Shu Yun had stayed up all night, muttering the essays even with her eyes closed. She could barely recite one by heart. Rising early, she felt heavy and muddled; her mind was blank—when she tried to recall what she had memorized, she was utterly lost, empty inside.
Across from her, Cui Fenglin was already dressed and groomed. Seeing Shu Yun dazed and sluggish, she felt sympathetic. “Sister Yun, today’s trouble is not your fault. Your foundation is weaker, and it’s your first time entering Yinghua Hall. They only meant to bully you. Don’t panic—bite down and recite what you can. I’ll speak for you today, and ask the teacher to be lenient with the ruler.”
Shu Yun’s vacant eyes gradually lit up, revealing her little tiger teeth in a smile. “No matter. I’ll do my best. If I’m beaten, then I’m beaten.” There was no obstacle she couldn’t face; she wasn’t so delicate.
Cui Fenglin admired her spirit—like a tender sprout, fragile yet fearless. She waited for Shu Yun to wash and dress, then they went to the dining hall together.
Xie Yun and Li Ying had arrived first. Seeing Cui Fenglin and Shu Yun enter side by side, they were surprised.
Xie Yun’s gaze lingered on Cui Fenglin before she smiled sweetly at Shu Yun. “Little sister of the Shu family, how did your recitation go yesterday?”
Shu Yun treated her like air, walking straight past without a glance.
Xie Yun bristled. “I’m speaking to you—how can you be so rude?”
Shu Yun sat opposite Cui Fenglin, never looking at her. “Miss Xie schemes against others while pretending virtue. Must the bullied still thank you?”
Xie Yun’s eyes nearly popped out. Li Ying laughed, slowly wiping her hands, and said to Xie Yun, “See? Don’t take her for a fool.”
At that moment, palace attendants entered one after another with the meal. The steward of Chuxiu Palace stood at the door. Xie Yun dared not make a scene, only huffed, “Let’s hope little sister’s tongue is just as sharp in Yinghua Hall.”
Shu Yun ignored her. First fill the stomach, then face the sky falling.
Having learned from yesterday, Xie Yun paid close attention to the food trays. Today, before them were four small dishes: chestnut cake, perch soup, a small bowl of rice, and a mushroom broth. She glanced at Cui Fenglin and Li Ying—their soup was the same as hers.
Only the last tray was set before Shu Yun. The first dish was a plate of perch fillets. This dish tested knife skills: too thick or too thin ruined the texture. The fish was skinned, deboned, sliced, then stir-fried with sauce, scallion, ginger, and chili—golden, fragrant, crisp. The second dish was shrimp chestnut cake. All four had chestnut cake, but Shu Yun’s was topped with a plump, glistening shrimp, fresh and succulent.
Xie Yun loved shrimp; she couldn’t help swallowing.
The third dish was crab-roe chicken spring rolls. As soon as they were served, the aroma filled the hall. Golden crab roe sprinkled over the rolls made mouths water.
But it wasn’t crab season. Xie Yun remembered the Retired Emperor loved crab, so the palace kept a pond of crabs in Taiye Lake to ensure he could eat crab roe year-round. No one else dared touch them. How could Shu Yun possibly have the means to eat the Retired Emperor’s crabs?
As for the final soup, Xie Yun’s sharp nose had already caught the scent—it was black-bone chicken with bird’s nest. Her good mood vanished instantly. Furious, she threw down her chopsticks and demanded of the steward, “Eunuch He, can you explain what’s going on here?”
Eunuch He folded his sleeves, unmoved. “This old servant knows nothing. You’ll have to ask the steward of the imperial kitchen. To my eyes, perhaps it was delivered by mistake?”
Who would believe that?
Xie Yun, fuming, rose and left first. Even Li Ying showed some temper this time; she stared at Shu Yun a few times before forcing herself to eat a few bites. Cui Fenglin, however, said nothing, quietly finishing the food on her plate.
At last Shu Yun realized the difference—her dishes were not the same as the other three. Seventh Master was truly formidable, able to extend his hand even into the inner palace. Shu Yun was filled with suspicion.
