Story of Yanxi Palace, Chapter 93: Rupture

   Between adults, there is no such thing as selfless giving.

   Every act of giving is made in expectation of return.

   “With Her Majesty the Empress unconscious and unable to speak, the only two people whose words carry weight in the rear palace right now are you and her.” Yuhu thought for a moment and said, “This time, rather than saying she did you a favor, it would be more accurate to say… she now has a leash on you.”

Consort Chun sighed. “Exactly. I only have myself to blame for being too impatient and handing her such a huge bargaining chip.”

Yuhu looked at her with pity: “Your Ladyship, she was merely a servant from the Cleansing Division. Why go to such great lengths to deal with her?”

“To you, Wei Yingluo is just a servant from the Cleansing Division.” Consort Chun’s smile was dazed and distant. “But to Fuheng… she is not…”

Though she possessed peerless beauty, in the eyes of most people Consort Chun had very little presence. She always stayed quietly by the Empress’s side, like a shadow. Whatever the Empress approved of, she approved of; whatever the Empress opposed, she opposed as well.

   She was always giving to the Empress, never asking for anything in return.

   Even after the Empress fell into a coma, she continued to diligently guard Changchun Palace on her behalf.

   “Consort Chun is truly a saint.”

That was how some people privately described her.

No, she was no saint.

A saint would not have done what she did a few days earlier—upon receiving the news, rushing in a panic to find Fuheng and demand: “Fuheng, the Imperial Guard—why are you marrying Erqing?”

Fuheng was momentarily stunned before replying, “It is His Majesty’s decree.”

“No!” Consort Chun cut straight through. “You agreed to this marriage only to save Wei Yingluo, to clear her name! Fuheng, have you lost your mind? Is a lowly Cleansing Division slave worth all this from you?”

Fuheng’s expression instantly turned cold. “This is my personal affair. There is no need for Your Ladyship to concern yourself.”

“How can you speak to me like that?” Consort Chun, frantic, reached to grasp his hand. “You know very well that I…”

Fuheng hurriedly stepped back to avoid her touch. “Your Ladyship, please conduct yourself with propriety.”

“Conduct myself with propriety?” Consort Chun froze, her face filled with indescribable desolation. “You never used to speak to me this way…”

Used to? Fuheng had no memory of any past between them, any entanglement. He took another step back, maintaining a safe distance between man and woman, and said with faint wariness: “Consort Chun, please be careful with your words. Though you are my elder sister’s close friend, there are proprieties between men and women. I and Your Ladyship have never been close…”

His words came from good intentions—a gentle reminder for her to watch her speech. Otherwise, if others overheard, misunderstandings would surely arise.

Unexpectedly, this kind intention, when it reached Consort Chun’s ears, caused her face to turn deathly pale in an instant.

“Never been close…” Consort Chun swayed unsteadily for a moment, then her gaze suddenly dropped to the tassel hanging at his waist. “If you have no place for me in your heart, why do you still wear the tassel I wove with my own hands?”

Fuheng was stunned. His eyes followed hers downward. At his waist hung a jade pendant he had worn since childhood, and the tassel attached to it was already quite old and worn. Frowning slightly, Fuheng said, “Wasn’t this given to me by my sister?”

“How could it be from your sister?” Consort Chun hurriedly replied. “It was me… That day you weren’t there, and your military book was left on the stone table in the courtyard. I slipped the tassel inside it…”

Her voice abruptly stopped.

Right before her eyes, Fuheng reached down, yanked the tassel off, and placed it on the corridor chair beside him. His tone was calm and indifferent: “So that’s how it was. I misunderstood and thought it was something my sister made, so I kept wearing it all this time. Today I return it to its rightful owner. Your Ladyship, I take my leave.”

The memory ended there.

“Your Ladyship…” Yuhu looked at her cautiously. “Are you… alright?”

Consort Chun slowly opened her eyes, tears blurring her vision. She drew an old, faded tassel from her bosom and held it out for Yuhu to see: “Yuhu, do you still remember this?”

Yuhu’s face changed the moment she saw it.

“I was afraid he would accept the tassel without knowing who sent it or what the giver’s feelings were, so I had you deliver a letter to him.” Consort Chun stared at her. “That letter… did you deliver it?”

Yuhu hesitated for a moment, then suddenly knelt down before her.

The answer was obvious. Consort Chun’s shoulders began to tremble. Suddenly she raised her hand and slapped Yuhu across the face: “Fine, fine! So this is how you serve me—you’ve caused me such misery!”

“Your Ladyship!” Yuhu covered her face and sobbed. “This servant did it for your own good!”

“For my own good?” Consort Chun let out a bitter laugh; tears streamed down both cheeks. “All this time I believed that since he accepted the tassel, he must have feelings for me! I thought he only acted distant because I had entered Prince Bao’s household and become a mistress in the mansion. But in truth… that letter confessing my feelings never reached his hands! For my own good… you still dare to say it was for my own good?”

“Your Ladyship, the master said long ago that you were to be offered to Prince Bao—you were destined to enter the prince’s mansion!” Yuhu cried miserably. “If that letter had really been delivered, it would have completely ruined you and destroyed the entire Su family!”

“In the end, it was still for the sake of the Su family.” Consort Chun smiled self-mockingly. “So you just stood by and watched me sink deeper and deeper, lying to myself over and over, until in front of him I lost even the last shred of my dignity!”

Yuhu had been born into servitude in the Su household; her parents and siblings all worked for the Su family, so naturally her loyalty lay with the family. But she could never admit that outright—otherwise how could she ever face Consort Chun again? She hurriedly defended herself: “Your Ladyship, you were infatuated with Fucha Fuheng and resisted entering the mansion with all your might—even threatening death! It was only after you learned that the eldest young lady Fucha was to become the Fujin that you finally agreed to enter the household! You said you would take her place in guarding and protecting her for Fuheng! This servant saw you finally pull yourself together—how could I bear to tell you the truth?”

Hearing this, Consort Chun began to laugh—laughing at her own infatuation, at the absurdity of half her life.

“I only wished that your heart would be like mine, and that I would never be disappointed in my longing…” I saw him always wearing that tassel and thought he harbored at least a little affection for me. I didn’t ask for much—just that he keep wearing that tassel at his waist. For that alone I was willing to give everything: to be a shadow for his sister, to protect her, even to avoid favor deliberately. And in the end, what did I get?” Consort Chun wept. “He said, ‘You and I have never been close…’”

All her devotion had been one-sided.

Her deep affection had become nothing more than a joke.

“A pure heart like ice in a Yuhu.” Yuhu crawled closer and gently tugged at the hem of her skirt. “You gave this servant that name yourself. A servant’s name can be changed easily, but Your Ladyship—this pure heart of yours has never been cherished by anyone. It is my fault that I kept you in the dark for ten whole years. Now… it’s time for you to wake up.”

Consort Chun remained silent for a long while.

In the rhombus-shaped mirror was reflected her profile. In terms of beauty, she was hardly inferior to Noble Consort Hui. Like spring orchids and autumn chrysanthemums, like Yang Guifei or Zhao Feiyan—Consort Chun’s beauty lay in her fragile, pitiable air: like Xi Shi clutching her heart in pain, or Daiyu burying flowers. She inspired pity in men at first sight; they couldn’t help wanting to reach out, smooth away her furrowed brows, and coax a single smile from her.

That was why, even though she deliberately avoided favor, she still attained the rank of consort.

“What if a person like her were willing to deliberately compete for favor?”

“I was originally the Empress’s person, but now… I can only break off with her.” Consort Chun sighed in front of the mirror. “After so many years of devotion, I can’t possibly receive not even the slightest reward, can I?”

With that, she turned back to Yuhu and smiled—her heart had turned to ashes, yet a faint spark of hatred reignited in it: “…Presumably, this is exactly what Noble Consort Xian wanted.”

Sisters of yesterday had become enemies in the blink of an eye.

   Love for so many years meant hatred for just as many.

   “No… no… NO!”

Inside Changchun Palace, a sharp scream erupted from the sleeping chamber.

Footsteps rushed in chaos. A group of palace servants burst through the door. Leading them was the senior palace maid Ming Yu, still holding a basin of water in her hands. When she saw the scene inside the room, she let out a cry—the basin slipped from her grasp and crashed to the floor. Overcome with joy and shock, her words tumbled out incoherently:

“Your Lady… Niangniang is awake! Someone! Someone come—Niangniang is awake! Wait—Niangniang, what are you doing?”

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   Story of Yanxi Palace, Chapter 92: First and Last

   Yuan Chunwang saying he would protect Wei Yingluo was not just empty words.

Thanks to his outstanding performance during the disaster relief efforts, he had gained the appreciation of Noble Consort Xian. Now, with the Empress in a coma and Noble Consort Hui deceased, the entire power of the rear palace was in Noble Consort Xian’s hands. If Noble Consort Xian wanted to promote him, he was promoted immediately. Within the Cleansing Division, his word was law—he said one and it was one, said two and it was two.

“Look at your hands—they don’t even look like a girl’s anymore.” Yuan Chunwang took Wei Yingluo’s hand and shook his head. “From now on, stop scrubbing the night-soil buckets. Go help out at the kang-heating department first.”

Yingluo: “The kang-heating department?”

“The kang-heating department is under the Firewood Office and is in charge of supplying heat to the various palaces. But the Forbidden City only starts supplying charcoal after winter sets in. Right now the weather is still warm, so their workload is light. You can take the chance to rest a bit.” Yuan Chunwang lightly tapped her forehead with a flick of his finger. “Don’t be so honest all the time—you have to learn how to slack off a little!”

Wei Yingluo touched her forehead, touched by his care for her, yet annoyed by his overly familiar intimacy in front of others: “Okay, okay, I remember!”

Watching her leave, Yuan Chunwang smiled and shook his head. Just as he was about to go, a hand from behind grabbed his sleeve: “Brother Yuan!”

It was Jinxiu’s voice.

Yuan Chunwang frowned and was about to pull his sleeve back and leave when he heard her lower her voice: “I know who killed Noble Consort Hui!”

Yuan Chunwang’s footsteps paused.

Jinxiu gave a charming smile, smoothly wrapped her arm around his, pressing her full chest against him, and whispered: “Tonight at the hour of Zi (11 p.m.–1 a.m.), I’ll wait for you by the well in the rear courtyard. Don’t stand me up!”

That night, Jinxiu specially dressed up and did her makeup. With no jewelry to wear, she quietly broke off a camellia from a tree, carefully tucked it behind her ear, then gazed at her reflection in the well with self-pity.

The well reflected her face—and also the face of the person standing behind her.

A look of delight appeared on Jinxiu’s face. She turned and threw herself into his arms: “Brother Yuan, you came!”

Yuan Chunwang let her hold him and laughed softly: “The words you said to me this morning—what did you mean by them?”

Seeing his smile, Jinxiu was overjoyed. She lightly pounded his chest: “Brother Yuan, it’s so rare for us to be alone together, and that’s the only question you want to ask me?”

Yuan Chunwang took hold of her hand. His voice was gentle, full of seduction: “Be good, tell me.”

He had never spoken to her so kindly before. In her delight, Jinxiu completely lost herself and obediently answered: “Alright, I’ll tell you. That day I personally saw Wei Yingluo together with a craftsman from the ‘Ten Thousand Purples and Thousands of Reds’ workshop!”

Yuan Chunwang’s gaze darkened: “Oh? And what of it?”

“What else could it mean?” Jinxiu laughed. “The murderer who killed Noble Consort Hui has never been found. If it wasn’t one of the craftsmen, then it must have been someone inside the palace. Tell me—doesn’t she seem suspicious?”

“If she’s so suspicious, why didn’t you go report her?” As soon as Yuan Chunwang finished speaking, he shook his head. “You and Yingluo have long had bad blood, and you have no evidence. Even if you said it, no one would believe you.”

Jinxiu smiled and said, “Yes! I know that words coming from my mouth are hard for people to believe, so I’ve held back for a long time. But then I thought—if others won’t believe me, there’s still the Gao family! Noble Consort Hui’s own elder brother has been investigating the cause of her death all along!”

Sensing the threat hidden in her words, Yuan Chunwang withdrew the false warmth from his face and stared at her coldly. “What do you want?”

Jinxiu wrapped her arms around him, pressing her curvaceous body tightly against his, and said with a smile, “Brother Yuan, I know you’re Wei Yingluo’s sworn brother. You’ll definitely protect her, won’t you?”

Yuan Chunwang replied indifferently, “So?”

Jinxiu said softly and seductively, “As long as you promise to be with me from now on, I’ll keep this secret for her!”

