Chapter 160 - 140: Vying for Favor
Consort Xian had thought that befriending Gu Wan Yi would be an uphill battle.
But no sooner had she extended an olive branch than Gu Wan Yi eagerly invited her over.
...It was just that the nature of these visits was a little strange.
"Is Your Ladyship going to Bihua Palace to teach again today? That Gu Wan Yi is really something else, treating our Lady like a private tutor." From the vanity case her mistress had brought into the palace, Consort Xian’s palace maid pulled out stacks of immaculately preserved books.
Consort Xian took a sip of her tea and smiled. "If she hadn’t brought it up, I would have forgotten all about these books. It’s a good chance to air them out. Besides, I’m not always the one visiting her. She came to see me yesterday."
When Rong Xueshi had entered the Prince Mansion, she brought cases overflowing with jewels and cosmetics, as well as cartloads of silver taels. Zhang Posen, on the other hand, had brought mostly books; she only needed enough jewelry and silver to get by. In the harem, it was books, cats, and hot pot that soothed her lonely soul. But with no one to share them with, a mind full of knowledge was less comforting than a simmering hot pot and a cup of warm rice wine.
"That’s true. These are all rare editions. Gu Wan Yi is in for a treat."
"She is quite eager to learn."
Consort Xian smiled, chose two palace maids, and had them carry the books to Bihua Palace.
Jiang Xian had someone waiting at the main gate. The moment Lady Xianfei’s palanquin arrived, she came out to greet her. Jiang Xian was a model of respect for a teacher. The table was laden with seasonal fruits to welcome Consort Xian, most of which were gifts from the Emperor. He had sent them fearing a pregnant woman might be picky and lack appetite, so she was now using them all to foster goodwill.
However, Consort Xian didn’t seem particularly fond of fruit.
"I have brought some books that I’ve had since my time in the Prince Mansion. Whichever one interests you, Gu Wan Yi, I can tell you all about it," Consort Xian said with a smile.
"Sister Xianfei, you are too good to me," Jiang Xian said, turning on the full force of her charm. Her eyes shone as she looked at Consort Xian, her face a mask of pure admiration. "You are the most learned person in the entire harem. If women could take the imperial examinations, you would undoubtedly be the top scholar! To be honest, anyone can memorize a bit of sentimental poetry, but when it comes to the *Zuo Zhuan*, the *Ritual Records*, and the *Spring and Autumn Annals*... it truly takes someone like you, Sister Xianfei!"
Jiang Xian’s flattery made Consort Xian’s smile visibly more genuine.
In the harem, Consort Xian was known for keeping a low profile and following the middle path.
But even the most balanced person has a competitive streak.
’Based on my observations,’ Jiang Xian mused, ’Consort Xian is like a girl in modern times who doesn’t like to play support roles in games, preferring to be a top-laner or marksman. She possesses a solitary pride and secretly yearns for recognition. In an era like this, her preference for reading the same books as male scholars would likely only earn her confused looks from her peers and from men, who would wonder what a woman could possibly understand, or...’
"What’s the use of reading these books?" Consort Xian asked with a faint smile.
"You shouldn’t read a book wondering if it’s ’useful.’ Besides, any book you read is ultimately useful," Jiang Xian was a firm believer in the power of reading, and a beneficiary of it. Even though women in this era couldn’t take the imperial examinations, the knowledge gained from books would never vanish. She took Consort Xian’s hands in her own. "Isn’t knowing right from wrong and understanding the ways of the world more important than sentimental verses? Sister, please don’t sell yourself short. I seek your company precisely because I admire your scholarship."
’In the harem, there were only two people who could serve as prenatal tutors for my child: Consort Xian and the Emperor.’
’I can handle the rudimentary education myself.’
’From the Emperor, the child can learn matters of state.’
’And Sister Xianfei is the perfect person to fill the gap in between.’
Consort Xian’s gaze wavered. "Do you truly think so?"
"I trust that you can see whether my intentions are true or false."
While arranging lessons for the little one in her belly, Jiang Xian was also learning herself.
Soon enough, Consort Xian discovered that Gu Wan Yi was sincerely seeking knowledge from her.
The desire to be a teacher is often seen in a negative light.
But it also proves that people have an innate desire to guide others, and that they derive happiness and a sense of accomplishment from doing so. When the person you’re guiding is of high status, that sense of accomplishment is magnified.
This theory applied perfectly to Consort Xian.
Gu Wan Yi would diligently write down every word she said. If there was anything she didn’t quite understand, she would ask. Her eyes were filled with adoration, and what’s more, she was an incredibly perceptive student. ’If my old tutor could meet Gu Wan Yi,’ Consort Xian thought, ’she would have loved her too.’
’Teaching Gu Wan Yi is surprisingly gratifying!’
On her very first attempt at teaching, Consort Xian had chanced upon a star pupil who was a joy to instruct, and she found great pleasure in it.
The other concubines of the Six Palaces, unaware of the truth, saw this and secretly thought that Consort Xian had finally decided to make a move and was cozying up to Gu Wan Yi. Meanwhile, high-ranking concubines like Lu Ronghua, who had previously tried to use Gu Wan Yi, couldn’t help but feel displeased. ’So, you refuse to flatter me because you think I’m less impressive than Consort Xian? What’s so great about her, anyway!’
But Jiang Xian saw Consort Xian’s value.
’The Zhang family is a rare example of pure loyalty at court. Even if the Emperor decided to purge the old guard, the Zhang family would unfailingly stand behind him. They never leveraged their position to demand favors for Consort Xian, yet the Emperor has his own way of keeping score. The Emperor approved of the Zhang family’s values, so under her parents’ influence, Consort Xian’s worldview and perspective are likely not too different from his own.’
But no one else knew what she was thinking.
Especially not Lu Ronghua.
She couldn’t stand seeing Jiang Xian be so socially adept and wanted to cut off her new source of support. But ever since the incident with the faked illness, she had lost her influence with the Emperor, and her reach no longer extended into Weiyang Palace or Qiankun Palace.
’After thinking it over, it seems the only option is to stir up some trouble over at Zhaoyang Palace.’
And the Noble Consort, having been provoked, flew into a rage. She seized an opportunity one day when Consort Xian had summoned Gu Wan Yi. Riding her palanquin, she made a grand and aggressive procession to Changchun Palace. Ignoring the palace maids who tried to stop her, she barged straight in. "What are my two dear sisters chatting about so happily?"
What met her eyes were spread-out rice paper and books.
What entered her ears was the sound of reading aloud.
Hearing the commotion, the two women sitting cross-legged at the table and Consort Xian, who was standing and lecturing, all turned to look at her.
Noble Princess Consort Rong: "..."
"Your Ladyship graces us with your presence. Why not have someone announce you first?" As someone who had come from the Prince Mansion and was long accustomed to the Noble Consort’s domineering behavior, Consort Xian was the first to react. She sighed. "You don’t normally visit me, Your Ladyship. Might you be looking for Gu Wan Yi?"
Consort Xian figured the Noble Consort was most likely here for Jiang Xian.
After all, the two of them were hardly close.
Back in the Prince Mansion, on the rare occasions Consort Xian had the opportunity to attend the Emperor, the Noble Consort had snatched away a third of them using various excuses.
Just as the tension between them became palpable, Chen Changzai spoke up thoughtfully:
"Perhaps the Noble Consort is here to see me."
Every gaze in the room, including those of the palace maids from Changle Palace, snapped to her.
Consort Xian smiled. "Well then, Chen Changzai, why don’t you go keep the Noble Consort company?"