“Your Highness, Ninth Young Lady from the Qin family has left the palace,” Tang Fu reported. Upon hearing this, Yan Che’s eyes darkened.

Seeing Yan Che’s silence, Tang Fu asked, “What’s wrong, Your Highness? Would you like to visit the Empress Dowager at Shou Kang Palace?”

Yan Che shook his head and exhaled, suddenly turning to walk outside. “Let’s go to Kun Ning Palace.”

Tang Fu quickly responded and followed Yan Che, “Today, all the princes and palace ladies are with the Empress. The gathering should be ending soon, so your timing is perfect.”

Yan Che nodded without further comment and headed straight for Kun Ning Palace.

Just as they reached the main hall of Kun Ning Palace, they saw numerous servants standing guard outside. Yan Che frowned slightly, paused his steps, and went directly to the back hall. When the servants saw the Crown Prince arriving and wanted to announce him, Yan Che waved his hand to stop them.

The servants quickly composed themselves and stood at attention while Yan Che walked to the corridor leading to the front hall.

The corridor shared a wall with the front hall, and while the high carved window lattices blocked the view, they couldn’t stop the voices coming through.

“Today is the second day of the New Year. I wonder if His Majesty will have time to dine with us tonight.”

In the main hall of Kun Ning Palace, Zhao Shuhua sat in the primary seat wearing elaborate clothing. To her left and right sat noblewomen in formal attire. On the left was Feng Lingsu in a blue palace dress, and opposite her was Consort Wan, Song Wanqing from the Song Duke’s family.

Song Wanqing, with her apricot eyes and peach-like cheeks, looked gentle and beautiful. Though over thirty, she still appeared lovely and approachable in her light purple palace dress. She blinked and continued, “Although the entire court is on holiday, His Majesty still toils in Chong Zheng Hall. It truly pains one’s heart to see him working so hard during the New Year.”

Feng Lingsu’s lips curved slightly, “Sister need not worry. His Majesty spent last night at Chang Xin Palace, and I observed that his spirits were quite good. I prepared some nourishing soups for him, which he enjoyed very much.”

Song Wanqing quickly smiled, “That’s wonderful then. It’s good that Sister is taking care of His Majesty.”

Hearing this, Zhao Shuhua frowned slightly, “Though Sister is concerned about His Majesty’s health, it would be better to consult the Imperial Physicians about supplements to avoid any mishaps.”

Feng Lingsu smiled faintly, adjusting her collar, “Empress Sister indeed thinks more thoroughly. I cannot compare to you, but unfortunately, His Majesty doesn’t like coming to Kun Ning Palace.” She smiled again, seemingly unaware of the impropriety of her words, “But Sister need not worry, I will tell His Majesty that you care for him as well.”

Song Wanqing’s expression turned awkward, and she merely turned to drink her tea. The beautifully dressed ladies below her position also kept their eyes down, not daring to speak. At the end positions sat the Eighth Prince and Ninth Prince, both appearing distant and merely going through the motions, unaware of the adults’ verbal sparring.

Zhao Shuhua heard Feng Lingsu’s words and merely curved her lips without showing anger, “His Majesty’s deep love for Sister is known to all in the palace. Since this is so, Sister should take good care of His Majesty’s health. Though I hold the position of Empress and the Phoenix Seal, I must manage the entire inner palace. Whether Sister mentions it or not, His Majesty understands this point.”

Though Feng Lingsu’s words were full of showing off and needling, Zhao Shuhua remained calm and unhurried. No matter what, she, Zhao Shuhua, was the Empress, the one who would be buried with Yan Huai after a hundred years.

Zhao Shuhua knew this was Feng Lingsu’s sore point, and sure enough, upon hearing these words, the smile on Feng Lingsu’s face barely held.

“Empress Sister speaks truly.” Feng Lingsu said while touching her chest, “Oh, I don’t know why, but whenever I sit too long in Kun Ning Palace, I feel chest tightness. If Sister has no other matters, I shall take my leave.”

Zhao Shuhua lifted her chin slightly, “Kun Ning Palace has been the residence of empresses throughout the dynasties. Sister feels anxious every time you come, it seems your disposition is too weak to handle the prestige of the Empress’s palace. Chang Xin Palace suits you better.”

Zhao Shuhua then looked at the others, “I am tired as well. Everyone may withdraw.”

Feng Lingsu clutched her sleeves tightly, and upon hearing this, stood up, gave a cursory curtsy, and turned to leave.

The others bowed and withdrew in succession, and Yan Sui was also carried out by his nursemaid.

Once the front hall emptied, the smile at the corners of Zhao Shuhua’s lips slowly faded.

A young servant came forward from behind, “Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has arrived.”

