045 Orphan Girl Midnight

After escorting Princess Xihe back to the palace, I returned to Cuiwei Palace. At this hour, I found Zhang Bitong there, her brows furrowed in worry, likely still troubled by the matter of the Crown Princess.

“Greetings, Your Grace.”

“You’re back? Did you safely deliver Princess Xihe to Lady Meng?”

“Yes, Your Grace. She has been delivered.”

“Good. Now, Xiao Xiaozi, tell me—what should be done about this Crown Princess affair? The Empress clearly wants Gong Wuyue to be the Crown Princess. If so, this dynasty belongs to the Gong family now, and the next will still belong to them. She truly has the ambition of a wolf. I simply cannot swallow this indignation. Yet none of the other concubines dare oppose her. Though Lady Meng was involved in the discussion, she has no real power; the decision remains with the Empress. Did you not see her arrogance today, bestowing the girl favored by the Crown Prince on Jiang Ye right in front of everyone? Isn’t she telling me outright that whether the Crown Prince’s chosen or the leftover, neither will ever belong to my Xuan’er?”

Zhang Bitong’s interpretation of the Empress’s intent was not unreasonable. With a casual move, the Empress made the concubines brood and fret, and that was her unique talent. Affairs of the inner palace and the front hall were not my expertise; I could not speak out of turn, especially when I suspected Yunqing would have her own ideas.

“Why are you all silent? What use are you to me if, at crucial moments, you cannot ease my worries? Now Lady Yun is with child, and the Empress wants to make Gong family’s girl the Crown Princess. My position is at risk, and soon you’ll all be left with nothing. The wind from the northwest will be all you have to drink.”

“Your Grace, please calm your anger,” Yunqing offered a cup of tea and spoke gently. “Things are not yet settled; there may be a turn for the better.”

“Oh? You have a solution?” Zhang Bitong immediately set her teacup aside and looked eagerly at Yunqing.

Yunqing replied, “According to what I saw today in the Imperial Garden, the matter in your favor is that the Crown Prince does not like Gong Wuyue. If the Crown Prince dislikes her, there is hope for change.”

“What good is his dislike? How many royal marriages are decided by the princes themselves? At best, they choose a few side consorts. The Crown Princess, who may become Empress one day, cannot possibly be left to his choice!”

Yunqing said, “I understand, Your Grace. But with things undecided, the Crown Prince’s objection may influence not only the Empress but also the Emperor. Remember, the final authority lies with His Majesty. The plan now is to put forth someone who can stand equal to Gong Wuyue, leaving the Empress unable to refuse.”

“Where can we find such a person? You forget what status Gong Wuyue holds. All those present in the Imperial Garden today were only of the fourth rank. Which one could compete with her?”

“Your Grace, perhaps you have overlooked someone.”

“Who?”

“The orphaned daughter of the former Protector General, Han Feiyue.”

“Her?” Zhang Bitong was startled, rising to her feet and suddenly slapping her forehead. “How could I have forgotten her? Not to mention her father’s distinguished service; as General Han’s orphan, she grew up under the Empress Dowager’s care, and the Emperor is quite fond of her. This way, not only the Empress but the entire court would be left speechless. Yunqing, you are truly a female Zhuge Liang!”

“Your praise is too much, Your Grace. However, no one has mentioned Han Feiyue’s name yet. You should consider carefully.”

“The Empress must have deliberately excluded her.”

“The Empress may exclude her, but Your Grace can bring her into play. Yet the key to this move is one person.”

“Who?”

“The Empress Dowager.”

“The Empress Dowager?”

“Precisely—the Empress Dowager. Only if she intervenes is there hope of change.”

“But will the Empress Dowager intervene? How can I decide that?”

“Your Grace could pay a visit to Cining Palace, probe gently. If the Empress Dowager is willing, so much the better. If not, you will have to make other plans.”

“Very well. After lunch, I will go to Cining Palace to pay my respects. Yunqing, accompany me then.”

Yunqing lowered her eyes. “Your Grace, have you forgotten the promise you made to me?”

Zhang Bitong paused, then realized, “I was momentarily confused and forgot. Very well, I won’t force you. Xiao Xiaozi will accompany me instead.”

Yunqing said, “Your Grace is wise. Xiao Xiaozi is clever, perhaps even more useful than I.”

“Indeed. Xiao Xiaozi, you must stay alert and not cause trouble for me.”

“As you command!”

That afternoon, on the way to Cining Palace with Zhang Bitong, I learned she had already heard of the incident in the Eastern Palace—Jiang Yun being slapped by the Empress.

“Xiao Xiaozi, why did you not inform me of such a thing?”

