Inside Hanyuan Hall, candles and lamps glowed brilliantly, and the space was filled with people. Young eunuchs shuttled back and forth—one moment bringing cloth for noble ladies to wipe their perspiration, the next adding incense to the censers.

Behind a twelve-panel openwork screen, the palace consorts and concubines sat in full attendance, fanning themselves and chatting in low voices.

The discussion naturally centered on the Western Fan invasion and the reduced palace expenditures.

Chen Pin complained: “I heard from Eunuch Zheng that this year’s precious spices weren’t given to the rear palace—they were all sent to those envoys from the Liuli Kingdom.”

Another person said: “His Majesty has shown them great courtesy. Why didn’t he invite them to tonight’s banquet?”

“Those from the Liuli Kingdom are all monks, aren’t they? They’re vegetarians, so presumably they couldn’t eat the banquet fare.”

A gentle voice said: “Great Chen is currently at war with Western Fan. The Liuli Kingdom is the foremost of the Western Region’s eighteen kingdoms and, strictly speaking, is closer to Western Fan. Since they came to exchange Buddhist teachings, we should discuss only Buddhist teachings with them—it wouldn’t be appropriate to let them hear reports from the Western Fan battlefield.”

The other consorts suddenly understood: “So that’s it! Han Wanyi is truly knowledgeable and understands so much.”

Han Wanyi smiled slightly, but some older consorts weren’t buying it and said sourly: “Chen Pin misspoke—it’s only us old women who lack the spices. Han Wanyi and Consort Lü don’t lack His Majesty’s rewards.”

Emperor Chenming’s rear palace had over ten consorts and concubines, divided into two categories: one group consisted of concubines from when the Emperor served as Military Commissioner of Huaiyuan—slightly older, of humble origins, now holding positions but no longer favored; the other group consisted of new consorts selected after the Emperor’s ascension, led by Han Wanyi—young and beautiful, currently enjoying thick imperial favor.

An inner attendant announced the Crown Prince’s Liangdi had arrived. Their discussion ceased, and countless pairs of eyes waited to watch Zheng Zhiyi enter.

This Liangdi from the mountain wilds had caused quite a few embarrassments—in her clothing, her speech, her manner of gnawing bones. With her as a baseline, even the most humble palace consort felt superior, believing she wasn’t the crudest one, and could usually mock Zheng Zhiyi a few times in her own quarters.

Amid everyone’s breathless anticipation, Liangdi Zheng stepped over the threshold of Hanyuan Hall, and the surroundings quieted.

—Was this Zheng Zhiyi?

Zheng Zhiyi’s golden-thread cloak was heavy, supported by two palace maids. Her frame was small, but only due to her young age—these past few months, she had actually grown somewhat taller. With her high coiffure arranged, exposing her full forehead, she actually displayed a measure of delicate beauty.

She walked very slowly, beads of sweat forming on her nose, but her gait and expression were remarkably composed. She walked all the way to her seat without looking around randomly, unaware that she had attracted the attention of the entire hall.

In this silence, the consorts’ thoughts varied. Those hoping to see a spectacle came up empty and could only twist with discomfort inside.

“Not having seen her for a while, Liangdi Zheng seems more robust.”

“She’s much fairer, isn’t she?”

“Chang’an’s climate truly nurtures people. In less than a year, she’s developed the elegant bearing of a primary consort. Youth really is an advantage.”

Li Xuan had changed into regular attire and sat behind his table, his gaze falling on Zheng Zhiyi’s heat-flushed face: “Where else are you going?”

Zheng Zhiyi hung her head and muttered: “Don’t we always sit separately?”

Lan Yue tugged at her sleeve. Li Xuan frowned and took a sip of tea. Zheng Zhiyi circled back and sat beside him. The palace consorts watching the spectacle from across the way covered their mouths with fans and giggled.

The palace consorts sat on the right side of Hanyuan Hall, while seats for close ministers and imperial princes were arranged on the left side.

Qun Qing looked around—Li Huan hadn’t arrived. Princess Yan, Xiao Yunru, sat alone with proper posture, her expression still dignified as she smiled and nodded in greeting to Liangdi Zheng.