Yuan Chunwang laughed, as though he had long anticipated she would say this, or perhaps he was simply mocking her overconfidence:

“Are you actually crazy or just pretending? Palace regulations strictly forbid palace maids and eunuchs from forming illicit relationships—those who violate the rule face severe punishment. And yet you dare make such a demand?”

“Palace rules forbid it, but they’ve never stopped it,” Jinxiu said dismissively. “Go take a look—how many palace maids and eunuchs have secretly become husband and wife? Brother Yuan, I just like you. I want to be with you. I promise I’ll treat you better than Wei Yingluo ever could!”

“Why do you like me?” Yuan Chunwang looked at her with a strange expression, as if he had finally been persuaded by her words. “I heard from Yingluo that you used to chase after the imperial guards. Compared to them, I truly have nothing.”

He had never shown her any warmth; occasionally granting her a single glance was enough to make her savor it for an entire day. Seeing a hint of softening in his tone, Jinxiu was overjoyed—her voice even trembled with excitement:

“I admit it! In the past I was vain and greedy for glory, always dreaming of climbing high branches and marrying into a noble family! But ever since I came to the Cleansing Division, I’ve changed—I really have changed! Especially the first time I saw you, I finally understood what it means to truly like someone. Everything I used to chase after no longer matters to me! Brother Yuan, I want to stay by your side, like an ordinary husband and wife among the common people—taking care of each other our whole lives, never leaving, never abandoning one another. Will you?”

“Take care of each other, never leave, never abandon?” Yuan Chunwang murmured to himself.

“Yes!” Jinxiu threw herself into his arms, speaking with deep emotion, “As long as you promise me, I won’t say a word. I won’t tell anyone! I can even forgive everything Wei Yingluo has done. As long as I can have you, nothing else matters to me!”

Yuan Chunwang lowered his head to look at her, then suddenly gave a dazzling smile. “Do you really love me that much?”

It was probably the most beautiful smile Jinxiu had ever seen in her life—beautiful enough to make her throw herself into the flame like a moth. She stared at him in a daze for a long time before finally nodding and softly answering, “Mhm!”

The next moment, her expression froze. Slowly, she lowered her head.

A dagger had pierced through her chest, sinking deep into her heart.

Jinxiu followed the blade with her eyes—down to the hilt, to the hand holding it, to Yuan Chunwang’s face. He was smiling at her, gentle and exquisitely beautiful: “Since you love me so much… are you willing to die for me?”

Jinxiu opened her mouth, wanting to answer him—Yes.

But Yuan Chunwang didn’t wait for her to speak. With one push, he sent her tumbling backward into the well behind her.

With a splash, the moon reflected in the water shattered into countless fragments.

Yuan Chunwang stood by the edge of the well, drawing out a handkerchief and calmly wiping the blood from his fingers.

“I forgot to tell you one thing,” he said with a faint smile, then let go. The handkerchief fluttered lightly down into the well, covering the face that was slowly sinking and rising in the water. “I hate being threatened the most.”

The next day.

   “An announcement,” Yuan Chunwang said to the palace maids and eunuchs gathered in the inner courtyard of the Cleansing Division. “Palace maid Jinxiu fled privately last night.”

An uproar erupted; voices rose in discussion.

“Fled? Jinxiu actually ran away?”

“This is the heavily guarded Forbidden City—where could she possibly go?”

“This girl really has guts the size of the sky—she’s not afraid of dying?!”

Wei Yingluo did not join in the crowd’s discussion. She frowned and turned her gaze toward Yuan Chunwang.

“Anyone who has information about Jinxiu must report it immediately. Otherwise, they will be punished as an accomplice!” Yuan Chunwang said calmly. “Enough, stop talking about this. Everyone, get back to work!”

After the crowd dispersed, Wei Yingluo quietly approached him.

“Brother, where did Jinxiu go?”

“How would I know where she went?” Yuan Chunwang smiled at her.

Wei Yingluo clearly didn’t believe he knew nothing. She stared at him and said,

“If she wanted to run away, how could there be no sign at all? Besides, the Forbidden City is heavily guarded layer upon layer. She didn’t grow wings—where could she possibly go?”

Yuan Chunwang reached out and gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

“Did you take today’s medicine?”

“Brother, don’t change the subject!” Wei Yingluo frowned. “I’m asking you a question!”

“An unimportant person isn’t worth keeping in your heart.” Yuan Chunwang smiled. “Did you take the medicine? Stretch out your hand—let me see how well the injury is healing.”

The weather was hot, yet Wei Yingluo suddenly felt a chill run down her back.

A human life, in his eyes, was worth less than a single scar on her hand.

There was never a shortage of work in the Cleansing Division. Wei Yingluo tried probing him indirectly a few more times, but seeing she wouldn’t get an answer, she had no choice but to return to her tasks first.

Once she left, the smile faded from Yuan Chunwang’s face and he fell into deep thought.

He knew Wei Yingluo had grown suspicious, but so what? He had handled everything cleanly from beginning to end—he wasn’t afraid of being discovered. And even if someone did find out, who would dare offend him—a major favorite in front of Noble Consort Xian—just for the sake of one criminal from the Cleansing Division?

“The one who framed Yingluo and caused her to be imprisoned… it must have been Jinxiu without a doubt,” Yuan Chunwang thought with a frown. “She had a grudge against Yingluo, but what about Momo Liu? Momo Liu had no enmity or grudge against Yingluo—why would she join Jinxiu in framing her? Was she deceived by Jinxiu… or was there someone behind her… giving her orders?”

If there really was another mastermind behind the scenes, then right now… that person was probably doing the same thing he had done: cleaning up all the loose ends.

Inside Zhongcui Palace, blood covered the floor.

   The blood was flowing from Momo Liu’s fingers—every single one of her ten fingernails had been torn out, leaving the bare fingertips gushing fresh blood.

Noble Consort Xian smiled faintly.

“Consort Chun, my dear sister, this old servant really can’t withstand much. After just a few strokes of the cane, she started talking. Would sister like to know what she said?”

Momo Liu, having suffered brutal torture, was already mentally dazed. She remained silent for a long while, then suddenly burst into loud sobs. Crawling on hands and knees, she threw herself toward Consort Chun.

“Your Ladyship! Your Ladyship, save this old servant…!”

Consort Chun took a step back. Her palace maid Yuhu immediately kicked Momo Liu away and hurriedly said,

“What nonsense are you babbling? When has our Ladyship ever had any connection with an old thing like you?”

Hearing this, Momo Liu tore at her heart and lungs, crying out,

“Yuhu, don’t you dare deny it! It was clearly Consort Chun who ordered me… ordered me to go frame Wei Yingluo!”

“Nonsense!” Yuhu gritted her teeth. “Our Ladyship had no grudge against that palace maid—why would she frame her? You—you were obviously instructed by someone else and are trying to drag our Ladyship down with you!”

A palace servant brought tea. Noble Consort Xian sat in her chair, leisurely taking a sip.

“Consort Chun, what do you say?”

Consort Chun’s face had gone somewhat pale.

“This is slander…”

“What slander? Your Ladyship, listen to me!”

Seeing that Consort Chun was turning cold and refusing to acknowledge her, Momo Liu decided that if you show no mercy, neither will I. She spilled everything—how Consort Chun had approached her, how she arranged for her to plant false evidence and frame the girl, the whole cause and effect, in exhaustive detail without the slightest omission.

In the face of the truth, Consort Chun’s denials appeared utterly feeble and powerless. Her body swayed and she leaned against Yuhu for support.

Just when she thought she was finished, Noble Consort Xian set down her teacup and spoke slowly and deliberately:

“Consort Chun, my dear sister, is someone I trust completely. How could I allow such an insolent old slave to behave so wantonly? Someone—cut out this old servant’s tongue!”

Momo Liu could never have imagined that her full confession would lead to this fate. Amid her blood-curdling scream, a bright red tongue was snipped off with golden scissors.

Looking at that tongue, cold sweat poured down Consort Chun’s back. She nearly fainted alongside Momo Liu.

“To deal with this kind of loose-tongued, backstabbing slave who dares to bite and frame her master, she must be dealt with severely as a warning to others. With her as an example, in the future, far fewer people will dare to commit insubordination or casually slander their superiors.”

Noble Consort Xian stepped forward and took her hand, speaking softly, “Oh dear, sister, why are your hands so icy cold…?”

Because your smile makes my back run cold.

   Keeping her true thoughts hidden deep in her heart, Consort Chun trembled as she replied with quivering lips, “My health hasn’t been good lately. I must have caught a chill…”

“Sister has always been frail and sensitive to cold—you really must take good care of yourself.” Noble Consort Xian patted her hand again, left behind a few more words of concern, then ordered the servants to drag Momo Liu away.

A trail of blood twisted and snaked behind her on the floor.

Only then did Consort Chun let out a long breath. She suddenly collapsed onto the couch, soft and boneless. After a long while she finally spoke: “Yuhu, why do you think Noble Consort Xian stepped in to clean up the mess for me?”

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   Story of Yanxi Palace, Chapter 91: Hatred and Ruthlessness

   “Father!” Seven-year-old Yuan Chunwang cried, “Don’t leave me behind!”

The road stretched endlessly ahead, filled with an equally endless stream of refugees. Some could still walk; others had collapsed by the roadside, never to rise again.

The ground was a sickly yellow, without a trace of green. Even the grass roots buried deep in the soil had been dug up and eaten. When hunger reached its extreme, people turned into beasts. Several refugees staggered toward Yuan Chunwang, drool spilling from their mouths—as if what stood before them was not a child, but a tender, white lamb.

Just as Yuan Chunwang was paralyzed with terror, a gaunt, skeletal woman suddenly rushed out from behind them, scooped him up, and ran.

“Mother!” Yuan Chunwang clung to her neck and sobbed.

“You… why did you bring him back again?” a similarly emaciated man sighed. “We can barely keep ourselves alive—how can we take care of him too?”

Along the way, the man secretly abandoned him five times, but each time the woman found him and carried him back. Kindness received no reward. In the end, the man slipped away alone. The woman, clutching the boy, stumbled and staggered all the way to the capital—only to catch an epidemic. On her deathbed, she gripped his hand and said,

“After I die, go find your real father.”

Yuan Chunwang was stunned. “Real father?”

“I’m not your real mother either.” The woman coughed twice. “Back then, the Emperor Yongzheng was being pursued and hid in a farmer’s house. He had you with the daughter of that family… Child, you are not an ordinary person. You are an imperial prince!”

Yuan Chunwang was so shocked he couldn’t speak.

“Your poor birth mother had a bitter fate. After the Emperor Yongzheng returned, he never sent anyone to look for her. A woman alone with a child—how could she remarry? So she gave you to me.” With trembling fingers, the woman took out a string of sandalwood Buddhist prayer beads from her bosom and slowly slipped it onto Yuan Chunwang’s wrist. “Take this with you. Go find your birth father and let him…”

Before she could finish, her hand fell limp.

“Mother!” Yuan Chunwang pushed her, but she didn’t move. No matter how he cried or called, she never opened her eyes again.

Afraid that starving refugees would eat his foster mother’s body, the young Yuan Chunwang used his two small, bleeding hands to dig a shallow grave in the earth and buried her.

Afterward, with both hands dripping blood, he walked through the city gates.

The city gates were easy to enter, but the gates of the Forbidden City were hard to pass through. After enduring countless hardships, he finally found a richly dressed Noble Lady who agreed to send him into the palace.

But who would have thought—that person was actually his eighth uncle. After losing the struggle for the throne against Yongzheng and harboring deep resentment ever since, upon discovering that his rival had left behind an illegitimate son in the folk, for some dark and twisted reason, he had this nearly seven-year-old child sent to the cleansing chamber. With one swift stroke of the knife, Yuan Chunwang went from being a little prince to a little eunuch.

After that, he was assigned to the Princess Academy to serve his half-brother—Eighth Prince Fuhui.

Not only had Yuan Chunwang lost his manhood, he had also lost that string of rosewood prayer beads. Without this token of identity, he could no longer reveal the truth to Yongzheng. Then again… even if he still had the prayer beads in his hand, would Yongzheng ever acknowledge a little eunuch as his son?

He could only remain in the humble role of a servant, quietly standing by the side, watching with full envy as Yongzheng held Fu Hui in his arms and patiently guided his hand to write characters.

“I don’t want to write anymore!” Fu Hui petulantly tossed the brush aside. “Imperial Father, I want to ride a horse!”

With that, he scrambled down from Yongzheng’s lap and ran in front of Yuan Chunwang, pointing at him and ordering: “Quick, squat down—I want to ride a horse!”

Yuan Chunwang froze for a moment. The senior eunuch behind him immediately forced him down to the ground without a word: “The Eighth Prince wants to ride—didn’t you hear him? Get down!”

