If they waited any longer, it would be time for the locking of the palace gates.
Song Jiyun had also stayed at the Empress Dowager’s place for too long.
She exchanged a look with Nanny Chang, both taking several deep breaths before sending a young palace maid to report to Noble Consort Wan.
As expected, Noble Consort Wan was holding back anger, looking at them with a cold smile and said, "You know to come back."
Song Jiyun was alright, but Nanny Chang had turned pale with fright, saying, "Empress Dowager was curious about Miss Song’s porcelain firing skills and kept her for a conversation."
A tea cup came flying at them from Noble Consort Wan.
Song Jiyun quietly dodged.
The tea cup passed between her and Nanny Chang, landing behind them.
"Get out!" Noble Consort Wan shouted furiously.
Both hurried out.
Song Jiyun let out a breath of relief.
She hadn’t expected Noble Consort Wan’s emotions to be relatively stable.
However, Nanny Chang was trembling even more than before, even more frightened, and whispered to Song Jiyun, pulling at her sleeve, "What do we do? The consort is in a bad mood; will she change the attending female officials?"
It really was hard to say.
Song Jiyun had the intention to help her and whispered, "Is the consort usually quick-tempered? Do you know what happened to those who angered her before? If you keep away from her these few days, will she think you are avoiding her? If you continue to serve her as before, will she lash out at you again?"
Her few words calmed Nanny Chang down.
"You really are clever!" She held Song Jiyun’s hand, a flicker of joy in her eyes, "Normally, the consort rarely loses her temper, and as long as it’s someone who serves by her side, even if they make a mistake occasionally, as long as it’s not intentional, the consort won’t take it to heart and is quite forgiving. I simply thought wrong just now."
"Then that’s good!" Song Jiyun was somewhat surprised.
But having been tense the whole day, finally being able to avoid the palace’s powerful figures, she relaxed, only wanting to return early and rest.
In the following days, the sudden attention on the Eldest Prince became the major event in the palace; Empress Dowager, the Empress, and the Empress all in a hurry to summon this child, with the Emperor also frequently favoring the Eldest Prince’s mother, Lady Ji, with edicts, relocations, and rewards. It was bustling and noisy, who would still remember the task assigned to Song Jiyun for porcelain firing?
Song Jiyun was also glad no one mentioned it—contrary to the lively commotion around the Empress Dowager and others, the Emperor hadn’t set foot in Anxi Palace since that day, as if having suddenly forgotten about Noble Consort Wan’s existence. Those eunuchs and palace maids who used to frequent Anxi Palace at the Emperor’s side, they were no longer seen; not a soul came to pass messages to Noble Consort Wan or report news.
The people in Anxi Palace trembled with fear, even afraid to breathe too loudly. Would being called over by the Empress Dowager at this time be suggesting they have been too idle?
She tried her best to stay in her own quarters.
Yet she still couldn’t avoid what was to come.
That afternoon, the Emperor appeared unexpectedly, full of joy, at Anxi Palace.
Anxi Palace stirred like a still lake hit by a large stone, everyone welcoming the Emperor with smiles—Noble Consort Wan too perked up, freshening up and requesting the Imperial Kitchen to prepare several seasonal dishes.
However, it took less than fifteen minutes after the Emperor entered the side hall for him and Noble Consort Wan to start arguing.
Everyone in Anxi Palace tried to keep away.
Noble Consort Wan was furious, her interrogations following one another amidst the sounds of porcelain and pewter smashing on the floor and the weak protests of the Emperor.
Song Jiyun was startled.
She couldn’t help but ask in a low voice the young palace maid assigned to attend to her, "When Noble Consort gets angry, does she always argue with the Emperor like this?"
Just like an ordinary couple quarreling.
The young palace maid, frightened by the noise outside, nodded and said, "There was one time it was even worse. But back then, the Emperor didn’t have the Eldest Prince..."
Between the favor of a consort and the importance of an heir, everyone felt that the heir was more important.
Song Jiyun pondered.
Eventually the quarrel ended with the Emperor being driven away by Noble Consort Wan.
The people of Anxi Palace were all downcast.
Song Jiyun sighed, seeing that it was time for the evening meal, while Nanny Chang and the others were still busy cleaning up the side hall. The Imperial Kitchen had sent over the evening meal, and nobody was available to take charge, so she helped lift the food box.
Little did she know, she was seen by Noble Consort Wan, who was walking back from the back garden of Anxi Palace with a gloomy face.
She pointed at Song Jiyun, "Come here and answer me!"
The palace maids beside Song Jiyun hastily took the food box from her hands.
She had no choice but to go over.
