Chapter 8: Doing Good Deeds

After returning from Yongshou Palace, Consort De felt a severe headache.

Not just a headache—there was also a tight pain in her chest. Even after a full night’s rest, her discomfort only worsened.

The more she thought about all the gold and silver she had given away yesterday, the more suffocated she felt, as if something was stuck in her chest that she couldn’t breathe past.

Leaning against a large gold-embroidered cushion of purple sandalwood silk, she gently rubbed her chest, while her chief palace maid, Shuanghong, massaged her temples to ease the pain.

“Shuanghong, bring me my Calming Pills,” Consort De ordered weakly after a long time, her eyes half-lidded, her energy drained.

“Yes, Your Highness.” Shuanghong left at once.

She returned with the pills and a cup of warm water, helping Consort De take the medicine.

“Your Highness, Noble Consort Jiang is here,” a young palace maid whispered after Consort De had taken the pills.

Consort De’s eyelids twitched. “Quickly invite her in.”

“Greetings to Consort De,” Jiang Guipin greeted her with a bow.

After the formal greeting, Jiang looked up and saw the deep shadows beneath Consort De’s eyes, her pale complexion, and her clear fatigue. It was obvious she hadn’t slept well.

She understood why.

After the incident yesterday, with Consort Yun donating a hundred taels of gold, there likely wasn’t a single consort in the palace who had slept peacefully.

Even Jiang herself couldn’t help recalling the gold and silver she had donated, and her chest tightened with pain.

Pushing aside those thoughts, she steadied herself and, when invited, walked over to sit at the opposite end of the luohan couch.

“Lately, that Yun girl has certainly been in the spotlight,” Consort De said faintly, a trace of resentment in her voice.

Jiang glanced at her and listened as she continued, “With the way she acts, I truly can’t tell whether she’s genuinely stupid or just pretending.”

Jiang asked, “Why do you say that, Your Highness?”

“I can’t explain it,” Consort De replied, frowning slightly. “It’s just a feeling I have.”

“I live in Yunxi Palace with her,” Jiang said slowly. “I’ve observed her a fair bit. Until recently, she stayed in Qingzhu Pavilion all day, only leaving to pay respects on the first and fifteenth of the month. Even then, she only seemed interested in eating and drinking, never bothering with anything else. Even Beauty Gu made an effort to please the Empress Dowager just to gain favor with His Majesty.”

Consort De supported her chin with one hand, brows furrowed. “If that’s the case, why did His Majesty go to Qingzhu Pavilion first?”

“Perhaps…” Jiang hesitated, then lowered her voice, “…it’s because among the new consorts, Yun does stand out in appearance.”

It was a simple and obvious explanation.

Striking looks were the easiest to remember. Even those who had been paying attention to others at first couldn’t help but notice Yun Ying.

They may have been watching her from the sidelines, but because the Emperor hadn’t visited the inner palace much recently, and Yun had kept a low profile, she had slowly faded from their attention—until he selected her card.

Consort De was half-convinced by Jiang’s reasoning.

But her irritation didn’t lessen. “With all that’s happened these days, His Majesty is bound to keep her in mind.”

“There have been disasters in Shu and Jiangnan West,” Jiang said calmly. “His Majesty likely won’t have time for the harem right now. Yun may have made a splash yesterday, and perhaps her intentions were good, but her actions overstepped. As a Jieyu, how can she donate more and act ahead of you and Consort Xian? His Majesty and the Empress Dowager may not have said anything now, but surely they noticed.”

“Not to mention how many others she’s offended with this.”

“Moreover…” Jiang leaned in and whispered, “…regarding Beauty Gu’s fall into the water, surely Your Highness suspects that Yun was framed. After all that happened yesterday, whoever set her up must resent her even more. Do you think they’ll stop here?”

Consort De’s eyes sharpened slightly, regaining a touch of vigor.

She stared quietly at Jiang for a moment, silently weighing her words. Finally, a faint smile appeared on her lips.

“Tell me… who do you think framed her?”

