The Past of Consort Rong
The festive atmosphere of the New Year was gradually growing stronger. Red paper "Fu" characters cut by Ya Huan were hung under the eaves, and new plain-colored window paper was pasted on the window frames. Even the small peach tree in the corner of the courtyard was wrapped with several rounds of red silk, adding a touch of joy. Ya Huan and I were busy delivering freshly steamed New Year cakes to the various palaces. The sweet aroma of glutinous rice mixed with the cool air, slowly drifting between the palace walls.
When we brought Consort Rong her meal, she was sitting by the window flipping through an old picture album, with a few dried flower petals tucked inside. Seeing us enter, she quickly closed the album, her fingertips nervously smoothing her hair. "Consort Rong, try some of our New Year's cake. It's freshly steamed and still warm," Ya Huan said, handing over a rough porcelain bowl of cakes, her eyes sparkling. "The New Year is just around the corner. Granny Zhang said the palace will send some New Year's goods to the Cold Palace, so we can stay up all night together then."
Consort Rong took the bowl, whispered "thank you," and scooped a small piece of rice cake into her mouth, chewing slowly. I noticed her gaze kept drifting towards the window, as if she were hoping for something, or perhaps worried. "Your Majesty, are you thinking about things at home?" I asked softly.
Consort Rong paused, her eyes slightly reddening. After a long while, she whispered, "I heard... that officials from the border will return to the capital to report on their duties this year, and my parents... will also be coming back." Her voice was very soft, with a slight, almost imperceptible tremor. "They haven't been back to the capital for three years."
Ya Huan quickly said, "That's wonderful! Your Highness will be able to see your parents again!" Consort Rong shook her head, placed the bowl on the table, and unconsciously stroked the rim of the bowl with her fingertips: "They came back for my sister." She took a deep breath, as if she had finally mustered up the courage, and slowly began to tell her story.
“I was the first child in the family. When I was born, my parents were still working in the capital. Later, my father was transferred to the border. He said the journey was too far and it would be inconvenient to take me with him, so he left me in the ancestral home in the capital and had the steward and nanny take care of me.” Consort Rong’s voice was very soft, as if she were telling someone else’s story. “When I was little, I always looked forward to my parents coming back, but they only sent people to deliver some things every year and never came back. It wasn’t until I was ten years old that they came back to the capital once, with a three-year-old sister with them.”
She paused, picked up the sketchbook on the table, and gently opened it. Inside was a childlike family portrait. In the drawing, a little girl with her hair in two buns nestled beside her parents. Standing next to them was a lonely little girl, none other than Consort Rong as a child. "They say my sister grew up on the frontier, where conditions were harsh, unlike the life of luxury I have in the capital. They tell me to be more lenient with her." Consort Rong's voice carried a hint of bitterness. "But I miss my parents too. I'm all alone in the ancestral home, watching other children being loved by their parents. I can only smile at the steward and the nanny."
Ya Huan's eyes reddened as she listened, and she took Consort Rong's hand, saying, "Your Majesty, you are so pitiful." Consort Rong shook her head and continued, "Later, when the Emperor held the selection of concubines, I didn't want to enter the palace. I wanted to stay in our ancestral home and live a quiet life. But my father found me and said that this was something I owed to my younger sister." Her voice choked with emotion, "He said that my younger sister was lively and couldn't stand the rules of the palace. If I didn't enter the palace, my younger sister would have no choice but to. He told me to accept my fate, saying that it was my responsibility as her older sister."
"I don't understand, why should the elder sister give way to the younger sister? Why should I give up the love I never received?" Consort Rong's tears fell, landing on the album and spreading faint ink stains. "I don't want to enter the palace, and I don't want to owe anyone anything. But I have no choice. If I don't agree, my father will kneel before me and say I'm unfilial. I can only nod and beg the Emperor to demote me to the Cold Palace, so I won't have to see anyone or fight for anything."
I handed her the handkerchief, my heart filled with heartache. It turned out this always shy woman, reluctant to communicate, harbored so much resentment. She wasn't born withdrawn; she had simply lacked love since childhood and feared being abandoned again, which was why she had wrapped herself in a hard shell. "Your Majesty, this isn't your fault," I said softly. "You've done very well; you owe no one anything."
