21. Time-Travel to the Qing Dynasty (21)

The Empress looked at Concubine Tong’s face, which was caked with thick powder; even the rouge could not conceal her deathly pallor. Despite her magnificent court attire and the opulent hair ornaments she wore, she could not hide the pervasive aura of illness, even as she sat there.

It was evident that last night’s service in the Emperor’s bedchamber had been a taxing ordeal.

The Empress felt a measure of relief in her heart, though she could not help but feel a twinge of resentment toward Nanny Bu. Everyone knew that Concubine Tong was frail—a woman who could not even rise from her bed during her monthly courses. For her to attend to the Emperor was already pushing her limits; if she wished to survive, she certainly could not afford to conceive. Yet, Nanny Bu had still dispatched a young eunuch to pry for information.

The head palace maid of the Palace of Eternal Grace (Chengqian Palace) was a capable woman trusted by the Empress Dowager Tong. Having been deeply entrenched in the inner palace for many years, no one knew how many hidden networks she held in her grasp. How could she possibly be unaware of Nanny Bu’s petty schemes?

Privately, the Empress had no desire to provoke enmity with the Palace of Eternal Grace.

"Once you return from paying your respects to the Empress Dowager, you may return to your palace to rest. There is no need to come for the afternoon greetings," the Empress said with a faint, weary sigh. Her gaze, fixed on Wen Yao, was filled with genuine concern. "Your health truly worries me."

"I am grateful for your concern, Your Majesty. My constitution has always been this way. Fortunately, as the weather turns warmer, it is not as difficult as it was at the beginning of the year," Wen Yao replied in a slow, soft, and gentle voice, though one could still detect the shortness of breath behind her words.

"I had intended to excuse you from the rites today, but since you attended to the Emperor last night, you were required to come for the morning greetings. I could hardly go against the rules."

"Since it is the rule, it must be observed—*cough, cough*—" Wen Yao gave a very timely, light cough.

The Empress responded with another wave of anxious inquiries.

About a quarter of an hour later, the vapid pleasantries finally came to an end. The Empress dismissed them. The other concubines, who had remained as invisible as possible, immediately rose to take their leave. Concubine Wanyan was followed by a large entourage toward the Western Six Palaces, while Concubine Majia and Concubine Nara lingered, casting hesitant glances toward Wen Yao.

If Wen Yao did not leave, they dared not depart first.

"You may return. I am to accompany the Empress to the Palace of Benevolence and Tranquility (Cining Palace) for greetings," Wen Yao said, not wishing to make things difficult for them.

"Understood. We take our leave."

Receiving permission, the two concubines bowed and retreated. It was not until they had passed through the Yongxiang Gate that the two women exchanged a glance and shared a soft laugh.

Concubine Majia spoke first, "Concubine Nara, have you had your morning meal yet?"

"I have not."

"Then why not join me at the Palace of Gathered Elegance (Zhongcui Palace) to eat?"

"That sounds lovely. We can have a chat."

Concubine Nara’s personal maid, Qinyin, immediately signaled to the young eunuch following them. The eunuch bowed and hurried toward the Palace of Prolonged Happiness (Yanxi Palace); he had to return to bring his mistress’s breakfast to the Palace of Gathered Elegance. As minor concubines, their allotted portions were not high. Although they had the support of their clans, it was best not to draw too much attention and to remain low-key.

The two arrived at the Palace of Gathered Elegance.

As soon as she entered, the Lady Nara looked around with curiosity. Because only the Eastern Side Hall was in use, the gates to the main hall and the Western Side Hall were locked.

The Palace of Gathered Elegance had many covered walkways; they connected the main hall to the side halls, and also lined both sides of the Zhongcui Gate. Because of the abundance of these walkways, the courtyard felt narrow and cramped, and even the sunlight seemed less brilliant.

Especially with an apricot tree standing in the center of the yard.

"This apricot tree must be beautiful when it blossoms in the spring," Concubine Nara remarked with a hint of envy. "In my courtyard, there are two lilac bushes. They are nice, but the buds aren't as large as apricot blossoms; it doesn't look as lively as yours."

"If you want to talk about beauty, the pear blossoms at the Palace of Eternal Grace are the ones that are truly breathtaking."

Concubine Majia had tea served, and the two sat in the courtyard, having a young eunuch bring out a small table so they could eat their breakfast outdoors.

"The Palace of Heavenly Purity is so close to the Palace of Eternal Grace. Back when I had to go to the tea storehouse to collect tea, I purposely took the long way around the entrance of the Palace of Eternal Grace. It was a sea of snow-white, like clouds and mist—truly beautiful."

"Indeed. Was there anyone in the tea room who didn't sneak a peek back then?"

Concubine Nara looked up at the square patch of sky and sighed, unable to help but think of the slender, frail figure she had seen that morning. "The one at the Palace of Eternal Grace... her health truly looks abysmal."

