Fengwu Palace.
The Empress consoled the anxious Attendant Ding.
"Don't panic. You are with child now, you must keep your emotions steady. I have already ordered the rumors to be dealt with, with severe punishment. Absolutely no one will dare speak nonsense in front of you again."
Attendant Ding was deeply worried: "But, I'm concerned about whether Consort Lan might hold a grudge in her heart."
The Empress patted her hand: "The rumors are baseless. Consort Lan is not one to believe every word of gossip."
"What about His Majesty?" Attendant Ding said, "Will His Majesty... dislike my child, like with the Seventh Prince back then?"
The Empress chuckled: "Your situation is not the same as Consort Yun's back then. Set your mind at ease. You must not let melancholy take hold and harm the fetus."
Attendant Ding worriedly stroked her abdomen and nodded.
After a moment, she suddenly rose and half-knelt down. "Your Majesty, I beg Your Majesty to take full charge of my pregnancy care. I understand, I cannot keep this child. It would be better to have it raised directly under Your Majesty's care! That would at least secure a future for this child."
"Attendant Ding, don't speak nonsense."
The Empress hurriedly helped her up. "Even if you couldn't raise it, it would be for His Majesty to decide whom to entrust with its upbringing. Matters of imperial heirs, how could you or I decide?"
"Moreover," the Empress paused, "if it is a prince, His Majesty would not consider me."
Otherwise, the current balance among the princes would be broken, something His Majesty absolutely does not wish to see.
Attendant Ding: "I beg Your Majesty to have pity. If it is a prince, naturally His Majesty decides. But, but if it is a daughter..." Tears welled in her eyes, "Your Majesty..."
The Empress's expression softened with pity. She sighed, still unable to agree, and only said: "I promise to take charge of your pregnancy care. But as for the child, let's wait until after you give birth. Fengwu Palace has grown accustomed to its quiet. I also do not wish for it to become noisy later on."
Attendant Ding said gratefully: "Thank you, Your Majesty."
The Empress: "I will invite Consort Lan later. The two of you should clear the air about this matter."
Attendant Ding: "Yes."
-
Shunning Palace.
Consort Xuan's chambers.
Xinqing said softly: "The source of the rumor simply cannot be found. I inquired around. Some say it started from Consort De's palace, some say from Concubine Ruan, Consort Wen, Consort Yi, Noble Consort Rong, and even... some even say it came from our own palace."
Consort Xuan shook her head: "This has dragged in every palace that has a prince."
However, Noble Consort Rong can be ruled out.
She follows Consort Lan's lead absolutely. Spreading such a rumor would not benefit Consort Lan; she would never do it.
"Keep a close watch. Report any news to me immediately."
After the incident with Attendant Chu, she had her family investigate. The result suggested the mastermind behind it might be Consort Lan.
That matter implicated the Sixth Prince. Although it had nothing to do with Little Seven, it's always good to be extra vigilant.
-
Xiuxiang Palace.
Consort Lan had just returned from Fengwu Palace.
She had spoken with the anxious Attendant Ding about the rumors.
She was fuming, utterly annoyed: "Isn't it just clearly fearing I would act against her? Using the Empress's authority to warn me! A mere Attendant, really thinking she's someone important!"
Lianzhu said: "Your Highness, please don't be angry. Bothering with her is truly beneath your station."
Consort Lan: "I haven't even settled accounts with her yet. If the child in her womb truly brings misfortune to Little Six, I will absolutely..."
A flash of ruthlessness passed through her eyes before she composed her expression.
Now that Attendant Ding is under the Empress's protection, her pregnancy is secured.
She waved her hand: "Since the Empress has actively stepped forward to support her, I cannot do nothing. Those bolts of silk Noble Consort Rong sent over a few days ago, are they still in the storeroom?"
"They are all stored. Your Highness looked down on that material, but I thought it was excellent silk," Lianzhu said. "She always sends you the latest goods from outside first."
