A wu: “Huh? A wu is happy for Your Majesty!”
Emperor Jingxi: “Happy for me?”
A wu: “Of course! What else?”
The Emperor’s fingers rested on her neck, gently kneading.
A wu felt his gaze was like a sharp blade, contemplating where to strike.
She muttered innocently: “What did I do to upset Your Majesty this time? A wu obeys you in everything!”
Even in the qin practice-she played for half an hour daily until her fingers ached.
Wasn’t that effort enough?
As for the scriptures, she’d memorized enough to chant for wealthy families!
The Emperor studied her for a long moment then he asked:
“You obey me in everything? So obedient?”
A wu: “Of course!”
Her eyes sparkled mischievously as she gazed at him:
“Whether kneeling, lying prone, or on my back-isn’t it all as Your Majesty wishes?”
She tilted her head thoughtfully: “Or does Your Majesty prefer standing?”
Hearing this, the Emperor stared at her expressionlessly before finally gritting his teeth:
“Keep your voice down. If others hear, what would become of my dignity?”
With these teasing words, the matter was brushed aside.
But after their passionate encounter, as A wu lay limp on the bed, she gradually realized something.
She had old grievances with the Crown Princess-she should wish her ill.
Yet she still felt some guilt toward the Crown Prince and wished him well, hoping he’d have an heir soon.
Emperor Jingxi treated her kindly, and his only son was about to have offspring-she should be happy.
So adding and subtracting should she be happy or not?
Did the Emperor want her to be happy or not?
It was too complicated to think about her head spun just considering it.
Best to let it be!
Since the Emperor didn’t mention it again, she’d play the fool, of course.
In the following days, A wu was kept busy-attending lectures, learning musical skills, all while the old emperor frequently checked in, even forcing her to memorize scriptures.
It gave her quite a headache.
Entering the palace was like enrolling in school, and being an imperial consort was akin to being a student-who could have imagined that?
She thought she had won the emperor’s favor, only to find herself saddled with a strict tutor!
Fortunately, the Winter Solstice was approaching, bringing a brief respite from the usual routines.
This was A wu’s first Winter Solstice in the palace, and she was still unfamiliar with the customs.
She watched as palace maids bustled about cleaning, and officials delivered various festive items, including several brand-new robes adorned with embroidered patches depicting a child in a fox hat riding a sheep.
The midday meal was surprisingly lavish-grilled lamb, dumplings, freshly pickled pig’s trotters, and goose gizzards—though each portion was small, just a few bites to savor the flavors.
Are they afraid the imperial consorts will get fat if they eat too much?
A wu ate with relish, already looking forward to the next day’s feast.
Glancing at the two young maids beside her, she thought, ‘Once I have the authority to order as I please, I’ll make sure they get to enjoy these dishes too.’
Sometimes, seeing others enjoy good food brings its own joy.
Eating alone is no fun.
After the meal, it was time for her “lecture.”
A wu carefully groomed herself and applied a light touch of makeup.
As Yilan helped her with the powder, she couldn’t help sighing, “Your skin is so flawless, my lady. It’s naturally radiant, adding makeup only dulls its beauty.”
A wu shrugged, “Well, if everyone else wears it, I might as well too. Otherwise, they’ll envy me for being too pretty.”
Her remark made the maids burst into laughter.
Noble Consort Ning was amusing, bold in her words, and easygoing-everyone adored her.
Once dressed, an attendant arrived to escort her to Chengyan Hall, where a court lady would lecture the imperial consorts.
Upon arrival, A wu was stunned by the spectacle-phoenix litters, small carriages, and all manner of conveyances crowded the scene.
“Why is it so lively today?” she asked.
The court lady replied respectfully, “Since it’s the Winter Solstice, Her Majesty the Empress has specially invited the female disciple of the great scholar Feng Zhi to give a lecture. All the consorts are attending-even Princess Dening is coming.”
…So lively indeed.
The court lady added, “And Her Highness the Crown Princess as well.”
A wu: “…”
At a loss for words, she steeled herself and entered the hall.
Sure enough, the Crown Princess and Dening were there, chatting intimately, hand in hand.
A wu kept her head down, hoping to slip in unnoticed-but the Crown Princess spotted her immediately.
The Crown Princess looked over.
Dening looked over.
Soon, the entire hall was staring at her, even the lecturer.
Under the weight of all those eyes, A wu had no choice but to bow to the Crown Princess and Dening.
As a noble consort, she was the lowest-ranking attendee here-obligated to pay respects to everyone.
The Crown Princess gave her a stiff, insincere smile before turning away, but Dening frowned and snapped, “Aren’t there rules in the palace?”
Today’s Winter Solstice lecture had already begun when a minor consort arrived late-what impropriety!
Though young and speaking in a sweet, delicate voice, her words didn’t come across as petulant but rather endearing to the gathered crowd.
Yet precisely because of that charm, the one who provoked her speech appeared all the more detestable.
Glances swept subtly across the hall, the silence thick.
The Crown Princess stood by with a smile, watching without a word.
A wu kept her head lowered, not daring to speak.
As a minor consort, she should indeed have arrived earlier; her tardiness today was a breach of decorum.
But it doesn’t matter.
She could take her time; sooner or later, she would rise in rank!
