A few days ago, Zi Sang Mu and Jin Yu had planned to have Zi Sang Zhen “acknowledged by the royal family.” The only thing Zi Sang Mu could gamble on was that fabricated affection. Though not entirely confident, they still had to give it a try.
Back then, on the battlefield, Zi Sang Mu had spared Lin Tongyu, the adopted son of Eunuch Changsheng. Later, when Zi Sang Mu was forced into a political marriage, Changsheng took great care of her.
However, at that time, Zi Sang Mu had given Huangfu Quan no way out, and their relationship had become extremely strained. Even Changsheng dared not say a word more. Yet, in the end, it was thanks to Changsheng’s single sentence—”Consort Liang has given birth to a prince”—that Zi Sang Mu received Huangfu Quan’s brief attention.
But after the postpartum month, she instantly received the treatment befitting a deposed consort.
If asked who Zi Sang Mu was most grateful to in the entire Northern Yue Kingdom, it would undoubtedly be Changsheng.
If not for Changsheng’s help, Zi Sang Zhen’s gender would never have gained the royal family’s trust.
Back when Huangfu Quan came to see Zi Sang Mu, Qian Yu happened to bring the purchased male infant for Huangfu Quan to glance at. Now that Zi Sang Zhen had grown up, and since Huangfu Quan had already verified the gender earlier, there was no need to prove identity for the restoration of status.
Tonight’s matter was also thanks to Changsheng.
A few days ago, Qian Yu sought out Changsheng late at night. As soon as Changsheng arrived home, he saw someone seated at the table. Without much preamble, this person immediately stated their purpose.
Initially, they thought Changsheng might be unwilling to agree, especially since the old debt of gratitude had long been repaid. Unexpectedly, Changsheng agreed without hesitation.
For Changsheng, it was merely a matter of putting in a few good words, occasionally mentioning the deposed consort in the emperor’s presence. Moreover, Changsheng was no fool. Back then, Consort Liang’s favor was unprecedented. To say the emperor held no affection for her would be impossible!
However, so-called affection, when faced with power, proved utterly fragile.
This transaction, for Changsheng, was a no-loss situation. He already knew Zi Sang Mu had given birth to a son. Were it not for that farce back then, the position of empress would likely have been hers for the taking, and this child would undoubtedly have been the di-born eldest son.
If she could successfully emerge from the Cold Palace now, this child would likely become a candidate for the crown prince. And since this was only a small favor, Changsheng had no reason to refuse.
Even if the emperor were to fly into a rage, it would only result in minor repercussions. But high risk came with high reward.
Yet, contrary to everyone’s expectations, when Huangfu Quan heard the term “Consort Liang,” he did not erupt in thunderous fury. Instead, he seemed somewhat at a loss, like a child who had done something wrong.
The passage of many years had been more than enough for both of them to calm their hearts and reflect. They had long since come to terms with the rightness or wrongness of their choices.
Zi Sang Mu was the first person Huangfu Quan had ever truly loved. They were equals in strength, and their backgrounds and upbringing were similar. Their passionate romance back then had been forced apart due to his own selfishness.
After years of solitude in the palace, he had long harbored thoughts of reconciliation. But he was, after all, the emperor, unwilling to lower his head. Now, with Changsheng’s words, he knew she was willing to take the first step. Since that was the case, he had absolutely no reason to refuse—in fact, he was quite looking forward to it.
From his expression, Changsheng detected a trace of urgency, but he did not rush off to find Zi Sang Mu immediately. Instead, he took care to rest and groom himself properly, settled all matters of state affairs, and planned to take a few days off.
A week had passed by the time everything was arranged.
At this point, Changsheng secretly notified Qian Yu. Once Zi Sang Mu and Jin Yu learned of the plan, they decided to make full use of everything at hand. Since there was lingering affection, they would leverage that painful source to their advantage.
She prepared the ancient zither and seated herself beneath the plum tree, arranging everything to perfectly recreate the scene of their first meeting.
