Chapter 5 Entering the Palace  

After dreaming all night of the Fourth Master sleeping on the floor, Nian Jiao was dragged out of bed by Mama Qiu before dawn to prepare for the day.  

Since this was her first audience after marriage, she needed to wear auspicious attire, a rather elaborate process. Struggling to keep her eyes open, she sat still as a statue while being adorned, only murmuring sleepily, “So tired…”  

Mama Qiu swiftly applied lip rouge to her lips, completing the look.  

Wen Chun and Wen Xia flanked her, tasked with rousing their mistress’s spirits: “Today is the day to enter the palace—”  

“You’ll accompany the Fu Jin to pay respects to Consort De—”  

Nian Jiao jolted awake, her eyes widening.  

She grabbed Mama Qiu’s sleeve and asked, “Am I late?”  

Mama Qiu replied sternly, “If you delay any longer, you will be.”  

In a flurry, Nian Jiao hurried out the door—once again the talented, humble, and low-key Consort Nian.  

The Fu Jin was waiting for her in the main courtyard. After Nian Jiao paid her respects, the Fu Jin nodded approvingly. “Your attire is proper, and your accessories are well-chosen.”  

“Once we enter the palace, just follow my lead. It won’t take too long,” the Fu Jin reassured her. “Her Highness is kind-hearted. If she asks you anything, answer truthfully. She won’t make things difficult for you.”  

Nian Jiao listened intently, her eyes full of focus. “This humble one understands.”  

That feeling crept in again.  

The woman before her was Consort Nian, not the Eldest Princess. The Fu Jin dismissed the strange thought and softened her smile. “Let’s go.”  

…  

This was a special time—the Crown Prince had just been reinstated. Following the Fourth Master’s lead, the Yong Prince’s residence kept things simple and low-key.  

Since the Fu Jin wanted to brief Nian Jiao on palace etiquette, they shared the same carriage. Along the way, the Fu Jin did most of the talking while Nian Jiao listened respectfully, responding sparingly.  

The Fu Jin thought to herself, *Nian Shi is a cautious one.*  

When the Fu Jin finished her tea and set the cup down, Nian Jiao swiftly picked up the teapot and refilled it with earnest diligence.  

Mama Fang, whose job had just been stolen: “…”  

The Fu Jin blinked, then chuckled. “Sister, you’re treating me like a Bodhisattva.”  

In other households, who didn’t fear the main wife like a tiger? This was the first time she’d met someone like Nian Shi—it was rather novel.  

Bodhisattva? Why?  

Nian Jiao understood the words but wasn’t sure what the Fu Jin meant.  

After a moment, it dawned on her—the Fu Jin must be worried she had ulterior motives, like poisoning the tea. Flustered, Nian Jiao defended herself, “At home, I often brewed tea for my parents. My hands are clean, Fu Jin. You can drink without worry.”  

The Fu Jin: “…”  

The Fu Jin now had a clearer idea of Consort Nian’s temperament.  

She glanced discreetly at Nian Jiao’s personal maid and, for some reason, read sheer despair on Mama Qiu’s face.  

Clearing her throat, the Fu Jin said, “Pour your mistress a cup as well.”  

Mama Qiu wished she could gag Nian Jiao. Relieved by the order, she hurriedly complied.  

Nian Jiao, now bereft of the teapot, was puzzled. *There’s another pot—why take mine?*  

Before long, the carriage stopped outside the palace gates. The Fu Jin turned to her and said, “The Head Maid of Yonghe Palace is waiting at the inner gate. Follow me for now.”  

Nian Jiao nodded obediently.  

She trailed closely behind the Fu Jin, navigating several turns, when suddenly the Fu Jin halted.  

A voice cut diagonally across the palace path: “Greetings, Fourth Sister-in-law.”

After speaking, the voice chuckled: “I was wondering where this enchantress came from, with such a fragrance wafting from afar. Turns out it’s Consort Nian, whose beauty outshines the flowers. Some scents are pleasant, while others devour their masters. Fourth Sister-in-law, you’d best be careful!”

…

The newcomer wore bold red lips and lavish attire, yet no amount of adornment could mask the sting in her words.

The Fu Jin’s expression darkened immediately.

Eighth Fu Jin approached slowly, pausing briefly as she passed Nian Jiao. As if oblivious to the Fu Jin’s displeasure, she smiled and said, “Fourth Sister-in-law, don’t be angry. The princesses and concubines in my household are truly none worth mentioning. Seeing Consort Nian here, I couldn’t help but feel envious.”

