Sun Changzai’s embroidery soon appeared on the Emperor’s desk.
Xie Zhihang held it in his hand and examined it carefully: “We have never seen this pattern before.”
…
Sun Changzai excelled at embroidery and took great pride in it.
Before entering the palace, she had collected various embroideries from other regions, all featuring novel patterns unseen in the capital. She had even memorized the origins behind some designs and the local customs, preparing to showcase her talent and initiate conversation when the Emperor inquired.
For instance, there was one piece depicting jade hairpin flowers unique to Jiangnan. Legend had it that when the Queen Mother of the West and her celestial maidens feasted and celebrated at Yaochi, they drank too much Jade Liquor, causing their hair buns to come loose. The jade hairpins from their hair fell to the mortal world and transformed into flowers… Coincidentally, Sun Changzai adored wearing jade hairpins. She fantasized that after she finished recounting the tale with tender affection, the Emperor would personally remove her jade hairpin, letting her dark tresses cascade down—a scene she imagined would be exquisitely beautiful.
Of course, all these fantasies vanished after she entered the palace.
During her first night attending the Emperor, Sun Changzai only uttered two sentences: “Your humble consort pays respects to Your Majesty” and “Your humble consort takes leave.”
The second time, she still couldn’t muster the courage to speak with the Emperor, and it ended hastily.
The third time… there was no third time.
Sun Changzai occasionally brooded gloomily, thinking she might never have the chance to share the stories behind her embroidery patterns with the wise and mighty Emperor.
Her attempts to seek favor at the western side hall became known among the other palace consorts, who mocked her for it.
“She comes from a decent family, yet she doesn’t know how to be subtle.”
“The one she’s clinging to must have a remarkable temper to tolerate her daily visits without showing displeasure? Consort Xi even holds an official title, making her more esteemed than Sun Changzai.”
“Consort Xi’s maternal family isn’t prominent, so she doesn’t dare offend Sun Changzai, fearing it might bring trouble to her family.”
The harem was a place of jealousy and mockery. After ridiculing Sun Changzai, the consorts didn’t spare Yun Jiao either.
Looking down on her lowly origins, they gossiped without restraint, even saying to her face: “We thought a pheasant was about to fly up the branch, but it seems she lacks the fate for it.”
“And here we thought His Majesty treated her so differently,” Xu Guiren sneered.
“Mind your words,” Consort Wei chided her, then turned to Yun Jiao: “Consort Xi, you should be more mindful.”
Yun Jiao looked back: “Is Sister Consort Wei offering me pastries? Thank you, Sister Consort Wei.”
Consort Wei: “…”
She couldn’t very well explain herself further, so she had to agree to have her maid deliver two steamers of pastries to Xianfu Palace later.
After all, Consort Xi didn’t know better—she could just send some jujube cakes to brush her off.
But Yun Jiao continued: “I’ve never tasted pastries from a consort’s allotment before. It’s so kind of you, Sister, to let me try something new. You’re truly beautiful, kind-hearted, and generous.”
The beautiful, kind-hearted, and generous Consort Wei: …
Now she really couldn’t get away with sending jujube cakes.
Yun Jiao’s image as a beautiful fool was firmly established. Trying to outmaneuver her often led to trapping oneself, so the consorts redirected their amusement back to Sun Changzai. They also remarked that the western side hall was built like a sieve—eavesdropping was easy. Sun Changzai’s numerous gifts of embroidery to Yun Jiao couldn’t be hidden, and they mocked her, questioning what good it did to curry favor with Consort Xi.
“She’s young and new to the palace. How could she be foolish enough to promote someone else to share her favor?”
Sun Changzai’s prized embroidery was likely destined to sink like a stone into the sea.
The entire palace was watching Xianfu Palace become a laughingstock. When the morning greetings concluded, Li Pin returned alone in her sedan chair, unwilling to cast even a glance at the other two.
However, the unpredictable nature of life prevailed, as no one expected Chief Steward Yinglu from Weiyang Palace to visit Xianfu Palace again.
Li Pin hurried out to greet him, only to be met with emptiness once more.
Yinglu had come to see Sun Changzai, holding a box in his hand as he inquired, “Was this made by you, my lady?”
Sun Changzai’s face flushed crimson as she admitted it, then followed him to Weiyang Palace.
At this, none of the consorts and concubines in the palace could muster a laugh.
They were incredulous—could Consort Xi truly be such a fool?!
Yun Jiao was happily savoring the exquisite pastries sent by Consort Wei in the western side hall when Li Pin summoned her. Despite being the primary consort of the palace, Li Pin’s eyes were red-rimmed, clearly from crying, as she looked at Yun Jiao: “I have treated you well. Why would you rather help Sun Changzai than me?”
Yun Jiao was utterly wronged.
Heaven and earth could bear witness—her days consisted of eating, sleeping, waking for morning greetings, and returning to eat some more, settling early into a retired, leisurely pace. She would never claim to be idling like a salted fish only to dart around the rear palace, triggering random encounters and running into various princes and generals.
“Me…?”
She pointed at herself with her index finger, a look of bewilderment on her face.
“Stop feigning ignorance,” Li Pin gazed at her resentfully. “Enough! You may go. In any case, I no longer expect anything from you. From now on, let Sun Changzai protect you, and don’t come to me if anything happens!”
With that, Yun Jiao was politely escorted out by the main hall’s palace maid.
Xue Ya, who had been waiting outside, quickly stepped forward to support her mistress. “My lady, did Li Pin bully you?”
