony – I really don’t want to go through this again.”

Song Shanggong of the Palace Construction Bureau also complained: “The palace’s stored ice is nearly gone, yet the weather never seems to cool. Cao Shanggong, can we postpone it a month until the weather cools?”

Cao Shanggong loved bullying Song Shanggong: “Sure, if you can do it, go ahead – you go tell Her Majesty the Empress.”