Twelfth: Cicadas Chirping as the Wind Arrives

  After that heart-to-heart talk, I and Ling Rong gradually became closer again, and often accompanied each other to the Empress's palace to pay respects and serve. Xuan Ling was delighted to see such harmony between his wives, and since Hua Fei had also not made any major moves with malicious intentions after her recovery, the peaceful scene in the harem seemed to satisfy Xuan Ling.

  After the Dragon Boat Festival, more than a dozen days passed, and the weather gradually became sweltering. Several palace attendants fanned themselves lightly, but they couldn't bear the gentle heat. Therefore, Xuan Ling issued an edict to move the palace and its dependents, nobles, and relatives to the Western Capital's Taiping Imperial Villa to escape the summer heat.

  All the concubines followed, except for those who were not favored and had no status, only Mei Zhuang did not follow to come to Taiping Palace. She asked Xuan Ling to resign: "The Empress Dowager never leaves the Ziyu Palace to avoid the heat, I wish to replace the Emperor to stay in the palace to accompany the Empress Dowager, serve with all my heart, and fulfill my filial piety."

  With such a solemn and dignified reason, Xuan Ling naturally couldn't refute it. Instead, he praised and rewarded Mei Zhuang's words and actions, allowing her to stay in the palace.

  Arrived at the Taiping Xing Palace, everything had been arranged by the officials and eunuchs. Xu Ling still lived in the quiet and peaceful Shuiqing Nanxuan Hall, the Empress Dowager lived in the Guangfeng Jiyue Hall, I lived in the Yifu Pavilion with lotus flowers on the lake as before, while the Yurun Hall where Mei Zhuang used to live was now occupied by Ling Rong.

  On the first day after moving to Taiping Xinggong to avoid the heat, I went to Ling Rong's place for a short visit. However, the eunuch led me on a winding path and we didn't go to "Fengying Pavilion" where Ling Rong used to live. I asked: "Doesn't An Xiaoyuan live in Fengying Pavilion anymore?"

  "Replying to Your Majesty, Young Master An is currently residing in the Jade Refined Hall. The Emperor's intention is that since Young Master An and Your Majesty have always been close, living nearby will allow for mutual care and convenience when traveling to the Imperial Palace."

  I uttered an "oh" and said, "This palace still has business, I won't go to An Xiaoyuan's place for now, you can withdraw." The eunuch made a bow and stood up to bid farewell.

  Yingying held my hand and slowly walked back, seeing my gloomy expression, she tentatively asked: "Your Majesty is feeling sad about Shen Ronghua's matter?"

  I stopped in my tracks and nodded, "In the past, Mei Zhuang was full of vigor and vitality, but now this Jade Ruan Hall is already a relic of the past. It's really a case of 'things are not what they used to be'. I'm afraid that if I go inside, I won't be able to help feeling sentimental."

  "Your Majesty values the relationships between sisters in the palace, which is truly rare. However, Your Majesty should also be aware that there are many young masters and mistresses in this palace, and it's uncertain who will receive favor today or tomorrow. Although Your Majesty has taken a liking to Shen Ronghua, there's no need to feel sad about this matter."

  I smiled wryly: "Xī Suì, I always find it hard to let go of these small things."

  "Your Ladyship is indeed prone to excessive worry and sentimentality at times. But only those with a gentle heart would be so thoughtful, cold-blooded people wouldn't be." She slightly straightened her expression, "However, this time An Xiao Zhuo resides in Yu Rundang for two reasons: one is to be close to Your Ladyship, and the other is for His Majesty's convenience in summoning him. Your Ladyship can see that An Xiao Zhuo's favor is no less than Shen Ronghua's back then."

  I looked at her and said, "What do you want to say?"

  The maid thought for a moment and said in a soft voice, "I don't understand why you, milady, are distant from Master An, but it must be related to him falling out of favor after getting sick again. I also don't know why you, milady, put aside your previous grudge with Master An and made up with him, but it must be related to Master An personally brewing medicine for you during this bout of wind chill. Although I'm not clear about the situation, when you, milady, fell out of favor, Master An didn't take care of you for even a single day, but now he's personally brewing medicine for you, and his change of heart is really hard to guess."

