Chapter 82: The Difficulties of Imperial Heirs
Proofreader : Mim
The 22nd year of Jianxing was gradually coming to an end, and as the New Year approached, the atmosphere in the palace became increasingly festive. Starting from the 28th, the Ministry of Rites ceased presenting matters to the emperor, and the various government offices postponed public affairs. On the 30th day, a high lantern pavilion was erected in front of the Qianqing Palace, and the palace servants and eunuchs greeted each other cheerfully as they passed by, all wearing new clothes, with joyful smiles everywhere.
Today was New Year’s Eve. Chu Jinyao changed into a red robe with brocade flowers and a diagonal lapel, and underneath she wore a skirt made of gold-threaded horse-face fabric. Her hair accessories were also switched to a full set of ruby and gold-embellished pieces.
Rarely, Chu Jinyao allowed the palace maids to apply heavy makeup on her. She naturally had black hair and snow-white skin, with red lips and white teeth, creating a stark contrast that was even more pronounced with her formal makeup. In the copper mirror, the woman had dark, vivid eyes, her lips delicately defined, her black hair and red lips standing out against her porcelain-white skin, making the contrast even sharper. Chu Jinyao’s long hair was all piled high at the back of her head, truly resembling clouds, with flashes of gold and jade weaving through her hair.
Normally, to avoid outshining others, Chu Jinyao only wore light makeup, except on her wedding and the day of her formal presentation to court. But today was a grand occasion, with all the imperial concubines dressed in heavy makeup. Being overshadowed would not be appropriate, so Chu Jinyao couldn’t allow the Eastern Palace to lose face. Thus, she allowed the palace maids to go all out in dressing her up.
Once the final hairpin was set in place, the palace maids who had been styling her hair sighed in genuine admiration, “The Crown Princess looks truly beautiful today.”
“What do you mean by ‘beautiful today’?” said Jiegeng, who was quick-witted and loved to play with words. She brought a copper mirror to show Chu Jinyao her finished hairstyle from behind, saying, “Our Crown Princess is the most beautiful every day, don’t you agree?”
Chu Jinyao was amused, and Linglong, who was standing nearby, stepped forward and lightly tapped Jiegeng, “You’re just saying that to please the Crown Princess.”
“But it’s true! I’m just being honest. Crown Princess, you have to judge for yourself!”
“That’s enough,” Chu Jinyao said with a smile, gently stopping them. “You all have worked hard this year; you’ll each receive a reward later.”
At this, the palace maids in the room were overjoyed and respectfully bowed to Chu Jinyao in unison. Chu Jinyao adjusted her hairpin, stood up, and said, “Let’s go, it’s time to pay respects to the Empress. It would be quite rude to be late.”
Kunning Palace was also festively decorated, with lanterns and bright colors everywhere. Chu Jinyao, accompanied by her entourage, respectfully saluted Empress Xiao Qi, “I wish the Empress great blessings and health.”
The Empress Xiao Qi was also dressed elaborately today, her sharp features radiant. When she saw Chu Jinyao, her eyes slightly narrowed, and after scrutinizing her from head to toe, she slowly allowed Chu Jinyao to rise, “Crown Princess, you may rise.”
By this time, Empress Xiao Qi had already finished receiving greetings from the concubines and had moved to the more informal inner hall. As a daughter-in-law, Chu Jinyao, along with the princesses and other immediate family members, paid their respects in the inner hall. The concubines, being imperial consorts, had a different status from family members, and thus their greetings took place separately.
Now that they were in the Empress’s private chambers, those remaining were her most trusted attendants. Since it was New Year’s Eve, Noble Consort Li and Noble Consort Shu, two of the higher-ranking consorts, were also present. When Chu Jinyao greeted the Empress, all the others, except the Empress, stood and stepped aside to avoid receiving her formal greeting. After Chu Jinyao was told to rise, the other consorts came forward and greeted her, saying, “Crown Princess.”
