Chapter 383 Drawing a Clear Line Between Him and Her

Chapter 383 Drawing a Clear Line Between Him and Her

Jiang Shuning was somewhat surprised: "Hasn't the Empress been married to the Beiling Emperor for many years? How could it be..."

As the words left her mouth, she realized she might have overstepped.

After all, this was a royal secret.

"Actually, when my imperial sister first married into Beiling, she was pregnant," Xiao Huaijin sighed, his expression tinged with regret. "But she had just arrived in this harsh, cold land, and her body was frail. The child... didn't survive. After that, she never became pregnant again. Thankfully, the Emperor and Empress are devoted to each other, and the Beiling Emperor still holds her in high regard now, so that's some comfort."

Comfort?

Those words pricked Jiang Shuning's heart like a fine needle.

As an Empress without a child, even if the Emperor and Empress loved each other, it was like walking on the edge of a cliff, with an endless abyss below; one misstep and she would be lost forever.

Now that Daye was strong and powerful, the Beiling Emperor might still consider the marriage alliance and protect this foreign Empress.

But between nations, there is no eternal affection, only everlasting interests.

If Daye declined in the future, or if the Beiling Emperor fell for a new favorite and her offspring, what a desolate fate would this woman, married far from home and without support, face?

Those little garments she had sewn herself—stitch by stitch, what she embroidered was not plum blossoms, but the unspoken regret and loneliness.

Jiang Shuning couldn't help but think of her past life—also childless, lonely throughout, with nothing to cling to until death. Her chest tightened.

She said softly, "Then tomorrow, I'll go visit the Empress in her palace. If she lacks anything, I'll send it to her."

This was not just a matter of courtesy, but also a mutual understanding between women.

At her words, Xiao Huaijin's dim eyes suddenly lit up, like sparks rekindled in the darkness.

He stepped forward, drawing closer, his tone brimming with barely contained joy.

"You really should get to know my imperial sister well. After all, we're family."

The words "we're family" pricked Jiang Shuning's heart like a small, gentle needle.

She instinctively took a small step back—one step was enough to draw a clear line between him and her.

She looked up at him, her gaze calm and flat, her tone polite but distant: "Your Highness, it's late. Please return first. Jun'er and I need to rest."

These past few days, she had always been like this.

Using the most courteous words to do the coldest things, pushing him far away.

Xiao Huaijin's chest tightened. The brief joy that had just kindled was instantly doused by this cold water.

He looked at her, wanting to say something, but meeting her eyes, clear and cold as an ancient well, all his words stuck in his throat.

In the end, he could only force a reluctant smile.

"Alright. Rest well. I'll come see you tomorrow."

His voice carried a faint trace of hoarseness. As he turned, his shadow stretched long in the candlelight, looking somewhat lonely.

Jiang Shuning watched him leave, waiting until his figure had completely disappeared beyond the door before closing the palace doors. The sound of the bolt falling was especially clear in the silent night.

She returned to the bedside, looking at Little Yejun's peaceful sleeping face, but couldn't help thinking of the Beiling Empress.

She had come from a prosperous homeland to this bitter, cold land, married off alone, with no children by her side. In this deep palace, day after day, year after year, how had she managed to endure?

Behind her warm smile during the day seemed to hide many unspoken sorrows and tears.

So much like herself, trapped in the deep chambers of her past life.

Could she do something for her?

The next day, just as the sky was barely light, Jiang Shuning got up.

She went to the small kitchen herself, took fine new almonds, ground them carefully into powder, mixed them with milk and honey, and made her specialty almond cookies.

The cookies were baked golden brown on both sides over charcoal, the rich almond fragrance spreading, dispelling the morning chill of Beiling.

She carefully packed the still-warm almond cookies into a food container, picked it up, and went to the Empress's Phoenix Rest Palace.

The eunuch of the Phoenix Rest Palace greeted her politely: "Miss Jiang has arrived. Unfortunately, today is the fifteenth, and the imperial consorts of the palace are paying their respects to Her Majesty the Empress."

He led Jiang Shuning to a side hall, "Please wait in the side hall first. Once Her Majesty is free, this servant will report immediately."

