That night, Emperor Zhaoheng did not visit Shuixian as promised, instead staying at Zhaoyang Palace.
What Shuixian received was Xuemei’s late-night visit.
Yinzhu first intercepted her at the door, signaling that the young mistress had already retired and suggesting she return tomorrow.
Xuemei handed her an embroidered box, saying that if Yinzhu delivered it to Shuixian, she would naturally be permitted entry.
After Yinzhu brought the item inside, she soon returned with a troubled expression to invite Xuemei in.
Wearing the expected look, Xuemei stepped into Chengming Hall under the moonlight.
Shuixian stood in her sleeping garments, clearly having risen in haste. A brocade robe draped her shoulders, and the embroidered box Xuemei had sent in rested on the nearby table.
The opened box revealed several shards of porcelain.
Dried blood stained the edges of the fragments, making the shattered edges appear even sharper. Against the box’s luxurious lining, the sight was particularly jarring.
With an unpleasant expression, Shuixian coldly demanded, “What is the meaning of this?”
Xuemei gestured for Shuixian to dismiss the others before approaching her and whispering, “This is a gift from Consort Yi, who remembers the deep bond between mistress and servant.”
She smiled faintly, her lowered voice carrying a chill:
“Your mother broke an imperial-vase at Yi Manor but refused to admit it.”
Xuemei’s voice grew colder. “The Master said the old woman’s bones were quite stubborn—it took some effort to make her confess.”
“However, your entire family has now admitted their faults, including your younger sister Shui Xiu, who just turned fourteen and grows more delicate by the day…”
Shuixian’s eyes widened in shock, her face showing disbelief.
“You… treacherous! Why target my family?”
Xuemei replied impassively, “They were supposed to be executed according to the rules, but my lady showed mercy by specially writing to stop the Master.”
“Out of consideration for your past relationship, my lady is giving you one chance… depending on whether you’ll take it…”
Shuixian showed panic, seemingly overwhelmed by concern for her family.
After a long silence, with tear-filled eyes and clenched teeth, Shuixian bowed her head to Xuemei—and through her, to Consort Yi.
“What does Consort Yi require of me?”
Xuemei whispered, “During the Longevity Festival banquet in half a month, my lady should be under confinement. You’d best plead with His Majesty on her behalf.”
Her gaze swept over Shuixian’s frightened yet still lovely face. “You currently enjoy imperial favor—you’ll surely succeed in obtaining His Majesty’s grace for my lady.”
“If you prove incapable, then my lady cannot maintain your former bond. She’ll have no choice but to let Yi Manor execute or sell off your family. By then, any regret will come too late.”
Shuixian bit her lip hard, tears welling in her eyes.
Observing Shuixian’s submission, Xuemei smiled in satisfaction.
With a slight nod and no further words, she turned and left Chengming Hall as silently as she had come, stepping through the cold moonlight.
The moment the hall doors closed, the panic drained from Shuixian’s face like a receding tide.
She wiped away her tears, her expression now devoid of emotion, leaving only cold sharpness.
As expected… the same old tactics.
Across lifetimes, Yi Guichun’s most effective and vicious method against her would always be controlling her beloved family who served at Yi Manor.
Her parents, her younger sister Shui Xiu remained hereditary servants of Yi Manor.
Hereditary servant status…
A wave of bitterness rose in Shuixian’s heart.
Their status was like the heaviest shackles in the world—they were the private property of Yi Manor, their life, death, honor, and disgrace entirely dependent on their masters’ whims.
Even though she was now a Noble Lady of the emperor, legally speaking, when Yi Manor disciplined their own servants who had committed grave errors, the emperor could hardly interfere forcefully in a court official’s household affairs!
Mother…
Shuixian’s gaze returned to the blood-stained porcelain fragments in the brocade box.
Her mother had served in Yi Manor for decades, renowned for her caution, never making a single mistake all those years.
How could she possibly break an imperial gift on her very first mistake?
This was clearly a false charge fabricated by Yi Manor to frame her mother, forcing her to confess to a crime she didn’t commit!
“Yi Manor…”
No wonder they could raise such a vicious daughter like Yi Guichun—fish begins to stink at the head!
The Master of Yi Manor, the currently serving official Lord Yi Ming, was truly the most ruthless and cruel of them all!
After waves of bone-deep hatred washed through her heart, Shuixian’s thoughts became exceptionally clear.
For now, she still couldn’t rescue her family!
Shuixian understood deeply that her family members, like her past self, had been conditioned for far too long.
A temporary rescue couldn’t completely cleanse the deeply ingrained servility from their bones!
Only by personally experiencing Yi Manor’s cruelty could they truly understand that in this world, no one could be relied upon—they could only depend on themselves!
Shuixian slowly closed the lid of the brocade box, shutting out the glaring bloodstains.
Only her slightly trembling hand gripping the box betrayed the heartache beneath her rational composure.
These were her family members, her young sister!
The more her heart ached for them, the more overwhelming her hatred for Yi Guichun and Yi Manor became!
As masters, they could freely toy with and torment them at will!
Sooner or later, the entire Yi family would pay the price for their actions!
Ten days passed as fleetingly as flowing sand.
In Changxin Palace, the confined Consort Yi paced restlessly like a caged beast.
The Longevity Festival was approaching—it was her perfect springboard to regain favor, even to advance to the position of Noble Consort!
She absolutely couldn’t be trapped here by this damned confinement!
“Xuemei!” Consort Yi suddenly stopped, her voice trembling with suppressed urgency, “Has that wretched maid Shuixian made any moves? Has she pleaded with the emperor on my behalf?”
