Willow Courtyard where Jiang Yunyao lived was locked, and the palace maids were not allowed to serve at her side.
Ten days passed, with no results from the investigations conducted by the Emperor and Jiang Yunyao was still locked up in her courtyard.
In the morning, the Empress's palace was quiet and serene, the chill of winter clinging to the air despite the faint warmth creeping in with the sun. Though it had not snowed for 15 days, the white remnants of the last storm clung stubbornly to the shaded corners of the palace courtyards. Servants had cleared pathways, yet the lingering frost served as a reminder of winter's hold. The sunlight, now a little warmer, streamed through the windows, casting long golden beams over the heated floor. Outside, the sound of dripping water hinted at the slow thaw of winter.
Inside, the warm interior was scented with sandalwood and faintly steaming tea. The Royal Consorts, clad in layers of muted silks and furs, gathered as usual to pay their morning respects to the Empress.
The Empress, seated on her raised platform, radiated elegance and authority. Her deep purple robe, embroidered with phoenixes and silver thread, seemed to command the respect of those present. She sipped her ginger tea slowly, her gaze steady as the women completed their bows. The Empress accepts their greetings with a serene smile, though her eyes betray a hint of weariness.
Empress: "You may rise."
The Royal Consorts rose in unison, their movements fluid, and take their seats in the arranged chairs below the Empress's chair. The servants move silently, offering fragrant tea and delicate pastries.
For a while, they exchanged pleasantries, their voices light and cheerful, matching the glow of the hearths that warmed the room.
Imperial Consort Chun smiled as she adjusted her fur-lined sleeves.
Imperial Consort Chun: "This winter feels unusually stubborn, does it not? The snow has lingered longer than usual this year. Even though the sun has grown warmer, the snow seems unwilling to melt entirely. Even now, the gardens remain blanketed in white. It's as if winter is reluctant to loosen its grip."
Noble Lady Liang, eager to please Imperial Consort Chun, nodded in agreement.
Noble Lady Liang: "The beauty of the palace now, with melting snow is unparalleled. Your Majesty, did you enjoy the view from your courtyard these past days?"
The Empress smiled faintly, her fingers resting lightly on her tea cup.
Empress: "Indeed. The stillness of winter offers a certain clarity. But soon, spring will arrive, and the palace will be awash in colour once more."
The women murmured their agreement.
Imperial Concubine Yu, seated nearby, nodded in agreement, her cheeks slightly flushed from the heated room.
Imperial Concubine Yu: "Indeed, Your Majesty. It was only fifteen days ago that the last snowfall blanketed the palace. Yet now, the sound of dripping water promises spring's arrival. This Concubine finds it refreshing."
Imperial Noble Consort Wenxi, always quick with a sharp remark, raised an eyebrow.
Imperial Noble Consort Wenxi: "Refreshing, perhaps, but treacherous. The melting snow makes the walkways slippery. This Palace almost fell this morning on my way here."
The group chuckled lightly, though the sound was hollow.
Empress: "The palace staff should take care to salt the paths more thoroughly. It would not do for one of you to injure yourselves."
Noble Consort Jia turns her gaze toward the First Prince's mother, Imperial Consort Shu, who sits quietly, her pale face drawn with fatigue.
Noble Consort Jia: "Sister Shu, you've lost so much weight recently. Are you taking care of yourself? The First Prince would want his mother to stay strong for him."
Noble Consort Ke, with her soft, doe-like features, asks the Empress about the First Prince with concern.
Noble Consort Ke: "Your Majesty, how is the First Prince faring? Is he strong enough to enjoy the sunlight? It must be such a relief that the physicians managed to stabilize him after the poison."
The room fell quiet as all eyes turned to the Empress. The Empress's composed smile did not falter, but a flicker of something passed through her eyes. She placed her cup down with deliberate calmness before answering.
Empress: "The First Prince is a child of great strength. The physicians assured me that he is recovering well. His progress has been steady, though he requires rest and care."
The Royal Consorts nod in unison, murmuring words of relief.
Noble Consort Jia: "The heavens must truly favour him, to have survived such a treacherous act. He is still so young. Such strength at his age is admirable."
All eyes drift to Imperial Consort Shu, the First Prince's birth mother, who sits stiffly, her complexion pale and her figure noticeably thinner.
Imperial Consort Chun, seated opposite Imperial Consort Shu, turned to the boy's mother with a sympathetic expression.
Imperial Consort Chun: "Sister, you must take comfort in the prince's strength. He has inherited such fortitude from his father, no doubt."
Noble Concubine Yong, one of the lower ranking concubines speaks up, her voice filled with sympathy.
Noble Concubine Yong: "Sister Shu, you've been through so much lately. Please, take care of yourself. The First Prince will need his mother to be strong for him."
Noble Consort Ke, sitting closest to Imperial Consort Shu, reached out to touch her hand gently. "Sister Shu, you must take solace in the First Prince's strength. He will surely overcome this trial."
Imperial Consort Shu, her face pale and drawn from days of worry, offered a strained smile and her lips tighten as she looks down at her tea. Her voice was cold but brittle when she replied, "Solace is hard to find when the one who harmed my son remains unpunished."
Her words cast a shadow over the group. The Royal Consorts exchange uneasy glances, but the anger bubbling within them quickly rises to the surface.
Noble Concubine Dun, a lower ranked concubine but a sharp-tongued woman, seizes the opportunity to direct her question toward the Empress. "Your Majesty, has there been any update from the Emperor about the investigation?"
