Wen Leyan sneered, showing not a trace of concern. “Who told you I was the mastermind? Wen Yunmian, even if you were caught having an affair with a guard, that’s your own indiscretion—what does it have to do with me?”
Wen Yunmian gazed at her with clear, cold eyes. She listened to Wen Leyan’s words without uttering a single one in reply, yet her stare made Wen Leyan feel particularly guilty.
Wen Leyan put on an act and glared back. “So what if it was me? Don’t forget, in this palace, it’s survival of the fittest! Anyway, your good days are numbered.”
Madam Hong quickly tugged at Wen Leyan’s sleeve. “Young Mistress, please stop. Noble Lady is your own elder sister—how can you speak to her like this?”
Madam Hong was Lady Meng’s dowry maid, so of course she didn’t genuinely want Wen Leyan and Wen Yunmian to be united. After all, Lady Meng had always wanted to outshine the primary wife.
But in this difficult situation, if Wen Yunmian didn’t lend a helping hand, Young Mistress Le’s days would likely become even harder.
The palace was full of people who fawned on the powerful and trampled on the weak. Now that winter was approaching, the charcoal they needed for Qiangwei Ge still hadn’t been delivered—wasn’t that proof enough of their pitiful circumstances? Relying solely on Lady Meng’s support wasn’t a long-term solution.
Wen Yunmian stood up and walked over to Wen Leyan. She pinched Wen Leyan’s chin with her fingers, forcing her to look up.
“Wen Leyan, whether Meng Chunqin ever taught you about the rise and fall of a family or the principle of shared fate, today I will teach you in Mother’s place!”
Wen Leyan glared at Wen Yunmian with hatred. “I need you to teach me? Wen Yunmian, you don’t know yet, do you? My good days are coming soon. I will conceive an Imperial Prince and step on you bit by bit, while you end up in a miserable state. When that time comes, let’s see if you can still act so high and mighty!”
Slap!
Another slap landed on Wen Leyan’s face.
“Wen Yunmian!” Yun Yang stepped forward to restrain Wen Leyan. Madam Hong, who was standing nearby, was clever enough to understand that Yun Guiren was disciplining Young Mistress Le and didn’t dare to interfere. Otherwise, with Young Mistress Le’s temper, how could she survive in the palace?
“Let go of me!” Wen Leyan was about to throw another tantrum.
Slap!
Another slap struck Wen Leyan, leaving her dazed and weeping with a swollen, aggrieved face.
Wen Yunmian asked, “Have you come to your senses now?”
Wen Leyan didn’t dare to speak, only staring at her fiercely.
Wen Yunmian’s face was pale and cold. “If the Emperor had punished me in his fury last night, for Houfu, all military merits would cease to exist—harm to one is harm to all. Do you think you, a concubine-born daughter of Houfu, could remain unscathed and then rely on Shengzidan to give birth to an Imperial Prince, rising to the heavens in a single step?”
Wen Yunmian mercilessly shattered all of Wen Leyan’s delusions. Wen Leyan’s face turned pale, then flushed with anger. “It was your problem, not mine. Why would the Emperor implicate me?”
“If Houfu became a family of criminals because of me, and you came from Houfu, even if the Emperor didn’t kill you, every time he saw your face, he would be reminded of the Wen family woman who had an affair with a guard last night! By then, forget about having children—your Qiangwei Ge would likely become a cold palace.”
Madam Hong tried to persuade her from the side. “Young Mistress, what Noble Lady says is true. You are both from the Wen family—you must not harm each other and let others take advantage.”
Wen Leyan forcefully shook off Yun Yang’s restraint. She hadn’t taken Madam Hong’s words to heart at all.
In her previous life, she had ended up in the cold palace, but hadn’t Wen Yunmian been just fine? Why could Wen Yunmian remain unscathed, while she couldn’t?
“Stop lecturing me with all these high-sounding principles. If you truly had the ability and genuinely cared for me, you’d make the Emperor favor me sooner!”
Seeing Wen Leyan’s attitude, Wen Yunmian knew she hadn’t grasped the situation at all. Good—it seemed this troublemaker needed to be kicked out of the Wen family at the earliest opportunity.
Wen Yunmian cast a cold glance at Madam Hong. “Keep her in check. If she causes trouble, you won’t escape blame either.”