"They say it’s a root illness from childhood. The Emperor is also very worried; he has even sent the imperial physicians from his own side to take her pulse daily at the Palace of Eternal Grace."

They did not envy her; after all, such a body was merely a way of dragging out one's days.

"Watching these past few days, the Empress seems very attentive to her as well."

"Naturally, she should be."

The two exchanged a knowing look. No further words were necessary; everything was understood without being said.

***

Switching perspectives, if they were the Empress, they would also do everything in their power to preserve the life of this Concubine Tong. To have a sickly woman occupy a high position—was that not a highly profitable business deal?

On the other side, Wen Yao followed behind the Empress into the gates of the Palace of Benevolence and Tranquility.

The Empress Dowager’s Palace of Longevity and Health was right next to the Palace of Benevolence and Tranquility. Usually, during the day, she stayed in the Palace of Benevolence and Tranquility, only returning to the Palace of Longevity and Health to sleep. Thus, although they were said to be paying respects to both, in reality, they only needed to come to the Palace of Benevolence and Tranquility.

The two waited for a while in the side hall before being summoned into the main hall.

"Your granddaughter-in-law pays her respects to the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager Mother."

"This servant pays her respects to the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager Mother."

The two knelt and kowtowed.

The self-reference felt stifling to the heart. Wen Yao lowered her eyelids, concealing the flash of disgust in her eyes.

Since entering the palace as a concubine, Wen Yao had not come to the Palace of Benevolence and Tranquility. The last time she had come was before the Emperor’s wedding, when it was claimed she was "possessed" by nightmares and could not sleep soundly, which was why she was summoned into the palace. Even then, she had only kowtowed to the Empress Dowager.

After moving into the palace, the Empress Dowager had been unwilling to summon her, and she had been unwilling to come.

Now that she had attended to the Emperor, they were forced to meet, even if both sides preferred otherwise.

Thinking of the drugs the Empress Dowager had administered to Empress Dowager Tong—which had inadvertently led to the original owner's death—Wen Yao felt a chill in her heart. The old ghost was a reasonable one; since she had occupied this body, she would not necessarily shoulder the original's karma, but the debt of blood would certainly be repaid.

Besides...

She did not believe the Empress Dowager would let her be.

Regardless of whether she knew the truth of what happened years ago, her very existence was evidence. The Empress Dowager was no longer young; she was already half-buried. To ensure the honor of the Empress Dowager Mother after her own death, she would never allow such an unstable element to remain by the Emperor’s side.

If she didn't strike now, it was only because she saw how frail Wen Yao was and believed she would not live long.

Of course, it was also because the Emperor was currently very attached to her. Years ago, the Empress Dowager had used ruthless means to separate the late Emperor from Consort Donggo. After Consort Donggo passed away, the late Emperor’s spirit had shattered, and he died shortly after contracting smallpox. Now, encountering another such situation, she did not dare to use heavy-handed tactics again.

Tong Wen Yao had grown up with the Emperor as a childhood sweetheart and was also his maternal cousin. This bond of companionship and the connection of blood were not things the Donggo woman could compare to.

The Empress Dowager was also afraid...

She feared that after Wen Yao passed away, the Emperor would make a scene of dying for love.

She had raised the Emperor herself, and she understood his temperament well. She knew he was not like the late Emperor and would not kill himself over a woman, but she dared not gamble. What if? What if the Emperor followed the late Emperor’s path?

Therefore, the Empress Dowager would not kill her now; she was waiting for her to die. If she refused to die, perhaps she would take her along when her own end drew near...

"Rise."

Wen Yao slowly straightened up along with the Empress, supporting herself with Dongrui’s hand. When she looked up again, her eyes were filled with pure innocence.

"Do not stand. Grant them seats."

The Empress Dowager wore a kind, smiling expression, showing none of the ruthlessness she had displayed while protecting two generations of emperors. Instead, she looked like an ordinary, wealthy old woman—but to underestimate her would be a grave mistake.

"Thank you, Empress Dowager."

The two sat down, with the Empress at the head and Wen Yao in a lower seat.

"Wen Yao’s face looks a bit pale. Are you tired?" The question came from the Empress Dowager Mother, her tone filled with concern, though she spoke in Mongolian.

The original owner had grown up in the palace and naturally spoke Mongolian. Wen Yao perfectly inherited this skill, so she smiled and replied, "Thank you for your concern, Empress Dowager Mother. My health is fine; I have been taking medicine lately."

The Empress Dowager Mother sighed and made a sympathetic sound, looking quite heartbroken.

"I remember, when you were little, your health was fine. You were chubby and very beautiful."

The Empress Dowager Mother had never shared a bed with the late Emperor, let alone had children. Back then, the Emperor had been raised at the Empress Dowager’s knees, and she had doted on him dearly. Consequently, she had also taken great care of the young Wen Yao who lived in the palace. Watching a healthy child turn into her current frail state, her pity was genuine.

