Chapter 3 — Old Dreams on the Dragon Bed

Right at the height of the busy agricultural season, the emperor journeyed to the capital's outskirts to perform the sacred plowing ceremony. The Hall of Phoenix Rites also issued a formal decree: since His Majesty was fasting for the sake of the realm's harvests, the imperial consorts within the palace should likewise pray for his blessings. When all the consorts had gathered, bundles of rice stalks and bolts of golden silk were already arranged as offerings within the inner hall. Today, my imperial aunt was dressed with utmost modesty, slowly turning prayer beads in her hands, looking far more benevolent and gentle than usual.

Once the rituals concluded and everyone was preparing to withdraw, my aunt looked directly at me and commanded, "Consort Lan, you stay behind." Seeing this, Imperial Noble Consort Shen offered a gentle, subtle smile and remarked, "Her Majesty the Empress is truly attentive toward Consort Lan. With your personal guidance, little sister will certainly be able to share your burdens in the future."

The words sounded like nothing more than pleasant praise. Yet who within the hall did not know that when the Hall of Phoenix Rites had failed to keep me in line previously, my aunt had suffered a tremendous loss of face? My aunt's expression remained unchanged as she replied, "The Consort is still young, so it is only natural that this palace looks after her a bit more."

As she departed, Imperial Noble Consort Shen cast one final backward glance in my direction. Our eyes met, and she gave me a faint nod, a gesture so minuscule that almost no one else could have perceived it. The heavy doors of the hall closed shut, and the prayer beads in my aunt's hands abruptly stopped spinning.

"His Majesty arrived too hastily last time, leaving me with some words I had yet to impart to you."

"Today is a fitting occasion to properly teach you some palace decorum."

An elderly matron standing nearby stepped forward bearing a thick volume of palace regulations, her voice cold and rigid: "Consort, during the ceremonial rites just now, the sleeve of your garment brushed against the sacrificial table of the Agriculture Festival."

"I ask that you kneel and repeat the entire ceremony from the beginning."

Ever since the gathering began, the matron had intentionally removed the comfortable praying mat, replacing it with a rough woven rattan cushion. The coarse strands of rattan were stiff, with jagged, upturned edges. She must have been anticipating this exact moment for a very long time. The emperor had gone to the outskirts for the spring sacrifices, and today happened to be the fifteenth of the month. According to customary rules, upon returning to the inner palace, he was bound to spend the night in the Hall of Phoenix Rites. My aunt had calculated everything with ruthless precision; even if she subjected me to severe torment today, I had nowhere to appeal for justice. Meeting her head-on right now would only cause my losses to outweigh any potential gains.

Obediently, I lowered myself to the floor, my knees landing squarely upon the uneven, protruding knots of the rattan mat. The pain was so intense that I nearly lost my balance completely.

"Understood. Shanyue is deeply grateful for Her Majesty the Empress's instruction."

The matron swung a disciplinary rod sharply against my waist: "Your Ladyship is a imperial consort; your back must remain straight. Do not mimic the vulgar, swaying postures of those lowly dancers outside the palace walls."

A sharp shudder of agony wrung through me, and I instantly forced my spine straight. Seated upon her luxurious fox-fur chair, my aunt leisurely raised her teacup to her lips: "Tuer, you are a Consort now; countless eyes throughout the palace are watching your every move."

"The greater your favor, the less you can afford to let people accuse you of arrogance and wild behavior."

With a haughty toss of her chin, the matron hurried to support my hands, forcing me to hold a bolt of golden silk aloft at eyebrow level.

"You must hold the silken offering steady."

"Only with absolute sincerity will His Majesty receive boundless blessings."

I murmured softly, "This concubine understands." By the time the first stick of incense had burned down to its ash, my wrists were trembling with exhaustion. A glowing speck of ash drifted downward, prompting the matron to step closer, inspect my posture, and furrow her brows.

"A moment ago, Consort's hands were slightly too low. I fear your sincerity was lacking."

My aunt sighed softly. "Then perform it once more. If the heart is not utterly devout, prayers for blessing will not be answered."

A second stick of incense was promptly lit. The sensation in my knees shifted from sharp agony to total numbness, and the lower half of my body felt entirely detached from my soul. My aunt leisurely snacked on pre-peeled pastries and fruits, thoroughly savoring my utter wretchedness.

"I hear His Majesty has bestowed quite a number of treasures upon you these past few days."

Every muscle in my body ached fiercely, and my voice trembled involuntarily. "It is entirely due to the grace of Your Majesty and the Emperor."

"Grace is grace, but boundaries are boundaries."

"You now hold the rank of Consort, elevating your status significantly."

"Yet the higher your position, the more crucial it is to know which words ought to be spoken and which people you should draw close to."

I gritted my teeth. "This concubine will engrave this in my heart."

The golden silk in my hands shook, and the matron instantly seized my wrist in a bruising grip, causing me to draw a sharp breath of pain. Seemingly satisfied at last, my aunt resumed turning her prayer beads.

"Very well, we shall leave it at that for today."

"Return to your quarters and ponder deeply upon your own lineage and the direction you ought to wag your tail."

"Do not throw the entire inner court into turmoil once more."

Not a single soul stepped forward to assist me. Gritting my teeth, I forced myself to rise, feeling as though I had been thoroughly beaten, every joint screaming with violent agony.

"This concubine expresses her deepest gratitude for the Empress's teachings."

"Henceforth, I shall strictly keep to my own place and never give Your Majesty cause for worry again."

By the time I finally returned to the Hall of Tranquil Fragrance, the night had already deepened. A-Shang had just rushed over with a jar of soothing medicinal ointment when the servants outside loudly announced an arrival. The emperor strode into the chamber, his gaze immediately locking onto my bruised knees. The deep, crisscrossing impressions of the rattan weave were deeply embedded into my flesh, faintly oozing blood.

"Why has Your Majesty come here?"

Hurriedly lowering the hem of my gown, I attempted to stand and offer a proper greeting. To my surprise, my legs gave out completely beneath me, and he caught me firmly in his arms. "You were injured to this extent, why did you not inform me?"

Struggling gently to free myself from his embrace, I forced a tight smile upon my lips. "It was merely kneeling a bit longer during the agriculture ceremony, it is nothing of consequence."

Fearing he would not believe me, I even reached out to press lightly against the wound. "It truly hurts no longer."

Cold sweat instantly beaded across my forehead, and I swallowed hard, pretending an unconvincing composure. He let out a long, heavy sigh, ultimately choosing not to expose my falsehood.