TJAIP Chapter 25

If there was one difference between today and the past, it was that Ye Ronghua, who had been sick for many days, came to pay her respects to the Empress. The Empress’s expression remained as usual, as if the appearance of the Dowager Empress, after finishing her religious duties, had no special significance.

Zhuang Luoyan observed Ye Ronghua with interest. Ye Shurong, who had recently given birth, had not yet appeared, but Ye Ronghua, who had been demoted, was present. It was unclear to Zhuang Luoyan which of the two sisters held the Dowager Empress’s favor.

“Ye Shurong has arrived!”

With this announcement, everyone turned their attention to the door. Zhuang Luoyan, however, kept her gaze fixed on Ye Ronghua. She had noticed that after the announcement, Ye Ronghua’s expression seemed strange—not happy, but rather tinged with irony.

In terms of looks, Ye Ronghua was indeed more beautiful than Ye Shurong, and she seemed more vibrant. If Zhuang Luoyan were a man, she too might favor Ye Ronghua more. Though Ye Ronghua had been somewhat reckless in the palace, she knew her limits. Why did she appear so strange today? Could it be jealousy that Ye Shurong had a higher status now? But that seemed a little far-fetched.

Ye Shurong, having recently recovered from a minor illness, appeared frail, though much improved from her earlier condition.

“Consort greets the Empress,” Ye Shurong said with formal courtesy, then stepped aside. Her gaze briefly swept over Ye Ronghua but was quickly averted.

The Empress smiled. “It’s been a while since we last saw you. Are you well now?” Then, turning to He Yu, she added, “Please arrange a seat for Ye Shurong, next to Ye Ronghua. I’m sure you two sisters haven’t had a proper chat in a long time.”

Zhuang Luoyan watched the gentle Empress and couldn’t help but admire her. As the Empress, she knew exactly what was happening between the Ye sisters. No wonder the favored women of the harem did not dare to be reckless in her presence. Her skill was truly remarkable.

“Thank you, Empress, for your concern,” Ye Shurong said with a slightly stiff smile, though it seemed her thoughts were elsewhere.

Ye Ronghua glanced at her, slightly leaning to one side, and quietly laughed, “Sister, it’s been some time. I imagine you’re much better now.”

Ye Shurong smiled faintly, a trace of reluctant tolerance in her expression. “Are you blaming me for not visiting you all this time?”

Ye Ronghua raised her head to look at Ye Shurong, as if trying to read the hidden emotions behind her smile. Suddenly, she beamed brightly, “We sisters have a deep bond. You’ve been unwell, so how could I harbor any resentment? I’ve already grown up. I wouldn’t act like an ignorant child anymore.”

Shu Guifei, holding a teacup, watched the Ye sisters with deep affection. Her gaze then shifted to the other consorts, most of whom were casually sipping tea, though their eyes remained focused on the Ye sisters. Only the young Zhaochongyi sat properly and drank her tea, her indifference perhaps genuine or just feigned.

Last year, the Ye family had caused some trouble, and the Dowager Empress, citing her religious duties, had refrained from intervening in the harem for nearly a year. The Ye family had only faced minor punishment from the Emperor. This month, the Ye family had handled a couple of noteworthy matters, and the Dowager Empress had finished her religious duties. It was unclear whether this was a coincidence or something more.

Zhuang Luoyan wondered what the usually virtuous Empress truly thought. She sipped her tea and smiled subtly, aware of the intricate drama unfolding. Shu Guifei blew on the surface of her tea, feeling that these were just more acts in a long-running show. She couldn’t believe the Emperor would tolerate the Ye family becoming dominant in the harem.

“Since everyone is here, let us all go pay our respects to the Dowager Empress,” the Empress said, standing with He Yu’s help and scanning the room. She led the way, her steps steady.

Zhuang Luoyan followed with the others, riding in the palanquin toward the Dowager Empress’s Kang’an Palace. The Empress’s palanquin was carried by twelve strong eunuchs, appearing dignified. Higher-ranking consorts had their palanquins carried by eight eunuchs, while third-rank consorts had only four, and fifth-rank consorts had two. The rest walked behind, a clear sign of the rigid hierarchy.

Kang’an Palace was located in the southeastern part of the palace, quite a distance from the Emperor’s main residence, Qianzheng Palace. Observing the Emperor’s interactions with the Dowager Empress the previous night, Zhuang Luoyan could not discern much maternal affection. Given the Emperor’s style, he likely wouldn’t tolerate the Dowager Empress’s interference in state affairs or the harem.

“Stop!” With the eunuch’s long announcement, the palanquins came to a steady halt. Zhuang Luoyan handed her hand to Tingzhu and stood to survey Kang’an Palace, the residence of previous Dowager Empresses, which had a much heavier feel compared to the other consorts’ palaces.

