As soon as the words were spoken, Consort Hui froze for a moment, momentarily forgetting about the Eighth Prince. Her delicate face shifted, instantly filled with a mix of shock and joy. "Really? My son truly surpassed the Crown Prince?"
Yinti nodded.
Boundless pride swelled in Consort Hui’s heart. She exclaimed, "Good!" and eagerly continued, "Quick, tell me all about the competition."
Early on, the palace had established rules: once imperial sons reached the age of six, they were to attend the Imperial Study, spending mornings reading and studying principles, and afternoons practicing archery, horsemanship, and martial arts.
Because Emperor Kangxi took great interest in his sons' education and often personally examined their progress, none of the imperial princes dared slack off even slightly.
During every assessment, whether in academics or martial skills, the Crown Prince always took first place. Aside from his own intelligence and diligence, there was also the subjective favoritism of the tutors at play...
Yinti had long been dissatisfied.
He preferred martial pursuits and acknowledged that he was no scholar—his essay-writing skills couldn’t compare to the Crown Prince’s.
Losing in the "literary" aspect was something he could accept. But when it came to archery and horsemanship, his accuracy was on par with the Crown Prince’s, and he even occasionally surpassed him!
Yet when the Emperor inquired that day, the tutors declared the Crown Prince’s martial skills the best.
Yinreng, relying on his status as heir apparent, overshadowed him at every turn. Now, even the tutors’ judgments were biased. Watching the Emperor’s approving gaze fall upon the Crown Prince, how could Yinti possibly accept it?
To secure an indisputable victory, Yinti gritted his teeth and pushed himself relentlessly in training. Finally, during today’s competition, he defeated the Crown Prince decisively, leaving the tutors no room to announce another "unfair" result.
Recalling the Crown Prince’s ashen face, Yinti grinned and tightened his hold on little Yin Si. He bounded over to Consort Hui in a few strides and plopped onto a chair, his expression animated as he began, "Mother, you wouldn’t believe what happened today..."
Caught up in his excitement, Yinti absentmindedly set the Eighth Prince down beside the table. Unseen by him, the sharp corner of the table pressed against Yin Si’s waist, rubbing incessantly.
Though it was early spring and the weather hadn’t yet warmed, Yin Si was bundled in thick layers. Still, a child’s skin was delicate—how could it endure such constant friction?
At two years old, he was already capable of expressing discomfort. The Eighth Prince’s face scrunched slightly, his complexion pale. He wanted to say it hurt, but after cautiously glancing at his elated elder brother and Consort Hui’s proud expression... he swallowed his words and silently lowered his head.
No one noticed—except for the wet nurse.
Everyone around the Eighth Prince belonged to Consort Hui’s faction. The wet nurse tucked her hands into her sleeves, hesitating. After weighing the consequences, she chose not to speak up.
Consort Hui was in high spirits because of the eldest prince’s triumph. If she interrupted now, the punishment would be far worse than a mere reprimand!
Besides, the Eighth Prince was wearing three or four layers of clothing. Surely it wouldn’t be a problem. At most, he might develop a small bruise, which would fade within a couple of days...
The next day, in a side chamber of Yanxi Palace.
Noble Consort Liang sat before a mirror, adjusting the hairpin in her coiffure. With a soft smile, she asked her maid, Xiangling, "How do I look? Will Yin Si like it?"
If Consort Yi’s beauty was bold and radiant, Noble Consort Liang’s was delicate and refined.
With willow-leaf brows and almond-shaped eyes, her gaze held a misty, poetic quality reminiscent of Jiangnan’s gentlewomen—soft yet tinged with timidity, evoking endless tenderness.
"The Eighth Prince will surely adore it," Xiangling replied, though inwardly she sighed.
Her mistress was flawless in every way—kind-hearted, breathtakingly beautiful—if only her background weren’t so humble.
But low birth wasn’t an insurmountable obstacle. Hadn’t Consort De risen from the ranks of palace maids to become one of the Four Noble Consorts?
