The Emperor’s departure with the Prince of Huaiyang dispelled rumors of an affair between His Majesty and the Princess. It was clear the Emperor had come specifically to hunt with the Prince, not to rekindle old flames with the Princess.

However, Concubine Yun seethed with resentment. She had procured a secret potion, intending to use it during her night with the Emperor to conceive an heir. But the Prince of Sui’s interference had redirected His Majesty’s attention to that wretched Liú Mián Táng.

At the western hunting grounds, the Prince of Huaiyang impressed everyone by taking down a fierce tiger. He declared he would use the pelt to make a mattress for his Princess, though he respectfully offered the tiger’s penis and bones to the Emperor as tonics.

Liu Yu, his mind in turmoil, failed to catch even a single rabbit. However, he did have a private, heated discussion with the Prince of Huaiyang and his retainer in the forest, out of earshot of their attendants. Afterward, the Emperor left for the palace, visibly displeased.

That night, although Liu Yu was scheduled to stay with Concubine Yun, he retired to his chambers, citing exhaustion from the day’s events. Yun had bathed and applied the secret potion in vain, redirecting her frustration towards Liu Mian Tang.

Two days later, Yun noticed skin irritation and intense itching. Fearing isolation if diagnosed with an epidemic disease, she secretly summoned a physician from the Eastern Palace’s old faction under the guise of an imperial doctor.

The diagnosis was alarming: Yun showed signs of poisoning through skin absorption. When questioned about recent unusual applications, her maid Screen immediately thought of the secret potion. Upon examination, it was indeed the culprit. While it would only cause itching in most people, it could be fatal to those regularly taking danshen to sustain their health.

Sun Yun Niang turned ashen, realizing that if the Emperor had stayed with her that night, he would have died in her chambers, leaving her irredeemably guilty.

In a rage, she slapped Screen, demanding to know the potion’s origin. Screen tearfully reminded her that it came from the Prince of Sui’s mystic, obtained at Yun’s request.

Yun slumped back, realizing she had been a pawn in the Prince of Sui’s scheme. Yet she could not confront him without exposing her nefarious intentions.

As her condition worsened, Yun could only claim to have caught a cold, excusing herself from royal duties. She now understood that life in the palace was far more treacherous than on Yangshan Mountain. One misstep could prove fatal.

Soaking in medicinal baths to counteract the poison, Sun Yun Niang felt dejected. She had picked up what Liu Mian Tang had discarded. Perhaps that clever woman had foreseen the perils of life with Liu Yu and chosen to leave so decisively?

Meanwhile, when Cui Xing Zhou returned home, Mian Tang asked if he had quarreled with the Emperor. Cui replied, “I simply told His Majesty not to heed malicious rumors. I, Cui Xing Zhou, am not a wife-beater. I asked him not to concern himself with our affairs further.”

Mian Tang smiled and didn’t press the matter. However, as Cui turned his attention to a book, his expression darkened. He wouldn’t tell Mian Tang that he and Liu Yu had indeed had a heated argument in the forest.

Cui understood Liu Yu’s need to vent his frustrations as a defeated rival. But one remark had struck a nerve: “She chose you only because she’s lost her memory and feels vulnerable. Do you think a woman like her would remain with her former enemy if she regained her memories?”

This echoed Cui’s insecurities. He wondered if Liu Mian Tang would regret marrying her former adversary once she recovered Lú Wén’s memories. After all, the bitter struggle between the Prince of Huaiyang and Lu Wen held no sweet memories.

Mian Tang was sorting through manuscripts from the recent poetry society meeting. Her sister-in-law, Cui Fu, had selected the best pieces for her final approval before compilation.

Mian Tang, aware of her limitations, quickly removed her own two poems—one plagiarized and one nonsensical insult—knowing they weren’t fit for publication.

Noticing Cui lost in thought, she approached and touched his cheek, asking, “What’s wrong?”

Cui set aside his book and asked seriously, “If you regained your memories, would you regret marrying me?”

