Lanterns glowed dimly beneath the eaves by the doorway.
Kan’er opened the door, slightly turning her body in response.
Seeing the lights in the room were extinguished, Granny Pang sneered, “Couldn’t wait to serve His Highness, could you? That restless energy is already stirring.”
Kan’er kept her head lowered in silence.
Her slender pale fingers twisted and fidgeted before her.
She presented a picture of unease and timidity.
Yet in her heart, she thought: Last life, when I ordered the Office of Cautious Punishments to scrub this old woman’s mouth, I should have had them soak it in salt first—just to ensure it was thoroughly cleansed!
The side hall of Jiarong Hall stood behind the main residence.
Following Granny Pang through the corridor past the side room, Kan’er traversed the short western passageway to reach the rear courtyard.
Lanterns hung along the eaves throughout the path, with palace maids or eunuchs standing watch every two zhang along the roadside.
All kept their eyes lowered, reverent and orderly.
The entire courtyard was so silent it seemed devoid of human presence.
Kan’er’s heart tightened under the influence of this profound stillness.
In her previous life—from being a secret childbearing tool to having her name inscribed in the Imperial Genealogy as the Crown Prince’s Good Concubine; then from Shu Consort to becoming the Central Palace Empress exclusively favored by the Qingzhao Emperor for twenty years.
Just as the Qingzhao Emperor issued the Abdication Edict and her youngest son was about to ascend the throne, while she herself stood to become the revered Empress Dowager…
Everyone said her life was legendary.
Kan’er thought so too.
Thus, when she learned her chronic illness had triggered an incurable condition, her heart was unprecedentedly calm.
It was the Qingzhao Emperor who…
Not only did he publicly vent rage multiple times, but fine wrinkles multiplied at the corners of his eyes, making him appear a decade older overnight.
Kan’er saw this clearly, yet simultaneously felt bewildered.
Because truthfully, she never quite understood the Qingzhao Emperor’s feelings toward her.
It wasn’t that Kan’er was obtuse.
Rather, she had never truly comprehended this man—or perhaps subconsciously dared not to comprehend him.
The imperial family is fickle; the emperor’s heart is inscrutable.
Who doesn’t recite the saying “None are more heartless than imperial households”?
Women in the palace must never surrender their hearts.
Even when Qingzhao Emperor was still Crown Prince, he possessed the temperament of planning ten steps ahead with each move. Unless he spoke, none dared speculate his intentions.
Including her.
Thus, even after decades together…
Kan’er remained uncertain whether she felt more awe, more habit, or more dependence toward him.
Or perhaps… she did cherish him?
Yet this question only flickered briefly in Kan’er’s mind before she dismissed it.
When facing death, such thoughts held no meaning.
Twenty years as husband and wife, enjoying two decades of exclusive favor and all worldly luxuries—what more could she possibly lack?
Some mysteries were better left unsolved.
Holding this perspective, Kan’er died with extraordinary peace in the Qingzhao Emperor’s embrace.
Who could have imagined that upon reopening her eyes—
Not only did she encounter her youthful rival, but she discovered herself completely naked, without a single strip of cloth!
It was utterly absurd.
But…
Kan’er lowered her hands from her chest to touch her still-flat abdomen, bowing her head to suppress the stinging in her eyes.
In her previous life at this time, she had been timid and cowardly.
Single-mindedly focused on survival.
Thus she diligently performed a servant’s duties, obediently surrendering the child she carried for ten months.
Even knowing her child would henceforth call Zheng Shi “mother,” she firmly believed this was best for both her and the child.
And the result?
The Crown Prince was placed under house arrest, and the Eastern Palace descended into chaos.
Her Yao Ge’er had become Zheng Shi’s punching bag, raised into a fool only to ultimately drown in a well!
He was only four years old at the time.
Just four years old!
That beautiful Yao Ge’er, that obedient Yao Ge’er, lay stiff and motionless in her arms.
No matter how she wept or screamed, no matter how she regretted.
The little one never woke again.
Later she overthrew Zheng Shi.
Watched with her own eyes as the woman drank poisoned wine before her, dying with unclosed eyes – but her Yao Ge’er was gone forever.
He would never return!
Now it’s better.
Kan’er let out a breath, gazing toward the boundless night sky.
Whatever the reason for her rebirth, she had no choice about this starting point. So she would walk the same path once more!
No matter what.
This lifetime she would never hand Yao Ge’er over to others, never let the child end up mentally impaired and dying young!
She would keep Yao Ge’er by her side.
Let him grow up safely and healthily!
“Wait here.”
Arriving outside the side hall.
Granny Pang coldly spoke these words before entering to announce their arrival.
Kan’er stood by the corridor pillar without further thought, lest she reveal improper emotions before the Crown Prince.