The Fu Jin’s gaze was cool as she smiled in return: “If you’re envious, have Eighth Brother petition the Emperor for a bride. There are plenty of beauties waiting for him to choose from—why covet the one in my household?”

Guo Luoluo Shi’s expression hardened. She nearly cried out—first at the Fu Jin’s defense of Nian Jiao, and second at the Fu Jin striking her sore spot.

Everyone knew she guarded Eighth Master as her life, never allowing him into another woman’s chambers. How could she tolerate a new consort?!

Moreover, last year, the Emperor had severely reprimanded Eighth Master, nearly tarnishing the reputation of the widely praised “Virtuous Prince” and almost stripping him of his Beile Title. Eighth Master had been bedridden for months, leaving Eighth Fu Jin anxious and irritable, her behavior growing increasingly abrasive.

Unlike Fourth Master, the Yong Prince, Eighth Master’s current circumstances—how could he possibly have the face to petition the Emperor for a bride?

“Fourth Sister-in-law’s tongue is sharper than mine—I’m no match,” Eighth Fu Jin sneered, turning to scrutinize Nian Jiao with a piercing gaze.

The newcomer’s aggressive demeanor exuded an aura that unsettled the enchantress, and Nian Jiao felt displeased.

But the palace was no place to lose her temper. She firmly remembered her family’s warnings and instead offered a friendly smile: “Shouldn’t Eighth Beile’s Fu Jin greet me?”

Eighth Fu Jin’s simmering rage froze.

Indeed, though she was the primary wife of a Beile, Nian Jiao was a prince’s consort—by rank, she ought to pay respects to Nian Shi.

How could she endure this? Eighth Fu Jin’s lips twitched, her hands clenching tightly.

If she wouldn’t greet her, so be it. Nian Jiao puffed her cheeks slightly before speaking earnestly: “Your earlier praise was kind, but Eighth Fu Jin seems unaware—my fragrance doesn’t devour anyone.”

Eighth Fu Jin blinked, then caught the implication. Her fury flared—was this enchantress mocking her?!

“Well then,” she inhaled sharply, enunciating each word, “Fourth Sister-in-law is virtuous indeed, having trained Consort Nian so well. I’ve truly broadened my horizons today.”

With that, she curtseyed stiffly and stormed off, her face dark.

The Fu Jin frowned at her retreating figure, murmuring to Nian Jiao, “She wasn’t like this before. Ever since Eighth Brother fell ill, she’s been lashing out at everyone. Don’t take it to heart.”

Though, judging by Nian Jiao’s demeanor, she hadn’t taken it to heart at all.

Recalling how Nian Jiao had demanded greetings from Eighth Fu Jin, the Fu Jin smiled. “Let’s keep going.”

Nian Jiao: “Mm-hmm!”

Within half an hour, the three characters “Palace of Eternal Harmony” came into view. A senior palace maid lifted the curtain and curtsied: “Her Majesty has finished her morning meal and awaits the Fu Jin and Consort in the warm pavilion.”

The Fu Jin replied, “We’ve disturbed Mother Empress. Thank you for your trouble, Auntie.”

The Palace of Eternal Harmony was situated among the Six Eastern Palaces, adorned with grandeur yet retaining an understated elegance. Nian Jiao walked forward with measured steps and once again met De Consort, whose beauty still faintly reflected the stunning allure of her youth. At first glance, she appeared cautious yet gentle, and Fourth Master’s nose and lips bore a striking resemblance to hers—seven parts alike.

After De Consort granted them seats, she nodded slightly and asked, “Did you encounter anything along the way?”

Due to their chance meeting with Eighth Fu Jin, they had been delayed briefly on the road, and Her Highness seemed to sense it. The Fu Jin lowered her voice and recounted the incident: “…Eighth Sister-in-law came and left just as quickly.”

De Consort’s smile faded slightly. “That woman… You must bear with her. We all must bear with her.”

Those with nothing to lose fear no consequences, and now, Eighth Fu Jin was the one with nothing to lose.

After exchanging pleasantries, De Consort turned her gaze to Nian Jiao, the person in question, and nodded inwardly. She was respectful, with clear and honest eyes.

Her attitude wasn’t overly warm, lest the Fu Jin feel uneasy, even though the Nian family was an invaluable asset to Fourth Master.

