Story of Yanxi Palace, Chapter 49: Idle Gossip

   “Have you heard?”

“Heard what?”

“About Noble Lady Jia and Consort Xian! It’s caused such a huge uproar! Earlier, didn’t His Majesty entrust the Fourth Prince to Consort Xian for upbringing? Noble Lady Jia kept begging His Majesty to take the Fourth Prince back, and in the end it blew up—turns out Noble Lady Jia deliberately made the Fourth Prince fall ill just to frame Consort Xian and get him back. His Majesty has already issued an order: Noble Lady Jia is demoted to an Attendant, her title is stripped, and she’s been moved to the Northern Three Compounds!”

“Noble Lady Jia really is ruthless… They say even a tiger won’t eat its own cubs.”

“Exactly. But I also heard that Noble Consort Hui wanted to take over raising the Fourth Prince, yet she still didn’t succeed. Noble Lady Jia has always followed her lead obediently, and yet she still tried to snatch someone else’s child.”

“From now on, Consort Xian really has the Fourth Prince by her side. I think Her Ladyship Consort Xian is actually quite a good person.”

The two little palace maids were chattering excitedly as they sat under the corridor when suddenly someone cleared their throat. The pair jumped in fright and turned around in panic—only to see Wei Yingluo standing there with her arms crossed, watching them. They let out a collective sigh of relief and pouted, “Sister Yingluo, why did you scare us like that!”

Wei Yingluo flicked each of them on the forehead and threatened, “How many lives do you two think you have, daring to gossip behind people’s backs? If it had been anyone else who overheard you today instead of me, your tongues would already have been pulled out!”

The two little maids, still shaken, quickly admitted their fault: “…We understand. We won’t do it again.”

Wei Yingluo was about to give them another scolding when Ming Yu spotted her from a distance and called out, “Wei Yingluo, what are you doing over there? The Empress is looking for you—do we need to send a sedan chair to carry you here?”

Wei Yingluo quickly replied, “Coming!” As she walked away, she turned back and pointed at the two maids. “Next time I catch you, I’ll have you beaten on the palms!”

The two little maids giggled and scampered off.

In the main hall of Changchun Palace, the Empress and Erqing were also discussing the matter.

The Empress took a sip of tea, frowned, and asked, “How did Attendant Jin (Noble Lady Jia’s title having been revoked, she was now referred to only by her surname) end up taking her own life? She didn’t seem like someone who couldn’t endure hardship.”

Erqing replied, “People accustomed to brocade and fine food naturally can’t bear life in the Northern Three Compounds. Attendant Jin’s funeral arrangements have already been properly handled.”

The Empress set down her teacup and nodded. “Very well. It’s just a pity for little Yongcheng—so young and already without his own birth mother.”

Erqing hesitated for a moment before cautiously asking, “If Your Majesty the Empress feels pity for the Fourth Prince, why not bring him to Changchun Palace to be raised here?”

The Empress sighed. “I preside over the Six Palaces and is occupied with countless affairs. Consort Xian, on the other hand, is of noble character, upright and selfless—she is the most suitable person to care for Yongcheng. Moreover, she has just lost a close relative. Having the Fourth Prince by her side… is at least some comfort to her.”

Erqing opened her mouth, then closed it again before venturing, “Your Majesty the Empress, forgive this servant for speaking out of turn, but Changchun Palace is far too quiet. It is time to add a little prince here. You are the principal wife and Empress; you ought to bear His Majesty a legitimate son to inherit the orthodox line of the Great Qing.”

The Empress’s expression changed instantly. She rebuked sharply, “Erqing, how could even you say such things!”

Erqing dropped to her knees with a thud and earnestly pleaded, “This servant knows that you are magnanimous and tolerant, a true mother to the realm, treating the children of other consorts as your own. But Noble Consort has always been watching like a tiger waiting to pounce. If the Chuxiu Palace manages to bear a dragon son first, your position will surely be shaken!”

The Empress was already deeply displeased. She slammed her hand on the table and snapped, “Enough! Say no more!” But as soon as the words left her mouth, she suddenly drew in a sharp breath, clenched her teeth, and sat back down heavily.

