5. Traveling Back to the Qing Dynasty (5)

The young maids kneeling on the floor were filled with trepidation. This Lady Tong was quite famous in the palace; everyone knew she had been raised by the late Empress Dowager and shared a childhood bond with the Emperor, being his cousin and constant companion. Her affection for him was profound, and she was currently a leading contender for the position of Empress.

Although the selection for the Imperial Tea Room had not been officially announced, whispers from the Palace of Benevolent Tranquility had already revealed the intent. Every family with even the slightest connection was exerting all their influence to send their most outstanding daughters into the palace, hoping they would be selected for the inner court. Even if they only became low-ranking concubines, they could still elevate their family's status, and if they were fortunate enough to bear a prince, they might even be granted a banner promotion.

However, until the selection was finalized, they remained mere palace maids. Just like now—not only did they have to serve with utmost care, but they also had to ensure they did not offend Lady Tong, for doing so would truly ruin their futures and bring catastrophe upon their families.

Wen Yao, however, was not thinking of such things; she merely observed their appearances with curiosity. As expected of the Qianqing Palace tea room, the quality of the maids was exceptionally high. They were of all shapes and sizes, each possessing a unique charm. Still, Wen Yao could tell that the two kneeling in the center were the most striking, and she wondered if they might be the future "Consorts Hui and Rong."

"That will be all. You may go."

Having seen enough, her interest waned. Wen Yao waved her hand dismissively and returned to her book. The maids kowtowed immediately and filed out. It was not until they reached the tea room that they finally exhaled, feeling as though they had narrowly escaped a disaster.

"Lady Tong is truly beautiful."

"To be so at ease in the Qianqing Palace shows just how close she is to the Emperor."

"..."

The girls gathered to whisper, though they dared not say much, limiting their comments to praise. Even so, they were scolded by the head maid of the tea room. They fell silent, though in their hearts, they pondered. The elders of their clans all said this Lady Tong would never become Empress—at most, a consort—but seeing her ease in the Qianqing Palace today, they knew she would certainly be a favored consort in the future. As the foster daughter of the late Empress Dowager and the Emperor’s own cousin, they had grown up together, knowing everything about each other. How could the others ever hope to compete? With such a figure standing in their way, they felt the pressure before they had even entered the inner court.

Wen Yao stayed in the Qianqing Palace until late afternoon. After having dinner with Xuan Ye, the two strolled through the open space in front of the Hall of Union and Peace to aid their digestion. Turning left, they passed the Imperial Kitchen; turning back to the right, they passed the Imperial Tea Room and the Imperial Pharmacy.

The Hall of Union and Peace was small, but its foundation was built about a meter higher than the surrounding side halls. Wen Yao looked up at the three large characters inscribed above the hall. Compared to the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, which served as a residence, this place felt more like the true center of the Empress's power. It was not only the site of the wedding ceremony but also where the Empress received congratulations from court officials, noblewomen, and other concubines during birthdays and festivals.

Xuan Ye glanced at the plaque of the Hall of Union and Peace, then at Wen Yao’s expression, and sighed inwardly. The position of Empress concerned the stability of the entire nation. It was something he could not give his cousin.

"We’ve walked for a while. Shall I take you to see the Palace of Eternal Grace?" Xuan Ye held Wen Yao’s hand, giving it a gentle tug. Seeing her return to her senses, he led her out through the Jinghe Gate, directly into the Guangsheng Left Gate, and arrived before the main entrance of the Palace of Eternal Grace. The eunuchs guarding the gate had already opened it and were kneeling inside.

As soon as she entered, Wen Yao’s eyes were drawn to two large crabapple trees. Although the blooming season had passed, their branches were lush and full, indicating that when they blossomed in the spring, the sight must have been breathtaking. This was her first time seeing the trees at the Palace of Eternal Grace in person. In her previous life as a wandering spirit, she had seen them on television and had longed to drift to the capital to see them, but the nation’s prosperity and the national fortune concentrated in the Forbidden City had created a protective golden aura that barred her entry.

"These crabapple trees have grown so well. Will they bear fruit in the autumn?"

"Not at all." Xuan Ye laughed, finding her question truly adorable. "Even if they did, the fruit would be sour and astringent; it would certainly not be palatable."

He followed her gaze to the trees. He used to despise the Palace of Eternal Grace, as it had once housed his father’s favored consort, Lady Borjigin, and the Prince of Honor. Now that he was Emperor, knowing his cousin would live here, his resentment vanished in an instant. When his cousin recovered her health, they would have their own children here. He would slowly, together with her, erase every trace of his father and Lady Borjigin, completely covering this magnificent palace with the marks of Aisin Gioro Xuan Ye and Tong Wen Yao. He would ensure that when future generations mentioned the Palace of Eternal Grace, they would think not of his father and his consort, but of him and his cousin.

That night, Wen Yao stayed in the side hall of the Palace of Benevolent Longevity, the very room she had lived in since childhood. She was originally supposed to move to the Northern Five Quarters, but Xuan Ye, fearing she would not be comfortable, insisted on having the side hall opened for her. For this, he had been summoned to the Palace of Benevolent Tranquility and scolded by the Empress Dowager. What the grandmother and grandson discussed, Wen Yao did not know, but she did not return to the Northern Five Quarters, and Xuan Ye seemed in high spirits.

**

Wen Yao lived in the palace for seven full days before Xuan Ye allowed her to return home. She did not return alone; she brought back two imperial physicians. During her stay, Xuan Ye had them diagnose her and prescribe tonics to nourish her health, which she would continue to take until she entered the palace permanently. After the physicians familiarized themselves with the layout and agreed on a schedule for future pulse-reading visits, they paid their respects to Lady Jue Luo and returned to the Imperial Hospital.

