Chapter 0085: Should Not Be Underestimated

Chapter 0085: Should Not Be Underestimated

"With the arrival of summer, the palace inevitably held another round of imperial favors."

"He Jinli bestowed fabrics and jewelry to the ladies of the harem for their summer wear."

"This was a custom, though not an officially decreed one."

"Established as a habit, such favors were given each season, but there were distinctions in generosity, not strictly dictated by any rule."

"In Changning Palace, Wu Zhao'ai looked at the gifts and said, 'Take that piece of emerald green fabric to the needlework bureau and have them make me a skirt.'"

"Ye Zhao'ai commented, 'You like this color, so I'll give you mine too.'"

"Living together for years and both having lost children without receiving favor, their relationship was genuinely quite good."

"'Then I'll take it without hesitation and send you my pomegranate hairpin in return,' said Wu Zhao'ai."

"After the person with the fabric left, Wu Zhao'ai asked her maid, 'How were the gifts distributed elsewhere?'"

"Her maid Chunlan replied, 'It's about the same as last year at this time everywhere. There aren’t as many newcomers as last year. However, Wu Cairen, Zhang Cairen, and Qiong Cairen received about twenty percent more.'"

"Wu Zhao'ai snorted, 'Look, sister, that Qiong Cairen is on the rise. Wu Cairen and Zhang Cairen have children, both princes at that, but what about her?'"

"Ye Zhao'ai smiled, pouring more tea, 'I often muse about this during my idle moments, sister, but don’t underestimate her.'"

"How can you say that? Everyone knows why she entered the palace. The Noble Consort may not be as favored as before, but if she regains favor, who can overlook her?" Wu Zhao'ai was taken aback.

Ye Zhao'ai nodded, "Exactly. But look, among the newcomers, Yun Xiao'ai had her moment of favor but is now out of luck. Wu Cairen is unlikely to be favored in the future. She couldn't even keep her child. As for Zhang Cairen, it's still uncertain, but so far, she's just been lucky."

"Everyone had high hopes for Jing Cairen, but after this incident..." Ye Zhao'ai shook her head.

"But look, who favored Qiong Cairen in the beginning? Her attendance in the imperial bedchamber wasn't even that frequent. But now? In just a year, without even bearing a child, she's already a Cairen and has a place in His Majesty's heart. Now, anyone who wants to harm her has to think twice."

"Moreover, her lack of children ironically makes her safer. Even the higher-ranked consorts aren't thinking of harming her."

"As for the Noble Consort," Ye Zhao'ai scoffed, "unless she can find a way to permanently ruin Qiong Xiao'ai. What does she have now in His Majesty's favor, apart from her family's influence? It's not like there isn't another girl from the Qi family. Sending Qi Yun Li into the palace was a real embarrassment for the Noble Consort. It's like being pecked by one's own nurtured bird."

It took a while for Wu Zhao'ai to nod, "Sister is right. I underestimated her."

"Those from major families, like hers, have seen a lot from childhood. What status does the Qi family hold? Not to offend you, sister, but it's something beyond our families' understanding," said Ye Zhao'ai.

Ye Zhao'ai and Wu Zhao'ai came from average backgrounds; Ye Zhao'ai's family had government officials, while Wu Zhao'ai's family only recently had someone in office, hardly worth mentioning.

Wu Zhao'ai waved it off, "What are you saying, I don't mind that."

While the sisters were talking, Yun Li was also arranging for the gifts she received to be processed.

After the Emperor's gifts, the Empress also made sure to show her generosity.

Everyone was happy with the gifts, especially now that the weather was warming up and new clothes were needed.

They would change three times a day if they could, though sometimes it wasn't practical.

When Zhang Cairen came out of her confinement, everyone noticed she had gained weight. Her premature delivery, induced by external factors, had left her quite frail, even though her confinement was more than thirty days.

Although she looked a bit plumper now, her complexion wasn’t very good.

The Empress expressed concern, "You can skip the formal greetings today. From tomorrow, rest for another ten days or so. Don't people in the civilian world also have a forty-day confinement? Take good care of yourself."

"Thank you, Empress. I'm alright, though. Recovery will take time," said Zhang Cairen.

"Your unwarranted suffering is truly pitiable," the Empress said, glancing at the Noble Consort.

The Noble Consort clenched her handkerchief tightly, then relaxed her grip: "Zhang Cairen has indeed been wronged."

Zhang Cairen shook her head, standing up: "I was anxious for having implicated the Noble Consort, I am relieved that Your Highness bears no grudge against me."

"It was also my fault, how can I blame you? Please, take a seat," the Noble Consort gestured.

She felt much relieved because of these words.

"How is the Third Prince?" asked Empress Jinde.

"The Third Prince is well. He's growing stronger now. The Imperial Physician says that although he's a bit frail, he's not much different from other children," Zhang Cairen said with a smile.

"That's good to hear, always a positive thing," Empress Jinde replied.

"Today was supposed to be the Third Prince's full month celebration. However, His Majesty decided against it, considering the prince's frailty. It might disturb his peace. We will celebrate his first birthday instead," the Empress stated.

"Yes, we will follow His Majesty's and Your Highness's decision," responded Zhang Cairen.

"Though the full month celebration is canceled, His Majesty will still visit. You should prepare a banquet tonight. I will instruct the Imperial Kitchen accordingly," the Empress added.

Zhang Cairen expressed her gratitude again.

The whole morning revolved around her matters.

Compared to Zhang Cairen, Wu Cairen, who had a child earlier, was unusually quiet now, but her demeanor was proper, leaving no room for criticism.

In just over a year, the newcomers had each carved out their distinct paths.

After everyone dispersed, the Empress instructed her attendants to prepare for Zhang Cairen's banquet.

Naturally, Emperor He Jinli attended that night, if not for anything else, then for the sake of his child.

However, it was only the next day that everyone learned it wasn't Zhang Cairen who had served the Emperor that night, but Liu Baolin, who lived with her.

It wasn't surprising, nor was it customary for a new mother to serve so soon after childbirth.

"Everyone simply commented that Zhang Cairen was sensible and generous."

"The Empress's thousand-autumn celebration this year wasn't grandly held, with no full court congratulations, but a banquet was still arranged."

"Royal relatives, including families like Yun Li's with titles, were inevitably invited to offer their congratulations."

"The celebration was lively, and the Emperor's gift was especially lavish, including an ivory flower crown inlaid with uniformly sized pearls, night pearls from the Eastern Sea, and several rare cat's-eye gemstones."

"The Empress, naturally delighted, wore it immediately."

"Everyone offered their congratulations again, praising the harmony between the Emperor and Empress."

"With each occasion, Emperor He Jinli solidified the image of a harmonious imperial couple."

"The Noble Consort’s birthday this year was understated, with no celebration on her part. Seeing the Empress's celebration, she felt even more like she was on tenterhooks."

"Unfortunately, the audience was only there to watch the spectacle, with no one really concerned about her."

"As the banquet finally concluded, the Noble Consort seized the opportunity to have someone convey a message to the Lady of Dongchang, asking her to visit the next day."