Beside Prince Yan’s seat was another empty table laden with angelica and fruits—left to commemorate the fourth imperial prince, Li Miao, who had gone missing in his youth.

Emperor Chenming was a nostalgic sovereign who liked using such gestures to show he didn’t forget old companions.

From afar, a palace consort inquired: “The flowers in Liangdi Zheng’s hair are exceptionally bright in color. Which palace official’s skillful hands created them?”

Zheng Zhiyi had never received such attention from so many people. She half-rose toward this side, then turned to bow in another direction: “Replying to Mother Consort, they’re fresh flowers that I grew myself.”

“What? You grew them yourself?” The consorts burst into laughter.

Many among them were daughters of farming households. In their minds, this was something only the poorest people did—they never imagined that after entering the imperial palace, one would still need to farm.

However, a slender consort smiled and said: “Isn’t this precisely emulating Emperor Chu Jing’s palace rice cultivation to emphasize agriculture and sericulture? Liangdi is very thoughtful.”

She wore a wide-sleeved gauze gown and long skirt, gently waving a small fan. Her makeup was simple and elegant, making her appear even more quietly scholarly.

In an instant, praise from the consorts came flooding in. Those who had just laughed wished they could find a crack to crawl into.

Qun Qing looked at the speaker and recognized her as Han Wanyi. She had won Emperor Chenming’s favor through her learning and was now pregnant with an imperial heir—her investiture as a consort was imminent.

Han Wanyi’s words echoed what Qun Qing had said exactly. Zheng Zhiyi’s heart settled back down, and she looked at Qun Qing excitedly. She had never received such compliments from so many people. After all, this hadn’t been her idea. In her excitement, she wanted to mention the maid behind it all, but Qun Qing pressed her shoulder, making her sit down.

Li Xuan poured Zheng Zhiyi a cup of tea: “Don’t talk too much. If you’re hot, remove your outer robe.”

Zheng Zhiyi said “Oh” and couldn’t remove the stiff outer garment. Her arms raised halfway in the air, Qun Qing saw but didn’t extend her hands. Li Xuan glared at her, and only then did he help.

In the eyes of distant palace consorts, the Crown Prince and Liangdi appeared as a perfect pair, making Princess Bao’an beside them seem all the more lonely and desolate.

Previously, palace rumors had said the Crown Prince truly loved Princess Bao’an and scorned his legitimate wife. Seeing them today, the Crown Prince and Liangdi’s affection was clearly deep. In an instant, the ridicule and gossip reversed direction and fell upon Yang Fu.

At that moment, an inner supervisor announced: “Minister of Remonstrance Meng presents a red jade coral obtained from the South Sea mining case, bestowed upon Princess Bao’an.”

The red jade coral was brought forth—as large as a fist, gorgeously blood-red, immediately attracting countless envious gazes.

Red jade was rare. Even Yang Fu’s sickly pale face showed a hint of surprise. Bao Zhu smiled and said: “Princess, look—this servant’s elder brother has arrived. Stay calm. He’ll certainly help you regain face.”

“Does the Princess like it?” Meng Guanlou arrived shortly after, bowing in greeting.

Qun Qing had heard that Prime Minister Meng had Xianbei blood, and his children all had fine features. Seeing him today, this was indeed true.

This Meng Guanlou had high-bridged nose and fair skin. He was tall with black hair, and his crimson robes made his appearance even more striking, though dark circles under his eyes gave him a somewhat dissolute, haggard air.

She had heard he loved drinking and revelry—perhaps it was caused by excessive indulgence.

Bao Zhu received the coral, and Yang Fu glanced at it before thanking Meng Guanlou.

“No need for courtesy. Princess Seventeen is a beauty of heavenly fragrance and national elegance—not to mention this red jade, even purple jade and black jade are all vulgar objects that can’t match you.” Meng Guanlou smiled. “This minister presents it on behalf of His Highness the Crown Prince. As long as the Princess is pleased.”

Yang Fu’s pale face finally showed a hint of shy smile.

Her smile was too captivating. Meng Guanlou was quite dazzled. When he came to greet Li Xuan, he couldn’t help joking: “Princess Bao’an is truly a beauty capable of toppling kingdoms. How can Your Highness bear to let her face be clouded with sorrow?”

