Around the hour of Shen (3-5 PM), the female relatives began to depart from the palace. Among the imperial consorts, only Consort Ning remained to oversee the concluding matters, while the others returned to their respective quarters.
Qi Daiyu, however, could not return to Yanqing Residence—the Eldest Princess seemed to have taken a liking to her.
With no other choice, she followed the Eldest Princess to the Empress's palace, Kunming Palace.
Upon arrival, the Eldest Princess refused to be carried anymore and insisted on walking on her own. She even reached out to hold Qi Daiyu’s hand, tugging her eagerly toward her own chambers.
As the beloved Princess Yong'an, the Eldest Princess’s side chamber was exquisitely furnished, with every ornament surpassing even the most precious items stored in Yanqing Residence’s treasury.
"This, for you."
"This, also for you."
The Eldest Princess piled an assortment of treasures into Qi Daiyu’s arms—one was a petite white jade pot carved with fragrant grass motifs, delicate and palm-sized; the other, a ruby-red glass puzzle ring, its crystal-clear surface nearly flawless.
Both were clearly rare and valuable.
"Your Highness, are these truly meant for me? Why?"
The Eldest Princess widened her eyes. "The Empress Mother says, 'Courtesy demands reciprocity.'" In other words, since Qi Daiyu had given her a gift, she must return the favor.
"These are all things I like. I’m giving them to you."
Qi Daiyu found herself both amused and touched.
It was like performing a simple magic trick for a child, only for the delighted child to stuff their family’s jewels and gold into your hands as a reward.
How could she possibly accept such things? She couldn’t.
Kneeling to meet the princess at eye level, Qi Daiyu smiled gently. "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness, but I cannot accept these."
The Eldest Princess frowned. "Why not?"
Qi Daiyu paused, choosing her words carefully. She avoided mentioning their exorbitant value—after all, to the princess, these might just be everyday playthings.
"These are treasures you cherish, aren’t they? A noble person does not take what others hold dear. Since you love them, how could I take them away?"
"Besides, if Your Highness truly wishes to gift me something, it should be something I like."
Never underestimate a child’s understanding—even a three-year-old could grasp reasoning when explained properly.
Sure enough, the Eldest Princess nodded thoughtfully. "Then, Concubine Qi, what do you like?"
Qi Daiyu glanced around the room before pointing at the table with a smile. "I adore chestnut cakes. Could Your Highness share some with me?"
To the Eldest Princess, the puzzle ring and the chestnut cakes likely held equal worth. She immediately agreed, delighted.
The pastries in the Empress’s palace were always exquisite, and these chestnut cakes, specially made for the princess, were soft, fragrant, and sweet. Seeing Qi Daiyu savor them with such relish, the Eldest Princess couldn’t resist trying one herself. Soon, the two were happily eating together.
Zhuyi and Shiliu watched the scene with quiet amusement: Concubine Qi delicately held a piece of chestnut cake, took a small bite, then closed her eyes in bliss, as if it were the most delicious treat in the world. The warm glow of the setting sun bathed her serene smile, while beside her, the Eldest Princess mimicked her actions—taking a bite, squeezing her eyes shut, and swinging her short legs that barely reached the floor.
A picture of tranquil harmony.
Meanwhile, in the Palace of Compassionate Peace...
Consort Ning gave the Empress Dowager a brief report of the day’s events.
The Empress Dowager nodded approvingly. "You’ve done well. You must be weary after such a busy day."
A flicker of pride crossed Consort Ning’s eyes. "Her Majesty entrusted this task to me. It was only right to see it through flawlessly."
Many noblewomen had praised her today, and Consort Ning reveled in it. Among the few things she cared about, reputation ranked high.
The Empress Dowager smiled. "It’s been some time since you last saw your mother, hasn’t it? Today’s formalities left little room for personal conversation. I’ve arranged for her to stay so you may enjoy some time together."
This time, Consort Ning’s joy was unmistakable.
Once a consort entered the palace, contact with her family was rare—limited mostly to letters. Even during palace banquets, they could only exchange glances from afar, never words.
Today, Consort Ning’s mother—the Left Chancellor’s wife—had attended, yet the two had scarcely spoken.
The Empress Dowager’s kindness in allowing the Left Chancellor’s wife to stay was a reward for Consort Ning’s diligent efforts.
"Your servant thanks the Empress Dowager!"
After expressing her gratitude profusely, Consort Ning withdrew.
Nanny Zhao stepped forward. "Your Majesty, shall I assist you in changing your attire?"
The Empress Dowager was no longer as energetic as she once was. After receiving so many guests and enduring hours of opera performances, she must have been exhausted.
"Mm."
Supported by Nanny Zhao, she entered her inner chamber and sat before the dressing mirror, where maids began removing her hair ornaments.
Gazing at her reflection, she noticed the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes—no longer so easily concealed.
With a sigh, she murmured, "I’ve grown old."
Nanny Zhao soothed her, "Your Majesty remains in excellent health. Even Dowager Princess Consort Xiang remarked today that you look just as you did when she first met you."
The Empress Dowager chuckled. "Merely flattery." Her eyes grew distant with memory. "Time spares no one. Seeing those fresh-faced young ladies today reminded me of my own days as a new palace entrant."
Back then, the palace had been a vibrant garden of beauties.
But in such a place, flowers were abundant. Only the most exceptional could bloom above the rest.
Through the mirror, the Empress Dowager studied Nanny Zhao. "Among those young ladies today, did any catch your eye?"
She understood perfectly why those noblewomen had brought their daughters and granddaughters. She wasn’t opposed—in fact, she was inclined to select one or two promising candidates.
Nanny Zhao bowed her head. "If we speak of excellence, Zhiyu stands out the most."
