Chapter 9: Favoritism

Yun Ying’s thoughts at this moment were quite intriguing to Zhao Chong.

He secretly mulled over them and realized that her donation of a hundred taels of gold had indeed been a deliberate act, one intended to prompt the other imperial consorts to donate more silver and gold as well.

Even the Buddha would praise such a deed.

It was a virtuous act.

It was clear that she was very pleased with the results of her earlier action a few days ago.

Zhao Chong could even detect a trace of pride in her heart.

He glanced expressionlessly at the tofu and cabbage in front of him.

Had she really emptied her private storehouse, leaving herself with only this to eat—and was still happy about it?

His favored consort truly had a big heart.

Usually, noblewomen tended to be pampered, but in Yun Ying, he saw only poise and calm acceptance of her circumstances.

“You have a good heart. That’s commendable.”

After praising Yun Ying with a serious expression, Zhao Chong’s eyes gleamed slightly with amusement. “As it happens, I haven’t eaten yet either. I’ll dine with you.”

Yun Ying lifted her gaze slightly to meet his, but said nothing. She merely responded with a soft assent and went to fetch clean dishes for the Emperor.

He had said he wanted to dine in Qingzhu Pavilion, but having neither heard any inner excitement from Yun Ying nor detected any other heartfelt emotion, Zhao Chong was slightly displeased. So when Yun Ying placed the silver chopsticks and dishes before him, he asked, “We’re just eating this?”

Yun Ying, who had hoped to bluff her way through: “…”

Don’t expose others’ weaknesses.

Someone who had given up her entire fortune—how could she afford anything more? Wasn’t tofu and cabbage good enough?

Zhao Chong, having heard her inner thoughts and realizing she was displeased with him: “…”

He coughed lightly into his fist and changed his tone, “This is perfectly fine. Please sit, my dear consort.”

Seeing that the Emperor wasn’t insisting on ordering more dishes, Yun Ying, happy to save money, obediently took her seat. Remaining ever dutiful, she politely picked up her chopsticks and offered him a bite of cabbage. “This stir-fried cabbage tastes quite nice—light and crisp. Please try it, Your Majesty.”

Sometimes, simple food could be surprisingly satisfying.

After finishing the humble meal with Yun Ying, Zhao Chong even took time to enjoy a cup of tea with her.

He had expected Yun Ying might seize the opportunity to act coquettishly or complain, at which point he would lend her some support. But even after the tea, she said nothing of the sort.

Not only did she not bring it up—she hadn’t even considered doing so in her heart.

Not a word, not even regarding the incident with Beauty Gu.

Zhao Chong mused quietly for a moment, then brought up the matter of Gu Zhenzhen falling into the water. “I’ve already heard that it was caused by a little palace maid. Your name has been cleared, but it must have been upsetting for you.”

Yun Ying gently put down her teacup with a smile.

“The Emperor trusts me and even rewarded me with cloud brocade. I do not feel wronged.”

Zhao Chong chuckled, “You are magnanimous and broad-minded. That pleases me greatly.”

He then mentioned he still had memorials to review and soon departed Qingzhu Pavilion under the respectful farewell of Yun Ying and her maids.

Shortly after, his imperial palanquin exited the pavilion grounds.

Zhao Chong, still thoughtful, instructed Xia Jiang, “Have someone discreetly monitor what food Yun Jieyu is eating lately. Be careful not to alert her.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Xia Jiang bowed and took note of the command, inwardly recognizing that Yun Ying truly stood out among the imperial consorts.

---

Under the Eaves of Qingzhu Pavilion

After sending off the Emperor, Yun Ying yawned softly. Biliu and Biwu followed her into the inner chambers and had the other maids withdraw.

“His Majesty is so busy, yet he still made time to visit Qingzhu Pavilion. He clearly holds our lady in his heart,” Biliu said with a smile as she helped Yun Ying remove her jewelry at the dressing table.

It was her usual afternoon rest period, and fatigue washed over Yun Ying, making her drowsy.

Hearing Biliu’s words, she only curled her lips slightly.

