The next morning.
Consort Yi meticulously dressed and groomed herself, bringing Shan Cha along as she personally went to the Palace of Heavenly Purity to apologize to Emperor Zhaoheng.
Palace of Heavenly Purity.
Incense smoke curled upward in the hall, creating a solemn atmosphere.
"Your humble consort pays respects to Your Majesty." Consort Yi performed a dignified bow, her posture submissive.
"This consort failed in her discipline, causing my maid Shuixian to behave improperly before Your Majesty last night and disturb the imperial carriage. This consort is filled with anxiety and has come specially to apologize to Your Majesty."
Shan Cha quickly knelt behind her, head bowed low, though the corners of her eyes couldn't help stealing upward glances.
Her heart pounded like a drum. Since Shuixian had been sent back last night, would her mistress… consider giving her a chance?
Emperor Zhaoheng sat upright behind the desk, his bright yellow dragon robe enhancing his majestic composure.
He was reviewing a memorial and didn't immediately look up upon hearing this, merely uttering a faint "Hmm" as he dipped his brush tip in vermilion ink and continued writing.
The hall fell into brief silence.
Consort Yi maintained her bowing posture, privately speculating.
Shan Cha grew somewhat anxious. Taking advantage of Consort Yi's lowered head, she boldly looked up again, gazing fervently at Emperor Zhaoheng, even subtly adjusting her kneeling posture to display her graceful curves.
However, Emperor Zhaoheng's gaze remained fixed on the memorial. His slender hand held the vermilion brush, knuckles distinct and steady.
Yet his thoughts uncontrollably drifted back to last night.
What appeared before his eyes was that tear-streaked little face from the bed last night.
Her choked voice accidentally revealing: "…Her Ladyship told this maid that on the night of serving in bed, one must never lift the bedclothes and offend the imperial countenance…"
Looking again at Consort Yi's seemingly sincere apology before him now, a faint trace of cold mockery flashed through Emperor Zhaoheng's profound eyes.
This was the first time he had glimpsed the hypocritical side of the always dignified and generous Consort Yi.
He set down the vermilion brush and finally looked up.
"Beloved Consort exaggerates." Emperor Zhaoheng's voice revealed neither joy nor anger. "A minor matter, I haven't taken it to heart. Shuixian… is somewhat timid and cowardly. Beloved Consort need only provide more guidance in the future."
Consort Yi felt relieved and quickly responded: "Your Majesty is magnanimous, this consort is endlessly grateful! This consort will return and strictly discipline her, ensuring she understands the rules and does not disappoint Your Majesty's favor."
She assumed Emperor Zhaoheng had accepted her explanation, her earlier apprehension instantly vanishing, even replaced by a hint of smugness.
It seemed the Emperor still trusted her.
Just then, Emperor Zhaoheng changed the subject, speaking as if casually: "Since last night's matter is concluded, let's not mention it again. I have some free time tonight and shall come to the Palace of Eternal Trust for dinner."
Consort Yi's face lit up with surprise as she knelt to give thanks. "This consort thanks Your Majesty for your favor! This consort will prepare meticulously to respectfully welcome the imperial carriage!"
The Emperor's attitude seemed to indicate that wretched maid Shuixian had left no impression on the Emperor's heart. That Emperor Zhaoheng still intended to visit the Palace of Eternal Trust and dine with her sufficiently demonstrated the Emperor's care for her!
Consort Yi felt both surprised and delighted, unconsciously showing a smile.
Kneeling nearby, Shan Cha's heart raced wildly when she heard the Emperor would be dining at the Palace of Eternal Trust!
Her opportunity had come – a chance to appear before the Emperor!
Shan Cha forgot her place and couldn't resist looking up again, gazing intently at Emperor Zhaoheng with undisguised ambition.
This time, her gaze was too obvious, caught by Consort Yi who had just straightened up!
Consort Yi's smile instantly froze on her face, then transformed into a chilling gloom.
That wretched maid! How dare she covet the Emperor so blatantly right before her eyes?! Who did she think she was!
Furious yet constrained by Emperor Zhaoheng's presence, Consort Yi could only suppress her rage. She quickly adjusted her expression, offered her thanks once more, then withdrew with Shan Cha in tow.
Emperor Zhaoheng watched their retreating figures, his profound gaze seeming to pierce through the palace doors toward the direction of Changxin Palace.
Going to Changxin Palace… perhaps he could see her again?
