That very evening, just as she was about to retire for the night, the palace gate was pounded with such force it echoed.
This was truly an unprecedented and strange occurrence. Everyone was badly startled.
Aunt Baohua quickly sent a young eunuch to inquire. Before long, Little Shunzi returned, looking somewhat uneasy: “It’s someone from the Palace of Cloud Construction, here to request that Her Highness come immediately.”
Yu Jun’s heart lurched.
Ever since she realized Consort De was wary of her, Yu Jun had rarely gone to the Palace of Cloud Construction on her own initiative. Consort De also didn’t come to trouble her. They minded their own business.
For someone to be sent so late at night, a major event must have occurred.
Yu Jun’s heart pounded with fear. She wondered if something had happened to Zhou Jin.
She had eaten the same things he ate. Logically, it couldn’t be poison. Well then… only one possibility remained.
Could it be that he’d fallen ill from sweating while eating the steam pot chicken? But before he left, she’d made sure he wore the hood and cape, and there were ginger and pepper in the pot—all things to ward off the cold. Logically, it shouldn’t have happened.
The Palace of Cloud Construction was filled with tension, top to bottom. The Imperial Hospital was especially brightly lit, a hive of activity.
In truth, Zhou Jin had felt somewhat feverish around dusk, but he endured it without showing any sign.
When it was nearly time for bed, his close attendant noticed something was wrong. As soon as they loosened his outer robe, Zhou Jin fainted.
The servants were scared half to death and didn’t dare delay. Trembling, they reported to Consort De. Upon hearing the news, it was as if heaven had collapsed and earth split apart. Half the Imperial Hospital physicians were summoned in alarm.
Consort De recalled the day’s events. Fury overwhelmed her. She immediately sent people to the Jade Splendor Palace to summon Yu Jun.
The night wind was strong, bone-chillingly cold.
Consort De was not in her usual magnificent attire. She had merely draped a fur cloak over her outer garments, a pearl headband fastening her hairdo. Her cloud-like chignon was loosely pinned, yet her peerless beauty was still undeniable.
Yu Jun dropped into a curtsey.
Consort De scrutinized her, her eyes blazing with sharp fury. She demanded: “Fifth Princess, this Consort has never offended you in all these days, have I?”
Yu Jun kept her head lowered: “Your Ladyship, what are you saying? Naturally not.”
Consort De leaned forward, staring hard at her: “If not, why did you try to harm Ruilin?”
Yu Jun lifted her head, meeting Consort De’s aggressive, almost devouring stare. Calmly and earnestly, she said: “Your Ladyship, the Third Highness is also my elder brother. I have always held him in sincere love and respect. Heaven and earth can bear witness—I have never harbored any intention to harm him, nor have I ever done so. Why does Your Ladyship say such things?”
Consort De’s brow twitched. She leaned back, paused, then said: “Then this Consort asks you—during the daytime today, did Ruilin eat at your place?”
“Yes, he did.”
Consort De sneered: “You admit it readily enough. If he hadn’t eaten something he shouldn’t have at your place, why would he be unconscious now?”
Yu Jun said: “Your Ladyship, I understand your deep concern. But whatever has befallen the Third Highness, we must wait for the Imperial Physician’s diagnosis. Moreover, I also tasted everything the Third Highness consumed at my place…”
“You tasted it? Who knows if you played tricks.”
“Your Ladyship, the Third Highness’s health is what’s important now. Why bother saying such angry words to me?”
Yu Jun knew how much Consort De treasured Zhou Jin. There was no point in arguing with her at this moment. The priority was for Zhou Jin to recover first.
Fortunately, after continuous examination, the Imperial Physicians concluded Zhou Jin had caught a cold. They also used silver needle acupuncture. Zhou Jin finally woke up.
He coughed and found so many people surrounding him, immediately knowing he must have alarmed Consort De.
Consort De held his hand and felt his forehead, still burning hot. Heartache brought tears to her eyes: “Lin’er, how are you feeling?”
Zhou Jin was still somewhat weak but managed: “Imperial Mother… I… This matter is completely unconnected to Fifth Sister. It’s because I… cough…”
Consort De hadn’t expected his first words to be those. Her face darkened, but she hurriedly squeezed out a smile: “Alright, alright. Mother understands. Don’t bother with those things now. Rest a while. When the medicine is ready and you take a dose, you’ll be much better.”
Zhou Jin breathed with effort and pointed at the cape on the rack: “Fifth Sister told me to wear that to block the wind. I was afraid Imperial Mother… would see it and question me, so I purposely took it off before entering… That’s how this happened… So it really has nothing to do with her…”
During the daytime, when Zhou Jin had come to see her, Consort De had indeed noticed the cape held by the eunuch. But because it wasn’t very cold, she only assumed the servants were being attentive and didn’t ask further. She never imagined it had been given by Yu Jun.
Consort De was stunned. Forcing a smile, she said: “Enough, quickly stop talking. Rest and recover your health. That’s all that matters now.”
