A commotion echoed from outside.
Bai Wutong pushed open the window. "What is going on out there?"
Lianxin hurried over, wearing a gloating expression. "Your Ladyship, the Emperor has sent Beauty Gao back!"
She covered her mouth. "Sent right back, just as she was. It seems His Majesty didn't even touch her. I have never heard of any consort being sent back by the Emperor like this. From now on, she will probably be the biggest joke in the entire inner court."
"How do you know about this in such detail?"
"Oh, that little eunuch told me."
No one in the palace was ever truly foolish, so how could anyone speak of such a matter so casually?
Gao Jingwan was a mistress; the eunuch was a servant.
For a servant to casually discuss a master could be a minor or major offense—at best a scolding, at worst a sound flogging.
"Repeat that little eunuch's exact words to me, word for word."
Though bewildered, Lianxin obediently complied and recounted what had happened. "When Beauty Gao was carried back, the eunuch caused quite a stir. It seemed one of them twisted his ankle and nearly dropped her. Thinking to watch the excitement, I didn't dare go too close, but as it happened, a little eunuch spotted me and asked if I'd seen a tassel, so we started chatting."
"He said Beauty Gao had just entered the hall when, realizing he still had memorials left to review, the Emperor ordered her to be sent back. The whole thing took less time than it takes for a stick of incense to burn—not even enough time to undress."
The corners of Bai Wutong's lips curled upward. In the moonlight, her hibiscus face appeared even more delicate and alluring. "Go back and rest. Act as though you know nothing of this, and don't gossip outside. If you offend Beauty Gao and bring trouble upon yourself, don't say I didn't warn you."
She closed the window and lay down on the warm bed.
That little eunuch had certainly not been chatting idly; the Emperor had undoubtedly arranged for someone to spread the word on purpose.
Since Gao Jingwan had been sent back untouched, it seemed the Emperor truly was taking an interest in her.
Bai Wutong took out a sachet, gazed at the embroidered Cat-Spirit pattern upon it, and pressed it gently against her chest. "Father, Mother, I am finally going to avenge you."
"Just wait and see. I will make sure you both get to see the Imperial Noble Consort skinned and dismembered!"
"Whatever she did to you, your daughter shall repay a hundredfold!"
At dawn.
The first light of day broke across the sky.
Bai Wutong came out carrying a basket to gather fresh flowers and morning dew in the courtyard.
These were the daily essentials she needed to maintain her complexion, and fresh ones yielded the best results.
Unlike its usual ostentatious display, the main hall was utterly silent.
It seemed yesterday's incident had dealt a heavy blow to Gao Jingwan; she likely had no face to show anyone for the next few days.
That suited Bai Wutong just fine, granting her some peace and quiet.
She mixed the fresh flowers and morning dew together and placed them in a cool, shaded spot.
Lianxin brought over a basin of warm water. "Your Ladyship, please wash your hands."
"What day is it today?"
"Your Ladyship, today is the seventeenth of the month."
"The seventeenth—truly an auspicious day." Bai Wutong dried her hands. "Bring me the honey-milk pastries made yesterday."
"Your Ladyship, whatever do you want those for? They were made yesterday! You shouldn't eat them; they're bad for your throat." Lianxin asked as she went to fetch the pastries.
Bai Wutong plucked a few flower petals, scattered them over the pastries, and packed them into a food box. "I am going to Yongshou Palace. You stay here and keep an eye on Gao Jingwan's place. Chan'er, come with me."
Lianxin pouted. "Your Ladyship, why won't you let me accompany you to Yongshou Palace?"
"You must stay and guard Lanxin Pavilion." Bai Wutong handed the food box to Chan'er. "Let's go."
Yesterday, the Emperor had people carry Gao Jingwan back; the news would undoubtedly reach the Empress Dowager's ears.
Of all potential heirs, the one the Empress Dowager currently favored above all others was Beauty Gao.
Given her anxious nature, how could the Empress Dowager fail to confront the Emperor?
***
Along the path to Yongshou Palace, green willows cast cooling shades, pavilions and terraces stood in picturesque disorder, and tree branches reached out over the walls, accompanied by the faint hum of insects and chirping of birds.