Biliu then accepted a peach wood comb from Biwu and began combing Yun Ying’s hair. Hesitantly, she asked, “My lady… why didn’t you mention the depleted storehouse to His Majesty earlier? If you had, I believe he would’ve felt sorry for you.”

“So that His Majesty only feels sorry for me and no one else?” Yun Ying smiled faintly.

Compared to Biliu, Biwu saw more clearly and said, “Our lady donated gold and silver for disaster relief—not to seek credit or rewards.”

Biliu was momentarily stunned, then heard Biwu continue with a soft laugh, “All the consorts in the palace donated large sums recently. I imagine many of them are now eating plain meals like our lady.”

At this, Biliu understood and lowered her head apologetically. “This servant was too shortsighted again.”

Yun Ying smiled. “Don’t worry about it.” Then she rose and went to her bed for an afternoon nap.

---

Over the following days, Zhao Chong made a habit of listening to Xia Jiang’s reports on Yun Ying’s daily meals.

They were all the same plain fare he had seen in Qingzhu Pavilion.

Zhao Chong pondered this for a while. When he had time to pay respects to Empress Dowager Zhou at Yongshou Palace, he brought it up.

Empress Dowager Zhou saw through his thoughts but didn’t expose him.

“Yun Jieyu hasn’t been in the palace long. Some small lapses in etiquette are understandable,” the Dowager said gently. “But she clearly has a kind heart, concerned for the victims in Sichuan and Jiangnan. She should be commended. I’ve been too busy lately, but tomorrow I’ll have her summoned.”

“Thank you for your concern, Mother.”

No sooner had Zhao Chong spoken than he heard the Empress Dowager’s inner thoughts.

[If he doesn’t like her, that’s one thing. But if he does, why not visit her more often?]
[At this rate, when will I ever get to hold a grandchild?]

Zhao Chong: “…”

“Yes, I worry,” the Empress Dowager said with a side glance and a sigh. “But surely you understand what I worry about most? At your age, the late Emperor already had three sons and two daughters.”

“Mother also knows the court has been busy lately. I simply haven’t had the time for the harem.”

“Fine.” She’d said it countless times to no avail. Closing the topic, she added, “As long as you’re aware.”

“I understand your concern.”

Zhao Chong comforted her. “When I have time, I’ll spend more time in the harem.”

Satisfied, the Empress Dowager nodded and said she was tired and wished to rest.

Zhao Chong took his leave from Yongshou Palace.

---

“My lady, the imperial palanquin went to Zhaohui Hall,” Biwu reported to Yun Ying in the evening.

Yun Ying responded with a soft “mm,” unbothered, and asked Biliu, “Is the hot water ready?”

“Yes, my lady. Do you wish to bathe?”

Yun Ying set aside the book she was reading, got off the luohan bed, and sighed. “Lately, I just can’t find any interesting storybooks.”

Biliu chuckled, “Most of these are old collections. The newer ones probably have fresher stories. But it’s hard to get them in the palace, and with our storehouse empty, my lady must bear with it.”

Yun Ying understood.

Even without books, there were still other ways to pass the time—painting, calligraphy, tending the potted plants under the eaves.

“It’s been a while since I last picked up a brush…”

Murmuring to herself, she went to bathe.

When she returned, Biwu informed her that the Emperor had visited not just the favored consort in Zhaohui Hall, but also De Fei in Qionghua Palace, and then Gu Zhenzhen in Tingyu Tower before finally returning to the Hall of Government.

Yun Ying laughed, thinking how Zhao Chong remained as swift in managing both court and harem as he had in their past life.

She had no interest in who he favored or whose name he turned over. It was just palace gossip. She simply let Biliu dry her hair.

What she didn’t expect was for Empress Dowager Zhou to summon her the next day.

Though she had once received a casual compliment from the Dowager in her past life, she’d never had grievances with her. In this life, she held no resentment either.

Yun Ying stepped down from the palanquin and followed the young maid into the hall.

She approached and bowed. “This concubine greets Your Majesty. May the Empress Dowager enjoy everlasting peace and fortune.”

The Dowager nodded. “Rise, Yun Jieyu.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Just after thanking her, Yun Ying was summoned closer.