Why should I? I am the Emperor’s son—am I not also the Emperor’s son? A surge of rage rose in Yuan Chunwang’s heart. Just as he was about to stand up, he felt a weight on his back—Fu Hui had already climbed onto him.

Fu Hui laughed and shouted excitedly: “Imperial Father, look—your son is riding a horse! Giddy-up! Giddy-up! Faster! Faster!” Yongzheng burst into hearty laughter: “Fu Hui, be careful—don’t fall!”

Yuan Chunwang gritted his teeth and crawled forward on the ground, deeply lowering his head so they wouldn’t see the pain and hatred twisting across his face.

As Yongzheng’s most beloved son, Fu Hui lived freely and without restraint. Day after day he treated Yuan Chunwang like a horse to ride, growing accustomed to his silent obedience—so accustomed that he came to believe real horses shared the same temperament. As a result, during one riding lesson, he fell off.

“How are you all taking care of the Eighth Prince? A bunch of useless trash!” Yongzheng roared with fury inside the Prince Academy, pointing at the palace maids and eunuchs kneeling on the ground. “Drag them out—thirty heavy strokes each!”

Yuan Chunwang was among them.

Thwack, thwack, thwack—the rods struck flesh. All around came cries of pain, yet he clenched his fists tightly and endured in utter silence.

That night, Yuan Chunwang limped into Fu Hui’s chamber. His gaze fixed blankly on the sleeping boy in the bed. Then he slowly broke into a smile.

Since his foster mother’s death, he had not smiled once.

Today was the first time he smiled—a dazzling, venomous smile, like a brightly patterned poisonous snake being born amid the schemes and cruelty of the Forbidden City. Then, without a sound, he walked to the window and flung it open. The biting winter wind rushed in. Behind him, Fu Hui gave a small cough.

Still smiling, Yuan Chunwang went around and opened every single window in the sleeping chamber…

“After Fu Hui died of illness, all of us who served him were punished and sent to the Cleansing Division.” In the dim storeroom, the candle flame flickered weakly; the candle had already burned down halfway, casting unsteady shadows. Yuan Chunwang gently stroked Wei Yingluo’s hair and murmured, “I don’t regret it. I only feel hatred.”

Hatred toward his eighth uncle—who, after failing in the succession struggle, vented all his bitterness on a child not yet seven years old.

   Hatred toward Yongzheng—who had his own flesh and blood standing right before him, yet remained blind to it.

   Hatred toward Fu Hui—though they shared the same blood as brothers, he forced him to live like an ox or a horse.

   “…What I hate most is this ridiculous world.” Yuan Chunwang suddenly let out a low, bitter laugh, the sound heavy with lingering gloom. “What did I do wrong? Why did every misfortune have to fall on me? We are close blood brothers, yet they stand high above while I crawl on the ground, reduced to the lowest, most despicable slave in the world!”

A single tear slipped from the corner of Wei Yingluo’s eye.

In truth, she had woken up midway through his story. She had kept her eyes closed, quietly listening to Yuan Chunwang reveal a past no one else knew.

“Yingluo, Heaven’s way is unjust, the world is heartless. If you don’t want to become fish on someone else’s chopping block, you can only hold the knife and board yourself!” Yuan Chunwang lowered his head to look at her and gave a gentle smile. “But don’t be afraid. Big brother will protect you—because you are me, and I am you. In this world, only you and I share the same misery, and only you and I can warm each other, pity each other.”

After saying this, he lowered his head and softly kissed away the teardrop on her face.

Wei Yingluo was startled.

She hadn’t opened her eyes before, and now she was even less willing to open them.

She could only continue pretending to be asleep, letting the other person press his lips against her eye. That cold pair of lips gradually took on the warmth of her tears.

Little did she know that Jinxiu had come searching for the warehouse and, by sheer coincidence, witnessed this exact scene. She froze at the doorway, her eyes surging with barely suppressible jealousy and hatred…

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   Story of Yanxi Palace, Chapter 90: Parting

Creak—

The cell door opened. A eunuch walked in from outside and, with a few quick motions, removed the chains from Wei Yingluo’s body: “You may go.”

“What?” Momo Liu, locked in the cell opposite, shouted. She grabbed the iron bars and shook them frantically: “How can she be released? What about me?”

Wei Yingluo rotated her sore, reddened wrists, said nothing, and walked out the door.

She asked no questions. If the other party did not wish her to know the reason, asking would be useless. If they did wish her to know, she would find out soon enough.

And indeed, that was exactly what happened.

When Wei Yingluo returned to the Permanent Alley, she found someone already waiting for her there.

“Fucha Fuheng.” Wei Yingluo stopped walking and looked at him. “What have you done?”

The Emperor would not release someone without cause. For her to be freed, someone must have paid a sufficient price.

“Yingluo.” Fuheng spoke in an extremely soft voice. “I am going to marry Erqing.”

The sun had not yet set; the slanting sunset rays fell across Wei Yingluo’s shoulders. Yet she felt ice-cold all over—as though what had landed on her was not sunset light, but red snow, heavy and crushing, sinking into her bones with marrow-chilling cold.

“Is that so…” She suddenly turned away and murmured as if in a dream, “You are going to marry Erqing.”

“Yingluo!” Fuheng took a step forward and reached for her hand, but she shook him off forcefully.

A flash of pain crossed Fuheng’s eyes. He hesitated for a long moment, then clenched his teeth, drew a scented sachet from his bosom, and said: “I came to return this to you.”

Wei Yingluo slowly turned her head and looked at the sachet without any expression.

A token of love, given on Qixi Festival—the day they became betrothed.

   “You don’t want it anymore?” Wei Yingluo gave a bitter, tragic laugh. “Then throw it away!”

With a flick of her hand, she knocked the sachet out of his grasp. Right beside them was an open drain; the sachet fell into the foul water. A few bubbles rose to the surface as it slowly sank to the bottom.

“All those sweet words you once said to me—I heard them so often that I carelessly believed every one.” As the sachet reached the bottom, so did Wei Yingluo’s heart. “So when His Majesty questioned me, I offered no explanation—because it was the truth. Even if severely punished, I was willing to bear it. I thought… you would feel the same as I did…”

“Yingluo…” The pain on Fuheng’s face deepened. He stepped forward again, as though wanting to take hold of her once more.

“Are you going to say you had no choice?” Yet Wei Yingluo began stepping backward, shaking her head. “There are a thousand and ten thousand excuses, but the outcome is only one—you are going to marry Erqing. Isn’t that right?”

People are always duplicitous—saying one thing while feeling another.

Her mouth spoke calm, composed words, but inside her heart was weeping bitterly, silently pleading: Explain—please explain it to me. No matter what difficulties you face, I can understand…

But she waited and waited, and all she received in the end was one heavy word from him:

“…Yes.”

Wei Yingluo hurriedly lifted her head—only by holding this posture could she keep the tears from falling in front of him.

“Very well. I understand.” She smiled. “From today onward, do not come looking for me again.”

She turned and walked away, seemingly resolute, yet her departing steps were very, very slow.

So slow it was almost as if she were deliberately waiting—waiting for him to change his mind, waiting for him to chase after her.

But he did not.

Fuheng stood silently behind her, watching her leave until her figure had completely vanished into the distance. Only then did he slowly walk to the edge of the drainage ditch. Without the slightest hesitation, his clean fingers reached into the foul, stinking gutter. From amid the pile of mud and filth, he retrieved a fragrant sachet, then pressed it unhesitatingly against his heart. His expression was one of profound sorrow.

As the sun set in the west, inside the palace maids’ quarters of the Cleansing Division

“Where is Wei Yingluo?” Yuan Chunwang pushed open the door and entered, his gaze sweeping the room.

The palace maids inside froze. Jinxiu hurriedly countered with a question: “Wei Yingluo? Wasn’t she locked up in the Bureau of Careful Punishment? What—has she been released again?”

Yuan Chunwang gave her a calm, unreadable glance, offered no explanation, and simply turned to leave.

From his understanding of her, if she hadn’t returned to the maids’ quarters, there was only one other place she could possibly be.

Yuan Chunwang soon arrived at the warehouse.

The smell of mildew, dust, and darkness rushed toward him. He walked to the deepest corner of the warehouse and spoke to the figure huddled against the wall: “Afraid someone will see you crying?”

Wei Yingluo kept her back to him. “…I’m not crying!”

Yuan Chunwang didn’t expose her lie. He casually lit the copper candlestick on the table. The dim, flickering flame illuminated his fingers, his slender profile, and the redwood food box he carried in his other hand.

He opened the box. The top layer held plum-blossom roasted meat; the second layer, stir-fried wood ear mushrooms; the third, pearl-like grains of tribute rice congee; and the fourth, a plate of snowflake cakes dusted with frosted sugar.

“The Bureau of Careful Punishment is no pleasant place. You were locked up all day and didn’t eat anything, did you?” Yuan Chunwang said lightly, picking up a piece of snowflake cake and offering it to her.

Wei Yingluo turned her face away, refusing to acknowledge him.

“What’s this?” A trace of mockery entered Yuan Chunwang’s voice. “Just because Fucha Fuheng abandoned you, you take it out on me—and on yourself? Wei Yingluo, is this all the spirit you have?”

The four words “Fucha Fuheng” pierced her like a needle. Wei Yingluo jumped to her feet and glared at Yuan Chunwang, her eyes crisscrossed with bloodshot veins like spiderwebs. “What did you say?”

“Don’t like hearing it?” Yuan Chunwang said coldly. “Then I’ll say it anyway. You’ve rejected Fucha Fuheng again and again, all just an act. In truth, you like him so much it’s killing you!”

“Shut up!”

“And what about Fucha Fuheng toward you? He’s a noble young master from a prestigious family—there’s never been anything he couldn’t have. Yet only you always push him away. The more you retreat, the more he pursues you! But so what?” Yuan Chunwang sneered. “In the end, isn’t he still going to marry someone else? All that so-called true love is nothing but a joke!”

“Enough!” Wei Yingluo covered her ears. “I won’t listen!”

Yet Yuan Chunwang ruthlessly pulled her hands down, leaned close to her ear, and whispered softly, almost tenderly: “Wei Yingluo, you’ve always been so proud and self-assured. This is the first time you’ve been truly hurt by a man, isn’t it? Does it ache? Does it hurt terribly? Let me tell you—the heavens are simply unfair. No matter how much you two love each other, with your background, you are destined never to marry into the Fucha family openly and honorably. Never.”

“Shut your mouth!” Wei Yingluo wrenched free of his grip and raised her hand high to slap him.

“Are you going to hit me?” Yuan Chunwang didn’t dodge; he simply looked at her quietly. “The one who truly tore you apart is Qianlong. The one who actively gave you up is Fucha Fuheng. And me? I’ve always stood by your side, thinking of you in every way, afraid you’d suffer the slightest harm—and yet you would treat me like this?”

Wei Yingluo stared at him in stunned silence.

“I am your sworn brother, your protector, the person in this world who cares about you most.” Yuan Chunwang gently touched her cheek, his voice extremely soft, even carrying a trace of heartache. “Are you really going to bring that slap down?”

In the end, the slap never fell.

What fell… were only her tears.

“Alright, alright.” Yuan Chunwang pulled her into his arms and comforted her, “Yingluo, don’t cry for someone who abandoned you. It will only make others laugh at you and won’t help anything at all.”

“But…” Wei Yingluo sobbed in his embrace, “It hurts… It really hurts so much…”

“That’s only temporary.” Yuan Chunwang stroked her hair, his tone both soothing and admonishing. “Yingluo, your biggest mistake is having an ice-cold exterior but not an equally cold heart. Someone like you is easy to misunderstand—and easy to hurt yourself with. You really are too foolish… far too foolish…”

Wei Yingluo cried for a long time before finally stopping. The night had grown deep; cicadas sang outside the room, while inside, her stomach let out a loud growl, causing her to blush in embarrassment.

This time Yuan Chunwang didn’t tease her. Instead, he personally picked up the bowl of plain congee and fed her spoonful by spoonful. After a few bites, Wei Yingluo suddenly said, “Brother, you’re really good to me.”

“Only now you realize how good your brother is?” Yuan Chunwang laughed.

Wei Yingluo nodded and said softly, “Brother, I’ve never asked you before… someone like you… how did you end up entering the palace?”

Yuan Chunwang froze. After a long pause, he said lightly, “I forgot. I entered the palace when I was very small. I’ve pretty much forgotten everything from before.”

“Is that so…” Wei Yingluo glanced at him, unsure whether to believe him or not.

After the meal, Wei Yingluo rested her head on his lap and murmured, “I want to sleep for a while.”

