Chapter 15

Chapter Fifteen: Unwilling

“Mother, please speak.” Xie Shu could already guess what her mother intended to say. The Empress Dowager would not summon her to the palace without reason; there must be something troubling her, and she was likely to vent her anger on her. Recalling the brief mention of the “selection” by the Empress Dowager and Princess Shenghua earlier at Cining Palace, she suspected that her mother’s words would likely concern that matter.

“Shu’er, do you know that as early as a month ago, your maternal grandfather received a notice from the Imperial Household Department stating that the palace was to hold a selection of maidens? Your grandfather was to prepare a list of candidates for His Majesty and the Empress Dowager to review. By tradition, you should have been included on that list. However, the Empress Dowager secretly ordered your grandfather not to put your name on it.”

Xie Shu had been unaware of this because Yun had deliberately concealed it from her.

At this point, Yun sighed softly. “Your grandfather dared not offend the Empress Dowager, yet he thought that with so many women participating, one more or less would hardly attract His Majesty’s attention. So he consulted me. I felt that the palace was a complicated and dangerous place — during the late emperor’s reign, many consorts died under mysterious circumstances, even the dearly favored Dowager Jing. I did not want you to suffer such a fate, so I agreed. But this afternoon, your grandfather sent word that His Majesty discovered something amiss with the selection list. Perhaps because he dislikes others meddling in his affairs, the palace decided to cancel the selection.”

So that was the case. Xie Shu’s delicate brows lifted slightly, her emotions inscrutable. But upon hearing the selection was canceled, she let out a small sigh of relief. “So, what is it that you want to ask, mother?”

“Your grandfather said there were hundreds of candidates on the list, but His Majesty mentioned only you. This is partly because of your reputation, but it is also possible that His Majesty intended to select you for the palace.”

“There are many women in the capital who admire His Majesty’s grandeur, including those from noble families, such as Chu Youning, the eldest daughter of the Duke of Chu. If you, Shu’er, also admire His Majesty, then your marriage can wait. But if you do not desire to enter the palace, then your marriage must be arranged soon, and your father and I will find a suitable husband for you.”

Yun cherished her daughter dearly and naturally wished to keep her a while longer. But a good daughter attracts many suitors, and whether due to her father’s words or other reasons, Shu’er’s marriage needed to be set in motion.

Xie Shu pressed her lips together, never having expected that even rebirth could not help her avoid this. Yet she understood what she wanted. No matter what her grandfather was told, she would not change her mind. Without hesitation, she said to Yun, “Mother, I do not want to enter the palace.”

“I understand, my dear. Your marriage will be entrusted to me. We will surely find you a husband who is handsome, talented, gentle, and considerate.” Yun could roughly guess her daughter’s choice. It was not surprising, for her daughter’s temperament resembled that of her eldest brother: kind and gentle. Such a nature would surely be bullied in the palace.

Their family did not rely on Shu’er to maintain its glory, so naturally, she could marry whomever she wished. After a long and heartfelt conversation, Yun finally let her leave.

The sky outside had long since darkened. Two maids carried lanterns ahead, while Mei supported Xie Shu. Upon returning to Plum Blossom Garden, only the two of them remained inside. Mei produced a small green bottle from her sleeve and handed it to Xie Shu. “Miss, this is the wound ointment given to me by Eunuch Li. He said it is a tribute item that can ease pain.”

Since it came from Eunuch Li, it must be His Majesty’s intention. Mei felt that His Majesty treated their lady with unusual favor, though their lady seemed to hold no romantic feelings for him.

Mei carefully glanced at her lady. Xie Shu rested her cheek on her hand, looked at the small green bottle, then handed it back. “My leg no longer hurts. Let’s keep this ointment for now.”

“Yes, Miss.” Mei had expected as much and almost without hesitation put the ointment away in the makeup box beneath the bronze mirror. She asked if Miss wished to bathe, thinking to apply a warm compress to her calf afterward.

