Pei Zhen remained by the bedside as always. Unlike the previous days when he had not slept at all, now that he was certain Chu Shengsheng had woken up and was sleeping peacefully, he finally relaxed. Exhaustion washed over him instantly. He held her hand tightly in his, rested his head against the bedpost, and gradually fell asleep.
Because he planned to enter the palace to see the Emperor, he woke up early. First, he checked on the condition of the person in bed. Seeing her sleeping soundly, he could not bear to disturb her.
So he waited patiently, not moving.
It was not until the sky was fully bright that movement came from the bed.
“Awake?”
Chu Shengsheng opened her eyes and, hearing the man’s voice, nodded and said, “Mm.”
“Your Highness… didn’t sleep last night?”
She was somewhat surprised to see him as soon as she opened her eyes. Noticing he was in the same position and posture as before she fell asleep yesterday, she couldn’t help but pause and ask.
“I slept for a while.”
Pei Zhen quickly brushed past the topic, reached out to tuck her blanket in gently, and said softly,
“I will go to the palace shortly to see Father Emperor. I’ll return soon. You rest well and stay lying down.”
“I have already instructed the small kitchen to prepare light porridge and digestible snacks. If you want to eat anything, just tell them.”
“Alright.”
After listening, Chu Shengsheng nodded obediently and said.
Seeing her like this, the man leaned down, pressed a kiss to her forehead, and only then rose to leave.
The Imperial Palace, inside the Imperial Study.
The Emperor looked at the Crown Prince, whom he had not seen for many days, and was surprised that he had come today against all odds. He instantly guessed the reason.
Sure enough, the next moment, after paying his respects, Pei Zhen went straight to the point, saying:
“Father Emperor must already know why I have come.”
“I wonder… how does Father Emperor intend to handle the matter of Pei Yang and Liu Shi’s adultery?”
His gaze was intense, as if he would not leave today without a definite answer.
After dismissing the attendants, the Emperor weighed his words and slowly said, “The Second Prince’s outrageous actions, I am indeed aware.”
“Liu Shi deserves death ten thousand times over. The Liu family failed in their discipline and cannot escape blame. However… this matter involves the dignity of the royal family. After all, Pei Yang is your younger brother. My intention is to impose a light punishment…”
“Father Emperor.”
Hearing this, Pei Zhen directly interrupted, his voice steady but leaving no room for compromise. “Father Emperor, Liu Yiyi and Pei Yang committed adultery, secretly conceived a child, framed my Lady of Goodness, and plotted against the royal heir. Each and every charge is supported by solid evidence.”
“If even this can be met with a ‘light punishment,’ then where do palace regulations and laws, heavenly principles and human decency stand? Where does the dignity of the Eastern Palace, and my own face, stand?”
As he spoke, he took half a step forward, his tone growing colder and more severe. He continued, “I have come today not to discuss with Father Emperor, but to demand an answer.”
“An answer that can console Sheng Sheng for the suffering she endured, that can awe both the rear palace and the court, that can clearly tell everyone—what price must be paid by those who dare to move against my Eastern Palace!”
The Emperor felt stifled in his chest, blocked by his son’s words. This son of his now refused to yield an inch.
He recalled the Shadow Guard’s report on Liu Yiyi’s miserable state, and thought of those officials in the court who had originally supported Pei Yang but had now quietly shifted their stance. He deeply understood that this matter could no longer be covered up.
After a long silence, the Emperor finally waved his hand wearily. “Enough… Pei Yang, you are stripped of all your positions in the Ministry of Revenue. From today onward, you shall reflect on your mistakes behind closed doors and are forbidden to leave your residence without my decree. Half of your private assets will be confiscated… as compensation to the Eastern Palace.”
“Liu Shi’s crimes are heinous—she shall be executed by lingchi. Liu Changqing failed in educating his daughter and is demoted to commoner status. For three generations, no one from the Liu clan shall be permitted to take the imperial examinations or enter official service.”
“Are you satisfied with this?”
“Eighty percent.”
“…”
Realizing what he meant, the Emperor felt a tightness in his chest again. But when he thought of the child the Crown Prince had finally managed to have, only for it to…
He rubbed his temples and said, “Fine, eighty percent it is. Consider it compensation for Lady of Goodness Chu.”