“Sleep then.” Yuan Chunwang took off his outer robe and draped it over her. “Big brother is right here.”

Wei Yingluo gave a soft “mmh” and slowly closed her eyes.

While locked up, she hadn’t eaten properly and hadn’t slept well either. Having lived in constant fear and anxiety until today, she could finally close her eyes with peace of mind.

In the darkness, Yuan Chunwang sat leaning against the wall, gently stroking her hair with his right hand until small, even snores began to sound. Only then did he whisper softly,

“Actually, I didn’t forget. I remember everything…”

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   Story of Yanxi Palace, Chapter 89: The Method

Cleansing Department Accounts Office.

A group of young eunuchs stood with heads bowed in solemn silence, nervously watching Yuan Chunwang across from them.

Yuan Chunwang sat behind the desk, flipping through the account book in his hands. He pointed out several irregularities: “Go back and correct these. Bring them to me when they’re fixed.”

The young eunuchs hurriedly accepted the book with both hands: “Yes, sir!”

After all the young eunuchs had left, a graceful figure suddenly slipped through the door. Leaning against the doorframe like a slender willow, she smiled and said: “Brother Yuan, what are you so busy with?”

Yuan Chunwang glanced at her once, then continued organizing the accounts on his desk.

Since the mountain would not come to her, she would go to the mountain. Jinxiu approached with a radiant, flower-like smile: “Brother Yuan, Wei Yingluo’s death is near at hand. Aren’t you going to turn around and look at me yet?”

The hand sorting the ledgers paused. Yuan Chunwang slowly raised his head, narrowed his eyes, and said: “What did you say?”

Jinxiu simply sat down on his desk, turning her curvaceous body halfway toward him so that Linglong’s figure was right before his eyes. Smiling, she said, “Wei Yingluo has been accused of cursing Noble Consort Hui to death. This time, the evidence and the culprit have been caught together—she absolutely won’t escape! Ai, Brother Yuan, where are you going? Wait for me…”

At the duty room of the Imperial Guards.

A cup of fragrant tea sat on the table, its aroma wafting through the air. Afternoon sunlight spilled over Fuheng as he turned a page in the military book in his hand. Suddenly, a somewhat unfamiliar voice rang out—clear and cool like a mountain spring: “Fucha Fuheng, come out!”

He frowned and turned his head. A strikingly beautiful young eunuch stood at the doorway. Two guards beside him were tugging at the intruder, shouting sternly, “Who are you, daring to barge into the Imperial Guards’ station and address Lord Fucha by name so directly!”

“Who I am isn’t important,” Yuan Chunwang said, gazing coldly at Fuheng. “What matters… is Wei Yingluo!”

Fuheng raised a hand. The two guards immediately released their grip and withdrew from the room.

“You just mentioned Wei Yingluo?” Fuheng did not rise from his chair; he leaned back and asked, “What happened to her?”

“Someone found a voodoo doll in the warehouse and identified her as the one who cursed Noble Consort Hui to death,” Yuan Chunwang said. “She has already been taken to the Yangxin Hall. I’m afraid she will be executed very soon.”

At those words, Fuheng said nothing more. He stood up and rushed straight toward the door.

“Do you want to get Wei Yingluo killed?” Yuan Chunwang called after his retreating back.

Fuheng spun around sharply. “What do you mean?”

Yuan Chunwang sneered. “A grand Imperial Guard pleading for a lowly maid from the Cleansing Division—if you say there’s no private affection between you two, who would believe it?”

Fuheng: “You—!”

Yuan Chunwang said coldly, “Normally a matter like this would be handed over to the Ministry of Punishments for handling. Why has it been taken to the Yangxin Hall instead? Lord Fucha should understand better than anyone! If you go there now, it won’t matter much for you—but it will enrage the Emperor. At that point, Wei Yingluo will truly have no way out!”

Hearing this, Fuheng’s face slowly drained of color.

Leading cavalry into battle was his strength; qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting were also talents he possessed. But when faced with such schemes, intrigues, and mutual deception, Fuheng was completely at a loss, his mind in chaos. After a long silence, he asked in a somewhat dry voice, “Do you have any solution?”

“The solution lies in the Changchun Palace,” Yuan Chunwang said softly and meaningfully. “Only one person can save Wei Yingluo.”

Fuheng stared at him for a long moment, then abruptly turned and left.

He had never felt the road to Changchun Palace to be so long—as though he had walked through an entire lifetime.

“Sister!” With a thud, Fuheng burst into the sleeping chamber, half-knelt at the bedside, and grasped the Empress’s hand. “Save Yingluo!”

Erqing had been feeding the Empress medicine; startled by his sudden entrance, some of the medicine spilled from the bowl in her hand. “Lord Fucha, how did you…”

Fuheng ignored her completely. He gripped the Empress’s hand tightly, his voice full of urgent pleading: “Sister! Sister, I know you can hear me. Ye Tianshi said your body is gradually recovering, but you’ve been escaping reality and refusing to wake up! Can you hear me speaking, Sister?”

The Empress lay motionless on the bed.

Fuheng’s voice grew even more sorrowful: “Sister! Ever since your illness, mother cries every day—now one of her eyes can no longer see. father sighs all day long, unable to focus on official duties! And everyone in the entire Changchun Palace is downcast and lifeless, like stagnant water! You used to dote on Wei Yingluo so much. She went to take revenge for you, went to kill for you. Now she stands on the brink of death—can’t you pull yourself together and help her?”

At the mention of Wei Yingluo’s name, Erqing lowered her eyes, a shadow passing through them. Then she raised her gaze and said, “Lord Fucha, Her Majesty has been asleep all this time. She cannot hear anything.”

“No, she can hear!” Fuheng had run out of options. He could not save Yingluo himself. Across the entire realm, only one person could save her—and that person was right in front of him. No matter what, he had to awaken her. “Sister, you can hear everything. Why won’t you wake up? Why do you insist on lying here? Is it because you cannot bear the pain of losing another child? Or because you dare not face the endless struggles of the inner palace? But how long can you keep escaping? Unless you lie in this bed for the rest of your life—unless you remain a living corpse forever!”

“Imperial Guard Fucha, please don’t do this. No matter how much you say, Her Ladyship she…” Erqing’s voice abruptly cut off.

A single tear had formed at the corner of the Empress’s eye. At the same moment, her pinky finger curled slightly—as though she were trapped in a nightmare, struggling with all her might to break free from it.

“Sister!” Fuheng was overjoyed. He gripped her hand even tighter, as if trying to transmit his strength to her, to help her tear through the nightmare and crawl out. “Please, wake up—wake up! Only you can help her. Only you can save her…”

A soft sigh came from beside him. “You want to save Wei Yingluo?”

Fuheng paused, then turned to look.

“If Her Ladyship doesn’t wake up, there won’t be enough time,” Erqing said. She set the medicine bowl aside, drew out a handkerchief, and slowly and gracefully wiped the medicinal stains from her hands. Even this simple action carried the refined elegance of a lady from a great family. She put the handkerchief down, raised her head, and gave Fuheng a faint smile. “If you want to save Wei Yingluo, there is only one way… It’s very simple. I’ll tell you.”

Inside Yangxin Hall, the atmosphere was tense.

Wei Yingluo had no idea that Fuheng and Yuan Chunwang were currently doing everything in their power to find a way to save her. Even if she had known, she would not have sat quietly and waited. She had never been the type to wait passively for rescue—if no one was coming to save her, she would save herself!

She picked up the small wooden figure from the floor and calmly examined it for a moment. Then she gently tugged at the knot: “Your Majesty, this is a reef knot.”

Noble Consort Xian: “A reef knot?”

“This kind of knot is very easy to untie. Just grip here with both hands and pull hard—it comes apart effortlessly.” Wei Yingluo demonstrated, and sure enough, the rope loosened quickly and fell into her palm like a limp thread.

Momo Liu pursed her lips. “So what?”

“Whether for embroidery or any kind of work, a reef knot comes undone easily. That’s why I never use it. Look!” Wei Yingluo took the rope in her hand and tied a new knot around the wooden figure’s neck. “I prefer to tie knots like this. If you don’t believe me, you can examine all of my embroidery pieces and every knot I’ve ever tied—see for yourself what kind I use.”

Momo Liu scoffed with icy disdain. “Even if the knotting method is different, that doesn’t prove this object has nothing to do with you!”

Wei Yingluo sneered. “Momo Liu, where was this wooden figure found?”

Momo Liu: “In the storeroom where you live!”

Wei Yingluo: “Which part of the storeroom?”

Momo Liu: “The storeroom… behind the firewood pile, in a small hole in the wall—specially used to hide this kind of malevolent charm!”

Wei Yingluo laughed. “Noble Consort Hui has been gone for more than two months. If she really had been cursed to death by me, why would I leave the evidence behind instead of disposing of it? Why keep it for you to find?”

Momo Liu: “That’s for you to explain—I don’t know!”

Wei Yingluo: “Fine! Let’s say I was that stupid and deliberately left evidence. The wooden figure was hidden in a hole in the wall. In summer the warehouse is damp and stiflingly hot; the firewood pile is always wet, and the walls leak and grow moldy. Yet this wooden figure, soaked in such conditions, doesn’t have the slightest trace of moisture!”

Momo Liu’s face grew uglier by the second. “This… this…”

Wei Yingluo stared at her. “That’s because this little wooden figure was only recently placed there!”

Hongli remained expressionless the entire time, silently staring at Wei Yingluo without saying a word.

Something was clearly amiss. Noble Consort Xian could no longer pretend not to notice. She immediately demanded, “Momo Liu, what exactly is going on here?!”

Momo Liu was sweating profusely. “This… this servant doesn’t know!”

Wei Yingluo: “It’s all because you were too stupid—even a small thing like this you couldn’t handle properly. What else are you good for? Noble Consort Xian Niangniang, someone must have instructed her in this matter. Please do not let the person with ulterior motives escape!”

Noble Consort Xian shook her head. “Take her to the Bureau of Careful Punishment. Interrogate her rigorously!”

Li Yu: “Yes, Your Ladyship!”

Li Yu waved his hand, and Momo Liu was immediately dragged away. She cried out in alarm: “Your Majesty, spare me! Noble Consort Xian, spare me! This servant knows her crime—this servant truly knows her crime!”

Wei Yingluo watched coldly as Momo Liu was hauled off.

Noble Consort Xian said: “In that case, Wei Yingluo has been wrongly accused. Your Majesty, perhaps…”

She had thought the matter would end there, but Hongli scoffed with icy disdain: “The crime of cursing and killing Noble Consort does not fall on you. But as a palace maid of the inner court, having a private affair with an imperial bodyguard—how do you explain that?”

Wei Yingluo froze, then suddenly looked up at Hongli.

Noble Consort Xian was shocked: “Your Majesty, this matter concerns a palace maid’s chastity and reputation—it can be grave or trivial. Without evidence…”

Hongli spoke word by word: “I saw it with my own eyes! Someone—take her to the Bureau of Careful Punishment as well!”

The eunuchs stepped forward. Wei Yingluo rose to her feet and walked straight out without the slightest hesitation.

Hongli: “Stop!”

Wei Yingluo halted.

Hongli’s face was extremely dark and gloomy. Though he himself had issued the order, he now faintly appeared to regret it: “Just a moment ago you were so eloquent—why aren’t you defending yourself now?”

It seemed that as long as she explained, he would believe her and set her free.

But Wei Yingluo lowered her head for a moment, then softly replied: “…Since Your Majesty says you saw it with your own eyes, this servant has nothing to say.”

His right hand gripped the armrest of the chair so tightly that the veins on the back of his hand bulged. Yet Hongli still forced himself to appear indifferent, saying coolly: “Very well—nothing to say. Take her away!”

Wei Yingluo sighed softly and was led away by the eunuchs. Hongli kept staring at her retreating figure. Beside him, Noble Consort Xian lowered her eyes to look at the veins standing out on the back of his hand, deep in thought.

“Your Majesty.” Li Yu suddenly hurried in from outside. “Imperial Guard Fucha has arrived.”

“What is he here for?” Hongli sneered. “Don’t tell me he’s come to plead for that woman?”

He suddenly realized he had spoken too freely and immediately shut his mouth. Noble Consort Xian was far too clever; she pretended not to have heard and asked no questions. After sitting in Yangxin Hall for a short while, she excused herself by saying she had palace affairs to attend to and left with Zhener and the others.

Once she was gone, Hongli spoke again: “Is the man still outside?”

Li Yu returned and answered: “He’s still kneeling out there.”

Hongli scoffed with icy disdain, almost venting his anger: “Let him kneel!”

Li Yu hesitated for a moment: “Your Majesty… he says he has urgent business to report to you!”

