Here, Zheng Shiyao left Phoenix Sun Palace and sat in her palanquin, her face full of displeasure. “Last night, the newly appointed consorts could serve the Emperor, and the first favor was taken by the Empress’s person. Today, my person ended up with a ruined face and madness, cast into the cold palace. Seeing the Empress’s smug expression infuriates me.”
The maids Hong Ling and Hong Jian accompanied her on either side. Hong Ling looked up at her mistress and said, “Your Highness, don’t be angry. It’s just the first among the new consorts to receive favor. Not to mention she’s merely a newcomer—even the Empress, in terms of the Emperor’s favor, doesn’t compare to half of what you have.”
Hong Jian chimed in agreement, “Your Highness, Hong Ling is right. In the Imperial Harem, who can rival Your Highness in the Emperor’s favor? As for Wei Meiren, in the end, it was her own lack of competence. There’s more than just her among the new consorts who entered the palace this time. Your Highness need not waste energy on this.”
Zheng Shiyao found these words very pleasing, and her heart felt considerably soothed. However, regarding the matter of Wei Meiren, although the Imperial Hospital’s explanation was largely consistent—attributing it to Wei Meiren’s own blind ignorance leading to the mishap—she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was being concealed behind the scenes.
Well, for now, it would have to do.
…
Imperial Study, inside the hall.
Xuan Yuan Che sat upright before the Dragon Throne Desk. After hearing the report from the Empress’s messenger and dismissing them, he picked up another Official Document, took up his brush to review it, and curled his lips into a faint smile. Casually, he asked, “Li Mo, regarding Wei Meiren’s incident, whose doing do you think it was?”
At these words, Li Mo’s motion of grinding ink halted instantly. He bowed and stood to the side, lowering his head as he replied, “Your Majesty, this servant does not know.”
Xuan Yuan Che said lightly, “Grind the ink.”
Li Mo immediately responded with “Yes,” not daring to slacken in the slightest.
Simultaneously, a figure quietly emerged from the shadows.
Xuan Yuan Che’s gaze swept over the person before him. “Have you investigated clearly?”
Feng Ying reported truthfully, “Replying to Your Majesty, this subordinate has ascertained that the medicine Wei Meiren used on her face had no issues. In reality, someone tampered with it covertly. With the same dosage, under specific methods, the potency of the medicine could increase severalfold or even tenfold. This led the imperial physicians to diagnose that Wei Meiren’s condition was caused by excessive stimulation from the medicine.”
Xuan Yuan Che set down the memorial he was reviewing and looked at Feng Ying. “Last night, you said there were no unusual movements in the various palaces, except that in her palace, someone was moving about in the dark.”
Feng Ying explained respectfully, “Yes, but that person was extremely skilled at concealment. The moment my subordinates tried to follow, the person had already vanished without a trace. Your Majesty instructed that under no circumstances should Consort Chen be disturbed, hence this subordinate did not conduct a thorough investigation into Yuehua Palace.”
Xuan Yuan Che gave a soft “Hmm” and said, “You and the Blood Shadow Guard have done well. Keep a close watch on every move in the imperial court and the Imperial Harem for me.”
Feng Ying knelt and kowtowed. “This subordinate’s life was given by Your Majesty. Whatever Your Majesty commands, this subordinate will spare no effort to accomplish, ensuring not to disappoint Your Majesty.”
Xuan Yuan Che: “You may withdraw for now.”
Feng Ying: “Yes, this subordinate takes his leave.”
In the blink of an eye, it was already time for the midday meal.
Xuan Yuan Che had been reviewing memorials all morning. After having his meal, he left the Imperial Study and strolled to the imperial garden to aid his digestion.
Li Mo and a few accompanying palace attendants followed quietly behind the Emperor. Before long, they arrived near Yuehua Palace. Stirred by a thought, Li Mo reminded from the side, “Your Majesty, we’ve reached Consort Chen’s Yuehua Palace ahead. The imperial physicians mentioned Consort Chen is unwell. Would Your Majesty like to visit her?”
Xuan Yuan Che glanced at Li Mo and said, “Since we’re already here, let’s go in for a look.”
Li Mo replied, “Understood. This servant will go announce your arrival.”
Xuan Yuan Che stopped him, saying, “No need for announcements.”
Li Mo naturally complied.
Thereupon, Xuan Yuan Che strode directly through the main entrance into Yuehua Palace.
Yuehua Palace was serene and elegant. From the very beginning, Xuan Yuan Che had intended for her to reside here alone once she entered the palace.
As Xuan Yuan Che stepped into the palace grounds, he had taken only a few steps and not yet entered the main hall when his footsteps abruptly halted.
He saw a woman resting on a rocking chair beside an osmanthus tree in the courtyard. Dressed in a moon-white palace gown, she appeared refined and ethereal. Her dark hair was simply tied up and secured with a single white jade plum blossom hairpin, devoid of any extra adornments or makeup.
She slept peacefully there, her delicate beauty fully displayed, like a lotus emerging from clear water—naturally sculpted without artifice.
Xuan Yuan Che’s gaze remained fixed on the figure not far away. Whenever and wherever he saw her, she captivated him utterly.
He approached slowly and noticed a few osmanthus blossoms from the tree had fallen onto her. The fresh, sweet fragrance of osmanthus seemed to cling to her, exuding a unique elegance that made it easy for one to become entranced.
Seeing Consort Chen up close like this, Li Mo finally understood what true, peerless beauty meant—the kind that could topple cities and captivate nations. Even Noble Consort Lan, renowned as the capital’s top beauty, paled in comparison. No wonder the Emperor was so enchanted. Observing the Emperor’s demeanor, Li Mo knew exactly what to do. He quietly withdrew and instructed others to ensure no one approached to disturb them.
The surroundings grew utterly tranquil.
Although Qin Shu had been reborn into a new life, she retained her habit from her previous existence of never sleeping too soundly. Even with her eyes closed, she remained aware of her surroundings.
Instinctively, Qin Shu’s eyes snapped open, only to be startled by the person who had entered her line of sight.
After all, the bright yellow dragon robe alone was enough to signify his identity—this was the current Emperor, Xuan Yuan Che.
Qin Shu had thought that after her earlier act, which led the Empress to have her name plaque hung by the Office of Imperial Affairs, she wouldn’t meet Xuan Yuan Che so soon. To her surprise, less than two days had passed, and here he was.
During the Palace Selection, she hadn’t gotten a clear look at his appearance, but now she saw him distinctly. She had to admit, the rumors held true.
Before entering the palace, she had compared Xuan Yuan Che’s looks to those of her three older brothers. Seeing him in person, she had to concede that Xuan Yuan Che’s appearance was slightly superior.
She muttered inwardly: This damned emperor is really good-looking.
Snapping back to reality, Qin Shu immediately let out a couple of weak coughs. Propping herself up, she feigned a frail and feeble demeanor, rising from the rocking chair. Then, she bowed to the man before her. “Your humble consort pays respects to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be blessed with fortune and peace.”
Qin Shu could keenly feel Xuan Yuan Che’s gaze enveloping her. Had she been exposed? Did Xuan Yuan Che see through her pretense of illness?
That shouldn’t be right. Even though she hadn’t deliberately applied a sickly makeup today, anyone seeing her for the first time—unless they knew her well—would assume she belonged to the category of delicate young ladies from inner chambers. None of the renowned physicians from before had noticed anything amiss. Could this fellow have seen through her at first glance?
Xuan Yuan Che stepped forward, helped Qin Shu up, and seated her in a nearby rocking chair. With a gentle smile, he stroked her cheek with his fingers and said, “My beloved consort is truly delicate and evokes pity.”