Lying on the bed, Qun Qing found the wound on her arm throbbing with dull pain, making it difficult to fall asleep despite tossing and turning.

She heard rustling sounds, then the curtain was pushed aside, revealing Lu Huating’s face. “Is my wife unable to sleep?”

“What is that?” Qun Qing watched as he drew a military-style leather pouch from his bosom.

Lu Huating took out a tree resin-like medicinal material and held it directly to her lips. “Myrrh slices. Place them under the root of your tongue—they can stop pain and bleeding.”

Setting aside other matters, Prince Yan’s mansion had the finest and most abundant military hemostatic medicines. Qun Qing placed it in her mouth. Lu Huating smoothed his garments and lay back down in the distance.

Qun Qing closed her eyes and, in an instant, fell into what felt like unconsciousness.

So much so that when she opened her eyes again, sunlight accompanied by birdsong fell on her face, leaving her somewhat dazed.

She draped herself in clothing and rose, vaguely seeing Lu Huating still lying on the floor, so she deliberately lightened her movements. But by the time she lifted the curtain, he had already turned his back to her and was fastening his belt.

As if knowing Qun Qing needed to change clothes and arrange her hair, he didn’t look in her direction and went first to wait under the eaves.

Lu Huating took a sky-blue umbrella. Hearing her come out, the umbrella surface bloomed like a round moon against the sky’s light, turning once. “Let’s go.”

This wasn’t the first time Qun Qing and Lu Huating had walked side by side, but it was their first time huddling under a single umbrella. With the scent of citrus lingering nearby, she glanced at his profile. Lu Huating looked straight ahead but suddenly tilted the umbrella more toward her.

That wasn’t what she meant. Qun Qing pinched the umbrella handle with her fingers. Lu Huating said, “My wife has an injury on her arm—I don’t want your clothing to get wet and draw attention.”

Qun Qing withdrew her hand. In the misty drizzle, she saw new buds already emerging from the weeping willows by the pond.

Standing outside the Zichen Hall, Qun Qing listened to two young eunuchs talking to each other.

The continuous rainy disasters, the Jade Boiling Pills from Jiangnan Circuit whose source had yet to be traced—every matter was giving His Majesty headaches.

As for the marriage bestowal and expression of gratitude, these had instead become corner matters, causing the two to wait outside the hall for a long time.

Qun Qing silently calculated in her mind. She knew that the Crown Prince came to the Zichen Hall every day after morning court to grind ink for an hour.

When she encountered Li Xuan shortly, she would tell him that she had obtained and burned the memorial.

The hall doors opened, but Li Huan was the first to emerge. Qun Qing lowered her head again. She felt Lu Huating glance at her.

Li Huan walked up to Lu Huating and glanced meaningfully at Qun Qing. “I had originally prepared to impeach Prefect Zhang at today’s court session, but now that the memorial is gone, what the hell am I supposed to impeach him with?”

“Did you tell His Majesty about going to Yunzhou?” Lu Huating said.

“I thought about it all night. The Princess Consort and you made sense, so I’ve already requested from Father Emperor to personally go to Yunzhou.”

Lu Huating asked, “What was the Crown Prince’s reaction?”

“Imperial Brother had originally wanted to personally go to Yunzhou, but unexpectedly I beat him to it. He argued his case forcefully, but Father Emperor wouldn’t allow it.” Li Huan said in a low voice.

Qun Qing thought to herself that Emperor Chenming must be worried about Li Xuan’s health regarding the hardships of the flood disaster, not knowing that this move would only make the Crown Prince feel even more insecure.

Not long after Li Huan left, Li Xuan was indeed escorted out by Zheng Fu, who wrapped his cloak tighter around him while advising, “Your Highness’s health is already weak, and His Majesty is also thinking of Your Highness. Previously sending Your Highness to manage the snow disaster was merely a momentary expression of anger. Since Prime Minister Meng has provided the funds, naturally Your Highness needn’t toil. Why must Your Highness be upset with His Majesty over this matter?”

Li Xuan’s fingers clenched tight within his sleeves.

Turning his eyes, he caught sight of Lu Huating and Qun Qing standing side by side. His face, nestled in the fox fur cloak, grew even paler. “You two just married. This prince was unable to attend, so I wonder if the gifts prepared by Shouxi were adequate.”