Li Xuan replied coolly: “Is the Grand Tutor not coming?”

“My Father sleeps early these days and can’t endure the commotion. This minister was craving the imperial kitchen’s clear-stewed lamb—I didn’t even eat after my shift ended and rushed straight here.”

Li Xuan’s expression didn’t change: “Then eat well. Eat plenty.”

Meng Guanlou sensed his displeasure and smiled: “Is Your Highness angry that this minister took the liberty of sending a gift? It’s all Bao Zhu’s fault—she insisted her elder brother help her hold up the scene, after all this is her first assignment in the palace. Young ladies just love to争 face. Even Bao Zhu is like this, and Princess Bao’an is of imperial blood—she can bear cold looks from others even less. Your Highness must balance things evenly to avoid others’ speculation.”

Li Xuan glanced at him, his expression somewhat gloomy: “Oh? You’ve thought things through even more thoroughly than this Prince.”

Meng Guanlou still held his cup and advised quietly: “This minister’s whole heart is for Your Highness, naturally hoping Your Highness obtains the very best. Princess Bao’an is a phoenix among people. Only such a lady matches Your Highness. What exactly don’t you like about her?”

Zheng Zhiyi listened to these two go back and forth. From the moment he entered, Meng Guanlou hadn’t given her a proper look, treating her like air. She couldn’t endure it any longer and slammed her palm on the table: “Meng Guanlou! How can someone be such a social climber? You used to call me sister-in-law—have you forgotten?”

Only then did Meng Guanlou lower his eyes, as if just discovering Zheng Zhiyi: “Oh my, I didn’t see you just now. Why is Liangdi also sitting here? Your hairstyle has changed—this minister didn’t recognize you. This high coiffure is elegant, but Liangdi can’t quite carry it off.”

This was truly too much.

Zheng Zhiyi rose abruptly. The bandit girl who had behaved all evening showed her true colors—she wanted to splash the freshly poured tea in her cup onto Meng Guanlou’s face.

Qun Qing grabbed the cup and called out loudly: “Liangdi, look—Princess Danyang has arrived!”

Zheng Zhiyi stared blankly toward the entrance.

Princess Danyang had actually just crossed the threshold. Hearing someone call her, she truly brought her entourage marching imposingly toward them.

Meng Guanlou’s expression instantly resembled a mouse caught in a door.

Princess Danyang, Li Tong, was Emperor Chenming’s niece. Having grown up with the army, she was quite fierce. Her resonant, crisp voice instantly filled the entire hall: “I wondered who it was! Lord Meng has a pile of rotten accounts of his own, yet now he’s managing other people’s family affairs. When you wanted to marry a princess, I didn’t see you show this Princess—sealed by His Majesty himself as a Princess Imperial—any courtesy. Instead, you fawned over some—oh my, who knows what kind of princess.”

Yang Fu’s face went pale as she bit her lip. Meng Guanlou’s face darkened, but Li Xuan’s lips curved upward—he couldn’t suppress a light laugh.

“That was outsiders sowing discord. This minister was momentarily confused. I beg Your Highness to calm your anger.” Meng Guanlou said quietly, “Your Highness, today’s banquet, with everyone watching…”

A mistress had severed the childhood friendship between two people and offended Princess Danyang. Princess Danyang was relentless: “This Princess can’t stand disloyal, heartless creatures. If you don’t want to suffer such ridicule, just obediently avoid me next time and don’t meet face to face—wouldn’t that settle things? Someone, bring the gift and present it to Minister Meng. Consider it this Princess offering early congratulations on his lifelong union with Miss Cui.”

Now even the Meng family’s plan to marry someone else was exposed. This Cui family wasn’t even an official household but merchants. It seemed that as Danyang’s rejected suitor, Meng Guanlou’s marriage prospects had been greatly affected. The palace consorts were delighted to watch the drama, whispering to each other.

Meng Guanlou said with restraint: “Must Your Highness go this far even if you’re angry?”

Behind Princess Danyang followed four or five young, handsome gentlemen wearing plain white round-collared robes with painted faces like performers—an improper appearance.

“You think too highly of yourself.” Princess Danyang’s expression was languid. She had clearly been drinking in the palace earlier and entered her seat with her entourage surrounding her. “These are all this Princess’s household administrators—rank seven-b officials, serving in court alongside Minister Meng. Show some respect.”

