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  Soon, the Dowager Consorts and the te Emperor's princes and princesses arrived, and the imperial cnsmen began entering the pace one after another. With that, Yining Pace became bustling with activity.

  Neither the Emperor nor the Empress sat beside the Empress Dowager today.

  Instead, seated next to the Empress Dowager were the elder princess consorts of the imperial cn—women of the previous generation, from the time of the te Emperor.

  Regardless of their current ranks, the younger generation had to give way. Such was the principle of filial piety.

  Though it was said they would watch opera all day, the performances did not begin in the morning—it wouldn't be until sometime in the afternoon.

  The Empress Dowager was chatting idly with the royal retives, and the dowager consorts chimed in now and then with fttery. Wumian, watching the scene, couldn't help but think: Perhaps I'll be like this someday... and that wouldn't be so bad.

  Even if my future son isn't mine by blood, it won't matter. If he is to be a wise ruler, he must still honor his official mother. At worst, there will be two Empress Dowagers. I won't compete with his birth mother. We can coexist peacefully, and I'll keep my hands out of court affairs. That would be just fine.

  She smiled at the thought.

  "What is the Empress thinking about?" Ying Qionglou turned his head and caught sight of his Empress smiling... a strangely serene, almost benevolent smile?

  Did I see that right?

  "I was wondering whether Mother is happy. She seems quite pleased," Wumian replied, nearly blurting out 'I was thinking about what it'll be like when I'm Empress Dowager.' That was something best left unsaid—no way the Emperor would hear that and not be angry.

  "You..." Ying Qionglou nearly said, 'You've worked so hard on the birthday banquet—of course, she's happy.' But then he remembered: the Empress wasn't managing pace affairs right now. If he said that, she wouldn't be pleased either.

  "Hmm?" Wumian tilted her head curiously at his silence.

  "Oh. You care about Mother. That alone makes her happy," Ying Qionglou said. "She doesn't value vish dispys—all she wants is the company of family."

  "What secret talk are His Majesty and Her Majesty whispering about over there?" Guifei lifted her wine cup, smiling. "We were just about to offer a toast, but if His Majesty doesn't lead the way, we daren't go first."

  Ying Qionglou nodded and raised his cup toward the Empress Dowager.

  She accepted it with a warm smile.

  Wumian followed suit with her own toast. Then the rest of the concubines took their turns, offering their respects in turn.

  When it came to the Second Prince's turn, he was expected to say a few auspicious words.

  But the six-year-old stood frozen, unable to speak.

  His nursemaid tried to prompt him, and he burst into tears on the spot.

  Xian Fei immediately rose. "Quick, take the Second Prince away—don't let him spoil Her Majesty's mood."

  The nursemaid hesitated, not daring to move until Ying Qionglou waved his hand. "Take him back."

  Only then did she hurry to carry him off.

  Xian Fei offered a quick expnation. "It's my fault. I failed to teach him properly. Please don't bme him."

  The Empress Dowager gave a noncommittal hum. "He's still young."

  But she didn't say whether she bmed him or not.

  Wumian rose and poured the Empress Dowager a cup of wine. "Mother, when does the opera begin? I can hardly wait."

  The Empress Dowager ughed. "Soon, soon. You're more eager than I am."

  The retives all smiled, praising the Empress for her filial devotion, and the awkward moment was smoothed over.

  Still, Xian Fei had lost face. A sickly child was one thing—but to be six years old and still unable to say a few simple blessings?

  Even the two-year-old Third Prince had managed a clear "May Grandmother's blessings be as vast as the Eastern Sea."

  By comparison, the Second Prince was completely useless.

  In this society's view, the Empress Dowager wouldn't be pleased. Not just because she didn't get birthday wishes, but because her grandson was weak and timid—neither of which was endearing.

  As Wumian returned to her seat, she pinched the Third Prince's cheek in passing.

  Li Zhaoyi didn't react, but the Empress Dowager smiled. "The Third Prince is adorable. Zhaoyi, come here."

  Li Zhaoyi rose and approached. "Your Majesty."

