There was a momentary silence in the air.
Little Qin's face turned deathly pale, her entire body trembling like a sieve.
Who would have thought that Zhang Miaoyu, who always appeared kind and gentle, could utter such terrifying words.
Lu Xuan's expression gradually darkened. She spoke calmly, "If Consort Chen publicly punishes a palace maid so harshly, rumors might spread in the palace that she is tyrannical."
Shen Wei smiled faintly, her tone indifferent. "If Consort Shu harbors resentment, she is welcome to plead her case before His Majesty or the Empress Dowager."
Lu Xuan bit her lip lightly.
Harmony was prized in the imperial harem. Spreading malicious rumors to ruin someone's reputation—if the Empress Dowager or the Emperor were to find out—would likely result in punishment for Lu Xuan herself.
After a moment's thought, Lu Xuan relaxed her expression and turned to Little Qin. "Speaking recklessly is indeed a fault. I shall punish you by kneeling in the courtyard for four hours—a light penalty to teach you a lesson. Consort Chen has always been benevolent and will surely forgive your mistake."
Little Qin immediately seized the opportunity to admit her wrongdoing. "Consort Chen, this lowly maid will repent. My mistress is with child and cannot bear the sight of blood. I will go kneel now and reflect on my actions."
Shen Wei nodded. "To recognize one's faults and correct them is a great virtue. If you repeat this mistake, you will bear the consequences."
Little Qin rose at once and knelt on the stone pavement in the front courtyard.
She knew her place. The harem was now under Consort Chen's control, and she had the authority to reprimand and punish the palace staff. If she hadn't taken the initiative to admit fault, even if Consort Shu had tried to protect her, Little Qin might not have escaped with her life today.
If the matter escalated and reached the Emperor or the Empress Dowager, exposing Consort Shu's role in spreading rumors, the consequences would be unimaginable.
A breeze swept through, causing the gauze curtains of the pavilion to sway gently. Cai Lian poured another cup of plum soup, chilling it in ice water. Zhang Miaoyu eagerly took a sip and praised, "So sweet and tangy—delicious!"
Shen Wei also took a small sip. "Indeed, it is."
Lu Xuan's gaze was inscrutable.
Zhang Miaoyu and Shen Wei drinking the plum soup in front of her wasn’t just about enjoying the refreshment. Their main purpose was to prove that the plum paste Shen Wei had gifted was harmless.
They had both drunk most of their cups in public, with no ill effects. If Lu Xuan later tried to frame Shen Wei for poisoning the royal heir using the plum paste, this scheme would now be futile.
Lu Xuan lowered her beautiful eyes, her nails digging into her palms. Just then, a palace maid's anxious voice called out from the other side of the courtyard, "Young Prince, please slow down!"
A chubby, jade-like little boy toddled over unsteadily, his small body wobbling with each step.
It was Lu Xuan's son, Li Chengjue.
He was an energetic child, always eager to explore since learning to walk. The little boy stretched out his plump, lotus-white arms and happily made his way toward the pavilion.
Shen Wei's eyes flickered with amusement, and she deliberately beckoned to the child with a warm smile. A one-year-old knew nothing of harem intrigue—seeing Shen Wei's friendly face, he toddled right over.
Lu Xuan's heart leaped into her throat.
Shen Wei gazed at the boy and teased, "Time flies. Chengjue can already walk. In another two or three years, it will be time to hire a tutor to educate him. Consort Shu, you must discipline him well—don’t let him anger his tutor to illness."
Lu Xuan's face darkened. Though Shen Wei wore a smile, every word carried a veiled threat.
Shen Wei seemed to take a liking to Lu Xuan's son. She crouched down, pulling a thin handkerchief from her sleeve, and gently wiped the boy's face. "The weather is hot, and you’re sweating from running around. Let Consort Chen wipe your face for you."
Lu Xuan tensed inwardly.
Shen Wei's fingers were pale and slender, her nails neatly trimmed. As she dabbed the child's face, the edge of one nail lightly grazed his plump cheek. The boy, oblivious, giggled sweetly.
To Lu Xuan, the scene looked like a cruel demon about to devour an innocent child.
It was unsettling.
Before Shen Wei had returned to the palace, Lu Xuan had practically reigned supreme in the harem. To pave the way for her son, she had schemed against the Empress's eldest son, suppressed the sons of other consorts, and orchestrated miscarriages—her methods knew no bounds.
Lu Xuan prided herself on her cunning and had always looked down on the foolish women of the harem. She relished the fear in their eyes.
But now, the tables had turned.
The whip that had once lashed others now struck her own back—and the pain was unbearable.
Zhang Miaoyu, seeing the moment was right, stretched lazily. "It’s getting late. Consort Chen, let us take our leave so Consort Shu may rest well for her pregnancy."
Shen Wei nodded agreeably.
The two departed Changxin Palace. Before leaving, Shen Wei flashed Lu Xuan a radiant smile. "We shall visit again another day. Take good care of yourself—may you deliver your child safely."
Bathed in sunlight, Shen Wei’s beauty was dazzling, but her eyes held a cold sharpness that pierced Lu Xuan’s heart like a thorn.
Lu Xuan stood at the entrance, watching their retreating figures, her nails sinking deeper into her palms.
Once back inside, her one-year-old son happily ran over and threw himself into her arms. Lu Xuan held him tightly, her heart still pounding.
She summoned the two maids assigned to care for the child and scolded, "I keep no useless fools. Go to the laundry bureau and toil as laborers."
The maids kowtowed and begged for mercy, but it was futile.
Little Qin remained kneeling outside.
Lu Xuan seethed. "The humiliation of today—I will repay it tenfold."
Little Qin, still on her knees, tugged at Lu Xuan’s skirt and pleaded, "Mistress, do not act rashly. This servant’s suffering is nothing. You are with child—the royal heir must come first. The imperial physician said you must remain calm during pregnancy. Wait until after the birth to seek revenge."
Lu Xuan’s chest burned with fury as she stroked her rounded belly. She, the daughter of a duke, had been humiliated and suppressed by a peasant’s daughter in just a few short months.
Now, the Emperor still favored Consort Chen above all. The Empress Dowager, who was raising Consort Chen’s child, doted on her by extension.
Lu Xuan watched the withering begonias in the courtyard, her heart simmering. She could only console herself—the Emperor was not a man of lasting devotion. His favor toward Consort Chen wouldn’t last. He was merely indulging in novelty.
The path Consort Chen walked now was the same one Lu Xuan had once trodden—different roads, but the same destination.
Still… Lu Xuan closed her eyes tightly. She couldn’t bear it.
---
Elsewhere, Shen Wei and Zhang Miaoyu strolled along the palace path.
Zhang Miaoyu’s plump face was alight with excitement. "Hehe, we’re like the villainesses in those storybooks—going out of our way to bully Consort Shu. Did you see her face? It was so long!"
Shen Wei arched a brow. "An eye for an eye."
She held grudges.
Lu Xuan had targeted her repeatedly, openly and covertly. Shen Wei was not one to endure in silence. In the harem, for the Emperor’s favor, for their children’s futures, for survival, for family glory—every consort fought in her own way.
No one could remain untouched.
Zhang Miaoyu shrugged. "After today’s warning, Consort Shu will likely behave for a while. Seeing her so deflated—it’s so satisfying! I’m going back to feast in celebration!"
Her tone was unmistakably gleeful. Shen Wei couldn’t help but ask, "Did Consort Shu ever harm you?"
