Prince Yan, poisoned and injured, was recuperating in his mansion. Wishing for undisturbed rest, he declined visits from officials during the first few days of his recovery.
However, the Empress was an exception.
It was said the Empress was so frantic with worry that she nearly fainted. By the next morning, she had rushed out of the palace to personally visit her youngest son at Prince Yan's Mansion.
The arrival of the Empress was a grand affair.
The Princess Consort rose early, and the concubines dressed meticulously, all gathering at the mansion’s entrance to welcome her. Before the Empress’s palanquin arrived, Granny Liu whispered to the Princess Consort, "My lady, should we summon Shen Wei from Liuli Pavilion as well?"
Shen Wei had caught the Empress’s eye on several occasions and even received lavish rewards from her—it seemed fitting for her to join the welcome.
But the Princess Consort merely shook her head dismissively. "No need."
A mere concubine had no right to greet the Empress.
Even if Shen Wei were to rise to the rank of a secondary consort in the future, she still wouldn’t be worthy of standing before the Empress. This thought brought the Princess Consort some comfort.
At the beginning of the si hour, the solemn sounds of the imperial procession announced the Empress’s arrival. The golden curtains parted as she descended from her palanquin, supported by Nanny Qian’s hand.
The Empress’s brows were furrowed with deep concern. Her gaze swept over the Princess Consort and the others at the entrance before she waved them up indifferently. "Rise. I’ve come to see Yuan Jing."
The Princess Consort forced a smile, her heart uneasy. "Mother Empress, allow me to escort you."
The Empress rarely visited Prince Yan's Mansion.
As they walked toward Prince Yan’s chambers, the Empress discreetly observed the mansion’s state. The household was orderly—servants attended to their duties, the gardens were neatly trimmed, and there were no signs of disrepair. She was somewhat pleased with the Princess Consort’s management.
It seemed the Princess Consort had finally heeded advice and was running the household decently.
The Empress couldn’t help but think that if the Princess Consort continued to shoulder her responsibilities as the lady of the house, she might even prove a capable partner should Prince Yan ascend the throne in the future.
Upon reaching Prince Yan’s sickroom, the Empress noted the faint scent of medicine lingering in the air. The outer chamber held shelves lined with ointments and herbs for his recovery. Physicians resided in the adjacent courtyard, ready to tend to him at any moment. Maids efficiently replaced bedding, while guards used poles to shoo away noisy cicadas from the trees outside.
The environment for Prince Yan’s recuperation was well-prepared.
The Empress grew even more satisfied. A patient’s surroundings needed meticulous care, and she had feared the Princess Consort might neglect this duty. Yet, to her surprise, the Princess Consort had fulfilled her role admirably.
Prince Yan had just awoken and finished a light breakfast.
When the Empress entered, she noticed the remnants of his meal on a tray—all dishes beneficial for wound healing. She felt a flicker of approval. The Princess Consort had even adjusted his diet thoughtfully.
Moving quietly to the bedside, the Empress saw Prince Yan’s pale face, his lips faintly colored, dark circles shadowing his eyes—clear signs of a restless night.
"Mother Empress," he greeted hoarsely.
Her heart ached at his frail state. In earlier years, she had poured most of her affection into the Crown Prince, neglecting Prince Yan. Later, when the Crown Prince fell gravely ill, her focus remained on his condition.
Now, she felt remorse for both her sons, a regret that seemed impossible to mend.
Gently patting Prince Yan’s hand, she said tenderly, "Rest well. I’ve brought the finest herbs."
Prince Yan murmured his thanks.
After a brief exchange, a subordinate delivered a military report from the border. Though still weak, Prince Yan propped himself up to review it.
Watching his focused expression, the Empress sighed inwardly. With the Crown Prince and the Emperor both ill, most of the court’s affairs had fallen to Prince Yan. He had shouldered the burden without complaint, a fact that brought her some solace.
Not wishing to disturb him further, the Empress left the sickroom. Instead of departing immediately, she decided to visit the Princess Consort’s Kunyu Courtyard.
The three concubines withdrew, leaving the Empress and the Princess Consort to walk back to Kunyu Courtyard. Before they even reached the gates, the Empress was struck by the overpowering scent of incense—a cloying, dizzying odor from years of burning offerings.
It baffled her why a woman in her twenties, who should embody grace and vitality, would instead immerse herself in the rituals of an elderly devotee.
Inside Kunyu Courtyard, the Empress surveyed the surroundings. Towering trees cast deep shadows, their dense foliage blocking sunlight. The servants moved like lifeless shadows, and the dark wooden gates exuded gloom. The entire place felt more stifling than her own Kunning Palace. No wonder Prince Yan avoided coming here.
Who wouldn’t grow weary of such a dreary, incense-choked atmosphere?
"Mother Empress, please have some tea," the Princess Consort offered respectfully in the main hall, presenting a warm cup. Discover more novels at novel•fire.net
Though summer’s heat lingered, and an ice basin cooled the room, the Empress had little desire for hot tea. She took a perfunctory sip before remarking, "You’ve managed the household well while Yuan Jing recovers."
The Empress believed in praising merit as much as punishing faults.
The Princess Consort had arranged Prince Yan’s convalescence meticulously—even ordering guards to silence the cicadas so their noise wouldn’t disturb him. Such attention to detail was commendable.
The Princess Consort blinked, her nose tingling with suppressed emotion. It had been so long since she’d received praise from the Empress.
"Thank you for your kindness, Mother Empress," she replied, touched.
The Empress softened slightly. "As the lady of the house, you must not neglect your duties. If you continue to serve diligently, I will be pleased."
Then, shifting topics, she asked, "Autumn approaches, and the harvest is near. How fares the yield from Prince Yan's estates this year? Any pest infestations?"
The question caught the Princess Consort off guard.
Between her prayers and caring for her two sons, she had no time to oversee farmland or shops.
Stammering, she replied, "I... I’m not certain. If Mother Empress wishes to know, Steward Fugui could be summoned."
The Empress’s smile vanished.
Managing the household’s assets was a fundamental duty of the lady of the house. The Princess Consort’s blank expression revealed her utter ignorance of such matters.
And to delegate it all to a mere steward!
No matter how loyal Steward Fugui might be, he was still an outsider. Who could guarantee he wasn’t lining his own pockets?
The Empress suppressed a surge of anger. Though she longed to reprimand the Princess Consort, she held back—scolding her publicly in Kunyu Courtyard would only tarnish the mansion’s reputation.
"I shall visit Li Yao now. Do not follow," the Empress declared, rising with visible disappointment.
Flustered, the Princess Consort could only watch fearfully as the Empress departed. Tears welled in her eyes as the imperial procession faded from view.
The Empress’s moods were as unpredictable as the wind—one moment warm, the next cold. It was impossible to please her.
When the Empress arrived at Li Yao’s courtyard, a refreshing fragrance greeted her.
"Your grandchild greets the Imperial Grandmother!" Li Yao chirped, darting out happily at the sound of movement.
The little girl was sweet-natured and had a way with words, which endeared her to the Empress.
Noticing the flour dusting Li Yao's nose, the Empress chuckled and asked, "What have you been up to, Yao'er? Your face is as messy as a little kitten’s."