When she entered, the Dowager thought Yun Ying looked thinner.

Now, seeing her up close, it was clear—she had indeed lost weight.

“How is it that you’ve slimmed down so much since last I saw you?” she asked.

“I’ve lost weight?” Yun Ying looked surprised, then her eyes lit up.

Seeing the faint joy in her expression, the Dowager recalled what the Emperor had said about her eating simple meals and asked teasingly, “Why are you so happy?”

Yun Ying curtsied again. “After entering the palace, this concubine gained some weight, so I’ve been controlling my diet. Since Your Majesty says I’ve lost weight, it means my efforts weren’t in vain. Forgive me for my lapse in decorum.”

The Dowager remembered how, earlier that morning, Beauty Gu had come to pay respects and also seemed thinner—complaining discreetly that things had become tight after her donation.

Yun Ying, by contrast, hadn’t even hinted at hardship and seemed genuinely happy to have slimmed down.

If Beauty Gu was truly struggling after donating less than Yun Ying, then surely Yun Ying would be struggling more. Yet there wasn’t a trace of self-pity or attempts to curry favor.

No wonder the Emperor favored her.

The Dowager’s gaze fell on Yun Ying’s slender wrist, and her expression softened.

“No matter,” she said with a smile, ordering tea to be served and inviting Yun Ying to sit. “What have you been keeping busy with lately?”

Yun Ying answered honestly, “This concubine has been idle, only reading some old storybooks and legends.”

“Oh?” The Dowager was intrigued. “What kinds of stories?”

Yun Ying had no choice but to recount a few she could remember clearly.

Unexpectedly, the Dowager was thoroughly entertained. One tale led to another, and Yun Ying had to share several more.

Who knew the Dowager liked such stories?

After finishing one more tale, Yun Ying, thinking of her book shortage, said, “These stories were from books I’ve read before. Lately, I haven’t found anything new. Otherwise, I’d share more with Your Majesty.”

The Dowager smiled.

“If you enjoy reading, why not visit the Imperial Library sometime and see if anything catches your eye?”

The Imperial Library housed a vast collection, including new titles from publishing houses across the realm.

It was clear permission to freely access the library.

Yun Ying’s eyes lit up. She immediately rose and gave a deep bow. “This concubine thanks Your Majesty for your grace.”

“Get up,” the Dowager said kindly.

At that moment, Madam Xu leaned forward to quietly remind the Dowager of the time.

The Dowager added, “It’s getting late. Yun Jieyu, I won’t keep you. I enjoyed your stories very much today. But while dieting, take care not to harm your health.”

“Yes, this concubine will heed Your Majesty’s advice.”

After bowing and taking her leave, Yun Ying stepped out of Yongshou Palace feeling like she had gained much from the visit.

Free access to the Imperial Library—how could she worry about running out of good stories to read?

Yun Ying returned to Qingzhu Pavilion in high spirits.

And she hadn’t expected the next day, the Empress Dowager would send Madam Xu to reward her with dishes.

That very day, word spread quickly of the Dowager’s favor for Yun Ying.

“What?!”

“The Empress Dowager sent dishes to Qingzhu Pavilion?”

When Gu Zhenzhen heard it from her maid Cuilan, she was both shocked and furious, with a tinge of sorrow. She had been the one to win the Dowager’s favor first—why didn’t she receive such treatment?

Why was Yun Ying being doted on?

What exactly did Yun Ying do to earn the Dowager’s affection too?

She couldn’t understand.

Truthfully, Yun Ying didn’t quite understand either.

Access to the library could be attributed to her donation—a form of reward.

But the food?

Well, if she couldn’t figure it out, she wouldn’t dwell on it.

Nor would she waste the food. After Madam Xu left, she eagerly enjoyed the two fine dishes she had been given.

Once full, she stood at the window, watching the sudden downpour and the rain-washed green bamboo, when a memory from her past life surfaced.

Snapping back to the present, she called Biwu over and whispered a few instructions.

That night, as rain fell steadily, two green bamboo snakes silently slithered through the soaked bamboo forest outside Qingzhu Pavilion—and stealthily entered Yun Ying’s chambers.