Chapter 23: Empress Dowager Feng
That night, the Emperor went to rest at Fengzao Palace, and the Empress brought up the matter.
“I was thinking,” she said, “Consort Feng once served as the Crown Prince’s concubine. Back in the residence, when I fell seriously ill, she managed things quite well. She’s doing the same now, and the other sisters support her too. What does Your Majesty think?”
The Empress wasn’t good at flattering people—after all, she was born a princess. So whenever she tried to please Qi Yixiu, it always came across awkwardly.
Fortunately, neither of them sought romantic affection, so things went on well enough.
“If the Empress thinks it’s suitable, then I will issue the decree tomorrow. You’re in delicate health and now pregnant—you must be especially careful. The imperial physicians will attend you at all times,” said Qi Yixiu. He didn’t usually care much when concubines became pregnant, but the Empress was a different matter.
“Yes, with the nursemaids looking after me, I’ll be fine. But lately, the nausea has been too much. Perhaps it’s best if the younger consorts are excused from paying their morning respects for now—let it count as a form of respite from the heat. What does Your Majesty think?” the Empress asked.
“Mm, that sounds right. Let it be so,” Qi Yixiu agreed.
“One more thing. I’ve noticed that Attendant Lu, Attendant Shen, and the two newly promoted sisters are all quite promising. Your Majesty might consider visiting them more often. Though several are pregnant, there are still too few princes. These young ladies come from distinguished families—if any can bear royal sons, they would surely be well-raised and intelligent. I personally like them,” the Empress added, a bit awkwardly trying to make recommendations.
“You’re thoughtful, Empress. I understand,” Qi Yixiu replied, knowing she was subtly advocating for Lady Lu. She was proper and conventional—he didn’t dislike her.
Since the Empress was pregnant, she naturally couldn’t share his bed. After dining with her, Qi Yixiu left and went to Consort Yi’s palace.
Consort Yi was, of course, delighted.
The next day, Qi Yixiu issued a decree: Consort Feng was to temporarily take over management of the harem, with Consort Yi and Companion Song assisting.
He also excused all the women from morning greetings for a month—until the first day of the eighth month.
Consort Yi helping out was expected, but Companion Song being pulled out from obscurity was puzzling. Still, she was known for her quiet demeanor, and with no favor or children, no one resented her.
The Emperor likely appreciated her honesty and restraint.
Matters among the high-ranking consorts had little immediate effect on those lower down.
Shen Chuliu continued spending her days nestled in Cuiyun Pavilion with her maids, occasionally walking in the imperial garden.
Over the past month, Lady Lu had shared the Emperor’s bed three or four times, momentarily outshining Shen Chuliu. The newly promoted Lady Li remained favored, with Consort Yi not far behind.
Surprisingly, Lady Li and Companion Ning, both once highly favored, had slipped in the ranks.
By the eighth month, Lady An was three months into her pregnancy and resumed attending morning greetings.
The Empress had improved a great deal after a month of rest and treatment.
During morning greetings, Consort Feng smiled and said, “Your Majesty looks much better. This past month, I’ve only just gotten the hang of things. If Your Majesty is feeling stronger, perhaps you could resume managing the harem?”
Shen Chuliu lowered her head and smiled—there was some meaning behind those words.
As if to say, I’ve just gotten comfortable running things, and now you want it back? That’s not very appropriate.
The Empress responded calmly, “I still lack the strength. Let’s discuss it again after I give birth. Consort Feng is doing well—once I speak with His Majesty, your reward will be arranged.”
Shen Chuliu smiled even more brightly. She saw right through it. The Empress rarely spoke much, but when she did, it was always a direct slap in the face.
Truly born a princess—forthright and unyielding.
Consort Feng’s expression soured, but she had no choice but to thank the Empress for her praise.
“How is Lady An faring?” the Empress asked.
Lady An rose with the help of her maid. “Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. With Your Majesty’s care, everything is going well.”
“That’s good. What about Lady Wei?” the Empress asked again.
Lady Wei quickly stood. “In response to Your Majesty, I’m well also. Thank you for your concern.”
Lady Wei had visibly lost weight—clearly, her pregnancy was not easy.
“Mm. The Second Prince has Consort Feng, so I don’t need to worry. The Eldest Princess has Companion He, who is capable of looking after her. Though I’m not managing things for now, if any of you have issues you can’t resolve, you may come to me. For routine matters, just go to Consort Feng.”
Everyone quickly rose to thank the Empress.
One blow after another—those words made Consort Feng’s face burn.
Wasn’t this just saying she was a glorified housekeeper?
Shen Chuliu had to admit—she really liked the Empress’s temperament.
A proper Empress shouldn’t just hold the title—she had to act like it too.
It seemed she’d riled up Consort Feng enough. The Empress, satisfied, waved her hand: “That’s all. The Empress Dowager is considerate of me, so I won’t go to her today. It’s still hot—everyone, return to your palaces.”