Her beauty was so striking that even De Consort was taken aback.

Turning her head slightly, however, she noticed the Fu Jin smiling, seemingly in excellent spirits. De Consort found this odd. After a moment’s thought, she said gently, “During the selection, I didn’t have the chance to speak with you properly. I didn’t expect you to be startled upon arriving at the Palace of Eternal Harmony. Have some tea and rest for a while.”

Nian Jiao smiled demurely. “Your Highness’s concern is too generous. I dare not presume.”

De Consort continued, “Yinzhen is busy with official duties. Later, you must serve him well.”

Nian Jiao pledged her loyalty: “Your Highness’s words are etched in my heart. I will attend to the Prince with utmost care.”

De Consort glanced subtly at the Fu Jin and shifted the topic. “Your Fu Jin is kind-hearted, even the Crown Prince’s consort has praised her fairness. You…”

Nian Jiao was taken aback. Was this a hint for her to join in praising the Fu Jin?  

Was this the standard procedure when paying respects to Her Highness? Did Consort Li do the same?  

She gracefully bowed. “I shall follow the Fu Jin’s lead in all matters!”  

The Fu Jin’s smile turned into suppressed laughter, while De Consort: “…”  

Well, with such a firm stance, whether she was warm or not probably didn’t matter much.  

De Consort mused to herself, thinking that while Nian Shi was a talented woman, her temperament was unexpectedly straightforward. Did Fourth Master… know?  

Unaware that she had already revealed half her true nature, Nian Jiao sat cautiously to the side, her peripheral gaze lingering on the pastries to her right—soft pink, shaped like peach blossoms.  

De Consort, while conversing with the Fu Jin, observed her and remarked, “If you like them, help yourself. There’s more where that came from. These are freshly made by the Imperial Kitchen in a new design.”  

Nian Jiao hurriedly replied, “Your Highness is too kind. I dare not…”  

De Consort gently interrupted, “Speak the truth.”  

Nian Jiao was startled.  

She cautiously glanced at De Consort. Her Highness didn’t seem angry, yet there was an inexplicable authority about her. Instinct told her not to lie, so she curved her eyes and said, “Then I shall partake.”  

Her slender, jade-like fingers reached into the plate, picked up a piece, and began nibbling delicately.  

“…” Truly unpretentious.  

De Consort and the Fu Jin simultaneously paused their conversation to watch her eat like a little hamster.  

.  

Eighth Fu Jin had entered the palace to pay respects to the Empress Dowager.  

After visiting Liang Fei, Eighth Master’s birth mother, she headed to the Palace of Compassionate Tranquility, where Hui Fei and Yi Fei happened to be seated on either side of the Empress Dowager.  

Yi Fei, needless to say, was the Empress Dowager’s favorite. Hui Fei’s only son, Prince Zhi, had been confined by the Emperor. Unable to persuade the Emperor to release him, the Empress Dowager took the opportunity today to summon Hui Fei for a chat.

Upon seeing the Eighth Fu Jin, the Empress Dowager’s eyes lit up: “Ah, Eighth Master’s wife has arrived. Come, come, sit close to me.”

When it came to matters of the former court, the old lady was completely in the dark; as for the affairs of the inner palace, they were managed by Noble Consort Tong Jia with the assistance of Consorts Hui, Yi, De, and Rong. The Empress Dowager never interfered. She enjoyed doting on her grandchildren, and once they married, her interest turned to their wives. Among them, the Tenth Fu Jin, who hailed from the grasslands, was a close relative from the Empress Dowager’s maternal family; the Eighth Fu Jin was the most eloquent, her lively demeanor greatly endearing her to the Empress Dowager.

Thus, the Eighth Fu Jin enjoyed considerable favor in the Empress Dowager’s presence.

At the end of last year, when the Eighth Master was reprimanded by the Emperor for being “deceptively cunning and harboring grand ambitions,” the Eighth Fu Jin also faded into the background. Yet, the Empress Dowager treated her as warmly as ever—prompting the other consorts to follow suit, regardless of their private thoughts, always deferring to the old Dowager’s wishes on the surface.

The Eighth Fu Jin approached with a radiant smile: “Yes. It’s been many days since I last saw Your Majesty, and I grew uneasy. So, even at the risk of annoying you, I had to request an audience, even if Your Majesty tires of this face of mine.”

The Empress Dowager chuckled. Laughing, she said, “…You mischievous monkey, you remind me so much of Consort Yi in her youth!”