“I thought, Your Grace, that since this matter would damage the Crown Prince’s reputation, it was best not to spread it. If people learned the gossip came from me, they might say Your Grace put me up to it, which would be unfavorable for you.”

Zhang Bitong laughed, “You are thorough in your thinking. Let’s hope you are telling me the truth.”

“I would not dare utter a single lie.”

“There is sense in what you say. Word of my reputation among outsiders will reach the Emperor sooner or later. If I am not in favor, the Emperor will dislike Xuan’er even more. Let us hurry; soon the Empress Dowager will be resting, and it would be improper to disturb her.”

“As you command. Allow me to support you, Your Grace—it’s slippery here.”

“Mm!”

Soon, the two of us arrived at Cining Palace. Entering, we saw Lu Ning half reclining on a soft couch, a book in her hand.

“Your servant greets the Empress Dowager. May you have peace and fortune.”

“So it’s Consort Tong. What brings you here today?”

Zhang Bitong smiled, “It is my fault, Empress Dowager, not visiting often enough. I realized it’s been a while and missed you dearly, so I’ve come to disturb you.”

“It is I who enjoy quiet, so I do not require you to pay daily respects. You are not to blame. But your sweet tongue remains unchanged. Come, sit. Here are some pastries; have some. Muyan, pour Consort Tong a cup of tea.”

“Thank you, Empress Dowager.”

Zhang Bitong adjusted the tea lid, took a sip, and set the cup down. “The tea here is truly exquisite. I remember, the young Miss Feiyue was best at brewing tea under your guidance. Is she here today?”

As she spoke, Zhang Bitong looked around.

“That wild girl insisted on visiting the places where her father once rode and has yet to return. Just yesterday, I received a letter she sent from Dengzhou. It will be another month or two before she comes back.”

“Miss Feiyue is a heroine among women, surely inheriting General Han’s spirit. By now she must be seventeen, yes?”

Lu Ning replied, “She’s seventeen, but when the twelfth month arrives, she’ll be eighteen.”

Zhang Bitong chuckled, “So she’s eighteen already! Time spares no one. Last time I saw her, she was still a little girl, standing at your side.”

“Indeed. General Han had two sons and a daughter. Both sons died on the battlefield for the country, leaving only Feiyue. He quelled the rebellion for the Emperor, and gave his life for the nation, leaving behind this orphaned daughter. When Feiyue entered the palace, she was only six, about the same age as Xihe. She looked at me with round, curious eyes, no fear at all. I liked her instantly and kept her by my side, as a token of gratitude to the Han family.”

Zhang Bitong sighed, “I have heard of General Han’s deeds. The Han family’s loyalty and valor are truly admirable. But under your care, Miss Feiyue has flourished, a comfort to General Han’s spirit in heaven.”

“Ah, the dead are gone. Who knows if those departed souls can see what we, the living, do?”

“They can see.” Zhang Bitong said, “Now that Miss Feiyue is eighteen, the most important thing is for you to secure her a good marriage. Once she is settled, you may rest easy.”

Lu Ning waved her hand with a smile. “That girl is formidable; I cannot decide for her. Her matters must be left to herself.”

“Miss Feiyue is straightforward and pure. If you don’t help to screen for her, what if she is bullied?”

Lu Ning laughed, “That girl—who could possibly bully her? It’s more likely she would bully others.”

Zhang Bitong’s face showed a hint of embarrassment. I could tell she was trying to steer the conversation toward the matter of the Crown Princess, but Lu Ning kept deflecting, each time gently pushing her back.

“Grandmother!” Suddenly, a bright voice rang from outside, and a radiant young woman strode in. She wore red robes, cinched at the waist with a smart belt, lively and valiant. Though her complexion was slightly tanned, her features were strikingly pretty, glowing with vitality.

“Ah, Feiyue, you’re back?” Lu Ning rose excitedly. Han Feiyue hurried forward and nestled into Lu Ning’s embrace. “Grandmother, I’ve missed you so much!”

“You wild girl! Weren’t you saying you wouldn’t be back for a month or two? How come you’ve returned today?”

“I wanted to surprise you! Grandmother, did you not miss me?”

“I missed you dearly, you are the apple of my eye. I missed you so much my chest ached.”

Han Feiyue quickly looked at Lu Ning in concern, “Grandmother, is your chest uncomfortable?”

Lu Ning laughed, “It doesn’t hurt now. With you back, nothing hurts at all.”

“Greetings, Miss Feiyue,” Zhang Bitong stood and said.

Han Feiyue turned to look at Zhang Bitong and asked, “Who are you?”