The Changchun Palace team travels back in time to Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace

More than two months later, Ying'er stepped into the inner hall of Changchun Palace once again.

She bowed respectfully to Rongyin, who said, "No need for formalities, please rise."

She lowered her head slightly, stood with her hands at her sides, and dared not look up.

The Empress's gentle voice floated down from above: "I called you in because there's something I want to tell you."

“There is a royal consort in Shou Kang Palace, who is from the Ulanara clan. She is your great-aunt by seniority. She wants to meet you.”

Yingluo noticed that Ying'er's body almost immediately stiffened and trembled almost imperceptibly.

Rongyin realized that Ying'er was somewhat resistant, so she said, "I only informed you because she is, after all, an elder in your family." Just as she was about to say, "If you don't want to see her, then don't," Ying'er knelt down with a "thump."

She strained her body with all her might to make herself appear less trembling, and managed to utter through gritted teeth, "Your Majesty, please allow me to return to the Imperial Laundry."

Rongyin was greatly surprised, and Yingluo was also a little puzzled. She helped Ying'er up and asked, "Why do you say that?"

Ying'er lowered her head and after a long while stammered, "Consort Tong will definitely allow me to enter the palace."

Rongyin and Yingluo exchanged a glance, and Yingluo asked, "Why do you think that Consort Tong wants you to enter the palace?"

Ying'er lowered her head even further: "The Ulanara clan has no important officials from the previous dynasty, only women in the harem. As a woman of the Ulanara clan, only by entering the harem can one serve the family. Back then, because I was not old enough to enter the palace, my family lost support after Consort Xian's incident. That's why I and my family were exiled. Now I'm thirteen years old, of course, of course I must..."

Yingluo hesitated for a moment before asking, "Is this also your idea, Ying'er?"

Ying'er's voice was already trembling with tears: "This servant, this servant didn't know that if this servant were to become a vixen and seduce the Emperor and the Empress, wouldn't I be just as heartbroken as my mother and Consort Xian?"

She remembered that when her mother came back from catching her husband cheating, she snatched the pea flour cake from her hand and threw it away. She said that if she were a boy, even if her father was in charge of the garden, she wouldn't be seduced by a vixen in the garden, and then she cried.

She also remembered that time she met the Emperor, who said that he looked like Consort Ling. Hailan told her elder sister and even pressed her head into the auspicious vat.

It's all because she did something wrong and hurt her mother and elder sister's feelings that she was treated this way.

Perhaps only by returning to the Imperial Laundry, becoming a slave again, and staying far away from the palace and the emperor, could she avoid hurting others.

She stammered out her request again, but heard the Empress say, "It's common for palace maids to enter the palace. It's not like some vixen seduced you. I won't hold it against you because of this, but now is not the time for you to deal with these things. Never mind, I will explain to Consort Tong. Just focus on your duties, take good care of your health, and don't worry about anything else."

Ying'er became even more uneasy. How could she let the Empress offend Consort Tong for her sake? How much more debt would she incur then?

She racked her brains trying to figure out what to do. Perhaps people's minds work faster when they're nervous. She came up with a plan and slightly raised her head, saying, "Your Majesty, if I were to speak with Consort Xian, she might go to Shou Kang Palace... or, perhaps I could go with Consort Xian to see Consort Tong..."

Yingluo sometimes really didn't know if this child's brain was good or bad, but she saw that Ying'er's face was flushed, seemingly because of fear and anxiety. When Xian Changzai was mentioned, her hands clenched unconsciously. She was afraid that if this continued, she would either get a fever because her brain was spinning, or lose control of her emotions as before because she was too frightened.

Rongyin realized this as well and comforted her, saying, "It's alright, I will handle it. Ying'er doesn't need to force herself."

Ying'er's unease did not lessen at all: "But, but this servant already owes Changchun Palace too much..."

She glanced at the Empress's face and saw a look of confusion on it.

Then the Empress asked, "What?"

The Empress was genuinely confused, seemingly unaware of her status as a creditor.

Ying'er lowered her head again: "This servant ruined Her Majesty the Empress's flowers, and also troubled Imperial Physician Huang, Sister Baizhi, and Sister Lüzhi so much, and ate so much medicine and food. Also, the medicine this servant took when I was in the Cold Palace was prescribed by Her Majesty the Empress, right?"

Her voice was barely audible: "This servant owes Consort Xian an amount I can never repay. Her Majesty the Empress treats me even better. This servant, this servant..."

