The Emperor nodded, gesturing for him to continue.
“You should find an imperial sister-in-law for me!”
The Emperor smiled faintly. “Did you come up with that yourself, or did someone put you up to it?”
Prince Ning gave an embarrassed laugh now that the Emperor had seen through him. “A bit of both, a bit of both.”
“Zhen has my eye on a woman, but she doesn’t want to enter the palace,” the Emperor said calmly.
Prince Ning had been about to speak his mind when these words startled him, and his words caught in his throat like a bowstring snapping back.
“No one would refuse to enter the palace, right?” he said in astonishment.
He recalled the memorial that had been rejected just a few days earlier. The Emperor had no intention of selecting consorts and had taken a firm stance on the matter. That was his usual style, however, so it hadn’t seemed particularly noteworthy.
How could anyone refuse to enter the palace? How?
Prince Ning hesitated. “Imperial Brother, is there something wrong with this woman?”
The Emperor loosed an arrow at random. The leather belt around his waist accentuated his powerful frame, brimming with boundless strength. In the distance, a bird fell with the whistle of the feathered shaft. “She already has a husband,” he said calmly.
Prince Ning was even more shocked.
His first thought was that perhaps the Emperor had taken a liking to one of his own women and had summoned him here to hint at it. But on second thought, if any of those fleeting beauties of his had a chance to enter the palace, they certainly wouldn’t refuse. Besides, none of them had ever had the opportunity to be presented before the Emperor.
After mulling it over, Prince Ning asked, “Is Imperial Brother troubled over whether to take her as a consort, or over how to get her into the palace?”
The Emperor replied without hesitation. “Zhen is not troubled. Zhen wants her to enter willingly, of her own accord.”
At that, Prince Ning grew curious. His eyes couldn’t help drifting to the Emperor’s handsome, stern profile.
Others might assume the Emperor kept beautiful concubines at his side, but he knew his brother had never even taken a serving maid to his bed. When Imperial Brother had left the capital at fourteen, the sons of dukes and nobles his age already had maids to warm their beds, but he had never touched one. He had also refused the two beautiful concubines the Previous Emperor had offered to tend to his daily needs, taking only a team of personal guards north instead.
One stayed in the capital, the other in Vast Sea Commandery, exchanging a few letters each year.
Prince Ning had no reason to pry into his brother’s private affairs and knew only that he had never taken a principal wife.
Three years ago, the night before Imperial Brother returned to Vast Sea Commandery after reporting on his duties in the capital, he had stayed at Prince Ning’s residence. Prince Ning had sent two beautiful maids to serve him, but they were sent back almost immediately. Puzzled and unable to sleep, he had gone to the guest quarters to chat idly with Imperial Brother.
Their conversation had turned to women, and Imperial Brother had said flatly, “No interest.”
Afterward, out of curiosity, Prince Ning had asked one of Imperial Brother’s close attendants. It wasn’t a secret, so he learned that his brother was truly swamped: managing fields and reclamation each year, preparing military provisions, patrolling the borders, fighting battles, and with no interest in such matters, no woman had ever gotten close to him.
What kind of heavenly beauty could stir Imperial Brother to want her in his palace?
Not just her person, but her willing heart as well.
Unable to hold back, Prince Ning asked, “Could it be a girl you fancied before leaving the capital, and now that she’s married, you’re still hung up on her?”
The Emperor laughed and cursed. “Nonsense.”
“Women from humble families rarely get to see Your Majesty,” Prince Ning speculated. “So it’s some nobleman’s wife? She must be a stunning beauty to captivate you like this.”
The scene of their first meeting flashed before the Emperor’s eyes.
She had been strolling in the Imperial Garden, her steps light and graceful, her figure elegant. Her clear, lovely face held a gentle smile, laced with a touch of endearing wit.
A hint of amusement rose in the Emperor’s eyes, and he made a soft sound of agreement.
–
That night, without telling Cui Cheng, Yirong lost her nerve to confess the next day.
Better to let it be. Why trouble them both?