Having said what he needed to, Zhou Jin seemed to feel relieved. Groggily, he closed his eyes again.
Consort De had originally been worried about Zhou Jin and hated that this unexpected calamity stemmed from Yu Jun. Now knowing it was just a cold and that Zhou Jin himself had removed the cape… most of her anger naturally dissipated.
She went to the outer room and saw Yu Jun still waiting quietly. Consort De was just pondering how to address this when a young eunuch entered: “Your Ladyship, the Empress has sent someone.”
Consort De slapped the table and said angrily: “Such keen ears, such quick hands! The moment this Consort summons someone, the Empress sends a person right after. Does she think my palace devours people?”
Yu Jun knew this was bad. Originally, once Consort De knew Zhou Jin’s illness was nothing serious, she would naturally let her go back. If the Empress got involved, the conflict would inevitably escalate.
The newcomer was the Chief Food Officer Zhao, a female official serving at the Empress’s side. Entering the hall, she naturally saw Yu Jun standing to the side but gave no sign of acknowledgment. She performed a curtsey: “Her Ladyship the Empress, upon learning that the Third Prince is slightly unwell, specially sent this servant to inquire about the situation.”
Consort De gave a cold laugh: “The Empress is so thoughtful. The Third Prince is not seriously ill, just caught a bit of a cold. I didn’t expect it to alarm the Central Palace. Her Ladyship is still suffering from headaches and dizziness herself, yet has to worry about matters in my palace. How truly undeserved.”
The Chief Food Officer said: “Her Ladyship, as the Phoenix who governs all six palaces, treats all princes and princesses equally. Naturally, she is concerned about everyone’s well-being. Since it’s nothing serious, that is good.”
Consort De glanced sideways at Yu Jun nearby. She had assumed this female official was here for Yu Jun, but to her surprise, the official didn’t mention her at all. So she asked in turn: “Speaking of which, has Her Ladyship’s health improved?”
“In reply to Consort De, after taking a few doses of medicine, she is already much better.”
Consort De snorted: “This palace hasn’t been at peace lately either. People keep falling ill one after another. I wonder what’s going on.”
The female official acted as if she hadn’t heard the implication in her words and replied: “Naturally, it’s because the seasonal energy is off. During these seasonal transitions, alternating between warmth and cold, people easily fall ill. It’s all quite normal. The Empress was even saying she would send newly harvested mugwort to each palace so they could burn it daily—it has many benefits.”
Consort De was a bit distracted.
Originally, if this female official had asked about Yu Jun, Consort De absolutely wouldn’t have released her easily. But here she was, not mentioning a single word, instead making idle chatter. Consort De had no leisure to entertain her—she itched to go inside immediately and watch over Zhou Jin.
Consort De’s gaze shifted. She looked at Yu Jun and said: “Little Five, I know you’re concerned about your Third Brother. But there’s no need for you to rush here in the dead of night. Just because he happened to fall ill after eating at your place, this Consort isn’t blaming you for anything. You certainly don’t need to be so guilt-ridden. Alright, hurry back now.”
Consort De was indeed quick-witted; even now, she didn’t forget to make a pointed remark.
Not long after, the Chief Food Officer also withdrew. Outside the gate of the Palace of Cloud Construction, the two women shared a knowing smile.
The Chief Food Officer said: “Princess, were you frightened?” She had indeed come for Yu Jun’s sake, but she also deeply understood Consort De’s temperament. Hence, she had retreated in order to advance. Sure enough, Consort De couldn’t keep her composure.
Yu Jun said: “It was nothing, really. Only, I’ve troubled the Empress again.”
The Chief Food Officer glanced back, then asked quietly: “Other matters aside, Consort De managed to stir up half the Imperial Hospital. Our Empress was afraid something might truly be wrong with the Third Prince—if so, wouldn’t the Princess be in danger staying here? So Her Ladyship sent me to assess the situation.”
Yu Jun was deeply moved: “Her Ladyship has troubled herself so thoughtfully for my sake, yet I’ve caused her more worry. I will go and beg her forgiveness some other day… Thank you for making this trip, Elder Sister.”
“Please, don’t mention it. Who doesn’t know the Third Prince’s temperament? If he insisted on staying at the Jade Splendor Palace, could the Princess just push him out? Her Ladyship knows all this. If she didn’t trust you, she wouldn’t have sent me to ensure your safety.”
Zhou Jin was ill for two days. With proper medicine and care, he quickly recovered.
It was said His Majesty reprimanded Consort De, saying she had been unbecomingly hysterical, and punished her with three days of confined reflection.
For the next few days, aside from paying respects to the Empress, Yu Jun kept her doors closed. She was still thinking about what the Crown Prince had promised and didn’t want to cause any further complications. Other things didn’t matter much, but disturbing her plan to leave the palace and see the Empress Dowager was a major issue.
One day, the sky was thick with dark red clouds, and a northern wind whistled harshly.
