Chapter 66 (None)
Time flies by, winter goes and spring comes, the wind becomes gentle overnight, and the flowers on the branches bloom and fade again.
The two pear trees in Xiangxue Pavilion are decades old, with lush branches. The pear blossoms have just faded, and the tender yellow leaves on the trees sway in the breeze, dappling the ground with sunlight.
The palace maid whispered a few words in Xie Mama's ear, and she frowned and quickly looked at Consort Zhao.
Consort Zhao stood beneath the tree, her head tilted slightly upward, gazing at the fingertips-sized pears nestled among the branches. A moon-white shawl draped from her wrist, intertwining with her wide, shimmering silver skirt.
Since the midwife and wet nurse Zhang were punished, Consort Zhao has become increasingly thin. Already slender, she now appears as if she will vanish with the wind.
After a while, Granny Xie sighed inwardly, waved her hand discreetly, and signaled the maid to leave. She stepped forward quietly, bowed, and said, "Your Highness, another large box of gold ingots has been moved from the inner treasury."
Consort Zhao seemed not to hear, still looking up at the pears on the tree with great seriousness.
After speaking, Granny Xie waited a moment. Seeing that Consort Zhao did not respond, she dared not say more and was about to leave when she heard Consort Zhao say, "Last year's pears were few and bland. Judging from the state of the trees, it will surely be a bumper year."
Consort Zhao did not usually like to eat pears, as the word for pear sounds like the word for separation, and she also disliked white pears.
Emperor Yuanming praised her for wearing white, saying it was like a cloud emerging from a mountain peak. From then on, except for celebrations and banquets where court attire was required, Consort Zhao only wore various styles of white.
After giving birth to Xiao Jiatang, Consort Zhao rarely served the emperor. She always chose only white, frosty white, and pinkish white fabrics, regardless of winter or summer.
"Is there any news from Ronghua Pavilion?" Consort Zhao asked casually.
"Your Majesty, Consort Zhuang went into labor early this morning, but has not yet given birth," replied Granny Xie.
Consort Zhao hummed in response, "Of the palace maids who made their mark this spring, how many have the Emperor favored?"
The laughter of the new concubines is heard, but the tears of the old ones are nowhere to be seen. Every year, the palace brings in new concubines, and the old concubines, who hold high positions and have children, are still doing quite well, even though they no longer serve the emperor.
All the newcomers this year have been favored by Emperor Yuanming. For example, Consort Duan was once deeply loved. Only after the Marquis of Yong'an returned his title to the court was she allowed to stay in Cuiwei Pavilion.
Unfortunately, Emperor Yuanming never summoned her to his bedchamber again, and she likely suffered the same fate as nine out of ten former concubines, withering away in a corner of the deep palace.
However, Granny Xie dared not be certain, as there were exceptions. For example, Consort Jiang of Fanying Pavilion was a case of an old concubine making a comeback, rising from a lowly concubine to the rank of consort, enjoying constant imperial favor.
After the start of spring, the Kunning Palace, the central palace, was cordoned off, and craftsmen were busy with repairs. Rumors had spread throughout the palace that Emperor Yuanming intended to enclose another section of the central palace and incorporate it into the Fanying Pavilion.
After thinking for a moment, Xie Mama raised her hand to her face and said with annoyance, "This servant is foolish and should not have troubled Your Highness with these matters."
Consort Zhao said nothing more and turned to walk into the room. Her shawl slipped to the ground, and when she stepped on it, it quickly left a stain.
"Your Highness, watch your step." Granny Xie hurriedly stepped forward to pick up the shawl, but Consort Zhao didn't even look up and continued walking forward.
"Mother." Xiao Jiatang was writing calligraphy in the west room when she saw Consort Zhao enter. She jumped off the chair, curtsied, and called out sweetly.
"Ah Tang's calligraphy is becoming more and more neat these days," Consort Zhao said with a smile, stroking Xiao Jiatang's head.
"I'll take it to show Father later." Xiao Jiatang was overjoyed by the praise and said proudly, shaking her head.
Consort Zhao lowered her eyes and responded, while Xiao Jiatang's smile turned into a frown. "But I can never compare to my eldest sister. If Father sees this, he will scold me."
“The eldest princess never goes to the emperor's presence…” Consort Zhao said with a smile, then paused, her expression thoughtful.
"Mother." Seeing that she remained silent, Xiao Jiatang couldn't help but call out, "What are you thinking about, Mother?"
"It's alright." Consort Zhao came to her senses and comforted Xiao Jiatang with a smile: "You are younger than the eldest princess, so you started learning to read and write later. In a few years, you will be able to catch up."
Xiao Jiatang immediately went from worry to joy. Consort Zhao looked at her face, which resembled Emperor Yuanming, and said softly, "Your mother is going out for a while. Atang, go and continue writing."
