Chapter 21: Returning Home

Lu Shuyao rose early and, after finishing a bowl of beef and bean soup-rice, dressed and prepared to head to the Cining Palace.

The morning wind was brisk, so Ruqi draped a thin shawl over her shoulders. Watching the sky begin to lighten, Lu Shuyao stifled a yawn. She wiped a crystalline tear from the corner of her eye and ducked into her small sedan chair. She had a premonition that the days ahead in the palace would be difficult. The Shen family was desperate to seize imperial favor. She needed to find an opportunity to speak with the Emperor about her family’s situation and see if she could secure leave from the palace.

As Lu Shuyao alighted and approached the Cining Palace, she heard shrill, mournful wailing coming from within.

Kong Ya’s voice was intermingled with the cries: "I beg the Empress Dowager for mercy! Please, spare Xiaoxue’s life! She would never dare to collide with the Virtuous Consort; it must be a misunderstanding!"

"A light excuse. The Virtuous Consort carries the last descendant of the late Emperor, the very lifeline of the royal house! If she intended to collide with her, even a hundred deaths would not be enough to atone for it!"

*The Virtuous Consort?*

Were the three women of the Shen family banding together to target Kong Ya? This was an attempt to stifle Kong Ya’s imperial favor right in the cradle.

Lu Shuyao tightened her grip on Nanny Yu’s arm. "Nanny?"

"Do not worry, Baolin," Nanny Yu replied, casting a reassuring glance back at her. "His Majesty’s filial piety is boundless; he will surely come to visit the Empress Dowager shortly."

Thinking of Ye Yanchen’s handsome yet sharp and ruthless face, Lu Shuyao felt a strange sense of calm. At present, he and she were at least on the same side.

"Very well, let us go in."

The Empress Dowager was still ailing and not in the courtyard. The one overseeing the punishment of Kong Ya’s maid was Nanny Ji, who remained constantly by the Empress Dowager’s side. Acting with the Empress Dowager’s authority, no one dared to voice an objection.

Kong Ya’s personal maid, Xiaoxue, had already fainted under the beatings of the staff. Kong Ya knelt to the side, tears streaming down her face. A maiden chosen for the palace could only bring one servant, and they usually chose the maid with whom they were most intimate and deeply attached. Kong Ya was no exception.

Bitterness spread through Kong Ya as she recalled Xiaoxue saying, "My Lady, do not plead for me," before being dragged away. She knelt on the floor in a posture mirroring that of Shen Rushuang, who had lost her chess game the day before. She looked up at Shen Rushuang, who stood not far from Nanny Ji, looking relaxed and indifferent, with a hint of satisfaction playing on her lips.

Kong Ya gritted her teeth, looking at her pale maid. A wave of overwhelming emotion surged within her, nearly making her retch.

"The Consort and the fetus are both unharmed," a eunuch announced.

"Stop," Nanny Ji commanded, raising her hand. The beating ceased. The limp, broken maid was dragged before Kong Ya.

"The Empress Dowager is merciful. Since the Consort is unharmed, this low-born slave shall be spared her life. You, Kong, have failed to discipline your subordinate; you are grounded for one month."

Kong Ya prostrated herself. "I thank the Empress Dowager for her mercy."

She knew well that Xiaoxue had taken the punishment in her stead. If it were not for the consideration of the Kong family behind her, the blows would not have fallen on a maid. Yet, if a maid suffered, could the Kong family truly make a scene in the imperial court over such a matter? Kong Ya bit her lip, gestured for other palace maids to support Xiaoxue, and silently withdrew from the Cining Palace.

Soon, the instruments of punishment were cleared away. In the vast, empty courtyard, servants hurried about, as if nothing had happened at all.

Lu Shuyao followed the other consorts inside to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager lay behind the bed curtains and merely waved her hand, dismissing them all.

"Lu Baolin." Before she could leave the hall, Lu Shuyao was stopped by a delicate hand. She turned to see Shen Rushuang smiling at her.

"Shen Yunu." Lu Shuyao offered a curtsy first.

Shen Rushuang was pleased by this show of weakness. By palace rules, she was the one who ought to have bowed to Lu Shuyao first.

Shen Rushuang bowed slightly. "I heard that the Lu estate sent word that your concubine-mother is pregnant?"

Lu Shuyao paused, a look of confusion on her face as she nodded.

"I spoke to the Empress Dowager about this today. Her Grace has shown favor and permitted you to leave the palace for two days to visit your family. You may depart today."

Lu Shuyao was overjoyed, but she dared not show it. "But... does His Majesty agree?" She spoke timidly, her eyes darting about as if she feared the Empress Dowager’s power and sought the Emperor as a savior. Paired with her innocent, sweet-looking face, no one would suspect a thing.

"Do not worry," Shen Rushuang patted her hand. "When the Empress Dowager speaks, how could His Majesty refuse?"

"Then thank you for telling me, Shen Yunu. I shall return to my quarters to pack."

Lu Shuyao hurried away with her entourage. She was absolutely delighted! For the matter to succeed without any effort on her part was wonderful. With the Empress Dowager’s decree, even if the Emperor were to blame her, she had every reason to shift the responsibility. The Empress Dowager had grounded Kong Ya and sent her out of the palace—the intention was self-evident! By the time she returned, Shen Rushuang would likely be a full-fledged imperial consort.

As for the Shen family having total control over palace intelligence, Lu Shuyao did not care. This was not her harem! If anyone should be concerned, it ought to be the Emperor!

...

Lu Shuyao’s return to the estate was rushed; no one at the Lu residence had been notified. When news of her arrival reached the Madam’s ears, she found it hard to believe.

"You say who has returned?" The Madam sat by a round table, fiddling with an abacus while checking accounts. Upon hearing this, she abandoned the ledger entirely.

"Returning to Madam, it is the Second Miss—no, it is Lu Baolin," the young maid stammered.

"How can that be?" The Madam paced a few steps, not daring to be negligent. "Quick, call the Master; follow me."

The Madam led the servants to the main hall, where Lu Shuyao sat in the seat of honor, leisurely sipping tea. The Master of the house had also just arrived. Seeing his second daughter’s demeanor, a smile appeared on his face. He pulled the still-dazed Madam across the threshold and bowed. "Baolin has returned home; why did you not send word?"

The Madam felt utterly awkward. She never imagined that in just over half a month, she would have to perform such rites for a concubine-born daughter! But since the Master had already bowed, how could she not kneel? She felt as though her limbs were filled with lead; every movement felt heavy as ten thousand pounds.

"Father, Mother, please, there is no need for such formality." Lu Shuyao stood and offered a shallow gesture of support to the Master. She then smiled and said, "The Empress Dowager heard the news of my mother’s pregnancy and graciously allowed me to come home to visit her."

The Madam gritted her teeth. Had the matter already reached the Empress Dowager? She didn't need to think twice to know that it was the Master who had sent word to Lu Shuyao!

"I see. Concubine Liu will be very happy to hear that Baolin has returned! Shall we go now?"

"Certainly. Mother, I shall head to the Yuning Courtyard first; I will come to see you later." Lu Shuyao addressed the sour-faced Madam and walked off gracefully, following the Master who was eagerly leading the way.

The Madam watched their retreating figures and nearly lost her footing.

"Madam!" the nanny beside her exclaimed, rushing to steady her.

"I was a fool! I was truly a fool back then! How could I have ever let them swap their marriage arrangements?"

But the die was cast. Lu Shuyao was now a favored consort in the palace; there would be no chance to change it again.