  His words were like a sharp needle that pierced the heart, and also my deeply hidden and hard to express concerns. I said: "You also think she's difficult to fathom?"

  "Yue Lingsheng replied softly: 'Yes.'"

  I slowly walked to the shade of the tree and sat down. "I've always thought so. When I was ill, she cut her flesh to cure my illness. How could my illness be so severe? But no matter how cold-blooded people are, there is always a touch of warmth. Ling Rong also has her own concerns and attachments. Even if I had some resentment towards her in the past, I couldn't help but be moved by what she holds dear."

  "Your servant is not clear what Your Highness means by Ah Xiao's entanglement, but I hope that Your Highness has at least half of the Empress's sharpness and ruthlessness." Seeing me silent, Qi Tong thought I was angry and immediately knelt down, her expression unchanged: "Please forgive your servant for speaking out of turn. Your Highness's shortcoming is that you are too soft-hearted and considerate of others. People with soft hearts often get entangled by their own soft hearts. I hope Your Highness will think thrice."

  I stood silently, the wind was gentle, rustling through the dense foliage above my head, the sound of leaves colliding with each other seemed to be a pleasant sound. But my heart was not happy and relaxed. Mei Zhuang and I had gradually become estranged, while Ling Rong's closeness would occasionally stir up past grievances, and Xie Cui thought that I was too soft-hearted and not strong enough to confront the enemy. Although I had received the favor and love of Xuan Ling, all this could not make me truly feel at ease.

  I smoothed out the silk ribbon tied around my skirt and said, "Being affectionate yet cautious is probably the true way to treat people in the palace. Ling Rong, the palace is too cold and unfeeling, one can't rely on the emotions of a husband, and even the relationships between masters and servants are complicated. If we don't even consider the sisterly love of the past, what other emotional ties can warm our hearts? Although Ling Rong sometimes acts unexpectedly, she still has some genuine feelings for certain people."

  "Without later events, after entering the palace, An Xiao's attitude towards Your Ladyship was indeed quite considerate."

  "I said: 'Human hearts are prone to change, I understand this too, and I will naturally be careful.'"

  Then Gong Xi no longer spoke much and accompanied me back to the palace to rest.

  However, Ling Rong would still have to come and go from there, even though she now lived in Mei Zhuang's old palace.

  This day was cool and refreshing, with Huan Bi and Liu Zhu went to Ling Rong's Yu Run Tang. The whole courtyard was shaded by thousands of bamboo trees, exuding a natural coolness. Such scenery was very familiar. In front of her eyes, everything was slightly blurred, just like yesterday, as if it were still the year she first received favor, with Mei Zhen in the summer evening after the heat had passed, together in each water tank in Yu Run Tang, lighting lotus flower lanterns for fun.

  Time has changed, and the favored concubine who once resided here is now in a cold palace. As I walked to the foot of the Cloud Mother's Long Staircase, I saw that the originally empty corridors were filled with chrysanthemums, which were the favorite flowers of Mei Zhuang. Chrysanthemums usually bloom in autumn, but because Mei Zhuang was favored, they had been specially cultivated by skilled gardeners to bloom in summer as well, creating a rare sight. Now these chrysanthemums have all disappeared, and an imperial eunuch is leading a group of young palace maids to replace the flower pots, scolding them: "Take away those chrysanthemums and put them back in the flower nursery, and arrange the flowers that our young master likes on the corridors, one pot at a time, making sure they look neat and tidy."

  I felt a slight discomfort in my heart and said to the eunuch, "It's a pity that those chrysanthemums have to be taken back. Have them all moved to the Yifu Hall in the palace instead."

  That eunuch saw me, and with a busy smile said: "The princess likes the slave to obey orders, but these flowers are not in season and have no fragrance. It's better for the slave to call someone to change them into new fragrant flowers and personally deliver them to the princess..."

