The new consorts had entered the palace over ten days ago, yet only three had been summoned to serve the Emperor: Consort Nie, Consort Ye, and Consort Wei. The Emperor had visited the rear palace six times in total, with Consort Nie monopolizing three of those nights. As a result, Consort Nie stood out conspicuously among the new consorts, showing signs of emerging as their leader.
Unfortunately, the other new consorts seemed reluctant to associate with Consort Nie. Even Consort Yan, who shared the same residence with her, maintained only a superficial relationship.
Among the new consorts, Consort Ye was the most well-liked.
Ye Qiong had previously met Consort Zhuang at the temporary palace and was now assigned to Qixiang Palace, where Qin Saizhu served as the senior consort. Naturally, Ye Qiong was eager to establish a good rapport with her.
Qin Saizhu had already formed a favorable impression of Ye Qiong. After spending some time together, she found Ye Qiong to be gentle and serene in temperament, so she began introducing her to others. Through these interactions, everyone developed a positive opinion of Ye Qiong.
One day, Qin Saizhu took Ye Qiong to Yanqing Residence behind Qixiang Palace.
"You've met Consort Hui before. She's very kind and unpretentious, so there's no need to be nervous. However, she has a delicate constitution, so we mustn’t overstay our welcome."
Qin Saizhu suddenly paused mid-step, having glimpsed a figure darting past the side gate of Yanqing Residence.
Ye Qiong noticed it too and hesitantly asked, "Was that someone from Consort Hui’s palace leaving?"
Qin Saizhu pursed her lips. "Perhaps it was just a servant from another hall in Changchun Palace cleaning nearby."
Neither of them dwelled on it. After all, Changchun Palace housed more than just Yanqing Residence’s attendants, and in broad daylight, who would dare cause trouble?
Qi Daiyu had already received word of their arrival and changed out of her work clothes, washing her hands before greeting them.
She had converted the study in Yanqing Residence into a makeshift laboratory, filled with all sorts of peculiar tools and vessels. When working there, she wore simple, everyday garments—easier to discard if stained.
The construction office had delivered the custom-made boxes she requested. Her father had not disappointed; the samples were exquisitely designed, with the round containers for foundation cream adorned with gemstones that sparkled brilliantly.
The boxes alone were so beautiful that people would likely buy them even without the contents.
Qi Daiyu had prepared the first month’s stock of goods. Once everything was packaged, she planned to visit the Empress’s palace. Barring any unforeseen issues, by early April, the capital would welcome a new cosmetics shop called "Lotus Blossom Beauty."
"Your humble consort greets Consort Hui," Ye Qiong said, bowing respectfully.
Qi Daiyu returned the courtesy to Qin Saizhu and invited both women to the side hall. "A few days ago, Sister Qin sent over some citrons. I had Hongtao slice them and steep the pieces in water with honey. The drink is pleasantly tart and sweet—would you like to try it?"
Citrons, known in later times as lemons, were the key ingredient.
Qin Saizhu smiled. "Since you recommend it, of course we’ll try it." Citrons were notoriously sour and bitter, rarely favored in the palace. She had received a basket by chance and sent a few to Qi Daiyu on a whim, never expecting her to turn them into something delightful.
Turning to Ye Qiong, she added, "Everyone says I’m the one who knows best about food, but I think Consort Hui is the true connoisseur."
Not wanting Ye Qiong to feel left out, Qi Daiyu initiated conversation. "Have you fully recovered?" She remembered how frail Ye Qiong had looked during the selection process and was surprised she had not only participated but also earned the rank of Consort Ye.
Ye Qiong smiled. "Thanks to the imperial physicians’ prescriptions, I’ve made a full recovery."
"And have you adjusted to life in the palace?" Qi Daiyu chuckled at her own question. "With Sister Qin guiding you in Qixiang Palace, whether it’s food, drink, or leisure, I doubt you’d struggle. Just remember one thing—don’t overindulge in spicy dishes, lest you end up like someone here, calling for the physician in the middle of the night with stomach pains."
Her teasing remark about Qin Saizhu prompted laughter, and Qin Saizhu playfully pinched her arm. "How dare you mock me!"
