Perhaps knowing Ming Dan had begun receiving guests, the next day Empress Zhang sent someone to Prince Ding Bei’s mansion with a message. She said the palace had cultivated new green chrysanthemums this year, which were blooming beautifully these days, and invited Ming Dan to the palace to appreciate them together.
Ming Dan gladly accepted.
These green chrysanthemums were quite challenging to cultivate. Since entering Prince Ding Bei’s household, Ming Dan had people carefully nurturing them, but it wasn’t something that could be rushed. This year, those grown in the mansion had barely managed a faint green tinge around the edges.
“The palace gardeners are truly more skilled in this art. Besides the Green Cloud and Green Peony varieties, these Ink Lotus, General’s Flag, and Jade Teapot Spring are also blooming so brilliantly. Especially this Phoenix Spreading Wings – it’s truly dazzling. In my humble opinion, it suits Your Majesty best,” Ming Dan praised with a beaming smile.
“It seems the Princess consort is quite knowledgeable about chrysanthemums.” Empress Zhang couldn’t help but smile, taking Ming Dan’s hand and patting it gently. “It’s been a while since we last met at Yongchun Garden. I see you’ve lost quite a bit of weight. You must take good care of yourself.”
“Yes, thank you for Your Majesty’s concern.”
Empress Zhang continued, “If you like these chrysanthemums, why don’t we pick some of the best of each variety to send to Prince Ding Bei’s mansion? How does that sound?”
“Thank you for Your Majesty’s generosity,” Ming Dan respectfully curtsied, “but I feel these chrysanthemums look best when displayed together in a colorful array. If we move some to the prince’s mansion, the others might seem a bit lonely. I would be extremely satisfied if I could have those two pots of General’s Flag.”
There were only so many flowers in the Imperial Garden. If she took several pots of each variety, there might not be much left for the Emperor to bestow upon other consorts.
After becoming Prince Ding Bei’s consort, she gradually learned about many palace matters. It turned out that even flowers in the palace were allocated in fixed numbers. What are varieties one received in which season was a symbol of the status of various consorts and concubines? It was better not to covet what others desired. After all, Prince Ding Bei’s mansion wasn’t lacking in flowers, and if the Empress truly wanted to give her some of each variety, she wouldn’t have asked “How does that sound?”
Empress Zhang nodded, her smile deepening.
This Princess consort of Ding Bei indeed showed rare discretion.
“Very well then. Prince Ding Bei is an exceptionally talented general, so the General’s Flag suits him perfectly. Someone, send those two pots of General’s Flag to Prince Ding Bei’s mansion.”
Remembering something, Empress Zhang pointed forward and instructed, “Send those two pots of Jade Teapot Spring to the Marquis of Changguo’s mansion.”
Bai Minmin, who had been trailing behind the Empress and behaving unusually well, hurriedly curtsied and thanked her: “Thank you for Your Majesty’s generosity.”
The Empress smiled at her kindly: “No need to be nervous. Just treat it as if you’re strolling in your garden.”
Bai Minmin responded with a “Yes,” but her palms couldn’t help but break out in sweat.
The previous few times, the Empress had summoned her mother to the palace. This time, she was unexpectedly summoned directly without warning. She hadn’t even had time to properly prepare her attire – how could she not be nervous? Fortunately, Ming Dan was here today, which put her slightly more at ease.
Compared to Bai Minmin, Ming Dan was more adept at handling such formalities, and with her frequent visits to the palace, she was now even more at ease.
Seeing Bai Minmin so docile for once, she found it quite amusing and teased, “It’s rare to see my cousin so well-behaved today. I suppose… she’s been awed by Your Majesty’s motherly grace that governs all under heaven.”
Bai Minmin couldn’t help but glare at her, but as the Empress’s gaze moved over, she quickly lowered her head, eyes fixed on her nose, nose fixed on her heart, looking like a quail.
The Empress smiled gently: “Minmin is lively. It’s natural to be nervous on her first meeting with me. Once she comes more often, she won’t be so formal anymore.”
Zhanghuaiyu had set his heart on this young lady from the Marquis of Changguo’s family. At first, when she heard about the girl’s lively temperament, she wasn’t very pleased. But after the Emperor’s persuasion, she thought it over carefully and found his reasoning quite sound.
She had spent a full year looking for Grand Tutor Zhang’s granddaughter before finally settling on her, thinking she was a graceful, dignified, and virtuous young lady. Who would have thought she’d turn out to be so ill-mannered?
After the incident, fearing the Bu family scoundrel had forced himself on the girl and tarnished her reputation, she had people investigate thoroughly. It turned out that Zhang’s granddaughter was entirely willing, having been sweet-talked by that Bu family rascal until she was completely infatuated. After the incident, she even begged Grand Tutor Zhang to save her “beloved,” nearly causing the old man to die of anger.
This Bai family girl, though a bit lively, came from a good family and had a fine appearance. And Zhanghuaiyu favored her… She thought it over and decided it wasn’t impossible to consider.
With her as the Empress of the Zhang family, to avoid criticism of relatives monopolizing power, her father had only held lucrative but unimportant positions. In the future, when Zhanghuaiyu inherited the title, he would naturally only be allowed to be wealthy, not too prominent.
Of course, Zhanghuaiyu originally didn’t have much prominence to show. He had no interest in official careers but was quite diligent in pursuing leisure activities.
Given his temperament, if he could marry a girl he liked and live a wealthy, peaceful life, she as his sister had no reason to obstruct it.
