Serving the Emperor was not their duty, so Li Zhu continued with her meals as usual.
After finishing another bland meal, Li Zhu tentatively asked Mei Xiang, "Sister Mei Xiang, how old are you this year?"
"Nineteen."
Li Zhu counted on her fingers. "Then you only have six more years before you can leave the palace and return home."
Mei Xiang smiled. "Yes, just six more years."
"Will you get married after leaving the palace?"
Mei Xiang chuckled. "What else can we women do if not marry?"
"Do you have someone you like, Sister Mei Xiang?"
Mei Xiang nodded, still smiling, but her smile carried a hint of bitterness. "I have a childhood sweetheart."
Before Li Zhu could respond, Xia'er, who was nearby, chimed in, "But you'll be twenty-five when you leave the palace. Will your childhood sweetheart wait for you?"
The truth was he wouldn't, but Mei Xiang insisted, "He will."
Unaware of the reality, Xia'er said with envy, "How wonderful! That man must really care for you!"
"I…"
Mei Xiang didn't know how to reply.
"Most men in this world are unreliable. It's already difficult for women to establish themselves in society. If we place all our hopes on men, we likely won't have a good ending."
"Li Zhu is right," Fanglan added, turning to Mei Xiang. "Mei Xiang, you'll be twenty-five when you leave the palace. Even if your fiancé truly cares for you, it's hard to expect him to wait."
"He will wait for me! I bought him a concubine. When I return, I'll sell her off!"
Mei Xiang blurted it out, shocking everyone except Li Zhu.
Xia'er was especially stunned, having just admired the supposed bond between them. "This… is absurd."
Who buys a concubine for their fiancé before even getting married?
Mei Xiang's eyes reddened, and she snapped in shame and anger, "What else could I do? Who would want a twenty-five-year-old spinster? Unlike other female officials or palace maids, I have no money or skills. Without him, I'd only be fit to become a stepmother after leaving the palace!"
Fanglan fell silent, and Xia'er had nothing more to say.
Because Mei Xiang was speaking not only for herself but for all of them.
And Li Zhu understood the reason behind Mei Xiang's stubbornness.
Only those truly in such a situation could empathize with her struggles.
But understanding did not mean agreement.
In Li Zhu's view, Mei Xiang's approach was highly unwise.
Unable to bear it, she added, "Sister Mei Xiang, people aren't unfeeling. After all these years, how could your fiancé and that concubine have no bond? When you return, will your fiancé truly agree to sell her off?"
"The deed to her is in my hands."
"They might already have children. Even if you can sell her, can you sell the child?"
"I…" Mei Xiang opened and closed her mouth, unable to refute.
Xia'er added, "Sister Mei Xiang, wouldn't you still end up as a stepmother? And that concubine's child might grow to resent you!"
Mei Xiang struggled to say, "He's different from other men. We at least have the bond of growing up together…"
"Bond? After ten years apart, everyone changes." Li Zhu shattered Mei Xiang's illusions once more.
"Then what should I do? What should I do?"
Mei Xiang collapsed onto the table, weeping bitterly. Li Zhu found it hard to listen.
Perhaps Mei Xiang didn't truly love her fiancé either. She simply couldn't control her own future and was desperately clinging to a lifeline.
The atmosphere in the room grew even more oppressive.
"Then hold onto the money in your hands. Money is a woman's foundation."
Li Zhu had no better answer either—this world was far too harsh on women.
Mei Xiang lifted her head. "But I have no silver."
"Then discuss with your fiancé about selling the maidservant's contract to him."
"Would… he buy it?" Mei Xiang wavered. That concubine had cost her twenty-five taels of silver!
"Perhaps? In my view, keeping silver in your own hands is best. Don't rely on men—sometimes even parents can't be counted on."
Li Zhu's words immediately gained everyone's agreement.
A strange light flashed in Fanglan's eyes as she thought that perhaps she too should leave herself a way out.
As it grew late, drowsiness crept over everyone.
Lying in bed, Li Zhu replayed and reflected on the day. She didn't know if she had done right—whether meddling in others' fates was correct.
Still, Li Zhu felt little regret.
After all, Mei Xiang had been truly kind to her. If a few words could help her escape her stubborn mindset, it wasn't a bad thing.
~~
Today repeated yesterday. Li Zhu went through the same motions: rising, dressing, washing up, and working!
Two days passed, and indeed, the Emperor did not return to Funing Palace.
Li Zhu gradually grew accustomed to the current meals and lodging. Each day she enjoyed listening to gossip about those around her, living quite cheerfully.
Just when Li Zhu thought it was time to finish work and eat, the Emperor returned!
"Welcome, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"
Kneeling on both knees, Li Zhu lowered her head, her thoughts wandering.
【So hungry~ I'll get to eat radish rice soon. Ah, no, no—we had radish yesterday. By rotation, it should be cabbage today.】
Li Shengyuan heard the voice again.
【Haven't had a bowel movement these two days! Could it be constipation? No! Tomorrow at the latrine, I must really push!】
Li Shengyuan confirmed he wasn't hallucinating. He carefully scanned his surroundings.
【Huh? Why hasn't he told us to rise yet?】
Li Zhu turned her head slightly, looking left and right.
【What's going on? My knees are sore from kneeling. Why hasn't he called for us to rise?】
Though puzzled, Li Zhu didn't dare look up.
Li Shengyuan had identified his target—he'd caught Li Zhu's slight head movement.
He slowly approached Li Zhu.
Ji An, confused, instinctively followed but was stopped by Li Shengyuan's raised hand.
The footsteps drew nearer. Li Zhu felt both curious and slightly anxious.
【The Emperor… he's walking over!? What does he want?】
Li Shengyuan stopped right in front of Li Zhu, who saw his black boots.
Li Zhu's heart nearly stopped. She absolutely didn't dare look up.
【Ahhh! Why did he stop here? Help!】
Li Shengyuan was certain—it was her!
He could hear this woman's thoughts!
A rare spark of interest ignited in Li Shengyuan.
"Look up."
On the verge of tears, Li Zhu stiffly raised her head.
The moment she looked up, Li Zhu was captivated by the man's bottomless eyes. A sense of danger washed over her, like a herbivore encountering a tiger.
But Li Zhu lacked an animal's sharp instincts, and she had nowhere to flee.
Finally breaking free from that dangerous gaze, Li Zhu had time to properly see Li Shengyuan's face.
His complexion was like cold jade, exquisitely carved by heaven—flawless. Yet it didn't appear feminine, instead radiating heroic handsomeness, noble restraint.
But why was there no familiar exclamation mark above the Emperor's head?
Ji An, standing nearby, was stunned. He never expected the Emperor to initiate a conversation with a stranger, let alone a woman!
Moreover, when did Funing Palace gain such an exceptionally beautiful woman!
Mei Xiang and Fanglan, among others, also broke into a cold sweat for Li Zhu. The gruesome death of the palace maid was still fresh in their minds!
Would the Emperor kill Li Zhu?
Li Zhu was merely beautiful—she hadn’t even tried to seduce the Emperor!