Jiang Nian slept deeply, not waking until nearly suppertime. The bed beside her was cold, the courtyard outside silent.
Qi Yi had not come…
Though she had expected it, disappointment still pierced her. Perhaps it was that dream—only then did she realize how precious true affection was.
In the past, no matter how much she angered Qi Yi, if she felt unwell, he would come to her side. Often he came secretly, leaving just before she woke.
But now… Qi Yi would not come. He had left her in Fu Garden to slowly wear away their last bond, until he could love another.
In the dream, she had not seen how the so‑called heroine and Qi Yi ended, but she knew—they must have been happy together.
As for herself… Jiang Nian dared not imagine. Already, his absence pained her. If she truly had to watch him fall for another woman, she doubted she could endure it.
Her eyes lowered, mouth sour. She was about to call for tea when the noise rose outside the door.
Fu Garden was nearly forbidden ground. None dared disturb her except Zhao Jing and, by Qi Yi’s permission, Consort Jin. Yet the voice sounded like Xu Zhengchun’s. Could it be… His Majesty?
Her eyes lit up. She cried out in delight: “Lian Zhi, Xiao Tao, quickly—dress me!”
The two entered with tea just then. Hearing her call, they hurried to serve: “Don’t worry, Your Ladyship. If His Majesty has come, he will not leave.”
They also had heard the commotion. At this hour, who else could it be? Seeing their mistress smile for the first time in days, they rejoiced. They had feared explaining Xu Zhengchun’s refusal earlier. But if His Majesty had come, it made sense—surely Zhao Jing had already spread his grievances, and His Majesty had heard the rumors.
In the past, Jiang Nian and Qi Yi quarreled fiercely whenever they met. Now that she had awakened, surely things would improve.
Outside Fu Garden:
“Empress Dowager, His Majesty has ordered that no one may enter Fu Garden.” Xu Zhengchun glanced at the tear‑stained prince beside her and the crowd of maids behind. Unease stirred—hadn’t the Empress Dowager once been on good terms with Consort Jiang? Why did she now look ready to punish her?
Zhao Jing, emboldened by his aunt’s presence, sneered: “Xu Zhengchun, you’re just a guard. How many lives do you have to dare block my aunt? Believe it or not, she’ll have you killed!”
The Empress Dowager, known for her kindness, frowned but spoke gently: “Jing’er has been spoiled by me. Do not take offense, Guard Xu.”
“Empress Dowager jests.” Xu Zhengchun smiled, but did not move.
Eunuch Xue scowled: “Guard Xu, it is freezing. How long will you keep the Empress Dowager waiting outside? Is Fu Garden more precious than she?”
Xu Zhengchun hesitated. Though the Empress Dowager was not close to His Majesty, she was still the Empress Dowager. If she caught a cold here, it would be hard to answer for it. After a moment’s thought, he sheathed his sword and stepped aside.
In an instant, the gates of Fu Garden were pushed open.
“His Maj—” Before the words were finished, palace maids surged forward, pinning Xiao Tao and Lian Zhi. Jiang Nian had no time to gather her thoughts before the Empress Dowager was seated on a soft chair, her expression unreadable, while the eunuch beside her proclaimed: “By order of the Empress Dowager: the Fu Garden maids Lian Zhi and Xiao Tao, guilty of striking a prince. Such crimes are unforgivable. Out of mercy, death is spared, but punishment remains—thirty strokes each, and banishment from the palace forever.”
At once, the matrons and maids bound the two. Jiang Nian came to her senses, glaring coldly at the Empress Dowager: “Empress Dowager, what is this? Zhao Jing was struck by me. If punishment is due, there is no need to condemn my servants.”
The Empress Dowager’s brows softened, her face still that of a merciful Bodhisattva: “Jing’er is mischievous. Angering his mother was wrong, and he should be punished. But today, it was your maids who raised their hands. For servants to strike their master—if word spreads, it will tarnish imperial dignity. I… I had no choice but to harden my heart.”
Her words moved even the attendants of Fu Garden. They had seen their mistress return pale and shaken, heard whispers that the young prince had frightened her. They had expected the Empress Dowager to blame Consort Jiang blindly, but instead, she spoke kindly, letting the maids bear the punishment. Truly, the rumors were right—the Empress Dowager was a living Bodhisattva.
The servants’ tense bodies eased, and their reverence for her deepened.
Only Jiang Nian, staring at that benevolent mask, felt chilled. It was she who had ordered Lian Zhi and Xiao Tao to strike Zhao Jing, unwilling to dirty her own hands. Now, with the Empress Dowager’s judgment, she had no excuse.
The rods fell, one after another. Perhaps to spare her worry, Lian Zhi and Xiao Tao bit their lips, refusing to cry out, though blood seeped from their backs. Jiang Nian, seeing Zhao Jing’s smug grin and the Empress Dowager’s serene hypocrisy, clenched her fists and threw herself over her maids.
“Your Ladyship!”
A muffled groan escaped her. Stars burst before her eyes.
The matron wielding the rod glanced at the Empress Dowager. Seeing no reaction, she pretended not to notice and struck the final blows.
“Your Ladyship, please rise! We can bear this punishment.”
Thirty strokes—enough to break even a trained soldier. For Lian Zhi and Xiao Tao, it was near death. To say they could endure was foolish.
Jiang Nian, face ashen, forced words through her lips: “Endure? If you are crippled, who will… serve me?”
The last rod fell. Jiang Nian could not hold back—blood spilled from her mouth, and she collapsed unconscious.
“Your Ladyship!”
Freed from their bonds, Lian Zhi and Xiao Tao crawled to her side, clutching her tightly. Their mistress, though unloved by her family, had never suffered such punishment. In the palace, she had been cherished by the Emperor. But now—her hands, her face, were cold.
Xiao Tao wept, clinging to her, terrified that even the last trace of warmth might fade.
The attendants of Fu Garden dared not move, huddled together, kneeling.
Only after the matrons finished did the Empress Dowager rise slowly, feigning concern: “These blind fools dared strike Consort Jiang. I shall deal with them when I return.”
“Ah, Consort Jiang’s body is frail. You, her cherished maids, must serve her well. Should anything happen to her, I will hold you accountable.”
With that, the Empress Dowager took Zhao Jing’s hand and departed in grand procession.