The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Anning wanted peace, but couldn’t find it.

She had just finished breakfast when Cui Yu arrived and whispered, ”Empress, Consort Li and Consort Wu have just fought over a jade bracelet in the imperial garden.”

Anning massaged her temples, ”Go, have the people from the Judicial Department take one person from Consort Li and Consort Wu’s sides, give them each ten strokes, and then confine Consort Li and Consort Wu for a month. Each must copy ’Women’s Rules’ five times, and they won’t come out until finished.”

Cui Yu hesitated for a moment, ”Yes, this servant will convey the Empress’s orders immediately.”

Anning waved her hand, and Cui Yu withdrew.

Shortly after Cui Yu left, Anning heard a burst of crying.

”Empress, Empress, you must stand up for me.”

It was Consort Li’s voice.

Anning frowned deeply.

”What’s going on? Did I not order Consort Li to be confined? How did she manage to come here?”

Du Juan went out to have a look, then returned to tell Anning, ”Consort Li ran over herself, and the servants did not dare to stop her too much.”

Anning snorted coldly, ”Ha, what do they take this Changle Palace for? Coming and going as they please, do they no longer see me as the Empress?”

With Du Juan’s help, she rose and leisurely walked outside, standing atop the high steps, looking down at Consort Li.

”So, are you not listening to what I say anymore?”

Consort Li stood there stubbornly, looking up at Anning, ”It’s not that I don’t listen, Empress, but you are being unfair. I had a conflict with Consort Wu, and without knowing the details, you punish everyone indiscriminately, even the palace attendants. Isn’t that too severe? What wrongdoing have the attendants committed to deserve being beaten?”

Anning chuckled.

”The Emperor and I brought you into the palace for two reasons: to continue the imperial line and because you seemed virtuous and gentle during the selection. But since entering the palace, you’ve caused trouble constantly. If I only resolved your disputes, I’d do nothing else. I am the mother of the nation, here to assist the Emperor in governing, not to clean up after you. Previously, I tolerated you, considering your loneliness without family in the palace, but my tolerance only emboldened you. From today, I will not be lenient. Anyone who causes conflict will be punished, regardless of right or wrong. As for the attendants, they did not dissuade you, allowing the disorder; that is their fault. They should serve you and persuade you against making trouble. If they don’t, it’s their mistake. What’s wrong with me punishing them?”

Anning stood on the steps, smiling, and spoke calmly, word by word, leaving Consort Li speechless.

Anning then laughed, ”The Emperor chose you to serve the palace not for constant unrest, but to serve us well. Yet, since entering, it’s been quarrels today and scuffles tomorrow. Is this the virtuousness and gentility you claimed? I should question your families about their teaching, for lack of discipline with imperial implications is treasonous.”

The mention of treason made Consort Li drop to her knees in fear.

”Empress, have mercy. It was my fault.”

Anning smiled, ”Remember, I am the Empress, the legitimate wife granted by the late Emperor and lawfully wed to the Emperor. No matter your rank, you are still concubines, mere servants. When I punish a servant, must I explain in detail? Making the master unhappy is a grave wrong.”

After speaking, Anning waved her hand, ”Come, take Consort Li back and confine her for two months starting today.”

Consort Li collapsed to the ground, ”Thank you, Empress, for your mercy.”

At Chaoyang Palace, Consort Wu had already heard about Consort Li’s troublemaking at Changle Palace and her scolding by the Empress, followed by a two-month confinement.

Consort Wu was somewhat schadenfreude, ”Serves her right. Let her stir trouble. Does she not realize her status? The Empress’s status? A childless, uncherished concubine trying to argue with the cherished Empress—who else would face punishment?”

Afterward, Consort Wu reflected on how she too was without favor or children, much like Consort Li and others—mere decorative pieces placed by the Emperor.

The Emperor’s focus was on a harmonious marital life with the Empress, leaving them unnoticed.

Thus thinking, Consort Wu felt despondent.

”Someone, prepare paper and pen. I’ll go to the small Buddhist hall to copy ’Women’s Rules’.”

Having punished Consort Li, Anning did not rest. She changed into more formal attire and went to the Imperial Palace.

The Empress Dowager, surnamed Liu, entered the palace in her forties. After entering, she bore two daughters and was later titled Imperial Concubine. Afterward, she gave birth to Emperor Kang He.

After giving birth, not long afterward, Emperor Wenzong’s interests shifted to girls who appeared delicate and pitiable, leaving the stately and gentle Empress Dowager Liu out of favor.

Empress Dowager Liu became more reclusive, focusing on raising her son, expecting to leave the palace as an Old Dowager after Emperor Wenzong’s death. However, to her surprise, her son ascended as Emperor, making her Empress Dowager, the most esteemed woman in the land.

Though titled, Empress Dowager Liu’s temperament remained unchanged, always kind and seldom harsh.

Anning held a good impression of Empress Dowager Liu.

She brought her entourage to the Empress Dowager’s residence in Deqing Palace, where she found the Empress Dowager distributing melons to maidens.

Anning approached with a smile, ”What a coincidence to catch mother having a feast. You must save some for me, too.”

Empress Dowager Liu, smiling, handed a slice of cantaloupe to Anning. ”You little glutton, as Empress, you don’t lack these treats, yet you come here to steal mine.”

Anning accepted, biting into the melon, ”Mother’s is sweeter.”

Empress Dowager Liu washed her hands with a smile, ”Then eat as much as you want.”

”Hmm.” Anning nodded, ”I’d even like to have lunch here.”

Empress Dowager Liu instructed her nanny to prepare dishes Anning liked in the kitchen.

After eating melon, Anning sat to chat with Empress Dowager Liu.

”Mother, I’ve been pondering over something, reaching some conclusions, but young and inexperienced, I’d like your guidance.”

Empress Dowager Liu smiled, ”You are the Empress, make your own decisions on palace matters.”

Anning shook her head, ”I must consult you, mother. You’ve lived much longer and know better. If my plans aren’t right, guide me so I can adjust.”

”Then speak.”

Empress Dowager Liu leaned back comfortably on a couch while a maiden massaged her back, signaling Anning to continue.

Anning scooted closer, ”Mother, you know the Emperor treats me well. When he was a Prince, I said nothing, but since he became Emperor, I’ve often advised him for the sake of heirs, to be impartial, and because I truly care for the sisters. It’s heartbreaking watching their loneliness, but the Emperor, stubborn, grows angry each time I mention it.”

”I’ll talk to him when I have the chance.”

Empress Dowager Liu chuckled.

Anning nodded, ”I have never conceived, without an heir in the harem, which is concerning. Frankly, mother, though I am reluctant, the Emperor needs progeny, and I am quite anxious.”

”You’ve endured so much.”

Empress Dowager Liu grasped Anning’s hand, ”I’ve always known you’re a good child.”

Anning hung her head in tears, ”Only mother is kind to me. Everyone outside calls me jealous, blaming me for the childless state while clinging to the Emperor, but heaven is my witness; I truly harbor no such thoughts. My disputes with the Emperor are mostly about urging his impartiality.”

She continued weeping, ”The sisters struggle too; I do cherish them. If the Emperor doesn’t soon have a change of heart, what can I do? I hope you might guide me, that I might find ways for us all to gather and play games, talk and laugh together, so harmony could be maintained in the harem.”

Empress Dowager Liu endured hardship much of her life in the harem.

Understanding the pains of the concubines, upon hearing Anning’s idea, she smiled, ”It’s considerate of you to care for everyone. All right, handle it as you see fit. Besides the sisters, many Imperial Concubines in the harem lead idle lives. I intended to find them activities too.”