After a short while, Granny Pang emerged.
“Dianxia is playing chess and dislikes interruptions most. Enter and stand quietly without speaking. Wait until Dianxia finishes chess and calls for you before paying respects. Understood?”
“Understood.”
Kan’er nodded, her right face in shadow.
Granny Pang wanted to say more.
But unable to delay longer, ultimately refrained from further harsh words, waving for Kan’er to enter quickly.
The Crown Prince was in the inner chamber, the main hall guarded by several young eunuchs.
Kan’er entered without looking around.
Keeping her head slightly lowered, she passed the corner of the Coconut Fiber Swastika Ruyi Felt Cushion in the main hall, crossing through the floor-standing floral partition into the inner chamber.
Upon entering, a faint fragrance teased her nostrils.
It was the Crown Prince’s customary scent.
Kan’er’s steps faltered, inexplicably hesitant.
Uncontrollably, her mind conjured Qingzhao Emperor’s handsome, authoritative yet pained and weathered face from her deathbed.
But this wasn’t the time for distractions. After a brief pause, Kan’er quietly found a corner to stand.
The Eastern Palace’s chief eunuch Hai Shun stood beside the Crown Prince, glancing over when he noticed her entrance.
Hai Shun remembered Kan’er quite distinctly.
For no other reason than the girl’s exceptional beauty!
She could truly be called peerless.
Just too timid.
Though curvaceous, her frame still appeared somewhat slender – uncertain whether she could withstand… affection.
Their Dianxia was so tall and robust, merely twenty-one yet already the most imposing among the adult princes.
Especially those trousers Dianxia had changed out of these past three mornings, all having… well.
Ahem!
Chess emphasizes strategic planning and weighing advantages.
One’s breadth of vision, insight, wisdom and strategy could be seen through chess, and the Crown Prince possessed sublime skill.
No other prince could defeat him.
During chess games, the Crown Prince reached his peak concentration.
Thus Kan’er stood for nearly half an hour.
When the Crown Prince placed his final piece and reviewed the game, Hai Shun promptly led young eunuchs forward to cleanse his hands.
After the hand cleansing, the eunuchs silently withdrew, leaving only Kan’er and the Crown Prince master-servant pair in the room.
The Crown Prince finally lifted his gaze toward Kan’er.
“Come here.”
Chapter 2: The Crown Prince: “Come here.”
Chapter 2: The Crown Prince: “Come here.”
Lanterns glowed dimly beneath the eaves by the doorway.
Kan’er opened the door, slightly turning her body in response.
Seeing the lights in the room were extinguished, Granny Pang sneered, “Couldn’t wait to serve His Highness, could you? That restless energy is already stirring.”
Kan’er kept her head lowered in silence.
Her slender pale fingers twisted and fidgeted before her.
She presented a picture of unease and timidity.
Yet in her heart, she thought: Last life, when I ordered the Office of Cautious Punishments to scrub this old woman’s mouth, I should have had them soak it in salt first—just to ensure it was thoroughly cleansed!
The side hall of Jiarong Hall stood behind the main residence.
Following Granny Pang through the corridor past the side room, Kan’er traversed the short western passageway to reach the rear courtyard.
Lanterns hung along the eaves throughout the path, with palace maids or eunuchs standing watch every two zhang along the roadside.
All kept their eyes lowered, reverent and orderly.
The entire courtyard was so silent it seemed devoid of human presence.
Kan’er’s heart tightened under the influence of this profound stillness.
In her previous life—from being a secret childbearing tool to having her name inscribed in the Imperial Genealogy as the Crown Prince’s Good Concubine; then from Shu Consort to becoming the Central Palace Empress exclusively favored by the Qingzhao Emperor for twenty years.
Just as the Qingzhao Emperor issued the Abdication Edict and her youngest son was about to ascend the throne, while she herself stood to become the revered Empress Dowager…
Everyone said her life was legendary.
Kan’er thought so too.
Thus, when she learned her chronic illness had triggered an incurable condition, her heart was unprecedentedly calm.
It was the Qingzhao Emperor who…
Not only did he publicly vent rage multiple times, but fine wrinkles multiplied at the corners of his eyes, making him appear a decade older overnight.
Kan’er saw this clearly, yet simultaneously felt bewildered.
Because truthfully, she never quite understood the Qingzhao Emperor’s feelings toward her.
It wasn’t that Kan’er was obtuse.
Rather, she had never truly comprehended this man—or perhaps subconsciously dared not to comprehend him.
The imperial family is fickle; the emperor’s heart is inscrutable.
Who doesn’t recite the saying “None are more heartless than imperial households”?
Women in the palace must never surrender their hearts.
