The sky outside had darkened. Reluctant to use too many candles, everyone chatted briefly before settling down to sleep.
Lying on the hard communal heated brick bed, Li Zhu began recalling the original novel's plot.
This novel had been recommended by her friend. The moment Li Zhu opened it, she became captivated by the forbidden, intense love-hate entanglement between the male and female leads.
The original female lead, Xu Guiyan, was Jingcheng's top talented maiden with renowned reputation. Even before entering the palace, she had attracted many future influential figures, including but not limited to the newly appointed Zhuangyuan, the Shizi from the General's Residence, and the male lead Jin Wang.
In their prime youth, Xu Guiyan and Jin Wang naturally developed mutual affection after several poetry gatherings.
But before their relationship could progress further, palace selections began, and Xu Guiyan became Xu Zhaorong.
The lovers were thus separated.
As an imperial consort, Xu Guiyan's destined partner should have been the emperor. However, no one anticipated that this monarch showed no interest in feminine beauty – not a single consort in the entire harem had ever been favored.
Though no one dared openly criticize the emperor, everyone speculated he suffered from hidden ailments.
Yet when the Imperial Physician took his pulse, the emperor's health showed no issues.
People then wondered – perhaps he preferred men over women?
One bold official actually presented several male concubines to the emperor.
The result: that official was executed by imperial decree.
Afterward, no one ever offered concubines again.
Li Zhu believed the emperor simply suffered from impotence, but had silenced the Imperial Physicians to save face.
Just as everyone worried about this… poof! The Tyrant died.
Why call him a tyrant?
Because the original book described this emperor as inherently violent, extremely harsh toward civil and military officials, palace staff, and consorts alike – executing people at the slightest disagreement.
Yet despite his domineering, nearly heartless style, this emperor was strategically brilliant, exceptionally capable, and a complete workaholic.
During his reign, the court maintained clean governance and the realm enjoyed universal peace.
Throughout the Da Long Dynasty, only its founding emperor Taizu could rival his achievements.
Pulling her thoughts back, Li Zhu continued recalling the plot.
In the original story, after the emperor's death, Xu Guiyan collaborated with Jin Wang from within and without to seize the throne.
The novel started well, but later Li Zhu found the main couple rotten.
In the book, for his beloved Xu Guiyan, Jin Wang deposed his long-time empress and crown prince, went through great lengths to fabricate a new identity for Xu Guiyan, and elevated her as empress.
When facing the original empress, Xu Guiyan spoke with hypocritical sweetness, hoping the empress would understand the profound, inseparable love between her and Jin Wang.
Reading this made Li Zhu sick – what had the original empress done wrong?
Why should Xu Guiyan and Jin Wang's love require sacrificing an innocent wife and child?
Every character in the book became mere pawns in the main couple's love game.
Li Zhu never imagined she would transmigrate into this novel. She carefully recalled, confirming her character never existed in the original work.
But then again, the original body had died three days ago. Otherwise, given her beauty, she would have made some waves.
Li Zhu decided to lay low in Funing Palace, steadfastly avoiding involvement in the main couple's romantic games.
Accompanied by the soft snoring around her, Li Zhu gradually fell asleep.
The next morning, at daybreak, Li Zhu was awakened.
Blinking open drowsy eyes, she noticed something peculiar above Mei Xiang's head.
Li Zhu's naked eye actually saw an exclamation mark!
Instantly, all drowsiness vanished.
After blinking once more, it seemed something new had appeared in her mind.
Who would have thought Mei Xiang was such a lovesick fool!
It turned out Mei Xiang had been betrothed as a childhood sweetheart. Unfortunately, her hometown fell into disaster just as the palace was selecting new maids. To ensure their daughter's survival, Mei Xiang's family sent her to serve as a palace maid.
Two years later, a letter arrived from home stating that Mei Xiang's fiancé could no longer wait for her due to his age and wished to break off the engagement.
Mei Xiang was utterly heartbroken, unable to accept her betrothed marrying someone else.
She steeled her heart and sent all the silver she'd saved over two years back home, barely enough to buy her fiancé an orphan girl as a concubine.
Her plan was to sell the concubine after she left the palace at twenty-five, then she could still become her beloved's proper wife.
As insurance, Mei Xiang kept the concubine's deed of sale in her possession.
After understanding this, Li Zhu truly didn't know what to say.
If you called Mei Xiang foolish, she at least had the sense to hold onto the concubine's deed.
If you called her clever, she was stubbornly fixated on this single hopeless relationship.
"Li Zhu? What are you thinking about? If you don't get dressed soon, we'll be late."
Li Zhu snapped out of her thoughts. "Oh, right, I'll be ready immediately."
She hurriedly dressed and washed up, then noticed everyone had exclamation marks above their heads, some large, some small.
While stuffing yesterday's leftover steamed bun into her mouth, Li Zhu devoured the gossip about her "roommates."
Fanglan's parents lived in Jingcheng – most of her monthly wages went to support them because she had a sickly younger brother.
Then there was Xia Yu, who appeared honest and reserved, but had actually started planning how to claim Li Zhu's belongings when Li Zhu was near death.
Li Zhu gave Xia Yu a complicated look.
How deceptive appearances could be!
As for the others, their secrets were minor matters, hardly worth calling gossip.
Li Zhu discovered a pattern: the more explosive someone's secret was, the larger the exclamation mark above their head!
After finishing her bun, it was time for work. Li Zhu followed the crowd into the courtyard.
Since Li Zhu had just recovered from serious illness, Duke Ruikang assigned her light duties.
Her task was simply to wipe the flowerpots along the corridor with a cloth.
In Funing Palace, palace maids and eunuchs cleaned the courtyard dust and polished decorations in an orderly, completely silent manner.
Though merely a low-ranking maid doing menial work, the tasks weren't too heavy – at least Li Zhu could handle them well.
Evening arrived, just when Li Zhu thought it was time to eat, sounds came from outside the main gate.
Instantly, everyone inside and outside Funing Palace knelt down.
Li Zhu reacted half a beat too late, until Mei Xiang forcefully pulled her down beside her.
"Welcome, Your Majesty! May the Emperor live ten thousand years!"
Only then did Li Zhu realize the Emperor had arrived.
Kneeling with head bowed, she heard steady footsteps growing closer.
Positioned in a remote spot, Li Zhu couldn't resist quickly glancing up before lowering her head again.
She didn't see his face clearly, but he seemed quite handsome.
Sometimes, handsomeness is just a feeling.
[This Tyrant seems to be really good-looking!]
None of the bowing crowd noticed the Emperor's footsteps faltering.
Li Shengyuan scanned the area, seeing only rows of bowed heads.
"Did someone speak just now?"
Ji An looked surprised and cautiously replied, "Your Majesty, no one spoke."
Li Shengyuan's brow furrowed slightly. Had he misheard?
He stepped into the main hall, thinking he must have imagined it.
Only after the Emperor entered did the people in the courtyard gradually rise to their feet.
"I thought His Majesty wouldn't come tonight," Mei Xiang whispered softly.
"Huh? Isn't Funing Palace His Majesty's bedchamber?"
"Yes, but the Emperor is diligent in state affairs. He spends six or seven out of ten nights resting in Qinzheng Palace."
Li Zhu understood now, so that's how it was.
But for a working servant like her, this was even better. Without the Emperor around, the atmosphere in Funing Palace felt much more relaxed.