After the Light Snow solar term, a decree came from the Central Palace.
The Empress’s Phoenix Body was unwell, so she excused the consorts and concubines from their morning and evening formal greetings for two days.
Even the Crown Prince’s visit to pay respects was refused.
Crown Prince Zhou Xi kowtowed at the Central Palace, then slowly walked away. His accompanying eunuch consoled him: “Your Highness need not worry. The Empress’s ailment is an old condition, always acting up when the weather turns cold each year. After these two days, she’s certain to recover.”
Zhou Xi didn’t comment, his face completely expressionless.
Just as he exited the door, before descending the steps, he heard footsteps.
Faint voices drifted over: “I heard the Empress isn’t seeing any outsiders these two days. Why is Your Highness making this trip in such cold weather?”
“Silence! You ignorant thing! Not to mention that the Empress has always treated our Highness differently from outsiders, even if she refused to see him, making this trip is still His Highness’s act of filial piety. With such an unruly mouth, don’t come near the front in the future.”
The eunuch behind him listened, secretly glancing. He saw a rare smile finally appear on the Crown Prince’s face.
Just as the eunuch was about to speak, Zhou Xi made a gesture for him to be silent, and the eunuch hastily withdrew.
By then, that group had already reached the doorway. The person at the lead stepped up onto the terrace. Taken off guard, Zhou Xi silently took a step forward from within the doorway, perfectly blocking her path.
The person was startled. “Ah…” She clutched a few branches of wintersweet in one hand, bringing the other to her chest, her figure swaying slightly.
The palace maids at her side hurried to support her, but unexpectedly, Zhou Xi had already reached out to steady her, smiling: “Fifth Sister, be careful. If it weren’t for me, you’d have tumbled down.”
The young woman busied herself smoothing her skirts, her pair of alluring, bright eyes casting a look at Zhou Xi that was half-exasperated, half-amused. Partly teasing, partly reproachful, she said: “Brother Crown Prince, you’re teasing me again! If it weren’t for you, I’d still be walking perfectly steady. How could I fall? I’m not a child anymore.”
The palace maids and eunuchs following behind her, seeing it was the Crown Prince, hurriedly withdrew, heads bowed.
Zhou Xi eyed the golden wintersweet in her hands, a cool fragrance wafting towards him. He smiled: “These flowers have already bloomed?”
“It’s been very cold these past few days, so naturally some bloomed early. I searched the whole courtyard and found only these few branches. I heard Imperial Mother’s old ailment has returned, so I brought them for her to see something fresh.” She suddenly noticed two fallen blossoms on the ground and frowned in distress: “Look! You startled me just now and two fell off. How is Brother Crown Prince still so mischievous at this age? Just you wait, I’ll tell Imperial Mother.”
Zhou Xi said: “Is it worth that? But today, I’m afraid you won’t be able to tattle. Just now when I went to pay respects to Imperial Mother, she wouldn’t even let me in. You’re still thinking of complaining? You might as well give me those flowers and return to your own palace—it’d save you the trouble.”
The young woman pursed her lips in a smile, her every word and action exceptionally lively: “Just because Brother Crown Prince couldn’t see her, does that mean others can’t? Not necessarily.”
Zhou Xi had been brooding for days. Seeing her, and catching the fresh, clean scent of wintersweet, his heart finally felt a bit more at ease. Deliberately wanting to tease her more, he smiled: “You really think you can see her? Want to make a bet with me?”
“A bet it is! Bet on what?”
“Hmm…”
Zhou Xi was just thinking, when the young woman, seeing their attendants were at a distance, said quietly: “How about this… If I can have an audience with Imperial Mother today, then Brother Crown Prince must agree to take me along next month when you go to the Nation-Protecting Temple to pay respects to the Empress Dowager.”
Zhou Xi was very surprised she would make this request: “It’s cold, the wind outside chills your face to the bone. Not letting you go before was for your own good. Besides, Imperial Grandmother feels for you too—she won’t blame you for not going.”
“I’m afraid you don’t dare to bet, only thinking about losing,” the young woman was completely ungrateful.
Zhou Xi said: “You lass, you don’t recognize goodwill. Fine, then if you lose? What will you forfeit to me?”
The young woman smiled: “What good things hasn’t Brother Crown Prince seen? If there’s anything in my palace that catches your eye, no matter what it is, just speak up. I won’t be stingy.”
Zhou Xi thought for a moment, then said: “Forget it, I can’t think of anything right now. Let’s wait until I’ve decided, alright?”
The young woman said: “That saves trouble too. Anyway, you’re bound to lose.”
She gave Zhou Xi a meaningful glance, gesturing for him to wait, then walked lightly through the doorway, heading straight for the central hall.
Behind her, Zhou Xi turned back, hands clasped, smiling as he watched her. He saw Yu Jun reach the palace door and say something to the maid guarding the entrance.
The maid turned and went inside. Before long, the door swung open.
Zhou Xi’s eyes widened. Yu Jun looked over her shoulder and raised her brow triumphantly at him, then turned again and entered the hall.
The Crown Prince tilted his head, watching that figure disappear into the inner hall, and sighed: “I knew I’d lose. Shouldn’t have bet with this lass.”