Thinking of this, she took Bai Minmin’s hand again and patted it gently: “Come, sit with me for a while. We’ve walked enough.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Bai Minmin and Ming Dan accompanied Empress Zhang to sit in a garden pavilion. Taking this opportunity, Ming Dan mentioned to Empress Zhang the idea of calling on officials’ wives to donate unused items, sell them for silver, and use the money to provide winter supplies for people in poor, cold regions.
Empress Zhang thought for a moment, then smiled and said, “That’s quite a good idea. The wives of officials in the capital are known for their love of luxury. With the country prosperous and the people at peace, forcing everyone to practice frugality would only be counterproductive. But if it’s just donating unused old items, I think everyone would be willing.”
Bai Minmin also volunteered, “This humble one thinks we should set standards for the condition and types of items. After all, the donation isn’t about collecting junk. Items that are too worn out might be hard to sell…” She quickly added, “This is just my humble opinion. If I’ve spoken out of turn, please don’t take offense, Your Majesty.”
“How could I not take it to heart,” Empress Zhang looked very pleased, “I think Minmin’s words are very sensible.”
Ming Dan, like a market vendor praising her melons, seized the opportunity to compliment, “Indeed, though my cousin has a lively temperament, she has always been intelligent and attentive, often thinking of things others overlook.”
Bai Minmin felt a bit embarrassed by the praise but also seemed encouraged. She subsequently offered more of her ideas. When there were gaps, Ming Dan subtly helped to fill them in.
For Empress Zhang, this kind of reputation-building activity could be said to have all benefits and no drawbacks. Listening carefully, she found it very feasible. Finally, she took a sip of tea and spoke slowly to confirm.
“If that’s the case, I’ll host a tea party in a few days and invite several ladies with official titles to discuss this matter with everyone. As for the donation and sale of items, since this idea came from the Princess consort and Minmin also has many thoughts, let’s have the Princess consort be in charge, with Minmin assisting. How does that sound?”
The two exchanged a glance and hurriedly curtsied to accept the task.
When dealing with intelligent people, many things don’t need to be spelled out explicitly for both parties to feel comfortable.
Having received such a reputation-enhancing idea, Empress Zhang didn’t selfishly keep it all to herself but delegated authority to Ming Dan to oversee it.
Indeed, Ming Dan had no intention of using this to gain a reputation, but she sincerely wanted to personally handle this matter. She was grateful that the Empress allowed her to do so as she wished.
Having Bai Minmin assist was a well-rounded consideration by the Empress. For an unmarried young lady, accumulating some reputation would be beneficial both for herself and her future husband’s family.
Moreover, handling such matters could reveal a person’s character and abilities. The future wife of the heir to the Marquis of Pingguo’s family, no matter how lively her temperament, must at least have the ability to manage household affairs.
With this matter settled and the day growing late, Ming Dan and Bai Minmin rose to take their leave.
The palace was not a place for idle talk. Although Bai Minmin had a belly full of things she wanted to say, she endured and left the palace properly with Ming Dan.
However, outside Hongyong Gate, they unexpectedly encountered Noble Lady Jia’s palanquin.
Bai Minmin, without an official title and merely a daughter of an official family, should naturally curtsy when meeting a palace consort.
However, she was confused for a moment. The palace consort in the palanquin seemed to be wearing attire below the rank of Virtuous Consort, yet she was riding in a palanquin…
Before entering the palace, her mother had specially arranged for someone to teach her about these things. In the palace, only those of Virtuous Consort rank and above were entitled to ride in palanquins. So what exactly was this consort’s rank? The etiquette for greeting someone above or below that rank was different.
In her moment of confusion, Noble Lady Jia had already stopped her palanquin. Covering her visibly pregnant belly, she looked down at them from the corner of her eye and said, “Who is this? Seeing my palanquin yet not curtsying?”
Bai Minmin hurriedly prepared to curtsy according to the etiquette for Virtuous Consort and above, but Ming Dan subtly stopped her, smiling faintly as she said, “Has Noble Lady Jia been restored to her former rank? Congratulations.”
“You!”
When would this Princess consort of Ding Bei ever stop? It wasn’t enough that she caused her to be demoted, now she had to bring up this sore point!
Now that she was further along in her pregnancy, everyone said this child was sure to be a little prince. The Emperor had also ceased being angry with her recently, lifting her confinement and especially permitting her to ride in a palanquin. Yet her rank still hadn’t been restored!
She still harbored wariness towards Prince Ding Bei in her heart, so she didn’t dare cause more trouble. Instead, she turned to look at Bai Minmin and asked again: “Who are you? Why didn’t you curtsy when you saw me? Don’t you know the rules!”
Ming Dan was about to speak when she saw a handsome young man in crimson brocade robes approach from outside Hongyong Gate, fanning himself casually as he drawled, “I thought it was some palace lady, but it’s Noble Lady Jia. You keep saying ‘I’ this and that – you really do know the rules well, don’t you?”
The position of Virtuous Consort was like a great divide. Those above could ride in palanquins and refer to themselves as “I,” while those below–
While exceptions could be made for palanquins, there was no exception for self-reference. Noble Lady Jia was still caught up in the glory of being a Virtuous Consort and couldn’t let go. Being pregnant, usually, no one bothered to argue with her about it.
Seeing the newcomer, Noble Lady Jia felt a lump in her throat, unable to swallow or spit it out.
Fine, here was another person she couldn’t afford to offend.
If she couldn’t afford to offend him, she could at least avoid him!
She bit her lip and said angrily, “Let’s go!”