Pampered Consort's Acting Awards - Chapter 48

“It happens that the empress is here. Let her enter.” Empress Dowager Chu said in a low voice, “The Li family of Goryeo sent a tribute after hearing the new emperor has ascended the throne. Outside is Princess Li, named Li Yuan. You probably haven’t seen her yet. Let alone you; neither aijia nor His Majesty has not seen her.”

The tribute.

Su Ling knew about the tribute from Goryeo, but she didn’t know that Goryeo also sent a princess for it.

Empress Dowager Chu continued, “Although she is called Consort Li, she has not been formally bestowed the title yet. The emperor intended to wait for the daughters of the Xue and Liu families to be presented together and then consult the Ministry of Rites. Today, I wanted to discuss this matter with you.”

Su Ling’s eyes showed anxiety.

At that moment, Princess Li Yuan walked into the Cining Palace with measured steps and respectfully greeted, “This humble servant pays respects to the empress dowager and the empress.” She wore a pale white silk jacket and a lake-blue horse-faced skirt. Her voice was gentle, and her demeanor was graceful.

“Raise your head and let me have a look.”

Li Yuan slowly raised her gaze.

She possessed a pure and beautiful appearance, with clear, captivating eyes. Truly deserving of being the most beautiful princess in Goryeo.

It took Su Ling a while to regain her composure. She softly said, “Please rise and take a seat.”

Li Yuan replied, “Thank you, Empress.”

Su Ling smiled faintly at her, “Your Chinese language is excellent. How long have you been studying?”

“Empress is too kind,” Li Yuan responded, “This humble servant has been studying Chinese since childhood.” Since childhood, Li Yuan knew that she had been learning the Chinese language and characters to marry the Great Zhou’s emperor and secure a position for her maternal family in Goryeo.

“Very well,” Empress Dowager Chu said while looking at Su Ling. “Consort Li has been residing in a side palace in the Yanxi Palace. Initially, I planned to discuss the accommodation of the consorts after the formal enfeoffment. But since it’s such a coincidence today, why don’t you, as the empress, make the decision?”

Su Ling paused for a moment and said, “Then it shall be the Changchun Palace.”

Li Yuan immediately stood up and performed a grateful gesture. She said softly, “Thank you, Empress Dowager. Thank you, Empress.”

Then, Empress Dowager Chu took out a roster and said to Su Ling, “After the enthronement ceremony, the daughters of the Xue and Liu families will also enter the palace. The Liu family has only one daughter. But there are multiple daughters from the Xue family. Before you entered the palace, did you establish any good relations with anyone?”

Su Ling tightened her grip on the roster. She spoke slowly, “I entered the prince’s residence when I was seventeen, and afterward, I interacted with various senior madams. So I didn’t interact much with the unmarried girls from the Xue family.”

Empress Dowager Chu pondered momentarily and said, “I have seen Third Miss Xue a few times myself. Although she is somewhat free-spirited, she cannot hide her thoughts. Perhaps you will get along with her.”

Su Ling replied, “Whether we get along or not is secondary. The most important thing is whether she aligns with the emperor’s intentions.”

Hearing her words, Empress Dowager Chu unconsciously played with the beads in her hand and smiled, “The emperor saw it a long time ago. I thought he had already informed you, Ah Ling. He has always valued you and wanted you to have a say.”

Su Ling’s complexion didn’t change, but her fingertips couldn’t help but clench tightly. She tried her best to calm her breath and said softly, “Then…let’s choose Third Miss Xue, as Imperial Mother has said.”

At that moment, there was an arrival announcement from outside Cining Palace.

Xiao Yu strode in with a jade crown on his head and a white-gold dragon-patterned robe.

Li Yuan followed the sound and turned her head slowly. With just one glance, she froze as if she had lost her soul.

This was her first time seeing the emperor of Great Zhou. He had a sharp outline and a tall figure. He was the most handsome man she had ever seen regardless of his status.

Su Ling and Li Yuan stood up and paid their respects, saying, “A thousand blessings for Your Majesty.”

Xiao Yu, who overlooked Li Yuan, walked directly to Su Ling’s side and said, “Please sit down.” Then the greeted the dowager, “This son pays respects to Imperial Mother.”

Empress Dowager Chu slowly said, “If the emperor doesn’t turn around to look, who knows how long Consort Li will stand.”

Xiao Yu frowned and turned back.

Li Yuan’s cheeks flushed when she met his gaze. She quickly lowered her head and said, “May the emperor be blessed and safe.”

Xiao Yu naturally guessed who this person was.

He said in a low voice, “Please rise.”

Su Ling smiled slightly when she heard that. So he knew everything, she thought.

Li Yuan sat down slowly, and Xiao Yu turned his head to look at Su Ling.

Seeing the decent smile on her face, his fingers involuntarily tightened.

For a moment, he couldn’t describe the emotions he was feeling.

Empress Dowager Chu continued, “I have discussed it with Ah Ling earlier. Let Third Miss Xue enter the palace. Fifth Miss Xue and Sixth Miss Xue are too young to enter the palace, and it would be difficult for them to bear children.”

In front of the emperor, Empress Dowager Chu said to Su Ling, “You are in charge of today’s matter. It just happens to quell the rumors outside. You are a sensible child, and both I and the emperor are aware of that.”