The Empress, ever composed, placed her teacup on the low table beside her, her posture calm and dignified. Then she raised her hand slightly, a subtle gesture that quieted the murmurs.
Empress: "The Emperor is still investigating. Such matters require time to uncover the full truth."
Her response does little to placate the Royal Consorts.
Noble Consort Jia: "Your Majesty, the evidence was clear! The poison was found in Willow courtyard. What more proof is needed? Why has she not been punished?"
The Empress, her hands folded delicately on her lap, inclines her head slightly, her smile measured. "The Emperor is meticulous and through in his judgment. He will not make a decision without certainty. Until then, we must trust in his judgment. Justice cannot be rushed, nor can it be clouded by assumptions. Patience is necessary."
Imperial Noble Consort Wenxi, her voice dripping with disdain, interjected.
Imperial Noble Consort Wenxi: "With all due respect, Your Majesty, what more evidence is needed? The poison was found in Noble Lady Hai's courtyard. How could she not be the culprit?"
The Empress just lowered her eyes as she played with the jade bracelet on her hand.
Imperial Noble Consort Wenxi, her voice tinged with scorn, leans forward.
Imperial Noble Consort Wenxi: "She must be crying in her courtyard now, regretting her actions. But what's the use of regret after harming the First Prince?"
Another Royal Consort, Imperial Concubine Ling, scoffed.
Imperial Concubine Ling: "If she truly regretted it, she wouldn't have poisoned the prince in the first place. Regret won't heal the harm she's done."
Noble Concubine Dun, always sharp-tongued, sneers.
Noble Concubine Dun: "If this Concubine were in her place, I would have taken my own life by now. Does she have no shame? No fear of implicating her maternal family?"
The women nod in agreement, their expressions filled with righteous indignation.
The Royal Consorts grow bolder, their anger feeding off one another.
Noble Lady Liang: "If this Concubine had a daughter like that, I'd kill her with my own hands rather than let her harm someone else's child. She's shameless, clinging to life no matter the cost!"
Noble Consort Mao, her usually cheerful demeanour turned venomous, shakes her head.
Noble Consort Mao: "If Noble Lady Hai were truly repentant, she would have ended her life by now. Instead, she clings shamelessly to survival, risking the lives of her entire family."
Imperial Concubine Ling added with a cold tone, "Does she not fear the consequences? The execution of nine generations of her family—does that mean nothing to her? How can she live knowing she has endangered not only her own life but the lives of her entire family?"
Noble Consort Mao, her tone softer but no less cutting, added.
Noble Consort Mao: "Perhaps she thinks the Emperor's mercy will save her. But what mercy should be shown to one who harmed a royal heir?"
Imperial Consort Chun suddenly spoke, her voice icy with fury, "Mercy is for the innocent. Noble Lady Hai's actions harmed not only the First Prince but the dignity of the imperial family. How much longer must we endure her presence in the palace?"
The words sting, even in the air of camaraderie. A silence falls before Imperial Concubine Yu breaks it.
Imperial Concubine Yu: "But what reason could Noble Lady Hai have had to poison the prince? She's only been in the palace for three months. She barely has any status or power to protect."
Imperial Consort Shu: "The reason doesn't matter. What matters is whether she did it or not. No reason is good enough to justify harming the Emperor's heir. The person who tries to harm the Emperor's blood deserves death—nothing less."
The Royal Consorts turn their attention back to the Empress, their anger bubbling.
Noble Consort Mao: "Your Majesty, how much longer will the Emperor wait? Evidence was found in Willow courtyard. What more is needed?"
The Empress met their gazes calmly, her expression inscrutable and her tone soft yet commanding.
Empress: "Sisters, please calm yourselves. The Emperor will not let this matter go unanswered. He is thorough in his judgment, and once all the evidence is collected, the culprit will face the punishment she deserves."
The women fall silent for a moment, but their discontent lingers. A few shake their heads in frustration, muttering about the Emperor's delays.
Sensing the need to diffuse the tension, Imperial Concubine Yu spoke up.
Imperial Concubine Yu: "Your Majesty, how is the Fifth Prince? We have all been praying for his swift recovery."
The Empress, who had maintained perfect composure throughout, stiffened almost imperceptibly. Her smile grew taut, though she quickly masked it with a gracious nod.
Empress: "The Fifth Prince is recovering well, thanks to the care of the physicians and the blessings of the heavens. The physicians are confident that he will be back to his lively self soon."
The women immediately chimed in with their praises.
Noble Consort Jia: "The Fifth Prince is truly blessed by the heavens. His recovery is a sign of divine favour."
Imperial Consort Chus: "Indeed. Your Majesty must feel relieved to see Fifth Prince regaining his strength."
Noble Concubine Dun: "Yes, Your Majesty. It is clear that the Fifth Prince is destined for greatness."
The Empress accepted their words with a gracious nod, though her eyes flickered with a hint of unease and her fingers tightened slightly around her tea cup.
Empress: "Thank you for your kind words. This Palace trusts that he will grow stronger with each passing day."
Empress: "Sisters, the hour grows late. You may return to your own duties."
The Royal Consorts stood and bowed deeply.
Royal Consorts: "We bid Your Majesty farewell."
One by one, they filed out, their murmured conversations fading into the corridors. The Empress, now alone in her chamber, remained seated for a moment, her serene mask faltering as her gaze drifted toward the faint sunlight breaking through the frost-covered windows.