She heard the Empress sigh. Then, interrupting her, she said softly, "Ying'er, come forward."

She took a few steps forward, and then heard the Empress say, "Raise your head."

She raised her head; the Empress's eyes seemed somewhat sad, but her loving gaze remained undiminished.

The Empress's voice was as gentle as ever: "Ying'er, people need to eat when they are hungry and take medicine when they are sick. It is only right and proper. It is also right and proper for me to protect everyone in the harem. It's not like I'm borrowing money or things. There's no question of owing or not owing. Don't think like that anymore. You are already weak. If you have such heavy thoughts at such a young age, your body will not be able to withstand it."

She told Songzhi to send Ying'er back to her post first, and instructed Songzhi not to reveal a single word about what happened today.

Songzhi took Ying'er out and handed her over to Baizhi. Knowing that Baizhi and Lüzhi would definitely ask something, she immediately said before they could speak, "I'm also serving Aunt Mingyu, so I have to go soon!" She declined Baizhi's invitation to stay for a cup of tea.

Although Green Branch failed to find out the truth, she didn't care. She just said, "Sigh, Sister Pine Branch is so busy these days. Speaking of Aunt Mingyu, how come she keeps tripping on the stairs? She twisted her ankle and said she won't be able to come back to take care of her for a few more days."

Bai Zhi flicked her forehead: "You talk too much! Let me tell you both, when Aunt Mingyu comes back, you mustn't mention it in front of her, or she'll be so embarrassed!"

Ying'er gave a blank "hmm".

Green Branch felt strange and reached out to touch Ying'er's head: "Why does Ying'er look even more like a silly goose? Could she have a fever again?"

She was relieved to find that her hands were at a normal temperature.

After making some inquiries and arrangements, the two headed to Shou Kang Palace a day later.

After paying their respects to the Empress Dowager, they went to Consort Tong's residence.

Consort Tong's attire remained in the style of the Kangxi era: a sandalwood-colored cotton robe with a dark floral pattern, over which was a silver-gray sheepskin jacket adorned with pearls. Her head was decorated in many ways; her sparse white hair was styled into a bun, adorned with a jadeite hairpin inlaid with coral and seed pearls, and six long pearl and jadeite hairpins hung down in a row behind her.

Perhaps it was because of her age, or perhaps it was because the heavy headdress made it difficult for her to maintain her balance, but Consort Tong leaned against a soft pillow with a melon and butterfly pattern and nestled in a thick sheepskin cushion.

Rongyin asked Yingluo to present a gift, which was a pair of red lingzhi ruyi scepters.

A glint of light flashed in Consort Tong's cloudy eyes, and she smiled and said, "I just happened to think of an old relative and thought I would trouble the Empress to bring her to meet me. Why does the Empress need to send such a generous gift?" She then told the nanny to put it away.

Rongyin said humbly, "You flatter me, Your Highness. You are the birth mother of Princess Chunque. Although Prince Chaoyong is far away in the northern desert, he must be filial to you. You have all sorts of good things here. This Lingzhi Ruyi is just a novelty and has a good meaning."

Consort Tong's smile froze for a moment. Since her daughter's death, Celing had been outwardly courteous for the past thirty years, sending her gifts every year. Fur and gemstones filled the palace, and even her clothes and bedding were made of fur specially sent from the northern desert. However, Celing herself had never written any letters of greeting, and had never mentioned visiting her when she returned to the capital several times.

She pretended not to hear and then asked Ying'er instead.

Rongyin said, "Ying'er is young, and I'm afraid she might break the rules and upset the Empress Dowager. Since the Empress Dowager wants to reunite with her relatives from the Ulanara clan, I've specially asked the Emperor to grant her permission to lift the confinement of Consort Xian today and let her come to Shou Kang Palace to accompany the Empress Dowager."

Consort Tong maintained her smile and continued, "Since Consort Xian has made a mistake, she should naturally be punished properly. Why should she be brought out? I was just thinking that when I entered the palace, I was thirteen years old. Now Ying'er must be twelve or thirteen years old. So I was just feeling sentimental and wanted to see Ying'er."

Rongyin said, "Ying'er is your grandchild, how can she compare to you?"

Consort Tong said, "Your Majesty flatters this old woman too much! I was just fortunate to have caught the opportune time when the Holy Ancestor was enriching the harem. Speaking of which, the current Emperor is approaching thirty, and the harem is not as lively as it was when the Holy Ancestor was in his twenties. Your Majesty will have to put in a lot of effort in this matter. Although the selection of consorts is held every three years, the Holy Ancestor also selected many palace maids as consorts back then."

