Shen Guiyan squinted as she looked it over, then smiled. “Such a precious gift—Consort Shen is truly thoughtful.”

Shen Hanlu smiled. She was merely passing along a favor, having obtained the item from elsewhere—it didn’t cost her anything anyway. Besides, this thing was excellent. Modern people all knew that convex mirrors focused light and could easily start fires in sunlight, but ancient people might not necessarily know this. If there happened to be dry weather by accident, no one could be blamed for it.

“By the way, the stand is a bit loose. Your servant also brought brocade silk bestowed by His Majesty to pad underneath. If it falls, at least it won’t shatter.” Consort Shen held the object while Xiuping behind her placed the stand beside Shen Guiyan. After positioning the glass, Consort Shen personally tucked the brocade silk underneath.

Shen Guiyan rose slightly and reached out to pull the brocade silk away. “Such a beautiful thing—it would be too wasteful to use it as padding. Sister, you should take it back.”

Consort Shen froze, her face full of grievance. “Does Your Ladyship still refuse to forgive your servant?”

“No.” Shen Guiyan smiled. “This palace has never forgiven you for even a moment.”

The icy frost in her eyes didn’t diminish in the slightest. When Shen Hanlu looked up and saw this, she shivered slightly, her expression turning ugly. She mumbled a few words but didn’t have the nerve to speak further.

“It’s just that this palace likes this thing, so I won’t refuse it.” Shen Guiyan turned to Baoshan. “Go fetch a basin of water.”

Baoshan acknowledged and left, returning shortly with a water basin.

“The weather isn’t particularly warm yet. This sunlight is perfect for heating water. If the glass falls, it will land in the water and won’t shatter.” Shen Guiyan moved the glass stand herself, positioning the focal point of concentrated light toward the basin. “Is this how to place it?”

Shen Hanlu’s expression changed.

“Books say that when light gathers at one point, fire can be obtained.” As Shen Guiyan adjusted it, she said, “Sister, you should have read more books in your youth.”

“What is elder sister saying?” Shen Hanlu forced a smile. “Younger sister doesn’t quite understand. This glass is merely something younger sister found beautiful and wanted to give to elder sister, nothing more.”

Shen Guiyan nodded. “Thank you.”

The sunlight was perfect. The light passing through the glass rippled beautifully in the water basin—it truly was lovely to behold.

Shen Hanlu curtsied, preparing to take her leave. Shen Guiyan glanced at her retreating figure and said, “You and I come from the same family. Though there is resentment, we were sisters nonetheless. If you don’t scheme against this palace, this palace can still tolerate you. But if you send any rare treasures again next time, this palace will present them to His Majesty instead.”

“Elder sister can rest assured. Today was truly coincidental—younger sister has no other intentions.” Shen Hanlu turned around, explaining with a sincere expression.

Shen Guiyan watched her leave. Nearby, Baoshan was still admiring the glass.

“Consort Shen is truly generous. Such a large piece—it’s priceless.”

“Mm, take it and put it somewhere in the room away from light. You can also keep it as a collectible.” Shen Guiyan softened her expression. “While you’re at it, send two bolts of snow brocade back as a return gift.”

“Yes.” Baoshan happily carried the glass into the inner hall.

Yonghe Palace was like an impenetrable fortress—no one could shake it in the slightest. Though His Majesty didn’t favor Noble Consort Yan, he promoted the Shen family’s legitimate son, Shen Guiwen, to become the youngest remonstrating official at court.

The ten-year-old Shen Guiwen possessed wisdom beyond ordinary people. In court, he dared to speak boldly. A single statement—”If the ruler does not serve the people’s affairs, what affairs should he serve?”—won the Emperor’s favor, making him a favored minister at court. The Shen family’s influence also began to slowly recover.

Shen Guiwu was recommended to General Wen’s army. There was no news yet, but with both Shen family sons showing promise, His Majesty praised them repeatedly and enfeoffed Shen’s father as Marquis Zhongjun.

Anyone with eyes could see that the Emperor was supporting the Shen family. But for some unknown reason, Noble Consort Yan in the inner palace received no favor at all. Instead, Noble Consort Fu, through Scholar Fu’s reflected glory, rose to the position of Noble Consort.

Consort Hua’s methods of competing for favor also increased, and her conflicts with Noble Consort Fu grew more frequent. Incidents occurred in the inner palace every few days. Consort Xi had already requested permission to leave the palace.

“How strange. Previously, when I planned to let you all leave the palace, Consort Hua said she was unwilling. Now why do you want to leave?” Gu Chaobei looked at Consort Xi curiously.

Consort Xi frowned. “Can’t Your Majesty see the filthy schemes behind these rouge and powder curtains?”

“I can see them. So what?” Gu Chaobei laughed lightly. “Shuixian, I am the Emperor. I cannot possibly quibble over such matters with you women, nor do I have the energy to play with you. Who is right or wrong in the inner palace doesn’t matter. What matters is that those who should remain are still here.”

The last glimmer of light vanished from her eyes. Consort Xi said sadly, “I thought that after so long, Your Majesty would at least have some feelings for us. In the end, it was just wishful thinking.”

Among those who should remain, she was not included.

Gu Chaobei pressed his lips together and sighed. “What you’ve all done for me, I know. If you want to leave the palace, I’ll open the palace gates for you. I can send you home with honor, and whatever you want, tell me—I can give you whatever is within my power.”

Consort Xi looked up at the Emperor. “Your servant has no other requests, but begs Your Majesty to be careful of Consort Hua. Her heart harbors great ambitions.”

The Emperor froze.

Consort Xi was demoted to commoner status, but the Emperor then enfeoffed her as Lady Qingguo, ordering her to return home with honor. The inner palace was shaken. Shen Guiyan finally stepped out of Yonghe Palace to visit Consort Xi at Fuyin Palace.

