I was sad too. None of them would speak for me.
“I beg the One Above All to reconsider.” The Uncle, holding his ivory tablet, stepped next to the Secretary. “A kingdom without an heir can’t prosper, and likewise, the palace without an empress won’t have peace.” His voice was loud, assured, and full of authority.
“The One Above All.” The Duke came in front of the throne. “I beg to differ. The matter is of utmost importance, and we must not decide on impulse. The candidate for the crown must meet many conditions, such as family background of nobility, her pedigree, her title, and the number of children to whom she gives birth. Although it has been a while since the Empress’s death, sufficient time and careful examination are needed in order to make a proper evaluation.”
I was not surprised. The Duke did not want a new Empress, because the late Empress had been his sister. Anyone who replaced her would reduce his power and influence in the court.
“This is only your excuse.” The Uncle pointed his cane at the Duke accusatorily. “You will bring our kingdom to ruin, and your selfish ambition will bring our people to ruin! I only hope the One Above All will see that—”
“I did not ask for your tirade, Uncle.” The Emperor’s voice was threaded with warning.
The Uncle’s face turned red. It was the first time I had heard the Emperor openly reprimand him to side with the Duke.
After a moment of silence, the Secretary bowed again. “If I may be allowed to speak, the One Above All.” He cleared his throat. “By the glory of the One Above All, there is a woman who meets all your criteria. With her impeccable nobility, her pedigree, and her title, she has captured the heart of our Emperor and will make the whole kingdom rejoice.”
The Duke raised his head. “My esteemed Secretary, I am afraid there is no such woman.”
The Emperor looked interested. He leaned forward. “Let me hear you, Secretary. Whom do you suggest?”
I held my breath. Did he support the Noble Lady?
“I suggest no one other than the Lady-in-Waiting, whose wit has stunned those of us who have a chance to know her, our Most Adored.”
Jewel.
I froze. What had she done to win his support? But how clever she was. Being a third-degree lady and still Most Adored, she had enough of the Emperor’s affection and support to get what she wanted. And she had seized her chance to climb further since her former ally, the Pure Lady, was out of the picture.
“Ah.” The Emperor nodded, his fingers drumming the throne’s armrest.
I could not listen. Would he agree?
The Duke laughed. “Secretary, have you checked? She has borne no son.”
“She’s still in her twenties, young and fertile. She has plenty of time.”
“What about the order of ranks and seniority? How can a third-degree lady surpass the second-degree ladies to become an empress?” That was ironic. I had never liked the Duke, but it seemed he was helping me.
“Are you suggesting that the One Above All must bow to the boundary he created, and he can’t choose his favorite woman as his chief wife?”
“I’m concerned only that such an endeavor will subvert the social order and tradition we have so valued for hundreds of years!”
The Emperor held up his hand. “What are your thoughts, Grand Chancellor?”
I searched for the hunchbacked man, Wei Zheng. He had helped me when the Duke accused me after the assassination attempt, and the Pure Lady had sought his support once. He was undoubtedly an important man.
“May I suggest—” The Uncle stepped forward.
“I’m asking the Chancellor.” The Emperor did not look in his direction.
The Uncle breathed hard. He looked humiliated. A few ministers glanced at him from behind their ivory tablets.
“Chancellor?”
“I read the signs on the chart today.” The hunchbacked man seemed more bent. “Today is not a good day to discuss domestic affairs.”
“Well, then.” The Emperor straightened. “We shall devote the rest of the morning to discussing foreign affairs.”
I went to sit in a corner. I had to tell the Noble Lady of the Secretary’s proposal. How had Jewel won such support from a powerful ally? And most importantly, what should I do now?
After the Emperor finished the audience, we headed back to the Inner Court. I finished my midday meal quickly and went to the Noble Lady’s bedchamber.
“I’ve heard.” She nodded. “What a surprise. Most Adored has been busy making friends, and what a powerful ally she has obtained. You said the Emperor asked the other courtiers’ opinions too?”
“Yes. Several.”
“What did the Emperor look like when he listened to their suggestions?”
“He didn’t seem to object to Jewel.”
The Noble Lady rubbed her chest nervously. “So we must stop her.”