Wang Degui, anxious and apprehensive, dutifully attended.
Though His Majesty often wore an impassive expression, making it difficult to discern his emotions, Wang, having served the Emperor since his youth, could clearly sense that His Majesty's mood today was exceptionally cold.
And this ill temper seemed to have begun the moment he left Mo Zhu Xuan.
Could it be that Song Meiren had not served him well? But Wang dared not probe. When the Emperor finished his court duties and began reviewing memorials, Wang reluctantly gathered his courage and asked, "Your Majesty… May I ask if the customary rewards have been given to Song Meiren, in accordance with her new rank?"
This was the usual practice. Whenever a consort first served the Emperor, she was rewarded the following day. The rewards varied by rank, and if the Emperor was especially fond of her, he might add more.
Helian Qi furrowed his brow slightly. Song Meiren was well-versed in literature, but lacked adaptability and foresight, making her unsuitable for high favor. Yet, she was the daughter of an important minister and had shown affection for him. Despite his irritation, he did not direct his anger at her.
"Mm." Helian Qi responded briefly.
Wang Degui immediately bowed and withdrew, sensing that Song Meiren had not earned the Emperor's full favor. Otherwise, given His Majesty's usual clarity in matters of reward and punishment, she would have received a more generous gift.
…
Although Song Meiren had received the Emperor's favor, she remained humble, arriving early at Jingxi Palace.
Shufei, always dignified and kind, inquired after her well-being with genuine concern.
Zhuang Fei, on the other hand, remained disdainful, casting barbed remarks with an air of superiority.
Both Xue and Cen, however, remained unusually serene, speaking little.
As everyone gathered and proceeded to Cining Palace to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager, the latter took a moment to glance at Song Meiren and remarked with a calm tone, "You are the one who served the Emperor last night, Song Meiren. Indeed, you are a beauty. No wonder His Majesty favors you. I find you quite charming as well."
With a gentle wave of her hand, she added, "Stay, and keep me company while I read the Buddhist scriptures. The rest of you may leave."
The other consorts bowed and retreated.
Song Meiren spent the entire day copying Buddhist texts in Cining Palace.
Having just received the Emperor's favor the night before, she was already frail and delicate. As she exited the palace, she stumbled, nearly falling to the ground.
Her attendant hurried to support her, her face full of concern. "Mistress, you've suffered. The Empress Dowager clearly means to make things difficult for you…"
"It is merely to set a precedent for me," Song Meiren replied with a faint shake of her head. "His Majesty did not choose Xue Jieyu, so the Empress Dowager must be displeased."
"Let us return to the palace," she continued softly.
Her attendant, still irritated, muttered, "How can His Majesty be so indifferent…"
"Do not speak carelessly!" Song Meiren reprimanded her sharply, her eyes lowered, tinged with a hint of disappointment.
…
The entire palace held its breath, watching to see whether the Emperor would intervene on Song Meiren's behalf.
But as dusk approached and Song Meiren returned to Mo Zhu Xuan, the Emperor had shown no interest.
Ning Wanyin, ever attentive to the unfolding events, furrowed her brow. What was going on?
If the Emperor truly meant to elevate his chosen consort and suppress the power of the noble families in the harem, he would certainly protect Song Meiren.
Unless…
Unless the Emperor had already abandoned her.
But he had only selected her last night—could he have truly abandoned her so soon? Was there something more at play here?
The Emperor was indeed a creature of capricious moods, impossible to predict.
"His Majesty favored Song Meiren yesterday, but today he seems indifferent. Such fickleness…" Lian Rui said, her eyes full of concern for her mistress.
Ning Wanyin, regaining her composure, responded, "The Emperor is not a man swayed by matters of the heart."
The Emperor's treatment of Song Meiren had nothing to do with coldness. It was simply a matter of positioning her in the court.
To favor her did not mean he loved her. To neglect her did not imply he was indifferent.
The Emperor's heart was a mystery.
…
Earlier, in Qianxin Hall.
"Your Majesty, Song Meiren has been kept in the palace by the Empress Dowager to copy Buddhist scriptures…" Wang Degui reported quietly.
