What the emperor valued most was his empire.
A mere object could command people—if he truly feared that, he’d be sleepless every night, living day and night with the jade seal in his hands.
If the emperor firmly rejected such thoughts in his heart, then her dignity as empress could be preserved.
Today’s events only confirmed that her reasoning was correct.
“Alright, now that the control of the palaces is not in my hands, whatever happens in the harem has nothing to do with Kunning Palace,”
Hua Shu leaned back, speaking slowly.
Even when the empress had power, she could suppress some people’s ambitions.
If authority truly fell elsewhere, would those people calmly accept someone stronger than themselves?
Hua Shu knew she couldn’t handle that, especially when that certain object—right there, within reach—was involved.
Anyone who sensed its presence would go mad.
The imperial carriage made its way to Qixiang Hall.
From afar, Consort Shu stood at the hall’s entrance, waiting.
Today she wore a long purple gown; on her forehead was painted a delicate floral motif. Her figure was graceful, her posture impeccable.
Only up close could one truly appreciate her beauty, the gentle warmth in her eyes and brows.
Seeing the emperor approach, her lips curved slightly, a smile she could not hide as she bowed to greet him.
“Your Majesty, I pay my respects. May you enjoy great fortune and safety.”
Chu Ze walked alongside her, and a shy glint appeared in her eyes as they entered the hall together.
This time, however, the emperor did not converse casually with her.
Instead, he moved directly to the main topic.
Consort Shu lay on the bed, looking up, her face warming as she noticed the desire in the emperor’s eyes.
What is His Majesty thinking?
Half an hour later, after she had cleaned herself and the emperor changed his outer garments, Chu Ze sat on the small divan, fiddling with the chess pieces. Consort Shu walked over and gently took her seat beside him.
Seeing the emperor’s handsome profile, her heart raced. Recalling their recent intimacy, a blush spread across her cheeks.
It had been a long time since the emperor had looked at her with such desire.
“Your Majesty, is this about the empress troubling you?”
Consort Shu could read the emperor’s mind well. Recently, only this incident seemed to trouble him.
Chu Ze did not answer. As he moved his black chess piece, she instinctively avoided the topic of the empress.
In the past, he might have shared palace matters with her.
“Tell me—who tried to harm Rong Zhao Yi’s child?” Chu Ze asked, shifting to another issue.
Clearly, Rong Zhao Yi had been secretly targeted. If not the empress, then who else?
Consort Shu pursed her lips, realizing this was what troubled him. So he had confirmed the empress had no involvement?
“Your Majesty, I cannot make hasty judgments. Perhaps someone envied the favor you show Rong Zhao Yi, fearing that a male heir would threaten their position. It’s unlikely Rong Zhao Yi did this herself,” she said cautiously, glancing at the emperor.
Her words were ambiguous, but upon closer thought, they carried a subtle sting. When she mentioned threats to position, one could assume the childless empress might be the primary suspect. Yet if not, would Rong Zhao Yi harm her own child? After all, nothing serious happened to the baby. History did have such cases.
Chu Ze’s expression darkened. He flicked the chess pieces, scattering them across the board—clearly he could not accept this.
Consort Shu quickly stood. “I misspoke, Your Majesty. Please forgive me.”
“I asked you to speak. Enough. Sit and play chess with me.” Chu Ze waved impatiently, unwilling to discuss it further.
Consort Shu nodded and resumed their game.
Among the concubines, only Consort Shu was skilled at chess. Of course, she could not compare to the emperor, who always allowed her a few wins for amusement.
“Today, Grand Tutor Yang submitted a memorial, requesting strict punishment for the empress.”
While playing chess, Chu Ze mentioned it casually.
Grand Tutor Yang had been his teacher and was also Consort Shu’s father.
Hearing this, Consort Shu’s fingers froze on the chess pieces, subtly recoiling.
Moments later, she regained composure. “Your Majesty, I am merely a concubine and do not handle state affairs. The outside world may not know the truth. Seeing you retrieve the Phoenix Seal, they probably assume the empress committed a grave mistake.”
Retrieving the Phoenix Seal was a significant act. Rumors spread, and people would naturally conclude the empress tried to harm the heir and demanded punishment.
Chu Ze made no comment on right or wrong, merely mentioning it, then fell silent.
By evening, the emperor left Qixiang Hall without staying.
Li Sheng waited, unsure of his destination. Perhaps he was worried for Rong Zhao Yi?
“Go to Kunning Palace,” Chu Ze said from the carriage, speaking slowly.
Li Sheng’s brow nearly shot up to the heavens. He called out sharply: “Prepare to head to Kunning Palace!”
Inside Kunning Palace,
Hua Shu had finished her bath, dried her hair, and was about to rest, lying on the bed, when she heard news of the emperor’s arrival.
Eyes closed, she frowned, a flicker of anger stirring.
Annoying.
She resisted but had no choice but to rise. When under the emperor’s roof, one must first lower one’s head.
By the time she moved, the emperor had already entered.
Hua Shu tied the sash at her waist, long hair cascading over her shoulders. A strand of black hair curled softly against her chest.
She looked up, a striking contrast of black and white enhancing her elegance.
She bowed, then slipped on a red outer robe.
Chu Ze averted his gaze and walked directly to the small divan. “Today, you punished Consort Wan.”
There was no hint of anger in his voice, yet Hua Shu knew he was not upset.
She completed her attire, walked over, and sat beside him. With the peony fan in her hand, she fanned herself, feeling the breeze soothe her temper.
“She spoke insolently and deserved punishment. Your Majesty thinks I was wrong to punish her?”
Her slender wrist moved gracefully. The breeze lifted loose strands of hair. Her relaxed demeanor carried its own allure.
The empress had changed greatly.
Chu Ze noticed his thoughts wandering and awkwardly looked away.
“You are the empress, yet you claim benevolence. Why such anger? Is it resentment toward her—or me?”
The emperor’s words were a blade, tinged with mockery. He deliberately reminded her of her feigned benevolence.
Hua Shu’s lips curved in a cold smile. Of course she was resentful—what had she gained otherwise? Was she supposed to be grateful?
“Your Majesty, I would never resent you. But I am the empress. If a concubine provokes, I cannot let it pass.”
Chu Ze heard her and realized she had not changed—she was merely more cunning now, knowing how to manipulate hearts.
He stood and said coldly, “Do not think changing tactics will make me treat you differently. I tell you: in the palace, obey quietly. Do not err again, or do not blame me for being ruthless.”
With that, he turned and left.
Yun Xiu, preparing hot water, knelt, stunned that the emperor had left so abruptly.
Wen Momo entered first. “Your Highness, did His Majesty trouble you again?”
Hua Shu shook her head, propping her chin on the fan, eyes following the emperor’s departing figure.
She had entered the palace at fifteen and had spent nearly twenty years there, knowing the hearts of the noblewomen could never be fully read.
But she sensed the emperor’s vigilance toward her as empress.
He would not allow anything he could not control.
“Not troubled, just… I feel a bit of the thrill of victory in my heart.”