Noble Consort Wan sized her up and down, making her feel quite uncomfortable, before finally saying, "You seem rather at ease. You don’t think that just because Yuan Yunzhong is covering for you, you have nothing to worry about, do you?"
This was an example of making trouble out of nothing.
But Song Jiyun didn’t panic.
With neither servility nor overbearing pride, she paid her respects to Noble Consort Wan and said warmly, "Indeed, that’s what I think."
Noble Consort Wan was taken aback.
Song Jiyun continued, "If it weren’t for Young Master Yuan’s protection, the Yuan Family would have devoured me to the bone long ago. Since Young Master Yuan is willing to defend me, why shouldn’t I rely on him? After all, as long as Young Master Yuan wishes to protect me for a day, then for that day the Yuan Family can do nothing against me. As long as I can have Young Master Yuan protect me for a long, long time, what is there for the Yuan Family to worry about?"
Noble Consort Wan appeared confused and muttered to herself, "Protect you for a long, long time?"
Song Jiyun remained silent.
In this palace, nothing is greater than the emperor himself. As long as he protects Noble Consort Wan for even a day, no one could lay a finger on her. Instead of arguing with the emperor, it would be wiser to find a way to have him protect her forever.
Song Jiyun felt she had made herself clear enough; saying more might offend others.
Indeed, Noble Consort Wan seemed to be struck by her words. Without further engagement, the consort lowered her head and, with her lips moving silently, entered the side hall.
Song Jiyun let out a long sigh of relief, but then Nanny Chang, who had rushed over from the side hall upon hearing the commotion, slapped her on the shoulder.
"How dare you be so bold?" she said, overcome by fear afterwards, "The Noble Consort is not someone you can just respond to casually. What if you had angered her?"
Song Jiyun chuckled, "Didn’t you say the Noble Consort is gentle and kind? I had no choice but to face her, and had I not said a word, she would definitely think I was afraid of annoying her, as if I were mocking her."
"That’s true!" Miss Chang sighed, "But who knows what the Noble Consort might do in the future?"
She will die a natural death.
Song Jiyun thought so but refrained from saying it aloud.
Noble Consort Wan, however, visibly perked up.
She took the initiative to invite the emperor to have dinner with her.
The emperor, overjoyed, came over immediately, and after a few words from Noble Consort Wan, they were not only reconciled but also exceptionally affectionate.
Seizing the moment, Noble Consort Wan expressed her desire to have the Eldest Prince raised under her name, "I am getting on in years and cannot have children. My lap is empty, and it’s lonely being alone. If I could have a child to raise by my side, it would alleviate my loneliness."
The emperor, feeling sorry for Noble Consort Wan, agreed to her request.
He even specifically ordered Qin Fang to bring the Eldest Prince to meet Noble Consort Wan.
However, mid-way, the Empress Dowager "intercepted" the Eldest Prince, saying she hadn’t had enough time with him and suggesting that she should be given some days to cherish him before allowing him to pay respects to Noble Consort Wan.
Noble Consort Wan was furious.
The emperor immediately went to persuade the Empress Dowager, "Noble Consort is just fond of the child, please let her take care of him for a few days."
The Empress Dowager then asked the emperor, "Your Majesty’s word is golden. How many days does the Noble Consort intend to foster him? I need to know so someone can take him back when the time comes."
The emperor hemmed and hawed, not daring to specify any number of days.
The Empress Dowager clutched her forehead, feigning a headache, "Let me cure my darling great-grandson, and I will recover."
The emperor had no choice but to return dejectedly to Noble Consort Wan.
Noble Consort Wan then burst into tears, pulling on the emperor’s sleeve, "I’ve only ever had you in my heart, never once double-dealing. Now that Your Majesty has finally gained an heir, would I harm the imperial lineage?"
"Of course not, of course not," the emperor comforted Noble Consort Wan, promising, "Once the Empress Dowager’s sickness improves in a few days, I’ll immediately arrange for the Eldest Prince to come and greet you."
Noble Consort Wan’s tears turned to laughter, and she sent an imperial physician from the Imperial Medical Bureau to check on the Empress Dowager, saying, "If they can’t even cure this little illness, I’ll have them all replaced with physicians from the Nanjing Imperial Medical Bureau."
The people of the Imperial Medical Bureau were sweating bullets, with no idea whether to dispense medicine or not.
The nobles in the palace were all at each other’s throats, going back and forth like a seesaw.
The eunuchs and palace maids had those who avoided the conflict at all costs, as well as those who eagerly rushed to participate.
As for Song Jiyun, she hid in her side room, not venturing outside.
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