The "Four Gentlemen of Flowers" refer to the four plants—plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum—often used to symbolize noble character. Interestingly, the Empress's four chief maids correspond precisely to these four: Mei Yi, Lanyi, Zhuyi, and Ju Yi. Such names are both pleasing to the ear and elegant in meaning.
Not like the names in Yanqing Residence, where the two chief maids are called Shiliu (Pomegranate) and Putao (Grape). Rumor has it that the names were given by the Imperial Household Department when they were first assigned. At the time, the original mistress was grieving over her failing health and believed their names symbolized fertility and fortune, perhaps capable of altering her luck, so she kept them. She even went so far as to rename the junior maids and eunuchs under them in the same vein—names like Apple, Pear, and Little Li... a whole nest of fruits.
The chrysanthemums in Kunning Palace are truly magnificent, boasting rare varieties such as "Purple Dragon Resting in Snow" and "Jade Phoenix on the Immortal Terrace," each breathtakingly beautiful. Qi Daiyu's favorite, however, is the "Jade Pot Spring." Its delicate lavender-white petals exude an understated elegance, free from vulgarity.
Qi Daiyu asked Shiliu, "If you have time, go to the flower house and see if there are any more 'Jade Pot Spring' plants. Placing one by the windowsill would make for a lovely sight."
"If Lady Qi favors it, this servant will have one sent to Yanqing Residence later," Zhuyi interjected, emerging to invite Qi Daiyu into the main hall.
"I dare not deprive Her Majesty of her beloved flowers."
The main hall of Kunning Palace was grand and imposing, far larger than her humble Yanqing Residence. It was divided into front and rear halls, each with five rooms in a row. The front hall served as the gathering place for the imperial concubines during morning greetings and where the Empress handled palace affairs, while the rear hall was her private living quarters. Zhuyi led Qi Daiyu into the rear hall.
Upon entering, a gentle warmth infused with a subtle, refined fragrance enveloped her.
The scent was light and far from cloying.
Rounding a painted screen, Qi Daiyu saw the Empress seated sideways on a daybed, gazing affectionately at the Eldest Princess, who was playing with a set of interlocking rings.
"Lady Qi of the Jieyu rank pays respects to Her Majesty the Empress." Qi Daiyu curtsied.
The Empress turned to look at her.
Dressed formally for the banquet, the Empress wore a yellow phoenix-patterned court robe embroidered with auspicious motifs, a phoenix crown atop her head, and a gold-and-jeweled hairpin with trembling pendants. Hers was not a face of striking beauty, but neither was it plain. With a rounded face, full forehead, clear and bright eyes, a broad nose, and plump earlobes, her features exuded an air of dignified grace—a so-called "fortunate countenance." Combined with her poised and stately demeanor, she radiated nobility.
She truly embodied the majesty of an empress.
In modern terms, hers was a face that promised "national peace and prosperity."
The Empress smiled. "Lanyi reported that your health had improved, but I was skeptical. Now that I see you in person, your complexion does seem better. Please, sit." A maid promptly brought a stool.
Not a word was mentioned about Qi Daiyu's failure to wear blue attire.
Qi Daiyu obeyed and sat. "I’m still somewhat weak. The journey from Yanqing Residence to Kunning Palace—a mere incense stick’s worth of time—required several rests along the way." Recovered but not fully, so the green plaque (indicating availability for imperial summons) should remain withdrawn.
"I’ve instructed the Imperial Hospital to continue your monthly wellness checks. Weakness stems from bodily deficiency, so nourish yourself properly with medicine. His Majesty, out of concern for you, has ordered the Imperial Household Department to allocate a premium ginseng root for your use. Take it back with you and have a small slice placed under your tongue daily." The underlying message: Your name has been noted by the Emperor. Await his favor.
Qi Daiyu: "..."
She was now certain of one thing—the Empress was genuinely generous, unbothered by the idea of sending the Emperor as a reward to other women.