  He kept chattering away, thinking he was clever, without realizing I had already changed color. Just then, Ju Qing pushed open the curtain and came out of the bedroom with a tray of water, saw that my face was unhappy, quickly guessed the reason, and hurriedly scolded the eunuch: "If the princess asks you to send something, just send it, what's with all this chatter? Just do as the princess says, do you want your tongue cut out?"

  The inner guard was so frightened that he didn't dare to come out, and led the people with a dejected look, carrying the flower pot away.

  I laughed: "When did you become so glib with your words?"

  Chrysanthemum Qing curtsied and smiled: "Your Ladyship has promoted me to serve the young master, how dare I not do my best?" She lifted the curtain made of Xiangfei bamboo: "The young master has just woken up."

  The hall is quiet and soundless, the fragrance of last night's incense has not yet dissipated, the bamboo curtains around the sleeping quarters are all half rolled up, and the morning light filtering in is a soft warm brightness.

  There was no maid by her side, and Ling Rong didn't even notice me coming in. She sat alone in front of the dressing table by the window, her long hair combed to a glossy sheen like black silk scattered over her small shoulders, not yet tied up into a bun. All sorts of bright pearls and rings were neatly arranged in front of her, but she was just absent-mindedly playing with them, leaning on the half-opened crimson carved flower windowsill, her face as delicate as a lotus leaf, her complexion clear and pure like a white lotus on the water. Ling Rong wore a loose sleeping robe, her eyes half-closed in deep thought, her body looking even thinner, as if bearing endless sorrow. After a long time, a single tear slowly rolled down from the corner of her eye.

  I quietly walked up to her side and softly asked: "Little sister, why are you crying?"

  Ling Rong heard my voice, a pair of bright and clear eyes suddenly opened, she was startled and hastily wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, forcing a smile: "Sister, you're here so early."

  I held her down and wouldn't let her get up, laughing: "Little sister is so early, I'm afraid she hasn't woken up yet and is still drowsy."

  She took my hand and sat down beside me, softly covering up: "Didn't sleep well, just a nightmare from last night."

  I was playing with a fan made of ivory silk on her desk, the white jade handle was inlaid with red bats made of beeswax, emerald leaves and mother-of-pearl flowers, which were extremely delicate and elegant.

  I took a gentle shake and slowly said: "Sister, you have something on your mind that you want to hide from me?"

  She hesitated and finally said: "Zhen Gongzi..."

  My face gradually darkened and I stopped speaking, Ling Rong's expression was sorrowful, "Lord Zhen really wants to be so heartless? After all, he is his only son..."

  I shook my head firmly: "When his wife was pregnant, he had an affair with a prostitute and now wants to abandon his wife and child for a courtesan. Father doesn't have such a son, and I don't have such a brother." I couldn't hide my sorrowful expression: "Moreover, it's what he himself said, that he'd rather have Jiaoyi than an official title or wealth. Sister has already returned to her natal family, and Brother is so disregarding of ethics and morality, it's unbearable."

  Ling Rong was sorrowful: "In this way, his lifelong reputation will also be ruined."

  "My anger subsided, and I said sorrowfully, 'It was destroyed by your own hands, brother.'"

  Ling Rong's eyes were misty with tears: "Sister, why do you still want to be angry with Gongzi? He also has no choice. Don't you think he's pitiful? Sister, don't you know that all the women in the palace are laughing at him, and everyone in the city is looking down on him? Everyone calls Gongzi 'Thin Lucky Lang', with a scornful expression. You're his own sister, can't you be considerate?" Ling Rong spoke hastily, her voice trembling in her throat.

  My tone was heavy with suppressed anger, staring at her: "It's not that I don't care about my brother, but he ignores all my concerns. For a fleeting romance, he abandoned the parents who raised him for twenty years, his wife, his unborn child, and all the moral principles of the world. Has he ever cared about us?" My gaze had a scrutinizing and inquiring meaning, "I wonder if my brother has ever cared about you?" I looked at her slightly open lips in surprise, and smiled: "Perhaps that woman named 'Jia Yi' really does resemble you in some ways."

