Princess Consort Ning was hosting a small banquet at her villa on the outskirts of the capital, set for the day after tomorrow.
Invitations had been piling up like snowdrifts lately, and Yirong had politely turned them all down. Even so, everyone knew she probably wouldn’t attend, yet no one dared skip sending her an invite to any of the big or small gatherings these past few days.
Prince Ning had been adopted out of the imperial family, but by blood, he was still the Emperor’s one and only brother. In the future, Princess Consort Ning would be her sister-in-law.
Yirong pondered for a moment before calling in Xingxiang. “What do you think? Should I go?”
Xingxiang smiled. “If Madam feels like giving her that face, then go. If you’re not in the mood to go out, then don’t. That said, this servant thinks it wouldn’t hurt to make an appearance. After all, you’ll be hosting palace banquets and summoning noble ladies soon enough.”
Yirong hadn’t been out in ages and was already tempted. Hearing this, she nodded and instructed Xingxiang and Shuilian to prepare for the outing the day after tomorrow.
On the morning of the appointed day, she climbed into her carriage and headed for Prince Ning’s Plum Manor. The wheels rumbled steadily along, the Lu Residence crest emblazoned on the side ensuring smooth passage. Even when they encountered another carriage on the narrow path—also bound for Princess Consort Ning’s banquet—the other party yielded the way at once upon spotting the crest and even sent a maid over to ask if Yirong would allow her aboard to pay respects.
Yirong naturally declined. That would be far too…
Xingxiang and Shuilian both chuckled, urging her to get used to it soon.
Yirong waved them off. “Too much hassle.”
At the grand gates of Plum Manor, maids and servants from Prince Ning’s Residence greeted guests with warm enthusiasm.
Princess Consort Ning wouldn’t personally welcome ordinary visitors. She sat sipping tea in the Warm Pavilion, chatting idly with the madams who had arrived early. When a servant dashed back from scouting the road to report that Madam Lu’s carriage was nearly there, she set down her teacup at once, smiled at those around her, and said, “An honored guest has arrived. I’ll go welcome her.”
She hurried to the manor gates and waited a short while before a young beauty emerged from the carriage, wrapped in a cloak, helped down by attendants. The hand she extended was white as fine jade.
Others might have grumbled inwardly, but Princess Consort Ning had heard from her husband that this Madam Lu’s position as Empress had been rock-solid ever since the Emperor first proposed it in court.
Still, since the woman had been married before, calling her “miss” wouldn’t do, and “madam” felt like harping on old wounds. Princess Consort Ning had made a point of learning her maiden name and went forward with a smile. “Yirong, you’ve arrived.”
Yirong had met Princess Consort Ning a few times before, always curtsying alongside the Qiao or Cui families. She offered a polite curtsey now, which Princess Consort Ning hurriedly returned before linking arms with her. A cluster of richly attired maids followed as they entered.
Princess Consort Ning fussed over her relentlessly—had the journey tired her? Was she cold? Hungry? Yirong answered each question, thanked her for the care, and followed her lead by using her maiden name. Princess Consort Ning breathed a quiet sigh of relief. She’d heard that Cui family’s young madam was strikingly beautiful with a pleasant temperament, and now seeing her in person, she was relieved to find none of that spoiled, overbearing sort.
If the Empress turned out hard to get along with, others could steer clear—but she herself would have to enter the palace regularly to pay respects.
In high spirits, Princess Consort Ning led Yirong inside after a maid lifted the fur curtain, announcing with a laugh, “I’ve brought back our honored guest.”
Everyone had been waiting for the pair’s return and rose with smiles to offer greetings and curtseys.
The woman whom Princess Consort Ning had so warmly escorted shed her cloak to reveal a brocade gown embroidered with sacred lotus motifs—dignified and elegant, yet not stealing the show.
Princess Consort Ning was three years Yirong’s senior, so most of her invitees were young ladies of similar age, making Yirong one of the youngest.
Seated beside the seat of honor, Yirong soon had people chatting her up, starting with the scenic beauty of Prince Ning’s villa.
Early-blooming plum blossoms filled the courtyard, their snowy petals like clusters of jade, drifting like mist and clouds.
She was beautiful, utterly without airs, and her words flowed so naturally that others could pick up the conversation effortlessly—no need to force topics or flatter her.
After a while, the noblewomen nearby all exhaled in unison, visibly relaxing.
One woman’s relief was especially obvious, and Yirong caught it, curving her lips in an amused smile.
Princess Consort Ning had also hired storytellers and singers, who warbled away from the pavilion opposite the Warm Pavilion.
The morning passed in lively fashion. After lunch, Yirong learned that Princess Consort Ning had invited quite a crowd, with some dining and chatting in other Warm Pavilions.
After the meal, some followed Prince Ning’s maids to rest in the side chambers, while others donned heavy fur cloaks to stroll the gardens, admiring flowers and brewing tea.
Yirong knew Princess Consort Ning had no reason to harm her, but the special treatment and the crowd’s cautious deference gave her a real sense of her changed status. Deciding caution was wise, she declined to nap, lest something happen on the road or in the rooms.
She remained in the elegant Warm Pavilion. After a bit more talk, Princess Consort Ning couldn’t hold out and apologized, saying she needed to return to her room for a nap.
Yirong didn’t mind the hostess stepping away. She sat quietly for a while longer when Cui family’s Third Lady, Cui Youshu, lifted the curtain and walked straight toward her.
Yirong raised a surprised brow.