The consorts in the hall had only heard that princesses of the previous dynasty kept male favorites, but this was their first time actually witnessing it. They couldn’t help covering their lips with fans and stealing glances toward Danyang, watching how they poured wine and massaged the Princess Imperial’s shoulders.

Qun Qing had long known Princess Danyang loved to play. In the previous life, in the fourth year of Shenglin, she reveled night after night, once entertaining with over a dozen household administrators.

A mere four weren’t worth much attention.

Qun Qing looked toward the entrance, waiting for Li Huan to arrive.

Emperor Chenming customarily used palace banquets to announce decrees concerning imperial family members—for instance, arranged marriages, promotions, rewards, and naturally punishments as well. Word had spread throughout the palace that the decree for Prince Yan’s enfeoffment would be announced at tonight’s banquet. She was very curious about how Li Huan would be dealt with.

At the hall entrance, she saw neither Li Huan nor Lu Huating, only a household administrator who hadn’t caught up.

This person wore a white round-collared robe with loose hair, his figure somewhat familiar.

Sparse shadows fell slantwise across his shoulders. He lifted his robe hem with both hands, watching palace servants go in and out, uncertain whether to enter, appearing increasingly helpless and pitiful.

The overhead lantern lit up, illuminating his full face. Qun Qing’s heart jumped in shock.

Who was this? Su Run?

Not far away, Meng Guanlou was drinking. In Qun Qing’s mind appeared the rotting wounds on Su Run’s back, the corpses carried out from the Yeting Court…

She excused herself to use the privy and walked toward the entrance. She walked very urgently, knocking over the tea cup in the hands of a palace servant about to enter, water spilling onto that household administrator’s robes.

“The side hall has facilities for changing clothes. This gentleman, please follow this servant.” She grabbed Su Run’s lapel and forcefully pushed him out through the hall doors.

When Prince Yan entered the hall to take his seat, he swayed. Xiao Yunru extended her hand to support him, but he avoided it and slowly sat down: “It’s nothing. I knelt for quite a while—my legs are just a bit numb.”

“What did His Majesty say?” Xiao Yunru naturally withdrew her hand. Both sat very upright with a person’s width of space between them.

Li Huan only spoke after a long while: “His Majesty had urgent matters and couldn’t hear my explanation. This time I knelt for nothing again.” Coming to the banquet, he had changed the bronze mask on his face to a half-mask of gold foil, exposing his pressed lips.

The note Lu Huating had stuffed in his hand ultimately went unused. The characters had been blurred by sweat until illegible, so he simply crumpled it into a ball.

“I’ve thought it over—if it’s Qinghai, then it’s Qinghai. What’s the big deal? If I could walk out of Huaiyuan back then, I can likewise walk out of Qinghai.” Li Huan said, “I’ve just implicated the Princess Consort. I’m sorry.”

“Your Highness, don’t say such things. You and I are husband and wife, one body—how can we speak of implication? Nothing is finally settled yet. This consort hopes Your Highness won’t give up prematurely.” Though disappointed, Xiao Yunru remained calm and gentle. “The fruits and medicinal wine Your Highness wished to send Princess Bao’an—this consort has already delivered them for Your Highness.”

Li Huan felt very awkward: “This has nothing to do with you. You needn’t handle such matters in the future.”

Xiao Yunru added incense to the fragrance ball, her expression peaceful and serene: “These are all within this consort’s duties.”

The hall was as stifling as a steamer. After sitting quietly for a while, Li Huan grabbed his fan and fanned himself vigorously.

Xiao Yunru asked: “Why don’t we see Chief Administrator Lu?”

Li Huan pointed with his fan: “He’s right there. Look—he even has leisure to shoot arrows.”

The target suspended high in the air was covered with fresh flowers, meant for good fortune. Meng Guanlou’s arrow struck the bullseye, causing the target to swing backward high like a swing.

The surrounding ministers praised him effusively. Then a light “whoosh” sounded in their ears as a bamboo arrow broke through the air and struck the flower’s center with a clang. The arrow just embedded there was split precisely in half and fell to the ground with the petals.

