Chapter Thirty-One: Matters of Choosing a Consort

Soon, the matter of the consort selection was settled, with the Empress Dowager entrusting the entire affair to the Queen.

“Your Grace, there’s something quite odd about all this,” Taoxin murmured as she followed behind her mistress after leaving the Hall of Benevolence. “According to custom, even if the Queen presides over the selection, there is always another consort to assist. Yet the Empress Dowager has left everything to you, Your Grace…”

“Perhaps the Empress Dowager is testing my abilities,” she replied serenely, her expression unruffled.

Though Taoxin felt uneasy, seeing her lady so calm and composed put her at ease.

When they returned to Anxue Palace, the ten chosen beauties were already waiting in the courtyard.

Each of the ten possessed her own unique charm; their appearances differed greatly, breaking the monotony of conventional beauty. The palace’s grandeur left them somewhat intimidated; a few young women lowered their heads with evident nervousness, for the exquisite splendor of the palace only made them feel all the more insignificant.

Naturally, some bolder girls dared to lift their eyes and steal glances, ambition flickering in their gaze. So this was the Queen’s residence, the palace whose name was personally inscribed by the King. No wonder she enjoyed such favor—only the very best was reserved for her.

Rumor had it that the present Queen was a blind woman of mysterious origins, yet she was deeply beloved by the King, hence her exalted position. Surely she must be extraordinarily beautiful, or how else could she have won such affection?

Some could not help but imagine the glorious life that might await them.

To be mistress of a palace, to enjoy the finest things, and to win the King’s favor—these were their secret hopes.

“Her Majesty the Queen approaches. All of you, lower your heads. You must not look upon her face directly,” the supervising matron intoned, making the atmosphere all the more solemn.

The ten beauties bowed their heads, adopting the posture of a formal greeting.

Xuexue stepped down from the sedan, supported by Taoxin, her splendid robes trailing upon the ground.

After disembarking, she released Taoxin’s arm, proceeding forward with measured, steady steps, her presence impossible to ignore.

Yet her demeanor was not overbearing, but rather a cool, distant elegance that no one dared meet directly.

“We, humble women of the people, pay our respects to Your Majesty.”

“We, daughters of ministers, greet Your Majesty.”

It was clear that among the ten beauties, some were from distant lands, while others were daughters of court officials.

“Rise,” Xuexue said, her voice even, as she made her way to the seat the maids had prepared.

Beside her seat were tea and refreshments. She sat with a natural authority befitting the mistress of the palace.

“Your Majesty, by order of the Empress Dowager, this old servant presents these ten young ladies to await your command. What are your wishes?” The elderly matron bowed respectfully, her eyes downcast, every gesture proper.

“I am already aware of this,” she replied with a nod, but said nothing further. She simply sat, unerringly lifted her flower tea, and sipped with elegance as she nibbled on a pastry.

None could decipher the Queen’s intention in leaving the ten beauties standing there—was this a show of dominance?

But in the Queen’s presence, who would dare speak out? All kept their heads lowered, not daring to glance around.

“Insolence! Miss Yao, Miss Cao, do you presume you may gaze upon Her Majesty’s face?” Suddenly, Taoxin’s rebuke rang out, neither loud nor soft, but strikingly clear in the silent hall.

She looked at the two elaborately dressed girls, whose noble birth was evident. Perhaps their status emboldened them to look upon the Queen with such disrespect.

Having served in the palace for years, Taoxin could tell they held the Queen in little regard, their eyes brimming with ambition and self-assurance.

Stunned at being caught, the two girls recovered, faces full of feigned innocence. “Auntie, when did we ever look at Her Majesty? Do not wrongly accuse us.”

The first to speak was the girl in pale pink, as delicate as a blossom, her voice as sweet and clear as a bell, tinged with innocence and docility.

She was Yao Qianqian, daughter of the Yao family.

“Yes, though we haven’t yet studied palace etiquette, discipline at home is strict. How could we behave so rudely?” the other retorted, clad in embroidered silk, her attire lavish and eye-catching, each piece a treasure. With her luminous beauty, she was as exquisite as the peach-blossom hairpin she wore.

She was Cao Xingyu, daughter of the Cao family.

