Shuixian gazed at Li San’s face, distorted by arrogance, her smile deepening at the corners of her lips.
Hearing Consort Yi’s name from this vile servant’s mouth saved her considerable trouble.
“Yinzhu,” her voice was soft yet colder than ice, “fetch the Internal Pharmacy’s manager. I wish to see how he intends to punish someone who frames a colleague, metes out private punishment in the Imperial Garden, all under Consort Yi’s banner!”
Li San wore an expression of disbelief.
Currently in the palace, aside from the frail and seldom-seen Empress, only Noble Consort Li—reigning supreme in the imperial harem—could rival Consort Yi, who had risen to prominence over her three years at court.
Noble Consort Li was haughty and imperious, unlike Consort Yi’s gentle elegance, and would never deign to acknowledge a low-ranking concubine like the one before him.
Thus, Li San had been utterly confident that invoking Consort Yi’s name would intimidate Shuixian.
This woman… how dare she?!
Before long, the manager Shuixian had previously seen at the Internal Pharmacy arrived in the Imperial Garden, panting as he hurried after Yinzhu with two young eunuchs in tow.
Spotting Li San’s disheveled state from afar, he inwardly groaned.
Though Li San often threw his weight around the Internal Pharmacy, relying on his powerful backing, who would dare intervene given Consort Yi’s current influence? But this Changzai Shuixian… she was the Emperor’s newly favored rising star, recently showered with imperial grace.
Beads of cold sweat formed on the manager’s forehead as he scurried to Shuixian, bowing deeply. “This humble servant pays respects to my lady! Please calm your anger! Which blind fool has offended you?”
Shuixian’s gaze swept over the Internal Pharmacy manager’s anxious face, her voice simmering with fury:
“Manager, is this man one of your Internal Pharmacy staff? In broad daylight, within the Imperial Garden, he dares to openly frame a colleague—falsely accusing Eunuch Xiao Chuanzi of shattering medicinal pills—assaulting him, and attempting to seize his treasured medical texts!”
Her tone sharpened as she continued, “More despicably, he committed these atrocities while repeatedly invoking Consort Yi’s name! I witnessed this with my own eyes—how could I allow him to tarnish Consort Yi’s virtuous reputation?”
Li San panicked upon hearing this. “Manager Wang! I’ve been wronged! This servant never slandered—”
“Silence!” Shuixian cut him off.
Adopting the stance of a loyal defender of Consort Yi, she declared, “What is Consort Yi’s status? How gentle and virtuous is she? How could she tolerate a wicked servant like you by her side? Clearly, you’re using Consort Yi’s name to smear her reputation!”
Turning to the Internal Pharmacy manager, she said coldly, “Manager, if such a malicious servant—falsely claiming his mistress’s authority while committing crimes—isn’t severely punished, how can we purify the palace? How can we protect Consort Yi’s good name? According to Internal Pharmacy regulations, what should the punishment be?”
Manager Wang felt overwhelmed by the weight of Shuixian’s accusations.
He understood perfectly: Changzai Shuixian was determined to use this incident to make an example of Li San. Yet every word she spoke was justified under the pretext of defending Consort Yi, leaving him no room to plead for Li San.
He could only stammer in response, “Reporting to my lady, according to palace regulations, Li San’s actions—framing others, administering private punishment, and damaging his mistress’s reputation—when punished collectively warrant… thirty cane strikes!”
“Very well.” Shuixian nodded, her gaze sweeping over Li San’s resentful face before finally settling on Xiao Chuanzi, who was struggling to sit up. Her voice softened:
“Eunuch Xiao Chuanzi, your injuries are severe. Can you endure long enough to witness this punishment carried out? I fear the underlings might feign compliance while acting contrary, going easy on this scoundrel. That would tarnish Consort Yi’s reputation and break the heart of you, the victim.”
Xiao Chuanzi’s entire body ached, but his eyes grew increasingly bright. He nodded firmly, his voice hoarse yet resolute: “This slave… this slave can endure! Thank you for your grace, my lady! I will personally witness it, never allowing such a villain… another chance to slander Consort Yi!”