Xie Yun hadn’t eaten her fill, and by mid-morning her stomach growled loudly enough for everyone to hear, leaving her humiliated. She blamed it all on Shu Yun, holding her breath and waiting for Shu Yun to be punished.
That afternoon, as expected, Master Yan entered the hall stroking his beard. His expression was unlike usual, as though immersed in lofty thoughts, lips moving silently as if reciting some rare masterpiece. Once seated, he ordered the pupil to hang the list of essays on the rack and began calling students to recite.
Six titles appeared on the silk scroll—how had one more been added?
For most students, an extra essay mattered little; as long as they passed, it was fine. But for Xie Yun and Li Ying, eager to prove themselves, it was a shock. They had never studied the Treatise on Painting.
Shu Yun was cramming at the last minute when she vaguely heard the words Treatise on Painting. She looked up, startled. Her mind raced like ten thousand horses, her heart churned like oil in a boiling pan. Seventh Master was far too protective. They shared only a vague, unspoken bond, yet if she were to marry him, how much more would he spoil her?
Shu Yun’s emotions surged—she even wondered if this Seventh Master, with such far-reaching influence, was more than just a horse trainer. Could he have another identity?
Lost in thought, she was suddenly called by the teacher to recite. She began with Treatise on Painting. Everyone was baffled—what was this girl reciting? Was she just bluffing?
But when they looked at Master Yan, he was listening intently, savoring every word. Gradually, the class was swept up in the essay’s fervent tone. They realized it echoed Preface to the Pavilion of Prince Teng—not as grand, but still a fine composition.
Xie Yun’s face darkened. She naturally stepped forward to question it, but Master Yan said, “No matter. This essay I obtained from a friend. It is no surprise you cannot recite it. Thus, if anyone can recite the remaining five essays in full, I shall reward them.”
Xie Yun’s hopes were dashed. Distracted, she made mistakes in Preface to the Pavilion of Prince Teng. Li Ying stumbled over Ode to Ink Bamboo. Neither gained an advantage. In the end, only Cui Fenglin earned the prize—a block of inkstone.
Shu Yun escaped punishment, but she realized the gap between her and the others. She had once been content to muddle through, but seeing Pei Yue’s painstaking efforts to shield her, she felt ashamed and resolved to study diligently.
After class, Pei Yansheng came running joyfully. “Sister Yun, your recitation was wonderful.”
Shu Yun’s voice was especially pleasant, like a mountain spring—soft, clear, and charming.
As he spoke, Pei Yansheng’s eyes grew faintly hot.
Shu Yun felt embarrassed and couldn’t accept praise easily.
Just then, Xie Yun arrived with her entourage, surrounding her aggressively. Standing at the center, she fixed Shu Yun with a stern gaze.
“Sister Yun? Oh, my dear cousin, I thought you were ignoring your elders when you called out just now.”
Pei Yansheng’s heart gave a jolt—he had forgotten that Xie Yun’s name sounded the same as Shu Yun’s.
Xie Yun’s mother was the Eldest Princess, the Retired Emperor’s sister. By seniority, Xie Yun was his aunt. But her tone was so mocking and sarcastic that he felt repelled.
“Aunt, are your ears failing, your eyes too? I wasn’t speaking to you.”
The implication was clear: Xie Yun was picking a fight for no reason.
Xie Yun was already like a firecracker waiting for a spark. Hearing this, her temper flared instantly. “Is that so?” She turned her cold gaze on Shu Yun, scrutinizing her openly. “Shu Yun, your name interferes with mine. Every time someone calls you, I think they’re calling me. Why don’t you change your name, so there’ll be fewer misunderstandings?”
Such words were utterly domineering and unreasonable.
Shu Yun laughed in anger, while Pei Yansheng grew flushed with indignation. He stepped forward without hesitation, shielding Shu Yun with his not-so-tall frame. “Miss Xie, if you have a problem, take it up with me. Don’t bully a girl who has no one to rely on.” He was disowning his own aunt.
Xie Yun’s nose twisted with rage. “Respect between ranks is the foundation of human order. She offended me—shouldn’t she change her name?”
Pei Yansheng swept his wide sleeve, sneering. “What right do you have to demand she change her name? You’re not even Empress yet, and already you’re putting on Empress airs! Even if you were Empress, you’d have no right to force someone to change their name.”