If the Emperor favored you, no one would dare question your origins.
With such heavenly beauty, if Noble Consort Liang were willing to compete for favor, how could she fail? Even Xiangling’s heart stirred at the sight of her!
Yet her mistress refused to vie for attention.
Since giving birth to the Eighth Prince, Noble Consort Liang had withdrawn further into seclusion, content with motherhood—embroidering clothes, stitching shoes and socks... Though she couldn’t raise him herself, she seemed perfectly satisfied.
The Emperor had likely long forgotten her.
But Noble Consort Liang didn’t care in the slightest... Look at her now, dressing up solely for the Eighth Prince.
Last night, Consort Hui’s senior maid, Ying'er, had delivered a message: Her Ladyship, in her benevolence, had granted permission for the Eighth Prince to spend a day in the side chamber. Noble Consort Liang had been overjoyed, tossing and turning all night. She’d risen early this morning, eagerly awaiting her son’s arrival.
Watching this, Xiangling felt both pity and frustration.
Her mistress had so little time with the Eighth Prince, always at Consort Hui’s mercy, enduring countless slights.
And those insolent servants! Deceiving their superiors, neglecting duties—Xiangling was practically the only one faithfully serving in the side chambers.
If Noble Consort Liang had the Emperor’s favor, she could see the Eighth Prince whenever she wished! If only she had half the grace Consort Yi enjoyed...
Lost in thought, Xiangling was soon interrupted by the wet nurse, who arrived carrying the Eighth Prince.
Following Consort Hui’s orders, the wet nurse handed the child to Noble Consort Liang and tactfully withdrew.
Noble Consort Liang cradled Yin Si as though he were a priceless treasure. After a moment of bliss, she murmured tenderly, "Yin Si, call me Mother..."
Yin Si vaguely understood that Mother Hui was merely his foster mother, while this woman before him was different—so beautiful, her scent so comforting.
But he rarely saw her.
Obediently, he tilted his head up and called out softly, "Mother."
Noble Consort Liang’s smile deepened, her eyes suddenly glistening with unshed tears.
Alarmed, Yin Si raised a tiny hand to her jade-like cheek, pleading, "Mother, don’t cry!"
Her heart warmed. "Alright, Mother won’t cry," she said hurriedly. "Let’s play together."
Mother and son chatted, dissolving Yin Si’s initial shyness until he grew more at ease.
Laughter filled the side chamber. Watching them, Xiangling felt both joy and sorrow. "I’ll brew some fruit tea," she said, then hurried out, lifting the curtain.
When she returned, the cheerful sounds had vanished.
Noble Consort Liang was silently weeping, still holding the Eighth Prince. Startled, Xiangling dropped the teapot in her arms. "Mistress! What’s wrong?!"
Wordlessly, Noble Consort Liang motioned her closer, then lifted Yin Si’s robes to reveal large patches of blue and purple bruises against his fair skin—a horrifying contrast.
Xiangling gasped, her hands trembling. "This—this..."
Noble Consort Liang shut her eyes, tears streaming down. "Such a severe injury... and they didn’t even apply medicine, pretending not to see..." Her voice broke. "Yin Si is only two!"
"Don’t panic! I’ll fetch a physician from the Imperial Hospital!" Xiangling turned to leave.
But Noble Consort Liang shook her head, calling hoarsely, "Come back."
"Mistress!" Xiangling protested. "We can’t ignore wounds like these!"
Again, Noble Consort Liang shook her head.
She hastily wiped away her tears and bent down to ask her son gently, "Why does it hurt? Can Yin Si tell me again?"
Yin Si's dark eyes were filled with unease. After hesitating for a moment, he whispered, "Big brother, hold me. Mother, don’t cry."
"..." Xiangling fell silent.
Noble Consort Liang let out a bitter laugh. "The Eldest Prince is barely ten years old—how could he know how to care for a child? But Consort Hui doesn’t intervene, and the nannies don’t either. Xiangling, if we call for a royal physician, where would our place in Yanxi Palace be then?"
