The Emperor’s face was dark as he glared at Shen Qingchen, his tone severe. “Crown Prince, do you know what mistake you have made?”
“Please, Father, enlighten me.” Shen Qingchen immediately knelt.
The Emperor slammed the memorial down. “Are you dissatisfied with the Prime Minister or with me?”
“Father… your son…”
“The Crown Princess was personally bestowed upon you by me. Why do you treat her so coldly? What do you expect the Prime Minister to think?”
His voice grew sharper. “Is it that Liangdi Xiao is jealous, forbidding you…?”
“Father, how could you say such a thing? Liangdi Xiao has no such intention.” Shen Qingchen denied urgently.
“Crown Prince, I have long said—you may favor Liangdi Xiao, I will not oppose you. But you must not neglect the Crown Princess!”
“You know what you must do?”
“Your son understands.” Shen Qingchen forced the words out.
The Emperor’s anger eased. “Go. Your mother has words for you.”
“Your son takes his leave.”
At Kunning Palace.
The Empress sat with her hand to her brow, her face clouded with worry. “Ah…” She sighed, her brows tightening.
Nanny Qin hesitated, then stepped forward to massage her temples gently.
Shen Qingchen entered, his voice low and unreadable. “Mother…”
The Empress lifted her gaze. “You have seen your father?”
Shen Qingchen stood silently, brows furrowed.
“Chen’er, for the sake of the greater good, you must heed your father’s words.”
The Crown Prince was upright and loyal, and Yan’er meant much to him. But his station did not permit him to have only one woman.
Shen Qingchen’s face darkened further. He despised this life of being controlled, where even his happiness was decided by others.
“Chen’er, your station…” The Empress rose, looking at him tenderly. “Mother does not wish to force you. But your father is not wrong—you cannot favor Yan’er alone and leave the Crown Princess neglected.”
“Mother, your son only…” Shen Qingchen faltered. “Yan’er saved me. If I go to the Crown Princess, she will despair.”
“I know. Yan’er looks delicate, but in truth, she is strong-willed.” The Empress sighed. “Yet your father has already decreed that next month the palace will hold a flower banquet, to select concubines for you.”
“Mother!” Shen Qingchen stared at her in disbelief.
The Empress looked troubled, returning to her seat. “You knew this day would come. Enough—go now. In a few days, bring Yan’er into the palace with you.”
The Crown Prince clenched his fists, teeth grinding. Better to have died outside than endure this. “Your son takes his leave.”
The Empress waved him off, and he departed.
At Xiwu Hall.
Molan was helping Liu Meizhao dress when Nanny Zhang entered, her face grave. She looked at Liu Meizhao, hesitating until Liu Meizhao frowned. “Nanny, what is it?”
“Crown Princess, a message has come from Madam. At the start of next month, new women will be entering the Eastern Palace.” Nanny Zhang spoke quietly.
Liu Meizhao’s face turned cold, her voice sharp. “What did you say?”
Nanny Zhang looked at her with worry.
“Why would this happen?” Panic stirred in Liu Meizhao’s heart. “The Crown Prince and I have only just married—why would new women be brought in so soon?”
“Crown Princess, His Highness has not stayed in Xiwu Hall. I fear this matter…”
“Did I not say it must not be spoken of!” Liu Meizhao’s teeth nearly cracked from how hard she clenched them. She turned to Nanny Zhang. “Nanny, was it you…?”
“Crown Princess, His Highness neglects you so. How could this old servant bear it? I only told Madam, hoping she might think of a way…”
“What way could Mother have? She will only think me useless—that even on my wedding night I could not keep His Highness!” Liu Meizhao sat at her dressing table, gripping a jade hairpin tightly. “And now, my cleverness has backfired. His Highness has not come to me, and new women will soon enter the Eastern Palace!”
“Crown Princess… don’t worry…”
Before Nnany Zhang could finish, Liu Meizhao pressed urgently, “Is the news certain? Could it be false?”
“Crown Princess, with the Master involved, it cannot be wrong.”
“Crown Princess, once more women enter the palace, Liangdi Xiao’s favor will be divided. Then you will be able to hold His Highness firmly.” Molan stepped forward, speaking softly.
“Crown Princess, Molan is right. You must not panic now. Think of what comes after.” Nanny Zhang coaxed gently.
Liu Meizhao forced herself to calm down. Looking into the mirror at her twisted expression, she drew a deep breath, steadying herself.
Molan patted her back lightly and dabbed her face with a silk handkerchief. “Crown Princess, don’t worry. There is still time.”
Liu Meizhao loosened her grip on the hairpin. Her palm bore red marks from the pressure. Her voice trembled. “There is still time… still time.”
Her once smooth life had been overturned in just two days. Defeat and humiliation left her frantic. One Liangdi was already too much to handle, and soon new women would arrive. How could she cope? On her wedding day, she had sworn to win His Highness’s heart. Yet only a few days later, she already felt defeated.
At Wutong Courtyard.
Qingdai attended Xiao Hanyan’s bath. Rose petals floated on her fair, smooth skin, a sight to tempt the eyes.
“Liangdi, will His Highness come tonight?” Qingdai bent close, whispering.
Xiao Hanyan idly stirred the petals, her beautiful eyes glimmering. “He will.”
Qingdai relaxed. Lately, the Emperor had summoned His Highness often, leaving him unseen during the day.
Fortunately, the Crown Princess had not seen him either, which reassured Qingdai.
Sure enough, when Xiao Hanyan emerged dressed, Shen Qingchen was already seated in the bedchamber, though his face was grim.
Xiao Hanyan signaled Qingdai, who wisely withdrew.
With damp hair draped over her shoulders, Xiao Hanyan glided forward and bowed softly. “Your Highness.”
Shen Qingchen’s expression softened unconsciously. “Rise.”
“Your Highness, what troubles you? Why such a dark face?” Xiao Hanyan frowned with concern.
Shen Qingchen’s throat tightened. How could he tell her? If Yan’er knew new women were entering the palace, she would be heartbroken.
“Your Highness, tell me. Don’t let me worry.”
“Yan’er.” Shen Qingchen took her hand, drawing her to sit beside him. “At the start of next month… new women will enter the Eastern Palace.”
Xiao Hanyan’s eyes flickered faintly—no wonder he had been summoned to the palace so often.
“This concubine… congratulates Your Highness.” She forced a smile.
Shen Qingchen gazed at her intently, searching her eyes.
Under his stare, her composure faltered. Tears welled, though she still tried to be strong. “Your Highness, why look at me so?”
“Yan’er, do you truly congratulate me?” His voice was low, tinged with reproach.
Her lashes trembled. A tear slipped silently down her cheek, unnoticed even by herself. “This concubine… truly does.”
Shen Qingchen sighed helplessly, brushing away her tears. “Empty words deserve punishment.”
Xiao Hanyan froze, tears spilling faster. “No… please…”
How could he bear to punish her? Seeing her cry, his heart unraveled.
“No punishment. How can I bear to?”
She nestled into his arms, sobbing softly. She had not expected the Crown Princess’s schemes to backfire—before she could truly become the Crown Princess, new women were already being brought into the Eastern Palace.
It would be lively indeed.