Chapter 2: Climbing Up Only Through Offspring

Chapter 2: The Only Way to Rise is Through Offspring

After returning to her room, Fang Yu waited only a short while before Eunuch Liu personally delivered a warm meal to her: a portion of braised pork ribs, a serving of three-delicacy balls, a bowl of tofu and cabbage soup, and two bowls of rice. With both vegetables and meat, the meal was visibly improved. It seemed that making a complaint was indeed necessary—otherwise, others would truly think she was an easy pushover, to be bullied at will.

She signaled Pan Liu to eat with her. If even she, as a mistress, ate poorly, there was no need to mention the conditions for the serving women around her.

The mistress and servant enjoyed a full meal together.

Early the next morning, Nala Yingshan, an Answering Attendant residing in Yanxi Palace, came to visit her. During her illness, Yingshan had been the only one to frequently check on her, even spending her own silver to summon a palace physician for her in private. They were around the same age and had both previously been palace maids before being selected by the Grand Empress Dowager to be promoted to minor consorts. Perhaps because of this, the two had grown quite close.

"Ning Yan, are you feeling better?" Nala Yingshan sat on the edge of the bed, her delicate face full of concern.

Fang Yu nodded and said she was much better, having just taken her medicine.

Nala Yingshan chatted with her: "The Mid-Autumn Festival is almost here. The palace will host a Mid-Autumn banquet. This will be the first feast held in the palace since the passing of Her Majesty the Empress."

Fang Yu’s eyes lit up. A Mid-Autumn banquet?

This was a perfect opportunity to see the Emperor. She understood that to live a good life in the palace, having offspring was the best path. Since she had been a palace maid, her family background was likely humble, and the only thing she could rely on was children. But to have children, she needed to gain favor and serve the Emperor in his bedchamber.

"Will... the Emperor attend?"

Nala Yingshan hesitated. "He should, but the Emperor is extremely busy with state affairs. I can’t say for sure. This is my first time attending, and I’m a bit nervous. It would be great if you could accompany me."

Fang Yu said, "I’ll go with you. I’m much better now."

As fellow Answering Attendants, if Yingshan could attend the banquet, she should be able to as well. She had been ill for two months and hadn’t left Yonghe Palace. Due to her illness, she hadn’t even attended the Empress’s funeral.

Nala Yingshan grew slightly excited and quickly agreed, relieved. She had never attended a palace banquet before, and this would be her first appearance as a minor consort. She was afraid of making mistakes at the banquet, so having someone accompany her was ideal.

The two chatted for a while longer before Nala Yingshan left.

Ten days later, the Mid-Autumn Festival finally arrived. Fang Yu had Pan Liu help her with her makeup hours in advance, aiming for the most exquisite look possible. The Empress’s hundred-day mourning period had not yet passed, so she couldn’t wear brightly colored or eye-catching clothing. As an unfavored minor consort without lavish jewelry, she could only put effort into her makeup.

When the time came, Nala Yingshan came to Yonghe Palace to find her. That day, Yingshan wore a moon-white Manchu-style gown with subtle floral patterns and also had meticulously applied makeup. In her hair, she wore a gilt silver hairpin with pearls and kingfisher feathers, and on her ears, a pair of gold hoop earrings adorned with eastern pearls. With her delicate eyebrows and starry eyes, she looked graceful and elegant. Perhaps her thoughts were the same as Fang Yu’s—opportunities to see the Emperor were rare, and both hoped to catch his eye.

Fang Yu generously praised Yingshan for her beauty.

Blushing slightly at the compliment, Yingshan replied, "You as well, sister. I pale in comparison to you. You are the one with captivating beauty."

"Sister, let’s hurry so we don’t miss the timing."

The four of them walked together to Qianqing Palace, where the Mid-Autumn banquet was being held. Along the way, as their rank was the lowest, they had to curtsy and make way for other minor consorts they encountered, careful not to block the path.