Wang Guanshi’s heart tightened, realizing this young Changzai, though youthful, employed methods that left no room for error.
He hastily bowed: “This slave wouldn’t dare! We will punish him severely! Attendants! Drag Li San back to the Internal Pharmacy courtyard for punishment!”
Two young eunuchs stepped forward and roughly dragged away the wailing Li San.
Shuixian averted her eyes from the unpleasant scene, turning to Wang Guanshi: “Eunuch Xiao Chuanzi here has suffered unjust calamity today with severe injuries. My West Side Hall in Changxin Palace happens to need a reliable attendant. Manager Wang, have him pack his belongings and report to my quarters immediately.”
How could Wang Guanshi dare refuse?
He bobbed his head obsequiously: “Yes, yes, yes! How benevolent of you to show such care for your subordinates! This slave will arrange it immediately! Xiao Chuanzi, why aren’t you thanking our lady for her grace?”
Xiao Chuanzi struggled to rise, ignoring his painful injuries, and heavily kowtowed on the snowy ground before Shuixian. His forehead touched the cold snow as he choked out:
“This slave Xiao Chuanzi… thanks my lady for her grace!”
Some time later.
Changxin Palace, Main Hall.
Having just returned from the Imperial Garden, Shuixian came to pay Consort Yi a visit.
Upon entering the hall, Shuixian made an elegant curtsy to Consort Yi: “Greetings to Consort Yi.”
“Sister Shuixian, please rise. Why have you come through such bitter cold? Come sit and warm yourself.” Consort Yi smiled warmly, gesturing to the Embroidered Stool beside her while discreetly studying Shuixian, wondering about her sudden visit.
Shuixian sat as instructed and declared indignantly: “Your Highness, I have accomplished something significant for you today in the Imperial Garden!”
“Oh? What matter has stirred such anger in Sister Shuixian?” Consort Yi frowned, though her heart inexplicably skipped a beat.
“Your Highness wouldn’t know!” Shuixian said coldly: “While admiring the scenery in the plum grove, I happened upon a vile servant from the Internal Pharmacy named Li San bullying and beating a young eunuch! Not only did Li San frame the innocent, but most hatefully, he kept shouting that he was Consort Yi’s man, wielding your banner to tyrannize others! Completely lawless!”
The smile on Consort Yi’s face stiffened abruptly, her fingers slowly tightening around her handkerchief.
As if noticing nothing, Shuixian continued with righteous fury: “I was immediately enraged! How could someone as gentle and virtuous as Your Highness tolerate such a wicked servant tarnishing your reputation abroad? I immediately summoned the Internal Pharmacy manager and publicly exposed Li San’s villainy! Manager Wang also stated that according to palace regulations, such a vile servant deserves thirty cane strikes!”
Shuixian smiled slightly, as if seeking praise: “Did I do correctly, Your Highness?”
Consort Yi felt a surge of fury erupt in her chest, stifling her unbearably!
What a meddlesome little bitch!
Yet she could not afford to lose her temper—doing so would be admitting that Li San was a pawn she had planted in the Internal Pharmacy.
Suppressing the fury boiling inside her, she forced a smile onto her face. “I must thank Sister Shuixian for her keen observation and for defending me so staunchly! I rarely leave my quarters and had no idea such a vile servant was causing trouble. By exposing this rotten weed today and ensuring his severe punishment, you have done me a great service, Sister! I… am endlessly grateful!”
See? She even has to thank us.
Shuixian smiled modestly. “Your Highness flatters me. This is merely my duty. You have shown me such profound kindness—how could I allow such villains to slander you?”
“Quite right, Sister Shuixian! Absolutely!” Consort Yi nodded with a smile, though her heart felt as if it were being squeezed in a vise!
Releasing Shuixian’s hand, Consort Yi maintained her solicitous tone. “You must be tired, Sister Shuixian? Return and rest now. Have some hot soup to ward off the chill.”
