Chapter 123

Chapter 123

After three days of inspections, twenty candidates were sent away, leaving only thirty.

These remaining candidates would be reassigned to new quarters in the Imperial Harem, awaiting the teaching of palace rules by the instructing nursemaids. They would study until March, after which the final selection for the palace would take place.

Whether they would stay or leave, and whether they could become a queen in one step, would depend on their own destiny.

The list of remaining candidates was compiled overnight and sent to Phoenix Palace as per the Empress’s instructions.

These past few days were approaching the Empress’s due date. With the cold weather in Chang’an and her delicate condition, she rarely left her quarters except for essential matters. With her mother, Lady Zhao, visiting the palace, the Empress took the opportunity to rest a little. After all, she had been married to His Majesty for many years and had numerous trusted confidants in the palace. Even if Consort Yang and Consort Tang were temporarily managing palace affairs, it wasn’t a major concern.

The most important thing now was to give birth to the imperial heir safely. Once the child was born, she would feel more at ease.

The Empress rubbed her prominently swollen belly, feeling the faint movement of the baby inside. The lively movements of the child made her wonder if she might be blessed with a son.

She shifted slightly and sat up, her desk in front of her holding two rosters. Although the selection process had been handed over to Consort Yang, it was a matter of great importance, and the Empress couldn’t completely ignore it.

The palace already had many women, and she had previously let her guard down, allowing the unpredictable Consort Tang to enter. Now, with another round of selections, she had to be extra cautious.

After reviewing the newly compiled register page by page, the Empress felt that something was off, but upon reviewing it again, she couldn’t pinpoint what it was.

Lady Zhao, who was cutting a white fox fur cape for the Second Princess on a nearby daybed, noticed her daughter flipping through the pages faster than usual. Concerned, she looked over and asked, “Fei’er, what’s the matter?”

“Your due date is approaching. The Royal Physician has instructed you to rest and avoid emotional turmoil. What’s making you so concerned?”

She put down her needlework, got up, and sat next to the Empress. “You say you want to let go of responsibilities, but you still can’t let go completely.”

The Empress, usually reserved and dignified, could only relax in her mother’s presence. She smiled and sighed, “Mother.”

“Being the mother of a nation isn’t easy.”

“Although His Majesty honors and respects me, throughout history, there have been countless instances of imperial favorites overshadowing the empress. Our Zhao family has sacrificed much to secure this position of Empress. No matter what, I must remain vigilant at all times.”

With that, she rubbed her belly and smiled. “Fortunately, this pregnancy, despite its earlier uncertainties, has safely reached full term. I hope this child will be a son, so I can have more support in the future.”

Lady Zhao gently patted her daughter’s shoulder, her expression complex.

This daughter of hers had always been strong-willed. Unlike the gentle and soft demeanor of other noble ladies, she was determined and unyielding.

When her husband had voluntarily surrendered military power and only held an honorary position, it wasn’t just to avoid the Emperor’s suspicions and to secure the Zhao family’s wealth and status for at least two generations. There was another consideration—fearing that an overly powerful maternal clan might provoke the Emperor’s displeasure and jeopardize their daughter’s position.

His Majesty wasn’t a harsh ruler. As long as the Empress didn’t commit any unforgivable mistakes, he would be lenient towards her because of the Zhao family’s contributions.

In this way, the harmony between the Emperor and Empress would be maintained. No matter how many women entered the Imperial Harem, Fei’er, seated in the central palace as the Empress and His Majesty’s lawful wife, would be able to live more peacefully.

Unexpectedly, even in such a position, the Empress still found her life stressful.

She wanted to protect the Zhao family’s honor, guard against the scheming of favored concubines, and ensure that no one harbored designs on her position as Empress.

Lady Zhao felt for her daughter.

“Although there’s conflict on the border and Wei state’s cavalry is strong, our dynasty has been preparing for war and strengthening its military in recent years. If war breaks out, it won’t be resolved quickly, likely lasting several years. His Majesty is in his prime and a wise ruler dedicated to the governance of the empire. As Empress, you don’t need to be so cautious; there’s still plenty of time. I’m afraid that if you worry too much, it will harm you.”

“Besides, Rou’er has entered the palace as well. I heard she has received some favor. Isn’t that good? The two of you can look out for each other in the palace.”

At the mention of this cousin, the Empress’s expression grew slightly colder.

"Rou'er has indeed gained some favor from His Majesty, but she still cannot compare to Consort Tang. Nowadays, His Majesty enters the Imperial Harem even less frequently. It was only two days ago that Consort Tang was allowed to stay overnight in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, and even now, he remains secluded in the Hall of Diligent Governance without coming out. Imperial favor is as fleeting as flowing water. Even Consort Tang knows to be anxious, yet Rou'er shows no sign of urgency at all. With the selection of new candidates coming up in three months, is she really not worried?"