Just as the awkwardness peaked, Consort Hui suddenly appeared.
After greeting Princess Dening and the Crown Princess, she tugged at A wu with a smile, “Noble Consort Ning, why are you just standing there? Come, the lecture is about to begin.”
Consort Hui had once enjoyed Emperor Jingxi’s favor.
Though merely a consort, even the Crown Princess couldn’t slight her, and so A wu was smoothly escorted to her seat.
Seated at last, A wu flashed Consort Hui a grateful smile-what a kind elder sister!
One day, when she soared to greatness, she would repay her kindness!
The lecture soon commenced.
Knowing that advancement required diligence, A wu listened attentively, mindful of the ritual officials recording her conduct.
She sat with utmost reverence, earnest and dutiful, more focused than she had ever been in her childhood studies.
The female lecturer, surnamed Hu and addressed as Official Hu, wore her hair in a high chignon, exuding the air of a learned scholar.
A wu gripped her brush, scribbling furiously to keep up.
When the lecture ended and the crowd dispersed, A wu stepped out of the hall, ready to return to her Langhua Palace.
But then Princess Dening approached, snatched her notes, and flipped through them.
With a derisive snort, she said, “To write characters so poorly-truly is an insult to your noble title.”
And with that, she tore the pages to shreds.
A wu was furious.
Those notes had taken effort!
Clenching her fists, she retorted, “Your Highness, even if my writing is lacking, you are no official-what right do you have to destroy my work?”
Princess Dening sneered, “I tore them because I wished to. Must I justify myself to you?”
A wu’s face flushed with indignation.
The princess, though outwardly cute, was Emperor Jingxi’s own daughter and the Crown Prince’s sister who would have thought her so tyrannical!
Princess Dening had expected her to rage back.
Instead, seeing her bite her lip, cheeks reddening with stifled fury, the princess grew even more incensed.
Her mother, the Imperial Consort, had carelessly chosen an opera that displeased the Emperor.
In retaliation, he had publicly humiliated them by letting a minor consort select the next performance.
Worse still, he later sent palace officials to her mother’s chambers, forcing her to kneel as they recited the rules-a rebuke reserved only for errant consorts.
No matter what, her mother deserved basic dignity!
Seething, the princess lifted her chin arrogantly.
“Go ahead and complain to my father! See if he’ll punish me!”
She turned to the onlookers and declared, “Let’s see who dares carry tales for her!”
And with that, she strode away.
The concubines fell silent for a moment.
This was undoubtedly an extremely excessive matter, but… she was Princess Dening after all.
Everyone knew Princess Dening had always been temperamental-it was common knowledge.
Normally, they just avoided her when possible.
No one dared report her misbehavior.
After all, she was the emperor’s only daughter.
It was best not to court misfortune by provoking her.
Having suffered such humiliation, A wu returned to her chambers, buried herself in the brocade curtains, and burst into sobs.
Lady Hui followed her back and spent considerable effort consoling her before A wu finally stopped crying.
However, as soon as A wu wiped her tears away, she gritted her teeth and declared, “I won’t study anymore! Today, the court lady’s lecture was far too abstruse-it was exhausting.”
“I struggled to take notes, only for them to be torn up. If Princess Dening treats me like this today, who knows what underhanded tricks she’ll pull in the future?”
She felt that Princess Dening was still somewhat decent, confronting her openly.
But if someone were to scheme against her in secret, she wouldn’t be able to defend herself.
So, she might as well avoid it altogether.
Lady Hui sighed, “Actually, Princess Dening was just in a temper. Once this passes, things might improve.”
Lady Hui believed that Princess Dening was merely a child-nothing too serious.
The real issue was the person behind her, clearly harboring resentment and using the princess as a pawn.
In the imperial harem, who would dare oppose Princess Dening?
Even the Empress showed her considerable leniency.
But A wu began to ponder:
“Even if I don’t study well, as long as I serve the Emperor more often, won’t I still be promoted?”
She started thinking-remaining a Noble Lady was out of the question.
She needed a higher rank.
By serving the Emperor frequently, she could at least rise to the status of a concubine, like Lady Hui.
And if she could become an Imperial Consort, even better.
So, she began seeking Lady Hui’s advice-how to become a concubine.
What were the requirements for promotion?
How many times must one serve the Emperor?
How many years must one endure?
Lady Hui, seeing her genuine ambition, had no choice but to explain in detail, even recounting her own path to becoming a concubine, offering thorough guidance.
After listening carefully, however, A wu concluded that Lady Hui’s path wasn’t feasible for her.
Excelling in studies and examinations was impossible.
She would have to take an unconventional approach.
With this in mind, she began meticulously caring for her health and memorizing the Dao De Jing, determined to flatter Emperor Jingxi when he arrived.
Once she had his favor, she would seduce him, ensuring frequent visits-all meticulously recorded by the Imperial Household Department and the palace chroniclers.
These records would be the foundation of her future promotions.
This was far quicker than wasting time on tedious books!
Once everything was prepared, Emperor Jingxi arrived in the evening.
His arrival was quite a spectacle, accompanied by a grand procession of eunuchs from the Imperial Kitchen, the Inner Court, and the Imperial Household Department.
Perfect!
Quick, record it-the Emperor has come to favor Noble Lady Ning!