Chan'er followed carefully behind Bai Wutong, gazing at her slender waist and thinking how utterly graceful she looked.
She was a newly arrived palace maid from the Imperial Household Department. In the eyes of others, she was not particularly clever, always behaved with strict propriety, and lacked both a sweet tongue and the inclination to butter up her superiors.
Having been in Lanxin Pavilion for so long, the number of words she had exchanged with Bai Wutong did not even reach twenty.
Looking at the food box, she finally could not help speaking up. "Your Ladyship, these... these are yesterday's pastries. If the Empress Dowager finds out, it will be a crime of great disrespect."
Bai Wutong turned to look at her, her delicate brows lifting slightly. "No matter, she won't be able to tell."
These pastries, in truth, were meant for Fubao.
Seeing Chan'er's hesitant expression, Bai Wutong smiled lightly. "Alright, don't be afraid. I know what I'm doing. Were you worrying about me?"
Chan'er hastily curtsied. "Your Ladyship is my mistress; naturally, Your Ladyship's servant worries for you."
"Don't be afraid. I was merely chatting with you. You needn't be so stiff in my presence from now on. Just remember: whatever I tell you to do, you do. Ask no questions and be not overly curious."
The two arrived one after the other at Yongshou Palace.
The Emperor had not yet arrived; the Empress Dowager was resting alone on the couch, nursing her anger.
Hearing that Beauty Bai had arrived, the Empress Dowager frowned in disgust. "Not seeing her. Tell her to leave."
The Nanny covered her broad sleeves to prevent the gold leaves hidden inside from falling out. "Your Ladyship, Beauty Bai specifically made honey-milk pastries, which Fubao loves so much."
Hearing this, Fubao, lounging lazily nearby, immediately perked up its little ears and rubbed its exceptionally soft fur repeatedly against the Empress Dowager's hand.
"Look at you, utterly without ambition, starting to act spoiled the moment you hear about food." The Empress Dowager's mood lifted slightly. "Very well, for Fubao's sake, let Beauty Bai in."
Swaying her graceful figure, Bai Wutong stepped into the hall and curtsied. "May the Empress Dowager be blessed with boundless longevity and peace. Your humble servant made some honey-milk pastries today and wished to bring them for the Empress Dowager to taste."
Stroking Fubao absentmindedly, the Empress Dowager remarked, "It seems to me you didn't make these for me at all; you made them for Fubao. Who in this palace doesn't know that Fubao loves honey-milk pastries above all else? I used to think you lacked any ambition, but seeing this now, it appears I misjudged you."
Bai Wutong immediately dropped to her knees to confess her fault. "May the Empress Dowager forgive me. Your servant indeed had her own little intentions. Fubao is my lucky star; without it, I would never have been able to enter the palace, so I hold a special fondness for it."
Seeing that her attitude in admitting her fault was quite good, the Empress Dowager had no desire to earn a reputation for harshness. "Get up. Since Fubao hasn't eaten yet, you can serve it the pastries."
Making a consort wait on a cat—the Empress Dowager truly held her in complete contempt.
Bai Wutong concealed the coldness in her eyes, opened the box of pastries, and fed Fubao.
The hall grew quiet once more.
A moment later, a eunuch's shrill voice suddenly rang out. "His Majesty has arrived!"
Footsteps approached from afar.
Zhang Chengyan, clad in his imperial robes and exuding an imposing aura, stepped into the hall and offered a perfunctory bow. "Mother."
The Empress Dowager opened her eyes, having long forgotten that Bai Wutong was still present, and burst into a scolding. "Hmph, Emperor, if you still cared for me at all in your heart, why did you have Beauty Gao carried back yesterday? How do you expect the people of this inner court to view me, or Beauty Gao? She is naturally the most likely to conceive an heir; if she falls ill from grief over this matter, who will bear the imperial lineage?"
In the corner.
Bai Wutong smiled faintly as she stroked Fubao. *She* would bear it, of course.
In this inner court, only she would give him children!