“Idle gossip is never reliable,” Xiao Yu said coldly. “Now that the empress is pregnant, I will discuss the entry of Miss Xue and Miss Liu another day with Imperial Mother.”

Empress Dowager Chu nodded.

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, everyone left Cining Palace one after another.

Empress Dowager Chu leaned back on the chair and meditated. Eunuch Zhang bowed and said, “His Majesty acts like he doesn’t want to accept a concubine. Your Ladyship, are you not afraid of changes if we proceed too slowly? This servant heard that His Majesty had already tried to suppress those rumors. Should I find some more refined scholars to-”

Empress Dowager Chu interrupted his words and said directly, “Although those rumors can force the empress to bow her head, they still lack some skill.”

Eunuch Zhang humbly asked, “This servant is ignorant, please enlighten me, Your Ladyship.”

Empress Dowager Chu said, “Zhang Chuan, you have been by my side for over twenty years. You might as well think back and recall why I have never had any offspring.”

These words frightened Zhang Chuan. Empress Dowager Chu had experienced the rise and fall in the imperial harem for over thirty years, going from being an empress to a dowager. Her power and influence grew stronger and stronger as if she had taken all the opportunities and blessings in the world. However, Zhang Chuan knew very well that there was still her endless resentment and unwillingness behind this glory and wealth.

During the first two years of the late emperor’s reign, there was a rebellion by the feudal lords, causing instability in the court and internal and external troubles. The most feared situation was when court officials formed factions and pursued personal gain. Unfortunately, the Chu family had a deep foundation and talented generations, which made the emperor wary. Empress Chu never had any children throughout her life, not because of any physical ailments as rumored outside, but because the late emperor, to prevent the Chu family’s power from becoming too great, took precautions in her meals.

This matter was forbidden within the palace, and no one dared to mention it. Sweat beads formed on Eunuch Zhang’s forehead.

Empress Dowager Chu sneered and said, “The Su family has been prominent for a hundred years, with remarkable achievements. Now they have produced a talent like Su Huai’an, resembling the Chu family of the past.”

As soon as the words fell, Eunuch Zhang had a sudden realization of the dowager’s meaning.

Empress Dowager Chu continued, “The Duke Zhen is currently recruiting soldiers. I want the Chu family to fully support him. Moreover, from today onwards, in the court, any ministers who have a good relationship with the Su family’s father and son should be promoted. I want to see if the military power in Su Jingbei’s hands surpasses that of the emperor, and if Su Huai’an enters the court and gains influence, whether the whole court will lean toward the Su family. Let’s see if this new emperor will be a wise ruler or a tyrant.”

“Your Ladyship is wise.” Eunuch Zhang joyfully exclaimed, “The Duke of Zhen already has strong military power. If more troops are added, His Majesty won’t be able to sit still. Once the power becomes chaotic, not to mention the senior officials in the court and the important frontier ministers, even those close to His Majesty won’t allow Su to dominate the imperial harem.”

It wouldn’t be long before the new emperor would be surrounded by attacks.

Empress Chu slowly stood up, a hint of a smile on her lips.

Look, in the politics of Great Zhou, the emperor’s words are not the final say.

***

It was early spring, with warm and cold weather. Consorts Xue and Liu entered the palace together after the ceremony.

In the evening of that day, Xiao Yu accompanied Su Ling to Kunning Palace to have dinner and then took her to the imperial garden for a walk to aid digestion.

Passing by Qianqiu Pavilion, they arrived at the intersection of the Six Palaces. The once empty harem now had a bustling atmosphere, with palace maids gathered in groups, carrying the rewards the Ministry of Rites prepared and walking with lowered heads on both sides of the path.

Su Ling glanced sideways and immediately averted her gaze.

“The road is slippery, let me support you.” Without hesitation, Xiao Yu pulled her arm.

The warmth in his palm made her heart tighten.

She had something to say, but at the tip of her tongue, she remembered the words her elder brother had admonished her with–“Once you enter the palace, His Majesty is your lord. There will always be a distinction between ruler and subject. Choose your words carefully, weighing them three times.”

“Ah Ling, the border near our land is restless. Father has been recruiting soldiers and purchasing horses. He’s an impatient person, fearing that the soldiers will go hungry. Just two days ago, he caused quite a stir to force the Ministry of Revenue to provide military provisions. I shouldn’t have told you all this, but now the one in charge of the granaries is His Majesty’s trusted minister, Wang Chongyang. He openly criticized Father’s actions in court, saying they were against the law and showed disregard for the kingdom. In the end, it was His Majesty who personally resolved the situation. Since you often accompany the emperor, it’s crucial for you to be aware of certain matters. But don’t worry, Brother won’t…”

Xiao Yu looked at her absentmindedness and couldn’t help but pinch her cheek. “What are you thinking?”

Su Ling shook her head and smiled, “Nothing…nothing at all.”

Their eyes met, and Xiao Yu gazed at the determined smile in her eyes, slowly saying, “Ah Ling, nothing will change for you in my presence.”

Just wait a little longer.

I only need you to wait for three years.

Three years will be enough.

***

As the light and shadows shifted, the moon set, and the sun rose. Outside the window, birds sang as flowers fell from the tree branches. Xiao Yun stood outside the door, tiptoeing and asking, “Why can’t we go in?”

Zhu Xin replied, “Eldest Prince, please wait a moment.”

Your imperial father and consort mother haven’t woken up yet.