The Yuyang Palace was unusually quiet tonight.

Word had spread that tonight was the birthday of the former Empress Rong. After her death, Emperor Qiwen had honored Crown Prince Zhan Yuheng’s petition and bestowed upon her a posthumous title as Empress.

There was a world of difference between an Empress and a consort within the imperial harem. A hundred Noble Consorts combined could not match the honor accorded to an Empress. And so, on the occasion that was her memorial day, a solemn heaviness settled over the entire inner palace.

“My Lady, Yuyang Palace lies just ahead. Word is that His Highness the Crown Prince, in order to observe mourning, has dismissed all his guards from Yuyang Palace for tonight.”

Lingling, walking alongside the imperial palanquin, spoke in a hushed voice. Within this inner palace, Lingling’s sources of information were always the most reliable.

“Then tonight, Yuyang Palace will be an empty fortress?” Did that mean the entire Yuyang Palace contained only Zhan Yuheng?

What was passing through Feng Qingyin’s mind was unclear, but those deep, dark eyes of hers glimmered — there was a trace of barely-contained excitement within them.

Lingling waved her hand, and the few young eunuchs carrying the palanquin immediately came to a stop, setting it gently down.

Lingling said: “My Lady wishes for some quiet. You may all withdraw — and do not breathe a word of this.”

“Yes, Lingling. nanny.” The young eunuchs bowed their heads, and with quiet, careful steps — not even daring to lift their faces — they lifted the palanquin and departed.

Rumor had it that before the Noble Consort Qing entered the inner palace, she and His Highness the Crown Prince had shared a connection that was not entirely proper. These days, every time they passed by Yuyang Palace, Lingling would have everyone slow their pace. She would say it was to avoid jolting Her Ladyship, or out of concern for disturbing His Highness — but in truth they were on the main thoroughfare, merely passing before the outer gates of Yuyang Palace. That was an enormous distance from the Crown Prince’s own chambers. At such a remove, how could the faintest sound of footsteps possibly disturb His Highness?

None of the palace maids and eunuchs were without suspicion. They all privately assumed that Noble Consort Qing still harbored feelings for His Highness the Crown Prince — he was, after all, so young, so strikingly handsome.

But think as they might, not a single one dared let a word pass their lips. Words could bring ruin; a carelessly spoken remark might cost someone their very life.

Once the others had withdrawn, Lingling leaned close to Feng Qingyin and murmured: “My Lady, within Yuyang Palace there would normally be the Qingyun Guard as well — but a short while ago, word came that the Qingyun Guard left on some matter.”

“Which means…”

“That Yuyang Palace now holds only His Highness the Crown Prince.”

Delight bloomed in Feng Qingyin’s chest. This Lingling — it had been worth rescuing her from the streets that day. She had truly proved useful.

“My Lady.” Lingling leaned closer still, her voice pressed so low it was barely audible even to Feng Qingyin: “Earlier, one of my people observed several young eunuchs bringing a considerable quantity of fine wine from outside and sending it into Yuyang Palace.”

Feng Qingyin was well beyond simple happiness now — her chest brimmed with a roiling tide of excitement and anticipation.

“His Highness the Crown Prince pines deeply for his mother and is weighed down with grief. As I am now the one who oversees affairs of the inner palace, is it not perfectly natural for me to go and offer him some comfort?”

“That is entirely so, My Lady. Since you bear such important responsibilities within the inner palace, naturally you must take on important duties as well. There is also something rather remarkable I have heard, My Lady…” This time, Lingling leaned close to Feng Qingyin’s ear and murmured a few words so soft they were nearly scattered by the wind before they could be heard.

Not long after, Feng Qingyin entered Yuyang Palace alone. As Lingling had said, the entire way she encountered not a single young eunuch — let alone any guards.

She knew where the Crown Prince liked to go when he was lonely and desolate. She had been there herself, in days past — though she had never once dared to truly enter.

Because the Crown Prince would not allow it.

Tonight, Zhan Yuheng was there again — that place he went whenever he was unhappy, to be alone. A place planted all over with small golden chrysanthemums.

Feng Qingyin actually disliked this place very much. She knew that Feng Jiu’er had particularly loved this variety of chrysanthemum when she was little. This chrysanthemum garden had without question been made for Feng Jiu’er.

In Zhan Yuheng’s heart, Feng Jiu’er should surely have died by now. And yet even dead, she was still competing with her for him!

That wretched Feng Jiu’er — why had she not truly died?

Feng Qingyin walked closer, gaze fixed on the solitary figure seated among the chrysanthemums.

He sat alone, the ground around him strewn with empty wine bottles. He held one in his hand. How long he had sat looking up at the bright moon, she could not tell — then suddenly his arm lifted, and in one motion half the remaining wine was gone.

This man — he had said it was his mother’s memorial day. But in this moment, was he truly mourning her? Or was he thinking of some woman who deserved to be dead and buried?

Did he still, even now, pine for that wretch?

Feng Qingyin’s fury was barely contained. Looking at this sea of flowers before her, she could have set the whole of it alight without the slightest regret.

Other people’s small golden chrysanthemums, by this point in the season, had already bloomed sparsely and begun to wither. They were a sorry sight.

But his chrysanthemums bloomed brilliantly, in every season.

Zhan Yuheng had found — from somewhere — servants who were especially skilled at caring for these small golden chrysanthemums, keeping them lush and abundant no matter the time of year.

Whatever that wretched girl had loved, he treasured without measure.

Feng Qingyin drew a long breath, then another, deeper still, and only with considerable effort managed to bring her emotions to a somewhat steadier place.

The Crown Prince appeared to have drunk a great deal. For her, this was an extraordinary opportunity.

In truth, Lingling understood what she wanted. And though she did truly love Zhan Yuheng deeply, she had not dared come tonight merely for the rekindling of old feelings. What she wanted — beyond that — was the future, and power.

Tonight was a very fine opportunity indeed.

“Crown Prince Brother.” As she approached, Zhan Yuheng showed every sign of resistance.

But for reasons she could not comprehend, the moment he turned and looked at her, he lurched abruptly to his feet and came striding toward her — reaching out and pulling her forcefully into his arms.

“You came back. You have finally come back.”

Zhan Yuheng held her with such desperate tightness that Feng Qingyin was startled nearly senseless.

Crown Prince Brother — since when had he become so fond of her? The way he held her now, she could barely gather her wits.

Zhan Yuheng still did not loosen his hold, clutching her as though terrified that the moment he let go, she would vanish.

“You have finally come back.” He buried his face against her neck, closed his eyes, and breathed in her presence deeply.

Feng Qingyin collected herself from her stunned daze. Whatever the reason for his behavior, this was at the very least an extraordinary opportunity for her.

She reached up and wrapped her arms around Zhan Yuheng, a glimmer of pleasure rising in her eyes. “Crown Prince Brother — have you truly been waiting for me all this time?”

A searing pain shot through Zhan Yuheng’s heart — a pain that made the very tip of his heart tremble. His arms tightened, locking her fast against him. “I have been waiting for you. Jiu’er.”