Chapter 1: Prologue

Chapter 1 Prologue

Time flies, never standing still.

As Esteemed Consort Shu gazed into the mirror, she noticed a few white hairs at the back of her head, and a sudden wave of panic washed over her. "I have been in the palace for over twenty years, and all these years I have been ceaselessly giving birth. Back in my maiden home, my mother used to say that having many children brings hardship to the mother. How true her words were—my hair has turned white. But what choice do I have? As a consort, the most important duty is to provide the Emperor with heirs..."

The two senior attendants by her side shared a characteristic common among palace folk: their hair was impeccably slicked back, their expressions always carried a hint of a smile, though it was hard to tell if it was genuine or feigned.

Fortunately, both were brought from Esteemed Consort Shu’s maiden family, allowing for more open conversation. The older attendant remarked, "Your Highness now has three sons and two daughters, and you hold the rank of Esteemed Consort, second only to the Empress. Which consort in the palace does not envy Your Highness?"

The younger attendant added, "Indeed, Your Highness is also well-liked among the inner court. Esteemed Consort Xian, Xu Zhaoyi, Qin Zhaorong—all of them defer to you."

Hearing this, Esteemed Consort Shu scoffed. "You think too superficially. They are not truly close to me. They are merely banking on the principle that punishment does not extend to the masses. If we can bring down the Empress together, everyone will have a chance to advance. They are just using me as the one who sticks her neck out."

Positions in the inner court were like a game of musical chairs—if the Empress were removed, every consort could move up one rank. Even she, the Esteemed Consort, was no exception. The position of Noble Consort was still vacant.

Of course, it wasn’t solely for this reason. Some simply enjoyed watching others climb high only to fall hard. After spending a long time in the inner court, it was like caging a group of beasts together—even the gentlest would eventually reveal their ferocity and begin to fight.

After finishing her preparations, Esteemed Consort Shu stood up. She wore a white silk jacket over an embroidered white gauze skirt, topped with a bright red vest embroidered with peonies. Her hair was adorned with pearls and jade. She lightly touched her temples and said casually, "Let’s go. Today is Her Majesty the Empress’s birthday. We must attend."

A warm sedan chair had long been waiting outside. Given Esteemed Consort Shu’s current favor, her Wanfu Palace was even livelier than the Empress’s Kunning Palace! The sedan chair arrived swiftly.

They soon reached Kunning Palace. Outside the palace gates stood a large decorated porcelain screen wall carved with dragons and phoenixes, a symbol of prosperity. This had been commissioned by His Majesty himself upon his ascension to the throne, crafted by the artisans of the Directorate for Imperial Manufactories.

Bypassing the screen wall, Esteemed Consort Shu entered through the main gate, passed through the ceremonial gate, and arrived at the main entrance of Kunning Palace, where she waited to be summoned.

At times like this, Esteemed Consort Shu felt particularly defiant. Empress Pei was a full ten years older than her, her beauty long faded. Moreover, she was headstrong and willful. Over all these years, she had only borne one son, who wasn’t particularly bright and had been easily swayed by a few words from Esteemed Consort Shu, growing distant from his own mother. Empress Pei was a complete failure as a person.

Yet, no matter how much of a failure she was, she was still the Empress. Esteemed Consort Shu’s mood soured once again.

In the main hall of Kunning Palace, Empress Pei sat regally on the phoenix throne. She wore a robe woven with golden clouds and dragon patterns, a nine-dragon four-phoenix crown on her head, and a square white jade belt with dragon motifs around her waist. She received the bows and birthday wishes of all present.

The expressions on the faces of the consorts below were clear to Empress Pei. There was Esteemed Consort Shu with her insincere smile, and Esteemed Consort Shen, who seemed to be waiting for a spectacle...

Empress Pei knew exactly what they were thinking.