Seeing that the Empress appeared unwell, Erqing hurriedly stood and stepped forward. “Your Ladyship?”

When Wei Yingluo entered the main hall, she walked right into this scene. She quickly came over and asked, “What’s wrong with Her Ladyship?”

Erqing, flustered and at a loss, said, “The imperial physician… I’ll go summon the imperial physician!”

The Empress grabbed Erqing’s arm tightly and said calmly, “It’s nothing. Do not alarm anyone else. I am merely suddenly fatigued. Help me to the bed to rest.”

Erqing protested anxiously, “But—”

The Empress gripped Erqing’s arm with such force that it almost caused her pain. She repeated firmly, “Obey.”

With no other choice, Wei Yingluo and Erqing could only first help the Empress to the couch to rest. Wei Yingluo asked softly:

“Your Highness, are you really alright?”

The Empress nodded, then added:

“Invite Consort Chun here. It’s been a long time since I last saw her. Suddenly I feel like having a few private words with her.”

Wei Yingluo and Erqing exchanged a glance and answered in unison:

“Yes, Your Highness.”

A palace maid soon led Consort Chun to Changchun Palace. Wei Yingluo originally thought she would still need to wait on them, but Erqing pulled her outside the door. Not a single other palace servant was allowed to remain in the hall.

Erqing and Wei Yingluo sat in front of the door, each lost in their own thoughts. Wei Yingluo asked in a low voice:

“What do you think Her Highness the Empress wants to talk about with Consort Chun that even the two of us aren’t allowed to stay inside?”

Erqing looked equally puzzled but replied:

“This is the master’s business. We shouldn’t ask too many questions.”

Wei Yingluo smiled:

“That’s true.”

But the doubt in her heart only grew deeper.

It was no secret in the palace that the Empress often summoned Consort Chun for conversations and would dismiss all attendants when they spoke.

In Chuxiu Palace, Zhilan whispered a few words into Noble Consort Hui’s ear.

Noble Consort Hui was astonished:

“Really?”

Zhilan nodded.

Noble Consort Hui sneered:

“These two women are truly strange. Consort Chun has been chronically ill and hasn’t served in the Emperor’s bed for years, yet the Empress treats her like a blood sister. They’re clearly romantic rivals, but there’s not the slightest grudge between them!”

Zhilan also looked amazed:

“Exactly. Consort Chun takes care of the Empress even more attentively than she would the Emperor! And though Her Majesty is magnanimous and tolerant toward everyone, she has never been as intimate with anyone as she is with Consort Chun. These two are just too bizarre.”

Noble Consort Hui cracked melon seeds idly and said:

“What could possibly be strange about two women? It’s not as if they could be—”

She suddenly stopped mid-sentence.

Wait a minute… in this world, what thing is truly impossible? Once she thought of it that way, every odd detail suddenly made perfect sense!

   Zhilan was also stunned:

“Your Highness, are you saying—?”

Noble Consort Hui was so delighted she tossed the melon seeds in her hand outward and laughed:

“They’ve handed me the handle myself! It would be a shame not to use it! Zhilan, go spread a little rumor for me!”

She beckoned Zhilan closer and whispered a few instructions in her ear.

Zhilan was shocked:

“Your Highness, is this true?”

Noble Consort Hui gave a light laugh, extremely pleased with herself:

“If you want to build a spotless reputation, you have to do good deeds your whole life. But the moment even the tiniest stain appears, the whole building can collapse in an instant! Remember this one sentence: no matter how absurd it is, as long as people believe it, it becomes the truth!”

Over the next few days, Consort Chun went to report to the Empress at Changchun Palace every single day. At the same time, a bizarre rumor began to spread wildly through the palace.

Last night, Hongli had stayed overnight at Changchun Palace. When it came time for the morning court, the Emperor and Empress rose. The Empress personally helped the Emperor dress.

As the Empress fastened the jade belt around Hongli, he gazed at the beautiful, dignified face of his wife of many years and suddenly said:

“Does the Empress know there is a rumor circulating in the palace?”

