Chapter 16: Why Are You Still Here?

Li Xuandu withdrew his gaze from Shen Zhiyi and looked at the Noble Consort, a faint smile on his face. “I was passing by and heard some activity inside, so I came to see. Chengqian Palace is lively today.”

His tone was casual, as though it were a matter of no consequence. Even so, the Noble Consort felt a momentary pang of unease. She knew exactly what he meant. His new favorite sat in her hall copying a book as punishment; it was hardly a pleasant sight for him to walk in on.

But she was the Noble Consort, and her unease lasted only an instant. She quickly composed herself and linked her arm through his, her voice taking on a coaxing note. “Please don’t misunderstand, Your Majesty. I’m not making things difficult for First Attendant Shen.”

She glanced at Zhiyi, who was still bent over her copying, and raised her voice a little, plainly for the emperor’s benefit. “Sister Shen is somewhat lacking in manners. As Noble Consort, am I not allowed to offer her a little guidance? Besides, her writing is very poor. I’m doing this for her own good, so she won’t breach etiquette elsewhere someday and embarrass Your Majesty.”

Li Xuandu looked at her and suddenly smiled. He reached out and lightly brushed a finger along her nose. “Mischievous,” he said, with a trace of indulgent exasperation.

The gesture delighted her. Her smile nearly overflowed as she leaned closer, becoming even more coquettish. He didn’t push her away, but his gaze passed over her shoulder and returned to Zhiyi.

After a moment he looked away, his tone returning to its customary calm, though his meaning was hard to read. “First Attendant Shen’s background is humble. There’s no need to demand too much of her manners. It’s good enough that she can read and write. What does it matter whether her writing is pretty?”

The Noble Consort’s smile froze for an instant. Before she could answer, he turned to Zhiyi. His brow creased slightly. His voice was quiet, but its coolness allowed no argument. “The Noble Consort and I have matters to discuss. Why are you still here?”

At last Zhiyi’s brush stopped. She looked up and met his eyes. Hers held weariness, hurt, and a barely perceptible bewilderment, like a kitten drenched in rain and unsure where to go.

She opened her mouth as if to speak, then swallowed the words. She looked down at the unfinished pages on the table, then at the ink-covered brush in her hand. Finally, she set it down, rose, and curtsied.

“Yes, Your Majesty. I’ll take my leave.”

Her voice was so soft it was almost swallowed by the lily incense. She gathered the pages she had copied, went around the low table, and walked out with her head lowered. At the doorway she paused, as if tempted to look back, but in the end she lifted the curtain and left without turning. It fell with a soft sound.

The hall was quiet for a moment. The Noble Consort watched the curtain sway, unsure whether she felt triumph or something else. The emperor had sent Zhiyi away in front of her. Surely that meant the Noble Consort’s place in his heart was far more important than a little First Attendant’s.

Her smile widened. She clasped his arm affectionately. “You’ve come at just the right time, Your Majesty. I’ve had your favorite pigeon soup prepared. Would you dine here?”

“Very well.” Li Xuandu nodded.

He sat opposite her at a table full of dishes. The pigeon soup was indeed excellent, clear and fragrant, but he set down his spoon after two mouthfuls. The Noble Consort attentively served him food and chatted about everyday matters, smiling all the while. She believed he had come especially to see her and was delighted.

Li Xuandu responded to her conversation, nodding now and then or murmuring assent, giving no outward sign that anything was amiss. Yet the image of Zhiyi’s hurt, bewildered eyes kept returning to him, as if engraved on his mind. Looking at the radiant Noble Consort, he formed a judgment of his own.

Zhao Quan’an stood in a corner and observed everything. He understood perfectly: the emperor had not been passing Chengqian Palace at all. He had left the Hall of Mental Cultivation intending to go to the Imperial Study, then suddenly changed direction. Zhao had wondered why, after several days away, His Majesty had decided to visit Chengqian Palace. Now he understood.

The emperor had come to see Zhiyi, not the Noble Consort. The First Attendant whom the Noble Consort had made copy a book mattered far more to him than Zhao had imagined. It seemed the harem was in for another upheaval.

Zhiyi returned to Changchun Palace looking dejected, a sight witnessed by quite a few people. In truth, she understood perfectly. The emperor’s dismissal had looked like a reprimand, but it had actually rescued her. The day’s ordeal had been worth it.

“Bitao.”

“Yes, my lady.”

“What’s for dinner?”

Bitao blinked, surprised that this was her first question on returning. “The Imperial Kitchen says there’s pigeon soup tonight, with stir-fried greens and osmanthus cakes.”

“Pigeon soup sounds good.” Zhiyi nodded. “I’ll drink extra to nourish my brain.”

Outside, the sun sank westward, covering Changchun Palace’s courtyard in gold. Zhiyi placed a hand on her lower abdomen, feeling the warmth beneath her palm. After a whole day of trouble, the child had been quiet and hadn’t caused her any difficulty.

*Little one,* she thought, *you’re more capable than your mother.*

Of course her belly offered no answer, but the warmth beneath her hand seemed to deepen. She smiled, closed her eyes, and leaned back in her chair. Before long, she fell asleep. Bitao came over quietly, draped a cloak around her, and withdrew just as softly.

For nearly half a month afterward, Zhiyi was not summoned to the emperor’s bed. The Noble Consort, on the other hand, was summoned from time to time, and among the newcomers Noble Lady Ye received the most summonses. People said First Attendant Shen had enjoyed favor for only a few days and was already losing it. When it came to imperial favor, the Noble Consort’s was the one that endured.

As a result, the Noble Consort stopped troubling Zhiyi. Whatever rumors circulated outside, Zhiyi’s days became more peaceful than before.