The lustrous, round pearls made her appear even more noble and dignified.
A wu felt this young lady was different from the other imperial concubines, exuding a natural boldness and pride.
Then it dawned on her that this was Princess Dening.
This was her first time seeing Princess Dening face to face, and she was indeed beautiful.
A wu slightly bowed to pay her respects to the princess.
Princess Dening glanced at her, then her gaze fell upon the small gourd hairpin carved from red agate adorning A wu’s bun.
It shimmered brilliantly, with a playful charm that was utterly delightful.
This sight stirred something within the princess.
Her father, the emperor, had commissioned a batch of items carved from rare overseas jade.
She had recently received them and was naturally overjoyed.
But now, seeing the piece on A wu’s head, she couldn’t help but notice its striking resemblance to her own collection.
Princess Dening’s expression darkened.
“You look unfamiliar. Which palace do you belong to?”
A wu respectfully introduced herself.
Upon hearing this, the princess’s eyebrows shot up.
“So it’s you. I’ve seen you before-at my imperial brother’s residence. Back then, you were still his “
Her words were abruptly cut off by the frantic intervention of her attendant, whose face had gone pale with alarm.
Even as the emperor’s only daughter and a golden branch of the imperial family, such matters were not to be spoken of lightly!
Throughout history, every imperial household had its share of unsavory secrets-discretion was the key to longevity!
Yet Princess Dening remained disdainful.
She looked A wu up and down.
“Your looks are exceptional, and I even find you pleasing. But surely you’re unworthy of such a hairpin. How could someone like you be fit to wear such an item?”
A wu began to understand.
The hairpin had been a gift from Emperor Jingxi during the Nanqiongzi period.
He likely never imagined she would one day cross paths with Princess Dening.
The jade was exceedingly rare, unlike ordinary gold and silver ornaments.
Precisely because of its scarcity, encountering a similar piece inevitably led to suspicion.
Though the princess’s words stung, A wu recognized her position-this was the emperor’s only daughter.
Concubines could be banished to the cold palace, crown princesses could be suppressed, but a daughter, especially a beloved one, was beyond comparison.
She chose to yield.
Lowering her eyes deferentially, she replied, “Your Highness speaks truly.”
With that, she reached up and obediently removed the hairpin.
“This humble one will keep it stored away henceforth and refrain from wearing it.”
A wu’s unexpected compliance took Princess Dening aback.
She had been ready to deliver a thorough reprimand, only to find her target yielding like soft clay.
The princess hesitated, momentarily at a loss after all, this was her first attempt at bullying someone.
Regaining her composure, she lifted her chin haughtily.
“As long as you understand. Remember your place in the future.”
With that, she strode grandly into her chambers.
A wu glanced briefly at the retreating figure before turning away.
She recalled Emperor Jingxi’s words during the Nanqiongzi period, his clear dissatisfaction with his own children.
No wonder…
She bears no resemblance to him at all.
Thankfully, the emperor had few children, or this princess might have long since been reduced to tears.
Clutching the red agate gourd hairpin, A wu thought to herself: she already had enough adversaries without provoking another.
As for Princess Dening… best to ignore her for now!
Just a spoiled child, that’s all!
After leaving the Empress Dowager’s quarters, it happened to be the time when the imperial concubines were paying their respects to the Empress.
Consort Hui was among them, and A wu seized the opportunity to join them.
She thought to herself, “I certainly won’t be paying respects to the Empress every day-who has time for that?”
She’d go just this once to fulfill the formality, then play dumb and avoid it in the future.
Soon after, A wu followed the group to the Phoenix Return Hall.
This was her first visit to the Empress’s Phoenix Return Hall.
The last time she’d paid respects to the Empress had been at the Empress
Dowager’s Longevity Hall.
The silk curtains were lifted, revealing a faint, unfamiliar fragrance within something light, pleasant, and warm that wasn’t commonly found outside.
Upon entering, A wu’s feet, clad in soft white silk socks, gently tread upon the plush carpet before she knelt and kowtowed to the Empress.
This was her fourth time seeing the Empress.
The first had been at Yan Yang Temple, when she was still a cautious little nun with an uncertain future.
The second time, she’d been in Lu Yunjian’s grasp, her shoulders trembling, her dignity as a woman torn to shreds as the Empress and Lu Yunjian looked down on her as if she were a dog.
