The news of Murong Zhao's relocation to Changle Palace struck like a thunderbolt, instantly shaking the entire inner palace of Dayin.
Changchun Palace—Consort Shu's domain.
A set of exquisite official kiln teacups shattered with a crash, scattering shards of porcelain in all directions.
Consort Xiao Shu's meticulously made-up face was twisted with venomous resentment, her almond-shaped eyes bloodshot and wide with rage, her entire body trembling with fury.
"That wretch! How dare she!
"A lowly princess from Beishuo, a discarded substitute bride! How could she move into Changle Palace overnight? How could she catch His Majesty's eye?"
"I refuse to accept this!"
The palace maids and eunuchs knelt in unison, terrified, their heads bowed low, not daring even to breathe heavily.
Everyone knew that Consort Shu was the Empress Dowager's own niece, always arrogant and domineering. Now, being overshadowed by a fallen princess, her rage was enough to burn through the entire palace.
Panting heavily, Consort Shu glared at the kneeling maids and eunuchs, grinding her teeth. "With the Empress moving palaces, the Imperial Household Department will surely assign additional attendants—a Chief Palace Maid, First-rank Palace Attendants for indoor service, Second-rank Palace Attendants for outdoor duties, and Menial Palace Attendants for cleaning."
"Go! Find out for me exactly who the Chief Palace Maid assigned to Changle Palace is, and who the First-rank Palace Attendants are!"
"I want to bribe them! Make them keep an eye on that wretch for me! I must know her every move, every word she says, everyone she meets, everything she eats!"
"Let's see how long that wretch can stay smug!"
"Yes!" Several trusted maids hurriedly accepted the order and left.
Cining Palace—the Empress Dowager's residence.
Chief Palace Maid Liu Momo stood bowed beside the soft couch, softly reporting every detail of Murong Zhao's relocation without omission.
Empress Dowager Xiao leaned against the cushions, her fingertips gently rubbing prayer beads. After listening, she slowly narrowed her eyes.
Her face showed no anger; instead, a meaningful smile curled at the corners of her lips. "That girl is rather interesting."
"In Yong Lane, with her charcoal and meals withheld, freezing and starving, enduring so much injustice—she didn't cry, complain, or beg for help. Any other woman would have come weeping to me long ago, pleading for justice."
"But she? She chiseled ice to fish, shared her food with the servants, and remained utterly composed."
Liu Momo cautiously ventured, "Empress Dowager, should we… teach her a lesson?"
"Not yet." The Empress Dowager waved her hand gently, her tone steady. "The Emperor's move is unexpected. Let's first see what he truly intends."
She paused, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes. "However, we cannot let her be entirely unchecked."
"Go, investigate for me. Dig into all of Murong Zhao's background in Beishuo—her character, her skills, her thoughts… I must know everything about her."
A woman who could make the Emperor break precedent must not be taken lightly.
For a time, undercurrents surged throughout the inner palace.
Consort Shu raged, sending people to bribe the Chief Palace Maid and First-rank Palace Attendants of Changle Palace; the Empress Dowager secretly investigated, dispatching spies from all sides. All eyes turned toward the new Empress who had just moved into Changle Palace.
Yet at the eye of the storm—within Changle Palace—all was quiet.
On the day of the relocation, the Imperial Household Department delivered the roster of newly assigned palace attendants, along with a Chief Palace Maid, personally presented before Murong Zhao.
The maid was around forty years old, her expression solemn and dignified, her eyes steady and calm. She wore a faded blue-gray palace dress, worn from washing but starched neatly and impeccably.
She stepped forward, curtsied, and spoke in an unhurried tone, "This servant, Mama Fang, has been appointed by the Imperial Household Department as the Chief Palace Maid of Changle Palace. From now on, all matters in Your Highness's palace will be managed by this servant."
"I will spare no effort to ensure Your Highness's safety."
Murong Zhao looked up at her.
Mama Fang kept her eyes lowered, her posture respectful yet neither subservient nor arrogant. She showed neither the arrogance of someone newly appointed nor the resentment of being assigned to serve in the Cold Palace.
She was a steady person.
Murong Zhao nodded slightly, her tone indifferent, "Thank you, Mama Fang."
Mama Fang rose and stepped aside, beginning to arrange matters in an orderly manner.
