When Tang Shunfu carried the food container inside, Chunming Gugu of Zhaohuadian was reporting on the recent situation of Her Highness the Princess.
“Her Highness has been diligently completing the assignments given by her tutor lately. After finishing her studies and homework each day, she spends time reading and practicing calligraphy in the study.”
Yan Pingxiao listened with his eyes closed, leaning against the imperial seat, his tone indifferent: “What kind of books is she reading?”
Chunming hesitated for a moment before replying: “Some storybooks, as well as historical records about state governance.”
The hall fell silent. After waiting for a while, Chunming heard the man say: “Good, let her read.”
“Dismissed.”
Chunming didn’t know when Tang Shunfu had entered. When she turned around, she bumped right into him.
“Ouch!” Chunming stepped back in panic, her hairpin knocked to the ground by the collision.
“Your Majesty, forgive this offense! This servant deserves death!”
Both of them knelt simultaneously to beg for forgiveness.
When Yan Pingxiao opened his eyes, he saw Chunming deftly tying up her hair.
The man narrowed his cold eyes, suddenly recalling the scene from earlier today in Yu Tang Hall where Nan Shu had tied up her hair.
He stared blankly into the distance, as if seeing again that person from their time in the northwest, grooming herself before the mirror.
The illusion before Yan Pingxiao’s eyes suddenly shattered, and he felt as if his heart were being tightly gripped by something.
Their hair-tying techniques were exactly the same!
Was this a coincidence?
He hadn’t seen other women grooming themselves and didn’t know if all women tied their hair this way.
“Do it again,” he said abruptly, standing up and looking at Chunming.
Chunming glanced up suspiciously, not daring to speculate about his intentions, and quickly tied up her hair again.
It was different.
The man suddenly strode down the steps, his deep eyes swirling with unidentifiable emotions: “Bring all the palace maids from Xuanzheng Hall inside.”
“Yes.”
Although Tang Shunfu didn’t understand his intentions, he quickly gathered all the palace maids on duty at Xuanzheng Hall and had them stand under the covered corridor.
“Reporting to Your Majesty, there are twenty palace maids in Xuanzheng Hall, all present here.”
Yan Pingxiao stood on the steps, his voice cold and stern: “Let your hair down and tie it up again.”
The palace maids below looked at each other, stunned for a full two breaths.
But they didn’t dare to question the order and proceeded to retie their hair one by one.
Still different.
Everyone had their own habits, and none were like hers.
Yan Pingxiao suddenly felt blood rushing to his head, the heavy beating of his heart pounding against his chest like drumbeats.
He strode outside, with Tang Shunfu hurriedly following, only to see him heading toward the rear palace.
Tang Shunfu’s jaw dropped – today really was a day when the sun rose from the west.
In Chengming Hall, when Xie Zhaozhi heard the announcement, she almost thought she was hallucinating.
She had just returned from the imperial presence, and now the Imperial Carriage had come to her palace!
Was it because that box of pastries had moved His Majesty’s heart?
Xie Zhaozhi rushed out of her bedchamber in a fluster, indeed seeing that bright yellow figure approaching her.
She felt as if her breath was about to stop. Without even time to redo her makeup, her hair still loose, she hastily knelt in greeting:
“Your servant pays respects to Your Majesty…”
Yan Pingxiao didn’t enter the hall. With one look from him, Tang Shunfu understood and stepped forward to say: “Please tie up your hair, Your Highness.”
Xie Zhaozhi: “?”
After a moment of confusion, she said to the man: “Your servant doesn’t know how to tie hair. Your servant will have the palace attendants groom me right away…”
“Unnecessary.” Upon hearing that she couldn’t tie her own hair, Yan Pingxiao turned and left directly.
Xie Zhaozhi was left standing in place, bewildered.
The rear palace was destined for a restless night, as Yan Pingxiao had unexpectedly visited the quarters of all four consorts in succession.
With only four consorts in the rear palace, he finally emerged from Yongyan Hall.
Consort Cheng stared wordlessly at his retreating figure, finally blurting out after a long pause:
“He must be insane.”
After making the rounds through the rear palace and returning to Xuanzheng Hall, Tang Shunfu was panting heavily, completely baffled about what His Majesty was doing.
What kind of peculiar habit was this—watching women tie up their hair?
Before he could catch his breath, Yan Pingxiao’s deep voice sounded: “Is Dongyue Zhenren currently in the capital?””
Hearing this name, Tang Shunfu shuddered and hurriedly shook his head: “Taoist Master Wu left the capital for Jiu Ling Mountain three years ago and has never returned since.”
“Have Pei Ji take men to invite the Taoist master back to the capital.”
Tang Shunfu’s eyes widened, his mind involuntarily recalling the scene of His Majesty’s madness three years ago. If not for Dongyue Zhenren Wu Quanshi persuading His Majesty back then, who knows what would have happened now.
