“This concubine greets Your Ladyship. May Your Ladyship be blessed with eternal happiness.” After paying her respects to Yunyi, Wang Xianyue hesitated for a moment before curtseying to the Du couple seated at the side.
Yunyi observed all this and smiled. “I haven’t seen you at the Prince’s residence for many days and was concerned, so I came to visit you when I had time today.”
Wang Xianyue said gratefully, “To have Your Ladyship worry about me so—Xianyue truly feels unworthy of such kindness.”
“You’re not the only one who has been thinking of you.” Under Xianyue’s puzzled gaze, Yunyi said with a smile, “Bring them up.”
With these words, two young servants each carried in a box. When opened, they revealed a box of blood bird’s nests and snow clams, all of the finest quality.
Yunyi stepped forward and took her hand. “These are from two days ago when I went to the palace to pay my respects to Consort Lin. When I was leaving, she specifically gave me these two boxes to pass on to you, to nourish and strengthen your body. Her Ladyship said that she once had some connections with the Wang family, and now among all the Wang family members, only you remain in Chang’an, which inevitably makes people think you are isolated and weak. If anyone truly dares to bully you, just go tell Her Ladyship, and she will make decisions for you.”
A strange glint passed through Wang Xianyue’s eyes. Just as she was about to speak, the hand holding hers tightened slightly, and she immediately understood, saying gratefully, “I never expected Consort Lin to remember this concubine so. It truly moves me deeply. Please convey my thanks to Consort Lin.”
Yunyi smiled with pursed lips. “Such indirect thanks would lack sincerity.”
“This concubine would also like to thank Consort Lin personally, but with my humble status, I have no qualification to enter the palace, so…” Before she could finish, Yunyi said, “I was planning to enter the palace tomorrow anyway. If you have nothing else, come with me and personally thank Consort Lin. I believe Her Ladyship would be very pleased.”
“I will follow Your Ladyship’s instructions completely.” After Xianyue agreed, Yunyi’s gaze turned to the Du couple, who had been quite uncomfortable since earlier. “Does Madam Du have any objections?”
Hearing this, Madam Du quickly rose. “Since Consort Lin has graciously bestowed these gifts, Xianyue should naturally enter the palace to express her gratitude. How could this common woman have any objections?” In the imperial harem, apart from Noble Consort Wan, Consort Lin held the highest position. Who would have thought she had connections with the Wang family? In this case, wouldn’t her plan to arrange a concubine for Ruhui become troublesome? She didn’t dare even think of offending Consort Lin.
Having seen all sorts of demons and monsters over the years, how could Yunyi not see through Madam Du’s thoughts? Lin Shi was a first-rank consort of the current dynasty, only half a step below Wan Shi. Adding Consort Lin’s name to her own backing would be enough to suppress Madam Du for quite some time.
“Good. Tomorrow I’ll have someone come to escort Xianyue into the palace together.” As she spoke, she also ordered the young servants to bring in the thirty bolts of brocade she had brought as gifts for the Du couple. Regardless of what they thought inside, they naturally expressed endless gratitude on the surface.
Yunyi took up her tea and sipped it, frowning. “When this tea cools, the bitter taste becomes much stronger—it’s not as sweet and refreshing as before.”
Hearing this, Madam Du quickly said, “This common woman will immediately have someone change it for a fresh cup.”
“No need. I’ve imposed for so long that I should return now. I’ll visit Master Du and Madam Du again another day.” As she spoke, she was already standing up with Ruyi’s support. Seeing that the Du couple wanted to escort her out, she said, “Having Xianyue see me off is sufficient. Please remain here.”
“Your Ladyship, please go slowly.” After Yunyi’s party had gone far, the Du couple finally straightened up. After dismissing all the servants, Madam Du caressed the bolts of bright, beautiful brocade and said in a low voice, “The drunkard’s intent lies not in wine—this phrase describes Imperial Consort Yang’s visit most aptly.”
Master Du said, “Regardless, since Imperial Consort Yang has spoken and Consort Lin is watching, the matter of taking a concubine ends here. You should quickly go refuse the matchmaker.”
Though Madam Du knew this was inevitable, she was still very displeased and complained, “This Imperial Consort Yang—we have no grievances with her, yet she comes to interfere. It’s truly like a dog trying to catch mice—meddling in affairs that don’t concern her.”
Hearing this, Master Du quickly covered her mouth. “Watch your words! If these words were to reach Imperial Consort Yang’s ears, we would be guilty of insubordination and great disrespect. Moreover, don’t forget that Ruhui serves under the Prince of Qin—we cannot let such a small matter affect Ruhui’s future.”
Madam Du irritably pulled down his hand. “Do you think I don’t know the stakes involved? There are only you and me here. If it reaches Imperial Consort Yang’s ears, it would be because you spoke carelessly.” Saying this, she added, “Speaking of which, though I did indeed ask matchmakers for many registers of young ladies in Chang’an, how did this reach Imperial Consort Yang’s ears? Could it be that she has nothing better to do than watch our Du residence all day?”
“What are you thinking? How could Imperial Consort Yang watch us for no reason? It’s probably because there are too many gossipers in Chang’an—word spread and eventually reached Imperial Consort Yang’s ears.” As soon as Master Du finished speaking, Madam Du snorted coldly. “Others couldn’t have done it, but she’s hard to say. Don’t forget how much trouble she stirred up in the past. And another thing—’not taking a concubine’ sounds simple enough, but when will I be able to hold a grandson? Or will I wait until I’m in my coffin without ever seeing one?”
“Pah, pah, pah!” Master Du quickly spat on the ground several times and scolded, “How can you say such inauspicious words? Aren’t you afraid of bad luck?”
“She’s already clearly trampling on my head—what bad luck should I fear?” Madam Du bit her teeth and stared at the currently empty courtyard outside, saying hatefully, “In my opinion, nine times out of ten, it was Wang Xianyue who sent someone to tell Imperial Consort Yang, using her status to pressure me and prevent Ruhui from taking a concubine. Yes, it must be like this.”
“Though Xianyue is a wealthy young lady, since marrying into our Du family, she has always observed proper conduct and cared for us quite diligently. Even when you spoke to her like that yesterday, she still…” Before he could finish, Madam Du interrupted, “Did I speak wrongly about her? She’s been married into our family for two years without laying a single egg. She’s clearly useless herself, yet she won’t let Ruhui take a concubine. Is there any such reasoning? If she causes our Du family line to end, I’ll fight her to the death!”
Seeing Madam Du’s aggressive and unrelenting attitude, Master Du shook his head. “You’re getting more and more excessive in your words. Do you really plan to oppose Imperial Consort Yang, or even Consort Lin?”
Madam Du wanted to say yes but ultimately didn’t dare, saying sullenly, “I’ll give her one more year. If after a year she still can’t produce a child, even if Consort Lin herself comes to speak, she won’t have any justification.”
Master Du shook his head repeatedly. “You, oh you—when will you stop being so aggressive and leave others some dignity?”
Hearing this, Madam Du immediately became unhappy. “You have the nerve to criticize me? What I’m concerned about now is the continuation of the Du family line, yet you keep speaking up for that girl. What kind of spell has she cast on you?”