Returning to the Yeting, Song Shutang finally felt her heart pounding like a drum.
Indeed, after meeting Cui Wenshu, her days in the Yeting had improved considerably. Cui Wenshu cared for her, and she reciprocated with genuine sincerity.
Yet when she spoke those words today, she was also nervous inside, not entirely certain that Cui Wenshu would help her.
After all, in this palace, sincerity was rare, but sincerity was also the least important thing.
But aside from today, she feared she would never find such a suitable opportunity again. It was already December, and in the blink of an eye, it would be April of the following year. If new Consorts entered the palace, how would the Emperor have any mind to spare for others?
Since she had already set her heart on this, she did not want to wait indefinitely any longer.
As for why she sought Cui Wenshu’s help, firstly, although Cui Wenshu was a servant, she held great authority in the Yeting. Secondly, she suspected that Auntie Cui must have some connection with the Emperor.
Hah—Song Shutang let out a long breath, temporarily burying this matter in her heart. If there were no results after some days, she lowered her gaze, then she would find another way.
The days passed uneventfully. Song Shutang carried out her duties as usual, and heavy snow fell several more times. Everyone said this was an auspicious sign, as this year had truly been anything but peaceful—first floods in the southwest, then severe drought in the north.
Only… Song Shutang had grown up in Shangjing since childhood, and her parents never confined her to the estate. In winter, she loved most to invite friends to Nanshan to admire the snow. She knew very well that this year’s snowfall was much heavier than in previous years, and she feared the commoners in the outskirts of the capital would have a difficult time.
“I had already ordered Jingzhao Prefecture to pay attention to the winter survival issues of the commoners in the city outskirts when the first heavy snow fell.”
In the Imperial Study.
On the white marble platform, the purple sandalwood imperial desk, fully carved with coiling dragon patterns, was piled high with memorials. Pei Hengyu sat cold-faced on the dragon throne.
Below stood three ministers in a row. Upon hearing this, beads of sweat instantly appeared on their faces. They dared not look up, but they could well imagine the Emperor’s expression at this moment.
“Reporting to Your Majesty, Jingzhao Prefecture indeed presented a contingency plan from the start, but this year’s snow disaster exceeded expectations.”
As soon as these words fell, someone beside immediately added, “Hubu also promptly allocated disaster relief supplies. However, when previous natural disasters such as the southwest floods occurred, some taxes had already been reduced or exempted. Now Hubu is also… somewhat stretched thin.”
The hall was so quiet one could hear a pin drop.
This was the meaning of shifting blame and pleading poverty: a contingency plan was made, but Jingzhao Prefecture could not control the heavens’ will; some funds were allocated, but Hubu was also poor, after all, much had gone out and little had come in during the previous disasters.
From the Suanni incense burner, thin smoke rose slowly. Pei Hengyu’s lips curled into a faint, cold smile.
Now the number of refugees in the capital outskirts was increasing more and more. These ministers of his, instead of first thinking of solutions, were complaining of hardships.
He looked down expressionlessly: “The matter of the refugees, from today onward, will be handed over to Vice Minister Li to oversee, with assistance from Jingzhao Prefecture and Hubu.”
After the people left, the Imperial Study returned to silence.
Lu Ping quietly brought in hot tea and said softly:
“Your Majesty, please have some tea.”
Pei Hengyu’s gaze remained fixed on the memorials, not even lifting his head.
During the earlier discussion, Lu Ping had also been present and knew that the Emperor was likely somewhat displeased. Shifting his eyes, he changed the subject:
“It’s snowing outside again. This servant has instructed the Imperial Kitchen to prepare a hotpot to help ward off the chill for Your Majesty.”
Outside the window, snowflakes drifted down. He tossed aside the memorial and leaned back in his chair. “Summon Li Qianyi tomorrow.”
Li Qianyi was precisely the Vice Minister Li mentioned earlier.
Lu Ping promptly acknowledged the order. Knowing the Emperor was still troubled by the refugees outside the capital, he said nothing more.
However, the hotpot Lu Ping had specially arranged ultimately went uneaten. As evening approached, Jing Zhaoyi of Yongan Palace sent her personal palace maid to invite the Emperor to dine together.
Jing Zhaoyi was the daughter of the Minister of Revenue mentioned earlier.
As expected, upon hearing this report, Pei Hengyu’s expression turned cold.
Lu Ping immediately understood the outcome. He retreated a few steps, turned, and left.
The messenger from Yongan Palace was still waiting outside. Upon hearing Lu Ping’s refusal, her face showed obvious disappointment.
Yet Lu Ping wore his perpetual, unchanging smile. The Emperor had made it clear he did not wish to go; there was nothing he could do.
He stood with his hands tucked into his sleeves under the corridor, waiting quietly while counting the hours, preparing to announce the meal service.
Creak—the door behind him opened from within. Turning at the sound, he saw Pei Hengyu descending the steps.
“Do not follow.”
These words abruptly halted Lu Ping’s steps as he prepared to accompany him.
“Your Majesty!”
But Pei Hengyu left him only with a tall, imposing back.
/
The sky was caught between dusk and darkness. At Manxing Tower in the Yeting—the highest building in the Palace Servants’ Quarters—the entire Forbidden Court lay visible below.
Pei Hengyu stood there now.
Watching the distant sun gradually sink westward, the night slowly enveloping the entire palace.
Footsteps sounded behind him, light as a feather’s touch. As they ceased, a voice spoke:
“My lord, this humble maid has been sent by Auntie Cui of the Yeting to deliver something to you.”
