Chapter 17: Imperial Consort Yang

The current system for court assemblies in Great Qin dictates that one is held every five days, with a day of rest every seven. On other days, officials need only check in at the Taiji Palace before returning to their respective departments to work. The offices of the Inner Cabinet and the Three Departments and Six Ministries are also within the Imperial City, though not inside the palace complex itself. The rows of buildings just outside the Chengtian Gate serve as their headquarters, where attendants are on duty day and night, awaiting the emperor’s summons at any moment.

Zhao Su sat in his palanquin, leading his retinue through the Chongming Gate. Following the palace walls, they arrived outside the Chengtian Gate at the Secretariat, where the Inner Cabinet was also housed. As soon as they approached the entrance, Zhao Su noticed another group with a palanquin already parked there. Lifting the curtain, he asked the attendant eunuch, “Xiao Dengzi, whose palanquin is that?”

Xiao Dengzi was a eunuch recommended by Jin Xiu. Zhao Su found him clever and had kept him nearby as a messenger and attendant. “Your Highness, the palanquin is embroidered with red peonies and a phoenix—surely it’s Consort Yang’s Phoenix Palanquin.” Xiao Dengzi’s eyes were indeed sharp.

To survive in the Imperial City, one had to memorize the retinues and palanquins of all the imperial consorts and princes. Without this keen sense and a bit of wit, one’s corpse could easily end up in some well, feeding the frogs and turtles.

“Why would Consort Yang leave the palace and come here?” Zhao Su muttered, curiosity piqued.

Xiao Dengzi kept his head bowed, pretending not to have heard. Not hearing what shouldn’t be heard, not speaking what shouldn’t be spoken, not asking what shouldn’t be asked—this was the survival code for eunuchs and palace maids. Anyone found spreading rumors in the palace met with the rod and death.

Unable to puzzle it out, Zhao Su simply stepped down from his palanquin, with Xiao Dengzi hurrying forward to assist. Bringing Xiao Dengzi and six guards, he strode boldly into the Secretariat.

This place was the highest center of power in Great Qin. Countless decisions and edicts were stamped and dispatched from here each day, for all the empire’s soldiers and civilians to obey. In all likelihood, Zhao Su would be frequenting this place often from now on.

At the gate, several guards, though unfamiliar with the Crown Prince’s face, recognized his palanquin and hastily saluted. “Greetings, Your Highness.”

Without waiting for an announcement, Zhao Su led his group straight inside. He was curious to see what Consort Yang was doing in the Inner Cabinet with such fanfare.

Upon entry, he immediately saw a woman standing there, her head adorned with a purple-gold phoenix crown, draped in a golden feathered robe and rosy skirt. She was as proud as a celestial phoenix, her presence so commanding that one hardly dared meet her gaze.

“Your humble servants greet Your Highness the Crown Prince,” said Li Chengyun and the others, rising hastily despite their displeasure with Zhao Su’s regency, not daring to remain seated.

“Please rise, gentlemen. I am hardly worthy of such courtesies,” Zhao Su replied with a smile. He then approached Consort Yang, who stood with her back to him, and bowed deeply. “Your son greets Your Ladyship, the Noble Consort.”

Though now Regent Crown Prince, he still had to pay respects to the emperor’s favored consort, nominally his elder. Etiquette could not be neglected.

“Very well, you may dispense with the formalities,” Consort Yang replied, her voice melodious as pearls cascading onto a jade plate.

Rising, Zhao Su took a closer look at Consort Yang. He hadn’t expected to be so astonished by her beauty. He had thought Liu Rushi one of the rare beauties of the world, but compared to this woman, she fell short.

Consort Yang’s phoenix eyes were mesmerizing, her brows arched like willow leaves, her nose delicate and charming, her lips red and inviting. Even her golden gauze dress couldn’t conceal her alluring figure. Zhao Su was certain that even the surgically enhanced beauties of future generations would pale beside her.

This was truly a beauty to topple kingdoms, utterly natural and dazzling.

Zhao Su found himself momentarily dazed, his mind wandering.

Noticing Zhao Su’s unwavering gaze upon her chest, Consort Yang’s cheeks flushed. She couldn’t help but scoff inwardly, her disdain deepening. She shifted slightly and said coldly, “Your Highness, have you dropped your eyes?”

“Ah…” Zhao Su snapped back to himself, somewhat embarrassed. Rubbing his nose, he asked, “May I ask what brings Your Ladyship to the Inner Cabinet?”

Consort Yang drew forth a boy of about ten years from behind her. “Cheng’er, greet your elder brother, the Crown Prince.”

The Eighth Prince, Zhao Cheng, bowed. “Greetings, Crown Prince Brother.”

“So it’s you, Eighth Brother. I haven’t seen you in three years; you’ve grown so much,” Zhao Su said, waving for him to come closer.

Having inherited the memories of his predecessor, Zhao Su recalled the Eighth Prince. His mother had died in childbirth, and he was raised by the Empress Dowager. Five years ago, the late emperor, seeking to win over Grand Tutor Yang Rucheng, took his daughter Yang Yuling as a consort. She remained childless and petitioned the Empress Dowager to allow her to raise the Eighth Prince at her knee, for which she was granted the title of Noble Consort.

Zhao Cheng glanced at his mother, and with her approval approached Zhao Su, still wary, remembering the Crown Prince’s former simple-mindedness.

Zhao Su ruffled Zhao Cheng’s hair, then pulled a jade pendant from his waist and pressed it into the boy’s hand. “A little gift from your big brother—nothing valuable, but a token of my regard.”

“Thank you, brother,” Zhao Cheng said, glancing at Consort Yang. Seeing she made no objection, he accepted the pendant and thanked Zhao Su.

Before Zhao Su could speak further, Consort Yang interjected, “Your Highness, there’s no problem with the Eighth Prince moving within the Inner Cabinet, is there?”

Zhao Su’s thoughts shifted, and he smiled. “Since Your Ladyship asks, of course there’s no problem.”

So the Crown Prince was no more formidable than a silver spear with a wax head, Consort Yang thought with a hint of contempt. She said, “Cheng’er, did you hear your brother? From now on, you’ll stay in the Inner Cabinet. Study well under your brother, the Crown Prince. Understand?”

“I will obey your teachings, Mother,” Zhao Cheng replied.

Having achieved her aim, Consort Yang prepared to leave with her attendants.

As she passed Zhao Su, she leaned in close and whispered, “I trust you, Your Highness, to guide Cheng’er well.”

Zhao Su felt a tingling at his neck, as though gentle hands were caressing him. A faint, delicate fragrance enveloped him, and with the two so close, he could see the fine pores on her flawless skin. Her moist red lips parted slightly, breathing a sweet fragrance that left him restless.

“Your Ladyship commands, and I will of course obey,” Zhao Su replied, stepping back a half step to avoid being too close, before bowing in acknowledgment.

Consort Yang covered her mouth and laughed softly, her posture elegant and graceful as she departed.

Zhao Su was left wondering what exactly this woman wanted. Was her earlier behavior an attempt at seduction, or was it simply to unsettle him?

He watched her snake-like, supple figure as she walked away, a smile playing at his lips. “Interesting. Let’s see what you do next.”