Chapter 11

He hesitated for a long time, then finally lowered his voice. “Mingyue, I truly wanted to investigate the Cheng family case and make amends to you, at least a little.”

“But the situation now is beyond my ability.”

“If you ever need anything from me, just ask.”

At that moment, I knew Zhou Hui might try his best to make things happen, but in the end I would still have to give in once more.

30

When I said nothing, Zhou Hui held me even tighter.

“The Empress Dowager has agreed to grant you a favor, using the fact that you gave birth to and are raising Wangshu as the reason. Tomorrow, she’ll bring it up publicly at Cining Palace.”

“Elder Sister, I’ve persuaded the Empress Dowager.”

“Ask directly for the rank of Consort Shu. No one in the palace will dare look down on you after that.”

“Let the Cheng family return to the capital first. We can work out the rest slowly.”

I laughed silently in his arms.

“A-Hui, you must have had a difficult time negotiating, haven’t you?”

Consort Shu—the highest rank among the Four Consorts.

Minister Chen’s past crime must have been serious enough to force both the Empress Dowager and the Empress to compromise. Perhaps much of the silver embezzled back then had been spent on Zhou Hui’s struggle for the Crown Prince’s position.

Within the palace walls, each step required weighing gains and losses; every step was taken against one’s will.

I could understand Zhou Hui’s exhaustion. Though he was the Emperor, it had taken him great effort to secure this rank for me.

I could also understand the Empress’s anger. She was the principal wife, yet she had to yield on everything.

I could even understand the Empress Dowager’s frustration: she had to grant the favor with her own lips, then personally face the court’s questions and calm them.

It seemed that I was the only one who benefited.

Yet no one had asked whether I wanted a consort’s rank bought with my father’s life and reputation, and with the future of generations of the Cheng family.

No one had asked whether I was willing.

I slipped out of his embrace and lowered my eyes. “I thank Your Majesty for your favor.”

Zhou Hui’s whole body stiffened. “What did you call me?”

I said nothing.

He wanted to rule the realm and keep everyone satisfied, while also remaining devoted to one person until they grew old together.

There was no such perfect ending in this world.

31

The next day, when I brought Wangshu to Cining Palace, Zhou Hui and everyone in the harem were already there.

The Empress’s expression was cool. Zhao Yining still wore her gentle smile, while Lu Zhaozhao looked as indifferent as ever.

The Empress Dowager, by contrast, genuinely adored Wangshu. She held the babbling toddler in her arms and teased her, her eyes kind.

When the moment seemed right, the Empress Dowager cleared her throat and called me forward.

“You have been by the Emperor’s side for ten years, and now you have given birth to a princess. Today, I will grant you a favor.”

“What do you want?”

Everyone in the hall wore a different expression, each witnessing a scene they all understood had been arranged in advance.

I knelt properly and looked straight into the Empress Dowager’s eyes.

I had never resented her.

From Noble Consort Shu to Empress Dowager Chen, if I had been in her position, I might not have done any better.

“Your Majesty’s favor is exceedingly gracious. I dare not disappoint you, so I will boldly ask you to grant a wish I sincerely cherish.”

Standing beside the Empress Dowager, Zhou Hui furrowed his brows slightly.

I drew a deep breath. “Lady Wei has been in the palace for many years without receiving favor or bearing an imperial child. I beg the Empress Dowager to show mercy and allow her to leave the palace and return to her hometown, to reunite with her family.”

Cining Palace immediately fell silent. Even Wangshu, startled by the atmosphere, nestled in the Empress Dowager’s arms and gazed curiously at everyone with her round eyes.

After a long while, the Empress Dowager’s low voice rang out. “It’s only a small matter. Is it worth this?”

It truly was a small matter. I had asked Zhou Hui twice before, and both times he had agreed, but nothing had ever come of it.

Besides, wasn’t a royal favor meant to make the recipient grateful and remember the benefactor’s kindness?

Then shouldn’t it be something the recipient truly wanted?

No one could be more sincerely grateful for this favor than Jiuqu.

Wasn’t that enough?

32

That day, Zhou Hui darkened his expression in front of everyone and swept out.

Lu Zhaozhao followed him. As she passed me, she gave me a long, searching look.

The Empress smiled and helped me to my feet. “Auntie is kindhearted. You will surely be rewarded with good fortune.”

The Empress Dowager sighed softly but said nothing.

In the days that followed, Zhou Hui no longer came to Jingren Palace. Instead, he sent people to collect Wangshu every day and bring her back at night.

I had almost forgotten how sensitive and stubborn he had once been as a boy.

When we lived in the Cold Palace, we had once argued. I had said cruelly that I would leave the palace and never need him again. His eyes reddened, and he ignored me for three days. In the end, I had to patiently coax him, bit by bit, before he finally let go of his anger.

But now, I no longer had the strength for that.

On the day Jiuqu left, I personally escorted her to the palace gate.

She bade me farewell with tears in her eyes, even at the last moment earnestly reminding me, “Be a little gentler with His Majesty. His feelings for you are real.”

She walked a few steps, then turned back to look. At last, Jiuqu’s figure disappeared from sight.

I thought of many years ago, when Zhenzhu and I had hidden beneath the covers, dreaming together about life after leaving the palace.