From a distance, Fang Yu caught a glimpse of Consort Wan being carried ahead on a sedan chair by four eunuchs, surrounded by a group of servants. Yingshan mentioned that Consort Wan was now the only consort in the palace and held the highest rank since the Empress’s passing. Her father was Ebilun, a high-ranking official.

Fang Yu thought to herself, so this was Niuhulu Shi. In a few years, Niuhulu Shi would become the next Empress. The Qing Dynasty placed great emphasis on lineage, and the Kangxi Emperor was no exception. Those of low birth who became mistresses could only rise through having offspring.

Since Consort Wan was already ahead of them, they dared not delay and quickened their pace to Qianqing Palace.

As the Mid-Autumn Festival involved moon viewing, the banquet was scheduled for the evening hours, near dusk. The palace lanterns in the main hall of Qianqing Palace were already lit. Because it was summer, over a dozen ice blocks were placed inside the hall, emitting a continuous coolness that relieved the summer heat.

Over a dozen banquet tables were set up, with the large golden dragon banquet table placed in front of the Emperor’s throne, likely reserved for the Emperor, the Grand Empress Dowager, and others.

As Answering Attendants who had only become minor consorts three months prior, Fang Yu and Yingshan were the most junior in seniority. Their seats were at the very end, far from the golden dragon banquet table at the front. If they didn’t stand up, they couldn’t see the front at all.

Everyone sat properly and quietly after taking their seats, without engaging in conversation. The hall was silent until the eunuchs announced the names, and the imperial consorts and concubines began to arrive one after another, followed by the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager.

The Emperor was the last to arrive. Everyone stood up and knelt to pay respects to the Emperor. Fang Yu peeked up and caught a glimpse of a tall, straight figure, the hem of his robe embroidered with eight clusters of colorful clouds, bats, longevity characters, and golden dragons.

The Kangxi Emperor had contracted smallpox as a child and was said to have a pockmarked face. Even after the Emperor took his seat, she couldn’t see his face clearly.

"Rise," came the Emperor’s rich, deep voice.

Fang Yu sat back down and finally had a chance to look openly at the people in front. However, due to the distance, she could only see the heads of those in front and still couldn’t make out the Emperor’s face.

"Lady Anjia, the hundred-day mourning period for the Empress has not yet passed. Who are you dressing so brightly for? Do you hold any reverence for the Empress in your heart? Guards, drag her out and have her beaten to death!"

Before the banquet had even begun, the Emperor suddenly erupted in anger, his tone icy and authoritative. Just from his voice, Fang Yu could sense the chilling intent behind his words.

The hall immediately fell silent, with no one daring to even breathe heavily.

Fang Yu soon saw several servants drag out Lady Anjia, whom the Emperor had mentioned. She noticed Lady Anjia’s face was as pale as paper, drained of color. Lady Anjia wore a light pink Manchu-style gown embroidered with floral patterns—not exactly bright red or purple, but still too bold. No one dared to plead for her, and Lady Anjia herself didn’t dare to beg for mercy, fearing her family would be implicated.

Aside from Lady Anjia, most of those present wore plain clothing in white or moon-white shades. Many, like her, wore meticulous makeup, their intentions to compete for favor evident.

Fang Yu didn’t see the Emperor’s angry expression, but she realized this was the absolute power of the feudal monarchy—supreme, life-and-death authority. Just like that, a young woman in the prime of her life was gone.

Yingshan trembled with fear, and Fang Yu held her hand to calm her slightly.

Once the banquet began, music began playing, and dishes were served one after another. Everyone kept their heads down while eating, as if the earlier "incident" had never happened.

Fang Yu had originally planned to make an impression on the Emperor today, to ensure he remembered her. But after what had just happened, she abandoned that thought. Nothing was more important than survival.

Likely, many others that night also gave up on their ambitions to gain favor.

Fang Yu simply ate quietly. The food at the banquet was plentiful and delicious, and she ate to her heart’s content.