Xie Yun’s pretty face flushed dark like pig’s liver. She stomped her foot in fury. “Pei Yansheng, step aside! This is between me and her.”
Pei Yansheng lifted his chin. “Her business is my business.”
Shu Yun nearly fainted at those words. “Heir, please step aside. Let me reason with her.”
Pei Yansheng turned gently to her, coaxing. “Don’t worry. Today I’ll see just how capable she really is!”
Seeing him defend Shu Yun so fiercely, Xie Yun suddenly thought of something, her tone shifting. “Oh, so it’s you who’s been backing her all along?”
“Yes, and what of it?” Pei Yansheng, simple-minded, didn’t think twice. He even declared boldly, “I’ve already reported to Grandfather my intention to marry Sister Yun. Both Grandfather and Uncle admire her greatly. Soon we’ll go to the Shu family to propose.”
At this, Xie Yun’s anger strangely subsided. She stared at him suspiciously. “So you’re the one bribing the imperial chefs to give her extra dishes?”
Pei Yansheng wondered what nonsense this was. But since he had already spoken to the Retired Emperor about the marriage, and the Retired Emperor had arranged for Shu Yun’s care, it made sense. So he thumped his chest and said, “That’s right—it was me. And besides, it was Grandfather’s idea.”
Indeed, only the Retired Emperor could order the chefs to add special dishes. After all, he had always spoiled young girls in just this way.
Xie Yun looked at her foolishly stunned cousin, then glanced at the radiant Shu Yun behind him. She realized Shu Yun was not her rival at all. In an instant, her jealousy and anger vanished completely. Her temper came quickly and went just as fast. A smile immediately appeared. “Oh, it seems this was all a misunderstanding. Cousin, let’s forget today’s matter.” She leaned forward to glance at Shu Yun. “Little sister of the Shu family, I apologize. Don’t hold it against me.” With those words, she left as if nothing had happened.
When the crowd dispersed, Shu Yun pulled Pei Yansheng aside at the corner, clutching her satchel, sweat beading at her temple. “Heir, please don’t trouble yourself further. I… I am to take a husband, and I have already chosen.”
Speaking those words gave her courage; she steadied herself and bowed. “Your feelings, Heir, I cannot bear. It is my own ingratitude. Please forgive me.”
After saying this, Shu Yun felt a great weight lifted from her heart. Without caring about Pei Yansheng’s expression, she hurried away.
Pei Yansheng felt as though a bucket of cold water had been poured over him. He stood dazed, unable to move for a long while.
Beside him, a young eunuch saw his lost look, his eyes following Shu Yun’s departing figure, and tried to console him. “Heir, don’t blame the young lady for being heartless. It’s your approach that was wrong.”
“Oh? How was I wrong?” Pei Yansheng asked blankly.
The eunuch smiled. “You were simply too hasty. The marriage isn’t settled yet, but you shouted it out before so many people. How do you think that made her feel? You should properly invite a matchmaker to her home to discuss the proposal.”
Pei Yansheng grew anxious. “But my parents won’t agree! That’s why I’m begging Grandfather to decide. And Grandfather seems to have already approved. Once Father and Mother consent, the imperial decree will go to the Shu family, and then it will be settled.”
The eunuch sighed inwardly. His young master’s heart was sincere, but his actions lacked steadiness. Still, compared to the heir of Prince Huaiyang, wasn’t sincerity exactly what Shu Yun needed?
He urged Pei Yansheng to return. “Keep your feelings in your heart for now. Don’t chase after her again. Wait for the Retired Emperor to make the decision.”
Pei Yansheng realized he had been rash today. Yet if Xie Yun hadn’t pressed so hard, he wouldn’t have been forced to speak out.
Meanwhile, after shaking off Pei Yansheng, Shu Yun happened to meet Cui Fenglin on the palace path behind Cining Palace. Both were startled to see each other. Cui Fenglin quickly smiled. “Sister, what brings you here?”
Shu Yun was embarrassed to admit she was heading to the library, so she pointed toward the woods. “I just ran into the heir of Prince Linchuan. I told him not to make a fuss anymore.”
Cui Fenglin understood her feelings. “His intentions are good, but his actions are reckless.”