Entering the palace, Zhuang Luoyan hadn’t yet fully seen the Dowager Empress before she, along with the other consorts, bowed in greeting. Since it had been a long time since the Dowager Empress had received any formal greetings, they performed a full kowtow.

“Please rise. I do not concern myself with these formalities,” the Dowager Empress smiled, waving them up. She then motioned for the more senior consorts to be seated. Her expression appeared kind and gentle, but for Zhuang Luoyan, it felt a little uncomfortable and insincere, considering the Dowager Empress was likely in her forties, still young but pretending to be much older.

Though Zhuang Luoyan’s rank was not low, she didn’t have the privilege of sitting at the front, so despite receiving the honor of being seated, she sat in a lower position.

The Dowager Empress glanced around at the beauties in the room, then patted the Empress’s hand, saying, “I haven’t attended to the harem’s affairs for a while, yet I see there are more beauties now.”

The Empress, glancing at Zhuang Luoyan and another new consort, responded gracefully, “The Emperor has been diligent, and I thought it was time to bring in some fresh faces.”

“Indeed, you are a virtuous one. I’ve heard that your cousin also entered the palace this year. I haven’t seen her yet. Please let me have a look.”

Just moments after praising the Empress’s virtue, the Dowager Empress mentioned her cousin entering the palace. Zhuang Luoyan wondered whether this was meant to flatter or embarrass the Empress. A young woman dressed in a pink corset-style robe stepped forward. She appeared to be about seventeen or eighteen years old. Though still quite pretty, in the harem full of beauties, she seemed rather ordinary. It made sense that since entering the palace, she had been relegated to the position of Hui Ji.

Hui Ji greeted the Dowager Empress, who gave her a bracelet as a gift before moving on to the Ye sisters.

“The Emperor’s heirs are few, and now Ye Shurong has suffered a miscarriage. It truly pains me,” the Dowager Empress said, looking at the Empress. “Empress, you’ve been with the Emperor for many years. You should try to comfort him more.”

The Empress, still respectful, said nothing but only apologized.

The Dowager Empress nodded knowingly. “You’re busy managing the palace, but the harem matters can never be fully taken care of. It’s more important to show concern for the Emperor.”

The Empress agreed, not acknowledging the implied meaning in the Dowager Empress’s words.

Zhuang Luoyan watched the scene unfold, realizing that being the Empress was no easy task. Not only did she have to manage the Emperor’s concubines, but she also had to ensure their children’s wellbeing. If the Emperor’s other concubines failed to bear children, it was the Empress’s responsibility to advise him. Yet the problem ultimately lay with the Emperor, not the Empress.

“The Emperor has arrived!”

Ah, the Emperor had come, and the drama was about to get even more intense. Zhuang Luoyan stood up and saw Emperor Chengxuan walk in. She bowed, and the others followed suit.

“Mother, it’s so lively here today,” the Emperor greeted the Dowager Empress and sat down to her right. His gaze scanned the room, briefly pausing on the Ye sisters, before turning to the Dowager Empress. “The weather is hot, Mother should take care of her health.”

“How could I be so fragile?” The Dowager Empress laughed. “The Emperor is so concerned about me. I am quite pleased.”

“As long as you’re well, I can be at ease,” the Emperor said, lifting a tea cup and taking a sip. “If you get lonely, you can call Ye Shurong and Ye Ronghua to keep you company.”

The Dowager Empress nodded, smiling. But with a hint of confusion, she asked, “What did Wenmei do wrong to be demoted to Ronghua?”

The Emperor set down his cup gently. “Mother, you have been away from palace affairs due to your religious duties, so you may not know. If you ask Ye Shurong, you will learn the reason.” After this, he stood and left.

Zhuang Luoyan watched the Dowager Empress’s smile become a little stiff. Was the Emperor greeting her or issuing a warning? It was hard to tell.

After the Emperor’s words, the Dowager Empress seemed no longer interested in playing the doting mother-in-law, and soon everyone was dismissed, even the Ye sisters.

By openly mentioning that the Ye sisters should accompany the Dowager Empress when she was lonely, the Emperor subtly reminded her that he was aware of their influence and that they should still mind their place.

If the Emperor is weak, the Dowager Empress won’t be at ease, but if the Emperor is strong and the Dowager Empress still isn’t at ease, then that’s another drama altogether.

Zhuang Luoyan sat in the palanquin, with Xu Zhaorong in front of her—a woman with whom she had never interacted before. Xu Zhaorong looked delicate, as fragile as a willow, as if a gust of wind could blow her away. She certainly seemed like a talented woman, skilled in poetry.

Glancing up at the glaring sun, Zhuang Luoyan couldn’t help but think that the harem was truly filled with experts. Without a bit of skill, it was really hard to get by.

After a moment of reflection, she noticed Xu Zhaorong gently dabbing at the sweat on her temples, her every gesture evoking a sense of delicate beauty that was almost impossible to describe.