Qun Qing curtsied. “Thank you for Your Highness’s generous gift. This consort’s wife also prepared a return gift for Your Highness at the mansion, but carelessly dropped it into the brazier where it burned.”

Li Xuan realized from her words that she had already destroyed the memorial he wanted—no wonder Prince Yan hadn’t said anything at court today. He nodded. “It doesn’t matter.”

How could Lu Huating not hear the hidden barbs in their exchange? He was surprised that this woman would actually pass messages in front of him, his dark eyes deep and unfathomable. “Does Your Highness know that my wife prepared the gift in the middle of the night and was nearly shot dead by hidden guards who mistook her for an assassin? She didn’t rest until midnight after stopping the bleeding.”

Li Xuan looked at him. “Qun Siji is a former attendant of the Crown Princess Consort. You and Third Brother should look after her somewhat.”

“This minister will care for his own wife.” Lu Huating gazed at him steadily. “But the rules of Prince Yan’s mansion cannot be broken. If there’s a next time, I’m afraid it won’t be just her hands that are injured.”

Li Xuan’s fingers clenched tight. After looking at him for a long moment, he swept his sleeves and left. “Father Emperor is very busy. You two are exempted from expressing gratitude—go back.”

After Li Xuan left, Lu Huating didn’t look at her. “The Crown Prince can barely take care of himself now. Is he worth it, my wife?”

Qun Qing’s delicate face still showed little expression.

It was merely an exchange, after all. If she minded so much about everything, she would have died long ago.

“As a chess piece, one must have the awareness of a chess piece and earn one’s own path to survival. Expecting loyalty and righteousness from others is a dead end—didn’t I already die once in the previous life?” As she spoke, she turned and lifted her skirt to descend the jade steps. Her back was slender and straight. “I’m going back on duty.”

Juan Su took the folded umbrella. “What is the Chief Clerk thinking about?”

Lu Huating watched Qun Qing’s retreating back. “If I hadn’t married her, she would probably die very easily.”

Rather than die at someone else’s hands, better to die at his.

Thinking this, his heart strangely calmed down.

—

When Li Xuan returned to the hall, Meng Guangshen was already waiting.

Meng Guangshen said, “Your Highness needn’t insist on personally going to Yunzhou. Liu Sijun is my confidant—I’ve instructed him to make thorough preparations. Even if Prince Yan goes, he won’t obtain any evidence.”

Li Xuan asked, “So Grand Tutor has long known about Prefect Liu’s embezzlement?”

Meng Guangshen heard the subtle barb in his tone and replied calmly, “Governing a nation isn’t that simple. Prefect Liu’s function isn’t in embezzlement but in being responsible for ‘allocation.’ His role is the same as Shen Xin’s in the Ministry of War. Your Highness knows that the private treasury doesn’t actually have that much wealth. State affairs always have priorities—without people to assist with ‘allocation,’ how could the snow disaster have been resolved, and how could the achievement have been credited to Your Highness?”

The snow disaster—it wasn’t that Li Xuan was unwilling to go manage it. That day, the Eastern Palace had already packed baggage and carriages, but on the eve of departure, the Yearning poison in his body flared up again, forcing him to rely on the Meng family’s private treasury to resolve it.

To conceal this frequently recurring “illness,” he had already expended tremendous effort. Who knew that the wealth in the private treasury was also unclean?

It was as if he were drawing pictures with ink-stained hands—the more he tried to draw well, the blacker it became, completely contrary to his intentions.

“All things, in Grand Tutor’s mouth, seem to have their reasons.” Li Xuan said.

“Your Highness is a good Crown Prince but doesn’t understand the way of wielding power. As Grand Tutor, this old minister is merely fulfilling my duty.” Meng Guangshen said. “Now Prince Yan’s power is great, Lu Huating harbors wolfish ambitions. He and Qun Qing first stripped Prince Zhao of military authority, then step by step planned Prince Zhao’s house arrest. Your Highness has already lost both arms. Besides relying on the Meng family, I ask Your Highness—how else can you establish yourself?”

Li Xuan said, “Without Qun Qing, Grand Tutor would have already been impeached by Third Brother today.”

“Her loyalty is real, but it’s also true that she had a hand in Prince Zhao’s affair. Now that this chess piece is being controlled by Lu Huating, we should consider other paths.”

“What other paths?”

Meng Guangshen didn’t speak, but both understood in their hearts.

