After they finished eating noodles together, Deng Ying checked the time and stood at the door putting on his robe.

Yang Wan also stood up, “Are you going back to the factory office now?”

“Yes.”

Deng Ying lowered his head to fasten the side ties, “I need to see Qin Wende again.”

“Oh… is it about Zheng Bingbi and the others?”

“Mm.”

After his brief response, Yang Wan didn’t say anything more.

Deng Ying fastened his belt and opened the door, turning back to Yang Wan: “I’ll rest for a few hours at the factory office tonight, as I have to report for duty at the Ceremonial Office early tomorrow. You should head back early, looking at the sky… it will rain at dusk.”

“Alright, you go ahead, I’ll clean up the bowls and head back.”

Deng Ying glanced at the table, “Leave them, I’ll clean up tomorrow. You shouldn’t get your hands wet again.”

Yang Wan shrugged, “I agreed to let you handle the housework, but didn’t say it had to be now.”

She waved her hand, “Go on.”

After Deng Ying left, Yang Wan put away the bowls and dishes, closed the door, and walked alone along the city moat towards Chengqian Palace.

As predicted, the sky gradually darkened. The willow branches by the river swayed, and the wind from the river carried a chill that crept into one’s sleeves. Yang Wan quickened her pace. When she reached Chengqian Palace, she found the palace gates tightly closed. The eunuch at the door opened a side entrance for her, walking inside with her while explaining: “The Consort was summoned to serve at Yangxin Hall, and Miss Heyu went along to attend her. Seeing the weather about to rain, we closed the doors and windows early.”

Yang Wan stopped in her tracks and asked, “She’s serving today?”

“Oh my, Record Keeper, what do you mean ‘serving today’? Imperial favor doesn’t distinguish between days – it’s all grace.”

“Isn’t the Consort still in her monthly period?”

The eunuch said: “Record Keeper must have been bedridden too long to know – the Consort stopped bleeding yesterday. Today’s summons came directly from His Majesty’s attendants, they wouldn’t even let us prepare things here, just took her straight there.”

Yang Wan remembered Consort Ning’s words, “People aren’t plants and trees – everyone has places they don’t want to go.”

She couldn’t help but pursed her lips.

“Where is the young prince?”

“The young prince is studying.”

Yang Wan nodded, “All of you stay alert to receive the Consort back tonight.”

“Yes, we understand.”

However, that night, Yang Wan waited at Chengqian Gate until the third watch, but Consort Ning still hadn’t returned.

The palace servants at Chengqian Palace, not understanding the situation, were overjoyed.

According to protocol, when Ming dynasty consorts served the emperor, only the Empress could stay overnight in Yangxin Hall. Others could only remain until dawn in the imperial bed chamber with special imperial permission.

Heavy rain poured down that night, the water splashing on the palace walkways like shattered jade.

Yang Wan stood with her arms crossed, staring blankly at the dark, rain-soaked path before her.

Behind her, the eunuchs hunched their necks and whispered among themselves: “His Majesty does care for our Consort, not wanting her to catch a chill from the rain, allowing her to stay…”

“Silence!”

The speaking eunuch was startled by Yang Wan’s voice and dared not speak further, shrinking into a corner.

Yang Wan lifted her head, watching the lanterns swaying in the rain, her fists clenched tight.

In the side chamber of Yangxin Hall, Emperor Zhennin lay face-up on the bed, with Consort Ning lying fully clothed beside him.

“You won’t undress yourself?”

The candle flame crackled, and Consort Ning’s shoulders trembled with the sound.

Emperor Zhennin turned his head to look at her back, suddenly demanding:

“We ask you, are you refusing to undress?!”

Consort Ning still didn’t make a sound, only wrapping her arms tighter around her shoulders.

Emperor Zhennin grabbed her arm and roughly turned her over, “We summoned you for intimacy, yet you come without speaking a word, flinching like you’ve been pricked by a needle at Our touch – what exactly do you mean by this…”

“Your servant dares not.”

Consort Ning responded hoarsely.

A muffled thunderclap struck overhead, and in the instant, the blue flash illuminated the room, Emperor Zhennin suddenly felt that the beautiful face beside his pillow now appeared somewhat fierce. He abruptly sat up and moved the bedside lamp to Consort Ning’s face.