Zhao Shuhua was slightly surprised and immediately rose to go to the back hall. As soon as she entered the side door, she saw Yan Che standing in the corridor. Zhao Shuhua sighed, “Since you came, why didn’t you have someone announce you? I could have dismissed them earlier.”

Yan Che bowed and waved for Yun Yan and the others to withdraw, then took Zhao Shuhua’s hand and walked with her to the back hall.

“Was Father at Chang Xin Palace for New Year’s Eve and the first day?”

Zhao Shuhua nodded, “Do you even need to ask? Of course, he was at Chang Xin Palace.”

Yan Che’s brows furrowed tightly, “When was Father’s last visit to Mother’s palace?”

Zhao Shuhua shook her head, “Why do you ask these things?”

Yan Che stopped in his tracks, his voice suddenly darkening, “Mother, you are the Empress of the Inner Palace. Father has favored that woman for so many years, where does that leave you? If not for Grandfather commanding the Northern Army, you and I…”

Zhao Shuhua patted Yan Che’s arm, “Che’er, keep your composure.”

Yan Che took a deep breath and didn’t continue. Zhao Shuhua held Yan Che’s hand as they walked out of the corridor to the courtyard between the front and back halls. Snow remained uncleared in the courtyard, revealing spots of green grass. Zhao Shuhua paused, her words creating a white mist in the air, “The women in this palace fall into two categories: those who know what they want, and those who don’t. The first type will stop at nothing to achieve their goals, but once they have what they want, they know contentment. The second type is the most greedy – not knowing what they truly want, they try to grab everything good they see.”

Looking at Yan Che, Zhao Shuhua continued, “You need not understand these things. You only need to know that your mother has maintained her position as Empress all these years not just because your grandfather commands the Northern Army. In the palace, your mother is the first type, while she is merely the second type. Do you think she’s happy just because His Majesty spent a few nights in her palace? With Consort Jin gone, she constantly worries about whether there will be another Consort Jin, wailing and lamenting.”

Yan Che frowned, “But Mother, a person must have something they want most. Is the position of Empress what you want most? You’ve held this position for so many years – don’t you have new aspirations?”

Zhao Shuhua smiled, “How could I not? You are my aspiration.”

Yan Che’s lips tightened, and Zhao Shuhua continued, “Watching you inherit the throne – that is my aspiration.”

Yan Che was stunned by these words, “What about yourself?”

Zhao Shuhua shook her head, “All these years, I’ve been content sitting in this position. From now on, I only wish to watch over you and your sister. Once you take that position, and your sister finds a good marriage, I will be at peace.”

Yan Che’s eyes darkened as he listened, and he remained silent for a moment.

Meanwhile, back at Chang Xin Palace, Feng Lingsu threw her teacup to the ground.

The servants in the room immediately fell to their knees in fear. Feng Lingsu took a deep breath before speaking, “If not for her having a good father, does she think she could still hold the position of Empress? For so many years, His Majesty has treated her as mere decoration. What’s so great about being Empress? Back then, His Majesty truly loved me! If she hadn’t entered the palace before me, how could she have become Empress? All these years, she’s merely given up hope of winning back His Majesty’s heart!”

The servants knelt all around, not daring to breathe as they listened to Feng Lingsu’s words.

Feng Lingsu raised her eyebrows and looked at Bao Die nearby, “You, tell me, who does His Majesty treat best?”

Bao Die quickly responded respectfully, “His Majesty naturally treats you best, Your Highness. His Majesty has only had you in his heart these many years. You have maintained your favor in the palace for nineteen years without decline – this is unprecedented even in previous dynasties!”

Hearing these words, Feng Lingsu finally felt better and laughed coldly, “So what does she have to be so proud of?”

As she said this, Feng Lingsu frowned. Though she didn’t need to take Zhao Shuhua seriously as Empress, Zhao Shuhua did have one advantage over her – at least Zhao Shuhua’s son was now the Crown Prince.

Now that she and Zhao Shuhua were like fire and water, and the Zhong Guo Duke’s manor was growing increasingly powerful, once Yan Che truly ascended to the throne, her fate and that of the Zhong Guo Duke’s manor were predictable…

Thinking of this, Feng Lingsu felt uneasy, “Weren’t the Duke and Young Lord supposed to enter the palace today? Why haven’t they arrived yet…”

Bao Die trembled as she glanced toward the door, “This servant… this servant will send someone to inquire right away.”

Feng Lingsu took a deep breath. The earlier comfort of thinking she alone held His Majesty’s heart had completely vanished. At her age, no matter how pure and gentle her appearance remained, she had to consider what needed to be considered and fight for what needed to be fought for.

…

…

The servants from Shou Kang Palace escorted Qin Wan and Fu Ling to the palace gates before returning. Qin Wan led Fu Ling out of the palace gates.