Memorial after memorial slipped from between Li Xuan’s fingers onto the table. A mocking expression appeared on his face.

When seizing power, he hadn’t anticipated reaching the point of armed conflict so quickly.

The taste of having the will but lacking the strength was not pleasant.

He was the Crown Prince. The common people of Yunzhou were his subjects, yet he could only be trapped in the Eastern Palace, like a caged beast, watching Third Brother grow increasingly powerful day by day. Perhaps one day, the head on his neck would also be seized by his swift horses…

Meng Guangshen called Baoshu in. “If Your Highness wants a female attendant, Baoshu can serve as replacement. Her heart has always been devoted to Your Highness.”

Li Xuan stopped Baoshu from bowing. “Is your injury better?”

Baoshu lowered her head. “It’s much better now. This servant was merely worried for a moment and acted improperly. As long as Your Highness is well, that’s all that matters.”

That day when the medicine took effect and the puppet show exploded, Baoshu had suddenly rushed forward to shield Li Xuan’s arm, getting her own arm burned by sparks. A shadow of doubt had formed in Li Xuan’s mind, and now that shadow finally surfaced.

Baoshu raised her eyes, which seemed to truly contain affection. Li Xuan met those eyes and felt she was pitiful. They were all pitiful.

Li Xuan instructed Shouxi to summon the imperial physician to examine Baoshu’s injuries. “Confer upon Lady Baoshu the title of Good Concubine.”

—

When Qun Qing returned to the Bureau of Protocol, she immediately sensed the strange atmosphere.

When people saw her, they all showed signs of panic, whispering with others, then hastily dispersing when she approached.

Qun Qing was already very familiar with the responsibilities of the Records position from her previous life—she only needed to compile and revise palace regulations. Qun Qing walked to the shelf and had just reached for a book when the newly appointed Ceremony Supervisor snatched it away first.

Qun Qing grabbed her arm. “This is my responsibility. Why are you overstepping?”

As if not expecting her to physically intervene, the Ceremony Supervisor turned back. Seeing those extremely dark eyes, she immediately cowered. “Don’t you know yet? You’ve offended Good Concubine Meng. In the future, you probably won’t have any opportunity to serve on duty.”

“Good Concubine Meng?” Qun Qing suspected she had misheard.

“Prime Minister Meng’s daughter Baoshu. She’s been conferred the title of Good Concubine by His Highness the Crown Prince and has already moved into Luanyi Pavilion.”

Hearing this, Qun Qing turned and went to find Director Zhu.

In the hall, Director Zhu knelt while on the main seat beside her, a noble lady’s skirt cascaded down.

Looking up at the noble lady’s face, Baoshu wore a crane crown—truly dressed as a Good Concubine, though the tear mole beneath her eye had become somewhat dim. “Regarding the matter of the Late Empress’s birthday memorial, although Prince Zhao was at fault, the Bureau of Protocol must also bear responsibility. Since Records Qun has a young attendant who practices sorcery and carries a whisk, she’s somewhat tainted with inauspicious energy. Any banquet she handles in the future probably won’t go smoothly.”

Faith in Buddhism and Taoism was a custom left from the previous dynasty. Director Zhu couldn’t refute this. “But Lady Qing is someone for whom the Crown Prince wrote a letter of recommendation…”

Baoshu toyed with her fan. “I am the Crown Prince’s Good Concubine. How do you know that my meaning isn’t the Crown Prince’s meaning?”

Qun Qing listened for a moment but didn’t enter the hall, instead leaving the Bureau of Protocol directly.

“What’s happening? Why did she leave?”

“I thought she would go in to receive punishment.”

The female officials gathered around, looking at Qun Qing’s retreating back in surprise.

“She left?” Baoshu clenched her fan, breathing rapidly. The hatred in her heart boiled, almost melting her internal organs.

Why should this person, born into lowly circumstances, be able to suppress her at every turn?

She killed one of her elder brothers and could still marry another one. Lu Huating wouldn’t give her a proper glance but was willing to marry this lowly woman.

And she herself couldn’t even control her own life.

Beside Director Zhu was the large cauldron she had prepared. The water’s surface floated with a layer of wax, sealing the scalding boiling water beneath, in which peppercorns had been soaked.

If Qun Qing insisted on continuing her duties, then she would be asked to place both hands into this inauspicious-dispelling water in front of all the female officials.

