The Prime Minister's White Moonlight - Chapter 3
Chapter 3: Making Things Difficult
Arrival at the Palace of Glorious LightIt was midsummer, and Hanbi (Consort Cui) walked along the corridors flanking the vermilion palace walls. Huawu held an oiled paper umbrella for her, shielding her from most of the sun.
As they approached the Palace of Glorious Light, the chirping of cicadas came from the lush trees. Although servants had been ordered to catch the cicadas, they seemed endless.
Before entering, Huawu straightened Hanbi’s attire. “It is probably not for any good reason that Consort Shu summons you at this hour, Consort,” Huawu commented. Hanbi, however, was composed. “You must be cautious with your words outside. Have you forgotten what I taught you?”
Huawu immediately fell silent. Although Hanbi was favored now, unless she enjoyed Zhao Yan’s (the Emperor’s) special favor, her rank as Zhaoyi (Consort) did not entitle her to a sedan chair, which was why the two had to walk all the way to the Palace of Glorious Light.
Upon entering, the Palace of Glorious Light was resplendent with gold and jade, and all the furnishings were of the finest quality. A jade Guanyin statue, intricately carved and translucent, was placed in the center. It seemed that whether it was an act or not, Consort Shu was a believer in Buddhism.
Consort Shu sat in the main seat. Hanbi performed a respectful bow, and Huawu followed suit; there was no fault to be found in their manners.
Consort Shu smiled and said, “I thought it was time to meet Consort Cui, since you have been in the palace for a while now. I hope the Consort doesn’t mind being summoned?”
“Not at all. It is my honor to meet Your Ladyship Consort Shu,” Hanbi replied with a smile. Consort Shu ordered Jinxia to pour tea and then praised, “Seeing you today, I realize the Consort truly has skin like ice and bones like jade. It makes the rest of us look old and faded. It is understandable why His Majesty comes to see you.”
Hanbi immediately replied with feigned humility, “I am merely a plain beauty, Your Ladyship. How can I possibly compare to your noble and dignified status? His Majesty only summons me out of pity, Your Ladyship is the one closest to the Emperor’s heart.”
Consort Shu heard the subtle insinuation in the words and avoided the topic, changing the subject instead. “Look at me, I was so happy I forgot the main business. I heard that the Consort used to pray for the nation in a temple, so you must be a devout Buddhist. The Ullambana Festival (Ghost Festival) is approaching, and we need some handwritten Buddhist scriptures in the Precious Splendor Hall to show our sincerity and pray for blessings. I wonder if the Consort is willing to help?”
Hanbi looked at the smiling Consort Shu and felt that this person was truly a snake in the grass. With the pretext of “praying for the palace’s blessings” placed upon her, Hanbi would be giving Consort Shu an excuse to criticize her if she refused.
Moreover, she had long heard that while the Empress maintained her dignity, Consort Shu was extremely eager to gain the authority to manage the affairs of the six palaces (inner court administration). She was not someone Hanbi could afford to offend yet.
“I am naturally willing to share Your Ladyship’s burden,” Hanbi answered very meekly. Just then, Jinxia presented the tea. Consort Shu took a sip from the cup with the intertwining lotus pattern. “Then please begin the transcription today, Consort, as time is of the essence, isn’t it?”
Hanbi assented and retired with Huawu. Consort Shu was naturally very pleased. Jinxia then said, “Your Ladyship, this Consort Cui seems to have too soft a personality.”
Consort Shu was wearing a gold bracelet on her arm today. She stroked the inlaid gemstones and the vividly carved butterflies. “She does not have a powerful maternal family like the Empress, nor is she an old-timer in the palace like me. She can only endure this hardship.”
“Then, Your Ladyship, are you not afraid that Consort Cui will tell His Majesty?” Jinxia asked with some doubt. Consort Shu chuckled lightly, “This is a very small matter. If she tells His Majesty, the Emperor will not blame me because of her. After all, the offering of Buddhist scriptures happens every year.”
After seeing Hanbi, Consort Shu was already feeling tired. She yawned lightly and said, “I’ll take a nap first. Wake me up for dinner later.”
Jinxia retired upon hearing this, carefully closing the doors and windows to shut out the summer cicadas.
Hanbi’s Strategy
At the Palace of Shining Moon, Hanbi first took a bath, and then, with her hair loose, she let Huawu carefully wipe it dry with a silk cloth. Hanbi faced a folding screen embroidered with clusters of pomegranate flowers.