A rumor serious enough for the Son of Heaven to mention himself was naturally no ordinary gossip. The Empress finished securing the belt and asked gently:

“Oh? What rumor is that?”

Hongli was silent for a moment before saying:

“They say the relationship between the Empress and Consort Chun is overly intimate… and improper.”

The Empress burst out laughing, unable to hold it in:

“Your Majesty, you actually believe such nonsense?”

Hongli thought about it and also chuckled:

“Now that I think carefully, it really is absurd. Let’s just treat it as a joke.”

The Empress took the jade crown from the eunuch’s hands and placed it on the Emperor’s head, speaking softly and warmly:

“Your Majesty need not worry. This subject-wife will certainly investigate thoroughly whoever is spreading these rumors and properly rectify palace discipline.”

Hongli nodded and said:

“However, the Empress should also keep a tighter rein on the people around you. I am speaking of that Wei Yingluo.”

Hearing the displeased tone in the Emperor’s voice, the Empress said helplessly:

“Your Majesty, you have a prejudice against Yingluo.”

Hongli said impatiently:

“Enough! I don’t want to argue with you about this. I can’t stand people who are always stirring up trouble and wind.”

The Empress gave a wry smile and could only reply:

“Yes. This subject-wife will pay more attention.”

As soon as the Emperor left, Consort Chun came again to Changchun Palace to report. Wei Yingluo was just about to withdraw along with the others when the Empress suddenly said: “These days the rumors in the palace have grown increasingly clamorous. This Palace merely exchanged a few casual words with Consort Chun, yet it has already provoked so much suspicion. Never mind—Yingluo, you stay behind to attend to me.”

Everyone looked surprised. Ming Yu’s face was filled with obvious jealousy. Wei Yingluo bowed her head and replied: “Yes, Your Majesty.”

With only the three of them left in the hall, Consort Chun cast a hesitant, appraising glance at Wei Yingluo.

Wei Yingluo stood to one side with lowered eyes and a meek expression. The Empress said: “Yingluo, lift your head. Many people are guessing what exactly happened between me and Consort Chun. Are you curious too?”

Wei Yingluo answered honestly: “Yes, I am curious.”

The Empress asked again: “If I truly had some illicit connection with Consort Chun, what would you do?”

Wei Yingluo was inwardly startled, but her face remained calm. She replied: “On the surface, I would pretend to know nothing. In secret, I would protect you with all my strength.”

The Empress was astonished: “That would be the crime of deceiving the monarch—and yet you would still protect me?”

Wei Yingluo answered solemnly: “Your Majesty the Empress has taught me to read and write, and how to conduct oneself in the world. You are one of the rare truly good people in this world. No matter what choice Your Majesty makes, as long as you have need of me, I am willing to give my life for you.”

Both the Empress and Consort Chun were visibly moved. The Empress let out a soft sigh and said: “Consort Chun, show her.”

Consort Chun nodded, walked to a cabinet, took out a set of moxibustion tools, and placed them in front of Wei Yingluo. Wei Yingluo was stunned: “This is…?”

A faint sorrow appeared between the Empress’s brows as she explained: “Ever since I gave birth to the Second Prince, cold qi has spread through my body. After this winter passes, it has grown even worse. All night long I feel pain deep in my bones and cannot sleep. I keep breaking out in cold sweats, and every half hour I have to change my clothes.”

Consort Chun continued: “That is why Her Majesty asked me to perform moxibustion treatment for her. But moxibustion is a forbidden technique in the Qing palace—it must be done in secret, away from others. We never expected—”

The Empress frowned angrily: “We never expected that this would give rise to such absurd rumors spreading wildly through the palace! In the harem, children are everything. Tell me—how could a woman whose body is so permeated with cold ever bear children or secure her position as Empress? That is why I dared not trouble the Imperial Medical Bureau and could only ask Consort Chun for help. Yingluo, from today onward, you and Erqing will stand guard together over Changchun Palace for This Palace!”

Wei Yingluo answered resolutely: “Yes.”

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