But unexpectedly, Qun Qing had simply left.

“Since she dared to leave, Records Qun probably knows she’s tainted with inauspicious energy and has no face to remain here, unable to organize major ceremonies.” Baoshu gave a cold laugh. “Don’t arrange for her to perform duties in the future.”

Director Zhu sighed softly. She had thought Qun Qing would come to argue her case. As things stood now, Qun Qing would probably be unable to remain in the Bureau of Protocol.

The hairpin ornaments at Baoshu’s temples swayed.

She was no longer a female official but a noble lady. If she still couldn’t help her father eliminate Qun Qing, she would be unworthy of being a daughter of the Meng family.

—

When Qun Qing walked out of the Bureau of Protocol, the sky after the rain was filled with red clouds. Under those red clouds, she saw Lu Huating and Juan Su standing by the official road. “Why did you come?”

Lu Huating looked at her face. “I came to see if my wife’s palace position has been affected by me.”

Qun Qing lowered her eyes and walked alongside him, only saying, “The Crown Prince has conferred Baoshu as Good Concubine.”

“I know. The Crown Prince’s action is an alliance with the Meng family.” Lu Huating said. “As for my wife, if this path is blocked, you can take another route.”

Qun Qing’s lashes moved slightly. When she left directly, she had also thought of this. She remained in the inner palace only to become a Crimson-Robed Envoy as soon as possible. If she entangled with Baoshu, it would be too slow—she couldn’t afford to wait.

“I previously tested for a position as palace official in the Bureau of Clothing. The Princess Consort of Prince Yan said she would keep the appointment edict for me.”

Lu Huating said, “Let’s go.”

Seeing her look over, he also gazed at her with dark eyes. “Go find the Princess Consort of Prince Yan now to request the imperial edict. Would this count as respecting our alliance?”

A moment later, the two stood before Xiao Yunru.

Qun Qing watched as Xiao Yunru held one hand at her waist while raising the vermillion seal with the other. Just as she was about to stamp it, Lu Huating said, “Lady Qing is already sixth rank orthodox in the Bureau of Protocol.”

Xiao Yunru’s hand paused. “If that’s the case, then appoint her as sixth-rank Clothing Supervisor, transferring laterally to the Bureau of Clothing.”

Qun Qing immediately bowed in gratitude.

“No need to thank me.” Xiao Yunru stroked her belly and said solemnly, “Since Lady Qing has the ability of a palace official, this princess is willing to fulfill my promise and transfer you to the Bureau of Clothing, but there’s another reason.”

“Please speak, Princess Consort.”

Xiao Yunru looked at the fine curtain of rain outside the carved window. “Since welcoming the Buddha’s bone, Great Chen has begun trade with the eighteen Western Region nations. His Majesty urgently wishes to promote commerce with the Western Regions—do you know why?”

Qun Qing thought briefly. “To prevent the eighteen Western Region nations from allying with Nan Chu to attack Great Chen. He would rather stabilize commerce and befriend them.”

Xiao Yunru nodded. “Envoys from the Liuli Kingdom and Gaochang will arrive at the Court of State Ceremonial in a few days. The Bureau of Clothing is preparing samples as gifts for the envoys. Great Chen’s abundant products are nothing more than porcelain and silk, especially embroidered colored silk. Since you have expertise, please take responsibility for this matter on this princess’s behalf. There must be no errors.”

Qun Qing said, “This minister will go inspect it tomorrow.”

“There’s one more thing I want to instruct you two about.” Xiao Yunru hesitated a moment, then looked at Lu Huating. “His Highness has always harbored doubts about your marriage. Yunming, if you truly care for Lady Qing, don’t leave any openings for suspicion.”

Both were startled.

However, Qun Qing quickly understood the Princess Consort’s meaning.

She wasn’t entirely ignorant of such matters. After marriage, her mother had mentioned various precautions, and several ladies who came to arrange her hair had also explained things to her.

Never mind that there would be no blood on the ceremonial cloth—Lu Huating sleeping on the floor, with any palace maid reporting it, would be enough to arouse Li Huan’s suspicions.

Li Huan wasn’t truly kind—he only valued old friendship. If he learned she wasn’t someone Lu Huating truly cared for, killing her would probably be as easy as in the previous life.

