Wen Yunmian closed her eyes slightly. Jun Chenyu really was impossible to read. Since he had not explicitly told her to attend him in bed, he surely had no real intention of having her do so.
Could he still be suspicious about what happened yesterday?
No, this business of families choosing sides is a real headache, too. I need to find an opportunity to give this father of mine a proper warning and make him keep his distance from the Qin Clan.
She had to pay her respects to the Empress that morning, so Wen Yunmian got ready early and headed to Fengyi Palace. To her surprise, quite a few consorts were already there when she arrived. Seeing her approach, Consort Shu curled her lips coldly. "What grand airs you put on, Noble Lady Yun, making even me sit here waiting for you."
Wen Yunmian's expression tightened slightly. She hurried forward and knelt before the Empress. "My respects to Your Majesty. Though I did not intend to arrive late today, I have still failed to observe proper etiquette. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."
The Empress began coughing again into her silk handkerchief, her sickly face full of gentleness. She was about to say it was all right when Consort Shu interrupted her.
"Growing arrogant on the strength of imperial favor is taboo above all else in the palace. Surely Noble Lady Yun does not think a simple apology will suffice?"
None of the longtime consorts seated nearby dared speak, much less the newcomers. Noble Lady Wei and the others looked decidedly displeased. Since entering the palace, they had each been summoned to attend the Emperor only once before being carried straight out of Chanyang Palace, and had not seen him again since. Meanwhile, the story of Wen Yunmian's six times in one night had spread through practically the entire palace. Was that not a resounding slap in every other consort's face?
Who could possibly look kindly upon her?
Consort Xian curved her lips. "I heard His Majesty summoned Your Highness to Chanyang Palace two days ago, only for you to return without attending him in bed. I thought some urgent matter had arisen, but it turned out he had gone to see Sister Yun. I also heard Sister Yun was drunk, and His Majesty personally carried her back to the Peony Pavilion. And the last time she attended him, water was called for six times. How enviable! Which of us sisters in this entire palace has ever enjoyed such an honor?"
Noble Lady Yu glanced sidelong at Consort Shu. Sure enough, her expression was dreadful, and she immediately set her teacup down heavily on the table.
Noble Lady Yu spoke at just the right moment. "Noble Lady Yun, the palace has always upheld strict rules. Whoever's name tablet His Majesty turns over that evening is the one who attends him in bed. How could a seductress like you be allowed to break those rules, using tricks to lure His Majesty away in the middle of the night?"
Wen Leyan had been sitting at the very back. At those words, her interest immediately stirred. "Your Majesty, if such an unhealthy practice spreads through the harem and the consorts all begin imitating it to compete for favor, what will become of us? This practice must be strangled in its cradle without delay."
Wen Yunmian knelt on the floor, a numbing ache spreading through her knees. From the moment she entered the palace that morning and saw all the consorts following Consort Shu's lead in arriving early at Fengyi Palace, she had known a battle awaited her.
But she would not sit and wait for death. "I beg Your Majesty to judge fairly. In my view, this realm belongs to His Majesty, and all women of the harem depend upon him. Although the palace has strict rules, those rules were established by the ancestors. The ancestors were Sons of Heaven, and the Son of Heaven is the Emperor. Naturally, where His Majesty wishes to go is not for us consorts to govern. Our purpose is to follow his wishes and bring joy to his imperial heart."
Wen Yunmian assumed a frail, pitiable air and cast her alluring gaze toward them. "Just now, Noble Lady Yu and Joyous Promise said His Majesty could be led astray by such an unhealthy practice. Do you believe the Son of Heaven lacks the ability to distinguish right from wrong?"
Both Noble Lady Yu and Wen Leyan froze. Noble Lady Yu, usually so glib and eloquent, now seemed forced to swallow her grievance in silence. Consort Shu shot her a fierce glare. She opened her mouth, but ultimately could not say a word.