The surrounding ministers were dumbstruck. Meng Guanlou turned around to see Lu Huating placing the bamboo bow on a tray, his black eyes looking at him with a smile: “You’re too kind.”

Meng Guanlou’s eyes looked like they could devour someone. These two confronting each other was not a good thing. Princess Danyang had sharp eyes and squeezed over.

With Danyang present, Meng Guanlou forcefully suppressed his reaction, only looking down at the blood-soaked cloth wrapped around Lu Huating’s hand and saying viciously: “This black-boned chicken can stick itself full of feathers, but it still won’t become a phoenix.”

With that, the two brushed past each other. Princess Danyang pulled at Lu Huating’s sleeve, but he subtly withdrew it with a raised hand. Danyang didn’t mind and recounted what had just happened: “Lu Qing, I was in a bad mood that day and cursed at you—don’t take it to heart. You rescued this Princess from a bad marriage.”

Danyang’s hand was about to rest on his shoulder when Lu Huating, as if he had eyes in the back of his head, crouched down and picked up a flower branch from the carpet. The flower branch’s owner—Zheng Zhiyi with her head full of flowers—had her back to him eating grapes.

He instinctively glanced beside Zheng Zhiyi, didn’t see that person, and simply tucked the flower branch unobtrusively into his sleeve: “Meng Guanlou never deserved you.”

Danyang withdrew her hand and smiled as she appraised Lu Huating’s face: “Worthy of being a household-born brother—you’re even more beautiful than him. Presumably you’re stronger than him in other areas too. Since he’s unworthy, would you be willing to serve this Princess?”

The smile at Lu Huating’s lips froze, clearly offended. When he slouched into his seat, he smiled even more deeply. His eyes turned up at the corners—when he smiled, there was a brilliantly seductive charm, though his tone was very bland: “If Your Highness wants someone, didn’t this minister already send someone to Your Highness?”

“Who could compare to Lu Qing?” Danyang said.

Li Huan couldn’t listen anymore: “Elder Sister, aren’t you annoying? He’s so many years younger than you—why must you always tease him?”

“Third Brother really knows how to talk. Elder Sister was only joking—I won’t steal your person. I’m just curious what kind of person Lu Qing likes, since he hasn’t married for so many years.” Princess Danyang tossed him an apricot and leaned against her cushion, complaining to Lu Huating:

“That gentleman surnamed Su you presented has no difference from a wooden block. If he weren’t quite skilled at calligraphy and painting, I would have thrown him out long ago. Where did you find such a pedantic scholar? Did you deliberately intend to vex this Princess?”

Lu Huating swept his gaze over the household administrators beside Danyang, the smile in his black eyes fading somewhat: “Didn’t this minister ask Your Highness to bring him tonight?”

He wasn’t accustomed to things not happening according to his expectations.

“How could I not listen to your words?” Danyang spat out a cherry pit. “He’s clumsy—just now a palace maid spilled water on his clothes, so he went to change.”

A palace maid? Lu Huating turned his head. Thinking of something, his gaze pierced straight through the swaying crowd. Only Lan Yue attended Zheng Zhiyi’s side—Qun Qing still wasn’t there.

Danyang added: “The serving maid beside Liangdi Zheng.”

A vein jumped on the back of Lu Huating’s hand. After sitting for a while, he made an excuse to leave his seat.

Night had deepened, and lamps were lit on all sides.

Hanyuan Hall had eastern and western side halls with shadows of people inside. Lu Huating glanced toward the side hall, then decisively left.

He moved against the flow of banquet-goers, walking extremely quickly. His face alternated between light and dark under the passing lanterns, but only his eyes remained exceptionally bright.

In the previous life, interrogating Nan Chu spies, he had obtained a detailed map of the palace’s secret passages.

The map in his mind was as clear as if before his eyes.

Ahead stood a dilapidated small shrine hidden among cypress groves—left from the previous dynasty. The nearest hidden location to Hanyuan Hall containing secret passages was right here.

Lu Huating crouched down and carefully examined the wild grass before the door. The grass had been trampled flat, with chaotic footprints inside, like two people supporting each other as they walked, leading straight into the shrine.

He looked at those footprints for a while. His jade-white face showed no expression as he stood up and kicked the door open.