That enchanting silhouette lingering in his heart, that fleeting glimpse of delicate charm, had inexplicably stirred an indescribable longing within this emperor.
He picked up the memorial again, yet what flashed through his mind was the trembling maiden from last night amidst the bedclothes.
……
The moment they stepped past the threshold of Qianqing Palace's main hall and reached a secluded corner of the palace corridor, all traces of gentle warmth vanished from Consort Yi's face.
She abruptly halted and turned around.
Slap!
A resounding slap landed harshly and without warning across Shan Cha's face!
Staggering from the blow, Shan Cha's ears rang incessantly.
Clutching her cheek, she stared in disbelief: "Your… Your Highness?!"
"Wretched maid!" Consort Yi's voice dropped to a threatening whisper. "It seems you have a death wish! What was that look you gave earlier in front of the Emperor? Hmm?!"
Shan Cha trembled with fear and shock: "This maid didn't—"
"Didn't?" Consort Yi stepped forward, jabbing her finger viciously against Shan Cha's forehead. "Do you take me for a fool, blind to your filthy ambitions? A lowly servant like you, daring to dream of climbing into the imperial bed?!"
Shan Cha shook uncontrollably, overwhelmed by unprecedented humiliation.
Why! Why could Shuixian have that chance, but not her?
Gritting her lower lip hard, she barely suppressed the retort threatening to erupt, reluctantly admitting: "This maid… acknowledges her mistake…"
"Hmph!" Consort Yi shoved her away in disgust. "Get back to Changxin Palace! Useless creature!"
Clutching her stinging cheek, Shan Cha followed Consort Yi back to Changxin Palace, watching as her mistress entered the main hall.
Unable to contain herself any longer, she sobbed and fled to the side hall of Changxin Palace, throwing herself onto the hard plank bed and weeping in suppressed anguish.
The pain in her cheek paled in comparison to the torment of her trampled dignity.
She hated Consort Yi's cruelty, but hated Shuixian even more!
If not for Shuixian, she might have been the one serving last night!
Just then, the side hall door creaked open softly.
Shuixian entered carrying a small bronze basin and clean cloth, her face wearing just the right amount of concern: "Sister Shan Cha? What's wrong?"
Shan Cha jerked her head up, her eyes blazing with misplaced fury: "Get out! I don't need your fake sympathy! It's all your fault! You're the jinx who caused this!"
As if deaf to the curses, Shuixian approached the bedside, placed the basin on a low stool, dampened the cloth, and said gently: "Sister, please wipe your face—it's badly swollen."
Reaching out, she tried to pull away the hand Shan Cha held against her cheek.
"Don't touch me!"
In a burst of anger, just as she had back at the Yi residence, Shan Cha reached out and pinched viciously at the delicate inner side of Shuixian's wrist.
"Hiss…" Shuixian gasped in pain, several reddening bruises instantly blooming against the pale skin of her inner wrist.
She instinctively withdrew her hand, gazing at the glaring bruise as a cold glint flashed deep within her eyes—too fleeting for anyone to catch.
"Why…" Shan Cha stared at Shuixian's pained expression, her own resentment finding an outlet. "Why are you chosen to attend the Emperor… while I'm not even allowed to think of it? Why?!"
Shuixian lowered her eyelids, concealing the calculation in her gaze, her voice gentle:
"Sister, don't say that… Actually, not attending the Emperor might not be a bad thing."
Shan Cha froze, staring intently at her.
Shuixian continued, her tone tinged with longing: "Look, we're still servants after all. When we reach a certain age, we'll be released from the palace. Then, we can marry an honest, ordinary man, live a stable life, bear children… Unlike in this deep palace, where we constantly live in fear and have to please others… That would be true happiness."
She knew exactly what Shan Cha despised and deliberately aimed for her weak spot.
"Marry an ordinary man?"
Shan Cha laughed coldly as if she had heard the most ridiculous joke in the world. "Who would want such a bitter life—plain food and worrying about daily necessities!"
Shuixian's words seemed to plant a seed in Shan Cha's heart, stirring something unusual within her.
Panting heavily, Shan Cha's eyes shifted as if she had conceived some brilliant scheme to climb the social ladder.
She ignored Shuixian, turned, and rushed out of the side hall, leaving Shuixian alone. Staring at the glaring bruise on her wrist, Shuixian slowly curved her lips into a cold smile.
…
Night fell, and the main hall of Changxin Palace was brightly lit.
