At the entrance of the Imperial Garden, two eunuchs in blue robes were standing guard.
When Shen Zhiyi approached, one of them stepped forward and bowed.
“Greetings, Consort Shen. His Majesty has instructed that since this is Your Ladyship’s first time visiting the garden, we are to accompany and attend to you.”
Shen Zhiyi glanced at him. He looked to be in his early twenties, with upright features. As he spoke, his gaze was slightly lowered—neither servile nor arrogant.
“What should I call you, Eunuch?”
“This servant is Xiao Shunzi.”
“Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch Shun.”
Xiao Shunzi paused, seemingly surprised that she had remembered his name, then lowered his head again. “This way, Your Ladyship.”
The Imperial Garden was larger than Shen Zhiyi had imagined.
Just past the entrance stood a rockery—Taihu stones stacked in elegant layers. At its base was a pool of clear green water, where a few red koi swam happily.
Following the stone path inward, chrysanthemums lined both sides—yellow, white, purple—blooming in lively abundance.
“Miss, look,” Qingtang whispered.
“That over there is Yujing Pavilion. I’ve heard His Majesty likes to cool off there in summer.”
Shen Zhiyi followed her gaze. An octagonal pavilion stood on elevated ground, open on all sides. From there, one could take in most of the Imperial Garden at a glance.
The pavilion was empty.
But Shen Zhiyi had the distinct feeling that someone’s gaze was resting on her from afar.
“Consort Shen.”
A woman’s voice suddenly sounded from behind—pleasant, but without warmth.
Shen Zhiyi turned.
A woman in crimson palace attire stood three steps away, followed by several maids and eunuchs.
She was strikingly beautiful, with an air of arrogance between her brows. A smile curved her lips as she sized Shen Zhiyi up from head to toe.
Shen Zhiyi bowed. “This concubine greets Consort Shu.”
Consort Shu let out a light “Oh?” “You recognize me?”
“Your Ladyship’s beauty is renowned. Even back at the Northern Defense Prince’s residence, I had heard of you.”
Consort Shu paused, then laughed. “What a sweet tongue.”
She stepped closer and circled Shen Zhiyi once, her gaze lingering on the autumn-yellow dress she wore.
“This outfit… newly made by the Imperial Household Department?”
“Yes.”
“Not bad material.” Consort Shu reached out and touched it, her smile deepening.
“I recall when this fabric was presented as tribute earlier this year, there were only ten bolts in total. The Empress Dowager kept four, His Majesty rewarded me with two, and the rest went to Consort De.”
She paused, withdrew her hand, and looked at Shen Zhiyi with a half-smile.
“So where did yours come from, Sister Shen?”
The surroundings fell silent.
Qingtang lowered her head, gripping her sleeve tightly.
Shen Zhiyi lifted her gaze to meet Consort Shu’s, her tone calm.
“It was delivered by the Imperial Household Department this morning. I don’t understand fabrics—hearing Your Ladyship say this, I feel rather honored.”
“Honored? Surprised?” Consort Shu studied her for a moment, then smiled.
She stepped closer and lowered her voice so only the two of them could hear.
“Shen Zhiyi, do you know how the palace maid who was carried out of my residence yesterday died?”
Shen Zhiyi didn’t move.
Consort Shu’s voice was soft. “She was combing my hair and accidentally pulled out a strand. Before I could even speak, His Majesty had her dragged out.”
She stepped back, patted Shen Zhiyi’s shoulder, and spoke normally again.
“Sister Shen, the wind is strong in the Imperial Garden—be careful not to catch a chill. I’ll take my leave.”
With that, she left with her entourage.
Qingtang’s face had gone pale. Only after they were far away did she dare to speak.
“Miss, Consort Shu, she…”
“She was trying to scare me.” Shen Zhiyi brushed off the spot on her shoulder where Consort Shu had touched, her tone calm.
“That maid didn’t die because of her. She died because she heard something she shouldn’t have, or saw something she wasn’t meant to see.”
Qingtang froze. “How do you know, Miss?”
“Just a guess.” Shen Zhiyi continued walking.
“One strand of hair costing a life? The palace isn’t that frivolous.”
What she didn’t say was—
Consort Shu’s words had sounded like a threat, but were actually a test.
She was probing whether Shen Zhiyi knew what had happened that night, whether she had any private dealings with Xiao Jue, whether she was an ally.
Consort Shu was afraid.
Afraid that this substitute concubine living beside the Cold Palace knew more about that night than she did.
“Your Ladyship.”
Xiao Shunzi suddenly spoke, pointing ahead. “Look.”
Shen Zhiyi raised her head.
Up ahead was an open area, surrounded by over a dozen people.
Some wore official robes, others eunuch uniforms, all pointing and discussing something.
“Those are people from the Imperial Observatory,” Xiao Shunzi said.
“The Director came early this morning, saying… there was an anomaly in the celestial signs and that they needed to recalibrate the instruments at the observatory platform in the Imperial Garden.”