Little Palace Maid Desires a Higher Seat of Honor - Chapter 119

Chapter 119: Peace of Mind

Yun Si still ended up sitting beside Tan Yuanchu.

With song and dance filling the hall, Yun Si ignored the faint, sidelong glances directed her way. She bit her lip lightly, a faint flush on her cheeks. It was then that everyone noticed the huadian on her forehead, glowing brilliantly, perfectly matching the gown she wore today.

Such a striking color inexplicably felt harsh to the eyes, yet the Empress, who should have minded it most, acted as if she hadn’t noticed a thing.

Everyone was caught off guard but not at all surprised.

Who didn’t already know the way their Empress conducted herself?

An Cairen watched for a long while, and a vague thought began to form. She wasn’t a clever person, but sometimes she had strange bursts of intuition. Looking toward Xi Xiurong’s seat, she suddenly realized the weight Xi Xiurong carried in the palace.

Testing the waters, she spoke up, “The huadian on Your Ladyship’s forehead is truly beautiful. I wonder who has such skill, this concubine would like to have the palace maids learn from them.”

Yun Si lifted her hand to lightly touch her forehead, her brows and eyes carrying a trace of a smile as she turned her head toward Tan Yuanchu. “Your Majesty, An Cairen says your hands are skillful.”

At her words, those around them were stunned and turned toward the Emperor.

Qi Guipin’s hand holding the cup trembled imperceptibly, her gaze landing on Yun Si’s forehead. She was a little dazed, it was the Emperor himself who had applied the huadian for her?

An Cairen instantly fell silent, wishing she could slap herself. She’d never been able to control her mouth, and today, trying to curry favor, she had nearly stepped right into trouble.

After the regret came a faint sourness in her heart.

Tan Yuanchu lifted his eyes to glance lazily at An Cairen, one brow arched. “It’s a gift.”

Something you can’t learn.

He hadn’t said much, yet he’d directly rejected the suggestion hidden in An Cairen’s words, with a faint, unspoken note of pride.

An Cairen’s face flushed awkwardly; for a moment she didn’t know how to respond.

Yun Si, knowing just how irreverent Tan Yuanchu could be, couldn’t help shaking her head. “Your Majesty, don’t tease An Cairen.”

Truth be told, An Cairen’s words could indeed be irritating at times, yet Yun Si didn’t dislike her, there was little such amusement to be had in the palace.

The palace was filled with music and merriment, and Yun Si could faintly sense the occasional glance cast her way. She had long expected this and could still pretend not to notice. She and Qiu Yuan exchanged a subtle look, their faces calm, yet their attention all the while fixed on Qi Guipin and Su Jieyu.

But until the banquet ended, neither Su Jieyu nor Qi Guipin made any move at all.

Yun Si raised her brows in surprise. With such a good opportunity, they had done nothing?

Just then, Tan Yuanchu’s voice sounded above her head, breaking her train of thought,

“Let’s go. The fireworks have arrived.”

The Ministry of Rites was some distance from the palace; even with Lu Dongxun bringing imperial guards and servants to fetch them, the round trip had taken nearly two hours.

It was only now that everyone learned the Emperor would be setting off fireworks for Xi Xiurong after the banquet.
The Empress Dowager did not join in the excitement; before leaving, she looked back at Yun Si once, then turned away.

At this, the Empress looked toward Yun Si.

“Xi Xiurong, with His Majesty’s favor, you allow the rest of us the pleasure as well.”

Yun Si only gave a shy smile, though in her heart she faintly regretted it. Drawing so much attention, she worried someone might seize the chance to play tricks.

Tan Yuanchu led her outside the hall, her mind so full of misgivings that anyone could see her distraction at a glance.

He gave her hand a light squeeze, forcing her to come back to herself.
His calm voice reached her, “Focus.”

Yun Si snapped back to attention.

At the moment the watchman’s clapper sounded, the fireworks bloomed right on time.

