CENTIE Chapter 55

Inside the Taiji Palace, the Empress had been waiting for news of the Emperor’s return to the palace for quite some time.

The banquet was arranged in the Linhu Hall, situated near the interconnected ponds of the Southern, Western, and Northern Seas. With shimmering water reflecting the scenic beauty, it was an ideal location for hosting a grand feast.

As the banquet had not yet begun, the Emperor and the Turkic Khaga were not idly waiting in the imperial gardens. The Khagan had traveled to Chang’an from afar, not merely to enjoy the scenery or watch polo matches. Upon entering the palace gates, the Emperor, Crown Prince, and Khagan parted ways with the others, heading to the front court for discussions, accompanied by several chancellors. Once the Emperor and his entourage left, everyone else visibly relaxed. Matters of state were not yet the responsibility of Prince Liang or Prince Qi, so these carefree royal sons strolled leisurely along the palace pathways, joining the many ladies on their way to the inner palace to pay respects to the Empress Dowager.

As the highest-ranking figure in the palace, the Empress Dowager commanded reverence from all, including the Emperor himself, who had to greet her morning and evening. For newly appointed scholars like Xiao Jingduo, this protocol was especially crucial. Though this banquet was largely a family affair among the royal household, its importance could not be understated as it also involved foreign dignitaries. Thus, the Empress had gone to great lengths to select the lakeside location, and now the Empress Dowager rested in an adjacent warm chamber.

Surrounded by numerous palace attendants, the Empress Dowager sat in the chamber, enjoying lighthearted chatter. The Empress and several consorts sat by her side, skillfully offering compliments while maintaining a composed demeanor.

The consorts were laughing when a eunuch outside the hall announced, “The princes and princesses have arrived.”

The Empress Dowager immediately smiled, saying, “It must be Wenyan and the others.”

Princess Xin’an and Prince Liang led a grand procession into the hall, bowing deeply to the Empress Dowager. “Your grandchildren greet the Empress Dowager.”

As juniors, Princess Xin’an and Prince Liang did not warrant the Empress Dowager or Empress to rise in greeting. Thus, the Empress remained seated by the Empress Dowager’s side, smiling as she observed the group. The consorts, on the other hand, stood and slightly turned to avoid the formal bow.

The Empress Dowager, who had enjoyed a lifetime of prestige, hailed from a powerful eunuch family in the previous dynasty before her marriage. Following her marriage, her husband and sons had each outdone the other in accomplishments, elevating her to the highest position attainable by a woman in the empire. Though internal conflicts among her children—such as the bitter rivalry between her eldest and second sons for the throne—had created turbulence, her status as Empress Dowager remained unshaken.

Despite her advanced age, the Empress Dowager had taken great care of herself and showed fewer signs of aging than even the Emperor, who was worn down by state affairs. Accustomed to her elevated status, she maintained a composed and dignified demeanor. However, upon seeing this group of individuals paying their respects, her typically serene face softened with a warm smile. She affectionately beckoned to someone in the crowd, saying, “Yan’er, are you worn out this time? Come over and let Grandmother take a look.”

Though both Princess Xin’an and Prince Liang were her direct descendants, the Empress Dowager’s favoritism was evident as she only called for Rong Wenyan, making her bias unmistakable.

Princess Xin’an, having grown accustomed to such unequal treatment, merely smiled and let the matter pass, maintaining her poised and noble demeanor as the eldest legitimate princess. Under the gaze of everyone present, Rong Wenyan stepped forward from the group with grace and approached the Empress Dowager. As she neared, Rong Wenyan respectfully curtsied and greeted the Empress, saying, “Princess Hejing greets the Empress.”

Empress Cui, being the second wife of the Emperor, could not exert control over the offspring of the late Empress Yuan, such as the Crown Prince and Princess Xin’an, despite her prestigious position. However, Rong Wenyan always treated her with utmost respect and courtesy, which greatly pleased Empress Cui. As a result, the Empress was willing to grant Rong Wenyan certain privileges and deliberately elevated her to stand in opposition to that “troublesome child” from the Eastern Palace.