Consort Rong took the handkerchief, wiped away her tears, and whispered, "Thank you. I've never said these words to anyone else before. In the Cold Palace, you are the first people who are willing to listen to me." Ya Huan hugged her arm and whispered, "Your Majesty, from now on we are your family, and we will always be with you."
After leaving Consort Rong's residence, we went to the Dowager Consort Xian's place. She was tidying up New Year's goods with Consort Su and Consort Li. When she saw us, she smiled and waved for us to come over. I briefly told her about Consort Rong's situation, and the Dowager Consort Xian sighed: "This child has suffered for so long. Parental favoritism is the most hurtful thing. She has been guarding the ancestral home alone at such a young age. You can imagine the grievances she has suffered."
Consort Li put down the red paper in her hand and said softly, "I met Consort Rong's father when I was a child. He was a very strict man, demanding of his subordinates, and I imagine he was the same way with his family. Consort Rong is gentle by nature, and I'm afraid she has suffered a lot of grievances." Consort Su nodded, "From now on, we should spend more time with her and let her know that there are people who care about her in the Cold Palace, so that she doesn't have to bear everything alone anymore."
On New Year's Day, Consort Hui indeed arrived with Qin Lan. She also brought many New Year's goods, including exquisite pastries, fine fabrics, and small gifts for everyone. Qin Lan, dressed in a light pink ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), looked radiant. Upon seeing us, she excitedly ran over, grabbed my and Ya Huan's hands, and said, "Sister A Zhao, Sister Ya Huan, I missed you so much!"
Consort Rong also arrived, wearing the new cotton-padded jacket given to her by the Dowager Consort Xian, a faint smile on her face. Ya Huan took her hand and handed her a newly woven red silk grasshopper: "Consort Rong, this is a New Year's gift I made for you. I wish you a happy new year." Consort Rong took the grasshopper, her eyes sparkling, and whispered, "Thank you, I like it very much."
Everyone sat around a round table laden with various snacks and dishes. The Empress Dowager raised her wine cup, smiling, and said, "Today is the New Year. We, the people of the Cold Palace, are gathered together as one family. May we all have a peaceful and prosperous New Year, and may all our wishes come true." Everyone raised their cups together, the crisp sound of clinking glasses echoing throughout the Cold Palace.
Consort Hui placed a piece of jujube paste cake, Consort Li's favorite, on her plate, still speaking with a defiant tone: "I'm giving you this cake because it's the New Year. Don't think I've forgiven you." Consort Li smiled and said, "Thank you, Consort Hui. I also wish your father's case will be overturned soon in the new year." Qin Lan, sitting next to me, whispered, "Consort Hui actually forgave Consort Li a long time ago. A few days ago, she even asked me to make her favorite plum blossom cake."
Consort Rong sat in the corner, slowly eating her snacks, occasionally glancing up at the others, her smile growing increasingly natural. The Dowager Consort Xian saw her and said with a smile, "Consort Rong, in the new year, smile more, don't always bottle things up. Everyone in the Cold Palace is your family. If anything happens, just say it, we'll help you." Consort Rong nodded, her eyes slightly reddening, but she still managed a radiant smile.
Snowflakes drifted down outside the window, gently settling on the windowpane, draping the cold palace in a silvery coat. Inside, warmth filled the room, laughter and conversation mingling together to create the most comforting New Year's melody. Looking at everyone around me, my heart was filled with peace. The new year may still bring its share of challenges, but as long as we support and accompany each other, we will surely make our days in the cold palace warmer and happier.
Qin Lan gently tugged at my hand and whispered, "Ah Zhao, in the new year, I hope Consort Li can clear her name, Consort Rong can be happy, and we can all be safe and sound." I nodded, looking at the snowflakes outside the window, and quietly thought to myself: In the new year, may all grievances be gently resolved, may all waiting be rewarded with blooming flowers, and may everyone in the Cold Palace find their own happiness.
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