Having achieved her goal, Shuixian rose obediently. “Indeed, I shall take my leave now. Please rest well, Your Highness.”
The moment Shuixian’s figure vanished beyond the door, the strained smile on Consort Yi’s face shattered!
She swept her arm violently, sending the white porcelain teacup on the bedside table crashing to the floor, where it shattered into pieces!
The piercing sound of breaking china echoed through the inner chamber! Dark tea stained the luxurious carpet.
“That wretched slave!” Consort Yi’s chest heaved violently. “How dare she! How dare she humiliate me like this!”
Xuemei trembled and prostrated herself on the floor.
“That fool Li San! A useless waste who can’t accomplish anything but brings ruin!” Consort Yi gnashed her teeth, murderous intent flashing in her eyes. “He knows too much! He must not be allowed to live and speak!”
She whirled toward Xuemei, her voice icy and sharp. “Xuemei, go to the Internal Pharmacy yourself! Tell the overseer that while I sympathize with erring servants, palace rules are palace rules—thirty strokes, not a single one less! Make sure he applies them thoroughly!”
Understanding immediately, Xuemei bowed her head. “Yes! This servant understands!”
Consort Yi took a deep breath, her gaze venomous as she stared toward the West Side Hall. “Also, investigate thoroughly! Find out whether Shuixian’s visit to the Imperial Garden today was a coincidence or something more!”
“Yes!” Xuemei accepted the order and hurried out to make arrangements.
Only Consort Yi’s furious panting remained in the inner chamber.
Shuixian… I will make you repay today’s humiliation a hundredfold!
That night.
Before Shuixian could await Xiao Chuanzi’s return, her name was drawn for the imperial summons to attend the Emperor.
Before departing, Shuixian carefully instructed Yinzhu on all matters, then boarded the imperial palanquin.
The palanquin did not head toward the Qianqing Palace, but instead toward Wenlan Hall—the private hot springs built at great expense by the previous emperor.
This was Shuixian’s first time entering Wenlan Hall. Unlike typical palaces with their golden brick floors, its walls were inlaid with pale green jade. A hundred pots of fresh flowers filled the hall, their petals glistening with moisture, releasing waves of fragrance.
At the center lay a square hot spring pool measuring several meters across, its walls constructed of white jade carved with dragon and phoenix patterns. The water was so clear one could see the green pebbles lining the bottom, while tendrils of steam rose from the surface—a sight intoxicating enough to dazzle the senses.
Shuixian had already changed in a side chamber, assisted by attendants, into a gown of sheer gauze. Though thin, the multiple layers revealed only vague contours, the feathered silk swirling around her like rippling waves with each step, enhancing her grace.
Since Emperor Zhaoheng’s ascension, he had deemed this place excessively extravagant and seldom used Wenlan Hall.
Unexpectedly, the summons to attend him tonight came at Wenlan Hall.
As these thoughts crossed her mind, Shuixian stepped barefoot into the hot spring, the steamy waters flushing her fair cheeks with a delicate pink.
About a quarter hour later, she faintly heard Emperor Zhaoheng’s footsteps approaching from outside the hall.
Languid from the soak, she pretended not to hear, merely leaning against the pool edge with closed eyes.
Instead of entering the pool immediately, the Emperor reached over her shoulder to gently stir the water before her.
“Xian’er grows bolder by the day, even skipping formal greetings to your emperor…”
“Your Majesty…”
Turning around, Shuixian met the Emperor’s gaze from the pool’s edge. Buoyed by the water, she rose slightly and draped her slender arms over his shoulders.
Her layered gauze robes, now soaked, clung transparent as cicada wings, leaving nothing concealed.
Meeting his smoldering gaze, her voice carried a hint of grievance.
“This subject didn’t mean disrespect, only that my cheeks burn too easily…”
Before she could finish, Emperor Zhaoheng lifted her from the water and strode toward the nearby daybed.
His voice was taut, his steps urgent.
“They say hot springs warm the body and best quicken conception. I shall personally verify this claim.”