Chapter Three: Paying Respects? Tardiness Is a Must!

No matter how he calculated, every divination pointed toward turning misfortune into blessings, with auspicious omens descending. Consort Xian, Shen Fuyu, was indeed the woman destined to bring good fortune to Great Xun. Rong Xuan did not believe his calculations could be wrong, yet that night in the Golden Throne Hall, when he studied Consort Xian’s face, he found himself unable to see anything at all. This unsettled him; if she truly was the auspicious woman, her features should have revealed a great fortune.

He picked up his brush and wrote down Shen Fuyu’s birth date and hour. Using this for his divination, Rong Xuan broke out in a cold sweat at the result.

A death sign. How could Consort Xian, Shen Fuyu, bear a death sign? Such a fate could only be read from someone already dead. Why, then, did it appear for someone alive?

He repeated the calculations several times, and each time the result was the same. Rong Xuan’s face grew pale—he dared not continue.

Overnight, word spread throughout the palace: Consort Xian, chosen to bring joy and dispel calamity, had revived the Emperor. Everyone now claimed that Shen Fuyu was a celestial maiden descended to earth, heralding good fortune for Great Xun. The moment she entered the palace, the Emperor’s illness vanished—and most miraculously, he was fully restored.

At the hour of Chen, the time when all the concubines were to pay their respects to the Empress in Phoenix Luan Palace, the gathering began. Although Qin Zhiyi did not keep a large harem, the number was not insignificant. The Empress, Jing Lanxi, gazed at her reflection in the bronze mirror, her cheeks tinged with a soft blush. When she smiled, her radiance could enchant the soul. The palace maid attending her was so flustered by this sight that she quickly lowered her head and continued arranging the Empress’s hair. Meanwhile, in the main hall of Phoenix Luan Palace, most of the concubines had already arrived.

“So, all my sisters are here already. It seems this palace is a bit late today,” a woman in blue palace robes said as she entered, her looks striking and her adornment exquisite, blooming with charm. Supported by a palace maid, she moved gracefully to the seat just below the main throne on the left. She exchanged only a half-salute with the lady opposite her, while the rest of the concubines paid her full obeisance.

“Greetings to Consort Shu.”

Consort Shu, Lin Yunya, was, apart from the Empress, the highest-ranking woman in the palace.

“You’re not late at all, Consort Shu,” replied Consort Sun, Sun Jingwan, with a gentle smile and soft gestures, “After all, there’s still one more who hasn’t arrived.”

Beside Sun Jingwan, the seat closer to the main throne remained empty.

Lin Yunya laughed, “She’s just entered the palace. It’s understandable for a new sister to forget the hour for paying respects, especially since she spent last night in the Cold Palace. Surely she needs some rest. She must have been frightened in such a place!”

“Consort Shu, you always know how to jest. Anyone who knows the story is aware Consort Xian came out of the Cold Palace, but those who don’t might think she spent last night in the Emperor’s bedchamber!” Several sharp, mocking laughs rang out. Zhao Jiyu, with her pointed chin and cold eyes, continued, “Besides, I heard she angered the Empress Dowager on her very first day. Otherwise, why would she have ended up in the Cold Palace?”

Laughter rippled through the hall until Jing Lanxi entered, silencing them all.

“Greetings to Your Majesty, the Empress.”

Jing Lanxi’s smile could captivate all, but in the palace, she rarely smiled, her face usually set in icy severity, which left the concubines wary and silent at her presence.

The selection of court ladies had brought over a dozen new women into the palace, but Qin Zhiyi favored few. Some said he did this to preserve the Empress’s dignity, for the court astrologer had warned that Qin Zhiyi’s fate was ill-omened for his wife. Until that curse was lifted, he could not be close to the Empress.

In the palace, without favor there was no survival—not even for the Empress. If Qin Zhiyi ever bestowed his affection upon a concubine, the Empress would surely be banished to the Cold Palace.

“Consort Xian has not yet arrived?” Jing Lanxi’s gaze swept over the assembled women, brows knitting slightly as she noted the empty seat. On the second day of entering the palace, it was a cardinal rule for a concubine to pay her respects.

None dared speak.

“Go to Crescent Moon Palace and summon her,” Jing Lanxi commanded.

At that moment, Shen Fuyu was just emerging from her private chamber.

Having slept by a mountain stream all night, her body had undergone transformation, leaving her covered in grime. After a thorough cleansing, she finally emerged, where Green Tea and White Lotus waited for her call before entering to help her dress.

“Your Ladyship, we’ve already missed the hour for paying respects. We must hurry,” White Lotus said anxiously as she quickly applied Shen Fuyu’s makeup. “If the Empress grows angry, what are we to do?”

“Then why didn’t you wake me up on time?” Shen Fuyu retorted without looking up, selecting a pair of earrings from her jewelry box. “Have you lost your tongue?”

White Lotus was momentarily stunned, biting her lip and fighting back tears as she continued to dress Shen Fuyu. “I was only worried for you, my lady…”

“Well, it was you two who failed to wake me. If the Empress is displeased, she can have you both beaten,” Shen Fuyu said, choosing a pair of pink crystal earrings and putting them on. Her mind was still basking in the afterglow of last night’s transformation—she felt light as a swallow, as if she could dance on the palm of a hand!

“Your Ladyship, White Lotus meant no harm. Please don’t be angry with her,” Green Tea pleaded, “If the Empress is truly angered, how will you fare?”

“So you’re wishing ill upon me?” Shen Fuyu finished dressing and gave Green Tea a sidelong glance. “What’s your game?”

“I would never dare! Please believe me, my lady!” Green Tea panicked, falling to her knees. “We’re both your loyal servants. How could we wish you harm?”

“Who knows if you’re telling the truth. Unless you cut out your heart and show it to me, how can I be sure?” Shen Fuyu rolled her eyes. Such petty tricks—did they really think they could outwit her? Still, their growing irritation pleased her. “Since you pity White Lotus so much, why don’t you kneel in her place?”

“White Lotus, let’s go.”

White Lotus hesitated, but followed Shen Fuyu out of Crescent Moon Palace. Left kneeling on the ground, Green Tea’s eyes burned with resentment.

Seated in her sedan chair, Shen Fuyu was content. She relished nothing more than sowing discord. These two girls were classic frenemies—she delighted in watching them forced to join hands despite their mutual dislike!

“Consort Xian has arrived!”

Supported by White Lotus, Shen Fuyu entered the hall. She offered Jing Lanxi a perfunctory bow, then dropped carelessly into her seat, her manner entirely nonchalant. “I slept late last night, so I’m late in paying my respects. I trust Your Majesty, the Empress, will not mind?”