Hidden behind the door, Zi Sang Zhen witnessed her mother like this for the first time. She had never played in front of her before—this seven-stringed zither had once earned her a beating for carelessly touching it as a child.
Yet now, she saw her mother treasuring the instrument and playing it with such grace. To her, this was entirely novel.
Tonight’s moonlight, plum blossoms, and even her attire were all carefully orchestrated for the performance.
The bright, silvery moonlight illuminated the plum blossoms scattered on the ground. The night breeze, as if lending its aid, gently stirred Zi Sang Mu’s hair. Her pure white gauze dress billowed, sweeping up the fallen petals, one of which drifted precisely onto the strings of the zither.
The sorrowful, melodious music came to an abrupt halt. She reached out to brush the petal away, but just then, applause echoed from the gate that had silently swung open at some unknown moment.
“You still play so beautifully.” Huangfu Quan had dressed himself like a peacock, adorned in a dark robe embroidered with multicolored silk patterns. On his head rested an exquisite black jade crown, and he fanned himself with a folding fan, presenting the image of a refined, elegant gentleman.
Zi Sang Mu did not stand on ceremony with him. Both understood perfectly well that Changsheng had not mentioned Consort Liang for years, and his recent allusion to her was a deliberate cue. If Huangfu Quan responded, it would serve as a pretext for reconciliation.
Moreover, Zi Sang Mu and he had once been deeply in love. Their youthful affection had ended abruptly due to political affairs—a rupture neither had been willing to confront. For years, their silence had been a mutual, stubborn resentment.
Now that a step toward reconciliation had been offered, it was only natural to take it. And Zi Sang Mu intended to pave that step with care.
“Your Majesty, what brings you here? It has been so long.” Superficial courtesies still had to be observed. Her words were proper, yet carried a subtle, coquettish undertone.
Huangfu Quan was more than willing to play along. Smiling, he fanned himself twice, reached out to help her rise, and laughed heartily. “In this vast imperial palace, it is only fitting that I go wherever I please.”
Zi Sang Mu played her part, leaning closer to him. “It is just that Your Majesty has not visited for so many years. This humble consort felt somewhat apprehensive.”
Though her words suggested unease, no trace of fear showed on her face. Instead, she lowered her head, revealing an unprecedented look of delicate vulnerability.
To a man, such an appearance called for protection, and Huangfu Quan was no exception. The once-proud daughter of heaven now willingly bowed her head in submission—this gave him immense satisfaction.
Coupled with his enduring fondness for Zi Sang Mu, her display of weakness instantly made him forget his previous displeasure.
Seizing the moment, he wrapped his arm around her waist.
“My beloved consort has grown thin. I have neglected you.”
Zi Sang Mu leaned against his chest, turning her face away where he could not see, baring her fangs in a hidden snarl. Yet the words that left her lips were exceedingly gentle.
“The fault is mine. I should not have quarreled with Your Majesty all those years ago. It has been over fourteen years now—Zhen’er will soon be fifteen.”
With his beloved in his arms, Huangfu Quan began to succumb to her influence. She had been his greatest love, the one he cherished most in his heart. Yet, his affection for a woman could never rival his passion for territorial dominion.
If given another chance, he would still choose to destroy the kingdom, but he would definitely keep this secret buried with her in the grave.
Speaking of Zhen’er, he had never given this child a formal name. After a hurried glance back then, his lingering resentment kept him from inquiring further, and the matter of a proper name was delayed.
Concubines had no right to name imperial princes, but giving a nickname was not an issue.
The steps toward reconciliation proceeded smoothly. Though neither of them explicitly stated it, the palace attendants all knew that Muchun Gong would no longer be treated as the Cold Palace.
Having not seen Zi Sang Mu for many years, Huangfu Quan felt a restless stirring in his heart. Over a decade had not diminished her beauty; compared to her teenage appearance, the fine lines at the corners of her eyes only added a touch of mature charm. After all, she was the one he had loved—how could any man suppress such restlessness?
