Chapter 8

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After the imperial procession had passed, He Hui was already sweating lightly. Supported by Yao Zhu, she barely managed to stand. Upon entering the Longevity Palace and paying respects to the Empress Dowager, she noticed a beautiful woman dressed in a bright red round-collared robe occupying the foremost seat on the right side of the hall. Unable to help herself, she glanced at her several times.

The Empress Dowager smiled at her and pointed toward the woman, saying, "This is the child." Then she turned to He Hui and said, "Pay your respects to Consort Xiao."

Only then did He Hui realize that this was Consort Xiao, the Virtuous Consort.

She hurriedly knelt and kowtowed.

"Good child, rise quickly."

Consort Xiao was born with enchanting eyes and an air of nobility, though her complexion was somewhat pale, as if recovering from a long illness.

She took He Hui’s hand gently, her gaze filled with affection, and said to the Empress Dowager, "Indeed a lively and spirited girl. Your Majesty’s judgment remains impeccable."

The Empress Dowager smiled without replying.

Consort Xiao asked He Hui, "Dear child, how old are you? Who are your family?"

He Hui replied honestly, "Your Highness, I am sixteen. At home, I have my parents and a pair of younger siblings."

Consort Xiao made a sound of sympathy and patted her hand. "Poor dear, it must be hard for you to leave your family at such a young age and come here. Are you accustomed to the life here?"

Hearing her mention her family, a pang of homesickness welled up in He Hui’s heart, but she dared not show it. Forcing a smile, she said, "I am used to it, thank you for your concern, Your Highness."

But no one present could be fooled by her homesickness. The Empress Dowager turned to Li Yuanjing, seated on the second grand tutor's chair to the left, and said, "Did you hear that? From now on, don’t bully Miss Shen anymore. Take her out more often and don’t leave her wandering aimlessly."

Li Yuanjing thought to himself: which woman in this palace hasn’t left home at a young age? What’s the big deal? Coming here is their good fortune.

Everyone always came to him with such complaints; how could he feel pity?

Though he thought this, he smiled and said, "Look at what Grandmother says, as if your grandson was bullying her."

He inherited the emperor’s sharp and cold features but possessed a youthful charm. When he coquettishly smiled, it was like a spring breeze warming the heart.

Everyone laughed. The Empress Dowager signaled the palace attendants to bring Li Yuanjing a fresh bowl of iced yogurt to cool him down, saying, "It’s the best."

Consort Xiao released He Hui’s hand, and a palace maid led her to sit behind Li Yuanjing.

He Hui approached the grand tutor’s chair and imitated Consort Xiao by sitting on the edge with her knees bent, only half of her bottom resting on the seat.

Because she exerted effort to maintain her posture, her already weak body ached faintly.

She pressed one hand lightly on the armrest beneath her wide sleeve, feeling somewhat relieved.

Li Yuanjing noticed this subtle gesture and frowned slightly, especially when He Hui secretly smiled at him. His mood worsened.

What on earth was she smiling about? As if she had some connection with him.

A countryside girl was hardly worthy of standing on stage. Now she even dared to send him secret glances in front of the elders.

How could she compare to his own consort?

He wanted to get angry but thought of the upcoming plans and restrained himself, merely glancing at her before looking away.

Seeing that Consort Xiao seemed to want to speak privately with the Empress Dowager, the latter dismissed the younger ones, saying, "Today is fine weather. Jing’er, take He Hui to the Taiye Pond to relax and go boating."

Li Yuanjing was reluctant but did not show it, agreeing smoothly. After turning away, the corners of his mouth drooped.

On the boat, He Hui took the initiative to start a conversation: "This boat is much bigger than the one that night."

That night?

Li Yuanjing raised his eyebrows.

This little rustic girl would say anything to get a word with him. When had he ever been on a boat with her?

He planned to ignore her but feared she would complain to the Empress Dowager, so he replied dismissively, "Is that so?"

He Hui looked at him, a hint of doubt rising in her mind.

She always felt that this man before her was somewhat different from the one she saw on those two nights.

She couldn’t exactly say how, and finally attributed it to her own physical discomfort causing illusions.

—

Meanwhile, after Li Yuanjing and He Hui left, the Empress Dowager dismissed all the palace attendants and finally lifted her teacup, blowing on it gently. "Speak. What is it?"

Consort Xiao hesitated for a long moment before saying, "It concerns His Majesty."

At the mention, the Empress Dowager set down her teacup.

"Yesterday, I was reading the imperial chronicles and found that His Majesty," Consort Xiao dabbed her mouth with a handkerchief and cleared her throat lightly, "has not summoned the consorts for nearly two months."

Since the emperor’s return to the palace, apart from the first few days when he summoned Consort Qing once and later visited her at the Western Gardens for a brief conversation, he had not shown any favor since.

Consort Xiao continued, "If this continues, I fear the imperial heir will face even greater difficulties."

These words struck a chord with the Empress Dowager.

The issue of the heir had long been a sore spot for her. She had spent countless words trying to persuade the emperor, who only responded politely but then ignored her.

No matter how busy he was with state affairs, he should pay attention to producing offspring. The Son of Heaven of the Great Zhou should not have only one child under his knee. What a shame.

"What has the emperor been busy with recently, besides meeting ministers?"

Consort Xiao replied, "I dare not pry into the emperor’s secrets, but I heard…"

She paused and looked at the Empress Dowager, "I heard His Majesty has been often going by the Taiye Pond lately. No one knows what he is doing there."

