The two of them returned from Penglai Palace to the Prince’s mansion and entered the bedchamber. Pu Zhu didn’t remove her makeup and didn’t change her clothes. She watched Li Xuandu have Luo Bao attend him as he changed out of the clothes he’d worn outside during the day and into a wide, loose daoist robe for his time in the study. Once changed, he drifted past her as though she were not there, and made to leave the bedchamber.

“Your Highness, a moment!” Pu Zhu called after him.

He stopped and turned his head.

Pu Zhu suppressed the simmering irritation in her belly and dismissed everyone. She said: “About what Your Highness said at Grandmother’s just now — I’d like to discuss it with Your Highness again…”

“I want to go too!” she said it outright.

Li Xuandu said: “It’s better for you to stay home and rest. I’ve already said I’ll take you to visit my maternal grandmother when I return from the hunt.”

Pu Zhu walked up to him and tentatively reached out to lightly grasp his sleeve, seeing that he didn’t pull away. She looked at him steadily, her eyes gradually turning red, glimmering with unshed tears: “Your Highness — I hear that this time, all the ladies of any standing in the capital are going. If everyone goes and only I am left behind, won’t that make me a laughingstock?”

She finished and gave his sleeve two gentle tugs, making a show of coquetry.

Unfortunately the person before her was not Li Chengyu.

Li Xuandu was entirely unmoved and said: “You couldn’t even walk that day when you had that fright — I had to carry you out. Everyone saw it. Since when would anyone mock you for staying home to recover now?”

Pu Zhu paused, released his sleeve.

He didn’t think anything of it either, lowered his head and smoothed the bit of sleeve she had crumpled.

Pu Zhu stifled her irritation, walked to the door of the bedchamber, opened it and looked outside to confirm there were no listening ears, then walked back and changed her approach: “Your Highness, don’t forget what I once told you. That old Nanny Huang is sharp as a blade. If I don’t go, she’ll nag me — and I’m afraid she’ll make even more trouble.”

Li Xuandu said lightly: “That’s your problem. Handle it yourself. Go to my study — don’t come disturbing me!” And having said this, he abandoned her and walked away.

Pu Zhu was furious and helpless at once, and for the moment couldn’t think of any more persuasive argument. That night she tossed and turned, unable to sleep, while Li Xuandu seemed to sleep soundly, sleeping through until morning.

Day after day it went on like this. No matter how Pu Zhu tried — coaxing, pleading, expressing before him how much she wanted to go — he simply wouldn’t nod.

In no time at all, there were only a few days left before the departure date, and he would be setting out early with Han Rongchang and others, arriving at the hunt grounds ahead of time to prepare to welcome the emperor’s imperial progress.

Pu Zhu’s hatred grew more intense by the day, and her conviction in the importance and necessity of becoming Empress Dowager only deepened.

What use was being a Princess Consort?

No matter how high the status, no matter how splendid the outward appearance — it was still in another person’s grip. Even such a small matter as whether to attend the autumn hunt was controlled by another. And even if she became empress someday, one disapproving emperor needed only to slap a label of “moral failing” on you, and you would be cast into the eighteenth level of hell, never to recover.

Only as Empress Dowager could one do as one pleased, no longer subject to another’s control.

He was about to leave, and on the matter of her going along, there was still no discussion to be had.

On the evening before his departure, she was in the room helping Li Xuandu pack the clothes to be taken on the journey.

The hunt grounds were located northeast of the capital at a place called Wuning Plain. At the traveling pace of the main procession — journeying by day and lodging by night — it would take seven or eight days to arrive. The round trip would be half a month, and they would stay there for at least half a month as well; altogether it came to more than a month.

Pu Zhu emerged from her bath, sat before the dressing table, and slowly combed through her long hair she’d just washed and dried, watching the maids busy folding and packing his various garments into neat categories.