Consort Lan: "Let it be those bolts of silk then. Send them to Attendant Ding. It will also set her mind at ease, so she stops worrying all day that I will harm her, only to later blame me if she loses the child."
Lianzhu nodded: "Yes."
After receiving the silk sent by Consort Lan, Attendant Ding felt much more at ease and prepared a modest gift in return.
-
In the blink of an eye, summer passed.
Qu Dubian was now over seven years old.
The Second Prince had established his residence outside the palace and moved out of the Princes' Quarter two months ago. His housewarming banquet was not grand or lavish; it passed peacefully and with low profile.
The Third Prince had requested imperial favor and could leave three months later, ahead of schedule, without waiting until spring.
As one group left, another had to move in.
The Fourth Prince had reached the age to move into the Princes' Quarter. Reluctant to part with his old small bed, he delayed for a long time before reluctantly moving.
Today was his first day living in the Princes' Quarter. He had specially taken leave to move. After school, Qu Dubian went with the Fifth and Sixth Princes to see him.
The Princes' Quarter was located southwest of Qianji Palace, just across Liyang Gate.
The vacant Eastern Palace was located southeast of Qianji Palace.
Between the Eastern Palace and the Princes' Quarter lay the distance across Kanyin Gate, twelve arch bridges, and Liyang Gate, facing each other from east and west.
Both the Eastern Palace and the Princes' Quarter were quite close to the Six Ministries' offices, convenient for the princes to interact with court officials and government affairs.
How the Eastern Palace was built, Qu Dubian didn't know.
He thought the Princes' Quarter was honestly not built very well.
It seemed to have been expanded at some point, but the princes of this Great Zhou generation had significant age gaps, so not many lived here. Many of the expanded palaces were in a state of neglect.
The Fourth Prince was moving into the former Second Prince's "Panshi Courtyard."
Upon entering the small courtyard, it was filled with oddly shaped rocks of all kinds.
The Fourth Prince, sweating profusely, was directing: "Be careful, all of you be careful with my bed—"
His bed was extremely, extremely heavy. The palace servants were also complaining bitterly. Heaven above, even they, professionals at helping princes move, were seeing someone wanting to move their bed for the first time.
Sixth Prince: "Fourth Brother, is that really necessary?"
The Fourth Prince wiped his sweat, turned his head, and said gloomily: "If Mother Consort hadn't been so firm, I would have wanted to pry up the floor tiles under my bed too."
Qu Dubian: "..."
Fifth Prince: "..."
It was truly difficult for Consort Yi to argue with Fourth Brother over prying up floor tiles. Qu Dubian facepalmed. "Fourth Brother, tell them to stop for a moment, take a break."
Fourth Prince: "Alright, everyone stop. We'll move it again later."
The palace servants gently set the bed down with a heavy thud, showing how weighty it was.
Qu Dubian: "Everyone, have some chilled sweet water."
Ye Banban had two eunuchs behind him carrying wooden buckets filled with cooled water with a bit of honey and ice added.
The palace servants expressed their gratitude.
The Fourth Prince also scooped a bowl and squatted on a rock to drink.
"Little Five, go scoop a bowl for me," the Sixth Prince had attendants, but he was used to ordering the Fifth Prince around.
He actually didn't like calling the Fifth Prince 'brother' much.
Qu Dubian tossed a pebble. "Sixth Brother, go get it yourself. Don't always point at Fifth Brother for everything."
The Sixth Prince scoffed: "What's the big deal, Little Seven? He's willing. You can ask him for troublesome things too."
"It's alright, Little Qi. Do you want some? Let me get you a bowl, brother." The Fifth Prince smiled.
Qu Dubian: "Thank you, Fifth Brother, I'm not thirsty."
The Fifth Prince nodded and served a bowl of chilled sweet water for the Sixth Prince.
He seemed willing, even smiling, but Qu Dubian always felt the Fifth Prince had grown quieter.
"Fifth Brother..." Qu Dubian wanted to say more, but the Fourth Prince tugged his sleeve. "Little Qi, come with me inside for a moment, take a look at my new pillow."