  Her eyes were deeply uneasy, she dared not look at me, and called me "sister".

  I stroked her shoulder, calmly suppressing her unease, and said: "The world of men is not something we women can intervene in or speculate about. No matter what kind of person the woman Brother is infatuated with, our thoughts are only concerned with the harem, and we have no power to stop things outside, nor do they care."

  My sense of powerlessness is gradually increasing in my own words, and the world of men is indeed something that women cannot fully experience and understand. Just like Xu Ling, do I really understand him? Will he truly understand my feelings? Probably not either.

  Her eyes were innocent and bewildered, like a startled deer. After a while, her voice was weak and almost inaudible: "I'm just worried about him... sister, I'm worried about him."

  I couldn't tell her the truth and falsehood of this world, nor did she need to know. What's the point of knowing? Would it make her worry more? It wasn't for her to worry about; as the emperor's woman, the emperor's favorite concubine, she was the emperor's for life, how could she spare a thought to worry about another man, letting him occupy her thoughts day and night.

  However, Ling Rong's worries stirred my thoughts, and I silently helped her style a cloud-like coiffure, adorned with jade hairpins, flower-shaped ornaments, golden combs, and golden hairpins, interspersed with fresh flowers. I calmly said: "Smile again, the Emperor will like you this way."

  She was silent, the jasmine on her dresser blooming just right, its refreshing fragrance dispelling the stifling smell of incense that lingered from the night before, giving off a fresh feeling. Ling Rong sighed and said: "Actually, sister knows what the emperor likes and dislikes, why did she still fall out of favor?"

  I smoothed out her last strand of soft hair and smiled to myself, "Because I know, but sometimes can't do it."

  Her eyes stared at me unblinkingly, "Then what about Sister Mei? If you know, she should also know. Why did she lose favor too?"

  My eyebrows slightly furrowed, and I said calmly, "Because she didn't want to."

  She didn't ask anything else, she chose a dress for herself and put it on, sat up straight with a calm expression. Finally, I said: "Don't worry, no matter what happens, it will pass."

  Ling Rong nodded solemnly, then suddenly smiled, and a hundred charms burst forth.

  The days in the Taiping Palace were so boring that even time seemed to be in a hurry, and many of the trivial rules in the palace had been abolished. There were not many concubines following the emperor, only the empress, Huafei, Duanfei, Jingfei, Xingui Bin, Cao Jieyu, Tianbin, Shenbin, me and Ling Rong. Qin Fangyi, who had once come with us, had long since disappeared from people's memory, and no one mentioned her again.

  Perhaps it had been a long time since there was a new favorite, Xuan Ling stayed in the palace for a month and took a maid named Qiao as his dresser. Soon after, she was promoted to be a concubine and received quite a bit of favor. The young and beautiful maids in the palace all hoped that one day they could fly up to become phoenixes, and they spared no effort in trying to achieve this. Those who rose from being a palace maid to becoming a ranked imperial consort were not uncommon either, such as Pingyang King's birth mother, Empress Chen, who was previously a needlework palace maid, or the former Meiyin girl.

  It was an ordinary thing and no one would pay much attention to it. But when Cao Jieyu told me that Qiao Shi was a close maid in the Huafeng Palace, I paid attention to it.

  Cao Jieyu said, "Empress Hua is afraid that one day she will fall out of favor again. Moreover, after losing the help of Li Gui Bin, she has long had the intention to cultivate new people. However, Qin Fangyi was useless, and Empress Hua did not want to reuse a woman from an official or noble family, fearing that in the future, her favors would be too divided and uncontrollable. Therefore, she chose this Qiao Shi."

  The water pavilion for avoiding the heat is very cool and secluded, I plucked a finger nail and asked: "What kind of person is Qiao Shi? Did Sister Cao pay attention."