“What urgent business could there be?” Hongli said coldly. “It’s obviously about that woman. Tell him—Wei Yingluo has defiled the palace; I will show her no mercy!”

Li Yu: “Yes, Your Majesty!”

Just as Li Yu was about to withdraw, a voice called from behind: “Wait!”

In the inner courtyard of Yangxin Hall, Fuheng knelt on the ground. He had waited quietly for a long time, not receiving a summons from Hongli, but instead a pair of bright yellow dragon boots approached.

“Fuheng!” Hongli looked down at him from above. “Fuheng, why are you kneeling? For whom are you kneeling?”

Fuheng took a deep breath and prostrated himself before him: “Your Majesty, this servant has come to request an imperial marriage decree!”

“You wish to marry Wei Yingluo?” Hongli didn’t even know why such fury surged within him—so intense that he didn’t want to hear another word. He cut him off directly: “Let me tell you—it is absolutely impossible. I will not permit it! This time, I will take Wei Yingluo’s head to rectify the palace’s discipline!”

Hongli turned to leave. Halfway out, he suddenly heard a voice from behind: “Your Majesty once bestowed a marriage upon this servant—how could this servant possibly marry anyone else!”

Hongli stopped in his tracks and slowly turned around: “What did you say?”

“This servant… is willing to obey His Majesty’s decree.” Fuheng prostrated himself on the ground, concealing his pained expression. “I will marry the legitimate granddaughter of Justice Department Laibao, the Xitara clan’s Erqing.”

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   Story of Yanxi Palace, Chapter 88: Misfortunes Never Come Singly

   Outside the Cleansing Department, Yuan Chunwang blocked Wei Yingluo’s path. “Where are you going?”

Wei Yingluo: “I’m going to Changchun Palace!”

Yuan Chunwang: “You’re not allowed!”

Wei Yingluo: “Brother!”

Yuan Chunwang’s expression was extremely impatient. “Haven’t you repaid what you owe the Empress yet?”

Wei Yingluo lowered her head. “The Empress is gravely ill. If she remains bedridden like this, in the future she may lose the ability to walk, or even to speak. I have to do something for her so I can have peace of mind!”

Yuan Chunwang scoffed, then pointed at the dark circles under her eyes. “Working in the Cleansing Department all day and sneaking to Changchun Palace at night—do you not want to live anymore?”

Wei Yingluo swatted his hand away. “The Empress is my mistress, my mentor, and more like an elder sister. She protected me many times, even at the risk of angering His Majesty! Without her, there would be no Wei Yingluo in this world long ago! Brother, just let me go fulfill my duty to her, please?”

Yuan Chunwang jabbed her forehead hard. “You really are a big fool!”

Wei Yingluo looked at him for a moment, then suddenly smiled. “If it were you who fell ill, I would do the same—I’d take care of you just like this!”

Yuan Chunwang froze, then asked seriously, “Would you really?”

Wei Yingluo: “Just as you carefully took care of me, I would pour the medicine straight into your mouth!”

Yuan Chunwang was never good at taking care of people. When he had fed her medicine earlier, he had stubbornly shoved spoonful after spoonful into her mouth—resulting in hardly any going in, while her clothes ended up soaked.

Hearing the teasing in her words, Yuan Chunwang was both annoyed and amused. He reached out and tugged her cheeks hard. Wei Yingluo yelped in pain, then couldn’t help laughing. “I’m leaving now!”

He watched her go, shook his head, and turned back toward the warehouse entrance—only to unexpectedly run into an unwelcome visitor. His face grimed. “Momo Liu, what are you doing here?”

Momo Liu: “This is a warehouse—what else would I be doing? Just looking for some old things from before. I’m leaving now.”

She rummaged around the warehouse, touching this and that, and finally picked up an old candlestick before departing. Behind her, Yuan Chunwang stood with arms folded, watching her retreating figure with a thoughtful gaze.

In the rear courtyard of Changchun Palace, Wei Yingluo was struggling to carry a basin of water when a hand suddenly reached out and took it from her.

Wei Yingluo: “Young Master!”

Fuheng raised a finger to his lips, signaling her to be quiet.

Wei Yingluo glanced around, then lowered her voice. “It’s so late—you’re supposed to be on night duty at Qianqing Palace. What are you doing here?”

Fuheng: “I was sent by His Majesty to deliver an edict to the Grand Council and slipped out quietly. And you—what are you doing here!”

Wei Yingluo: “Ming Yu is going to help wipe down the Empress’s body—I’ll assist her!”

No—don’t come!

Inside the sleeping chamber of Changchun Palace, Ming Yu stood rigidly to one side, her face stiff. From time to time she stole furtive glances toward the door outside; a layer of anxious sweat had already broken out on her forehead.

At the edge of the bed sat an uninvited guest.

Hongli gazed at the Empress’s closed, sleeping eyes and spoke in a low voice: “Empress, I have decided to pardon Wei Yingluo and allow her to return to serve you. Would that make you happy?”

The Empress lay quietly, yet her eyelashes trembled ever so slightly.

Erqing, who was attending nearby, suddenly spoke up: “Your Majesty, this is such wonderful news. This servant would like to personally tell Wei Yingluo—she will surely be overjoyed!”

A spark lit in Hongli’s eyes: “She came here tonight as well?”

Ming Yu looked at Erqing in disbelief, her eyes questioning: How do you know Yingluo is here? What are you planning to do?

How did she know?

Erqing sneered inwardly. She wasn’t a fool—she could sense when an extra person had slipped into the palace. Moreover, Ming Yu had never been good at keeping secrets. Fuheng, oh Fuheng—you really chose the wrong person to entrust with this.

As for what she intended to do—wasn’t it obvious? Erqing rose and said: “She’s in the rear courtyard. This servant will take you there.”

“No need.” Hongli stood up, looking eager and excited. “I’ll go by myself.”

Watching his retreating figure, the corners of Erqing’s mouth curved upward in an involuntary, icy smile.

When Hongli reached the rear courtyard, he caught sight of Fuheng holding a basin of water while Wei Yingluo helped roll up his sleeves. The two stood close together, chatting and laughing, their manner intimate—like a perfect pair of jade figures.

Hongli’s footsteps halted abruptly. His expression changed in an instant.

Erqing feigned surprise: “It’s so late—why is Imperial Guard Fucha here?! Your Majesty, this… this servant had no idea…”

Hongli’s gaze swept coldly over the two of them. His face grimed. Without a word or backward glance, he turned and walked away.

Li Yu was waiting outside to greet him, holding a bright yellow scroll in both hands. He said cautiously: “Your Majesty, this is the decree pardoning Wei Yingluo—”

Hongli snatched the imperial edict from his hands and hurled it heavily to the ground: “Get out!”

Misfortunes never come singly.

The very next day after Hongli discarded the decree, Momo Liu stormed into the warehouse of the Cleansing Department with a group of eunuchs, shouting fiercely: “Search!”

Wei Yingluo had only just returned from Changchun Palace; she hadn’t even had time to change out of her clothes before this happened. She frowned, staring at the eunuchs rummaging wildly everywhere.

“Search carefully!” Momo Liu’s gaze fixed on her with icy coldness. “Don’t miss a single corner!”

It didn’t take long before a eunuch returned from a corner of the warehouse, holding a wooden mannequin. Around its neck hung a rope stained with dark, mottled blood.

Momo Liu barked sharply: “Wei Yingluo—what is this?!”

Wei Yingluo was stunned.

In the study of Yangxin Hall.

   Noble Consort Xian had heard that Hongli was in a bad mood today, but she hadn’t expected it to be this bad. The pastries she had sent lay untouched to one side, already cold and devoid of steam. The entire Yangxin Hall was deathly quiet—no one dared speak loudly, no one even dared breathe too heavily.

“Greetings to Your Majesty, greetings to Niangniang.” Zhener suddenly entered from outside. After paying respects to both of them, she hurried to Noble Consort Xian’s side and whispered a few words into her ear. Noble Consort Xian furrowed her brows: “It really happened?”

Zhener nodded.

Noble Consort Xian: “Your Majesty, something has happened in the Cleansing Department. I must go and handle it. I beg leave first.”

Hongli suddenly looked up: “What could possibly happen in the Cleansing Department?”

Noble Consort Xian was surprised that Hongli showed interest: “A palace maid from the Cleansing Department was discovered practicing a curse ritual attempting to hex Your Ladyship Noble Consort.”

Hongli: “Who?”

Noble Consort Xian: “The former first-rank palace maid who once served Empress Niangniang of Changchun Palace—Wei Yingluo.”

Hongli’s expression changed dramatically: “Bring everyone here. I will interrogate them personally!”

The small wooden figure was quickly delivered into his hands.

It was an extremely crude wooden doll made of miscellaneous wood, still bearing rough splinters. Around its neck was tied a blood-stained cord. Upon closer inspection, the cord had been braided from human hair—soft, fine, and long, unmistakably a woman’s tresses.

Hongli toyed with the little wooden figure, his expression shifting unpredictably between light and shadow.

Not only was the physical evidence brought forward—the witnesses arrived as well.

Momo Liu knelt on the ground, trembling with fear and reverence: “Reporting to Your Majesty and to Niangniang: a few days ago, this servant received an anonymous letter claiming that someone was secretly cursing Noble Consort to death, and that evidence was hidden in the Cleansing Department. This servant did not believe it at first, but considering the gravity of the matter, I ordered a strict search. As a result, this doll was discovered inside the storeroom temporarily occupied by Wei Yingluo. The doll bears Noble Consort’s birth date and eight characters of fate written on it; its back is covered in bloodstains, and a hemp rope is tied around its neck. It is abundantly clear that Wei Yingluo has been secretly cursing Noble Consort all along—which is why Noble Consort suffered such a life-threatening calamity!”

Noble Consort Xian: “Wei Yingluo, what do you have to say?”

Facing this sudden disaster, how could Wei Yingluo admit to it? She immediately denied: “Someone deliberately planted this doll in the storeroom to frame this servant!”

Hongli, Noble Consort Xian Niangniang. Momo Liu cast her a sidelong glance and said darkly, “That storeroom was occupied solely by Wei Yingluo. Apart from her, who else could have buried this doll there?”

Wei Yingluo said firmly: “This servant has never done such a thing!”

“Moreover,” Momo Liu continued harshly, “after Your Ladyship Noble Consort passed away, the entire palace was filled with grief—yet she alone remained unchanged in expression, laughing and jesting as usual. Only someone who deeply hated Your Ladyship Noble Consort could behave in such a manner! Wei Yingluo, search your conscience and tell me—aren’t you exactly that kind of person?”

Before Wei Yingluo could even speak, Hongli already knew that what Momo Liu said was true.

Even if not for her own sake, then for the sake of the unconscious Empress of Changchun Palace, Wei Yingluo would hate Noble Consort Hui from the depths of her bones. And unlike others who merely harbored hatred, she would repay injury with injury—she would take revenge. For example, Dowager Consort Yu in the imperial mausoleum had offended her and ended up reduced to a pile of dry bones.

“Hmph!”

The wooden figure traced an arc through the air and landed at Wei Yingluo’s feet.

Hongli stood tall, staring down at her coldly: “The evidence is as solid as iron. You still refuse to confess?”

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   Story of Yanxi Palace, Chapter 87: Visiting the Sick [Part 2]

   Seeing the person who had burst into the inner courtyard of Changchun Palace, Ming Yu hurriedly curtsied:

“This servant respectfully greets Your Majesty and wishes you well!”

Hongli did not pause in his steps:

“No need to follow. I wish to be alone with the Empress for a while.”

Ming Yu was shocked:

“Your Majesty! Your Majesty!”

Li Yu closed the door of the sleeping chamber behind Hongli while grumbling:

“What’s with all the shouting?”

Ming Yu anxiously looked toward the inner chamber. Shouting? Of course she was shouting—because tonight was her night on duty, and she had just let a certain someone inside…

Inside the sleeping hall, Wei Yingluo was gently moving the Empress’s wrists and joints while speaking to her:

“Empress Niangniang, Physician Ye said you cannot remain lying like this forever—it will affect your future ability to walk and recover. Niangniang, Wei Yingluo misses you so much. I want to hear your voice—even if it’s to scold me, anything is fine. Please open your eyes, all right?”

The Empress lay peacefully, showing no sign of waking. Wei Yingluo’s heart ached with sorrow. Just then, she suddenly heard footsteps.

Hongli strode hurriedly into the sleeping chamber. The hall was empty save for the Empress lying on the bed.

Strange—he must have misheard. He had clearly heard voices inside and thought the Empress had awakened…

False hope. Hongli let out a soft sigh, slowly sat down beside the Empress, gazed at her quietly for a moment, and took her hand:

“Empress, I want to talk to someone, but in this vast Forbidden City, I can’t find a single person willing to listen to me. If only you were awake right now—how wonderful that would be.”

