Du Jingyi felt both honored and overwhelmed by the Empress’s words. Had they met anywhere outside the palace walls, she might have thought she was simply conversing with a kind elder rather than the Mother of the Realm herself (a title used to address the Empress, the highest-ranking woman in the empire).
Yet even thsough she feel at ease with her decorum could not be neglected. So Du Jingyi lowered her gaze and replied with due reverence.
“Your Majesty, I am deeply grateful for your grace. I shall strive to live up to your expectations.”
The Empress, Consort Guo, smiled faintly.
“Good. I have already discussed your conferment with His Majesty. The imperial decree should be issued before the New Year. Once it is proclaimed, you and General Liu may move into your new residence and live in harmony.”
Du Jingyi blinked in surprise. She had thought the jade ruyi (a curved ceremonial scepter symbolizing auspiciousness and imperial favor) was the greatest honor she would receive that day — yet now, the Empress was promising an imperial decree as well.
For a brief moment, she stood speechless.
Madam Xing, noticing her hesitation, chuckled softly and offered a hint.
“Your Majesty, the young lady is so overcome by gratitude that she’s lost her words. Shouldn’t she, as General Liu’s wife, offer you her thanks?”
Hearing this Du Jingyi immediately rose from her stool, her expression solemn.
“Your Majesty, I am unworthy of such honor. I dare not accept a title that I have not earned.”
The Empress’s smile deepened, gentle but firm.
“To be a secondary wife is never easy — you are always seen as lesser beside the first. But General Liu’s former wives were not formally acknowledged as principal consorts. This title of Lady Consort is a favor I bestow upon you myself. From now on, none shall treat you as inferior.”
The words stirred something within Du Jingyi .
To her, titles had mattered little before; she had yet to fully enter the intricate circles of the capital’s noblewomen. But Consort Guo had foreseen the difficulties she might face and granted her a status that would command greater respect in society.
Du Jingyi wished to decline out of humility, yet she understood the Empress’s intention and could only kneel in sincere gratitude.
“Your Majesty, I thank you for your benevolence.”
This time, her bow was deeper — not merely ceremonial, but heartfelt.
The Empress looked at her kindly, though a faint melancholy shadowed her tone.
“The House of Gu now relies upon General Liu alone. If you could bear a child soon, it would bring comfort to the Old Madam and the family.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I understand.”
Consort Guo nodded, then gracefully shifted the conversation. With Madam Xing (a titled noblewoman and long-time companion of the Empress) present, the atmosphere softened.
Du Jingyi listened quietly as they spoke — sometimes responding, sometimes only smiling — and gradually formed a clearer image of the Empress.
Until this meeting, she had only heard that Consort Guo hailed from an illustrious family — the daughter of Prime Minister Guo, a man who had served faithfully since the Emperor’s early campaigns to unify the realm. Among all civil officials, he was considered the most loyal and influential.
Given such a background, Lady Du had expected a woman of grandeur and distance. Instead, she found a sovereign gentle and approachable, her demeanor serene and her words without arrogance.
As they spoke, Du Jingyi’s initial tension faded. After an hour or two, it felt less like an imperial audience and more like sitting with an affectionate elder at home.
No wonder the world spoke so highly of the Empress — she truly deserved her praise as the Mother of the Realm: patient, tolerant, and magnanimous. Yet, despite her calm smile, Du Jingyi sensed a quiet sadness behind her grace, though its cause she could not guess.
By noon, a palace maid entered and bowed, informing the Empress that the luncheon was ready.
Madam Xing naturally rose to accompany her, and Du Jingyi began to prepare her farewell. But just then, Eunuch Hu — the senior attendant serving Consort Guo — stepped inside with a cheerful bow.
“Your Majesty, General Liu has sent word. He asks whether Your Majesty wishes the young lady to remain in the palace for dinner. If so, he would be glad to wait a little longer.”
His words brought amusement to both the Empress and Madam Xing. Their eyes glimmered with teasing warmth as they turned to Du Jingyi .
“Ah,” the Empress said with a smile, “the young couple are still in their tender days. I won’t play the villain and keep them apart. Yunqing, stay and dine with me. Hu Zhen, escort Lady Du back.”
(Hu Zhen was the given name of Eunuch Hu, though few dared to use it openly.)
The eunuch stepped forward, bowing deeply and gesturing with polished courtesy.
Du Jingyi returned the bow.
“Your Majesty, I take my leave.”
When she departed, Madam Xing sighed softly.
“If my cousin were still alive, she would surely have loved this daughter-in-law.”
The Empress nodded, her eyes filled with quiet admiration.
“Though she comes from a merchant household, her manners are proper and her bearing modest. Clearly, her family raised her well.”
“Your Majesty speaks truly.”
“Etiquette itself is only for others to see,” the Empress continued gently. “What matters is sincerity. And it seems General Liu holds her in great regard — that will serve him well. A man who commands armies should still have someone near his heart.”
“Indeed.”
The Empress rose with an elegant motion, her long ruqun (a flowing formal robe often worn by noblewomen during court hours) trailing softly behind her.
“Come, let us see what the imperial kitchen has prepared today. Perhaps there is something you’ll fancy.”
Madam Xing laughed.
“Your Majesty has spoiled me these past days. If I eat any more, my husband may not recognize me when I return to Jinling!”
The Empress chuckled.
“When I invited you north years ago, it was to keep me company, yet you took so long to come. Now that you are here and will soon depart again after the New Year, of course I wish to keep you close. As for the weight — that may not be a bad thing. I recall Lord Xing once saying he fancied women with fuller figures. Perhaps, when you return, he will find you even more charming.”
“Your Majesty…” Madam Xing’s voice turned coy, laced with gentle reproach.
Now that they were alone, the formal barriers fell away. They laughed and reminisced freely, like old friends — as if the burdens of the court had melted into the soft warmth of afternoon light.
Meanwhile, Du Jingyi had been escorted safely back to General Shang Ji’s quarters by Eunuch Hu.
“Thank you, Eunuch Hu. Yingtao,” Du Jingyi called softly to her maid, who stepped forward and discreetly pressed a small embroidered purse into the eunuch’s hands.
It was heavy — clearly filled with silver taels.
Eunuch Hu accepted it with a genial smile.
“Her Majesty seemed quite taken with you today, Lady Du. You should find time to visit the Empress more often. It would please her greatly.”
“Thank you for the advice, Eunuch Hu. I shall remember it.”
The eunuch bowed politely before returning toward the inner palace.
Shang Ji, who had been waiting by the carriage, gave her a measured glance.
“Come, get in the carriage.”
“Yes.”
This time, he did not ride ahead as usual, but joined her inside the carriage.
Their maids, Yingtao and Lizhu , alighted and followed on foot, while Luo Yuan, their guard captain, rode ahead on horseback. He wore a dark riding robe (a plain but dignified garment favored by military officers), which lent him a fierce and solemn air.
Yingtao stole a glance at him — only to see Luo Yuan suddenly turn and flash a grin.
The unexpected smile broke the tension instantly, and Yingtao could not help but laugh to herself.
Indeed, appearances could be deceiving.