Chengqian Palace—
Madam Li hurried into Chengqian Palace, a polite smile fixed on her face. She bowed to Lu Jingning and said, “My Lady, the Virtuous Consort specially instructed this old servant to come. She said she has several boxes of fine bird’s nest to gift you for nourishment, but this old servant is getting on in years and forgot to bring them. May I trouble you to send a palace maid to retrieve them?”
Lu Jingning raised her brows slightly, letting her gaze linger on Madam Li’s face for a moment, making her feel somewhat uneasy.
Then she gently parted her lips, her voice calm and graceful. “How considerate of the Virtuous Consort. Xia’er, follow Madam Li and fetch the items.”
“Yes, this servant will leave at once.”
Madam Li, afraid Lu Jingning might change her mind, quickly led Xia’er back to Zhongcui Palace.
As soon as Xia’er entered, she saw the Virtuous Consort reclining lazily on the soft couch. She immediately knelt. “This servant greets Your Ladyship.”
The Virtuous Consort glanced at her. “Later, you will check whether that guard is the same Guard Han you saw the other night.”
“Yes, Your Ladyship,” Xia’er replied obediently.
Before long, Han Yizhi stepped into the main hall of Zhongcui Palace, suspicion flickering in his gaze.
He looked around. The Virtuous Consort lounged indolently on the couch, her expression sly and relaxed. Xia’er stood nearby, head slightly lowered, looking nervous—but seeing her here was indeed unusual.
Without questioning it, Han Yizhi knelt and saluted. “Your servant greets Your Ladyship the Virtuous Consort. I do not know why Your Ladyship has summoned me?”
The Virtuous Consort lifted her hand lightly, motioning for him to come closer. Her lips curved. “Xia’er, look carefully. Is this the man?”
Her gaze shifted to Xia’er. Han Yizhi followed her line of sight, raising a brow in puzzlement.
He didn’t know whether Xia’er had betrayed them.
Xia’er lifted her eyes just long enough to take a quick glance at Han Yizhi before lowering her head again. Her voice became louder and firmer. “Your Ladyship, it is him. This servant saw him that night—there is absolutely no mistake.”
That single glance was enough. Han Yizhi immediately understood—Xia’er was loyal to Lu Jingning. He would need to cooperate without arousing suspicion.
Han Yizhi pretended to be enraged. He grabbed Xia’er and shouted, “What nonsense are you spouting? Do you not want to live?”
“Your Ladyship, save me!” Xia’er screamed in terror—acting, of course.
The Virtuous Consort immediately snapped, “Han Yizhi, how dare you! Release her at once!”
“Your Ladyship, she and Lu Guiren were secretly meeting men. She wants to silence this servant! Your Ladyship, please save me!” Xia’er cried pitifully, tears brimming in her eyes.
Han Yizhi loosened his grip and pretended to shove Xia’er aside. Xia’er acted as though she was in great pain and complained, “Your Ladyship, please take justice for your servant! He is only angry because I exposed him!”
The Virtuous Consort’s brows tightened. Her sharp gaze locked onto Han Yizhi. “Xia’er has already identified you. What do you have to say?”
Han Yizhi straightened, resolve flashing briefly in his eyes. He shot Xia’er a vicious glare, then turned to the Virtuous Consort and said coldly, “It was all Lu Guiren who forced me, Your Ladyship. Please be my witness.”
Hearing this, the Virtuous Consort’s lips curled triumphantly. Excitement shone in her eyes. “What did you say? Lu Guiren forced you? Speak from the beginning! If His Majesty learns of this, the punishment will be execution of your entire clan.”
“That day, I saved Lu Guiren by chance. She saw that I was… decent-looking and forced me. I-I was powerless…” Han Yizhi spoke in a trembling voice, his face full of feigned fear.
The Virtuous Consort’s smile widened with victory. “This palace knows you have a gravely ill mother at home. Take this one hundred taels to treat her.”
Madam Li handed him the pouch of silver.
Han Yizhi pretended to tremble as he accepted it. “Thank you, Your Ladyship. Your servant will devote his life to you.”
The Virtuous Consort immediately added, “This palace has a method…” She trailed off, purposely giving him a meaningful look.
Han Yizhi asked anxiously, “What method does Your Ladyship have?”
With pride swelling on her face, she held up a protective armguard and said, “Tomorrow I will go to Her Majesty the Empress and report Lu Jingning. All you need to do is testify.”
“B-But, Your Ladyship… how could Lu Guiren possibly agree to anything? She enjoys His Majesty’s favor. The Empress may not stand on your side,” Han Yizhi voiced his doubt.
The Virtuous Consort dismissed it lightly. She took out a sachet and a jade pendant. “Madam Li, take one to each of them.”
Xia’er received the jade pendant and asked, “Your Ladyship, this is…?”
Han Yizhi also looked puzzled. “What is Your Ladyship’s intention?”
The Virtuous Consort explained, “This sachet belonged to Lu Jingning long ago. See? The character ‘Ning’ is embroidered on the back.”
“Han Yizhi, tomorrow you will present this sachet and claim it was a token of affection between you.”
“Xia’er, as for you, simply slip this jade pendant into Lu Jingning’s bedchamber.”
Xia’er’s small hand gripped the smooth jade pendant tightly, her nails digging into her palm, yet she answered firmly, “Yes. This servant understands.”
Han Yizhi’s expression tightened with a hint of struggle, as though making a difficult choice.
Seeing this, the Virtuous Consort smirked coldly, her gaze filled with undeniable threat.
“Han Yizhi, consider this carefully. If this matter reaches His Majesty tomorrow, you will face execution of your entire clan. Your mother still needs you to save her life. Think very carefully.”
Han Yizhi felt a wave of bitter fury rise within him.
In his previous life, the Virtuous Consort said these same words. He abandoned his conscience to help her.
And afterwards?
Lu Guiren died unjustly.
He too was killed by her in secret.
His mother was butchered as well.
This time… he would end her with his own hands.
He would avenge his mother.
“I am willing to assist Your Ladyship,” Han Yizhi said, wearing a mask of obedience.
The Virtuous Consort’s smile returned, full of satisfaction.
She waved her hand lightly. “That’s more like it. Han Yizhi, Xia’er, remember that I reward loyalty and punish betrayal. As long as you serve me well, you will be greatly rewarded.”
Her voice was soft yet as sharp as steel, stabbing straight into their hearts.
Han Yizhi and Xia’er exchanged a quick glance, a flicker of complex emotion passing through their eyes. Then they lowered their heads and answered in unison, “Yes, Your Ladyship. We will do our utmost to live up to Your Ladyship’s expectations.”
“Good. You may both leave.” The Virtuous Consort was in an excellent mood since everything was going according to plan.
“This servant takes her leave. This servant also takes his leave.”
Once they left, Madam Li’s eyes flickered with uncertainty. Her lips pressed together, clearly harboring doubts, but she still forced herself to reassure the Virtuous Consort.
“Your Ladyship is brilliant. This arrangement will surely succeed. It is only that this old servant wonders—Han Yizhi and Xia’er are both from Lu Guiren’s side. If by any chance…”
The Virtuous Consort let out a light laugh, confidence and ruthlessness gleaming in her eyes as she toyed with the armguard on her fingertip.
“Madam Li, you worry too much. Human hearts are made of flesh. As long as we hold their weaknesses, why fear disobedience? Besides, I’ve already paved the road for them. Whether they live or die depends entirely on their own choices.”
With that, she lifted her chin slightly, gesturing for Madam Li to withdraw, her face full of victorious satisfaction.
(End of Chapter)