She had originally been a concubine of the present Emperor when he was the Prince of Jin. After the Prince of Jin became the Regent and his first wife passed away, she was elevated to principal wife. Later, when the Regent ascended the throne, she was invested as Empress, mother of the nation.

There were many things she might not be familiar with, but she had been Empress for twenty-five years. She had seen consorts like Esteemed Consort Shu before.

In the past, Noble Consort Liu had been immensely favored, giving birth to the eldest and third princes. Her father had even held a high position as Minister of Rites. At that time, she had accompanied Emperor Jianchang everywhere, even sharing his carriage. The Emperor had even allowed Noble Consort Liu to wear attire that rivaled his own in grandeur.

But what came of it?

Noble Consort Liu was now just bones, defeated by Empress Pei. The eldest and third princes had also died young.

Compared to Noble Consort Liu, Esteemed Consort Shu’s favor was far inferior. It had taken her nearly twenty years to rise to the rank of Esteemed Consort, and her family background was humble. What threat could she possibly pose?

Empress Pei wasn’t overestimating herself—she knew her husband, Emperor Jianchang, all too well.

He had become a thoroughly seasoned emperor, destined to go down in history as a great emperor. Everything about him had to be fitting. Just like Noble Consort Liu, who had also been a concubine like her and had been even more favored. Why had the Emperor elevated Empress Pei instead? Simply because she came from the Hedong Pei family’s eastern branch. Noble Consort Liu’s father, though a high-ranking official, was of humble origins.

While the inner palace consorts might not be known to the outside world, the Empress had to be announced to the world. Thus, Emperor Jianchang needed an Empress who was worthy of him.

So, even if Empress Pei were to pass away, the position would not go to Esteemed Consort Shu. It wasn’t a matter of favor—it was that the Emperor cared more about his own reputation.

After the consorts finished offering their birthday wishes, Empress Pei boarded her phoenix carriage and headed to Linde Hall to receive congratulations. By then, many titled ladies from outside the palace had already gathered—princesses, princess consorts, members of the imperial clan, and noblewomen—all kneeling in a dense crowd.

Seated on the phoenix throne, Empress Pei exuded dignity and grace, her phoenix eyes commanding respect. She calmly accepted the bows of the assembly.

In such cold weather and with such elaborate rituals, the noblewomen’s expressions remained unreadable. But once it was over, they all emerged with sore backs and aching waists.

The Marchioness of Xinan was helped into her carriage by her husband, Xiao Tang. Though both were in their fifties, they were as affectionate as ever, sitting side by side in the carriage. After traveling two or three li and putting some distance between themselves and the imperial city, the Marchioness said, "Seeing Her Majesty the Empress reminds me of Sixth Sister. All these years, the Empress has taken her place, and no one has ever mentioned it. Now, their circumstances are worlds apart—one is the Empress, mother of the nation, while the other has been a young widow all these years and still suffers mistreatment from her stepson."

The Marchioness of Xinan was also Empress Pei’s cousin. Xiao Tang had heard his wife mention that back when the feudal princes were selecting consorts, the Pei family had wanted to avoid being drawn into the struggle for succession. They had hidden three sisters in the Shuiyue Convent: his wife the Marchioness of Xinan, Empress Pei, and the wife of Top Graduate Shao, now Old Madam Shao, who was the sixth sister.

During their time at the convent, Old Madam Shao had taken pity on the poor and weak. She had even rescued the Prince of Jin, who was injured and being pursued.

But when the three sisters emerged from the convent, somehow the Prince of Jin mistakenly believed that Empress Pei had saved him and married her as his concubine.

It was important to note that Old Madam Shao was the legitimate daughter of the Pei family’s main branch, while Empress Pei was only the second daughter of the sixth branch. Old Madam Shao had been the one to save him, yet Empress Pei had taken credit.

But how could the Pei family openly say that the imperial family had chosen the wrong person? They had no choice but to accept it grudgingly. Old Madam Pei had been furious, and the main and sixth branches had severed ties.

