Li Wan'er's demeanor was far from that of a young girl. Granny Liu cautiously ventured, "Young Mistress... do you, do you know there's something wrong with the medicine?"
Li Wan'er smiled bitterly. "I know."
Having lived under someone else's roof from a tender age, Li Wan'er was far more mature and sensitive than her peers.
She understood that in this world, no one would show her kindness without reason—except for her parents. The Empress had long ignored her, yet suddenly began showering her with attention. There had to be something amiss.
After suffering a severe cold, she recovered overnight upon taking the medicine, only to break into a sweat today. Li Wan'er guessed that the medicine the Empress had given her was tainted.
Yet, she had no means to resist.
She had already foreseen her future—without her parents' protection, she was like drifting duckweed, rootless and adrift. In two years, when she came of age, the Emperor would use her as a tool to curry favor with his ministers, marrying her off to someone she didn’t love. Her life would be sealed.
Tears streamed down Li Wan'er's cheeks as she held the medicine bowl, the bitter, foul stench making her nauseous.
Gritting her teeth, she prepared to drink it.
Granny Liu snatched the bowl from her hands, poured the contents into a flowerpot, and placed the empty bowl back into the food container.
"Granny Liu, what are you doing?" Li Wan'er was stunned.
Granny Liu soothed her gently, "You need not drink this poison. Trust this old servant. When the time comes, you will be freed from this suffering."
Li Wan'er looked bewildered.
Granny Liu then took the food container and left Baozhu Hall. The late spring night was chilly, the wind howling through the palace walls as she hurried back to Kunning Palace to report.
The Empress was removing her makeup in her bedchamber.
Granny Liu stood outside the door, about to enter, when she overheard the Empress speaking with the Head Palace Maid.
The Empress said, "Proceed tomorrow—increase the dosage of herbs in the Empress Dowager's tonic."
The Head Palace Maid frowned, attempting to dissuade her. "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager is of the highest status—the Emperor's birth mother, backed by the Xie family... If discovered, we are all doomed."
She had no qualms about targeting concubines, but poisoning the Empress Dowager gave her pause.
A stronger tonic would slowly cause organ failure in the Empress Dowager. If a child accidentally drank even a few sips, their delicate constitution would quickly lead to vomiting and diarrhea.
The Empress removed her jade hairpin and sneered, "In for a penny, in for a pound. The Empress Dowager has repeatedly opposed me—better to strike decisively."
Lately, the Empress had been dreaming of her difficult days as the Princess of Yan.
Back then, she had lost power, her husband grew distant, and her mother-in-law despised her. Trapped in a lonely courtyard, she burned incense and chanted prayers, suffering endlessly.
Filled with anxiety for the future, the Empress often recalled Prince Heng's words:
"If someone were to pass away unexpectedly, my nephew would inherit his father's position."
"You must also think of yourself—every man for himself, or heaven and earth will destroy you."
Prince Heng's words had embedded themselves like nails in the Empress's heart. Whenever she faced adversity, his whispers returned, urging her down a path of no return.
The Empress was terrified of losing power, terrified her child would not inherit the throne.
This time, she would strike first.
Staring at her withered reflection in the bronze mirror, she saw her faded beauty—while Consort Shu and Consort Chen remained as radiant as flowers. The Empress warned the Head Palace Maid, "You were sent by my mother to advise me. Obey my orders. Rest assured, you will be richly rewarded once this is done."
The Head Palace Maid lowered her head, masking a flicker of mockery, and nodded slowly.
Outside, Granny Liu heard every word. Clutching the food container, she nearly laughed at the Empress's foolishness.
Such audacity!
Not content with poisoning concubines, she now sought to murder the Empress Dowager—dragging the entire Tantai family to ruin with her?
The Tantai family was a centuries-old noble house, their ancestors having fought alongside the founding Emperor of Qing State, earning their prosperity through battle merits. Yet this generation had produced such a shortsighted fool—no matter how others dissuaded her, the Empress insisted on leaping into the abyss.
The grace of a gentleman lasts but five generations.
The Tantai family would surely be destroyed by her.
Taking a deep breath, Granny Liu knocked and adopted a calm tone. "Your Majesty, this servant has returned."
"Enter," the Empress called.
Granny Liu stepped in with bowed head and small steps.
The Empress removed an earring and asked casually, "Did Wan'er drink the medicine?"
Without flinching, Granny Liu replied, "This servant watched her drink every drop."
The Empress smirked. "At least she knows her place."
Granny Liu hesitated, then resolved to try once more. It wasn’t too late to turn back.
She spoke carefully, "Your Majesty, the rear palace remains under your control. So long as you do not provoke trouble, neither the Emperor nor the Empress Dowager will strip you of authority. No matter how the concubines vie for favor, you alone are the Empress."
Clang!
The Empress hurled a hairpin onto the dressing table, glaring. "How can I tolerate others snoring beside my bed? Once, I misjudged, and that wretch Shen Clan nearly ruined me forever. This time, I will crush her and sweep away all obstacles!"
Granny Liu opened her mouth, then swallowed her words.
It was hopeless. The Empress had lost her mind.
Head still lowered, Granny Liu retreated from the bedchamber. Outside, the wind howled through Kunning Palace, rustling leaves and rattling windows.
...
...
In Cining Palace, Le You stirred awake, disturbed by the wind and rustling leaves. Rubbing her sleepy eyes, she noticed the Empress Dowager was still awake.
Lately, Le You had been sharing the Empress Dowager's bed.
Tugging the Empress Dowager's sleeve, she asked with concern, "Imperial Grandmother, are you thinking of Aunt Zhao Yang?"
The Empress Dowager tucked the soft quilt around Le You and sighed. "Yes, child. The nights are windy, the roads dark—your aunt has never traveled far. I worry if she sleeps well, if she is cold."
Zhao Yang had been pampered all her life, never enduring hardship.
Now, married off to the King of Yue Kingdom, the journey was long and treacherous. The Empress Dowager fretted endlessly.
Le You comforted her in her sweet, childish voice, "Don’t worry, Imperial Grandmother! With Uncle escorting Aunt Zhao Yang, no one will dare bully her. I gave her a thick fox-fur blanket—she won’t be cold!"
The Empress Dowager was surprised. "The fox-fur blanket—the one gifted by Donglin Kingdom?"
That blanket was exceedingly rare, its warmth unmatched. The Empress Dowager had cherished it but gifted it to Le You upon returning to the palace.
Yet, Le You had selflessly given it to Zhao Yang.
Le You nodded earnestly. "Mm! So don’t worry. Aunt won’t be cold. You should rest—Mother says good sleep and food lead to a long life!"
Warmth filled the Empress Dowager's heart as she hugged Le You close. "My precious grandchild."
Le You nestled in her embrace for a while, listening to the rustling leaves outside. Her thoughts drifted to Li Wan'er.
Sister Wan'er just recovered from illness. On such a cold night, I hope she isn’t suffering.
Le You tugged at the Empress Dowager's sleeve: "Grandmother, tomorrow I want to visit Sister Li Wan'er. She's just recovered from a cold, and I'd like to gift her a tiger-skin rug."
The Empress Dowager looked surprised: "Li Wan'er was ill?"
