Chapter 15: Harassment

“Your Majesty…”

The palace eunuch had been kneeling for a good quarter of an hour, holding the wooden lacquer tray with the name plaques of the imperial consorts before the emperor, yet Zhao Chong had not once looked up.

Chief Eunuch Xia Jiang had no choice but to speak softly as a reminder.

Zhao Chong had already noticed when the eunuch entered.

He had been thinking about Yun Ying again. He’d been meaning to select her name plaque so he could go to Qingzhu Pavilion and probe her thoughts. But when he remembered the eunuch’s inner murmuring—that today was Consort De’s birthday—he dropped the idea. Even if he didn’t visit Qionghua Hall tonight, going elsewhere might make it seem like he was deliberately causing trouble.

Calming his thoughts, Zhao Chong still did not glance at the tray in the eunuch’s hands.

He simply picked up the red-ink imperial brush beside him, wrote a few rescripts, and waved them off.

Though the eunuch was puzzled, he didn’t dare speak and quietly withdrew.

Xia Jiang watched the emperor’s expression but said nothing.

So, when many assumed the emperor would go to Consort De’s Qionghua Hall for her birthday, he instead never visited the harem at all.

The next day, as the eunuch came to seek instructions as usual, Zhao Chong considered flipping Yun Ying’s plaque to visit Qingzhu Pavilion—but paused and gave up again.

It was just a single sentence, after all.

And knowing Yun Ying’s nature, it was probably nothing kind. Yet he had obsessed over it for so long—wasn’t that unbecoming of him?

Zhao Chong felt he was giving it too much weight.

After brief reflection, he decided to cool off and focus more on political affairs.

Thus, following Consort De’s birthday, Zhao Chong refrained from entering the harem.

Several more days passed without the emperor summoning any consorts.

On her birthday, though she had waited with great anticipation, the emperor had not come to Qionghua Hall. Still, considering state affairs were pressing and that he hadn’t gone anywhere else either, Consort De forced herself to swallow the disappointment. Yet as the days passed and no one was summoned, whether to Qingzhu Pavilion or elsewhere, she became increasingly resentful.

The joy from receiving imperial rewards at her banquet had completely vanished.

Day by day, her mood soured.

With no outlet for her frustrations and wielding the authority of overseeing the six palaces, she inevitably began taking it out on others.

Naturally, the first to suffer was Gu Zhenzhen, who lived in the same Autumn Orchid Palace and had previously spoken against her.

“My lady, I heard that today Consort De summoned Beauty Gu again to lecture her.”

“And she made her kneel outside Qionghua Hall for an entire hour.”

Biliu brought freshly brewed tea to Yun Ying and spoke softly. She was gentler than Biwu—though she didn’t particularly like Gu Zhenzhen, witnessing how repeatedly she’d been targeted by Consort De left her uneasy.

Yun Ying was practicing her painting.

Today she was attempting to paint the green bamboo outside Qingzhu Pavilion. Though it appeared simple enough, she could never quite get it right.

Hearing Biliu’s report, she casually replied, “Which is why it’s best for us to stay tucked away here in Qingzhu Pavilion.”

Biliu nodded, but sighed. “The Virtuous Consort has been unwell lately and doesn’t seem to have the strength to manage these matters anymore.”

“Otherwise, Beauty Gu probably wouldn’t have ended up like this.”

“I remember back at Chaohui Hall, when Beauty Gu spoke out against Consort De, the Virtuous Consort stepped in to protect her. Though Consort De was furious, she didn’t dare punish her in the end.”

She was referring to the time shortly after the Virtuous Consort had been scolded by the emperor and Consort De was appointed to oversee the six palaces.

By comparison, Biliu couldn’t help feeling that the Virtuous Consort’s absence had left Beauty Gu unshielded, and that’s why Consort De now acted without restraint.

Yun Ying merely smiled.

She set down her brush—the thick-tipped Da Shuang Hao made from bamboo—and after cleaning her hands, sipped her tea leisurely.

“These days, the emperor hasn’t been visiting the harem. The Virtuous Consort is sick and unable to manage palace affairs. With Consort De acting like this, we’d best stay quiet and keep to ourselves. Say the wrong thing or make the wrong move and we might end up offending her too, inviting trouble. Thankfully, the Virtuous Consort excused us from morning greetings—we’ve saved ourselves the hassle.”

