Chapter Thirty: Managing the Six Palaces

Xiao Ceyun spoke up abruptly: "Noble Consort Sheng, you need not decline any longer! The banquet you hosted was truly exceptional. In my opinion, its quality was on par with the banquets the Empress used to prepare."

Wei Yanqiao was startled. She hurriedly rose to express her gratitude, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for such undeserved praise!"

"Rise," Xiao Ceyun said, turning his head back to continue chatting and laughing with the other officials.

*Wei Yanqiao thought to herself:* With Tang Yurong and Xiao Ceyun singing in harmony like this today, could they be plotting some new scheme against me in the shadows?

As the banquet concluded and the guests dispersed, Wei Yanqiao prepared to return to her own palace.

"Noble Consort Sheng."

Hearing her name, Wei Yanqiao turned around abruptly to see Tang Yurong walking gracefully toward her. She bowed respectfully, "May the Empress be blessed with good health."

A faint smile remained on Tang Yurong’s face as she asked softly, "Noble Consort Sheng, do you remember what I told you earlier today?"

Wei Yanqiao was stunned by the question.

Seeing Wei Yanqiao looking dazed and pretending to be ignorant, Tang Yurong offered a reminder: "The Emperor praised you highly tonight. He has already stepped down from his high horse; this is the perfect opportunity for you to go and ask for the Emperor’s forgiveness."

A troubled expression appeared on Wei Yanqiao’s face. Wasn't Xiao Ceyun’s public praise merely a performance for the benefit of her father and brother?

Tang Yurong urged her again, "Go quickly, do not keep the Emperor waiting."

Without another word, Tang Yurong turned and departed.

Wei Yanqiao’s brows knit together tightly. If she reconciled with Xiao Ceyun now, wouldn't all her efforts over the past few days be in vain? But if she didn't go tonight, would it be considered defying the Empress’s decree?

Shuiyao looked anxiously at Wei Yanqiao, who was standing there in hesitation, and pleaded, "My Lady, the Empress is right! Besides, the Emperor was only acting out of a momentary temper. As long as you go to coax him and say a few sweet words, he will surely stop holding a grudge. Furthermore, he doesn't truly want to break things off with you. If he really stops caring about you, this palace will truly become a cold palace! For the past half-month, he has only been trying to scare you with those cold dishes; if you were truly cast into the cold palace, you wouldn't even have moldy leftovers to eat! My Lady, you must go and see the Emperor."

Despite Shuiyao’s earnest persuasion, Wei Yanqiao remained unmoved. With an expressionless face, she coldly uttered two words: "Return to the palace."

She wanted to see what kind of punishment she would face for defying the Empress’s command. In any case, she was absolutely not going to serve him in his bedchamber tonight.

Seeing this, Shuiyao was shocked and let out a gasp. She had fully expected Wei Yanqiao to follow her advice and meet the Emperor, and she never imagined such an outcome. She quickly hurried after Wei Yanqiao, who was already walking away, and asked urgently, "My Lady, have you really decided not to see the Emperor?"

Wei Yanqiao did not slow her pace, nor did she look back. She replied with firm conviction, "I am not going!"

Upon returning to her palace, Wei Yanqiao sat at the table and resumed copying the scriptures. She persisted until late at night. Firstly, she was putting on a show for Shuiyao so the girl would report to Xiao Ceyun how devoted she was to her Buddhist studies, as if she were completely lost in them. Secondly, she needed to carefully consider what to say when she went to pay her respects to Tang Yurong tomorrow.

The next morning happened to be the first day of the lunar month. According to palace rules, on the first and fifteenth of every month, all consorts were required to pay their respects to the Empress.

When Wei Yanqiao arrived at Tang Yurong’s palace, the other consorts had already gathered, waiting only for her.

As Wei Yanqiao entered the hall, the others rose to greet her in unison: "May Noble Consort Sheng be blessed with good health!" Wei Yanqiao responded with a gentle smile, "Please, sisters, rise." She then walked gracefully to Tang Yurong, curtsied deeply, and said respectfully, "This subject greets the Empress. May the Empress be blessed with good health."

"Rise, Noble Consort Sheng."

As Wei Yanqiao slowly stood up, Tang Yurong asked, "Noble Consort Sheng, where did you sleep last night?" Her tone seemed calm, but it held dissatisfaction regarding Wei Yanqiao’s failure to follow her instructions.

Wei Yanqiao lowered her head, looking like a child who had done something wrong, and replied softly, "In response to the Empress, this subject slept in her own palace last night." Her voice was so low that only she could hear it, as if she feared provoking the powerful Empress.

Tang Yurong heaved a heavy sigh and said with deep concern, "Noble Consort Sheng, what am I to do with you? The Emperor has given you so many opportunities and steps to take; if you would only lower your head and yield a little, you and the Emperor could be as you once were. Why must you be so stubborn and insist on defying him? If you continue to be so unappreciative, I fear you will truly break the Emperor’s heart. Once that happens, I fear you will lose his favor forever!"