...

In the dark of night, a single palace lamp cast a faint yellow glow in the bedchamber of Kunning Palace. Empress Pei, unable to sleep, leaned against a pillow and spoke with her trusted attendant.

This senior attendant, named Lan Re, had grown up with Empress Pei. Seeing her like this, she hurriedly said, "The Fourth Prince personally copied one hundred different variations of the character 'longevity' for Your Majesty’s birthday. This shows his filial devotion."

"It’s not because of him," Empress Pei shook her head.

Lan Re smiled. "Could it be because of the Emperor? You really are something. Today, you even urged the Emperor to leave, even though he clearly wanted to stay."

Empress Pei laughed lightly. "The Emperor’s heart had already drifted to Xu Zhaoyi. How could I be so insensitive? Speaking of which, the Emperor has always treated me well. When he first married me, though I wasn’t particularly favored, my family benefited greatly. It’s just that I couldn’t compare to the original Empress."

"No matter how much the Emperor cherished the original Empress, she is no longer here. You need not worry," Lan Re said. She knew many people compared Empress Pei to the Benevolent and Virtuous Empress, even the Emperor himself sometimes...

Empress Pei shook her head. "I’m not thinking about the original Empress either. When I was invested as Empress, the favor I received was something few could match. But you don’t understand. My life may seem perfect, but there are always regrets."

Lan Re said, "Are you upset that the Fourth Prince is close to Esteemed Consort Shu?"

Empress Pei smiled. "How could that be? It’s better if he gets along with all of them. I’m not like Consort Li. I know my limits. Esteemed Consort Shu has given birth to three princes. If I make the Fourth Prince resent his younger brothers, the Emperor will never feel secure enough to entrust the realm to him, fearing he would mistreat them after ascending the throne."

"Then is it about the crown prince?" Lan Re whispered the words "crown prince."

A legitimate son had only been enfeoffed as the Prince of Luling, not even made crown prince. How could that not be distressing?

Empress Pei nodded. "As the saying goes, 'establish the legitimate eldest, not the most capable.' As long as the fourth prince remains secure in his position, no one can surpass him. But the Emperor’s health is robust, so it will be difficult."

The Emperor’s robust health meant he grew increasingly wary of his older sons. In other words, her opponent was never Esteemed Consort Shu but the Emperor himself. Her son had the support of many ministers, being the legitimate heir. Though somewhat indecisive, he had committed no major faults.

But given the current situation, her wish to become Empress Dowager seemed increasingly distant.

She could only endure in the inner court, not knowing when it would end.

Her worries were perhaps understood only by Lan Re. Lan Re said, "Your suffering in the inner court is truly bitter!"

It was like a golden cage, isolating her from family and friends. Even the servants in Kunning Palace were replaced every three years. Without Lan Re, the Empress would have had no one to talk to.

Empress Pei sighed softly. "Yes, the inner court allows no missteps. Although I am the Empress, I am like any other subject of the Emperor. Keeping company with the sovereign is like keeping company with a tiger—every step must be taken as if on thin ice. But you know, I never wanted to worry about these things. It’s strange when you think about it. Of the three girls hiding in the temple, I was the one chosen to be the concubine, leading to lifelong enmity among sisters."

She had wanted to investigate, but how could she? If word got out that she never wanted to marry the Emperor’s son, her situation would become even more difficult.

Lan Re, however, said disdainfully, "What sisters severing ties? That Old Madam Shao used your name to marry her granddaughters into noble families. Even your own elder sister, who always looked down on you and played the fool, ended up with all the advantages. Now she flaunts her connection to you everywhere. Who among them hasn’t benefited from you?"

Empress Pei said, "With my former temperament, these people would never have been able to curry favor with me. But now that I am Empress, every word and action is scrutinized. I have no freedom."

She was someone who believed in repaying kindness and grudges in kind, yet she had become like a clay and wood idol—a tragedy in its own right.