The Imperial Noble Consort spoke softly and gently, her voice like a soothing breeze. Yinzhen's ears twitched slightly as his eyes gradually widened. He nodded emphatically, the unease on his youthful face melting away into pure joy.
He called out, "Mother," his dark eyes sparkling. "I understand now. I will treat Sixth Brother well!"
"That’s good. Then Mother can rest easy," the Imperial Noble Consort said warmly, smoothing a strand of hair by her ear before gazing out the window at the withering plants, her expression serene.
After a long pause, her eyes flickered as if casually remarking, "Since that’s settled, Mother would like to ask you something. Right now, do you feel closer to Second Elder Brother or to Sixth Brother?"
Yinzhen froze for a moment, then counted on his fingers thoughtfully before answering earnestly, "Second Elder Brother treats me as his younger brother, and I treat Sixth Brother as mine. Mother, they can’t be compared."
The Imperial Noble Consort was momentarily taken aback before her lips curved into a smile. "You’re right! Absolutely right—they can’t be compared."
Her smile faded as she sighed softly, her expression tinged with sorrow. "Mother knows you and the Crown Prince share a deep bond, and I shouldn’t say these things. But the Emperor holds the Crown Prince in the highest regard and will not tolerate any disrespect toward him… The Crown Prince is the legitimate son of the late Empress, his status inherently superior to yours. For now, it may not matter, but in the future, even if your Second Elder Brother doesn’t take offense, others will on his behalf!"
Seeing Yinzhen’s confusion, the Imperial Noble Consort tenderly stroked his head and whispered, "They will accuse you of disrespecting the heir apparent, of overstepping your place—not of brotherly affection. Countless accusations will be hurled your way. Haven’t I suffered such losses myself? That’s precisely why Mother doesn’t want you to be hurt. In the end, it all comes down to one truth: the distinction between ruler and subject must be upheld..."
The phrase "the distinction between ruler and subject" was something the Fourth Prince understood.
He had been attending the imperial study for a year now, having long memorized foundational texts like the Three Character Classic and Standards for Being a Good Pupil and Child. Concepts like filial piety, fraternal duty, and propriety were lessons his Hanlin tutors frequently emphasized.
Yinzhen twisted his fingers together, hesitating unhappily. "Second Elder Brother… would he really think that way?"
No—it couldn’t be. Second Elder Brother had never acted superior. He had comforted him, played with him, even gifted him a pony. How could he, as Mother suggested, see his younger brother as a mere subject?
"Your Second Elder Brother is still young. The future is uncertain…" The Imperial Noble Consort swallowed the rest of her words, offering a calm smile that carried a hint of bitterness. "But with Lord Suo involved, things may not remain so simple."
Her voice was so soft it nearly dissolved into the air of the grand hall.
The Imperial Noble Consort knew Yinzhen’s temperament well—stubborn, even at this young age, and unwavering once he set his mind to something. But it didn’t matter. With time, he would come to understand her meaning and gradually distance himself from the Crown Prince.
"Just remember Mother’s words in your heart," she said affectionately, taking Yinzhen’s hand. Suppressing a cough, she raised her voice slightly. "Look at me, bringing up such matters so close to mealtime. Nanny Zhen, fetch a plate of chestnut cakes—warm ones—to tide our Fourth Prince over."
Nanny Zhen, who had been standing respectfully nearby, quickly acknowledged the order and left with a smile.
These past few days had been nothing short of exhausting for Consort Hui.
With the Noble Consort having just given birth to the Tenth Prince, palace affairs still fell to the three consorts to manage jointly. But Consort Rong kept throwing obstacles in her way, her words dripping with veiled jabs, turning once-smooth tasks into frustrating ordeals.
And then there was Consort Yi, always dressed in lavish finery, her radiant appearance making Consort Hui’s weary face look even more haggard in comparison. Though only seven or eight years apart, they might as well have been from different generations.
When had Consort Hui ever endured such humiliation? The moment she returned to her palace, her expression darkened.
In her early years as a low-ranking consort, Nala Shi had lost a child and weathered her share of hardships. But after bearing Yinti and rising to become Consort Hui—the highest-ranking of the four consorts—with Mingzhu’s support in court, her life had been smooth sailing, marked by comfort and privilege.
This time, however, she had been caught off guard.
Had the Emperor bestowed this honor upon her in the past, Consort Hui would have been overjoyed. But now, just as Noble Consort Wu had shown signs of aligning with her, she was tasked with presiding over the Fifth Princess’s full-month celebration—effectively taking on the role of the child’s mother while failing to fulfill her promise to help lift Noble Consort Wu’s confinement. It was… utterly maddening.
Her plans had been completely upended!
Consort Hui became the center of attention, drawing envious glares from all corners of the palace, yet she had no one to blame.
Yinti had grumbled to her, "Mother, why bother with Yonghe Palace’s affairs? It’s thankless work, earning you nothing but empty praise."
"Noble Consort Wu has earned the Emperor’s displeasure—she’s no threat anymore. Don’t you see that? Besides, Yanxi Palace already has Eighth Brother. Add Moyaqi to the mix, and how will you manage?" The Eldest Master muttered, trailing off when he saw his mother’s stormy expression.
Consort Hui shot her son a glare, her anger simmering, and waved him away impatiently.
…
Who could she resent? The Emperor? The Empress Dowager?
She dared not, so she swallowed her frustration and threw herself into preparing the banquet.
