Chapter 46: The Heart of the Ruler Is Unfathomable, Schemes Within Schemes (Fourth Watch)

Zhang Bitong let out a few laughs and said, “It’s no wonder Miss Feiyue doesn’t recognize me; after all, it’s been many years since we last met.”

“This is Consort Tong,” Lu Ning introduced.

“So it’s Consort Tong. Please forgive me, I seldom reside in the palace and am not familiar with all the consorts,” Han Feiyue replied.

“It’s of no consequence,” Zhang Bitong said, casting an appraising look. “Oh, what a lovely face you have. I’ve long heard of your talent, Miss Feiyue. With such qualities, you’d be more than worthy of becoming the Crown Princess, wouldn’t you?”

Zhang Bitong was growing anxious. She had tried hinting several times, but the Empress Dowager remained unmoved. Left with no alternative, she made her intentions plain.

Lu Ning seemed to have anticipated this and showed no surprise. Instead, Han Feiyue suddenly laughed and said, “Consort Tong, you jest. How could I possibly be fit to become the Crown Princess? My only wish is to find a good man, to work at sunrise and rest at sunset.”

“I greatly admire such sentiments, Miss Feiyue. But with your virtues, wouldn’t it be a shame for you to marry a commoner? Not just I, but surely His Majesty and the Empress Dowager would not approve either.”

“My marriage is my own affair. Please don’t treat me as one of the palace’s princes or princesses,” Han Feiyue said coldly, her face stern.

Zhang Bitong’s expression stiffened. Just as she was about to speak again, Lu Ning interjected, “Enough, Consort Tong. I am tired. If you have nothing further, please return to your palace. Feiyue has also had a long journey and must rest.”

With the Empress Dowager’s words, Zhang Bitong could not linger, though she was reluctant to leave. She curtsied and said, “Then I’ll take my leave and come another day to pay my respects, Your Majesty.”

“Very well, you may go.”

As Zhang Bitong walked out of Cining Palace, she muttered angrily, “They all pretend not to understand! She’s just an orphan—without the Empress Dowager’s protection, what is she? And she acts as if being Crown Princess is beneath her!”

“Please calm your anger, Consort.”

“Hmph. Prepare the sedan. We’re returning to the palace.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

Back at Cuiwei Palace, Zhang Bitong was still fuming. Seeing her mood, Yun Qing guessed what must have transpired at Cining Palace.

“In my humble opinion, the Empress Dowager cherishes both Miss Feiyue and His Highness the Crown Prince. If she were to betroth Miss Feiyue to the Crown Prince, making her Crown Princess, the Empress Dowager would surely be pleased. But precisely because she favors Miss Feiyue, she’s unwilling to force her. In the end, it all depends on Miss Feiyue’s own wishes.”

Zhang Bitong held the hand warmer, sighing, “She’d rather marry a farmer than the Crown Prince. With such lofty pride, unless you put a knife to her throat, she’ll never agree.”

Yun Qing replied, “It’s long been said that Miss Feiyue is as proud and headstrong as General Han himself. Having heard you say so, it must be true. That makes things difficult.”

“Nothing is going smoothly! The Crown Prince doesn’t want to marry Gong Wue, but unfortunately, the choice is not his. If Han Feiyue agreed, the Empress Dowager and His Majesty would surely consent; even the Empress would have to swallow her resentment. But Han Feiyue refuses to be Crown Princess. It vexes me so! Yun Qing—”

“I am here.”

“When I saw Xuan’er in the Imperial Garden, they seemed to have just come back from the archery grounds. Do you know how he performed?”

Yun Qing hesitated, “In reply to Your Highness, among the four princes, the Ninth Prince ranked last.”

“What?” Zhang Bitong glared at Yun Qing. “Last again? He’s lacking in both scholarship and martial arts; no wonder His Majesty doesn’t favor him. My poor Xuan’er…”

“Please calm yourself, Your Highness. Do take care of your health.”

“None of them give me any peace of mind,” Zhang Bitong said, propping her face with one hand. “I can’t let this go. Tomorrow, I’ll go to Kunning Palace to pay my respects. I must raise the matter of Han Feiyue.”

“If Your Highness brings it up alone, I fear you’ll stand isolated,” Yun Qing warned.

“Shui Yunqiu is pregnant and surely won’t go to Kunning Palace tomorrow. Liu Yunmeng is under the Empress’s thumb and dares not speak. As for the other consorts, they all follow the Empress’s lead—who would dare oppose her? If I don’t speak, who will? I can’t worry about that now, I must—” Suddenly, Zhang Bitong paused, “No, why haven’t I thought of bringing it directly to His Majesty? I don’t believe he’ll let the Gong family dominate the court and even the harem become their domain.”

“Your Highness, if you insist on bringing this up with His Majesty, I fear—”

“Fear what? I worry only because no one has spoken to him about it. I’ll go to His Majesty right now—”

“Your Highness—”

But Zhang Bitong would not be dissuaded. As soon as the thought struck, she rose to leave. Yun Qing had no choice but to fetch her fox fur cloak, when suddenly a voice called from outside, “His Majesty arrives!”

“Quick, come with me to greet the Emperor.”

Yun Qing hurriedly put down the cloak and knelt at the palace gate.

“Your concubine pays respects to His Majesty.”

That imperial yellow robe came into view. The Emperor hastened to help Zhang Bitong up, saying, “Beloved Consort, it’s cold outside. Why come out to greet me?”