Xuemei bowed her head, replying cautiously, “Your Highness, there’s been… no movement from Chengming Hall.”
“None?!” Consort Yi’s voice was filled with incredulous anger, “Has she served the emperor these past days?”
“She has served twice. His Majesty also frequently visits Chengming Hall for meals and brief stays.”
Xuemei reported truthfully.
“How dare she ignore my orders?!”
Consort Yi trembled with rage, her voice turning dark, “What about Zhaoyang Palace? Has she been currying favor with that fool Noble Consort Li again?”
“Yes… Noble Lady Shuixian has been visiting Zhaoyang Palace frequently recently.” Xuemei’s voice dropped even lower.
“Wretched maid! Treacherous slave who betrays her master for glory!”
Consort Yi’s fury reached its peak. She suddenly grabbed a white jade paperweight from the table and hurled it violently to the ground, producing a sharp, shattering sound!
“Does she think clinging to that fool Noble Consort Li will bring her peace? That she can escape me? Dream on! Let’s see whether her family’s lives are tougher, or her bones are harder!”
In stark contrast to Consort Yi’s desperate struggles, the Emperor’s favor at Chengming Hall grew ever stronger.
Upon the bed in Chengming Hall, the Brocade Quilt lay in disarray, the air thick with an indescribable cloying sweetness.
Emperor Zhaoheng reclined against the headboard, his sturdy arm wrapped around Shuixian’s smooth shoulder, his fingertips unconsciously tracing the delicate skin of her back as he savored this rare moment of tenderness.
Shuixian nestled in his embrace, her long lashes casting faint shadows beneath her eyelids, making her appear exceptionally docile.
After a moment of silence, as if hesitating, she finally spoke softly: “Your Majesty…”
“Hmm?” Emperor Zhaoheng responded in a low voice, the end of his syllable slightly hoarse.
“This humble consort went to the Imperial Garden for a stroll today and passed by Changxin Palace…”
Shuixian lightly traced the firm contours of the man’s abdomen with her fingertip, “The palace gates were tightly shut, looking terribly desolate. I remembered my days at Changxin Palace, and Consort Yi…”
She left her words hanging, not continuing, instead fixing her pleading eyes – clear as water – upon Emperor Zhaoheng.
This was the time when men were most amenable to persuasion.
“What?” Emperor Zhaoheng looked down at her, his tone betraying no emotion, “Are you pleading on her behalf?”
Shuixian immediately shook her head, her exposed slender arm clinging affectionately to the man’s shoulder: “This humble consort wouldn’t dare. Your Majesty confined Her Ladyship for your own reasons.”
She paused slightly: “It’s just… just that I thought of how proud Her Ladyship has always been. Now confined to her palace, with the Longevity Festival approaching and unable to come offer birthday wishes to Your Majesty, she must be suffering greatly in her heart.”
These words flowed like a warm stream, quietly smoothing over Emperor Zhaoheng’s anger that had been provoked when Consort Yi suggested adopting an heir.
He recalled that although Consort Yi had her petty schemes during her three years in the palace, she had generally remained dutiful and served with dedication.
When he punished her with confinement, besides his anger, he had indeed intended to use the opportunity to warn the Yi family and balance the harem.
Now that time had passed, Shuixian’s suggestion quietly took root in his heart.
He pinched Shuixian’s delicate chin, making her look up, his gaze profound as he studied her: “You’re quite soft-hearted. After how she treated you, you still think of her?”
Meeting his gaze, her eyes filled with complete dependence, Shuixian extended her slender finger and lightly poked Emperor Zhaoheng’s solid chest: “This consort isn’t thinking of her! I only care about Your Majesty…”
Her voice was soft and sticky with a captivating lilt, her body pressing closer like a water snake, “Since Your Majesty cherishes me, naturally I must think of Your Majesty too.”
Emperor Zhaoheng’s Adam’s apple moved slightly, feeling the purely innocent girl in his arms had transformed into an enchanting siren.
No man could remain unmoved by such beauty that blended docile innocence with alluring charm.
His interest renewed, Shuixian noticed and coquettishly complained: “Your Majesty always bullies me…”
Emperor Zhaoheng chuckled low, his chest vibrating.
He whispered hoarsely in her ear, his large hand following her delicate curves downward.
“After bullying you so many times tonight, one more won’t make a difference.”
He seemed bewitched by Shuixian, wanting only to bury himself deeply in her tender embrace.
The blush-inducing sounds didn’t gradually cease until dawn, when Shuixian once again took advantage of Emperor Zhaoheng’s deep sleep to slip barefoot from bed and approach the dressing table.
The secret compartment in the bracelet was only a temporary measure – too easily discovered.
Now that she had completely moved into Chengming Hall, Xiao Chuanzi had modified her dressing table and installed pills in a hidden compartment.
This morning, Xiao Chuanzi had taken her pulse. Since she had relocated to Chengming Hall, it was no longer convenient for Consort Yi to send over the Fetus-Protecting Medicine.
She hadn’t taken it for a long time, and Xiao Chuanzi said the residual toxins in her body had been completely cleared.
Shuixian deftly retrieved a pill from the hidden compartment, letting the round pill roll between her fingertips.
Consort Yi was about to be released from confinement, and Noble Consort Li had ulterior motives. The young lady Fangfei by her side was particularly deep and calculating.
A storm was subtly brewing and swirling above the palace walls of the inner court.
Perhaps the time had come.
After pondering for a long time, Shuixian finally stuffed the pill back into the hidden compartment of the dressing table and turned to return to her bed…