Song Shutang spoke cautiously. In her heart, she had a faint premonition of whom she might meet today.
Receiving no expected response, she dared not look up, but the scent of a steady, subtle fragrance at her nose grew increasingly distinct.
Moments later, a pair of black boots appeared within her line of sight.
Song Shutang spoke softly again, repeating her earlier words.
“My lord?”
His tone was cold, like icicles falling in a winter forest, long-accumulated and unmelted.
It made Song Shutang’s body tremble involuntarily. She answered yes.
Although she had harbored suspicions, Auntie Cui had indeed not explicitly stated the visitor’s identity, so she could only pretend not to know.
Moreover, while she had heard of the Emperor many times before, she had never seen his face.
The woman in his line of sight kept her face lowered, her neck slender and long, her exposed jaw pale and delicate. Even half-kneeling, her figure appeared slim and graceful.
“Look up.”
His words always carried an authority that demanded absolute obedience. Song Shutang bit her lip, her heart feeling as if it might leap uncontrollably from her throat. Slowly, she raised her head.
Though she looked up, her gaze remained downcast, not daring to meet his eyes directly.
Pei Hengyu’s gaze fell upon the woman’s small, palm-sized face.
After a long while, he asked, “Cui Wenshu sent you.”
The woman nodded, saying yes.
“Do you know who I am?”
Song Shutang pressed her pink lips together and shook her head, deciding to feign ignorance to the end, yet speaking truthfully: “Auntie did not inform me. She only instructed this humble maid to deliver the item.”
As she spoke, she slightly raised the tray in her hands.
Yet this was not entirely without calculation. For instance, she knew which angles of her face were most beautiful, and which posture while kneeling best highlighted her advantages.
Her greatest asset in daring to harbor thoughts of becoming a mistress was her person, her face.
Appetite for food and beauty is human nature.
Moreover, it is said that the most favored in the palace is neither the most esteemed Empress nor the noblest Consort Zhen, but Consort Li.
A dancer from Jiangnan, she attained the rank of Meiren solely through her beauty.
Thus, in Song Shutang’s mind, she guessed that the Emperor was likely no exception—fond of beautiful women.
Pei Hengyu did not take the item, his gaze dark and inscrutable. He extended two fingers to lift her pale chin, forcing the woman to look up.
As their eyes met, the panic in her gaze was unmistakable.
The man parted his lips slightly and asked, “What is your name?”
“… This servant is named Song Shutang.”
The cold touch on her chin vanished, and by the time she regained her senses, he had already left.
Song Shutang’s previously upright posture suddenly went limp, as if all strength had drained from her body, and she sat directly on the floor.
Her gaze remained fixed on the staircase where the man had just descended step by step.
She could now fully confirm his identity.
The sky had completely darkened, and there was no longer any sign of anyone around. The place was remote; even after two years of service here, Song Shutang had seldom come up.
The scent that lingered around her was still his. Recalling her earlier reactions, Song Shutang confirmed there had been no missteps, and her heart settled slightly.
As a child, a fortune-teller had said she possessed a top-tier destiny of wealth and nobility. She wanted to see for herself whether that fate was true or false.
After returning, Song Shutang was summoned by Cui Wenshu.
“You must have guessed who you met today.”
Song Shutang nodded. “It was… the Emperor.”
Seeing her expression, Cui Wenshu knew things might have gone smoothly, but she still inquired in detail about the Emperor’s reaction.
Song Shutang did not conceal anything, answering every question truthfully.
Hearing this, Cui Wenshu’s eyebrows subconsciously lifted slightly. After a moment of contemplation, she hinted vaguely:
“Twenty years ago, I first met the Emperor in Yeting as well. He was still young then, and even now, when his mind is troubled, he comes to Manxing Tower.”
Song Shutang looked up in surprise. She had suspected there was a connection between Cui Wenshu and the Emperor, but she never imagined it traced back twenty years.
Cui Wenshu was unwilling to share more details. The Emperor’s reaction today was enough to indicate he had taken an interest in Song Shutang. Looking at the woman’s radiant beauty, she sighed inwardly.
Ambition was not a bad thing; otherwise, such beauty on a palace maid might be a blessing or a curse.
She beckoned, “Come closer.”
The woman obediently rested her head on Cui Wenshu’s lap. Cui Wenshu stroked her glossy black hair. “In this palace, there is only one Emperor, but countless consorts.”
“Our Emperor also has a true heart.”
She said no more. This was as far as she could help Song Shutang. Having made her decision, whether the path ahead would be smooth or treacherous was for the one involved to navigate.
Song Shutang’s clear eyes grew slightly moist. “Thank you, Auntie.”
“You have my assurance.”
Lu Ping came to Yeting on the day before New Year’s Eve.
It was nearly lunchtime, and the palace maids were off duty, resting in the Palace Workshops, chatting idly.
Song Shutang sat on her bed. These past few days, her mind had been preoccupied, leaving little curiosity for other matters.
Lu Ping’s arrival naturally caused a stir. The chief eunuch by the Emperor’s side was not someone just anyone could meet.
Especially since he was accompanied by Cui Wenshu.
For a moment, the seven or eight palace maids were all somewhat stunned, exchanging bewildered glances.
Lu Ping’s gaze swept over each of them, pausing when it landed on the woman in the corner. His eyes flickered with a trace of astonishment. “Song Shutang?”
The woman took half a step forward. “Your servant is here.”
So it was her. Even someone like him, who had no interest in women whatsoever, could spot her at a glance in a crowd—no wonder the Emperor had taken a liking to her.
Lu Ping said, “Come with me.”