The main hall’s maid, who hadn’t gone far, overheard this with sharp ears and turned back indignantly. “Our mistress was reduced to tears by your Consort Xi. How would we dare bully her?” With that, she spun around and left. Indeed, faint, aggrieved sobs could be heard from the main hall.
Thinking it over, it made sense—Li Pin mistakenly believed Sun Changzai had been recommended by Yun Jiao, proof that Yun Jiao had influence before the Emperor. Aside from futile rage, Li Pin dared take no other action.
Yun Jiao was completely baffled.
Then, looking at Xue Ya, who gazed at her with admiration, it was clear she regarded Yun Jiao as a master of palace intrigue.
Xue Ya asked, “Mistress, what should we do next?”
“Um…” Yun Jiao thought for a moment. “Go back and finish the pastries Consort Wei gave me.”
What did any of this have to do with her?!
Meanwhile, Sun Changzai, who had been brought to Weiyang Palace, knelt on the floor. A cold gaze pressed down on her from above, leaving no room for delusion. Before arriving, her heart had swelled with excitement, inwardly laughing at Consort Xi’s foolishness for giving her the chance to borrow her influence and climb to favor on her back.
But all of that vanished like smoke when she faced the Emperor.
This was the norm for those serving in the palace—before Xie Zhihang, there was only the distinction between ruler and subject.
“Your humble consort pays respects to the Emperor.”
Xie Zhihang set down his vermilion brush. “Are you and Consort Xi very close?”
The question sent a tremble through Sun Changzai’s body.
“Replying to Your Majesty, this consort often visits Consort Xi’s chambers. We are as close as sisters.” Sun Changzai’s heart felt as if it would leap out of her throat. She relied entirely on the ingrained etiquette of her noble upbringing to keep from collapsing. Fearful, she thought to seek mercy through Yun Jiao, hoping the Emperor might show leniency for her sake.
Then, she heard the words she had dreamed of since entering the palace:
“Tell Us about the meaning behind these embroidery patterns.”
But immediately after, Xie Zhihang’s voice turned icy:
“Confess truthfully, and you may return after you’ve finished.”
“If your account is unsatisfactory, you may repeat it at the Office of Prudence and Punishment.”
In truth, he didn’t trust anyone else to handle this case.
Thus, Sun Changzai trembled under the Emperor’s imposing presence, reporting until late into the night. Xie Zhihang frequently interrupted her, repeatedly questioning details to ensure she spoke the truth.
“What mountain is embroidered on this piece?”
“Your Majesty, it depicts the scenery of Mount Tai.”
“Is that so? But earlier you mentioned Mount Heng. Think carefully—which is the truth?”
Only Yinglu attended to him during this process.
The Chief Eunuch watched in astonishment.
All because of Consort Xi, the Emperor personally interrogated with the intensity reserved for major criminals!
Of course, this was from the perspective of the Emperor’s trusted eunuch.
But from the viewpoint of the entire Weiyang Palace, and even the whole imperial harem…
The Emperor had summoned Sun Changzai, and the lights weren’t extinguished until the early hours of the morning!
The next day, Sun Changzai couldn’t get out of bed and sent someone early to request leave from the Empress.
The Empress was furious, believing Sun Changzai was growing arrogant from favor, and directly rejected her sick leave request. Supported by two palace maids, Sun Changzai tremblingly made her way to Jianzhang Palace. Her face was pale, she could barely stand, and during her greetings, she even collapsed to the ground—her demeanor seemed genuine.
“What is the meaning of this, Sun Changzai?”
“Your Majesty, this concubine didn’t do it intentionally. I truly cannot stand any longer.”
Sun Changzai spoke weakly, her voice hoarse, immediately sparking various speculations among the consorts.
Yun Jiao, standing nearby, was thoroughly enjoying the drama but received many jealous and pitying glances.
The jealousy was for recommending Sun Changzai instead of themselves.
The pity was for her apparent foolishness.
The Empress grew even angrier: “No matter how much you seek the Emperor’s favor, you must consider his health. You’ve always been well-mannered and are not new here. How could you lose your composure over temporary favor today?”
“Your Majesty, this concubine…”
Sun Changzai dared not voice her resentment.
Shufei covered her mouth with a delicate laugh: “Since Sun Changzai claims nothing happened, why not bring the Register of Palace Affairs? One look will reveal the truth.”
The Register recorded the Emperor’s daily activities and intimate affairs within the palace, including sexual encounters.
The Empress detested Sun Changzai’s affected demeanor and actually had the register brought, intending to find grounds to revoke her Jade Token and place her under house arrest.
When Donghua brought the register, her expression changed slightly.
The Empress glanced over and ordered it brought to her. To her surprise, there was no record of any activity from the previous night.
Then what had kept them busy until the early morning?
Perhaps too shocked, the Empress couldn’t immediately decide on punishment. Her mood shifted from foul to fair upon learning they hadn’t been intimate, and she eventually dismissed the matter against Sun Changzai. Listlessly, she dismissed all the consorts.
Yun Jiao departed routinely. Li Pin, as usual, didn’t wait for her.
The physically battered but determined Sun Changzai struggled to approach. Enduring knee pain, she remembered the Emperor’s command—not a word about last night’s events was to be revealed. “Aren’t you and Consort Xi as close as sisters? After returning, you must maintain your usual friendship with Consort Xi.”
As! Close! As! Sisters!
She made that up!
“Sister Xi…”
Yun Jiao turned back: “Didn’t you say you wouldn’t call me that anymore?”
Sun Changzai forced a smile: “Actually, I lacked paternal affection since childhood, and I’ve been wanting a sworn father too, sister.”