Consort De mused aloud, only to hear Jiang reply, “I can’t say for sure. We’ll have to see what Consort Xian uncovers.”

“She’s good at pretending to be magnanimous and just,” Consort De sneered.

After a few seconds of silence, she added, “I’m quite curious to see what she really finds.”

While many consorts tossed and turned through the night, Yun Ying had a restful sleep as usual.

After her morning grooming and breakfast, she called for Biwu to report everything she had learned.

“Consort Xian and Consort De donated sums equal to Your Ladyship. Zhaoyi Lou and Zhaoyuan Jiang gave slightly less, about ten percent less. As for the rest…” Biwu went on in detail, reporting how each of the palace women had donated for the disaster relief effort.

Favor in the harem varied widely, and so did the wealth of each consort’s private storeroom.

Yun Ying was already familiar with most of their financial situations. Hearing Biwu’s report, she could tell that aside from a few, the majority had donated through gritted teeth.

Even if they had to chew on bran and swallow wild herbs from now on, at least she wouldn’t be alone in doing so.

“All the ladies of the Six Palaces are so kindhearted. Truly moving,” Yun Ying nodded repeatedly, unable to suppress her smile.

Seeing how satisfied Yun Ying was with herself, Biwu couldn’t help feeling both amused and exasperated.

But more than that, she felt increasingly reassured.

At first, she hadn’t understood why her mistress had acted so boldly. She had worried such a move would draw too much attention. But after a night of reflection, it became clear: the person who framed Yun Ying remained hidden, and without evidence, it might never be resolved. Yun Ying refused to suffer quietly and had used this opportunity to strike back publicly.

Biwu had to admit—it was simple and effective.

Besides, donations were necessary anyway, and this was a good and virtuous deed. Truly, it served two purposes at once.

There was only one concern left…

“Lady,” Biwu said, watching Yun Ying in high spirits, “we’ll need to be extra frugal in the coming days. No more indulging like before.”

“I’ve gained a little weight lately anyway. Time to slim down,” Yun Ying said as she touched her face.

Over the past month or so, she’d been lazy and stayed in. With three full meals and endless snacks every day, how could she not gain weight?

Slimming down would be good.

She’d look even better in her new cloud brocade dresses after losing some weight.

Thinking calmly, Yun Ying instructed, “Cut back on the heavy meats. Tell the kitchen to prepare lighter dishes, and reduce the sweets and snacks. The Empress Dowager has already ordered frugality in Yongshou Palace—we at Qingzhu Pavilion should follow suit.”

“Yes, Your Ladyship,” Biwu bowed in response.

In her previous life, Yun Ying had obsessed over preserving her looks, always picky about what she ate and used.

Now that she had shed that mindset, everything felt much simpler.

She had, over seven years, grown accustomed to a light appetite, so eating plainer food caused her no discomfort.

With the Emperor busy dealing with the disasters in Shu and Jiangnan West and unable to visit the harem, life for Yun Ying returned to its quiet state—just as it had been before she was summoned to serve him.

Three days passed like this before Suyu, Consort Xian’s chief maid, came to Qingzhu Pavilion.

She had come specifically to invite Yun Ying to Zhaohui Hall regarding the case of Gu Zhenzhen’s fall into the water days ago.

Yun Ying brought Biwu and Biliu along and followed Suyu to Zhaohui Hall.

Gu Zhenzhen was there, along with Consort De, Zhaoyi Lou, and Zhaoyuan Jiang—invited as witnesses by Consort Xian.

What followed went exactly as Yun Ying had predicted.

The young palace maid who had bumped into Biliu at the corner and stolen her sachet had been found.

She turned out to be a servant from Gu Zhenzhen’s Tingyu Tower.

According to her own statement, she had not been ordered by anyone. She had simply held a grudge against Gu Zhenzhen for punishing her in the past, and acted out of resentment. As for framing Yun Ying, she said it was because Yun had gained His Majesty’s favor, and she wanted to pit the two against each other so Gu would ultimately suffer.