Xiangling opened her mouth but said nothing. The words rang true.
If they summoned a physician, rumors would spread—either that "Consort Hui is unkind to the Eighth Prince" or that "the Eldest Prince mistreats his younger brother." And if Consort Hui were humiliated into anger, who knew what she might do?
Unless their mistress left Yanxi Palace, and the Eighth Prince was no longer raised under Consort Hui’s care.
But how could that ever happen?
"There’s an ointment in the chest beneath the dressing table... a reward from the Emperor years ago," Noble Consort Liang murmured, drying her tears. "Go and fetch it."
Xiangling forced a smile. "Mistress, that was two or three years ago. It’s long past its use."
Noble Consort Liang froze, then let out another bitter laugh, slowly clenching her hands. "You’re right..."
After a moment, she seemed to steel herself and spoke deliberately, "Xiangling, go quietly to Yongshou Palace and request an audience with the Noble Consort."
Yesterday, when paying respects to Consort Hui, Noble Consort Liang had faintly overheard her say, "That Niugulu Family—useless as they are, how dare they injure Kuixu..."
Kuixu was the second son of Nalan Mingzhu and a cousin of Consort Hui. As for the Niugulu Family, the only one in the imperial harem bearing that name was the Noble Consort.
Noble Consort Liang repeated, "Go discreetly. If you are fortunate enough to see her, simply tell the truth. Ask her for a bottle of good healing ointment..."
As she spoke, tears welled up once more and rolled down her cheeks.
Chengqian Palace.
The Imperial Noble Consort studied the woman before her with an inscrutable gaze. Beautiful in appearance, graceful in figure, and still in the bloom of youth—she was the kind of woman who made others feel inadequate.
Her cold scrutiny, as if appraising an object, made Noble Consort Yuan clench her teeth, her unease growing.
Noble Consort Yuan was from the Han Army Banner, having entered the palace in the nineteenth year of Kangxi’s reign—three years ago.
Because her grandfather and father had served in the Green Standard Army and distinguished themselves during the Revolt of the Three Feudatories, and because of her striking beauty, she had been granted the rank of Noble Consort upon selection and given residence in a side hall of Chengqian Palace.
On her second day in the palace, the Emperor had summoned her. Noble Consort Yuan had been overjoyed—until the Imperial Noble Consort intercepted the summons. To this day, she had yet to serve the Emperor.
Beyond that, the Imperial Noble Consort oppressed her at every turn, leaving her no room to protest.
What could she do?
Chengqian Palace was under the Imperial Noble Consort’s iron control. She could only submit, attending morning and evening greetings with utmost deference, never daring to show a hint of resentment.
Noble Consort Yuan knew well—she would never rise above this.
Gradually, she resigned herself to her fate, growing accustomed to the lifeless monotony of her secluded existence.
But today, the Imperial Noble Consort had suddenly summoned her to the main hall, and the way she looked at her sent chills down her spine.
The Imperial Noble Consort stroked her belly and suddenly laughed. "Such a rare beauty. Even rarer—she bears a slight resemblance to that vixen... Don’t you think so, Nanny Zhen?"
Nanny Zhen suppressed her surprise and nodded slightly. "As Your Highness says."
How had she never noticed before?
This Noble Consort Yuan—her features, her bearing—were unexpectedly similar to Consort Yi’s. Though not quite her equal, Consort Yi was now with child and unable to serve the Emperor...
Noble Consort Yuan belonged to Chengqian Palace. She could be of great use to Her Highness.
"Have her trained thoroughly. Every gesture, every mannerism of Consort Yi’s—teach them to her in detail!" The Imperial Noble Consort’s smile faded as she turned her gaze back to the trembling Noble Consort Yuan. "At the imperial banquet for the Emperor’s birthday, I will present you before him. When that time comes... do not disappoint me."