The women all gave their thanks and left.
Consort Feng’s face was ashen with rage, barely keeping up appearances.
Outside Fengzao Palace, she snapped, “To Cuirui Palace!”
At Cuirui Palace, Empress Dowager Feng’s trusted maid, Granny Zhuang, personally welcomed Consort Feng inside.
“Greetings, Aunt,” Consort Feng said, her expression extremely sour.
“What now?” sighed the Empress Dowager. “Li Empress Dowager already excused the Empress from morning greetings. Why are you running over here looking so aggrieved?”
This niece of hers had luck and status, but her temperament lacked composure.
The Empress Dowager had never borne children, yet managed to survive and rise to her position. Becoming Empress Dowager was no easy feat.
Consort Feng had every advantage but didn’t know how to make use of them.
The Empress Dowager sighed again. “She’s the Empress. Just a few words from her, and you can’t take it? I don’t even need to ask—I know exactly what happened.”
“She thinks just because she’s the Empress, she doesn’t need to show anyone respect…” Consort Feng muttered. “No favor, no children—so what if she’s pregnant?”
Then she remembered her aunt had also been childless and unloved for years and quickly stopped talking, shooting the Empress Dowager an awkward glance.
“You—really! You’re one of the Four Consorts and have the Second Prince. Isn’t that enough to keep your position secure? She may be pregnant, but so what? Can she definitely carry to term? Even if she does, will the child survive? You think raising children in the harem is easy? Right now, there are few favored high-ranking consorts, and you’re still young. I’ve told you before—have another child. Boy or girl, it’s all to your advantage.”
“It’s not that I don’t want to…” Consort Feng sighed. “But His Majesty hardly comes by anymore. When he does, it’s just to see the Second Prince. And now that the child’s older, he brings him to Taiji Palace instead.”
“If Consort Yi can’t persuade the Emperor, then why support her? There are plenty of young women in the harem. That Lady Li seems fine to me,” said the Empress Dowager, clearly unimpressed with Consort Yi.
“Lady Li has ambitions. Probably looks down on us. I think Lady Li and Lady An are more sensible. But now that Lady An is pregnant…” Consort Feng frowned. “If the child is given to Consort Yi…”
“If Consort Yi ends up with a royal child, her rank might rise,” the Empress Dowager said softly, gently rotating the smooth jade prayer beads in her hand.
Each bead was luminous and exquisite—a treasured possession of hers.
“I was thinking,” she said, “Consort Feng once served as the Crown Prince’s concubine. Back in the residence, when I fell seriously ill, she managed things quite well. She’s doing the same now, and the other sisters support her too. What does Your Majesty think?”
The Empress wasn’t good at flattering people—after all, she was born a princess. So whenever she tried to please Qi Yixiu, it always came across awkwardly.
Fortunately, neither of them sought romantic affection, so things went on well enough.
“If the Empress thinks it’s suitable, then I will issue the decree tomorrow. You’re in delicate health and now pregnant—you must be especially careful. The imperial physicians will attend you at all times,” said Qi Yixiu. He didn’t usually care much when concubines became pregnant, but the Empress was a different matter.
“Yes, with the nursemaids looking after me, I’ll be fine. But lately, the nausea has been too much. Perhaps it’s best if the younger consorts are excused from paying their morning respects for now—let it count as a form of respite from the heat. What does Your Majesty think?” the Empress asked.
“Mm, that sounds right. Let it be so,” Qi Yixiu agreed.
“One more thing. I’ve noticed that Attendant Lu, Attendant Shen, and the two newly promoted sisters are all quite promising. Your Majesty might consider visiting them more often. Though several are pregnant, there are still too few princes. These young ladies come from distinguished families—if any can bear royal sons, they would surely be well-raised and intelligent. I personally like them,” the Empress added, a bit awkwardly trying to make recommendations.
“You’re thoughtful, Empress. I understand,” Qi Yixiu replied, knowing she was subtly advocating for Lady Lu. She was proper and conventional—he didn’t dislike her.
Since the Empress was pregnant, she naturally couldn’t share his bed. After dining with her, Qi Yixiu left and went to Consort Yi’s palace.
Consort Yi was, of course, delighted.
The next day, Qi Yixiu issued a decree: Consort Feng was to temporarily take over management of the harem, with Consort Yi and Companion Song assisting.
He also excused all the women from morning greetings for a month—until the first day of the eighth month.
Consort Yi helping out was expected, but Companion Song being pulled out from obscurity was puzzling. Still, she was known for her quiet demeanor, and with no favor or children, no one resented her.
The Emperor likely appreciated her honesty and restraint.
Matters among the high-ranking consorts had little immediate effect on those lower down.
Shen Chuliu continued spending her days nestled in Cuiyun Pavilion with her maids, occasionally walking in the imperial garden.
