Chapter Fifty-One: An Unusual Gift

Aside from Noble Lady Jia, even Noble Consort Wen had brought a great many gifts, all hoping to glean some insight into the situation. Yet, among the throng of concubines from the harem who had come to pay their respects, there was one notable absence—Hua Rong was nowhere to be seen.

“How peculiar—does that woman truly not care, or is she once again devising some sensational scheme?” Hua Rong was now the most prominent figure in the inner palace, and her absence naturally stirred whispers among a few of the ladies.

“Perhaps she’s worried that if she stands beside the new Noble Lady Yu, her own charms will pale in comparison, so she’s keeping away to remain in His Majesty’s thoughts,” one suggested, provoking quiet laughter.

Their merriment, however, was cut short when they realized the door had yet to open, and the appointed time had already passed. “What’s going on? Does the new enchantress truly have such power that even His Majesty has lost track of time?” According to custom, the emperor and his overnight companion should have emerged well before noon, yet there was still no sign of them. The assembled consorts, who had hoped to join the commotion, suddenly felt as if their efforts were in vain.

As they puzzled over this, an elderly attendant approached, bowed to the gathered ladies, and knocked gently at the door. “Your Majesty, the hour is late. It is time for you both to rise.”

Should a beauty’s night with the emperor stretch past the proper hour, she would surely be branded a femme fatale, blamed for distracting the sovereign. Thus, a matron would always come to prompt them.

Hearing the commotion, Jun Yeli remained unhurried. He dressed himself meticulously, adjusting his attire with care. Only then did he glance at Yulu, who had spent half an hour trembling beneath the beams, yet still had not fully recovered.

Jun Yeli could not help but chuckle softly, feigning helplessness. “My apologies. Last night I was overcome with joy and drank excessively, resulting in such behavior...”

Yulu dared not reproach the emperor, shaking her head repeatedly. “Please, Your Majesty, do not say so! It was a night of happiness, and drinking a little too much is only natural. To be swept away in such a moment—that is my greatest honor!”

Her words were cleverly chosen, and Jun Yeli nodded in satisfaction. His gaze swept over the white handkerchief on the bed; even the bedding remained neatly in place, undisturbed.

He stepped forward, casually rumpling the corner of the quilt, then picked up the white cloth and held it before Yulu’s eyes. “And this—what should be done with it?”

“Please, Your Majesty, grant me some mercy.” If word spread that she had spent the night with the emperor, only to remain untouched and her maidenhood intact, she would become the laughingstock of the palace, with no hope of ever establishing herself here.

Jun Yeli seemed to share her thoughts. With a piece of fruit from the table, he nicked his finger and let a drop fall onto the white handkerchief.

“There. That should suffice for appearances. Compose yourself; there are likely many awaiting outside.”

Whether Hua Rong was among them, he could not say. Since her arrival, no new concubine had entered the harem. Together, he and Yulu straightened their attire and stepped out hand in hand.

The matron, upon seeing the red stain on the cloth, was so delighted that she withdrew, beaming with satisfaction. The other ladies, by contrast, wore faces twisted with envy—an unseemly sight indeed.

“Did Your Majesty and the noble lady rest well last night?” Noble Consort Wen was the first to step forward, setting an example as the most senior among them.

Yulu’s expression faltered, but for the sake of her dignity, she forced a smile and nodded. “Of course. Thank you for your concern, Sister.”

The other concubines, realizing they were only making fools of themselves, left their gifts and retreated one after another.

Yet Jun Yeli paid these offerings little heed. His eyes wandered, searching in vain for that presence, that voice which had haunted his dreams through the night.

“She didn’t come?” A wave of indescribable disappointment swept over him, and he clenched his jaw.

Just then, Su Xin hurried over, carrying a jade ruyi. She presented it before the emperor and Yulu with a respectful bow.

“My apologies. This is a congratulatory gift from my mistress.”

It was a jade ruyi, an auspicious symbol of harmony and enduring happiness, but the others were left bewildered. Though such a gift conveyed best wishes, who among rivals would be so generous?

All eyes turned to Su Xin, who seemed to be stirring up trouble, though none dared speak out.

Jun Yeli fixed his gaze upon the jade ruyi, a flicker of displeasure passing over his features. “Why did your mistress not come herself? Did she find the occasion intolerable?”

Had Su Xin assented, Jun Yeli might have been willing to pardon her absence as a mere oversight.

It was Su Xin’s first time delivering a gift on her mistress’s behalf; she knew little of these subtle meanings, only that Hua Rong had chosen it herself. She quickly found an excuse. “Your Majesty, my lady is feeling slightly unwell and could only entrust me to come in her stead. She also bade me deliver a message—”

“Speak,” Jun Yeli said, his tone calm and his single word tinged with anticipation.

“My lady said this jade ruyi was chosen specially to wish Your Majesty and Noble Lady unending harmony and happiness together.”

At this, all present were stunned. Every eye fixed upon Su Xin, leaving her feeling thoroughly unnerved, unsure what error she had made.

“What’s going on? Why is everyone staring at me like that? I followed my lady’s instructions exactly—did I say something wrong?” The stares were so intense, Su Xin shivered, feeling as if she were surrounded by wolves, her life in peril.

She glanced nervously at the emperor.

His face was even darker than those of the other women, his gloom surpassing theirs.

“Your Majesty, are you all right?” Su Xin ventured, still not realizing her misstep.

Without another word, Jun Yeli picked up the jade ruyi, noting the red agate set within it, and let out a cold laugh. “Consort Rong is truly thoughtful—she not only sends such a flawless gift, but even remembers the red agate, as if to wish Noble Lady Yu swift and fruitful offspring.”