The Fourth Prince pulled him into the bedchamber, which was cluttered with various items.
After rummaging for a bit, he shoved a pillow into Qu Dubian's hands. "Thinking of intervening between Little Five and Little Six?"
Qu Dubian: "I feel it's not good to let things continue like this."
The Fourth Prince sat on a pile of miscellaneous items and patted his younger brother's arm. "It's no use. Didn't you try that on me before?"
Qu Dubian gave a light cough. "Fourth Brother, you still remember that."
"Mhm. Their relationship isn't something they control. If you're worried, just pay more attention to Little Five, or try to distract Little Six." The Fourth Prince, usually seeming asleep, was actually aware of everything.
Qu Dubian glanced outside where the Fifth and Sixth Princes stood and sat respectively.
He sighed.
It wasn't that he didn't understand, but having grown up with them until now, he desperately wanted to ease the tension.
An unequal relationship only grows more distorted with age.
Qu Dubian: "If we don't change it now, it will truly become set in stone."
Fourth Prince: "Little Qi, at least their relationships with you remain unchanged. Worry less; it wears you out."
He feared his seventh brother wouldn't live long if he fretted over too much.
"Perhaps if Fifth Brother moves out of Changxin Palace, things might improve," Qu Dubian handed the small pillow back. "Alright, Fourth Brother, thank you for pulling me aside. I understand."
The Fourth Prince leaned in quietly. "Little Qi, do you want to come stay with your Fourth Brother tonight?"
Qu Dubian declined gently. "Fourth Brother, I'll come keep you company in a few years."
The Fourth Prince sighed with melancholy.
"Alright."
After going back out, Qu Dubian pulled the Fifth Prince aside to help.
Once the Fourth Prince's bed was moved in, they also helped tidy up the various items inside.
Qu Dubian: "Fifth Brother, you'll be moving in here in two or three months as well. Which courtyard have you chosen? Remember to inform our father the Emperor in advance so people can come and prepare it."
The Fifth Prince smiled: "It's still early, no rush."
Qu Dubian hooked an arm around his neck and blinked. "Fifth Brother, be sure to tell me if anything's bothering you."
The Fifth Prince was quiet for a second. "I know."
But Noble Consort Rong was, after all, his mother. If obtaining the rank of Consort could make his mother less obsessed with climbing higher, he could endure a bit. It didn't matter.
He took the stool Qu Dubian was carrying. "Give it to me, don't tire yourself. Go sit over there."
"It's fine, let's do it together."
-
The day after the Fourth Prince moved, he was almost late for lessons.
As soon as he arrived, he couldn't help complaining to Qu Dubian: "The distance from the Princes' Quarters to the Six Eastern Halls is just too far..."
It was practically the diagonal distance.
Qu Dubian: "Fourth Brother, maybe you should wake up a bit earlier from now on."
Fourth Prince: "I can sacrifice my breakfast time."
Qu Dubian gave a thumbs up.
He couldn't do that. Missing a single meal made him uncomfortable. He'd rather sleep less than eat less.
Master Xi's lessons could get rather dull after a while. Qu Dubian's thoughts drifted, thinking: Attendant Ding's delivery is still a month away.
With the Empress overseeing it, and already at nine months, it should be secure.
The rumors from back then have completely died down now, even the Sixth Prince doesn't seem to pay them much mind anymore. Could there still be complications?
He was pondering this in the morning. Unexpectedly, after classes ended and he returned to Shunning Palace with Zhiyi, he heard news.
“Attendant Ding has gone into labor!” Xinqing pushed open the palace door, out of breath, her first words announcing the news.
Consort Xuan: "But it's only been nine months."
They were having a meal. Qu Dubian slowed the motion of picking up food with his chopsticks.
Xinqing: "I heard from people at Phoenix Perch Palace that she suddenly had severe pain, fainted, and then there was blood. Fortunately, there were imperial physicians and experienced midwives at Phoenix Perch Palace. Matron Su has rushed over too."