Their easy camaraderie revealed their close bond, and Ye Qiong couldn’t help but envy it. "The two of you share such a wonderful friendship. Having someone so dear to accompany you in the palace must make life far less dull. I hope one day, I too can find a kindred spirit to rely on in this place."
Qin Saizhu regarded Ye Qiong thoughtfully. "You will. Right now, we’re still unfamiliar with each other’s temperaments, so interactions feel reserved. But in time, that will change."
She added earnestly, "As long as our hearts desire the same things, we’ll only grow closer."
In the palace, friendships weren’t impossible—it was just that many began with warmth, only to fade with time.
True affection could be betrayed, but shared interests bound people tightly.
Ye Qiong nodded thoughtfully. "I’ll remember that. In time, both of you will see my sincerity."
Though she didn’t outright declare her wish to befriend them, Qi Daiyu and Qin Saizhu understood her meaning. Neither responded immediately, but as Ye Qiong had said, time would reveal the truth.
Hongtao entered with glasses of honeyed citron water, serving each of them. Qin Saizhu eagerly took a sip. The initial tartness gave way to a refreshing sweetness—not cloying like syrup, but light and invigorating. She imagined how much better it would taste chilled in summer.
Her mind then drifted to the new hotpot branch she was preparing for her restaurant, Baiwei Lou. The spicy, pungent flavors of hotpot would pair perfectly with this drink.
"Speaking of citrons," Qin Saizhu suddenly remarked, "something odd happened a few days ago. Since the palace’s ladies rarely eat them due to their sourness, the fruit department hardly stocks them. This year, they only sent two baskets to the kitchens for chefs to use as needed."
The basket she’d received had been a special delivery to Baiwei Lou. Uninterested in the fruit herself, she had distributed a few to various palaces and sent the rest to the kitchens. "But within half a day of sending them away, both Concubine Mei’s maid, Luhui, and Consort Wei’s maid, Qiuzhi, came to Qixiang Palace begging for more."
"Concubine Mei craves sour foods during her pregnancy, while Consort Wei simply has a natural taste for tart flavors," Qin Saizhu explained, recalling the awkward scene. "I only had a few left—it wasn’t as if I could demand the kitchens return them. Since Concubine Mei is with child, I thought it best to accommodate her and gave the remaining citrons to Luhui."
"Guess what happened next?"
Having stayed secluded in Yanqing Residence, Qi Daiyu knew nothing of recent events and leaned in curiously. "What happened?"
Ye Qiong, however, had heard the gossip. "I overheard something yesterday. After the morning greetings, Consort Wei and Concubine Mei had a quarrel in the imperial garden. Concubine Mei actually slapped Consort Wei."
Qi Daiyu gasped. She wasn’t sure which of the two had been bolder.
Concubine Mei was pregnant, and everyone avoided crossing her, yet Consort Wei dared to challenge her. If Concubine Mei were to suffer any distress to her pregnancy because of this, Consort Wei’s fault would be grave indeed.
A concubine’s face is her most prized possession. If a concubine errs, there are many ways to punish her, but harming her face is the least acceptable method. Even a palace maid’s face cannot be touched lightly, yet Concubine Mei had publicly slapped Consort Wei.
Weighing both sides, Concubine Mei’s imperial heir remained unharmed, while Consort Wei’s slap was undeniably real—making Concubine Mei’s transgression the greater of the two.
Qin Saizhu remarked, "A clash of titans—that’s what these two are."
Concubine Mei had never been easy to get along with, and now that she was pregnant, she became even more arrogant, committing many acts of insolence. Everyone had tolerated her, not wishing to provoke her. Yet now, a hot-headed newcomer with an equally short temper had emerged—one who also happened to be of noble birth. Having been publicly humiliated, this matter would not be easily resolved.
Hongtao came in to refill the tea and overheard snippets of the conversation. "This servant just heard from Little Li that Consort Wei has gone to Cining Palace."
Ye Qiong glanced at the young maid.
Consort Wei resided in Yonghe Palace in the eastern six palaces. To reach Cining Palace, she would have passed through the Zhonsi Gate, which could indeed be observed by the servants of Yanqing Residence.
"Going to Cining Palace at this time…" Qin Saizhu trailed off.
