And she would play weak for as long as needed—until the time was right to strike.
Jiang Yunyao sat by the low table near the window, dressed in a robe of pale celadon silk embroidered with delicate magnolia flowers. The soft folds of the garment glimmered faintly under the morning light. Her long sleeves, edged in silver thread, draped elegantly over her wrists as she clumsily held a brush above rice paper. Her hair was drawn up in a simple yet graceful coil, secured with a single white jade hairpin, a sign of both restraint and elegance. Yuheng stood nearby, watching over her mistress's progress, while Shiyi carefully fanned the nearby incense burner.
The calligraphy on the table, however, was a sorry sight—characters crooked, some strokes too light, others ink-blotted with hesitation.
Just then, footsteps approached. Imperial Noble Consort Xi entered the courtyard, her attire arresting in contrast to Jiang Yunyao's subdued elegance. She wore a long robe of soft orchid purple layered over a silk underdress of ice blue, both trimmed with cloud-patterned embroidery in platinum thread. Her waist was cinched with a pale gold sash, and her hair was done in a grand palace bun adorned with twin phoenix hairpins inlaid with pearl and tourmaline. Her presence brightened the room.
Jiang Yunyao looked up, startled, nearly dropping her brush.
"Your Highness!" she exclaimed, then hurriedly rose to pay her respects.
But Imperial Noble Consort Xi quickly stepped forward. "No need for ceremony between us," she said with a smile, gently reaching out to steady Jiang Yunyao's arm. "This Palace heard you were feeling better and couldn't wait another day to see for myself."
Jiang Yunyao's eyes lit up. "It gladdens this Concubine to see Your Highness. I do feel better. Thank you for your concern."
Imperial Noble Concubine Xi stepped closer, glancing at the messy sheet of calligraphy on the table and laughed softly. "It seems your recovery is going well… except perhaps your brush technique."
Jiang Yunyao flushed, feigning embarrassment. "This Concubine was only passing time… I know it's atrocious."
Yuheng smirked. "Atrocious is putting it kindly."
Shiyi giggled from behind her fan.
Imperial Noble Consort Xi chuckled. "Do you enjoy calligraphy, even if it doesn't quite return the favor?"
Jiang Yunyao's eyes brightened at the question. "Yes! This Concubine loves calligraphy, but never been good at it. Unlike Qingxin …"
"Qingxin?" Imperial Noble Consort Xi tilted her head. "Who's Qingxin?"
"This Concubine's childhood friend," Jiang Yunyao replied, her tone warm with nostalgia. "We grew up together. She was always so skilled. We used to practice calligraphy side by side."
Yuheng added with a sly grin, "So close they used to sneak out in the middle of the night just to meet. One time, the guards caught them climbing a wall."
Imperial Noble Consort Xi burst out laughing. "Truly? Yunyao, I can hardly imagine you climbing anything."
Jiang Yunyao smiled wistfully, then slowly turned her eyes back to the half-written scroll. "She always said this Concubine's characters looked like frightened worms."
Imperial Noble Concubine Xi leaned in slightly, observing Jiang Yunyao's face shift from fondness to a quiet melancholy.
"You miss her," Imperial Noble Consort Xi said softly after some time.
Jiang Yunyao hesitated, her fingers curling around the edge of her sleeve. "Yes. When this Concubine picks up the brush, I remember those afternoons we spent under the pine tree, copying poems… arguing about strokes… She was always so confident."
There was a silence.
Imperial Noble Consort Xi's voice dropped a little. "If you truly wish to see her, this Palace could perhaps make arrangements. Quietly. A visit, maybe."
Jiang Yunyao looked startled, then touched by the offer. But after a pause, her gaze dimmed and her smile faded slightly. "It's not possible anymore. By now, she would already be married."
"A pity," Imperial Noble Consort Xi said sincerely. "She sounds… like someone precious."
Jiang Yinyao nodded slowly. "It would've been nice if Qingxin entered the palace with me."
Imperial Noble Consort Xi blinked. "Qingxin didn't participate in the palace draft?"
Jiang Yunyao shook her head. "No. Though she wanted to. Her father even intended to send her when she came of age. But then, her grandmother revealed that her late grandfather had already arranged a marriage for her when she was just a child because he loved her very much and he was too worried about Qingxin. Qingxin was the only girl in her family and she was cherished by everyone, especially her grandfather. Agreements had been made with the groom's family, and there was no way to break it. Her father respected his elders, so he had no choice but to honor the arrangement."
Imperial Noble Consort Xi's brow furrowed subtly.
Jiang Yunyao continued, her voice soft and slow, as if reliving the disappointment. "Qingxin's father couldn't go against her grandfather's wishes. The marriage proceeded. She married someone else."
As Jiang Yunyao spoke, she subtly observed Imperial Noble Consort Xi's shifting expression—curiosity turning into realization, then tightening into a faint frown, as though something had clicked within her mind.
Imperial Noble Consort Xi murmured, "That sounds… familiar."
When Jiang Yunyao seemed on the verge of tears, Imperial Noble Consort Xi reached out gently and said, "She must have been very dear to you."
"She was," Jiang Yunyao whispered. "But such is fate. We follow the paths our elders laid before us."
Imperial Noble Consort Xi gave a faint, distracted nod, her thoughts clearly elsewhere now.
Jiang Yunyao pretended not to notice. "This Concubine sometimes wonder if Qingxin's fate might've been different, had her grandfather lived longer. But then again… perhaps not. Some ties are best left as they were meant to be. After all, no one would dare dishonor the wishes of someone so respected, would they?"