Each encounter had been more wretched than the last.
The third time was at Longevity Hall, where the Empress, suddenly under pressure, had panicked and tried to suppress her like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.
But it was already too late.
Now, this fourth time, A wu had gained enough confidence.
Though her status as a Noble Lady wasn’t high, it was enough for her to carry herself as the Emperor’s concubine.
As the Emperor’s newly favored concubine, shouldn’t the Empress show some grace?
So even as A wu kowtowed respectfully, there was a hint of provocation in her expression-the kind of taunting charm a seductive enchantress might use to bewitch a ruler, flaunting her favor!
The moment A wu entered with the other concubines to pay respects, the Empress’s gaze fixed on her face.
One had to admit, this girl had grown even more beautiful.
She walked like a willow swaying in the March breeze, her entire body soft and light, her face translucent like carved jade, with a faint blush at the corners of her eyes that exuded an elusive allure.
The Empress stared at her, thinking of how she’d seduced Lu Yunjian, then the Crown Prince, and finally even the Emperor.
Suddenly, she felt suffocated, her chest tight and aching.
Truthfully, she didn’t mind didn’t mind this woman’s wantonness but it should have been under her control.
Now, everything was out of control.
This was a kite with its string cut, a puppet freed from its strings, moving on its own!
Suppressing her disgust, the Empress gave a slight nod to signal the women to rise, then exchanged a few perfunctory words.
Seeing her foul mood, the others quickly found excuses to leave.
A wu was about to follow when, after just a few steps, the Empress called her back, saying she had something to discuss.
Noticing this, Consort Hui also paused and said with a smile, “Since Her Majesty has words for you, Noble Lady, you should stay. You can return a little later. Futai is waiting for me,I need to leave.”
Though it seemed like an offhand remark, A wu understood perfectly.
There was no Eunuch Fu waiting-she had done it on purpose.
Concubine Hui was probably worried that the Empress would make things difficult for her, so she deliberately invoked Futai’s name.
Grateful for this, A wu gave Concubine Hui a slight nod.Â
“Thank you, Sister Sun.”
The way she called her “sister” was soft and affectionate, making the Empress smile faintly.
Once Concubine Hui left and the others in the bedchamber had also withdrawn, only the Empress and A wu remained in the quiet hall.
Now, they could speak frankly.
The Empress looked down at A wu from her elevated position.
“Do you really think you can overturn the heavens?”
A wu smiled sweetly.
“I can’t overturn the heavens, but I can reach up and touch them.”
The Empress scoffed.
“You are indeed bewitching. In the common streets, beauty like yours could secure you a good marriage, elevating you to a noble household.”
“But in the imperial harem, beauty is the least scarce thing. Even the lowliest palace maid or entertainer might possess rare beauty. Beauty fades-how can one rely on looks to last?”
A wu agreed with her words, but she casually flicked a strand of her hair.
“At least I can rely on my looks. Can you?”
The Empress’s expression turned icy.
A wu continued, smiling.
“I naturally understand the wisdom in Her Majesty’s words. But since entering the palace, I’ve also learned another truth. In Great Hui, the Emperor is the heavens of this world. In the harem, he is the god of all its ladies.”
“If I can reach up and touch the heavens, brush against a god, then that’s enough for me. The Emperor is the Emperor. A few nights with him, and I’ve been utterly delighted.”
“In this life, one must pluck flowers while they bloom. Why worry about tomorrow when I can revel in pleasure today?”
The Empress narrowed her eyes, a trace of bitterness flickering imperceptibly in her gaze.
A’Wu pressed on boldly.
“Dare I ask, how long has it been since the Emperor last graced Phoenix Palace with his presence? And how long since the Empress’s name was last recorded in the Imperial Annals of the Office of Imperial Affairs?”
The Empress’s sharp gaze instantly pierced through her.
A wu felt it.
But the angrier the Empress grew, the more she knew she had struck true.
To kill a snake, one must strike its vital spot-of course, she would aim for the weakest point.
With a sigh, she feigned sympathy.
“So the Empress has been left in an empty bed. How pitiable, how lonely the spring nights must be. But really, it’s no matter. Tomorrow, you can ask the Imperial Uncle to craft a few toys-they’ll help ease your solitude!”