Consort Shu's face turned livid, her radiant beauty taking on a sinister cast. "Noble Lady Yun has a tongue like a reed pipe and twists one notion into another. Will the Empress do nothing about it? Or does Your Majesty intend to condone this behavior?"
A jade ruyi scepter rested across the Empress's lap. She stroked its smooth body and gave Consort Shu a cool glance. "Are you trying to dictate His Majesty's thoughts, Sister? If I remember correctly, you are particularly skilled at such tactics yourself. Could it be that you, too, deliberately intended to seduce His Majesty back then?"
Consort Shu narrowed her eyes slightly, glaring at the Empress with bitter, sinister resentment.
The Empress smiled at Wen Yunmian. "Enough. The floor is cold, so stop kneeling. Rise and speak."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Wen Yunmian rose obediently and gave the Empress a radiant smile, her eyes clear and utterly unclouded.
The Empress paused. After spending so long in the harem, she had not seen such a heartfelt smile in years-clean, pure, radiant, and moving.
After a moment's distraction, she returned Wen Yunmian's smile.
Before leaving Fengyi Palace, Wen Yunmian sent Yun Yang to see Suo Chun. "Greetings, Auntie. My mistress prepared these preserved plums for Her Majesty. Please accept them."
Suo Chun understood the Empress's wishes. Ever since eating the preserved plums, Her Majesty had been in much better spirits. After a moment's thought, she accepted them with a smile. "Please thank Noble Lady Yun."
When the preserved plums were brought into her bedchamber, the Empress paused. "How thoughtful of her. Jiangnan is far away, and these preserved plums cannot have been easy to send here. I shall remember her kindness."
"This servant thinks Noble Lady Yun is a clever woman. She enjoys such strong imperial favor now that even Noble Lady Wei cannot compare. Perhaps she feels that a tall tree catches the wind and has come specifically to seek Your Majesty's protection."
The Empress leaned against the bed and smiled weakly. "How is she clever? If she truly were, she would know that a sickly Empress like me cannot be relied upon. How could I protect her?"
Suo Chun did not understand. "Then why would she go to such lengths to curry favor with Your Majesty?"
The Empress's gaze softened. She placed a plum in her mouth, easing its bitterness. "She is not currying favor with me. I feel as though she knows me. Looking at her gives me an inexplicable sense of familiarity. When she looks at me, her eyes are full of sincerity and gentleness, as though she sent these preserved plums simply to ease a little of the bitterness in my mouth and my heart."
Yet Suo Chun said, "But who would ask for nothing in return? Your Majesty must not let her deceive you."
The Empress smiled self-mockingly. "After so long in this man-eating harem, even you no longer believe there can be a sincere heart in this world that asks for nothing and wishes only for your well-being."
Suo Chun froze. Once she recovered, she silently lowered her head.
On her way back, Wen Yunmian heard that Wen Leyan had not left Fengyi Palace, but had instead turned back to plead with the Empress. Presumably, it was about attending the Emperor in bed.
Yun Fei muttered, "That Joyous Promise really will stop at nothing. If Her Majesty actually helps her, who knows how arrogant she will become after attending His Majesty?"
The tail of Wen Yunmian's brow twitched slightly. "His Majesty will not summon her to his bed."
Yun Fei was surprised. "How can you be so certain, my lady?"
"Because those who bring disaster upon themselves cannot escape it." Wen Yunmian smiled at her. After what had happened last night, the Emperor had become wary of her. How could he not be wary of Wen Leyan as well?
Once they returned, Wen Yunmian removed the Moon-White Sable Cloak, and Yun Yang took it to hang up. Yun Fei had Eunuch Zhou bring in the heated brazier of Silver-Thread Charcoal, filling the bright, cozy room with warmth.
Wen Yunmian drank a cup of hot tea, then continued practicing her calligraphy. She had just written, "In a high position, be without arrogance; then, though elevated, you will not be endangered. Practice restraint and observe proper limits; then, though full, you will not overflow."
Then she heard Yun Fei shout outside, "Who's in the side room?!"
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