Hanbi’s fondness for pomegranates was no secret; everyone in the Palace of Shining Moon knew it. However, they all believed it was because of the fruit’s association with “many sons and many blessings” unaware of the deeper reason.
When her hair was mostly dry, Hanbi ordered Huawu and Ningzhi to fetch brushes, ink, paper, and an inkstone. Hanbi then began transcribing the Buddhist scriptures at her writing desk in the Palace of Shining Moon.
Her handwriting was very delicate and neat; every stroke was meticulous. Huawu and Ningzhi waited outside the hall, afraid of disturbing her, ready for her summons. The desk faced the window, where the pomegranate blossoms glowed like fire. Hanbi momentarily lifted her head, lost in thought, and a drop of dark ink fell onto the paper, spreading into a large blot. She sighed, knowing this sheet could not be used.
The pomegranate flowers were still blazing like fire, and a figure in white robes, passing through them, was particularly striking.
Shen Zhuo (沈琢) looked at the inner court attendant Ji Yi leading the way. They were about to pass through the area near the Palace of Shining Moon with the pomegranate flowers. However, to Shen Zhuo, the pomegranate flowers swaying in the wind seemed like someone’s bl00d and tears.
Ji Yi noticed Shen Zhuo pausing, seemingly looking at the flowers, and explained, “I heard that Consort Cui likes these pomegranate flowers, so His Majesty specifically ordered them to be transplanted here from the Imperial Park.”
Shen Zhuo said nothing further. After passing through the vast expanse of pomegranate flowers and then the Supreme Elixir Pond, they arrived at the Palace of Purple Zenith.
When Shen Zhuo slowly entered the hall, the incense burner was burning ruilongnao (a high-grade incense). The Emperor was poring over memorials, and only upon seeing him did he put down his vermilion brush and say, “Minister Shen has arrived?”
Shen Zhuo quickly bowed, “Greetings to Your Majesty.” The current Emperor, Zhao Yan, was quite young, dressed in a bright yellow everyday robe, and possessed considerable authority. His features somewhat resembled those of the late Emperor, but for some reason, Shen Zhuo felt this Emperor was completely different from his predecessor, who advocated for ruling through minimal intervention.
“Minister Shen, you don’t need to be so formal,” Zhao Yan said gently. “If we are to be precise, this is our first formal meeting.”
Shen Zhuo had heard of the late Emperor’s passing while serving as the military governor of Liuzhou, and only later was he recalled to the capital. He knew the Emperor would not recall him without reason, but he was temporarily unsure of the deeper meaning.
Zhao Yan continued, “I will not keep you in suspense. To be honest, I want to appoint Minister Shen to preside over this year’s Autumn Examinations.”
Although the Imperial Examinations were now open, it had only been a short time, and many court official positions were still controlled by aristocratic families. The Shen family was one such family, but they never took sides, maintaining a distant but not too distant relationship with the Grand Commandant. The Emperor was likely choosing Shen Zhuo for this very reason. Shen Zhuo understood this in his heart.
Shen Zhuo slightly cupped his hands and said, “By Your Majesty’s command, your subject shall obey.” Seeing his ready compliance, Zhao Yan felt relieved. After all, the Autumn Examinations were a major event. He was concerned that if Shen Zhuo was unwilling to offend the aristocratic families and pleaded illness to refuse, he would have to find another candidate.
Having settled this matter, Zhao Yan felt much lighter. He was young, and most people in court followed the Grand Commandant’s advice. After ascending the throne, he followed the Grand Commandant’s suggestion and made Ning Changyi the Empress. Although they maintained a respectable facade, their relationship was always lukewarm.
As for the Grand Commandant, he personally assisted the late Emperor then Prince of Qin in ascending the throne, even marrying his sister to the late Emperor, who was not highly regarded at the time. Relying on this favor, the Lu family, backed by the Grand Commandant, was immensely powerful.
Therefore, there was naturally no dissent for the Grand Commandant presiding over court affairs. But how could the young new Emperor tolerate it? At that time, some even privately said that people only knew the Grand Commandant, not the new Emperor. Although the Grand Commandant quickly dealt with that person, the words reached Zhao Yan’s ears, leaving him with a thorn in his side.