Even when Qingzhao Emperor was still Crown Prince, he possessed the temperament of planning ten steps ahead with each move. Unless he spoke, none dared speculate his intentions.
Including her.
Thus, even after decades together…
Kan’er remained uncertain whether she felt more awe, more habit, or more dependence toward him.
Or perhaps… she did cherish him?
Yet this question only flickered briefly in Kan’er’s mind before she dismissed it.
When facing death, such thoughts held no meaning.
Twenty years as husband and wife, enjoying two decades of exclusive favor and all worldly luxuries—what more could she possibly lack?
Some mysteries were better left unsolved.
Holding this perspective, Kan’er died with extraordinary peace in the Qingzhao Emperor’s embrace.
Who could have imagined that upon reopening her eyes—
Not only did she encounter her youthful rival, but she discovered herself completely naked, without a single strip of cloth!
It was utterly absurd.
But…
Kan’er lowered her hands from her chest to touch her still-flat abdomen, bowing her head to suppress the stinging in her eyes.
In her previous life at this time, she had been timid and cowardly.
Single-mindedly focused on survival.
Thus she diligently performed a servant’s duties, obediently surrendering the child she carried for ten months.
Even knowing her child would henceforth call Zheng Shi “mother,” she firmly believed this was best for both her and the child.
And the result?
The Crown Prince was placed under house arrest, and the Eastern Palace descended into chaos.
Her Yao Ge’er had become Zheng Shi’s punching bag, raised into a fool only to ultimately drown in a well!
He was only four years old at the time.
Just four years old!
That beautiful Yao Ge’er, that obedient Yao Ge’er, lay stiff and motionless in her arms.
No matter how she wept or screamed, no matter how she regretted.
The little one never woke again.
Later she overthrew Zheng Shi.
Watched with her own eyes as the woman drank poisoned wine before her, dying with unclosed eyes – but her Yao Ge’er was gone forever.
He would never return!
Now it’s better.
Kan’er let out a breath, gazing toward the boundless night sky.
Whatever the reason for her rebirth, she had no choice about this starting point. So she would walk the same path once more!
No matter what.
This lifetime she would never hand Yao Ge’er over to others, never let the child end up mentally impaired and dying young!
She would keep Yao Ge’er by her side.
Let him grow up safely and healthily!
“Wait here.”
Arriving outside the side hall.
Granny Pang coldly spoke these words before entering to announce their arrival.
Kan’er stood by the corridor pillar without further thought, lest she reveal improper emotions before the Crown Prince.
After a short while, Granny Pang emerged.
“Dianxia is playing chess and dislikes interruptions most. Enter and stand quietly without speaking. Wait until Dianxia finishes chess and calls for you before paying respects. Understood?”
“Understood.”
Kan’er nodded, her right face in shadow.
Granny Pang wanted to say more.
But unable to delay longer, ultimately refrained from further harsh words, waving for Kan’er to enter quickly.
The Crown Prince was in the inner chamber, the main hall guarded by several young eunuchs.
Kan’er entered without looking around.
Keeping her head slightly lowered, she passed the corner of the Coconut Fiber Swastika Ruyi Felt Cushion in the main hall, crossing through the floor-standing floral partition into the inner chamber.
Upon entering, a faint fragrance teased her nostrils.
It was the Crown Prince’s customary scent.
Kan’er’s steps faltered, inexplicably hesitant.
Uncontrollably, her mind conjured Qingzhao Emperor’s handsome, authoritative yet pained and weathered face from her deathbed.
But this wasn’t the time for distractions. After a brief pause, Kan’er quietly found a corner to stand.
The Eastern Palace’s chief eunuch Hai Shun stood beside the Crown Prince, glancing over when he noticed her entrance.
Hai Shun remembered Kan’er quite distinctly.
For no other reason than the girl’s exceptional beauty!
She could truly be called peerless.
Just too timid.
Though curvaceous, her frame still appeared somewhat slender – uncertain whether she could withstand… affection.
Their Dianxia was so tall and robust, merely twenty-one yet already the most imposing among the adult princes.
Especially those trousers Dianxia had changed out of these past three mornings, all having… well.
Ahem!
Chess emphasizes strategic planning and weighing advantages.
One’s breadth of vision, insight, wisdom and strategy could be seen through chess, and the Crown Prince possessed sublime skill.
No other prince could defeat him.
During chess games, the Crown Prince reached his peak concentration.
Thus Kan’er stood for nearly half an hour.
When the Crown Prince placed his final piece and reviewed the game, Hai Shun promptly led young eunuchs forward to cleanse his hands.
After the hand cleansing, the eunuchs silently withdrew, leaving only Kan’er and the Crown Prince master-servant pair in the room.
The Crown Prince finally lifted his gaze toward Kan’er.
“Come here.”