After parting with Yang Luoniang, Consort Ning walked towards the Hall of Preserving Harmony in a daze.
On the way, she encountered Ye Qiong, who was coming out of the Hall of Preserving Harmony.
"Greetings, Consort Ning. Your Ladyship, you look unwell. Are you feeling ill somewhere?" Ye Qiong asked with concern, her face showing some apprehension. It was said that this Consort Ning strictly adhered to rules, disliked socializing, and Ye Qiong wondered if she would find her concern meddlesome.
Preoccupied with her own thoughts, Consort Ning was startled by the sudden voice. She forced a smile, but couldn't maintain it and let it fade. "This consort is indeed feeling somewhat unwell, but it's nothing serious. Are you going to freshen up, Consort Ye? Please proceed."
Without waiting for Ye Qiong's reply, she passed by her and continued towards the Hall of Preserving Harmony.
"Your servant bids you farewell, Consort Ning." Ye Qiong performed a curtsy, lowering her eyes.
She had actually left the Hall of Preserving Harmony a while ago but had accidentally seen Consort Ning talking with someone, seemingly in an argument. Not daring to approach, she had retreated. Estimating that enough time had passed, she had then walked back this way.
"Your Ladyship?" Her palace maid, Xia Zhi, questioned, seeing her standing still.
Ye Qiong looked at her: "Xia Zhi, when we return to the Hall of Preserving Harmony later, take a careful look to see who it was that Consort Ning was speaking with earlier."
Although it was just a glimpse, she had felt that woman's appearance was stunning. Why would Consort Ning be arguing with her?
Xia Zhi: "Yes, Your Ladyship."
No matter how delightful the laughter and conversation in the Hall of Preserving Harmony were, they eventually came to an end.
After the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, the weather gradually grew hotter, and the trip to the imperial summer retreat was put on the agenda.
The Zhao Kingdom's summer retreat palace was built in Chengzhou, one hundred and eighty kilometers from the capital, and was also called the Summer Palace.
The Empress had prepared the list of consorts to accompany them and went to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to see the Emperor.
Quan Fuhai saw her from afar and immediately went to greet her. "Your Majesty, blessings! His Majesty summoned Consort Nie to serve at his desk today. Consort Nie is currently attending inside the hall."
This was a reminder that someone was with the Emperor in the hall.
The Empress smiled and nodded. "Consort Nie is exceptionally talented. Accompanying His Majesty to add fragrance to his sleeves and grind ink can also relieve His Majesty's fatigue from handling state affairs." She had already made contact with Nie Zhiyu, who also showed intent to befriend her. The Empress naturally didn't mind the Emperor's favor towards Nie Zhiyu.
Upon entering the hall, Nie Zhiyu, seeing the Empress, tactfully found an excuse to leave.
Jiang Yuan and the Empress sat together on a couch on the other side, and Quan Fuhai served tea.
The Empress said with a smile, "For Her Majesty the Empress Dowager's birthday, Consort Nie presented twelve volumes of 'Biographies of Filial Sons' that she had copied herself. The handwriting is elegant and timeless, steady and dignified, graceful and free-flowing, bearing the style of Cai Yan."
Jiang Yuan nodded in agreement. "Consort Nie indeed has excellent penmanship, rare among the palace consorts. Only Consort Ning could compare." And perhaps not even surpass her; Consort Ning was more skilled in poetry and prose.
Speaking of which, almost all the consorts in the rear palace had their own specialized talents... though not entirely. Jiang Yuan inexplicably thought of one person—that Consort Hui seemed to enjoy painting, but her skill was mediocre, and the things she painted were rather unsightly. She only had some peculiar tricks when it came to cultivating her beauty.
Speaking of which, he had previously sent a few painting manuals through Quan Fuhai for Consort Hui to copy. He wondered how her studies were progressing now.
The Empress didn't know what Jiang Yuan was thinking. Seeing his satisfaction with Consort Nie, she was also pleased, but still fulfilled her duty as Empress: "His Majesty's favor is Consort Nie's good fortune, but Your Majesty must not forget that there are other consorts in the rear palace who also hold Your Majesty in their hearts."
There were quite a few consorts in the rear palace now. Some of the new entrants had only served once after entering the palace and had never received the Emperor's favor again. If this continued long-term, resentment might grow in their hearts.