Soon, the day of Moyaqi’s full-month celebration arrived. Before dawn, Consort Hui rose early, spending a full hour on her appearance before boarding her palanquin to Yonghe Palace.
Yonghe Palace was eerily silent, its grounds desolate. Consort Hui narrowed her eyes, surveying the scene before ordering her attendants, "Announce my arrival."
As the cry of "Consort Hui has arrived—" rang out, the gates of Yonghe Palace slowly opened. Yet after a long wait, no maids or nursemaids came forward to greet her.
Consort Hui’s expression darkened slightly. Ying’er gaped before exclaiming indignantly, "Your Highness, how rude! Is this how Yonghe Palace treats its guests?"
"Enough," Consort Hui said, shaking her head to stop her. "Noble Consort Wu is still recovering. I cannot fault her for this."
Sitting upright in her palanquin, she sighed softly. Noble Consort Wu must resent me now.
"Go and fetch the Fifth Princess," she instructed coolly. "Be careful—she must not catch a chill. If anything goes wrong, you will answer to me."
Seeing that Her Highness had no intention of stepping down, Ying’er and Yan’er tensed, quickly curtsying before hurrying inside with Yanxi Palace’s attendants.
The main hall of Yonghe Palace was thick with the cloying scent of medicine, as if it hadn’t been aired in ages.
This was Ying’er’s first glimpse of Noble Consort Wu since her confinement. Though her appearance hadn’t changed much, her aura was entirely different.
Draped over her snow-white underrobe was a dull brown outer garment, far from the gentle elegance she once exuded. Her delicate features, once bright, now seemed shadowed, her pallor tinged with an ashen hue, her entire being shrouded in gloom.
"Noble Consort Wu, please do not make this difficult for us," Ying’er said, bowing respectfully yet firmly under the woman’s piercing gaze. "The noblewomen and ladies have already begun arriving at the palace—they will expect to see the Fifth Princess. Consort Hui awaits our return. Today is the Fifth Princess’s full-month celebration. Surely you wouldn’t keep the Emperor waiting?"
Noble Consort Wu had been reclining on the divan, but upon hearing the words, she straightened up and fixed Ying'er with a long stare before finally closing her eyes and speaking in a hoarse voice, "...Have the wet nurse bring Moyaqi to me."
The sound of rustling footsteps followed, and a crimson swaddling cloth was gently placed into Ying'er's arms.
Ying'er carefully lifted the cloth to peek inside and saw the little princess' rosy cheeks as she slept soundly. She let out a quiet sigh of relief, her smile now tinged with genuine warmth. "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness! Our mistress has assured that the Fifth Princess will have a grand and splendid full moon banquet—without the slightest harm. Your Highness need not worry."
"Need not worry?" Noble Consort Wu, who had been gazing longingly at the swaddled child, suddenly let out a cold laugh, her almond-shaped eyes sharpening with icy fury.
"How can I not worry?" she sneered. "Take a message back to your mistress. Ask her if she still remembers her words—the promises she made? I played my part, yet she dares to betray me like this... To snatch away what belongs to another—does she not fear divine retribution?"
Ying'er's expression darkened instantly.
"Your Highness, you misunderstand," she said, suppressing her anger and forcing a placating tone. "The Emperor bestowed this favor—how could Consort Hui possibly refuse? As for her promises, they remain unchanged."
Noble Consort Wu ignored her explanation, her lips curling in disdain. "Truly, you are the chief maid of Yanxi Palace—what a silver tongue you have, turning black into white. Fine. I shall watch closely—whether Moyaqi returns, whether Consort Hui keeps her word and helps me escape this plight!"
Then, her gaze softened as she looked once more at the swaddled child in Ying'er's arms. She murmured, "If any harm comes to my child after the full moon... mark my words. Consort Yi is not one to be trifled with..."
A shiver ran down Ying'er's spine, but she forced a stiff nod and quickly retreated.
...
On the way back to Yanxi Palace, after hearing Ying'er's report, Consort Hui paused in her steps, her grip tightening around Moyaqi. Her lips thinned. "Is she threatening me?"
"Your Highness, Noble Consort Wu seemed... unhinged," Ying'er whispered, her voice trembling with unease. "As if she would stop at nothing!"
Consort Hui's brow furrowed. She hadn't expected Mrs. Wuya to be so brazen.
Yet she couldn't simply ignore it!
A desperate woman had nothing to lose, and Mrs. Wuya, already fallen from the Emperor's favor, had no reason to hold back. Fury surged within Consort Hui—did this woman truly believe she couldn't control someone the Emperor had cast aside?
"Keep her placated for now. We will deal with this later," Consort Hui said coldly, closing her eyes. "The full moon ceremony is our priority—everything else can wait. We've lingered too long at Yonghe Palace; they must be growing impatient. Hurry back."
"Yes, Your Highness."
From the Emperor's pleased expression, it was clear that Consort Hui had spared no effort for the Fifth Princess' full moon celebration.
The banquet table was laden with delicacies, and Yunxiu ate to her heart's content. Upon returning to her palace, she called for Yintang to be brought to her, intending to amuse herself with the ever-changing little one.
Before the wet nurse could enter, however, Ruizhu hurried in, lifting the curtain and whispering urgently in her ear, "Your Highness, the Eldest Master has sent word—he is to be promoted. His position in Shengjing is changing, but..."
Yunxiu's smile faded bit by bit.
"To the capital? As Vice Minister of Personnel?"
That was the domain of the Nara clan—under the thumb of Mingzhu, the Minister of Personnel!!