“Compensation? Father, this is merely compensation for the Eastern Palace, not for Sheng Sheng.”
Pei Zhen said quietly.
“…”
Seeing him grow increasingly demanding, the Emperor still had no grounds to refuse. Thus, he could only agree once more, bestowing a multitude of rare and precious tonics, properties and lands, fine silks and jewels, calligraphy, paintings, and rare treasures… all together, their value was immense.
“Your son thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness.”
Only then did Pei Zhen’s face show a smile, and he prepared to bow and take his leave.
However, as he reached the door, his steps paused slightly. Suddenly, he voiced a question that had weighed on his heart for many years. “Father, there is one more thing your son does not understand. Since we both come from the Empress Mother, why does she treat me and Second Brother so differently?”
The Emperor’s body stiffened abruptly. He opened his mouth but ultimately made no sound.
Pei Zhen waited a moment, but receiving no answer, the light in his eyes dimmed completely. Without lingering further, he pushed the door open and left.
Gazing in the direction he had gone, the Emperor sat alone on the dragon throne, his gaze distant, as if seeing through time to the smiling, graceful appearance of another woman.
He whispered softly, “Because… you are not her son.”
Chu Shengsheng had just finished having her pulse read by the Imperial Physician.
She heard him say, “…The Lady of Goodness’s pulse grows increasingly steady. Her injuries are healing faster than expected—truly a great fortune. With a period of quiet recuperation, she will surely recover fully.”
Pei Zhen entered the room just in time to hear the last two sentences. The heavy stone that had weighed on his heart for days finally lifted completely, and the gloom between his brows dissipated.
“Excellent! Rewards! Everyone shall be rewarded!” He waved his hand grandly, joy overflowing his expression.
The Imperial Physician and palace attendants expressed their gratitude and withdrew.
In a few strides, he reached the bedside, took Chu Shengsheng’s hand, and eagerly recounted the outcome of his audience with the Emperor and the abundant rewards bestowed. Finally, gazing into her eyes, he said solemnly:
“Sheng Sheng, from now on, you are my Lady of Goodness.”
“Therefore, starting today, you shall reside in my Sleeping Palace. There is no need to return to that separate courtyard.”
Hearing this, Chu Shengsheng was taken aback.
According to convention, women of the rear courtyard each had their own separate quarters; no one had ever lived with the Crown Prince.
This could almost be considered an excessive, rule-breaking exclusive favor.
“This… isn’t it against propriety?” she said hesitantly.
“In my presence, you are the rule.”
Hearing this, Pei Zhen gently drew her into his embrace, resting his chin against the top of her head. His voice was low and tender as he said, “I cannot bear the risk of losing you again. Only by keeping you within my sight can I be at ease.”
“This place shall be yours from now on.”
Her heart stirred slightly as she gazed into the man’s eyes, where deep affection and possessiveness were laid bare without concealment. Without any coy refusal, she simply nodded gently and said, “Yes, I’ll listen to Your Highness in everything.”
Seeing her agreement, Pei Zhen’s smile deepened. He glanced around his Sleeping Palace and asked, “The decor here is too rigid. Are you comfortable living here? Is there anything you’d like to change or add? Feel free to say so.”
Chu Shengsheng didn’t hold back either. Nestled in his embrace, she began listing her thoughts:
“The color scheme here is too dark and feels a bit cold. Could we plant more flowers and greenery? To make it livelier.”
“That empty space outside the palace—if we could dig a small pond and raise some koi, it would be lovely to admire in the summer.”
“And the windows seem a bit drafty. It feels a bit chilly at night…”
For each suggestion she made, the man nodded in agreement, his gaze so doting it seemed to overflow with tenderness.
“Good, it’s all as you wish. Zhao Dequan!” he immediately called for his servant. “See to it at once. Make all the changes according to the Lady of Goodness’s requests, and ensure she is satisfied!”
Zhao Dequan inwardly marveled—the Crown Prince was practically turning this solemn Sleeping Palace into a spring garden and a warm pavilion combined!
But he showed no sign of it on his face, bowing respectfully as he replied, “This servant obeys. I will see to it immediately and ensure the Lady of Goodness is satisfied.”
Soon, news that the Crown Prince had allowed Consort Chu to reside in his Sleeping Palace and was undertaking extensive renovations spread throughout the Eastern Palace’s rear courtyard.