Shen Chao watched her approach and curtsied slightly. As Cui Wanqing drew near, a strong fragrance wafted over. Shen Chao, with her sensitive nose, nearly failed to maintain her composure.
The scent felt somewhat familiar, but she couldn’t quite place it at the moment.
“Please wait a moment, sister. I’ve lost some weight recently and may need your help adjusting the measurements.”
This was a common request, so Shen Chao agreed and waited outside while Cui Wanqing tried on the clothes, ready to step in afterward to see what adjustments were needed.
After a while, Shen Chao was called inside. She smoothed out the garment, noted the areas that needed alteration, and then left with the clothes in hand.
Once she was gone, Cui Wanqing’s maid whispered, “Miss, she is, after all, the Empress’s person. Could she…”
“We’ve been careful. Nothing will go wrong,” Cui Wanqing replied.
Shen Chao returned to the Imperial Wardrobe Bureau with the clothes and had them altered.
All the way back, she pondered what that familiar scent was. It wasn’t until she entered the Phoenix Palace that she remembered—it was the smell of nutmeg.
Her mentor had taught her that a Chief Attendant of Clothing must not only manage garments well but also be familiar with the scents of various spices, as people often played tricks with incense.
Nutmeg gave off a warm, sweet fragrance, and many used it to make perfumes. However, it was also commonly used to create aphrodisiac incense.
This was a trick often employed by the nobility in the palace. Since the Empress had purged the harem, Shen Chao hadn’t encountered such a scent in a long time.
Shen Chao reported the matter to the Empress, who understood immediately, rewarded her, and praised her for a job well done.
Shen Chao breathed a sigh of relief and returned to her quarters. What followed would be a battle among the masters themselves.
Anxiety gnawed at her heart, as the current calm felt like the lull before a storm.
She had been waiting for a message from Xiao Yanli, but it seemed he had gone quiet.
Shen Chao couldn’t help but wonder if he had finally let her go…
…
On the day of the Mid-Autumn Palace banquet, Shen Chao rose early and was kept busy until she felt dizzy.
At noon, when Her Majesty took a short rest, Shen Chao finally caught a moment to breathe. But then, a young palace maid informed her that the Wife of the Marquis of Huaicheng wished to speak with her.
Her heart tightened, but she went anyway.
Beneath the pavilion, the Wife of the Marquis of Huaicheng sat upright. When Shen Chao arrived, she lifted her eyelids lazily, her disdain for Shen Chao as evident as ever.
“How have you been in the palace lately?”
“Thank you for your concern, Mother. Everything is as usual.”
“That’s good.” The Wife of the Marquis of Huaicheng adjusted her sleeves and spoke with an air of authority. “I’ve heard that the Empress is selecting a Crown Princess for the Crown Prince. Do you know any details?”
“Her Majesty has never mentioned this matter. I don’t know.”
The Wife of the Marquis of Huaicheng shot her a disdainful glance. “You’ve served by Her Majesty’s side for so many years. Surely you must know the Crown Prince’s preferences?”
Shen Chao’s heart turned cold, already anticipating what was to come.
“Your younger sister has come of age. We dare not aspire to the position of Crown Princess, but we could strive for the role of Liangdi. Tell us the Crown Prince’s preferences so I can make arrangements.”
Shen Chao pressed her lips together. “His Highness was raised in Yangxin Hall since childhood and only visits Her Majesty daily to pay his respects and stay briefly. I truly don’t know His Highness’s preferences.”
Upon hearing this, the Wife of the Marquis of Huaicheng sneered. “You truly are a loyal dog! Your sister is of marriageable age. I suppose you’d like me to find her a good match too?”
Shen Chao clenched her fingers, thinking she had been away for some time. “Give me some time. I will try to find out His Highness’s preferences.”
The Wife of the Marquis of Huaicheng flicked her sleeve and warned, "Don't keep me waiting too long!"
Rushing back to Phoenix Palace, Shen Chao found the Empress already awake. She hurried in to help her dress, then waited for the palace banquet to begin.
When the hour arrived, the Empress entered the grand hall side by side with the Emperor under the gaze of all.
Shen Chao followed behind the Empress, adjusting her trailing robe, when she suddenly felt a gaze fixed on her back, sending a chill down her spine.
The sensation was all too familiar. Her hand trembled slightly, but she took a few deep breaths and calmly stepped aside.
In Taihe Hall, below the Emperor sat the Crown Prince and other princes, followed by officials of the first and second ranks. Those of insufficient rank could only sit outside the hall.
Shen Chao and another palace maid stood behind the Empress, ready to attend to any issues with her attire.
Then, that chilling gaze swept over her once more.
She looked up and met Xiao Yanli's eyes—he was staring directly at her amidst the crowd!
Shen Chao quickly lowered her head. Amidst the music, she heard the Empress Dowager say, "Your Majesty, Empress, my grandniece has prepared diligently for today's banquet, practicing her dance for three full months. Tonight, she must perform, even if it means making a fool of herself!"
Shen Chao's heart clenched for the Empress—this was not on tonight's schedule! The Empress Dowager had acted first and sought approval later!
The Empress remained expressionless, while the Emperor readily agreed.
As the music swelled in Taihe Hall, a troupe of dancers flooded into the hall. Among them, Cui Wanqing stood out like the moon among stars, her movements as graceful as a fish or a swallow. Her performance earned applause from the entire hall.
As the dance neared its end, the dancers retrieved small wine jugs from beneath their thin garments and presented them with delicate steps to the guests' tables.
Cui Wanqing gently placed a jug on the Crown Prince's table, her eyes conveying unspoken emotions that stirred the imagination.
"This wine is called 'Huanchun,' a secret recipe I developed. It is made from winter plum snow blended with flowers of all seasons. It carries a floral aroma upon tasting, with a subtle sweetness of honey. Today, I offer it to Your Majesty for your judgment."
Wine had already been placed before the Emperor. Seeing him raise his cup, the others also took a sip and offered words of praise.
Shen Chao noticed Xiao Yanli hesitate for a moment as he raised his cup, but he still drank it under everyone's watchful eyes.
After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Xiao Yanli left his seat.
The Empress gave Shen Chao a meaningful glance. Understanding, Shen Chao quietly slipped away to find Xiao Yanli.
She walked swiftly, but her heart sank with each step.
Both she and the Empress suspected the wine might be problematic, yet the Empress had sent no one else—only her.
Did the Empress trust her to prevent an uncontrollable situation, or was she being offered as an antidote to Xiao Yanli?
Leaving Taihe Hall and winding through the rear palace, guided by palace servants, Shen Chao stood before a dark palace, her heart pounding wildly.
Fu Hai spotted her and waved her over.
"Dear sister, hurry! His Highness is suffering terribly inside!"
Shen Chao's feet felt as heavy as lead, but she forced a self-mocking smile.
Having come this far, what was she hesitating for?
Pushing open the heavy door, she stepped into the darkness that swallowed her figure.
"Who is it?"
Shen Chao halted and replied, "This servant is Caichun."
Xiao Yanli's voice sounded unsteady, but Shen Chao, consumed by overwhelming tension, failed to notice. Her own body trembled, fearful of what was to come.
Darkness amplified Shen Chao's senses; she heard the low growls and struggles of the beast.
A chilling aura enveloped her, her waist gripped tightly by a hand, her vulnerable neck falling into the other's palm.
"You knew the wine was tainted, yet you sought it out. Did you intend to be my antidote?"