The Empress slowly turned a page, her eyes not focusing on the words. In a faint tone, she said, "She is young and headstrong, a girl with her own ideas. No matter what I say, she agrees outwardly but doesn’t follow through."

"Most of the time, she never comes to Phoenix Palace to see me unless I summon her. She doesn’t even act like a proper cousin."

Madame Zhao replied, "She is the most outstanding young lady of our Zhao family. Originally, with the royal favor, she didn’t need to go through the selection. She could have married a suitable gentleman as his principal wife. It was only because you secretly sent a letter home that your father and uncle decided to arrange for her to enter the palace to assist you."

She sighed, "Although becoming a favored consort of His Majesty is considered a prestigious thing, for a young lady from an honored family, who would willingly choose to enter the palace? After all, she is the eldest daughter of the Zhao family, and her aspirations are naturally high. It’s fine that she has her own thoughts. As long as you both share the same Zhao family name and work together, you are on the same boat."

"She is still young. As her cousin and, more importantly, the Empress, you should guide her more. As long as she doesn’t make any mistakes, turn a blind eye and let things be."

Balancing interests and reading people’s intentions—this was her constant task in the Imperial Harem.

The Empress took a deep breath, feeling an unusual sense of fatigue. "Yes, mother, I understand. I will leave her be."

There were too many things to worry about in the palace, and with her delivery approaching, she didn’t have the energy to manage how Consort Ning was doing. Since her mother had advised her this way, the Empress shifted her attention back to the register in her hand.

She had felt something was off for a while. Now, comparing the new register with the old one, she realized that someone had been removed—Tao Shuyan, the daughter of Minister Tao.

Even the imperial consorts, especially those in prominent positions, couldn’t casually meet with noblewomen without the permission of the Emperor and Empress. Thus, they were often unaware of the outside world.

However, as the Empress, she knew quite a bit about the noble families in Chang’an. During festivals, she occasionally met the children brought into the palace.

Minister Tao’s daughter had just come of age this year. She was as beautiful as a peach blossom and carried herself with the grace of a high-born lady. There was nothing unusual about her.

There was no reason for her not to be chosen in the selection. Given her background as Minister Tao’s daughter, arrangements should have been made to ensure her selection. Yet she still didn’t pass. Someone in the palace must have interfered.

Consort Yang, with her modest background, had managed to secure her position in the palace and maintain the authority to assist in managing the Imperial Harem. It was unlikely she would target the Tao family daughter.

That left Consort Tang.

The Empress vaguely remembered that another daughter of Minister Tao had entered the palace alongside Consort Tang, and the two had significant conflicts, causing quite a stir.

Although His Majesty had cleared up the mystery of Consort Tao’s mysterious death, it was found that Consort Tang was not responsible. However, the fact that Consort Tao’s own maid, who was supposed to be a trusted confidante, betrayed her and caused her death was hard to believe.

Who doesn’t know that the maids from high-ranking families are the most loyal, with the family’s fate in their hands? For Consort Tao’s maid to betray her just half a year after entering the palace was strange indeed.

Perhaps Consort Tang was behind it after all?

The Empress had witnessed Consort Tang’s schemes that eliminated both Consort Liu and Lady Lan. At that time, Consort Tao had provoked her repeatedly, and the two families had long been at odds. It was understandable that Consort Tang would want to eliminate Consort Tao.

If that was the case, it made sense for Consort Tang to not want Tao Shuyan to enter the palace.

The Tao family wasn’t foolish. They must have suspected that Consort Tao’s death was not simple. If Tao Shuyan entered the palace, Consort Tang would gain another deadly enemy. Even if she didn’t face immediate danger, having an enemy watching her in the palace would make life difficult.

Although Consort Ning had gained some favor, she didn’t fully follow her cousin’s lead. The Empress hadn’t achieved the outcome she wanted.

But if this Tao girl entered the palace, it would be different.

There would be an inherent conflict between them, a you-die-I-survive situation. The Empress wouldn’t need to do anything. Someone would naturally divert Consort Tang’s attention.

This was an opportunity she couldn’t miss.

As night fell, Phoenix Palace became exceptionally quiet. The only sound in the hall was the gentle breathing, and the flickering candlelight reflected in her deep eyes, revealing an imperceptible glint.

The Empress slowly placed her finger on the register and called for Zi Yi. In a calm voice, she instructed, "I remember that the Tao family’s girl is exceptionally outstanding and should not have been eliminated. It must have been a mistake by the nursemaids in the Imperial Harem."

"With the war on the border just beginning and His Majesty not entering the Imperial Harem for many days, there hasn’t been anyone to comfort him. We can’t afford to overlook anyone. Tomorrow, send someone to the Tao family to deliver an imperial decree, instructing the nursemaids to re-examine the Tao girl. If there are no issues, bring her to the Imperial Harem to learn the rules and await the selection in three months."

"This is both for His Majesty’s well-being and as a gesture of my favor."

The Empress looked up at Zi Yi, her expression calm. "Do you understand?"