The Prime Minister's White Moonlight - Chapter 2
Chapter 2: Egg On
The Grand Commandant’s Refusal
Taozhi was somewhat dazed upon leaving the Grand Commandant’s Residence. Out of respect for the Empress, the Grand Commandant did grant Taozhi an audience. However, after reading the letter, he pondered for a moment before stating, “I have understood the Empress’s intention. But you go back and tell her that I cannot interfere in the affairs of the inner palace.”
The Empress was the Grand Commandant’s niece; otherwise, the Grand Commandant would not have supported her ascent to the position of Empress. Yet, this Empress was truly shortsighted. As a subject, what honor was there in interfering with inner palace matters? Ultimately, the Empress lacked the means to deal with Consort Cui.
Taozhi dared not say anything further. The Grand Commandant now held an extremely high position, and his words in court carried more weight than the Emperor’s. After Taozhi left, the Grand Commandant sighed, “I wonder if making Changyi the Empress that day was the right decision.” Just then, the Grand Commandant’s wife, Lady Ning, brought in a bowl of soup. Hearing his words, Lady Ning said, “I advised the family long ago that Changyi’s nature was spoiled. How could she be fit to be Empress?”
It was true that the Ning family, being the Empress’s maternal family, was currently quite illustrious. The Empress had once been solely focused on dealing with Consort Shu, and now that there was Consort Cui, who enjoyed even greater favor, she was equally obsessed with dealing with her, which was truly lacking in decorum.
Seeing the Grand Commandant looking worried, Lady Ning consoled him, “Let her go her way. She’ll be fine once she’s suffered a bit. As long as the Lu family and the Ning family do not fall, nothing major can happen.” The Grand Commandant picked up the soup on the table and drank a mouthful. Lady Ning then helped him relax by smoothing his clothes and said, “Oh, right, Changxue has returned to the Ning family.”
The Grand Commandant’s expression remained unchanged upon hearing this, “That’s fine.” He did not wish to concern himself with the affairs of the younger generation. Lady Ning sighed, “Changxue is also unfortunate. Such a good husband suddenly passed away. I will go back to see her in a few days.”
Ning Changxue and the Empress were full sisters. The Ning family had originally chosen an excellent marriage for her; the family status was suitable, and the husband’s character was reliable. However, he passed away in just one year. Ning Changxue had no choice but to return to the Ning family. Marriage was no longer a subject for discussion; she would likely remain in the Ning family for life.
The Empress’s Scheme
In the Hall of Supreme Zenith, the Empress sat upon the phoenix throne. Taozhi knelt on the blue brick floor, timidly reporting, “The Grand Commandant read the letter and said that this is a matter of the inner palace, and he cannot interfere himself.”
The Empress’s face changed at the news; even her uncle wouldn’t help her. However, having previously suffered some setbacks from Consort Shu, she knew she couldn’t be the one to confront this Cui Hanbi. Suddenly, she thought of a brilliant candidate, and a smile appeared on her lips.
“Taozhi, send someone to ask Consort Shu to come over tomorrow,” the Empress commanded. But Consort Shu was accustomed to being arrogant; how would she agree to come? Taozhi, kneeling on the ground, didn’t quite understand. Yet, she dared not comment on the Empress’s decision, only bowing her head and assenting.
Consort Shu’s Assessment
In the Palace of Glorious Light, Consort Shu had finished lunch and was lying somewhat languidly on the couch, closing her eyes in a light nap. She then heard Jinxia by her side report, “Your Ladyship, Taozhi from the Empress’s side has arrived.” Consort Shu opened her eyes. “What does she want?” Consort Shu asked lazily.
Consort Shu initially wanted to send someone to dismiss her, but upon reflection that the Empress never acted without a purpose, she told Jinxia, “Invite the person in.” Jinxia accepted the order and left.
Consort Shu adjusted the slightly wrinkled gown on the couch. Taozhi then entered the hall. “Greetings to Consort Shu.” Although Taozhi served the Empress, she still had to perform the ritual bow to Consort Shu.
“Rise,” the voice carried the languor of just waking up. Taozhi secretly glanced at Consort Shu eyebrows like distant mountains, eyes containing autumn water truly deserving of the title of the palace’s number one beauty.