The Empress Dowager had raised the Fifth Master, born to Consort Yi, and in her heart, Consort Yi held a special place among the consorts. This remark was high praise indeed.

Consort Hui watched coldly, while Consort Yi, initially uninvolved, choked slightly upon hearing this.

She thought it would serve the Ninth Master right to hear this—how his own mother was being disparaged, yet he still willingly trailed after the Eighth Master. Hmph.

The Eighth Fu Jin also laughed, but as she did, her eyes reddened.

She was naturally strong-willed, so this sudden display of vulnerability was startling. The Empress Dowager quickly asked, “What’s the matter?”

The Eighth Fu Jin shook her head slightly.

The Empress Dowager, observing this, couldn’t help but make connections. It was true the Eighth Master had been reprimanded by the Emperor, but how could a man’s troubles be blamed on his wife?

Her expression darkened with displeasure as she sighed, “Has someone wronged you? You mustn’t hide anything from me.”

After a moment of silence, the Eighth Fu Jin replied, “On my way into the palace, I encountered Consort Nian, the consort by Fourth Master’s side.”

“Consort Nian is beautiful and young, while I’ve grown old and faded—how could I compare?” She smiled bitterly. “I praised her a few times and even asked what perfume she used, wondering if it was from Jiangnan. But then…”

The Empress Dowager was immediately incensed.

She had some recollection of this Nian Shi—a Han banner woman directly bestowed by the Emperor to the Fourth Master as a consort—but these were superficial impressions, hardly worth mentioning.

Now, the Eighth Fu Jin’s words perfectly stirred the Empress Dowager’s memories of the past—talk of growing old and faded, of Jiangnan perfume…

Back then, Consort Dong E, later Empress Xiaoxian, had favored perfume from Jiangnan. The Late Emperor often dispatched couriers to procure it for her, yet that very fragrance had gradually become her nightmare.

The Empress Dowager exclaimed, “Who dares call you old and faded? How could you not compare? You’re perfect as you are—why emulate those coquettish Han women, luring men’s hearts away from their homes?”

At the Empress Dowager’s outburst, the palace maids knelt in fear.

Even Consort Yi was stunned. The Eighth Fu Jin’s tactic of subtly poisoning the well was so transparent—how could the old Dowager have flown into such a rage?

After calming slightly, the Empress Dowager asked those around her, “This Nian Shi—did she come to the palace today to pay respects to Consort De?”

Upon receiving the affirmative reply, the Empress Dowager said, “Have De Consort bring her over. Fourth Master’s Consort should come as well. This old one must take a good look at this Nian Shi!”

The Empress Dowager’s words reached the Palace of Eternal Harmony just as Nian Jiao had finished eating peach blossom pastries.

The summons to the Palace of Compassionate Tranquility came too suddenly for De Consort to make any preparations. Her Fu Jin supported her, asking, “Mother, could it be Eighth Brother’s wife…?”

De Consort lowered her eyes slightly and shook her head at her. They would know when they arrived.

Motioning for Nian Jiao to follow, De Consort instructed, “Observe little and speak less. Be especially cautious before the Empress Dowager.”

The words of Kangxi’s era’s ultimate winner would never be wrong. Upon arriving at the Palace of Compassionate Tranquility, Nian Jiao kept her head bowed, her footsteps rooted half a pace behind the Fu Jin as she trailed beside De Consort, making sure not to glance at anything else.

The openly and covertly scrutinizing gazes were all blocked by her forehead. The Empress Dowager, seated above, found herself momentarily unable to see Nian Jiao’s face clearly: “…”

Finally, the Empress Dowager could bear it no longer.

“Nian Shi, your intention to serve De Consort is genuine, but why are you standing closer than Fourth Master’s Consort?” The Empress Dowager gave her a lukewarm glance before saying to De Consort, “You, too, should discipline her properly.”

At these words, everyone was shocked.

De Consort’s hand clutching her handkerchief tightened. Countless gazes shot toward Nian Jiao like sharp swords. Caught off guard, Nian Jiao took half a step back and instinctively looked down at her toes.

Nian Jiao was somewhat bewildered.

Even if she wasn’t clever, she knew a crisis loomed before her. Second Brother had said the Empress Dowager was the most important figure after the Emperor. Now that the Empress Dowager clearly disliked her, Nian Jiao hurriedly stepped forward, head bowed, and knelt properly in the center of the hall.