After the incident of falling into the imperial lake that day, the palace immediately launched a thorough investigation and quickly identified the palace servant who had accidentally knocked her into the water.
The servant knelt in terror, repeatedly kowtowing and pleading that it was an unintentional mistake caused by slipping and panicking. After the incident, overwhelmed by fear and dread of punishment, they had hidden away and dared not show themselves.
Emperor Jing, considering that it was not a deliberate act of harm but rather carelessness and cowardice, did not impose severe punishment. Instead, he ordered a flogging, a reduction in salary, and demotion to menial labor in the cold palace departments as a minor punishment and warning to quell palace gossip and serve as a cautionary example.
The storm seemed to pass lightly, but the chill and schemes had already quietly taken root.
During these seven days of quiet recuperation, Tang Jinyan isolated herself from the outside world, free from disturbances. Day and night, she immersed herself in memories of the past—regrets, obsessions, bitterness, and resentments from her previous life surged and settled in her heart, growing clearer and more profound.
In her past life, she was trapped by love, her heart and eyes filled only with Chu Moqing. She stubbornly begged her Imperial Father to appoint him as her Fuma, and from then on, she confined herself within the walls of the Gongzhufu, ignoring court affairs and palace politics. She spent her days confined to that small world, living in isolation and confusion.
The intrigues of the inner palace, the power struggles of the court, and the shifts in imperial authority—she knew nothing of them and asked no questions, becoming the most carefree yet ignorant golden canary.
She only remembered that after her Imperial Father’s sudden passing, her Second Imperial Brother ascended the throne as the Crown Prince, but his path to the throne was fraught with thorns and far from smooth.
Her Seventh Imperial Brother, whose birth mother was the low-ranking Consort Yi, had long conspired with factions and plotted in secret. After their Imperial Father’s death, he suddenly launched an attack, nearly usurping the throne. It was only through immense effort that her Second Imperial Brother barely stabilized his rule, making his ascension to the throne extremely difficult.
As for her mother, the Empress, under the successive blows of her Imperial Father’s death and the princes’ struggle for succession, she fell gravely ill from anxiety. She barely survived until her Second Imperial Brother ascended the throne and assumed the position of Empress Dowager, but she enjoyed only a few days of peace before passing away hastily amidst endless worries and exhaustion.
Whenever she thought of this, Tang Jinyan’s heart ached with a dense, piercing pain, and her eyes grew unbearably hot.
In her previous life, she had long since moved out of the imperial palace, established her own Gongzhufu, and completely distanced herself from the center of power. That heart-stopping palace coup, which nearly rewrote the course of the court, remained entirely hidden from her from beginning to end. She only learned of the final outcome.
She hadn’t even been able to stay by her Imperial Father’s side when he passed away or when her mother fell gravely ill, let alone share her brother’s burdens or ease her mother’s worries.
She had wasted her life, trapped in trivial romantic affairs. Not only did she hinder Chu Moqing’s promising career, but she also failed to protect her closest loved ones. She watched helplessly as her Imperial Father passed away, her mother died prematurely, and her brother struggled, yet she remained aloof and accomplished nothing.
In this new life, she had long resolved not to cling to the hopeless love of her past. She would let Chu Moqing break free from the shackles of being a Fuma, allowing him to pursue the career he yearned for and fulfill his aspirations for the nation.
But was that enough?
She abruptly opened her eyes, the former naivety and softness in her gaze replaced by a clarity and determination she had never known before.
She was the legitimate Princess born of the Empress, Princess Zhaoyuan. In this life, she would not only fulfill Chu Moqing’s wishes but also protect her dearest loved ones.
In her past life, her Imperial Father had passed away suddenly. The imperial physicians reported in their final moments that it was due to accumulated exhaustion and excessive strain on his heart and mind, which ultimately overwhelmed his imperial body.
In those days, she often stayed at the Gongzhufu, unaware of even her Imperial Father's daily toils, let alone fulfilling any filial duties. Looking back now, her heart was filled with belated guilt and remorse.
At this thought, Tang Jinyan hesitated no longer. She lifted her gaze to Xiaoxi, who was standing guard in the hall, and spoke in a steady, decisive tone, devoid of her usual languor: "Xiaoxi, go to the small kitchen and deliver my order. Have them prepare a pot of the finest ginseng soup—warm, mellow, and nourishing. Remember to simmer it over a slow fire so as not to lose its medicinal properties."