  She smiled, spreading her wide sleeves, and said: "Does the princess want to hear the truth?" Seeing that I was only gazing at the water's surface full of green lotus, she said again: "Princess Hua is too impatient, this time she has made a mistake."

  I let out an "oh" and narrowed my eyes, looking at her and saying, "What did you say?"

  Cao Jieyu said, "Although Qiao has a bit of cleverness and beauty, she is only a mediocre talent, not enough to become a great vessel. Empress Hua wants to use her to divide the favor between you and An Xiaohuan, which is really not a wise move."

  I never thought that a mere Jiao could rival us, I just sighed and said: "The Empress Hua has run out of tricks."

  Cao Jieyu's lips curled up into a faint, almost imperceptible smile as she said softly: "In the past, she would never have allowed any of her beautiful maids to approach the Emperor so casually, but now..."

  I smiled and said, "The times have changed."

  The days passed slowly. The temporary palace was not as good as the one in the palace, and I didn't dare to interfere with political affairs at will because of the empress dowager's teachings. Therefore, the matter of King Runan was only heard a little bit, not much. Life in the temporary palace was peaceful and leisurely, without rules and regulations, so it was quite carefree. It was just that, giving my tired body and mind a little peace.

  On the first day of July, a night banquet was held in the palace. The Empress sat on the left, I and Ling Rong sat on the right below, while Xuan Ling sat in the center, together watching the singing and dancing celebration. Just as the wine was getting warm and the dance was getting more vibrant, the envoy sent by Xuan Ling to visit the Dowager Empress returned and immediately reported that the Dowager Empress was in good health. Xuan Ling was overjoyed and repeatedly said: "With Mother's body being healthy, I can also be at ease." He then wanted to heavily reward the imperial physician who treated the Dowager Empress.

  Ling Rong smiled and raised her cup, saying: "Now that the Empress Dowager's health has taken a turn for the better, apart from heavily rewarding the imperial physician, there is someone else who should be richly rewarded."

  Xuan Ling pondered for a moment, then asked: "Who is it?"

  Ling Rong smiled and said: "Has His Majesty forgotten that it was Shen Ronghua who accompanied and took care of the Empress Dowager all along?" Then she looked at the messenger.

  The envoy said with great respect: "Shen Ronghua took care of the Empress Dowager meticulously, often without even untying her hair, personally serving her medicine and tasting it herself before presenting it to the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager repeatedly praised Shen Ronghua's filial piety."

  Xuan Ling suddenly enlightened, delighted and said: "Indeed so, Shen Ronghua has been serving day and night, with great hardship." He immediately issued an edict saying: "Convey my decree to the Ziyao City, promote Shen Ronghua to a third-rank concubine, with double salary."

  The Empress smiled and said: "Your Majesty's rewards and punishments are fair, filial piety to the empress dowager, should be followed by people all over the world."

  Xuan Ling smiled with joy, and said to Ling Rong: "I should thank you for reminding me." He also said: "Rong has been in a humble position for a long time, and is modest and proper, which is truly rare. Let's promote her to the official rank of 'Pin' of the fifth grade."

  Ling Rong hastily got up and thanked her, but the Empress asked: "What character should be used for your title?"

  I filled a cup with wine for Xuan Ling, he was in high spirits, tilted his head and drank it, saying: "Let's just use our surnames as names then."

  Ling Rong's expression froze for a moment, and a trace of displeasure flashed across his face before he quickly regained his composure and smiled again, thanking him graciously.

  The empress and I exchanged a glance, both of us looking puzzled. Whenever imperial consorts were promoted, those who encountered noblewomen, consorts, noble consorts, consorts-in-waiting, ladies, and the four consorts all had titles, and took pride in them, strutting among the crowd. Only those who were not particularly favored or came from humble families used their surname as a title. Since Ling Rong was not disfavored, the fact that she had no title could only be due to her humble origins.

  An Bin, this position was originally quite honorable, but because of the change in title by one word, this honor and favor became dull. I sympathized with her in my heart, comforting her with a glance, just wanting to speak to Xuan Ling about this.