The eunuch beside him smiled and said: “How could Your Highness not know? You were just playing with the Fifth Princess. Who in this palace doesn’t know the Empress dotes on the Fifth Princess most… Even if she wouldn’t see you, she couldn’t bear not to see her.”
Zhou Xi nodded, then suddenly asked: “Are you saying Fifth Sister is favored, or are you trying to sow discord?”
The eunuch’s face changed drastically. He quickly knelt and said: “Your Highness forgive me! This slave was only speaking of the Fifth Princess’s virtues, absolutely no other meaning. Just clumsy with words… causing Your Highness to misunderstand.”
Zhou Xi said: “Since you’re so clumsy-tongued, perhaps you shouldn’t remain by my side. Change him for someone more clever. And tell Chen Qing, have him be more careful when selecting people. If his eyes are also growing dim with age, permit him to retire.”
The Crown Prince had always been benevolent and lenient, rarely showing such anger.
The eunuch collapsed to the ground, limp. The surrounding attendants were terrified, holding their breath in fear, hastily bowing their assent.
Crown Prince Zhou Xi was about to leave, but his foot didn’t land. He bent down, picked up the two wintersweet blossoms that had fallen to the ground, and carefully placed them in his robes.
Yu Jun entered the Empress’s bedchamber. The first thing she smelled was a scent of mugwort. The further she went inside, the stronger the smell became.
Reaching the inner room, she saw Empress Wang sitting on the heated kang. Although her face showed traces of weariness, her attire was neat and proper—clearly not in repose.
Yu Jun dipped into a curtsey. Empress Wang glanced at her, and a trace of a smile appeared on her icy face, like winter sunlight shining on the surface of ice.
The Empress said: “I finally managed to dismiss one, and now you come along.”
Yu Jun’s eyes sparkled brightly as she smiled and replied: “If Imperial Mother doesn’t want to see me, that’s fine. But I can’t not see Imperial Mother. If you won’t accommodate me, just don’t let me in.”
“You and your honeyed tongue, always coaxing people,” the Empress chided, yet with a gaze full of fondness. “What’s that lovely fragrance? Where did that wintersweet come from?”
Yu Jun took the opportunity to draw closer, lifting the plum blossoms higher for the Empress to see: “Only these few branches bloomed in the courtyard. I brought them for Imperial Mother to see something fresh.”
“You must have caught a chill? Only you would go to such thoughtful trouble,” Empress Wang said, her gaze on the wintersweet as she gently took hold of Yu Jun’s hand. “Your hands are icy. And here my bedchamber is full of medicinal smells—it just spoils these lovely flowers.”
Yu Jun smiled: “Once they’ve passed before your eyes, it can’t be called spoiled.”
The Empress saw her eyes curving like crescent moons, and her heart felt comforted. “Zisu, go get that Glazed White Snow Plum Vase to arrange these.”
The attending Chief Court Lady Song Zisu came over to take the blossoms.
Empress Wang then asked, as if casually: “You must have run into the Crown Prince earlier? Did he complain about anything?”
“What would the Crown Prince complain about? He was just worried about Imperial Mother’s health,” Yu Jun said, leaning against the Empress’s shoulder. “He even made a bet with me, saying Imperial Mother definitely wouldn’t see me. Thanks to you favoring me, I wasn’t embarrassed.”
Empress Wang chuckled coldly: “What bet did you make now? I fear you’ve swindled someone again.”
Yu Jun smiled: “I could swindle anyone, but not Brother Crown Prince.” She made a show of massaging the Empress’s shoulders and legs. Only when she saw the Empress’s face soften into a smile did she add: “Imperial Mother’s condition needs a skilled physician to examine it. Though it’s a minor ailment, it flares up every year like clockwork. It must be quite hard to bear.”
Just then, Song Zisu brought over a cup of hot tea: “This is ginger and brown sugar tea. Princess, have a sip to dispel the chill.”
Yu Jun straightened up to accept it: “Thank you, Aunt.”
Chief Court Lady Song smiled and stepped back. She watched Yu Jun drink a few sips, then stepped forward again to take the cup, withdrawing silently.
Yu Jun sat in the Empress’s rooms for a while, then found an excuse to take her leave.
Chief Court Lady Song personally escorted her out. Glancing towards the inner room, she said in a low voice: “Your Highness has probably heard. The Empress’s seasonal illness is secondary. The real cause is that one in the Palace of Cloud Construction, who never rests. She constantly whispers sweet nothings in His Majesty’s ear. Quite a few ministers at court have gone to curry favor with her, and some—utterly treasonous—openly say the Third Prince resembles His Majesty when he was young. With such intentions so clearly revealed… let alone the Empress, even we are furious just hearing it.”
Consort De of the Palace of Cloud Construction, a noble lady from a powerful family clan. Her family had also contributed to the founding of the dynasty. Her background was vastly different from the Empress’s humble origins.
She was already arrogant and overbearing by nature. After giving birth to the Third Prince, her influence in the rear palace became unmatched, and she tried to overshadow the Empress at every turn.