Princess Consort Ning had reasoned that ordinary banquets always included invitations to Duke Qiao’s Cui clan. Snubbing them outright would only fuel gossip, so she’d sent invites to the Cui ladies but planned to keep them away from the Warm Pavilion with the VIPs.
Today, only Cui family’s Fifth Young Madam and Third Lady had come.
Yirong had always called her “Shu’er” or “Third Sister” with affection before. Now, seeing Cui Youshu approach slowly, she nodded and said, “Third Lady.”
“Lu Sister,” Cui Youshu replied, choosing her words carefully with a gentle smile.
Eyes turned their way, though people tried to hide it—their stares burned all the same. Yirong shook her head with a smile and asked, “Did you come alone?”
“Fifth Sister-in-Law brought me.”
With that, silence fell between them, broken only by the crackle of the charcoal fire.
“Lu Sister, the first time Father summoned us all to the flower hall and explained everything, I thought you wouldn’t suffer too badly afterward…” Cui Youshu said softly. “On the way home with Fourth Brother and Fourth Sister-in-Law, he said why didn’t you just end it all? If you’d died, none of this would have happened.”
She rushed on. “Lu Sister, I don’t think that way. I believe you should live well. Second Sister and I—your two little sisters—we both know you did nothing wrong. You’re about to become the Empress. You have to keep living.”
The young lady’s slightly upturned eyes fixed on her.
Yirong looked away, once more feeling reluctant to harm the innocent.
She’d thought of retaliating against the Cui family.
But with the parents guilty, the children would suffer too—their reputations inevitably tarnished. How could she bear to let these innocent girls pay the price?
Besides, for all the Cui family’s wrongs, they were mere accomplices.
Yirong gave a wry smile. When she looked back, she saw a plea in Cui Youshu’s eyes.
Understanding dawned. After a moment’s thought, she stood. “Walk with me outside.”
Yirong extended a hand. Cui Youshu hesitated, then took it and walked with her toward the door.
They strolled a loop through the plum grove, chatting desultorily before settling in a small pavilion. A red clay stove bubbled with boiling tea, chasing away the chill.
Here, Yirong clearly sensed that plenty of people had seen her and Cui Youshu getting along amiably.
Yirong sipped her hot tea, cup in hand. “All right. Go back and find Fifth Young Madam soon. Don’t come see me again—it won’t do either of us any good.”
Cui Youshu’s white teeth bit her lip as she nodded slowly.
Yirong gently touched her cheek and sighed. “You’re still young. Don’t worry about so much. Leave these things to your elders from now on.”
At those words, Third Lady Cui’s face flushed beet red. She stared at Yirong, stunned.
After a long moment, she nodded.
She knew Yirong had seen through her intent and had quietly granted it.
After today, everyone would know the future Empress bore no grudge against the Cui family. It might be rough for the next year or two, but in time, she and her sisters’ situations would improve.
Cui Youshu rose and curtseyed solemnly to Yirong.
Yirong smiled. “It’s getting cold out here by the fire. Let’s head back.”
Cui Youshu understood and took her arm again. They walked back to the Warm Pavilion, exchanging a few bland remarks about the scenery along the way. At the entrance, Cui Youshu left her to find Fifth Young Madam and head home.
Facing the wind, tears suddenly pricked her eyes. Cui Youshu held them back fiercely. No one knew what she’d come to say to Lu Yirong today—not even Fifth Young Madam. Forcing a smile, she acted coquettish and said she was ready to leave.
Meanwhile, back in the Warm Pavilion, Yirong resumed chatting with the others.
Those seated near her were mostly future relatives. Among the imperial kin, everyone kept a steady face. Even if they’d once questioned her status, they spoke politely to her now.
Gradually, people began bidding Princess Consort Ning farewell to return home.
Seeing the hour was late, Yirong rose to take her leave as well.
At once, everyone tried to persuade her to stay.
Enough face had been given. Staying any longer would only lead to idle chatter. Winter evenings fell early; if she didn’t leave soon, the journey from Plum Manor back to the Lu Residence would be in the dark.
She smiled, too lazy to make excuses. “I should head back.”
Princess Consort Ning shot a glance at one of the young madams who was still trying to persuade her to stay. “All right. We’ve talked half the day away, and you’re tired. Let me see you out.”
She linked arms with her affectionately once more and walked her outside, chatting about the latest novelties along the way. After a short distance, they ran into Liu Zhilan, the daughter of the Grand Princess of Linchuan.
Liu Zhilan froze in place, her expression stiffening. Then she turned and walked away.
“What’s this about?” Princess Consort Ning was both surprised and angry. As the noble daughter of a marquis’s household who had become a princess consort, everyone fawned over her. Even though the decree for the young woman beside her hadn’t been issued yet, anyone who saw them should have come forward with a respectful curtsy. But since this had happened in her own villa, she had no choice but to cover for the offender. “Miss Liu must be in a foul mood lately. Don’t take it to heart.”
“Yirong, you’ve been staying at home lately, so you might not have heard. Not long ago, someone secretly reported to the court that the Grand Princess had been bribing officials. This isn’t just her sin alone—it will likely implicate quite a few people. Your Majesty intends to clean up the bureaucracy…” Princess Consort Ning said with a smile.
Yirong nodded with a smile of her own. “I know.”
–
By the time Yirong returned to the Lu Residence, dusk had fallen.
Madam Deng noticed the fatigue on Yirong’s face and stopped her nagging. Instead, she briskly ordered the kitchen to prepare a separate meal for her daughter, which Yirong ate in her own bedroom.
After dinner, Yirong paced around her room.