After leaving the imperial study, Qin Lu delivered the remaining crates to Noble Consort Meng's palace.
Though the quantity seemed extravagant—
The variety paled compared to the Emperor's gifts.
The bulk simply reflected Gu Yanshu's thoroughness—
Every consort of rank received a set.
Noble Consort's Delight
Where the Emperor had been mildly pleased—
Noble Consort was enraptured.
She immediately replaced her tea set, marveling at the glassware's clarity.
Learning other consorts would also receive gifts?
Her smile widened—
"Send these to their palaces at once!"
The delivery reached Consort Hui mid-conversation with Qin Sheng and Qin Han.
At the announcement of Noble Consort Meng's gift—
Her lips thinned with irritation, not gratitude.
"Meng Xiyan sent what?"
"G-glass tea set, Your Highness," the maid stammered.
"Tea set?" Consort Hui's nose wrinkled. "Dismissed."
Yet as the maid retreated—
"Wait. Show me."
The maid hurried back, unboxing the set with trembling hands.
Consort Hui couldn't resist a jab:
"What precious tea set warrants such fanfare? Has our Noble Consort never seen fine porcelain?"
Qin Sheng, ever the sycophant, chimed in:
"Indeed. Only someone of her background would—"
Then he saw the glass.
His voice died mid-sentence.
Crystal-clear. Sunlight-capturing. Unearthly.
Even Consort Hui's disdain faltered.
"You called this...?"
"Bōli, Your Highness. Like porcelain, but man-made."
The maid repeated the explanation verbatim.
Consort Hui's eyes sharpened at the key detail:
"Mass-producible? Like ceramics?"
"So said Noble Consort Mengs attendants."
A slow, calculating smile curled Consort Hui's lips.
"No wonder..."
"Mother?" Qin Sheng frowned.
No wonder what?
Dismissing the maid with a wave, Consort Hui turned lethal:
"You claimed Taoran Pavilion closed days ago?"
This visit was meant to be a grievance session—
Two humiliating defeats from Qin Lu demanded maternal intervention.
Qin Sheng's fury had kept him from reckless action—**
But the humiliation demanded maternal redress.
Just before the maid arrived, he'd detailed Yun Cizhai's crushing defeat by Taoran Pavilion.
Now, with Consort Hui circling back—
His grievances found fresh voice:
"Exactly! While Yun Cizhai limps along selling scraps, Taoran Pavilion shuttered completely—even dismantled their sign yesterday!"
The investigation into Yun Cizhai's catastrophic losses had revealed a brutal truth—
70% of those ruinous orders traced back to Taoran Pavilion's proxies.
(Zhou Maoran, stripped of authority, now languished in the ancestral hall.)
Even Qin Sheng had fantasized about strangling Manager Tang upon hearing this.
Yet like the Zhou family, he was powerless—
Neither Prince Li Manor nor the diminished Marquisate of Cheng'en could be provoked by mere merchants.
One mystery remained:
Why close shop after shifting losses onto Yun Cizhai?
Consort Hui's fingertip tapped the glass tea set—
"This is why."
"What?"
Following her gesture, Qin Sheng stared at the glittering vessels.
A sigh escaped Consort Hui's lips:
"Prince Li enters the palace, and moments later, Noble Consort Hui distributes these. Where do you suppose they originated?"
"Prince Li brought them, so..."
The obvious answer sparked realization:
"Mother means Taoran Pavilion closed to change merchandise?"
Consort Hui's approving silence confirmed it.
Qin Sheng studied the tea set anew—
If palace-bred connoisseurs found it dazzling, imagine its impact on commoners.
Qin Sheng's expression grew increasingly complex.
As he struggled to articulate his thoughts, Consort Hui beckoned:
"Linglong."
"Your Highness?"**
The senior maid stepped forward instantly, bowing as her mistress whispered instructions.
With a silent nod, Linglong withdrew—
Leaving Consort Hui to examine the tea set with a contemplative air.
"Come. Let us assess this glassware's merits."
Though curious about the hushed orders, Qin Sheng knew better than to press.
(His mother's secrets unfolded at her pace.)
He joined her at the table—
Watching as tea leaves unfurled in the transparent vessel.
Even through his animosity toward Qin Lu—
He couldn't deny the set's mesmerizing beauty.
Boiling water swirled the leaves into a living painting.
"Quite striking for tea viewing," Consort Hui mused. "Imagine summer flower teas in these—even lovelier."
(A noblewoman's eye for aesthetics.)
"If Mother wishes, the palace can dry blossoms next season," Qin Sheng offered dutifully.
"Summer is far yet."
Her noncommittal reply spoke volumes—
In the palace, no one promised tomorrow.
As she poured tea into glass cups for both princes—
The conversation drifted to the material's novelty.
Not once did she revisit Qin Sheng's grievances—
As if his plea for help had evaporated with the steam.
**Just as Qin Sheng debated reminding his mother of his plight—**
Linglong reappeared.
"Your Highness."
Consort Hui raised a hand, silencing Qin Sheng before he could speak—
A glance sent Linglong to her ear with hushed words.
Though the princes couldn't hear the report—
The hardening of Consort Hui's gaze spoke volumes.
Dismissing Linglong, she delivered the verdict:
"What you asked of me today... is now impossible."
"What?" Qin Sheng's teacup clattered against its saucer.
"Prince Li visited the Emperor before Noble Consort Hui," she explained coolly. "He gifted a tea set and glass lamp covers. His Majesty was so delighted, he offered rewards—which Prince Li declined."
A weighted pause.
"I'd planned to approach your father about your grievances. Now? Futile."
Palace women, however cunning, operated within vermilion walls.
To influence state affairs required the Emperor's ear—
And with Qin Lu freshly elevated in imperial favor?
Any complaint now would ring hollow at best, treasonous at worst.
"But—"
"Enough." Consort Hui cut through his protest. "You instigated both ChangLe Den and Yun Cizhai's troubles. Let it end here."
Her next words carried steel beneath silk:
"Excel in two or three imperial assignments, and all losses are recouped."
That tone brooked no argument.
Qin Sheng's jaw clenched, but he bowed. "...Understood."
Consort Hui noted his resentment—
And let it lie.
In the harem, mothers rose through sons—
(Her equal footing with Meng Xiyan had shattered when battlefield honors crowned the latter Noble Consort.)
But sons also rose through mothers.
(Would Qin Lu be Prince Li without Meng Xiyan's adoption?)
Her ascension ensured her sons' futures.
No petty squabble was worth imperial displeasure.
One day, seated on the throne, Qin Sheng would thank her.
Meanwhile
Qin Lu, oblivious to the storm he'd inadvertently diverted—
Departed Noble Consort Hui's palace.
Yet at the gates, he paused—
Then turned toward the Imperial Medical Institute.