“Why do you want to leave…” Consort Hua looked at her with reddened eyes. “I won’t quarrel with you anymore, isn’t that enough? Consort Zhuang is already gone. If you leave too, how bored will I be? I won’t have anyone by my side.”

Consort Xi was already dressed in ordinary clothing. Looking at this group of women in the room, she laughed lightly. “I want to regain my freedom. Why do you all look so unpleasant? If you have the courage, leave with me. His Majesty would surely allow it. If you can’t let go of this wealth and glory, then why say more?”

Direct as always, Consort Hua’s expression soured slightly as she coughed lightly. Noble Consort Fu beside her quickly interjected, “Isn’t that so? Since the sisterly bond is so deep, why not leave the palace together? It would save all these tears and empty words.”

“This palace cannot let go of His Majesty.” Consort Hua pursed her lips. “Consort Xi, if younger sister wants to leave first, this palace won’t stop you. This palace will remain.”

Light laughter sounded around them. Consort Hua turned her gaze, and people everywhere quickly lowered their heads.

Shen Guiyan wore loose palace robes. Without saying much, she walked at the very front to see Consort Xi off. At the palace gates, she spoke in farewell: “Farewell.”

Consort Xi looked deeply at Shen Guiyan, smiling with closed eyes. As she turned to follow the palace attendants out to the carriage, her body suddenly stiffened.

“Look at her—she can’t bear to leave after all.” Concubine Jiang muttered quietly. “What’s all this fuss about leaving the palace? It’s nothing but seeking His Majesty’s concerned words. Who would willingly leave the imperial palace? There’s no way to survive outside anyway.”

The words had barely fallen when Consort Xi collapsed to the ground.

Shen Guiyan frowned and quickly ordered palace attendants to help her back inside and summon an Imperial Physician first.

An ominous premonition stirred in her heart. Shen Guiyan turned. “Baoshan, inform His Majesty.”

“Yes.” Baoshan lifted her skirts and ran.

Consort Xi seemed to be in great pain, her brows furrowed even in unconsciousness. The Imperial Physician came to examine her but said there was nothing abnormal.

“If Your Ladyship doesn’t want to leave after all, just tell His Majesty directly. There’s no need to torment yourself like this.” Concubine Jiang couldn’t help saying. “His Majesty values you anyway. No need to feign illness to frighten people.”

After a long while, Consort Xi opened her eyes and glared fiercely at Concubine Jiang. She reached out to grab Shen Guiyan’s clothing. “Your Ladyship, my whole body hurts, like ants are biting me. Save me…”

Shen Guiyan frowned at the Imperial Physician. The newly arrived physician looked confident. “Lady Qingguo’s blood and meridians flow smoothly. There is no serious problem. This servant has nowhere to prescribe medicine.”

Consort Xi writhed in agony on the bed. The concubines nearby wore mocking expressions, just watching to see how long she would keep up the act.

His Majesty was in a council meeting and would arrive later. Shen Guiyan stayed by Consort Xi’s bedside, reaching out to feel her forehead. No abnormality, her complexion was normal too—only her expression showed too much pain.

Consort Xi was someone who could see things clearly. There was no need for such pretense, surely? Shen Guiyan turned. “Baoshan, go request Chief Guo to come.”

The words had just left her mouth when Consort Xi suddenly cried out “Ah!”

Fresh blood spurted from her mouth. Consort Xi’s eyes rolled back, and as if her soul had been suddenly extracted, she collapsed on the bed.

Blood splattered onto Consort Hua’s skirt. Consort Hua, terrified beyond measure, rushed forward and called out, “Shuixian!”

Shen Guiyan was also startled. The Imperial Physician beside her directly knelt down to check her pulse again. The moment he placed his hand on her wrist through the silk cloth, the physician’s face turned pale.

“Lady Qingguo… the Lady is gone.”

A group of palace consorts screamed and retreated. Consort Hua stared blankly at Consort Xi on the bed, then threw herself forward regardless of everything, crying loudly. “How can this be? She was leaving today! Who still won’t let her go? Who is so cruel!”

The wailing was shrill, piercing through the palace courts.

When Gu Chaobei arrived, Consort Xi’s body had already gone cold.

From Zuihuayin, three people had entered the palace with him. Two were now dead.

The Emperor sat by Consort Xi’s bedside in a daze, not daring to look at her remains. He only turned to look at Shen Guiyan beside him.

“Consort Xi fainted just as she left the palace. When she returned and her pulse was checked, the Imperial Physician said nothing was wrong. Who knew that just now she would vomit blood and die.” Shen Guiyan’s voice trembled slightly, though her expression remained calm as she clearly recounted the events.

Gu Chaobei turned to look at Consort Hua.

Consort Hua had already cried her heart out. Her hair had come loose and she didn’t care. Her face was streaked with tears, and her eyes were filled with hatred as she looked around. “Whoever killed Shuixian, even if this palace loses her life, I will never let her go!”

Those around fell deathly silent. Noble Consort Fu spoke up: “The Imperial Physician cannot diagnose the cause. Consort Xi’s death is suspicious. Could it be some kind of witchcraft?”

Concubines Ye and Noble Lady Gao were both out of favor, standing far away and unlikely to be suspected. But the others looked at each other, each calculating in their hearts.

“What Noble Consort Fu says is not without possibility. Since everyone is here now, let no one move. Have the Imperial Guards search the palaces.” Shen Guiyan said.

Gu Chaobei closed his eyes and nodded. “Do as Noble Consort Yan says.”

All the palace consorts, including the palace maids, were gathered together and made to stand in the courtyard. The Imperial Guards began heading to each palace.