She looked calmly at her own chaotic painting and spoke slowly to Biliu.

If she were the Virtuous Consort, she wouldn’t intervene either.

During her time managing the six palaces, things had at least appeared harmonious. There were rarely any punishments against minor consorts.

Feigning illness and pretending ignorance of the drama in Autumn Orchid Palace was merely a way to lure Consort De into more missteps.

For the emperor to take back her power, Consort De had to make those mistakes.

The Virtuous Consort was no fool.

Having bested Consort De a few times already, the latter had been stewing with resentment. Once she exploded, she’d act recklessly and irrationally.

Consort De could be prideful, but under normal circumstances she wasn’t entirely unreasonable.

But now, having tasted the sweetness of power, she had clearly chosen indulgence over restraint—and would likely grow worse.

Seeing this clearly, Yun Ying had no intention of getting on Consort De’s bad side.

The emperor had visited Qingzhu Pavilion so frequently before—it was likely that Consort De still bore a grudge. The Virtuous Consort might even be hoping that Consort De would target Yun Ying next, just to provoke the emperor.

In any case, as long as Yun Ying stayed quietly in Qingzhu Pavilion, even if Consort De grew bolder, she probably wouldn’t come stirring up trouble here.

At least life could go on peacefully.

That said, Imperial Physician Liu’s advice to get out and walk around would have to be put on hold.

Biliu listened and nodded again. “I’ll remember your words, my lady.”

Yun Ying curved her lips slightly and glanced once more at her messy painting. She asked, “I can’t even paint a few stalks of bamboo—could it be my brush and ink are to blame?”

Biliu leaned closer to examine the “masterpiece” and couldn’t hold back a smile.

The bamboo Yun Ying had drawn was thick and clumsy—none of the upright elegance that bamboo symbolized, only an impression that it had grown well in overly fertile soil.

“I’ll go fetch the cinnabar-red fruit-and-flower brush His Majesty gifted you from the storeroom.”

Biliu bowed with a smile, and seeing Yun Ying nod in agreement, she turned to retrieve it.

Just as Yun Ying had expected, the Virtuous Consort remained cloistered in illness while Consort De’s behavior grew even more unrestrained.

At her birthday banquet, she had seemed interested in winning over the other consorts. Now, she had clearly changed her mind.

It wasn’t just Gu Zhenzhen—soon, many others in the harem suffered under her hand: Baolin Xie, Jieyu Shen, Jieyu Cui, even Chongyi Meng weren’t spared her harassment.

As for the lower-ranked palace maids, they hardly needed mentioning.

Every couple of days, new stories of Consort De scolding or punishing consorts made their rounds. The more Yun Ying heard, the more she secretly admired her.

In her previous life, she would’ve been plotting how to make Consort De pay and seize the emperor’s pity.

But now, with a calm heart, knowing the Virtuous Consort had set the stage and that Consort De had walked right into it—she simply felt like she was watching a farce unfold.

Until, that is, Consort De started docking rations and supplies from other consorts—and Qingzhu Pavilion became collateral damage.

Biwu and Biliu grumbled incessantly, and Yun Ying was genuinely speechless.

“Today, the eunuchs brought over some potted plants for Qingzhu Pavilion—who knows where they dug them up from.”

“One of the camellias only had a few blooms, and even those had already wilted.”

“But I saw the pots delivered to Noble Consort Jiang’s residence, and they were gorgeous.”

“So clearly, it’s not that they don’t have good stuff to send.”

Biwu fumed indignantly, muttering again about how the supplies sent to Qingzhu Pavilion these past few days were clearly inferior to before. She was truly outraged by Consort De’s behavior.

Yun Ying let her vent. Only after she finished did she speak:

“Have someone place the new potted plants next to the ones His Majesty previously gifted.”

“I’ll go out and take a look later.”

Biwu blinked in surprise. “My lady, are you planning to care for these plants yourself?”

“They didn’t do anything wrong,” Yun Ying said calmly. Then she glanced sidelong at Biwu with a smile. “What you just said—don’t repeat it outside. If Consort De’s people hear it, they’ll make a big deal out of it.”

