Jiang Kui performed the return courtesies at the jade steps. A gust of wind blew, stirring up her dark tresses and fluttering her sleeves.
Backlit, she could not see the person’s face clearly, only the serene figure of the young nobleman on the high platform, outlined by the sunlight in deep crimson red and gold. His shadow fell from that side, stretched long across the marble steps, one section after another, flowing down.
Led by a little eunuch, Jiang Kui walked forward as the person above descended. In the middle of the white jade steps, they brushed past each other, the slight wind stirring as the cool strands of hair lightly grazed her cheeks.
In that moment, Jiang Kui tilted her head down slightly and saw a deep maroon color. Though she could not see clearly, she recognized the cinnabar red robes unique to the crown prince, and that upright, pine-like silhouette.
Prince Xie Wuyang has probably just paid his respects to the Empress Dowager? she wondered.
Stepping into Xingqing Palace, a refreshing coolness washed over her. Though it was still early autumn, while the morning air outside grew warmer, it was exceptionally cool inside the hall. Sunshine streamed in from all directions, the spacious hall bright and illuminated, the golden brick floor glowing softly.
Emperor Qingwen Xie Yan sat centrally on his dragon throne, surrounded by the imperial concubines led by Noble Consort Tang and Virtuous Consort Pei. The Empress had long passed; her position had been vacant for years, so Noble Consort Tang assumed the chief seat. Empress Dowager Pei sat quietly to one side, eyes closed in meditation, an armguard studded with pearls and jade propped on the carved armrest while her other hand supported her chin.
Jiang Kui respectfully performed the courtesies to the Emperor, Empress Dowager, and all the concubines.
When she finished, Empress Dowager Pei lifted her eyes to glance at her, then rapped her armguard on the ornate armrest.
The crisp echo resounded in the silent hall.
“Kneel,” she said coolly.
The sudden order perplexed Jiang Kui, but Consort Tang shot her a meaningful look, surreptitiously pressing down her forefinger to signal her. So Jiang Kui tidied her skirt and silently knelt.
“This subject does not know her offense. May it please Her Majesty to instruct.”
Empress Dowager Pei gave a cold snort. “Talking back instead of waiting for your superior to speak first?”
Her voice was icy, piercing through her like a ruthless blade. This was Jiang Kui’s first time meeting the formidable woman. Unsure why she was so hostile, Jiang Kui could only bow her head silently to await her next words.
But Empress Dowager Pei said no more. She accepted a cup of tea handed over by a palace maid and slowly started drinking.
The hall sank into tranquility, filled only with the sounds of ceramic tapping. Empress Dowager Pei held her auspicious cloud-patterned teacup, armguard still raised arrogantly. The celadon tea spoon scraped rhythmically around the rim, sending the tea with assorted ingredients into her mouth.
Kneeling on the hard floor, Jiang Kui did not move a muscle. As a martial artist, kneeling for the time it took to finish a cup of tea did not pain her knees. By now she understood the Empress Dowager wanted to overawe her, perhaps because she would be the future crown princess and daughter-in-law. The Empress Dowager wanted to teach her a lesson before she entered the Eastern Palace.
If not for her usual temper, Jiang Kui might have flared up and called off the marriage then and there. But thinking of her family’s general manor and little sister in the rear palace, she could only swallow her ire.
If she could not confront directly, then she would pretend to submit.
Jiang Kui’s shoulder shook slightly as she feigned being unable to keep kneeling, yet still persevering with great effort. Her inner energy cycled through her channels and she forced out a little fragrant sweat. Color rose becomingly on her pale cheeks.
At last Virtuous Consort Pei spoke up to smooth things over. “Esteemed Empress Dowager, the lass has knelt for so long. Such a delicate beauty might faint away, who knows how distressed the Crown Prince would feel?”