He lifted Zi Sang Mu’s chin, making her raise her head and look at him. He wanted to kiss her.
“Ah!”
Before their lips could touch, the wooden door—which Zi Sang Zhen had been peeking through without properly holding it shut, and which had weathered years of neglect without maintenance—suddenly broke.
With a look of bewilderment, Zi Sang Zhen scratched her head, unsure of what to say to break the awkward silence.
“Zhen’er, come here. This is your father, the Emperor.”
In the end, it was Zi Sang Mu who waved her over, dispelling the awkwardness.
Zi Sang Zhen cautiously stepped forward, eyeing her dashing and imposing father with curiosity. She even secretly compared their heights in her mind—he was only about a head and a half taller than her, which made her think her true identity wouldn’t be easily exposed.
Setting aside her worries, Zi Sang Zhen couldn’t quite recall the proper etiquette. In this situation, should it be a simple greeting or a grand ceremonial bow? Regardless, he was her father and the Emperor. She walked up to Huangfu Quan, knelt directly, and loudly proclaimed, “Your son pays respects to the Emperor Father! May the Emperor Father live ten thousand years!”
Zi Sang Zhen’s voice was so loud that even Changsheng, hiding by the doorway, was startled by the sudden outburst, momentarily unsure whether to enter.
In the end, he chose not to go in. If Changsheng had entered at that moment, Huangfu Quan might have silenced him on the spot.
The already awkward atmosphere grew even more strained.
Zi Sang Mu, however, acted as if nothing had happened, deftly slipping out of Huangfu Quan’s embrace and stepping forward to pull Zi Sang Zhen up. “Silly child.”
Turning to him, she explained, “The child has never received proper instruction. Every day, it’s just been Jin Yu and I guiding each other, but we’ve been confined here with few visitors. Zhen’er is still unfamiliar with palace etiquette.”
Huangfu Quan stepped forward and took her hands, agreeing, “I understand. It’s getting late. Zhen’er should rest early. Your father has some matters to discuss with your mother.”
All that remained for Zi Sang Zhen were their retreating backs. She couldn’t hear what they were discussing, but the bright smiles on their faces were unmistakable. Yet, Zi Sang Zhen could sense that her mother wasn’t truly happy.
This melancholy didn’t last long before a sharp pain shot through her shoulder.
Turning her head, she saw it was Jin Yu, who smiled and said, “Your performance earlier was quite impressive.”
Shortly after her mother had spoken to her, Jin Yu had come to her room to discuss things. Though their exact motives remained unclear, Zi Sang Zhen took Jin Yu’s words seriously.
Zi Sang Zhen knew that hiding her abilities was for the best. After all, a foolish and unruly prince would be more welcomed by others than one who excelled in both civil and martial arts.
Watching the figure gradually receding ahead, Zi Sang Zhen bowed deeply to her. “Thank you, Teacher.”
Jin Yu was visibly taken aback—this was the first time Zi Sang Zhen had called her “Teacher.” Usually, she would just call her Jin Yu.
“Zhen’er has grown up! It feels like just yesterday, and now she’s already this big.”
Zi Sang Zhen understood the underlying meaning of her words but simply smiled, gently embracing Jin Yu and reverting to her usual demeanor. She whispered with a laugh by Jin Yu’s ear, “No matter how big I get, I’ll always be Jin Yu’s child.”
Jin Yu hugged her back, stroking her head, and laughed joyfully.
It seemed as though everything was getting better, as though everyone was improving. Because time would wash everything away.
“Your Highness, today’s medicinal brew.”
Zi Sang Mu rose from the bed, took the bowl of medicine, and drank it in one gulp. “Let’s pause for a few days. Looking too haggard might arouse suspicion.”
Jin Yu still wanted to dissuade her but ultimately held back the words in her heart.
A faint smile appeared on Zi Sang Mu’s pale, weary face. “Yesterday’s plan was a success. I expect we’ll be taken out of here soon.”