Mian Tang considered carefully before answering honestly, “I don’t know…”

Cui’s face darkened at her response. Mian Tang, embracing him, continued, “Why the gloomy look? Even the great physician Zhao Quan couldn’t cure me, so I might never remember. Besides, I’m carrying your child now. Could I just up and leave?”

Cui held her close and after a moment of silence said, “If you do regain your memories, be wise. If you even think of leaving me, you’ll see if I let you go!”

Mian Tang playfully mimicked his tone, “Yes, yes, I’m just your defeated opponent. I’ll have to be sensible…” She was mocking his recent habit of referring to her as such.

Her teasing lightened Cui’s mood. He realized he shouldn’t dwell on Liu Yu’s words. After all, Liu had deeply hurt Mian Tang, leading to her dangerous flight to Yangshan Mountain. That sickly man wasn’t destined for such fortune.

Unlike Liu, Cui and Mian Tang had grown close gradually, facing hardships together for years. Now she carried his child. There was no need for excessive worry.

Reassured, Cui relaxed, holding his beloved wife as they gazed at the stars and crescent moon outside.

Life in the capital was far busier than in Zhenzhou, and time seemed to fly. By the time autumn passed and snow blanketed the ground, Mian Tang’s belly had grown remarkably.

Cui restricted her to the manor for rest, but with Cui Fu and Jin’er for company, she wasn’t lonely.

However, Cui Fu had been upset lately. The Qing Guogong Manor had repeatedly sent for Jin’er, claiming the Madam missed her grandson.

When they had separated, it was agreed that Jin’er would stay at the Prince of Huaiyang’s manor, but they couldn’t refuse when the Guo family elders wanted to see their grandson. So Jin’er had spent a few days at the Qing Guogong Manor recently.

Since returning, Jin’er had been making strange comments about not wanting his mother to find him a stepfather.

Today, Mian Tang and Cui Fu were writing a letter to Cui’s mother, the Dowager Princess Chu, in Zhenzhou. They sat on the heated kang in the lakeside pavilion while Jin’er was ice skating on the lake below, accompanied by two pageboys and a maid.

Suddenly, Jin’er threw a tantrum, smashing his ice sled and rushing up to Cui Fu in tears. He cried, “Mother, I don’t want the ice sled, and you mustn’t talk to Uncle Li anymore!”

Since the poetry society’s formation, Li Guang Cai had been visiting the Western Garden frequently, rekindling some of his youthful affection for Cui Fu. He made no secret of it, often bringing gifts for Cui Fu and Jin’er, though Cui Fu had been hesitant to respond.

Somehow, word of this had reached the Qing Guogong Manor. It seemed the Madam had said something to influence the not-yet-four-year-old child, resulting in this outburst.

Cui Fu’s face tightened at her son’s words, tears welling in her eyes. Mian Tang intervened, tapping Jin’er’s nose, “In that case, you’re not allowed to talk to little Yu’er from the Qi family anymore, let alone play with her.”

The Marquis Qi’s daughter was a porcelain doll of a child, and her mother’s friendship with Cui Fu meant she often visited the manor to play with Jin’er, who always looked forward to her visits.

Hearing his aunt’s words, Jin’er cried even harder, protesting. Mian Tang calmly continued, “How is it fair that you can have friends, but your mother can’t? If you won’t let your mother’s friends visit, I’ll have to ban your little friends too.”

Mian Tang’s logical argument was too much for the young child to counter. His grandmother had filled his head with fears that if his mother became close to Mr. Li, she might have other sons and love Jin’er less. This had soured his feelings towards Mr. Li and even the ice sled he had given. But now, faced with his aunt’s reasoning, he felt cornered and could only sullenly allow the maid to lead him away for his afternoon nap.

Once her son had left, Cui Fu angrily slapped the table, “I must have owed the Guo family in a past life for them to keep tormenting me even after our separation.”

Mian Tang frowned, “What exactly are they playing at?”