Even from afar at the front of the hall, they could hear exclamations and chatter from all directions. At that moment, without needing to be told, everyone tilted their heads upward. In front of every palace, crowds had gathered; at the palace gates, the press of people was thick, and even officials ready to leave for home turned back to look.

The fireworks flared and vanished in an instant, yet no one could forget that brief brilliance, it was etched as well into the almond-shaped eyes of Yun Si.

She stood there with her head tilted back, looking at the sky. She had seen fireworks a few times before, but never had she stared so intently. As the display neared its end, she felt someone draw close, an arm lightly encircling her waist.

Amid the surrounding noise, he asked, “Do you like it?”

Yun Si nodded, turning to look at him. Her bright almond eyes seemed still to hold the remnants of that brilliance, yet now clearly reflected his figure. Without hiding her joy, she said, “I like it.”

Her voice was soft in the hubbub, yet it drifted into his ears without obstacle.

Her eyes shone, her hand clutching his sleeve, and she repeated once more that she liked it very much.

Hearing her repeat herself, Tan Yuanchu slowly felt at ease. He had many things, and there was much he could give a woman, but giving a gift was different.

If she liked status, he could give her status.

If she liked fireworks, only then could he set off fireworks for her tonight.

Lowering his gaze to her, he seemed to curve his lips slightly and answered her, “As long as you like it.”

Not far away, the Empress’s gaze rested on the two of them. In the moment the fireworks bloomed, when all others were exclaiming at their splendor, she alone was looking at the man.

The woman too had her head tilted back, so she could not see the focused look in the eyes of the man behind her.

He had not cared whether the fireworks were beautiful, he cared only whether this display would please his beloved.

The Empress suddenly felt a tickle in her throat. She suppressed the cough, though her body trembled slightly. Bai Zhi, startled, quickly steadied her. The Empress gave a subtle shake of her head, signaling her not to cry out.

She did not want to be the one to spoil the atmosphere.

All merriment must come to an end.

It was New Year’s Eve, and by custom Tan Yuanchu should go to Kunning Palace.
In past years, he had never broken this rule.

The Empress had always known that she and the Emperor merely respected each other like guests. She had never had his affection, so she felt no sense of loss. In the past, his adherence to form was partly out of respect for her, partly for the desire to have a legitimate heir.

But…

The Empress’s gaze drifted unobtrusively to Yun Si’s belly. Now, his wish for a legitimate heir perhaps was no longer as strong as before.

Before the crowd dispersed, the Empress finally stopped suppressing her cough. Her face was a bit pale, and under the worried eyes of those present, she bowed slightly to Tan Yuanchu.

“Your Majesty, this concubine is feeling unwell today and will be unable to attend to you tonight.”

Tan Yuanchu frowned, not hesitating for a moment.

“Your health comes first. I’ll have Xu Shunfu summon the imperial physician for you.”

The Empress inclined her body to give thanks, then turned to leave with Bai Zhi.

Around them, the thoughts of the consorts began to stir. The bolder ones even let their gazes rest fixedly on the Emperor, with a faint suggestion of casting him amorous glances.

Yun Si, unable to serve in bed, had no interest in competing with others in such a setting. She was just about to take her leave when Tan Yuanchu took her hand, ignoring everyone else, and said lightly,

“I’ll take you back.”

Yun Si had fallen for it once and would not fall for it a second time.

She hesitated, looking at Tan Yuanchu. Was it not a little improper, with her being pregnant, to take up the chance for a bedchamber visit at such a time?

At this moment, Tan Yuanchu hadn’t thought that far. He had brought her here himself, so he naturally had to see her safely back.

The Empress was one thing, rules were rules. But now, without the Empress, he could not bear the idea of leaving with someone else while she returned to her palace alone.

The consorts around them fell suddenly silent.

The imperial sedan was already brought forward, and without giving the woman time to waver, Tan Yuanchu directly led her away.