Biwu sighed. “How could I have the nerve to say such things in public?”

“Even the other consorts in the palace dare not speak too much now.”

Noble Consort Jiang, who had always had close ties with Consort De, was receiving only the best.

If other consorts were willing to flatter and fawn over Consort De, they too might benefit—but the whole thing felt absurd.

Seeing her maid’s furrowed brows, Yun Ying chuckled lightly. “The Six Palaces are not entirely ruled by Consort De.”

Biwu was startled. “You mean…?”

“Didn’t Beauty Gu frequently visit Yongshou Palace to chat with the Empress Dowager? Why do you think she hasn’t gone lately?” Yun Ying left the rest unsaid.

Biwu pondered this and suddenly understood, a glimmer of excitement in her eyes. “You always think ahead, my lady!”

“Come, let’s take a look at those potted plants delivered today.”

With that, Yun Ying headed toward the veranda.

Just as Biwu had complained, the potted plants sent by the eunuchs were all withered—petals fallen, leaves yellow, branches crooked and unruly. In short, they were a complete mess, devoid of beauty.

If someone like Yun Ying—rumored to be favored—was treated this way, how many others in the Six Palaces were also being deprived?

After all, not many were willing to set aside pride and grovel to Consort De over something like this.

Yun Ying had someone bring a pair of shears and, on the veranda, began trimming the plants as she pleased.

Halfway through her pruning, a messenger arrived from Yongshou Palace: the Empress Dowager wished to see her.

“Thank you, eunuch, for delivering the message. I will freshen up and visit Her Majesty shortly.”

Yun Ying signaled for Biwu to reward the eunuch with a silk pouch. She handed the shears to a maid and returned to her chamber to dress.

“Why would the Empress Dowager suddenly summon you?” Biliu asked anxiously as she helped Yun Ying with her hair. After a moment of worry, hope lit her voice. “Could it be that she’s noticed the harem’s troubles and wants to ask about them?”

Yun Ying replied calmly, “We’ll know when we get there.”

The last time she was summoned had been about the gold and silver donations. As for today—whether it was about Consort De or not, who could say? Either way, she had no choice but to go.

Once properly groomed and dressed in clean clothes, Yun Ying set off for Yongshou Palace with Biwu and Biliu.

Upon entering the main hall, she bowed respectfully and greeted the Empress Dowager: “This concubine greets Your Majesty. May Your Majesty enjoy everlasting peace and blessings.”

The Empress Dowager smiled kindly, exempted her from further formalities, and ordered tea to be served.

She didn’t inquire about harem affairs but instead asked if Yun Ying had visited the royal library and what books she had been reading lately.

Yun Ying answered each question truthfully.

Before long, as during her previous visit, she began sharing an amusing tale she’d read, much to the Empress Dowager’s delight.

Just as the story reached its climax, a eunuch’s sharp voice rang out from outside: “His Majesty has arrived—”

Moments later, the emperor strode into the hall.

Yun Ying immediately stood up and bowed. “This concubine greets Your Majesty. May Your Majesty enjoy ten thousand blessings.”

All the palace staff also bowed.

Zhao Chong hadn’t visited the harem in nearly a month—he hadn’t seen Yun Ying in all that time.

He hadn’t known she was here today until he glimpsed her two personal maids in the corridor.

Hearing no inner voice from her, nor sensing any joy in seeing him, Zhao Chong gave her a passing glance and waved off her greeting. He then stepped forward to greet the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager smiled. “How is it that Your Majesty has time to visit today?”

“It was my oversight not to visit sooner,” Zhao Chong replied.

“You’ve been busy with court matters—I understand,” she said. “And with Concubine Yun telling me such delightful stories, I’ve been thoroughly entertained.”

Zhao Chong’s gaze shifted back to Yun Ying.

And what he heard next was his mother’s inner delight:

“His Majesty hasn’t been visiting the harem for so long. I thought if Concubine Yun came to Yongshou Palace more often, they might cross paths eventually. Who would have thought they’d meet today? Good. Now I can worry less.”

Zhao Chong: “…”

He smoothed his robes and took a seat. Turning to Yun Ying, he asked, “What entertaining story were you telling Mother? Let me hear it too.”

