Chapter 26: Handing Over the Blade

A subtle, imperceptible sneer played on Wei Yanqiao’s lips. Even if Tang Yurong held the exalted title of Empress, carried the imperial heir, and enjoyed Xiao Ceyun’s deep affection, what of it? In the end, she was not the first woman Xiao Ceyun had married through formal, legitimate rites. Perhaps Xiao Ceyun’s feelings for her were nothing more than a facade, a mere performance—it all depended on how Tang Yurong chose to interpret it.

Cong Wenlu hurriedly interjected, "But she is only a consort; her ceremony simply cannot compare to Your Majesty’s imperial investiture."

Cong felt a tremor of fear in her heart. How could she have been so foolish as to mention a formal marriage in front of the Empress? Was she not deliberately trying to displease her?

Tang Yurong remained all smiles, responding softly, "What does it matter? I have almost forgotten what my own investiture ceremony looked like."

Wei Yanqiao, however, keenly captured the fleeting spark of displeasure in the depths of Tang Yurong’s eyes. She laughed inwardly; Tang Yurong was clearly unhappy, yet she could still mask it with a cheerful facade. Such powers of restraint were truly admirable.

Since that was the case, she wanted to see just how much Tang Yurong could endure. "I entered the palace late and did not witness your investiture, Your Majesty. I wonder, was my recent elevation ceremony more grand, or did yours surpass it?"

Cong Wenlu looked at Tang Yurong in astonishment. She had witnessed both ceremonies, and their scale was nearly identical.

If she said the Empress’s ceremony was grander, would that not imply the Empress was petty and obsessed with comparing status? If she said they were equal, would that not suggest Wei Yanqiao was on equal footing with the Empress? But to praise Wei Yanqiao’s ceremony as grander would be absolutely forbidden—it would be tantamount to declaring that Wei Yanqiao had surpassed the Empress. That was a grave act of disrespect, though since Wei Yanqiao had not orchestrated the ceremony herself, the blame would not fall on her.

Tang Yurong smiled faintly and said in a low voice, "Why dredge up such old matters? Whether a ceremony is grand or not is merely a reflection of the Emperor’s favor. If one lacks the Emperor’s love, no matter how luxurious or magnificent the ceremony, one cannot escape the fate of being discarded. Now that I am with child and unable to serve the Emperor, the heavy responsibility of attending to him must be entrusted to you younger sisters."

Tang Yurong’s words cleverly avoided a direct comparison while displaying the broad-mindedness and foresight expected of the head of the inner palace. Moreover, she invoked the Emperor; the arrangements for all ceremonies were personally approved by him, and rewards were entirely dependent on his whims.

Wei Yanqiao smiled slightly. She guessed that Xiao Ceyun had discussed this with Tang Yurong last night; Tang Yurong’s words were clearly meant to goad her into fighting for imperial favor.

"I have experienced such a grand ceremony for the first time, and since Consort Xian has witnessed both, could you perhaps tell me which one was more solemn and magnificent?"

Her words were clearly intended to hand a knife to Cong Wenlu, forcing her to accept it and stand with Tang Yurong against her.

Cong Wenlu’s heart leaped to her throat. She had thought the topic was over, but she had not expected Wei Yanqiao to be so relentless.

"How can they be compared? Naturally, the Empress’s ceremony was far more grand and extraordinary!"

After speaking, she glanced cautiously at Tang Yurong, her eyes betraying an intention to please. However, the Empress’s expression remained as calm as water, devoid of any change, her gaze fixed instead upon Wei Yanqiao. Cong followed the Empress’s line of sight to Wei Yanqiao, thinking that since she had answered so thoroughly, surely Wei Yanqiao would not press the matter any further.

Wei Yanqiao suddenly beamed and said in a charming voice, "I naturally know that the Empress’s ceremony must have been incomparably grand and magnificent. Although I hold the rank of Imperial Noble Consort, I am, at the end of the day, merely a concubine; how could I possibly be compared to you, the Empress, the primary wife? Moreover, the Emperor and the Empress are a devoted couple, deeply in love. You not only possess an incomparably noble status, but you also occupy a unique and irreplaceable position in the Emperor’s heart!"