  The Empress's gaze swept over me quickly, and with a majestic smile, she said to Xuan Ling: "Actually, the 'An' character of An Shi is very good, taking its peaceful and joyful meaning, it's better than thinking of another title." As she spoke, her face carried a hint of mockery as she looked at Ling Rong.

  Ling Rong only nodded without a word. I thought for a moment, and it was unnecessary to say anything else. The Empress spoke up, and naturally, Xuan Ling would not refuse. Moreover, it wasn't as if it was a big deal, probably Ling Rong herself wouldn't want to give Xuan Ling a bad impression just for a title. At this moment, she must be feeling very uncomfortable in her heart. Would she resent her own family background and consider it shameful? Someone as sensitive as her would naturally find it hard to accept. And all of this, Xuan Ling was unintentionally considering. He simply followed his intuition, thinking of Ling Rong's humble origins and family status.

  The banquet had become dull and tasteless for her by now.

  I sighed, but deep down, I still felt a inexplicable sense of comfort. Ling Rong was just that in Xuan Ling's heart.

  Later, Xin Gui Bin mentioned this in front of me, still with some resentment and schadenfreude: "Although my sister is on good terms with An Bin, I'm not afraid to say to my sister - your An sister is really good at flattering and being clever. Shen Zhen Yu worked hard to serve the emperor and only advanced one rank, but she was promoted one rank because of her own mention of Shen Zhen Yu's merits. Who do you think is proud?" She took a handkerchief to gently press the powder on the bridge of her nose, with some pleasure: "Fortunately, the emperor is wise, although she entered the Bin position, not even giving her a title, I saw her crying all the way back, usually pretending to be nonchalant."

  The weather was so hot it seemed like fire, I held an ice cube in my mouth and slowly waited for it to melt before saying: "Xin sister, why must you always mention An sister? She hasn't done anything wrong to you. Not having a title already hurts her, sister, why must you always find fault with her?"

  Xin Guibao cracked melon seeds and said, "Shen Ronghua was promoted to Concubine Wei, I am convinced in my heart and mouth, that is what she should have. If it weren't for those storms in the past, I'm afraid she would have been in the position of Guibao long ago. I just can't stand An Guibao's sly and coquettish appearance, always with a pitiful look on her face, as if she has suffered great grievances. It's hard for you, sister, to still get along with her harmoniously." Xin Guibao had never liked Ling Rong, even in front of many people, she often didn't speak to her, it wasn't jealousy, but rather a deep-seated disgust.

  Women from noble families often look down on women from humble backgrounds. The so-called opposition between the aristocracy and the common people is not only in the imperial court, but also in the harem.

  Xin Gui Fei continued, "Although Hua Fei is overbearing and domineering, it's not excessive for her to speak up this time about the title. An Gui was deeply favored during those days, truly angering heaven and man, monopolizing the Emperor every day, we couldn't even catch a glimpse of the Emperor's shadow. It's actually better than when the Emperor doted on Mei Mei and Shen Jie Yu, at least he would often come to our palace to sit for a while."

  I said: "Sister, don't be too serious. The Emperor's attention is focused on her, it's inevitable that he would neglect us a bit. Let's not worry about it, isn't everyone going through this?"

  Xin Gui Fei snorted in disdain towards Ling Rong, saying: "Sister, have you forgotten how she took advantage of your miscarriage and loss of favor to seduce the Emperor? After you and Tian Pin both had a miscarriage, the Emperor hardly visited you, wasn't he completely enchanted by her..."

  I didn't want to listen anymore and interrupted loudly: "Sister, why bring up past matters again?"

  Xin Gui Fei pouted, "Although sister doesn't want to mention it again, who can help but feel indignant for you two?"

  She didn't continue, but instead changed the subject and started talking about Shu and Tei's recent interesting experiences learning to paint. She was normally talkative, and her words were crisp and clear, so she chattered on for a long time. I listened with an ear inclined, but my mind wandered somewhat, and it turned out that the inexplicable comfort from that night's banquet was due to this.

