Chapter 2

Chapter Two: The Matter of Selecting a Consort

Madam Yun suddenly recalled that the current emperor had just recently come of age. Had the late emperor not passed away, the crown prince’s consort would surely have been chosen around this time. But with the late emperor’s death a month ago, Crown Prince Qin Yushun smoothly ascended the throne, and the imperial harem remained vacant. Naturally, it was now time to select consorts for the palace.

“What does His Majesty’s stance mean?” Madam Yun raised her eyes and asked the Marquis of Loyalty and Righteousness.

If the emperor already had candidates in mind, a decree would have been issued to select women to enter the palace. If not, according to royal customs, a selection process would be initiated to choose eligible young ladies to join the court.

“The emperor has never been particularly interested in women and has not expressed any preference. So, by royal protocol, the Imperial Household Department will proceed with arranging the selection,” the marquis stroked his beard and spoke calmly.

The emperor had just ascended the throne, and the ministers and the three great noble families were all closely watching the imperial harem, hoping their daughters might become consorts and rise like a phoenix. After all, the position of Empress was still undecided, and whoever gained the emperor’s favor might become Empress.

Currently, the loudest voice in court favored the late Empress Dowager’s niece, Chu Youning, eldest daughter of the Duke of Chu’s household. From birth, she was taken into the palace by the Empress Dowager, who was then the Empress, and was raised with impeccable grace. Skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, she was highly accomplished. The late Duke of Chu had often said that this granddaughter was far more intelligent than the boys of the family.

The Marquis of Loyalty and Righteousness also believed that the young lady of the Duke of Chu’s household was the most suitable candidate for Empress. Such a woman could support the emperor well and manage the inner palace effectively.

“If the Imperial Household Department is indeed arranging the selection, then surely our Shu’er will be on the list...” Madam Yun’s thoughts raced, imagining many possibilities. Although the marquis’s family was not as prestigious as the other three great families, it was still a noble household of this dynasty. Shu’er herself was both talented and beautiful; Madam Yun was not boasting—there was nothing lacking in their daughter.

Given the current status of the Marquis’s household, if Shu’er could enter the palace, she would surely earn a consort’s rank.

“If the Imperial Household Department truly arranges the selection, then Shu’er will definitely be on the list. I was about to tell you this as well. His Majesty has just ascended, and the situation is still unstable. Even if the palace holds the selection, it won’t be soon. So my advice is, if Shu’er is willing to enter the palace, we needn’t rush to finalize her marriage,” the marquis explained.

After all, all the great families were waiting for a chance to secure a palace position.

“But if Shu’er is unwilling to enter the palace, then we can choose a husband for her. Nowadays, the court is filled with talented men, and the capital is no shortage of promising gentlemen. As long as his character is upright and Shu’er likes him, that will do.”

The Marquis’s family had long been a lineage of integrity and needed no daughter to sustain their prestige. Hence, he was not overly eager to push his daughter into the palace, even though the current emperor was a remarkable man, both cultured and martial, with an unmatched appearance.

“You should have told me earlier! Had I known, I would have asked Shu’er myself already. She’s never met His Majesty and so certainly does not harbor any admiration for him. His Majesty’s harem is currently empty, but there will surely be many consorts in time. I think it would be best to begin looking for Shu’er’s husband first,” Madam Yun said, glancing at him sharply before reflecting. She knew her daughter well—Shu’er was not particularly eager for palace splendor.

“Then we shall follow your wishes. Our Marquis’s daughters are sought after by many families, so please rest assured,” the marquis said, touching his prominent nose, indicating he would heed his wife’s advice.

Madam Yun thought she would ask their eldest son about suitable gentlemen in the capital when he returned. Xie Huaiyu had long been admitted to the Hanlin Academy and made many distinguished friends, all outstanding talents.

***

The Cining Palace lay in the southeast of the imperial palace. Its exterior was adorned with green tiles and vermillion beams, resembling a jade tower and crystal palace. The inner halls were splendidly decorated in gold and jade, filled with the finest tributes. Paintings from several dynasties adorned the walls.

Thanks to its careful maintenance, the current Empress Dowager still appeared graceful. Dressed in a deep purple ceremonial robe embroidered with phoenix patterns, she flipped through a book while eight maidservants attended her, fanning, massaging her shoulders, and kneading her legs.

At that moment, two young maids in pink dresses entered, bowing respectfully to the Empress Dowager. “Your Majesty, Miss Chu has returned.”

“Quickly bring Ning’er in,” the Empress Dowager said, her face lighting up with a warm smile.

“Greetings, Aunt,” said a graceful young girl in a flowing aqua gown, stepping inside. Her eyes were brimming with tears as she spoke, “Ning’er has failed in Aunt’s expectations. Steward Zhou said Elder Cousin has been busy with affairs and has not been seen. Ning’er did not wish to break his rules, so she came back first.”

She hadn’t even seen the emperor…

The Empress Dowager’s expression darkened slightly, unsure whether to blame the emperor for not granting her face or to blame this niece for being so unpromising.