Once outside, Fu Ling relaxed and kept talking about the bird, “How did Young Lady know that bird was injured? What kind of bird was it? Its wings were so golden…”

“It was a Golden-winged Finch,” Qin Wan answered, then added, “Before, probably around this time last year, I seem to have seen such a bird. Its wing was injured then too.”

Fu Ling’s eyes brightened, “Last year? In Jin Zhou?” Then she frowned, trying to recall carefully, “Last year at this time, this servant doesn’t remember Young Lady seeing one? This servant remembers during last year’s New Year, it was just us two in that small courtyard.”

Qin Wan’s lips curved slightly, “I didn’t like to talk much then, so I probably forgot to mention it.”

Fu Ling made an “oh” sound, clearly placated by this explanation.

Qin Wan, unwilling to say more on the matter, looked toward the palace gates. Cheng Hu’s carriage was parked nearby, and seeing them emerge, he quickly jumped down from the shaft and came to meet them.

However, at that moment, more than ten fast horses suddenly galloped up, accompanying a carriage.

At the palace gates, all vehicles and horses typically slowed their pace upon approach, but this group emanated an overwhelming arrogance from afar. Qin Wan looked carefully and indeed saw some familiar faces.

Upon closer inspection, a cold glint flashed in Qin Wan’s eyes.

Fu Ling frowned and said, “Young Lady, who are these people? Why do they appear so overbearing?”

Qin Wan, unwilling to court trouble and disliking this group, shook her head and walked quickly toward her carriage. Though Qin Wan walked fast, the space outside the palace gates was wide open, and the newcomers quickly spotted her. Someone whistled, and two horses quickly blocked Qin Wan’s path.

Qin Wan frowned, and Fu Ling was startled!

In broad daylight, right in front of Zheng Hua Gate, which family’s guards dared to be so bold!

Before this thought could settle, the carriage surrounded by guards also stopped.

As the carriage halted, someone stepped out – it was Feng Zhang, whom they hadn’t seen for many days.

Feng Zhang stood on the carriage shaft, looking down at Qin Wan from his height, then chuckled, “Oh, isn’t this Ninth Young Lady from the Qin family? Isn’t this the famous little Medical Immortal?”

Qin Wan glanced at Feng Zhang, intending to walk around the mounted guards, but they urged their horses forward two steps, blocking her path again. Qin Wan knew this wouldn’t end simply today.

She turned around composedly to face Feng Zhang, “What is Young Master Feng’s meaning?”

Feng Zhang stood tall, his gaze sweeping up and down Qin Wan for several moments before smiling, “I hear Ninth Young Lady’s medical skills are divine. Today, this Young Master has an ailment – I wonder if Ninth Young Lady can treat it?”

Qin Wan looked at Feng Zhang, her gaze cold, her tone cold, and her words equally cold.

“Young Master Feng indeed has an ailment, but Qin Wan cannot treat it.”

The shallow smile on Feng Zhang’s face froze, “You say I have an ailment? What ailment do I have?”

Qin Wan’s gaze cooled, “Young Master’s ailment is in your skull. Has Young Master not noticed?”

Feng Zhang knew Qin Wan’s medical skills were no pretense. He had intended to tease her, but at this point, he was frightened by Qin Wan’s serious and cold demeanor. Did he have an illness? Feng Zhang pressed his lips together, “An ailment, in the skull…”

After muttering this once, Feng Zhang’s eyes bulged, “You… you’re saying I’m mentally ill?!”

Qin Wan remained silent, just looking at Feng Zhang composedly. Behind her, Fu Ling couldn’t help but burst out laughing. Feng Zhang looked at Qin Wan, then at Fu Ling, and suddenly raised his hand to point at Fu Ling, “I dare not offend Ninth Young Lady, but this maid shows such disrespect to me. Men, seize her—”

“Young Master Feng, don’t go too far!” Cheng Hu roared, quickly running forward to protect Qin Wan and Fu Ling.

Feng Zhang glanced at Cheng Hu, knowing he was one of Qin Yan’s men, and coldly laughed, “And what kind of dog are you?! How dare you be so impudent before the young master, you all, seize both of them together!”

Then he made a show of adding, “Don’t harm Ninth Young Lady.”

As soon as he finished speaking, more than ten guards dismounted simultaneously and stepped toward Cheng Hu and Fu Ling.

Seeing that Cheng Hu was alone in fighting, the guards exchanged glances and all raised their fists to charge. Cheng Hu kicked one away but couldn’t defend against a second. Just as Cheng Hu was about to be knocked down, suddenly, an exceptionally sharp whistling sound cut through the air, followed immediately by a piercing scream that echoed before Zheng Hua Gate!