Hustle Queen in the Harem: My Consort Won't Stop Grinding

Chapter 54: Chapter 46: Probed While Paying Respects

The Empress Dowager’s anxiety was not without reason.

The late Emperor had four sons, so his line of heirs was not considered abundant. This had been a source of complaint for the court for a long time. Later, his sons fought amongst themselves, and two of them died in the struggle, leaving only the current sovereign, Xie Che, and his older, half-brother, Xielou. Xielou’s original name was Xie Zu. He had enjoyed a period of favor and was once a popular contender for the throne among court officials.

Unfortunately, for reasons the late Emperor never made public, the throne ultimately went to Xie Che. On his deathbed, the late Emperor summoned his ministers and issued a decree, changing Xie Zu’s name to Xielou.

The Royal Family always chose names with auspicious meanings. "Zu" (祚) meant "to bestow blessings," but it had another layer of meaning that was far more thought-provoking: "Zu" also signified the imperial throne and the fate of the nation. How could the late Emperor give a Prince such a name without causing the court officials to take notice, place their bets on the Third Prince, and gamble on him inheriting the throne?

After all, in modern slang, his name was a pun for "Thank You, Imperial Throne!"

It was hard not to read into it!

Xielou was not even a year old when he was given the name "Xie Zu." This wild move by the late Emperor left many women in the harem breathless. They speculated the child would have a hard time surviving, yet he somehow shouldered this monumental blessing. Not only did he live, but he also gained the late Emperor’s favor and served for a time as a de facto Crown Prince in his prime.

But in the end, the late Emperor did not choose him.

He even stripped him of the name he had once bestowed. Fearing it would be a taboo for the new Emperor, and worried that Xie Che would be unable to resist killing his brother—a former rival for the throne—after his death, he changed the deeply meaningful "Zu" to the unremarkable "Lou." And so he became the current Prince Duan.

To this day, Prince Duan remains unmarried, seemingly intent on remaining single for life.

But what if he changed his mind and had an heir before the Emperor did?

An emperor without a son meant an unstable court.

This was a harsh reality, and one the Empress Dowager could not help but dwell on.

※

The next day in Jianzhang Palace, upon seeing Jiang Xian’s splendid attire, Lu Ronghua eyed her askance. "Noble Lady Gu, you’re dressed even more beautifully than usual. When we go to Changle Palace to pay our respects later, you’re sure to win the Empress Dowager’s affection."

’Who is she trying to impress, dressing up so beautifully?’

’Does she intend to bewitch the Empress Dowager as well?’ Lu Ronghua was greatly displeased.

Jiang Xian wore a palace dress of tender green, but her makeup was lighter than usual. She had even deliberately used makeup techniques to make her eyes appear rounder, reducing their allure and adding a touch of childlike innocence. But her face was so beautiful that she looked stunning no matter what, making it no wonder Lu Ronghua was jealous.

She curtsied. "I thank you for the compliment, Lu Ronghua."

Lu Ronghua sneered and was about to say more, but just then, the Empress spoke. "Alright, it is the hour to proceed to Changle Palace."

Everyone fell silent at once.

The hour for paying respects to the Empress Dowager could not be delayed. No one could bear that responsibility, so they all rose together and set off for Changle Palace in an orderly procession.

Although the rank of Noble Lady was not particularly high, there were few high-ranking concubines at present. With her title, she was considered one of the top contenders. The newcomers who had entered the palace at the same time as her were all formally kowtowing to the Empress Dowager for the first time, and their faces showed their nervousness.

Jiang Xian secretly purchased [Fragrance Floating].

’I don’t know what kind of scent the Empress Dowager likes, so I’ll have to use a trick from outside the rulebook!’

As a result, Consort Xian shot her several more glances, thinking to herself, ’Why does Noble Lady Gu smell like hot pot again today? Can she really go to Changle Palace to pay respects smelling like this?’ But since none of the other concubines mentioned it, she couldn’t be bothered to point it out either.

The Empress Dowager did not make things difficult for them. After bestowing bolts of fabric upon them all, she told them to rise.

Jiang Xian kowtowed in thanks along with the others.

In Jianzhang Palace, they were given seats, but in Changle Palace, they had to stand respectfully.

The Empress had a seat, but she did not actually sit. Instead, she waited by the Empress Dowager’s side, adopting the full posture of a dutiful daughter-in-law listening to a lecture.

"Once you enter the palace, you are members of the Royal Family. You must act with propriety and not spend your days mired in jealousy and pettiness. You should think more about how to continue the Emperor’s line." She admonished them all as a group before asking, "Who is Noble Lady Gu?"

Jiang Xian stepped forward and paid her respects again.

During the palace selection, the Empress Dowager had thought this girl seemed quite good, particularly calm. At the Longevity Festival, she had also been stunned by "Unrivaled." However, the lights had been too bright at the time, and her eyesight wasn’t what it used to be. She could only tell that the dance was excellent, but couldn’t see the dancer’s face clearly. Looking closely today, she could finally make out some details.

Jiang Xian’s features were already exquisite, but after receiving the Holy Favor, she had blossomed further. Her entire being seemed to radiate a gentle light, and even the Empress Dowager couldn’t help but feel a flicker of affection as she looked at her. The tender green palace dress made her skin look even fairer. Her features were slightly innocent, a far cry from the bewitching femme fatale described in the palace rumors. The Noble Consort was far more bewitching than her.

And all of this was the effect of Jiang Xian’s makeup and contouring.

