Chapter 10: With the Noble Consort Behind Her, How Could She Lose to That Country Girl?

When Shen Zhiyi worked in operations in the modern world, she had learned a lesson: if the answer to a problem looked too simple, it was probably wrong.

If Attendant Liu was the culprit, would she still wear a pale yellow dress so openly? Would someone who truly wanted her rival dead be so conspicuous? Was Liu fearless, or was someone else responsible?

Zhiyi didn’t know. The harem was still too unfamiliar to her, but she was certain of one thing. Whoever had pushed her into the water, Liu or someone else, would not stop after one attempt. As long as Zhiyi remained in the palace and had the emperor’s attention, those pink-painted hands would come for her again.

She would find the person, in time.

…

At that same moment, in a side hall of Chuxiu Palace, Attendant Liu sat before her dinner without touching it. The food had gone cold, grease congealing on its surface. It was hardly appetizing. She propped her cheek on her hand, brows knotted, her misery as thick as ink.

First Attendant Wang sat opposite her with a meal of her own, eating calmly, her chopsticks rising and falling with unhurried grace. She had entered the palace the year before Liu. Her family was neither particularly distinguished nor humble, her looks unremarkable. In the harem she was like a drop of water in the sea, raising not a ripple. Yet she had lived peacefully in Chuxiu Palace until now; clearly she had her own skills.

“Sister Wang,” Liu finally said, unmistakable fear in her voice, “did I offend the Noble Consort today? What should I do?”

Wang took a bite of shredded bamboo shoots, chewed slowly, and dabbed the corners of her mouth with a handkerchief before looking up. Her gaze and voice were calm, as though soothing a frightened child.

“It wasn’t your fault. I’m sure Her Ladyship knows that. Shen Zhiyi was to blame.”

Liu bit her lip. “But in front of so many people…”

“In front of all those people, you said what the Noble Consort wanted to say but couldn’t conveniently say herself.” Wang set down her chopsticks and looked at her with the understanding of someone more experienced. “Why do you think she didn’t turn on you then and there? Because you said exactly what she was thinking.”

Liu paused, slowly taking that in.

Seeing that she was listening, Wang continued, “Go to Chengqian Palace tomorrow and apologize to Her Ladyship in person. Be sincere and humble. Whatever punishment or scolding she gives you, endure it.”

Liu hesitated. “What if she refuses to see me?”

“She won’t.” Wang was certain. “You spoke up for her. She won’t disregard that show of allegiance. Once you’re past this, you’ll be one of her trusted people. With the Noble Consort behind you, why worry about losing to that wild country girl Shen Zhiyi?”

Much of Liu’s gloom lifted, replaced by renewed hope. She clenched her handkerchief and nodded vigorously. “You’re right, Sister Wang. I’ll go to Chengqian Palace first thing tomorrow.”

Wang smiled, picked up her chopsticks, and ate a bite of the now-cold food without a change of expression. Liu didn’t notice that there was no warmth in her eyes.

…

Dusk settled, and the lamps of Kunning Palace were lit one by one. Sujian helped the empress out of her outer robe. Her pale red sleeping gown lent her a gentle dignity, though nothing could quite hide the weariness between her brows.

As Sujian folded the clothes, she muttered, “Your Majesty, one of the newcomers certainly made a spectacle of herself at this morning’s greetings.”

The empress sat at her dressing table, slowly drawing a jade comb through her hair. She gave a light laugh. “Indeed she did.”

Sujian draped the clothes over a screen and returned to remove the empress’s earrings. “Attendant Shen was the first newcomer summoned to His Majesty’s bed. Don’t you think she’s become too presumptuous?”

“Being first means very little.” The empress glanced at Sujian in the bronze mirror and set down her comb. “If she can become pregnant, that will be an achievement. She’s only a crude woman from the countryside, nothing to worry about.”

Sujian nodded and kept working. The empress removed her fingernail guards. “That Attendant Liu, though—she was quite lively today.”

Sujian’s hands paused. In the mirror the empress looked as composed as ever, the faintest trace of a smile at her lips, but Sujian heard the chill beneath her words.

Liu’s behavior in Kunning Palace had openly belittled Zhiyi while covertly currying favor with the Noble Consort. Before the entire hall she had repeated “Her Ladyship the Noble Consort” at every turn, practically writing *I belong to the Noble Consort* on her face.

Worse still, in putting Zhiyi down, she had insisted on calling her a country woman. The empress herself had been selected from the provinces. Though her background was far above a village head’s daughter, in the eyes of the capital’s noblewomen she too was an outsider.

Could Liu see only the Noble Consort and not the empress? It was a blatant lack of respect for her.

Sujian frowned, indignant on her mistress’s behalf. “You’re right, Your Majesty. Attendant Liu is detestable. But as the saying goes, there’s always someone to deal with a wicked person. Just wait and see.”

“Enough of that.” The empress’s voice returned to its former calm. “Whom has His Majesty summoned tonight?”

Sujian had already made inquiries. “One of the newcomers, First Attendant Ye.”

The empress said no more and rose to go to bed. Sujian hurried to lift the curtains and arrange the bedding. Once the empress lay down, she lowered the curtains again. After a moment’s silence, the empress’s quiet voice came from within.

“First Attendant Ye… is she the second legitimate daughter of the Director of the Imperial Academy?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. The Empress Dowager selected her as a First Attendant herself. She’s pretty, educated and sensible, and quiet by nature.”

“Mm.” The empress’s voice grew softer, as if she were already closing her eyes. “Let us rest.”

Kunning Palace sank into the deep night.

…