In front of the Yangxin Hall, all was still. The consorts respectfully bowed to see the imperial sedan off. When it was far enough away, someone in the quiet crowd suddenly asked in a daze,

“Since Xi Xiurong became pregnant, how many times has His Majesty spent the night at Chu’an Palace?”

No one could answer.

Even when Xi Xiurong had asked to close her palace for rest, the Emperor had gone again and again to Chu’an Palace to visit her.
Who could keep count?

The crowd dispersed in silence. Meanwhile, the Empress’s procession had already returned to Kunning Palace.

Bai Zhi immediately sent for the medicine to be prepared and kept her head down, working busily for a long while without looking up.

Her unusual quietness made the Empress a little uneasy.
The Empress sighed and lifted her gaze.

“What’s wrong with you?”

Bai Zhi wiped her face, her voice edged with tears. “This servant doesn’t understand…”

She didn’t understand why, when Her Highness was the Empress, she still had to give way again and again.

She didn’t understand why, when Her Highness was so good, His Majesty could not see it.

Her Highness was clearly the Emperor’s legitimate wife, married with proper rites.

Hearing her childish words, the Empress could not help but give a soft laugh, laughing even as she coughed.
She lowered her voice. “How can you be so foolish?”

She and the Emperor had been wed by the late Emperor’s decree.

Before the marriage, she and the Emperor had met only twice, where could there have been any affection?

Before they wed, the Emperor already had a side consort. That she was able to enter his household without a legitimate son being born there beforehand already showed his special respect for her.

After the marriage, the Emperor entrusted all matters of the inner court to her without the slightest suspicion.
The Emperor had already treated her with utmost fairness and consideration.

He simply did not love her.

How could that count as a fault?

And when had she ever given her whole heart gladly to the Emperor?

He had given her respect and power, a high position and great wealth. She managed the inner court for him, holding a place others yearned for in vain, and had done so for years. Even though she had never borne him a legitimate heir, the Emperor had never once allowed anyone to threaten her position.

The Empress shook her head.

“This palace, in this lifetime, has had the love of my parents, the respect of my husband, wealth and honor at my fingertips, and even my greatest vengeance has been fulfilled. Compared to others, my life can be called smooth and fortunate.”

In this harem, and even in the high gates of noble households, are there few who live in bitterness?

The Empress spoke gently, her voice warm, “Bai Zhi, one mustn’t be greedy, don’t you think?”

Bai Zhi’s nose turned sour, and her tears fell uncontrollably. Her Highness said one mustn’t be greedy, but most people in this world are greedy.

She shook her head as she cried, yet could not bring herself to refute the Empress’s words.

After a long while, she said, “But Your Highness also needn’t give away all the chances to serve in bed.”

When the Empress heard this, she was a little dazed. She turned her head to look toward the columned window; outside was a darkness that seemed to swallow all.

Her voice drifted a little far, “Bai Zhi, do you know? When I saw His Majesty and Xi Xiurong standing together today, I actually felt a bit of relief.”

Bai Zhi looked up, her eyes full of puzzlement.

The Empress gave a light cough, closed her eyes, and pulled at her lips in a faint smile.

“Bai Zhi, in my heart, I feel I owe His Majesty.”

Years ago, she had miscarried and ruined her health, never giving the imperial family a legitimate heir. She had known that the Emperor wanted a legitimate son, yet unwilling to let Consort De gain influence, she had concealed her condition, letting the Emperor keep his hopes alive.

Her health was poor, and to avoid exhausting her mind, she had only ever rewarded or punished the harem’s concubines according to His Majesty’s wishes.
Was that not another form of inattentiveness?

Her guilt had followed her like a shadow, pressing on her until she could hardly breathe. Now that the Emperor’s obsession with a legitimate son had gradually lessened, she could finally glimpse a trace of relief.

After a long while, the Empress took a deep breath. She did not bring up the previous topic again, but lifted her eyes to ask Bai Zhi,

“Is the medicine ready? I’m feeling a bit unwell.”

Her voice was calm, yet Bai Zhi could not keep her tears from falling like rain.