’No wonder the Emperor fancies such a beautiful girl.’

Unaware of the Empress Dowager’s inner thoughts, the other concubines secretly hoped the Empress Dowager would discipline Mrs. Jiang and deflate her arrogance.

"While I was in seclusion for prayer, I heard a little about what happened to you in Zhaoyang Palace. But it’s not the same as hearing it from you directly. The Noble Consort is not here today. Is there anything you wish to tell me, Noble Lady Gu?"

The newly entered concubines were shocked.

’It looks like the Empress Dowager is actually going to back her up? What an honor!’

"Your Majesty," Jiang Xian began, "On that day, the Lady and I had a slight misunderstanding. The matter is already resolved. If there is anything I wish to say to you, it is to take this opportunity, while visiting Changle Palace, to thank you for your recognition on the day of the palace selection."

As she spoke, Jiang Xian once again performed a deep bow to the woman on the high seat.

’In the family business that is the Imperial Palace, the Empress is the COO of the harem, and the Emperor is the absolute Chairman of the Board. That makes his mother the honorary chairwoman. Family businesses have a distinct characteristic: whatever flaws you find in the big boss, you’ll often find in the second-in-command as well. Even if you don’t see it at first glance, you will after spending enough time with them.’

’The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.’

’The common trait of this Heavenly Family mother-and-son duo was their love for speaking in opposites.’

’The Emperor loved to say things like: "I am not angry," "I don’t mind," "I’ll listen to your opinion," "It’s up to you," "Whatever..." He’s like a needy, dramatic girlfriend in the honeymoon phase of a relationship. If you believed even half a sentence, you’d find yourself in his little black book of grudges, with a hundred points docked from your score.’

’Applying this formula to the Empress Dowager, her question just now was a pure trap.’

’It was like a drama queen asking you: "Am I being too dramatic? You can tell me the truth, I promise I won’t get mad."’

’Both are pure and simple tests.’

’Which can be simplified to: "Am I being too dramatic? Tell me the truth, and I promise I *will* get mad."’

So, upon hearing the Empress Dowager’s question, a sharp glint flashed in Jiang Xian’s eyes. She deftly sidestepped the landmine, expressed her loyalty, and filled her words with the utmost respect for the Empress Dowager.

During the palace selection, all the others who had stepped forward with Jiang Xian were "bestowed flowers and dismissed from the palace."

Only she had been allowed to stay. Therefore, not many in the palace knew this story. They never expected that Mrs. Jiang had been praised by the Empress Dowager back then. ’Her Majesty’s old eyes must be failing her!’

After hearing her reply, the Empress Dowager showed a satisfied expression. "I am getting on in years. I merely hear of the harem’s affairs and let them be. It is the Empress who must trouble herself with these matters."

The Empress hurriedly assented.

As soon as Jiang Xian heard this, she knew she had done the right thing again.

’The Empress Dowager had asked for details about the Zhaoyang Palace incident, but I brushed past it in my reply. If she were truly uninformed and interested, she would certainly have been displeased or pressed for more, telling me to speak boldly. Then I would have answered.’

’It seems she’s not only uninterested but might even know more details about the incident than I do. Bringing it up today was just a test.’

Just as she thought, the Empress Dowager continued, "I heard that Noble Lady Gu was left to freeze on that day. The Imperial Physician just came to Changle Palace to take my pulse for a routine check-up. He can’t have gone far. Call him back to give Noble Lady Gu a thorough examination and see if any underlying health problems have developed."

Jiang Xian thanked her once more.

The Doctor Feng mentioned by the Empress Dowager quickly returned to Changle Palace.

It wasn’t simply because he hadn’t gone far.

After Doctor Feng had finished the Empress Dowager’s check-up, Nanny Tan had asked Mr. Feng to walk slowly, as he might be needed again shortly. Doctor Feng understood in an instant. Why leave at all? He just pretended to depart.

When Doctor Feng returned and carefully took Jiang Xian’s pulse, he delivered a diagnosis of excellent health. Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager’s expression softened once more.

Xie Che was first the Emperor, and second her son.

Unless it was absolutely necessary, she did not want to go against her son’s wishes.

Jiang Xian being able to bear children was the result she had hoped to see.

The Empress Dowager removed her own red agate bracelet and placed it on Jiang Xian’s wrist, patting her hand gently. "It is good that there are no lasting effects. A young woman like you should not have to suffer such things."

Seeing this, the other concubines knew their plan to appeal to the Queen Mother Rulai in the Western Heaven was a bust.

Jiang Xian was currently favored. Out of consideration for the Emperor, the Empress Dowager would also give Jiang Xian some face.

’To think she got away with yet another gift! How infuriating!’

Word of what had happened during the morning greetings soon reached the Emperor’s ears.

When he heard that Doctor Feng had been summoned, the Emperor couldn’t help but feel a pang of melancholy, his brow clouding over.

The matter of an heir was a heavy stone weighing on his heart.

To put it dramatically, if any concubine were to become pregnant with a royal child right now, he would plug his nose and bear it, even if she pointed at his nose and cursed him throughout her pregnancy—he would just wait until the child was born to execute her.

But not a single one had conceived!

One of the reasons Prince Duan remained unmarried was that he dared not have a son before the Emperor did, fearing it would complicate the already tense relationship between the brothers of the Heavenly Family.

"If Xian’er were to become pregnant, I’m sure she would give birth to a Prince as healthy as she is."

The Emperor said, lost in thought.

Liang Yuyin stood in the shadows with his head bowed, not daring to speak.