Consort De and Lady Xiahou, together, instructed Lady Jia Zhen to lead the way to Fengyi Palace to apologize to Empress Zhu.
However, they found that she was not there.
The female officials at Fengyi Palace politely informed them that Empress Zhu had gone to Hanyuan Hall.
Hanyuan Hall did not belong to the inner palace but was part of the front court.
According to the court’s regulations, consorts were not allowed to go there without an imperial edict.
The only one who could go unannounced was the Empress.
There had never been a precedent of Empress Zhu taking the initiative to visit the front court.
This time, she was actively going to see the Emperor, most likely because of the rumors circulating in the harem.
Lady Jia Zhen immediately understood Empress Zhu’s intentions and sighed inwardly.
She had been by the Empress Dowager’s side since childhood and had personally witnessed when the then Empress Dowager issued the edict appointing the granddaughter of Duke
Dingguo Zhu, as the Empress.
She was well aware that Empress Zhu’s significance to the imperial family and the Emperor extended beyond the title of Empress.
It was precisely because Empress Zhu understood her own importance that she refused to bow and accommodate others.
When Consort De first showed signs of arrogance, Empress Zhu could have suppressed her.
But she chose not to.
Instead, she observed quietly, waiting until Consort De became overconfident and made a grave mistake—only to deliver a punishment she would never forget.
Empress Zhu knew that the Emperor favored Consort De, but she still refused to compromise.
To be fair, Lady Jia Zhen believed that Empress Zhu had no obligation to indulge Consort De.
As she had previously stated, she was Consort De’s superior, not her mother.
Why should she be responsible for guiding her in every little matter?
She owed her nothing.
Sisterhood?
Both of them were among the Four Consorts, yet why did Consort Xian get along well with Empress Zhu?
In private, Empress Zhu would even respectfully address her as “Lady Liu.”
This was the difference in their approach to life.
Lady Jia Zhen understood Empress Zhu’s temperament well.
Even though this matter stemmed from rumors and both the Emperor and Empress knew Consort De had not started them, her character made it impossible for them to simply brush the matter aside.
Because they both knew—Consort De was not intelligent.
She often acted without considering the political consequences.
If she were ever granted great power, she might actually do what was being rumored.
The Emperor needed to reassure Empress Zhu.
And Empress Zhu needed the Emperor’s promise to maintain her confidence in the future.
What would that promise be?
Lady Jia Zhen ‘s mind flashed to the young and tender face of the Emperor’s eldest son.
Before she had left, he had gazed at her with such intensity that she could sense a silent plea in his eyes.
She sighed inwardly, unnoticed.
Consort De, however, remained oblivious.
She had come to apologize to Empress Zhu, only to find that the Empress had gone to Hanyuan Hall, leaving her feeling uneasy.
Consort De tentatively asked Lady Jia Zhen, “Should I send someone to relay a message and apologize to His Majesty and Her Majesty at Hanyuan Hall?”
Lady Jia Zhen gently shook her head.
“Your Highness, do not escalate the situation unnecessarily.”
She patiently explained, “Since the rumor started within the harem, it remains an internal matter of the harem. As a consort, you only need to apologize to the Empress, the mistress of the harem.
If you take this to Hanyuan Hall, you will involve the front court, and that is an entirely different matter.”
She continued, “Moreover, the Empress, as the head of the six palaces, has the right to discuss harem affairs with the Emperor. But as a consort, in what capacity would you speak to His Majesty about this?”
Lady Jia Zhen warned, “Do not overstep your bounds.”
Consort De finally understood and, looking uneasy, asked, “Should we continue waiting here?”
Lady Jia Zhen noticed the thin sheen of sweat forming on Consort De’s forehead.
She remembered that it was only her second day after childbirth, and she couldn’t help but feel a bit sympathetic.
“Alright,” she nodded, “let’s wait here for Her Majesty’s return.”
The female officials at Fengyi Palace invited Consort De to wait inside the hall.
“Your Highness has just given birth, and your body is still weak. The wind and sun here may not be good for you.”
Consort De, however, had enough sense not to overstep her status.
She firmly refused several times, unwilling to act disrespectfully.
Seeing this, the female officials brought out a cushioned seat and invited her to sit.
Only after Lady Jia Zhen gave her a slight nod did Consort De take the seat.
While Consort De sat, Lady Jia Zhen stood beside her, accompanied by the palace attendants.
Not long after, a servant brought out a brazier and nourishing soup.
As Lady Jia Zhen observed all this, she felt overwhelmed with emotion.
Looking at Consort De—clueless, still filled with fear and anxiety—she couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
No wonder the Emperor was uneasy.
He had insisted that she stay by Consort De’s side.
Though Empress Zhu was only a few years older than Consort De, she was far more mature in handling affairs.
Just looking at how the people around her conducted themselves was enough to see the difference.
As these thoughts crossed her mind, Lady Jia Zhen felt a sudden wave of exhaustion.
She couldn’t help but wonder—when would this kind of life finally come to an end?
Yet another day of wanting to run away…
Unexpectedly, Empress Zhu returned sooner than anticipated.
Consort De’s current state: behaving properly.
Before Lady Jia Zhen even had to remind her, Consort De heard the sound of the approaching imperial procession and immediately stood up.
She even took the initiative to step forward to greet Empress Zhu at the palace gates.
Lady Jia Zhen sighed inwardly—where was this obedience earlier?
She silently followed.
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