The reason the Duke of Chu’s household dominated the noble families was not only because it was a distinguished family but because it had produced two generations of empresses. When Chu Youning was young, the Empress Dowager had brought her into the palace to be raised, hoping she would cultivate a close relationship with the emperor and continue the Duke of Chu’s glory.

But whether it was the emperor’s cold nature or the niece’s inability to win a man’s favor, the emperor showed no affection toward Youning. This was a problem. Thus, the Empress Dowager had suggested that Youning send soups and broths to the emperor in her name—a plan clearly destined to fail.

Seeing the Empress Dowager hesitate, Youning thought she was angry and lowered her head submissively. “It is Ning’er who has disappointed Aunt.”

Youning had long hoped to become Empress and knew her only support was her aunt.

Despite her displeasure, the Empress Dowager gave no outward sign. She took Youning’s small hand and gently patted it. “It’s all right. Perhaps the emperor truly has important matters to attend. With me here, I will ensure you become Empress. In a few days, there will be a flower-viewing banquet at Princess Shenghua’s residence, which the emperor will attend. You must make a good impression there.”

Princess Shenghua was the daughter of the Noble Grand Consort. The late emperor had once been infatuated with the serene consort from the Western regions. When she became pregnant, the late emperor even considered changing the crown prince’s heir. Princess Shenghua’s mother had pleaded with her life, dissuading the emperor. When the princess’s mother passed away, she had but one wish: that the emperor would treat this half-sister kindly and find her a suitable husband. The emperor indulged this half-sister, so he would attend the banquet at the Shenghua residence.

“I understand,” Youning said softly, her demeanor delicate and innocent.

The Empress Dowager had specially arranged for a famous dancer in the capital to teach Youning the dance of the Rainbow Feathered Dress. Even if Youning could not immediately become Empress, if she entered the palace, the Empress Dowager would find a way to raise her to that position. Ultimately, it all depended on winning the emperor’s favor.

“By the way, will the third miss of the Marquis of Loyalty and Righteousness’s household attend Princess Shenghua’s banquet?” The Empress Dowager suddenly recalled someone and set down her teacup to ask.

If Youning had a greatest rival in the capital, it was surely the third miss of the Marquis’s household, Xie Shu, renowned as the “Most Noble Lady of the Capital.” Her beauty was radiant as spring flowers, pure as the moon. Her family background was also formidable. Her elder brother held the position of Junior Minister at the Ministry of Works and was highly favored by the emperor. The Empress Dowager worried that the emperor might try to curry favor with the Marquis’s power by choosing Xie Shu as consort. Everyone in the capital knew the emperor was intent on promoting Xie Huaiyu. Wouldn’t this block Youning’s path to glory?

According to the Empress Dowager, if Xie Shu wanted to enter the palace, she would have to wait until Youning did, or else they would become fierce rivals.

Outside the palace, the maids knew nothing of these intrigues. They exchanged glances and shook their heads. “This servant does not know, but Princess Shenghua likely sent the invitation to the Marquis’s household.”

“Go and inquire now whether the third miss of the Marquis’s household will attend the flower-viewing banquet,” the Empress Dowager ordered anxiously.

“Yes, this servant will go immediately.”

===

Meanwhile, Princess Shenghua had arrived at the Marquis of Loyalty and Righteousness’s estate, heading straight to the Plum Blossom Garden. The servants hurried to greet her. “Your servant greets Princess Shenghua. Welcome, Princess Shenghua.”

“Get up quickly, Sister Shu, I’ve come to see you,” the princess’s delicate voice came first, the jingling of her hair ornaments ringing as she walked.

Xie Shu was surprised by the princess’s visit and hesitated briefly. She rose and gave a graceful bow. “Your servant greets the princess.”

Before she could kneel, Princess Shenghua smiled and helped her up. “We’ve been close friends for so many years, Sister Shu, yet you’re still so formal. I came today to deliver an invitation to you personally.”

An invitation…

Xie Shu’s eyes showed confusion. Princess Shenghua’s attendant handed over the invitation and pressed it into Xie Shu’s hands. “The princess’s residence will hold a flower-viewing banquet six days from now and will invite all noble ladies in the capital. I sent invitations on behalf of the princess to all the noble households, but this one for Sister Shu is personally delivered by me. You must come.”

In her previous life, the Shenghua residence had not held such a banquet at this time. Suddenly, an absurd suspicion formed in Xie Shu’s heart.

“Princess, besides the ladies of our circle, will others attend?”

Princess Shenghua’s eyes glimmered with curiosity as she probed, “Sister Shu, do you mean His Majesty?”

“I’ll be frank with you. This banquet was arranged at Mother’s request, to help Sister Youning make a good impression on His Majesty. But if Sister Shu also wishes to enter the palace and become His Majesty’s consort, I will certainly support you first,” the princess said candidly.

Xie Shu felt the invitation growing hotter in her hand.