20. Sister, do you dislike the lucky lock?

Evening at the Palace’s Cien Hall

Cien Hall was the Empress Dowager’s residence. Every day, the Empress would come to pay her respects—not under the pretense of reporting anything important, but simply as a daughter-in-law visiting her mother-in-law. Today was no exception. Early in the morning, Du Haiju had brought her two children to Cien Hall. The Empress Dowager quite liked Du Haiju as a daughter-in-law, finding her sensible and considerate. More importantly, Xuanyuan Ren adored her. Initially, the Empress Dowager had been somewhat concerned that Du Haiju had no children, but to her surprise, Du Haiju had given birth to a pair of dragon-phoenix twins. This left the Empress Dowager with nothing to find fault with.

Seated upon the phoenix throne in the main hall of Cien Hall, the Empress Dowager received Du Haiju and her children, along with the personal maid, who all bowed respectfully and greeted her, “Blessings to Mother Empress!” The proper formalities required only a respectful greeting to Xuanyuan Ren and the Empress Dowager, typically a humble expression of profound respect.

The two children, nearly two years old, simply exclaimed in unison, “Grand Empress!” Normally, children were not taught such formalities until after the age of two.

The Empress Dowager’s face lit up upon seeing Yumu and Yuling. She beckoned the two children to her side and kindly asked, “Yumu, Ling’er, Grandma’s precious little ones, what games did you play yesterday?” Occasionally, the Empress Dowager would join in their play. Though a grand figure, she was still human and wished to savor the simple joys of family life.

Chattering away, Yuling flashed two sweet dimples and smiled up at the Empress Dowager, saying, “Hide-and-seek! Brother Mu is so clumsy, he always finds Ling’er!” Children spoke with such innocent illogic—clearly it was she who was clumsy to be found so easily, yet she blamed her brother. This made the Empress Dowager burst into hearty laughter. Du Haiju shook her head with a smile. Poor Yumu was a bit crestfallen; his sister was only a few minutes younger, yet their personalities were so different. Yumu was a quieter child, the kind who gave his parents little trouble.

The Empress Dowager gently stroked Yuling’s head and said with affection, “Ling’er truly is your grandmother’s little joy!” Such words spoke volumes about her fondness for the girl.

Just as the joyful scene continued, a young eunuch entered and bowed deeply before announcing, “Your Majesty, Consort Shu and Prince Sìnan have come to pay their respects.” The Empress Dowager nodded, and the eunuch understood her silent instruction.

Consort Shu entered, first kneeling in homage before the Empress Dowager. “Your humble servant pays respects to the Empress Dowager. May Your Majesty be blessed with longevity and peace!” The Empress Dowager waved her hand dismissively, and Consort Shu then turned to Du Haiju, offering a respectful greeting, “Blessings to Her Majesty the Empress!” She had come with an intention directed at Du Haiju.

Prince Sìnan, Anjing, performed a formal clasped-hand salute to the Empress Dowager and Du Haiju, his young voice earnest, “Greetings, Grand Empress, Mother Empress!” At just over three years old, Anjing was already being taught court etiquette, so paying respects to the Empress Dowager and Du Haiju was mandatory.

The Empress Dowager beckoned him to her side, but the young prince, still unfamiliar with his birth mother, was reluctant to approach. While princesses could remain by their mothers’ sides for personal care, princes had to be sent to the Imperial Teaching Institute from the age of three to learn court manners, horseback riding, archery, and other skills for self-protection, along with reading and writing. It was staggering that a child so young already bore such burdens. Naturally, if the birth mother was the Empress, the prince could see her daily, but sons of concubines were only permitted a monthly visit—a harsh palace rule. Today, Consort Shu used Anjing’s visit to pay respects as a pretext to see him. At first, Anjing was still distant. Consort Shu tried to coax him to the Empress Dowager’s side, but he resisted. She glared at him, urging, “Grand Empress likes you, so come over. Look, Brother Yumu and Sister Yuling are right there. Hurry to Grand Empress… come on…” Yet no matter what she said, Anjing refused.

Unable to bear it, the Empress Dowager said calmly, “Consort Shu, let it be. Anjing is shy and unaccustomed to strangers. Not everyone is like Ling’er and Yumu, who recognize Grand Empress no matter how long it’s been.” Indeed, after Yumu and Yuling turned one, they had been ill with measles and had not seen the Empress Dowager for a month, yet upon reunion, they remained very affectionate.

Hearing this, Consort Shu felt it was clear the Empress Dowager favored Yumu and Yuling and disliked Anjing. She was annoyed at Anjing’s shyness but smiled diplomatically, “Yes, how can Anjing compare to Yumu and Yuling? No wonder Your Majesty dotes on them so much!” She then turned to Du Haiju. “Sister, I heard the Ruyi Lock bestowed by the Empress Dowager was crafted by the palace’s most senior artisan, inlaid with pearls from the Eastern Sea and jade from Yunding. I did not examine it carefully last time—could you allow me to admire it again?” The reason she had her father steal the Ruyi Lock was precisely for this moment. She wished to sow discord between the Empress Dowager and Du Haiju, hoping to secure the Empress Dowager’s favor for Anjing’s claim to the throne.

Du Haiju smiled lightly. “Sister, do you not know that the Phoenix Residence was robbed the night before last? The Ruyi Lock given by Mother Empress was stolen. Yesterday, Yumu and Ling’er were still fussing about wanting to bring it along. Such a pity…” She was fully prepared for Consort Shu’s ploy. Without wisdom, survival in the harem was impossible; to refrain from attacking others proactively was already a kindness.

Consort Shu’s gaze darkened as she looked at Du Haiju and smiled. “I thought perhaps the little prince and princess disliked it and carelessly threw it away. So it was stolen. The palace guards are truly negligent!” Her words carried subtle insinuations.

Du Haiju chuckled softly. “Sister, you think too much. If I didn’t know you so well, I might believe you are trying to stir trouble between me and Mother Empress.” Du Haiju met Consort Shu’s gaze squarely, allowing no room for evasion.

Consort Shu quickly apologized, “I know sister likes to speak nonsense. Please do not take offense!” She had not anticipated Du Haiju would confront her so directly and found herself at a loss for a response, forced to offer a humble apology.

Du Haiju generously smiled. “I know sister speaks without meaning harm. After all, what is there to quarrel about among sisters?”

The Empress Dowager, seeing that their exchange had run its course, glanced between them with a smile and said, “It warms my heart to see such sisterly affection among you ladies of the harem. As for the thief, I hear the Emperor has ordered Prince Jun to investigate. I believe it will not be long before the culprit is caught. You need not worry.” Then she returned to play with Yumu and Yuling once more.