The daily robes — straight-cut gowns and coats — his narrow-sleeved riding gear for hunting, the formal court robes for official occasions, and socks, various leather belts, and several pairs of tall leather boots in matching colors for the different outfits — all of it amounted to two trunks. She was still watching this when she suddenly heard a familiar set of footsteps approaching outside. Knowing he had returned, she quickly set down her comb and went to receive him inside, gesturing toward the two trunks: “I’ve packed all your clothes. Take a look and see if there’s anything missing — I’ll add it for you.”

Li Xuandu glanced over casually and gave a nod: “That’s thoughtful of you.”

Pu Zhu dismissed the maids to rest. When he had settled himself in bed, she went to close the door, then quietly slipped off her outer layer of garments, revealing a soft, light-thin pink crossed-collar undershirt, and climbed up onto the bed after him. She covered a small yawn with her hand and complained: “The weather has been turning cooler; there are withered branches and dead limbs all over the rear courtyard. Today I had people come to prune them and spent all day supervising — I’m truly exhausted. Your Highness please go on with whatever you’re doing; I’m going to sleep first.” Having said this, she lay down on her side, facing him.

Once she lay down, she seemed to fall asleep almost immediately, curling up slightly.

Li Xuandu reclined against the headboard, turned a page of his book, and glanced at her — then stopped.

The collar of her small undershirt had somehow come loose, exposing a expanse of her chest, half concealed and half revealed.

A beauty in slumber, her face like a lotus flower, her bosom like fresh cream — near enough to reach out and touch, it stirred the imagination beyond measure.

Li Xuandu was only a man.

He snuck several glances, found himself truly unable to hold out, reached out his hand, and drew the quilt that had fallen to her waist all the way up to her collar, covering her body completely.

Pu Zhu seemed to have been roused from her dream. Her long lashes, eyes still shut, quivered lightly a few times. In her sleep, she turned over — and her body pressed itself against his side, soft and pliant, lightly leaning there.

Li Xuandu didn’t touch her, didn’t push her away, sat completely still, continuing to read his book just as before.

Pu Zhu leaned against him for a moment, then — seeing he still hadn’t moved — gritted her teeth and decided to try her luck.

If she didn’t try now, he’d be leaving tomorrow!

She opened her eyes, extended one arm, laid it across his abdomen, and slowly wrapped it around his waist. Seeing he still hadn’t pushed her away and his eyes were still on his book — as if encouraged — she grew bolder. Her other arm reached over as well, slowly pulling the book he held in his hand from his grip, tossing it casually onto the pillow, and she climbed up onto his chest.

He finally lifted his eyes and looked at her.

Pu Zhu’s heart was pounding; she was a little nervous, but very clear in her mind about what she should do next.

She fixed her gaze on the man’s pair of eyes — which were darkening by degrees — leaned her face slowly toward him, opened her mouth and closed it around his throat, and gently nipped with her teeth. Her soft, pale hand soundlessly slipped inside his collar and gently stroked his chest.

At last the man closed his eyes, allowing her to do as she pleased with his body, and accepting the attention she offered.

Pu Zhu judged that the moment was right and stopped. She looked at his face again, and breathing lightly, she called to him: “Your Highness…”

Li Xuandu didn’t open his eyes; he only responded with a low “mm” — and before she could speak, said: “I’ll say this first: I’m not taking you along. You’ll stay home and wait for me to return.”

Pu Zhu stopped, and stared at him.

He finally opened his eyes and looked at her.

Pu Zhu knew that precisely at a moment like this, she absolutely could not give up.

At the falconry platform before, she had already learned this lesson.

She could only count herself unlucky and simply complete what ought to be completed next.

But she truly couldn’t control the disappointment and frustration in her heart; she had no desire whatsoever to continue, and though her person still lay draped across his chest, she didn’t move at all.

Li Xuandu waited a moment, saw she had gone still, and gave a cold snort: “Get off me! Go sleep!”

Pu Zhu rolled off him in indignation.

He sat up as well, arranged his collar that she had pulled open into disarray, put out the lamp, and lay down.

After that there was nothing more to say. The two of them lay with their backs to each other through the rest of the night. Early the next morning he rose, took his close attendants Ye Xiao and the others, and left without her, leaving only Luo Bao behind. He also instructed her that for the coming days, she was not to go out without cause, and that if there was anything she needed, she should send Luo Bao.