Zhiyi: "Consort Xuan, Mother, should we go see?"
Attendant Guo said: "Sister, I'll go take a look. You stay here, watch over the palace and them. Don't let these two run around."
Consort Xuan: "Alright. Xinqing, you go and see too."
Qu Dubian: "Ye Banban."
Ye Xiaoyuan nodded: "Alright, I'll go along too."
Attendant Guo led the two of them and hurried over. On the way, they encountered other consorts and concubines also heading that way.
A consort giving birth was a major event in the rear palace. Whether out of curiosity or following unwritten rules, those who had any interest would go to see, or at least send someone from their own palace if the principal consort couldn't attend.
This sudden labor of Attendant Ding's clearly had something fishy about it to anyone with eyes.
Attendant Guo arrived relatively early, standing in a corner of the main hall. Hearing the wails from the side chamber delivery room, her heart felt heavy. Often, those who cried out most pitifully ended up losing their strength. She had a feeling Attendant Ding was in danger this time.
The Empress sat at the head of the hall. Soon, consorts who had heard the news filled both sides of the hall. Some spoke in hushed tones, others scanned with their eyes, subtly observing the expressions of those around them.
After a while, the principal consorts—Consort Lan, Consort De, Consort Wen, Consort Yi, and Consort Ruan—also arrived and took their seats below the Empress.
They had come early, but childbirth is not quick.
After waiting roughly two hours, as the sky began to darken and the hall grew dim, Emperor Chongzhao at last made a belated entrance.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
Emperor Chongzhao had come after handling government affairs. He waved a hand casually. "All rise."
"Empress, how is Attendant Ding? How much longer?"
Empress: "It's been over two hours now. It's unclear how much longer it will take."
"Wasn't she supposed to deliver in another month? Coming this early, Empress, your care has been lacking. Have the physicians said what caused it?"
The Empress rose to accept blame. "This consort has been negligent. The physicians say Attendant Ding had long-term exposure to substances that promote blood circulation and resolve blood stasis, which caused the fetal condition to become increasingly unstable as the pregnancy progressed."
Attendant Guo's heart gave a jolt.
Heavens, there really was something foul? But how did that thing get into Phoenix Perch Palace? Couldn't it be smelled?
The consorts around exchanged glances but dared not discuss it at this moment.
Emperor Chongzhao's voice was cold. "For so long, and no one noticed?"
Empress: "The physicians have already been ordered to inspect Attendant Ding's personal clothing and everyday belongings. Results should come soon."
Emperor Chongzhao closed his eyes.
About fifteen minutes later, a physician came forward holding two garments.
Your Majesty, Empress.
Empress: "Do you have results?"
The physician bowed. "Yes. These two garments belong to Attendant Ding. During our inspection we found that after washing they retain an extremely faint scent that easily blends with the cosmetic fragrance commonly used by the ladies, so it is not easily detected when worn."
Upon burning and sniffing the ashes, we found the fabric had been soaked in medicinal herbs that invigorate the blood and dispel stasis. The most potent ingredient was... musk. After processing, the original scent of the musk was masked.
Ye Xiaoyuan, standing in the corner, silently looked up at those two garments.
Emperor Chongzhao: "Splendid. What a clever idea."
His gaze swept coldly across the room. "Who is Attendant Ding's personal maid? What is the matter with these clothes?"
The Empress raised her hand. Shortly after, Attendant Ding's personal maid came before the hall and knelt. "Your Majesty, Your Highness."
The Empress: "Identify these. Where did these two sets of clothes belonging to Attendant Ding come from?"
The personal maid stepped forward, examined them for a moment, and then said hesitantly, "It seems they were made a few months ago, when the Attendant first had them made... She thought the fabric was rare, so she had undergarments made from it. This is..."
Her face suddenly paled, and she glanced toward the high-ranking consort seated on the left.