The Empress’s expression remained serene and gentle. Hongli sighed again:

“So many things have happened in the palace lately. Noble Consort Hui has passed away. She entered Prince Bao’s household at fourteen and accompanied me for twelve years. I know she longed desperately for care and love, but all I could give her was the title of Imperial Noble Consort. Her departure saddens me deeply, but if I had to do it all over again, I would still make the same choice.”

The Empress’s eyelashes trembled ever so slightly, as though she were on the verge of waking.

Hongli said in pleasant surprise: “Empress! Empress, you can hear me speaking, can’t you?”

After a long pause with no further response from the Empress, Hongli’s voice filled with disappointment: “Empress, even you think I’m cold-blooded and heartless, don’t you? I treated you poorly… and I treated Noble Consort poorly as well…”

As he spoke, Hongli suddenly noticed the bed curtain tremble slightly. He abruptly fell silent. A moment later, he continued as if nothing had happened: “Empress, I still have matters to attend to. I’ll come keep you company and talk tomorrow.”

Hongli stood up and turned to leave.

Wei Yingluo, covering her mouth, remained crouched under the bed. Even after the footsteps faded, she stayed frozen in place—until Ming Yu’s voice came from outside: “You can come out now.”

Only then did Wei Yingluo crawl out from under the bed. “Has that annoying ghost finally left?”

She froze.

Standing at the edge of the bed were two people: one was Ming Yu, looking extremely awkward, and the other was Hongli, his face dark with anger. He looked down at her from above and said coldly, “What do you think?”

Wei Yingluo shot a fierce glare at Ming Yu. Ming Yu mouthed silently: “I was forced!”

Hongli: “Get out!”

Wei Yingluo and Ming Yu both started walking out together. Halfway there, Hongli’s furious voice rang out behind her: “Wei Yingluo—you stay!”

Wei Yingluo had no choice but to stop.

Once Ming Yu had left, Hongli asked coldly: “Why were you hiding here?”

Wei Yingluo: “This servant came to visit the Empress Niangniang. When I heard footsteps, in a moment of panic I hid under the bed.”

Hongli: “Who gave you permission to sneak in here!”

Wei Yingluo said in a low voice: “Your Majesty, this servant missed the Empress Niangniang!”

Hongli was momentarily stunned—he hadn’t expected such directness from her. In the end he only scoffed with icy disdain: “You should indeed feel gratitude toward the Empress—and even deeper fear. Without her protection, I could have you killed at any moment!”

Wei Yingluo started in alarm, then suddenly cried out: “Your Majesty! The Empress Niangniang’s hand moved!”

Hongli’s face lit up with joy. He hurried forward: “Empress! Empress—”

He called for a long time, but the Empress remained exactly as before—not so much as a twitch of her hand, not even an eyebrow moved. Suddenly Hongli turned around—only to find the space behind him empty. Wei Yingluo had vanished without a trace!

“That little slippery rascal!” Hongli shouted in fury, but then couldn’t help shaking his head and chuckling helplessly.

After spending a little more time with the Empress, Hongli left the bedchamber. Ming Yu was already kneeling outside, full of anxiety: “Your Majesty, this servant will never again let Wei Yingluo in!”

Hongli said coldly: “Where is she?”

Ming Yu hesitated, opening and closing her mouth.

Hongli: “Do I need to ask again?”

Ming Yu stammered: “In… in the rear courtyard.”

In the rear courtyard of Changchun Palace, Wei Yingluo came out carrying a bowl of medicinal tea. She ran straight into Hongli and inwardly cursed—Ming Yu had sold her out again. She quickly dropped to her knees: “Your Majesty, this servant is guilty.”

Hongli casually sat down to one side: “What are you holding?”

Wei Yingluo: “It’s the prescription from Physician Ye. This servant wanted to do something for the Empress Niangniang, so I asked for this errand.”

Hongli smiled slightly. “You are truly loyal and devoted to the Empress!”

Wei Yingluo: “Your Majesty, the Empress also has a sincere heart toward you!”

Hongli: “In the end, what real difference is there between the women of the inner palace?”

Wei Yingluo: “Your Majesty, the Empress is different!”

Hongli: “I know—the Empress wants true affection. But why doesn’t she consider that the body of the sovereign is entrusted with the lives of millions upon millions of subjects? The ruler of all under Heaven—how could he possibly have the leisure for sentimental love affairs?”

Wei Yingluo: “Is Your Majesty saying that the consorts and concubines are shortsighted, that they fail to understand and show consideration?”

Hongli: “Am I wrong? Right now floods rage unchecked, countless refugees wander homeless. I have poured the strength of the entire nation into controlling the rivers, yet those river officials layer one false report upon another, lining their own pockets! The refugees outside the city are merely the tiniest fraction of the total! My heart burns with anxiety; I cannot sleep day or night. And what is the inner palace doing in the meantime?”

Wei Yingluo: “Your Majesty, from the moment a girl is born, she is confined to a single patch of sky. Even after marriage, she merely exchanges one cage for another. They are pampered orioles and mynas raised in luxury—how could they possibly have the broad vision and soaring freedom of an eagle sweeping across the four seas? Don’t forget: it is the men of the world who forged these cages with such painstaking care!”

Hongli said coldly: “Insolent!”

Wei Yingluo: “This servant has spoken out of turn. Please forgive me, Your Majesty!”

Hongli was about to lose his temper, but he held it back. “I must be confused to discuss such things with an ignorant palace maid like you!”

Hongli turned to leave.

Wei Yingluo: “Silently listen to the distant palace water-clock tolling long; in quiet retreat, for a moment set aside the myriad affairs of state. Though no poem delights in this clear scene, happily the plum branches send their cold fragrance.”

Hongli spun around sharply. “You can recite my poetry?”

Wei Yingluo: “After the Empress finished teaching me the Four Books and Five Classics, she began teaching Your Majesty’s poems and writings. I kept protesting, but the Empress insisted on teaching them anyway! She told me that since Your Majesty ascended the throne, you have governed with generosity and leniency: abolishing land reclamation taxes, halting miscellaneous levies, emphasizing agriculture and sericulture, redressing miscarriages of justice, and rescuing the people from flood and fire. Therefore, she says, you are a good emperor!”

Hongli: “The Empress really said that?”

Wei Yingluo nodded.

Hongli: “I want to be a wise ruler, but reality keeps telling me how difficult it truly is. This empire is like a great ship. I want to steer it well, yet I am repeatedly frustrated and veer off course.”

Wei Yingluo: “There was once a folk song in Wu: ‘Qianlong treasures, increase longevity; Qianlong coins, ten thousand years.’ I know the country is vast and affairs are many, but if Your Majesty handles them one by one—even if the results are not perfect—you will always be able to hold your head high with no shame before Heaven!”

Hongli gazed at her steadily, as though astonished and shaken. “No shame before Heaven… I will remember those four words!”

Seeing Hongli’s expression soften, Wei Yingluo quickly added: “Actually, the Empress can recite all of Your Majesty’s poems and writings backward from memory!”

Hongli: “Why?”

Wei Yingluo: “Not because Your Majesty’s talent is extraordinary, but because the Empress wants to understand Your Majesty’s thoughts and feelings. If Your Majesty would only share all your difficulties with the Empress, how could there be no kindred spirit in all the world?”

Hongli laughed despite himself. “You went to such great lengths just to speak up for the Empress—she certainly hasn’t favored you in vain! No—say that again!”

Wei Yingluo: “If Your Majesty would confide your troubles to the Empress, how could there be no one who truly understands you?”

Hongli: “Not that part! You said you kept protesting, and then said it wasn’t because of my poetic talent—what exactly did you mean?”

Wei Yingluo froze.

Hongli: “Wei Yingluo, you dare to look down on me—”

Wei Yingluo cried out urgently: “The Empress is still waiting! This servant begs leave first!”

Wei Yingluo hurried away. Hongli watched her retreating figure, pondered for a moment, then couldn’t help but smile.

“Set off, return to the palace!”

After leaving Changchun Palace, the imperial palanquin carried Hongli back to Yangxin Hall.

The palanquin swayed gently for a moment before Hongli suddenly opened his eyes. “Li Yu.”

Li Yu: “This servant is here!”

Hongli hesitated for a moment. “Have I… been too harsh toward Wei Yingluo?”

Only now you realize? Li Yu rolled his eyes inwardly, but aloud he said, “Thunder and gentle rain are both the grace of the sovereign. No matter how you treat her, she must endure it.”

His flattery missed the mark. Hongli shook his head and said, “Thinking it over carefully, I have indeed been somewhat harsh toward Wei Yingluo. The Empress was right—she does have her redeeming qualities.”

Li Yu was stunned. “Your Majesty, this… are you planning to pardon her?”

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   Story of Yanxi Palace, Chapter 86: Visiting the Sick [Part 1]

   Noble Consort Hui’s death was bad news for some, but for others, it was the greatest piece of good fortune imaginable.

Inside the warehouse of the Cleansing Division, Yuan Chunwang was feeding medicine to Wei Yingluo while saying, “His Majesty ordered a strict investigation, but all the craftsmen stubbornly insisted they knew nothing. The ‘Myriad Purples and Reds’ was prepared for the Empress Dowager’s birthday celebration. Moreover, with Noble Consort Hui’s death, neither event could tolerate any bloodshed. In the end, the matter will simply be dropped, and they’ll be released back to civilian life. They’ll be safe… and so will you.”

“Noble Consort Hui actually died?” Wei Yingluo hadn’t expected that arrogant and domineering woman to pass away from a single injury. Truly, the affairs of the world are unpredictable. She couldn’t help frowning, full of worry. “I wonder how the Empress is doing…”

Yuan Chunwang stuffed another spoonful of medicine into her mouth. “Instead of worrying about others, you’d be better off worrying about yourself. Just focus on recovering!”

Wei Yingluo choked, then said irritably, “I’m not going to die!”

“Of course you’re not going to die.” Yuan Chunwang fed her another spoonful. “I’m a very practical person. Every single mouthful of congee you eat, I expect repayment for. Until you’ve paid me back in full, you absolutely cannot die!”

Wei Yingluo was both annoyed and amused. “You’ve already been promoted to head steward—do you still need repayment from me?”

Yuan Chunwang scoffed with icy disdain while stirring the spoon. “There are eight major and minor stewards in the Cleansing Division. Do you think I’ll stop here?”

Wei Yingluo rolled her eyes. “Brother, your ambition is truly boundless.”

Yuan Chunwang: “Of course—wait, what did you just call me?”

Wei Yingluo immediately changed the subject. “What kind of congee is this? It tastes bitter!”

Yuan Chunwang stared at her, stubbornly insisting on an answer. “What did you just call me?”

He kept asking the same question over and over, clearly determined not to let it go. Finally, Wei Yingluo had no choice but to sigh and say, “You risked your life to cover for me. This ‘older brother’—I call you that with all my heart. From now on, I am your sworn younger sister. We’ll share blessings together and face hardships together!”

Yuan Chunwang narrowed his eyes and tsked twice. “Other people swear brotherhood with a formal ceremony facing heaven and earth, and you’re just going to dismiss me like this?”

Wei Yingluo glared at him. “Facing heaven and earth is for husband and wife. Sworn brotherhood is done by burning incense and kowtowing!”

Yuan Chunwang laughed. “In any case, we need to exchange pledge papers first. I need your birth chart and eight characters, and we have to set up the tablets for heaven and earth!”

Wei Yingluo: “We’ve already fallen to this miserable state—keep it simple, keep it simple.”

“Simple what?” Yuan Chunwang flicked her forehead with his finger. “In this lifetime I’m only taking one younger sister—I can’t do it half-heartedly. Later you’re going to write out your birth pledge!”

Wei Yingluo clutched her forehead. “Brother, that’s not called a ‘birth pledge’—it’s called a ‘golden orchid pledge’!”

Yuan Chunwang smiled nonchalantly, unhurriedly feeding her another spoonful of medicine. “I said it’s a gengtie, so it’s a gengtie. Finish eating, then write it!”

For some reason, he was unusually insistent on this matter. That very afternoon, he somehow procured brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, and—treating it like an official document—forced Wei Yingluo to write him a gengtie… no, a jinlan tie (a sworn-sisterhood pact).

With no choice, Wei Yingluo wrote it. While writing, she casually asked about the Empress’s condition. Yuan Chunwang only replied that it was “passable.”

Passable—what did that even mean? Was the Empress getting better or not? That night, Wei Yingluo tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Finally, gritting her teeth, she threw on her outer robe, got up, and cautiously slipped out of the Yong Lane, heading toward Changchun Palace.