He had resolved so firmly not to take her along, cold and unyielding to this extreme. Pu Zhu had no choice but to make other plans, her disappointment and frustration notwithstanding.

In truth, if she set aside the matter of Huaiwei, given how thoroughly resolute his stance was, it would have been fine for Pu Zhu to simply stay home and wait obediently for his return. The other private plan she had could afford to wait a month or two longer without it mattering.

But when she considered Huaiwei, it was a different matter entirely.

The thought of Han Chijiao going as well made Pu Zhu incapable of setting her mind at ease, and yet she couldn’t tell Li Xuandu directly — she was afraid that something might threaten Huaiwei’s life if Han Chijiao could get near him.

Only one option remained: while he was gone, she would go herself to Empress Dowager Jiang and shamelessly beg for her permission.

As long as Empress Dowager Jiang said the word, she could go. Once she arrived, she didn’t believe he would actually send her back.

The Prince’s mansion was vast. With the man of the house gone, it suddenly felt much emptier and more desolate.

Pu Zhu planned to go to Penglai Palace after midday. Unexpectedly, before midday had arrived, something else happened first.

A person came from Jishан Palace with a message — the Empress Dowager Chen wished her to come to the palace for a conversation.

Pu Zhu immediately thought of Li Qiongyao.

That dead governess had certainly followed her to that place that night; she just hadn’t expected to lose her life there. Li Qiongyao might not blame Xiao Shi, but she would certainly take her anger out on Pu Zhu.

This Empress Dowager Chen was no sharp-minded woman — she had simply been born lucky, blessed with good fortune. In her youth she had entered Emperor Mingzong’s rear palace through the connections of her aunt, the Grand Empress Dowager Chen, and had given birth to Li Lihua and the second prince, King Jin. After King Jin became Emperor Xiaochang, when she became Empress Dowager, she was even more prone to shielding and covering for people she favored. The marriage between Li Lihua and Han Rongchang had been arranged entirely by her own hands.

Li Xuandu had only just left that morning, and already she was summoning her into the palace. What good could possibly come of it?

Pu Zhu was afraid of trouble. She immediately had Nanny Huang go notify Shen Gao, then quickly touched up her face and, following the palace messenger who was waiting, entered the imperial palace and was taken to Jishаn Palace.

The Empress Dowager Chen, being heavy and bloated, could not sit cross-legged on a couch for long and was accustomed to sitting in a high-backed chair. She was seated in one such chair now, and — sure enough, just as Pu Zhu had guessed — Princess Li Qiongyao was also present.

Pu Zhu paid her respects. The Empress Dowager Chen gave a pale nod, then said directly: “Pu Shi — I’ve had you come today to ask about some matters related to the fire at the garden.”

Pu Zhu replied with apparent confusion: “I was indeed at the garden that night. But I am not sure what the Empress Dowager wishes to ask.”

The Empress Dowager said: “I have heard that when the fire broke out that night, everyone else was in the banquet hall — yet you alone appeared near the fire scene. And as it happens, Princess Ningshou’s governess burned to death in the fire. I want to ask you: did you happen to see the governess at that time?”

The Empress Dowager’s expression was quite stern, her gaze fixed on her.

Pu Zhu shook her head: “At the time I had come out to freshen up, and since I’d had some wine and was already a little unsteady, and then the fire broke out on top of that and I was terrified — in my panic I was trying to find my way out of the fire scene. I didn’t see the governess…”

“You’re lying!”

Li Qiongyao cut Pu Zhu off, had someone bring in a palace maid, and said to the maid: “Tell the Empress Dowager everything you saw that night. Don’t be afraid — say it all.”