Zhaorong had entered the palace with the Empress Dowager’s support and had even lived in Cining Palace for several months before. While the newer consorts might not know this, the others were well aware. Had Zhaorong gone to the Empress Dowager to weep about her grievances?
That raised the question—would the Empress Dowager side with Zhaorong or with Concubine Mei, who carried the imperial heir?
In Cining Palace, the Empress Dowager sat with her eyes closed as Nanny Yang massaged her temples.
Zhaorong knelt before the couch, silently shedding tears.
The faint red mark of a slap could still be seen on her delicate face.
After a long silence, the Empress Dowager waved Nanny Yang’s hand away and sighed. "Enough. What use is this pitiful display when it’s shown to me instead of the Emperor?"
Zhaorong’s hand, holding a handkerchief to wipe her tears, froze. She choked for a moment before letting out a coquettish whimper of grievance. "Empress Dowager…"
If the Emperor had been willing to see her, why would she have come to Cining Palace? The day before, she had gone to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to seek an audience immediately after being struck, but the Emperor had been meeting with ministers, and Quan Fuhai had advised her not to disturb him.
Concubine Shu had then suggested she appeal to the Empress Dowager.
Zhaorong thought it reasonable—she had been brought into the palace by the Empress Dowager’s influence. For Concubine Mei to slap her was nothing short of disrespect toward the Empress Dowager, who would surely be furious.
Yet now, the Empress Dowager only scoffed. "I know what you’re thinking—you want me to stand up for you. But have you considered that Concubine Mei is with child? How could I possibly act against her?" Compared to an imperial grandchild, what was Zhaorong?
"Even if Concubine Mei weren’t pregnant, I wouldn’t intervene on your behalf," the Empress Dowager said coldly.
Why? Zhaorong was bewildered.
Nanny Yang spoke for the Empress Dowager. "Consort Wei, if you’ve been wronged, you should seek out Her Majesty the Empress. Even if Concubine Mei is at fault, it is the Empress who should decree punishment. How could you come to Cining Palace?"
For the retired Empress Dowager to bypass the Empress and punish a concubine was simply not done.
"Consort Wei must think carefully before acting," Nanny Yang advised gently.
But Zhaorong only bit her lip. The Empress and Concubine Shu were like fire and water, and she was close to Concubine Shu. Concubine Mei was the Empress’s ally—the Empress would protect her, not side against her.
The Empress Dowager simply didn’t want to stand up for her. Had all her previous kindness been a lie? Zhaorong felt lost.
"This consort understands her mistake. This consort takes her leave." Zhaorong departed unwillingly.
"Fool," the Empress Dowager spat coldly once she was gone. "After living in Cining Palace for so long and studying the rules for a month, she’s still learned nothing." She didn’t even realize she was being used as a pawn.
"Lady Lian, how could she have raised a daughter like this?"
Nanny Yang sighed. "Chaoyun County Mistress was exceedingly clever. Perhaps as the youngest daughter, the Grand Princess was lax in disciplining Zhaorong, leaving her too naive."
"One cannot afford to indulge their temper in the palace," the Empress Dowager murmured. "But then, this was their own choice. Whatever consequences follow, she must bear them herself."
The Empress Dowager gazed out the window. "Lady Lian, if my child had lived, how old would they be this year?"
Nanny Yang calculated silently. "They would be thirty, likely a parent by now."
"And I will never be a grandmother," the Empress Dowager said, closing her eyes again. "So neither shall she. Has everything been arranged with Qiuzhi?"
"Your Majesty need not worry. Qiuzhi is from Cining Palace—even the Emperor doesn’t know of her." As the Empress Dowager, placing a servant was effortless. Still, Nanny Yang hesitated. "But this servant observes that the Emperor shows little interest in Consort Wei. Must Qiuzhi really administer that medicine?"
Though the contraceptive was mild, all medicine carried some toxicity. Prolonged use would inevitably harm Consort Wei’s health.
Nanny Yang wasn’t concerned for Zhaorong’s sake—she merely wished to spare the Empress Dowager from staining her hands.
"I know my son best. Though ruthless in politics, his heart is soft in matters of sentiment." No matter how much he despised a woman, he would still grant her dignity.
"In that, he takes after his father."
