Chapter 7: The Year We Saved the Marquis's Daughter

"You've only just been made Noble Consort. Everyone is watching you. You can't be the one to do this. I'll do it myself."

And so, somehow, the bowl of soup Consort Zhao sent to the imperial study was switched.

After drinking it, the Emperor began vomiting blood uncontrollably.

He reprimanded Consort Zhao, then summoned the Empress and pointed at her.

"You poisonous woman! You must be trying to kill me!"

She said nothing. Head lowered, she wept as if deeply wronged.

We no longer needed to do anything else.

The Emperor had been poisoned. He didn't have long to live.

Lying on his sickbed, he sighed over and over.

"I've lost! That poisonous woman has beaten me! I can't accept it!

"Lingyi, help me! Consort Zhao is confined now. I want a different Crown Prince. The current one can't be allowed to remain.

"Kill him! Any way you can!"

I nodded.

"Whatever Your Majesty wishes."

I was very obedient.

I was also lying.

The moment I turned away, I reported it to the Empress.

She thought for a moment.

"Then I'll take Consort Zhao's son and…"

I shook my head.

"There are many children in the harem. Without her son, there would still be someone else's.

"Better give His Majesty something to silence him. Then say he needs quiet rest after being poisoned and have the Crown Prince govern as regent. Stabilize the court first.

"The day the Crown Prince's grandfather returns victorious will be the day His Majesty dies."

The Empress laughed.

"Your idea is better."

And so the Emperor suddenly lost the power of speech.

Whenever he picked up a brush, his fingers shook uncontrollably.

The Crown Prince decided all major affairs of state.

The Empress controlled the harem, with me beside her to help.

But lately, the court had grown unsettled.

The Chancellor openly declared that the Empress was holding His Majesty captive.

The ministers should unite, destroy the wicked Empress, and rescue the Emperor.

The Empress asked my opinion.

"The Chancellor is Consort Zhao's father," I said. "Naturally, he wants the Crown Prince's position weakened.

"Why not find His Highness a reliable father-in-law? A family even the Chancellor would struggle to oppose.

"I think my family would be very suitable. My younger sister is close to His Highness in age too."

She burst out laughing, both exasperated and amused by my shamelessness.

"You don't even try to hide it! Whenever there's something good, you think of your little sister."

As I kneaded her legs, I said,

"Your Majesty, my sister is gentle, dignified, and even prettier than I am.

"Father values her deeply, and her maternal grandfather is the Duke Who Supports the Realm. Do consider it!"

She waved a hand.

"In three days, I'll hold a flower-viewing banquet and invite the noble young ladies of the capital. Tell her to dress beautifully."

Was that a yes?

I immediately requested leave to visit my family and returned to the marquis's residence.

When I saw Gu Lingjia, I had a palace attendant bring out a portrait of the Crown Prince.

Pointing to it, I asked,

"Would you like a husband?"

She blinked.

"What?"

Then blushed scarlet.

"Big Sister, that's His Highness the Crown Prince! Am I worthy of him?"

I nodded.

"My little sister is worthy of the finest man in the world.

"I've thought it through. Women can't enter official service. We can only rise in status through marriage.

"The best ending I can hope for is to accompany the Seventh Prince to his fief once he's given a princely title and spend my remaining years in peace.

"But if you marry the Crown Prince, you may one day become Empress.

"And the Empress would be an easy mother-in-law to live with.

"Of course, if you can't accept that he won't be yours alone for life, forget I said anything."

Rather than marry her to one of the capital's noble sons and let them swallow up her family's property for lack of an heir, better to marry the man who would one day be the most exalted in the realm.

Gu Lingjia thought only briefly before agreeing.

"I'll listen to you, Big Sister. Men all take concubines.

"A general's legitimate son sent a matchmaker to ask for my hand a few days ago. He isn't even married yet, and he already has two bedchamber maids and a mistress hidden outside.

"Which young master in the capital doesn't keep bedchamber maids and mistresses before marriage?

"Even Father has taken two concubines.

"If I'm destined to marry a man who'll take concubines, why shouldn't I marry the future emperor?"

She really did see things clearly.

I stayed for a meal, then hurried back to the palace.

Even when consorts were allowed to visit their families, they generally couldn't stay the night.

As I prepared to leave, Mother gave me a box of cakes.

"All your favorites. Take them back and enjoy them."

I patted her hand.