As soon as the Empress Dowager was reminded of the past, her expression darkened. Back then, the Emperor had spent three months secluded at Fahua Temple. It now seemed clear—he had already known about the Meng family girl dreaming of a golden dragon and falling pregnant.
"What do you think His Majesty meant by this?" she asked sharply. "He went and made the Meng girl a consort without a word. Is he blaming me for not bringing her into the palace sooner?"
Granny Gui resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She remembered that day vividly—she had spelled it out clearly. The girl from the Meng family had dreamt of a golden dragon entering her womb, then suddenly became pregnant. But Her Majesty had somehow fixated on marrying her off to Prince An instead. Really? That's where her mind went?
Of course, she didn't dare say any of that aloud. Instead, she smiled gently and said, "Your Majesty only sent a teaching matron, not an imperial decree. His Majesty may not know you were saving her for Prince An. If you simply show affection for Consort Chen and act like you're truly hoping for her to bear the Emperor a child—just like you've done all these years, sending women to His Majesty's bed—he'll understand your intentions. He's always been a filial son."
The Empress Dowager pondered this and eventually nodded. Thankfully, she had never officially declared the Meng girl would be Prince An's bride. Best to pretend that whole idea never existed.
"You're right. That wretched Wei woman—she's monopolized the Emperor's affection for years and even meddles in state affairs. I really do hope this Meng girl has some skill. Maybe she can steal a bit of that favor away. Go to the Jiaofang Palace and 'remind' Wei of her place."
Granny Gui accepted the order and made her way to Consort Wei's residence. As one of the palace's chief stewards under the Empress Dowager, she carried enough clout to walk in unchallenged. When she arrived, she found Consort Wei lounging gracefully and nibbling on fruit, looking perfectly content.
"Granny Gui," Wei said warmly, "what brings you to visit today? How rare to see you in Jiaofang."
Granny Gui was suspicious. The Consort managed the inner palace and should've heard about Consort Chen's sudden elevation. Why was she so calm, so completely unbothered?
Ah—of course. She must believe the Meng girl is infertile. That would explain her composure.
Bowing slightly, Granny Gui said, "Your Ladyship, the Empress Dowager is quite fond of the newly appointed Consort Chen and asked me to pass along a few words. She hopes you will be kind to the new consort—for the Dowager's sake—and not treat her harshly like others in the past."
Wei set down her fruit and nearly laughed. A new consort enters the palace, and the Empress Dowager is already here stirring the pot?
For years, she alone held the Emperor's favor. The Dowager had tried endlessly to throw other women at him—none of them succeeded. Some officials even whispered that she was a femme fatale, bewitching the Emperor into ignoring his harem.
But the truth? Only she knew the real reason.
The Emperor couldn't touch women.
The Dowager could send in a hundred women—it wouldn't matter. She wasn't smug because she felt secure in her looks or charm. She simply knew the Emperor wouldn't look twice at any of them.
Smiling, she replied, "Oh, that's all? I appreciate your effort, Granny Gui, but I assure you, I'll treat Consort Chen with all the kindness and grace expected of me. I too hope His Majesty soon has an heir."
Granny Gui bit back a sneer. We'll see how smug you are when Consort Chen gets pregnant.
"Well then," she said sweetly, "I'll be sure to let the Empress Dowager know of your noble attitude. Perhaps she'll urge His Majesty to pay you a visit sometime."
That last jab was deliberate. The Emperor, who once favored her exclusively, now barely visited the harem at all. Lately, he hadn't stepped foot there in two years.
Wei didn't so much as blink. "Much appreciated, Granny. Do send my regards."
Granny Gui left, seething inside. Meanwhile, Wei simply reclined back and reached for another piece of fruit. Her maid, Xiang'er, leaned in close.
"Your Ladyship, word is the Emperor visited Consort Chen right after she entered the palace. Should we have someone keep an eye on her?"
Wei waved her hand lazily. "So he visited. So what? Even if he summons her to bed, wake me when she's pregnant. That's when it matters."
Xiang'er was secretly in awe. The Lady truly lived up to her reputation—unshakable and confident. Surely she possessed some unique allure that kept the Emperor's heart.
But Wei had no such secret weapon. Her confidence came from knowing the truth.
The Emperor never touched those women. At most, they were drugged and left to sleep alone in the bedchamber, dreaming sweet dreams. They never so much as laid a finger on him. Pregnancy? Impossible.
She stretched out in the chaise, utterly relaxed. The harem was a stagnant pond—if others wanted to splash in it, they were welcome to it.
Meanwhile, Prince An's residence was in an uproar.
Four or five advisors had been arguing for over an hour.
"Why did His Majesty suddenly name her a consort?"
"Didn't the Empress Dowager select her for our prince?"
"Is this a warning to the Dowager? Or a strike at the Prince?"
One advisor paled. "What if His Majesty hates Prince An and just stole his future wife out of spite?"
The senior strategist, Master Ji, stroked his long beard and calmly shook his head. "Let's not jump to conclusions. The Dowager never issued a formal decree of marriage. The Prince knew nothing of it. He's in the clear."
Prince An nodded, exhaling with relief. Had he gone to the palace earlier, asking the Dowager if she intended the Meng girl for him, that might've looked like he was staking a claim.
Thankfully, he'd been too busy partying to bother.
In hindsight, wine and women might've saved his life.
"That's right," he said quickly. "I know nothing. His Majesty and the Empress Dowager are my elders. I obey whatever they decide."
After all, he was royalty. Rule one of royal survival? Never challenge the Emperor. Even if your wife is taken, hand her over and smile like you're honored.
It's just a woman. Once he becomes Emperor, there'll be plenty more. And after the Emperor dies, the entire harem will be fair game anyway.
By the end of the discussion, the consensus was clear: act clueless. Pretend this never happened. Watch and wait.
As night fell, Meng Wenyao was soaking in her bath, servants gently scrubbing her arms and shoulders.
The Emperor waited just outside.
Her heart thudded in her chest.
That look in his eyes when he'd first seen her... so raw. So unrestrained.
What was about to happen?