Consort Shu toyed with the jadeite bracelet on her wrist and spoke with her red lips, “Speak, why has the Empress sent you?” Maintaining her usual lazy attitude, Taozhi knew that this person held no one in her eyes but the Emperor, so she merely performed her duty of relaying the message.
“The Empress commands Consort Shu to proceed to the Hall of Supreme Zenith tomorrow,” Taozhi said, neither servile nor overbearing. Consort Shu continued to fiddle with the bracelet, seemingly lacking interest, “Understood. You may leave.”
Taozhi then withdrew. Once the person was far away, Jinxia said to Consort Shu, “Your Ladyship, the Empress is likely up to no good.” Consort Shu stopped turning the bracelet, commenting somewhat carelessly, “She’s probably getting anxious.”
“You mean?” Jinxia asked tentatively. Consort Shu chuckled lightly, “Hasn’t Consort Cui been extremely favored recently?” Jinxia realized something. This Empress naturally could not stand to see others favored.
“Your Ladyship, the Empress has created quite a few difficulties for you before; I’m afraid she is not trustworthy,” Jinxia advised. Consort Shu reached out to look at the red nail polish on her hand, “It’s fine. I, too, want to meet this Consort Cui and see what kind of person the Emperor favors so much.”
The Agreement
The next day, Consort Shu indeed went to the Hall of Supreme Zenith. However, even her arrival was highly ostentatious, leading her palace maids directly into the Hall of Supreme Zenith.
The Empress sat upon the phoenix throne, gripping the teacup tightly in her hand as she watched Consort Shu’s brazenness. Yet, this was ultimately not the right time to turn hostile, so she endured it, saying with a hint of irritation, “Sister, why have you arrived so late?”
Consort Shu replied quite casually, “I woke up a bit late. I hope Your Ladyship will forgive me.” Taozhi was about to interject with a reprimand but was restrained by the Empress’s hand gesture. “Sit down. Sister, why so formal? I know you are the least constrained person. As long as you came to show your sincerity, that is enough.”
“Speaking of which, this Consort Cui has not come to pay her respects these past few days. Truly ill-mannered,” the Empress mentioned, pretending it was accidental. Consort Shu thought to herself, She finally brought it up. But she still feigned surprise, “Is this Consort Cui truly so ignorant? Why doesn’t Your Ladyship teach her a lesson or two?”
The Empress sighed, “It’s not that easy. Consort Cui is now the Emperor’s new favorite. Even if she lacks manners, I cannot be the one to reprimand her.” Consort Shu then appropriately took the cue, “I am willing to share Your Ladyship’s burden and teach her what manners are.”
The Empress revealed a satisfied smile, yet still asked, “Will it be too much trouble for Sister?” Consort Shu knew the person intended to use her as a weapon, but this Consort Cui indeed needed to be put in her place, so she said, “It is my fortune to share Your Ladyship’s burden.”
Consort Shu’s Calculation
Upon exiting the Hall of Supreme Zenith, Jinxia said, “Your Ladyship, the Empress wants to use you as a knife. That Consort Cui is currently favored. She doesn’t want to move against her herself and invite criticism, so she’s having you wear Consort Cui down. If the Emperor finds out, he might shift his anger onto you.”
Consort Shu chuckled lightly, “Even you can see this logic; how could I not understand?” Jinxia then asked with some confusion, “Then why, Your Ladyship?” Consort Shu gazed thoughtfully at the lotus flowers on the lake. Everyone knew that the flowers in the Hall of Supreme Zenith were the finest, surpassing even those in the Palace of Glorious Light. “I merely intend to invite Consort Cui to discuss Buddhist principles and transcribe some scriptures. How can teaching her manners be considered harassment?” Consort Shu said lazily.
Jinxia felt reassured upon hearing this, “That’s true, this certainly cannot be considered harassment. It’s just that this Empress is truly insidious.” Consort Shu chuckled lightly, “With her, being overly clever often leads to self-defeat.” She then quickly left the Hall of Supreme Zenith with Jinxia. However, Consort Shu thought to herself, one day she would enter this Hall of Supreme Zenith and take her place.