Consort Yi, dressed in lavish attire, wore a high chignon adorned with emeralds and pearls, enhancing her noble and dignified appearance.
She personally waited at the entrance to welcome the imperial carriage.
Soon, Emperor Zhaoheng arrived as promised.
His dark casual robes accentuated his tall, straight posture, and his imperial features appeared even more profound and handsome under the candlelight.
Consort Yi welcomed him into the hall with a beaming smile. As her chief maids, Shuixian and Shan Cha naturally attended inside.
Shuixian kept her eyes lowered, dutiful and obedient, standing quietly not far behind Consort Yi like a shadow with no presence.
Shan Cha, meanwhile, stood closer to Emperor Zhaoheng, responsible for serving dishes.
Suppressing her excitement, Shan Cha tried to imitate the seductive charm of the favored consorts she remembered, letting her gaze linger on Emperor Zhaoheng.
Taking advantage of serving dishes, she lightly brushed her fingertips over the back of Emperor Zhaoheng's hand, leaning forward slightly to showcase her delicate curves.
How perceptive was Emperor Zhaoheng?
Shan Cha's clumsy tricks held no appeal in his eyes.
He frowned slightly, a wave of annoyance rising in his heart, along with increased displeasure at Consort Yi's lack of discipline.
Consort Yi naturally saw Shan Cha's disgraceful behavior and turned pale with anger. Yet, she dared not lose her temper in front of Emperor Zhaoheng and could only silently warn her with her eyes.
However, Shan Cha, blinded by ambition, paid no heed to Consort Yi's warnings. Her mind was wholly occupied with how to capture the Emperor's attention!
Finally, in another attempt to entice him with a seductive glance, she grew so agitated that she lost focus. Her wrist trembled unintentionally!
"Splash!"
A full bowl of freshly served soup spilled directly onto Emperor Zhaoheng's front robe!
Feeling the broth seep into his clothing, Emperor Zhaoheng's brow furrowed sharply.
Shan Cha was so frightened her soul nearly fled her body. She fell to her knees with a thud. "Your Majesty, spare me! This servant deserves death! I didn't mean to!"
Consort Yi was also startled to her feet, wishing she could tear Shan Cha apart on the spot—this useless fool who only ruined things!
She quickly knelt to beg for forgiveness. "Your Majesty, please calm your anger! It is my fault for failing to discipline her properly! This clumsy servant has disturbed the imperial carriage. I will punish her severely!"
Emperor Zhaoheng's thin lips were pressed tightly together, his face as still as water.
His icy gaze swept over Shan Cha, who was trembling in a heap, and Consort Yi, kneeling in apology. In the end, it settled on Shuixian, who had been standing quietly in attendance all along.
"No matter," Emperor Zhaoheng said lightly. "A change of clothes will suffice." He stood up, his gaze locking directly onto Shuixian. "You, come inside and attend to me."
Consort Yi and Shan Cha both froze at the same time!
Shuixian also seemed taken aback for a moment, then quickly lowered her head in response. "Yes, Your Majesty."
She stepped forward briskly, following respectfully behind Emperor Zhaoheng as they headed toward the inner chamber.
Watching their retreating figures, Consort Yi sensed something amiss.
The Emperor had specifically asked for Shuixian to attend to him while changing clothes?
Something wasn't right.
Inside the warm inner chamber, candlelight cast a soft glow.
Emperor Zhaoheng stood behind a screen, spreading his arms as he waited for Shuixian to undo the damp outer layer of his dragon robe.
Shuixian seemed somewhat nervous as she stepped forward. Her movements were gentle and careful, trying her best to avoid touching Emperor Zhaoheng's body.
She rose slightly on her toes to undo the first button at his neck.
The two were extremely close. With just a slight downward glance, Emperor Zhaoheng could see her delicate face right before him, focused intently on unfastening his buttons, her expression earnest and serious.
A feather-light tickle seemed to brush against Emperor Zhaoheng's heart, stirring a hint of tender affection.
Taking advantage of Shuixian leaning in to undo his clothes, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into his embrace.
Shuixian gasped in surprise, instinctively placing her hands on his exposed chest before quickly pulling them back as if scalded.
Amused, Emperor Zhaoheng said in a low, husky voice, "Don't make a sound. They're right next door."
A faint smile touched his lips as he reached for her pale wrist. But the moment he touched it, he noticed Shuixian's brows furrow slightly, and she let out a soft cry of pain.
"It hurts…"