The Empress's tone turned grave: "If you remember something, speak it plainly."
The personal maid kowtowed abruptly: "Your Highness, the fabric the Attendant used to make these clothes... it was sent by Consort Lan a few months ago!"
The entire palace was shocked.
Consort Lan abruptly stood up: "How dare you speak nonsense!"
As soon as she said it, she also remembered. A few months ago, because of the rumors, the Empress had summoned her to Phoenix Perch Palace once. After returning to her own palace, to show she had no time to bother with a child who posed no threat to the Sixth Prince over mere gossip, she had sent some fabric as a gift.
Consort Lan's pupils constricted. She suddenly turned and pointed at Noble Consort Rong. "You! The fabric I gave to Attendant Ding was originally given to me by you first. I thought it was just lying idle, so I might as well give it to Attendant Ding."
Noble Consort Rong's face instantly turned deathly pale.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, she took a step back.
"I... I didn't... I didn't!"
Lianzhu stepped forward and said, "This servant can testify. My lady never even looked at the fabric sent by Noble Consort Rong. Otherwise, when the imperial physician produced these two garments, my lady would have recognized them immediately. Yet just now, my lady showed no reaction at all."
Consort Lan nodded: "Exactly so."
Emperor Chongzhao rested his elbow on the table, fingers pressed against his temple.
He said, "The fabric only passed through the hands of you two."
Consort Lan and Noble Consort Rong both knelt. "We beg Your Majesty to investigate clearly."
"It's terrible! A massive hemorrhage! Attendant Ding is hemorrhaging badly!" A midwife ran out from the side chamber delivery room with a mournful cry.
Outside the hall, it was dusky and dark, the shadows of low plants swaying.
Emperor Chongzhao stood up and strode swiftly outside. For a moment, it was as if he had returned to the night over seven years ago when Consort Yun gave birth. He said in a deep voice, "Save the mother."
The midwife's hands were covered in blood. "Your Majesty, it is no longer a matter of choosing between the mother or the child now. We can only pray for heaven's mercy to preserve life. If we can save even one of them, that will be enough."
After delivering this report, she bowed quickly and hurried back inside.
The scene fell into an even deeper silence.
Emperor Chongzhao took a deep breath. "Consort Lan and Noble Consort Rong will remain here in Phoenix Perch Palace. Yu Decai."
Eunuch Yu: "Here."
"Search the Palace of Elegant Fragrance and the Palace of Eternal Trust."
Eunuch Yu: "As you command."
He flicked his horsetail whisk and left with several eunuchs, leaving Eunuch Bao here to attend to Emperor Chongzhao.
Consort Lan's expression turned utterly grim.
She suddenly recalled the previous rumors, which said Attendant Ding's child would be a curse upon the Sixth Prince—this practically provided her with a motive.
One might ask, in this entire palace, besides her, who else would have a stronger motive to harm Attendant Ding?
Even His Majesty would likely suspect her.
If someone must take the blame for this matter...
Consort Lan looked at Noble Consort Rong.
-
It was around nine in the evening.
It was already very late when Attendant Guo finally returned from Phoenix Perch Palace.
When she left, the weather had been fine, but now the first autumn rain of early fall was drifting from the sky.
Lamps were lit in the Palace of Serene Peace.
Qu Dubian, Consort Xuan, and Zhiyi were all in the main hall, eating while they waited.
As soon as Attendant Guo returned, not bothering with her damp clothes, she first gulped down a cup of warm water to calm her pounding heart, then said, "Something truly major has happened!"
"Attendant Ding gave birth to a princess. Not long after, she passed away."
Zhiyi covered her mouth: "Attendant Ding... gone?"
Qu Dubian fell quiet, listening to Attendant Guo's account.
Consort Xuan handed her a cotton cloth to wipe her face and hair. "Don't rush, explain slowly."
Attendant Guo: "The fabric used to make the clothes was soaked in musk. Attendant Ding wore them for a long time, which caused this. And guess what? That fabric was traced back to Consort Lan and Noble Consort Rong."
