Although she had saved her progress, Yun Jiao didn’t head to popular spots like the Imperial Garden.
She chose secluded paths where imperial consorts rarely wandered, as these were unlikely places for chance encounters with the Emperor. Anyone she might meet here would likely be like her—unambitious and peace-seeking. After admiring the lake view for a while, Yun Jiao entered the Zhuchun Woods, where she faintly heard voices. Listening carefully, she discerned a woman speaking.
“I have shown you favor multiple times, yet you continually disappoint me.”
“Do you know? Every time our family writes urging me to recommend you to the Emperor, I want to tear the letters to shreds and pretend I never saw them… But I cannot be so selfish. I must consider the Ji family’s interests.”
The woman possessed an exceptionally melodious voice.
Even the coldest words, when spoken by her, inexplicably carried a touch of tender affection.
“Miss!”
Xue Ya whispered urgently, tugging at her mistress’s sleeve.
The only person in the palace who referred to herself as “This Palace” and bore the surname Ji was—
Lady Shufei of Yanxi Palace, the Emperor’s cousin, the legitimate daughter of the Ji family, and Consort Ji’s elder sister.
“Shufei has always valued her reputation and rarely punishes others. Who would have thought she’d be so harsh to her half-sister… This place is seldom visited, Miss. It would be best to leave quickly.”
Yun Jiao hadn’t immediately recognized the voice of this influential figure in the harem, partly because Shufei had never acknowledged her existence, and partly because Shufei seldom spoke during morning greetings, often resting her cheek on her hand while sipping tea, usually ignoring even the Empress. Now, reminded by Xue Ya, she recalled who it was and hesitated over whether to slip away quietly—while she disliked provoking trouble, stumbling upon unexpected drama made her eager to witness the spectacle!
As she wavered, another woman’s voice chimed in: “This concubine is willing to heed elder sister’s guidance and follow your wishes in all matters.”
Yun Jiao recognized this artificially aloof voice.
After all, this was the “wealth-bringing child” who had earned her a hundred taels of silver back at Chu Xiu Palace.
“Are you truly willing to listen?” Shufei asked.
“As long as elder sister is appeased, this concubine will obey without question.”
“Excellent, very good,” Shufei chuckled lightly, sounding pleased. “Jump down here, and I will rescue you shortly. This will earn me a reputation for selflessly saving my sister, while you can garner the Emperor’s pity.”
Holy crap!
Yun Jiao had only intended to eavesdrop on some sisterly drama, but it had turned into a conspiracy scene.
Silence fell within.
“Elder sister, winter is approaching… I don’t know how to swim…”
Consort Ji’s voice trembled slightly, devoid of the aloof tone she had used at Chu Xiu Palace, leaving only pleading.
“Not knowing how to swim is even better—it will seem more genuine. The Emperor has a sharp eye and detests falseness,” Shufei’s words brimmed with cheerful laughter. “Alright, go on. I will remember to pull you out.”
Witnessing the crime scene, Yun Jiao’s heart warred with itself.
As a modern youth raised under the Five-Starred Red Flag, it was everyone’s duty to prevent crimes.
But from a modern perspective, Shufei was the absolute superior, the management, while she was a low-level employee. Interfering with a leader’s actions would be meddling… Of course, all these rationalizations boiled down to one thing: she was a bit scared.
“No, elder sister, please…”
As Consort Ji’s pleas echoed, Yun Jiao felt her head buzz briefly as adrenaline briefly took over.
Xue Ya had said Shufei cared deeply about her reputation.
Shufei dared to act this way precisely because she believed no one was around.
Then she would be the witness.
“Wow, it’s so tranquil here, and the scenery is absolutely beautiful!!!!”
Yun Jiao exclaimed loudly to make her presence known while quickly walking toward the source of the sound.
But she walked too hastily and tripped again.
Not far away, a burly eunuch was grabbing Consort Ji’s hand, about to push her into the lake. Just as he was about to succeed, the four of them saw a fluffy ball roll on the ground.
The fluffy ball let out a hiss and struggled to stand up.
Recognizing it was Consort Xi, who had been making waves recently, Shufei narrowed her beautiful eyes.
“Your humble consort… pays respects to Lady Shufei.”
Yun Jiao staggered to her feet and bowed to Shufei.
She was betting that Shufei would restrain herself in front of outsiders.
If not, she would reload and try another way to save Consort Ji.
Even though she knew she had the ability to reload, Yun Jiao’s heart slowly rose, unable to settle. The surroundings were extremely quiet, with only the faint sound of her steps on the dry leaves. Human nature was sometimes so peculiar—she never liked superhero movies. Back when she was so ill that even strenuous exercise was forbidden, doctors had prohibited her from watching tear-jerking films because extreme emotions were also considered strenuous for her heart. Yet those superheroes could fly and leap everywhere, and she envied them openly.
Though she had no hero complex, she couldn’t stand by and watch an innocent young girl get harmed. What she feared more was that today’s indifference would turn her into a truly cold-hearted monster—
Once, her heart had needed a pacemaker to beat steadily.
Now it was racing wildly because she was standing up for what was right.
“Consort Xi, what a coincidence.”
Dark clouds obscured the sun, casting a shadow over Shufei’s beautiful face.
Time seemed to slow down abruptly.
Tick, tock.
A relief-carved gold pocket watch, a Western item bestowed by the emperor, appeared in Shufei’s hand. She glanced at the time and said amiably to Yun Jiao, “It’s getting late. Since Consort Xi is here, why not accompany my sister to enjoy the scenery on my behalf?”
Yun Jiao had no idea what intricate thoughts were running through Shufei’s mind at that moment. Her life experience was still limited, having mostly interacted with angels in white who healed the wounded and rescued the dying. She said, “Farewell, Lady Shufei,” and watched the light purple figure depart gracefully. When she turned back, she was startled by Consort Ji’s complexion.
Consort Ji’s face was pale, with sweat beading on her forehead and neck, as if she had just been pulled out of water.
“Uh…”
Yun Jiao took a step back. “Please don’t die in front of me. With Shufei gone, there’d be no witness.”
Consort Ji: …
After a pause, she said, “I’m fine, just a bit hot.”
In late autumn, almost winter, and she claimed to be hot.
Yun Jiao tugged at her own collar. “Uh-huh, you’re so angry at your sister that you’re burning up. Liver deficiency with fiery excess—I get it.”
After all these days, Consort Ji still didn’t really want to engage with her. Lately, everyone had been comparing Yun Jiao to her, mocking her—a noble Ji girl with Shufei’s backing, yet outshone by a Consort Xi with no connections. But she never expected that Consort Xi would rush out without hesitation to help her.
Consort Ji asked, “Did you come specifically to save me?”
Yun Jiao denied it. “I was just passing by. I don’t even know what happened between you. Don’t let Shufei come back to silence me later.”
Consort Ji fell silent again.
She gazed at Yun Jiao’s innocent and carefree face, feeling deeply moved and nearly shedding tears: “Shufei speaks so nobly, claiming to recommend me for the Ji family’s benefit, but in truth, she’s been in the palace for years without conceiving. She wants to borrow my womb to bear a child, then snatch my own flesh and blood away.”
Yun Jiao: “Shufei is quite confident.”
Consort Ji: “The harem is treacherous, and all the Ji family’s connections in the palace are under her control. She has the confidence that I dare not defy.”
Yun Jiao shook her head: “No, I mean how can she be so sure you’ll be able to conceive?”
…
Consort Ji looked at Xue Ya behind Yun Jiao: “Does your mistress always speak like this?”