Wei Yanqiao kept her head down and responded coolly, "This subject does not want his favor." She did not want his favor; she hoped no one would ever try to convince her to see Xiao Ceyun again, as she had no desire to go.

"What?" Tang Yurong was taken aback. She had assumed Wei Yanqiao was merely acting out of petty temper, intentionally shutting the Emperor out. She never expected such an outrageous statement. In this deep palace, which consort was not racking her brains to win the Emperor’s heart and favor? She had truly never met someone who did not want his grace.

At that moment, Xiao Ceyun arrived.

The Empress and the consorts bowed to him: "We greet the Emperor. May the Emperor be blessed with good health."

Xiao Ceyun walked straight toward the high seat without looking aside and sat down firmly. He waved his hand slightly and said in a flat tone, "Rise."

As everyone stood up, Wei Yanqiao stole a glance at Xiao Ceyun. To her surprise, he was staring directly at her. Their eyes met, and Wei Yanqiao felt a jolt of panic; like a startled deer, she quickly lowered her head again.

Xiao Ceyun took in all of her small gestures. Seeing her so cautious yet so stubborn, he found himself both annoyed and amused. With a slight curl of his lips, he asked, "Did the Noble Consort sleep well last night?"

Hearing the Emperor’s sudden question, Wei Yanqiao was stunned for a moment, but she quickly reacted, curtsying again and replying respectfully, "In response to the Emperor, this subject slept very well. Thank you for your concern." *He must have been waiting for me to go to him last night, and since I didn't, he is coming to cause trouble for me now?*

Xiao Ceyun scanned the room and said slowly, "The Empress’s health is not suitable for overexertion. Starting from today, the heavy responsibility of managing the six palaces shall be fully entrusted to Noble Consort Sheng."

This announcement was like a stone cast into a lake, creating a thousand ripples. The entire harem was shocked, and they cast looks of disbelief at Wei Yanqiao. Even Wei Yanqiao and Tang Yurong were left stunned.

The Emperor was not merely asking Wei Yanqiao to assist in managing the six palaces; he was handing the absolute power to her alone!

Cheng Yuanchun smiled to herself while keeping her head bowed. With Wei Yanqiao now holding the power over the six palaces, her ascent to the Empress’s throne was just a matter of time.

Wei Yanqiao hurriedly declined: "Your Majesty, this subject’s experience is shallow, and I am truly unable to bear such a heavy responsibility. I beg you to retract your command!" *Why is Xiao Ceyun suddenly giving me so much power? Is he trying to place me at the center of the storm and destroy me with excessive praise? Seeing that I have been living a life of abstinence and indifference these past few days, is he throwing such tempting power at me to lure me into a trap?*

"I feel that the banquet you hosted last night was excellent; every detail was arranged perfectly, and I am very satisfied. Therefore, I am confident in entrusting the management of the harem to you."

Wei Yanqiao looked troubled and turned to look at Tang Yurong beside her. Tang Yurong was also full of shock, clearly having been unaware of Xiao Ceyun’s decision; the two had not discussed this.

Tang Yurong steadied herself and hurriedly advised, "Your Majesty, the Noble Consort has not been in the palace for long and is not yet familiar with many of the palace affairs. If you abruptly hand over the entire management of the harem to her, I fear it will lead to much chaos."

*Xiao Ceyun’s sudden move... was the request for her to arrange the banquet a test of her attitude? Since I didn't say anything, did he simply take her power and give it to me?*

"It does not matter. If the Noble Consort has any questions, she can consult you. Besides, I will provide guidance. The Empress only needs to focus on her pregnancy during this time."

Tang Yurong’s heart sank. What was the Emperor’s intention? Was he using the power that should belong to the Empress to please Wei Yanqiao simply because she had been unhappy lately and unwilling to cater to him? If that were the case, would she have to hand over her position as Empress to Wei Yanqiao before long?

Wei Yanqiao said in a soft, delicate voice, "Your Majesty, I have been in the palace for only a short time. The Empress’s health should not be strained, but Consort Xian has been here longer than I have, and she is calm and steady. Perhaps it would be better to entrust the management of the six palaces to her. I have never dealt with such matters and fear I am truly incapable."

Upon hearing that Wei Yanqiao wanted to yield the power to her, Wen Lu looked at the Emperor with burning, eager eyes, yearning to receive the authority.

"If you don't know how, then learn! You spend so much time every day copying those useless scriptures; surely you can spare some time to learn how to manage these six palaces? My mind is made up; it is settled!" Xiao Ceyun said with a stern face, his firm gaze brook no questioning.

Hearing this, Wen Lu and Tang Yurong’s hearts sank to the bottom.

After a brief silence, Wei Yanqiao could only nod helplessly and say, "Yes, I obey your decree."