"His Majesty sent people to search their palaces. Unused portions of the fabric were found in Noble Consort Rong's quarters. Now, Noble Consort Rong has been taken into custody, in the inner prison."
The inner prison was a place specifically for dealing with offending consorts, palace servants, and others.
"But, you know, we all speculate that perhaps Consort Lan was behind it, who knows? Of course, some also think Noble Consort Rong did it to curry favor with Consort Lan, wanting to get rid of Attendant Ding's child. After all, she hasn't been shy about flattering her in the past."
Consort Xuan: "Only Noble Consort Rong was imprisoned?"
Attendant Guo: "The servants attending her in the Palace of Eternal Trust were also imprisoned. The inner prison doesn't torture consorts, but they show no mercy to these people."
Consort Xuan: "Do you think the two of them harmed Attendant Ding?"
Attendant Guo hesitated: "It must be one of them..."
Consort Xuan: "There are simply too many coincidences in this matter."
After they finished speaking, Ye Xiaoyuan finally came in. He had taken the opportunity while everyone was distracted to go near the delivery room and had gotten a bit of the scent of blood on him. As soon as he arrived, he rushed to take a quick bath and change his clothes.
Qu Dubian asked, "Did Father Emperor say who will raise the newborn little sister?"
Attendant Guo shook her head: "For now, she's with the Empress, and Matron Su is there too."
"However, no matter what, it will likely be very difficult for Noble Consort Rong to clear her name. Once you enter the inner prison, it's hard to come out clean again." Attendant Guo sighed softly. "It would be better if Consort Lan were willing to pull her out, but I'm afraid..."
Afraid she might add stones to the well.
Qu Dubian suddenly jolted awake. "Right! Fifth Brother!"
"Is Fifth Brother still in the Palace of Eternal Trust?"
Attendant Guo: "Probably. Little Seven, you...?"
Qu Dubian quickly stood up: "Consort Xuan, Attendant Guo, I'm going to the Palace of Eternal Trust."
Consort Xuan: "Little Seven, it's raining outside."
Qu Dubian: "Consort Xuan, I feel I should go check."
Consort Xuan sighed and had someone bring a thick cloak, an umbrella, and a hat.
"I'll go with you. It's cold outside. Let's go quickly and come back quickly, so you don't catch a chill and fall ill."
"Consort Xuan, please stay here. I'll be fine."
Consort Xuan knew her child had a mind of his own. Under normal circumstances, she wouldn't forcibly stop him.
"Alright, then have Xiaoyuan accompany you."
"Yes."
Qu Dubian opened his umbrella and turned to leave the main hall. Ye Xiaoyuan also holding an umbrella, followed behind him.
Zhiyi waved: "Be careful, brother!"
Da Hei barked twice and directly chased after them. He shook his fur and barked at Qu Dubian: "Woof!"
Qu Dubian patted his head. "The veteran takes the field. Since you want to go out, then we'll trouble you, Da Hei."
Da Hei shook his head and took the lead, walking ahead.
Qu Dubian jogged all the way to the Palace of Eternal Trust. His years of martial arts training weren't for nothing. After running the whole way, he caught his breath briefly and his heartbeat settled.
Ye Xiaoyuan had also built up his stamina. They circled the Palace of Eternal Trust once and found there was not a single person inside.
The yellowing leaves were dampened by the autumn rain, making the place appear desolate and empty.
The Fifth Prince was not there either.
As they stepped out, they encountered a palace servant passing by. "I saw him just a moment ago—the Fifth Prince has gone to the Purple Dawn Hall."
The two had no choice but to proceed to the Purple Dawn Hall.
The hall was brightly lit, with eunuchs standing guard at its doors.
Before the hall knelt a solitary figure, robes already soaked through by the drizzling autumn rain.
Qu Dubian, holding an umbrella, ascended the steps. Lifting his head, he instantly recognized the silhouette and called out to that back:
"Fifth Brother!"
