Lanterns hung beneath the eaves by the door, their light dim.
Kan'er opened the door, slightly turning her body in response.
Seeing the lights inside the room were extinguished, Nanny Pang sneered, "Can't wait to go serve His Highness, can you? That restless itch is already stirring."
Kan'er lowered her head without a word.
A few slender, pale fingers twisted and fidgeted before her.
A posture of unease and fear.
Yet in her heart, she thought: Last life, when I ordered the Shenxing Division to wash this old hag's mouth, I should have had them soak it in salt first—to ensure it was thoroughly cleansed!
The side hall of Jiarong Tang was located behind the main chamber.
Kan'er followed Nanny Pang past the corridor of the side rooms, along the short covered walkway on the west side, and arrived at the rear courtyard.
Lanterns hung under the eaves all along the way, and at intervals of every two zhang stood a palace maid or eunuch on night duty.
Everyone kept their eyes lowered, solemn and orderly.
The entire courtyard was so quiet it felt as if no one was there.
Kan'er's heart also tightened under the influence of this silence.
In her previous life, she had gone from a hidden childbearing tool to a Crown Prince's Liangdi recorded in the Imperial Jade Genealogy, then from Consort Shu to the Empress of the Central Palace, exclusively favored by Emperor Qingzhao for twenty years.
Just as Emperor Qingzhao issued the abdication edict, her youngest son was about to become emperor, and she was to become the revered Empress Dowager.
Everyone said her life was nothing short of legendary.
Kan'er thought so too.
So when she learned that an old illness had triggered an incurable disease, her heart was unprecedentedly calm.
It was Emperor Qingzhao, however.
Not only did he vent his anger publicly several times, but the fine wrinkles at the corners of his eyes also multiplied, as if he had aged over a decade overnight.
Kan'er saw it, yet she was also bewildered.
Because, truth be told, she didn't quite understand Emperor Qingzhao's feelings for her.
It wasn't that Kan'er was slow.
Rather, she had never truly understood this man, or perhaps she subconsciously dared not understand.
The imperial family is fickle; the emperor's heart is inscrutable.
Who doesn't say, "The most heartless are the imperial households"?
Women in the palace most dread giving their true hearts.
Even when Emperor Qingzhao was the Crown Prince, he had a temperament of planning a hundred steps ahead with each move. If he didn't speak, no one dared speculate on his intentions.
Including her.
So even after decades together,
Kan'er still didn't know whether she revered him more, was more accustomed to him, or depended on him more.
Or perhaps she did love him?
But this question had only briefly surfaced in Kan'er's mind before she cast it aside.
When death approaches, such thoughts are meaningless.
Twenty years as husband and wife, to have enjoyed his exclusive favor for two decades and all the worldly riches and honors—what more could she desire?
If she didn't understand, then so be it.
Holding such thoughts, Kan'er died with exceptional peace in Emperor Qingzhao's embrace.
Who could have imagined that upon opening her eyes again—
Not only did she encounter her youthful nemesis, but she also found herself without a stitch of clothing, completely naked!
It was utterly absurd.
But…
Kan'er lowered her hands from before her, touching her still-flat abdomen, and bowed her head, forcibly suppressing the sour ache in her eyes.
In her previous life at this time, she had been timid and cowardly.
Her sole thought was survival.
So she diligently performed the duties of a servant, obediently handing over the child she carried for ten months after giving birth.
Even knowing her child would later recognize Lady Zheng as mother, she firmly believed it was for the best—for both her and the child.
And the result?
The Crown Prince was placed under house arrest, and Donggong fell into chaos.
Her Yao-ge'er had become Lady Zheng's punching bag, raised into a fool, and in the end, was even drowned in a well!
He was only four years old at the time.
Only four years old!
That beautiful, 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 up again.
Later, she brought down Lady Zheng.
Watched with her own eyes as the woman drank Zhen wine in front of her, dying with eyes wide open, but her Yao-ge'er was gone for good.
He would never return!
Now, it was different.
Kan'er let out a breath, gazing into the boundless night sky.
Whatever the reason for her rebirth, she had no choice from the very start at this point—so she would walk the path once more!
No matter what.
In this life, she would never hand Yao-ge'er over to anyone else, letting the little one end up foolish and dying young!
She would keep Yao-ge'er by her side.
Let him grow up safe, sound, and healthy!
"Wait here."
Outside the side hall.
Nanny Pang said coldly before going in to announce her.
Kan'er stood by the corridor pillar, not allowing herself to dwell further, lest she reveal any inappropriate emotions in front of the Crown Prince.
A moment later, Nanny Pang emerged.
"His Highness is playing chess and dislikes being disturbed the most. Once you enter, stand to the side quietly. Wait until His Highness finishes his game and calls for you before you greet and bow. Understood?"
"Understood."
Kan'er nodded, her right cheek turned away from the light.
Nanny Pang wanted to say more.
But she couldn't delay too long, so in the end, she refrained from further harsh words, waving Kan'er inside.
The Crown Prince was in the inner chamber, with several young eunuchs guarding the main hall.
Kan'er entered without letting her gaze wander.
Keeping her head slightly lowered, she passed the corner of the coir "wanzi ruyi" patterned carpet in the hall, then crossed through the floor-standing floral partition into the inner chamber.
As soon as she entered, a faint fragrance drifted into her nostrils.
It was the Crown Prince's customary scent.
Kan'er paused for a moment, inexplicably hesitant.
Uncontrollably, the image of Emperor Qingzhao's handsome, majestic yet sorrowful and weathered face from her final moments surfaced in her mind.
But now was not the time for distractions. After a brief pause, Kan'er quietly found a corner to stand in.
Hai Shun, the chief eunuch of Donggong, stood beside the Crown Prince. Noticing her entrance from the corner of his eye, he glanced over.
Hai Shun remembered Kan'er vividly.
No wonder—this girl was too beautiful!
She could be called peerless.
But she was too timid.
Though her figure was full, her frame still seemed somewhat slender. He wondered if she could withstand the Crown Prince's favor.
Their Highness was so tall and robust, only twenty-one, yet his physique was already the most imposing among all the adult princes.
Especially those trousers His Highness changed out of these past three mornings—they were all, well, you know.
Ahem!
Chess required strategy, planning, and weighing pros and cons.
From chess, one could discern a person's breadth of mind, insight, wisdom, and cunning. And the Crown Prince possessed extraordinary chess skills.
None of the other princes could defeat him.
Whenever he played chess, it was when the Crown Prince was most focused and absorbed.
Thus, Kan'er stood there for nearly half an hour.
Only when the Crown Prince placed the final piece and reviewed the game did Hai Shun step forward with the young eunuchs to help him wash his hands.
Once the Crown Prince finished washing, the young eunuchs silently withdrew, leaving only Kan'er and the Crown Prince, master and servant, in the room.
Finally, the Crown Prince lifted his gaze to look at Kan'er.
"Come here."