"I've heard that Your Majesty has also promoted many palace maids. Consort Yi and Consort Ling both came from Your Majesty's palace. They were both there to help the Emperor recruit more concubines, and they were also Your Majesty's close confidantes. Their service to the Emperor was no different from the Empress's."

While keeping an eye on the live broadcast outside the palace in her mind, Rongyin saw that Ruyi was listening intently with her head tilted to the side in the outer room. Reassured, she picked up her teacup, took a sip of the tea that had cooled to a lukewarm temperature, and asked, "Does the Consort mean to give Ying'er this good fortune?"

Consort Tong smiled broadly: "My great-granddaughter, although born to a concubine, is still the granddaughter of a princess in name. Since she is engaged to the Second Prince, the Empress and I are already family."

Ying'er, having been trained by the Empress, naturally obeys the Empress in everything she does now that she's by the Emperor's side, daring not to have any disloyal thoughts. As for the Emperor, if the Empress and I put in a few more good words for him, I'm sure he will…”

Before she could finish speaking, a commotion broke out outside.

"Consort Xian, Consort Xian, you cannot enter without being announced..."

Ruyi pushed open the door and entered, carrying a food box. The nanny hurriedly followed and whispered a reminder.

Rongyin seemed startled by Ruyi, and the teacup in her hand spilled over with a clatter, spilling tea onto her sleeve. Yingluo immediately took out a handkerchief to wipe it off for her, and exclaimed "Oh!" at just the right moment: "Your Majesty, are you alright?"

Rongyin stood up and bowed: "Your granddaughter-in-law has been impolite. Please, Your Highness, allow me to change my clothes. Consort Xian is in such a hurry and has even brought food. She must be missing her family very much. Let her keep Your Highness company."

Consort Tong was stunned, but it was too late. The Empress was also frightened by Ruyi's sudden intrusion, so she could only order the nanny: "Quickly help the Empress to the inner palace and check carefully whether she has been burned."

The two entered the inner hall and heard faint voices coming from ahead.

Both Ruyi and Consort Tong have hoarse voices, making them difficult to distinguish at first, but upon closer listening, one can discern Ruyi's unique accent and intonation.

Ruyi said, "My lady, it is enough for a girl to marry a loving and devoted husband. He doesn't necessarily need to be illustrious, lest the Emperor think that Ying'er is restless. I have specially prepared a bowl of mung bean and lotus seed soup for you to drink and calm your mind."

Consort Tong's voice trembled with rage: "You! You can enter this harem, but your sister can't? How could the Ulanara clan produce such a wretched child as you!"

Ruyi sounded rather indignant and annoyed: "If you are angry, my lady, you may punish me as you please, and I dare not say anything more. But I am truly heartbroken that you are getting involved in the affairs of the inner palace and instigating Ying'er to be unruly. You are old and frail, and it is really not good for you to be so hot-tempered. I hope you will take care of your health and have some mung bean soup."

Consort Tong clutched her chest with one hand and pointed at Ruyi with the other: "You wretched child, you wretched child! The Empress hasn't said anything yet, and you're spouting nonsense, disregarding the future of the Ulanara clan!"

Yingluo walked out anxiously and knelt down: "Consort Tong, Her Majesty the Empress seems to be alright. The nanny has already gone to get the ointment. Please don't let such a small matter as a cup of tea damage our family harmony and Ulanara's reputation, otherwise Her Majesty will be uneasy!"

Consort Tong, seemingly drawing strength from nowhere, struggled to her feet and threw a teacup at Ruyi. Although she was old and frail, the teacup did not hit Ruyi, but the tea and tea leaves inside splashed all over Ruyi's head and face.

Ruyi also fell to the ground, the porcelain bowl in her hand flew out and spilled soup and water all over the floor.

Consort Tong finally caught her breath and said, "Guards! Drag this wretched child who disregards seniority and has offended the Empress and me out of here and make her kneel outside the palace gates!"

Ruyi lifted her skirt and knelt down: "My brothers and uncles have been executed for their involvement in witchcraft and sorcery. I saw that you were about to become confused, so I spoke frankly and was not wrong. If you blame me, I will kneel down and accept the punishment myself."

Consort Tong was shocked: "What...what did you say? Those members of the Ulanara clan actually...actually committed such a heinous act as witchcraft? This, this..."

The eunuch beside her hurriedly said, "Consort Tai, please don't worry. This may not be the case. Look, Her Majesty the Empress didn't mention this either. If you have something to say, please let Consort Xian get up and we can talk properly."

