Ming Tan initially thought the Nanlü tribute items bestowed by the palace were just ordinary gifts that many families received.
It wasn’t until a few days later when the Nanlü delegation escorted Princess Yongle out of the capital for her marriage, that Empress Zhang found an opportunity to summon her to the palace for a chat. Only then did she realize this wasn’t the case.
“I’ve been wanting to call you to the palace for some time,” the Empress began, “but first I was busy with Princess Yongle’s departure, and then I thought you might need rest at home after your recent shock.
“I must say, you were truly wronged the other day. The Ping Guogong Mansion’s hospitality was lacking. I really should apologize on their behalf.”
“Your Majesty is too kind,” Ming Tan responded with a smile. “I’m fine, just a bit under the weather. I received some Cangshan Snow Green tea recently and wanted to invite Hanmiao and the others over for a cup, but my health prevented me from hosting guests.”
She didn’t make excuses for the Ping Guogong Mansion. After all, the Emperor had already reprimanded Ping Guogong for “lax household management.” If she directly stated it wasn’t the mansion’s fault, it might seem like excessive flattery. Mentioning Zhang Hanmiao in passing was just enough to indicate she held no grudge against the Ping Guogong Mansion.
Hearing this, Empress Zhang gently swirled her teacup and smiled. “Speaking of Cangshan Snow Green, Qizhi truly cherishes you. The Emperor visited Changchun Palace the other day and told me that while Qizhi usually declines rewards, this time he specifically requested a box of fine silks and a box of jeweled hairpins from the Nanlü tribute for you. When he heard Nanlü had also offered Cangshan Snow Green tea, he took half of it. I imagine that Zhaoye’s white horse was also for you.”
Wait…
Those items weren’t bestowed by the Emperor, but requested by her husband.
Seeing her expression, Empress Zhang gently teased, “Oh? You didn’t know?”
Ming Tan shook her head, feeling somewhat embarrassed, the tips of her ears reddening slightly.
Fortunately, Empress Zhang didn’t tease her further. She simply instructed her attending lady-in-waiting, “The Princess Consort loves tea. Send her all of this year’s newly acquired Mengding Ganlu tea.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” the lady-in-waiting responded.
Still blushing, Ming Tan didn’t forget to graciously accept the gift, rising to express her gratitude: “‘In zithers, only the clear waters are known; in tea, only Mount Meng is an old friend.’ Thank you for Your Majesty’s kindness.”
Concubine Su, seated to the side, chuckled softly. “The Princess Consort of Ding Bei is beautiful, kind-hearted, and talented. No wonder she’s so cherished by the Prince of Ding Bei.”
“Concubine Su is too generous with her praise,” Ming Tan replied with a slight nod, her dignified demeanor tinged with a hint of shyness.
Empress Zhang had summoned her for this chat just as several consorts came to pay their respects at Changchun Palace. Concubine Su, who had just spoken, was reportedly an old acquaintance from the Emperor’s time as Crown Prince. Though her favor had waned over the years, the Emperor still treated her well out of nostalgia. She seemed to have little interest in vying for a position.
A woman in green seated lower down chimed in, following Concubine Su’s lead: “The Prince of Ding Bei truly appreciates talent.”
“…”
The hall suddenly fell silent for a moment.
Ming Tan, hearing this, initially thought it was just a compliment and saw nothing amiss. But the brief silence in the hall felt awkward and strange.
She discreetly observed the room, noticing that several gazes had intentionally or unintentionally fallen on Concubine Lan, who had been quietly sitting opposite. Concubine Lan, who had been fiddling with her teacup, seemed to pause for half a breath at these words.
Ming Tan knew little about the Da Xian harem, but she was aware that since Honored Consort Yu had been confined to the Cold Palace, Concubine Lan had become the most favored.
This Concubine Lan was deeply cherished by the Emperor, having been promoted twice in less than a year, jumping from Noble Lady to Consort without even bearing children.
