Chapter 47 – Saving Face

Zhao Hai followed closely behind, his heart shifting from unease to helpless sighs. He had been by the Emperor’s side for years, and had seen firsthand how difficult those years had been. He dared not comment—perhaps this was what familial affection looked like in the imperial family?

As he was thinking, he saw the Emperor heading toward the Imperial Study and quickly instructed Xiao Xiazi to remind all those on duty today to stay sharp.

If the Emperor was in a foul mood, the servants needed to be especially cautious. Otherwise, they could easily incur his wrath over the smallest misstep. Just like last time, when the Emperor visited Consort Shun—that incident had left a deep impression. Speaking of which, Zhao Hai suddenly thought of Shen Qing. Last time, it was thanks to Shen Liangren that the situation was eased. He wondered if Shen Liangren could help again this time.

Zhao Hai remained alert, but it wasn’t long before Emperor Xuanyuan Ling threw a memorial report to the floor in frustration.

Previously, the drought had been handled, but now the situation was recurring, and new reports had come in again.

Inside the Imperial Study, the palace servants knelt in rows. Zhao Hai was close to tears. Why did something have to go wrong now, of all times?

At that moment, a eunuch from Phoenix Virtue Palace arrived.

The Empress had prepared the list of programs for the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival and the Emperor’s birthday celebrations.

Emperor Xuanyuan Ling was already in a terrible mood. Upon glancing at the list, he flung it to the floor.

The eunuch who brought it, Su Changming—the chief eunuch of Phoenix Virtue Palace—entered and, seeing the crowd kneeling, immediately realized something was wrong. He felt like crying.

“The common people can’t even fill their bellies, and yet the Empress is planning such an extravagant celebration for Mid-Autumn and my birthday!”

Technically, the Empress was only following protocol—she hadn’t done anything wrong. But the timing was terrible.

Under normal circumstances, even if the Emperor disapproved, he wouldn’t rebuke her openly. He might simply send word to remind her not to be too extravagant. If she wasn’t overly rigid, things usually passed without issue. But this time was different.

Zhao Hai thought to himself that the Empress Dowager’s overt pressure for an heir was really just making life harder for the Empress. Couldn’t she understand that no man—especially not one born to rule—tolerates being forced into anything?

He was the Son of Heaven—how could he endure being pressured into fathering a child like this?

The Emperor’s heart was already simmering with rage, and the memorial just now had set it alight. The Empress’s list was like pouring oil on the fire, and the flames naturally turned toward her.

Emperor Xuanyuan Ling roared, “With the Mid-Autumn and birthday banquets happening back to back, the Empress must be too busy. Let Consort Yu and Consort Chun help her with the arrangements.”

Notably, there was no mention of Consort Ru. The Emperor hadn’t forgotten how she schemed last time.

Su Changming trembled at the order. After leaving the Imperial Study, he wished the road ahead would never end.

How was he supposed to report this to his mistress?

But report it he must. When Su Changming relayed the message, the Empress’s expression immediately darkened.

“What does this mean?” she muttered, perhaps to herself, or perhaps to her maid Jin Zhi. “I’ve followed all the rules, and this is what I get? Having Consort Chun and Consort Yu assist me—does that not strip me of my dignity as Empress?”

Jin Zhi looked just as troubled. “Perhaps His Majesty only wants to spare you the burden.”

Even she didn’t believe the words she spoke—how could the Empress?

The Empress gave a defeated smile. “Spare me?”

What His Majesty truly felt was likely increased disdain for her after what happened last time.

Now that he had appointed Consort Yu and Consort Chun to assist her, what would happen next? Would he eventually bypass her altogether and let Consort Yu take charge?

Before, at least publicly, the Emperor still gave her face.

But deep down, the Empress had no regrets about scheming against Consort Yu’s pregnancy. If that child had lived, the Emperor would have cherished Consort Yu even more. If she had borne a prince, then a concubine with two sons and a childless Empress—her position would have been precarious in the eyes of the court.

Compared to Consort Yu, who was a clear and present threat, the Empress was even more troubled by the Empress Dowager.

“I forgot today is the day His Majesty was scheduled to greet the Empress Dowager. The timing of that delivery could not have been worse.”

Jin Zhi, well aware of the Empress’s tensions with the Empress Dowager, offered, “Perhaps you could explain to the Empress Dowager yourself?”

The Empress gave a cold laugh. “The Empress Dowager would never allow me to meddle in her affairs. I still depend on her, don’t I?”

She would never forget the first time she was scolded because of the Empress Dowager. She had humbly approached her mother-in-law, only to be humiliated—mocked as a hen that couldn’t lay eggs.

That woman was both her clan’s strongest political pillar and a double-edged sword. They always said a daughter-in-law had to endure until she became the mother-in-law.

Even if the Emperor disliked the Empress Dowager, he still had to pay respects. As the daughter-in-law, could she afford to bear the stain of being unfilial?

Later, once the Emperor finished discussing court matters, he thought it over and decided to visit Consort Yu.

In truth, he wanted to see the child—and also to give her a word of warning about assisting the Empress.

He knew he had gone too far in venting his anger and had embarrassed the Empress excessively. He couldn’t let Consort Yu go too far and offend the Empress again.

So, while he went to see Consort Yu, he also instructed Zhao Hai to send some nourishing supplements to the Empress—an act to help her save face.

It was also a signal to the entire palace: Consort Chun and Consort Yu were assisting the Empress not because she was incompetent, but because the Emperor cared about her health.

Zhao Hai finally breathed a sigh of relief. The fact that the Emperor had taken this step meant his anger had mostly subsided.

Meanwhile, Consort Yu was overjoyed to receive the Emperor. Though he gave her a stern warning, the fact that His Majesty was openly cold to the Empress was enough to make her happy. Nothing pleased her more than seeing the Empress troubled.

That night, Emperor Xuanyuan Ling stayed at Zhongyu Palace.