Consort Ru flitted out like a joyful little bird, fluttering her wings as she went.
"Your Majesty, this subject… this subject pays her respects to the Emperor."
She mimicked the etiquette of The Great Yan Dynasty, just like all the other consorts in the harem, hoping to show the Emperor a different side of herself.
Unexpectedly, the Emperor merely glanced at her indifferently and asked in a perfunctory tone, "Rise. Are you accustomed to life in the palace?"
Consort Ru nodded. "This subject is overjoyed to be so close to the Emperor for the first time. There is nothing I am not accustomed to."
The Emperor nodded and moved to pass her by. Consort Ru followed. "Your Majesty, aren't you here to see this subject? Where are you going?"
Wang Dequan turned and raised his hand to stop her. "Your Highness Consort Ru, the Emperor is going to visit the second princess. Please return."
Consort Ru thought that after visiting the second princess, the Emperor would surely come to see her. With a heart full of anticipation, she ran off again.
She wanted to hurry back and instruct her servants to prepare fine wine and delicacies. Today, she was determined to present herself to the Emperor.
"Princess, this fabric is so beautiful. The servant heard that Ronghua Xueguang brocade is very rare and only available in the Imperial Noble Consort's chambers."
The second princess sat at the head of the room, glancing at the maidservant who was full of admiration. She took a sip of fragrant tea before saying, "Do you like it?"
The maidservant quickly replied, "The servant dares not. This is a gift from the Imperial Noble Consort to Your Highness. The servant has shallow eyes and has never seen such fine things. It's really not…"
"If you like it, I'll give it to you."
"Ah?"
The maidservant was momentarily stunned but quickly fell to her knees with a thud upon understanding the second princess's words. "Your Highness, this is a gift from the Imperial Noble Consort to you. Only someone of your noble status can wear it. The servant… the servant…"
"Why can't a servant wear it?"
The second princess chuckled lightly. "Before the Imperial Noble Consort was favored by the Emperor, she was just a lowly noblewoman in Xihuo Palace, with a mother who was a dancer in Ruyang Prince's Residence. She was taken into the residence of Minister Jiang. Wasn't she a servant to her legitimate sisters at that time? It was only through the Emperor's favor that she rose from servant to master. Now, no one mentions her past status anymore. A few bolts of fabric are worth her 'bestowal' upon me? I find it fitting that such a gift is given to you, the servants."
Her mother was originally a legitimate daughter of the Mansion of the Duke of Cheng, and her maternal grandfather was a first-rank duke. As long as the Mansion of the Duke of Cheng remained standing, she would have a strong backing in the future.
But Jiang Xinyue destroyed all of that.
She disregarded the past kindness shown to her and the camaraderie they once shared, intent on driving her mother to her death, even targeting the Mansion of the Duke of Cheng.
Yes!
Her mother had made mistakes, but why did everyone think she deserved to die, with no chance for redemption?
The third prince was confused and had voluntarily entered the Ancestral Temple, leaving her alone in the deep palace with no one to confide in.
Her hatred only grew deeper.
The old nanny by the second princess's side also chuckled. "The princess speaks truly. When it comes to birthright, Your Highness is the one who is truly noble. She, born of a servant, what right does she have to bestow anything upon you? It's all because of the Emperor, but who is the Emperor? He is your father. She is not worthy of even saying the word 'bestow' to you."
"Is this how you think of the Imperial Noble Consort?"
From the open lattice door, the Emperor's figure suddenly appeared, his face dark. "The Imperial Noble Consort's intentions were good, yet you not only fail to be grateful but even a mere servant dares to speak ill of her status. Shen Mingzhu, have you learned the rules of the palace into a dog's belly?"
The second princess was shocked to realize her disparaging words about Jiang Xinyue had been overheard by the Emperor. She stood up from her chair and knelt down, tears blurring her vision.
"Then tell me, Father, how should I face my mother's murderer?"
She used her tears to counter the Emperor's anger. "I have grown to be over ten years old, not in vain. You, Father, are busy with state affairs and have no time for me and my brother. It was Mother who raised us, nurturing us into adulthood. Whether she was extremely wicked or utterly evil, she was my mother! The mother who raised me since I was a child! My brother and I trusted Lady Jiang so much. Why was it her? Why was it her?"
It was she who disrupted the balance of the harem, taking away the favor that rightfully belonged to her mother, forcing her to curry favor with Jiang Xinyue to gain the Emperor's affection.
The Xuanwu Emperor listened to her desperate cries, feeling even more that Consort De deserved her fate.
If not for her insatiable greed, the second princess and the third prince would not be in this situation.
"That was all your mother's own doing. It's not the fault of others."
The Emperor's gaze was clear as he looked at the second princess. "Your mother faked her death and still tried to ambush the Imperial Noble Consort, wanting to kill her. In the end, she was killed by the mad Consort Xiao. You blame this on the Imperial Noble Consort? I truly didn't expect that. Do you think your mother wasn't guilty unless the Imperial Noble Consort dies?"
No matter what the Emperor said, the second princess always believed that her mother did not deserve to die, that it was all Jiang Xinyue's scheme.
But in front of the Emperor, she couldn't show it. She could only cry and feign weakness. "Father, I don't want to… I don't want to, but whenever I think of Mother's death and Lady Jiang's involvement, I can't help but hate. I… I'm so sad."
The Emperor had few children left, and he genuinely loved each of the ones he had.
If it weren't for these children, Consort De would have been deposed long ago, not dragged out until she made a move on Jiang Xinyue.
The second princess wept bitterly, and the Emperor felt pity but still retained some reason. "Those with narrow minds always blame others for their mistakes. Mingzhu… you should learn from your Eldest Sister."
The second princess bit her lip. "Mingzhu… Mingzhu understands. I'm sorry, Father. I know I was wrong. I will never speak ill of Lady Jiang again."
The Emperor nodded. "If you can change, that would be best."
If she couldn't change, well, a princess who reaches a certain age without marrying will be sent out of the palace to establish her own residence.
Then he wouldn't have to see her, and she and Jiang Xinyue wouldn't cross paths anymore.
The second princess lowered her head. "Father, I wish to go on a scholarly journey. Please grant me your permission."
She looked down. "My narrow-mindedness stems from my limited experiences within the palace. I wish to go out and see the world, to broaden my mind. May I?"
Locked in this palace, it would always be the Imperial Noble Consort's domain, and no one could outmatch her.
Her world should be outside the palace.
Jiang Xinyue's influence couldn't extend outside the palace.
She couldn't break through from within; she had to encircle from without.
"This old nanny can no longer remain by your side."
The Emperor signaled Tang Shiliang to take the woman away. "I will send you a head nanny later. You are a young lady of over ten years now. Do not let a servant lead you by the nose."
