Hua Shu’s features were calm and understated as she spoke, turning slightly to the side.
“Daring to plan something like this requires both skill and courage,” she said.
Hui Fei heard this and felt a faint sense of suspicion.
Yet beneath these high positions, all were backed by powerful families.
Hua Shu casually took a small booklet from the cabinet, glanced through it, and then spoke.
“You like jade bracelets. It just so happens I have a pair of treasured ‘Exquisite Double Happiness’ jade bangles. I will give them to you.”
She closed the booklet as she spoke, and Wen Momo, standing nearby, hurried to send someone to fetch them.
The booklet contained nothing special—just items from a private collection. As for the gold, silver, and jewelry with complicated names, Hua Shu truly could not remember them all.
Hua Shu was always fair in rewards and punishments; those who helped her were naturally treated well.
Hui Fei’s expression softened slightly as her hands instinctively stroked the bracelet. She quickly stood and expressed her gratitude.
She hadn’t expected the Empress to know her preferences.
She owned many bracelets, but top-quality jade ones were rare and precious.
For such a gift, she had no thought of refusing.
Outside the Kunning Palace,
a few young eunuchs carried over fresh milk. Wen Momo looked and couldn’t help but laugh.
“Why is the kitchen so eager today to send milk to Kunning Palace?”
The lead young eunuch hurriedly replied, “Aunt Wen, please don’t tease us. This is the Emperor’s wish! We hope you’ll speak well of us so that Her Highness doesn’t hold it against us.”
Wen Momo didn’t make things difficult and allowed them to leave first.
Her eyes fell on the milk, and she felt reassured.
Thankfully, the Emperor’s attitude toward the Empress seemed a little kinder now.
At that moment, Chief Steward Wang walked over, and the two exchanged glances.
“Aunt Wen, what happened to the little eunuchs stationed at the front gate, Xiao Qu and Xiao Wan? They’re gone.”
He was referring to two of the young eunuchs.
“The filthy traitors of their master? Naturally, they were dealt with,” Wen Momo replied coldly.
The last time Consort De tried to frame their mistress, it was discovered that there was a mole in Kunning Palace, who was quickly dealt with.
Of course, this matter was not made public.
Chief Steward Wang’s pupils constricted, and he instinctively tried to hide his fear.
How could he not know about this?
Wen Momo ignored him and instructed someone to deliver the milk inside.
In Cining Palace,
Empress Dowager Zhao, dressed in simple black-and-gold robes, stood by the pond, feeding the fish absentmindedly.
“During my absence, the Empress has completely changed her ways,” she said, a trace of doubt in her voice.
The attendant, Guan Momo, nodded. “My lady, I think the Empress has become wiser. You see, the Emperor has visited Kunning Palace more often—it’s a good thing.”
“She isn’t completely foolish, then,” the Empress Dowager murmured with some relief.
Aside from her family background, Hua Shu’s sister, upon marrying the Marquis of Yongping, had gained an excellent reputation among the noblewomen of the capital: managing her household well, guiding her husband and children, extremely competent.
The Dowager thought that if the eldest daughter was so capable, the family must have a good legacy, and so she had taken a liking to Hua Shu.
At first, when Hua Shu entered the palace, there was nothing remarkable.
Little did anyone know the Empress had been scatterbrained, constantly watching the Emperor’s movements and competing with other concubines in jealousy, already losing the dignity expected of her.
She later did foolish things that angered the Emperor, often crying to the Dowager inappropriately.
The Empress Dowager grew weary of her and avoided her. Later, she heard that the Empress had fallen ill.
She hadn’t expected that upon returning to the palace this time, she would find the Empress’s temperament had changed significantly.
“I still feel something is off. When I have the time, I should summon her,” the Dowager thought.
Having spent so long in the palace, she knew very well that a person doesn’t change without reason—either it’s a disguise, or a major event has occurred.
Could something have happened in the palace she didn’t know about?
In the harem, Consort Rong remained the most favored.
In August, the Emperor was busy with state affairs, leaving little time to visit the harem.
At the beginning of the month, the Empress, unwell, was excused from paying respects to the palaces.
But the daily copies of palace regulations still had to be submitted.
Wen Momo and the maidservants checked each one carefully.
“The handwriting is three parts like hers—it’s definitely not Consort Xian writing herself,” Wen Momo observed, comparing it with previous submissions, noting the varied handwriting.
Anyone with eyes could see the difference.
Hua Shu finally came out to enjoy the sun, feeling as if lying down all day was making her body go moldy.
These submissions were actually interesting, revealing the personality of each palace.
It was easy to tell who had a scribe and who wrote it themselves.
She wouldn’t investigate further, but she could see who was restless.
Yun Yue supported her mistress and spoke of the Emperor’s visit on the first day of the month. After that day, he seemed angry and had not returned.
The Empress had been resting and nothing had happened; perhaps someone had spread rumors.
Hua Shu merely smiled at this, saying nothing.
With the Emperor, one could gain both power and satisfy desires.
But Hua Shu would never let herself fall for him. In the treacherous palace, if she first let her heart be taken, it would be a dead end.
To the Emperor, women were merely a pastime.
And to her, the Emperor was exactly the same.
“Then have the small kitchen make some milk cakes and send them to Qianqing Palace,” Hua Shu said, sitting on a bench in the courtyard.
The two maidservants immediately went to prepare them.
These days, since the Emperor seldom came to the harem, any effort by the Empress to make something herself would help strengthen their bond.
Hua Shu yawned, feeling sleepy. When the Emperor came, he would stay for a long time—she knew this.
But for the Emperor, what is easily obtained is uninteresting; what is too difficult is easily abandoned.
It is the things that are just out of reach, that make him think and guess.
Inside Qianqing Palace,
Li Sheng was at the palace gate when he saw a maid approaching—it seemed she was from Kunning Palace.
Yun Xiu carried a food box and hurried forward. “Eunuch Li, I am Yun Xiu from Kunning Palace. My mistress specially instructed me to deliver these milk cakes to the Emperor. Please kindly present them for me.”
Li Sheng tucked his dust whisk behind him and took the box. “The Empress’s gift? I’ll present it to His Majesty immediately.”
Yun Xiu bowed. “Thank you, Eunuch. I appreciate your effort.”
She then turned to leave.
Li Sheng entered, thinking it curious that the Empress chose milk cakes.
Last time, the Emperor forbade the Empress from giving anything; later, he specifically instructed the kitchen to send it.
Moreover, with Consort Rong, when milk was offered, the Emperor had said he didn’t like milk.
Now, milk cakes—this was likely meant to win over the eunuch.
Upon entering the inner hall, the Emperor was reading.
“Your Majesty, the Empress specially sent someone over. She made milk cakes for you to try.”
Li Sheng placed the box on the small table without opening it.
But when he turned back, he saw that the Emperor had already stood behind him.
Li Sheng’s hair stood on end in fright, but his years of service allowed him to stay composed and step aside.
“The Empress made these herself?”