“Okay.” Xiao Jiatang obediently agreed, sat back in her chair, straightened her small body, picked up the brush on the inkstone, and began to write carefully, stroke by stroke.
Consort Zhao looked at him with loving eyes for a while, then turned and left the west room. Granny Xie hesitated for a moment, then said, "Where does Your Highness intend to go? This servant will help Your Highness change your clothes."
"I'm going to Rouyi Palace to ask Sister Liu for a cup of tea. Sister Liu isn't one to fuss over these things, so it's fine," Consort Zhao said nonchalantly, continuing to walk out.
At this moment, a young eunuch from Funing Palace entered. Upon seeing Consort Zhao, he quickly stopped and bowed, saying, "This servant greets Your Highness. Consort De requests Your Highness's presence at Funing Palace. The Old Madam has entered the palace and wishes to speak with Your Highness."
During the Lunar New Year, Lady Gao entered the palace to receive a banquet, but did not return. After the Funing Palace was surrounded by guards, Consort Zhao, like Consort Liu, lived a secluded life and never regained her former glory.
Consort Zhao lowered her eyes, concealing the cold smile in them, and said, "Mother is here, I'll go right away."
A young eunuch respectfully led the way, and Consort Zhao went to Funing Palace instead. Consort Zhao and Madam Gao were having tea in the warm pavilion when Consort Zhao arrived. Both of them stopped talking. Madam Gao stood up and stood respectfully, while Consort Zhao remained leaning against the edge of the bed, playing with a peony flower in her hand.
Consort Zhao first greeted Consort Zhao, and then said to Madam Gao, "Mother, there's no need for such formalities, please sit down."
Madam Gao sat down, her eyes red as she looked at Consort Zhao, and said with concern, "Yingniang, why have you lost weight again?"
Consort Zhao said, "Mother, I'm fine. Consort De has lost quite a bit of weight; Mother should take better care of Consort De."
Consort Zhao always wore a faint smile. Old Madam Gao wiped away her tears and said, "You sisters are all flesh and blood of my flesh, and I care about you all. I was just advising Aqing that although there are many things to do in the palace, your health is more important."
Consort Zhao echoed with a "yes," and following up on Old Madam Gao's words, said, "Mother is getting old, so please take good care of yourself. Your children and grandchildren will have their own happiness, so please worry less and enjoy your old age."
"How could I let it go? None of your brothers are any good. The meager harvest in the manor is barely enough to eat. Some time ago, Vice Minister Xu of the Ministry of Personnel sent me an invitation to his flower appreciation banquet. I went to pay my respects, but alas..."
As Madam Gao spoke, she sighed and wiped away tears of grievance: "The new dress I made last winter, I only wore for half a day when I went to the Zhang family's birthday banquet. That day happened to be a cold snap, and the weather was freezing. When I wore that dress, they stared at me like I was a monkey. At first, I didn't understand, but when I went to Ruce, I heard them gossiping, saying that the Zhao family really knew how to live frugally, taking out a winter dress they had worn last year and wearing it to a banquet in the spring. They were really planning to keep that dress as a family heirloom."
The capital city was bustling and extravagant, a place of dazzling luxury. The wealthy indulged in the finest and most exquisite cuisine, and wore magnificent and elaborate clothing. A single expensive dress could sell for tens of thousands of taels of silver.
Ladies and gentlemen would also wear old clothes, and if they were only going out to a banquet or to meet guests, they would never wear the same clothes twice.
In the capital, there are many festivals and banquets. The Zhao family, with its brothers, wives, and young ladies, would spend most of the family's income just on new clothes.
Consort Zhao's complexion was not good. Seeing that Consort Zhao remained sitting quietly, she also kept silent.
"Madam Xue of the Jiang family also received an invitation. She was wearing a brand-new robe, the fabric of which I had heard from my nephew's wife, Deng, was brocade from Pingjiang Prefecture. Madam Xue, a woman from the countryside, was now trembling with pride, and all the ladies surrounded her, fawning over her."
Madam Gao became indignant, spat angrily, and said, "Those shallow-minded people are always sucking up to the powerful and belittling the weak!"
Consort Zhao finally spoke, saying, "Mother, I have a few bolts of fabric here. They are the most fashionable materials that have been presented as tribute from various prefectures this year. I will have Granny Huang bring them to you later, so you can make some new clothes."
Madam Gao looked embarrassed and quickly said, "I didn't come to the palace to beg for money. You serve the emperor in the palace, so you should dress more brightly. How could I want your fabric?"
“Mother, I do not need bright clothes to serve you.”
Consort Zhao smiled slightly and said, "Mother, take it back and make some for your sisters-in-law and nieces. Don't be reluctant to part with it. The more precious the material, the more it resembles this flower."