The palace maid kept her head lowered and said: “Reporting to the Empress Dowager: that night it happened by coincidence that this servant was passing by. From a distance, I saw the Princess Consort of Prince Qin run into the governess. The governess had drunk a bit too much and wasn’t watching her step and accidentally bumped into the Princess Consort. She kept apologizing, but the Princess Consort was unreasonable and wouldn’t let it go — she pushed the governess. The governess fell and never got up again. Then the Princess Consort left, and moments later the courtyard caught fire. The Princess Consort’s rank is high and this servant’s word carries no weight — I was afraid, and I’ve not dared speak until now. But last night I dreamed of the governess; she said she died so wretchedly, and blamed me for not speaking the truth for her. I was frightened she would come find me, so I said it just now…”

The Empress Dowager gazed at Pu Zhu and said coldly: “Pu Shi — what do you have to say? The governess only bumped into you by accident — how could you do such a thing? Not only did you push her — could it be that the fire also has something to do with you?”

Pu Zhu said: “Every word the palace maid has said is a fabrication — one person’s account, with nothing to support it. I ask the Empress Dowager to see clearly. If the Empress Dowager does not believe me, this matter may be referred to the Court of the Imperial Clan or the Court of Judicial Review. I am willing to face this palace maid in open court.”

The Empress Dowager’s face had already been unpleasant; now she was so angry that the flesh of her face quivered slightly. The hand covered in jeweled rings slapped down hard on the armrest of the high-backed chair and she said furiously: “Pu Shi — what do you mean by this? Do you think I cannot deal with you?”

Pu Zhu knelt down, bowed her head, and said: “I would not dare to be disrespectful to the Empress Dowager. It is only that the charge of murder and arson is too grave — I cannot accept responsibility for something I have not done.”

The Empress Dowager Chen, though she had believed Li Qiongyao’s account, had after all spent half a lifetime in the imperial rear palace and understood her own position. Even the Empress herself didn’t take her seriously, let alone the one in Penglai Palace.

The Princess Consort of Prince Qin was not someone she could punish by her own private authority.

She looked at the person kneeling before her and gave a huff through her nose. In a cold voice she said: “It appears my temple here is too modest — you don’t place it in your eyes anymore. Yet a life has been lost, and since someone has personally witnessed your quarrel with the governess that night, no matter how little use I am, I cannot in good conscience cover it up. You just stay here — and reflect well on what you did that night!” With that she rose.

Li Qiongyao, unsatisfied, rushed forward to steady her: “Grandmother, she harmed my governess — how can she be let off so easily?”

The Empress Dowager said: “There’s no rush; once she confesses everything, you will have your answer!”

This was truly a disaster falling from the sky.

Pu Zhu also knew this Empress Dowager probably wouldn’t actually do anything severe to her — but to discipline her without going too far was certainly within her power.

She was feeling somewhat anxious, wondering why Shen Gao hadn’t acted yet. Then the movement came — a palace attendant ran in announcing that the Empress was here. Before the words were out, accompanied by the rapid sound of approaching footsteps, Empress Shangguan swept in. She glanced at the kneeling Princess Consort of Prince Qin, then looked at the palace maid kneeling nearby. Her face showed a flash of anger, and she gave a look to an old woman by her side.

The old woman stepped forward, raised her hand, and gave the palace maid a hard slap across the face. The maid toppled to the ground, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth.

The old woman then pulled a hairpin from her own head, and with the sharp end began jabbing it haphazardly at the maid’s face, saying in a scolding voice: “Impudent creature! Nothing but lies and ravings — how dare you slander the Princess Consort! You must be tired of living!”

The maid’s face quickly broke out in small bleeding punctures. She fell to the ground, dodging as best she could, crying out loudly and pleading for mercy over and over.

The old woman jabbed her for a moment longer, then called for someone to bring a blade, intending to cut out her tongue.

The maid was terrified beyond measure; she threw herself desperately at the princess’s feet and, raising a face that looked like a bleeding honeycomb, begged pathetically for her life.

Li Qiongyao was frightened by the sight of all this. Snapping back to her senses, she hurriedly tried to explain: “Imperial Mother! What she said was all true — that night she really did see…”

“Silence!”

Empress Shangguan’s voice cut through sharply.

Li Qiongyao turned desperately: “Grandmother!”

The Empress Dowager Chen struggled to hold in her anger, and said: “Empress — what is the meaning of this?”