Having come from Changchun Palace herself, she was intimately familiar with everything inside.

For example, tonight the person on night duty was Zhenzhu.

“You…” Wei Yingluo passed by her and sighed helplessly. “Always falling asleep before the second watch!”

After avoiding Zhenzhu, Wei Yingluo reached the window outside the sleeping chamber. With a flip, she vaulted over the sill—but then found herself stuck, one foot dangling in midair, unable to find the floor.

Until a pair of strong hands reached out from behind her, catching her as gently as one might catch falling petals from the sky. They steadied her waist and lowered her safely to the ground.

Wei Yingluo turned in surprise. “…Ah, Young Master.”

Fuheng’s smile shone brightly under the moonlight. “You were once the Empress’s senior palace maid. Coming to visit your former mistress shows you haven’t forgotten your roots—you could have walked in through the main gate openly and uprightly. Why sneak around climbing through windows like a thief?”

Wei Yingluo hesitated. “I…”

A warm finger gently pressed against her lips. Fuheng spoke with perfect understanding: “Enough. No matter what, since I’ve already caught you, there’s no need to keep sneaking about. Come openly and honestly from now on!”

Wei Yingluo turned her face away in a fit of pique. “Then I won’t come at all.”

She truly didn’t want to get entangled with him anymore. She turned to leave, had just climbed back onto the windowsill—when he pulled her back down into his arms. Furious and embarrassed, she gritted her teeth. “Fucha Fuheng, what exactly do you want?!”

Fuheng suddenly leaned close to her ear and whispered, “In the future, on nights when Ming Yu is on duty, the sleeping chamber will be empty at the hour of zi (11 p.m.–1 a.m.). You can come visit the Empress then.”

Wei Yingluo froze.

Fuheng continued, “Remember—only at the hour of zi. Alright, climb back out now!”

Wei Yingluo choked with anger. Like a little monkey she scrambled back onto the windowsill—then regretted it. She turned her head and huffed, “Hmph! I finally came all this way to see Her Ladyship. At least let me take one look before I go!”

A hand reached out behind her, as though he had already anticipated she would say exactly that, already anticipated she would turn back.

Wei Yingluo stared hesitantly at that hand.

“How much longer do I have to wait?” Fuheng said gently. “You don’t want to face His Majesty—I won’t force you. You want to stay in the Cleansing Department—I’ll wait for you. I’ll wait until you can let go of old grudges, put down your burdens. No matter how long it takes—even if it takes my whole life—I will wait until the end.”

If he hadn’t said those words, Wei Yingluo might have taken his hand. But after hearing such a confession, her whole body suddenly felt hot. The hand in her vision seemed scalding hot; just looking at it made her cheeks burn. If she actually held it, wouldn’t her entire body catch fire?

“…Wh-what are you saying? I’m leaving.” She turned her face away awkwardly, scrambled over the windowsill in a panic, and fled.

Fuheng watched her retreating figure and shook his head with a rueful smile.

The bead curtain swayed. Ming Yu stepped out from behind it. “Guard Fucha…”

Fuheng turned around. “Ming Yu, thank you.”

Ming Yu bit her lip. “You don’t need to thank me. But… about Noble Consort… was it really her…?”

“Ming Yu!” Fuheng suddenly interrupted her and gave a small shake of his head.

Ming Yu: “Fine, fine, fine—I won’t ask! She still comes to visit the Empress, so she has some conscience after all. In the future, when I’m on duty, I’ll quietly let her in. You don’t need to worry.”

The two chatted for a few more sentences, then Ming Yu returned to the room to continue tending to the Empress, leaving Fuheng alone by the bedside. He gazed at the window through which Wei Yingluo had departed, his expression filled with worry.

The moon sank past the window; the sun rose beyond it. Another new day had arrived.

Just as Noble Consort Hui’s death brought joy to some and sorrow to others, the Empress’s prolonged illness likewise caused delight in some hearts and grief in others.

In the inner courtyard of Chengqian Palace, a crowd knelt on the ground. The decree-delivering eunuch unrolled the imperial scroll and intoned:

“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Consort Xian, of the Nala clan—gentle by nature, endowed with grace and virtue—is hereby elevated to Noble Consort, in manifestation of imperial favor. So it is decreed.”

Consort Xian prostrated herself deeply, a smile playing at the corners of her lips.

“Your humble servant thanks Your Majesty for this great grace.”

The eunuch rolled up the scroll and, with an ingratiating expression, said:

“Noble Consort Xian Niangniang, congratulations!”

Noble Consort Xian nodded slightly. Zhener immediately stepped forward with the reward. Several ingots of pure silver slipped into the eunuch’s sleeve; his smile grew even wider.

“Thank you for the generous reward, Noble Consort Xian Niangniang. Oh yes—His Majesty has specially instructed the Imperial Medical Bureau to prepare a jar of Amber Jade Face Ointment. I hear it is made by grinding amber powder and mixing it with cinnabar and the spinal marrow of the white badger. Applied daily, it promotes rapid healing of wounds and has an excellent scar-removing effect. It should be delivered very soon. His Majesty truly cares deeply for Niangniang.”

Sure enough, before long another group of eunuchs arrived at Chengqian Palace, bearing His Majesty’s gift—the Amber Jade Face Ointment.

After seeing the eunuchs off, Zhener spoke to Noble Consort Xian with great excitement:

“This servant heard that it was the Empress Dowager herself who personally requested this promotion for you.”

“Is that so?” Noble Consort Xian smiled faintly, neither confirming nor denying.

“Yes—and His Majesty agreed without a moment’s hesitation! It shows just how special your position is in the hearts of both of them—different from anyone else! Now that Noble Consort is gone and the Empress remains unconscious, the affairs of the inner palace will all fall under your authority. You must take very good care of your health.”

As she spoke, Zhener unscrewed the lid of the Amber Jade Face Ointment jar.

“Niangniang, let me apply the medicine for you.”

Unexpectedly, Noble Consort Xian suddenly reached out, snatched the jar from her hand, and casually poured its contents into a nearby potted plant.

Zhener cried out in alarm:

“Niangniang! This Amber Jade Face Ointment is extremely precious—how can you just throw it away like that? If scars really form, you’ll regret it too late!”

The soil in the pot seemed like a greedy mouth, greedily absorbing the medicinal liquid drop by drop. Noble Consort Xian lowered her head to watch the scene and murmured with a faint, eerie smile:

“This palace wants to keep the scars—deeply etched into His Majesty’s heart—so that he will never be able to forget that this palace was injured for his sake.”

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   Story of Yanxi Palace, Chapter 85: Noble Consort Farewell, My Lord

   Hearing these words, Gao Ningxiang’s face lit up with undisguised joy. Gao Ningxiu was a little better at controlling herself. Though she felt the same delight inside, she could still restrain it, keeping a worried expression on her face:

“Your Ladyship Noble Consort, none of this is urgent right now. The most important thing is for you to recover your health.”

Noble Consort Hui smiled and raised her wine cup:

“This is lotus-flower wine, brewed with care during midsummer. Fresh lotus stamens were picked, steeped in water from the Jade Spring, and meticulously fermented. My two little sisters—please have a taste.”

Having received her favors, how could the two of them dare refuse her toast? They both raised their cups and drank. Even Gao Ningxiu, who was never good at drinking, downed it in one gulp, then coughed twice and said, “Your Ladyship Noble Consort, the fine wine in this palace really is pure and mellow, with a deep and lingering aftertaste.”

Noble Consort Hui glanced at her. “Third Sister, I have always treated you both with cold indifference. Do you not resent me for it?”

Gao Ningxiu replied, “Father once said that no matter how much discord there may be between us sisters, we are still one family — when one prospers, all prosper; when one suffers, all suffer. Your Ladyship Noble Consort once misunderstood us and created a rift, but now haven’t you come to see things clearly?”

Noble Consort Hui gave a half-smile that was not quite a smile. “Yes, I understand all too clearly now! In the Tang Dynasty, when Empress Wu Zetian was young, she was bullied by her half-brothers. Once she gained power, she demoted and killed those two brothers! Lady Qi tormented me and my brother, and when Grandfather discovered it, she expelled them from the Gao family. Then when your mother, Lady Ma, entered the household, she secretly continued the bullying! My long years of infertility were all because Lady Ma forced me, in the depths of winter, to pray in the snow during the twelfth month. My elder brother married a shrewish wife and suffered setbacks in his official career — that too was Lady Ma’s interference! And the two of you — so young, yet you already knew how to falsely accuse your elder siblings, vie for favor, and frame us. Have you forgotten all of that?”

The two sisters’ faces changed color at once. Gao Ningxiang was just about to speak when suddenly — “wah” — she vomited a large mouthful of black blood.

“Sister, what’s wrong with you?” Gao Ningxiu cried out in shock. She reached out to support her, but suddenly felt a sweetness in her own throat. A thread of fresh blood trickled from the corner of her mouth. She wiped it with her hand, looked down at her sister now collapsed and rolling on the floor, then whipped her head toward Noble Consort Hui. “It was you! You poisoned the wine! Why? We are your own blood sisters!”

Noble Consort Hui threw her head back and laughed loudly. The bright moon-shaped earrings on her ears swayed with her laughter. “That old bastard Gao Bin — I stopped caring about him long ago! But if the two of you were to rise in power, my brother would suffer the same calamity as Lady Wu did! To protect him — to protect the only blood relative I has left in this world — I gave up my chance at revenge and left my final days to you two. Isn’t that touching? Hahahahaha!”

Gao Ningxiang had drunk the most. Besides the cup Noble Consort Hui personally toasted her with, she had poured and downed several more cups herself afterward. The poison therefore struck her the hardest. She writhed in agony on the floor for several turns, then her head lolled to one side, eyes wide open in death. Gao Ningxiu pressed one hand to her twisting, cramping stomach and used the other to support herself against the table as she rose.

“Save… save me… Mother!” Gao Ningxiu staggered a few steps toward the door. Before she could escape, she vomited another great mouthful of blood that sprayed across the carved wooden door like a red peony suddenly bursting into bloom.

In the outer hall, Lady Ma was drinking tea. Suddenly she set down her cup. “What was that sound?”

Zhilan calmly placed a plate of snacks before her. “It must be Niangniang talking with the two young misses.”

Perhaps it was the bond between mother and children — Lady Ma clutched her chest, feeling her heart pounding violently. Unable to sit still any longer, she stood up. “I’m going to take a look.”

Ignoring Zhilan’s attempts to stop her, she rushed straight to the bedchamber and pushed open the carved door. When she saw the scene inside, she let out a heart-rending, soul-tearing scream: “Aaaah——”

Two women who had just moments ago been vibrant and beautiful now lay collapsed in pools of blood, one to the left and one to the right — no breath left in them, like two flowers that had helplessly fallen from the branch.

Noble Consort Hui sat behind them, slowly twirling the wine cup in her hand. She gave Lady Ma a sweet, gentle smile.

“You actually killed your own younger sisters!” Lady Ma threw herself forward. “You vile woman! How can there be someone as wicked as you in this world? Give me back my daughters!”

“Seize her!” Zhilan shouted from behind.

The palace servants of Changchun Palace immediately rushed out and dragged her away. All the way, Lady Ma struggled and screamed curses: “You will descend into the eighteenth layer of hell! Heaven will never forgive you!”

“Niangniang…” After the door was closed, Zhilan approached Noble Consort Hui.

Noble Consort Hui drained the last of the wine in her cup in one swallow. “Is everything prepared?”

Zhilan lifted a jade tray on which lay a length of snow-white silk cord.

Casually tossing the cup behind her, Noble Consort Hui stood up, gazed at the beam overhead, and gave a free and easy smile. She sang in the theatrical style of an opera:

“Alas, enough, enough… This pear tree is where I, Yang Yuhuan, shall bear my final fruit. I, Yang Yuhuan, kowtow in gratitude for the Emperor’s grace. From this day forth, we shall never meet again!”

Tears streamed down Zhilan’s face. “Niangniang!”

Noble Consort Hui took up the white silk, raised her hand, and flung it — like an actor on stage casting a long flowing water sleeve. In a drawn-out, melodious voice she sang:

“My Saintly Majesty… my one life shall end beneath the Yellow Springs, yet my spirit shall forever follow beneath your yellow dragon banner…”

The white silk flew over the beam. Noble Consort Hui slowly tied it into a noose, stepped onto a chair, slipped the slender noose around her long, graceful neck, closed her eyes, and smiled:

“Flowers in profusion, lush and radiant beauty of face. Clouds recall garments gleaming bright. Who else dons new makeup like this — alas, the tender, languid Flying Swallow. A famous flower, a national beauty, smiling gently, ever receiving the Emperor’s gaze. In the spring breeze she dispels the spring sorrow; together we lean on the balustrade this Gao Ningxier … Your Majesty, farewell.”