Rong Wenyan and the Empress interacted with an air of mutual respect and harmony, a display that delighted the Empress Dowager. After greeting the Empress, Rong Wenyan unceremoniously took a seat beside the Empress Dowager. While she deemed the Empress worthy of her courtesy, the other consorts were not afforded the same respect.

Everyone else remained standing, while Rong Wenyan, merely a princess of the second rank, sat above them. Neither her age nor her rank compared to those who stood below her, yet neither the Empress Dowager nor Rong Wenyan appeared to notice or object to the impropriety.

Xiao Jingduo had previously only heard rumors about the tension within the imperial family, but today’s experience revealed just how deep the rivalries and divisions in the harem ran.

Standing among many others in the spacious hall, he listened as the Empress Dowager conversed warmly with the daughter of the deposed Crown Prince.

“Yan’er, did you enjoy your outing today? Did anyone offend you?”

“Grandmother, today was truly an eye-opener for me. Not only did I witness the skills of the newly appointed scholars, but I also had the opportunity to watch my third brother’s polo match against the Turks. It’s a pity you couldn’t be there to see it yourself!”

“Is that so?” The Empress Dowager was intrigued and finally turned her gaze toward Prince Liang and the others. “You participated in the match as well?”

Prince Liang, who held some standing with the Empress Dowager, responded with a smile, “Yes, Grandmother. The Turkic guests wanted to play a polo match, so we naturally had to oblige.”

Since there were no outsiders present, the Empress Dowager spoke frankly. “You shouldn’t have done that. They’re just a group of barbarians. If they wanted to play polo, someone else could have accompanied them. As imperial princes, how could you lower yourselves to play personally?”

The other princes, who had been riding high after their victory, now appeared uneasy under her reproach. Only Prince Liang remained composed and replied, “You are absolutely right, Grandmother. Your grandson accepts your guidance.”

Seeing the discomfort on the faces of the other princes, Rong Wenyan quickly intervened. “Grandmother, my third brother and the others were only trying to uphold the prestige of our dynasty. Please don’t blame them.”

With Rong Wenyan pleading on their behalf, the Empress Dowager’s expression softened. “Fine, fine. Since Yan’er enjoyed herself, I won’t dampen your spirits.”

At this moment, the Empress stepped in to ease the atmosphere further, smiling as she said, “I see you are all in such high spirits. I wonder what has happened today to make you so delighted?”

A eunuch who had accompanied the outing stepped forward, his voice lively and engaging, as he recounted the two polo matches outside the palace. His eloquence brought the story to life, with dramatic highs and lows that captivated his audience.

Even the Empress Dowager was drawn in by the eunuch’s animated storytelling. Emboldened by her interest, he continued with even more enthusiasm:

“The Turks claimed that their warriors on the field were the most valiant on the steppe, boasting of their lifelong horsemanship and challenging the men of our empire to a contest of skill. At that moment, His Highness Prince Liang and His Highness Prince Qi stepped forward, leading the princes and imperial sons-in-law to take up the challenge. When the princes rode onto the field, the cheers from the spectators shook the skies. Princess Xin’an and the other nobles joined the excitement, placing wagers on who would score the most goals. Princess Xin’an bet on the Grand Consort, while the Commandery Princess bet on Prince Liang.”

The eunuch was still animatedly recounting the events when Rong Wenyan’s expression suddenly turned cold. Though her smile remained soft and reserved, she interrupted him without hesitation, asking, “Who did you say bet on Prince Liang?”

Everyone else was engrossed in the story and found themselves caught off guard by her sudden interruption. They looked at her in confusion, unsure of what had provoked her. The eunuch, startled and now fearful, stammered as he answered, “The Commandery Princess wagered two jade pendants on His Highness Prince Liang. I didn’t make a mistake…”

Rong Wenyan kept her smile but said nothing further. While the eunuch grew increasingly nervous, Xiao Jingduo inwardly noted the situation with a quiet “Ah, so this is what upset Princess Hejing”

According to protocol, Rong Ke should have been referred to as the Commandery Princess Yangxin. However, since it was an unshakable tradition for the Crown Prince’s daughter to hold the title of Commandery Princess, Rong Ke had been given this title from the moment the Emperor ascended the throne. Over time, both officials and commoners grew accustomed to simply calling her “Commandery Princess.”