  "I remember when you first entered the Eastern Pace. That was when the te Emperor was still alive. I was there for the selection, and I thought you were well-mannered. Quiet, but proper. In the blink of an eye, over ten years have passed."

  "Thank you for remembering me, Your Majesty," Li Zhaoyi replied softly.

  "Your Majesty, Empress—Li Zhaoyi has been in the Eastern Pace since the early days. She's raised a son well. I would like to promote her. What do you think?" the Empress Dowager asked.

  "That's only fitting. I have no objections," Wumian said with a smile.

  "What Mother says is correct. Let her be promoted to the second-rank title of Fei. The specific honorific title can be drafted by the Secretariat and submitted for approval," Ying Qionglou agreed.

  "Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress and Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, for this great favor," Li Zhaoyi said. From that moment on, she was Li Fei.

  (Transtor Xiaobai: I know there is already a Li Fei, but that one is childless)

  "For a woman of the inner pace, to bear children for the royal lineage is already a great contribution. Don't think I'm being partial—Li Fei's child is well-raised, and her promotion is entirely deserved," the Empress Dowager said, sweeping her gaze over the others.

  "Mother is right. I will remember your teaching," Wumian promptly curtsied in agreement.

  The concubines quickly echoed their assent.

  Yet inwardly, they felt bitter. The Emperor didn't have many sons—Guifei and Rong Fei only had princesses.

  Xian Fei's son had just embarrassed himself.

  Now that Li Shi had a son and was promoted to Fei, her status was even higher.

  After that, the Empress Dowager paid little mind to the rest of the concubines. The opera began, and she watched merrily.

  The festivities sted until te at night, when the royal retives were finally seen off. Still not satisfied, the Empress Dowager asked the Empress and the consorts to accompany her for more performances. It was well past midnight before everyone was finally allowed to leave.

  ____

  The next morning, the Secretariat of the Inner Court sent over the proposed title for Li Shi. The Emperor reviewed it and personally circled the character "Min" (敏) before ordering it to be delivered to the Empress.

  As it happened, the other consorts were all present, so the Empress made the announcement:

  "His Majesty has chosen the character Min for Li Shi's title. It is an auspicious name. From now on, she will be Min Fei. The official investiture ceremony will take pce at the end of the month. Prepare yourself well. In the future, serve His Majesty faithfully, raise the royal children, and it would be best to bear a few more."

  "I will remember Your Majesty's teachings and fulfill my duties with devotion," Min Fei said as she knelt.

  "Very well. You may rise. Let's sit and speak."

  Once Min Fei was seated, the others came forward to offer their congratutions—though each congratution carried a trace of sourness.

  The Emperor had always been generous when it came to conferring titles in the harem. He never hesitated to grant high ranks, as seen with Li Fei and Jiang Zhaorong.

  Li Fei had never been pregnant, but because she was favored, she had been elevated swiftly. Jiang Zhaorong, though of humble birth and no longer favored, had lost her daughter. Out of compassion, the Emperor still granted her the rank of Zhaorong.

  As for Min Fei herself—she hadn't been favored at first, but after giving birth to the Third Prince, she rose swiftly from Cairen to Zhaoyi.

  Looking at it now, one could say that Ying Qionglou was somewhat willful in how he distributed titles to his concubines.

  Still, Min Fei had long been a senior figure in the pace, and no one truly begrudged her advancement—after all, having a prince was strong backing.

  Among the newer concubines, none had yet risen to prominence, and none had the skill or power to challenge those already high in rank.

  As the days grew warmer and spring rains became frequent, Wumian often stayed indoors to read or practice calligraphy when the weather was poor. When the skies were clear, she strolled through the imperial gardens.

  On occasion, she would chat with the Twelfth Prince. The child seemed to enjoy her company, lighting up with joy whenever they met. After all, there were few people willing to patiently listen to him speak.

  So one day, while Ying Qionglou came to dine with the Empress, he casually asked about it:

  "You seem to like the grand prince quite a bit?"

  "Mhm," Wumian nodded.