It was merely a matter of acting more intimate before Prince Yan—not difficult for her.

—

Dinner was laid out, the table filled with a dazzling array of meat and vegetable dishes, their appearance extremely tempting.

She hadn’t expected Prince Yan’s mansion to eat so lavishly—it wasn’t entirely without merit.

Qun Qing picked up a fried shrimp. The shrimp was excellently prepared, the head fragrant and crispy, and she quickly finished half a bowl of rice.

The door moved, and an unfamiliar instructress entered from outside, standing by the door, watching them both without a hint of smile.

“Want some lotus seeds?” Lu Huating suddenly peeled two lotus seeds and placed them in her bowl. Qun Qing’s hand paused, suddenly realizing that this instructress watching them was Li Huan’s spy.

She ate two bites of rice. Lu Huating had already placed two chopsticks’ worth of food in her bowl. Qun Qing had just picked up a shrimp when, after pausing a moment, she placed it in Lu Huating’s bowl.

Seeing this, Juan Su immediately coughed lightly.

Lu Huating also looked at the shrimp at the bottom of his bowl without speaking.

He couldn’t eat shrimp. If Qun Qing didn’t know this, he would suspect she did it deliberately. He couldn’t help glancing at her.

Qun Qing met those dark eyes for a long moment. Seeing he didn’t eat it, her mind raced as she realized something. “Let me peel it for you.”

As she spoke, she took out a plain handkerchief dampened with wine, wiped her fingers clean, peeled off the shell, and held it to Lu Huating’s lips.

Juan Su took a deep breath and turned toward the window.

Lu Huating lowered his head and ate from her hand, though somewhat slowly.

Qun Qing wiped her hands again. With that instructress watching, it somewhat affected her appetite. Afraid the instructress would notice her particular fondness for fried shrimp, after picking one up, she hastily placed another in Lu Huating’s bowl.

As she reached for the plain handkerchief, Lu Huating set down his chopsticks and lightly touched her waist with the back of his hand under the table.

Qun Qing’s waist was most sensitive. She started and instinctively gripped his hand hard, with force almost enough to crush his finger bones. Lu Huating hadn’t expected such a violent reaction. Despite the pain, he didn’t let go, instead increasing the force of his five fingers, directly changing from touching to forcefully pinching.

With someone present, Qun Qing didn’t know what he was trying to do. From the corner of her eye, she saw some red rash on the back of his hand. Before she could think, as the two struggled covertly, there came a sliding sound—the wooden stool Qun Qing sat on slipped, nearly toppling over. She naturally leaned directly against Lu Huating’s neck, quickly catching the wooden stool with her hand.

In that instant, she felt his body stiffen.

Eating and eating, they had ended up nestled together. The instructress’s gaze shifted away, also becoming somewhat awkward.

The two remained silently pressed together for two breaths. Lu Huating turned his head slightly, then suddenly stood up. Qun Qing only felt her waist tighten, then her body lifted into the air as sunlight flashed before her eyes. He swept her up into his arms, lifted the curtain with one hand, and tossed her onto the bed.

Qun Qing used the momentum to roll lightly across the bed. From the corner of her eye, she saw the instructress quickly exit, and she gasped deeply, sweat forming on her body.

“Clothing Supervisor Qun, how does it feel to be held by a political enemy?”

Lu Huating’s breathing was unsteady, yet he insisted on lifting the curtain to look at her with a half-smile.

Qun Qing pulled the curtain down in one motion. Sunlight filtered through the silk gauze, revealing only the vague outline of the gentleman’s jet-black temples and jade-white face beyond the curtain—there was a certain hazy beauty to it.

She lay among the bedding, illuminated by sunlight, and for a long while didn’t want to move.

Lu Huating lowered his eyes, also transfixed for a moment. The sensation of holding her lingered in his sleeves.

This woman was extremely light in weight. In the fourth year of the Sheng Lin era, the appearance of that corpse on the ground surged into his mind again. Thinking of this, he suddenly stared at the curtain. Fortunately, the gleam of Qun Qing’s hairpin flashed—she was still alive and moving.

“Does my wife normally not get enough to eat?”

It was merely two extra shrimp. Hearing this, Qun Qing said, “My monthly salary is small—not as good as Prince Yan mansion’s meals.”

“What else does my wife like to eat?” Lu Huating said calmly. “Prince Yan’s mansion has plenty.”