This convention had persisted for years, but with the rise of Rong Wenyan, the empire now had a second Commandery Princess. It was only then that this shorthand for Rong Ke began to cause confusion. To avoid ambiguity, people began addressing Rong Wenyan by her title, “Princess Hejing.” If someone used just “Commandery Princess,” it was understood they meant Rong Ke.

This was a small detail most palace servants and eunuchs paid little attention to, yet to Rong Wenyan, it felt like a deliberate slight.

For a mere eunuch to so thoughtlessly imply that the title “Commandery Princess” was exclusive to Rong Ke was an unspoken acknowledgment that, in their minds, Rong Ke was the only true and rightful Commandery Princess.

Rong Wenyan had interrupted the eunuch but had not clarified his mistake, leaving him to stew in his nervous confusion. Over time, the Empress Dowager pieced together the issue, and her expression darkened.

“A mere servant dares to insult Yan’er in this way? Drag him out and deal with him according to palace rules,” the Empress Dowager ordered coldly, her tone icy despite her still-elegant demeanor.

A punishment decreed by the Empress Dowager was unmistakably severe. The eunuch’s knees gave way as he collapsed to the floor, pleading tearfully, “Mercy, Your Majesty! Mercy, Princess Hejing!”

And there it was again—Princess Hejing. Rong Wenyan grew even more frustrated. Though she had originally intended to intercede on the eunuch’s behalf, the words caught in her throat, and she chose not to speak after all.

Rong Ke could no longer bear the scene. What skill was there in the Empress Dowager, of all people, bullying a mere eunuch? Sensing Rong Ke’s thoughts, Princess Xin’an subtly placed her hand on Rong Ke’s shoulder.

Killing someone over a verbal slip was undoubtedly improper, but for Xin’an and the Crown Prince, it presented a perfect opportunity to strike at the Empress Dowager and Rong Wenyan while showcasing the Eastern Palace’s benevolence.

Feeling the weight on her shoulder, Rong Ke paused for only a moment before speaking:
“Great-Grandmother, what exactly did this eunuch do to deserve punishment as severe as beating or execution?”

The Empress Dowager, already furious over what she perceived as disrespect toward Rong Wenyan, hadn’t expected Rong Ke to step into the fray. Her displeasure deepened, and she cast a cold, condescending glance at Rong Ke.
“Are you questioning my judgment, or do you think I, as the Empress Dowager, lack compassion?”

Princess Xin’an’s heart skipped a beat. Though their thoughts might align with Rong Ke’s words, voicing them aloud was dangerous—letting the Empress Dowager know would spell disaster. Xin’an was just about to steer the conversation away when Rong Ke pressed forward without hesitation:
“The eunuch just said that the Commandery Princess wagered on Prince Liang—what’s the problem with that? Since he didn’t specify which Princess, it must mean both of us bet on Prince Liang.” Rong Ke cast a sidelong glance at the eunuch kneeling on the ground. “Is that what you meant?”

The eunuch, as though granted a reprieve, immediately nodded fervently, his head bobbing like a woodpecker.

“Princess Yangxin is absolutely right—that’s exactly what I meant!” (now he’s using Rong Ke’s title)

Rong Wenyan and Rong Ke had indeed both placed bets on Prince Liang. While everyone present knew this was a deliberate misinterpretation, they couldn’t find a way to refute Rong Ke’s twisted logic in the moment. Not wanting to escalate the situation and damage her reputation, Rong Wenyan followed suit, saying,
“Grandmother, I only spoke casually. Don’t be upset. If my words caused trouble for these servants, then I was in the wrong.”

The Empress Dowager, unable to challenge Rong Ke’s logic, softened her expression with Rong Wenyan’s intercession.
“Fine. You’re just too kind-hearted, always defending the servants. What will you do when I’m not around to watch over you, and others take advantage of your soft nature?”

The subtle jab at “others” wasn’t lost on Rong Ke, who inwardly scoffed. The one quick to condemn and equally swift to backtrack was none other than Rong Wenyan herself.