Chu Jinyao lowered her gaze and returned a half-bow. According to the rules of etiquette, Chu Jinyao, as the Crown Princess, outranked all the concubines. However, since they were the Emperor’s women, and in a way, her concubine-mothers (father’s concubines), she did not presumptuously accept their greetings without reciprocating.
Once everyone was seated according to their rank, Noble Consort Shu smiled at Chu Jinyao and remarked, “The Crown Princess has always been an unparalleled beauty, but today she is even more radiant.”
Both the Empress Xiao Qi and Noble Consort Li, who prided themselves on their looks, were immediately displeased. The more beautiful a woman is, the more she despises being outshone, especially in a gathering of the most beautiful women in the palace. Being praised for one’s beauty in such a setting was not always a blessing. Chu Jinyao glanced at Noble Consort Shu and smiled, “Noble Consort Shu, you flatter me. I have only lightly applied some powder; it’s nothing compared to the Empress. The Empress, as the Mother of the Nation, remains youthful and favored, looking as youthful as ever—now that is a truly noble and blessed fate.”
The conversation shifted back to the Empress, and naturally, everyone joined in the praise. The Empress smiled contentedly, no longer paying attention to Noble Consort Shu’s earlier words.
Noble Consort Shu’s attempt to stir trouble failed, and she glanced briefly at Chu Jinyao, smiled slightly, and retreated from the conversation. It was a well-known fact that Chu Jinyao was younger and more beautiful than the Empress, and she had married the Crown Prince, the heir to the throne. Even if Chu Jinyao could appease the Empress this time, what about next time? And the time after that? Noble Consort Shu was in no hurry. She could bide her time, slowly driving a wedge between the two, knowing full well that the Empress would eventually be unable to ignore the disparity.
Everyone took turns flattering the Empress, but after that one comment, Chu Jinyao wisely remained silent. Saying too much could easily lead to mistakes. Besides, as the Crown Princess, showing too much warmth or too much coldness towards the Empress would both be inappropriate, so she remained careful to maintain the delicate balance.
As the women in the hall continued their banter, Chu Jinyao’s gaze quietly scanned the room. Noble Consort Shu sat elegantly opposite the Empress, appearing gentle and virtuous. Yet this seemingly demure consort had repeatedly tried to drive a wedge between Chu Jinyao and the Empress. And the area she focused on the most was precisely the one Chu Jinyao was most sensitive about: her beauty.
The relationship between Chu Jinyao and the Empress was already complex. Chu Jinyao couldn’t afford to outshine the Empress, but at the same time, for the sake of the Eastern Palace’s dignity, she couldn’t back down too much either. Maintaining this fragile balance required all her effort, and yet, Noble Consort Shu kept pushing the boundaries. If it were any other matter, Chu Jinyao might have been able to downplay it, but Noble Consort Shu specifically targeted her appearance and youth—a truly ruthless and cunning move.
Women’s jealousy can be terrifying, especially when it comes to someone like the Empress. Chu Jinyao wondered, was Noble Consort Shu’s goal to undermine the Empress or to harm the Crown Prince?
Thinking deeper, Chu Jinyao felt a chill run down her spine. Noble Consort Shu was one of the most senior consorts in the palace, as evidenced by her title “Shu.” Furthermore, she was the adoptive mother of the Second Prince.
The Second Prince had been born to a palace maid who passed away soon after his birth, and he was adopted by Noble Consort Shu. As for who the Second Prince’s birth mother was, and why she died, no one talked about it anymore.
The Second Prince needed a reputable and influential adoptive mother, and Noble Consort Shu needed a son to secure her position. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement.
The crucial point was that the Second Prince was only two years younger than Qin Yi, and he was nearing the age for marriage. Before getting married, he would be conferred a title, and once he had a title, he would be sent to govern a fief.