Not daring to linger on the topic, Qi Daiyu gestured for Shiliu to present the handmade doll.
"A little trinket I made, thinking the Princess might like it."
The moment the cotton doll—a pink-dressed rabbit with tall white ears—appeared, the Eldest Princess, who had been engrossed in her rings, immediately looked up.
"Bunny!" At just over two years old, her speech was already clear. "Is it for me?" Despite her eagerness, she remembered her manners, first glancing at the Empress for permission before scrambling off the daybed and toddling toward Qi Daiyu.
Accepting the doll, the Eldest Princess chirped, "Thank you, Lady."
She didn’t recognize Qi Daiyu specifically, only that all women in court robes were to be addressed as "Lady."
Qi Daiyu nearly succumbed to professional instinct, almost crouching to reply, "You’re welcome," but restrained herself in time.
"Lingyi, this is Lady Qi, whom I’ve often mentioned to you," the Empress said, revealing she had spoken of Qi Daiyu to the Eldest Princess before.
Clutching the doll, the Princess studied Qi Daiyu with curiosity. "So it’s Lady Qi! I love the bunny you gave me!"
"I’m glad you like it." Unable to resist her fondness for children, Qi Daiyu forced herself to look away. "The Princess’s milk name comes from 'Zhan Lu,' doesn’t it?"
"'The genial and virtuous gentleman, none lacks noble grace.'" It was a line from the "Zhan Lu" chapter in the Book of Songs, praising the moral integrity of noble men.
Such a grand name was rare for a girl, reflecting the Empress’s aspirations for her daughter.
The Empress smiled. "As a princess, a daughter of heaven, she ought to set an example of virtue for all women."
For a fleeting moment, the authority of the palace’s chief matriarch surfaced—a glimpse Qi Daiyu might have missed had she not been fully attentive.
After directing the maids to take the Eldest Princess to the inner chambers to play, the Empress’s tone shifted, her thoughts now inscrutable.
"Still, she is but a girl. Speaking of which, have you heard of the commotion in Chengqian Palace regarding the Eldest Prince?"
The news had spread throughout the palace, so feigning ignorance was impossible. Not only must she acknowledge it, but she must also declare her stance.
"This concubine does not believe in mystical phenomena. Rather than attributing it to heavenly signs, I suspect human intervention."
The Empress’s smile remained. "Would the Yuan Family dare such audacity?"
Qi Daiyu: "When the rewards are tempting enough."
Compared to the potential punishment for fabricating omens, the benefits of having the entire realm believe the Eldest Prince was divinely favored made the risk worthwhile for the Yuan Family.
The Empress: "Oh? Then how do you think the Emperor will respond?"
Qi Daiyu rose and curtsied. "This concubine would not presume to speculate on the Sacred Will." She wasn’t foolish—she was here to pledge loyalty, not to invite punishment.
The Empress sighed. "You are cautious indeed. Still, I understand the intent behind your visit today."
Glancing at the sky, she added, "It grows late. The Emperor will soon conclude court. Come, accompany me to Chengqian Palace."
"As you command."
The Empress traveled with her full retinue, and Qi Daiyu, benefiting from the privilege, boarded a palanquin as the procession advanced toward Chengqian Palace in grand fashion.
Before they even entered the hall, the boisterous laughter of Concubine Shu and the flattery of others reached their ears.
Until a eunuch’s voice rang out: "Her Majesty the Empress arrives!"
Silence fell over the chamber.
Then, the concubines streamed out to pay their respects. Concubine Shu’s chief maid also emerged. "Her Majesty must forgive us. My mistress is still in confinement, and the physicians have forbidden exposure to drafts. This servant offers greetings on her behalf."
She then reported that the Empress Dowager had visited earlier but had since departed.
"Of course. Let Concubine Shu focus on her recovery. I’ve come only to escort the Eldest Prince to the banquet at Baohe Hall." The Empress smiled. "Is the Eldest Prince ready?"
