Chapter 15: At the Racecourse

For the next two days, Ning Zhaorou didn’t see anyone from the imperial entourage again, nor did Consort Liang summon her. But she knew all too well that this calm was only the prelude to a storm.

“Miss, His Majesty has issued an order—there’ll be a horse race this afternoon. Are we going?” Shuangwu rushed in, her voice low as she approached Ning Zhaorou, who was still reading.

The weather was fine today. Though the sun wasn’t out, at least the rain had finally stopped.

These past two days of gloomy rain had left Ning Zhaorou on edge, afraid that at any moment she’d hear news that His Majesty was returning to the capital.

“Horse race?” Ning Zhaorou asked. “Can ladies attend?”

“The participants are young lords from various noble families, but seats have been arranged for the ladies to rest and watch,” Shuangwu explained, clearly having done her homework. She added in a whisper, “It was said the horse race was suggested by Consort Li. The princes all came along for the hunt, and though His Majesty hasn’t said anything outright, it seems he’s not too impressed by their riding and archery skills. That’s why Consort Li brought up holding a race.”

The eldest prince, Consort Li’s son, was considered the most likely candidate for the position of crown prince. Since the empress’ seat remained vacant and none of the princes or princesses were legitimate heirs, the status of “eldest son” had become especially significant.

No matter how mediocre the eldest prince was, Consort Li would go to any length to clear the way for him.

Ning Zhaorou closed the book in her hand and instructed Shuangwu to help her freshen up and change clothes.

She no longer had the luxury of hesitation. The only chance left was in His Majesty’s hands. She had already missed one opportunity due to fear. Now that she was cornered, she couldn’t afford to let it slip by again.

Outside the tent, autumn wind had begun to stir. As she stepped out, the breeze lifted the ribbons in her hair. Her sky-blue gown was embroidered with blooming magnolias, and her slender waist was tightly cinched with a white jade belt. Her hair was simply adorned with a few delicate bamboo-leaf hairpins, yet she still carried a gentle, understated allure. When she looked at someone, her autumn-water eyes could soften even the hardest of hearts.

The horse race was to be held in an open field west of Mount Eyu. It stretched out endlessly to the eye, though the rain from the past few days had left the ground muddy. No matter how carefully Ning Zhaorou walked, she couldn’t avoid getting mud on her shoes.

She was frowning and bending down, wondering how to deal with the mess, when a voice called out from behind her.

“What are you dawdling here for?” An Yunwei emerged from the woods and pointed to the left. “Be careful not to go the wrong way. That’s where the women’s seats are.”

Ning Zhaorou straightened up and looked at her, unconsciously curling her fingers into her palm as she thanked her.

An Yunwei was the kind of person with a good family background, a good temperament, and good looks—she just had a sharp tongue and a habit of being blunt. Back when they attended the women’s academy together, Ning Zhaorou had once gifted her a coming-of-age present—a jade hairpin. It wasn’t particularly rare, but it was exquisitely beautiful. An Yunwei had refused to accept it, telling her to keep it for herself.

A lot of people around them had mocked Ning Zhaorou for that, making her flush with embarrassment. But An Yunwei hadn’t said much in response—just told the others to stop. Then she reached out, seemingly to accept the hairpin, but Ning Zhaorou had already turned away and walked off with it in hand.

She supposed she had always been a little jealous of An Yunwei.

Even after more than a year had passed, Ning Zhaorou still felt somewhat humiliated recalling that day.

Once she reached the seating area, she finally let out a breath of relief. Looking up, she caught a glimpse of the upper platform where the gauzy curtains had been lifted slightly, revealing a few familiar faces.

She quickly lowered her head, not daring to draw attention.

Fortunately, it seemed the noble ladies above hadn’t noticed anything below. A few of the curtains were drawn open, and laughter floated gently through the air.

His Majesty was in his prime, but he showed little interest in the harem. The palace had settled into a strange balance: high-ranking consorts busied themselves with raising princes and princesses, while the lower-ranking ones, lacking favor or children, barely made a ripple in the inner court. It was a delicate peace—so long as no one stirred the water.

