Imperial Physician Zhang and the others examined the remaining Dragon Tiger Pills with careful thoroughness, then helplessly reported, “In response to Worthy Consort — these Dragon Tiger Pills are indeed a superb tonic medicine of exceptional efficacy. There is truly nothing wrong with them.”
The problem was with the Emperor himself.
No matter how fine a tonic medicine, one could not rely on its effects to indulge in nightly pleasure. Did he truly think he was still in the vigor of youth? Coming to this pass was purely the result of his own doing.
Of course, such plain truths were things no one dared give voice to.
Worthy Consort Wei had a clear understanding in her heart, but put on an expression of displeasure and indignation. “By what Imperial Physician Zhang says, this matter is not Eunuch Huang’s fault at all?”
Imperial Physician Zhang was alarmed to hear this, and replied with clasped hands, “Worthy Consort’s judgment is clear and wise — this minister dares not speak presumptuously.”
Worthy Consort Wei frowned, waved Imperial Physician Zhang away, then made her way to Noble Lady Wang’s palace.
Noble Lady Wang, having been confined for more than half a month, had grown wan and haggard, stripped entirely of her former luster and bearing. Upon seeing Worthy Consort Wei, she immediately fell to her knees and wept, “Please show mercy, Worthy Consort — spare this consort’s life! From now on, I will stay quietly in my palace and will never trouble Your Ladyship in the slightest.”
Noble Lady Wang was not entirely without wits — she knew she was trapped and could only hope to preserve her life. She knelt there weeping piteously, looking utterly wretched and pitiable.
Worthy Consort Wei looked down at the kneeling Noble Lady Wang, a flash of undisguised disdain passing through her eyes.
Among the many consorts in the harem, there was not a single pair who looked upon each other with any real fondness.
This Noble Lady Wang in particular — ever since she entered the palace, she had been competing with Worthy Consort Wei at every turn. The fact that the Emperor had collapsed precisely on the night when Noble Lady Wang was attending him — well, it could only be said that Noble Lady Wang’s luck had been particularly poor.
If she had wanted Noble Lady Wang’s life, this present moment offered a perfect opportunity. No one in this situation would dare speak in Noble Lady Wang’s defense.
But she had never been a ruthless person, and had no desire to stain her hands with blood.
“Noble Lady Wang, this consort will spare you this once. However, though the death penalty may be waived, a living punishment cannot be avoided.”
Worthy Consort Wei said icily, “The rank of Noble Lady was given to you by His Majesty, but you failed to properly attend to His Majesty — you had best return to being a Beauty. I will inform His Majesty accordingly. From this day forth, you are to remain in your palace, copying a scroll of sutras each day to pray for His Majesty’s blessing. Without my express command, you may not step half a pace outside your palace. Are you willing to accept this judgment?”
Noble Lady Wang sought only to preserve her life. Upon hearing these words, she was nothing but overwhelmed with gratitude — she dared not harbor even a trace of resentment.
……
Having dealt with Noble Lady Wang, Worthy Consort Wei went to see the Emperor and conveyed everything to him gently. “……His Majesty is still ill and in need of calm recuperation — it would be inadvisable to make drastic moves, lest strong emotions agitate His Majesty’s constitution. This consort’s thought is that Eunuch Huang also acted with good intentions that led to an unintended error. Stripping him of his position and putting him to work sweeping at the palace gates should suffice. This consort does not know what His Majesty thinks of this arrangement?”
The Emperor, after this ordeal, had completely broken down in health. The slightest stirring of emotion left his whole body weak and sent cold sweat pouring out. He replied in a listless, feeble voice, “These trifling matters are for you to handle — I trust you.”
Worthy Consort Wei respectfully assented, then gently straightened the Emperor’s garments with tender care. “Your Majesty, please rest at ease. Though this consort is dull-witted and of limited ability, she will do her utmost to manage palace affairs so as not to trouble Your Majesty.”
In illness, one is inevitably weaker than usual and more easily moved than in ordinary times.