  I didn't realize I was also a narrow-minded and jealous ordinary woman.

  However, it is puzzling that Xuan Ling's favor towards Ling Rong began to gradually become less intense from this small title wave, but still slightly better than ordinary people. The harem began to change from Ling Rong's solo dominance, and I and the Empress Dowager Huahua started to evolve into a situation where each led their own faction, with many concubines who had been neglected for a long time being summoned again and brought to the Ziyu Castle to escape the heat.

  And most of these favored consorts have a rich family background, such as Consort Duan, Consort Hua, Li Xiurong, me, Consort Xingui, Mei Zhuang, Wang Mubin and Zhao Yunbin. As for Ling Rong's change, although there is some sadness, it is ultimately also light.

  In the Taiping Heavenly Palace, for a time, they contended with each other in their splendor and magnificence, and it was extremely lively.

  That day, I took Flowing Vermilion to rise early and go to Fan Yue Lake to pick lotus flowers with fresh morning dew for brewing tea. The lotus leaves were dense and covered the sky, the lotus flowers stood tall above them, and the water sparkled like gold. Rowing a boat among them was like searching for a secluded path among emerald leaves and red flowers, occasionally plucking a lotus pod to peel and eat the fresh lotus seeds, which was also one of my daily delights.

  The small boat swayed back and forth, and suddenly he thought of Duan Fei living in the Rain Flower Pavilion by the side of Fan Yue Lake. With a movement of his heart, he said: "Follow me to visit Princess Duan Fei."

  I hadn't approached the palace, but from a distance I heard the sound of a pipa, smooth and melodious. As soon as I saw it, I clapped my hands and laughed, saying to Empress Duan: "I didn't know Your Majesty had such skill with the pipa, you've hidden your talent well."

  She saw me coming in and just smiled and nodded. When the music ended, she had a wistful look on her face and said: "In those years, Empress Chun Yuan personally taught me pipa, but unfortunately I wasn't talented enough, and I only learned three or four out of ten pieces, really not good enough to be performed in a grand hall."

  I have even more admiration and fear for Empress Chunyuan, Princess Consort's pipa skills are not as good as one-third or two-fifths of those of Empress Chunyuan, that Empress Chunyuan's pipa must be played in a way that is so divine and heavenly.

  I just smiled: "The queen has such skills, no wonder she can win the emperor's favor."

  The Empress smiled faintly and let me sit down, saying: "I don't need to hide from my sister, the Emperor came to my place just to listen to the pipa. With my weak body, I am simply unable to serve the Emperor overnight." Her smile was hidden in two shallow dimples, "Nowadays, there are many concubines in the Taiping Palace, each of whom has received great favor, why do you still have the interest to come here?"

  I took a sip of tea and smiled: "What's the point of temporary favors? Sister is extremely intelligent, naturally can think of the reason." I savored the aftertaste of the tea: "This autumn is again the third year of the imperial harem selection, I don't know how many new people will enter the palace, these present ones are really insignificant."

  Her eyes were as clear as water, shining brightly, and she said: "Sister can often accompany the emperor to understand the political situation, so she can be so calm and composed."

  I humbly said: "I'm just a mere woman, what do I know? It's better to be content with my lot. Isn't that how you usually handle things, Your Highness?"

  Princess Duan didn't say a word, just smiled and gazed at the blue sky that was as clear as jade, lost in thought. I slowly picked some water caltrops to eat, each enjoying our own pleasure. After a long while, Princess Duan finally looked at me and said, "The matter with Consort An is only the beginning, I'm afraid we won't be able to stay out of it in the future either."

  I sighed and said: "There must be someone rising and falling, the emperor deliberately did not give An Gui a title to appease the anger of the high-ranking women in the harem who were favored by him."

  Duan Fei sighed softly and said calmly: "The harem and politics have never been any different."

  I just smiled and pretended I didn't hear. All I could think was how long this summer is, the cicadas' cries never-ending, the days seeming like they would never pass.