"Yes, Your Highness," Xiaoxi replied with a bow, then quickly retreated without a moment's delay.
The sun gradually shifted, its warm light filtering through the carved window lattices in the corridor, casting dappled shadows.
Tang Jinyan changed into an elegant yet dignified light pink silk dress, her long hair simply tied up and adorned with only a plain jade hairpin.
Holding the gilded celadon soup pot herself, she walked softly to the door of the Imperial Study. Eunuch An, standing guard outside, saw the Princess and immediately bowed in greeting.
"Your Highness the Princess, what brings you here?"
"I heard that Imperial Father has been reviewing memorials day and night, tirelessly attending to state affairs. Fearing it might drain his spirit, I specially had the small kitchen prepare a warm, mellow ginseng soup to nourish his health."
Upon hearing this, Eunuch An's smile deepened, and he quickly stepped aside. "His Majesty is inside reviewing memorials. This old servant will announce you at once."
Before long, Emperor Jing's gentle voice came from within the hall: "Let Yan'er come in."
Tang Jinyan entered softly, holding the soup pot. As she looked up, she saw Emperor Jing set down his vermilion brush and gaze at her with a gentle smile, the weariness from reviewing memorials seeming to fade slightly.
Her eyes drifted to the side of the hall, where she noticed a figure in a blue robe seated calmly behind a pearwood desk.
Chu Moqing was looking down, carefully examining the documents on the desk. His fingers, holding the brush, were long and clean, and the ink strokes on the paper were neat and orderly.
Upon hearing the Emperor summon the Princess, he finally lifted his head slightly. As their eyes met, Tang Jinyan felt an almost imperceptible flutter in her heart.
In the next moment, he rose without hesitation.
The blue robe stood up, his posture as straight and dignified as a pine tree. He calmly clasped his hands and bowed, his salute proper and respectful, yet not exceeding the bounds of propriety—carrying the duty and reverence of a subject toward a princess.
"This humble official pays his respects to Princess Zhaoyuan."
Tang Jinyan unconsciously paused her steps, a flicker of flustered avoidance flashing in her eyes, yet she had no choice but to maintain her princessly demeanor.
"Minister Chu, you may rise."
Emperor Jing looked at his daughter and asked, "Yan'er, what brings you to my Imperial Study today?"
Tang Jinyan quickly suppressed the turmoil in her heart. Holding the soup pot, she stepped forward and gently placed the ginseng soup on one side of the Emperor's desk, replying softly, "Yan'er noticed that Imperial Father has been tirelessly attending to state affairs every day, so I came specially to bring you a pot of ginseng soup to replenish your energy."
Emperor Jing looked at the steaming ginseng soup on the desk, his eyes growing warmer with amusement. His tone carried a hint of affectionate teasing: "I have been busy with court affairs these past few days and have neglected you. Are you perhaps blaming me for not visiting you?"
Tang Jinyan quickly shook her head gently and replied softly, "Imperial Father, you jest. How could I blame you? I merely heard of your continuous toils and felt uneasy, hoping only that Imperial Father would take good care of your royal health and not overexert yourself."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Jing lightly tapped the desk with his fingertips, then glanced at Chu Moqing standing nearby. His smile deepened, and his tone carried a note of approval: "Rest assured, ever since Minister Chu began serving in the Imperial Study, assisting me in organizing memorials, drafting summaries, and clarifying administrative matters, I have found my workload much lighter."
Tang Jinyan followed her Imperial Father's gaze toward Chu Moqing.
Chu Moqing stood with his head bowed. "Your Majesty flatters me. It is my duty to share your burdens."
Emperor Jing waved his hand with a smile, his gaze growing even gentler as he looked at Tang Jinyan. "See? Young as he is, he is steadier and more composed than many seasoned ministers. With such talent in the court, I can rest much easier."
Tang Jinyan lowered her eyes slightly, concealing the turmoil within, and replied softly, "Imperial Father has a discerning eye for talent. It is a blessing for Great Jing."
In her past life, it was she who had personally confined such a remarkable talent within the walls of the Gongzhufu, wasting his profound knowledge and soaring ambitions.