Wen Yao’s sedan chair proceeded directly into the backyard, stopping at the entrance of the main courtyard. The maid, Dong Rui, who had been waiting, hurried forward to assist her. "Miss, the Mistress heard the news and has been waiting for you since early this morning."

Wen Yao leaned on her arm. "Has Mother been well at home these past few days?"

"Very well, she has just been thinking of you constantly." Lady Jue Luo stepped out of the house and hurried toward her. After standing still to look her up and down, she breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing her healthy complexion. "How was it in the palace? Did those two... make things difficult for you?"

"In their eyes, I am someone without a future, so why would they trouble themselves with me?" Wen Yao laughed, linking her arm with Lady Jue Luo’s as they walked inside. "However, I did run into the young lady of the Niohuru clan. We even exchanged names; she is called Tana."

"Tana... Eastern Pearl. A powerful name, though it sounds a bit like a Mongolian name."

Indeed, it did sound like a Mongolian name, and in the end, she would be married off to Mongolia.

"Is there any news from outside the palace?"

"Plenty."

Mother and daughter entered the house and began to exchange information. The past week outside the palace had been unpredictable; the Heseri and Niohuru clans appeared peaceful on the surface, but behind the scenes, they were at each other’s throats. The Tong family had no advantage in the competition for the Empress position, and Tong Guogang kept a low profile, so they were not targeted.

After spending some time together, Wen Yao rose to return to her own courtyard. As she was leaving, she noticed the maids holding the curtains. Seeing their hair styled in the manner of married women and their clothing slightly better than ordinary maids, she realized they were the concubines kept by Tong Guogang in the front courtyard.

"Mother, why have you brought them into the backyard?" Wen Yao asked, quite surprised.

"I am having them hold the curtains to learn their place. They will still return to the front courtyard at night, but once they are pregnant, I will find a quiet place for them to rest." Following Wen Yao’s advice from the other day, Lady Jue Luo had stopped their use of contraceptive tonics.

Wen Yao nodded in understanding and led Dong Rui back to her quarters.

Tong Guogang, upon returning from his duties, heard about this. For some reason, he felt a strange sense of panic. He had a harmonious relationship with his wife, and they were deeply affectionate. He had been content in this domestic peace, so Lady Jue Luo’s sudden move left him bewildered. Without even washing up, he hurried to the main courtyard.

Lady Jue Luo, as usual, helped him remove his court robes and served him. Once they were finished, the couple reclined on the kang to talk. Regarding his confusion, Lady Jue Luo sighed, a look of sorrow crossing her face. "Since you do not like Elundai, I cannot force you. I decided to stop their contraceptives so they might bear more children; surely one of them will be a son you favor."

"Regardless of whose womb they come from, they will call me their legal mother. That is better than you doting on the children of the second branch."

Tong Guogang was immediately agitated. "I only dislike Elundai’s temperament. How could I not love him?"

After all, he was his own flesh and blood, and it hadn't reached the point of father-son resentment.

"Elundai is exactly like you—looks and temper. Both of you are stubborn as mules. Perhaps I am unlucky to not have birthed a gentle and virtuous child like Yekeshu." Lady Jue Luo had intended to put on a performance, but as she spoke, she felt a genuine sense of despondency.

Seeing this, Tong Guogang immediately moved to her side, pulling her into his arms. "Yekeshu may be fine, but he is my brother's child. How could I possibly love him more than Elundai?"

"Elundai is the eldest son and grandson; he must not only inherit the lineage but also support the Tong clan. Perhaps I have been too strict with him, leading you to think this way. I do not dislike him; I simply have high hopes for him."

Tong Guogang spoke with absolute sincerity. Elundai was born to a noble status, and his mother was of the Red Band. Tong Guogang, wanting his son to succeed, was strict and maintained the image of a stern father. Even if Wen Yue from the second branch became a consort, the Emperor’s favor for the Tong clan would never bypass Elundai.

"Then have you ever said these words to Elundai?"

Tong Guogang: "..."

Fatherly love was meant to be silent, wasn't it? What kind of man would talk to his son about such things?

"Elundai has always felt you do not love him, and he has been acting out against you in his heart."

"That brat," Tong Guogang cursed.

"You are not attentive to Wen Yao, either," Lady Jue Luo said, sitting up straight. "When Wen Yao returned from the palace today, you didn't ask a single question. She is my daughter, and she was so healthy and lovely when she was born. Now that her health has declined, you don't even ask after her. In the last six months, you only visited her once. How could you be so heartless?"

"I have been busy with official business..." Tong Guogang felt guilty. He was never close to this daughter. Wen Yao had entered the palace when she was young, and by the time she returned, she was a grown woman. Seeing her poor health, he feared that if he grew too close, he would only suffer more when she eventually passed away. He also knew the clan’s plans for her. His own sister had died in the palace; if Wen Yao went, her fate would likely be the same. He didn't ask for her to gain favor or bring benefit to the family; he only hoped she would live long enough for Wen Yue to grow up, so that when Wen Yue entered the palace, she could benefit from Wen Yao’s lingering influence and start at a higher rank.

"Wen Yue is too young," Tong Guogang sighed. "If she were a few years older, I would never have let Wen Yao go into that deep palace."

But what other choice was there? As a member of the Red Band, Lady Jue Luo knew better than anyone what the deep palace was like. Hearing her husband’s lament, her heart grew heavy, but she said no more. For her daughter to enter the palace as a consort was both a grace and a blessing.