She held up a peony that had lost its freshness, saying, "It can't be kept. If you keep it, it will lose its color and become stale."
Madam Gao looked her two daughters up and down, her worry barely concealed. After glancing around, she lowered her voice and said, "I heard that the Consort of Fanying Pavilion is the most favored. The Emperor sends cartloads of gold and silver to Fanying Pavilion as gifts. Your elder brother came back and told me that he heard the Emperor is planning to make the Third Prince the Crown Prince. If the Third Prince is made Crown Prince, Consort Jiang of Fanying Pavilion will have to be made Empress. That's why I came to the palace to tell you this."
Consort Zhao subconsciously looked at Consort Zhao, meeting her mocking gaze, and her heart skipped a beat.
“Mother, go back and tell my elder brother that the Emperor’s decision to establish an heir and empress is a major event in the court and the whole country. He should not concern himself with it or make any unfounded comments or inquiries.”
Consort Zhao kept looking at Consort Zhao. After she finished speaking, she lazily turned her head to look out the window. Granny Huang stepped forward and said respectfully, "Your Highness, Consort Gao has given birth to the Fourth Prince."
"Another child has been added to the harem, what a joyous occasion! Send the prepared gifts as before," Consort Zhao instructed, her face expressionless.
"Yes." Granny Huang was about to leave when Consort Zhao said again, "Take the old lady into the room and bring out my fabrics so she can choose."
When Madam Gao heard that another prince had been born in the palace, her feelings were complicated. She wanted to say a few more words to the two sisters, but Granny Huang stepped forward with a smile, "Madam, this servant will accompany you to choose fabrics."
Left with no other choice, Madam Gao left with Granny Huang. Consort Zhao smiled, but her eyes were icy cold.
“You’ve seen Zhao’s situation. You also have talent, but you’re unwilling to show it. Before you entered the palace, you knew your family was struggling financially, but you just couldn’t see it, comfortably enjoying the glory and fame that didn’t belong to you.”
Consort Zhao's expression was extremely ugly. She gritted her teeth and stared intently at Consort Zhao: "Consort Zhao is the pillar of the Zhao family. The Zhao family has Consort Zhao supporting it! So, Consort Zhao can't hold on anymore!"
Consort Zhao chuckled coldly, "You haven't changed at all, my dear sister! You think you can stand by and watch the show? If the Zhao family doesn't prosper, don't even think about getting away with it!"
"My dear sister, you haven't changed at all over the years."
Consort Zhao could no longer hold back and retorted, "You always clamor for a share of everything I have. When you saw I made a new dress, you begged your mother to make one for you too. When your mother refused, you secretly tore my new dress. My dear sister, you watched me enter the palace, and you swore you would enter the palace as well. After entering the palace, you gave birth to a prince, while I only gave birth to a princess. From then on, the Zhao family was in your hands, and you were the head of the household."
She covered her mouth and laughed, clicking her tongue twice, "My dear sister, you are incredibly intelligent and resourceful. My dear sister, the Zhao family has fallen into such a state."
Consort Zhao stared intently at Consort Zhao, her eyes sharp as knives: "I won't waste my breath on you. I'll just tell you one thing: don't be so clever. You escaped unscathed by the incident with Zhang the Midwife. If you cause trouble again, you'd better think twice before you do it, like you did with Atang!"
Consort Zhao paused, biting her lip and remaining silent. The atmosphere in the warm pavilion became tense and heavy, as if swords were about to be drawn.
Fan Ying Pavilion.
The third prince, with his bottom sticking out, crawled around on the couch. Wenjuan and Zishan stood guard beside him, their hands clasped together in a tense atmosphere, afraid that he might bump into something and fall.
After Consort Gao gave birth, Wu Shishan and others came to check Jiang Ling's pulse. After carefully taking her pulse, he said, "Your Majesty is in good health, but you haven't been resting enough. Just make sure you get plenty of rest."
With the mischievous Third Prince around, Jiang Ling can no longer do nothing but eat and sleep all day like before. She couldn't help but look at the Third Prince, who was drooling and giggling foolishly, and said with a hint of annoyance, "There's no way around it, he never stops moving, I have to keep an eye on him."
Wu Shishan looked at the Third Prince and smiled, "The Third Prince is clever and lively. Her Majesty has raised him very well. Now, many ladies from noble families are following Her Majesty's example and are willing to feed their children themselves. I have also heard that some court officials have submitted a memorial requesting His Majesty to make the Third Prince the Crown Prince."
Jiang Ling was shocked. Not to mention the newborn fourth prince, Emperor Yuanming also had the grown-up eldest and second princes.
The eldest son should be chosen as heir, but it's not even the turn of the third prince, who is still half a year old and crawling on his bed.
The person behind it all finally couldn't hold back any longer and decided to harm the mother and child!
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