But what shocked everyone was how Taoist Master Wu emerged from Xuanzheng Hall that day—his hair had turned completely white overnight, and he left the capital since, never to appear again.
What was His Majesty planning to do now?
Despite his inner misgivings, Tang Shunfu dared not say more and hurriedly relayed the message to Pei Ji.
The noon sun of early spring shone warmly, dispelling some of the chill.
Xie Zhaozhi was strolling in the imperial garden, with other palace servants following at a distance. Only Shuangyue supported her arm, whispering: “After His Majesty left Chengming Hall last night, he visited the other three palaces in succession, staying only briefly at each before leaving.”
A flicker of confusion appeared in Xie Zhaozhi’s eyes: “What is His Majesty trying to do?”
Shuangyue shook her head: “Our people at Consort Rong’s place couldn’t find out anything, but reports from Consort Cheng and Consort Song’s people said His Majesty only watched them tie up their hair.”
“Tie up their hair?” Recalling Yan Pingxiao’s unusual behavior the previous night, Xie Zhaozhi furrowed her delicate brows, but couldn’t comprehend the meaning behind his actions.
“Was there anything unusual at Xuanzheng Hall yesterday?”
After thinking for a moment, Shuangyue said: “Only heard that Chunming Gugu went there in the evening, nothing else.”
“Oh, that’s right.” Shuangyue suddenly remembered, “On Consort Rong’s birthday, according to servants at Chang Yuan Lake, His Majesty apparently encountered Consort Rong’s cousin. Later that girl went to Xuanzheng Hall, though she didn’t stay long before coming out.”
Since Consort Xie managed rear palace affairs, while they couldn’t learn what happened inside Xuanzheng Hall, Shuangyue had thoroughly investigated all people and matters in the rear palace.
“Since that girl had been in the palace for some time already, and His Majesty never summoned her again afterwards, this servant forgot to inform Your Majesty.”
Xie Zhaozhi continued walking without paying much attention. His Majesty had little interest in women—even if she were a heavenly beauty, she likely wouldn’t gain His Majesty’s favor.
She was relaxing while circling Chang Yuan Lake when, unexpectedly, rounding a flower bush, she spotted Sui An in the lakeside pavilion.
“Your Majesty, it’s Her Highness the Princess.”
Xie Zhaozhi immediately concealed the depth on her face, raising a smile as she walked toward the pavilion.
Yuanbao was the first to notice the approaching group, softly reminding: “Your Highness, Consort Xie is coming.””
Sui An had been practicing calligraphy. Hearing this, she looked up and, upon seeing the approaching figure, a flash of annoyance crossed her eyes.
She rose to greet: “Peace to Consort Xie.”
Although Xie Zhaozhi was the elder, Sui An was Yan Pingxiao’s beloved daughter, so she couldn’t put on airs using her seniority. She smiled amiably and said, “On such a cold day, why is Your Highness writing here?”
As she spoke, she tried to look at Sui An’s calligraphy. With one glance from Sui An, Yuanbao quickly pulled the paper over and chuckled, “Her Highness is shy—the characters aren’t finished yet and she doesn’t wish others to see.”
The curve of Xie Zhaozhi’s lips flattened slightly. “Your Highness studies so diligently at such a young age—it truly puts Your Majesty and me at ease.”
Sui An bore some resemblance to Yan Pingxiao, and her expressionless face now carried a touch of aloofness. She didn’t respond, silently packing her writing tools instead.
Xie Zhaozhi’s expression stiffened. “Have I disturbed Your Highness?”
“No.” Sui An instructed her attendants to pack everything before saying calmly, “I’m going to Xuanzheng Hall to see Father. Please do as you wish, Consort Xie.”
Watching Sui An’s small retreating figure, Xie Zhaozhi dug her nails deeply into her palm. Through gritted teeth, she muttered, “She truly doesn’t regard me in the slightest.”
The Xie family were meritorious officials who helped the emperor ascend the throne, and she, Xie Zhaozhi, was the highest-ranking consort in the imperial harem. Yet Sui An had never shown her any favor.
Still, the princess never breached etiquette, leaving Xie Zhaozhi no grounds for reprimand.
Shuangyue remarked, “After all, the princess isn’t Your Majesty’s own child. Even if you try to please her, she never appreciates it. Forgive my presumption, but she’s merely a princess—you needn’t take it so much to heart.”
Gazing at the proud, distant figure, Shuangyue sighed. “Your Majesty should really have a child of your own.”
“Easier said than done,” Xie Zhaozhi snapped, her anger rising. “If His Majesty doesn’t come, how can I bear a child alone?!”
Her cold eyes followed Sui An’s departing direction, the venom in them no longer concealed.
That wretched woman’s child was just as detestable as her mother.