The Empress Dowager pondered for a moment and summoned Qiutong, "Send for the steward of Yuxi Palace."

—

After returning, He Hui spent only one day finishing embroidering the sachet. That afternoon, after a nap, she told Yao Zhu she was changing into a darker-colored outfit and heading to the Taiye Pond.

When she reached the back wall of the Longevity Palace, she stopped.

She could go no further; ahead was the emperor’s Yuxi Palace.

She spotted the familiar small boat still moored by the shore. Glancing around and seeing no one, she lifted the curtain and entered.

The long summer days meant that after just a short while inside the cabin, sweat dampened her.

Thinking that no one would come out under the scorching sun, she loosened the buttons at her collar and fanned herself with a handkerchief.

She took the embroidered sachet from her sleeve, staring at it blankly.

She wondered if Prince Ning would come.

If she went to the Grand Pure Hall, so many eyes would watch her; it would be inconvenient. That night, she had arranged with him to wait on this little boat today.

Leaning against the cabin wall, the cool touch dissipated some of the heat inside her.

Yesterday, when she had gone boating with Prince Ning, he had not mentioned this matter at all. She wondered if he had forgotten.

Waiting too long, the heat pressing on her face, her head gradually grew drowsy. She fell asleep.

When she opened her eyes again, the sky had darkened.

In the darkness, it seemed like a pair of eyes were watching her. Startled, she shivered awake.

Sounds arose inside the cabin as someone rummaged through something.

"Button up."

Suddenly, a familiar voice spoke.

Relieved, He Hui exhaled softly. But when she realized what was said, her face flushed crimson. She hurriedly fumbled to fasten her buttons.

Fortunately, it was dark, or else who knew what the other might have seen.

Yet she wondered doubtfully if he had truly not seen anything.

After a pause, she spoke, "You’ve come."

She heard Prince Ning respond softly.

Then, with a rustle, the cabin lit up with candlelight.

He had lit a candle.

He Hui’s heart jolted. She rushed forward and swiftly blew out the flame.

The small cabin was plunged into darkness again.

Prince Ning did not speak, but He Hui knew he was watching her. Flustered, she said, "If others see, it won’t be good."

Soon, she heard him chuckle and say, "Alright."

Her heart finally relaxed completely.

Still leaning on the low table, she slowly took out the sachet from her sleeve and handed it over.

"This is embroidered by me. I don’t know if you will like it."

Among common folk, sachets were unique tokens of affection between men and women.

He Hui did not know if giving such a gift to Prince Ning was too forward, but she had to try.

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He made no move.

Her fingertips turned pale, and sweat began to rise on her palms.

Did he not want it?

Just as she felt embarrassed, her hand grew light—he had taken the sachet.

"Rest assured," he said.

Her heart leapt with joy. If he said so, then her chance of becoming princess consort was at least fifty percent.

Feigning shyness, she said, "I have nothing to worry about."

After speaking, she secretly gave herself a thumbs up.

She had been imitating Widow Liu from her hometown, perfecting the act with increasing skill.

The emperor saw her bowing her head and nervously fidgeting with her fingers, and a soft tenderness appeared in his eyes.

He pulled out a hairpin with a single drop of oil from his head and pinned it into her bun.

She looked up in surprise.

"A return gift," he said.

He Hui opened her mouth in shock.

She had never expected Prince Ning to respond so quickly. Could it be he truly liked her?

Her face flushed too quickly.

While she was stunned, the emperor turned and left. Before disappearing into the night, he specially reminded her, "Don’t forget to come early tomorrow."

He disappeared into the darkness, leaving He Hui standing there in a daze.

What did he mean by that?

Where was she supposed to go tomorrow?

—

Over there, Wang Zhi saw the emperor approaching slowly. He hurried forward but noticed something missing from the emperor’s hair.

Surprised, he said, "My lord, your hairpin..."

Before he finished, the emperor’s sharp glance silenced him. Yet in his heart, Wang Zhi was amazed.

That was the emperor’s usual hairpin; other consorts were not allowed to touch it. Now he had given it to a young maid without rank.

It seemed this girl was destined for great fortune.

Wang Zhi escorted the emperor back to Yuxi Palace. The emperor maintained his usual indifferent demeanor.

After helping the emperor wash up, Wang Zhi stepped outside and exhaled deeply.

Two officials from the Directorate of Imperial Ceremonies, Zhao Yan and Wei Ling, approached and greeted respectfully, "Godfather."

Wang Zhi nodded. "His Majesty’s mood is good. Once tomorrow’s matters are settled, you will be rewarded."

Zhao Yan and Wei Ling exchanged glances. The emperor’s mood was good? They hadn’t noticed.

But Godfather always understood the emperor’s heart better than them; whatever he said went.

They smiled broadly, "Thank you, my lord, thank you, godfather. We will complete the task well."

At midnight, the two hurriedly brought people to Shouming Hall to wake the group of maids awaiting an audience, having them wash and dress.

By dawn, the maids lined up outside Yuxi Palace.

Two hours later, the great doors of Yuxi Palace opened. A young eunuch stood at the gate, calling them in.

The maids entered silently and respectfully, stepping across the threshold that would determine their fate.

The emperor sat on the throne, watching each maid as she knelt and paid respects—some dazzling, some pure—with a heavy look in his eyes.

It was not her.

Wang Zhi whispered, "My lord, don’t be anxious; perhaps the next one will be her."

Yet as time passed, the emperor’s initial warmth faded, replaced by increasing chill.

When the last maid entered gracefully, still not the familiar figure, Wang Zhi’s heart sank.