Chu Jinyao sighed inwardly. The Empress was the enemy of all the women in the palace, while the Crown Prince was likely the rival of all the princes. It wasn’t just the Empress who had schemes—Noble Consort Shu wasn’t sitting idly either.
With so much on her mind, Chu Jinyao became even more cautious. For most of the gathering, she remained silent, keeping a gentle smile on her face and simply nodding when people looked her way. Despite this, Chu Jinyao felt mentally drained. After all, today was New Year’s Eve. In the past, both at the Changxing Marquis Estate and at the Su family, this would have been a time when the family gathered to relax and chat. Now, even though the surroundings were much more luxurious, and the people she was dealing with were far more refined, Chu Jinyao didn’t feel any festive joy.
The various princesses arrived one after another, and the palace was filled with women. As laughter and chatter filled the hall, a eunuch’s voice suddenly announced, “His Majesty has arrived! The Crown Prince, Second Prince, and Third Prince have also arrived.”
The women in the hall were startled. “His Majesty is here?”
The Emperor had been attending court without fail, regardless of the weather, for more than twenty years. Finally, he could take a three-day break during the New Year, and after so long, he was both relieved and emotional. Today marked the last morning court session of the 22nd year of Jianxing, and the ministers, being quite tactful, didn’t delay the proceedings, so the session ended early. In high spirits, the Emperor thought about how the common people would be enjoying family reunions today and decided to join in the fun of family time. Upon hearing from the eunuchs that the various consorts, princesses, and the Crown Princess were all gathered at the Empress’s palace, the Emperor, without further thought, brought his three sons along and headed straight for Kunning Palace.
When word spread that the Emperor had arrived, along with the Crown Prince and the two other princes, the younger consorts were both thrilled and nervous. They were delighted to have the rare chance to see the Emperor during the New Year. After all, though they weren’t the Emperor’s official wives, he was still their only husband, and who wouldn’t want to spend the New Year with their spouse? Yet they were also nervous because… the Emperor had not only come to Kunning Palace but had brought the three princes with him. The Crown Prince and Second Prince were no longer children; it wasn’t entirely proper for the consorts to be seen in front of them, even if they had the title of “concubine-mother.”
Of course, Empress Xiao Qi had no such reservations. Overjoyed, she personally went outside to greet the Emperor. The younger consorts, after paying their respects to the Emperor, quickly withdrew to the back rooms, while Noble Consort Shu and the Empress remained behind, as they didn’t need to avoid the princes.
After paying her respects to the Emperor, Chu Jinyao discreetly curtsied to Qin Yi, saying, “Your Highness.”
Though the setting hadn’t changed, seeing Qin Yi instantly put her at ease.
Dressed in his formal court attire, Qin Yi looked even more dignified and imposing. He had noticed Chu Jinyao the moment he entered but, given the presence of numerous eyes in Kunning Palace, he refrained from displaying too much affection and merely gave her a cool nod, signaling her to come closer.
Chu Jinyao naturally moved to stand by his side. Noble Consort Shu, whose attention had been on the Emperor, caught a glimpse of this and felt a surge of complex emotions. She commented, “The Crown Prince and Crown Princess, newlyweds still, are truly a match made in heaven, husband and wife in perfect harmony.”
The Second and Third Princes stepped forward and greeted Chu Jinyao, “Elder Sister-in-Law.”
Chu Jinyao returned their greetings with a curtsy. As the Emperor watched his children and daughter-in-law exchange pleasantries, he felt a rare warmth in his heart. “This is how it should be, lively and joyful. Let’s have the Second and Third Princes get married soon as well. The imperial family is still too small.”
Though the Emperor himself didn’t seem to notice, his comment caused a subtle shift in the room. The concubines without children, like Noble Consort Li, felt a pang of disappointment, while Empress Xiao Qi’s expression also turned a shade darker. As for the princes eligible to vie for the throne, they wisely kept their heads down.
