The Empress hurried back from Rehe overnight, followed the next day by the Empress Dowager. The Emperor, Empress, and Empress Dowager met in the imperial study, resulting in the Emperor exiting, exhausted. Ultimately, the Empress and Empress Dowager secured a victory, realizing the Emperor intended to elevate Ye Fei to Imperial Consort. The Empress felt relieved she had acted quickly, fearing the Emperor may have overlooked her in his obsession with Ye Fei.
“What’s wrong with this Emperor?”
“How could he be so bewitched by a girl of seventeen or eighteen?” the Empress Dowager sighed.
The Empress replied, “Whatever Your Majesty wishes to bestow, this concubine naturally has no objection. But Ye Fei has only been the Emperor’s woman for three months and during this time, the Emperor has not visited any other palace chambers. I understand if the Emperor does not want to come to this old concubine, but the other palaces…”
All resentment in the inner palace was now directed at Ye Fei. There were doubts about whether her child would even be born. Many were watching to see if she could safely deliver.
The Empress Dowager thought it might be better if Ye Fei’s child was not born at all.
Little Ju spoke softly, “I have never thought about being a noble consort. As long as the Emperor likes me, that is enough. The Crown Princess said the Emperor is not a saint and cannot live solely by his own thoughts. He must account to the entire inner palace and the world. Even without a noble consort title, I will still receive the Emperor’s favor, and that is enough for me.”
The Emperor, deeply moved, embraced Little Ju and promised, “Once the child is born, I will definitely bestow the noble consort title upon you.”
Foreign envoys then brought interesting and beautiful pearls and fine silks.
The Emperor awarded the largest pearl string to Crown Princess Xu Qiu’er and distributed the rest to the palace based on rank, notably omitting the Empress’s share.
Was it intentional or an oversight?
Xu Qiu’er’s immediate reaction was to have Ning’er deliver the pearl string to Ye Fei.
Ning’er asked, “My lady, this was bestowed by the Emperor. Is it appropriate to give it to Sister Little Ju?”
In the back garden, the Empress and Empress Dowager encountered Ye Fei. While Ye Fei paid her respects, the Empress noticed the pearl necklace around her neck, a strange light flickering in her eyes as she looked down.
Everyone knew Ye Fei was now more favored than the Empress. People flocked to her palace, making it the liveliest, while noble ladies competed to wear blue, rumored to be Ye Fei’s favorite color. What they didn’t know was that the blue outfit was a fabric gifted by Xu Qiu’er, making it precious to Little Ju.
Xiao Ju returned to the inner hall in confusion, changed her clothes, and was then handed over to the imperial physician.
The physician carefully examined the clothing and stated, “This subject believes he has found the reason for Consort Ye’s miscarriage.”
The Emperor, wide-eyed, urged him to continue. The physician handed the clothing to the Emperor and cut the inside, revealing a small, thin object. The Emperor, confused, listened as the physician explained, “If I’m not mistaken, this is musk.”
In a fit of rage, the Emperor threw the clothing to the ground. Consort Qing knelt, pleading, “Your Majesty, it can’t be Autumn Consort’s. She and Xiao Ju are like sisters. Please…”
The Emperor shouted, “Someone take Consort Qing away.”
Qing Ya, heart racing, told a maid, “Go to Fushi Hall and inform Autumn Consort of the situation.”
At Fushi Hall, when the guards arrived, the palace maid had just reached them and saw Xu Qiu’er being restrained. Ning’er cried, “How dare you! Release the Imperial Consort!”
The guard replied, “Please forgive us, Your Highness. We are following the Emperor’s decree.” He commanded, “Take her.”
Suddenly, discussions erupted in the palace about how vicious the Imperial Consort was, making it difficult for Xu Qiu’er to defend herself. She was taken to the Zongrenfu and imprisoned.
After her imprisonment, Qing Ya visited Xu Qiu’er, crying and desperately shouting for help. The jailer approached cautiously, asking for her orders.
Qing Ya demanded the jailer to open the cell, but he hesitated. Xu Qiu’er encouraged her not to make things difficult for him, stating, “Forget it.” Qing Ya, filled with anger, blamed herself for the situation. She promised to speak to the Emperor and rushed out. Xu Qiu’er, now alone and in plain clothes, sat resigned in the corner, accepting the possibility of death.
The situation seemed dire for Xu Qiu’er, but unexpectedly, someone did not want her to die.
Prince Hao Li of the King’s Mansion and top scholar Gong Sun Jin Yu jointly guaranteed Xu Qiu’er, requesting the Emperor grant a few more days to find evidence.
Gong Sun Jin Yu appealed to the Emperor for mercy on behalf of the top scholars. Although the Emperor wanted to execute Xu Qiu’er immediately, he hesitated due to Hao Li’s influence and the power of Rong Jun Wang Hao Nan behind the scholars. He reluctantly agreed to extend the deadline, stating that if no clues were found within three days, the Crown Prince’s wife, Qiu Fei, would be executed.
Gong Sun Jin Yu soon discovered overlooked points and pointed them out in court, displeasing the Emperor. As public opinion, led by the scholars, grew demanding her release and Qiu Fei’s innocence, the Emperor contemplated ways to punish Xu Qiu’er.
“Open the door,” he said.
Gong Sun Jin Yu looked inside coldly. The prison guard, recognizing the chief investigator, opened the door. Gong Sun Jin Yu saw the emaciated Xu Qiu’er and shared his discoveries, but she remained silent. Standing up, he asked, “Your Highness doesn’t want to leave?”
Xu Qiu’er slowly raised her head. “What I want most right now is to go out.”
Gong Sun Jin Yu glanced at the small window and said, “This official will ensure Your Highness leaves.”
The situation finally turned in February.
White prayer flags fluttered in the wind as Xu Qiu’er closed her eyes, avoiding the rosewood coffin being lowered into the grave. The mournful music surrounded her like a heavy fog. She could only let the sounds wash over her as memories of her parents’ smiling faces surfaced. She stepped forward, but her mourning clothes’ hem caught under her foot, causing her to stumble.
Someone steadied Xu Qiu’er with warm hands. She looked up to see concern and grief in his eyes. Lowering her gaze to his hands gripping her arm, an uncontrollable hatred surged in her heart. Her lips trembled as she struggled to maintain her composure. When the final melody ceased, she raised her head slowly, and Hao Li gently brushed her disheveled hair.
The memorial service lasted three days, during which Xu Qiu’er quietly chanted sutras in the Mingjing Hall.
Amidst the commotion, Xu Qiu’er saw Long Han Jie enter with Xu Qing’er. She lowered her eyes, afraid to look up. She remembered the steward’s trembling words.
Xu Qing’er wept dramatically. Xu Qiu’er inwardly sneered; her own voice was hoarse and unable to speak.
“You may go,” she said calmly.
Long Han Jie replied, “Qiu’er, Qing’er nearly miscarried recently, so she couldn’t come earlier. Why must you…”
Xu Qiu’er almost laughed, hearing the growing hissing around her.
“Xu Qing’er, go back,” she said sharply.
“Your Highness, please return. My father cannot bear this.”
Long Han Jie’s expression darkened.
A sharp voice suddenly called out, “Leave.”
“Scram!”
Everyone stopped, unsure who the command was directed at.
“Scram,” the Second Madam shouted angrily. “You’re going too far, Xu Qiu’er. I am your father’s wife.”