The Emperor could not help but take Worthy Consort Wei’s hand and let out a long sigh. “It is fortunate that I still have you by my side.”
Worthy Consort Wei smiled warmly and exchanged soft, gentle words with the Emperor for a brief moment. Then, as if something had just occurred to her, she ventured carefully, “Your Majesty, Elder Sister Consort Li has not been well these past days and is resting in bed — all palace affairs have fallen to this consort alone. This consort finds herself hard-pressed managing everything single-handedly. Perhaps we might find someone to assist me?”
The Emperor considered briefly, then said, “Bear with it a little while longer. Once Noble Lady Li recovers her health, you will no longer be so burdened.”
For the Emperor, this was already a show of extraordinary favor toward Worthy Consort Wei.
The consorts in the palace were each and every one of them not to be taken lightly. Should anyone gain a share of Worthy Consort Wei’s authority, quarreling and disorder would inevitably follow.
Worthy Consort Wei looked at the Emperor with a gaze of gratitude, her eyes growing slightly red as she said, “That Your Majesty treats this consort this way — truly, this consort does not know what to say.”
The Emperor’s complexion was still sallow and pallid. Hearing this, he managed to pull up the corner of his mouth. “You serve me wholeheartedly, so of course I must think of you wholeheartedly. If you find yourself too busy and exhausted, simply promote some female officials to run errands on your behalf. Do not wear yourself out.”
Worthy Consort Wei nodded again and again, her expression genuinely moved. With a somewhat bashful air she said, “This consort had exactly this in mind, and yet His Majesty perceived this consort’s intentions even before she could voice them.”
“Your Majesty also knows this consort well. All these years in the palace, this consort has never held a position of great responsibility — all of her attention has been on An Ya. Among this consort’s personal attendants, apart from Xingyun, there is no one particularly capable. As for taking people from other palaces, this consort would not presume to do that. So this consort wished to ask His Majesty if she might borrow someone of use.”
The Emperor was momentarily taken aback, and gave an amused laugh. “Oh? Who have you taken a liking to? Just tell me directly — why all this roundabout hemming and hawing?”
Worthy Consort Wei hesitated a moment before saying, “This consort wishes to borrow Female Official Ling.”
Ling Jingshu?
The Emperor was again taken aback, but found nothing particularly amiss about the request. “Why did you suddenly think of her?”
Seeing that the Emperor’s reaction was relatively calm, Worthy Consort Wei felt a quiet surge of relief and smiled as she explained, “To be truthful with His Majesty — before Female Official Ling entered the palace, she saved An Ya’s life. This consort is also quite fond of her. Later, when she entered the palace and served in the Jiaofang Hall, she carried out her duties carefully and with great precision.”
“His Majesty, in his generosity and benevolence, released her from the prison cells and kept her on in Zichen Palace. This consort imagines this was also because His Majesty recognized her intelligence and quick-wittedness.”
At the mention of this, the Emperor felt an inarticulable awkwardness.
But with Worthy Consort Wei present, he could hardly admit that he had taken a fancy to Ling Jingshu’s beauty. He could only give a vague murmur of agreement.
Worthy Consort Wei looked to him with an expression full of hopeful appeal. “Female Official Ling is a properly raised daughter of a distinguished family — literate, intelligent, and meticulous. Were she to come to this consort’s side, she could help this consort manage some of the smaller affairs. Moreover, she has been in the palace for a short time and is not close to the consorts of any of the other palaces — her loyalty is entirely to His Majesty. This consort would feel especially at ease using her.”
“Your Majesty, please grant this consort’s request just this once.”
The Emperor felt somewhat put on the spot by Worthy Consort Wei’s earnest entreaty.
What had been in his own heart before was something he could not say aloud.
Moreover, the present state of his own health was something he knew well enough himself. Even if this fresh flower were to remain near him, he no longer had the strength to pluck it in the days to come……
Very well.
The Emperor steeled himself and relented. “Since you have taken a liking to her, have her come with you to Lingbo Palace now.”