The emperor strode out of Kunning Palace, his steps brisk, as if he never wanted to return.
Li Sheng could only push himself to keep up, but unexpectedly, the emperor grew angrier the more he thought about it, and abruptly stopped.
Li Sheng, hurrying behind, nearly collided with him.
Fortunately, he steadied himself, one foot suspended in the air for a moment before regaining balance.
A deep voice resonated: “The empress has truly changed… her schemes are deep.”
Li Sheng caught his breath and stood at the emperor’s side, speaking softly, “Your Majesty, perhaps the empress believes that you are displeased with her, and that is why she spoke as she did.”
After all, every time the emperor visited Kunning Palace, his expression was stern—anyone would hesitate to approach him proactively.
Chuze sneered. “She played the zither under the moonlight just to lure me here, and now feigns modesty. The empress is playing the art of giving and withholding. She’s too good at pretending—it makes me want to see what she’s really thinking.”
At that thought, Chuze finally steadied himself and began to confront his own emotions.
Recently, he realized, almost unconsciously, his thoughts had been led by the empress.
This was not a good sign.
He could favor anyone, but he would never allow himself to be led by someone else.
“Investigate carefully. See if the empress has been acting unusually, and who has been near her.”
Snapping back to attention, Chuze felt that the empress’s transformation could not be simple. Could someone be guiding her from behind?
If that were the case, she must not be spared.
Upon hearing the emperor’s command, Li Sheng hurriedly acknowledged it, adopting a serious demeanor.
Indeed, the empress had changed significantly.
Merely angering the emperor now had more impact than before.
Previously, it had only incited utter aversion from the emperor—he wouldn’t even glance at her.
Recently, though still upset, he came to Kunning Palace more frequently, and even mentioned the empress verbally from time to time.
Yes, the remarks weren’t flattering.
But something still felt off.
Li Sheng pondered but could not discern the cause and left it aside.
The next morning, Consort De rose early, bustling with activity.
The empress dowager’s return was a major event, and this was her first time overseeing a banquet—she wanted to make a good impression.
At the gate of Jiaotai Hall, Consort De looked around, directing this and that, projecting the air of a central palace matron.
Nanny Xia handed her tea. “Madam, take a seat and rest a while.”
Ever since their mistress assumed control of the harem, Shuxiu Palace had steadily risen in influence; no one dared look down on them.
When their mistress ascended to Noble Consort, whether it was Consort Shu, Consort Xian, or Rong Zhaoyi, they would all have to yield.
Consort De dabbed at her forehead with a handkerchief, sipped her tea, and felt a swell of pride.
“Xia Nanny, make sure to supervise the kitchen later. Prepare the empress dowager’s favorite dishes carefully.”
“Yes, madam,” Xia Nanny responded with a smile.
At this moment, Consort Hui walked by. Consort De saw her and, eyes flicking, handed her tea to someone nearby and cleared her throat:
“Oh? Isn’t this Consort Hui? So early—are you going to greet the empress? In such a rush?”
Consort Hui visited Kunning Palace daily to pay respects but had never stopped by Shuxiu Palace, clearly not acknowledging her authority.
Hearing Consort De, Consort Hui walked over calmly and bent into a respectful bow.
“I am indeed going to pay respects to the empress. Consort De, will you accompany me?”
Consort Hui smiled faintly.
Consort De’s lips twitched; her irritation nearly broke into laughter.
Yet she dared not speak further—the empress was still the empress, and respect must be shown publicly.
“Consort Hui, our mistress must oversee the banquet to welcome the empress dowager; unlike you, she has leisure time.”
Xia Nanny spoke, pride and mockery clear in her tone.
Consort De’s lips lifted slightly, admiringly glancing at Xia Nanny.
Consort Hui’s expression changed subtly. Her tone turned cold:
“A mere servant dares to speak so? It is laughable. If Consort De is unfit to manage the harem, it can be handed to me, or to the empress, or even the empress dowager herself.”
She spoke while looking at Consort De, her eyes loaded with meaning, faintly provocative.
Consort De gripped her handkerchief, fingers whitening. “Consort Hui, what do you mean?”
Seeing her displeased, Consort Hui merely smiled, bowing lightly. “Consort De, I must now go greet the empress. I take my leave.”
Without waiting for a response, she led her attendants away.
Consort De remained, her neck reddened with anger, trembling slightly as she pointed after her. “Does she think that with the empress dowager’s return, control of the harem will inevitably return to the empress?”
Xia Nanny steadied her mistress, whispering caution. The crowd was large, and words could be dangerous.
Consort De gritted her teeth, the handkerchief crumpled in her grip, eyes full of unwillingness.
“Dream on. I will never let go.”
Her gaze hardened, and she gripped Xia Nanny’s hand, voice low: “That previous matter must be settled today. Let them have no chance to recover!”
Seeing her mistress so enraged, Xia Nanny remained silent, though uneasy about the daring plan.
Inside Kunning Palace, Hua Shu stood in the center, her attendants adjusting her elaborate attire.
Today she wore an intricate bright yellow gown, golden phoenixes embroidered vividly, seeming ready to soar into the heavens.
Her hair was fully pinned up with a phoenix coronet, golden hairpins dangling at her ears.
A small red mark adorned her forehead, and beneath elegantly arched eyebrows, her almond-shaped eyes were captivating. The yellow robe enhanced the delicate whiteness of her skin.
Hua Shu held herself gracefully, legs slightly relaxed—the best at maintaining decorum while finding comfort within it.
At that moment, Yun Xiu led Consort Hui into the room.
Consort Hui was stunned by the empress’s appearance. In previous days, the empress had seemed well, but today, she appeared reborn.
Simply standing there, her aura radiated innate nobility.
For a moment, Consort Hui forgot to bow, only realizing with Nanny Wen’s reminder. She hurriedly paid her respects.
Hua Shu paid no mind, sitting before her vanity to select earrings.
Consort Hui approached and stood by the empress, recounting the morning’s events at Jiaotai Hall—how the mention of the empress dowager provoked Consort De’s anger. It had been instructed by the empress herself.
Previously, Consort Hui had not thought the empress knew much about the other concubines, but now she realized the empress saw through their characters completely.
Hua Shu selected a pair of auspicious earrings and handed them to her. “You put these on for me.”
Consort Hui bent slightly, a bit nervous, afraid of harming the empress. What was usually effortless now caused her hands to tremble.
Hua Shu observed the reflection in the bronze mirror quietly, saying nothing, then suddenly grasped Consort Hui’s wrist.
Startled, Consort Hui loosened her hold on the earrings.
The empress’s other hand deftly caught them, as if anticipating this moment.
“See? When the heart is anxious, worries manifest; fear shows on the surface. But if you seize the critical point, isn’t it far more interesting?”