Chapter 11  Pledging Allegiance  

By the end of it, the Empress Dowager’s smile had grown strained.  

She never expected the Emperor to say such things!  

Just yesterday, she had listened to the Eighth Fu Jin’s grievances in the palace—how Fourth Sister-in-law was no longer as warm toward her as before. Though the Eighth Fu Jin hadn’t exaggerated, her words still left the Empress Dowager unsettled.  

All because of one Nian Shi, the sisters-in-law had fallen into such discord. The Empress Dowager’s impression of Nian Jiao could never return to what it once was. And now, the Emperor was actually speaking in Nian Shi’s defense and reprimanding the Eighth Fu Jin?  

The Empress Dowager felt uneasy. She opened her mouth slightly, a wave of dizziness washing over her.  

In the end, she conceded, “The Emperor is right…”  

The news that the Emperor had ordered the Eighth Master to discipline his wife—and that it was the usually benevolent Empress Dowager who relayed the message—sent ripples of excitement throughout the inner palace.  

For the first time in a long while, Liang Fei stepped out of her palace gates, her pale face almost translucent under the sunlight.  

Half a year ago, the Eighth Master had been harshly rebuked by the Emperor for presenting a half-dead gyrfalcon. The merciless words—“recklessly harboring grand ambitions” and “born of a lowly bondmaid”—had drained every ounce of spirit from her.  

But eventually, Liang Fei came to a realization: Yin Si was still ill. He couldn’t afford to lose his mother.  

—As for the dispute between her daughter-in-law and the Yong Prince’s residence, Liang Fei wasn’t entirely clear on the details. She only knew that Yin Si couldn’t afford to disappoint the Emperor again. She was also well aware of the Eighth Fu Jin’s temperament and thought it best to let her mend the relationship. Now, leaning on her maid’s arm, she slowly made her way to the Palace of Eternal Harmony.  

De Consort looked at her in surprise.  

Liang Fei smiled faintly, her demeanor humble. “I have something precious here and would like to borrow your hand to gift it to Consort Nian…”  

De Consort had never anticipated this request. Her expression turned complicated, and she couldn’t help but say, “Why must you torment yourself like this?”  

What she didn’t voice aloud was: Would the Eighth Master and his wife even appreciate Liang Fei’s efforts?  

—  

**Eighth Prince’s Residence**  

In front of his advisors, the Eighth Master couldn’t help but feel bitter. He had always known the Nian family was trouble. For the Emperor to intervene, it was likely connected to Nian Gengyao.  

Half his face shrouded in shadow, an inexplicable air of desolation clung to him. His advisors didn’t know what to say and silently withdrew.  

The Eighth Fu Jin entered in tears. “It’s all my fault for dragging you into this…”  

Now, she had lost all face, nearly becoming a laughingstock. What had once been mere petty resentment had twisted into outright hatred.  

—Her hostility toward Nian Shi wasn’t without reason. During the earlier selection of imperial consorts, she had overheard a conversation between the Eighth Master and one of his advisors:  

“Does the Prince wish to win over Nian Gengyao?”  

The Eighth Master remained silent.  

The advisor pressed on, “I’ve heard Nian Gengyao’s younger sister is on the list for this year’s selection. If Your Highness sincerely seeks her hand and promises that the future heir will be born of Nian Shi…”  

A starved camel is still larger than a horse. The advisor believed his master hadn’t lost yet. Unfortunately, before any plans could take shape, the Emperor’s decree of marriage ruined everything.  

The Eighth Fu Jin knew her husband would never agree, but those few words became a thorn in her heart, tormenting her day and night. She wanted to demand of him—if Nian Jiao hadn’t married the Fourth Master, where would her fate have led?!  

So when she lashed out in the Palace of Compassionate Tranquility, she would never regret it. Sensing the Eighth Master’s fading warmth, she straightened her back and closed her eyes. “Go ahead, scold me.”  

The atmosphere between them grew suffocating—until suddenly, footsteps shattered the silence.

Eighth Master’s trusted aide hurried over and whispered a few words in his ear. The Eighth Master froze: “Mother went to the Palace of Eternal Harmony? And even sent gifts to Nian Shi?”  

His cheeks flushed red, then turned deathly pale. His hands, resting at his sides, began to tremble.  

Eighth Fu Jin also gasped: “Mother, she—”  

The Eighth Master could no longer remain composed. If before he had thought to let the matter rest and endure it—after all, it was his Fu Jin who had provoked the conflict—now he no longer felt that way.  

His mother, a woman who had always avoided worldly strife, had already suffered humiliation because of him. And now she was…  

It was all his filial failure.  

She was merely a Consort—why should his mother lower herself, using De Consort’s hand to deliver what was essentially an apology?  

The Eighth Master’s eyes were bloodshot. When he looked at Eighth Fu Jin again, he stood firmly on her side.  

Fourth Master, the Nian family, Nian Gengyao. He would cut off Nian Gengyao’s path to advancement and make Nian Shi understand that his mother’s gifts—were not so easily accepted.  

…  

The “good thing” Liang Fei had mentioned was a child-giving picture, a masterpiece by a renowned artist of the previous dynasty. Bestowed by De Consort, it soon found its way into Nian Jiao’s hands.  