Over the past month, Lady Lu had shared the Emperor’s bed three or four times, momentarily outshining Shen Chuliu. The newly promoted Lady Li remained favored, with Consort Yi not far behind.
Surprisingly, Lady Li and Companion Ning, both once highly favored, had slipped in the ranks.
By the eighth month, Lady An was three months into her pregnancy and resumed attending morning greetings.
The Empress had improved a great deal after a month of rest and treatment.
During morning greetings, Consort Feng smiled and said, “Your Majesty looks much better. This past month, I’ve only just gotten the hang of things. If Your Majesty is feeling stronger, perhaps you could resume managing the harem?”
Shen Chuliu lowered her head and smiled—there was some meaning behind those words.
As if to say, I’ve just gotten comfortable running things, and now you want it back? That’s not very appropriate.
The Empress responded calmly, “I still lack the strength. Let’s discuss it again after I give birth. Consort Feng is doing well—once I speak with His Majesty, your reward will be arranged.”
Shen Chuliu smiled even more brightly. She saw right through it. The Empress rarely spoke much, but when she did, it was always a direct slap in the face.
Truly born a princess—forthright and unyielding.
Consort Feng’s expression soured, but she had no choice but to thank the Empress for her praise.
“How is Lady An faring?” the Empress asked.
Lady An rose with the help of her maid. “Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. With Your Majesty’s care, everything is going well.”
“That’s good. What about Lady Wei?” the Empress asked again.
Lady Wei quickly stood. “In response to Your Majesty, I’m well also. Thank you for your concern.”
Lady Wei had visibly lost weight—clearly, her pregnancy was not easy.
“Mm. The Second Prince has Consort Feng, so I don’t need to worry. The Eldest Princess has Companion He, who is capable of looking after her. Though I’m not managing things for now, if any of you have issues you can’t resolve, you may come to me. For routine matters, just go to Consort Feng.”
Everyone quickly rose to thank the Empress.
One blow after another—those words made Consort Feng’s face burn.
Wasn’t this just saying she was a glorified housekeeper?
Shen Chuliu had to admit—she really liked the Empress’s temperament.
A proper Empress shouldn’t just hold the title—she had to act like it too.
It seemed she’d riled up Consort Feng enough. The Empress, satisfied, waved her hand: “That’s all. The Empress Dowager is considerate of me, so I won’t go to her today. It’s still hot—everyone, return to your palaces.”
The women all gave their thanks and left.
Consort Feng’s face was ashen with rage, barely keeping up appearances.
Outside Fengzao Palace, she snapped, “To Cuirui Palace!”
At Cuirui Palace, Empress Dowager Feng’s trusted maid, Granny Zhuang, personally welcomed Consort Feng inside.
“Greetings, Aunt,” Consort Feng said, her expression extremely sour.
“What now?” sighed the Empress Dowager. “Li Empress Dowager already excused the Empress from morning greetings. Why are you running over here looking so aggrieved?”
This niece of hers had luck and status, but her temperament lacked composure.
The Empress Dowager had never borne children, yet managed to survive and rise to her position. Becoming Empress Dowager was no easy feat.
Consort Feng had every advantage but didn’t know how to make use of them.
The Empress Dowager sighed again. “She’s the Empress. Just a few words from her, and you can’t take it? I don’t even need to ask—I know exactly what happened.”
“She thinks just because she’s the Empress, she doesn’t need to show anyone respect…” Consort Feng muttered. “No favor, no children—so what if she’s pregnant?”
Then she remembered her aunt had also been childless and unloved for years and quickly stopped talking, shooting the Empress Dowager an awkward glance.
“You—really! You’re one of the Four Consorts and have the Second Prince. Isn’t that enough to keep your position secure? She may be pregnant, but so what? Can she definitely carry to term? Even if she does, will the child survive? You think raising children in the harem is easy? Right now, there are few favored high-ranking consorts, and you’re still young. I’ve told you before—have another child. Boy or girl, it’s all to your advantage.”
“It’s not that I don’t want to…” Consort Feng sighed. “But His Majesty hardly comes by anymore. When he does, it’s just to see the Second Prince. And now that the child’s older, he brings him to Taiji Palace instead.”
“If Consort Yi can’t persuade the Emperor, then why support her? There are plenty of young women in the harem. That Lady Li seems fine to me,” said the Empress Dowager, clearly unimpressed with Consort Yi.
“Lady Li has ambitions. Probably looks down on us. I think Lady Li and Lady An are more sensible. But now that Lady An is pregnant…” Consort Feng frowned. “If the child is given to Consort Yi…”
“If Consort Yi ends up with a royal child, her rank might rise,” the Empress Dowager said softly, gently rotating the smooth jade prayer beads in her hand.
Each bead was luminous and exquisite—a treasured possession of hers.
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