Shu Yun also found it strange to meet Cui Fenglin here. “And what brings you here, Sister?”
Chuxiu Palace lay in the opposite direction.
Cui Fenglin’s expression remained calm. “I had intended to borrow books from the library, but I couldn’t get in, so I came back.”
“Oh… couldn’t get in?” Shu Yun’s heart skipped. She had gone in and out many times without being stopped. She couldn’t make sense of it, so she set the thought aside.
Since they had run into each other, the two returned together to Chuxiu Palace.
As they grew more familiar, conversation flowed. On the way, Cui Fenglin asked how she had come to the palace as a study companion, and the topic gradually turned to marriage plans.
After some thought, Shu Yun grew more resolute. “My family intends to recruit a son-in-law.” She needed to ask Pei Yue for clarity—this matter could not be delayed, or who knew what trouble Pei Yan might stir up.
Cui Fenglin smiled at her. “The heir of Prince Linchuan will never agree to be a live-in son-in-law.”
Shu Yun blushed with shame. “Who said I want him? Naturally, I’ll seek someone willing to enter our household.”
Cui Fenglin sighed. “These days, finding a son-in-law is harder than finding a golden match.”
Shu Yun thought of Pei Yue, her heart in turmoil. “Exactly.”
Cui Fenglin assumed she was embarrassed and did not press further. She was certain Shu Yun did not know the emperor personally.
A quarter of an hour later, the two walked along the winding path through the woods, turned into the imperial garden, and returned to Chuxiu Palace with laughter—just in time for supper. Xie Yun was nowhere to be seen; only Li Ying was inside.
Earlier, Xie Yun had made things difficult for Shu Yun, and Li Ying had watched silently. Now her doubts were eased, and she looked at Shu Yun with new regard. Seeing the two together, she glanced several times.
Shu Yun avoided her gaze, saying she would return to her room, leaving Cui Fenglin to eat first. Cui Fenglin entered the dining hall and sat opposite Li Ying. While the attendants laid out the dishes, she said,
“Don’t trouble Miss Shu anymore. She has no wish to remain in the palace. She just told me her family intends to recruit a son-in-law.”
Li Ying held her chopsticks without moving, sneering. “Would Pei Yansheng agree to be her son-in-law?”
Cui Fenglin laughed. “That idea will likely fail. Last time, Prince Huaiyang felt he owed the Shu family a great debt. He will surely support them and persuade the Retired Emperor to grant a marriage.”
“That’s not important. What matters is her poor family background. This time, Princess Shuyue forced her into the palace as a study companion, clearly to waste her youth. I suspect that’s why the Retired Emperor was angered at Dowager Consort Shu and secretly gave Shu Yun protection. She has no backing, no scheming mind. Sister, please show mercy and don’t make things harder.”
Li Ying disliked Cui Fenglin playing the benevolent one. She said coldly, “She doesn’t concern me. I have no time to deal with her.”
Cui Fenglin understood then that Li Ying would not join Xie Yun in bullying Shu Yun.
When the attendants finished setting the dishes, the two fell silent.
Moments later, Xie Yun swept in gracefully. Not seeing Shu Yun, she exclaimed in surprise, “Oh? Has the little sister of the Shu family not returned?”
Cui Fenglin, speechless at her sudden show of concern, explained patiently, “She went back to her room.”
Xie Yun realized Shu Yun had been angered by her, and laughed. “So it’s my fault.”
Though Shu Yun did not go to the dining hall, the attendants, fearing she would go hungry, set a food tray in her chamber. Normally, this was against regulations, but since Eunuch Liu had ordered it, Shu Yun herself became the rule.
After supper, the girls went out into the courtyard to walk off the meal, and inevitably crossed paths again.
Shu Yun, spotting Li Ying, subtly changed direction, stepping onto the covered walkway toward the rear courtyard.
Cui Fenglin could not follow her, but instead approached Li Ying slowly. “Elder sister, out for some fresh air as well? Hm, where is Miss Xie?”
Li Ying toyed idly with a string of jade prayer beads. “She’s probably seizing the chance to wander the palace, looking for His Majesty.”
Cui Fenglin smiled faintly, unsure what to say. The two stood together under the eaves, gazing at the night sky.