The palace maid's smile stiffened slightly: "...Everything is prepared." Concubine Shu was triumphant, but she had forgotten that the Empress was the rightful mother of all imperial princes and princesses in the palace. As for the third-day bathing ceremony, not only was Concubine Shu confined to her chambers and unable to attend, but even if she were present, she could only watch helplessly as the Empress took the seat of honor while the Eldest Prince paid his respects to her as her descendant.
The wet nurse brought out the Eldest Prince, tightly swaddled. The Empress lifted a corner of the blanket, revealing the baby, who had just been fed and was now sleeping soundly, one tiny hand curled near his ear. When the Empress, without her protective nail guards, gently touched his hand, the Eldest Prince instinctively grasped her finger.
"The Eldest Prince adores Her Majesty the Empress—what filial piety!" one of the concubines exclaimed.
There was nothing wrong with the remark, but given that they were in Chengqian Palace, with Concubine Shu just a wall away, it felt somewhat awkward.
Qi Daiyu glanced at the speaker—a woman with heavy makeup, striking beauty, and a plump figure, her upturned eyes particularly alluring. She was the complete opposite of Qi Daiyu in appearance.
Concubine Miao of Qixiang Palace.
Also aligned with the Empress's faction, yet at odds with Qi Daiyu's original self.
Perhaps sensing Qi Daiyu's gaze, Concubine Miao rolled her eyes at her discreetly, her disdain unmistakable.
The concubines each harbored their own thoughts, their lips twitching only when the Empress declared, "My child is indeed filial."
Then, a shattering sound came from within the chamber. Just as the Empress was about to inquire, Diancui, Concubine Shu's chief maid, spoke first: "Your Majesty, today Concubine Shu has acquired a fine piece of jade, one of auspicious significance. She wishes to bring it to the banquet to bestow blessings upon the Eldest Prince."
"Bestow blessings"? More like flaunt her status.
Yet the Empress could not refuse such a request.
However, the guests at the bathing ceremony were all imperial relatives and nobles. If the jade were displayed, wouldn’t it imply the Eldest Prince held special favor?
The Empress was caught in a dilemma.
At that moment, Quan Fuhai, the Emperor's chief eunuch, arrived.
Diancui's face lit up with delight, and she subtly signaled to a maid, who promptly retreated into the inner chambers.
Quan Fuhai bowed to the Empress and the assembled concubines, then announced with a smile, "This servant comes bearing an imperial decree—His Majesty's edict—"
"Eunuch Quan!" A delicate voice interrupted him—Concubine Shu herself had emerged.
"Since His Majesty has issued an edict, this concubine dare not be discourteous. I rushed to prepare myself to receive it. If my appearance is lacking, may His Majesty forgive me." So she claimed, yet her makeup was flawless, her attire impeccable—hardly the look of someone who had dressed in haste.
Concubine Shu dared to say this because she knew no one would expose her. She knelt with her head held high, her neck straight and proud.
Seeing her so smug, Quan Fuhai inwardly sighed. He feared Concubine Shu's schemes were about to backfire.
"By the Emperor's decree: On this joyous occasion marking the birth of a noble heir, the Eldest Prince is bestowed the name 'Hao,' recorded in the imperial jade register. He is granted a precious seal and a gold filigree necklace inlaid with pearls..."
"As for the Eldest Princess, the jewel of Our heart, gentle and virtuous in nature, graceful and dignified in bearing, she is granted the title 'Yong'an,' with the fiefdom of Yong'an County and its corresponding revenues..."
"Oh, and Concubine Shu—His Majesty also said that the jade you acquired is of divine rarity. It should be enshrined in the Ancestral Temple for forty-nine days, bathed in incense and prayers, to properly bless the Eldest Prince."
From the moment Quan Fuhai uttered the first line, Concubine Shu was stunned. By the time the decree concluded, her smile had frozen into something strained.
Meanwhile, Qi Daiyu, her head bowed, nearly failed to suppress a laugh.
Ruthless. Absolutely ruthless. This Emperor had a talent for subtle mockery.