The days grew longer, and Yirong had changed into summer attire. Her husband served in the Feilin Army, so it wasn’t hard for her to learn of political matters. Lately, the Emperor had learned of a minister encroaching on good farmland in the suburbs of the capital and had ordered his household raided and investigated.
She and the Third Young Madam had been sent by Madam Chen to visit her ailing mother at her family home, where the Chen residence was hosting a small banquet. The gathered ladies buzzed with excitement and tension over one topic.
With the new Emperor ascended, he would surely need to appoint an Empress!
The candidates they mentioned included the twin sisters of the Pei family, the daughter of the Grand Princess of Linchuan—the Emperor’s aunt—and the daughter of a great scholar of the age…
The Third Young Madam leaned close to her ear and scoffed. “The Emperor isn’t in a hurry, but the eunuchs are.”
Yirong smiled brightly.
Indeed, even if the Emperor wasn’t eager to wed, others were impatient for him. Among these much-discussed young ladies, some families were likely fanning the flames themselves.
Besides, Yirong couldn’t imagine any reason for the Emperor not to appoint an Empress.
For her, it was truly a good thing.
Half a month had passed since her last visit to the palace, and Yirong was gradually putting her mind at ease. With state affairs keeping him busy and a batch of potential Empresses awaiting selection, how could he still think of her?
That afternoon, she sat in her room, head bent over a new nightshirt she was sewing for Cui Cheng, when a maid from the main courtyard came to fetch her. Yirong set down her needle and thread and followed.
The duke’s mansion was serene. Pomegranate flowers lined the path, on the verge of blooming, their green leaves and red blossoms a breathtaking sight. Yirong fanned herself with a round fan as she walked. At the main chamber, a maid lifted the beaded curtain, and a wave of coolness washed over her. Yirong smiled at her and stepped lightly up to Madam Chen.
Madam Chen was in good spirits today, reclining on a beauty couch by the window. She pulled Yirong’s hand with a cheerful laugh, inviting her to sit beside her, and subtly scrutinized her.
Exquisite brows, enchanting eyes—every feature perfection itself.
Madam Chen smiled. “Your sister-in-law is widowed and lonely. Even with the Empress Dowager’s honors, there’s no one close in the palace to confide in. She’s always liked you. Go visit her in the palace tomorrow.”
Yirong lowered her gaze, racking her brain for a polite refusal.
But what reasonable excuse could she give?
Seeing she wasn’t responding as quickly as usual, Madam Chen patted her hand. “What’s wrong? Reluctant? I know how it was when you first married into the household. Your sisters-in-law wouldn’t associate with you, but the Empress Dowager gave you face.”
She added, “Or did you two quarrel when you visited the palace last time?”
Yirong quickly replied, “How could I dare quarrel with Sister-in-law?”
With that, she bowed her head again, revealing a glimpse of her snowy, tender neck.
Empress Dowager Cui had always treated her kindly. At palace banquets for noblewomen, she had held Yirong’s hand as they entered, and knowing she missed her homeland, had bestowed Yue Prefecture’s tribute pearls, tea, and fragrant cakes upon her.
Yirong lifted her face and said softly, “Mother, tomorrow is the day off. Why don’t we submit our calling card to the Palace Gate Office and have my husband go with me? He’s always thinking of Sister-in-law and wants to pay respects to Your Majesty too.”
She truly couldn’t think of a good reason to refuse. It was early summer now; feigning illness from the cold would be implausible.
Madam Chen pondered briefly. “Very well. Have him go with you.”
Yirong’s heart eased a little, and a small smile bloomed on her face.
Such a beauty—her smile brought joy to others, and even a frown would inspire pity. Madam Chen looked away and said evenly, “All right, go prepare. The new Emperor has been on the throne two months now. Don’t dress too plainly when you enter the palace.”
Yirong agreed and rose. “I’ll take my leave, Mother.”
Back in her room, she gazed into the mirror. With Cui Cheng accompanying her, the Emperor… She knew he wasn’t one to shy from such things, but the thought still made her want to cry.