Both girls hailed from distinguished families; their fathers were high-ranking officials, and as scions of noble houses, they had every reason for pride.

Moreover, they saw nothing remarkable in the blind Queen—her appearance was simple and unadorned, nothing compared to their own radiant beauty. Disappointment bred contempt.

Besides, the Queen was blind—how could she know they were observing her? The little maid’s words were groundless. What could she do to them?

“Your Majesty, those two are far too insolent, not regarding you at all,” Taoxin said, ignoring their protests and bowing to Xuexue.

“Auntie, why do you accuse us? What proof do you have that we were disrespectful?” Yao Qianqian asked, fearless.

She refused to believe the blind Queen could truly punish them. Regardless of their background, they had entered the palace by the Empress Dowager’s command—a fact the Queen must consider.

Amid the growing discord, Xuexue spoke only two words, her tone steady as she sipped her tea: “Eliminated.”

The meaning took a moment to sink in, but Taoxin understood immediately. “By Her Majesty’s command, Miss Yao and Miss Cao are dismissed from the selection.”

A gasp swept the hall; Yao Qianqian and Cao Xingyu were stunned.

What did this mean? They hadn’t come to compete for a place—the ten had already been chosen, only awaiting the Queen’s formal approval. Yet with two words, she had dismissed them!

By what right could she deny them?

“Your Majesty, what do you mean by this?” Yao Qianqian forced a smile, maintaining her composure as a proper lady should, though inwardly she seethed with resentment. She could not deny the Queen’s commanding presence, and so dared not be too forceful.

“I do not care to repeat myself,” Xuexue replied coolly. She disliked disputes, but would not allow anyone to steal her thunder.

“I did not expect the Queen to believe a maid’s slander over us. This is most enlightening,” Cao Xingyu remarked. “It’s clear the maid has wronged us, yet Your Majesty trusts her over us…”

“As the saying goes, ‘If you employ someone, trust them; if you doubt, do not employ.’ She is my maid, therefore she is my eyes. Though I am blind, my heart is not. Enough of your games, ladies—your conduct ill becomes you,” Xuexue said. “I shall overlook it as childishness.”

At her words, all present understood that Her Majesty was not one to be trifled with.

“Your Majesty, with respect, it was you who ignored us first. How is it then our fault? And it was the Empress Dowager who sent us to serve His Majesty, not to be humiliated by you,” Cao Xingyu protested, her posture upright despite the plaintive tone.

“Enough, Sister Cao, let’s not anger Her Majesty further,” Yao Qianqian added, her own voice tinged with grievance.

The two played off each other, painting Xuexue as the villain.

“How odd these ladies are. The Queen hasn’t even said anything harsh…” a timid voice piped up, more noticeable against the other girls' feigned distress.

“Who are you, you little stray, to speak here?” Yao Qianqian snapped, her temper flaring as a noble’s daughter.

The plain-clad girl shrank back, lowering her head until her face was completely hidden.

“In Her Majesty’s presence, such outbursts are out of place, Miss Yao,” Taoxin said, regaining her composure and her authority as the Queen’s chief maid. Some things did not require the Queen’s intervention.

“I acknowledge my fault, Your Majesty. Please forgive me,” Yao Qianqian pleaded, her voice full of wounded propriety.

“First of all, I did not humiliate you. If your hearts are so restless, how can you serve His Majesty? I merely asked for a moment’s quiet—was that too much? If this were before the King himself, how would you answer for your conduct? Moreover, you are here as consort candidates—do you imagine I have no say in the matter?”

From her elevated seat, the Queen sat robed in splendor, though her attire was outshone by the force of her presence.

She did not appear angry, but each word sent a chill through the heart.

“What is this? Who has dared upset My Queen?”

A voice rang out as the King entered Anxue Palace. He was dressed in a dark robe embroidered with golden dragons, the threads shining brilliantly as though the dragons might take flight at any moment.

He approached through the crowd, and the ten beauties hurriedly knelt, heads bowed low, catching only a glimpse of his dark figure in their periphery.

Their hearts beat faster, unsteady…

Just to hear his voice, without seeing him, was like the arrival of an immortal.