“Yes.” Madam Hong felt flustered under her gaze. How could Miss Yun, only seventeen years old, have such an authoritative look in her eyes, as if she had lived half a lifetime and weathered countless storms? It was truly frightening.
Upon returning to Peony Pavilion, Wen Yunmian felt a slight headache. Assuming it was due to anger from Wen Leyan, she paid it little mind.
“Don’t be upset, Mistress, lest you harm your health.”
Wen Yunmian lowered her gaze. “Have someone keep a close watch on Wen Leyan’s movements these next two days.”
Unable to rely on the Noble Consort, she’d likely turn to the Empress for help.
Wen Yunmian couldn’t be bothered to stop Wen Leyan from attending the bedchamber and gaining favor, as long as she didn’t resort to underhanded schemes.
Yun Fei entered carrying a bowl of sweet cheese. “Mistress specifically asked for this upon returning, but this servant noticed it might snow outside. Eating something cold isn’t good for your health.”
“It’s fine.” Wen Yunmian scooped a spoonful and tasted it. The cool sensation soothed the restlessness in her heart and served as a constant reminder to stay clear-headed—truly perfect.
“I asked you to deliver the snow pear soup to the Emperor. Did you take it to Taihe Hall?”
Yun Fei nodded hesitantly. “It was delivered, but when this servant went, the Noble Consort happened to send someone as well…”
“And then?” Wen Yunmian savored her sweet cheese, her charming eyes carrying a hint of a smile, for she had already guessed what happened.
Sure enough, Yun Fei said dejectedly, “The palace attendants outside the hall clearly knew the pear soup was from Peony Pavilion, yet they set it aside. But the soup sent by the Noble Consort’s people was taken directly to the Emperor. This servant couldn’t help but ask and learned that this was the Emperor’s intention.”
Yun Fei thought the Emperor’s heart was truly hard to fathom. Just last night, he had doted on their mistress so much, yet today everything had changed.
Wen Yunmian smiled and set down the sweet cheese. Yun Yang handed her a towel to wipe her hands. “Where do I stand now? How could I compare to the Noble Consort? We must keep a low profile and not aim too high. Your mistress wasn’t born with a noble fate or any extraordinary advantage over others.”
Yun Fei realized her mistake, touched her bangs, and obediently replied, “This servant understands.”
Yun Yang smiled helplessly.
Meanwhile, Imperial Consort Shu had been summoned to Taihe Hall and was accompanying Jun Chenyu as he reviewed memorials.
This was an honor only Imperial Consort Shu enjoyed in the entire palace.
Seeing Jun Chenyu about to continue reviewing memorials, she boldly took one from him. “Your Majesty, you promised Zhen you’d only review fifty memorials a day.”
Jun Chenyu’s stern expression showed no trace of anger. He looked at her indulgently. “Zhen has spoiled you too much, allowing you to grow so bold as to snatch memorials.”
Imperial Consort Shu smiled, her eyes curved, and she nestled delicately into Jun Chenyu’s embrace.
Fortunately, the Emperor wasn’t angry with her over the matter of Chun Pin. After a night of anxiety, she could finally relax.
“Your Majesty, Zhen was just joking with you~”
She lowered her gaze shyly and hooked her fingers into Jun Chenyu’s collar. “Will Your Majesty have a concubine attend the bedchamber tonight?”
“What does my beloved consort think?”
Jun Chenyu curled his lips, and Imperial Consort Shu happened to look up. Seeing his cold, sharp brows and eyes, his tall, straight nose bridge, and his exceptionally handsome appearance, her heart stirred uncontrollably.
Seeing her like this, Jun Chenyu chuckled lightly, picked her up, and carried her toward the bedchamber.
The night was deep, but the commotion in Taihe Hall soon quieted down.
After calling for water only once, Jun Chenyu rested.
According to the rules, concubines must be sent back after midnight. Sitting in the sedan chair, Imperial Consort Shu was lost in thought.
Why did the Emperor…
She felt distressed and stifled. Although the Emperor had allowed her to attend the bedchamber tonight, it was clearly not like this in the past.
Tonight, there was only one instance, and the Emperor seemed to have thought of something, suddenly losing interest.
But that wretched Wen Yunmian had six times last night.
That fear and unease filled Imperial Consort Shu’s heart. No, she could not allow that wretch to continue seducing the Emperor…