“Yang An.”

He called out Consort Ning’s name in a low voice.

“What have We done to you, that you would so thoroughly dampen Our spirits today?”

Consort Ning opened her eyes, “Your servant has done nothing. Your Majesty has forgotten – this is how your servant has always been when serving. Your Majesty has never let your servant undress herself, and your servant has always been as fearful of Your Majesty’s touch as today. Rather than ask what is wrong with your servant, perhaps Your Majesty should ask yourself what is different today?”

“You’re saying We’re being overly suspicious of you?”

“If not, why would Your Majesty humiliate your servant?”

“We humiliate you?”

The Emperor glared at Consort Ning, “Our summoning you for intimacy is humiliation? Yang An, We have tolerated your coldness for ten years, accepting whatever distant nature you have without complaint. Yet today you speak such words to Us – do you wish to completely reject any affection?”

“I dare not accept it anymore.”

Consort Ning lifted her neck, “Suspicion is enough to determine guilt. It was so for my younger sister back then, and so it is for me today.”

She took the initiative to bring up what Emperor Zhennin was reluctant to mention.

After hearing these words, Emperor Zhennin’s chest heaved up and down as he pointed trembling fingers toward the bed, “You… you… kneel before Us!”

Consort Ning stood up as told and performed a full bow before Emperor Zhennin by the bedside.

Those delicate beauty bones still inspired tenderness at first glance, yet because her posture was too resolute, it instead revealed a sharp edge that cut through emotion and loyalty.

Emperor Zhennin couldn’t help but be startled.

“Consort Ning… We…”

Consort Ning didn’t let him continue.

“Your Majesty, your servant knows what kind of person you are. In this world, human desires are as vast as the heavens – even though you are the sovereign father, you too are confined within mortal bounds. Your treatment of your servant today can still be considered somewhat merciful. But in my ten years in the palace, I have never committed any act that violated palace rules. My body is pure and my heart is clear – I would rather die than suffer humiliation. Words of slander have already damaged the foundation between your servant and Your Majesty. Your servant begs Your Majesty to strip me of my consort position and sentence me alongside the three hundred palace servants.”

Emperor Zhennin slapped the bed and shouted: “Consort Ning! You speak such mad words before Us – have you thought about your son?”

Consort Ning looked up: “As Your Majesty’s son, has Yi Lang ever failed you?”

“…”

Emperor Zhennin’s shoulders suddenly slumped.

The arm-thick candles had burned down creating layers of wax tears, while the violent rain continued to rattle the window latches. Consort Ning folded her hands in her lap and continued:

“The Cabinet hopes for him to study, and he has studied. The filial piety Your Majesty wants him to understand, he has understood. He’s not yet ten years old, yet he treads carefully between sovereign and subject as if walking on thin ice. Someone once told your servant that regardless of whether he inherits the throne, he is the future of the nation. Therefore, your servant has never shared a fraction of my resentment with him. Apart from food and daily life, your servant has taught him nothing. He has no womanly mercy, nor does he engage in inner court struggles. He is an upright child who brings no shame to his position as the Great Ming’s eldest son.”

“We know!”

The Emperor strode to Consort Ning’s side in a few steps, speaking urgently: “He is Our son – how could We not cherish him?”

Consort Ning shook her head.

“Your Majesty, regarding his imprisonment in Wuying Hall – although he hasn’t mentioned it again before your servant, he keeps it always in his heart, constantly fearful. Yes… the fear of being a subject is something he should have, but the fear of being a son…”

Speaking thus, she turned her head to hold back tears, “Your Majesty would force that upon him as well.”

“Did We not eventually pardon him? Why do you bring this up again!”

“You brought it up!”

“What did you say?”

“You brought it up…”

Consort Ning straightened her legs and met the Emperor’s gaze, “You asked if I had thought about you and my son. Your Majesty, your servant also wants to ask you – if your servant and you remain at odds for life, how should Yi Lang conduct himself?”

