Chapter Thirty-Seven: Consort Liu’s Subtle Schemes…

Empress Zhang paused before the bedchamber of the Palace of Benevolent Tranquility, a hint of doubt flickering across her delicate, heart-shaped face. In previous visits, she had always gone directly to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager; yet today, they were required to announce their arrival.

Beside her, Consort Liu gently waved her palace fan, equally puzzled. The matron responsible for the Empress Dowager’s daily care kept apologizing, explaining that Her Majesty had not been well these past few days. This, rather than allaying Consort Liu’s suspicions, only deepened them.

Had not the Empress Dowager sent word just yesterday, inviting them to admire the flowers in the rear garden, extolling their beauty? Why then was her spirit so diminished today?

Though their titles—Empress Dowager, Empress, Consort—suggested a difference in generation, their ages were not so far apart. All three had long resided deep within the palace, the only distinction being that the Empress Dowager was a widow, while the others endured living widowhood. Their experiences were similar and, absent any conflict of interest, their friendship flourished; in private, they even addressed one another as sisters.

As their doubts lingered, a languid voice drifted from within the bedchamber: “Come in.”

The elderly matron opened the door, and Empress Zhang entered without further thought. Consort Liu, her elegant brows knit in curiosity, followed.

Inside, they found the Empress Dowager seated before her dressing mirror, applying vermilion to her lips. Behind her stood a young eunuch in the imperial fish-scale robe, assisting with her hair, securing her hairpins.

Noting the presence of an ‘outsider,’ Empress Zhang arched a graceful brow and spoke, “We heard that Your Majesty has not been well, and so I have brought Consort Liu to visit you.”

Consort Liu seemed to notice something; her hand paused on the fan, her expression inscrutable as she glanced at Xu Boqing, the eunuch attending the Empress Dowager, then resumed her gentle fanning and smiled, “Your Majesty, I offer my respectful greetings.”

“The family’s health is not of concern…” The Empress Dowager waved her hand dismissively, turning with an affected smile. “Yesterday I invited you to admire the flowers, and today I delayed the hour myself. It is truly inexcusable.”

She paused, as if recalling something, and asked, “By the way, where is Consort Zhou? Why does she not accompany you?”

“Consort Zhou is unwell today and did not come.”

“Oh~~”

Consort Liu’s gaze lingered on Xu Boqing, a smile playing about her lips. “This young eunuch is unfamiliar to me~”

“He was always by Chief Steward Huang’s side,” the Empress Dowager explained with a gentle smile. “Chief Huang is getting on in years and wishes to groom a successor. I brought him here for training a few days ago; it is natural you have not met him.”

Empress Zhang’s bearing was cold and regal, her demeanor befitting the mother of the nation. Consort Liu, on the other hand, was radiant as a peach blossom in spring, her charm undeniable.

Xu Boqing, hearing himself mentioned, bowed respectfully. “Your humble servant, Xu Boqing, greets Her Majesty the Empress and Consort Liu.”

“No need for ceremony,” the Empress Dowager waved her hand. “You may withdraw.”

Feeling awkward in their presence, Xu Boqing breathed a sigh of relief at her words, bowed again, and left the chamber. As he closed the door behind him, his gaze sharpened for an instant, noticing in the corner by the imperial couch the broken ruyi scepter he himself had damaged. But seeing that none of the three ladies noticed, he quietly closed the door and departed.

Within the Empress Dowager’s bedchamber, now free of outsiders, Consort Liu approached and scrutinized the Empress Dowager closely, smiling, “Sister, you look so much better than when we last met these few days ago.”

Empress Zhang joined in, her tone warm, “Indeed, your complexion is radiant and moist, far better than before. Have you discovered some new method to maintain your youthful appearance?”

“Have I… have I?” The Empress Dowager studied herself in the mirror, finding their words true. When she realized what kind of ‘beauty secret’ they meant, her cheeks flushed slightly.

“I’ve no new beauty regimen, perhaps it’s simply that I’ve stayed in my chambers these days due to my indisposition.”

“Oh~” Consort Liu settled by the imperial couch, fanning herself, raising an eyebrow with a mischievous smile. “Sister, there’s an odd scent on your couch.”

“Ah?” The Empress Dowager, seeing her sniffing delicately, tensed inwardly but maintained composure. “I used a new bath oil yesterday… perhaps some lingered. If you like, I can have some sent to you.”

“So that’s it~” Consort Liu nodded in sudden understanding. As she stretched, she seemed to recall something and shifted the topic, “That young eunuch just now was rather handsome, wasn’t he?”

“Hmm?” The Empress Dowager detected a hidden meaning in her words and feigned ignorance. “Which young eunuch?”

“Xu Boqing, just now.” Consort Liu giggled. “Sister, I’m short an attendant in my palace. I rather fancy your young eunuch—could you let him come to me?”

“You flatter me…” The Empress Dowager’s smile stiffened imperceptibly. “He’s but a eunuch; I would gladly give him to you, but he was chosen by Chief Huang as his successor. If I transfer him to you, it would be hard to explain to Chief Huang.”

“No trouble~” Consort Liu’s smile grew sly. “If you agree, I’ll speak to Chief Huang myself~”

…

Empress Zhang, noticing the Empress Dowager’s unsettled expression, guessed some matter weighed on her heart and hurried to change the subject. “Enough, enough, didn’t we come here to admire the flowers?”

“Yes, to the gardens~” The Empress Dowager forced a smile and led the way, Empress Zhang close behind, Consort Liu following, her gaze thoughtful.

In the rear garden, the flowers vied in beauty, yet the ladies themselves outshone them.

Of the three, two harbored private concerns.

After their midday meal, the Empress Dowager, exhausted from a restless night, felt fatigue descend. Empress Zhang suggested returning to her own palace to rest, while Consort Liu feigned weariness, declaring her intent to remain with her sister a while longer.

Empress Zhang suspected nothing and departed.

It was the hour for the midday rest...

The Empress Dowager’s bedchamber was silent. She lay on the inner side of the imperial couch, pretending to sleep; Consort Liu on the outer side, her expression troubled. At length, as if resolving some internal debate, she leaned close to the Empress Dowager’s ear and whispered, “Sister, that Xu Boqing—isn’t he a false eunuch?”

The Empress Dowager’s breath stopped as if struck by lightning, staring at Consort Liu in disbelief.

Consort Liu, seeing her reaction, was convinced of her suspicion. She murmured in self-reproach, “It’s faded, the affection has faded…”

The Empress Dowager bit her lip and asked, “What is it you want?”

“Sister, our friendship of more than ten years—is it worth less than a mere eunuch? Even if he is a false one.” Consort Liu pressed closer, her voice plaintive and low. “I want nothing, only for you to be honest with me.”

“Ask, then…”

“How did it feel?”

…

On the imperial couch, the two women gazed at each other—one surprised and uncertain, the other full of longing and hope.

The Empress Dowager blinked, her cheeks reddening as she recalled something, and nodded softly, “It can only be described as the utmost pleasure of this world.”

Consort Liu’s breathing quickened at her words.

“How did it compare… to the ruyi scepter?”

“Pfft… ha ha ha.” The Empress Dowager couldn’t help but laugh at Consort Liu’s naïve, yet earnest attempt to find a point of comparison, her brows furrowed in confusion. She whispered, “The difference is like heaven and earth—there’s no comparison at all…”

She paused, her gaze shifting as she recalled something, and leaned in to whisper to Consort Liu about the intricate details…

At first, Consort Liu was doubtful, but as the Empress Dowager elaborated, her breath grew ever more rapid.

Finally, she whispered, tears mingling with laughter, “Sister, I beg you one thing…”