While he was trying to persuade her, he was also giving Ruyi a meaningful look, secretly praying that she would stop talking. Originally, these palace servants were afraid that Consort Tong would not be able to handle the shock, so they deliberately concealed the matter of Ulanara.

Ruyi glanced sideways and said in a deep voice, "While Her Majesty the Empress is concerned with filial piety, she also indulges this young lady's temper and recklessly conceals things!"

Consort Tong collapsed back onto the kang (heated brick bed), gasping for breath, and then spat out a mouthful of blood.

The eunuch cried out urgently, "Your Highness!"

Oh no, oh no, Ruyi has gone too far with her actions!

Rongyin hurriedly came out and said to Yingluo, who was kneeling on the ground, "Quickly go and summon the imperial physician!"

Consort Tong, with blood trickling from the corner of her lips and panting heavily, still managed to order, "Drag this wretched child out and make her kneel in the courtyard!"

The commotion at Shou Kang Palace was quite large. Ruyi angered Consort Tong to the point that she fell ill and had to kneel stiffly in the courtyard for a whole day. The news of this quickly spread to the Empress Dowager and all the imperial concubines.

Aruo took Princess Hewan to visit Consort Yu, and heard Consort Yu complain about the matter. She then went back to report to the Emperor.

The Emperor said, "The servants around the Empress and Consort Tong have already told me that if this matter gets out, it will probably make Ruyi look bad. So I just quietly comforted and rewarded the Empress. But now that this matter has spread throughout Shou Kang Palace and Consort Tong is seriously ill, you know what to do, right?"

Within a few days, the story of what happened at Shou Kang Palace had spread throughout the six palaces, and several versions of the story emerged: one version said that Consort Tong was talking to the Empress when Consort Xian interrupted her, and Consort Tong, feeling ashamed and angry at her junior's rudeness, fell ill and never recovered; another version said that Consort Xian insisted on serving Consort Tong a bowl of soup, and the Empress, in order to protect Consort Tong, was splashed with soup by Consort Xian, and Consort Tong, shocked and angry, fell ill.

The concubines were secretly amazed and went to Changchun Palace to visit the Empress. Fortunately, she had not been burned as rumored. Besides this incident, the harem was about to face another important event: Yanwan's investiture ceremony.

Of the six imperial concubines, only Consort Xian was confined to her quarters, and Consort Chun was bedridden with fright after Hailan was punished; the others all went to witness the ceremony.

Although this investiture ceremony only conferred the title of concubine, it was not the usual practice of conferring titles on multiple people at once, but only on one person. Moreover, the Minister of Rites served as the chief envoy for the investiture, making the process extremely grand and solemn, which shows the emperor's special favor to her.

Yanwan was so excited before the investiture ceremony that she couldn't sleep all night, but when the investiture actually took place, she was surprisingly calm.

She completed all the rituals meticulously, without any deviation from the rules.

After the investiture ceremony, everyone went to Chengqian Palace to present gifts and offer congratulations. The Empress also sent Yingluo to deliver a congratulatory gift.

A Shoushan stone carving of a subduing tiger Arhat, and an antique: a jade tablet inserted into a gold-inlaid rosewood base.

At that moment, the emperor was drinking tea in Chengqian Palace. Upon seeing the two gifts, he said, "These gifts are indeed valuable. However, most people would send silk and jewelry, but the empress sent these two ornaments. There must be a deeper meaning behind it."

Yingluo said, "Her Majesty the Empress said that Consort Ling's title 'Ling' has the character 'fire' on the left and the character 'command' on the right. These two gifts are a perfect match for these two characters."

The emperor thought for a moment and smiled, “I understand. The Book of Songs says, ‘The young hunter is in the thicket, the fire is blazing and he is fighting the tiger with a torch.’ It describes the heroic figure of the young hunter raising his torch and fighting the tiger. The Book of Songs also has the line ‘Like a jade tablet, like a precious jewel, renowned and respected.’ Jade tablets were ancient betrothal gifts for brides. The empress’s gift of this tiger-taming Arhat and jade tablets is a way of praising and blessing her.”

Yingluo said, "No one is more wise than the Emperor, and the Empress also meant it that way."

Yanwan said, "Your Majesty is truly learned! But how can I possibly deserve such kindness from Her Majesty the Empress?"

The Emperor smiled and said, "The Empress naturally thinks you are worthy of these gifts. In my heart, you are worthy of them too."