It was said that Concubine Lan was extremely talented.
For some reason, as Ming Tan reflected on this, she felt something was off.
Before she could ponder further, Empress Zhang smoothed over the topic and began discussing arrangements for the summer retreat to the imperial villa.
“The other day when the Emperor visited Changchun Palace, he mentioned going to Yongchun Garden for the summer. Looking at this sun, so scorching even in the early morning, it’s indeed time for a change of scenery.”
The outspoken woman in green eagerly asked, “Your Majesty, when will we depart?”
“Barring any unforeseen circumstances, we should leave in half a month. I’ve drafted a list of attendees, but the Emperor wishes to keep the harem entourage small this time. Only Concubine Su, Concubine Lan, Consort Li, Consort Chun, and Noble Lady Mu have been selected.” Empress Zhang cast a cool glance at her. “Consort Zhuang will remain in the palace to manage affairs, and Noble Lady Jia, as you’re from Consort Zhuang’s palace, you’ll stay to keep her company.”
Ah, so the woman in green was Noble Lady Jia.
Ming Tan remained silent, mentally calculating… Only five were selected, plus Noble Lady Jia who wasn’t going, and Consort Zhuang who was staying to manage affairs, who made seven consorts. Given the Empress’s implication that this was a small group, the total number of consorts in the harem must be at least twenty or thirty.
As she was thinking this, Empress Zhang turned to her: “Oh, Princess Consort, the Emperor has also arranged accommodations for your husband. If you have time, you might consider joining the Prince for a short stay at Yongchun Garden. It’s most tranquil there, with beautiful scenery. It would be perfect for relaxation.”
Ming Tan quickly curved her lips into a smile and rose to curtsy properly: “Yes, thank you to His Majesty and Your Majesty for your thoughtfulness.”
…
Ming Tan had entered the palace in the early morning and was just leaving Changchun Palace around noon. Before she could breathe a sigh of relief, she heard Noble Lady Jia, who had also just exited, openly mock: “How long has it been since His Majesty visited Changchun Palace? It was just a brief sit-down the other day, yet the Empress keeps bringing it up over and over!”
Ming Tan: “…”
Was it acceptable to mock the Empress like this in the harem?
As Ming Tan pondered this, someone else approached her: “Princess Consort of Ding Bei.”
She turned, “Concubine Su.”
Concubine Su smiled gently, glancing at Noble Lady Jia in the distance, and kindly explained: “Noble Lady Jia is from the Du family of Longxi. She hasn’t been in the palace long and has a rather straightforward personality. If she’s offended you in any way, I’m sure it wasn’t intentional. You needn’t take it to heart.”
The Du family of Longxi is a centuries-old noble clan.
No wonder she spoke so freely in the palace.
But how had Noble Lady Jia offended her? Could it be that earlier remark about “The Prince of Ding Bei truly appreciates talent”?
Ming Tan couldn’t help but recall the subtle atmosphere that had momentarily filled the room. All the clues seemed to point towards… Concubine Lan.
Concubine Su, as if remembering something, smiled warmly again: “The Empress mentioned you love tea. I happen to have some newly acquired Jingting Green Snow tea. Why don’t I have it all packaged and sent to you? In the harem, Concubine Lan is the most skilled at tea appreciation. My unrefined palate can hardly discern good from bad. It would be better with you than wasted on me.”
Concubine Lan again.
Ming Tan seemed to understand something. After a moment of silence, she replied calmly: “Concubine Su is too kind. Since Concubine Lan is most skilled at tea appreciation, wouldn’t it be more fitting to send the tea to her?”
Concubine Su maintained her gentle smile, though it now seemed somewhat forced and self-deprecating: “What I have, how could Concubine Lan not have?”
Hearing this, Ming Tan let out a light laugh. Her voice was still characteristically soft and clear, but now carried a hint of deeper meaning: “Then how do you know I don’t have what you have?”