Virtuous Consort Yuangui Pei was the birth mother of Third Prince Xie Kuan, gentle and generous. Her almond eyes were bright and lively, curving prettily when she smiled, like a beauty glancing favorably. Of the four consorts in the rear palace, Noble Consort Tang’s beauty was known throughout Chang’an, while Virtuous Consort Pei’s looks were slightly inferior yet matched her warmth and gentleness.
Just as she finished speaking, Noble Consort Tang had already risen to her feet. Her skirt swishing, she stood gracefully before Jiang Kui and curtsied separately to the Emperor and Empress Dowager. “This concubine has failed in teaching her niece proper manners and requests punishment.”
As she lifted her skirt, she surreptitiously flicked her fingers upward. Jiang Kui hastily followed her in curtsying.
Emperor Qingwen finally spoke, smiling gently, “Just a little girl momentarily forgetting some propriety. My beloved, why speak so severely? Rise, all of you.”
The tall ruler wore unadorned ochre robes. Stroking his beard, his deep voice rumbled pleasantly when he laughed. His posture seemed casual yet still carried an innate imperial majesty. No expression showed on his chiseled face.
He inclined his head toward the Empress Dowager and said to Jiang Kui, “Remember the Empress Dowager’s teaching well. My son is extremely fond of you. When you marry into the Eastern Palace, you absolutely must not lose deportment in the slightest.”
Then he added approvingly, “You truly resemble the charm of your young aunt some.”
Finished, Emperor Qingwen waved his hand to summon a seat for Jiang Kui.
A cup of Sunshine Beauty tea was placed before Jiang Kui, still steaming hot and floating bright red dates peeled whole. She accepted the tea most carefully, sipping while listening to the idle chatter swirling around her and the crown prince’s upcoming nuptials.
She listened closely, somewhat baffled. Everyone in the palace apparently knew the crown prince adored her, yet she was unaware. She didn’t even know what the man who fancied her looked like.
In her memory, they had only met three times total. Once glimpsing each other at Qie River, second when she fell into the lotus pond, and third brushing past on the jade steps just now. Each time she had only seen a composed figure, tall and straight like a pine or jade.
So did Xie Wuyang really care for her? Or were there schemes behind the scenes?
Growing anxious, she yearned to leave the palace swiftly to meet Master Pu Liu, then attend the autumnal feast to investigate who tried to drown her.
“The roster of candidates for the Princess’s companion has been submitted, but she’s looked it over and still isn’t satisfied…” The conversation had shifted. Virtuous Consort Pei was speaking about the lack of a fitting companion for the Imperial Princess Xie Heng. “Your Majesty, if no appropriate candidate, then it’s fine not to have a companion, is it not?”
Noble Consort Tang sipped her tea and said lightly, “Esteemed sister-consort, is there not a perfect one right here?”
Virtuous Consort Pei whipped her head sharply to stare at Jiang Kui, arching her brow. “Her?”
She was instantly on guard. The two consorts had competed for favor for years and long been at odds. Now for Tang to suggest sending her own niece to the former’s daughter as a companion, she surely harbored nefarious intentions.
“For the Princess’s companion, we should of course look at young ladies from reputable official families. A pampered child lacking in certain etiquettes should be forgiven.” Having taken a sip of tea, Virtuous Consort Pei spoke her mind freely, not hiding her preferences at all.
She was the oldest among the consorts, having borne a son and daughter – the Eldest Prince Xie Meng and Eldest Princess Xie Heng.
Of the same Pei clan from Xia Commandery, she privately addressed the Empress Dowager as maternal aunt. The eminent Pei clan of Xia Commandery had produced three generations of chief ministers and several dozen jinshi scholars, with Pei officials permeating the entire court. With the tragic early passing of the late Empress, Virtuous Consort Pei had the greatest hopes of replacing her, and His Majesty also seemed to be subtly partial to her lately. Relying on this, she was outspoken to the point of brashness, freely revealing her likes and dislikes.