Balancing the rear palace and advising the Emperor to share his favor equally was also the Empress's duty. However, the Empress felt no jealousy—or rather, not completely none, but she knew better what she valued most. The Emperor's need to bestow favor upon the rear palace was an unchangeable fact. Rather than being jealous and resentful, it was better to be a virtuous and wise Empress.
Moreover, the Empress knew perfectly well that while the Emperor favored other consorts, his affection for her was also considerable.
Hearing this, Jiang Yuan smiled but did not give a direct reply. In most cases, he decided whom to visit based on his own mood. Whomever pleased him, he was happy to visit. Currently, Consort Nie was the most pleasing to him in the rear palace, so he frequently summoned her. It was that simple.
"You have the list? Let me see."
Jiang Yuan took the name list presented by Mei Yi, scanned it, and raised an eyebrow. "Concubine Mei and Consort Wei are also on it?"
"Their confinement period is over. This consort thought that Concubine Mei must be grieving deeply after losing her child, and this trip to the summer palace might help distract her. As for Consort Wei, upon closer consideration, she was somewhat innocent in that previous incident. Now that her confinement is lifted, and the entire palace is going, she cannot be left alone in the palace."
The Empress's reasoning was sound, and Jiang Yuan had no objections. "Then let it be so."
Only after returning to the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, with no one else around, did Mei Yi voice her confusion. "Your Majesty, if you wish for Concubine Mei to go to the summer palace to distract herself, why must Consort Wei be brought along?" That Zhaorong was Concubine Shu's person. Bringing her to the summer palace would give her an opportunity to gain the Emperor's favor.
The Empress said calmly, "Who said this consort's purpose was to take Concubine Mei to distract herself? If Consort Wei does not go, what opportunity would Concubine Mei have?"
Mei Yi's heart skipped a beat. What did Her Majesty the Empress mean?
Having served the Empress for years, she understood her character well and quickly realized that the Empress was... preparing to abandon Concubine Mei.
Given Concubine Mei's character—proud, self-satisfied, and vindictive—she would certainly not blame herself for the miscarriage but would shift the responsibility onto others. And Consort Wei was the most suitable target.
If that were the case, then Concubine Mei would likely not let Consort Wei off easily.
A cold, detached smile appeared in the Empress's eyes. Concubine Shu and Concubine Cao were secretly colluding, thinking she hadn't noticed. But within the Palace of Heavenly Purity, she had planted her own people. After many days, she had finally discovered some clues.
The Empress's suspicions about Concubine Cao's strange behavior that day and the connection between Concubine Shu and Concubine Cao regarding Concubine Mei's miscarriage had grown deeper, but without solid evidence, she couldn't act rashly.
The miscarriage incident had not only exposed Concubine Mei's disadvantages of ignorance and impulsiveness but had also caused the Emperor to develop a dislike for her. Weighing the pros and cons, the Empress decisively resolved to discard Concubine Mei. Now that she had already won over Consort Nie, Concubine Mei was not that important anymore.
However, before that, Concubine Mei still had one last bit of usefulness.
To deal with Zhaorong from Concubine Shu's faction.
Currently, everyone believed Zhaorong was not favored by the Emperor. But based on her understanding of Jiang Yuan's preferences, the Empress believed that given an opportunity, Zhaorong could also rise to prominence. Just like Concubine Mei in the past, who had also once enjoyed deep imperial favor.
"What a pity. If both of them could have been kept in the palace, things would likely have been simpler. However, Concubine Mei's temperament is too difficult to control. I worry she might go too far and actually create more trouble. I had no choice but to take both of them to the summer palace, so I can intervene promptly if anything happens." The Empress merely wanted to suppress Zhaorong for a while, not to have her genuinely come to harm.
If a consort met with disaster, it would reflect poorly on her, the Empress, as a dereliction of duty.
Back at Yanqing Residence, Qi Daiyu found herself in a quandary.
The decree to move to the summer palace to escape the heat had been issued, and all the consorts could begin packing their belongings.
This trip to the summer palace would last at least two months, requiring a considerable amount of luggage. The number of servants allowed to accompany them was also higher than the previous trip to the hunting grounds.
