Chapter 10

Chu Qingwan had not slept well the night before, and now, with her mind set on returning to catch up on her rest, she had no intention of staying behind to watch the spectacle of Lady Du making a fool of herself.

Chi Chun, knowing her mistress was exhausted, took special care to instruct the palace servants to keep quiet once she had fallen asleep.

After she drifted off, the rest of the harem began to gossip incessantly about the friction between Lady Du and Lady He.

At the Cining Palace, the Empress Dowager’s face turned icy. With a sharp *thud*, she slammed her prayer beads onto the floor, her rage boiling over. "Fool!"

Matron Zhou sighed and bent down to pick up the beads. She consoled her, "Lady Du is young, and having gained your favor, it is only natural for her to be a bit reckless."

The Empress Dowager’s expression did not improve in the slightest. "They are all so short-sighted. To be so reckless the moment they enter the palace—how can I pin any high hopes on her?!"

Matron Zhou understood that the rebuke was aimed at more than just Lady Du, so she could only stroke the Empress Dowager’s back, fearing the woman might be overcome by her own anger. It was no wonder the Empress Dowager was furious; everyone with eyes could see that she and the Noble Consort were currently locked in a power struggle. For Lady He and Lady Du, both on her side, to start bickering among themselves was merely inviting others to laugh at them.

Matron Zhou whispered, "Your Majesty, why lower yourself to her level? If she is truly useless, you need only discard her."

After all, they had only put in a good word for Lady Du during the selection; they hadn't yet placed any major bets on her.

After a moment, the Empress Dowager finally calmed down. She closed her eyes, her expression dark and obscure. "If only my son were not so cold-hearted, I would not have to resort to such schemes."

Matron Zhou dared not respond. It would be one thing to discuss the concubines, but to speak ill of the Emperor was not a liberty a servant could take.

The Empress Dowager picked up her prayer beads again. She gripped Matron Zhou’s hand, her voice trembling with sorrow. "I am his own mother, yet he guards against me as if I were a thief! He allows Lady Gu to enter the palace; why not the women of the Zhou family? If only Hao-er had not—"

Before she could finish, Matron Zhou’s face shifted, and she quickly interrupted, "Your Majesty!"

The Empress Dowager cut herself off, clearly realizing she had lost her composure, and fell silent. Matron Zhou breathed a sigh of relief and quickly changed the subject. "Your Majesty, what should we do about Lady Du?"

Following her lead, the Empress Dowager did not mention Xu Yanheng again, her face turning completely cold. "Pay her no mind. This palace has no need for the useless."

Hearing this, Matron Zhou swallowed her words and reached out to soothe the Empress Dowager. Lady Du was cast into the back of their minds.

***

By the time Chu Qingwan woke up, the daylight outside was already fading. The setting sun was swallowed by the horizon, leaving only a remnant of crimson clouds that shone through the latticed windows, casting a flush across her cheeks.

Chu Qingwan sat on the edge of the bed, taking the fresh water Chi Chun offered to rinse her mouth. Having slept so long, she was still a bit dazed. She asked curiously, "I could hear you all whispering the moment I woke up. What are you talking about?"

Chi Chun was always attentive; given her temperament, she would never disturb her mistress’s rest unless something had happened. Chi Chun looked a bit embarrassed, not having intended to wake her, and whispered an explanation: "It is about Lady Du."

Chu Qingwan was puzzled. She glanced at the hourglass in the hall; she had slept for over two hours. Could Lady Du’s kneeling punishment still be going on?

Chi Chun said, "It is said that Lady Du knelt for two full hours. When she tried to get up, she couldn't even stand steadily and fell, seemingly injuring her face."

As she spoke, Chi Chun hesitated. Chu Qingwan, stunned by the news, asked, "What is it? Why can't you speak plainly?"

Chi Chun gave an awkward laugh before saying slowly, "The coincidence is that when Lady Du fell, the Emperor’s carriage had just arrived."

At the mention of the Emperor, Chi Chun covertly observed her mistress’s expression, worried that she might feel uncomfortable, given that she had served him in the bedchamber just the night before.

Chu Qingwan, however, felt no such discomfort. She had anticipated such scenes even before entering the palace. If she could not accept them, she would not have chosen to enter.

Compared to Xu Yanheng’s appearance, she was more curious about whether Lady Du’s fall was accidental, or if she had done it on purpose upon noticing the Emperor’s arrival. Recalling Chi Chun’s mention that her forehead was bleeding, Chu Qingwan found it hard to judge. In this palace, no one could be unaware of the importance of one's face; would Lady Du really go to such lengths to harm herself?

What Chu Qingwan did not know was that after she had left, Lady Du had indeed cried and made a scene for a while. Back in her family home, she had always been doted upon; when had she ever suffered such grievances?

Under normal circumstances, Lady Du was not this reckless, but while still at the Chuxiu Palace, she had sensed the Empress Dowager’s favor through Matron Zhou’s words. This had sent her into a state of ecstasy, causing her to lose her composure.

She had cried and made a scene not just because of the humiliation, but to put on a show for the Cining Palace. But after kneeling for half an hour with no one coming to bid her rise, Lady Du suddenly realized something, and her heart went cold. She realized that if she continued this way, the Empress Dowager would eventually discard her.

Thus, she fell silent and dutifully knelt for the full two hours. However, having never suffered such hardships—even during palace etiquette training, they were treated as mistresses and the staff dared not be too strict—the moment she stood up, her legs felt as if they no longer belonged to her.