Before Virtuous Consort Pei could continue, Noble Consort Tang had already stood. “This concubine failed to properly teach my niece manners and requests punishment.”
Raising her skirt, she surreptitiously nudged it upward with her fingers. Jiang Kui hastily followed her in curtsying.
Emperor Qingwen had already nodded thoughtfully. “The Consort speaks truly, so let it be.”
Jiang Kui almost spilled her tea. But she saw her vibrant young aunt sneak a wink at her, smile hinting ‘Wasn’t young aunt amazing?’
No! Not at all amazing!
It was then Empress Dowager Pei said, “The child still lacks in etiquette. I’m afraid she would be a poor influence on the Princess.”
Jiang Kui nodded frantically to herself, for once agreeing with the formidable woman. She didn’t want to be a companion. She wanted to leave the palace, meet Master Pu Liu, attend the autumnal banquet.
The armguard rapped crisply on the carved armrest as Empress Dowager Pei flicked her fingers to summon an attendant who had stood silently for some time. “Lady Steward Song.”
She rhythmically tapped the sandalwood with her armguard. “As Supervising Matron of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, Lady Steward Song is responsible for mentoring newly entered concubines. Have her follow along to educate the girl. As I recall, the marriage is set for the sixteenth of next month. Before then, Lady Song shall instruct her on all of etiquette.”
The summoned court lady wore the formal uniform, hair severely pulled up to reveal a plain face. She shot an expressionless glance at Jiang Kui before curtsying to the Dowager Empress, “This subject obeys the decree.”
The Empress Dowager raised her eyes, gaze sweeping steadily over Jiang Kui. “You will be the presumptive Crown Princess. If your virtue does not match your station, you may still be dismissed.”
And so under Lady Steward Song’s accompaniment, Jiang Kui arrived at Noble Consort Tang’s Penglai Palace.
Autumn’s advance permeated Penglai Palace. The golden winds were gentle, falling scarlet leaves covered the grounds. One early maple had turned color, its stray fallen crimson leaves drifting along the winding stream.
Past flower-adorned winding corridors, Noble Consort Tang led Jiang Kui into the main hall with Lady Steward Song following barely an inch away, shadowing their every step left and right.
At last Noble Consort Tang lost her patience. “Lady Steward, until when will keep pace with me?”
Lady Steward replied calmly, neither servile nor overbearing. “The Empress Dowager ordered me to instruct the presumptive Crown Princess in etiquette. Of course I would need to stay by her side constantly to point out every breach.”
Noble Consort Tang slapped the table before her, not too lightly or heavily. “Someone come restrain her!”
A group of servants instantly appeared. The leader gripped Lady Steward’s shoulder, applying so much force she nearly crumpled to her knees. “My lady, please come with me.”
Towering over her, Noble Consort Tang stared icy daggers, warmth vanishing from her eyes, replaced by an abrupt overpowering grandeur on her radiant face. It was as though storms were brewing, dark clouds enshrouding the mountains.
She spoke flatly. “Within my Penglai Palace, not even an petty sixth-rank court lady may be insolent.”
Jiang Kui blinked – this was the first she’d seen her normally even-tempered young aunt angry.
After the servants retreated, Noble Consort Tang clasped Jiang Kui’s hands, as the two sat face to face atop an exquisite phoenix-carved pearwood bed, their splendid skirts covering the blanket. She tidied her hair as warmth returned to her expression.
Scooting closer, she casually tucked a stray lock behind her ears and cradled her niece’s hands. Staring earnestly into her eyes, she said slowly. “My dear Full, I’ve much to tell you about the reason for summoning you today.”
“When you were still a child, I only wished for you to marry a minister and have a peaceful, smooth life, with no hope for great fortune.”
“Yet now you will be the Crown Princess, and there are many court intrigues and complex machinations you must learn.”
“Every word I now say, remember well.”
Leaning in, she whispered. “Let me tell you a certain secret about Xie Wuyang.”
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