Empress Shangguan then walked before the Empress Dowager, made a proper respectful bow, and then said: “How could the Princess Consort of Prince Qin do such a thing? This palace maid’s lies were deceiving the Empress Dowager — I truly could not stand by and watch, and so I acted on the Empress Dowager’s behalf to teach her a lesson.”

The Empress Dowager was briefly silenced. Seeing the situation deteriorating — the Empress’s attendant had truly taken up a dagger and was commanding people to pry open the maid’s mouth — the maid, utterly terrified and wild with terror, kowtowed frantically and wailed: “It was the princess who told me to say it! I didn’t dare refuse — I beg the Empress for mercy…”

Her face was covered in blood mixed with tears, making her look like something from a ghost story.

The Empress’s face showed revulsion. She ordered the maid taken out and beaten to death as a warning to others.

Along with the maid’s screams for rescue as she was dragged away —

“Imperial Mother —”

Li Qiongyao’s face went slightly white, and she called out in a trembling voice.

Empress Shangguan said coldly: “Go back to your palace and think carefully about what you’ve done! And don’t bother going to the autumn hunt either!”

Li Qiongyao stamped her foot in fury, gave Pu Zhu a hateful glare, and flew out.

Empress Shangguan walked to Pu Zhu, who was still kneeling on the ground, and personally helped her to her feet, saying apologetically: “All my fault — I didn’t manage the princess well, and she gave you a fright. Are you all right?”

Pu Zhu had watched the whole spectacle to its end and took the offered hand and stood up. She said it was nothing.

The Empress smiled: “As long as you’re all right. I’ll take care of Princess Ningshou from now on. Nothing more to be done here — go on home, and rest well.”

Pu Zhu gave her thanks, then turned toward the Empress Dowager as well and gave a proper bow before leaving the palace. She was just about to board the carriage home when she unexpectedly ran into Female Official Chen, who had come over in haste from Penglai Palace. She quickly went forward to greet her.

Female Official Chen, seeing her emerge from the palace safe and sound, quietly breathed a sigh of relief, and asked about the Empress Dowager Chen’s summons.

That Empress Shangguan had come to her rescue must have been because Shen Gao had received her message and passed it on. But she herself hadn’t sent anyone to Penglai Palace. She was briefly puzzled.

Female Official Chen said: “Luo Bao came just now and told us that the Empress Dowager Chen had summoned you into the palace. The Grand Empress Dowager sent me to have a look.”

Pu Zhu then understood. She recounted what had just happened.

The old female official listened to the end, her brow creasing for a moment, then resuming its composure. She offered comforting words: “So long as nothing came of it. Go on home, and I’ll head back as well.”

Pu Zhu’s heart stirred. She seized the moment to lament: “A’mu — with His Highness gone, it’ll be at least a month or two before he comes back. This time I’ve truly offended the Empress Dowager and the princess badly, and if there’s a next time, I’m afraid it will trouble the Grand Empress Dowager again. I truly cannot bear the guilt — I’m deeply ashamed. Please convey my apologies to the Grand Empress Dowager on my behalf.”

The old female official glanced at her, seeming to catch on, but also gave nothing away; she just nodded and agreed, and upon returning to Penglai Palace, recounted the events in full.

Empress Dowager Jiang said: “The Empress went too?”

“Yes.”

Empress Dowager Jiang was quiet for a moment, then said mildly: “That works out just as well — saves us the trouble of getting involved.”

The old female official recalled the Pu family girl’s little speech before parting and smiled: “I wonder what His Highness was thinking this time — why not take her along? A month or two isn’t short. I could see she really wants to go herself, but with His Highness there, she doesn’t dare speak up.”

Empress Dowager Jiang said: “If she wants to go, then let her go. It’s not as though she’s an old woman like me who can no longer walk. Everyone else is going — leaving that one small girl to keep an empty house by herself is a bit sad. Go send someone to tell her: let her travel with Huaiwei and Hui’er in their carriage — say it’s my idea.”

The old female official smiled and said yes, she would.