Within the imperial palace, the night was deep and quiet, with only the lanterns still brightly lit.
A dark shadow swept across the night sky, leaving not a single trace as it vanished without a sound.
Inside Yuehua Palace.
Qin Shu sat by the window, gazing at the silver moon hanging high in the sky. The bright moonlight poured down, casting a unique charm over the palace scenery.
If she weren’t in the palace but in her own residence, she imagined her mood for moon-viewing would be even better.
She wondered if she would ever have the chance to leave the palace and admire the moon under the vast sky outside.
As her thoughts drifted, she heard Xin Lian’s voice beside her.
Xin Lian stood to the side and said softly, “Your Highness, the matter you instructed has been taken care of.”
Qin Shu snapped back to reality and turned to look at Xin Lian. “Very well, you may retire and rest. Let Xin Yi attend to me here.”
Xin Lian: “Yes, I take my leave.”
Not long after, Xin Yi reminded her, “Your Highness, it’s getting late. Allow me to assist you in retiring for the night.”
Qin Shu said nothing more. She rose and went to the dressing table, where Xin Yi removed her makeup and hairpins. Afterward, she lay down to sleep.
The next morning, the sky outside was already bright.
Qin Shu got up, washed and dressed simply, then went to the outer chamber for breakfast.
Her persona as a frail and sickly woman worked quite well in the palace. She didn’t have to rise before dawn to pay respects to the Empress—what a relief! Otherwise, having to greet her morning and evening every day would have been utterly tiresome.
As for whether she served the Emperor or gained his favor, what did it matter to her? As long as those other women didn’t provoke her, she was content to stay quietly in Yuehua Palace, enjoying her peace and freedom.
Just then, Cao Chang hurried in and respectfully addressed the person seated at the dining table, “Your Highness.”
Seeing this, Xin Lian immediately asked, “Eunuch Cao, what urgent matter brings you here? Her Highness is having her meal.”
“Forgive me, Your Highness. I did not mean to intrude.” Cao Chang bowed his head nervously and reported truthfully, “Your Highness, it’s about Wei Meiren. This morning, when she woke up, her face had completely festered overnight. She fainted on the spot. After the imperial physician examined her, he said her face could not be restored to its original state. When Wei Meiren woke and learned of her condition, she fell into a frenzy, lost her senses, and went mad.”
Upon hearing this, Qin Shu showed no concern. She continued calmly eating the plain congee in her hand.
Xin Lian and Xin Yi exchanged a glance. Xin Yi said indifferently, “A mere ‘Beauty’ has gone mad—is that worth Eunuch Cao’s solemn report?”
Cao Chang cautiously observed Consort Chen, as if she had already known about Wei Meiren’s misfortune? Come to think of it, Wei Meiren had been punished yesterday for offending Consort Chen with her words. Could it be that behind this…
Cao Chang dared not dwell on the matter further, nor did he dare to connect it to the person before him. He quickly replied, “You misunderstand, Miss Xin Yi. As the chief eunuch of Yuehua Palace, serving Consort Chen, it is my duty to keep an eye on all matters within and outside the palace.”
Qin Shu was in no hurry to speak. She set down the jade bowl in her hand.
Seeing this, Xin Lian promptly offered tea, while Xin Yi stood by holding the rinsing basin. After Qin Shu rinsed her mouth, she summoned the maid carrying the washbasin to assist her in washing her hands.
Once everything was in order, Xin Lian then presented the tea for her to drink.
Qin Shu took a sip of the fragrant tea in her hand, glanced at Cao Chang, and said with a smile, “Eunuch Cao, your thoughtfulness is noted. I understand Xin Yi’s words carried no blame, so there’s no need for you to take it to heart.”
Cao Chang immediately replied, “Your Highness flatters me. What Miss Xin Yi said is correct—it was this servant’s failure to gauge the situation properly. A mere ‘Beauty Wei,’ no matter how urgent her matter, should never have troubled Your Highness with it.”
Qin Shu said, “As long as you understand, that’s enough. If there’s nothing else, you may withdraw.”
Cao Chang: “Yes.”
Qin Shu leisurely sipped her tea. As for this Wei Meiren, she hadn’t given her a second thought—she was nothing but an ant, easily crushed with a casual arrangement, utterly insignificant.
…
Inside the Phoenix Sun Palace.
Wang Wan Ning looked at Noble Consort Lan and sighed sorrowfully, “The imperial physician reported that Wei Meiren was too eager to restore her face. She didn’t follow the doctor’s instructions for the facial medicine and privately increased the dosage. Instead of healing the wounds on her face, her skin couldn’t withstand the potency of the medicine, causing it to fester. Had I known this would happen, I should have stepped in yesterday when you punished her, to comfort you, Sister Consort Chen, and persuade you to deal with Wei Meiren more leniently.”
Zheng Shiyao observed the Empress’s hypocritical demeanor with disdain in her eyes, yet she couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to Wei Meiren’s disfigurement. However, the imperial physicians had all stated that Wei Meiren overdosed on the medicine, and with Wei Meiren now insane, there was no way to investigate further. “Then, in Your Majesty’s opinion, how should Wei Meiren be handled from here?”
Wang Wan Ning said, “According to the imperial physicians, even a deity couldn’t reverse Wei Meiren’s condition. Even if she recovers, her face will be covered in scars—it’s utterly ruined. Moreover, she’s now deranged. Since the Pear Blossom Palace also houses Lady Zhao, it would be inappropriate to let a madwoman reside in the same palace as her. I’ve decided to have her sent to the Cold Palace. Sister, do you think this arrangement is suitable?”
“Since Your Majesty has made a decision, this subject naturally has nothing to object to,” Zheng Shiyao responded, rising to perfunctorily curtsy to the Empress. “With this matter settled, I shall take my leave.”
Ling Qian, the maid standing beside the Empress, watched as Noble Consort Lan exited the Phoenix Sun Palace and whispered quietly, “Your Majesty, although the imperial physicians have reached a consensus on Wei Meiren’s case, she was punished yesterday because of Consort Chen. In just one night, Wei Meiren has been completely ruined. Could there be something more to this? Might it be connected?”
Ling Xi, the maid standing on the other side of the Empress, pondered and said, “It shouldn’t be. Not only has Consort Chen just entered the palace and lacks any foundation here, but this morning, all the physicians from the Imperial Hospital gave nearly identical explanations for Wei Meiren’s condition. Everything aligns seamlessly—it’s unlikely that Consort Chen could have conspired with all of them. Most importantly, Consort Chen is so frail—how could she possibly have the energy to scheme so extensively behind the scenes?”
Wang Wan Ning smiled faintly and said, “Enough, there’s no need to speculate further. It’s Noble Consort Lan’s person who’s been harmed. Whether there’s any connection or not, it’s her headache to deal with.”
Ling Qian and Ling Xi: “Yes.”
Wang Wan Ning then added, “Eunuch Gao, report the matter of Wei Meiren truthfully to His Majesty.”
Eunuch Gao bowed and said, “Yes.”