Nian Jiao didn’t know Liang Fei, nor did she understand the intention behind the gift, but that didn’t stop her from admiring the painting.  

The colors were rich and vibrant, far prettier than the pale blue porcelain vase!  

Seeing her immediately order it hung in a prominent place, Fourth Master asked, “Do you understand what it depicts?”  

Nian Jiao blinked her beautiful eyes, thinking there was nothing difficult about it: “These are pomegranates, these are longans, and hundreds of babies holding pomegranates… Perhaps at a fruit banquet, they’re competing to see who can eat the fastest.”  

Fourth Master: “…………”  

Fourth Master said meaningfully, “With the small kitchen at your disposal, it seems all you think about day and night is food.”  

Hearing the keyword, Nian Jiao’s heart tensed, then slowly relaxed.  

That wasn’t it at all…  

Because the Boss visited too frequently, she hadn’t had the chance to let the small kitchen prepare anything delicious, afraid of giving herself away!  

Maybe the Prince should just sleep in the study.  

Even clinging to a powerful thigh required a balance of work and rest. Consort Nian felt that if this continued, she wouldn’t be far from withering like a flower petal.  

The words “I obviously think of you day and night” nearly slipped out, but she swallowed them back. Nian Jiao composed herself, shook her head, and asked with slight anticipation, “Is Your Highness busy today?”  

Naturally, he was busy every day. The matters raised by the Six Ministries during the morning court kept Fourth Master in discussions with his advisors until late. Only when the sunset glow caught his eye did he hesitate briefly before heading to the Dwelling of Peach Blossoms.  

Under the candlelight, Fourth Master’s phoenix eyes were deep and piercing.  

He was nearly familiar with all of Nian Jiao’s tricks. As if to indulge her, he said, “It’ll be fine once the busy period passes. I won’t leave tonight.”  

Nian Jiao: “…”  

She shivered slightly until the perspective shifted, the bed curtains fell, and her arms weakly pushed against his chest.  

The feeble resistance was like a dragonfly skimming water. Fourth Master chuckled softly and kissed Nian Jiao’s earlobe.  

In his heart, he thought—didn’t she want him to stay?  

.  

The next day still required morning greetings, so Fourth Master didn’t keep her up too late. When Consort Nian arrived at the main courtyard, several Princesses were watching her. No matter what they thought inwardly, their expressions remained composed.  

Consort Nian was dressed simply, but her lips were a striking red, the vivid color wrapped beneath her blue robes, making even Wu blush beside her.  

She couldn’t quite explain why, but this attire made even her, a woman, feel her heart sway—it was simply, simply alluring.

Consort Li, as usual, began with her sarcastic remarks: “The small kitchen is indeed nourishing. I can see Sister Nian’s complexion has improved greatly.”

Nian Jiao, as usual, responded with sincerity, smiling sweetly: “If Sister Li wishes to use it, just let me know.”

Consort Li choked on her words. She lived in the East Courtyard—why would she go through the trouble of crossing the long garden just to borrow Nian Shi’s small kitchen?

At that moment, Princess Wu, breaking from her usual demeanor, spoke softly: “Consort Nian lives in the west, which is quite far away…”

And her own residence in the western side courtyard was only a hundred steps from the Dwelling of Peach Blossoms…

Consort Li shot her an unkind glance. She was speaking to Nian Shi—what business did this woman have interrupting?

She ignored her and changed the subject instead.

Princess Wu paled and fell silent. Princess Niuhulu observed this, her lips curving slightly.

Nian Jiao returned to her chambers, drowsiness making the tip of her nose slightly red. Just as she was about to take a nap, a sudden announcement came from outside—Princess Wu was requesting an audience.

Princess Wu?

Nian Jiao recalled the intelligence her Second Brother had given her. Princess Wu had entered the Prince’s household a year earlier than Niuhulu and Geng. Though she was fair and elegant, she rarely received favor and had no children.

Suppressing her grogginess, Nian Jiao smoothed her hair and quickly said, “Invite Princess Wu in.”

Princess Wu soon took a seat in the front hall. Nian Jiao discreetly studied her, wondering about her purpose.

Princess Wu had come to pledge her loyalty.

Without beating around the bush, she smiled and said, “This humble servant is willing to follow Consort’s lead… Consort may not know, but in this household, Niuhulu and Geng have always stuck together. Consort Li ignores everyone, and Princess Song, who shares my residence, clings to Fu Jin.”

Only she was alone—without backing, without children. After observing for many days, Princess Wu thought that if Consort Nian, who had been favored from the moment she entered the household, would be willing to help her regain the Prince’s favor…

Her desires weren’t greedy—just a small share would suffice. No, even half a spoonful!

To her surprise, Nian Jiao shook her head: “No need.”

Princess Wu’s flood of words came to an abrupt halt. Stunned, she stammered, “Consort Nian…”

Nian Jiao grew displeased, her demeanor turning colder.

She thought to herself, quite reasonably, that there was only one “thigh” to cling to. If she let someone else have it, what would she do?

She wanted the Prince to return to his study, not to go to Princess Wu’s chambers.

She stated bluntly, “I don’t agree.”