The Emperor’s Visit
After discussing state affairs, the atmosphere relaxed. Zhao Yan chatted with Shen Zhuo about Liuzhou and political matters for a while, and then Shen Zhuo withdrew from the Palace of Purple Zenith.
This time, he did not allow Ji Yi, the attendant by Zhao Yan’s side, to escort him. Instead, he strolled along the small paths within the palace. When he passed the fiery pomegranate flowers outside the Palace of Shining Moon again, Shen Zhuo merely paused for a moment. He ultimately plucked one of the flowers and placed it in his bosom.
“His Majesty summoned Minister Shen to discuss state affairs and dismissed all the serving staff. What they talked about is only known to the two of them,” Huawu said, looking at Hanbi, who was concentrating on transcribing the Buddhist scriptures at the desk.
Hanbi only replied faintly, “Understood.” Huawu then withdrew. Hanbi had been transcribing Buddhist scriptures for the past few days, and Zhao Yan had not come to see her, likely due to his busy state affairs.
Thinking of this, Hanbi smiled lightly. It seemed she would still have to approach the matter through Shen Zhuo. But before that, she first needed to resolve the issue with Consort Shu.
That evening, Zhao Yan did come to the Palace of Shining Moon to see Hanbi and had dinner with her. At the table, however, Zhao Yan noticed that Hanbi’s hand holding the chopsticks was unsteady and slightly trembling.
Zhao Yan was naturally not a foolish man to be Emperor. He immediately asked Hanbi, “What is the matter?” Hanbi replied, “To answer Your Majesty, I have merely been writing a bit more these past few days.”
He knew very well that Hanbi usually enjoyed poetry and painting, but Huawu couldn’t help but interject, “The Consort has been hand-copying Buddhist scriptures every day this past week. Her hands are shaking badly by the evening, and she wouldn’t let your servant help her with serving food a few days ago.”
Huawu was sent by the Emperor, so her words were more trustworthy than an ordinary maid’s. Of course, she was also genuinely fond of Hanbi. Although Consort Shu’s method was not directly punishable, it was indeed tormenting.
“That’s enough, you mustn’t say more!” Hanbi scolded. She then explained to Zhao Yan, “Consort Shu’s order is also for the sake of praying for blessings for the palace. Your subject naturally dares not have the slightest complaint. It would be best if Your Majesty does not blame Consort Shu.”
Hanbi was confident that this display of being understanding would earn Zhao Yan’s favor. She understood him too well: Zhao Yan most liked gentle, considerate, and reasonable consorts. The Empress was proud and unwilling to lower her status, coupled with the Grand Commandant’s factor, it was no wonder the relationship between the Emperor and Empress was consistently lukewarm.
Indeed, Zhao Yan spoke, “You are the most understanding. However, this task given to you alone by Consort Shu is indeed somewhat heavy. You should rest for a few days, and I will speak to Consort Shu about it.”
Hanbi replied gracefully, “Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty. But please do not be too harsh in reprimanding Consort Shu, or it would be my fault if I hurt her feelings.”
Sure enough, this “innocent white flower” demeanor earned her a few more points of pity and affection from Zhao Yan. “Alright, I promise you.” After dinner, they had not seen each other for many days, and naturally, they shared intimacy that night. When Hanbi awoke the next day, Zhao Yan had already gone to court.
Hanbi thought for a moment, then had Ningzhi help her with her makeup and proceeded to the Hall of Supreme Zenith to pay her respects.
The Empress sat upon the phoenix throne. Taozhi came to report, “Your Ladyship, Consort Cui has arrived.” The Empress was somewhat surprised and put down the almond tea in her cup, “Oh, why has she come?”
Except for the time when Hanbi was first conferred the title of Consort Cui, requiring her to pay respects to the Empress, she rarely came to the Hall of Supreme Zenith.
The Empress looked at the frail-looking Consort Cui, who entered the hall. She saw her gracefully bow and say, “Your subject greets Your Ladyship the Empress.” Ning Changyi maintained the composure of an Empress, speaking with a look of dignified luxury, “Dispense with the formalities.”
Hanbi slowly stood up and sat on a nearby chair carved with peonies. She then said, “I have come to pay my respects to Your Ladyship today, and also to ask for your guidance on a certain matter.”
Did she guess that I asked Consort Shu to make things difficult for her? Ning Changyi wondered inwardly. However, she still maintained an imperturbable demeanor.