"But she bears the surname Jiang." The Empress Dowager shot Nanny Zhao a sidelong glance. "You’re being evasive."
Zhiyu was the granddaughter of Prince Xiang, making her the emperor’s cousin—hardly a candidate for the imperial harem.
Nanny Zhao inwardly winced. How could she, a mere servant, dare to assess the daughters of high officials?
Taking pity on her lifelong attendant, the Empress Dowager relented. "What of Zhaorong, then?"
Zhaorong—the youngest daughter of the Grand Princess.
The Grand Princess was the elder sister of the late emperor, though their relationship had been distant. She held little influence in court, and after the previous emperor’s passing, she became the current emperor’s aunt.
Her elder daughter, Zhaoyun, had been granted the title of County Princess.
County Princess Zhaoyun later married Yuan Zishi, the younger brother of Concubine Shu. Now, as Zhaorong came of age without any imperial honors bestowed, the Grand Princess had brought her to court today, hoping to secure a future for her.
Nanny Zhao chose her words carefully. "This servant suspects the Grand Princess may not intend for Zhaorong to enter the palace. Perhaps she seeks Your Majesty’s favor in arranging a favorable marriage during the selection?"
The Empress Dowager scoffed. "If that were all, why bring her to court today? She could’ve simply picked a suitable match herself and requested an imperial decree from me or the Empress. Would I have refused?"
A fair point.
Nanny Zhao ventured, "Zhaorong is indeed commendable, but... His Majesty may not favor the idea."
Their emperor, in the prime of his youth, was zealously pursuing sweeping reforms—promoting new officials while suppressing the old factions.
Thus, he was least inclined to forge ties with imperial clans or established aristocratic families.
For Zhaorong to enter the palace? A difficult path indeed.
The Empress Dowager's smile faded. "Enough. If she insists, I might as well lend her a hand—consider it repayment for what she did for me back then."
Some sins are self-inflicted, and no one can save them.
Nanny Zhao sighed inwardly. The events of the past might have seemed over to the Grand Princess, but the Empress Dowager had never forgotten. The Grand Princess's current intentions were no different than sending her young daughter into the tiger's den.
She could only hope the Grand Princess would abandon this notion.
Outside Cining Palace, Consort Ning met Lady Yang, who had been waiting for her.
"Mother!"
Though moved, Lady Yang still adhered to propriety and curtsied. "This humble wife greets Consort Ning."
"Please rise, Mother." Consort Ning glanced around. "Though Her Majesty has granted permission, I mustn't presume on her favor. I’ll escort you to the palace gates."
This would give them a chance to talk along the way.
"Very well." Lady Yang felt reassured seeing her daughter so cautious. "You’re doing perfectly—being careful in all matters puts my mind at ease."
The usually reserved Consort Ning now revealed a hint of girlish charm.
"Mother, did I do well today?"
Lady Yang patted her hand gently.
"Exceptionally well, no less than..." She omitted the name, but both knew whom she meant.
Consort Ning fell silent for a moment. "Mother, please don’t say such things again. She is... I could never compare."
Lady Yang sighed. "Fate is fickle. Had it not been for the border invasion back then, requiring Marshal Jiang to lead the campaign—given your father’s standing in the late emperor’s court—you wouldn’t have had to..."
At the time, the Left Chancellor held immense power, and Minzhen had been the most suitable candidate for Crown Princess. Yet when the border crisis arose, Marshal Jiang’s military exploits secured the position for the Jiang Family's Daughter, leaving Minzhen as only a secondary consort.
Consort Ning lowered her head without a word.
Seeing her expression, Lady Yang changed the subject. "There’s something more important I must remind you. Concubine Shu has already borne a prince—you must strive harder now. What use are reputation and propriety compared to bearing a son?"
Consort Ning stiffened, shocked to hear such words from her own mother.
"But before, you taught me that propriety was paramount, that a woman’s reputation mattered most."
"If you were the Empress, then yes. But you’re merely one of His Majesty’s consorts—who cares for your propriety or reputation? Look at Concubine Shu. With a prince now, she and the Yuan Family will rest easy for life. If you could also..." Caught up in her fervor, Lady Yang spoke rashly before noticing her daughter’s troubled expression.
"Minzhen?"
"Mother, your words are pointless. Concubine Shu bore a prince because His Majesty favors her. But what favor do I have? How many times does His Majesty visit Yikun Palace in a year?"
Lady Yang pressed, "Then find a way! You have virtue, beauty, and talent—how are you inferior to Concubine Shu in any way?"
Consort Ning smiled bitterly. She, too, wondered why His Majesty showed her no affection despite her merits.
"Mother, enough. Your daughter is incapable. I fear I cannot ease your worries."
After finishing the chestnut cakes, Qi Daiyu spent some more time playing with the Eldest Princess until the Empress returned.
Unexpectedly, the Emperor arrived as well.
"Your humble concubine greets Your Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress," Qi Daiyu curtsied.
The Empress seemed surprised to see her but asked no questions, immediately turning her attention to the Eldest Princess. Jiang Yuan, a step behind, frowned upon noticing Qi Daiyu. "Why are you here?"
In an instant, countless suspicions flashed through Jiang Yuan’s mind.
Had Concubine Qi come deliberately to seek favor? After his anger days ago, he’d sent no rewards to Yanqing Residence—was she now lying in wait at Kunning Palace for him?
Using the Eldest Princess as an excuse?
He’d entirely forgotten that Qi Daiyu knew nothing of his displeasure.
Fortunately, Zhuyi quickly explained the situation.
The Empress smiled. "We owe thanks to Concubine Qi today."
Qi Daiyu demurred, "This concubine did little." Feeling out of place in the presence of the Emperor and Empress, she added, "Your Majesty, may this concubine take her leave?"
The Empress did not detain her. "Very well, you may go."