Chu Jinyao thought to herself, “You have so many women in your harem already, can you really say the imperial family is small?”
For a brief moment, the atmosphere grew tense, but the quick-witted palace attendants soon lightened the mood again with their laughter and banter.
“Your Majesty,” Noble Consort Shu said with a soft smile, “If you wish to see more children in the imperial family, that’s easily done. The Crown Princess has already married into the Eastern Palace, and with her deep affection for the Crown Prince, surely the Eastern Palace will soon welcome an heir.”
Chu Jinyao suddenly felt at a loss for words. Everyone had their eyes on her, urging her to conceive, preferably a son. Yet such matters were beyond her control, and the pressure weighed heavily on her. Still, she couldn’t voice her frustration.
Standing by her side, Qin Yi glanced at Noble Consort Shu and responded coolly, “Children come with fate, and such things cannot be rushed. Moreover, both the Crown Princess and I are still young, yet it seems Noble Consort Shu is even more eager than we are to see an heir in the Eastern Palace.”
The relationship between the Crown Prince and the Emperor had always been delicate. If the Crown Prince showed himself to be too competent, especially with an heir already born, it could raise concerns. Qin Yi’s words, while seemingly mild, were a subtle but sharp rebuke, suggesting that Noble Consort Shu’s eagerness might not be so innocent.
The pointed remark caused Noble Consort Shu to pale and quickly fall silent, no longer daring to continue the conversation.
Chu Jinyao discreetly sighed in relief. Whether it was her imagination or not, she felt that with Qin Yi by her side, the other women, even if harboring ulterior motives, refrained from dragging her into their schemes. Qin Yi’s mere presence seemed to have a stabilizing effect, like a protective guardian lion.
With Noble Consort Shu retreating from the conversation, the Emperor seemed oblivious to the undercurrents, still brimming with enthusiasm about the Second Prince’s marriage. “The Second Prince will be turning eighteen this year. It’s high time he took a wife.”
Empress Xiao Qi’s smile faded slightly, but she still replied, “Yes, I will make the necessary arrangements, Your Majesty.”
Noble Consort Shu, being the Second Prince’s adoptive mother, was naturally very interested in the discussion about the choice of the future Second Princess. The Emperor, as usual, handed the responsibility over to Empress Xiao Qi and then paid little attention afterward. Empress Xiao Qi, however, was already calculating her next steps, and Noble Consort Shu was keenly listening for clues about the Emperor’s preferences. Meanwhile, the childless Noble Consort Li, who had retreated behind the screen, rolled her eyes in frustration.
She subconsciously touched her abdomen. She was still young, not much older than the Crown Princess. When would she finally bear a child of her own?
As the Emperor enjoyed the company of his consorts and basked in the warmth of family, Qin Yi grew bored. After a short while, he and Chu Jinyao took their leave. Because of the Emperor’s sudden visit to Kunning Palace, the entire palace was abuzz, and the concubines redoubled their efforts to dress elegantly for the evening’s New Year’s banquet. The liveliness continued into the night.
That evening’s banquet was a family affair. In addition to the imperial consorts and the princes and princesses, the Emperor had invited a few trusted ministers to join the celebration. It was a great honor to be included in the Emperor’s family feast, and the invited officials were all beaming, clearly pleased to be there.
Empress Xiao Qi led the consorts, seated behind a beaded curtain, laughing and dining while watching the performances on the stage outside. As usual, Chu Jinyao adhered strictly to court etiquette, making a show of standing by the Empress to attend to her, even though Empress Xiao Qi, in front of the ministers, had to put on a display of motherly affection. The Empress quickly stopped Chu Jinyao, praised her briefly, and then allowed her to sit.
Chu Jinyao took her seat gracefully. In front of others, she made sure not to give anyone a reason to criticize her. Empress Xiao Qi could afford not to be loving, but Chu Jinyao had to build her reputation for filial piety. After returning from serving the Empress, Chu Jinyao finally had time to glance toward the stage.