With a kick, the chair toppled sideways.

Zhilan closed her eyes and bowed deeply to her.

“Your Majesty.”

The doors of the Yangxin Hall opened, and Li Yu walked in from outside.

Hongli was holding his brush and writing, but he was not reviewing memorials—instead, he was copying the Heart Sutra for someone.

“Your Majesty.” Li Yu bowed to him. “Noble Consort Hui has passed away!”

The brush tip paused, and a large blot of ink spread across the paper. Hongli remained silent for a long while before slowly speaking: “Issue an edict: Noble Consort Hui was born into a distinguished family, assisted in governing the inner palace, was filial and virtuous by nature, gentle and respectful in conduct. She is hereby posthumously promoted to Imperial Noble Consort to commend her virtuous character. The funeral rites for Imperial Noble Consort shall be jointly handled by the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Works, and the Imperial Household Department.”

Li Yu: “Yes, Your Majesty!”

Hongli: “Everyone, leave.”

All the eunuchs withdrew.

Hongli set down his brush and slowly leaned back in his chair. The room was deathly quiet, yet in his ears drifted the distant, enchanting sound of opera singing.

“Flowers in profusion, luxuriant and gorgeous, recalling her countenance. Clouds recall her radiant robes, dazzling and bright. Who could rival her fresh makeup? Alas, the delicate and languid Flying Swallow. A famous flower of national beauty, smiling gently, always receiving the emperor’s gaze. To the spring breeze she explains away spring sorrow, leaning together on the railing of the Agarwood Pavilion.” The song was tender and poignant, as though a pair of hands were embracing him from behind, softly and affectionately saying, “Your Majesty, you’ve come…”

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   Story of Yanxi Palace, Chapter 84: The Final Wish

   In Chengqian Palace the red candles burned high.

In Chuxiu Palace, however, white candles were lit one after another.

Coupled with the increasingly desolate atmosphere of Chuxiu Palace, stepping inside felt like entering a funeral hall.

“Zhilan.” Noble Consort Hui sat on the bed, dressed entirely in white, her long hair hanging loose over her body. Her tone was eerily calm. “Fetch water. I want to bathe and change clothes.”

“Niangniang…” Zhilan looked at her in both shock and fear, terrified that she had already lost her mind. She spoke cautiously, “Please don’t worry. Everything will be all right.”

“Since even Ye Tianshi could not cure this palace, no one else can. Even if they could, this palace would still be left covered in scars.” Noble Consort Hui slowly turned her head to look at her. A ruthless determination—to break like jade rather than live like tile—flickered faintly in her eyes. “Hurry and prepare. This palace doesn’t have much time left.”

Fetching water was easy; bathing with such severe injuries was difficult. Although Zhilan tried her utmost to avoid the wounds, the injury on Noble Consort Hui’s back was so large that some water inevitably touched it. The pain made sweat bead on her forehead and her face turn deathly pale. By the time the bath was finished, she had already lost half her vitality and lay across the bronze mirror like a corpse.

While combing her hair, Zhilan wept and said, “Niangniang, please forget about it. Your health is the most important. Once your body recovers, there will still be time to deal with that wretch Consort Xian.”

“No… I don’t have much time left. I can’t waste any more of it on her.”

Noble Consort Hui slowly raised her head, staring at her own pale and haggard reflection in the mirror. With a trembling hand, she opened a box of rouge, hooked a bit of the remaining red with her pinky, and slowly applied it to her lips.

“Go… Go invite His Majesty to come.”

With tears in her eyes, Zhilan ran all the way to the Yangxin Hall, only to be told that the Emperor was staying at Chengqian Palace tonight. So she turned and ran again, heading toward Chengqian Palace.

Thinking of Noble Consort Hui in Chuxiu Palace, barely clinging to life with just one breath left, and then looking at Consort Xian, who was currently basking in the Emperor’s favor, a surge of poisonous resentment flashed through Zhilan’s eyes. For a moment she almost exposed the woman’s true face right then and there.

But the words reached her lips and were swallowed back down.

She glanced at the hand wrapped around Consort Xian’s waist… Even if she said it, would he believe her?

“Your Majesty.” Zhilan knelt before the owner of that hand and sobbed, “Your Ladyship Noble Consort wishes to see you. She says… it will be the last time.”

Hongli froze. “Isn’t Noble Consort recuperating in Chuxiu Palace? What do you mean ‘the last time’?”

Zhilan sobbed even harder. “Your Majesty, Master Ye Tianshi said that Your Ladyship Noble Consort’s illness cannot be cured. Noble Consort she…”

Hongli’s expression changed dramatically. Before she could finish, he sat up from the bed and strode quickly toward the door.

Behind him, Consort Xian opened her mouth, but in the end said nothing. She only watched him leave with a complicated look in her eyes.

Hongli hurried to Chuxiu Palace. The palace was deathly silent; all the palace maids and eunuchs who usually attended her had long been dismissed by Noble Consort Hui.

Pushing open the door, he saw Noble Consort Hui, dressed in snow-white robes, sitting upright beneath the candlelight. Her face was heavily made up, with long, finely drawn eyebrows and lips painted the color of vermilion — like an actress on stage, fully costumed and waiting for the sovereign to appraise her performance.

She slowly raised her head and said softly, “Your Majesty, you’ve come.”

Hongli took several steps forward and reached out to support her. “Noble Consort, instead of resting properly, what are you doing now?”

Noble Consort Hui gently pushed his hand away. “I know my days are numbered. I wish to dance one final dance for Your Majesty. I hope that one day, when I am gone, you will still remember how I look at this moment… and never forget me.”

Hongli was stunned. “Noble Consort…”

She lifted her head to look at him, then gave a gentle smile — filled with both seductive charm and heartbreaking sorrow. “Perhaps I have always been lost in my own play, never truly awake. Please allow me to be willful one last time.”

With that, Noble Consort Hui slowly rose, forcing her failing body to dance for Hongli.

Like a mermaid who had crawled ashore, like a celestial crane with broken wings — every step dripped blood, every bend of the waist pierced her heart. This desperate, dying dance surpassed every performance she had ever given before. Its tragic and majestic beauty held Hongli’s gaze from beginning to end, as if a mortal had been bewitched by a mermaid, or a monk ensnared by a demonic crane.

Only when the dance finally ended did Hongli realize that her white robes had long been soaked through with blood.

“Ning Xin’er!” Hongli rushed forward and caught her in his arms, deeply moved. “Rest and recover properly. From now on, Zhen will treat you well. Let us forget all the unpleasant things, alright?”

Noble Consort Hui leaned against his chest, breathing heavily for a moment before slowly raising her sweat-drenched face. She reached out and gently touched Hongli’s cheek.

“No, Your Majesty. It’s too late. Ning Xin’er cannot wait any longer. As the saying goes, ‘When a person is about to die, their words are kind.’ There is one thing I begs of you!”

Hongli’s heart ached unbearably. “I will definitely find the culprit for you!”

Noble Consort Hui shook her head. “That no longer matters to me…”

Hongli asked, “Then what do you want?”

At that moment, if Noble Consort Hui had asked to sit on the Empress’s throne — even for a short while — Hongli would have hesitated and seriously considered it, instead of immediately rejecting her as he once would have, scolding her for delusional fantasies.

Yet Noble Consort Hui only said mournfully, “I know that although Your Majesty is lord of all under Heaven, you cannot interfere in the private affairs of your subjects. That is why I never asked for anything before… Back then, I was still dreaming — dreaming that one day, when I became Empress, I could openly confer posthumous honors on Mother, give her a grand burial! I wanted the entire Gao clan to wear mourning for her, kowtow, and apologize to her! But dreams are only dreams… Now, this concubine can only shamelessly beg Your Majesty to grant my mother a proper funeral, so her soul will not wander homeless forever.”

Hongli was silent for a moment, then said firmly, “Very well. I promise you.”

A single tear hung at the corner of Noble Consort Hui’s eye. With her wish granted, she let out a soft sigh of relief.

“My father is far away, thousands of li from here. I wish to see my two younger sisters. I beg Your Majesty’s grace — allow them to enter the palace!”

Hongli: “I will immediately issue a decree summoning the Gao family into the palace!”

The imperial edict reached the Gao residence. Before dawn had even broken, a carriage was already waiting outside the palace gates. As soon as the gates opened, Lady Ma stepped down from the carriage, leading her two flower-like, jade-beautiful daughters. They were guided by a eunuch straight to Chuxiu Palace.

“Mother,” Gao Ningxiu quietly asked her mother, “I heard that Big Brother also wanted to come, but Big Sister refused him. Why?”

Gao Heng and Noble Consort Hui were full siblings born of the same mother, raised together through hardship and mutual dependence. Their bond was naturally far deeper than what she and her half-sister could share with them. Upon hearing that Noble Consort Hui was gravely ill, Gao Heng had nearly rushed into the palace overnight, only to be turned away by the messenger eunuch, who said that Your Ladyship Noble Consort only wished to see her two younger sisters.

“What other reason could there be?” Lady Ma gave a light laugh. “The Gao family’s favor cannot be broken. Your eldest sister wants to find someone to take her place—naturally she can’t choose a man like him…”

They soon arrived at Chuxiu Palace. Zhilan was already waiting outside the door. Seeing the three of them approach, she stepped aside gracefully and said:

“You two young misses, Your Ladyship Noble Consort is waiting for you inside.”

Lady Ma also wanted to follow them in, but Zhilan subtly blocked her way. With no other choice, she could only give her daughters a few final instructions and watch as they entered.

The carved wooden doors opened to both sides, revealing a square table laden with fine wine and exquisite dishes—and one peerlessly beautiful woman.

“You’ve come,” Noble Consort Hui said lightly.

On her head was a magnificent peony-shaped ceremonial headdress in full bloom; from her ears hung long East Pearl tassels; around her arms were strings of emerald beads. Her five-colored brocade robe shimmered with pearls and jewels, exuding an overwhelming aura of nobility and splendor. If there had ever been any flaw in her appearance before, it was that her presence had always been too sharp, too dazzling. Now, the slight pallor on her face added a touch of fragile, pitiable softness—making her utterly flawless, peerless in the world.

Even the two young women were momentarily stunned by her beauty, only recovering after a long pause.

Gao Ningxiang asked curiously: “Big Sister, weren’t you supposed to be gravely ill? How come you don’t look sick at all?”

Gao Ningxiu quickly tugged at her: “Mind your manners! You must address her as Your Ladyship Noble Consort.”

“Your Ladyship Noble Consort,” Gao Ningxiang corrected herself immediately. “The entire Forbidden City is saying you suffered terrible injuries and are bedridden, unable to rise. But from what I see, you are still as radiantly beautiful as ever—utterly breathtaking.”

Noble Consort Hui smiled slightly, gesturing for her to come closer. She personally poured her a cup of wine.

“My two little sisters,” she said, then poured another cup for Gao Ningxiu, “I am indeed seriously injured. Even putting on these clothes took a full hour. I’ve only been sitting for a short while, yet my undergarments are already soaked with sweat, and my whole body trembles.”

Gao Ningxiang was horrified: “Niangniang, does it really hurt that much?”

Noble Consort Hui smiled: “Every breath I take feels like steel needles piercing bone—unbearable pain. Every step is like walking on razor blades, blood flowing freely.”

Gao Ningxiu said worriedly: “We are all one family. Niangniang need not rush to host a banquet. Whatever you wish to say can wait until later.”

Noble Consort Hui: “I do not have much time left—we cannot afford to waste it. I’m sure my two little sisters are curious why I summoned you here.”

Gao Ningxiang: “Mother said you were…”

Gao Ningxiu quickly silenced her: “Be quiet!”

Gao Ningxiang, frank and outspoken by nature: “It’s true, isn’t it? Mother said the Gao family’s favor cannot be allowed to end. Since your health has failed, someone new must be chosen to take your place!”

Gao Ningxiu shot her a glare, inwardly furious at her sister’s foolishness. Even if the matter really was as she said, one should still know how to carry the sedan chair properly—speak carefully. Noble Consort Hui was an arrogant and domineering person. If she were angered, something that might have succeeded could easily fall apart…

Quietly stepping on her disappointing younger sister’s foot, Gao Ningxiu looked at Noble Consort Hui with slight apprehension, trying to think of how to salvage the situation. But then she heard Noble Consort Hui let out a long sigh:

“Mother is right. I am clearly not going to last much longer. Of course I must choose one of my two little sisters—the most suitable one—to take my place in attending to His Majesty and continue the Gao family’s glory.”

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