It was early March. The night air was warm, the waxing moon a thin silver shard set against the heavens. The sky had not yet fully darkened, a faint mist hovering above.
Li Ying looked at the hazy sky and suddenly spoke. “Xie Yun will not see His Majesty tonight.”
Cui Fenglin’s fingers tightened beneath her sleeve. The words seemed casual, but revealed much.
Though Li Ying was not as close to the emperor as Xie Yun, her grandfather held the reins of government, and her knowledge of court affairs far surpassed Xie Yun’s. For years, the emperor had kept himself pure, never even visiting a palace maid. When he entered the inner palace, it was either to pay respects to the Grand Empress Dowager at Cining Palace, to the Retired Emperor at Wanshou Palace, or to the library pavilion in the southwest corner of Cining Palace. If Li Ying said this, it meant the emperor was detained by some matter and had no time to return to the harem.
Late at night, the imperial study was ablaze with light. Pei Yue had just returned from deliberations at the Secretariat, his face dark as iron.
Fearing the young eunuchs might serve poorly and anger the emperor, Liu Kui personally stepped forward to help him change clothes, speaking softly. “Your Majesty, calm your anger. They are only a few scholars—hardly a force to reckon with.”
Pei Yue’s thin lips curved into a sharp arc, cold light flashing in his eyes. “It is not those scholars that anger me, but the hidden hands pushing and scheming behind them.”
Liu Kui’s brows twitched. He lowered his gaze. “Lin Xun has already begun investigating. News will come soon.”
That afternoon, three scholars had struck the Drum of Appeal outside Zhengyang Gate, risking death to accuse the emperor of refusing to marry. They cried that the nation could not go a day without an heir, trying to force him to establish an empress.
The commander of the imperial guards at Zhengyang Gate was terrified and sent men to stop them.
But Pei Yue was not one to be threatened. He went straight to the Secretariat, forbade anyone from interfering, and let the scholars strike the drum. His stance was so firm that the scholars hesitated, and the matter was suppressed. The men were taken to the Northern Commandery for interrogation, but the call for an empress swept through the court once again.
Pei Yue was a man of stubborn will—the more ministers pressed him, the less he yielded.
Liu Kui added, “Your Majesty, the Retired Emperor is at Cining Palace visiting the Grand Empress Dowager. He asks that you come when you have time.”
“I will not.” Pei Yue knew the Retired Emperor only wanted to speak of the empress issue.
Liu Kui understood it was anger speaking, and dared not reply.
As the bright yellow dragon robe was removed, revealing a white undergarment, Liu Kui reached for another dragon robe. But suddenly Pei Yue thought of Shu Yun and pointed to a dark robe. “Change me into this one.”
Liu Kui understood perfectly, smiling as he dressed him.
“Did Yun’er come today?” Pei Yue worried Shu Yun might be waiting in vain.
Liu Kui bent to fasten his belt, his tone lighter. “No, she hasn’t. I don’t know what delayed her, but she didn’t come to the library today.”
Pei Yue grew anxious. “I want to see her.” He casually picked up the string of bodhi beads resting on the rosewood stand and strode out.
Startled, Liu Kui hurried after him. “Ah—Your Majesty, are you going to Chuxiu Palace?”
Pei Yue paused in the corridor outside the bedchamber and looked back. “Isn’t that where she lives?”
“She does,” Liu Kui said with a wry smile, “but Miss Li, Miss Xie, and Miss Cui also live there.”
Pei Yue frowned. “How did they…” He stopped mid-sentence, realizing it was the Retired Emperor’s doing. He had not asked clearly before, only instructed that Shu Yun be placed in Chuxiu Palace.
The lamplight fell warm and clear across his face, his features sharp as cold jade.
Pei Yue stood still for a moment, then insisted. “I want to see her—now.” He walked slowly toward the rear corridor, murmuring under his breath, “I wonder if she’s been beaten…”
Liu Kui pursed his lips silently. The emperor had no time to dwell on the matter of an empress, yet here he was worrying whether a young girl had been punished. He signaled the lamp-bearing eunuch to hurry after them, and the group moved quietly in the direction of Chuxiu Palace.