Wen Yao was truly sickly, but her attire was not that of a "white lotus." She wore vibrant materials and was adorned with gold and jade. Had she not been ill, she would have been a flamboyant and beautiful young lady.

The Empress Dowager Mother did not like concubines of the Consort Donggo style. In the past, the original owner had often worn plain clothes due to her low-key nature, which, combined with her frailty, gave her a hint of Consort Donggo’s aura. Now that Wen Yao had changed her style, it made the Empress Dowager Mother forget the past.

"Enough. The Tong girl is grown now; it is only natural that she is different from when she was a child." The Empress Dowager immediately interrupted when the Empress Dowager Mother began speaking of Wen Yao’s childhood.

The Empress Dowager Mother quickly shut her mouth.

She looked at the Empress Dowager with a blank expression, as if she did not understand what she had said wrong.

Wen Yao, however, was surprised in her heart. Could it be that the Empress Dowager Mother did not know that the Empress Dowager had poisoned the late Empress Dowager Tong? Otherwise, she could not have spoken so casually about her childhood. After all, memories of childhood might fade, but they remained deep in the mind; there was no guarantee that, in her nostalgia, she might recall something. That was why the Empress Dowager was so cautious.

"Since you have served the Emperor, you must be diligent in your duties in the future. Of course, the Emperor is still young and his body is just reaching maturity. You must not cling to him too much; it is important that the Emperor’s health remains good."

"Understood. This servant accepts your instruction."

"In that case, Sumalagu."

"Yes."

Sumalagu waved her hand toward the back, and a long line of young palace maids emerged holding trays.

"Your health is poor, and the Emperor is headstrong. Since you are older, you should advise him. You served well yesterday, so these are rewards for the Palace of Eternal Grace."

"Thank you, Empress Dowager, for the reward."

Wen Yao knelt once more.

The Empress Dowager waved her hand. "Your health is poor; go back and rest early. Seeing your face so pale is truly distressing."

This was a dismissal.

Wen Yao naturally obeyed and immediately took her leave of the Palace of Benevolence and Tranquility. She traveled by palanquin, swaying gently as she moved through the long corridors of the Western Six Palaces, passing the Imperial Garden, and swaying again through the corridors of the Eastern Six Palaces, taking a long route before finally returning to the Palace of Eternal Grace.

Nanny Songqin had been waiting all morning. Seeing them return, she hurried forward to support Wen Yao’s arm, asking with concern, "Is my mistress feeling alright?"

"I am fine, do not worry." Wen Yao patted the back of her hand.

"Quickly go back to your room and rest. Zhao Quan has been up since dawn stewing tonic soup. It’s the recipe for replenishing energy and blood that the imperial physician prescribed a few days ago. He said that stewing it with an old hen makes it especially fresh, sweet, and nourishing. When Zhao Quan heard the Emperor came last night, he got up in the middle of the night to start it." Nanny Songqin nagged as she helped Wen Yao inside.

Following behind them, filing in, were the young eunuchs carrying the rewards. At the very front was the deputy director of the Palace of Benevolence and Tranquility, Wang Laixi.

"These are the rewards from the Empress Dowager. Chunling, take them to the storeroom and find Qiuwen to log them in. Don't forget to stop by the tea room afterward; Yan'er has been developing many new snacks and fruits lately, so give some to these young eunuchs as a reward. And don't forget the gratuity."

Wen Yao sat in an armchair in the main hall, supported by Nanny Songqin.

Wang Laixi followed them across the threshold.

"Dongrui."

"This servant is here." Dongrui stepped forward, bowed, and after straightening up, took out a dark blue pouch embroidered with bat patterns. She walked to Wang Laixi and handed it to him. "Eunuch Wang, you have worked hard. Our mistress asks you to have some tea."

"This servant thanks Mistress Tong for the reward."

Wang Laixi took the pouch and gave it a light squeeze. It felt light—clearly, it was bank notes, not some deceptive silver ingots.

Having received the reward, there was nothing more to say. Wang Laixi kowtowed to Wen Yao, and upon leaving, was led to the side room by Zhao Defang. "The storeroom needs to log the items, so Eunuch Wang, please rest your feet in our palace. The snacks from the Palace of Eternal Grace’s tea room are praised even by the Emperor; do us the honor of having a bite."

Wang Laixi naturally nodded in agreement.

He thought to himself that delivering rewards to a concubine who had served the Emperor was truly a great job. If there were such errands in the future, he would certainly vie for them.

Especially errands to this Palace of Eternal Grace.

As Wang Laixi drank his tea and ate the snacks, he turned away from others and opened the pouch to look. Seeing the fifty taels on the bank note, he felt even more satisfied.

Concubine Tong was generous!

Only such a generous concubine was fit to rise step by step in the inner palace.