Faced with such brazen provocation, anyone would fly into a rage, let alone the dignified and noble Empress.
The Empress stared at A wu, her eyes burning with the desire to tear her apart.
A wu merely smiled calmly.
“If there’s nothing else, Your Majesty, I’ll take my leave. Since no one’s around, I won’t bother kneeling.”
With that, she turned to go.
But then, the Empress rose.
Holding the hem of her robe, she lowered her gaze slightly and descended the jade steps with deliberate slowness.
The intricate jade crown upon her head shimmered with emerald clouds and golden dragons, while delicate golden hairpins dangled against her full forehead.
A sapphire sash cinched her slender waist, and the hem of her robe, embroidered with golden clouds and dragons, trailed gracefully across the carpet.
A faint, elegant fragrance drifted over-this was the first time A wu had been so close to the Empress’s majestic presence.
Now, the Empress had reined in her earlier fury, her demeanor composed.
She tilted her head slightly, studying A wu with profound meaning.
“Do you know what it means to be an Empress?”
A wu: “Your Majesty may speak, A wu is listening.”
The Empress: “Then let this Empress tell you the Empress is the principal wife of the imperial family, the model for all women under heaven, the rightful mother of the Crown Prince, nurturing the heir apparent, her merits enshrined in the ancestral temple.”
“In the imperial genealogy, this Empress’s name shall be engraved beside the Emperor’s, sharing in eternal worship.”
Having said this, she raised her phoenix eyes imperiously, looking down at A wu: “Now, do you understand?”
A wu tilted her head, studying her without a word.
The Empress: “Someone like you the day you lose the Emperor’s favor, you’ll be nothing but an ant. A concubine is just a concubine, unfit for the grand stage.”
“This Empress is the mistress of the inner palace, the imperial daughter-in-law chosen by the late Emperor, the Emperor’s rightful principal wife.”
“In the imperial mausoleum, there will always be a place for this Empress. But you? In the centuries-long history of the Great Hui court, you are but a grain of sand, perhaps leaving not the slightest trace.”
She lowered her gaze with a scornful smile:
“Even if you act arrogantly for a moment, what of it? How shallow must you be to think that a few days of imperial favor would allow you to flaunt your power before this Empress?”
A wu gave a soft “Oh,” then asked curiously:
“Your Majesty, this humble concubine has a question-I wonder if I should ask.”
The Empress: “Speak.”
A wu: “Might I ask why would the imperial daughter-in-law chosen by the late Emperor, the Emperor’s rightful principal wife, the Empress who is a model of virtue for all under heaven, force Lu Yunjian to give his concubine to another?”
“Why employ such manipulative tactics against the Crown Prince?”
She continued gently: “Is this the conduct befitting the Crown Prince’s rightful mother, the Emperor’s principal wife?”
The Empress curled her lips disdainfully, smiling at A wu:
“What, are you threatening this Empress?”
A wu toyed with the small ruby hairpin in her hand, yielding slightly:
“How would I dare speak of threats? It’s merely curiosity.”
The Empress’s crimson lips moved as she enunciated each word:
“A wu, let this Empress tell you-curiosity killed the cat. You’re an intelligent woman. If you wish to live, you ought to know your place.”
A wu agreed: “Quite right. How rare that we share such understanding. Let’s just stay out of each other’s way.”
The Empress: “Excellent.”
Though both women loathed each other intensely, it seemed they could reluctantly reach an agreement.
After all, exposing the truth would benefit neither.
The atmosphere eased momentarily, and A wu prepared to take her leave.
The Empress gave her a cursory glance, thinking this little woman knew her place excellently.
But then, A wu suddenly said, “Ah, I just realized something odd… I can’t help but wonder what kind of elder sister would be so preoccupied with her younger brother’s harem affairs?”
She fixed her gaze on the Empress, delivering a lethal counterblow:
“Your Majesty, might I ask-does the Emperor know about this touching sibling bond between you and the Imperial Uncle?”
The Empress’s expression changed drastically, her gaze snapping to A wu’s face.
A wu remained perfectly composed, feigning innocence: “Why does Your Majesty look so alarmed?”
The Empress: “You-“
A wu snorted disdainfully: “Who can say whether Lu Yunjian is truly of the Lu family bloodline…”