Imperial Noble Consort Xi reached out and gently clasped Jiang Yunyao's hand. "You are right. No one would do that."
But her voice was distant. Her eyes seemed to focus on something else—something deeper and unresolved.
Jiang Yunyao smiled faintly, eyes still misty. "Thank you, Your Highness for listening to this Concubine."
Imperial Noble Consort Xi stood, almost abruptly. "You should rest more. I'll visit again soon."
"So soon?" Jiang Yunyao asked, trying to keep her tone light. "Stay a little longer please."
"This Palace has to take care of something," Imperial Noble Consort Xi said in a hurried tone. "Take care, Yunyao."
As soon as Imperial Noble Consort Xi stepped out, with Shiyi sending her off, Jiang Yunyao's expression shifted into a knowing, delicate smile. Her sadness vanished like morning mist. Yuheng stepped forward and removed the blotched calligraphy paper.
She laid down a fresh sheet. Jiang Yunyao picked up her brush.
The characters that now flowed onto the page were graceful, balanced, alive with rhythm and form. It was as if an entirely different hand was at work.
In Shoukang Palace, the Empress Dowager lounged on her daybed, her thick black hair cascading over her shoulders as Zisu carefully massaged her scalp. She wore a deep red robe trimmed with sable and gold dragons embroidered across the hem. A second maid stood fanning a small brazier, the scent of sandalwood curling through the air.
"This Dowager heard the Ministry is again pressing for the princess's marriage," the Empress Dowager said, her tone sharp.
"They are, Your Highness," the maid replied gently. "The emperor remains undecided, however."
The Empress Dowager scoffed. "He wavers too much. If he delays any longer, others will begin arranging matches on his behalf."
A eunuch entered and bowed. "Your Majesty, Imperial Noble Consort Xi requests an audience."
The Empress Dowager looked surprised. "Let her in."
Imperial Noble Consort Xi entered, elegant and composed. She greeted with a full bow. "Your Highness."
"Rise," the Empress Dowager said. "You rarely visit uninvited. What brings you today?"
Imperial Noble Consort Xi smiled. "This Concubine heard Your Highness was unwell recently and wished to pay my respects."
The Empress Dowager gave her a long look, then nodded. "Sit. This old body is always ailing these days. If not the bones, then the heart."
Imperial Noble Consort Xi wanted to roll her eyes. What old body? The Empress Dowager wasn't even fifty yet!
But, she would never show any of it in her face. "This Concubine hopes the aches are not too troubling," Xi said gently, seating herself.
The Empress Dowager sighed. "Everything is troubling this Dowager these days. Especially talk of the princess."
Imperial Noble Consort Xi nodded slowly. "It is difficult… to speak of her without stirring strong feelings."
The Empress Dowager's gaze darkened. "You've come to speak about her too?"
Imperial Noble Consort Xi did not flinch. "Your Majesty, a few days ago you said you didn't wish to part with the princess. Do you still feel the same?"
"Of course this Dowager does," the Empress Dowager said immediately, her voice shaking. "Why wouldn't this Dowager? Just the thought of marrying her off makes this Dowager's chest tighten. This Dowager has already told His Majesty—such a thing will not be allowed!"
She rose, agitated.
Imperial Noble Consort Xi quickly stood. "Please, Your Majesty! This Concubine thinks you misunderstood me. This Concubine is not here on His Majesty's behalf."
The Empress Dowager paused.
"This Concubine agree with Your Majesty," Imperial Noble Consort Xi said quietly.
The Empress Dowager turned, surprised. "You… do?"
Imperial Noble Consort Xi gently helped her back onto her seat. "Please sit, Your Majesty."
Once the Empress Dowager was settled, Imperial Noble Consort Xi spoke again. "His Majesty is Your Majesty's son. You cannot bear to displease him. But at the same time, you cannot bear to part with the princess. It is not only your struggle. His Majesty too suffers the same."
The Empress Dowager's shoulders slumped. "He always says he wants to do what's best for everyone. But what is that, truly?"
Imperial Noble Consort Xi's voice was soft but steady. "Perhaps the best path… is one that has already been laid. Perhaps the late emperor, in his wisdom, arranged something for the princess long ago."
The Empress Dowager blinked. "You suggest…?"
Imperial Noble Consort Xi nodded. "It is only a thought. A possibility. But it would solve many problems."
The Empress Dowager's eyes narrowed with interest. "Where did this thought come from?"
"From Noble Lady Hai," Imperial Noble Consort Xi replied. "She said something… that gave this Concubine an idea."
And Imperial Noble Consort Xi recounted everything Jiang had said, word for word.
When she finished, the Empress Dowager fell into a thoughtful silence.
"This Concubine has said what she came to say," Imperial Noble Consort Xi said. "This Concubine dares not disturb Your Majesty further."
As she left, the Empress Dowager remained lost in thought.
Zisu spoke up after a moment of hesitation. "It's strange, Your Majesty… to speak such words, and to the one consort who dares speak freely with you. Do you think Noble Lady Hai meant it as a suggestion?"
The Empress Dowager smiled slowly. "Intentional or not, it gave this Dowager what I needed. That alone deserves a reward."
"What shall we do, Your Majesty?"
"It's almost the New Year. Remind the emperor that Noble Lady Hai was framed and nearly died. Shouldn't she be compensated for her suffering?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"And," the Empress Dowager added, sipping her tea, "look into young men of good standing. The princess deserves someone worthy. We must act soon."
"As you command."
Then Zisu left.
The Empress Dowager looked toward the window and murmured, "With a woman like her in the inner palace, the empress's good days are numbered. A very good show… is about to begin."