A crisp slap echoed through the hall, startling everyone present.
Chen Zhaoyi felt as if drums and gongs were clanging in her head. Covering her cheek, she trembled with rage and pointed a shaking finger at Xiao Changning. “How dare you hit me?”
“I hit you precisely because I dared.”
Xiao Changning declared, “You brought it upon yourself with your foul mouth. If there’s a next time, I’ll hit you again.”
Humiliated, Chen Zhaoyi felt her dignity crumble. She lunged forward, claws bared, but before she could reach Xiao Changning, she was intercepted by her maid, Alan.
“Chen Zhaoyi, Guifei’s status is noble. It is only right for her to discipline you.”
Xiao Changning watched Alan standing protectively before her and thought to herself: This palace maid indeed has some martial skills.
“What a lively scene today.”
The concubines all stepped back, and even the usually flamboyant Chen Zhaoyi fell silent.
Before anyone saw her, her voice was heard first. Empress Jiang Yuzhou walked out from the inner chamber, yawning. “I woke up with a headache this morning and simply rose a little later.”
“And yet, you sisters have already caused such a commotion.”
Jiang Yuzhou scanned the room, her gaze finally settling on Xiao Changning. “The palace is becoming more and more filled with beauties.”
“As palace consorts, you should abide by the palace rules.”
“I am unwell. All of you may leave.”
After speaking, Jiang Yuzhou returned to her sleeping palace, supported by the young eunuch Qin Feng.
Defei watched Jiang Yuzhou’s retreating figure and said, “Sisters, disperse now. If you anger the Empress, none of us will have an easy time.”
With that, Defei lifted her chin and strode away.
In no time, the hall emptied of the bustling crowd of beauties.
Chen Zhaoyi covered her swollen cheek, her eyes glaring with murderous intent. I will never swallow this insult.
It’s all because of you, Xiao Changning! Yesterday, you caused me to be punished by the Empress, and today, you struck me!
I will never let you off.
As Xiao Changning walked back to her palace, she unexpectedly encountered the Emperor’s carriage. She immediately stepped aside, but before she could bow in greeting, Murong Yao helped her up.
“There’s still some distance to Weiyang Palace. Let me walk with you.”
With that, Murong Yao took her hand and led her through the palace corridors, while a crowd of guards followed at a distance, heads bowed.
Xiao Changning looked at his hand and tried to pull away, but he only tightened his grip, his strength almost crushing her wrist.
Seeing her attempt fail, she sighed inwardly. If he wants to hold it, let him.
Murong Yao, noticing her discomfort, felt a secret delight. “I rushed here right after the morning court. Did anything happen during the concubines’ audience today?”
“Nothing.”
“Oh? But I heard you and Chen Zhaoyi got into a fight?”
Murong Yao stopped walking, turned to look at her, and smiled—whether in pride or schadenfreude, it was unclear.
Seizing the opportunity, Xiao Changning shook off his hand.
“Is Bixia seeking justice for his beloved consort?”
She let her hands hang naturally, adopting an indifferent stance. “I admit it. I hit her. I provoked her on purpose.”
“Bixia may punish me however he wishes. I will accept it.”
After speaking, Xiao Changning knelt on both knees, her gaze drifting indifferently to a tiny ant crawling in the corner of the palace wall.
Seeing her kneel before him, Murong Yao felt an inexplicable pang in his heart and quickly lifted her up.
Suddenly weightless, Xiao Changning had no choice but to cling tightly to his collar to avoid falling. “Bixia, put me down.”
“You’re right.”
Xiao Changning was filled with confusion. If he wanted to seek justice, why did he have to hold me?
Murong Yao placed her in Weiyang Palace, picked up the medicine bowl beside him, and began feeding her spoonful by spoonful. At first, Xiao Changning wanted to refuse.
But then she suddenly remembered the last time she refused to drink the medicine—Murong Yao had pinched her chin and forced a bowl of scalding, bitter medicine down her throat.
Thinking of this, she resigned herself to it. It was better to drink it obediently than to be forced.
Murong Yao stared intently at Xiao Changning’s fair cheeks, his mind drifting back to their first encounter.
Meanwhile, Xiao Changning kept her eyes fixed on the medicine bowl, wondering when she would finally finish this bitter concoction.
“Changning, do you still remember ‘Longing for My Lord’?” Murong Yao suddenly asked.
Xiao Changning’s memories were instantly pulled back.
It was a summer day. At that time, Xiao Changning had concealed her identity, wearing a light veil. The oil-paper umbrella in her hand twirled out and back, captivating everyone’s gaze.
A sweet voice echoed through the air, “My heart adores you, yet you remain unaware…”
The audience below had fallen completely silent, not daring to breathe, afraid of disturbing the celestial maiden on stage.
As the dance ended, sighs of admiration rose from the spectators.
“So beautiful,” “Absolutely stunning,” “Like a fairy descending to the mortal realm.”
Hearing Murong Yao mention “Longing for My Lord,” Xiao Changning’s heart skipped a beat.
“Longing for My Lord” was her signature dance, the one that had captivated the entire capital.
From then on, everyone knew of Miss Ning from the Jiangling Flower Workshop, renowned for her graceful figure and mesmerizing dance. Yet, no one had ever seen her true face.
But what the world didn’t know was that this dance was also choreographed for Yuan Yanchen.
Xiao Changning’s hands unconsciously tightened. “Of course, I remember ‘Longing for My Lord.'”
Murong Yao placed the empty medicine bowl on the table and added, “That day, I was there too.”
“Watching you on stage, my entire heart flew away with you.”
His eyes shimmered with faint starlight as he raised his hand and gently stroked her cheek, his touch sending ripples through her.
His voice was low, his warm breath brushing against Xiao Changning’s cheek. “Changning, could you dance it just once for me?”
Xiao Changning was startled. Dance?
To humiliate me? Was this his way of avenging his favored consort?
Or was he deliberately bringing up Brother Yanchen to stir up painful memories?
Seeing her silence, Murong Yao raised his voice. “Who is Changning thinking of?”
“No!” she blurted out almost immediately. “No one!”
She twisted her sleeve nervously and said, “Your servant… your servant is weak and unfit to dance.”
“If Bixia wishes to watch, could you wait a few days or summon a court dancer to perform?”
Murong Yao nodded. “No rush. I’ve waited all these years; a few more days won’t matter.”
“Changning, rest well. I’ll come see you again tonight.”
With that, Murong Yao walked out, turning back every few steps, reluctant to leave.
After exiting Weiyang Palace, Murong Yao felt an emptiness in his heart. He strode aimlessly along the palace path.
Eunuch Feng, holding a horsetail whisk, followed beside him and asked, “Bixia? Shall we return to the Imperial Study to review the memorials?”
Murong Yao suddenly stopped in his tracks. Unprepared, Eunuch Feng halted immediately, nearly colliding with him.
Eunuch Feng took two steps back, patting his chest with lingering fear. If he had bumped into Bixia, wouldn’t his head be on the line?
“Not the Imperial Study. I’m going to see Chen Zhaoyi.”
“I have said that I will uphold justice for her and stand by her.”
With that, Murong Yao turned and headed toward the palace behind the Imperial Garden.
Seeing that Murong Yao had already dashed far ahead, Eunuch Feng hurriedly beckoned to the attendants behind him, “Quick, follow him.”