As for the fall, it was indeed intentional. Perhaps because she was thin-skinned and terrified of others seeing her in such a wretched state, she had been keeping a close watch on her surroundings. Thus, she spotted the Emperor’s retinue before anyone else. Before the carriage drew near, she thought of the Empress Dowager and the opportunity she had missed the night before. In an instant, she made up her mind; she acted as if her legs were numb and she couldn't stand, collapsing to the ground before the palace servants could catch her.

She hadn't hit the ground hard, but the gash on her forehead, with bright red blood trickling down her cheek, inevitably caused a commotion. By the time the surrounding gasps and confusion erupted, the Emperor’s carriage had no choice but to stop.

Regardless, the end result had gone as she wished: the Emperor had noticed her, even if the price paid was quite high.

By the time the news reached the Yuqiong Pavilion, the imperial physician had already arrived at the Yuhua Pavilion. Chu Qingwan couldn't help but ask, "And Lady He?"

After all, Lady Du’s wretched state was inseparable from Lady He’s actions.

Nongqiu had brought back dinner, and as Chi Chun set the table, she replied, "I heard Lady He rushed over the moment she received the news."

Nongqiu, standing by, couldn't help but interject, "I wonder whose side the Emperor will take."

Chu Qingwan paused. Truth be told, she was curious herself. Lady He’s reason for punishing Lady Du was faultless, yet Lady Du had genuinely suffered. It would simply come down to whether Lady Du could win the Emperor’s pity through this incident.

Chi Chun subtly nudged Nongqiu with her elbow and gave her a warning look. Nongqiu immediately realized it was inappropriate to ask her mistress this, as no matter who the Emperor favored, it was unlikely to be good news for their own mistress.

Chu Qingwan didn't dwell on it; she would know the answer soon enough tomorrow.

***

At the Changle Palace, Yuhua Pavilion.

Xu Yanheng sat in his seat while a medical attendant examined the injuries on Lady Du’s knees and forehead. Besides them, Lady Song and Lady He were also in the hall.

This matter had nothing to do with Lady Song, but as the mistress of the Changle Palace, she had a responsibility to check on Lady Du.

Lady He stood by, anxious and uneasy. She didn't care whether Lady Du was injured, but she couldn't help but glance toward Xu Yanheng’s position. She had already explained her reasons for punishing Lady Du, but Xu Yanheng had not said a word.

Xu Yanheng’s eyelids were lowered. Perhaps having waited too long, he was slowly cracking walnut shells with a tool. His fingers gripped the walnuts, his movements unhurried, yet his face remained devoid of any expression, making it impossible to discern his mood.

After Lady Song arrived, she stood silently. Only when the medical attendant was treating Lady Du’s wounds did she ask in a muffled voice, "How are Lady Du’s injuries?"

The medical attendant replied, "Your Ladyship, the wound on Lady Du’s forehead is not deep. With the application of ointment, it will scab over in two or three days."

Upon hearing this, Lady Du’s sobbing paused for a moment. Lady He, however, felt the opposite; she breathed a sigh of relief and covered her lips. "Lady Du, you truly frightened me. I heard you crying the moment I arrived; I thought it was some terrible injury."

Lady He was so focused on mocking Lady Du that she didn't notice Xu Yanheng lift his gaze to sweep a look at her. Lady Du, blocked by the medical attendant, didn't see it either. Only Lady Song noticed, and she bowed her head even lower, keeping silent.

Lady Du’s knees were bruised and purple, making it difficult to move. She didn't confront Lady He, instead defenselessly explaining, "I was just so frightened..."

Why was she frightened? Because there was blood on her face, and she feared being disfigured. For a woman, this was indeed a grave matter, and her panic was only human nature.

Lady Du turned toward Xu Yanheng in a flurry, her eyes brimming with tears, as if terrified he would think she was making a mountain out of a molehill.

Lady He saw her posturing and felt a lump in her throat. She had been defiant just a moment ago—why was she playing the victim now?!

Lady He’s face darkened, and just as she was about to speak, she heard a faint sound. She turned toward Xu Yanheng and abruptly clamped her mouth shut.

Xu Yanheng had set aside his tools, and the shelled walnut was tossed onto the table. He took a silk cloth to wipe his hands, then looked up at Lady He. "Why did you stop?"

Lady He’s face turned deathly pale. With a *thud*, she knelt. "This concubine knows her mistake."

Lady Du clutched her quilt, not understanding why Lady He was so terrified. She subconsciously spoke up, "Your Majesty..."

Xu Yanheng turned to look at her.

Lady Du suddenly lost her voice, her own face turning pale. It wasn't that she didn't want to use this opportunity to gain the Emperor’s pity, but she could see that the way Xu Yanheng looked at her held no tenderness—only coldness and impatience.

Xu Yanheng seemed not to notice Lady Du’s fear. He stood up, his voice devoid of emotion. "Since Lady Du is injured, she should stay in the palace and recover well. When you have healed, you may go to the Chaohe Palace to pay your respects."

This was a disguised form of confinement.

With that, Xu Yanheng dropped the silk cloth, which fluttered onto the floor right in front of Lady He, and turned to leave.

Lady Du was left in a daze. She hadn't expected to be confined, nor had she expected the Emperor to offer no reprimand to Lady He. She didn't understand—why had it turned out this way?

Lady Song took it all in and let out a silent sigh.