“I missed Your Majesty. Even a moment sooner is worth it.”

“Your sincerity moves me! Come, let’s go inside.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty. Yun Qing, bring a bowl of white fungus and lotus seed soup for His Majesty to warm up.”

“At once, Your Highness.”

The Emperor settled on the soft couch, and Zhang Bitong nestled by his side, gently massaging his leg. “What brings Your Majesty to me today? I thought you’d long forgotten me.”

The Emperor lowered his head, lifting her chin. “How could I forget you, my beautiful consort?”

Zhang Bitong sighed, “Now that Sister Yun is pregnant, Your Majesty’s thoughts must be with her.”

He chuckled. “So you’re jealous of Noble Lady Yun? She carries the imperial heir; of course I must care for her. I remember when you were carrying Xuan’er, I was no less attentive.”

“I miss those days, when Your Majesty was so gentle with me,” Zhang Bitong said, resting her face on his lap.

He stroked her cheek. “What, am I not good to you now?”

“It’s not that. It’s just not as it was before. I know I’m aging, not as beautiful as I once was, and Your Majesty no longer favors me.”

He laughed heartily. “You’re as lovely as ever, not old at all.”

“Please don’t comfort me, Your Majesty. I know myself. No one can stop the passage of time. Now all I wish is for Your Majesty’s health, the peace of our great Jin dynasty, and for Xuan’er to grow up strong.”

“You are truly benevolent. That’s exactly what I hope for, too.”

“Your Majesty, the soup.” Yun Qing handed him a bowl of white fungus and lotus seed soup.

He took a spoonful and tasted it. “Of all the years I’ve had this soup, only the one from Cuiwei Palace truly pleases me.”

Zhang Bitong smiled. “I’m glad Your Majesty likes it. But I fear I may not have such chances in the future.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Has Your Majesty heard about what happened in the Imperial Garden today?”

“When I visited Noble Lady Yun, she mentioned it. The Empress gathered you all to discuss candidates for the Crown Princess. That’s wise—hearing many opinions is good.”

“But did Your Majesty hear that with a few words, the Empress gave the young woman the Crown Prince favored to the Sixth Prince as his Consort?”

“You mean Du Mingli’s daughter, Du Ruoqing?”

“So Your Majesty knows of her?”

“I’ve heard. Du Mingli’s daughter, Du Ruoqing, is a renowned talent—wise, virtuous, a fine choice for Crown Princess. But if she and the Sixth Prince are truly in love, it is a happy match.”

“Your Majesty,” Zhang Bitong drew out her words, “it’s hardly a love match. The Empress is simply meddling, seeing that the Crown Prince didn’t choose Gong Xiang’s daughter, so she gave Du Ruoqing to the Sixth Prince on purpose.”

“Is that so? If neither had feelings for each other, why didn’t they object? I heard they both agreed willingly.”

“If the Empress issues an imperial decree, who would dare refuse? She’s using her power against the powerless!”

The Emperor gave Zhang Bitong a long, searching look.

She met his eyes, saying, “Please don’t blame me for speaking ill of the Empress. She acts alone and wants nothing more than to have another daughter from the Gong family become Crown Princess. She’s Empress already, yet still wants her family to rule the harem!”

A subtle change passed over the Emperor’s face, and I sensed trouble. Yet Zhang Bitong seemed oblivious.

Yun Qing, perhaps sensing it too, stepped forward, “Your Majesty, does Your Highness feel cold? Shall I add more charcoal?”

“No need.” With a mere glance, Yun Qing retreated quietly.

The Emperor asked again, “In your opinion, if not Gong Wue, who should be Crown Princess?”

“I do have a candidate.”

“Let’s hear it.”

“General Han’s orphaned daughter, Han Feiyue.”

“You want me to make Han Feiyue the Crown Princess, instead of Gong Wue?”

“I merely offer Your Majesty a suggestion.”

“Hmph!” The Emperor burst into sudden fury, flinging the bowl and spoon to the floor.

Startled, Zhang Bitong immediately knelt. “I have spoken out of turn. Please, Your Majesty, forgive me.”

“Consort Tong, don’t think I don’t see your scheming. You only want to keep Gong’s daughter out of the palace, afraid she’ll threaten your position. You run down the Empress in front of me, hoping to take her place?”

“I dare not, Your Majesty! Please believe me—I had no such intention.”

“No? What woman in this harem doesn’t dream of becoming Empress? Do you dare claim you don’t?”

Zhang Bitong lowered her head even further, not daring another word.

“I once thought you dignified and sensible, but you’re just like the rest. Whatever her faults, the Empress manages the harem for me—a great merit. If you ever slander her before me again, I won’t spare you lightly.”

“I dare not.”

“The business of the Crown Princess is now entrusted to the Empress and Lady Meng. You needn’t trouble yourself. If you have time to worry, see to your son—he places last in every contest. Aren’t you ashamed as his mother?”

“Your Majesty’s rebuke is just. I know my fault.”

With a wave of his sleeve, the Emperor said, “Qiu Ronghai, prepare the carriage. Return to Yangxin Hall.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. The Emperor departs!”

After he left, Zhang Bitong, still kneeling, slowly raised her head. Her body swayed backward, and she nearly fainted.

“Your Highness! Are you all right?” Yun Qing cried, alarmed.

Tears fell from Zhang Bitong’s eyes. Shaking her head, she said, “His Majesty scolded me so harshly for the Empress’s sake.”

Yun Qing could only say, “Please take care of yourself, Your Highness.”