On stage, performers from the Imperial Music Bureau entertained with song and dance. Because the Emperor enjoyed novelty, there were even acrobatic performances. The beaded curtain allowed the women to hear the Emperor’s conversations while maintaining the dignity of the inner court. At such banquets, Chu Jinyao didn’t plan on eating much. She picked at a few small dishes and considered herself done. After all, the Eastern Palace had prepared another meal for her. If she wanted something, she could always eat later in the privacy of her quarters.
The other consorts were similarly restrained, eating sparingly. Just as Chu Jinyao was about to put down her chopsticks, she heard a courtier outside extolling the virtues of the Emperor, singing praises in the hopes of currying favor. In his flattery, he also included the Empress, speaking of her as a “Mother of the Nation,” “Virtuous and Respected by All,” and even a “Model for All Women.”
Chu Jinyao quietly scoffed. Praising the Empress’s other qualities was one thing, but extolling her virtues? Especially in front of Qin Yi and her, the Crown Princess? That was quite bold. However, that was how the world worked. Despite the less-than-virtuous circumstances surrounding the Empress’s rise to power, those who sought her favor far outnumbered those who looked down on her.
The women in the hall also heard the praises being sung outside. Many of the concubines smiled and agreed,
“Indeed, the Empress has brought grace to the six palaces. Her words and actions serve as a model for all women. It is truly our good fortune to have her leading the harem.”
In such a setting, being complimented was inevitable, and anyone would feel pleased. Especially since the Empress loved luxury and grand displays, hearing these words clearly lifted her spirits. She gave a faint smile and didn’t say much, but her expression of pride was unmistakable.
Chu Jinyao maintained a perfect smile, never showing any hint of her true thoughts. Other women echoed the praise, and the Second Princess and Third Prince also looked proud. However, just as the Empress’s faction was basking in their moment of glory, the conversation outside took an unexpected turn: “The Empress is indeed virtuous, but it is truly unfortunate that there has been no increase in imperial offspring in the past decade. This lack of new royal children is a great pity.”
The Empress’s expression immediately darkened, and the once lively room fell silent as if someone had struck a nerve.
Empress Xiao Qi, clearly displeased, responded, “I have done my utmost to manage the palace, overseeing every detail of life here. How can I be blamed if there have been no new children?”
“Your Majesty, I would never dare blame you,” the courtier quickly replied, kneeling in submission. Despite this, he continued, “But the lack of imperial offspring is indeed an unfortunate sign for the empire. As the Mother of the Nation, the Empress should work to ensure that the Emperor’s line is continued by overseeing a more extensive distribution of his favor among the consorts. This would ensure the royal lineage continues to flourish.”
In front of so many people, Empress Xiao Qi could not openly show her anger and was forced to maintain her composure, her expression taut. “Of course, I understand. As the Empress, I fully grasp the importance of this.”
Chu Jinyao suddenly had a premonition. She subtly shifted her gaze, peeking through the gently swaying beaded curtain to observe Qin Yi. He was seated, seemingly engrossed in studying the pattern on his wine cup, as though he hadn’t heard a word of the conversation.
Not long after Empress Xiao Qi had finished speaking, someone in the hall stood up and respectfully bowed toward the Emperor, exclaiming, “Congratulations, Your Majesty!”
The Emperor looked puzzled. “What is there to celebrate?”
“While I was in the side hall earlier, I happened to see one of the consorts faint. Concerned for her well-being, I took the liberty of checking her pulse and discovered that she is with child!”
Qin Yi faintly smirked, while Chu Jinyao felt her suspicions confirmed and glanced sideways at the Empress.
Empress Xiao Qi’s face instantly turned dark. What was the meaning of this? Why had they reported her words first, only to follow it up with news of a pregnancy? Was this an insinuation that she was a jealous and unworthy Empress?