It was true that Gu Zhenzhen had once punished her harshly.

No evidence was found linking this maid to any consort. There were no clues left to investigate further.

Just as Yun Ying had expected.

As far as she was concerned, as long as it didn’t touch her, there was no need to push for more.

“A traitorous servant in the inner palace—how rare,” Consort De said with a mocking laugh, glancing sideways at Consort Xian. “This is the first I’ve heard of such a thing. Quite the novelty. Consort Xian, you’d better keep a closer watch on the Six Palaces. If another like this pops up, it won’t look good.”

It was a veiled criticism of Consort Xian’s poor management.

Consort Xian remained composed. “Thank you for your reminder, Sister De. I will certainly do my utmost to relieve His Majesty’s burdens.”

Knowing this performance had reached its conclusion, Consort De lazily stood up. “Now that we know the maid acted alone, I leave her punishment to you, Sister Xian.” She gave a slight bow. “I have other matters to attend to. I’ll take my leave.”

Consort Xian didn’t stop her.

The other consorts rose and bid her farewell. Without even sparing Yun Ying a glance, Consort De swept out of the hall.

Zhaoyi Lou and Zhaoyuan Jiang followed with their own farewells.

Soon, only Consort Xian, Gu Zhenzhen, and Yun Ying remained.

“Consort Yun, Beauty Gu—the truth has been revealed,” Consort Xian said, looking toward Gu Zhenzhen. “Consort Yun had nothing to do with it. You should both clear up any misunderstandings and avoid future conflict. You are all members of the Six Palaces, and should support one another, serving His Majesty wholeheartedly. There should be no grudges or rivalries that trouble His Majesty.”

Gu Zhenzhen, though displeased, said nothing—mostly because Consort Xian had counseled her earlier and because she was concerned about the Emperor’s reaction.

So she obediently agreed.

Yun Ying had no objection either. Since there was nothing more, she took her leave.

“Beauty Gu, I know you’ve felt wronged recently…” Consort Xian said, gently taking Gu’s hand to comfort her.

After holding it in for so long, Gu Zhenzhen finally couldn’t stop the wave of bitterness.

Within moments, she broke down in tears, weeping uncontrollably in Consort Xian’s arms.

Three more days passed before Emperor Zhao Chong learned the full details of Gu Zhenzhen’s fall—along with the news of the consorts’ donations.

He had been in constant meetings with officials from the Ministry of Personnel, Revenue, and Works, arranging disaster relief, resettlement, and strategies with the Ministry of War to prevent unrest among the displaced. He hadn’t had a single moment to breathe.

When he finally had a bit of time to relax, he heard that Yun Ying had been the first to donate one hundred taels of gold for disaster relief.

Zhao Chong couldn’t help but laugh.

For others, it might have been a bid for attention—but when it came to Yun Ying, he didn’t think it was a casual decision.

He had no idea what little scheme this favored consort of his was plotting now.

It happened to be lunchtime, and thinking of her—and her actions—and recalling the way he had been rebuffed last time, Zhao Chong gave the order to visit Qingzhu Pavilion.

Sure enough, Yun Ying was eating.

Upon entering, he walked to the table and glanced at the dishes. Then he cast a sideways look at Yun Ying.

There were only two dishes: cold tofu with scallions and stir-fried cabbage.

“I heard that my beloved consort donated all her wealth—one hundred taels of gold—to aid the disaster victims,” Zhao Chong said as he sat down, smiling faintly. “Could it be you just wanted an excuse to eat more tofu and cabbage?”

His sudden arrival didn’t catch Yun Ying off guard. In fact, even if she had known ahead of time, she wouldn’t have made any special preparations.

Hearing him bring up the donations first, she kept her expression calm and replied righteously, “The people in Shu and Jiangnan West are struggling to survive. I couldn’t do much, so I merely did what little I could.”

But Zhao Chong clearly heard her inner voice—

[All the consorts of the Six Palaces are doing good deeds together. Even Buddha would praise this.]
[What a joyful thing.]