Concubine Su was taken aback.
Ming Tan, however, didn’t engage in further wordplay. She gave a courteous bow and left directly: “I have matters to attend to at home, so I won’t linger.”
Earlier in Changchun Palace, it was Concubine Su who first praised her talent, followed by Noble Lady Jia’s hasty remark. It was also Concubine Su who first glanced at Concubine Lan, then reminded her of Noble Lady Jia’s potentially offensive words, and voluntarily mentioned Concubine Lan’s love for tea. All these subtle actions seemed to be Concubine Su’s attempt to guide her thoughts, making her wonder if there was something between her husband and Concubine Lan.
Indeed, the situation with Concubine Lan and her husband did sound suspicious, but Concubine Su was no innocent bystander either.
They were all imperial consorts; if they wanted to fight amongst themselves in the palace, that was their business. But to try and use her to deal with Concubine Lan? Sorry, not happening.
—
Although she completely avoided the topic with Concubine Su, Ming Tan couldn’t help but dwell on it. Upon returning home, she immediately sent someone to investigate Concubine Lan’s background.
Concubine Lan’s history wasn’t difficult to uncover. She came from a proper official family, most prominent when her grandfather was alive. Her grandfather had once held the position of Minister of Rites and the title of Grand Tutor, serving as the teacher of Crown Prince Mincong.
Crown Prince Mincong… wasn’t that her long-deceased father-in-law?
As Ming Tan reclined on the couch, resting against a pillow and pondering this, she suddenly heard a very faint sound. Someone had entered the inner chamber, their footsteps familiar.
Jiang Xu lifted the bed curtain, his eyes meeting Ming Tan’s just as she opened them.
“Husband, why are you back at this hour?” Ming Tan was slightly surprised, never having seen Jiang Xu return home at noon before.
“There were no pressing matters in the military, so I returned early,” Jiang Xu replied softly, glancing at her briefly.
The summer heat was stifling, and Ming Tan’s attire for her midday rest was quite light. Her neck and the area below her collarbones were exposed, revealing a large expanse of snow-white skin. The gentle curves of her chest were veiled by a soft pink gauze that clung to her delicate figure. The sash at her waist was half-undone, making her slender waist appear as if it could be encircled by one hand.
Jiang Xu’s gaze deepened, his voice lowering slightly: “Why aren’t you asleep?”
“I couldn’t quite fall asleep,” Ming Tan said, oblivious to his gaze. She sat up and hugged his waist, her voice lazy and coquettish, “Are you tired, husband? Why don’t you rest with me?”
Jiang Xu didn’t refuse, so Ming Tan began to loosen his clothes, chattering about her visit to the palace.
She had no ulterior motives, simply wanting to nap with her husband and chat casually, hoping to naturally and subtly learn about his connection with Concubine Lan.
After Jiang Xu got into bed, Ming Tan obediently snuggled into his embrace, still chattering as she laid the groundwork for her questions. Eventually, she brought up the Nanlü tribute gifts.
“Oh, husband, was that little Zhaoye white horse colt also for me?”
Jiang Xu made an affirmative sound: “I’ll teach you to ride when you have time.”
“…”
That won’t be necessary.
Why does he always want to teach her unladylike things?
She changed the subject directly: “After hearing what the Empress said, I went to the stables when I returned from the palace. That little horse is truly beautiful, snow-white without a single stray hair. I love it! Um… shall we call it ‘Little Bai Rabbit’ from now on?”
Little Bai Rabbit.
It was a jade lion.
He didn’t respond verbally, his gaze falling on the increasingly disheveled gaps in Ming Tan’s clothing. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he suddenly grasped something, causing Ming Tan to freeze and look up at him in disbelief. He gently kneaded, his warm breath tickling her ear as he spoke in a low voice tinged with an almost imperceptible hint of amusement: “Mm, indeed little white rabbits.”