Hearing this, Tang Yurong was slightly stunned, instinctively turning to exchange a look with Cong Wenlu.

Tang Yurong had expected Cong Wenlu’s words to provoke Wei Yanqiao, causing her to lose her temper and fight for the Emperor’s favor, using her status as Imperial Noble Consort to act with arrogance. But she never imagined that Wei Yanqiao would not only refrain from reacting as expected but would even lower her own status to elevate her own.

At that moment, Shui Yao hurried in, curtsied to the three of them, and reported respectfully, "Your Majesty, the Emperor has arrived at your palace and is waiting for you."

Wei Yanqiao knew that Xiao Ceyun would visit her palace that night, which was why she had come to hide at Tang Yurong’s. She had assumed Xiao Ceyun would find her at the Empress’s palace, allowing her to keep him there, but she had not expected him to be waiting at her own residence.

Wei Yanqiao had no choice but to say, "Your Majesty, the Emperor is waiting for me, so I shall take my leave."

To Tang Yurong and Cong Wenlu, it appeared that Wei Yanqiao was rushing back to her palace to win the Emperor’s favor upon hearing he was there.

Tang Yurong replied with a gentle smile, "Very well, go."

Wei Yanqiao left the Empress’s palace. Along the way, her steps felt as if they were weighed down by an invisible burden, heavy and slow, as she strolled aimlessly toward her own quarters.

Shui Yao, following beside her, was burning with anxiety and could not help but urge her, "My Lady, let us walk faster; the Emperor is waiting in the palace."

When Wei Yanqiao had gone to chat at the Empress’s palace, she had ordered Shui Yao to step aside, so the maid did not know what they had discussed. However, with the Empress present, she assumed whatever they spoke of would eventually reach the Emperor’s ears.

Facing Shui Yao’s anxious prodding, Wei Yanqiao replied nonchalantly, "There is no hurry. If the Emperor grows impatient, he can go to sleep, or he can simply leave."

She maintained her measured, leisurely pace, showing no intention of speeding up.

When Wei Yanqiao finally returned to her palace, she found that Xiao Ceyun had already retired for the night. She softly instructed her maids to withdraw, then sat alone at the table, picked up a brush, and began to copy scriptures with focused concentration for the entire night.

The morning sun filtered through the window lattice, soft and warm. It was time to wake Xiao Ceyun for the morning court. Wei Yanqiao set down her brush, rose slowly, and walked to the bed to prepare to serve him.

Xiao Ceyun woke slowly, instinctively reaching out to touch the temperature of the bed beside him, finding it ice cold. He turned to look at Wei Yanqiao, who was already fully dressed and standing quietly, waiting to serve him.

Xiao Ceyun frowned and asked with suspicion, "Did you not sleep at all last night?"

Wei Yanqiao nodded slightly and replied softly, "In reply to Your Majesty, I returned late last night and saw that you were already asleep. Fearing to disturb your rest, I did not lie down."

Xiao Ceyun stared fixedly at Wei Yanqiao’s beautiful, clean-washed face, a nameless fire rising within him. Could it be that Wei Yanqiao no longer wished to share his bed? Yet her words seemed reasonable, leaving him with no excuse to lash out.

Suppressing his displeasure, Xiao Ceyun quickly dressed and departed without a backward glance. Seeing this, Wei Yanqiao hurriedly curtsied and said respectfully, "I respectfully see you off, Your Majesty."

Once Xiao Ceyun’s figure had completely vanished, she thought to herself that he must have understood she did not wish to serve him in bed. He likely would not return for the next few days, though she remained cautious—he might just surprise her.

That evening, Xiao Ceyun arrived at her palace once again.

Wei Yanqiao curtsied respectfully and said, "May the Emperor be blessed with peace and good health."