Yun Ying kept her head down, smiling faintly, but inwardly sighed: A romantic tale about a scholar and a beauty—is that really something I should be telling the emperor?

Zhao Chong heard the familiar tone in her internal monologue and looked at her again.

The Empress Dowager teased, “Concubine Yun was just getting to the exciting part. You’ve arrived at the perfect time, but hearing it out of context won’t be as fun. Perhaps she can tell it to you alone another time.”

The latter half of that sentence carried a subtle hint.

Yun Ying paused. Is Her Majesty trying to play matchmaker now?

Zhao Chong, understanding that his mother had taken a liking to Yun Ying—especially after the donation incident and the peach orchard affair—said nothing.

“I’ll stay and listen to the rest,” he said.

Yun Ying had no choice but to continue her story.

It ended happily, much to the Empress Dowager’s delight. She praised it repeatedly, and Zhao Chong, seeing her so pleased, smiled faintly and issued a reward.

“This concubine thanks Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager for your graciousness.”

Yun Ying thanked them sweetly, her smile a bit more genuine. With the reward in hand, it was likely the recent docked provisions would be restored.

Zhao Chong heard her inwardly mention “docked provisions” and frowned subtly.

But knowing nothing of the context, and with Yun Ying not dwelling further on it, he had no way of learning more.

The Empress Dowager continued to smile throughout.

She glanced at the clock and, learning it was nearing dusk, said with a smile, “Time passes quickly. Concubine Yun, you may return and rest for the evening.”

“Yes.”

Yun Ying responded demurely, bowed again to both, and took her leave from the hall.

With Biwu and Biliu in tow, she returned to Qingzhu Pavilion.

Back in the main hall of Yongshou Palace, only mother and son remained.

Zhao Chong, still thinking about Yun Ying’s earlier remark, dismissed the servants before asking, “Has Mother been well lately?”

“All is well. No need to worry,” she said.

He hesitated, then asked, “I’ve been preoccupied with court affairs and have neglected the harem. Has there been anything troubling that’s needed your attention?”

The Empress Dowager smiled, but her inner thoughts didn’t match.

“If His Majesty visited the harem more often, he wouldn’t be so unaware.”

She couldn’t help but mentally grumble:
“Consort De is hardly capable of managing the harem. If things go on like this, there’s bound to be trouble.”

Zhao Chong knew then that something had indeed gone wrong.

He stayed another quarter of an hour before leaving without joining the Empress Dowager for dinner.

As he exited Yongshou Palace, he asked Chief Eunuch Xia Jiang, “Has anything unusual happened in the harem lately?”

Xia Jiang bowed. “Replying to Your Majesty: I’ve heard that the Virtuous Consort has been unwell, and matters of the harem have all been handled by Consort De. She’s been quite… thorough. It’s said that Concubine Meng, Jieyu Shen, Jieyu Cui, Beauty Gu, and Baolin Xie have all received her ‘instruction’ recently.”

Though Xia Jiang’s words were tactful, Zhao Chong read between the lines.

Under the Virtuous Consort’s management, there had never been so many punishments. Clearly, Consort De was abusing her power, using regulations to suppress others.

Zhao Chong pressed his lips into a tight line.

After a brief pause, he ordered, “To Chaohui Hall.”

Meanwhile, Yun Ying—who had left Yongshou Palace earlier—ran into Consort De on her way back.

She had barely stepped out of Qingzhu Pavilion and already had such “luck.” Whether coincidence or orchestrated encounter, it was hard to say.

“Concubine Yun greets Consort De.”

Unable to avoid her, Yun Ying stepped forward and bowed.

Consort De stood there holding onto her maid, Shuanghong, scanning Yun Ying from head to toe. “Concubine Yun, what a coincidence.”

A woman trailing Consort De also greeted her. “This concubine greets Concubine Yun.”

Yun Ying glanced at her face but couldn’t recall who she was. She found it odd—until Consort De addressed her as “Attendant Feng.”

Only then did Yun Ying remember: this was Feng Mei, a seventh-rank court lady from Yuxiu Palace who, in her past life, was never favored, had offended Consort De, and was beaten to death. She had never risen above her rank—yet now, she was walking alongside Consort De.