Jiang Shuning was somewhat surprised.

It was already the hour of the Snake (around 9-11 AM), the sun high in the sky, and the paying of respects wasn't over yet?

She didn't ask further, only thanked him and entered the side hall, carrying the food container.

This side hall was separated from the main hall by only a carved wooden window. Perhaps for ventilation, the window was half-open.

The sounds of conversation and laughter from inside the hall came faintly, like through a thin veil.

Curious, Jiang Shuning quietly walked to the window, peering through the gaps in the carved fretwork.

She saw Empress Xiao seated in the central phoenix throne of the main hall, her ceremonial robe making her appear even more slender.

Around her sat a group of Beiling imperial consorts.

Those women were all tall and robust, with frames much larger than those of Daye women.

They wore heavy makeup, high coiffures, and garments in vibrant colors, like a flock of peacocks vying for attention.

Surrounded by them, the Empress seemed like a white dove that had strayed into a flock of peacocks, looking small and solitary.

The atmosphere in the hall was tense. The Empress asked softly to the eunuch beside her: "Has Noble Consort Gao not arrived yet?"

The eunuch bowed and replied: "Reporting to Your Majesty, someone has been sent to urge her. Presumably, the Noble Consort should be arriving soon."

The Empress nodded lightly: "Then let's wait a bit longer for her."

Her voice was not loud, but it carried a tone of weary helplessness.

As soon as she finished speaking, a loud, ostentatious laugh echoed from outside the hall. A woman dressed in a luxurious purple marten-skin fur robe arrived belatedly, surrounded by a crowd of attendants.

She was very tall, with striking features, and an air of pride in her brows and eyes.

Seeing her, the other consorts immediately rose and saluted in unison: "Your servant greets the Noble Consort!"

"Rise, sisters!" The Noble Consort Gao waved her hand, walked straight up to the Empress, and gave a lazy curtsey: "Your Majesty, this servant has come late. Please don't blame me. Last night, my son Lin'er had indigestion and was restless. I didn't sleep the whole night, so I got up late."

Though she spoke words of apology, there was no trace of guilt on her face; instead, it showed a hint of boasting.

Lin'er, her son, was also the Beiling Emperor's most favored prince.

The Empress wore a composed smile, her voice betraying neither joy nor anger: "Why would I blame you, Noble Consort? You've worked hard caring for the prince. Please, take your seat."

After the Noble Consort sat down, the Empress looked around at those present: "Today, all sisters are gathered. If there are any matters in the palace, feel free to bring them to me."

As soon as the words fell, the Noble Consort spoke up, her clear voice rising above all the sounds in the hall.

"Your Majesty, I have a suggestion!"

"Please speak, Noble Consort."

The Noble Consort stroked the fine jade bangle on her wrist and said leisurely, "Your Majesty, according to the customs of our Beiling imperial harem, on the first and fifteenth of each month, His Majesty is supposed to spend the night at your Phoenix Palace. But as the imperial physician has said, Your Majesty's constitution is weak, making it difficult to conceive an heir. Even if His Majesty visits frequently, you may not conceive an heir. It might be better... to pass this privilege to the other consorts, granting them opportunities too. In this way, all consorts share the emperor's favor, and it will be easier to bear many heirs for the imperial family. Don't you think so, Your Majesty?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire main hall of Phoenix Palace fell into dead silence.

Everyone lowered their heads, not daring to make a sound, even holding their breath.

Every word from the Noble Consort was like a resounding slap, fiercely striking the Empress's face.

Jiang Shuning, separated by a window, could feel the overwhelming humiliation.

She saw the Empress's cheeks instantly lose color, her lips trembling slightly, and her hands, resting on her knees, tightly clutching the hem of her robe until her knuckles turned white.

A surge of anger rose from the bottom of Jiang Shuning's heart.

A respected empress, the mother of the realm, was being publicly pressured by a noble consort to such an extent!

All because she had no child!

How had she managed to endure all these years in this deep palace?

Jiang Shuning's heart stirred, and she suddenly realized that there was something she could do for the Empress.