Emperor Zhennin grabbed Consort Ning’s arm, “Do you know how absolute your words are today? We merely asked you to remove your clothes, yet you beg Us for death. Yes! When the Northern Investigation Office questioned your sister, We did suspect you. But even when We suspected you, did We ever interrogate you? Hm? Did We ever humiliate you? For so many years you’ve been neither warm nor cold toward Us – when have We truly punished you? Today, just this once, and you want to overturn Our heaven. What? We are the Emperor – are We not allowed to suspect you? You dare use Our child to threaten Us. We see you’ve truly gone mad – if you want to die, that’s easy. We’ll strip your position now and grant you death tomorrow.”

Consort Ning pulled away from the Emperor’s hand, smiling as she bowed, “Your servant thanks Your Majesty for the favor.”

“You…”

Emperor Zhennin’s self-esteem was thoroughly wounded by her attitude. He knelt down and shouted: “Yang An, beg Us for mercy!”

“Your servant will not beg. Please grant your servant’s wish.”

“Heh…”

Emperor Zhennin spoke in a sinister voice: “If We grant you death, what will Yi Lang think of Us? You die clean while leaving Us to bear the infamy – you think We would be so foolish as to agree?”

Consort Ning’s fingers trembled where they pressed against the ground, “Then what does Your Majesty wish?”

Emperor Zhennin grabbed Consort Ning’s face, “We’ll give you one more chance. Beg Us for mercy, say you were wrong, remove your clothes and serve Us, return to Chengqian Palace, and continue being Our Consort Ning. Today’s events will be known only to Us and you.”

Consort Ning’s face was twisted from his grip, yet hearing these words, she seemed to smile slightly. For some reason, this weak smile made Emperor Zhennin’s heart grow cold.

“Your Majesty… please kill your servant.”

“Hmph…”

Emperor Zhennin let out a laugh, casually shoving Consort Ning’s face aside as he stood up and called out: “Who’s outside?”

Hu Xiang quickly responded from outside the door: “Your servant is here.”

“Proclaim Our decree: Consort Ning has gone mad. Send her immediately to Jiao Garden for rest and recovery. Without Our decree, no one is to disturb her.”

Hu Xiang responded with a “Yes,” then hesitated: “Master… is… is she to be sent away now?”

“Send her away immediately!”

After speaking, he looked down at Consort Ning kneeling on the ground, “Anything else to say?”

Consort Ning pushed herself up from the ground and straightened her back.

“One thing.”

“Speak.”

“To the nation, I am but an ignorant woman, but my son is a clear-minded child. If Your Majesty truly loves him, do not let him be ruined by a foolish woman’s hand.”

The rain gradually lessened.

Most of the palace servants standing guard at Chengqian Palace gate could hardly stay awake. The servants in the side hall had also risen, preparing water and lamps to attend to Yi Lang’s morning studies.

The eunuch behind Yang Wan said: “Why don’t we wait inside? At this hour, our Consort probably won’t return until the morning watch.”

“If you can’t wait, then leave.”

At these words, the palace servants quickly rubbed their eyes and pinched themselves to stand properly.

Finally, footsteps approached on the gradually brightening palace path. Heyu came running through the rain, and upon seeing Yang Wan, fell to her knees.

“Record Keeper… Consort… Consort has been taken to Jiao Garden.”

“What…”

“The Ceremonial Office said our Consort has gone mad and offended His Majesty. She can’t even return to Chengqian Palace and was sent to Jiao Garden in the night.”

Upon hearing this, the Chengqian Palace servants immediately panicked.

Heyu clutched Yang Wan’s arm and cried: “Record Keeper, how could our Consort suddenly go mad?”

Yang Wan stood stunned on the steps, unable to speak a word.

“I want to see Mother Consort.”

Yi Lang’s voice suddenly came from behind, followed by a figure rushing past Yang Wan. She tried to grab him but missed, and the servants hurriedly followed with umbrellas.

“Yi Lang, come back!”

Yi Lang turned back, his face covered in tears, “Aunt, I don’t believe Mother has gone mad.”

Yang Wan stood on the steps, her voice trembling: “What if His Majesty wants Your Highness to believe it?”

Yi Lang froze, then suddenly raised his hands to frantically wipe away his tears.

Afterward, he asked nothing more, but unable to dry his tears, he slowly crouched down hugging his knees, burying his head between them.

The young man’s sensitivity cut like a knife into Yang Wan’s heart. She quickly ran down the stone steps and pulled Yi Lang into her embrace.

“Don’t be afraid, Your Highness. Aunt is here, Aunt is here.”