Recently, Consort De had allied with the great clans, intending to target the Crown Prince and the Empress, supporting the Third Prince. The officials at court had split into two factions over this matter—it was practically no secret anymore.
Yu Jun said: “I also guessed Imperial Mother’s worries were mostly about this matter. However, I believe Imperial Father is a wise and brilliant ruler who certainly won’t easily heed others’ words. Moreover, Brother Crown Prince is the eldest legitimate son and was established as Crown Prince long ago. So long as he doesn’t make any grave mistakes, no one can shake his position. At the very least, Imperial Father wouldn’t act against Brother Crown Prince without cause. If Imperial Mother and Brother Crown Prince conduct themselves properly, leaving others no fault to find, then they’ll be without recourse.”
“Your Highness means…”
Yu Jun blinked: “I’m just thinking idly. A few days ago, I was playing a game with the palace maids. Two people sit facing each other, and whoever pushes the other off the meditation cushion first wins. At first, we were evenly matched. Later, I lost patience and wanted to win quickly, so I became impatient, pushing and shoving randomly. Who knew I not only failed to push her off but lost my own balance, and before the other person even retaliated, I fell off first.”
Song Zisu felt a jolt: “Then one must use stillness to overcome movement, use the unchanging… to respond to myriad changes.”
“Aren’t those the exact words? And I couldn’t even think of them. It has to be you, Aunt.”
Chief Court Lady Song shook her head, smiling: Where couldn’t Her Highness think of such things? She was just offering her advice subtly.
Yu Jun added: “Actually, there’s no need for us to be anxious. Imperial Mother is just a bit blinded by being too close to the situation, overly concerned for Brother Crown Prince. Once she calms down for a day or two, she’ll figure it out herself. I’m merely speaking out of turn.”
Chief Court Lady Song respectfully accompanied Yu Jun out the door. She watched her leave into the distance, then returned to the hall and reported her words verbatim to the Empress.
Empress Wang suddenly saw the light, a slight smile on her face: “One word awakens the dreamer. This little girl, having grown up in the palace since childhood, really has her wits about her.”
Song Zisu said: “The Princess is a clever person, and she knows when to advance and retreat. Earlier, I was worried that because her relationship with the Third Prince wasn’t bad, she might pretend to be deaf and mute, unwilling to speak out. Clearly, she is close to Your Ladyship after all.”
Empress Wang sighed: “Back then, when Taizong of the Former Dynasty surrendered, the Empress Dowager brought her back to the palace. She was raised by the Dowager and myself… How could she not be close?”
Song Zisu said: “Indeed. No one else can surpass this bond. Speaking of which, earlier, the bet the Princess made with the Crown Prince—it turns out she just wanted the Crown Prince to take her along to the Nation-Protecting Temple. Truly filial and virtuous.”
Empress Wang was silent for a moment, staring into space: “Forget it. Since she wants to go so much, let her be. No need to strictly forbid it anymore. As for His Majesty’s side, I’ll speak with him myself. That way the Crown Prince won’t be put in a difficult position either.”
Chief Court Lady Song smiled: “The Princess wasn’t making a bet with the Crown Prince at all. She was making a bet with Your Ladyship. In the end, you still have to step in.”
Empress Wang suddenly understood: “Are you saying that little girl thought of this layer beforehand? She knew that if she asked me directly, I might not agree, so she took a detour?”
Chief Court Lady Song was also taken aback. Empress Wang shook her head: “Never mind. For now, let’s just focus on not being flustered ourselves… Summon the meal.”
Chief Court Lady Song quickly agreed: “Last time, Your Ladyship mentioned that Steam Pot Chicken was quite good. It has pseudo-ginseng, cordyceps, and other medicinal ingredients inside—delicious and nourishing, piping hot. Perfectly suited for this gloomy, cold weather. Why don’t we have that?”
The Empress said: “That dish is good, but it needs to steam for about four hours. We don’t have the leisure to wait for it.”
“How could I let Your Ladyship wait? I anticipated you might want that dish… and had them prepare it in advance.”
The Empress was surprised: “You’re so thoughtful. But eating alone… If I hadn’t been so upset earlier, I should have invited that little girl to stay.”
Chief Court Lady Song pursed her lips: “How could the Fifth Highness’s portion be missing? With just a word from Your Ladyship, I’ll have it sent to the Jade Splendor Palace.”
Yu Jun had originally planned to return to the Jade Splendor Palace. But she remembered there seemed to be two more branches of wintersweet about to bloom—she might as well pick them and take them back.
Just as she was approaching the Imperial Garden, she heard several peals of laughter drifting over the wall.
“… That was a bit too much earlier, wasn’t it? That kid won’t go and tattle, will he?”
“Who would he tell? Who would pay him any mind? Someone as despised as a street rat… Him sneaking out of the Cold Palace should be a capital offense, and he dares to report us?”
“Haven’t seen him in a while. Who knew he’d grown such a noble, distinguished appearance, no less than the Third Prince himself? Tsk tsk, a pity he was born from the wrong womb. If he’d been in Consort De’s belly, he’d have soared to the top long ago…”
Yu Jun stopped walking and asked those beside her: “Who are they talking about?”