“Is the Second Prince not coming today either?”
On this day, Consort Shu was especially radiant in her appearance. She was younger than both Consort Li and Consort Liang and had a son, the Fourth Prince. Ever since hearing that Beauty Fang from Consort Liang’s palace had committed an offense and angered the emperor, her joy had known no bounds. Later, news spread that the Second Prince had gotten into a fight with the daughter of Marquis Anping and had been punished by the emperor—Consort Shu could barely contain her glee. Every time she saw Consort Liang, she felt like laughing. Today, she deliberately brought it up just to provoke her.

Consort Liang gave her a cold look, the corners of her lips curling slightly. “Yun’er has been focusing on her studies these past few days. She’s not fond of going out.”

Still pretending—everyone knew full well it was because the emperor had yet to lift her house arrest.

Consort Shu shot her a scornful glance, lightly fanned herself with her beauty fan, and said leisurely, “If you ask me, if Beauty Fang were still around to sing a little tune and ease His Majesty’s worries, that’d be a good thing. His Majesty has been troubled by state affairs lately—I can’t help but feel sorry for him.”

“It’s just that Beauty Fang was too bold. Perhaps Consort Liang hadn’t been strict enough in managing her people?” she added pointedly. Her fan paused. “But look at Consort Wu. Isn’t she very well-behaved?”

Consort Wu and Beauty Fang were both under Consort Liang’s care. With Beauty Fang gone, Consort Wu remained as quiet and dutiful as ever.

When Consort Wu was mentioned, she raised her head. Seeing that Consort Liang said nothing, she pursed her lips slightly and smiled toward Consort Shu. “Your Grace flatters me. Following Consort Liang, I naturally learned to keep to my place and act with propriety.”

Consort Liang’s expression softened slightly.

Beauty Fang had brought trouble upon herself. Daring to give the emperor such a potent aphrodisiac—His Majesty had her beaten to death on the spot, setting a clear example for the rest of the harem. That was the consequence of overstepping.

Still, none of them knew whether the emperor had actually taken the drug. Logically, he should have—otherwise, Beauty Fang wouldn’t have been caught so quickly. But if he hadn’t taken it, then where had he gone during that missing hour?

---

Ning Zhaorou waited for quite a while. The seats around her were already full, and the noble ladies were chatting in small groups. The field ahead, surrounded by fencing, was the racecourse. At that moment, horses were already being led into the arena.

But the imperial throne above remained conspicuously empty.

Ning Zhaorou didn’t dare to keep glancing sideways. She simply noted the empty seat, then quickly turned her head, anxiously wringing the sleeve of her robe.

Suddenly, a stir rippled through the crowd up front.

She looked up and saw Yin Mingyu walking toward them.

Her heart gave a sudden jolt. She immediately rose with the others to greet him.

Even with her gaze lowered, she could tell—His Majesty’s eyes didn’t linger on her for even a second.

Her heart sank even deeper. Not until the command to be seated was given did she return to her place.

---

“His Majesty is finally here,” Consort Li said with a delicate smile, covering her lips with her hand. “Just now, the Eldest Prince was saying he wanted to show His Majesty how much his riding skills have improved.”

Yin Mingyu glanced her way. He seemed to be in a good mood and replied calmly, “As long as he’s putting in the effort, that’s what matters.”

Consort Shu immediately chimed in, “The Eldest Prince is a model for his brothers. Of course he wouldn’t dare slack off. I’ve been hoping the Fourth Prince might join his elder brothers in riding and archery someday. Just now, he even asked me about it.”

Yin Mingyu turned his gaze to the Fourth Prince, who was sitting close beside Consort Shu. Smiling, he said, “He’s never liked moving around much. But if he truly wants to learn, I’ll arrange for someone to teach him.”

The Fourth Prince was only five years old and rather timid by nature—he barely spoke on ordinary days. Upon hearing this, he was too stunned to react, until a hand at his back nudged him forward, signaling him to quickly thank the emperor.

Consort Shu watched as the Fourth Prince hesitantly muttered his thanks. She didn’t look very pleased but dared not say anything in front of His Majesty. She simply pulled the child back to her side.