As a Zhaoyi, Qi Daiyu could bring four maidservants and two eunuchs. The remaining staff would stay behind to look after her residence in the palace.
The eunuchs were an easy choice: she would take Xiao Li and Little Cheng. The two newly assigned young eunuchs would stay behind.
The main hesitation was regarding the maidservants.
Some days prior, the Imperial Household Department had sent two eunuchs and two maidservants to fill the vacancies created by her promotion to Zhaoyi. Qi Daiyu had given them new names: the young eunuchs were called Little You and Little Shi; the two maidservants were named Dongzao and Pipa. Taking the opportunity, she also renamed Little Zhuo and Xiaohuan'er in the style of Yanqing Residence: Little Zhuo became Sangsen, and Xiaohuan'er became Lizhi.
The two young girls were delighted, seeming to feel a greater sense of belonging after receiving their new names.
After Dongzao and Pipa arrived, they took over the sweeping and cleaning duties from Sangsen and Lizhi.
As for Sangsen and Lizhi, Qi Daiyu was aware that Shiliu and Putao intended to train them, often having the two girls assist with their work recently. When Qi Daiyu asked Putao about it, her response was as follows:
"Your Ladyship is now a Zhaoyi. The next step up is the rank of Pin. A Pin-ranked lady is entitled to have four senior maidservants. The other two will likely be chosen from among Pingguo, Xiangli, Lianwu, and Hongtao. Your Ladyship should also start considering this matter."
"Shiliu and I are already twenty. In a few more years, we will have to leave the palace. Sangsen and Lizhi are not yet thirteen. If Shiliu and I take care to teach them more now, Your Ladyship won't be left without capable hands in the future." Palace rules stated that maidservants had to be released from service at twenty-five, unless special permission was granted for them to remain.
Qi Daiyu had never expected, nor did she wish, for Shiliu and Putao to serve her their entire lives.
Senior maidservants who had served a consort in the palace could easily become the legitimate wives of wealthy merchants or minor officials upon leaving, living comfortable lives. That was certainly better than serving others in the palace forever.
Putao's reminder made Qi Daiyu take note of the matter.
"For the two-month trip to the summer palace, I cannot do without Shiliu and Putao. I'll also take Xiangli and Hongtao. This time, let Pingguo and Lianwu stay in the palace. You two are steady and reliable, so I am at ease. I entrust Yanqing Residence to your care."
This indicated an intention to cultivate Pingguo and Lianwu.
Unaware of Qi Daiyu's deeper meaning, Pingguo expressed some concern: "If I don't go, who will do Your Ladyship's hair and makeup daily..."
"It's fine. The others aren't completely incapable, they just aren't as skilled as you. The rules at the summer palace are less strict than here, and appearances don't need to be as formal as in the palace."
"...I understand. Your Ladyship, rest assured, Lianwu and I will definitely guard Yanqing Residence well!"
Lianwu echoed her agreement.
With the traveling party decided, the packing began.
They spent three days packing all sorts of things into more than ten trunks, and Shiliu still felt it wasn't enough, wishing she could bring even more.
Even the mahjong set was packed.
On the morning of June 22nd, as dawn broke, the palace gates opened, and a long procession of carriages streamed out.
The journey from the capital to the Summer Palace would take about six days. For these six days, the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, and all the consorts would have to endure life in their carriages.
Qi Daiyu's carriage was more spacious than when she was a Jieyu. Combined with having her phone to watch dramas and read novels, the days on the road weren't too unbearable.
One day, when Qin Saizhu came to her carriage out of boredom for a chat, Qi Daiyu suggested playing mahjong. They were short two players, so Qin Saizhu invited Nie Zhiyu and Ye Qiong over.
At first, none of the three were very skilled. After Qi Daiyu taught them a few times, they gradually got the hang of it.
Qin Saizhu, true to her reputation as a shrewd businesswoman and benefiting from a beginner's luck, began to gain the upper hand once she grasped the rules, forcing Qi Daiyu to focus and play seriously.
Nie Zhiyu and Ye Qiong were no fools either. Unlike servants like Shiliu who might feel too constrained to win, they had money of their own. Once they got into the spirit of the game, none were willing to give an inch.
They played with great fervor, and before they knew it, another tedious day had passed.