What had begun as a minor confrontation dissipated as if it had never occurred. The atmosphere in the hall remained serene, with smiles all around. But the eunuch who had knelt on the floor knew the truth: beneath the tranquil surface lay razor-sharp blades. In mere moments, he had narrowly escaped death’s door.

Having endured such a close call, the eunuch no longer dared to show off. Quietly retreating to the side, he awaited further orders. Neither the Empress Dowager nor the Empress was in the mood to listen to his storytelling anymore.

Breaking the silence, the Empress spoke with a smile:
“I must say, Princess Hejing truly has an exceptional temperament—gentle, elegant, calm, and considerate. She is a model for the royal family.”

With the Empress speaking, who dared to disagree? The attending consorts and noblewomen chimed in with praise. The Empress Dowager, coaxed into a better mood, said,
“Yan’er does have a good nature, which means I’ll need to worry about her even more. You and Yangxin are both Commanders Princesses, but your rank is higher than hers. Using the same provisions as her isn’t proper decorum. Seniority and hierarchy mustn’t be confused. I think it’s best to raise Yan’er’s allowance to match that of a Cmmandery Princess.”

When the Empress Dowager said those words, it wasn’t just the concubines of the harem— even Xiao Jingduo, an outsider, found it hard to listen any longer.

He had thought his family’s old madam was biased enough, but it turned out there’s always someone more extreme. The Empress Dowager of the palace managed to exhibit favoritism with such audacious righteousness.

The Empress, however, had no objection. After all, it wasn’t her money being spent. For most matters, she might have been willing to give the Empress Dowager some leeway, but Rong Wenyan’s situation was unique. Without the Emperor’s explicit approval, even the Empress dared not respond to such a statement.

So, she merely smiled without saying a word, and Princess Xin’an pretended she hadn’t heard anything. The Empress Dowager, seeing their indifference, immediately understood what was going on and grew displeased. Her face darkened, and she refrained from speaking further.

Fortunately, at that moment, word came from the Emperor that the banquet could begin. The Empress heaved a sigh of relief and quickly ushered everyone outside, tactfully bypassing the earlier awkward topic.

The palace banquet had already been prepared, waiting only for the Emperor and the Turkic Khagan to finish their business. The banquet was set in the garden, and today’s weather was uncommonly pleasant. Despite the unpleasant conversation earlier, everyone’s spirits lightened as they stepped outside.

With the Emperor present, the Empress Dowager didn’t dare to put on the same cold attitude toward Princess Xin’an and Rong Ke as before. The banquet proceeded in a warm and harmonious atmosphere. The Emperor and the Turkic Khagan were naturally the center of attention, and nearly everyone’s focus was on them. Even Princess Xin’an was preoccupied with bantering playfully with the Emperor and didn’t notice that one person was missing from the table.

Palace maids in ornate attire moved gracefully among the guests, while dancers performed elegantly to the music at the center of the gathering. Amidst the lively scene, Rong Ke quietly slipped away, unnoticed.

This act of leaving should have gone unnoticed, but the moment Rong Ke departed, Xiao Jingduo noticed.

As a newly appointed scholar-official, this was arguably the most critical time for Xiao Jingduo to make an impression. At palace banquets, officials often composed poetry or essays to win the Emperor’s favor. It was a rare opportunity to stand out, and the other new officials were all bending over backward to impress the higher-ups. Xiao Jingduo should have done the same, but for some reason, he couldn’t focus at all.

After sitting stiffly at his seat for a while, he finally couldn’t resist the urge and slipped away quietly.

Not long after leaving, the sounds of conversation and toasts faded into the distance, as if the earlier clinking of glasses had been an illusion. Quickening his pace, Xiao Jingduo caught up to Rong Ke by the lakeside.

“Commandery Princess, why have you come out here?”

Hearing his voice, Rong Ke turned, equally surprised. “I was about to ask you the same thing—why are you out here?”

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T/N: I previously translated Rong Ke’s title as “Crown Princess” and I’ll be changing it to “Commandery Princess” from now on as it’s more accurate.

When the Empress Dowager said that Rong Wenyan (Princess Hejing) was higher in rank than Rong Ke, she most likely meant higher in terms of family seniority, as she is the older cousin.

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