Why must she endure this fear and anxiety?
Staring at her reflection, she supposed this was the face that had caught the Emperor’s eye. Her fingers brushed a gold hairpin in her open vanity case, then stopped. The cool metal touched her fingertip, and Yirong bit her lip. She couldn’t bring herself to scar her face.
Yirong stepped back a few paces and slowly turned before the mirror.
Shuilian laughed. “What is Young Madam looking at?”
As she spoke, Shui Zhi brought out a rose-purple gown and asked, “Young Madam, what do you think of this for tomorrow?”
Yirong glanced at it and nodded casually. Once Shui Zhi had gone, she whispered to Shuilian, “Find me some cloth to bind my chest.”
–
The next morning, Yirong took advantage of Cui Cheng’s inattention to bind her chest tightly, flattening her figure considerably. With a shawl draped over her, Cui Cheng didn’t notice at first. Smiling, he escorted her to pay respects before they left through the main gate.
Cui Cheng helped Yirong into the carriage and instinctively pulled her into his arms. He immediately sensed something different. Blinking, he asked blankly, “Rongrong, what’s wrong?”
Her light pink shawl caught on his arm as she turned her eyes and explained, “Last time we almost had the honor of being received by Your Majesty. Perhaps this time he will summon us. Summer clothes are thin; it’s better to be modest before the throne.”
Cui Cheng paused, then tugged her cheek with a laugh. “What’s there to worry about? Everyone dresses like this in summer. ‘Avert the eyes from impropriety’—Your Majesty is a wise ruler. Why would he stare at your chest? Untie it; don’t make yourself uncomfortable.”
He reached to undo her clothes, but just then, someone rapped on the carriage window. “Sixth Young Master!”
Cui Cheng hastily straightened Yirong’s collar and opened the window. “What is it?”
“Sixth Young Master, Master Wu has suddenly come calling with urgent business. The Duke bids you return at once,” the messenger guard said urgently.
Cui Cheng frowned. Yirong said softly, “Will you still visit Sister-in-law? Otherwise, I can go back with you and enter the palace later.”
After a brief consideration, he said, “Rongrong, go on ahead alone. The Palace Gate Office always gives face to Duke Qiao’s Mansion. I’ll visit Sister-in-law on my next day off.”
Seeing her reluctant expression, he caressed her cheek and coaxed, “Be good. I don’t know what it’s about at the mansion; I need to check. Have Shuilian help you untie it.”
He gave Yirong’s lips a gentle kiss before stepping down from the carriage and mounting the horse that one of the Cui family guards had brought.
Inside the carriage, Yirong lay limp against the wall. The ice basin within scattered threads of cool air, and a fleeting sense of something amiss flashed through her mind—so quickly that she couldn’t even pinpoint what it was.
Shuilian asked, “Young Madam, shall we undo the chest binding?”
Yirong was afraid even when Cui Cheng was by her side, let alone now that he had gone. She shook her head and said there was no need. Today, no matter who had invited her, she would not go anywhere. Besides, Empress Dowager Cui would send people to escort her back. She planned to stick closely to the palace servants, even pretending to suffer from heatstroke if necessary so they would have to support her.
Last time, it had happened because the palace servants saw her leave and failed to follow.
They soon reached the palace gates, where the familiar servants from Empress Dowager Cui’s palace awaited to greet her with bows. Early summer was already sweltering; by the time Yirong arrived at the Empress Dowager’s residence, a thin sheen of sweat glistened on her face. After paying her respects to Empress Dowager Cui, she was led away by the servants to freshen up.
Once she had washed her face, Yirong sat smiling in the seat below the Empress Dowager. She chatted lightly about a few matters from the Cui residence, but seeing the Empress Dowager somewhat distracted, she fell silent.
Empress Dowager Cui collected herself with a smile. “Yirong, I’ve been feeling utterly listless lately from this summer heat. Stay in the palace and keep me company for a time.”