Xie Shu was especially weary today, her body exhausted. She nodded softly.

After bathing, Xie Shu wore a thin white undergarment; her waist looked slender and delicate. She sipped some tea and then lay down on the bed. Mei lowered the pink gauze canopy and quietly withdrew.

Her thoughts were muddled, drifting back to her previous life — the third year of Emperor Zhao Chu’s reign. A selection had been held, and the harem had gained three new consorts. Alongside the favored Noble Consort Xie Shu, there were four consorts in total.

Among them, Chu Youning held the highest status. Upon entering the palace, she was made one of the nine consorts and given charge of a palace. The other two were Zhou Wanying, the youngest daughter of the Censorate minister, and Xu Ruo, the little princess of Prince Pingchang’s household, both titled beauties.

Of these, the liveliest was this Beauty Xu.

Perhaps due to her naive temperament, Xu Ruo loved to follow Xie Shu around, calling her “Sister Shu.” Even though Xie Shu told her the consorts need not come to Chengqian Palace to pay respects, Xu Ruo visited daily, chattering endlessly.

One day, she came in with red-rimmed eyes and a pitiful face. As soon as she entered, she plopped down before Xie Shu, clutching the hem of her peony-embroidered floor-length gown. “Sister Shu, you have to stand up for me.”

Xie Shu was startled and gently comforted her, telling her to calm down and explain everything.

But Xu Ruo refused to sit, wiping tears with a handkerchief as she sobbed, “Sister Shu, although His Majesty turned over my card yesterday, he spent all night painting. I waited with him through the night. When he finally prepared to rest, I went to help him change, but he wouldn’t even let me touch him. Then he returned to the Yangxin Palace. I don’t know what I did to displease him. Does His Majesty dislike me?”

Xie Shu’s eyes clouded with confusion, unable to believe such a thing. She first soothed Xu Ruo kindly, then said, “His Majesty’s nature is gentle. Perhaps he had state affairs to attend to last night, which is why he returned early to Yangxin Palace.”

Upon hearing this, Xu Ruo became even more agitated. Her “Sister Shu” turned to “Noble Consort Sister,” her pitiable expression deepening. “But Noble Consort Sister, I asked Sister Chu. She said that although His Majesty also turned over her card twice in six months, he only stayed to drink two cups of tea in her palace before leaving. Noble Consort Sister, could you speak a good word for me before His Majesty?”

Throughout the palace and court, everyone knew the Noble Consort was favored above all, and His Majesty obeyed her every wish. Seeing the subtle spring in her eyebrows, no one believed His Majesty would leave Chengqian Palace after only two cups of tea.

Only the Noble Consort could help her, and Xu Ruo looked at Xie Shu with hopeful eyes.

Xie Shu hadn’t expected all her hopes to rest on her. She hesitated but could not promise. “Younger Sister Xu, I am but a consort myself. I fear I have no power to change His Majesty’s mind.”

“But His Majesty listens to Noble Consort Sister’s every word. I have no other recourse but to come to you. If you refuse, I would rather kneel forever.” Xu Ruo’s sorrowful expression and tear-streaked face were heart-wrenching.

Xie Shu frowned slightly, tempted to say if she wished to kneel forever, then so be it. But everyone knew the Noble Consort’s gentle and virtuous nature. She could only agree to help Xu Ruo.

Xu Ruo’s cries ceased instantly. She looked up and asked, “Is it true, Noble Consort Sister?”

Xie Shu nodded softly. Overwhelmed with gratitude, Xu Ruo wept tears of thanks.

Mei, who had heard everything, was furious. This Beauty Xu had befriended their lady solely to use her, even asking her to intercede for her with His Majesty. Why wouldn’t she go herself? Mei bit her lip in frustration and asked, “Consort, do you really intend to plead with His Majesty for this?”

At that moment, the dream abruptly ended.

Meanwhile, in the Emperor’s bedchamber...