Helian Qi's expression deepened. He had anticipated that his imperial favor would cause complications.
A clever consort would play the game wisely.
The less astute would be left to languish, which, in fact, served as a form of protection.
"What is Wen Meiren doing today?" Helian Qi inquired.
Wen Meiren was quick-witted and perhaps more suitable than Song Meiren.
Wang Degui responded promptly, "Wen Meiren is at Cen Jieyu's palace, enjoying tea."
"Cen Jieyu?" Helian Qi's gaze grew cold in an instant.
"Yes! Cen Jieyu invited Wen Meiren to her palace, and after a long visit, Wen Meiren sent a lavish gift as a token of appreciation."
Helian Qi's expression darkened with a palpable chill.
Cen Jieyu was attempting to win over Wen Meiren, and Wen Meiren had fallen for it.
It was not uncommon for consorts to ally themselves with either the Xue or Cen families; after all, having a powerful patron was preferable to none. But Wen Meiren was the daughter of his trusted official—her actions were nothing short of treason.
Helian Qi's anger flared, his face growing more forbidding by the moment.
"Give the order, Wen Meiren is to be demoted to Baolin."
Wang Degui, pale with fear, knelt to receive the order. This was a rare and harsh punishment. Wen Meiren had not even had a direct audience with the Emperor before being stripped of her rank—an unfortunate fate.
At that moment, a palace eunuch entered with a jade tablet, announcing, "Your Majesty, the harem memorials are here for your review."
Helian Qi's face darkened further. He did not wish his harem to become like his father's, filled with intrigue and chaos.
Yet, he needed someone to suppress the Xue and Cen families.
But the two candidates he had in mind—one was proud and inflexible, while the other was quick-witted enough to betray him.
It would be a while before he found the right consort, and in the meantime, he would have to be patient.
Since the Empress Dowager enjoyed tormenting his consorts, he would select a few hapless souls from the noble families for her to deal with.
As his thoughts settled, he absentmindedly flipped a jade plaque.
…
In Lengxue Pavilion.
"Your Majesty has suddenly demoted Wen Meiren to Baolin," Xiao Gui Zi reported breathlessly, her voice tinged with fear. "Now, no one dares to enter the Imperial Garden…"
The first consort to have served the Emperor, Song Meiren, had been detained by the Empress Dowager to copy Buddhist scriptures, causing half the women in the garden to retreat in fear of offending Xue Jieyu.
When news of Wen Meiren's punishment spread, the other half followed suit, fleeing back to their palaces.
Being demoted without even meeting the Emperor—who wouldn't be afraid?
Initially, many had eagerly anticipated the Emperor's favor, but now, fearing both the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, no one dared approach him too soon.
Ning Wanyin, too, was somewhat startled. She had expected Wen Meiren to be the Emperor's choice for tonight.
What had changed?
The Emperor had suddenly punished his own people—this was unexpected.
"What did Wen Baolin do today?" Ning Wanyin immediately asked.
Xiao Gui Zi, still shaken, recalled, "I heard Wen Meiren—no, Wen Baolin—went to Cen Jieyu's palace for tea…"
Ah, so she chose to embrace the enemy rather than the Emperor's open support?
No wonder the Emperor demoted her.
This Emperor truly bore grudges.
But Ning Wanyin could understand Wen Meiren's actions. With the Emperor indifferent to Song Meiren, who could blame Wen Meiren for seeking protection from the Cen family instead?
Still, Wen Meiren had failed to consider one thing—the Wen family's position had been built by the Emperor himself. Before making her decision, she should have thought more carefully.
Or perhaps, in Wen Meiren's eyes, the high position of the Wen family was simply a reward for her father's meritorious service.
Ning Wanyin paused in thought, then pushed the matter aside.
What was most urgent now was who the Emperor would choose to spend the night with, now that Wen Meiren was out of the picture.
Whoever was chosen, would surely become the target of Xue and Cen Jieyu's resentment.
As she pondered this, suddenly, a grinning eunuch entered:
"Congratulations, Ning Guiren. His Majesty has selected you for tonight's service. Prepare yourself to meet the Emperor."
Ning Wanyin: ???