Yu Jun was just leaving the Central Palace when she ran into two princesses arriving to pay their respects.
Since the Empress favored Yu Jun greatly, and several princes also doted on her most, these two were naturally somewhat resentful.
The Third Princess, Yu Zhi, said loudly on purpose: “Isn’t it strange? Normally, Third Brother is always fine. He visits the Jade Splendor Palace just once, and falls so gravely ill that heaven and earth are shaken. Could it be his horoscope clashes with that place?”
Yu Fang said: “Don’t speak of people in the day or ghosts at night. Be careful, or Fifth Sister will hear and be angry with you again.”
Yu Jun performed a slight curtsey: “My two elder sisters seem in excellent spirits, discussing gossip here in the wind’s path. Aren’t you afraid of filling your bellies with cold air?” She added with a smile: “But here I am, foolishly worrying for you. Elder Sisters are always so cold-hearted and cold-blooded—a bellyful of cold wind would be just fitting, wouldn’t it?”
Yu Zhi gave a fake smile: “Fifth Sister’s tongue is so venomous. No wonder Third Brother fell ill after one visit to your palace. He was probably poisoned by you.”
“My venomous tongue is no great matter, at least it’s better than Third Sister’s sweet mouth and cruel hands.” Looking at Yu Zhi’s face, which instantly flushed with anger, Yu Jun said, half innocently: “I heard a corpse was fished up from somewhere the other day, and yet Third Sister is still running around everywhere. You’d be better off copying a few more volumes of Buddhist scriptures in your palace.”
Next to her, Yu Fang, who had been covering her mouth and laughing as Yu Zhi mocked Yu Jun, frowned upon hearing this: “Fifth Sister, you’ve gone too far. Why curse someone for no reason? And what does that corpse have to do with Third Sister? Don’t go slandering her with baseless accusations!”
Yu Jun’s eyes widened slightly: “Did I say she did it? Copying scriptures is an activity to calm the heart. The Empress Dowager and Imperial Mother both do it often. Why is Fourth Sister reacting so strongly? It looks as if you’re jumping out first to give yourselves away.”
At first, Yu Jun’s relationship with the other princesses hadn’t been too bad. Unfortunately, Yu Zhi was the most foolish and most easily swayed by gossip. Time and again, she was used as a weapon against Yu Jun.
Yu Jun initially tolerated it, mindful of their bond.
But once, Yu Jun had spoken a few kind words for a young palace maid who had made a mistake. Yu Zhi saw this and deliberately found an excuse to have the maid beaten half to death.
Her target wasn’t the little maid—it was Yu Jun’s face she wanted to slap. Precisely because she couldn’t strike Yu Jun directly, she vented her anger on someone connected to her.
After the Central Palace learned of this, Yu Zhi was reprimanded and confined to her palace for three months.
Yu Jun also begged for mercy for the little maid, granting her silver and a pardon to leave the palace. If she’d stayed inside, sooner or later, she wouldn’t have escaped Yu Zhi’s murderous hands.
Now, the two princesses, unable to gain an advantage in this war of words, were infuriated. Yu Zhi, shamed into anger, blurted: “Aren’t you the one who’s the best at wheedling others with honeyed words? Then why, when Consort De summoned you last time, didn’t you dare to argue back? And you still needed the Empress to rush someone over to protect you?”
Yu Jun curled her lip disdainfully, about to retort, when her smile suddenly froze.
Behind her, Aunt Baohua raised her eyes, a hint of a smile appearing at the corner of her mouth.
Yu Zhi, seeing Yu Jun silent, thought she’d hit a nerve. Growing more smug, she laughed: “Let me give you some advice—know your place. In the future, don’t get so close to Third Brother. Otherwise, next time, leaving the Palace of Cloud Construction might not be so easy…”
Just as she was gloating triumphantly, she heard a cold voice behind her: “I didn’t know Third Sister was capable of making decisions for the Palace of Cloud Construction.”
Yu Zhi and Yu Fang spun around, alarmed. It was the Crown Prince Zhou Xi and the Third Prince Zhou Jin. The one speaking was Zhou Jin, his phoenix-like eyes gleaming with cold fury.
Although Zhou Xi hadn’t spoken, he was frowning heavily, looking at the two with clear displeasure.
The three curtseyed. Zhou Xi then spoke: “Third Sister was rebuked by Imperial Mother not long ago. You should be in your palace quietly reflecting on your mistakes. Why have you come out to stir up trouble again?” He looked at Yu Fang: “Fourth Sister is usually quiet and well-behaved. Why join her in these antics? Yu Jun is the youngest. You should be protecting her—why always suppress and bully her? If this continues, never mind Imperial Mother, even I will not tolerate it.”
The two princesses were red-faced, not daring to speak.
Yu Jun kept her eyes downcast, not looking at Zhou Jin. She heard the Crown Prince say gently: “Little Five, what are you still doing here? The eunuch with the decree has already gone to the Jade Splendor Palace. His Majesty has urgent business summoning you. Go quickly!”