Next, the eunuch from the Imperial Household Department presented a roster, introducing the newly assigned palace attendants one by one.
Two First-rank Palace Attendants were responsible for serving inside the hall—one named Zi Yuan, around eighteen years old, with delicate features but overly lively eyes; the other named Qinghe, twenty-two years old, steady and taciturn, said to have served in the Imperial Household Department for five years with impeccable discipline.
Four Second-rank Palace Attendants were responsible for sweeping outside the hall, delivering messages, and running errands, all aged between fifteen or sixteen and twenty.
Several Menial Palace Attendants were assigned to handle miscellaneous tasks.
Murong Zhao’s gaze lingered for a moment on Zi Yuan’s name.
Su Yue craned her neck curiously, waiting until all the palace attendants had withdrawn before whispering, "Your Highness, is there something wrong with these people?"
Murong Zhao said nothing, simply closing the roster and remarking calmly, "Let’s observe them for a few days first."
Su Yue nodded, not fully understanding.
Three days later, Murong Zhao sat upright before the desk, brush in hand, writing.
Stroke by stroke, her movements were steady and forceful, neither rushed nor slow, the characters on the paper elegant and upright.
Su Yue ground ink beside her, chattering excitedly about the commotion outside the palace, "Your Highness, you have no idea! The palace is in an uproar now. Everyone says you’re about to gain favor, and Consort Shu is so angry she’s smashing things! So many palace attendants are trying to curry favor with us…"
Murong Zhao paid no heed, remaining focused on her brushwork.
Su Yue grew more animated as she spoke, "Your Highness, we’ve moved into Changle Palace now, so we don’t have to fear anyone! Should I go out more often to gather some information for you—"
Murong Zhao looked up at her.
Meeting that calm gaze, Su Yue’s voice abruptly stopped. She immediately shrank her neck and muttered softly, "This servant was wrong. I won’t run around outside…"
A faint smile touched the corner of Murong Zhao’s lips, but she said nothing, continuing to lower her head and write.
Only after finishing the final stroke did she slowly set down the brush, lifting her gaze to the layered palace buildings outside the window, her dark eyes as deep and still as an abyss.
"Su Yue."
"Yes! What is it, Your Highness?"
"From today onward, go out less. The more you speak, the more mistakes you make; the more you go out, the more trouble you invite."
Su Yue was taken aback for a moment before nodding earnestly, "This servant understands! Staying quiet and keeping to oneself is the safest way!"
Murong Zhao glanced at her, a flicker of approval in her eyes.
This little girl was slowly growing up.
Outside the window, a cold gust of wind swept by, scattering a few fallen leaves.
The chess game of the deep palace had only just begun.
And she was already prepared for the battle ahead.
Meanwhile, in Changchun Palace.
Consort Shu’s trusted palace maid hurried back and knelt to report, "Your Highness, it’s been confirmed! The Chief Palace Maid assigned to Changle Palace this time is surnamed Fang, around forty years old. I’ve heard she’s an extremely steady person, having served in the Imperial Household Department for over twenty years."
"There are two First-rank Palace Attendants—one named Zi Yuan, eighteen years old, and the other named Qinghe, twenty-two years old."
Consort Shu’s eyes lit up, "What is Zi Yuan’s background?"
The palace maid whispered softly, "Zi Yuan is a newcomer who just entered the Imperial Household Department this year, with no one to rely on. She has long wanted to climb higher. I have already secretly approached her and promised her a substantial reward. She agreed to keep an eye on that wretch for Your Ladyship."
"What about that Matron Fang?" Consort Shu narrowed her eyes.
The palace maid hesitated for a moment: "Matron Fang… I also tried to sound her out, but she was impenetrable, only saying, 'This servant only knows how to serve her mistress and understands nothing else.' I dared not say more, fearing it might alert the enemy."
Consort Shu snorted coldly: "An ungrateful wretch. Never mind, having Zi Yuan is enough."
She stood up and walked to the window, gazing in the direction of Changle Palace, her eyes filled with resentment and smugness: "Murong Zhao, is it?"
"This consort wants to see how many more days you can remain triumphant."
Outside the window, the cold wind howled, sweeping up fallen leaves from the ground.
The chess game in the deep palace had only just begun.
And Murong Zhao had already fallen into everyone's sight.