Yun Ying’s thoughts turned swiftly. Then she heard Consort De ask lazily, “Where are you headed, Concubine Yun?”

“I was summoned by the Empress Dowager this afternoon and am just returning from Yongshou Palace,” Yun Ying replied calmly.

Consort De already knew that.

If not for the Empress Dowager’s summons, she wouldn’t have been able to “coincidentally” encounter Yun Ying in the first place.

This wasn’t the first time the Empress Dowager had summoned Yun Ying.

Consort De’s gaze darkened. She couldn’t help but wonder what Yun Ying had said during that meeting.

“I wonder what important matters the Empress Dowager summoned Concubine Yun for?” she asked coldly.

Yun Ying instantly recognized her hostility.

Clearly, Consort De was worried she had mentioned harem affairs to the Empress Dowager and had deliberately intercepted her here to find out more.

But in this situation, Consort De was a higher-ranked consort; Yun Ying was merely a Jieyu.

If Consort De wished to make trouble, the only ones who could save her were the emperor, the Empress Dowager, or the Virtuous Consort. But rather than rely on others, she’d prefer to find her own way out.

“The Empress Dowager asked whether I’d been to the library recently, and what I’d been reading,” Yun Ying replied evenly. “Later, she asked me to tell her a story.”

Consort De saw how composed she looked and grew suspicious. “Nothing else?”

“Nothing else,” Yun Ying said.

Consort De sneered, “You’d best not be lying. If you dare slander me before the Empress Dowager, don’t think His Majesty’s former favor will protect you!”

Yun Ying lowered her head. “This concubine wouldn’t dare.”

But Consort De wasn’t done.

With a sharp crack, a glazed hairpin was hurled to the ground before Yun Ying—snapped in two.

Attendant Feng gasped theatrically, “Concubine Yun, why did you break Consort De’s hairpin?!”

Consort De echoed harshly, “You’re bold indeed, Concubine Yun!”

Yun Ying looked at the shattered hairpin on the ground.

It was the very one the Virtuous Consort had given Consort De for her birthday.

“Do you realize that hairpin was first gifted by His Majesty to the Virtuous Consort, and then passed on to me? I’ve heard you’re wild and unruly, but I never imagined you’d go so far as to break something so precious! Yun Ying, do you admit your crime?!”

In just a few seconds, Consort De had fired off accusation after accusation.

Yun Ying almost laughed aloud at the absurdity of the scene.

A performance. Right in front of her.

“If Consort De wishes to punish me, you needn’t go through all this trouble. Why destroy such a fine hairpin?”

She spoke steadily, showing neither panic nor anger.

“I could kneel if you like. But if the Virtuous Consort were to ask about the broken hairpin—would she truly believe I broke it? And if this matter were to spread, are you certain His Majesty would only believe you?”

Consort De frowned, hesitating slightly.

She had wanted to intimidate Yun Ying and make her suffer—but not if it meant rousing the emperor’s displeasure.

Still, she wasn’t about to back down easily.

“Why wouldn’t His Majesty believe me?” she sneered. “Don’t be so full of yourself.”

Yun Ying said politely, “This concubine wouldn’t dare.”

She was about to offer another “friendly reminder” when Attendant Feng interrupted.

“Consort De, Concubine Yun’s glib tongue is clearly meant to say you’re no match for the Virtuous Consort. I couldn’t bear to listen!”

Seeing the flicker of hesitation in Consort De’s eyes, she added, “If you let her go now, won’t it look like you’ve been threatened? How will you command respect among the harem?”

Yun Ying eyed her coldly. A lapdog emboldened by its master.

No matter her low rank, she was still an imperial consort. But her words and behavior made clear how desperately she had been pandering to Consort De.

That Consort De welcomed someone like this—wasn’t it bound to end in disaster?

“Someone, hold Concubine Yun down!” Consort De snapped.

But just as her order rang out, she glimpsed a flash of golden yellow in her peripheral vision.

She turned—

And froze.

It was the emperor.

Her face went pale instantly, panic flooding her as she rushed to kneel and greet him. “This concubine greets Your Majesty. May Your Majesty enjoy eternal blessings.”

Her heart thudded in terror, and cold sweat soaked her back.

His Majesty… just how much did he see and hear?